Chapter 316: True Man

Keira Knightley.

In the play, she plays Chen Nuo's deceased wife, Mal.

She and Cobb, played by Chen Nuo, were originally a pair of dream thieves who followed each other's lead.

But because the two lived in deep dreams for a long time, Mal blurred the distinction between reality and dreams.

Cobb, in order to let her wake up, implanted the idea in her that she could only wake up by committing suicide.

As a result, he didn't expect that after returning to reality, Mal thought she was still in a dream and finally chose to jump off a building to escape. As a result, not only did she really die, but before she died, she also sent a letter to the police, slandering Cobb for killing her, wanting him to die with her.

Cobb was accused of murdering his wife in the United States and had to choose to live in exile abroad, unable to reunite with his children.

This is the beginning of the whole story.

Cobb had always been full of guilt because of Mal's death, always feeling that he was the one who killed her.

Therefore, when hired by Ken Watanabe to implant a dream into Cillian Murphy's brain,

Mal, this inner demon created by Cobb's guilt, became the biggest obstacle to the whole operation.

From the perspective of movie script creation,

trying every means to clear his name and reunite with his children is the character's motivation. Being unable to face his wife Mal, who committed suicide, is the character's dilemma.

Both of these points are used to add tension and drama, and also make the character Cobb appear more real.

Christopher Nolan had mentioned problems in this regard several times on the phone.

Because Chen Nuo was really a bit young.

Perhaps youth in appearance could be solved by makeup technology, but, as a 23-year-old big boy, could he understand deep marital love?

This was Christopher Nolan's small question for Chen Nuo.

After all, the feelings between husband and wife are deeper and more complex than those between boyfriend and girlfriend, which was an emotional experience Chen Nuo had never had in his previous acting experience, so it still needed to be taken seriously.

But Nolan just said a few words like this and didn't say anything more.

Anyway, the love between husband and wife is also the love between men and women, not some strange thing,

it's not about falling in love with a woman who has a big dick.

So, for the Cannes and Berlin double Best Actor, and Oscar Best Supporting Actor, what could be the problem?

"Pfft!"

"Cough, cough, cough."

"No way!"

As soon as Philip's voice fell, Chen Nuo was choked by his own saliva.

Another assistant director had just taken a sip of beer and instantly turned his head and sprayed it out.

In the direction he sprayed, there was a table of middle-aged men, looking like they were in suits and leather shoes, probably office workers from some large enterprise.

His mouthful of beer instantly sprayed all over their heads and faces.

That assistant director was a bit panicked, and just as he was about to apologize, he saw those Japanese men stand up immediately and bow, saying:

"Sumimasen!"

"Sorry!"

"Apologies."

It made the assistant director named Jimmy stunned for a moment, and he said, "Are you OK?"

"OK."

"We are OK."

"Arigato, thank you for your concern."

Seeing this, Jimmy also relaxed, smiled, nodded, and said, "OK, you're welcome, please sit."

Several men really sat down obediently; I'm afraid the dog Jimmy raised wasn't this obedient.

Chen Nuo glanced at Ken Watanabe, seeing his face was accustomed to it.

Heh.

No wonder there are so many American celebrities in later generations who can't make it in America and settle in Tokyo.

It is true, coming here not only allows the wife to expose her breasts, but exposing one's own buttocks might also be no problem, and maybe someone will come to lick it twice.

It is indeed suitable for living.

After a small interlude, Philip continued, "I'm not talking nonsense. Have you all watched *Pirates of the Caribbean*? How big do you think Keira Knightley's is?" He gestured on his chest.

"Don't know, maybe... not small." Ryan Lei Nuozi said.

"Haha, no no no, this matter has always been top secret. But I have a friend in the *Pirates of the Caribbean* crew, and he told me that this British woman, no, this British man, has to spend 40 minutes every day doing makeup on his chest."

"Especially in the first part, there weren't very good silicone pads at that time, so they would stuff a lot of things in there, then apply highlights and shadows, making him look like a big-breasted woman. For this reason, they call it 'breast deformation surgery'."

"Haha, I know it sounds funny and incredible, but it's true. Think about whether you have ever seen his street photos? No, right? Because he really hates paparazzi. Why? Because he's afraid of being seen for his true gender!"

"I don't know if that should be called a hermaphrodite or intersex, or whatever. Anyway, Chen, I hope he has already had surgery now. Otherwise..."

Philip said with sympathy, "When you are kissing him, you should feel a bit uncomfortable down there."

After these words were finished, except for Chen Nuo who didn't laugh, the others laughed like crazy.

With the alcohol kicking in, Ryan Lei Nuozi and the others really treated this tavern in Ikebukuro as their own home, and the crowded space was full of the wild laughter of Americans.

After laughing for maybe five seconds, the assistant director stopped first, followed by Ryan Lei Nuozi.

"Sorry, Chen."

The assistant director looked at his face carefully and said, "I'm not laughing at you, I just think Keira Knightley, if she really has a... um, anyway, I'm very sorry."

Ryan Lei Nuozi also said, "Me too, Chen, sorry."

Chen Nuo shook his head and said, "I'm not angry, I'm just thinking about a question."

"*Pirates of the Caribbean* filmed five episodes in total, and neither Johnny Depp nor Orlando Bloom ever kissed her properly."

"Could it be because of the reason Philip just said? Seriously, I feel like I'm going to wear iron underwear by then."

As long as he didn't infringe on the director's authority, Nolan's perception of him didn't matter at all. Even if he went to say something to Warner headquarters, no one would pay attention to him.

"Hahahaha."

Once he said this, several people laughed again.

But no matter what, Philip didn't talk about Knightley anymore.

Instead, he turned to talk about other actors.

Like Tang Mu Hardy is actually an exhibitionist who likes women's clothing, Cillian Murphy is well known to have bipolar disorder and autism, and there is also a piece of gossip that a certain producer is a very famous gay in China...

After saying this, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward again.

Philip also reacted and hurriedly apologized to Chen Nuo again.

In short, the atmosphere of this meal was happy and pleasant, and Chen Nuo also got much closer to Ryan Lei Nuozi as he wished.

When the two were chatting alone, Ryan Lei Nuozi also talked to him about his emotional problems with Scarlett Johansson.

The two got married in September 2008, and it had been just over a year so far.

It stands to reason that it was the time when their feelings were most intense, but currently, both of their careers were on the rise, and they inevitably faced problems that couples in the entertainment industry would face,

the fading of feelings caused by being together less and apart more.

Especially this time, taking the role in *Inception* had put a lot of pressure on their marriage.

Running around the world for four months, even visiting the set seemed so luxurious, which was something any mature 26-year-old woman couldn't tolerate.

"To be honest, she hasn't spoken to me on the phone for nearly half a month. Ever since I came to Tokyo to prepare for the movie. At most, we just send text messages." Ryan Lei Nuozi took a sip of beer.

Chen Nuo thought for a while and asked, "Do you love her?"

"Of course, I love her. However, women are like this; they are one way before marriage, and another way after marriage. They want more and more things. Until you can no longer bear it."

"So what are you going to do?"

"To be honest, I still love her, it's just... you know, sometimes, I can't help but think of other possibilities."

Chen Nuo nodded.

He was no emotional expert.

The word "love" was a bit raw for him. He didn't quite understand it.

Let alone marriage.

It was like a nine-to-five office worker who wouldn't talk to people about Saturn's rings.

This was the marriage in his mind.

However, now for the sake of the movie, and in order to be able to perform some moving inner scenes in front of a possible big-dicked cute girl, since the married man Ryan Lei Nuozi wanted to talk, he was also happy to communicate with him about it.

"So what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know, anyway, she and I don't have children. If it really comes to that day, it won't be too much trouble."

"Do you feel regret?"

"Regret what?"

"Marriage."

"Oh, that won't happen."

It was getting late, and after chatting for a while, they settled the bill.

Ken Watanabe, who was just accompanying them for drinks all night, insisted on paying the bill.

Several Americans originally wanted to go Dutch, but when they heard someone was treating them, they wouldn't be polite in this regard. And Chen Nuo... of course, he was too lazy to argue about anything.

Now he was a bit annoyed when he saw Japanese men.

Can you get out of Asia? Please.

It's really shameful.

However, Japanese women are indeed not bad.

While sitting in their seats waiting for the waiter and Ken Watanabe to settle the bill, the women who had been waiting all night and had been flirting with Chen Nuo finally walked over carefully.

One of them was dressed very fashionably, and her makeup was also stylish, but it could be seen that she wasn't young, at least 30 or 40 years old.

When introducing herself, she said she liked him after that episode of *Human Observation*, simply put, she was fascinated by his head-rubbing smile towards Aragaki Yui.

Under her influence, the girlfriends who came out to play with her today all had a good impression of him.

They even knew that Chen Nuo's current girlfriend was Yifei-chan, who starred in the Japanese movie *Hana Yori Dango*.

"……Although I don't know Miss Yifei well. Looking at the photos, she is a very cute and gentle girl."

"Chen-kun, will you get married in the end?"

After taking photos and signing autographs, the housewife named Mie asked shyly.

Why bring up marriage again? Chen Nuo was surprised and asked curiously, "I'm still young, right? Why do you ask that?"

"We don't want Chen-kun to get married too early, but we hope there is a girl who can stay by your side and take care of you for those of us who like you. This is really a contradictory mentality."

"But no matter what, every fan of yours in Japan hopes that Chen-kun can live the way you like and be happy forever and ever."

"Please be happy, Chen-kun, this is our common wish. Please."

Finally, several women bowed to him together.

The several Americans on the side listened to Ken Watanabe's translation and were clearly stunned by this scene. Very surprised.

On the way back, Ryan Lei Nuozi said with some envy, "Chen, without a doubt, your fans are the most considerate I have ever seen, I am very jealous of you."

Ken Watanabe said, "In fact, Chen is really very popular in Japan."

Philip asked in surprise, "Why? Chen, aren't you Chinese? Why are you so famous in Japan?"

Chen Nuo smiled, "Is this considered famous? If Tang Mu Cruise came, do you believe we would still be signing autographs in that tavern now?"

Philip interrupted, "Speaking of Tang Mu Cruise, do you know that he actually..."

"Hahahahahaha."

After Philip finished speaking, another burst of laughter erupted on the streets of Tokyo. I don't know what Philip said, but anyway, a week later, when welcoming the new actors to the crew in Yili, Xinjiang, Chen Nuo's ears seemed to echo with that laughter.

When seeing Keira Knightley, who had come from afar, he couldn't help but look at the British beauty's lower body.

Although everything was wrapped behind a thick, long down jacket, nothing could be seen.

"Hello Chen, I am Keira Knightley."

"Hello Keira, welcome to China."

Chen's first meeting with his wife in the play seemed lukewarm, they hugged each other and touched their faces.

Very polite and very unfamiliar.

The blonde British beauty applied a little blush, looking in good spirits. Even if there was a bit of scrutiny in her sapphire-blue eyes, she looked beautiful.

She didn't look like a man at all, okay?

Chen Nuo could be sure that 99% of what Philip said was bullshit.

What intersex, what big dick.

99% of it was black material made up by these Hollywood bottom-level workers.

But... it couldn't be said to be 100%.

The reason, besides Keira Knightley really having no chest, as flat as the Yili grassland covered in white snow, was also because these foreigners changed every day, which was a headache.

For example, this Ellen Page who greeted him after Keira Knightley.

Who could have imagined that this cute, well-behaved little beauty with a shy blush on her face would be called Elliot Page in the future, becoming a real man who could take selfies shirtless, with both chest and abdominal muscles?

"Hi, Ellen. Nice to meet you."

"Hello, Chen, I am also very happy to see you, I like *Twilight* very much, and I also like your Edward, I even followed your Facebook."

"Really?" Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Thank you."

After chatting with Ellen Page, it was Cillian Murphy.

This male actor whom Nolan loved the most in the previous life.

The reticent Irishman shook hands with Chen Nuo. Looking at him, he was a hundred times shyer than Ellen Page, just like an autistic patient.

Chen Nuo suddenly recalled that night in Japan, before returning to the hotel to rest,

Philip pointed behind Ryan Lei Nuozi' back and secretly made a silent mouth shape to him.

Bi (bisexual).

Thinking of this, Chen Nuo really had a headache.

Because this Philip really wasn't talking nonsense.

At the Golden Globe Awards ceremony in the later life, the same-sex passionate kiss between Ryan Lei Nuozi and Andrew Garfield was a headline news that shocked the whole United States at the time.

If there wasn't a bit of bi tendency, who the hell could kiss mouth-to-mouth with their good brother for ten seconds? Can you?

In this way, in Philip's gossip, at least the sexual orientation of three people was guessed right.

Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, and Ryan Lei Nuozi.

Including Cillian Murphy's estimate, it was probably right too.

So, what about the remaining few?

Was Rogers Reyes really sleeping with Ellen Page, playing some kind of fourth love?

Was Tang Mu Hardy really an exhibitionist?

And Keira Knightley...

Fuck!

What was that resounding sentence Christopher Nolan said at the producer meeting?

"……Every one of them will be like a puzzle piece, and finally, they will be pieced together into a wonderful pattern on the big screen."

What pattern?

Sunshine, rainbow, little white horse?

Taking such a group of monsters and ghosts to create miracles? To conquer the 1 billion USD box office?

The man who had never been defeated in the mouth of Chairman Xu of Hengdian Group was really a bit panicked this time.

Ellen Page felt that the *Inception* crew was the most comfortable crew she had ever stayed in.

Everything here was so great.

From the producer to the director, from the male lead to those local extras, they were all very gentle and kind.

Under the cooperation of several field producers, everything in the crew was orderly, without any messy things.

Even the local noodles called "latiaozi" had conquered her stomach.

With these as a foil, this grassland in Yili, Xinjiang, covered in white snow at minus twenty degrees, didn't seem so unbearably cold.

The only thing that made her feel problematic was that Ellen Page was worried that she would hold the crew back.

Because she had never seen such a hard-working actor. Or rather, such a famous actor who was still so hard-working.

This day, when she finished her makeup and came to the set, she heard the male lead discussing some crazy things with the director.

"Christopher, what do you think if I don't use a stunt double here? The audience will definitely go 'wow', right? Just like *Mission Impossible*."

"Have you ridden it? A snowmobile?"

"Of course, and I practiced for a while last night, I think it's no problem. Just need to plan the route well and avoid those rocks."

"Uh, don't rush, you have to let me think."

"What else to think about? Chris, think about when we filmed *The Dark Knight*, that hospital explosion, remember? Boom, boom, boom! How much praise did that scene win us in the end? Critics, audiences, everyone loved that plot. I dare say, I can win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, it accounts for at least 50%. And now this is 3D! Think about it, when the audience watches me rush down from the mountain and hit their faces directly, how will they feel!"

"……Chen, no matter how they feel, if you die, then there will be no feeling at all."

"Pfft, pfft, pfft, hurry up and pfft with me. Children have no taboos, touch the wood, OK, Christopher, do you remember the sentence I said after filming that explosion scene?"

"……A true man never looks back at an explosion?"

"Yes! That's right! True man. Joker is, and this time Cobb is the same, true man! As long as you are careful, there will be no problem. Do you remember what you said to me at the Oscars? Let's have some real stuff and give the audience and those Oscar judges some color to see. What are you still hesitating about?"

"." I'm convinced by you, Chen. However, no matter what, I have to talk to the insurance company first. That rock last time almost blew your head off, everyone was scared to death. If they say no, then I have no way."

"Then go. Anyway, I insist on doing this. If they don't agree, welcome them to come over, sit behind my motorcycle, and experience my driving skills on the spot."

"Damn it, Chen, you are simply... forget it, I'll come find you later."

Ellen Page watched Director Nolan walk away shaking his head. That person glanced at her and prepared to leave too.

"Hey, Chen." For some reason, Ellen Page couldn't help but call him.

The man stopped and turned back.

Ellen Page said, "Where are you going? Can I go with you?"

On a vast expanse of snow, the white snow shone with fine light under the sunlight like a thick velvet blanket.

A man in a snow-white riding suit was riding a snowmobile in circles with full concentration.

A snow stunt actor was giving loud instructions on the side.

However, Ellen Page highly doubted whether the rider could hear it at the moment.

Just as the rider was speeding,

the track on the right side of the motorcycle suddenly made a "click" sound, as if it was stuck by something, causing the speed to drop sharply, and the body of the car began to deviate uncontrollably to the right.

The snowmobile drew a crooked arc on the snow, swaying like a drunk man.

The snow stunt actor who was shouting rushed over in two or three steps, eyes fixed on the motorcycle, shouting: "Jump, jump off! Chen, jump quickly!"

Just as the motorcycle was about to flip, the rider jumped with force, landed on a snow pile on the side, and rolled on the ground for I don't know how many times, finally lying motionless on the ground.

The snowmobile flipped on the ground, the track spinning in the air, raising some snowflakes.

At this moment, Ellen Page's heart almost stopped beating.

The snow stunt actor rushed over like flying, and then, just as he reached close, the rider stood up and patted the snow on his body.

Ellen Page felt that she had come back to life.

"OMG, Chen, you almost gave me a heart attack."

"Small problem. Continue."

"WTF? No, no, no, Chen, let's take a break."

"No need, really fine."

After the rider and the special effects actor straightened the motorcycle, he really started galloping on the snow again.

This time he didn't circle, but rode directly towards the distance.

The special effects actor with a beard and a burly figure didn't shout anymore, stood with her, hugged his arms, and looked at the figure getting smaller and smaller in the distance.

Then, Ellen Page didn't know if this person was talking to himself or to her.

Anyway, he said: "True man, right?"

Ellen Page stared blankly into the distance, not saying a word.

The snow chase scene that day really didn't use a stunt double in the end.

Even though the insurance company people came with the director, showing a determined "no" face, after about half an hour of arguing, they still couldn't beat the male lead.

The gunfight chase on the snowmobile in the ice and snow that day was all done by him personally.

Ellen Page's scene was only a little bit, having a conversation with Chen Nuo on the snow, and it took less than an hour to finish.

But after filming, she didn't go back to the hotel in the city, nor did she stay in the warm trailer; after removing her makeup, she put on a thick down jacket and stood on the scene to watch.

She watched him roll and crawl in the snow again and again, and repeat it again and again on the snowmobile in front of the camera with those special effects actors.

Anyway, it seemed that his technique was still very unfamiliar compared to those special effects actors.

In the situation where both sides were chasing each other, every time he was either a bit fast here, or didn't keep up there.

This snow drama finally finished in three days.

Three days later, Ellen Page stared at the monitor on the set, her eyes instantly firmly attracted by the screen—

I saw a man in snow-white snow gear galloping out from between the dense woods on the hillside.

He held a submachine gun steadily with one hand, sat on the roaring snowmobile, and wherever he passed, large snow mists surged up.

Behind him, three strong men drove motorcycles in hot pursuit, holding guns in their hands, blooming with bursts of fire.

Two IMAX cameras were steadily mounted on special tracks, accurately and smoothly capturing this blood-boiling scene into the lens.

With his ski goggles pushed to his forehead, most of his face was exposed to the lens without any cover.

At this moment, Ellen Page dared to swear to God that she had never seen such a handsome, such a man in the monitor in her life.

I saw him skillfully avoid one pit after another with calm eyes, walking an extremely beautiful S-shaped route, and successfully reached the finish line.

Finally, Director Nolan, who had been stuck on this scene for three days, finally said "Pass."

When hearing the message conveyed by the field director, I saw him shout excitedly, pull off the goggles on his head, and throw them into the air.

At this moment, Ellen Page saw that everyone on the scene, whether it was staff, stunt performers, or actors who came to watch the fun.

Including Keira Knightley, Ryan Lei Nuozi, and Cillian Murphy, everyone was applauding.

Applauding for the play.

Applauding for him.

Everyone clapped together, whistled, and shouted "Great," as if they were celebrating some festival.

True man?

True man.

Ellen Page's brain was dizzy at this time, as if she had been punched. Some things that were gradually taking shape in her heart were smashed to pieces again.

Then what was she?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 317 =====