Chapter 55: Admonition

The core of *The Two of Us* was a film about true human feelings similar to *Postmen in the Mountains*, telling a moving story between an old widow in a courtyard and a tenant girl studying in Beijing. It won the Best Actress award at the Tokyo International Film Festival, the Best Actress award at the Golden Rooster Awards, the Best Director award at the Golden Rooster Awards, and many other major awards. It was also invited to be screened at the Berlin Film Festival and was nominated for the Audience Choice Award.

This kind of subject matter film would not have any problems with censorship. As long as you shoot it well, it could resonate in any region.

The production cost of the original film was over 2 million, but do you know how long it took to shoot?

It took 3 years, during which it experienced SARS, the actress playing the old lady fell and was hospitalized for more than half a year, etc., so the cost of the film was raised a lot.

In fact, 90% of the scenes in this film all happened in a broken and small courtyard. It didn't need any complex sets at all. Wu Yuchen was fully confident that he could shoot it for under 500,000.

The story of *The Two of Us* script was not complicated. It could be said to be the simplest of the three scripts and the easiest to understand. Director Gu finished reading it quickly.

At this time, Old Lady Ruan also just finished reading *Donkey Gets Water*. She sighed first, and then said twice in a row that it was really good.

Director Gu handed the *The Two of Us* script in his hand to Old Lady Ruan and asked:

"Director Ruan, will you take a look at this one first?"

Old Lady Ruan shook her head and didn't take it: "I am old and my brain is not enough to digest so many things. You are the one who has the final say here, don't worry about me."

Director Gu nodded, then turned to look at Wu Yuchen, and sighed:

"Little Wu, I felt you were not simple after watching *Bus 44* before, but I really didn't expect you to be so talented!"

He picked up the three scripts in his hand:

"These three scripts of yours are really all very good! Personally, your *Donkey Gets Water* is written too well, and I like it very much!"

Wu Yuchen was not happy when he heard this, but instead called out "bad" in his heart. There was often a turning point after this.

Sure enough, as he thought, Director Gu's next sentence was: "However, this script of yours has too many metaphors about politics! And the irony is too strong!"

Anyone who had seen *Donkey Gets Water* knew that what "Sanmin Primary School," "Principal Sun," and "determined to transform the countryside" were, wasn't this clearly telling you what it was? *Donkey Gets Water* was a thick ironic film about the political situation at that time from beginning to end, and even everyone's settings and identities had meanings.

Wu Yuchen hurriedly defended:

"Director Gu, my background is from the Republic of China period, and the irony is also about the Revolutionary Alliance at that time. It shouldn't touch our current line, right?"

This aspect definitely couldn't be changed. This was also the greatest charm and artistic connotation of the *Donkey Gets Water* script. It would become mediocre if changed.

At this time, Old Lady Ruan spoke: "Little Wu, you shoot this film next year. Think about what the year after next is?"

Wu Yuchen thought about it. It would be shot next year in 1996, and the year after next in 1997 would be the return of Hong Kong. The return of Hong Kong was also a display and proof from the above to Taiwan.

Wu Yuchen finally understood. Now Taiwan was still the Revolutionary Alliance, and at this time point, *Donkey Gets Water* was ironically mocking people's ancestors...

The sensitivity of Old Lady Ruan and Director Gu was not something Wu Yuchen could compare to. They had already thought of the logic in it.

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen sighed in his heart. Sure enough, any creation of film or culture could not be separated from the influence of the situation!

At this time, Director Gu also said: "You may not necessarily be unable to shoot *Donkey Gets Water*, but our movie channel is temporarily not suitable for investing in this kind of film. Do you understand?"

Wu Yuchen nodded. If someone above was unhappy after it was broadcast, who would take the responsibility?

It seemed that the *Donkey Gets Water* plan would have to be shelved in the short term.

Then he saw Director Gu pick up the *The Two of Us* script from the three: "This one is quite good. The story is simple, there is no situation where the audience can't understand it, and the feelings are warm and simple. It also has educational significance, calling on us to pay attention to the problem of lonely elderly people."

Wu Yuchen nodded repeatedly in agreement, thinking that Director Gu was indeed a person within the system, choosing *The Two of Us*, which was the most stable and correct subject matter and style among the three. However, fortunately, he was prepared in his heart. *The Two of Us* was not bad either, as long as they gave him money to shoot.

Then Wu Yuchen tentatively asked: "Director Gu, I don't know when..."

Director Gu smiled: "This can't be rushed. Investing in a film is not something I can decide alone. I have to give this script of yours to others to see in the next few days, and then hold a meeting to decide. As for the final result, I can't give you a guarantee now."

"Yes, then I will trouble Director Gu!"

"It's nothing. Being able to see these three scripts of yours today is a feast for my eyes! Little Wu, you must cherish this talent of yours. As long as you don't get stubborn, you will have a lot to do in the future!" Director Gu encouraged.

"I still need to practice, and I can't do without the care and guidance of Teacher Ruan and Director Gu!"

Wu Yuchen said polite words, but also understood the admonition in Director Gu's words.

After walking out of the movie channel office building, Old Lady Ruan pulled Wu Yuchen and said seriously:

"Little Wu, this *Donkey Gets Water* of yours is really well written! Starting from your *Bus 44*, one can see that you are good at creating this kind of ironic subject matter, and this *Donkey Gets Water* is even more so.

I know you are talented, and I also know that literary creators yearn for creative freedom, but our current situation is placed here. Things like film cultural dissemination can be big or small, and they must be strictly controlled. You must not go against the situation. Look at your Teacher Tian from Tao Jingying Academy; what a pity!"

These caring words from Old Lady Ruan were much more direct than Director Gu just now. The Teacher Tian she mentioned was Tian Zhuangzhuang from the Tao Jingying Academy, who was banned from directing for 10 years in 1992 because of *The Blue Kite*, which was a quite serious punishment. Those were the 10 years when a director was most mature and in his peak state!

Wu Yuchen felt the true feelings in Old Lady Ruan's words and held her hand sincerely:

"Teacher Ruan, don't worry. I definitely have a sense of proportion in this regard; otherwise, I wouldn't have brought three scripts today. I won't move the *Donkey Gets Water* script until it can be shot. Thank you for your concern!"

Old Lady Ruan nodded with a smile upon seeing this. She didn't want such a talented young person to really go on a "crooked path."

Wu Yuchen thought that *Donkey Gets Water* could wait for a year or two. After the re-election of a certain dog Hui next year, various more excessive independent remarks would come out in a few years, and the above should be completely disappointed. By then, the promotion of *Donkey Gets Water* should have no worries. ===== CHAPTER 56 =====