Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 630 “Don’t think about it, absolutely not!
In fact, the shooting of this film went relatively smoothly. It was wrapped up before the Spring Festival. After all the production work was completed in early May, the sample film was sent to the Film Censorship Committee for review, waiting for the dragon mark to be issued.

According to relevant policy regulations, after the film is submitted for review, it will receive four responses: "approved", "approved after revision", "re-reviewed after revision", and "failed". The producer will make corresponding revisions and improvements based on the feedback results.

But a month has passed and there is still no result, which makes Song Tangtang a little anxious.

Fang Minghua advised her not to worry.

Historically, this film has never been released in mainland China. One important reason is that it was privately screened at Cannes without the approval of the Film Censorship Committee, which violated relevant policies. Of course, there are also some sensitive scenes in the film.

When Fang Minghua wrote the script this time, he learned from his experience and lessons, and handled some of the plot in a more gentle and tactful manner.

There should be no problem with the review.

It was early July when Fang Minghua and his family of four arrived in Yanjing.

The two children have graduated from kindergarten and will go to elementary school in September, so the couple decided to bring them to Yanjing to play for a few days and visit the children's great-grandfather and great-grandmother.

The two old people were extremely happy when their great-grandson came, especially the great-grandfather, who often took the two children to visit friends' homes, actually just to show off.

Fang Minghua and his wife naturally wanted to visit old friends, such as Shi Tiesheng, Yu Hua, Xichuan and Haizi, and of course they would not forget to visit the several courtyard houses in Yanjing - although they did not live there all year round, the couple would go to see them whenever they came to Yanjing, especially the one near Shichahai. It had not been rented out since Wang Zi left Yanjing, but people could live in it.

Today, the young couple sat in the courtyard and looked at the surrounding scenery.

Although I also lived in a courtyard in Xijing, it was different from this quadrangle courtyard.

When you stay here, you can always feel a strong sense of history and humanistic atmosphere.

"Tangtang, this place is not bad, right? How about we live here for a period of time every year?" Fang Minghua said.

Song Tangtang looked at the crabapple tree beside the yard. It had grown a lot since she first bought the yard.

After hearing what her husband said, she said casually, "That's good, but I'm busy with work and don't have time. When I retire, I will move to this courtyard to live in retirement, just like my grandparents did."

Oh my God
That was many years later.

Fang Minghua shook his head helplessly.

Just at this moment, the mobile phone in Song Tangtang's bag rang. She took it out and answered it while standing under the crabapple tree. After a while, she came over.

Fang Minghua noticed that her face looked different and asked with concern, "What happened?"

"Liu Xiaoguang just called and said that Zhang Yimou's film "To Live" has been sent for review, but there is still no news." Song Tangtang said.

Liu Xiaoguang is the deputy general manager of Shengshi Film and Television, and he is specifically responsible for the production and distribution of the film "To Live".

"Oh, the subject matter of this movie is somewhat sensitive, so it's normal that the review process takes a little longer. Just wait a little longer." Fang Minghua replied.

"But there's no time."

"No time?" Fang Minghua was puzzled. "In a hurry to release it? Want to release it at the same time as the second part of A Chinese Odyssey to compete for the box office? No way?"

"No, I mean the registration for this year's Venice Film Festival is about to close. If we don't send it in now, it will be too late!"

The film Zhang Yimou is shooting is preparing to participate in this year's Venice Film Festival!
Historically, this film participated in the 94 Cannes International Film Festival and won three major awards: the Jury Prize, Best Actor Award, and the Catholic Humanitarian Award.

However, since the filming was completed several months ahead of schedule in the first half of 93, the creative team decided to sign up for this year's Venice International Film Festival.

Fang Minghua heard from Song Tangtang that this year's Cannes Film Festival will be held on August 8, and the films participating in the awards must be submitted to the Cannes Film Festival Organizing Committee no later than July 13. Today is July 7, and time is already quite tight, but the review results have not come out yet!

"So what are you going to do?" Fang Minghua asked.

"This afternoon, the company's top management held a meeting of the creative team of "To Live". After discussion, Liu Xiaoguang and Zhang Yimou's creative team decided to submit the film directly to the film festival without waiting for approval. They asked for my opinion, and I replied that I would think about it and give them an answer tomorrow." Song Tangtang replied.

"Don't think about it, absolutely not!" Fang Minghua suddenly raised his voice. "Huh? Why?" Song Tangtang looked at him in surprise.

"Who came up with this idea? Was it Liu Xiaoguang, or did Zhang Yimou act on his own?!" Fang Minghua asked sternly.

"Liu Xiaoguang didn't say anything specific on the phone."

"Call me!"

Fang Minghua took Song Tangtang's mobile phone and dialed a number.

He didn't call Liu Xiaoguang, but Zhang Yimou.

The call was quickly connected, and Fang Minghua said in a relaxed tone: "Yimou, this is Minghua. I heard that you are planning to take the film directly to Cannes for awards without going through the review process?"

"That's what I mean." Zhang Yimou answered very frankly on the other end of the phone.

"Then I want to ask, is this your idea, Liu Xiaoguang's idea, or someone else's?!"

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

After a while, Zhang Yimou's voice came from the mobile phone, sounding a little tired.

"Minghua, we are friends, so I will just speak frankly. From "No One Less" to "Qiu Ju Goes to Court", and later "Red Sorghum", "Ju Dou" and "Raise the Red Lantern", these films have won many awards both at home and abroad."

"To be honest, I no longer have the excitement I had when I won the award. It doesn't matter to me whether I participate in film festivals abroad or win awards. I just want to quietly make the movies I like."

"But, Minghua, a movie is not made by me, Zhang Yimou, alone. It's the work of the entire team. Even if you don't want to win an award, others may want it. Even if you don't care about it, others may not care about it."

"I understand, but don't even think about submitting your film for the competition without permission. This is for your own good." Fang Minghua's tone was still relaxed, but his attitude was beyond question.

"I understand. Okay, I'll listen to you."

"Have a good rest and wait patiently. If you are bored, go find some friends to have a drink."

"Hehe. Then I'll wait for you to come back."

"Row."

The two chatted for a few words, and after hanging up Zhang Yimou's phone, Fang Minghua said to Song Tangtang, "Please dial Liu Xiaoguang's mobile phone for me."

Song Tangtang hesitated for a moment, but still said what Fang Minghua wanted.

"Mr. Liu, I'm Fang Minghua."

"Hello, Chairman Fang." The other party's tone was particularly enthusiastic: "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"I heard from Mr. Song that you are not going to wait for the film to be approved and are planning to take it directly to Cannes for the exhibition? You absolutely cannot do this. Keep waiting. And, you must never let something like this happen again!"

Fang Minghua's words were crisp and clear. It was not a discussion, but an order!

The other party seemed to have heard it, and after a while he asked, "Chairman Fang, is this what Mr. Song meant?"

Fang Minghua glanced at Song Tangtang standing there and replied:

"It's mine. It's also what your President Song wanted. She's right next to me. Do you need to talk to her?"

"No, no, but, Chairman Fang, have you considered another problem?" Liu Xiaoguang said.

"Speak." Fang Minghua's voice seemed to be without any emotion.

(End of this chapter)