Chapter 295: My Whole Family Praised My Acting!

"The War of Resistance Against Japan is the heaviest price in China's modern history. The Chinese nation has made an indelible historical contribution to the comprehensive victory of the World Anti-Fascist War with the blood and lives of more than 30 million Chinese sons and daughters.

Today, Wu Dao Yuchen, through *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas*, cleverly reveals grand themes through the perspective of children, using individual stories to denounce the endless pain caused by the War of Resistance Against Japan to the people of the two countries. From the perspective of an innocent child, the absurdity and cruelty of war are even more shocking.

*The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* has gained recognition globally, from awakening national memory to exploring historical reflection. Its theme transcends simple national confrontation; it explores profound humanity and inhumanity, and carries empathy and humanitarian care that transcends national borders.

Wu Yuchen used film to express that although war is history, the revelation left to future generations should not just be the seeds of revenge, but more importantly, how war shapes the fate of the two countries and the world, as well as its profound teachings on humanity and international cooperation, which is the pursuit of the lofty ideal of peace!"

Wu Yuchen looked at this article in *People's Daily* for a while, and then looked at some other film reviews in newspapers.

"*The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas*: Wu Yuchen's Tenderness and Cruelty."

"Behind the two boys is the pain of the nation!"

"*The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas*: A film that every Chinese person must watch!"

"Wu Yuchen: Give you hope, then completely shatter it!"

"*The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* is not only the most important stroke in Wu Yuchen's film career, but also a relatively prominent one among films reflecting the theme of World War II, giving people a strong impact on the soul. In terms of theme character shaping and audiovisual language, it is worth all Chinese directors carefully pondering and learning from!"

"*This is not just a plot, but a comprehensive victory of technology, lens, editing, acting, and score!

A great film should be like this, not only profound in thought and moving in emotion, but also high in technique, with important reference value for film apprentices. Such a film has an extremely high status in the hearts of ordinary fans and academic circles. Only such a film can be passed down!"

To tell the truth, about writing film reviews for *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas*, a large group of media had long been unable to hold back.

Normally, *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* won so many awards at the Oscars, so it should be shown directly in China, and then the whole people should go to the cinema to watch it. The media would naturally take this opportunity to promote it and comment on the film

However, this time it was truly unfortunate; it coincided with the SARS outbreak, and the film couldn't be released. Although the media had heaped praise on Wu Yuchen after he brought back the Oscar, they could only praise the person, not the film itself. Whether for the media or the general public, this felt like something was missing.

We know Wu Yuchen is amazing for winning the award, and we know the film is good, but you have to let us know *how* it's good!

Now it's finally out, and it's even being broadcast for free on the movie channel. This is definitely the film with the highest number of viewers since its release. Now they can finally vent the frustration they've been holding in and pour out their ink to analyze this great film that won so many Oscars from every angle!

Of course, since even the state media has set the tone, the media certainly won't go against it and start nitpicking; naturally, they are praising it from every angle!

But this is exactly what the public wants. After all, after watching *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* yesterday, many people were wiping away tears, heartbroken by the tragedy of the two children in the film. Today, with so many professional reviews coming out, it naturally allows everyone to seek a sense of identification and an emotional outlet in these articles.

To put it bluntly, this *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* has truly reached the level of nationwide heated discussion. After all, never before has a film had so many viewers at once, nor has it received such high attention!

To be honest, Wu Yuchen is still a little unaccustomed to being called a "national treasure-level director."

The title of "national treasure-level director" isn't something just anyone can use; only those directors who have made outstanding contributions and have a profound influence in the film and television field can be crowned with this name. These directors are not only highly regarded for the artistic value of their works, but their works often transcend cultural and linguistic barriers to become internationally popular classics.

Clearly, Wu Yuchen now meets this requirement, and this time it has been officially stamped and recognized by the authorities.

As for Wu Yuchen himself, he is naturally quite happy to receive this affirmation, but on the other hand, he vaguely feels that he is being put on a bit too high a pedestal.

Sometimes being held in a high position is not a good thing; it easily leads people to forget themselves, stop making progress, or become burdened by their own fame.

Take Chen Kaizi, for example; after *Farewell My Concubine*, he was also showered with praise. Since then, the guy has basically been holding onto an air of superiority he can't come down from, and this mindset has definitely had an impact on his subsequent creative career.

However, Wu Yuchen didn't step forward to decline it. He and *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* no longer just represent himself; they are now a symbol and a calling card for China's external exchanges and cultural promotion. Even if he didn't intend for it, he was going to be pushed up there anyway.

Just like when he was talking to the leaders yesterday, the other party mentioned a quote from the Chairman: if we don't occupy the high ground of public opinion, the enemy will.

Although they aren't enemies, one only needs to compare the treatment of China and the Jewish people to see the gap.

During World War II, the Jewish people claimed 6 million were slaughtered and have been shouting about it continuously for decades around the world, subsequently gaining sympathy and preferential treatment from all sides. And China? The death toll of over 30 million is several times that of the Jews, yet does anyone care?

With so many books and other works about Jewish victims of World War II every year, have those scholars who pride themselves on being the conscience of human suffering ever paid attention to the slaughter of Chinese civilians in the same war?

Although there are complex political, economic, and racial factors behind this, the battlefield of public opinion is truly, truly important!

Now that we have finally produced a card like Wu Yuchen and *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* that has achieved significant international influence, we naturally have to maintain it well and use it well!

"Changchang, I heard SARS is getting worse in Beijing. How are you doing?" Liu Qianqian, far across the ocean, called to check on her good friend Shu Chang.

"I'm doing fine. I feel like the people around me are all okay~"

"Then why did I hear you sighing when you answered the phone just now?" Liu Qianqian asked.

Shu Chang paused for a moment, then asked: "Uh, Qianqian, have you seen the movie *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas*?"

"I have! It's already been released everywhere here in America. I watched it last week, and I really cried my eyes out! Changchang, I'm so envious of you for being able to act in this movie!"

Shu Chang said with a bit of grievance: "Qianqian, the reason I was sighing just now is because of this. I saw that a lot of people online are scolding me..."

Liu Qianqian asked curiously: "Ah? Why? I think you acted really well, Changchang?"

"They all say I'm mentally challenged, brainless, that I was brainwashed by the Japanese in an instant, and that I even fell in love with a Japanese person. They say my thinking is problematic, that I'm a traitor—anyway, things like that..."

Liu Qianqian was also stunned upon hearing this. After realizing what was going on, she comforted her friend: "This, Changchang, it's all because you acted too well! That's why everyone is so immersed in it..."

"That may be so, but when I see these..."

"Don't 'but' anymore, Changchang. This is a happy problem for you! If I were you, the more people scolding me right now, the happier I would be!"

"There's no one who thinks like you!"

After the two girls chatted and giggled for a while, Shu Chang's little bit of annoyance was thrown to the back of her mind. Afterward, she asked Liu Qianqian: "Qianqian, when do you plan on coming back?"

Liu Qianqian asked with a smile: "What's wrong? Do you miss me, Changchang?"

"Mm-hmm, I miss you so much..."

Shu Chang said, drawing out the sound, and then added the next moment: "I miss your mom's cooking!"

"Hmph! You're a fine one, Changchang. When I get back, I'm definitely going to tickle you!"

"Hehe, when you get back, it's not certain who will be tickling whom~"

After the two girls shared a laugh, Liu Qianqian said: "I'm coming back next month~"

"Next month? SARS might not pass that quickly, right? Can't you wait a bit longer?" Shu Chang asked.

Liu Qianqian shook her head: "I can't wait. Cai Zong from Miracle Pictures said they have a TV series and want me to audition for the lead role. I have to rush back next month~"

Shu Chang exclaimed: "Miracle Pictures, Cai Zong? Qianqian, then I have to congratulate you in advance! Every TV series from Miracle Pictures is a boutique production now; everyone is breaking their heads trying to get into their projects!"

"What's there to congratulate? It's just an audition; it's not even certain yet~ Besides, I'm far worse than you, Changchang. You've already acted in Wu Dao's movie!"

"Hee hee, I just have better luck. Let me tell you, I went to the set and asked Wu Dao, and he said it was because you were too pretty that he didn't pick you~"

"You're just coaxing me~" Liu Qianqian said, the corners of her mouth already curling up.

Just as Shu Chang and Liu Qianqian were talking, on the other side, Huang Huang Xiao Ming was also calling his beloved Teacher Wu to play the victim:

"Teacher Wu, you have no idea how many people are scolding me online right now! I don't even dare to go online to look anymore. Fortunately, everyone is at home because of SARS, otherwise, I might have eggs thrown at me if I walked down the street!"

As the worst person in the film, the Japanese officer played by Huang Huang Xiao Ming not only beat the old servant to death but also gave Xiao Chun a brutal beating, and he was always saying "Shina pig" at every turn. Naturally, he couldn't get a good reputation among the audience. The scolding he received in this wave was more than ten times that of Shu Chang.

Don't look at how popular Huang Huang Xiao Ming is as part of F4; his main audience is teenagers and young people. But this time, the viewership for *The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas* was across all ages and the entire population. Naturally, there were many who didn't know him before, and they instantly remembered him deeply in their minds as this "Japanese devil."

Wu Yuchen didn't offer the kind of soft, gentle comfort to Huang Huang Xiao Ming that Liu Qianqian gave Shu Chang: "You kid, throwing eggs? Do you think you're Teacher Ge Cunzhuang or Teacher Chen Qiang!"

Ge Cunzhuang is Ge You's father, and Chen Qiang is Chen Peisi's father. Both were among the "Five Great Villains" and often played villains—for example, Ge Cunzhuang as Captain Kameda, and Chen Qiang as Huang Shiren in *The White-Haired Girl* and Nan Batian in *The Red Detachment of Women*. Because they acted so well, they would have eggs and rotten vegetable leaves thrown at them when walking down the street. During the special period, they were even labeled as "real villains" because of it...

"I wouldn't dare compare, I wouldn't dare! I'm still far behind Teacher Ge and Teacher Chen!"

Wu Yuchen said with a smile: "Heh, you kid still have some self-awareness. If you feel aggrieved, then I won't look for you for similar roles in the future~"

Huang Huang Xiao Ming hurriedly said: "Don't, don't, don't! Teacher Wu, I'm not aggrieved at all! My whole family praised me for acting well! My grandparents wanted to slap me twice when they saw me!

I feel especially good right now. I called you specifically to say that I'm so grateful to you for letting me play this role! If there's an opportunity in the future, you must look for me again!"

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen shook his head with a smile. This kid Huang Huang Xiao Ming, has he gotten addicted to playing a Japanese devil?

After putting away his phone, Wu Yuchen smiled at Cai Yinong, who had just been reporting work to him: "Cai Zong, please continue."

Since he was back this time and had the time, he definitely had to arrange the general work plan for Miracle Pictures in the country.

Cai Yinong continued: "We have already bought the copyright for *Chinese Paladin* from the Dayu company in Wanwan, and the script has been polished. We are currently in the preparation stage..."

Wu Yuchen nodded upon hearing this, then said: "For game-to-film adaptations, it's actually similar to novels; the casting must be spot on. It doesn't necessarily have to be someone with a huge name; character fit is very important."

Upon hearing this, Cai Yinong began to introduce the arrangements for casting: "We plan to start auditioning actors next month. For Zhao Linger, we have invited He Meidian, Liu Qianqian..."

Wu Yuchen's heart stirred when he heard Cai Yinong's introduction. He Meidian? She is the current queen of sweet roles in the film and television circle, having played Yilin in the Hong Kong version of *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer* and Zhong Ling in *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*, with an excellent reputation. In his past life, the game developers of *Chinese Paladin* unanimously called for He Meidian to play Zhao Linger, but unfortunately, she missed it due to scheduling conflicts...

Thinking of Liu Qianqian, Wu Yuchen also smiled. In his past life, after He Meidian refused, Liu's mother didn't think much of *Chinese Paladin* either, and it took Cai Yinong visiting in person and requesting repeatedly to invite Liu Qianqian. But now, the situation seems to have reversed. Cai Zong is a famous figure in the industry, and she managed to call Liu Qianqian back from America for an audition with just one phone call.

Wu Yuchen just listened to Cai Yinong's report without intending to interfere too much. With so many projects at Miracle Pictures every year, he certainly couldn't oversee everything, or he simply wouldn't be able to keep up.

People like Cai Yinong, Jiang Xuerou, and Li Guoli in the company are not mediocre; just let them display their talents. What he needs to do now is grasp the big picture.

Wu Yuchen was still a bit curious whether Liu Qianqian or He Meidian would win the role of Zhao Linger this time. Life is only interesting when there's a bit of suspense!