Save the Bachelor of Heaven

In October, Zhang Yimou came to the capital after returning to China.

Xiang Nan invited him to dinner, and asked straight to the point, "Director Zhang, do you have a plan for the next movie?"

"Not yet, I'm going to have a look." Zhang Yimou waved his hand.

Now, as he has won awards at the three major European film festivals, more and more people want to cooperate with him. New scripts were sent to him every day, which made him a little dazzled.

"Have you read my novel Farewell My Concubine?" Xiang Nan asked with a smile.

Zhang Yimou was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, "Professor Cheng, do you want me to shoot it?"

"Yes, are you interested?" Xiang Nan nodded and asked.

"Of course, I can't wait." Zhang Yimou nodded.

"Farewell My Concubine" was Xiang Nan's work in 1983, and it was once quite controversial after it was released. Because the relationship between Cheng Dieyi and Duan Xiaolou described in the book is somewhat ambiguous, such a description was quite bold at the time.

If the author is not Xiang Nan, I am afraid that this book will not be published at all.

But having said that, this novel is really good.

The story is wonderful, the characters are vivid, and it is full of thinking and understanding of traditional culture, human living conditions and human nature. It is the most in-depth one among Xiang Nan's many works.

Zhang Yimou had read this novel before and was very impressed. I know that if I shoot it, the effect must be good.

"Then it's settled." Xiang Nan nodded.

...

The script of "Yanjing Man in New York" was quickly approved and ready for shooting.

In the selection of actors, Xiang Nan did not interfere too much, so the configuration of the actors is not much different from the original work. Only Guo Yan, the wife of the leading actor Wang Qiming, changed from Yan Xiaopin to Zhu Lin.

The preparation of "Farewell My Concubine" is also very smooth, the actors are generally correct, only the role of Cheng Dieyi is more difficult to choose.

It is more difficult to know Peking Opera, to be able to perform, and to be handsome and handsome, male and female, so that people will fall in love at first sight.

Zhang Yimou went to many opera schools for this reason, trying to find a suitable actor.

He even thought that if he couldn't find it, he would find an actress to reverse the role. Just like the movie version of "Dream of Red Mansions", an actress was invited to play Jia Baoyu.

But that is easy for the audience to see, and it will weaken the tragic color of the movie.

In the end, Xiang Nan saw that it was really hard for him to find him, so he recommended Xiangjiang artist - Leslie Cheung.

Zhang Yimou was a little surprised, he hadn't cooperated with Xiangjiang Film Circle yet.

Although, after his "Red Sorghum" won the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival, some film companies in Xiangjiang also invited him to film. However, he was busy preparing for the filming of "Raise the Red Lantern", so he missed the opportunity.

"Professor Cheng, can he do it?" Zhang Yimou asked worriedly.

"If it works, you'll know if you try it." Xiang Nan smiled and said, he had great confidence in Leslie Cheung. If he can't do it, I'm afraid no one can do it.

...

Zhang Yimou accepted Xiang Nan's suggestion, and then asked someone to contact Xiangjiang.

Because he has won awards in the three major European film festivals, he is also quite famous in the Hong Kong film industry, so Leslie Cheung expressed his interest after receiving the invitation.

However, he also expressed that he had to read the script first before making a conclusion.

Zhang Yimou then entrusted someone to transfer the script to Leslie Cheung.

Knowing that it was written by Xiang Nan, Leslie Cheung also attached great importance to it, watched it carefully several times, and then agreed to accept the film.

First of all, he felt that the script was very well written, especially Cheng Dieyi, who would not survive without madness, that kind of obsession, that kind of madness, which fit his character very well, and he felt that it resonated very much.

Second, the lineup of this drama is amazing. Director Zhang Yimou, screenwriter Xiang Nan, and heroine Gong Li are all outstanding figures in the international film industry. He also has confidence in working with such a team.

But although Leslie Cheung agreed, Zhang Yimou wanted to test him again to see if he was suitable for the role of Cheng Dieyi.

After all, he didn't know much about Leslie Cheung. He had only seen his photos and movies, and felt that this person was quite handsome and his acting skills were not bad.

But the role of Cheng Dieyi has to sing and speak Mandarin with a Beijing accent. And Leslie Cheung is from Xiangjiang, and he can only sing pop songs... It's really hard to say whether he can do it.

Leslie Cheung then came to the capital from Xiangjiang to pay a visit to Zhang Yimou and Xiang Nan to show his sincerity.

...

"Mr. Zhang, I have admired your name for a long time. It is a pleasure to meet you." Xiang Nan said with a smile.

He has watched many Leslie Cheung movies, such as "The True Colors of a Hero", "A Chinese Ghost Story", "Rouge Button", "A Happy Family", "Across the World", "Evil and West Poison", "The White-haired Witch", " "Shocking Light", etc., can be regarded as half a movie fan.

Leslie Cheung knew a little Mandarin, and nodded with a smile, "Cheng Xiansen, I have heard of your name a long time ago. I have watched all the movies you wrote, such as "Pretty Woman", "Ghost Love", "Red Sorghum", "Raise the Red Lantern", etc. You are a very talented writer, and I am very happy to meet you."

Zhang Yimou couldn't help frowning when he heard Leslie Cheung speak.

Leslie Cheung's Cantonese accent is quite strong. Although he has tried hard to change his tone and try to speak Mandarin, he is still unable to do so. Many pronunciations are not standard and sound confusing.

"Mr. Zhang, to be honest, your appearance, temperament, and acting skills all meet my requirements. But there are two things that don't meet my requirements. One is your Cantonese accent, and the other is that you don't understand Peking Opera.

You have also read the script, and you should know that Cheng Dieyi is a Peking Opera actor, and he has to appear on stage at least three times in the play. Both deficiencies are hard to ignore. "Zhang Yimou said something.

Leslie Cheung nodded, not surprised.

"Director Zhang, don't worry, I will learn and change." Leslie Cheung said, "I will show you my sincerity."

Seeing what he said, Zhang Yimou couldn't help being curious, "Mr. Zhang, what are you going to do?"

"I want to move to Yanjing to learn Mandarin and Peking Opera." Leslie Cheung explained, "Give me three months. If my performance does not satisfy you, then I will quit."

"Okay, let's do it like this." Zhang Yimou was very surprised when he saw him say that, and immediately decided.

Because as far as he knows, Leslie Cheung is a very famous star in Xiangjiang, not only has various performances, but also various commercial activities, very busy and very profitable.

But now he is willing to give up the wealth and splendor of Xiangjiang, move to the capital, and stay for three full months to learn Mandarin and Peking Opera, which is really very sincere.

Zhang Yimou is a red-faced guy who values ​​faith the most, so he is willing to give Leslie Cheung a chance.

Xiang Nan couldn't help clapping his hands for Leslie Cheung.

A big star like him, twenty years later, who is not busy making money every day. Play, is it that important? What kind of Mandarin, all use dubbing; what kind of Beijing opera, all use doubles... If you can save your energy, you can save it, and you can make money if you can.

In contrast, Leslie Cheung really deserves to be a role model of an entertainer, Xiang Nan admires a little.