Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 541: Raise the Red Lantern

Oh, they are going to shoot "Raise the Red Lantern".

Fang Minghua sighed inwardly, but his facial expression did not change.

He took a look at it, then returned the magazine to Zhang Yimou and said:
"I reviewed this novel when I was the editor-in-chief. It is an excellent work."

"Yes, I have some ideas after reading it." Zhang Yimou took over the conversation: "I came here today to ask you for two favors."

"You said."

"Can you help me contact this author named Su Tong? I heard from President Bai that you are very familiar with him. Also, can you help me adapt it into a script? The script you wrote is exactly what I like."

Fang Minghua had already guessed that Zhang Yimou came to him for this matter, and he agreed readily.

"No problem, I'll contact Su Tong right away. As for when do you want the script?"

"Of course the sooner the better."

Fang Minghua paused for a moment and said, "How about this? I estimate that the novel I'm working on will be finished next week, so I'll start writing the script for you. It will only take about a week."

If someone says that they can write a script in a week, Zhang Yimou will doubt the quality of the script.

But when it came from Fang Minghua's mouth, it was different.

"Thank you." Zhang Yimou said hurriedly.

"We are all friends, why be polite?" Fang Minghua said, took out a small notebook from the drawer and found Su Tong's phone number.

Nanjing, Hongwu North Road.

Su Tong lit a cigarette and stared at the sycamore tree outside the window in a daze.

There are a lot of plane trees in Nanjing, and they are everywhere on the streets.

He has now resigned from his position as editor of Zhongshan magazine and became a professional writer of the Jiangsu Writers Association, living a very free life.

He just came back from Yanjing a few days ago.

At the end of the year before last, he was invited to attend the third Youth Entrepreneurship Conference held in Yenching University, where he met a group of literary friends. After the meeting, he did not rush back to Nanjing, but stayed in Yenching for a few days, visiting teachers from Yenching Normal University and some of his friends.

I met Wang Shuo, Ma Weidu and others through friends and joined their so-called Seahorse Creative Studio.

Although most of the people in the studio are writers, like Wang Shuo, Mo Yan, Liu Zhenyun, etc. whom I know, we don’t talk about literature, but more of a casual chat.

People in Yanjing are called "Kan", and they can come up with a TV drama script by just talking.

As a southerner, Su Tong was not used to this way of life. He joined in to earn some royalties - by "writing" a script and selling it, everyone could share some of the money.

After returning from the last gathering in Yanjing, Su Tong decided to withdraw.

How come this Seahorse Studio became a small group and started a conflict with Fang Minghua?
He doesn't want this.

There is another very important reason.

The "Editorial Department Stories" that a few people came up with last time are quite good. Having been an editor myself, I understand it. It describes the joys, sorrows, anger and happiness of editors, which is very interesting.

The script I read this time is called "Love You Without Negotiation".

The script is about a young actress named Zhou Hua from a drama theater who was about to get married to Fang Bo when she suddenly suffered from nephritis. The wedding was postponed and her career was interrupted. During the treatment, she met a taxi driver named Gao Qiang and was attracted to him, which triggered a series of stories.

After hearing the outline of this story, Su Tong felt it was too melodramatic.

He couldn't understand why Wang Shuo came up with such a topic?
Of course, except for him and Mo Yan, the rest of the people present are either from Yanjing or work in Yanjing, and Mo Yan is currently studying at Yanjing Normal University, so he is the only outsider.

I am a nobody and my words don't count, so it's hard to say anything.

But he can quit.

Before leaving, he went to Yanshi University to find Mo Yan and told him his thoughts. Mo Yan also felt that it was meaningless and wanted to quit, but was ridiculed by Yu Hua, who lived in the same dormitory. "I told you a long time ago that we are not the same kind of people as Wang Shuo! Those things they do, don't say they are very popular, but I look down on them!"

"I think they are still a little bit behind in fighting Minghua!"

After returning to Nanjing, he resumed his peaceful life and is now conceiving a short story:
"My Cotton, My Homeland" tells the story of a young boy who fled from famine and left his flooded hometown. His hometown made a living by growing cotton, but the floods turned the cotton fields into a body of water, and he fled from famine.

Just at this moment, the phone on the TV cabinet rang, and he went back to the living room and picked up the receiver.

"Su Tong, I'm Minghua."

"Hello, Teacher Minghua." Su Tong has always been polite to Fang Minghua, unlike Yu Hua who is so casual.

"There is such a thing. Zhang Yimou, the director of Red Sorghum, is interested in your story, Wives and Concubines, and wants to make it into a movie. So he wants to talk to you about buying the copyright to adapt it into a film or TV series. Are you willing?"

"Yes!" Su Tong was overjoyed.

It is of course a great joy to be chosen by the currently popular Zhang Yimou to be adapted into a movie!
Not to mention that you can get copyright fees, more importantly, you can expand the influence of your work through movies.

Simply kill two birds with one stone!
"Since you agree, Zhang Yimou will make a special trip to Nanjing to discuss the copyright issue with you in person."

"Okay, I'm usually at home. I'll tell you the address."

"Wait a minute, I'll write it down on a piece of paper."

After the call, Fang Minghua handed the note with the address to Zhang Yimou.

"He agreed. You can go and discuss it with him in detail. This is his home address."

"Okay, thank you. I'll leave for Nanjing in two days."

The two chatted for a while and Zhang Yimou was about to leave. Fang Minghua suddenly asked casually: "Yimou, is this film of yours funded by Xi'an Film Studio?"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yimou shook his head and said, "I don't plan to look for the factory. Even if I do, I don't think Director Liu will agree."

"Why?" Fang Minghua was a little surprised.

Historically, wasn't "Raise the Red Lantern" invested by Xi'an Film Studio?
He really doesn't know this.

Zhang Yimou sighed and explained the whole story.

It turned out that the problem lay with his previous film, "Ju Dou".

As the film was too explicit, it failed to pass review by higher authorities and could not be shown in the country without the dragon seal.

Although the film achieved impressive box office records overseas, the main leaders of the Xi'an Film Studio were scolded by the leaders of the higher authorities for this matter, which made Director Liu of the Xi'an Film Studio very unhappy.

This will affect my career.

So when Director Liu heard that Zhang Yimou was going to film another story that reflects the ethics of feudal society, he immediately said:

"I don't care if you want to shoot it, but don't even think about getting Xiying Studio to invest a penny!"

What I mean is that it is not the work of our Xi'an Film Studio, and whether it is good or bad has nothing to do with me.

Zhang Yimou is also tough:

You have the final say on whether to pay or not, but I have the final say on whether to shoot or not!
After hearing this, Fang Minghua said "oh" and then spoke after a while.

"Well, when my wife comes back, I'll ask her if Shengshi Films is willing to invest?"

"That's great. I had a great time working with President Song while filming "Ordinary World." Zhang Yimou said quickly.

Of course it was pleasant.

When you overspent on filming a TV series, my wife immediately made additional investments without saying a word, and also said that as long as we can make a good film, she will invest as much as needed!
It would be hard to find such a boss even with a lantern, right?

(End of this chapter)