Chapter 450: Opening and Flop

The filming locations for *Under the Bridge* were mainly along the Suzhou River in Shanghai and the neighboring Suzhou.

The female lead, Qin Nan, had previously fostered her son Dongdong at her uncle's house in the Suzhou countryside, traveling between Shanghai and Suzhou on weekdays because her son was an illegitimate child who couldn't see the light of day.

In order to catch Xi Zi's schedule, they first finished filming Xi Zi's main scenes in Shanghai, and then came to Suzhou to film the remaining parts. Now they had reached the final scene.

This scene was by the river, where Dongdong wanted to live with his mother, but Qin Nan couldn't do it, so she could only cruelly refuse. Dongdong threw away the toy pistol his mother had given him and ran away crying.

In front of the camera, Xi Zi was crying aggrievedly, which made Gong Xue's eyes sore. When the director shouted "Cut," Xi Zi's tears stopped immediately, and he even ran to the director's side and asked: "Grandpa Director, do we need to keep another take?"

Director Bai Chen was already 60 years old. It was the first time he had seen such a talented child. He smiled and shook his head: "No need, the acting was very good, very layered."

In this play, Dongdong had multiple crying scenes, with different degrees of crying and different emotional focuses. Wei Xi could cry extremely accurately every time, and he could cry immediately when the start was called, and stop immediately when a scene ended. His crying level even exceeded Gong Xue's.

Teacher Gong had to brew her emotions when filming crying scenes, thinking about the bastard things Wei Ming had done.

Just as she thought of him, he came.

"Wei Laoshi, right? You came just in time. Wei Xi can be handed over to you." Bai Chen shook hands with Wei Ming.

Wei Ming also expressed his gratitude to Director Bai Chen, thanking him for cooperating to film Xi Zi's scenes first. Although Xi Zi didn't have many scenes, some old directors liked to film according to the script order, so just wait.

Gong Xue didn't expect Wei Ming to come to pick up Xi Zi personally. He was preparing for the opening over there and should be very busy.

When eating together in the evening, she learned that Wei Ming had just made a trip to the Venice Film Festival. This was just returning to the country, on the way.

Besides the director, the male lead Zhou Zhou Lijing was also at this meal. There were actually no scenes for him here, but everyone said Suzhou had good scenery, so he wanted to come over and take a look.

"Then did you win an award?" Gong Xue asked.

"Hmm, won two small awards," Wei Ming said, "Originally didn't want to go, but heard there was an award to take, so I made a trip."

Gong Xue yearned: "I've long heard that the water city of Venice is the hometown of Marco Polo, and there is also the famous *Merchant of Venice*. I don't know what it's really like there."

Wei Ming smiled: "Maybe you will soon know what Venice is like. The organizing committee chairman told me that he is very interested in Chinese films. Next year, *Under the Bridge* can try to apply."

In the past two years, the Shanghai Er Yingchang had been a frequent visitor to international film festivals. *Returning Home* was shortlisted for the Berlin International Film Festival, and *The True Story of Ah Q* was shortlisted for Cannes. Although they returned empty-handed, they were all in the main competition unit.

In fact, *Under the Bridge* was indeed shortlisted for the Venice main competition unit, but the filming was advanced by one year.

Zhou Zhou Lijing said: "Venice should be a bit like Suzhou, both are cities with a lot of water, just more urbanized. My partner has taken photos there before."

His partner of nine years, Fu Chunying, was a dancer and also a National March 8th Red Banner Holder, often performing abroad. Italy was also a place she had been to. Now Zhou Zhou Lijing had graduated from university, and his work had also been settled. The two planned to apply for marriage next year.

Wei Ming smiled: "It is indeed a bit like it. When I wash out the photos taken there, I can show them to you."

He was saying this to Gong Xue. Because there were many people at the scene, Gong Xue had many whispers she couldn't say. Fortunately, Wei Ming was going to stay here for one night today.

In the evening, Gong Xue entered Xi Zi's room under the excuse of seeing Xi Zi one last time, and at this time Wei Ming was holding a pendant and shaking it in front of Xi Zi.

He was trying to hypnotize Xi Zi, but as a result, Xi Zi's eyes became cross-eyed and he still had no sleepiness.

"Snow Mom!" Seeing Gong Xue come, Xi Zi still wanted a hug.

Wei Ming picked him up directly: "Already in the second grade, still acting like a baby, don't you know shame."

Xi Zi wanted to shed tears on the spot, but everyone knew this was acting, so it was useless.

Gong Xue asked Wei Ming: "All packed up?"

"Hmm, you didn't buy him few toys." Wei Ming smiled.

Gong Xue thought to herself, in the future he would call her sister-in-law, so of course she had to spoil him.

Not seeing each other for many days, actually, a passionate kiss was the most appropriate at this time, at least there should be a tight hug. It was a pity that the light bulb was too bright.

Wei Ming had a flash of inspiration: "Xi Zi, go downstairs and buy a pack of cigarettes for brother."

Wei Xi: "I won't."

"The extra money is yours." Wei Ming pulled out a ten-yuan banknote.

Wei Xi: "I just like to help others."

This kid took the money and trotted out of the room downstairs.

Wei Ming hurriedly closed the door, took the delicate Sister Xue into his arms, and tasted her wantonly. There was no smell of cigarettes.

"Don't mess around." When Wei Ming had more excessive actions, Gong Xue finally fought back.

Wei Ming also knew that this place was indeed inappropriate. In the play, Qin Nan suffered all kinds of white eyes because of having a child out of wedlock. He didn't hope that Sister Xue outside the play would also be troubled by the crew's scandals.

It was okay to be in a relationship out of wedlock, but sleeping together out of wedlock was over the line.

Let's talk about the movie.

"Your goddaughter wasn't finally selected." Wei Ming told Sister Xue about this.

"Ah, that's a pity."

"The child was quite beautiful and also liked to perform, not stage-frightened. It's just that she was too white, whiter than the white people in Venice. Letting her play the little girl picking mushrooms, the makeup difficulty was too great. And filming in the conditions of the countryside, often having to go out for location shooting under the sun, it would be a sin to ruin such good skin."

Gong Xue thought it was also this reason. She asked again: "Then does that little girl still remember you, her savior?"

Wei Ming smiled: "Things from three years ago have long been forgotten. At that time, she was only three years old. But her parents always nagged in front of her, and there were photos as evidence, so she still knows about this."

It had been three full years, and they had known each other for three years.

Then the two exchanged interesting things that happened in their respective crews. After chatting for half an hour, Xi Zi came back. This kid had become sensible.

The next day, Wei Ming took Xi Zi to the airport to head to Chengdu. Of course, he had to go to the Shanghai airport first.

At this time, the other two child actors with relatively heavy scenes in the film also arrived, one playing Xiao Cao, and one playing the little girl Xiao Qingqing who picked mushrooms.

And when Xi Zi saw the girl playing "Xiao Cao," his eyes lit up, and he leaned in front of her, calling "Sister," "Sister" non-stop.

This sister was 13-year-old Hai Xia Lin, originally named Wang Fei. After her parents divorced, she took her mother's surname and changed her name again. The song "Xiao Cao" was also originally sung by her.

Wei Ming needed a girl who looked stubborn and resilient. After choosing and choosing, he decided to let the cool Wang Fei try it. The result was good, and for this reason, he specially adjusted the age of this character.

Middle school student Wang Fei was very cold, but she was good friends with Wei Xi's younger sister Wei Le, so she showed a friendly smile to this little bean Xi Zi.

The little girl next to her who was only eight years old was named Liu Lin, born in a high-knowledge family. Her parents were both in the aerospace system. She looked very simple and honest when she smiled. This belonged to the child actors selected by the Children's Er Yingchang through newspapers, and she had also loved performing since she was a child.

Later, she was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy and was a classmate of Xu Jinglei and Alyssa Chia. Later, she became popular all over the country with the role of "Jiang Liu Dehua," and even became popular in the short video era. From then on, "Liu Dehua" became an exclusive noun.

This child looked silly and honest. After dressing up, she really had the simplicity of a rural child. Wei Ming was quite satisfied.

He asked again: "Have your parents come?"

Both shook their heads. Wang Fei was older and had strong self-care ability, so she came alone. Moreover, she was also an acquaintance of Wei Laoshi, and her mother felt that safety was guaranteed.

Liu Lin was entrusted by her parents to the makeup artist sent by the Beijing Er Yingchang to take care of. Both were scientific research personnel and had no time.

Together with them came the female makeup artist sent by the Beijing Er Yingchang, which had been decided when they were in Jingcheng.

Wei Ming scratched his head. Without a guardian, he, the director, had to take on the responsibility of a guardian. Actually, they were fine. After all, they were girls. What really needed to be worried about were Wu Jing and Xi Zi.

Now was the small peak of the rise of the human trafficking industry. Two seven or eight-year-old boys, tsk tsk, too tempting.

Actually, Wang Fei was also a bit dangerous. After all, she was already 13 years old.

So Wei Ming let the makeup artist eat and live with the two little girls. Ge You and his father watched Wu Jing, and Xi Zi lived with him.

The three new children also had to enter the village to experience life with Wu Jing. In addition, Wei Ming also invited a teacher to help them make up for cultural lessons. Don't think that just because you entered the crew you don't have to go to school. It was already September, and school had long started.

Then Wei Ming gathered his golden team to continue making final preparations before the opening.

Seeing the director return, everyone asked one after another: "Director, what award did you win this time?"

Wei Ming replied: "A Silver Lion Award for Best Debut, and a FIPRESCI Best Film. Both are small awards, not worth mentioning."

Several academics had some understanding of international awards, and Chen Chen Kaige asked in confusion, "Isn't this for the main competition section? Besides, yours is a short film."

Wei Ming: "They said it was an exception."

Chen Chen Kaige: He was shown off to, so hateful!

Feng Feng Xiaogang hurriedly said: "Wei Laoshi, take out the trophy for everyone to open their eyes, and let us follow along to share the glory."

"That's right!"

"Exactly!"

Everyone echoed. Wei Ming pressed down: "I didn't bring it. I had someone take it directly back to Jingcheng. In a few days, in a few days you can look at the photos directly."

Two days later, reports about Wei Ming's work *The Witness* winning two awards in Venice began to appear in newspapers one after another. *Literature and Art News* also had a beautiful photo of him holding the Silver Lion trophy, which was taken by Feng Ge for him.

This report was widely reprinted and was regarded as a landmark event for Chinese culture going out, greatly improving the national cultural confidence. ===== CHAPTER 451 =====