1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 433 Heroine Candidates

The report of "News Network" was like a clarion call, sounding the tide of news media from all over the country reporting that "Red Sorghum" won the Golden Bear Award.

Suddenly, the names of Zhang Yimou and "Red Sorghum" resounded throughout the country.

At the press conference, Gong Li and Han Zhuangzhuang, who can only be side dishes, have also become the favorites of various media interviews. They are busy every day, and there are only two words on the schedule-interview.

Zhang Yimou is in the same situation as the two, accepting endless interviews and attending endless meetings every day.

Not only that, but the higher-ups gave Xiying Studio an order.

It is not easy for China to produce an award-winning film like "Red Sorghum", so he simply submitted all the films that can be applied for this year. This news made Zhang Yimou extremely embarrassed.

In his opinion, winning the Golden Bear for "Red Sorghum" is already the highest honor this film can receive.

After winning the Golden Bear Award, it is impossible to participate in the other two major film festivals in Europe. Don't expect Oscars. At this time, China has not yet established contact with Oscars.

Going to participate in some less high-level film festivals is actually of little significance to "Red Sorghum".

But who let others be the leader? Besides, there is no harm in winning two more awards, so Zhang Yimou had no choice but to agree.

Another piece of good news is that the West Film Studio has set a release date for "Red Sorghum", which will be in mid-March.

Taking advantage of the shareholder wind of winning the award to all over the country, I believe that "Red Sorghum" will definitely achieve good box office results.

In the room of Yanjing Hotel, Lin Weimin saw Bertolucci again.

From the second half of last year to this year, Bertolucci has been traveling between Europe, the United States and China, preparing for "The Last Emperor".

After a period of preparation, "The Last Emperor" was finally co-produced by the Italian Yanco Film Company, the British Dao Film Company and the Chinese Film Co-production Company.

The bulk of the funds were loaned by the producer Thomas to several banks. There are requirements for bank loans, which is to ensure that the film can at least pay back the cost.

The movie has not been shot yet, how can we ensure that the money will be paid back?

This requires finding a strong publisher and conducting pre-sales.

Relying on the reputation of director Bertolucci and the strong connections of the producers, "The Last Emperor" found Columbia Pictures in the United States at the beginning of the filming process. The "Last Emperor" that has not yet started filming has not even confirmed the list of actors. But the pre-authorization of the movie has been sold to dozens of countries and regions around the world.

Teng Jinxian listened to Bertolucci's narration as if he was listening to the Arabian Nights. This kind of fund-raising method is beyond the comprehension of domestic officials even if they think about it.

Now, the first batch of investment funds for "The Last Emperor" has arrived, and the next funds will be credited in batches according to the filming progress of the film.

At this stage of preparation, a lot of preparatory work has been completed. The most important thing now is the list of actors. This is also the purpose of Bertolucci looking for Teng Jinxian and Lin Weimin today.

According to their previous agreement, the protagonist of the movie must use a foreigner.

But in terms of actors, the Columbia company in the United States has recommended Zun Long, a mixed-race actor of Chinese descent in Hollywood, so Bertolucci can only give the heroine.

Teng Jinxian is very satisfied with such conditions. After all, the film "The Last Emperor" is only co-produced by Chinese film co-production companies in China, and it ranks last.

However, Bertolucci had a difficult time choosing an actress, as Bertolucci didn't know any domestic actors.

Lin Weimin said: "It's simple. First of all, they must be well-known in the country, and they must be suitable for the role. There are not many candidates who meet these two requirements. Let's draw a list for everyone to interview. These actresses are definitely willing."

Teng Jinxian nodded, this is the safest way.

Bertolucci also agreed, "That's the way to do it. But this person..."

Bertolucci looked at the two, and Lin Weimin looked at Teng Jinxian, "You are always the director, and these actors are all your soldiers. You should make a list for Director Bei!"

Teng Jinxian smiled wryly, this job looks good, but in fact it is a thankless job.

But who made him the director of the Film Bureau?

Thaksin wrote down a bunch of names by hand, the first one was Liu Xiaoqing, followed by Pan Hong, Chen Chong, Fang Shu, Zhang Yu, Gong Xue...

At the end of writing, Teng Jinxian also wrote Tao Huimin's name.

Lin Weimin knew that it was Lao Teng who wanted to make him a favor, but he directly erased Tao Huimin's name.

Tao Huimin is currently filming "Dream of Red Mansions", and she is the absolute protagonist. The filming of "Dream of Red Mansions" spanned three years from 86 to 89, with an investment of tens of millions.

This kind of thing might happen to Liu Xiaoqing.

Although Liu Xiaoqing was also filming "Dream of Red Mansions" at this time, Wang Xifeng's part in the role was not as important as that of Tao Huimin. Not to mention the drama, even if Liu Xiaoqing resigned from "Dream of Red Mansions" to play "The Last Emperor", she would dare to do it.

This sister has always been bold and unconventional.

After crossing out Tao Huimin's name, Lin Weimin did not return the pen to Teng Jinxian, but wrote another name on the paper.

"Gong Li".

Teng Jinxian's eyes lit up, why didn't he think of it?
"Red Sorghum" has just won the Berlin Golden Bear Award. As the heroine of the film, Gong Li has shown her face in front of movie audiences all over the world.

Before "Red Sorghum", the Chinese film industry lacked actors with international influence.Liu Xiaoqing's influence is limited to the three places on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and Pan Hong's influence is limited to East Asia, not to mention actors.

But now it is different. With the wonderful performance of "Red Sorghum", Gong Li has the potential to become China's first actress with international influence.

If she can star in "The Last Emperor", Gong Li's popularity in the West will be consolidated again and further improved.

You must know that "The Last Emperor" is a major production with an investment of more than 2000 million meters, and it will be released in many countries and regions around the world in the future.

At that time, Gong Li will be like Zhang Yimou, and will become a business card of the Chinese film industry to the world.

After finishing the list, Bertolucci asked about the meaning of the exchange between Lin Weimin and Teng Jinxian just now.

Lin Weimin told Bertolucci about "Red Sorghum" and Gong Li, and Bertolucci nodded after listening.

No objection was raised, and he did not attend the Berlin Film Festival, so he has no direct impression of the reception of "Red Sorghum" and Gong Li at the film festival.

But he had heard about "Red Sorghum" winning the Golden Bear Award these days, but recently he was too busy and didn't care too much about it. Speaking of it now, he proposed to watch this movie, and Directed by Zhang Yimou.

Without another word, Teng Jinxian called Zhang Yimou over.

Zhang Yimou was a little excited when he saw Bertolucci. Comrade Lao Bei became famous too early. Zhang Yimou also pulled his films when he was studying at Yan Ying. No wonder he was excited to meet such an idol-level character.

"Don't underestimate yourself, you are now a great director who has won the Golden Bear Award, and Comrade Lao Bei has all been nominated." Seeing that Zhang Yimou was a little nervous, Lin Weimin joked.

The interpreter at the side hesitated for a moment, but Lin Weimin smiled and said, "It's okay, you can translate yours."

The translator repeated Lin Weimin's words, and Bertolucci didn't mind after hearing it, but laughed, "Lin is right. Zhang, you are now a great director, as long as you can make more films in your career in the future." A work like "Red Sorghum" is enough to leave a name in the history of world film."

With Bertolucci's encouragement, Zhang Yimou's confidence was greatly boosted.

After the two exchanged their experience in filming, Bertolucci couldn't help but sigh Zhang Yimou's talent in filming.

Lao Mouzi's talent in movies is recognized, especially in pictures and photography. Watching his movie stories may not surprise you, but the pictures will definitely surprise you.

In movies, apart from the core of the story, the most important thing is the picture.

After chatting with Zhang Yimou, Bertolucci talked about wanting Gong Li to audition for "The Last Emperor".

Zhang Yimou said happily, "That's great."

At this time, Zhang Yimou and Gong Li did not develop a relationship beyond friendship, he was simply happy for Gong Li from the perspective of a colleague.

In addition, there is a little pride.

Gong Li's fame is inseparable from "Red Sorghum". In other words, Gong Li is the star of his movie.

After chatting in the Yanjing Hotel, Lin Weimin and the others went to Bertolucci to visit the Film Bureau.

"Red Sorghum" has not yet been screened at this time, and only the Film Bureau can screen it internally.

After watching the movie, Bertolucci gave it a very high evaluation, which made Zhang Yimou feel a little complacent.

The name of a man, the shadow of a tree.

Regardless of the fact that Bertolucci has only been nominated for the three major European awards, Oscars, and Golden Globes so far, but once or twice is accidental. So many times can only prove that he is indeed capable of winning awards, but it is just bad luck.

Moreover, Bertolucci has been famous since the 60s, and he has been in the international film industry for 20 years. Zhang Yimou is justified in his high praise.

After the meeting with Bertolucci, the news about the audition of domestic actresses for the heroine of "The Last Emperor" quickly spread to major domestic film studios, repertory troupes and other art groups through the channels of the Film Bureau.

All of a sudden, the Yanjing Film Academy was full of people in front of the imitation Qing building.

Thomas, the producer of "The Last Emperor", rented the newly built imitation Qing building in Yanjing Film Academy in Yanying. A row of buildings can be used as a background for filming and a temporary guest house.

A whole row of two-storey buildings was taken over by the crew of "The Last Emperor", and the people who usually come in and out are all foreigners, which is particularly eye-catching.

Lin Weimin was invited by Bertolucci to participate in the audition today. As one of the screenwriters, Teng Jinxian has an official status. It is inappropriate to attend this kind of audition, so Lin Weimin was invited.

(End of this chapter)