Chapter 21: Finalizing the Cast

"Classmate Tang Yan."

Lin Nan got out of the car and called out.

Seeing a girl waiting for him in the middle of summer, Lin Nan felt a bit embarrassed.

"Director Lin, Yawen."

She wore a light green long dress with a few pink lotus flowers on it, cinched with a belt; paired with her height, she looked very stylish.

Zhu Yawen was very surprised to see Tang Yan, not knowing what exactly Lin Nan was planning to do.

"Director Lin, come with me. Teacher Li should be here right now."

"Teacher Li?" Zhu Yawen asked, puzzled.

"Teacher Li Baotian," Lin Nan explained.

Director Tian Zhuangzhuang was not around, but Lin Nan could finalize the actor first, and the actor he had chosen for the male lead, Ma Youtie, was Li Baotian.

He could be called a true actor; he was admitted to the directing advanced study class at the Drama Academy in 1978 and began teaching there in 1981.

In 1991, he filmed Zhang Yimou's *Ju Dou*, and in 1995, another Zhang Yimou film; that same year, he also starred in the hit *Liu Luoguo*, his acting skills were exquisite and seasoned, beyond reproach.

Among male actors who could collaborate with Zhang Yimou three times, he counted as one, and all within six years.

There aren't many pure actors, but he definitely counts as one, and he is worthy of the title of a veteran actor—not the kind that just comes with age.

Zhu Yawen went off to wander around elsewhere; he knew a few people here, so he wasn't a stranger.

"Senior Brother Li, this is Director Lin Nan from the Film Academy. He is here to see Teacher Li."

He didn't see the man himself, but he did meet his son, Li Yu, who had taken the entrance exam for the Central Drama Academy three times over six years and was in the class of 2000; although he was six or seven years older than Lin Nan and his group, he was only two years ahead.

"Brother Li, I have a script I'd like to ask Teacher Li to look at. I wonder if Teacher Li is in?"

Both father and son were low-key by nature, and Lin Nan respected such people.

"Oh, no need to be so polite. My dad is in; I'll take you to him."

The fact that Li Baotian let his own son spend six years trying to get into his alma mater showed that he was a man who didn't use back-door connections.

When he saw Lin Nan, this veteran actor wasn't as serious as he had imagined. "I've heard them mention your films; they are very creative. Sit down."

He was nearly sixty, but he looked to be in very good health; his cultivation of inner calm was something a junior like Lin Nan couldn't compare to.

"Teacher Li, I've written a script, written with heart. I want to use it to aim for awards, and you are the only one I can think of for the male lead."

Lin Nan spoke very sincerely; Li Baotian was absolutely perfect for the role of Ma Youtie.

"Oh, did you bring the script? I usually have classes to teach."

Li Baotian said this, but he still waited for Lin Nan to open his backpack.

Li Yu brought over two glasses of water.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"You're welcome."

"This is the script. Please take a look." Lin Nan handed it over with both hands.

Li Baotian had already put on his glasses. "*Return to Dust*?"

The living room was very quiet, with only the sound of pages turning, and occasionally the sound of Lin Nan drinking water.

Li Baotian sat on the sofa, reading very carefully, as if contemplating and immersing himself in it.

Li Yu squatted beside his father, his eyes also fixed on the script.

The script was thin, but the story was heavy.

"A good story, a very profound script. I can take this role."

Li Baotian eased his emotions; he was clearly very satisfied with the script.

"Can you give me a role?"

At this moment, Li Yu suddenly spoke up.

Li Baotian immediately glared at his son, but quickly recovered; it was time for him to pave the way for Li Yu.

Li Baotian looked at Lin Nan, clearly seeking his opinion.

"Senior Brother Li Yu could try the role of Zhang Yongfu's son."

"Really?" Li Yu asked excitedly.

Lin Nan nodded with a smile.

Li Baotian didn't say anything, but there was a smile on his face.

"When do you plan to start filming?"

This question made Lin Nan a bit uneasy. "This script hasn't been submitted yet. I originally planned to ask Director Tian Zhuangzhuang for help. You know, scripts with this kind of realistic subject matter usually have a bumpy road to approval."

Lin Nan felt a bit embarrassed.

"Haha, actually, there's no need for that. You are a commercial film director who has already achieved success, unlike those who have no awards and no box office. The authorities are also very realistic in this regard."

What Li Baotian said somewhat shocked Lin Nan's worldview; it meant he had underestimated his own status with the authorities, and that they weren't as rigid or fair as he had thought?

Lin Nan was digesting Li Baotian's words; he felt he needed to go consult Han Sanping.

"Who are you planning to find for the role of Cao Guiying?" Li Baotian asked at this moment.

"This role is very important; it must be someone who can handle it," Li Baotian said solemnly, already standing from the perspective of the entire film.

"Gong Li would be very suitable, but you probably can't hire her," Li Baotian muttered to himself, which truly shocked Lin Nan.

"I originally wanted to invite Teacher Jiang Wenli, but she doesn't seem to be at the school."

"Little Jiang? Hmm, she should be able to handle it," Li Baotian thought for a moment and nodded.

"I'll find her number for you. Although we aren't at the same school, I do have a way to contact her. You can go talk to her yourself, though she seems to have an agency, but I think she can make her own decisions."

Tang Yan sent Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen out of the school gate. "Thank you for today. I'll treat you to a meal later."

"I'll take that seriously, Director Lin."

"I never kid people."

"Did you settle it?" Walking into the Film Academy gate, Zhu Yawen said unexpectedly.

"It's done. How did you know?"

"Tang Yan told me. Is it that script you mentioned?"

"Yes."

Zhu Yawen understood in his heart that for Lin Nan to run directly to an actor of Li Baotian's level, and for the other party to agree, the script must be very good.

"Director Han, it's me, Lin Nan. I have something I'd like to ask your advice on."

Lin Nan was in his dormitory making a phone call alone.

The result was about the same as what Li Baotian had said. Han Sanping was direct, telling Lin Nan to just submit it upward; as long as the stance wasn't skewed, there wouldn't be any big problems, and even if he encountered issues, he could just solve them then.

Inevitably, he was asked if he needed investment. Lin Nan delayed it, saying they would talk after October.

Better early than late; Lin Nan submitted it that very afternoon.

A weight was finally lifted from his heart. Looking at the phone number he got from Li Baotian, Lin Nan hesitated a bit.

In the normal process, film invitations should be handled through agents; he didn't know if it was appropriate to call the person directly.

The first call rang for nearly a minute without being answered; he didn't know the reason.

He was preparing to wait ten minutes before calling again, but less than five minutes later, they called back.

"Hello, Teacher Wenli, I am Lin Nan from the 2002 directing department of the Film Academy. Yes, that's me..."

During the half-hour call, Lin Nan almost went through the entire script outline. She was indeed not in the capital and would return in two days; they agreed to meet then to look at the script.

The biggest stars for this film's investment were Li Baotian and Jiang Wenli, whom he had an appointment to meet. The investment couldn't exceed ten million, or even five million would be plenty, and since it was a rural drama, it would be even cheaper.

For two days, Lin Nan spent his time tapping on his keyboard in the dormitory, interrupted by a few classmates who forcibly dragged him to play soccer. He was the goalkeeper and got shot through.

Amidst a chorus of condemnation, Lin Nan treated them to lunch, but he didn't go; Jiang Wenli had called.

Many excellent actors choose to stay and teach after graduation, but if you want to find her at school, you'll find that there's really only a name left at the school.

Eighteen years older than Lin Nan, she didn't look old at all; her stunning appearance and acting in *The Grand Mansion Gate* left a deep impression.

*Chinese-Style Divorce* was still a hit, and her acting was beyond reproach.

"Hello, Teacher Wenli." The two met at a cafe outside the school, along with her assistant.

"Just call me Sister," Jiang Wenli said with a smile, taking the script.

There are many great directors, but few who are managed by their wives; Director Gu marrying her was, after all, more luck than misfortune.

After a long while, Jiang Wenli closed the script. "A very good script. You're using it to aim for awards, right?"

Lin Nan wasn't surprised; she was an excellent actor and also the wife of a great director; her ability to judge a script was definitely not weak.

"Yes, I want to use it to aim for awards next year." He didn't elaborate, and Jiang Wenli didn't ask which awards.

"Who is playing Ma Youtie?"

"Teacher Li Baotian."

Jiang Wenli nodded; she had no other questions.

"When do you plan to start filming, and how long will it take? I need to reserve my schedule."

"Filming starts in November, and it will be done in a month. I have a film coming out in October," Lin Nan explained.

"After filming, you'll edit it, and it will just be in time for film festival registration, right?"

Jiang Wenli suddenly added, catching Lin Nan off guard.

"Haha, Sister Wenli is right."

"I'll take it. Can I take this script with me?"

"Of course, why not?"

As for the contract and such, they could be supplemented later. Lin Nan could tell that Jiang Wenli really liked this script; there wasn't a good actor who didn't like a good script.

After leaving the coffee shop, Lin Nan and Jiang Wenli parted ways.

"Damn," Lin Nan realized he had been photographed. It was the first time in so long that he had encountered paparazzi taking pictures of him. What was there to photograph about him?

As soon as this thought popped up, Lin Nan sensed something was wrong. He hoped he hadn't been photographed just now in the coffee shop.

Jiang Wenli's car had already driven off into the distance.

Lin Nan took out his phone and called her. Jiang Wenli said very magnanimously that it was fine, though whether it was actually fine or not, Lin Nan didn't know.

He only hoped the paparazzi wouldn't write anything reckless.

However, having secured the lead for the film, he was still secretly pleased. He needed to settle down and reflect for a while; this film was not a commercial movie, and he had to prepare himself mentally.

If he couldn't win an award again, he would really be losing everything to his grandmother's house.

He hummed a little tune as he returned to school. The lyrics to "Dragon Fist" were quite stirring, but during the Spring Festival Gala, there was absolutely no interaction between the stage and the audience; the people sitting below the stage had less capacity for acceptance than the children on the side of the road.

Time drew closer, and the promotion for "House of Flying Daggers" was in full swing. Zhang Yimou was already a true hero; his film had achieved remarkable box office results in North America, and with the blessing of this era, he had already ascended to the altar.

"House of Flying Daggers" claimed it would break the record set by "Hero," and people in the industry all agreed; in terms of cast, the former was not the least bit inferior to the latter.

The same martial arts film, the same big production, the currently popular Liu Dehua, Zhang Ziyi...

No one dared to say a bad word about it, and the cinemas were already rubbing their hands in anticipation of counting money.

As for the post-production of "Returning to Youth," Lin Nan didn't go to watch over it this time. People from China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group were watching it, and Enlight Media would also go to check on it from time to time; after all, they were all investors.

At school, Lin Nan saw the new promotional poster for "House of Flying Daggers," with the two male leads on the left and right, and Zhang Ziyi in the middle.

Not to mention that this was a new film by Zhang Yimou, just mentioning the Hong Kong and Taiwan stars made audiences more willing to spend money to go to the cinema; this was a realistic issue.