The literary era since 1979

Chapter 257 International Writing Project
"Saving Private Ryan" is not long. Nie Hualing watched it from beginning to end in one afternoon.

Paul Angle brought two cups of hot coffee and asked for my thoughts.

"This book is different from the other World War II military novels on the market that focus on reflections, memories, military life, and battlefields. It focuses on the collective and the individual, and on humanitarianism..."

There was a hint of appreciation in Nie Hualing's tone.

"I'm feeling it too."

Paul Angell said: "I think this author deserves a place in an international collaborative program, what do you think?"

Nie Hualing sipped his coffee and nodded.

The International Writing Program was initiated by the couple. Based on the "Writers' Workshop" at the University of Iowa, they established an international communication platform for writers around the world.

Every year, writers from all over the world are invited to attend the four-month conference for exchanges, learning and discussion.

In the past few sessions, the couple paid for the event out of their own pockets. Later, as their fame grew, many companies, schools and individuals, especially overseas Chinese, were willing to donate generously.

The minimum requirement for participating writers is to have published at least one book. And because Nie Hualing is Chinese, she particularly prefers Chinese writers and invites writers from Taiwan, Hong Kong and the mainland every year.

For example, Ai Qing, Wang Meng, and Xiao Qian.

Li Yaotang and Shen Yanbing were also invited at that time, but because they were old, they had to give up.

"Darling, what's wrong with you?"

Paul Angle poked his head over.

Nie Hualing stared at the author and translator's profiles and muttered to himself, "Where have I seen this author before?"

"No way?"

"This author and translator are both from Yanjing in China."

Paul Angel said that neither of them had ever been to Yanjing, and it was impossible for Nie Hualing to have met this Fangyan and Bai Ruoxue.

"No, no, what I mean is, I seem to have seen this person's name in someone else's letter. I think I have seen it before!"

As he spoke, Nie Hualing immediately rummaged through the drawers and boxes.

She divided the piles of letters into several categories. One category was from abroad, while Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland were classified into the same category.

Following my memory, I found the letters from Ai Qing and Wang Meng.

After reading each letter, he was pleasantly surprised, "Yes, the 'dialect' mentioned in the letter should be the author of this novel."

Paul Ingres was very surprised. Why?

Nie Hualing explained that the dialect mentioned in the letter by Ai Qing and Wang Meng, who was one of the best young writers in the Chinese literary world, was consistent with the author's profile of this "dialect" in several places.

"So he is a young man?"

"That's right, young man! The sun at eight or nine in the morning!"

"That's really great!"

Paul Angell looked delighted.

As an international platform for writers to exchange ideas, the "International Writing Program" also invites successful writers to participate, but they prefer to reserve places for young writers who are still growing.

"Paul, I have another idea."

Nie Hualing said: "How about adding this translator as well?"

Paul Angell understood that she was not talking about Mike, but Bai Ruoxue. He hesitated for a moment and said, "I agree. If a college student can translate to this level, his own literary level must be good. I just don't know if their school will agree to it."

"Everything depends on us. We invite our own."

Nie Hualing smiled and said, "We'll talk about it when the time comes."

Paul Anger did not object and picked up "Saving Private Ryan" again, looking forward to the arrival of this dialect.

"I'll write the invitation now."

Nie Hualing walked to the table and wrote several invitation letters to the China Writers Association, such as Ru Zhijuan.

"The cost of your two coming to Iowa includes a donation of US$5,000 from Mr. Pei Zhuzhang, which includes your travel expenses.

The shortfall will be made up by the 'International Writing Program'.

About four or five thousand dollars, which my husband, Paul, raised from businesses and individuals...

Edmonton is a university town, very beautiful, and everyone who has been here likes it very much. I hope you can bring your writing plans with you to the United States.”

The date was written at the end of the letter: March 3. While the letter was being mailed to Beijing, Fang Yan went down to Shanghai alone and was sitting in the conference room of the Shanghai Film Studio.

At this time, a script seminar for "The Garland under the Mountain" was being held. In addition to Li Cunbao, Xie Jin, Wu Yigong and others, leaders of the Film Bureau also came, including Director Shi Fangyu.

It’s not just because Shi Fangyu was transferred from Shanghai Film Studio, but also because the higher authorities attached great importance to "The Garland under the Mountain".

"I think we have almost finished the discussion. If you don't have any other opinions, let's just leave it as it is."

Shi Fangyu looked left and right.

Fangyan smiled without saying anything and closed the notebook.

"I'll have to trouble Teacher Fang from now on."

Wu Yigong stared at him and said that he had been staying at the Shanghai Film Studio Guesthouse for a few days, and had completely revised the script with Xie Jin and Li Cunbao.

"Don't worry, I will fix it as soon as possible."

Fangyan appears calm on the surface, but is actually full of surprises.

Shi Fangyu said: "When the time comes, the revised script will be published on the front page of the latest issue of Liberation Army Literature and Art."

Another half an hour later, the seminar came to an end.

As soon as Fang Yan stood up, he was called over by Shi Fangyu, Wu Yigong and others to continue the meeting. The first thing they talked about was "A Bite of China".

“The trial broadcast on Yanjing Television was very successful.”

Shi Fangyu said with a smile that the leaders in the department and even higher-level officials were very satisfied and spoke highly of it after seeing it.

"Director Situ said that four episodes have been filmed so far, with one more to go, and that after filming, it will have to be re-edited."

Fangyan said that it will probably be broadcast in the first half of the year.

"Don't rush, take your time. Slow work produces fine results."

Shi Fangyu was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling when he thought about such great achievements during his tenure. Then he thought about "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" which was about to be released nationwide and was also listed as a key film project of the Film Bureau and even the cultural department.

Wu Yigong said: "We have organized the comrades from Shanghai Film Studio to go to the cinema together on the day of the release."

Xie Jin took over the conversation and extended an invitation to Fang Yan and others.

Fang Yan agreed without hesitation, but Shi Fangyu and his friends could not stay in Shanghai for a long time due to some reasons, so they had to politely decline.

"That's really a shame."

Xie Jin shook his head and said that the leading male and female actors Chen Daoming and Gong Xing would also be attending the premiere of "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog".

"Oh, Chen Daoming was transferred to Shanghai Film Studio?"

As an old man from Shangying, Shi Fangyu was curious.

Wu Yigong explained that Chen Daoming was seconded by the Shanghai Film Studio and was filming a new movie, "Under the Bridge", with Gong Xing.

Fang Yan said: "I recommended him to Director Bai. I wanted to recommend Zhu Shimao, but the discipline at the Bayi Film Studio was strict and they didn't agree."

"That's true."

Shi Fangyu joked, "I heard that this time Zhu Shimao was seconded to Yanjing TV to host the Spring Festival Gala. Did you make a deal with the Bayi Film Studio to use the movie adaptation of Operation Sword to exchange him for someone else?"

"That's true."

As soon as Fangyan said this, it immediately aroused everyone's interest.

The topic gradually turned to the Spring Festival Gala of Yanjing TV.

"It's getting late, why don't we talk while we eat?"

Wu Yigong said that he had asked the canteen of the Shanghai Film Studio to prepare some food specially to entertain Shi Fangyu, Fang Yan and others.

"Okay, I haven't eaten at the cafeteria in Shanghai Film Studio for a long time. This time I must try it carefully to see if there are any changes."

Shi Fangyu talked as he walked.

Fangyan followed the group and walked towards the cafeteria.

At a glance, Zhang Yu and Zhao Jing were standing in the crowd, but there was no sign of Gong Xing. He was probably still filming on the banks of Suzhou River.

Suzhou River...

(End of this chapter)