Chapter 0824: Daydreaming

"Are we really going to shoot it?"

"Definitely."

"It's probably going to be tough. If I don't say anything, the director won't go easy on you."

"Are you saying my acting is bad?"

"Heh..."

This was a conversation between a soon-to-graduate student from the Central Academy of Drama and a wealthy, well-connected screenwriter.

Well, the conversation took place in the bedroom of their home.

Both Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao understood that no matter how the film "Beijing Bicycle" turned out, it wouldn't affect their relationship. It was merely a signal from Fan Baobao that she would strive to catch up with her lover's pace.

After all, having a good relationship was one thing; sustaining it was another.

"I'm not against you acting in Wang Xiaoshuai's film, but you really need to be prepared for hardship," Zhao Fusheng said earnestly.

That's how it was with literary films. Sometimes the film might be made but couldn't be released, or even the actors themselves could be blacklisted and unable to continue acting—that was an absolutely terrifying prospect.

"I know, but as you said, this is a good thing for me. Since it's a good thing, I have no reason not to do it," Fan Baobao said softly, holding Zhao Fusheng's arm.

Zhao Fusheng fell silent and could only nod in agreement.

Nothing else happened that night. Early the next morning, Fan Baobao left with her suitcase. According to her, the director required the cast to join the crew early to experience life, and she was going to experience high school life.

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes, too lazy to praise the girl, and simply instructed Yang Panpan to take good care of Fan Baobao.

After Fan Baobao left, Zhang Qian stood beside Zhao Fusheng. Seeing that Zhao Fusheng remained silent, he couldn't help but say, "Why don't you go and check it out?"

"Forget it. She doesn't want me to go, so there's no point in following," Zhao Fusheng shook his head, pulled out his phone, and called Jiang Wen.

The purpose of the call was simple: to inquire about Wang Xiaoshuai and the specifics of "Beijing Bicycle."

Although he had agreed with Fan Baobao not to interfere, that didn't mean Zhao Fusheng would really do nothing.

Jiang Wen indeed had many sources of information and soon fed back quite a bit to Zhao Fusheng.

"Beijing Bicycle" was one of the "Three Cities" series produced by Arc Light Films, run by Taiwanese film scholar and critic Peggy Chiao. The "Three Cities" series brought together emerging directors from the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, aiming to establish a new image for Chinese society in the 21st century, distinct from the previous generation's focus on tragedy and historical reflection. The other five films were "The Best of Times" by Taiwanese director Lin Cheng-sheng, "Blue Gate Crossing" by Yi Chih-yen, "Wandering to Tamsui" by Xu Xiaoming, "Shanghai Baby" by mainland director Jia Zhangke, and "The Missing" by Hong Kong director Yu Lik-wai.

Of course, that was the official line. In reality, the behind-the-scenes big shot at the Beijing Film Academy for this film was Tian Zhuangzhuang.

Many people weren't familiar with Tian Zhuangzhuang. He came from a film family; his parents were both famous actors. His father, who played Political Commissar Wang in "Heroic Sons and Daughters," was the first head of the Beijing Film Actor's Troupe. His mother was the first director of the Children's Film Studio, and she also played Sister Jiang in "Eternal Life in Flames."

As for Tian Zhuangzhuang himself, in 1992, he was banned from directing for ten years after making a film called "The Blue Kite." To be honest, that term was unprecedented, leaving him with the reputation of a fifth-generation director but unable to make films.

Helpless, Tian Zhuangzhuang channeled his passion for film into supporting young directors.

Including Wang Xiaoshuai, many sixth-generation directors had Tian Zhuangzhuang's name as producer on their films. Not only that, but he also used his connections to help raise funds and find actors.

It's no exaggeration to say that the sixth-generation directors persevered thanks to his immense help.

But what left the deepest impression on Zhao Fusheng was his cameo in Rene Liu's "Us and Them." As the male lead's father, Tian Zhuangzhuang's performance completely overshadowed the two leads. Watching the film, Zhao Fusheng felt nothing for that morally questionable movie until the old man's final letter, which brought him to tears.

"Why are you asking about this?"

Jiang Wen asked Zhao Fusheng curiously. When he received Zhao Fusheng's call, he was a bit baffled—since when did this guy care so much about other people's films?

After knowing each other for so long, Jiang Wen had more or less figured out Zhao Fusheng's temperament. He was someone who never lifted a finger without a reason, especially when it came to films and TV dramas. Zhao Fusheng's usual attitude was very casual; even for scripts he wrote himself, he couldn't be bothered to visit the set once. So now, suddenly caring about Wang Xiaoshuai's film, with whom he wasn't that familiar, Jiang Wen couldn't help but be curious.

Zhao Fusheng smiled lightly and glanced at Jiang Wen: "So that's why you came to my house?"

Jiang Wen shook his head: "Not exactly. I came to tell you that 'Blind Shaft' is finished. Li Yang asked me to ask you if you really don't consider releasing it domestically?"

Zhao Fusheng completely ignored his earlier words and directly asked: "Am I crazy, or are you crazy? Or is Li Yang drunk and talking in his sleep? As the lead actor, tell me, with the plot of 'Blind Shaft,' how crazy would the SARFT have to be to allow its release?"

Jiang Wen fell silent.

Bookworms are a terrifying species. If they keep doing research, they will achieve great success, and the power of knowledge will play its greatest role in their hands. But once they start taking action, many times, what books bring is not just knowledge but also constraints.

Because these people are used to comparing real life with descriptions in books, always believing the world is beautiful, that hard work leads to success, and that giving will bring returns.

If you face the world with kindness, heaven will respond to you.

But there is a gap between reality and ideals.

That's the problem Li Yang now faces. He thought there might still be hope for his 'Blind Shaft,' that it might pass the film censorship committee. But Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen had already seen the answer.

It wasn't that Li Yang wasn't smart enough, but that his ideas were too idealistic, so he was destined never to become a qualified commercial film director.