tearjerker director

The success of the "Once Upon a Time" trilogy has caused many people in the industry, as well as media people, film critics, etc., to raise a question.

  "Why has no one made a martial arts movie like this after all these years?"

  In fact, the model of "Once Upon a Time" cannot be said to be new. In fact, many such movies have appeared in the golden age of Hong Kong Island. But for some reason, many Hong Kong Island directors have become more popular in the new century. Afterwards, although under the banner of reviving Hong Kong films and reviving the golden age of Hong Kong films, they were no longer able to copy assignments. This had to make people wonder. It was obviously the same group of people, but why? The movie that came out was so different from the original one?

  In fact, this issue has already been discussed when the first part of "Once Upon a Time" was released. It's just a pity that after the release of the trilogy, it seems that the result has not changed. Some people imitated it. Unfortunately, Huahu Not an anti-dog.

  This also makes people wonder, what is the reason for this?
  Zhao Guangming also asked: "Why?"

  "There are so many whys? Why don't I continue filming Once Upon a Time? Because there is the "Once Upon a Time" trilogy, and I feel like I hate you for making another "Once Upon a Time" that surpasses this trilogy, so I won't continue. Now that we're filming a sequel, I'm actually quite puzzled. There are so many "heroes" that can be filmed, why are everyone's eyes focused on Huang Feihong?" Li Yi said with a smile.

  "What do you mean?" Zhao Guangming frowned slightly.

  "Actually, copying homework also requires skills. I know that everyone feels that the IP of "Once Upon a Time" was brought up by the trilogy. However, this IP does not belong to me alone. If I can shoot it, so can they, so , everyone came to film Once Upon a Time, but they overlooked one point. Although the IP of "Once Upon a Time" has been hyped because of the trilogy, there is already a trilogy. The audience faces "Once Upon a Time" in their hearts. The impression of the film has been fixed to some extent by the trilogy, at least in a short period of time! Even if I want to make it again, I feel that it is completely impossible to surpass the previous ones, let alone the other Once Upon a Time. ?" Li Yi can actually understand.

  First of all, as he said, what everyone is discussing the most now is Huang Feihong. Because of the existence of the trilogy, characters including Huang Feihong, Thirteenth Aunt, Liang Kuan, Gui Jiao Qi and so on have actually been Made a rather profound first impression.

  At this time, if you shoot other Huang Feihong, it will naturally be difficult to accept.

  So whether it’s following the trend or imitating it at this time, it doesn’t mean that you can’t film Once Upon a Time, but it’s better not to do it at this stage, or in other words, it’s definitely not a good choice.

  Secondly, a movie like Once Upon a Time is actually really difficult to make, and the threshold is really not low.

  It is also difficult for ordinary crews to invite suitable actors, such as Zhao Qian and Wu Jun, actors who are famous, talented, and willing to endure hardships!

  Similarly, actors like Zhao Qian and Wu Jun will definitely not be willing to accept works that imitate and follow the trend.

  Furthermore, there is the martial arts instruction team. Not everyone can invite Mr. Yuan Ba ​​and Mr. Yu.

  "Have you noticed the current phenomenon? There are a lot of imitation and follow-up works. However, on the contrary, those big online movies can often produce some unexpected and relatively interesting works. On the contrary, orthodox theater movies , but it often feels unsatisfactory!" Li Yi asked with a smile.

  Zhao Guangming was startled for a moment and then nodded: "This is really puzzling. Logically speaking, the investors and producers behind theatrical movies are not as powerful as the Internet in terms of resources, connections, and strength." Big movies can compare, but why do the results often turn out to be exactly the opposite?"

  Li Yi smiled. In fact, this was not the first time this happened.

  why?
  In fact, the answer is simple.

  There are probably two aspects.

  On the one hand, it is because of the different pressures they face. On the other hand, theatrical movies, whether it is cast, directors, investment, resources, etc., are definitely not comparable to online movies. To put it simply, one is orthodox and the other is orthodox. It's non-mainstream.

  Theater movies require large investments and naturally face greater risks, while online movies require small investments and naturally have less pressure to repay their capital, and they have fewer things to worry about.

  This also leads to the fact that it is impossible for theater movies to choose penniless Wuyi like Xiong Jun to play the main role, because he has no box office appeal. However, there are very few actors suitable for this type of movie in the market. , the result is that although he is famous, his strength is difficult to match.

  The effect is naturally imaginable!
  In contrast, major online movies are different. They can't afford well-known stars, so they focus more on practicality and cost-effectiveness. For movies like Wu Tiah, not to mention important roles, even the male protagonist is not unacceptable.

  Therefore, the effect is better! Because of this kind of martial arts film, the audience has been made a lot of jealousy by the "Once Upon a Time" series.

  On the other hand, it's also because big online movies are usually innovative and don't really worry about risks, so they can often bring some big surprises to people. Compared to theater movies, they are a bit timid.

  After all, not all directors have the courage of Li Yi, and directors with such courage rarely make films that follow the trend, which resulted in the current situation. "So you mean to shoot other "heroes"?" Zhao Guangming asked.

  Li Yi nodded and shook his head and said: "It doesn't have to be other "heroic" characters. In fact, the key lies in the core of the movie!"

  "Core?" Zhao Guangming was a little dumbfounded.

  "Yes, at the core, "Once Upon a Time" is an alternative theme. Many of us now make movies and like to make the theme because everyone loves to watch it, but what about in reality? They are really better at making such movies than in the past. Is it good? Not necessarily? Many movies with main themes on the Internet that were dismissed by most people in the past have slowly begun to rise in reputation. Why? Because times have changed!" Li Yi smiled and said with some emotion. .

  Did those theme-themed movies of the past really have so many flaws? Maybe, but do these current main-theme movies, the best-selling main-theme movies, really have those shortcomings?
  In fact, it is not!

  Just because, as Li Yi said, times have changed!

  When the audience starts to get tired of watching the current mainstream theme movies, then it is time to give them a change of taste. Some "themes" from a more special era are a very good choice.

  For example, the Republic of China, the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, etc. It can be said that there are too many stories that can be filmed, and there are too many articles that can be written.

  Just like the film critics' interpretation of the "Once Upon a Time" trilogy.

  "Why is the "Once Upon a Time" trilogy being sought after by more and more movie fans and even regarded as a classic?
  I secretly think that Director Li Yi perfectly blended all aspects of elements and themes into one, making it both solemn and humorous, elegant and vulgar, entertaining yet serious.

  He uses the form of film to explore profound philosophical issues such as traditional Chinese culture, thought, human nature, religion, beliefs, and life values. He is profound and profound. What is rare is that he also has a fascinating plot and an unbridled imagination, which can attract people. In addition to the curiosity-seeking public, it is enough to put many screenwriters to shame; whether it is a recreational movie fan with an entertainment mood or an anatomical film critic with a research attitude, they can't help but put it down and make a case for it. Wow.

  The trilogy "Top Gun", "Men Should Be Strong", and "The Lion King" feature dazzling fist and kick moves and exciting fighting competitions, as well as profound historical reflections. I secretly think that Director Li Yi is using this series of films to express his own views on history and his thoughts on the historical destiny of the late Qing Dynasty when China faces "changes unprecedented in thousands of years." It can be said that the Huang Feihong series directed by Li Yi has a more serious core than ordinary Huang Feihong movies.

  His views are different from the traditional arguments in history textbooks. He shows a more cautious and scientific attitude, especially when dealing with the issue of the spread of Western learning to the east and the Westernization of middle schools, which also includes the process of the Chineseization of Western learning.

  Perhaps it is because Hong Kong Island was under the colonial rule of the Eagle Kingdom for more than a hundred years and was deeply influenced by Western culture. It is quite different from the mainland in terms of institutions, economic systems, cultural concepts, lifestyles and thinking habits.

  Director Li Yi, who grew up in such a cultural background, may have a different perspective and thinking logic on the problem. He has a more personal experience of the historical changes of the late Qing and Han Dynasties and the collision and blending of Chinese and Western cultures. Therefore, when looking at Western culture can get rid of extreme national sentiments, stand on a historical standpoint, and uphold a more fair and objective attitude.

  From the movie, we can clearly see Li Yi's criticism of mechanical patriotism exaggerated by extreme national emotions, and he used Huang Feihong to expose and attack it mercilessly. This theme runs throughout the entire series, and has become one of the ideological themes and main plot lines of the second part. At the beginning of the second part, Huang Feihong, Thirteenth Aunt and Liang Kuan encountered a street parade of White Lotus cultists.

  Because the people of the White Lotus Sect didn't understand what the camera used by Thirteenth Aunt to take pictures was, they thought it was a witch bringing monsters to cause trouble and wanted to capture her. Therefore, Huang Feihong got into hands with them. After a few moves, he saw their true nature clearly and denounced them as evil heretics and pretenders. Later in the film, when he and Lu Haodong went straight to the White Lotus Altar, Huang Feihong, who had always been gentle and polite, had a three-point punch in the fight, and his face was full of anger, and he struck without mercy.

  In fact, the White Lotus Sect mirrored the Boxing Boxing of Gengzi at that time. Under the slogan of "Support the Qing Dynasty and destroy the foreign countries", it fought against the great powers, defended the homeland and the country, and attempted to save the Qing Dynasty, which was rotten to the bone and in turmoil. However, compared with the national justice and patriotic acts recorded from a macro perspective in history books, the movie goes deep into historical life and unearths the superstition and inhuman cruelty under the carnival of patriotic emotions from the micro level.

  "Humanism has nothing to do with differences in politics, nationality, and culture." This is such a common-sense belief that makes people see the absurdity in it. The members of the White Lotus Sect rarely take the initiative to fight against the armies of foreign powers in the film. Instead, they repeatedly harass churches and hospitals, massacre unarmed foreign missionaries, doctors, old and weak women and children, and even burn "foreign dogs" to death. Although Huang Feihong hated the great powers and their invasions had shattered the great country of China, he took action again and again to rescue the foreigners in China from the torches and swords of the White Lotus Sect. This was just because of his "humanitarian" feelings. In any case, life is the most precious, and the indiscriminate killing of innocent people, even if it is carried out under the banner of serving the country and the people, cannot conceal the essence of collective atrocities.

  In the film, the White Lotus sect often parades in the streets, and its rituals are similar to traditional folk religious activities - the God-welcoming Games, and are welcomed by the people. The owner of the hotel where Huang Feihong and his party stayed hurriedly offered sesame oil money with both hands. After getting the peace charm, he immediately posted it on the pillar in front of the door, and kept chanting: Add more sesame oil to keep safe... In the film, Facing this scene, Lu Haodong shook his head secretly and sighed. This was actually expressing his helplessness, because the overall national character is such that it cannot be changed all at once by one person. This mood became so intense that it almost reached despair when he went straight to the White Lotus Headquarters to face the little girl holding a lantern who thought she was really invulnerable. At that moment, Lu Haodong muttered like a person who suddenly had nothing and was at a loss when facing a desperate situation: Where to go? There is no one left. If all Chinese people are like this, is there anyone left? ...At that moment, people really couldn't help but feel "sorrowful for their misfortune and angry for their inability to fight".

  Another deeper purpose is to expose and explore national character, as well as the possibilities and methods of changing it. The movie's portrayal of the people's spiritual outlook and life mentality of that era is even more penetrating, reflecting a deep understanding of the national character of the late Qing Dynasty.

  The shots throughout the series depicting this aspect are precise, concise, smooth and brilliant. The portrayal of each villain's character is lifelike and impressive, but the most exciting part is not here, but the words and deeds of ordinary citizens represented by the extras. Details like this have been everywhere since the first part of the series. For example, in the first film, after the troupe leader sent away the Thirteenth Aunt and his party who came to take pictures politely and with a smile on his face, he just turned around and cursed: Humph, you fake foreign woman, dressed better than the costume. Fancy.

  During the confrontation between Liang Kuan and Zhu Zhurong and the Shahe Gang, Liang Kuan threw a pig's trotter and hit the Shahe Gang boss. A member of the Shahe Gang said to his head: "Brother, how can you step down?" The two sides were fighting in the street, and nearby people were shouting. People gathered around to watch the excitement, and the street vendors shouted: "Bo Tsai Cake," eat the "Bo Tsai Cake" and watch the fight. One person responded: "Here comes a bowl of tofu pudding; some teahouse waiters poured boiling water from upstairs to scald the people below, shouting: It's not lively enough, let's water it to make it even more lively."

  Of course, while raising questions, it also proposed ways to overcome the bad habits of the people and the future of the nation, showing an optimistic attitude in the film. In the second part, before going straight to the White Lotus Altar, Lu Haodong said goodbye to the children in the school: No matter what, you must survive tonight, so that your generation can see the rising sun of tomorrow.
  We can see that the film's attitude in this regard is optimistic. No matter how deep-rooted the national character is, it will always change slowly under the new education. No matter how stubborn the disease is, as long as the right prescription is found and the right medicine is used, there will always be a cure. A day of healing. The little girl is in sharp contrast with her classmates in school. Although there is still a new generation who are deeply bewitched by feudal superstition, there are also a new generation of children who have been enlightened by science. These children come from all over the world and speak different dialects, which indicates that The modern values ​​of freedom, science, and democracy will eventually spread to every corner of this ancient land, ushering in the dawn of the Chinese nation. "

  (End of this chapter)