Chapter 165 Chapter 175 [Finally saw Director Chen’s new work, the sloppy International Film Critics Award]

That afternoon, Li Yishu took Gong Li, Jiang Qinqin, Zhang Guorong and others to attend the premiere of Hou Hsiao-hsien’s “A Puppet Show”.

Li Yishu has never seen this movie. It was his first time watching it and he had a very good impression of the movie. Hou Hsiao-hsien is indeed one of the few masters of art films in Taiwan, and the film he shot is very good.

The film takes the life experience of Li Tianlu, a master of puppetry from Taiwan, in the first half of his life as the main narrative line, recreating his rough life and extraordinary experiences when Taiwan was colonized by the Japanese invaders.

However, compared to Hou Hsiao-hsien’s work, Li Yishu is more looking forward to Chen Kaige’s “Tree”.

The next morning, he took Gong Li, Zhang Guorong and others to attend the premiere of “Tree”.

“Tree”, which is based on the novel “Greening Tree” written by writer Zhang Xianliang and was adapted and filmed, has a plot that is roughly similar to “The Shepherd”.

But unlike Xu Lingjun in the original novel “Spirit and Flesh”, the hero Zhang Yonglin in “Greening Tree” has always been complaining about everything in the early stage, and he is selfish, greedy and lustful.

Driven by the instinct for survival, he flattered and fawned, and used all kinds of clever tricks to get more food for himself.

At night, he fell into endless self-blame.

Later, Zhang Yonglin met a working woman named Ma Yinghua who was raising a two-year-old baby. She had no man, but there was a bachelor named Hai Xixi in her family.

Hai Xixi wanted to marry Mayinghua and often brought her food.

Mayinghua accepted his things but did not “desire” him, and gave the things he sent to Zhang Yonglin to eat.

Later, Hai Xixi found an excuse to have a fight with Zhang Yonglin.

Zhang Yonglin was immersed in the happiness of love, which made him lose his rationality. He even made a move to propose to Mayinghua one night. Unexpectedly, Mayinghua rejected him with the words “You’d better study hard.”

This made Zhang Yonglin feel extremely ashamed.

Finally, he thought that he should “surpass himself” and began to study “Das Kapital”.

One day, Mayinghua said that her grandfather was also a scholar like Zhang Yonglin. She also said that she didn’t “want” Hai Xixi because he didn’t study and would never achieve anything.

Zhang Yonglin then realized that she had regarded the fact that there was a man studying seriously beside her as a vision formed by her childhood impression, a beautiful dream.
Originally, in Li Yishu’s opinion, such a novel with the characteristics of the times would be good no matter what as long as it was filmed step by step, but it is obvious that Director Chen has his own ideas.

The second half of the movie is obviously different from the novel that Li Yishu read. Zhang Yonglin was annoyed that Mayinghua did not agree to his courtship, so he reported Mayinghua one night. Just at this time, Hai Xixi came to deliver food and was caught on the spot.

Mayinghua was very disappointed with Zhang Yonglin. She then left the countryside and took her daughter to the county town to find her brother. Only then did Zhang Yonglin realize that he was wrong. In order to be able to go to the city, he began to work hard. It was not until the end of the labor camp that he ran to find Mayinghua, only to learn that her whole family had gone to Qinghai.

Afterwards, Zhang Yonglin stayed in the local area and became a primary school teacher, becoming a “tree” rooted in the local area.

“Yishu, this movie places too much emphasis on Chen Daoming.”

Gong Li frowned. Ever since she knew that Chen Kai was going to film the novel “Greening Tree”, she went to buy the original book. What attracted her most was not Zhang Yonglin, but the horsetail flower.

This is a woman with her own ideals and pursuits. She cannot tolerate her man being like other men who only have a wife, children and a warm bed. She thinks that man is a hopeless type and that her man should study. As long as he studies, she is willing to endure any hardship.

Originally, Gong Li was looking forward to seeing how Jiang Wenli’s character Ma Yinghua would portray her stubborn character, but unfortunately the movie revolved around Zhang Yonglin and the second half of the plot was changed.

Although this change seems to be in line with Zhang Yonglin’s mentality at the time, expressing the complexity of human nature, of not being able to get what one wants and then telling the truth in anger, it also weakens the image of the heroine, Mayinghua, which should have been full.

“Yeah, I still prefer The Wrangler.”

Li Yishu deeply agreed that Chen Daoming’s acting skills were very good, Jiang Wenli’s performance as Ma Yinghua was also excellent, and the overall feeling of the movie was also very good.

Although the adaptation is a bit big, to be honest, he thinks that Brother Chen Kai’s changes make sense.

The male protagonist had always been discriminated against at the time, and in order to make a living, he lost the face of a so-called literati and transformed from a “gentleman” into a “villain”. Often a very small thing could make him become a black-bellied person.

In the eyes of the male protagonist Zhang Yonglin, Ma Yinghua’s refusal to make love is a sign of contempt for him, so he informs on her, which is in line with human nature.

The literati in the old society were mostly people who felt that the water was too cold and their scalps were itchy. Zhang Yonglin’s performance was also quite in line with the characteristics of the times.
But Li Yishu still likes “The Shepherd” a little more. Although it tells a similar story, “The Shepherd” not only moves people, but also makes them realize Xu Lingjun’s deep patriotism and his sincere love for his wife and son.

Li Xiuzhi has become the ideal wife model for a generation.

In contrast, the heroine of “Tree”, Mayinghua, was portrayed so fully in the novel, but her character was cut down by Brother Chen Kai, who focused more on the hero.

Perhaps, this is what Brother Chen Kai wants to express the protagonist’s complex humanity.

The Cannes International Film Festival happens to be very fond of this type of subject matter that discusses human nature.

Screening from the list of films nominated for Cannes over the years, the most common tags are: “Humanity, Love, Life, Family”

The movie screening was over. Seeing the guests around Chen Kai leaving one after another, Li Yishu walked over with Gong Li, Zhang Guorong and others, smiling: “Congratulations, Director Chen, for making an excellent film, especially the adaptation of the second half, which highlights the complex human nature of Zhang Yonglin.”

“Haha, it’s just a small adaptation.” Brother Chen Kai laughed heartily, obviously very happy with Li Yishu’s praise.

Gong Li, who was standing nearby, said, “It’s a pity that Mayinghua has too few scenes. Director Chen should have shot more of her scenes to make them more full.”

Hearing this, Chen Kaige looked unhappy, but still explained: “The movie is so long, Ma Yinghua’s role cannot take up too much.”

“Yes, it might be more interesting if it were made into a TV series.”

Li Yishu smiled, took Gong Li’s hand and said, “Director Chen, we’ll leave first. See you at the closing ceremony.”

“it is good!”

After watching Li Yishu and her group leave, Chen Kai said with an unhappy look on his face: “Gong Li is becoming more and more unruly, but Li Yishu is still quite capable and can see the purpose of my adaptation.”

“Okay, Brother Kai, Gong Li isn’t a director, so how can she understand what you mean? Besides, wasn’t John Cerf of the Cannes Film Critics Week very optimistic about your work? I think you will definitely win the International Film Critics Award this time.”

After Ni Ping coaxed him for a few words like coaxing a child, Chen Kai also showed a proud look on his face: “I am determined to win this award. You may not know those people just now, but they are all presidents of European film critics associations. You also heard their praise for this movie just now.”

“Yes, yes. Everyone knows your brother Chen Kai’s directing ability.”

Looking at Brother Chen Kai who was full of vigor and vitality, Ni Ping smiled. She just liked to see him like this.

Before we knew it, it was May 5th.

There is only one day left until the closing ceremony and awards ceremony.

Li Yishu was not idle in the hotel either, but went to receive the award.

On the 11th, yesterday, the latest Cannes newspaper announced the winner of the 1993 Cannes Film Festival International Film Critics Federation Award – “Farewell My Concubine”

At first, Li Yishu didn’t know it until she learned from a call from John Joseph that she had won such a big prize.

After learning that the award results were published in the newspapers, Li Yishu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He thought to himself that it was no wonder that he had hardly heard of the International Federation of Film Critics Awards. After all, it turned out to be so loose.

Regardless of whether there will be an award ceremony, at least there should be a formal occasion to announce it~~
However, he probably learned from John Joseph that the International Federation of Film Critics Award is actually an award given by film critics associations in various European countries.

Because it is a loose alliance, the awards are presented three times a year, once in Berlin, once in Cannes, and once in Venice.

At last year’s Venice Film Festival, this film critics association selected the film “Mongolian Spirit” and also published it in local newspapers.

It’s normal that Li Yishu doesn’t know about this.

Although the award ceremony was so hastily announced only in newspapers, the International Federation of Film Critics still produced a trophy, a golden quill pen-shaped trophy with the winner’s name and work engraved on the hard base.

In a restaurant by the sea.

John Joseph took the trophy and solemnly handed it to Li Yishu, saying, “Congratulations, Li, for winning the International Federation of Film Critics Award!”

“Thank you, thank you so much, Mr. John.” Li Yishu showed a grateful expression, but was extremely speechless in her heart.

Is this award so careless even when it is given out?
“Haha, I know you must be wondering why we are so careless.”

John Cerf smiled and said, “Actually, this is intentional. We can definitely attract sponsors, hold a grand awards ceremony, and give out awards like Best Actor. But doing so goes against the original intention of our Film Critics Association. We have only one goal, which is to select the best films that our film critics think are from the three major European film festivals.”

“And your work is the film that won the Union of Film Critics Award at the 1993 Cannes International Film Festival, recognized by more than 200 film critics from Europe and the United States!”

After hearing this, Li Yishu felt a little better, but she still felt that the chicken soup tasted a bit strong.

The profession of film critic, when it was first created, may have been about evaluating films truthfully, but after so many years of development, it definitely has a bit of the “literary world” flavor of seniority.

Li Yishu spent 400 US dollars to treat the other party to a sumptuous lunch, mainly because the bottle of red wine was very expensive.

After having a good meal and a good drink, John Joseph left with one sentence before leaving: “Lee, I look forward to your film’s performance at the Cannes Film Festival.”

Watching the other person leave, Li Yishu looked at the trophy in her hand, and then thought about the $400 she was short of, which she just considered as spending money to buy the prize.

Moreover, the International Federation of Film Critics Associations exists in both European and American countries, so it is somewhat of a gimmicky award. We will report on it well and try to win it back at the box office.

(End of this chapter)