Chapter 182

"Then thank you very much, Mr. Ge! With you willing to join, my film is already half-finished~" Wu Yuchen said with a smile, cupping his hands.

Hearing Wu Yuchen say this, that half was on him, then the other half...

"Wu Dao, I would like to ask, have you found the female lead for this film yet?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen shook his head: "Mr. Ge, I am worrying about exactly that. The candidate for the female lead is indeed not easy to find. I have looked at the images of some, and they don't quite fit."

The female lead in the film needs to be as beautiful as possible. Some people give a bloated feeling when they get old, but the female lead's appearance must have a sense of clarity, her temperament must be elegant, and she must have a persistence and pride in her bones, because only then can it form a sharp contrast with the image of losing dignity after becoming paralyzed later, which can touch people's hearts more and make her desire for death and relief more convincing.

The actress for the original female lead in the past life was Emmanuelle Riva, who was a great beauty when she was young and acted in "Hiroshima mon amour." When she acted in "Amour," she was already 84 years old, and her temperament and appearance were well-maintained. Therefore, the first ones Wu Yuchen considered were those famous female stars who were beautiful when they were young—those who shone during the Republican era. He didn't strictly require them to be over 80, but they had to be born after 1930 at the very least. It's just a pity that many of the best among them have already passed away...

For example, the film queen Hu Die passed away 10 years ago. And the great star Zhou Xuan disappeared early in the 50s. Actually, thinking about it, many of the big-name female stars in that war-torn era died young; they couldn't possibly be as happy as the stars in the peaceful era.

He also considered Xia Meng, who was Jin Yong's dream lover. She was a famous beauty when she was young, but after he asked someone to get Xia Meng's recent public photos, he gave up. The 65-year-old Xia Meng might love beauty; her hair was dyed pitch black, and her skin was well-maintained. How could she look like a 70 or 80-year-old grandmother?

Come to think of it, the restrictions on film types in the mainland over the past few decades have been too great. Even if many female stars were beautiful, they had to try to lean toward the vulgar, because in the films of the past few decades, there couldn't be that kind of petty-bourgeoisie—that is, petty-bourgeois female lead; they were all worker-peasant female leads, so the characteristics of many actresses were covered up. Added to the fact that Wu Yuchen wasn't that familiar with the older generation of actors, he was really in a bind when choosing a female lead now; he didn't have such a clear target.

It wasn't that he hadn't looked at the Beijing Film Studio; he found Han Sanping and asked for the information of the old actors in the studio to flip through one by one, but there really wasn't an actress who could meet the requirements.

At this time, Ge Cunzhuang smiled and spoke: "Wu Dao, I wonder if you have heard of the title 'New China's 22 Film Stars'."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen's heart stirred, and he remembered something, but he still said: "Mr. Ge, please tell me all about it!"

Ge Cunzhuang didn't keep him in suspense and narrated slowly:

"After our New China was founded, we had a close relationship with our Soviet big brother, so many Soviet films were broadcast at that time, and their 22 great Soviet film stars were hung in the lobbies of many cinemas.

By the year '61, Premier Zhou proposed that our China couldn't always look at other people's star publicity; we had to have our own film stars. Therefore, a list was selected at that time, which Premier Zhou personally reviewed, and it was finally decided as the 'New China's 22 Film Stars.' This was the highest honor for our domestic actors at that time! You young people might not know, but it was truly incredibly popular back then."

As Ge Cunzhuang spoke, it was as if he were recalling things from decades ago. After sighing with emotion, he continued:

"Shanghai is the birthplace of our Chinese films and also the core of films during the Republican era, so Shanghai accounted for 8 of these 22 people. The one I want to recommend to you is one of them."

Listening to Ge Cunzhuang's introduction, Wu Yuchen hurriedly pondered the old films he had watched in his mind. However, although he trusted Ge Cunzhuang's judgment, he still had to search for relevant information and personally go see the current state of this old lady.

In Shanghai, at the Shanghai Film Studio, the head Zhu Yongde personally found some old photos and materials for Wu Yuchen to see:

"Wu Dao, Teacher Wang is an absolute great beauty. Her looks when she was young were not a bit inferior to Hu Die or Zhou Xuan. Back then, she was also called one of the four great female stars of Shanghai and Hong Kong. In '51, she responded to the country's call and returned to Shanghai from Hong Kong, and in '52, she joined our Shanghai Film Studio."

Wu Yuchen looked along the photos old Zhu took out. Even though he had seen many beauties in the entertainment industry, seeing this photo from half a century ago, he couldn't help but feel dazed for a moment, and a sense of amazement sprouted in his heart! She was truly beautiful! A peerless talent!

Wu Yuchen hurriedly asked: "How is Teacher Wang's situation now?"

She was a beauty when she was young, that was true, but he cared more about how she was now that she was older; otherwise, no matter how beautiful she was before, it would be of no use for his filming this time.

Old Zhu smiled and said: "Her style remains, and she definitely meets your requirements, Wu Dao! It's also a coincidence that you came, Wu Dao; she spends half her time in Hong Kong and half in Shanghai every year, and she happens to be here right now."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen was overjoyed: "Good, Director Zhu, then I'll trouble you to take me to visit Teacher Wang!"

In XH District, at the Shanghai Film residential area, in a family building, the door opened, and Wu Yuchen saw a spirited old gentleman, tall, with graying hair.

Old Zhu immediately said with a smile: "Old Liu, how are you! Wu Dao Yuchen and I have come to visit you and Teacher Wang!"

Seeing this, Wu Yuchen also immediately greeted the old gentleman Liu Heqing before him and was naturally warmly invited into the house.

As soon as Wu Yuchen entered the hall, he saw a silver-haired old lady in her 70s coming over. Even though her youth had faded, she still carried a bright and moving luster, and she always maintained refinement and elegance. It was none other than the target of his visit, the female lead, Wang Danfeng.

Wu Yuchen only felt that this old lady before him was suitable in every way, whether in appearance or temperament. He immediately walked up enthusiastically and took the initiative to greet her politely:

"Hello, Teacher Wang, I am so happy to see you today! I am your fan and admirer; I sang your song 'Little Xiao Yanzi' every day when I was a child!"

Old lady Wang Danfeng was also very happy to see the two visitors. She shook hands with Wu Yuchen and said:

"Wu Dao, you are too polite; those are all old, worn-out songs from decades ago. My husband and I just watched your 'Donkey Gets Shot' recently; it was filmed so well!"

Wu Yuchen said with a smile: "Teacher Wang, even after another few decades, your 'Little Xiao Yanzi' and 'Nurse's Diary' will continue to be passed down!"

The "Little Xiao Yanzi" that the two were talking about was exactly that children's song everyone had heard when they were young: "Little swallow, wearing a flower coat, you come here every spring..."

This children's song came from the mouth of Wang Danfeng. In '57, she sang this song in "Nurse's Diary" to coax children to sleep. Once broadcast, it spread all over the country. The film "Nurse's Diary" was also very popular; it was the first film in New China with a nurse as the protagonist. After it was released, nurses directly became the most ideal marriage partners in the eyes of the public, setting off a trend of a large number of male compatriots pursuing nurses.

At this time, Old Zhu spoke again: "Teacher Wang, if you are willing, why not take Wu Dao to the study to visit your glorious history!"

"What glorious history do I have? Director Zhu, you are starting to brag about me again~"

"Teacher Wang, you are the pillar and pride of our Shanghai Film Studio!"

Old Zhu knew that Wu Yuchen was here to select the female lead for an Oscar-contending film, so he naturally wanted to fight for this opportunity as much as possible. Now he just wanted Wu Yuchen to learn more about Wang Danfeng's past.

In the study, there was a cabinet displaying many of Wang Danfeng's past works and photos with celebrities. There were photos with the Chairman, and more than one; there were photos with Premier Zhou; and there was also the time in '85 when she, as the only representative of Chinese actors, was invited to attend the inauguration ceremony of American President Reagan...

Wu Yuchen was also filled with emotion. Among the female stars of the Republican era, those like Wang Danfeng who could shine during the Republican era and still become a public artist after the founding of the country were truly few and far between, or one could even say she was the only one.

A moment later, when Wu Yuchen presented the script in his hand to old lady Wang Danfeng, she didn't take it, but said with a smile:

"Wu Dao, I am very grateful that you think highly of me, but the last time I filmed a movie was almost 20 years ago. I have forgotten how to perform now; I am afraid I cannot be up to the task for your film. Let's just forget it~"

Wu Yuchen's current reputation was very attractive to any actor in the Chinese film and television industry. Seeing the script he handed over, they would all wish they could agree immediately, but that didn't necessarily include old seniors like Wang Danfeng and Lan Tianye who had retired from acting for many years.

It was the same when Wu Yuchen went to visit Lan Tianye before; he was completely devoted to calligraphy and painting and was preparing for an art exhibition, with no plans to make a comeback.

Therefore, Wu Yuchen was mentally prepared now and said to the old lady:

"Teacher Wang, actually you should know that sometimes performance doesn't require so many techniques; a natural performance might have a more innate effect. And in my opinion, you are the most suitable candidate for this female lead, so the 20 years of not acting you mentioned is absolutely no problem!"

Old Zhu also persuaded from the side: "Teacher Wang, Wu Dao's film is really very good. After I read the script, I felt that this role belongs to you, and it is also the tragedy you like."

Wang Danfeng still shook her hand gently: "It's been almost 20 years since I acted; I've gotten used to my current state. Let's not do it~"

After persuading her a few times in succession, Wu Yuchen saw that he hadn't been able to convince Wang Danfeng, thought for a moment, and said: "Teacher Wang, how about this: leave the script with you to read first. If you feel interested, you can contact me at any time!"

After seeing Wu Yuchen and Old Zhu off, Liu Heqing saw that his wife hadn't picked up the script on the table, and asked his wife with a light smile: "This Wu Yuchen is a bona fide international great director, and his films must be quite good. Are you really not planning to consider it?"

Wang Danfeng shook her head, sighed, and said: "I'm so old now, I don't want to go through the trouble anymore~"

Liu Heqing smiled upon hearing this and didn't speak; instead, he picked up the script and started reading it himself.

Liu Heqing originally came from a prominent family in old Shanghai. He was the young master of Shanghai Guotai Film Company and also Yang Jiang's junior fellow apprentice. He was quite talented when he was young and managed a large theater, being cultivated as a successor. After the founding of the country, Guotai Film Company was merged into the Shanghai Film Studio through public-private partnership, and he became a cinematographer in the studio. However, due to his personal identity issues, he was never given important responsibilities.

Later, after the reform and opening up, Old Liu went south to Hong Kong to start a business at the advanced age of nearly 60. The Gongdelin Vegetarian Restaurant he opened was a hit in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong celebrities often frequented it. It made money every day and was the most famous vegetarian restaurant in all of Hong Kong. The reason Wang Danfeng retired from acting 20 years ago also included the reason of supporting her husband's business.

Although his wife had never said anything, Old Liu had always remembered this matter. Now, the opportunity sent by Wu Yuchen, a great director famous at home and abroad, had touched his heart. As for film, he had also dealt with it for most of his life and had deep feelings for it.

Half an hour later, when Wang Danfeng came out of the room, she saw her husband holding the script and staring blankly. She couldn't help but be a little surprised, walked over, and touched his arm: "Old Liu, are you okay?"

Old Liu came back to his senses, shook his head gently, then let out a breath and said: "This script, I think you should consider it carefully!"

"Is it that good?" Wang Danfeng's curiosity was also aroused; even her husband was persuading her.

"It's not a question of whether it's good or not; it really writes to the heart of us old people! After I read it, I couldn't help but think about what I would do if I encountered this situation. At our age, who knows which day we will really fall ill. Sigh!"

Liu Heqing sighed repeatedly, and then he added: "There are really too few films like this that reflect the delicate emotions of the elderly! I think it is very meaningful."

Wang Danfeng could refuse the invitation of Wu Yuchen and Old Zhu, but her husband's words aroused her curiosity, and she couldn't help but take the script from her husband's hand and start reading it.

In the hotel, Wu Yuchen was pondering the matter of "three visits to the thatched cottage." It was really because old lady Wang Danfeng was so suitable for this female lead image. Although she had retired from acting for 20 years, she had acted for most of her life, and some things were integrated into her bones. The skills and solid foundation of these veteran actors were not to be doubted; they were not comparable to those "little fresh meat" actors later on.

At the same time, he also set a time for himself: one month at most. If it didn't work, he would decisively change targets. And within this month, he had to collect information on other alternative actresses at the same time. After all, if the old lady was determined to retire and not act, he couldn't wait to death. If this film wanted to charge at next year's Oscars, it had to be filmed, broadcast, and submitted for censorship this year!

Just as Wu Yuchen was thinking about these things, his cell phone rang; the caller was none other than Old Zhu.

After Wu Yuchen answered the phone, he only heard Old Zhu on the other end laughing heartily: "Wu Dao, Teacher Wang has agreed to perform!"

It took a whole day to pick a female lead...