Back to 80: My Literary Life

Historically, this TV series was directed by Zheng Xiaolong and Feng Xiaogang, starring Jiang Wen and Wang Ji.

Now, it is unclear whether Jiang Wen and Wang Ji will film this TV series, but the two original directors will not film it.

Of course it was impossible for Zheng Xiaolong. Now that the Yanjing Television Art Center and Shengshi Film and Television were at odds, how could Zheng Xiaolong agree?

Feng Xiaogang? It's impossible. This guy is an employee of the Art Center and a member of Haima Studio. Only Wang Shuo follows his lead. How dare he disobey Wang Shuo?

Zhang Yimou is busy preparing for his "Raise the Red Lantern". Who should he look for?

In the evening, when Song Tangtang came back, Fang Minghua talked about this matter. Song Tangtang also looked worried.

"I think it's best to cooperate with Xiying Film Studio." Song Tangtang expressed his opinion:

"After all, I'm familiar with Xiying Studio. Director Liu, as long as you don't affect his official status and pay him, he won't interfere with whatever you shoot. But you need a good director."

Fang Minghua pondered, then suddenly thought of someone and said, "What do you think of Wu Tianmin?"

"who?"

"Wu Tianmin, former director of Xiying Film Studio."

"Isn't he still in the United States? How to film it?" Song Tangtang was surprised, and suddenly understood: "You mean, this TV series will be filmed in the United States?!"

"Of course, the story was originally written about the United States. You can't shoot it on an artificial set in China? It's neither fish nor fowl." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"According to your idea, Wu Tianmin is very suitable for this movie. Although he has never filmed a TV series, his directorial skills are there!" Song Tangtang became more and more excited as he talked: "Also, it is said that he is relatively poor in the United States. I’m willing to film!”

With this idea in mind, the couple sat on the sofa and began to add up.

If Wu Tianmin becomes the director, there is also a big advantage in using the production team of West Film Studio. Wu Tianmin is the former director and they are familiar with each other. Moreover, although Wu Tianmin has left West Film Studio now, his prestige is still there.

"Now, the biggest problem is how to convince Director Liu to use the production team of Xiying Studio to cooperate with Wu Tianmin, and the second is how to contact Wu Tianmin." Fang Minghua concluded.

"I'll look for Factory Director Liu," Song Tangtang said.

"Zhang Yimou and Wu Tianmin knew each other's specific address in the United States through letters. I called Sun Lizhe or Lili to help find them," Fang Minghua said.

After the two of them finished speaking, they looked at each other and smiled.

With the decision made, the couple split up. Fang Minghua called Zhang Yimou the next day to explain his thoughts and learned that Wu Tianmin was now in Los Angeles, California, USA.

"Minghua, Director Zhang wrote me a letter during the Chinese New Year. He was originally employed as a visiting professor at UCLA, but his contract expired at the end of last year, so he is now living with his daughter at home."

On the phone, Zhang Yimou's voice was a little low: "His daughter Wu Yanyan is still studying at UCLA, which costs a lot of money. I guess Director Wu's situation is not very good now."

Fang Minghua understood what he meant.

My daughter is in college and my father has lost his job. They are both wandering in a foreign country. How can the situation get better?

"Minghua, if your friend contacts Director Wu, say hello to him on my behalf. If you need my help during filming, just ask. I know people well at Xiying Studio."

"Okay, I will definitely bring it."

Now that he knew Wu Tianmin's address, Fang Minghua didn't hesitate. At one o'clock in the afternoon, he made an international long-distance call to Li Li.

It should be nine o'clock in the evening in San Francisco now, and Li Li is probably at home.

Sure enough, a familiar voice came from the phone, but it was in English: "Who are you?"

"Lili, I am Minghua."

"Brother-in-law." Li Li's voice immediately became enthusiastic: "Where is my cousin?"

"Go to work, Lili, I need your help with something."

"Well, brother-in-law, tell me."

Fang Minghua briefly talked about his desire to find Wu Tianmin to film "Yanjing Man in New York".

"Huh? Wu Tianmin is in Los Angeles and can't go back to China? Hey, I have watched his movies "Life" and "Old Well", especially "Life". I like it very much. I was still in school at Western University and watched it several times. ”

The girl's chatterbox was immediately opened: "Liu Qiaozhen is such a good girl, why doesn't Gao Jialin cherish her? At that time, I gritted my teeth with hatred. Why are all men like this?"

Fang Minghua smiled bitterly after hearing this.

You can't beat all the men in the world to death with one stick, right?

And, please, my eldest lady, international long distance is very expensive!

However, Fang Minghua did not interrupt much, but listened quietly.

Maybe she is lonely in a foreign country.

Li Li talked for more than ten minutes before she stopped. Suddenly she realized that she was off topic, so she apologized on the phone: "Brother-in-law, I'm sorry, I talked too much today, don't you blame me?"

"It's okay, Lili. Come back and visit your parents during the holidays. Tangtang misses you too." Fang Minghua said gently.

"I also want to come back, but when I come back my mother will definitely ask where this question comes from. How should I answer? Sister Tangtang has probably told you about my affairs, hey."

"Get a divorce. What's the difference between your marriage and the grave? You're still young. You can definitely find a better one." Fang Minghua advised.

"Divorce? I've thought about it too, but I think it's good like this. We live in separate places now and don't interfere with each other. My life now is no different from before, which is good."

But this is not a long-term thing.

Fang Minghua sighed slightly.

"Okay, brother-in-law, don't talk about this anymore, I will go to Los Angeles tomorrow!"

Los Angeles, Hilgrad Avenue.

It is located east of the University of California, Los Angeles. Although there is no bus to the school and the transportation is a bit inconvenient, the rent here is very cheap, which still attracts many students to rent here.

Wu Tianmin's daughter Wu Yanyan rents a house here, and her father Wu Tianmin lives with her.

Now, as his daughter rides a bicycle to school, Wu Tianmin is not idle and continues the day's business - renting video tapes.

Unable to return to the country, and with no source of income after their contract with the University of Los Angeles expired, the lives of the father and daughter suddenly fell into trouble.

At first, I made money by making and delivering dumplings to the local Chinese people, but later I realized that this was not a big deal. On February 14th this year, Valentine’s Day in the West, the father and daughter braved the heavy snow to drive back to the apartment. Lee makes a living by renting videotapes.

This day is Chinese New Year's Eve.

The father and daughter barely make ends meet by relying on their income from video rentals.

Life in the United States is monotonous. Wu Tianmin has nothing to do all day long, just watching video tapes to pass the time, from very famous literary and artistic films such as "Roman Holiday", "Gone with the Wind" and "Dead Poets Society" to Hollywood blockbusters "Terminator" and "Silver". He watched "Wing Killer" to see the content of the movie and how Americans make movies.

He even saw "The Bridge of Lost Dreams" and "The Love Between Ghosts and Humans" adapted from Fang Minghua's novels.

I sighed in my heart, I didn't expect that this guy Fang Minghua could write such a touching love novel.

Of course, he also did something that made him very proud. Since there are no buses here, his daughter has to walk a long way to school every day. Not long ago, she muttered: "It would be great if I had a bicycle."

Wu Tianmin kept his daughter's words in mind.

What to do if you have no money?

So he thought of a way to enter the casino!

It was the first time in my life that I came to these places, so I was naturally a little timid, but I was lucky enough to help my daughter win money for a bicycle.

He couldn't be happier when his daughter rode the brand new bicycle he bought.

It was past three o'clock in the afternoon, students were in class, and there were relatively few people renting tapes. Wu Tianmin was just about to watch the latest movie "The Godfather Part III" when suddenly a beautiful oriental girl with black hair and eyes appeared at his door.

The girl looked at him and spoke in Chinese Mandarin with a slight Wu accent!

"Hello, are you director Wu Tianmin?"

director

Wu Tianmin's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

It’s been a long time since anyone called themselves that!