Chapter 60: Who Doesn't Have a Protagonist Dream?

The original heroine of *The Two of Us*, the tenant girl, was a pure amateur. She was found from the Central Academy of Fine Arts because the director wanted to find someone who looked like herself when she was young. She ran through all the universities in Beijing and found one.

This film was shot for 3 years, not without the reason that the director wanted to polish the newcomer's state. Even so, it made people feel that the girl's performance was a cut worse than the old lady's.

But he, Wu Yuchen, didn't have this hobby, and didn't have 3 years to polish it, so naturally, he couldn't pick any amateur.

And this film really relied on the performance of the two heroines, one old and one young. He wanted to use *The Two of Us* to brush awards, and the performance of the two protagonists was crucial and could not be sloppy at all.

Wu Yuchen even gave up Jiang Qinqin, naturally because he had a better candidate in his heart.

Petite but full of vitality, vigorous and loves to toss, stubborn but cute, plus one point of spirituality, good acting skills.

When writing the script, a figure had already appeared in Wu Yuchen's mind, and it was someone he had just seen a while ago.

As soon as the phone was connected, Wu Yuchen took the initiative to ask:

"Is this Brother Peng?"

"I am Dou Peng, who are you?"

"I am Wu Yuchen, the one who asked you for music last month, remember?"

"Hey, it's you! Can't forget! That film you shot, I estimate I won't forget it even after 20 years. Contacting me so late, is there another music job?"

"There is something, but it's not music. When I went to your place last time, wasn't your girlfriend also an actress? I want to shoot a film, a feature film, and I think the heroine is very suitable for her. Can you ask her if she will act?"

Before Dou Peng could speak, Zhou Xun's voice came from the phone: "I will act!"

In the room, Zhou Xun was looking down at the script, while Wu Yuchen was carefully looking at the Xun Ge in his twenties in front of him.

Zhou Xun was not a professional performer, but she was truly the one who was rewarded by the ancestors. Her spirituality and comprehension were top-notch, and the camera effect was also excellent.

Maybe many people started to know Zhou Xun from *Suzhou River*, but she had actually been favored by quite a few directors before this, such as Chen Kaige, the leader of Chinese film at present.

Kaizi opened a new play *Temptress Moon* after *Farewell My Concubine*, which started shooting in 1994 and would not be released until 1996.

The heroine he originally chose was Zhou Xun. Unfortunately, after being in the group for a few months, Kaizi felt that Zhou Xun's height was not enough. Even if she wore 7cm high heels, she was still a bit short. He cut her heroine and changed her into a small dancer with a bit part. Then he brought the great beauty Chen Hong to audition again. Although Chen Hong didn't meet his requirements, she comforted his depressed mood due to the unsuccessful shooting. The two hooked up since then, and finally, the heroine was transferred to Gong Li.

Just think about it, from the heroine of the popular Director Chen to a small dancer after being in the group for a few months, Zhou Xun's mood at that time must have been like a roller coaster. Regret and unwillingness must have existed.

She acted in a film *Daughter's Red* last year. Although she was the heroine, it was only in her youth, and her scenes were not many.

But the script *The Two of Us* in her hand now was different. The tenant girl Xiao Ma could be said to be the absolute heroine, and the story was carried out from beginning to end from her perspective.

As for the Wu Yuchen in front of her, although he was a newcomer director, it could be seen from the short film *Bus 44* he shot last time that he was a talented person.

"Director, I will act!" Zhou Xun raised her head and said with a smile.

Wu Yuchen reached out and shook hands with Zhou Xun, and then said:

"I will tell you in advance, I am shooting this film to win awards.

I will give you 10,000 yuan for the salary, which is not much but should be okay. However, there are a few conditions. This film is estimated to last at least half a year, and it will be intermittent. When shooting, you must be on call, and you must be able to maintain your state. Can you accept it?"

Zhou Xun understood the importance of the opportunity. She now had a strong desire for the heroine, not to mention that Wu Yuchen clearly said it was to win awards.

"Director, if you need it, I won't go back this year for the New Year!"

Only then did Wu Yuchen show a smile, and then let go of the hand he was shaking with Zhou Xun. Zhou Xun was not only very suitable in image and acting skills, but also had several years of experience in Beijing, which was perfectly in line with this role.

With Xun Ge in hand, I have the world!

Then Wu Yuchen stood up: "I am going to invite the person who plays the old lady now. Do you want to go with me?"

"Okay! Wu Dao, who do you want to invite to play this old lady?"

Wu Yuchen asked with a smile: "Have you seen *I Love My Family*?"

*I Love My Family* was the first family sitcom in the mainland released the year before last, starring Song Dandan, and it was quite popular in Beijing. Zhou Xun had naturally seen it.

"I've seen it. Is there anyone suitable in it?"

"Auntie Yu, the director of the neighborhood committee!"

"Ah?!" Zhou Xun was stunned upon hearing this.

Jin Yaqin, who was 70 years old this year, was from the Beijing People's Art Theatre and had already retired. She had rich stage performance experience.

She was the actress who played the old lady in the original *The Two of Us*, and her performance was very good. She won the Best Actress award at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Golden Rooster Awards.

So Wu Yuchen didn't consider changing her at all. Moreover, she was not very famous, and her salary would not be high, so she was naturally the best candidate.

This old lady had that kind of mean look. As long as she didn't smile and kept a straight face, she made people feel that she was a strange and mean old lady.

But she herself had a particularly cheerful personality, liked to be lively, and had a good relationship with people. Therefore, after reading the *The Two of Us* script, the old lady Jin Yaqin hesitated:

"Director Little Wu, the personality of this old lady role is the opposite of mine. Is it suitable for me?"

Wu Yuchen said with a smile: "Teacher Jin, I have seen the Zhao Granny you played in the TV series *Dream of the Red Chamber*, and the old procuress in the film *Du Shiniang*, all of which are very vivid. I believe this role of the old lady is not a problem for you!"

Jin Yaqin was very useful when she heard that Wu Yuchen could count the few screen images she had in her life.

She had acted for a lifetime, whether it was stage plays, TV series, or films, almost all of them were supporting roles. She didn't expect that she would be found by a film protagonist less than 10 years after she was about to retire, which made the old lady happy and moved. After all, who hadn't had a protagonist dream?

"Then I will try!"

"Thank you, Teacher Jin! I have a presumptuous request. This is Zhou Xun who plays the tenant Xiao Ma. I want her to live in your house for a while to cultivate feelings with you. Do you think this is suitable?"

The film told the story of the old lady and the girl from mutual dislike at the beginning to mutual reliance and feelings later. Wu Yuchen naturally wanted these two protagonists to establish this feeling early.

Jin Yaqin looked at Zhou Xun, and Zhou Xun immediately gave a polite and sweet smile, calling "Grandma Jin, hello."

"Haha, no problem! I like to be lively. Now there are only me and my old man at home, and I feel cold and clear!"

Jin Yaqin said enthusiastically, directly pulling Zhou Xun's hand and sitting down.

Wu Yuchen also followed Zhou Xun and changed his address:

"Grandma Jin, you can't be so lively next. It's best to find a lonely elderly person you know with a strange personality to observe, which will help you understand the role."

"Don't worry, I understand this. Art comes from life!" ===== CHAPTER 61 =====