Chapter 152: Group Coming to Call

"Oh? Wu Dao, do you have a new project? Tell me quickly!" Han Han Sanping's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Wu Wu Yuchen nodded with a smile and then took out a script and handed it over. After Han Han Sanping took it and looked at the cover, "Donkey Gets Water."

Han Han Sanping couldn't help but smile: "Wu Dao, I have heard of this script of yours for a long time. It is said that you wanted to film it as soon as you made it two years ago!"

Two years ago, in order to get the hundreds of thousands of funds from the Movie Channel, Wu Wu Yuchen wrote three scripts, namely "The Two of Us," "Coherence," and "Donkey Gets Water."

Wu Wu Yuchen had already settled the first two the year before last, and only "Donkey Gets Water" was left because of the factors of censorship, which had not been filmed.

However, not filming it at that time might not have been a bad thing. If Wu Wu Yuchen had filmed it at that time, he would have at most replicated the original version, filming it in a hurry, but after more than two years, Wu Wu Yuchen now has more ideas.

Wu Wu Yuchen smiled at Han Han Sanping: "Director Han, since you have heard of my script, you should also know that there might be some censorship problems. I have to trouble you to help me out in this regard."

"Easy to say, you wait a moment, let me read the script in detail before talking." Although Han Han Sanping had heard of it long ago, he hadn't read it much himself.

As early as two years ago, the Beijing Film Academy had already used this script to rehearse a play internally. At first, it only circulated within the school, and as Wu Wu Yuchen's fame rose step by step, the fame of "Donkey Gets Water" also rose with the tide, attracting quite a few people in the circle to come and watch, including the People's Art Theater, the Central Experimental Drama Theater, etc., all giving extremely high evaluations. The People's Art Theater even wanted to move this play to their side to perform.

Half a moment later, after Han Han Sanping finished reading the script, he couldn't help but shout:

"Good, what a ridiculous farce, showing all states of human nature! Wu Dao, your talent is really nothing to say!"

Han Han Sanping said and gave Wu Wu Yuchen a thumbs up, and then asked again: "Wu Dao, if I'm not mistaken, you want to rush for awards with this 'Donkey Gets Water', right?"

Wu Wu Yuchen nodded with a smile: "That's right, I want to take it to the Big Three to try."

"Venice or Berlin?" Han Han Sanping also knew that Cannes this year was definitely too late.

"Not decided yet, it depends on the situation."

In fact, as far as the film "Donkey Gets Water" is concerned, it has human nature and contains quite a few political metaphors, which is more suitable for Berlin. And Wu Wu Yuchen is also from Berlin, so it should have a better bonus if he goes there, and the grasp is greater.

But Wu Wu Yuchen also wanted to inquire about the judges of the Venice Film Festival this year. He has already experienced the influence of the jury of the Big Three, which is a factor that must be considered.

Han Han Sanping understood Wu Wu Yuchen's meaning and then pondered for a while and said: "Wu Dao, let's do this. Wait a moment, I will accompany you to the Scissors side. The theme is set in the Republic of China, I think there shouldn't be much problem."

Now it is different from two years ago. Wu Wu Yuchen's own influence and status are much higher than two years ago, and the situation across the strait has also changed slightly. In short, Han Han Sanping feels that there is a play.

That afternoon, Wu Wu Yuchen and Han Han Sanping came out of the Scissors side together. He said to Han Han Sanping with a smile:

"Director Han, it's still your face that is big. This time even the bureau chief came to receive you personally! This time I owe it to you~"

Han Han Sanping waved his hand: "Hey, which one is for me? I don't have this treatment when I come usually. It's good to see a section chief! Didn't you see the bureau chief chatting with you the whole time? Wu Dao, it's still your big director's influence that is enough, full reception!"

"Alright, Director Han, let's not praise each other. Now that the censorship has passed, I have to prepare, and I still need the Beijing Film Studio to cooperate."

"That's a must, I'll just greet it here. By the way, have you already found a candidate, or are you issuing an audition announcement to the outside world?" Han Han Sanping asked.

Wu Wu Yuchen thought for a while and said: "Issue an audition announcement, audition starts in two weeks."

"Okay, then I will let the factory help you spread the news. This time I estimate that the eyes of the circle will be attracted!" Han Han Sanping laughed.

Cooperating with Beijing Film Studio this time gave them a 30% share, and gave Qingying Studio 10%. Both enjoy the right to income, and the film copyright is naturally Miracle Film and Television's. Bringing Qingying Studio to eat meat several times in a row, the money divided is quite a lot, enough to be worthy of the school.

After Wu Wu Yuchen returned to the company, he picked up the "Donkey Gets Water" script and read it again. This time Wu Wu Yuchen filming "Donkey Gets Water" to rush for awards is actually a bit risky.

Because according to the experience of the past life, "Donkey Gets Water" has no awards at all, let alone abroad, even domestic Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers, etc., didn't even get a nomination.

But can you say the script of "Donkey Gets Water" is not good? Anyone with a discerning eye can see that it is absolutely an extremely good and excellent story, full of tension, satire on human nature, satire on politics, and it is not bad in all aspects. It is hailed as the most satirical and daring script in the country since "Let the Bullets Fly."

But why are there no film awards at all?

Many people say it's because it's a comedy.

This point is indeed correct. Comedy themes are naturally not favored by awards, and it is generally difficult to win awards. Because the common cognition is that comedy movies are often just to make people laugh, and have no substance. And in fact, most comedy movies are indeed like this, originally just to have fun!

For example, the work "Goodbye Mr. Loser" that made Happy Twist famous in one battle is very funny, and the audience likes it very much, but if you say this movie will win any big awards, maybe the audience themselves feels it's not very possible. In fact, Shen Teng, this 10 billion box office king, has indeed never received any mainstream awards.

For example, Jackie Chan, this super big name in comedy action movies, waited for decades in the Hong Kong Film Awards for acting awards, and didn't get the recognition of the Hong Kong Film Awards. There are also Jim Carrey abroad,

Therefore, comedy as a genre is naturally considered inferior when it comes to awards; this is an indisputable fact.

However, nothing is absolute, and comedy is not a dead end for awards. You have to integrate other elements and take the path of black humor and absurd comedy; that way, the probability increases significantly.

For example, the Coen brothers' masterpiece "Barton Fink" is a style that combines black humor, satire, and metaphor, and it won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1991.

There is also the film "The Square," or "The Square" (as it's also known), which is also in the vein of absurd comedy and won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2017. Then there's the 2023 Venice Golden Lion winner "Poor Things," which is also in the absurd comedy category.

Films like Jiang Wen's "Devils on the Doorstep" and "Let the Bullets Fly" are actually typical examples of black humor and absurd comedy.

So, it's not that comedy can't win awards, but rather the fault of how "Mr. Donkey" itself was filmed.

The biggest factor naturally lies with its directors. Two stage play directors basically just copied the play directly into the film lens—truly copied it. The stage play traces and theatrical style of "Mr. Donkey" were too heavy; many transitions had a typical stage play flavor that felt very stiff when put into the lens.

This style is naturally fine when watched live, but when viewed through a film lens, an insider will feel it's out of place immediately.

At the same time, film is hailed as the seventh art, and its essence is composed of audiovisual language. But your "Mr. Donkey" film's audiovisual language is basically equivalent to zero; there is no technique to speak of. The camera completely lost its vitality and became a cold, unfeeling recording machine. To this group of filmmakers judging the awards, this is a crime against film art! You still want to expect them to give you an award? You don't even deserve a nomination!

Regarding this point, the two directors themselves admitted they didn't have the ability to balance storytelling with artistry. Capital and directors had wanted to buy the script, but they refused. In the end, they did it themselves using the simplest method. The benefit was that they told the story clearly; the downside was that in many people's eyes, they wasted the script.

Now that "Mr. Donkey" is in Wu Wu Yuchen's hands, he considers his current directing level to be higher than those two stage directors. Moreover, after more than two years of conception and preparation, he already has his own ideas about how to film "Mr. Donkey."

This time, he intends to try to make "Mr. Donkey" follow the style of black humor and absurd comedy, which is inherently the most suitable path for this film, and then endow it with some surreal colors before going to challenge the three major European film festivals.

Two years ago, his estimate of completing it within 1 million was based on the simplest stage-play-style filming, and he was also using 16mm film. Now that he has money, he naturally lets go and goes all out, meticulously crafting it so that every aspect is the best it can be!

In the evening, Jiang Jiang Qinqin was arching her body on top of Wu Wu Yuchen, ingratiatingly begging:

"Good brother, good husband, dear husband, just give it to me~"

Jiang Jiang Qinqin's pure and lovely appearance showed a seductive charm at this moment, which was truly captivating.

But Wu Wu Yuchen slapped her butt:

"I can't give you a back-door pass this time; if you want it, earn it yourself!"

Jiang Jiang Qinqin pouted and rubbed back and forth against Wu Wu Yuchen, making him sigh, and then he said:

"It's not like I'm not giving you a chance. You already have a huge lead over others; you read the script two years earlier than them, and you've even rehearsed the stage play. If you still don't perform well, you can't blame me."

Originally, when the "Mr. Donkey" stage play first came out, the female lead Zhang Zhang Yiman was naturally played by Jiang Jiang Qinqin. But later, as she went off to film "Il Mare" and then "My Fair Princess," it was naturally impossible for her to go back to rehearsals.

Now, if there were really an open audition, Jiang Jiang Qinqin would actually feel a bit insecure, fearing she wouldn't be able to compete with others. She knew without thinking how attractive Wu Wu Yuchen's films were now, so she tried every way to please Wu Wu Yuchen, acting like a spoiled child and wanting him to open a back door for her.

But unfortunately, Wu Wu Yuchen didn't budge this time. For commercial romance films like "Il Mare," he was happy to indulge Jiang Jiang Qinqin; after all, as long as the face is pretty enough, the requirements for acting aren't as high as one might imagine. Making box office money while promoting Jiang Jiang Qinqin had no impact.

But "Mr. Donkey" is different this time, and to some extent, it also involves a change in Wu Wu Yuchen's filming technique, which is different from the original film. Therefore, he must be cautious. He must pick the most suitable actors, and it will depend on the audition results—whoever performs best gets the part!

Jiang Jiang Qinqin could only give up her useless struggle, thinking to herself that she still had a significant advantage; after all, she had prepared for so long in advance. Even if she hadn't practiced for the past half year, picking it back up would still be better than the others!

At the same time, she thought of Chen Chen Shasha, who had replaced her as the female lead Zhang Zhang Yiman in the stage play over the past half year. She didn't expect that her good sister would now become her biggest rival!

Time entered April, and "Titanic" began its nationwide release. Before he came back, Wu Wu Yuchen had been slightly troubled about accompanying someone to watch the movie.

But now......

Jiang Jiang Qinqin flatly refused the invitation to watch the movie, closing the door to painstakingly prepare for the role of Zhang Zhang Yiman;

Zeng Li was on the set of "The Grand Mansion Gate," having entered the role of Yang Yang Jiuhong and unable to extricate herself, so naturally, she wouldn't go watch some romance movie to disturb her state of mind;

Li Xiaoran had gone far away to Hengdian to film "The Handsome Siblings," though she did call to say she would make an appointment with Wu Yuchen to watch it when she returned.

Therefore, in the end, Wu Wu Yuchen didn't have to worry at all. He took little Da Meiyuan into the cinema and then walked out with the tearful beauty in his arms.

That night, Gao Zhu Yuanyuan and Wu Wu Yuchen held hands with their fingers interlaced, gazing at him affectionately:

"You jump......"

"I jump!"

After Wu Wu Yuchen responded, he lowered his head to kiss her lips deeply, then leaned over to engage in negative-distance communication.

Tonight, the same scene was happening in who knows how many hotel rooms......

After "Titanic" was released, it naturally triggered a huge response nationwide. People's way of greeting each other changed from "Have you eaten?" to "Have you seen it?".

And among the actors in the industry, there was another matter that garnered attention no less than "Titanic," and that was that the great director Wu Wu Yuchen's new project "Mr. Donkey" had begun open auditions!

When the news leaked out a few days ago, it went viral. This was the new film from the great director Wu Wu Yuchen, who was last year's domestic box office champion and had broken 100 million in America!

Now in the Chinese film circle, as long as you are an actor, there isn't one who doesn't want to participate in his new project. For ordinary actors, even if you get in to play a small supporting role, once you're gilded, your career can go up a level!

And now everyone says this film is aimed at awards. When Wu Wu Yuchen aims for awards now, it's either the three major European festivals or the Oscars. Who wouldn't covet such an opportunity?

Therefore, every role in "Mr. Donkey" received many resumes, from students in schools to already famous actors, all flocking in.

And at this moment, Wu Wu Yuchen was on an international call:

"Maggie, even you know about it and are interested?"

"Of course, Wu Dao. You are a big Hollywood director now. Even Brother Long went to Hollywood and sought you out to pay his respects. Of course, I would jump at the chance for your film!" Zhang Zhang Manyu laughed.

"If you are willing to come for an audition, I naturally welcome it, but I'm afraid of troubling you."

Wu Yuchen had a pretty good impression of Zhang Manyu; after all, she helped him at the last Berlin Film Festival. And Zhang Manyu's acting skills were top-notch; she could play all kinds of roles. In "New Dragon Gate Inn," she played the spicy and flirtatious Jin Xiangyu so well that the audience not only didn't hate her but developed a great fondness for her. This is acting, this is skill!

Therefore, if she were to play Zhang Zhang Yiman in "Mr. Donkey," Wu Wu Yuchen would also be quite looking forward to it.

"How could it be trouble? But although I heard the news, I don't have the specific script......"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wu Yuchen smiled and said:

"Oh, that's simple. I'll have the company fax it to you in a bit. By the way, Maggie, there is one thing I must make clear to you first."

"Wu Dao, go ahead~"

"My film will start shooting next month, probably for at least two months or more."

"That's no problem at all~"

"The main thing is, toward the end of the film, you have to shave your head......"

"Shave my head?!" Zhang Zhang Manyu exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this.

"Yes, you'll know once you read the script."

"Wu Dao, does it have to be a real shave? Can I wear a wig?"

"I hope it's a real shave, preferably."

Wearing a wig, industry insiders can actually tell, and on this point, it would make the judges feel it's out of place. Since Wu Wu Yuchen is aiming for awards, he wants to do his best. A real shave can also increase the sense of immersion in the role. In his past life, Ren Ren Suxi, the actress who played Zhang Zhang Yiman, really shaved her head.

Zhang Zhang Manyu hesitated for a moment and said somewhat conflictedly: "Wu Dao, actually, it's not that I'm unwilling to shave, but Director Wong Kar-wai has also asked me to start a new film in the second half of the year. I'm worried it might have an impact......"

Wong Kar-wai?

When Wu Wu Yuchen heard this, he calculated the time. It should be "In the Mood for Love," which won Liang Liang Chaowei the Cannes Best Actor award. Actually, he wanted to say that shaving wouldn't affect it, because Wong Kar-wai's style for this film was the same as usual—it took 15 months to film, which is enough time for your hair to grow back!

It's truly heaven-defying. There isn't a single big scene, yet he can film for 15 months. Only Wong Kar-wai could pull off such a thing!

No wonder the media later said that Liang Liang Chaowei and Zhang Zhang Manyu developed feelings for each other because of the film. The two of them spent over a year cultivating feelings together!

"Maggie, I'll fax the script to you first. You should consider it carefully." Wu Wu Yuchen didn't say much more; it was up to Zhang Zhang Manyu's own choice.

However, it's estimated that with Zhang Zhang Manyu's professional ethics, if she had already promised Wong Kar-wai, then he would unfortunately have to miss out on her side.

Just after hanging up Zhang Zhang Manyu's call, another international call came in:

"Hello Wu Dao, this is Zhang Zhang Guorong."

Hearing the polite voice on the other end, Wu Wu Yuchen couldn't help but laugh: "It's Young Master Rong, how have you been lately?"

"So-so. Hong Kong is currently being hit by the financial crisis, and every industry is wailing. So I wanted to find Wu Dao to ask for a meal. Is there a role suitable for me?" Zhang Zhang Guorong asked in a joking tone.

"Young Master Rong, you also know I've started a new film?"

"Of course. I have many friends in the mainland. Wu Dao, you are so impressive now; I must pay attention when you start a new film!" Zhang Zhang Guorong had just filmed "A Time to Remember" with Mei Ting last year.

Wu Wu Yuchen touched his nose and smiled, feeling slightly embarrassed: "Young Master Rong, you are truly too handsome. There really isn't a role suitable for you in this film of mine."

He really wasn't lying; there was no role suitable for Zhang Zhang Guorong in "Mr. Donkey."

"Is that so......" Zhang Zhang Guorong smiled and shook his head. In the past, Hong Kong people always sought him out because he was handsome enough. He didn't expect to be rejected this time because he was handsome, but he could naturally understand.

"Wu Dao, then we must cooperate once when there is an opportunity in the future."

"Haha, I also hope to cooperate with such a good actor as Young Master Rong."

The two chatted for a few more sentences and then hung up the phone.

Wu Wu Yuchen had just breathed a sigh of relief when he saw another overseas call coming in. Is this a group effort?!

Then he looked at the name, and it was actually Wang Wang Zuxian.