Chapter 815: Casting (9,000 words update!)

On September 3rd, Lu Yan He and Wen Shengming met at the airport again.

They are going to Russia together this time.

*Storm Calmer No. 1* is set to be released in Russia on September 7th. The local distributor wants to hold a local premiere to promote the film, and Lu Yan He and Wen Shengming received work invitations to attend.

Because the goal of this film is to achieve a certain influence globally.

Lu Yan He and Wen Shengming basically attend overseas screening and promotional activities.

In the waiting room, the two chatted about the current situation of *Storm Calmer No. 1*.

"The box office stamina of the film is still there. So far, *Storm Calmer No. 1* is still maintaining screenings in more than 300 theaters in North America and has not been taken off the screen." Lu Yan He said, "The global box office has also broken 140 million US dollars, and there is still hope to slowly boil to 200 million US dollars."

Wen Shengming said: "Is the box office result good enough for the Oscars in North America?"

"Useful. *Storm* has already won an award in Venice, and it goes without saying in China. But if we really talk about the role of box office, from the current situation, only the North American awards season is directly linked to box office. If your box office performance is good but the artistry is not high, you will only get technical awards. But if your box office performance is not good, no matter how high the artistry is, no matter how much it is sought after by the critical community, you won't get awards." Lu Yan He said, "They clearly want to set their awards on a standard line for the public."

"No wonder the influence of the Oscars has become greater and greater in recent years."

"Actually, it is also because the box office volume in North America is getting larger and larger." Lu Yan He said, "To be honest, I think this is also the best time for Chinese film awards to expand their world influence."

"How to say?"

"Because what North America can't do, we can do." Lu Yan He said, "The North American film market is too exclusive. Except for English films, it is particularly difficult for the box office to break 20 million US dollars. But in our China, every year there are many foreign films that achieve a box office of over 100 million US dollars. Even if this standard is pulled to 100 million RMB, there are more, and it can even include seven or eight countries. I am thinking, if our mainstream Chinese film awards can stably target foreign films released in mainland China, evaluate the Best Foreign Language Film, and this Best Foreign Language Film must take into account both professional reputation and box office performance, through this window, slowly invite international filmmakers to truly participate in Chinese film awards, this is not impossible as a seed, and in the future, when the time is right, turn one of the awards into a major international award."

Wen Shengming heard this, pondered for a moment, and nodded, "Your suggestion has some ideas. I will take it back and study it with them."

"Hmm." Lu Yan He nodded, "Of course, I think so, there is a very important original intention, which is to spread a concept to film companies all over the world: China is the only market in the world that can accommodate films of different countries, nationalities, and languages, and every year there are a large number of different foreign films that achieve beautiful box office results in the Chinese market. Once this concept is established, real money and silver benefits are the fundamental driving force for major film companies to pay more and more attention to the Chinese market."

"You are right." Wen Shengming nodded, "By the way, how is the box office performance of *The Classic* overseas?"

Lu Yan He said: "The box office performance in Asian countries is very good, but the performance in Europe and America is very average, but this is also expected."

What exceeded expectations was that the box office of *The Classic* in China actually broke 1.2 billion, becoming the biggest dark horse in the summer season this year—everyone knew it could sell, but didn't expect it to sell so well, directly ranking third in the summer box office list this year.

And in terms of return rate, it is the well-deserved first place.

At the same time, *The Classic* broke 12 million US dollars at the box office in South Korea and sold 8.5 million US dollars in Japan. Plus markets like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, etc., the entire Asian overseas box office has already broken 30 million US dollars. This is the best overseas Asian box office result obtained by Linghe-produced films except for *Home Alone*.

But outside the Asian market, this film only got more than 13 million overseas box office in other overseas markets.

Wen Shengming said: "13 million overseas box office results, it became very average in your place."

Lu Yan He smiled.

"It's really not me being Versailles, Teacher Wen, but this kind of thing is like Hollywood movies. Once your overseas distribution channel is established, everyone's box office expectations for you are higher, and your film can get better shelf display positions and the most powerful sales managers. The good products that could originally sell 100 copies can sell 150 copies, or even 200 copies under these favorable conditions. Movies are the same. Maybe without these conditions, purely relying on the quality of the film itself and the popularity of the actors, the film can only sell one-third or even one-fifth of the current box office. But just the conditions of release in more than 90 countries and regions directly made its box office potential much more."

Wen Shengming nodded.

"I am also borrowing a chicken to lay eggs." Lu Yan He smiled, "Thanks to *Home Alone* and *Flypaper*, on the basis of the early stage, the channels in all regions of the world were directly opened, otherwise, there would be no current conditions."

Wen Shengming: "Looking at it now, it was really necessary for you to start this company, Linghe."

"Yes." Lu Yan He said, "If you don't have your own channel network for a day, you can only earn some fixed copyright fees for a day."

Wen Shengming: "But I see, you have also cooperated with Solon on several films."

"Yes, not just Solon, I have always had cooperation with Green Valley, D19, and Parameter." Lu Yan He said, "No way, I am an outsider. If I don't bind them to the chariot of common interests, in Hollywood, I can only fight alone and be isolated. Then they join forces to squeeze me out and suppress me. Even if it is *Home Alone*, I might only be able to get a few hundred theaters to release it in the end, and the result is that I can only collect a box office of tens of millions of US dollars at most, and have no chance to prove that I can make a film with a global box office of over 700 million US dollars."

Wen Shengming: "It's not easy, it's really not easy. But think about it, this kind of road seems to be something only you can walk."

"From the current point of view, it is indeed so, but I think there must be others who can succeed. Zhibai and Yan Liang both established their own companies." Lu Yan He said, "They are very low-key, just trying and accumulating experience now. However, I think anyone with initiative and right to speak can actually accumulate cards for themselves like them, and when they need it, they have cards to play."

Wen Shengming nodded.

"I know about Li Zhibai's. The *Grass Flying* he starred in has a share of his own company." Wen Shengming said.

"*Grass Flying* is set to be broadcast on National Day."

Lin Suyang brought news to Li Zhibai.

Li Zhibai: "Finally going to be broadcast."

"Yes." Lin Suyang smiled, "The platform side has been unwilling to arrange the broadcast, and I don't know what the problem is."

"What else can it be? Because this is a copyright drama, not their biological son, they have to protect their biological son." Li Zhibai said, "I heard that they even used our drama to attract investment before, and then put the advertisements on other people's dramas."

"Yes." Lin Suyang said, "The brand side told us the news, they didn't admit it, until we took out the evidence, they came to apologize, damn it."

"Your previous drama was *Chinese Paladin*, which exploded like that. Advertisers are waiting for this drama of yours." Lin Suyang said, "It made it so that you even have to invest in other dramas first to have the qualification to invest in this drama of yours. I even went to scold them twice."

"However, their biological son's data performance is too poor, and the average broadcast volume can't break 1,000. The advertiser side can't explain it." Li Zhibai said, full of schadenfreude laughter, "Even *Nineteen Years*, at that time, the average broadcast volume broke 3,500."

"*Nineteen Years* just has a controversial reputation, not that it didn't broadcast well. These are two concepts." Lin Suyang said, "You are a star that even Lu Yan He publicly said is more popular than him. What concept is this? Don't always feel that *Nineteen Years* is not good. No matter how bad it is, that is by your standards. In your resume, it is not so outstanding. Put it on someone else, that is the height they can't reach."

Li Zhibai: "..."

He felt that he was actually already very narcissistic, however, being praised by Lin Suyang like this, he felt embarrassed.

Embarrassed.

"Yan He just said that, do you really think I am more popular than him?"

"Big brother, do you really think you don't have it?" Lin Suyang said, "Lu Yan He almost gave you the two most popular male characters in the past ten years to act. Do you know that Li Xiaoyao and Ke Jingteng, these two characters, still have many people brushing their various materials every day?"

Li Zhibai: "... I know this, but these were all written by Yan He."

"Haha, Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai were all written by Cao Xueqin. You say, are there more fans of the three people in front, or more fans of Cao Xueqin? You can only say Cao Gong has a high status, but you can't say Cao Gong himself is the most popular big star."

"I'm really convinced. Don't cite this example in the future, okay? Use *Dream of the Red Chamber* to discuss stars and fans." Li Zhibai said, "When the time comes, you will be scolded for having no culture, and you will implicate me."

Lin Suyang: "..."

Day.

Lin Suyang said: "Don't forget later tonight, you have to eat with Director Xu."

Li Zhibai: "Ah? What?"

"I knew you forgot, fortunately I reminded you." Lin Suyang said, "People have been making appointments for your time."

Li Zhibai: "Ooh, okay."

Lin Suyang: "I also want to ask you, you are not in the crew recently, and your work schedule is not busy, what are you busy with? It's so hard to make an appointment. If I want to see you, I have to block you at your house for breakfast time."

Li Zhibai: "... Ouch, why do you care about me? Isn't it normal for me to have some private space?"

Lin Suyang asked suspiciously: "Are you in love?"

"Didn't I tell you long ago that don't ask about these private things?"

"Heh, it seems I have to make a public relations plan."

"You made it eight hundred years ago." Li Zhibai tut-tutted, "Who are you fooling."

Lin Suyang: "What's wrong with you being in love and not telling me? I won't stop you from being in love."

"Okay, this topic ends here, don't say it anymore." Li Zhibai finished the dumplings, put down the chopsticks, pointed to the takeaway box on the table, "These things, you organize them later, help me throw them out."

After speaking, he got up.

"What are you doing?"

"Gym."

"You... go to the gym?" Lin Suyang looked at Li Zhibai in disbelief, "You are either in love or possessed by a ghost."

"Get out."

"Is there any hope?"

"The news I heard is that the jury is very recognized for Chen Pinhe's acting skills, but there is another person in this session, who is also being considered by the jury."

"Who?"

"The male lead of the Iranian film *The Trial*. Because of the film he shot before, he was wanted by the Iranian authorities and has been staying in Europe. This time, after *The Trial* was released, the film had a great response, and it is also the biggest call for the Golden Lion Award this year."

"Then Chen Pinhe has no chance?"

"No, his performance in *The Pianist* is still unanimously praised, but this film is too mediocre. But on the contrary, because the film itself is mediocre, his performance is more prominent."

Zhang Yuezhen returned to the hotel with a serious expression.

Chen Pinhe was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine, and the makeup and hair team was dealing with him.

"Hasn't today's shooting ended yet?" Zhang Yuezhen asked the assistant in surprise.

The assistant said: "The morning interview delayed some time, and the shooting started two hours late."

Zhang Yuezhen heard this, frowned, and looked at the time.

It was already three o'clock in the afternoon.

"How many more groups to shoot?"

"The last group."

Zhang Yuezhen said: "Arrange at seven o'clock in the evening, the shooting must end at six o'clock."

The assistant said: "Then I will go to tell the photographer and the field director later."

"I'll go tell them."

She walked behind Chen Pinhe, met his gaze in the mirror, and curled her lips.

"Today is the last working day, and you can rest tomorrow." Zhang Yuezhen smiled and rubbed Chen Pinhe's shoulders, saying: "Persist."

Chen Pinhe smiled gently.

"Okay."

People next to him saw it and said enviously: "The relationship between Teacher Chen and Sister Yuezhen is too good."

"Yes." Others echoed.

Lu Yan He and Wen Shengming stayed in Russia for three days.

After returning, they just caught up with the Venice International Film Festival announcing the results of this session.

"Chen Pinhe didn't win an award!" This is the message sent by Chen Ziyan, followed by a series of "dancing villain" expressions.

This news came from ten minutes ago.

Just as Lu Yan He was about to reply to Chen Ziyan, Chen Ziyan sent another message: Damn, *The Pianist* won the Jury Special Award.

Lu Yan He was stunned.

Huh?

Lu Yan He was a bit puzzled and asked: Why is this?

Chen Ziyan: Did you get off the plane? We don't know why either.

Lu Yan He: Just landed, this is really a bit strange.

Chen Ziyan: Yes, the reputation of this film is rotten to that extent, whether domestic or foreign, everyone says this film is filmed very mediocrely.

Lu Yan He: Maybe the taste of this jury is very tricky.

Chen Ziyan: After all, everyone said that this film is the type of film that the film festival loves most, character biography, life ups and downs.

Lu Yan He: Fine, *The Pianist* winning the Jury Special Award is better than Chen Pinhe winning the Best Actor award.

Chen Ziyan: Agree.

"Ouch, *The Pianist* won the Jury Special Award." Wen Shengming, who was sitting next to him, also saw the news and said to Lu Yan He.

Lu Yan He nodded.

"Yes."

"It's a pity, I heard that Chen Pinhe had high hopes of winning Best Actor this time, why didn't he win?"

Lu Yan He smiled and didn't answer.

Wen Shengming didn't know about his and Chen Pinhe's affairs, so it was understandable to say so in front of him.

Wen Shengming said again: "He really delayed himself these years."

From Wen Shengming's tone, Lu Yan He heard the meaning of "hating his lack of struggle."

Lu Yan He still didn't answer.

Wen Shengming noticed the strangeness.

"Yan He, don't learn from him, start lying flat at the peak."

Lu Yan He nodded, smiled, and said: "I won't, Teacher Wen."

"Also, you can be admitted to Zhenhua University by yourself, your perseverance and spiritual realm are not what he can compare to." Wen Shengming nodded, relieved.

Lu Yan He also laughed.

"Teacher Wen, don't always encourage me, you are also at the age of rushing." He said, "Try to leave all the time after November this year? *Storm Calmer No. 1* will officially participate in this year's North American awards season, and there will be a lot of public relations activities."

Wen Shengming: "Public relations activities? Do I have to participate too?"

Lu Yan He said: "Yes, this year Green Valley will do public relations for our two performance awards. If you don't participate, it is basically equivalent to automatic abstention and early exit."

Wen Shengming: "You mean, we both have hope to be nominated for the Oscars with the film *Storm Calmer No. 1*?"

"Yes." Lu Yan He nodded, "Although I don't know how much success rate there is, from the current situation, it is worth a try. After all, *Storm Calmer No. 1* is the highest box office foreign language film in this year's awards season, and has the resume of winning the Venice International Film Festival last year."

Lu Yan He can see that until now, Wen Shengming still doesn't quite believe his words.

Lu Yan He also understands why.

For those who haven't played the North American awards season, it is still plated with a layer of mysterious, high-level halo.

For example, can Chinese films win Oscars?

For example, can Wen Shengming, who has never stayed in Hollywood, win an Oscar?

However, Lu Yan He has played the awards season for a few years, and he has almost figured it out. When he couldn't get in, he felt it was difficult, but after getting in and understanding the rules, it was almost like the college entrance exam. It was still very difficult, but all the knowledge points were there, and the points that should be taken were taken, so he was in that circle.

And on Wen Shengming, the "knowledge point" he needs to strengthen and supplement now is exposure internationally, letting people who have watched the film and have an impression of him remember him again and again, that he is the male actor with very exquisite acting skills in *Storm Calmer No. 1*.

"Currently, our public relations strategy is to report both of you as Best Actor." Green Valley side, Schmidt-Lowry said, "But when reporting to the Oscars in the end, you must make a distinction, who reports as lead, who reports as supporting, otherwise the vote splitting is serious and it is easy to lose all."

Lu Yan He understands Schmidt-Lowry's meaning.

"Okay."

"Anyway, look at the situation now. The focus is still on whether your film department will select *Storm Calmer No. 1* to participate in this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film." Schmidt-Lowry said, "If so, we will increase the investment in public relations. If not, please understand, Yan He, we can only do regular public relations."

Lu Yan He understands.

For the film *Storm Calmer No. 1*, whether it is him or Wen Shengming, it is completely impossible to win Best Actor.

The best result is to successfully get a nomination.

This is the biggest success.

For Green Valley, such a return is not big. What can really make the copyright value of *Storm Calmer No. 1* appreciate significantly is winning Best Foreign Language Film, or nomination. Green Valley cannot pay out of its own pocket to help two actors rush for awards—

It cannot be said that these two nominations have no appreciation space for the copyright value of *Storm Calmer No. 1*, but it is not big.

Lu Yan He said to Schmidt-Lowry: "If this situation really happens, Linghe will bear the public relations expenses for me and Wen Shengming."

During this period, the most important thing for Huang Zhongjing and Huang Tai was to ensure that *Storm Calmer No. 1* could be selected by the Film Bureau.

Originally, it was a sure thing, but because *The Pianist* suddenly wanted to enter the game, it made them feel a crisis.

Especially since *The Pianist* won the Jury Special Award at the Venice International Film Festival again.

This is not a small award.

Compared with it, the Best Actor award "Double Egg" won by *Storm Calmer No. 1* last year, strictly speaking, belongs to the actor's personal award, not a film award.

The day after *The Pianist* won the award, the film side announced the scheduling news.

*The Pianist* will be released during the Mid-Autumn Festival season in mid-September.

In this way, it fully meets the

This film is produced by the film company of Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen.

The purpose of scheduling it so quickly is actually quite obvious.

It certainly couldn't be for the sake of box office—

This film was not greenlit for the purpose of earning box office in theaters.

Huang Zhongjing has maintained close contact with the Film Bureau.

He updates the latest overseas reviews of "Storm Calmer No. 1" almost every three days, whether from media or public figures, just to let the Film Bureau see the genuine influence of this film abroad.

The Film Bureau hasn't actually been keeping him hanging; their attitude is very clear. They said that based on internal discussions, they are more inclined toward "Storm Calmer No. 1," so he shouldn't worry.

However, the more they say that, the more Huang Zhongjing worries about being intercepted by "The Pianist" at the last minute.

Chen Pinhe's relationship with the Film Bureau over these years is so close that he couldn't count on one hand the number of times he has helped them stand on stage in a single year.

In fact, for the people at the Film Bureau, this is not a difficult choice to make.

In their view, there is actually nothing to argue about between these two films.

With "Storm Calmer No. 1" having such high overseas box office and such a strong performance, the choice is a certainty.

No one knows what kind of wind is blowing outside, making people think that "The Pianist" will compete for the opportunity to represent Chinese cinema for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film this year.

It's just that they cannot say this directly.

If they said it, it would easily stir up conflict.

From their perspective, whether it is "The Pianist" or "Storm Calmer No. 1," the creators are representative figures of Chinese cinema, and both films have won international honors. Both palms and the backs of the hands are flesh; how could they intentionally embarrass either side—

Even if, in their hearts, there is still a difference between the palm and the back of the hand.

"The Pianist" won the Jury Special Prize in the main competition unit of the Venice International Film Festival, which is indeed a very bright achievement.

"But, Yuezhen, 'Storm Calmer No. 1' has a different significance. You should understand that a film featuring a revolutionary pioneer of our country as the protagonist, which has also achieved such great influence overseas, makes it impossible to select any other film this year."

Zhang Yuezhen said, "Leader, it is precisely because of this point that I have come to see you. I am not a person who doesn't know how to read the room. Under normal circumstances, why would I insist on competing for such an opportunity against an excellent film like 'Storm Calmer No. 1'? I could just let 'The Pianist' be released next year and compete then."

The other party did not speak.

Zhang Yuezhen said, "Lu Yan He is already conducting awards season PR for 'Storm Calmer No. 1.' He is so high-profile that some people, privately—you know, in North America, there is a segment of the 'white left' who are unwilling to see our films win awards. Therefore, they have long prepared a whole basket of black material, just waiting to attack this film."

"It is precisely because of the existence of such people that we must select this film to compete for the Oscars. This is the attitude of Chinese cinema!"

Zhang Yuezhen was stunned.

"Actually, more than one person has told me that Lu Yan He wants to build up the overseas momentum first and use international public opinion to force us to choose 'Storm Calmer No. 1.' Yuezhen, do you think so too?"

"I'm not close to him, so how would I know his thoughts?"

"But regardless of what his thoughts are, 'Storm Calmer No. 1' is the film most capable of representing Chinese cinema for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film this year. Whether he did this or not does not affect the overall decision."

This had already been stated very clearly.

No matter what, there is only one choice to represent Chinese cinema this year: "Storm Calmer No. 1."

Zhang Yuezhen was silent for a moment, knowing that at this point, saying more would be useless.

Unless "The Pianist" could gross over 100 million USD in North America in the next two months and set a historical record.

But she knew very well that this was simply impossible.

Completely impossible.

"So, no chance?"

"No chance."

Chen Pinhe was silent for a while and said, "If there's no chance, then so be it. We'll talk about it next time."

"Regardless, 'The Pianist' won the Jury Special Prize at the Venice International Film Festival this time, didn't it?" Zhang Yuezhen said. "It has already achieved huge success. Next, we will continue to follow this path, and it will definitely get better and better."

Chen Pinhe nodded.

"Moreover, you should have won Best Actor this year. It was because the jury president himself is an Iranian director that the final decision leaned toward that Iranian actor."

"I know," Chen Pinhe said. "It's fine, let's leave it at that."

Zhang Yuezhen said, "By the way, there is one more thing."

"Hmm?"

"Director Asimov has sent you an invitation," Zhang Yuezhen said. "He wants to invite you to participate in his new film."

"Which Asimov?"

"The Asimov who won the Best Director award at the Xitu'er Film Festival and the top prize at the Bicalo Film Festival," Zhang Yuezhen said. "When I was in Venice, I met with him twice. In his new film, there is a foreigner role, an 'intruder' character, which is very important. It was originally set as a Greek, but I persuaded him to change it to a Chinese person. He just contacted me today, accepting my suggestion, but the prerequisite is that I must persuade you to sign on for this film."

Chen Pinhe laughed.

"Finally, some good news."

"Actually, as long as you are willing, many directors around the world are willing to cooperate with you. No one can refuse your performance," Zhang Yuezhen said. "Regarding 'The Pianist,' I will also strive to have it released in North America to make a push for this year's awards season."

"This year, 'Storm Calmer No. 1' is also going to push for the awards season; Green Valley has already started PR for Wen Shengming and Lu Yan He."

"They are them, and we are us," Zhang Yuezhen said. "Your performance in 'The Pianist' is highly acclaimed by critics."

Chen Pinhe: "So, are the odds high?"

"I don't know for now. Regardless of whether the odds are high or not, this is a good opportunity for you to further build your reputation in Hollywood," Zhang Yuezhen said. "'Death Stranding' already gave you significant attention in Europe and America. Now that there is an opportunity like 'The Pianist,' why not make good use of it?"

"Fine, you decide on this matter," Chen Pinhe said. "Anyway, my work is all decided by you now."

Zhang Yuezhen asked, "Isn't that good? At least in these few years, from 'White Pearl' to 'The Pianist,' you have returned to the four major international film festivals and starred in an English-language series. Your international influence has improved greatly. Now you are about to star in Director Asimov's new film. If I weren't behind the scenes threading the needle for you, how could you have such a situation?"

"Yes, thank goodness for you."

Zhang Yuezhen smiled again.

"And, you will have to thank me properly again very soon."

"Hmm?"

"I won't tell you yet; I'll leave it as a surprise."

"Teacher Liu Teli is quite well-regarded in Europe and America because of the 'Home Alone' series. He has already accepted an English-language film, so he probably won't have any availability next month."

"Teacher Wen Shengming... actually, if Teacher Wen were to play it, it would be good. He just co-starred with you in 'Storm Calmer No. 1,' and starring together again in 'The Boat' would help consolidate his reputation in the international film scene. Moreover, if he plays it, this film would bring together the trophies of three Best Actor/Actress winners from the four major international film festivals; the gimmick is quite strong."

"Teacher Li Songfan is a good actor, and his domestic popularity is sufficient, but compared to the first two, he is a bit weaker. He previously starred as your father in 'Love Letter,' although you two didn't have any scenes together and were never in the same frame."

This day, Chen Ziyan was helping Lu Yan He analyze who should be cast as the father in "The Boat."

"What about you? Your first instinct, who would be best to play it?"

"My first instinct is Teacher Li Songfan," Lu Yan He said. "How should I put it? Teacher Liu Teli and Teacher Wen Shengming, the impression they have formed for everyone is not that of a simple, ordinary father. The moment the two of them appear, that aura clearly tells everyone that they are not simple."

"I understand what you mean," Chen Ziyan nodded. "By comparison, Teacher Li Songfan's star power is slightly weaker, and he can truly 'hide in the city.' However, Yan He, to be honest, with you and Yu Mengling together, this film cannot truly 'hide in the city.'"

Lu Yan He: "The Master has already proposed a shooting plan. He said that this film cannot have star power, so he plans to reduce close-up shots and instead use many sets of long takes without movement to shoot this film."

The so-called long takes without movement mean sticking a camera somewhere and relying on the actors to walk in and out themselves, like a documentary.

Similar to the style of Hou Hsiao-hsien.

"Doing this would indeed reduce the star power on you," the style of the whole film would lean more toward documentary, "but in this way, for you actors, it weakens your performance. This is a shooting method that does not highlight performance at all."

Lu Yan He nodded.

"That is indeed the case, but I discussed it with Sister Mengling, and we both feel that this shooting method can actually better present the core theme of 'The Boat.'"

Chen Ziyan: "That's fine too. You are both artists, and I trust your artistic judgment. If that's the case, actually, whoever it is doesn't matter. From my perspective, who couldn't play it? Anyone can."

Lu Yan He: "Would it be more appropriate to use Teacher Li Songfan?"

"Look, you've already mentioned Li Songfan twice; you don't need to ask anyone else," Chen Ziyan said. "Your subconscious has already given you the answer."

Lu Yan He was enlightened.

He hadn't even realized himself that he had already made a choice.

However, unfortunately, Li Songfan had already accepted a TV series and had already joined the crew this month; he wouldn't be out until next April, so his schedule simply wouldn't align.

"Then it can only be Teacher Wen," Yu Mengling said. "Teacher Liu Teli is also in another crew."

Lu Yan He was actually a bit worried that Wen Shengming would offer some of his own opinions on the film "The Boat."

When filming "Storm Calmer No. 1," Wen Shengming was not an easy actor to deal with.

Of course, Lu Yan He didn't doubt that Wen Shengming would refuse.

If nothing else, given their current relationship and his understanding of Wen Shengming, Wen Shengming would definitely have the creative impulse for the script of "The Boat."

Therefore, Lu Yan He didn't say anything else and took the script to his home to find him. (End of chapter)