Chapter 00068: One Last Try
# One Last Try
Chapter 68
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 68: One Last Try
In every martial arts movie, there’s always one question that needs to be answered: What is the purpose of learning martial arts? Whether it’s for the greater good of the nation and its people or simply for personal health and strength, even the worst movies have to address this.
It’s the core theme of martial arts films.
Without it, the movie lacks substance.
Yang Luchan, teaching his disciples in the capital, didn’t have grand ambitions.
He simply wanted to spread the art of Tai Chi.
But that wasn’t enough.
The scope was too small, so Chen Qi decided to elevate it.
Yang Luchan was born in 1799 and died in 1872, living through the reigns of three emperors: Daoguang, Xianfeng, and Tongzhi.
This was a time when the Qing Dynasty was crumbling, the Opium Wars were raging, and the Old Summer Palace was burned down.
Chen Qi drew inspiration from this historical backdrop, though most of the story was fictional.
He set the protagonist as a young man who, after arriving in the capital, saw opium dens everywhere, the people weak and frail, and foreigners strutting around with arrogance.
This sparked in him the idea of “strengthening the body through martial arts, and thus strengthening the nation.”
This became the central theme of the film.
Movies aren’t documentaries, and if you really dig into it, many of these martial artists from the late Qing and early Republic periods are hard to verify.
The records are mixed, with truths and myths intertwined.
Just like the concept of “traditional martial arts,” some mock it, while others insist it’s a lethal skill.
Even today, people argue about it endlessly…
Chen Qi laid out the framework and then started on the character designs.
The male lead, the female lead, supporting roles, villains, and even the comedic relief—each character he wrote brought to mind a specific actor.
When he got to the female lead, he paused.
“The age gap is a bit too big. I’ll tweak it. Let’s say the female lead has a congenital illness and doesn’t want to burden anyone, so she’s never considered marriage. But then she falls for this younger brother, and the protagonist is drawn to her gentle beauty and kind heart… Huh?”
Chen Qi scratched his head.
Why was he getting so into it?
…………
“Achoo!”
“Achoo!”
In the special effects studio of the Beijing Film Studio, Gong Xue, wrapped in a thick military coat, sneezed twice.
“Are you okay, Xiao Gong?” Wang Haowei asked.
“I’m fine, I’m fine! I can do this!”
“Then let’s keep shooting!”
Gong Xue quickly shed her coat, revealing a purple dress, with stockings thicker than thermal underwear still on her legs.
It was winter now, but the scene they were filming for Romance on Lushan Mountain was set in summer.
This particular scene was about the female lead being driven away by the male lead’s sister, hiding in her room, heartbroken, while a storm raged outside with thunder and lightning…
The set was designed as a luxurious suite.
Gong Xue leaned by the window, where a potted plant sat on the sill.
Above her, a “rain machine” poured water down, creating the sound of heavy rain.
A fan blew fiercely, and the lights flickered to mimic lightning… This was the low-tech special effects of the time.
“Good! That’s a wrap!”
“Prepare for the next scene!”
Wang Haowei gave the order, then sat down and picked up the script.
There were only eight scenes left, and they could finish in three days.
She did a quick calculation of the budget, especially the film stock usage.
Hmm, just enough.
In those days, film stock was strictly rationed.
Based on the storyboard, they estimated how many shots they’d need.
For example, Romance on Lushan Mountain was a 90-minute film, so Wang Haowei was given enough film stock for 270 minutes of footage, a ratio of 1:3. Less experienced directors got a ratio of 1:2.5.
If you ran out of film before finishing the shoot, you were on your own.
No wonder Jiang Wen was so hated!
As they filmed, Chen Qi quietly slipped in.
After all, he was the screenwriter and needed to check in from time to time.
Wang Haowei waved him over and asked, “Haven’t seen you in days. Heard you’ve been in seclusion?”
“Not really, just doing some research. I’m working on a new script.”
“A martial arts one?”
“Yep!”
“I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with martial arts. Such talent, and you’re not using it properly.”
Wang Haowei shook her head. “In a couple of days, once we’re done shooting, I’ll host a dinner at my place. You all should come. Consider it a farewell meal.”
“So, one of us brings wine, one brings vegetables, one brings meat, and you just cook the rice, right?”
“You always have a smart mouth. Fine, you can bring something. Everyone knows you’re the little rich guy!”
Wang Haowei glared at him but didn’t press further.
Chen Qi chuckled and sat down for a while, casually flipping through the shooting schedule.
He noticed there were only eight scenes left.
One of them was where the female lead, thinking the male lead’s father wouldn’t accept her, packs her bags to leave.
Just as she’s about to go, the male lead and his family show up, and the father says she’s a good kid and agrees to the marriage…
Chen Qi had never commented on the actors’ theatrical style of performance before, as it was a hallmark of the era.
But since they were nearing the end, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to try something new.
……
Gong Xue hadn’t seen Chen Qi in a while and was happy to see him.
She considered him a good friend, a talented young man who could teach her a lot.
If there was anything different about him, it was that she felt unusually relaxed around him, a feeling she quite enjoyed.
If a man can make a woman feel relaxed, she should be careful!
If a woman can make a man feel relaxed, that’s worth 1,800 bucks!
As soon as Wang Haowei called for a break, Gong Xue, wrapped in her military coat, came over with a smile. “Did Director Wang mention the dinner at her place?”
“She did. She said you should bring some meat and vegetables. I’ll bring a fish, and Old Tang can bring a bulldozer.”
“You’re talking nonsense again. Director Wang would never say that.”
Gong Xue sat down beside him, then turned her head. “Why would Old Tang bring a bulldozer?”
“Yeah, why am I the one bringing a bulldozer?” Tang Guoqiang walked over.
“I was just joking! No reason!”
Chen Qi hadn’t seen him in a while either and gave him a once-over. “You look great, eyes sparkling, full of energy. Though your steps are a bit unsteady. Married life treating you well?”
“Ah, you little rascal! How can you say such things? What’s wrong with you?”
Tang Guoqiang covered his face and walked away.
Chen Qi couldn’t stop laughing.
He had developed a strange habit lately—teasing famous people whenever he saw them, regardless of age or gender.
He’d even dared to joke with Wang Yang.
“Let me discuss something with you…”
After shooing Tang Guoqiang away, Chen Qi picked up the shooting schedule and pointed to the scene. “Romance on Lushan Mountain is almost done. For the final scenes, can we try something bold? A new way of acting.”
“Am I not doing well now?”
Gong Xue’s first thought was that her performance wasn’t good enough.
“No, you’re doing great. I’m just suggesting we try something different. For example, in this scene, you think it’s over with Geng Hua, so you pack up to return to America. But then his family shows up, and his father actually agrees to your marriage, even asks you to call him ‘Dad.’ Hmm…”
Chen Qi paused for a second.
That sounded a bit odd.
“The emotion could be explosive. You could shout ‘Dad!’ and throw yourself into his arms. Or it could be more gradual—first hesitation, then joy, and finally a burst of emotion.”
“This…”
Gong Xue frowned slightly.
That sounded really difficult.
“If it’s too hard, you can just go with the explosive version.”
“Don’t try to provoke me. I’m brave enough. I just don’t know how to act it out.”
“It’s simple. Just remember a few expressions. When you’re hesitant, your eyes should flicker. When you’re happy, smile, but let tears fall at the same time, like pearls. Then, finally, shout out loud.”
“How is that simple? How can I control when the tears fall?”
Gong Xue widened her eyes.
“You can!”
Chen Qi smiled. “Remember what I taught you? Think back to that night…”
(End of Chapter)