In the spring of March, the grass grows and the orioles fly.
The hustle and bustle of the Spring Festival is over and life has returned to normal. Su Ze goes to the gym every day, then goes back to the company to read scripts, and goes home at night to train systematically.
The inventory of films that we worked so hard on last year has been basically emptied out, and now there is only one film left: In Search of Plum Blossoms, which cannot be released in the mainland yet. I have very low hopes for that film, let alone the box office.
Until now, I somewhat understand the thoughts of Liu Tianwang and Louis Koo. I have been making movies for half my life. Now that I am successful and famous, it is fate to be able to meet and like the script. It is fate to see an excellent director who can help me.
Xing Yukun is like this, Liu Jiangjiang is like this, and so is walking in blood to look for plum blossoms.
Suddenly received a call from Zhuang Wenqiang, saying that someone wanted to meet him?
It turned out to be Xu Anhua!
Two days later, I met Ann Hui, the legendary award-winning female director who is said to be the most Hong Kong-style, wearing black-rimmed glasses and looking plain and simple.
"Your Mandarin is really good." After a simple greeting, Su Ze said with a smile.
"I often come to the mainland to film movies, and I just got along with it." Xu Anhua looked at the young man in front of him. Although it was the first time he met him, he was already very familiar with it.
I have watched many works and learned a lot of news through friends. The person in front of me is impeccable in terms of acting skills and professionalism. He is perfect.
Thinking of this, he didn't waste any time, he took out the script and said, "I hope Boss Su can read this script."
"Boss Su?" Su Ze was stunned. Is this the way to attract investment?
"Of course it would be better if you are willing to act. As a director, it is a dream!" Xu Anhua added with a smile.
Su Ze took the script with both hands and began to browse. The name was very simple, with only two words:
Sister Tao.
The script was not thick, just over 20 pages. Su Ze read it quickly because the plot was very ordinary, almost like reading a diary.
Focusing the camera on the nursing home, using delicate film language to tell a touching story between a master and a servant that is not a family relationship but is better than a family relationship.
There is no strong dramatic conflict, and all the details of life are shown, such as firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea. Su Ze had the illusion that he was watching a nursing home version of Days and Nights in Tin Shui Wai?
"Are you not used to it?" Xu Anhua observed the words and smiled: "Isn't it normal for you, the king of suspense?"
Su Ze smiled and asked, "Is this a true adaptation?"
"Absolutely." Xu Anhua said: "About 80 to 90%, the male protagonist's home is Roger's home in reality, and the things in Sister Tao's box are all used in the prototype."
"They also visited the bed where Sister Tao stayed, the tea restaurant they visited, and the park they visited. The nursing home is looking for one, but there is currently no suitable one."
Su Ze tentatively asked: "If I am lucky enough to appear in the role, who are you going to find, Sister Tao?"
"Yip Dexian!" Xu Anhua said firmly: "She is the most suitable."
"Is it her?" An image flashed through Su Ze's mind, a prime supporting role in Hong Kong films, and the one that impressed me most was the one played by the Fifth Patriarch of New Shaolin, Qiu Shuzhen's mother.
At a critical moment, she blocked countless poisonous darts from the enemy, but because her martial arts skills were not as good as before, she was unable to catch the one flying towards her heart. Then she pretended to be fine, but fell down amidst the laughter, which is a very memorable scene.
"Last time I chatted with Qin Hailu, she was interested, as well as Qin Pei." Xu Anhua said: "Other actors don't plan to find professionals, especially in nursing homes. Their true colors will do."
Su Ze nodded, this is Xu Anhua's style, as plain as water, with many things hidden in the details, which not everyone can appreciate.
Days and Nights in Tin Shui Wai made Bao Qijing a movie star, and she became a mother-in-law after many years of acting. The post-modern life of her aunt also made Siqin Gaowa score twice, this time it was Sister Tao again...
Old woman professional!
"Actually, Andy Lau was the one I approached first." Xu Anhua suddenly said, "It was also he who recommended me to give you a try."
Su Ze was stunned and asked in surprise: "Why?"
"It's very simple. I want to make this film into a commercial film." Xu Anhua said seriously: "I also want to make money!"
Su Ze: "..."
"The Hong Kong Island market is too small. There are only so many viewers who like me. It is difficult to make money." Xu Anhua sighed: "Hua Tsai said that the mainland is your territory, so..."
“It’s easy to invest, but if you want to make money at the box office, you are the best person!”
Su Ze was speechless, King Liu Tian really thought highly of himself!
"I'm sorry, that's what I said." Xu Anhua said sincerely: "I like to tell the truth and don't like to waste everyone's time. Of course, you can also refuse, it's okay."
"Money doesn't matter." Su Ze habitually fingered the script and said seriously: "I am willing to invest, but I cannot guarantee 100% whether I can make money."
"Okay!" Xu Anhua stared at Su Ze and suddenly smiled: "I believe it will be no problem!"
Su Ze stood up, reached out his hand and said: "Then it will be a pleasure to cooperate. Please take care of me, Director Xu."
We had dinner together at noon and talked about many details. After seeing Xu Anhua off, Su Ze let out a sigh of relief. It was another script with a full Hong Kong flavor.
Two reasons. The first is definitely Xu Anhua. The opportunity to work with this female director is once in a lifetime. If you miss this opportunity, there may not be another one.
Of course, it doesn't mean that she is better than others, but as the legendary female director who has won the most awards, she must have something special about her. This is the biggest charm that attracts her.
The second is the script. Being as plain as water is also a realm, but it requires very high acting skills. For a professional actor to completely put down his skills in front of the camera and integrate into the character to show his true self. Is it the legendary return to nature?
Su Ze is full of expectations!
After all, Ann Hui is 64 years old this year. He is such a famous director who has won numerous awards. However, at this young age, he still cannot afford to buy a house and can only rent in North Point with his mother.
She has never been married and has no children. What to do when she gets old is probably a question she has been thinking about for many years, so Sister Tao was born.
Her personal style is very strong, without any deliberate fanning. It is all a natural expression of the true emotions in the character's life. There is no artificiality, no exaggeration, and no deliberate hiding.
I like to give up all technical means that can be used to guide the audience, and use more recording techniques to express many details in life.
Her works should not be judged by the standards of movies. In Su Ze's opinion, she is more like a recorder than a director, showing you a life that is real, plain, calm and profound.
It is as if an old man of time is leading you to look at the person she wants you to look at, and then guiding you to shift your gaze to other people.
Just reading the script is like watching yourself and the people around you. There is no need to applaud enthusiastically after the end, because this is life, the life you are in.
Just like when you see an old man walking tremblingly, you turn away because you can't bear it. But there are some terrible imaginations. The more you don't want to think about them, the more overwhelming they will be.
What a wonderful feeling.
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