Chapter 1299: 'A Better Tomorrow' hints at the rise and fall of Hong Kong films?
Chen Mo himself couldn't put it down the story "A Better Tomorrow".
Mainly because it is really difficult for such a story to appear in this era!
Whether it is Song Zihao, Xiao Ma Ge, or Song Zijie, these three characters are all exquisite.
This can be said to be a man's drama through and through. It highlights the true emotions between people through violent scenes. It is a simple friendship between men. It is so appropriate to use gun battles and death to express such themes.
And shocking.
This kind of movie deserves to be considered a classic.
Of course, it's quite difficult to make a movie like this nowadays.
First of all, in terms of actors, the role of Song Zijie is probably the best actor to find, because this role is actually timeless no matter in any era.
Therefore, it is not difficult to find an actor for this role.
Let’s talk about Xiao Ma, this character is of course very classic and very three-dimensional.
This can be said to be a freestyle ordinary hero.
It can be regarded as an ordinary Hong Kong citizen, a small person. In fact, in the movie, to many big shots, Ma Ge is a small person, a very inconspicuous little character.
He actually represents most ordinary people. These people may not have much ability, no unique background, and no important status, but they all have something to be proud of, such as being handsome, funny, narcissistic, and connected with the world.
There is no struggle, they live very freely, and occasionally they think about those unattainable dreams and do things that make people unexpected. They stick to themselves and enjoy the happiness and sadness that life deserves in their own lives. Maybe
These people are ordinary, but the extraordinary in the ordinary also creates another kind of "hero", which can be said to be a freedom hero like Ma Xiaoguo.
Li Yi admitted that Xiao Ma in the original version is indeed wonderful, but in his opinion, he is really not irreplaceable.
Such a role certainly has high requirements for actors, but it is not so special that it is impossible to find a suitable actor at the moment.
In fact, in Li Yi's opinion, among the three main roles, the most difficult to find suitable actors is Song Zihao!
Why do you say that?
Because Brother Hao in the original version was really good.
Although in this movie, Xiao Ma is perhaps the most popular, well-known, and imitated and talked about, but in Li Yi's opinion, purely from the perspective of acting skills, in this movie, Song Zihao, Hao
Brother is absolutely stunning!
In fact, every one of his appearances can withstand careful consideration. Except for the famous scene of "I haven't been a big brother for a long time", other details that can be mentioned are scattered all over the place.
Li Yi watched it many times and felt even more how important an actor is to a role.
There are several scenes that remain fresh in Li Yi's memory. In one scene, Brother Hao goes to the hospital to visit his father. His father hopes that he will stop doing counterfeit money business and join the underworld. The look in Brother Hao's eyes is like that of a child who has done something wrong.
, he sincerely promised in front of his father that he would no longer engage in illegal business. His love for his younger brother Ajie made him firmly determined to withdraw from the underworld. The acting seemed to be natural and coherent.
After being released from prison after three years in prison, Brother Hao immediately went to visit Xiao Ma after settling down. Xiao Ma's miserable condition shocked him. Across the road, when Ah Hao saw Xiao Ma, who was once high-spirited and at home like a fish in water, he was going to clean the car.
At this time, his eyes are full of shock, grief, anger and heartache. His twitching nose, heavy breathing, and hard-to-find rising and falling chest completely bring the viewer in, follow him and understand him effortlessly.
Perhaps many people may wonder why this movie is popular with Brother Xiao Ma instead of Brother Hao?
In fact, its popularity depends on the age group of the audience.
For many young people, there is no doubt that Ponyboy's uninhibited, free and handsome style is the hero that people seek after.
But for people with a little experience, watching this movie, Brother Hao's charm will feel much greater than that of Brother Xiao Ma.
Afterwards, Li Yi and Chen Weijie made an appointment to have tea together to discuss "A Better Tomorrow"!
When Li Yi told the complete plot of "A Better Tomorrow", You Ningsheng and the other three were a little stunned.
"What's wrong? Is there any problem?" Li Yi was a little confused.
You Ningsheng said: "How do I feel that your movie is alluding to the entire Hong Kong movie industry?"
"Why do you say that?" Li Yi really hasn't thought about it this way, or no one has thought about this movie from this perspective.
Of course, this is also related to the fact that the film was shot and released during the most glorious period of Hong Kong films.
"Look, Brother Hao was once considered a powerful and big brother figure in the world. Isn't this similar to the status of Hong Kong films in the Chinese film industry?" You Ningsheng said with a smile.
Li Yi thought about it, don't say it yet, what You Ningsheng said was really a bit of a joke.
"No, you can't say that, can you? Although Brother Hao is a well-known big brother figure in the world, he does illegal and criminal things, but Hong Kong movies can't allude to it like this, right?" Li Yi shook his head.
"Haha, I think it is indeed very similar. The chaos in the Hong Kong film market back then was actually no different from Jianghu." You Ningsheng said with a chuckle.
"Okay, even if this is true, is there anything else left?" Li Yi asked again.
"I say this not only because of this, but also because Brother Hao is a gangster who fishes for side jobs. As for Hong Kong movies back then, in fact, the values of many movies are the same in this era.
They are all against the mainstream values of this era.
For example, young and Dangerous, gangsters, Jianghu, etc. These are all cultures that are not respected by the mainstream.
It can even be said bluntly that most of the characters in old Hong Kong films cannot be regarded as absolutely positive characters!
Brother Jianghu? Young and Dangerous? Gangster? Wait, wait. And in Hong Kong films of that era, many societies put guns to the actors’ heads in order to film.”
When You Ningsheng said this, Li Yi also scratched his head.
But Luo Xian and Chen Weijie both nodded.
"Then Brother Hao was imprisoned. In fact, it was like the Hong Kong movies of the year. Everything was over-the-top and crazy. After that, he fell into trouble and a trough! Just like Brother Hao, when he was released from prison, the world
It has changed, and his status has plummeted!"
"Not only Brother Hao, but also Pony. The same is true for him. Brother Pony, who once had great fame, has become a lame parking boy. His situation is not like that of Hong Kong.
The film went from glory to decline?”
"Ah, this." Li Yisparta said.
He dared to say that the original movie never had such an idea.
All I can say is that human imagination is truly invincible.
But this statement is quite interesting.
"Also, don't the subsequent plots actually prove this in the same way? You must know that after the decline of Hong Kong films, there was a period of retrospect, that is, in the late 1990s, Hong Kong films had a revival for a period of time, isn't it?
Just like after Brother Hao was released from prison, Brother Xiao Ma rose again and was as sad as fireworks, but in the end he quickly fell?"
"Isn't that right? Although Hong Kong cinema is in decline, isn't it too much to say that Hong Kong cinema is dead?" Li Yi said, dumbfounded.
"So, there is Song Zijie! To a certain extent, he represents the hope of Hong Kong films!"
What else can Li Yi say?
"Well, it seems that you really don't think so!" You Ningsheng saw Li Yi's expression and knew that he was overthinking it, but he did think so.
"By the way, please give me some advice. Which of the three male protagonists do you think is suitable?" Li Yi asked.
Hearing Li Yi's words, You Ningsheng smiled and said, "After listening to the three characters you mentioned, I have been thinking about them for a while."
"First of all, there are actually not a few people who can play the role of Song Zijie. However, I suggest using young actors from Hong Kong Island." You Ningsheng said.
Li Yi nodded. In fact, it was not that only Hong Kong actors were suitable for this role. Many young actors from the Mainland were actually equally suitable for this role, but Li Yi still nodded.
Why?
Because just now You Ningsheng thought that way, and Chen Weijie and others all nodded, it is enough to show that if he makes this movie, many people will definitely think that way.
In particular, You Ningsheng said that Song Zijie can be regarded as a hope for Hong Kong movies.
Although in Li Yi's view, Hong Kong Island has been returned for so many years, there is no need to distinguish it so clearly, but he also knows that Hong Kong people, especially Hong Kong Island filmmakers, or Hong Kong Island audiences, and even many old Hong Kong people in the Mainland
Movie fans actually all have a certain sentiment or expectation.
If Song Zijie hired mainland actors to play the role, there would be no big problem, but it would still hurt some people's hearts.
And in fact, mainland actors may not be able to perform well, because the role of Song Zijie is set to be a Hong Kong policeman.
It’s still the Hong Kong police from the old days!
Mainland actors always make people feel like they are in a drama.
If "A Better Tomorrow" is made, it will definitely be labeled as a recreation of old Hong Kong movies, because the background of this movie must be Hong Kong Island in the 1980s and 1990s.
"Then let's choose Rong Zai to play." Li Yi thought for a while and said directly.
In fact, the role of Song Zijie in "A Better Tomorrow" cannot be said to be very outstanding. The reason why it was mentioned by many people in the original version is, in Li Yi's opinion, more about his brother's personal charm rather than the character's charm.
To be honest, the character Song Zijie is actually not that likable.
According to people of this era, Song Zijie is actually a bit selfish to a certain extent.
He wants to be a policeman, a just policeman, but because he has a criminal brother, it is certain that his future in the police force will not be bright.
The charm of Brother Hao lies in his friendship with his family and brothers.
From the perspective of people of this era, it is unknown in reality, but for the characters in the movie, such as Brother Hao, he did do something wrong, but he has paid the price for it and spent three years in jail.
From a legal perspective, the mistakes he committed have been duly punished.
And now he wants to be a good person and an ordinary person.
In fact, if he is really willing to make a comeback, his final outcome may not be good, but at least he doesn't need to be so humble.
He always considers his younger brother, and says in such a humble way: "I haven't been a big brother for a long time!"
As his biological brother, Song Zijie targets him everywhere, which naturally makes people feel a little disgusted with this character.
So this character is really not that outstanding, not even that great!
This role is different from Chen Yongren's role.
Two people with the same persistence and their own beliefs, but the audience's attitude towards them will definitely be different.
First of all, the role of Chen Yongren, he sacrifices his own happiness for the belief he insists on. He suffers every day, walks in the darkness, and wants the light.
Chen Yongren never thought of hurting the people around him, so he was always in pain, because how could he not hurt the people around him?
Therefore, he is a tragic hero, but he is also a hero who truly makes people sympathize, pity and admire him.
But what about Song Zijie?
The biggest difference between him and Chen Yongren is that he bases his justice on the premise of hurting his biological brother.
Another one is the comparison of living conditions. Song Zijie has a very good girlfriend. Even if his life is not rich, it is at least pretty good. But what about Song Zihao?
After he was released from prison, he would not only face difficulties from the police and his brother, but also people from the Jianghu.
In contrast, people will naturally dislike Song Zijie more because of Song Zihao.
"Where's Brother Ma?" Li Yi asked again.
"Brother Xiao Ma, this role is not so easy to choose!" You Ningsheng smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Isn't that true?" Li Yi was a little surprised.
"As for, why not? In the scene at Fenglin Pavilion, the sky was lightly raining, and the background music was a cheerful Feng Yuechang song. Brother Ma happily walked into the private room with a prostitute in his arms. His teasing, his
The scene is just for putting a pistol into a flowerpot. The romantic scene is in sharp contrast with the murderous atmosphere. However, if you want to perform such a scene to shock people, some veteran actors can do it, but at the moment. I really
I can’t think of anyone who can perform that feeling!” You Ningsheng said.
"Where's Brother Jie?" Li Yi looked at Chen Weijie.
However, Chen Weijie smiled bitterly and shook his head: "If I were asked to choose a role to play, of course I like the role of Xiao Ma the best, but to be honest, I feel that I can't play his unrestrained and unrestrained character. Moreover, he is also tall.
question."
Li Yi looked at Chen Weijie and saw that it was really true.
Xiao Ma in the original version is 1.85 meters tall.
This role really requires an actor who is not short in height to play the role. Wearing a trench coat is not something someone with short legs can handle.
"What about the role of Brother Hao?" Li Yi asked again.
What surprised him was that You Ningsheng's answer was: "There are really many actors suitable for this role."
"Actually, for many veteran Hong Kong actors, this actor can play his true self." You Ningsheng said with a smile.
"Yes, I haven't been a big brother for a long time. Isn't that what many old actors are like?" Luo Xian also said with a smile.
