Chapter 00131: 1979 golden age 131
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Chapter 131
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 131:
The filming of Tai Chi wrapped up in August.
Chen Qi was swamped with work.
He was busy writing scripts for Judge Bao and The Bold Women of the Tang Dynasty, while also overseeing the post-production of Tai Chi.
He was so overwhelmed that he hadn’t even had the chance to hold Sister Xue’s hand in a long time.
Amidst the chaos, there was some good news.
Fu Qi personally wrote him a letter, informing him that Great Wall Studios was working on Deadly Curves, which would be completed in a month and released within the year.
Fu Qi also thanked Chen Qi for his support of the leftist movement.
Chen Qi discussed with Wang Yang and decided to send a letter wishing them success, but he didn’t mention Tai Chi just yet.
If Deadly Curves performed well at the box office, that would be the perfect time to bring it up.
Meanwhile, the Yuen Clan was working on The Miracle Fighters.
This film was tricky and was expected to take four months, with a release scheduled for early next year.
When it came out, it would be credited to his old pen name: Dongfang Ren.
Though he was far away in Beijing, events in Hong Kong were increasingly tied to him.
He had grand plans in his heart and a vision for the future.
The people around him were often inspired by his energy, constantly talking about "vision" and "big picture," which kept everyone’s spirits high.
They felt they were a cut above their domestic peers.
……
1980 was a year of significant events.
The central government decided to establish special economic zones in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, and Xiamen, marking a further step in China’s opening-up policy.
These cities entered a fast lane of development, surging ahead in the 1980s and leaving inland cities far behind.
Of course, ordinary folks weren’t too concerned with these developments.
They were more interested in the fact that after News Broadcast, Weather Forecast had started airing.
Autumn was the best season in Beijing.
The trees on either side of the road were tinged with yellow, and the flowers hadn’t yet withered.
The weather was pleasant, though a bit dry.
Wang Chongqiu was riding his bike to the Beijing Film Studio, with Yang Jie sitting behind him, holding tightly to his waist.
Yang Jie had married Wang Chongqiu when she was 40 and he was 26. She already had three children before the marriage, and they had one more together.
There was a 14-year age gap between them.
In the blink of an eye, Yang Jie was now 51.
Though her hair was still black, the wrinkles on her face couldn’t be hidden.
She looked like a little old lady, clinging to Wang Chongqiu, who was in his prime.
Passersby would never guess they were a couple.
“That script is really good. I fought hard to get it, or someone else would’ve snatched it up!”
“With your fiery temper, who would dare to compete with you?”
“There are plenty of people! I’m not bragging, but after filming so many opera movies, I’ve developed a keen sense for classical aesthetics. The Case of Executing the Traitor is originally from opera, so I’m sure I can do it justice.”
Yang Jie was petite but spoke with a strong, commanding voice.
She was a force to be reckoned with.
Wang Fulin had taken the Judge Bao script back to the studio, where it sparked intense debate.
The team held several meetings over whether to film it or not.
In the end, Deputy Director Dai Linfeng made the call: they would film it!
Judge Bao was a righteous official, loyal to the emperor and dedicated to punishing evil.
What was there not to film?
Once the decision was made, the competition for the director’s position heated up.
In the end, it went to Yang Jie.
She was a veteran in the field.
She had started as a broadcaster at Qingdao Radio Station.
On June 2, 1949, when the People’s Liberation Army captured Qingdao, it was her voice that announced to the city: “Qingdao has been liberated!”
Later, she was transferred to Beijing, where she worked on opera films, specializing in recording Hunan opera for instructors.
Last year, she directed an episode of the TV series The Taoist Priest of Mount Lao, marking her transition into TV directing.
And then, of course, everyone knew her for Journey to the West!
In truth, she had directed many works after Journey to the West, but none had the same impact.
That one series alone was enough to secure her place in history.
In comparison, Wang Chongqiu was much more ordinary—just a cameraman.
When they arrived at the Beijing Film Studio, they happened to run into Gong Xue, who was heading upstairs after dinner.
Yang Jie, being straightforward and bold, went right up to her and said, “Hello, I’m a director from CCTV. You’re Comrade Gong Xue, right?”
“Hello, hello!”
Gong Xue blinked and asked, “Are you here for Judge Bao?”
“Oh? You know about it?”
“I’m friends with the screenwriter, Chen Qi. He’s upstairs in room 302.”
After exchanging a few words, Gong Xue went upstairs.
Yang Jie nudged Wang Chongqiu and said, “Hey, doesn’t she look like Qin Xianglian? So delicate and beautiful, just the image I had in mind for the character!”
“She does, but she’s a big star now after Romance on Lushan Mountain. Would she really come to film our little project?”
“What do you mean, ‘little project’? You never know until you try. Let’s go find the screenwriter first!”
Yang Jie was a sucker for beautiful faces.
Whenever she saw a good-looking actor or actress, she wanted them in her films.
Wang Chongqiu followed her like a shadow as they went upstairs to room 302.
Chen Qi was deep in thought, working on The Bold Women of the Tang Dynasty, when he heard a knock at the door.
He opened it and couldn’t help but smile.
Ever since Romance on Lushan Mountain was released, he’d been meeting one famous person after another.
It just showed how much his status had risen.
“Hello, comrade. Are you Chen Qi, the screenwriter?”
“And you are?”
“I’m Yang Jie, the director assigned to Judge Bao by the studio… Wow, Old Wang said you were young, but this is ridiculous!”
“Oh, please come in!”
Chen Qi ushered them inside and made tea.
Yang Jie, not knowing anything about antique Ming Dynasty huanghuali chairs, plopped down on one without a second thought.
Chen Qi winced but thought, Oh well, let her sit.
Consider it payment for my Journey to the West ticket.
She had come to discuss her ideas for Judge Bao.
Yang Jie was more daring than many male directors.
Just look at the artistry and entertainment value of Journey to the West, especially the entertainment aspect, which far surpassed the standards of the time.
Take, for example, the scene where the White Bone Spirit seduces the monk—it was so captivating and brilliantly shot…
So when they started discussing, she fully agreed with Chen Qi’s vision: the core of Judge Bao had to be righteous, the costumes and sets had to be meticulously crafted, and the content and presentation could be a bit more entertaining.
Chen Qi had even more ideas.
If Yang Jie used Judge Bao as a warm-up before tackling Journey to the West, it might make things easier, especially when it came to the fight scenes.
“I have two specific suggestions!”
“First, Zhan Zhao has a significant role. He’s a martial hero who joins the government to uphold justice. His character must be well-established, and the fight scenes have to be spectacular. I’ve just finished a martial arts film and have a whole team of martial artists. You might want to consider using them.”
“Second, the actors. I think it’s best to cast a lot of opera performers. They have the training, the poise, and the grace. Historical dramas demand that kind of beauty!”
“Xiao Chen, great minds think alike!”
Yang Jie slapped her thigh and laughed. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I want my films to be filled with beautiful women—it’s a joy to watch! We’re on the same page. We must use opera actors! And not just Peking opera—it has to be southern regional opera. Southern girls are so delicate and lovely.”
Chen Qi laughed too. “We’re thinking the same thing again. There’s a Shaolin Temple crew filming down south. I was planning to visit them. Why don’t you come along when you’re casting? I can help you pick.”
“That sounds great! You’re quite responsible for a young man.”
Yang Jie was very impressed with him.
He was talented but not arrogant, kind and articulate.
If she could, she’d even introduce him to her daughter.
……
“Achoo!”
“Achoo!”
Gong Xue rubbed her nose.
Huh? Why was she sneezing?
(End of chapter.)