Li Yi watched the original version of the movie "A Chinese Ghost Story" and had to lament that although the special effects were considered flaws due to the limitations of the times, the actors for this movie were perfectly chosen.
It's really not that easy to recreate this movie in this world.
There is only one Nie Xiaoqian in the world, but why isn't there only one Ning Caichen?
In some movies, the role makes the actor, but in other movies, the actor makes the role.
This movie can be regarded as mutual achievement, but it is even more rare.
"A Chinese Ghost Story" is different from "A Ghost Story". "A Ghost Story" can be said to be really not a tragedy, because the male protagonist Sam has already died, and in the end, his long-cherished wish was fulfilled.
In the ending, both of them were smiling.
But "A Chinese Ghost Story" is really a love tragedy. People and ghosts have different paths, and love cannot be achieved. The deeper the love, the more regretful and sad it becomes.
This is the core of "A Chinese Ghost Story".
In fact, sometimes the plot of a movie is not the focus. The focus is instead on the rendering of love.
Therefore, at first, Li Yi was a little nervous and a little confused.
In terms of roles, Li Yi has also reproduced many classic films, but in those films, it can be said that except for the original "Infernal Affairs", it is difficult for the remaining two actors to compare with the two actors in "A Chinese Ghost Story" Than.
This is not only talking about acting skills. In fact, the two actors in the original version cannot be said to be really unparalleled in terms of acting skills, but in terms of compatibility with the characters, no one can match them, let alone Beyond the.
In fact, in Li Yi's memory, there are several versions of "A Chinese Ghost Story", including the last two parts of the trilogy, as well as the later remakes, but none of them can compare to the first part.
Maybe there is a sentimental filter, but the reason why a classic is a classic is that it cannot be reproduced.
Let’s talk about the two main core protagonists of the movie.
The weak scholar Ning Caichen: innocent, kind, infatuated, and so pure that there is no trace of artificiality. He has delicate features, and his temperament is not sharp. Instead, he looks shy and timid, looking like a humble scholar. It's not that he's not afraid of ghosts, otherwise he wouldn't have to light three lanterns when walking at night; but for the sake of love, he will also become very brave. After having skin-to-skin contact with Nie Xiaoqian, he can't care how strong the thousand-year-old tree demon's tongue is. Chang, just holding his lover and running for his life.
Nie Xiaoqian has a beautiful appearance, but after doing evil, she hides in the dark and grieves alone, suffering from the torture of her conscience; however, when she falls in love with Ning Caichen, she becomes shy and pure again. She is resentful and sad, her hair is blown by the wind, her clothes are fluttering, her heart-stirring eyes reveal a faint murderous intent, and her long flowing hair and delicate and refined temperament leave a deep impression on people.
Such two characters, played by two actors who fit perfectly, have become an indelible mark, making no matter how many remakes come after them, they are far from being able to compare with the original version.
Of course, it has to be said that although the original version was adapted from "Nie Xiaoqian" in "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio", in fact, it has long been changed beyond recognition.
The setting of the plot is actually lackluster, but the love between the male and female protagonists made this movie a success. The love between man and ghost was shot in an extremely pathos and lingering way. This is the reason why this movie can become a classic.
To make this movie, everything else is easy to talk about, but actors, actors, actors, important things should be said three times. This is really difficult for Li Yi.
Because the brother and Nie Xiaoqian in the original version are really irreplaceable, and the latter is even called out that there is only one Nie Xiaoqian in the world. This shows how deeply rooted her role is in the hearts of the people.
Therefore, for Li Yi, this is also the most difficult.
In fact, women have different characteristics in different eras.
Many people ask why there were so many beauties in Hong Kong in the 1980s and 1990s. But in the new century, it seems difficult to find one?
Is it because there is really a lack of beauties?
the answer is negative.
In fact, there are not many beauties in Hong Kong Island in this era?
There are really many of them, but the good-looking skins are all the same, but the interesting souls are unique.
Why did the beautiful celebrities from Hong Kong in the 1980s and 1990s become incomparable goddesses forever in the hearts of Chinese movie fans?
Is it because they look better than modern beauties?
The answer is also no.
It's because, looking at the beauties of the past, everyone has unique characteristics of that era, and everyone has rich life experiences. These experiences, as well as their characters and social environment, have created them in that era. , has become the eternal goddess in the hearts of countless movie fans.
Even if the years pass by, even if her appearance is no longer young, she is still a goddess in people's minds.
"A Chinese Ghost Story" was born in 1987 in another world. It can be said that this is a film with a long history.
It has the unique flavor of old Hong Kong movies from that era.
"A Chinese Ghost Story" is Li Yi's first work after returning to China, and it is also titled as the Chinese version of "The Love between Humans and Ghosts". Naturally, although the news has not spread, people have always been watching.
Once the script is filed and reviewed, it won't be known to everyone, but at least it won't be a secret.
As a result, the entire entertainment industry began to become restless.
Li Yi also officially started to select suitable actors, but it was really difficult for him.
The difficulty lies in the selection of actors. As mentioned before, if this movie wants to have the taste of the original version, actors are the biggest problem.
After all, there is no such person as my brother in this world, and there is no such beautiful lady as "there is only one female ghost in the world named Xiaoqian".
Therefore, Li Yi is also very difficult.
I have no choice but to turn to old friends in the circle for help.
For this reason, Li Yi specially invited old friends to have a small gathering.
"That's strange. If you, Director Li, are not busy working on your new film, how come you have time to ask us to come and have a get-together with you?" Chen Wen joked with a smile.
"Hey, don't mention it. I'm having a headache. The requirements for actors in the new film are very high, or very special. I've been screening for a long time, but I don't think anyone is suitable." Li Yi said with a wry smile.
"Oh? What's so special? You tell me!" Chen Weijie also said curiously.
Everyone looked at Li Yi curiously.
Li Yi originally wanted to seek help from these old friends, so naturally he would not hide it.
"That is a passionate female ghost in a white dress. Her gorgeous face is lightly painted with pink and white, and her graceful figure is moving in the black of the evening, floating in the magical blue forest at night. She is seduced by her female color, and is a thousand-year-old woman. The tree spirit was looking for a strong man. At the moment when he was halfway pushed, the bell on the female ghost's feet rang. Then, for a moment, the wind blew and the weather changed color. The thousand-year-old tree spirit escaped from nowhere and quickly sucked up the man's flesh and blood... …”
Li Yi started to talk.
These old friends of Li Yi are all seniors in the industry, so they immediately constructed some pictures in their minds.
But the way they looked at Li Yi became a little weird.
Because this is indeed completely different from the style of Li Yi's past films.
Why do you say that?
Li Yi's past movies may have comedies, tragedies, or other elements, but there are rarely such plots of pure lust.
Because since Li Yi said it, it will definitely be filmed like this.
It can be imagined that the picture must be extremely fragrant.
Judging from Li Yi's description alone, although it is just the beginning, it makes everyone understand why Li Yi said that it is difficult to find actors.
Don't underestimate the passionate female ghost. These four words are simple to say, but combined with the picture Li Yi described, it is really not simple.
"Did you go to Hollywood to get some ideas?" Chen Wen couldn't help but say.
Li Yi glared at him angrily and continued.
"But such a passionate female ghost happened to meet a stupid and stubborn scholar. This is a suave and handsome man wearing a scarf and a long gown.
When a scholar meets a girl who looks like a fairy, he is bound to fall in love, not to mention that Xiaoqian deliberately seduced her from the beginning. But when she met a stupid scholar like him, she fell into innocence. The sound of the piano, which was supposed to be a reminder, had hidden beauty, and the hair that strangled people's necks also stayed behind her. Looking at his face clearly through the reflection of the lake, a look of infatuation has already been drawn between his eyebrows.
As a result, a love affair between man and ghost happened without warning.
Lanruo Temple. An abandoned temple that makes people laugh. Set in a dark corner of the forest. Collapsed walls, broken windows, heads everywhere, and crows filling the sky. In such a deserted place, a stupid and stubborn scholar came to stay alone.
The encounter between humans and ghosts is not romantic. But there are more cries and tears, more regrets and sighs, more heartbreaks and pain.
The music of the piano on the waterside pavilion with its drooping gauze curtain floats faintly in the boundless night, like a faint stream of blue smoke flowing away in the quiet space. The female ghost, clad in light gauze and cloud-like clothes, sat in front of the case and played the piano in the faint smoke of incense. At this moment, all kinds of charming amorous feelings spread in the boundless night.
The silly scholar came looking for him, and a snowy moon, wind, flowers, clouds and rain in Wushan were inevitable. The passionate female ghost did not ring the bell at her feet. Because love has already grown in my heart.
However, after all, humans and ghosts have different paths. After all, the female ghost is not the scholar's flying bird. The female ghost is forced to marry an old demon from Montenegro.
But the silly scholar was stubborn and stubborn, and decided to save the female ghost from the sea of suffering and be reincarnated, so he and the old Taoist priest of Lanruo Temple defeated the demons. "
Li Yi stopped here again.
Let everyone enjoy this plot.
In fact, Li Yi didn't say much, nor was he very detailed, but the people here are all veteran actors who have experienced countless ups and downs, so naturally you can hear a lot from them.
"Hiss!" Everyone gasped involuntarily.
"Although this is somewhat similar to "The Last Love", it seems completely different!"
"A scholar falls in love with a female ghost, and a female ghost falls in love with a scholar. Everyone knows it, but I'm not sure how to interpret it!" Chen Weijie suddenly said.
"I now somewhat understand why you said it's hard to find actors." Chen Wen also nodded thoughtfully.
Li Yi continued: "The sky is getting brighter, the clouds are clearing and the fog is dispersing. The morning sunlight leaks into the hut through the cracks of the broken paper windows. The female ghost is lingering beside her own urn: she can be reborn as a human being when she returns to the urn, but when she returns to In the jar, there is eternal farewell, and the scholar will never be seen again in this life.
The scholar hurriedly closed the window and blocked the sunlight with his body. While crying, he urged the female ghost to return to his urn quickly...
How much consideration, how much looking back, how much looking back, and then we never meet again. "
Although there were not many words, everyone was silent.
Chu Xuexiang finally couldn't help but broke the calm: "No wonder everyone says you are a dog director! It can be a happy ending, but you like to make people and ghosts take different paths to live and die! This kind of choice is really too cruel !”
"So, it just confirms what the fans said: Director Dog, it's you as expected!" Chen Wen raised his eyebrows and said.
"Okay, I've finished telling the story. Let's talk about this silly scholar and Nie Xiaoqian. Do you have any recommendations for suitable candidates?" Li Yi has long been immune to this.
Anyway, he has been told so many times that he no longer cares.
"As you said, I really can't think of anyone who is suitable for these two roles." Everyone was also a little embarrassed.
"Tell me, what are your requirements? Not to mention acting skills. Come to think of it, your requirements are not limited to acting skills!"
Li Yi pondered for a moment, but many people's comments about his brother and Beauty Wang came to his mind.
The first moment someone sees him, they can't help but say: This is Ning Caichen, gentle and elegant, slightly bookish, honest and upright.
Don't underestimate gentleness and honesty, you must know that the temperaments described by these two words are completely different things.
How can a gentle scholar be honest and honest?
Just like a handsome young man is often praised as gentle and elegant, but who would use honest to describe a gentle and elegant person?
But regarding the role of Ning Caichen, after everyone watched Brother Ning Caichen, they had such a complicated and contradictory feeling.
Of course, in Li Yi's opinion, his brother can play Ning Caichen perfectly, leaving people completely confused as to whether he is his brother or Ning Caichen.
What Li Yi likes most is his brother's eyes, because he feels that there are always complicated and soft emotions in them. Thinking of his life, he can't help but sigh. Maybe this is why his life is like a play, and the play is like life. The reason!
And what about Nie Xiaoqian?
"Having said that, a girl of seventeen or eighteen has arrived, looking stunningly beautiful."
This is Pu Songling's description of the beauty of Nie Xiaoqian, the female ghost in Lanruo Temple.
The four words "as if gorgeous" are so beautiful that it makes people's hearts itch. The beauty of these four words lies in the word "as if". In classical Chinese aesthetics, there is always a tendency towards a hazy beauty that cannot be seen clearly. It is always more beautiful and more fascinating than what is clearly visible.
Nie Xiaoqian's aesthetic principle is based on this. She has bright eyes and white teeth, and a white dress floats past, leaving a trace of skirt in front of the big screen, adding an eternal veil of fantasy beauty to the film and television lenses. Weird, but also beautiful - Nie Xiaoqian.
Xiaoqian, played by Meiren Wang, captured the hearts of the audience with her "amazing beauty". The whole film is filled with a strange and sad romance and freedom. Xiaoqian's beauty and love have become forever in the hearts of a generation. Miss you.
The white clothes are like cold smoke covering the moonlight, unstained by the snow and frost of the world. Her bright eyes are flowing, her smile is sad, and the female ghost in Pu Songling's works should be so cold and resentful. At the same time, she is also a seducing beauty. Her jade bones and ice skin exude strands of amorous feelings through the gauze, unintentionally seducing all living beings. A smile will last forever, a cry will last forever, that's it.
(End of chapter)