Chapter 00023: The Timeless Theme
# The Timeless Theme
Chapter 23
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 23: The Timeless Theme
Shi Wenxin put on her reading glasses and held the script, which was as thick as a Xianghe meat pie, flipping to the newly added section.
She noticed a new character, Geng Ying.
Geng Ying was a woman who single-handedly supported her family, the epitome of a traditional good woman.
But she also had a "dislikable" side.
She privately advised Zhou Yun to leave her younger brother, only to turn around and tell her brother that Zhou Yun had left on her own...
"From the audience's perspective, she's definitely dislikable. But from her own perspective, she didn't do anything wrong."
Shi Wenxin nodded.
This character was well-written, very vivid.
In fact, this kind of trope had been overused in later years, nothing special.
But one mustn't forget the current era's context.
For a long time, character development in domestic films had been very one-dimensional.
Characters were either right or wrong, good or bad, with no room to explore human nature.
This had to be viewed objectively, because revolutionary struggles weren't dinner parties - such works were needed.
Shi Wenxin first affirmed the character of Geng Ying, then continued reading until she reached a particular dialogue.
She unconsciously adjusted her glasses, leaning forward as she read the lines several times.
Unable to contain her excitement, she exclaimed, "Xiao Liang, come take a look at this!"
Liang Xiaosheng came over and took the script.
After a while, he suddenly looked up, excited.
"This addition is brilliant! This perspective is so fresh!"
"What does it say?"
"Let me see!"
Two other editors came over.
After reading, they both said, "Haha, I told you this kid has ideas! He's really different from us old folks!"
"Today's youth are something else!"
"What are you all discussing?"
Just then, Jiang Huaiyan walked in.
Shi Wenxin smiled and said, "Xiao Chen stayed up all night to finish the draft. We've all read it. Why don't you take a look?"
"Oh? That fast?"
"I forgot to tell him there's no rush, he could take his time."
Jiang Huaiyan casually pulled over a chair, sat down, and skimmed through the script.
Finally, he read:
Zhou Yun and Geng Ying arrived at Wangjiang Pavilion on Mount Lu.
The pavilion was built on Scissor Gorge, surrounded by mountains on three sides with an open view to the north, making it an excellent spot to gaze at the Yangtze River.
Geng Ying said, "What exactly do you want to talk to me about? Let me tell you, even if my father agrees, I still haven't changed my opinion of you. Don't think you can convince me."
Zhou Yun replied, "Sister Ying, why do you have such a strong bias against me? Is it wrong for me to love Geng Hua?"
"See, it's not that I'm biased against you. You keep talking about love and affection, don't you feel any shame? We're not like you!"
"..."
After a moment of silence, Zhou Yun said, "Sister Ying, can I ask you something? Do you love our motherland?"
"What kind of question is that? Of course I love our motherland!"
"Do you love your parents?"
"Of course!"
"Do you love your younger brother?"
"Of course!"
"Then... do you love your significant other?"
"I..."
Geng Ying suddenly froze.
"Do you think these are the same or different? Aren't they all our most passionate, most sincere emotions? Sister Ying, I love my parents, I love Geng Hua, and I love our motherland. My father often told me about the magnificent mountains and rivers here, every blade of grass and tree. That's why I came back. I want to see not just Mount Lu, but also the Five Great Mountains, the Yangtze River, the Great Wall, Huangshan Mountain, and the Yellow River! I want to travel around, and I want to visit Tiananmen Square! This is also my motherland! I'm willing to stay, not just for Geng Hua, but because I feel this land is full of great vitality. I want to experience the atmosphere of this new era here, I want to contribute my strength to build a beautiful future together! Sister Ying, tell me, isn't this all love?!"
...
Jiang Huaiyan suddenly stood up!
His face showed a strange mix of shock and excitement as he slammed the table: "Bold and brilliant!"
"Romance on Lushan Mountain" indeed!
Of course it shouldn't be limited to personal romance.
If it's love, make it grander.
Common sense would suggest: great love for the country, small love for individuals.
But perhaps we shouldn't distinguish between great and small.
Love is love - it's humanity's most instinctive, most sincere emotion.
One can love another person, love their family, love a country, love a nation, love a great land!
Chen Qi had packaged the main theme in a way that was acceptable for the current times, but it was enough to make everyone exclaim in surprise, creating a groundbreaking sensation.
"Old Jiang, what do you think? Should we hold a meeting?"
"No need for a meeting. I'll go find the deputy... no, I'll go straight to Director Wang!"
He couldn't wait another moment, grabbing the script and rushing to the director's office.
Wang Yang was sipping tea when Jiang Huaiyan burst in, startling him.
"What's with the rush? Are we going to war with Japan?"
"China and Japan are friendly now, don't say such things!"
Jiang Huaiyan slapped the script on the table.
"You always say you value talent, right? Well, here's some right in front of you. We must make this film!"
"Oh? For you to be so impressed is rare. Tell me about it."
"Alright!"
So Jiang Huaiyan explained the newly revised "Romance on Lushan Mountain," emphasizing that particular dialogue.
"..."
Wang Yang silently stood up, hands behind his back as he paced.
This story had too many elements - romance, the Nationalist Party, America, and even a kissing scene! What kind of capitalist joke was that, a kissing scene!
Every step was a minefield!
What were people most worried about now?
People were most afraid of changes in political winds.
Wang Yang didn't have Chen Qi's foresight.
He didn't know that "Romance on Lushan Mountain" would definitely succeed.
But he had courage.
After pacing around the room several times, he suddenly stopped and waved his hand: "We'll make it!"
"Not only will we make it, but we'll make it a key production for the studio. If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility!"
"With your word, it's settled!"
Jiang Huaiyan was filled with excitement, suddenly feeling a sense of pioneering spirit, as if he were a martyr.
He returned to the literature department and announced: "It's approved!"
"Wonderful!"
"It's definitely going to be a classic!"
"We're honored to be part of this!"
"Xiaosheng, go notify everyone!"
"Right away!"
Liang Xiaosheng quickly got up and ran out, all the way to the guesthouse.
He pushed open the door to room 302 and shouted: "Xiao Chen, it's approved!"
"What's approved?"
"The script! Director Wang himself gave the order - we're making it!"
"Whew!"
Chen Qi, who had been about to take a nap, breathed a sigh of relief.
He felt a little excited too, because damn it, this version wasn't just copied - he had written it himself.
When you put in effort, you naturally hope for rewards.
"By the way, come out!"
"What for?"
"Just come out!"
Liang Xiaosheng called him out, then knocked on the next door.
Chen Huaikai opened it, smiling.
"What's up? I heard you shouting."
"Right, Xiao Chen's script got approved!"
"That's great! Why don't you make an announcement?"
"Sure!"
Liang Xiaosheng took a deep breath, shedding his usual reserve as he shouted at the top of his lungs: ""Romance on Lushan Mountain"has passed the review today!"
""Romance on Lushan Mountain"has passed the review today!"
"Passing the review" originally meant being tried in court.
Because the script review process at Beijing Film Studio was so strict, getting approved was extremely difficult, like going through a trial.
Every screenwriter whose work passed couldn't help but shout it out.
If they didn't shout, others would shout for them.
It was a shared joy that had become a tradition over time.
When Liang Xiaosheng shouted, everyone on the third floor came out.
Soon, people from other floors heard too.
"Congratulations! Congratulations!"
"So young!"
"I heard it's a romance film? That's not easy!"
It wasn't just the screenwriters - people from other departments came to join in, as if suddenly this film had become everyone's business.
In those days, film production was part of the planned economy.
Each film studio had annual quotas - for instance, Beijing Film Studio made seven or eight films a year, sometimes more, but often didn't meet the quota.
Some years they only made two films, or even just one.
This involved funding, scripts, personnel, policies, and more.
So every film project was hard-won, which also meant a large number of people would be put to work.
Who got to participate and who didn't was always a matter of intense behind-the-scenes competition.
With "Romance on Lushan Mountain" approved, preparations would begin.
Director, actors, crew... so many people were watching closely!
(End of chapter...)