Chapter 25: It Was My Narrow-Mindedness

In the evening, Cao Yang found a private kitchen restaurant and called Tian Zhuangzhuang over for a drink.

Old Tian took a sip of wine, and while picking up food with his chopsticks, he said, "I went to the bank this afternoon and was shocked. Good heavens, five hundred thousand? Are you trying to bribe me, kid?"

"Go on, you're just a freeloader at the Beijing Film Studio, why would I bribe you? You know I sold some foreign copyrights; this is the producer's share for you. As for the domestic side, since we initiated the project together, we'll talk about it after the box office comes in."

Cao Yang smiled and explained, "Let's be clear, you don't get a cut of the foreign earnings; it's my ability that won the award. I originally planned to give it to you after the film finished its domestic run, but I ran into a problem and wanted to ask for your advice, so I just gave it to you now to keep you from hiding things or trying to fool me."

Old Tian's hand holding the chopsticks paused, and the food dropped onto the table. He picked it up again, shoved it into his mouth, and felt a complex mix of emotions.

He hadn't thought about any of this from the start. When Old Situ spoke, he was purely helping out; he never even considered that there would be money to share.

The project was a success, and he was only happy—first, because Old Situ's eye for talent was still sharp, and second, because he could consider himself a "talent scout." He never expected this young man to be so decent as to treat him as a project initiator.

"Your judgment of people is truly accurate. If it weren't for this bonus, I definitely would have held something back. Eating someone's food makes you soft-mouthed, and taking someone's money makes you soft-handed. Since I've done both, tell me, what's the matter? I'll help you weigh it."

"I've written a script..."

"What?" Old Tian widened his eyes, his expression one of immense surprise.

"You already have a new project so soon? You don't even take a few days to rest or read; you're still a student, why are you in such a rush?"

"It's just a script, I haven't started the project yet."

Cao Yang ate a bite of food and said, "Besides, you're my go-to supporting actor and dedicated cinematographer; how could I start a project without you?"

Should he tell him that the market is warming up and a wave of commercial films is coming, and that he needs to seize these two years to build his reputation and accumulate capital—even if he said it, he might not believe it.

"Get lost, when did I become 'your' man? And a dedicated cinematographer? I'm a director, a director, do you understand?"

"Then how come I haven't seen you direct in all these years?"

"Are you asking for a beating, kid? Besides, I'll be off the blacklist next year."

"So, are you in or not?"

Old Tian gulped down some wine and smacked his lips, "I'm in."

"There you go."

Only then did Cao Yang explain the problem he encountered, "There are a few parts in the script that are hard to get past censorship. I already have solutions, but I haven't decided which one to use, and I wanted to hear your opinion."

"Go ahead."

"First, change it! Change everything that won't pass censorship, including one segment..."

"Stop with the nonsense. If it were that easy to change, you wouldn't be here talking about it." Old Tian picked up some food and said while chewing, "Just tell me the second method."

"Change the setting of the story, for example, to Xiangjiang."

"That works. As long as it doesn't affect the film's appeal, then change it. Why hesitate?"

Cao Yang understood what Old Tian meant. Some films, even if they don't pass censorship, cannot be changed to Xiangjiang—for instance, the rural themes that the Fifth Generation directors love to film; changing them would be obviously jarring.

"But I want to go to Venice this year. If I film in Xiangjiang, there definitely won't be enough time."

"You want to go to Venice?"

Old Tian was stunned. The young man had a huge appetite; he had just been to Berlin and now wanted to go to Venice. He really didn't know whether to call him confident or arrogant.

Cao Yang counted on his fingers for Old Tian.

"The Venice Film Festival starts on August 29th. The deadline for main competition entries should be in June. Even if we 'cut the line' with an internal submission, we have to finish before the main competition list is announced, so it definitely can't be later than August."

"We also need at least a month for film censorship, plus preparation time. That leaves us with just over three months for filming and post-production." Yes, Cao Yang was also qualified to "cut the line."

The deadline for main competition entries is usually three months before the festival opens, but that applies to ordinary filmmakers. Some "special" directors' films are exempt from the deadline.

Like Cao Yang, a director who has won awards in the main competition of the three major European film festivals, he receives special treatment when returning to them.

As long as he confirms his participation and gives the organizing committee a heads-up, he can submit it before the main competition list is announced; there are special review channels.

Old Tian looked at Cao Yang as if he were an idiot and said with disdain, "Who says a story set in Xiangjiang must be filmed in Xiangjiang? Your last film's opening scene took place abroad; why did you film it on Ludong Island instead of going abroad?"

Hmm?

Ah!

Cao Yang patted his forehead. He was a bit influenced by inertia; because it was so close, he always felt that a story set in Xiangjiang had to be filmed in Xiangjiang.

Old Tian leisurely sipped his wine and continued, "Of course, doing this might annoy those high-and-mighty Xiangjiang filmmakers, but you can be flexible. Just stuff a couple of Xiangjiang actors into your crew, and as long as it looks okay on the surface, it'll be fine."

This was a good method. Cao Yang felt it made sense and decided to do just that.

Afterward, Old Tian suggested, "Actually, there's an even simpler way: shoot two versions. One for censorship, and another for the film festival. Many people have done that."

Cao Yang refused without even thinking. Just kidding, he didn't want to be targeted by the authorities. If he became a "priority case," the film censorship could drag on for half a year, and there would be nowhere to appeal.

After the meal, Cao Yang checked the time. It wasn't too late, so he took a taxi to where Li Xiaoran lived. They had agreed to meet there tonight.

!

The two met, washed up before dinner, and then had a big meal.

After a long while, Li Xiaoran lay lazily in Cao Yang's arms, her hand slowly sliding down to grip the key spot, her voice sounding somewhat resentful as she said, "You're exhausting yourself with me here. When you go back and she wants it, will you still be able to perform?"

Hiss...

You've gotten addicted to acting, aren't you planning to get out of character?

Or do you just like this kind of vibe?

Also, never doubt the body of a man in his twenties; his words and actions are firm enough, not something someone soaking goji berries in a thermos can compare to.

Let's continue, let me show you the strength of a young man.

An hour later, Li Xiaoran had calmed down. She swatted away Cao Yang's restless hand and said weakly, "Stop it, I have serious business to ask you."

"This doesn't count as serious business?"

Li Xiaoran swatted Cao Yang's hand away again, "Be good, let's say I'm afraid of you, okay? I really have something to ask, stop messing around, I really can't anymore."

Cao Yang stopped his hand on the undulating mountain peaks, "What is it?"

Just as he finished asking, Li Xiaoran visibly squinted her eyes, a hint of small pride on her face, "The National Master's thirty-million-dollar blockbuster sent me an audition invitation."

Hearing it was the National Master's blockbuster, Cao Yang knew exactly what Li Xiaoran was talking about.

The National Master was preparing "Hero." He had talked about this with Old Tian today, and Old Tian had even looked down on the National Master for "falling" into making commercial films.

This was the general attitude of academic directors toward commercial films at this time.

Let's put it this way: if Cao Yang had taken a commercial film script to Old Situ back then.

Old Situ's attitude would likely be to flip through the script, put it down, and say earnestly, "This script of yours, the commercial flavor is too strong, and the humanistic concern is insufficient. Next time you write a script, you must think more, reflect more, and observe more. Settle down, calm your heart, and focus more on humanity and society..."

And then, there would be no "then."

Are you kidding? You bring a "vulgar" commercial script and expect the teacher to help you?

Where is this?

This is the Directing Department of the Beijing Film Academy, a place that takes it as its duty to cultivate directors with humanistic concerns.

Thanks to my brothers for the monthly tickets and recommendations, thank you for your support, thank you!

(End of chapter)