Hollywood:Starting out as an MV director

Zhang Ziyi sat in front of Ethan after reading the script and began practicing her lines with Gong Li.

"I have so much I want to say to Sister Chutao…"

Her intention was to find a reference and perform on her own, but unexpectedly, Gong Li immediately flashed an elegant yet subtly threatening smile and said, "My advice is silence is golden."

Zhang Ziyi froze for half a second, then continued her lines: "You should listen to advice more."

"I used to be a courtesan," Gong Li replied indifferently, her fan constantly fluttering.

"Of course… But that was a long, long time ago." Zhang Ziyi subtly jabbed at Gong Li.

The next moment, Tang De saw Gong Li's smile slightly fade, and her expression stiffened for a brief moment.

"Cut!" Ethan called for a halt in the performance, then looked at Zhang Ziyi, who was being watched by both of them. "Your performance is being overshadowed."

Zhang Ziyi bit her lip, a little upset, but she had to admit that Gong Li's performance was more natural, and she hadn't quite caught the feel of the scene.

Ethan continued, "You are already famous, so you need to show the arrogance of a renowned courtesan! And what you need to express is rebellion—the rebellion against Chutao, who has controlled you for so many years. But your emotions are very one-dimensional right now, like a cat afraid of a dog. Where's your hatred? Where's your fear? I don't see any of that."

"Alright, I'll adjust again," Zhang Ziyi said, a little discouraged, but she still forced herself to reread the script.

After ten minutes, Zhang Ziyi performed again.

"I have so much I want to say to Sister Chutao…"

"My advice is silence is golden."

"You should listen to advice more."

"I used to be a courtesan."

"Cut."

Ethan frowned. "Are you performing this like you're facing the murderer of your father? It's too much. The emotions are subtle and complex, but you're only focusing on hate. You look like an angry monkey. It's not good."

"This is really bad…" Zhang Ziyi had never been told her performance was "bad" in such a direct way, and she almost retorted.

But she held it in, determined that her next performance would be better.

"I'll try again," she muttered as she picked up the script, closing her eyes to find the right state of mind.

Gong Li and Michelle Yeoh were sitting nearby, calmly fanning themselves, but Zhang Ziyi could tell they were much more experienced.

After a while, Zhang Ziyi opened her eyes. "Let's start."

"Okay, continue."

"I have so much I want to say to Sister Chutao…"

"My advice is silence is golden."

"You should listen to advice more."

"Cut."

Ethan gave a harsh critique. "Who are you performing for? For yourself or for the audience? Where are the emotions? A blank expression doesn't count as hate. Are you made of wood? This expression is completely unacceptable!"

"I… I'll try again…" Zhang Ziyi bit her teeth, speaking the words reluctantly.

Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li paused fanning their fans, quietly awaiting her next attempt.

Ethan closed his eyes, silently waiting.

After an uncertain amount of time, Zhang Ziyi finally gathered her courage.

"I have so much I want to say to Sister Chutao…"

"Cut!" Ethan waved his hand. "That weak tone is even more feeble than my grandmother before she passed away. Should I use a pump to inflate your energy? It's terrible. You are the worst actor I've ever seen."

"I… I'm going to the bathroom," Zhang Ziyi said, biting her lip, eyes blinking rapidly, worried that tears might fall.

After saying that, she quickly got up and headed to the bathroom. Gong Li immediately followed.

Michelle Yeoh spoke in a gentle tone, "Director, you're being too harsh on Ziyi."

"Of course, I'm being harsh," Ethan answered calmly. "Because she is the core of this film. She needs to carry the weight, but her acting is now set in stone. So she must go through what Xiao Baihe went through in reality."

Michelle Yeoh understood Ethan's meaning. He was trying to suppress Zhang Ziyi in real life to make her feel that kind of frustration and powerlessness, then help her release it.

"But isn't this a bit too extreme?" Everyone is like a spring, if you compress them to the right degree, they will rebound with more strength. But if you suppress them too much, the spring might snap.

"Extreme?" Ethan shook his head. "If she can't handle it, then she's not suitable for playing Xiao Baihe."

Those words were very cold, but they were the truth of Hollywood.

There is no absolute actor choice; if you don't perform, there are countless eyes waiting to take over the role.

So Zhang Ziyi could only adjust her mindset on her own.

If she wasn't suitable, Ethan wouldn't hesitate to replace her.

After all, this movie was his attempt to compete for major film festival awards.

While "Memoirs of a Geisha" was not considered a great film in the original world, it had a strong foundation.

There were good actors, a good angle, and a promising story at the start.

But once Xiao Baihe grew up, the story lost its tension and became boring and flat. Ethan believed this was inseparable from Rob Marshall's direction.

Thus, he wanted to make the film his own, based on later experiences, turning it into the type of tragedy he envisioned.

To achieve that, Ethan became an unforgiving judge, not letting go of any minor mistakes from anyone.

"Gong Li, this posture is wrong. It's lazy, not careless. Always remember there's a fire of jealousy burning in your heart. When you see Xiao Baihe, you can't help but hate her. Because she is like you when you were young—that's a gift you lost!"

"You envy her face and talent. You fear she might take everything from you, so you strike first."

"Michelle, elegance doesn't mean being without temper. You need to be firmer, more indifferent. You've reached the pinnacle of the courtesan world, and that is your foundation. No one can compare to you!"

"Zhang, if you can only show one emotion, then go out and properly think about it…"

"Slap."

Zhang Ziyi stood outside the door, holding the script like Xiao Baihe, who had suffered oppression in the movie, silently feeling that complex and bitter emotion.

"Ethan, this is a bit too much," Rob also tried to advise.

He was more tenderhearted than Ethan.

"If she doesn't perform well, I'll show her what's even worse," Ethan didn't care about Rob's thoughts.

The following days, Zhang Ziyi practiced the fan every morning and acting every afternoon. Being scolded by Ethan had become a regular occurrence, and she was often interrupted during her performances, repeating the same lines until Ethan was satisfied before moving on.

Under such high pressure, Zhang Ziyi had no time to think about anything else. She was constantly immersed in rehearsing her lines and expressions, even thinking about them during meals, as if she had returned to school.

A week later, while Ethan was revising the script with the screenwriter, he suddenly received some news.

"Zun Long's schedule doesn't fit?" Ethan furrowed his brow. "What film is he shooting?"

"Yes, there's a Chinese drama starting soon," the actor's manager didn't know the specific drama that made Zun Long reject the project.

"Let me talk to him directly."

"I don't think it's necessary, Ethan. Steven has already met with him, but he still turned us down."

In fact, when Ethan was training the three female leads, Steven Spielberg personally brought the script to Zun Long.

At the same time, another director, James Avery, had also approached Zun Long with an offer.

Zun Long was very interested in "Memoirs of a Geisha."

However, James Avery said that his new film would be specially tailored for Zun Long, casting him as a modern version of the "Shanghai Emperor" and inviting legendary Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave to join.

The problem was that both films were set to shoot in the second half of 2004, overlapping with the shooting schedule.

This left Zun Long in a difficult position, and after some discussions with his manager, he ultimately rejected both offers and signed on for a Chinese drama.

When Ethan received the information from the actor's manager, he discovered that the drama was called Qianlong and the Fragrant Concubine.

"What a load of crap," Ethan muttered, asking, "Where is Zun Long now? I need to see him personally."

"Uh, he's in China… Ethan, are you going there? Do you need me to find a Chinese-speaking guide?"

"Chinese guide?" Ethan smiled. "No need, I know China well enough."

"Okay, I'll book a flight for you."

Ethan didn't prepare for long. Two days later, he boarded a plane to Beijing, determined to persuade Zun Long to change his mind.

After over twenty hours, the plane landed.

Ethan carried his bag out of the airport, wearing large sunglasses that covered half his face.

Although his pure black hair resembled a Chinese person's, his clothing and facial features made people inevitably think of someone foreign.

Although his pure black hair resembled that of a Chinese person, his clothing and facial features made people inevitably think of someone foreign.

As soon as he stepped outside, many drivers rushed to him, asking for his destination. The noise and enthusiasm were no different from what he remembered from the past.

He picked a driver who seemed reliable, then said in a Beijing accent, "Driver, Kunlun Hotel, but don't take a detour!"

The driver paused for a moment, then nodded. "Fellow countryman, alright."

Ethan successfully arrived at the Kunlun Hotel without spending much money. As soon as he got out of the car, he called Zun Long's agent, Chen Yubing.

"Hello, Ms. Chen, this is Ethan. I've arrived at the hotel. Is Mr. Zun Long currently at the hotel?"

"He went for an interview? Alright, I'll wait for you here."

Although Ethan said this, he actually booked a room at the hotel as soon as he arrived, then went to the bathroom for a shower. He didn't use body wash, nor did he wash his hair.

Afterward, he had a nice meal at the hotel's restaurant, then grabbed his backpack and went to the lobby, sitting on the sofa to wait.

At 8 PM, Ethan saw Zun Long and his agent walking into the hotel, surrounded by a few Chinese people.

After some small talk at the entrance, the Chinese group got into a car and left.

It was only then that Ethan stood up and walked toward Zun Long.

Chen Yubing immediately noticed him.

"Ethan?" She raised an eyebrow, surprised as she glanced at his messy hair and wrinkled clothes. "Have you been waiting here the whole time?"

"There's limited time," Ethan smiled as he looked at Zun Long and extended his hand. "Hello, Zun Long. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hello, Ethan. I've seen Chicago," Zun Long replied, though his face was slightly red from drinking, he still had an elegant demeanor.

"Let's go upstairs," Chen Yubing urged, worried about the media taking photos, prompting them to head to a room.

Ten minutes later, the "click" of the door closing was heard.

Ethan and Zun Long sat face-to-face on the sofa, while Chen Yubing sat next to Zun Long.

"Ethan, why did you come to see me? I've already rejected Memoirs of a Geisha," Zun Long said directly, a trait he had maintained since his debut.

However, when filming domestically, he had toned down his bluntness and become more tactful.

"I mainly want to ask you why you'd choose to act in a bad movie?" Ethan was smiling, but his words were hurtful.

"I think you've been a bit rude." Chen Yubing was the first to speak up in opposition, but Zun Long suddenly raised his hand, stopping her, and seriously looked at Ethan.

"Do you think this is a bad movie?"

"Of course, oh, I'd even say calling it a 'bad movie' is overestimating it. Something like 'dog poop' might be simpler and more fitting," Ethan was extremely sarcastic and harsh.

He paused for a moment, and seeing that Zun Long's expression didn't change, he continued, "I can actually understand your thinking, because you probably want to gain recognition from the Chinese people, don't you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Chen Yubing's face showed surprise, and Zun Long couldn't help but clench his fingers.

This was exactly the reasoning behind their decision to take on this project.

In fact, Zun Long had already reached the peak of his career in the entertainment industry. He had received the Chinese-American Museum Legacy Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hollywood International Film Festival, and nominations for the Oscars and Golden Globes.

As a Chinese actor, he had truly reached the pinnacle of his career. If nothing unexpected happened, he would probably retire in a few years and live a peaceful life.

It was precisely because of this that he wanted to develop his career in China, as he believed his roots were always here.

This was a common feeling among Asians, and Zun Long was no exception.

He hoped to gain recognition and fame within China, which was why he had toned down his edge in Hollywood and had become more cautious in his actions back home.

When filming in Hollywood, he would insist on three revisions of a costume just because the hat wasn't right, paying close attention to every detail.

But on the set of Qianlong and the Fragrant Concubine, despite the terrible costumes, he endured and finished the entire film.

It was clear how strong his desire was to be recognized at home.

Ethan knew that if he wanted to persuade Zun Long to take his film, he would have to approach it from this angle.

That's why he started with ruthless sarcasm.

....

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