1980 My Literary Era.

Chapter 477 Oscar

The midday talk in the editorial department actually largely represents the aspirations of the Chinese people in this era.

We once had strong beliefs that threatened to crumble after extreme piety, and then we quickly changed direction.

A huge ship wants to turn around, and the people on board have to bear the risk of being thrown off at any time. Even if they are not thrown off, they still have to bear the pain of being thrown into a mess and dizzy. suffering from these pains.

In late March, the lake water in the North Sea has already melted, and the weather is getting warmer.

Lin Weimin received a letter from Shaanxi, which was not written by Lu Yao, who was in constant contact with him, but by Cheng Zhongshi.

Since the end of the Yantai PEN Club in 83, Lin Weimin has never seen him again, but the correspondence between the two has not stopped, and they always write three or four letters every year.

Cheng Zhongshi wanted to write the "bricks for the head", and when he returned to his hometown in Shaanxi, he concentrated on planning. It took more than two years just to check the materials needed for writing, and he didn't start writing until 86.

In the past few years, due to the huge experience involved in the creation of novels, the output of Cheng Zhongshi's works is pitiful, which also brought about a problem, that is, the income dropped sharply, leaving only dead wages.

Cheng Zhongshi's family is supported by him alone. When there were manuscript fees, the family life was pretty good.But in the past two years, it has failed. The income from manuscript fees has basically returned to zero, and the price of goods has also risen sharply.

Last year, the editor of Zhongyuan Farmers Publishing House approached Cheng Zhongshi, planning to publish a set of "Chinese rural novels". Cheng Zhongshi's works were selected by the publishing house, and originally planned to compile several of his novella Cheng Zhongshi was quite happy about the collection of novels.

Publishing a book is equivalent to having additional income. He calculated that if the book is published on schedule according to the agreed result, he will get more than 3000 yuan in royalties.

In the heart of Cheng Zhongshi, who has not received a manuscript fee for two years, the significance of this manuscript fee is extraordinary.

With this money, the children's tuition has been settled, and he can devote all his energy to the creation of novels without distraction.

But the reality gave Cheng Zhongshi a slap in the face. He waited for half a year, and the publishing house first sent a letter saying that the book had been edited, and said that it had passed the final review, and the cover and binding were under production.

Then book subscriptions began. Bookstores issued orders to Xinhua Bookstores across the country, and after waiting for feedback from various bookstores, they collected more than 9500 books.The publishing house thought that this number was not ideal, and worked hard to make a color single page for subscription. As a result, the number of subscriptions not only did not increase, but dropped to more than 6000 volumes.

At the same time, something more passive happened. The first order contract for more than 9500 volumes was canceled because the delivery time was exceeded. The publishing house postponed the publication plan to next year, that is, 89.

After all this tossing, Cheng Zhongshi was disheartened about publishing the book. The agreed manuscript fee disappeared, and his hope of concentrating on writing was shattered. He had to find another way.

What can I do?

Earn extra money by writing, of course.

Cheng Zhongshi's letter was not to complain to Lin Weimin, but to tell him that the creation of novels had to be postponed, and he had to earn some tuition for the three children in his family.

He took a job from a friend to write a manuscript for a documentary literary magazine, and it cost 20 yuan per thousand characters. From the tone of the letter, it could be seen that Cheng Zhongshi was quite satisfied with the price.

This letter is more than [-] words long, which is a rare "lengthy" letter among Lin Weimin and Cheng Zhongshi's correspondence.

He knew that Cheng Zhongshi was an honest person, and he wrote so much eloquently because he wanted to explain his helplessness to himself.

Lin Weimin looked at the contents of the letter and thought for a moment. Cheng Zhong said in the letter that the creation of the novel was over halfway done, and it was likely to be completed next year according to the normal progress.

But he wants the children to earn tuition fees, and it will inevitably delay a year or two of work.

Thinking of the time wasted in the middle, Lin Weimin felt a pity.

The novel has not been written yet, and there is not even a first draft, so naturally there is no such thing as an advance payment of the manuscript fee.

Thinking of this, Lin Weimin wrote a letter to Cheng Zhongshi. In the letter, he told Cheng Zhongshi to create with peace of mind, and the editorial department would advance him a draft fee of 5000 yuan for emergency. deducted afterwards.

After writing the letter, Lin Weimin went to the post office to wire the money out while he was off work. Naturally, he had lent Cheng Zhongshi the money.

A few days later, Lin Weimin was discussing the issue of the manuscript with his colleagues, and Zhang Yimou found the editorial department.

Seeing Tong Zhonggui, Zhang Yimou was very excited. He took Tong Zhonggui's hand and shook it, "This is Mr. Su! I have long admired him!"

Tong Zhonggui was inexplicably shaken by him, "My surname is Tong."

"Teacher Tong, hello, hello!" Zhang Yimou quickly changed his words.

Lin Weimin knew the purpose of Zhang Yimou's visit, and patted Zhang Yimou's shoulder with a smile, "Okay, stop talking here, let's chat in my office!"

Lin Weimin called the two of them and went to his office.

Of course Zhang Yimou came this time because of the "Contemporary" given to him by Lin Weimin before, and he couldn't wait to take out the second issue of "Contemporary" last year when he entered the office.

"Teacher Tong, the novel is really well written!"

Zhang Yimou is now a well-known director in the country. He won the Berlin Golden Bear Award. Tong Zhonggui was flattered when he suddenly praised him so much.

At the same time, it also made him confused. Where did he start with this?

Zhang Yimou smiled and talked about the previous period, "When I saw your novel, I immediately realized that this must be what Teacher Lin wants me to read."

Tong Zhonggui was puzzled, "Are you so sure?"

Zhang Yimou's eyes were firm, with a bit of fanaticism, "Mr. Lin knows me too well, he knows what kind of story I need, and he can't go wrong."

Tong Zhonggui looked at Zhang Yimou's expression and saw two words on his face.

superstitious!

Seeing such an expression, Tong Zhonggui felt a sense of déjà vu in his heart.

Without waiting for him to think about it, Zhang Yimou said again: "Mr. Lin, Mr. Tong, I want to adapt "Wives and Concubines"."

Although he was already prepared in his heart, Tong Zhonggui was still full of surprises.

This is the director who won the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival, and now he wants to adapt his own novel, and Tong Zhonggui's inner joy cannot be suppressed at all.

Lin Weimin nodded and said with a smile: "This is a good thing, let Xiao Tong be the screenwriter in my opinion!"

Zhang Yimou said: "No problem, I am here this time to invite Teacher Tong."

Tong Zhonggui quickly waved his hands and said, "I can't, I've never written a movie script, so I don't know anything about it."

Faced with Tong Zhonggui's refusal, Zhang Yimou laughed, "It doesn't matter, there is still Teacher Lin! With Teacher Lin in charge, the script can't be wrong."

Tong Zhonggui immediately looked at Lin Weimin when he heard the words, Lin Weimin said helplessly, "Why do you look at me like that? You still want to blackmail me?"

Tong Zhonggui pleaded: "Mr. Lin, I really have no experience in this area..."

"That's right, Teacher Lin, you recommended this novel to me, you can't kill or bury it, can you?" Zhang Yimou also persuaded.

The two persuaded together, Lin Weimin reluctantly agreed, and he said to Zhang Yimou: "I still have a script to write in my hand recently, let Xiao Tong write your script first, and we will communicate with each other when we have time."

"No problem! No problem!" Zhang Yimou nodded hastily, as long as Mr. Lin agrees to participate in the screenwriting.

It has been more than a year since he won the Golden Bear Award, and he has become a well-known director in China, but he has no plans to make another movie for a long time.

In addition to the delay in participating in film festivals and events, another reason is the burden of thinking.

The starting point of the first film was too high, and Zhang Yimou was inevitably worried about gain and loss. Now that Mr. Lin joined in, Zhang Yimou has a lot of confidence.

After confirming the adaptation of the script, Zhang Yimou talked about the royalties.

Back then he was penniless, and the production budget for "Red Sorghum" was also very tight. He only gave Mo Yan 800 yuan for the script, which also included Mo Yan's writing fee for the script.

Mo Yan was overjoyed at the time, but later the film won an award, West Film Studio sold hundreds of copies, and the national box office was over 400 million. Zhang Yimou always felt guilty.

The situation is different this time. Zhang Yimou's reputation has already spread throughout the film industry. Those who want to invest in his new film are like crucian carp across the river. Among them are not only major domestic film studios, but also foreign film festivals. Businessmen, including companies and funds from Xiangjiang, Wandao and other places.

3000 yuan is Zhang Yimou's fee for the adaptation of Tong Zhonggui's work.

As for the script fee, Zhang Yimou sought Lin Weimin's opinion. Lin Weimin did not mention any money for the script of "Red Sorghum" before. Zhang Yimou had a hard time making the film, so he accepted the favor with the cheek.

Today is different from the past, he has sufficient funds to make movies, so he naturally doesn't want to take advantage of Lin Weimin anymore, he knows what Lin Weimin pays for the scripts written by the filmmakers in Xiangjiang.

Lin Weimin waved his hand, "Forget it, I'm just helping out. The script must still be written by Xiao Tong. I'm just giving a few opinions, and it's not appropriate to take money."

"Then how can it work..." Zhang Yimou hurriedly said.

"Nothing is wrong. If you really want to give me the manuscript fee, your production cost will be eaten up a lot, so forget it! When you want to make a movie with an investment of tens of millions, then compensate me .”

Zhang Yimou muttered and wanted to say a few more words, but found that he would appear pale and hypocritical no matter what he said. Teacher Lin helped him, never for money.

Zhang Yimou let go of the stubbornness in his heart, and said sincerely: "This time, I have once again been honored by you!"

"You're a big director now, and writing a script for you is something that screenwriters can't wait for, how can you ask for a fee!" Lin Weimin joked.

Zhang Yimou and Tong Zhonggui both laughed.

Finally, after an agreement, Zhang Yimou will pay Tong Zhonggui 6000 yuan as the adaptation fee and manuscript fee, and Zhang Yimou will send the money to Tong Zhonggui later.

After talking about his own movie, Zhang Yimou asked Lin Weimin about "The Last Emperor".

The filming of this film was completed last year. At the end of the year, it was released in several countries in Western Europe and the United States. Lin Weimin went to see it when he received the award in France. At that time, it was said that the box office in these countries was not very good. back.

As early as February 2 this year, the American Academy Awards held a nomination ceremony, and "The Last Emperor" was shortlisted for nine awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Art Direction.

Just after the nomination ceremony was announced, Bertolucci called Lin Weimin to invite him to attend the Oscars on April 4.

Teng Jinxian will not attend the award ceremony due to his official status, and Lin Weimin also declined Bertolucci's invitation.

In the final analysis, "The Last Emperor" is not a film made by Chinese people. Although it is a pleasure to participate in it, it is difficult to arouse Lin Weimin's sense of pride.

Hearing Lin Weimin's words, Zhang Yimou felt sorry for him, and said, "Xiao Gong is going this time."

"Her going to the award ceremony is much more useful than me going behind the scenes. China will have more international influence in the future!" Lin Weimin said freely.

Zhang Yimou admired Lin Weimin's indifference to fame and fortune.

(End of this chapter)