Eight classics revisited on and off the screen, Huang Jianxin discussed with friends and recalled the behind-the-scenes moments of film creation – International Online

“Penetrating Reality and Insight into the Times – Huang Jianxin’s Works Exhibition” opened at Lao She Theater. This is one of the contents of the “Master Review” section of the 14th Beijing International Film Festival. As a representative of the fifth generation of Chinese film directors, Huang Jianxin’s early works are unique for their pioneering image style and delicate depiction of the psychology of people from different classes in the city. This film festival brought to the audience director Huang Jianxin’s “Back to Back, Face to Face”, “Reincarnation”, “Black Cannon Incident”, “Dislocation”, “Stand Up Straight, Don’t Get Down”, “Stop on Red Light, Go on Green Light”, “Ambush”, ” Please Praise Me” eight screen classics. At the opening ceremony, Huang Jianxin specially invited actor Feng Gong, photographer Zhao Fei and sound engineer Yan Jun, who have long-term cooperation with him, to recall every bit of the classic creation.

“Back to back, face to face”

“Stand up straight, don’t lie down”

“ambush”

Feng Gong mistakenly recommended Niu Zhenhua as Liang Guanhua

“The first thing I want to say is to thank Director Huang, because he brought a cross-talk actor who is engaged in the art of speaking into the palace of film art, thus changing my artistic life.” Actor Feng Gong said this in the opening remarks. The three films he collaborated with Huang Jianxin are: “Stand Up, Don’t Lie Down” (1993), “Ambush” (1997), and “Who Says I Don’t Care” (2001).

Feng Gong recalled that in the early spring of 1991, he received a phone call. The other party said that he was Huang Jianxin, “This name is very familiar to me. I have just watched his ‘Pioneer Trilogy’, ‘Black Cannon Incident’, ‘Dislocation’ and ‘Reincarnation’. It is not only for me It’s pleasing to the senses and shocking to the soul.” Then Huang Jianxin asked him: “Do you know a fat man with small round eyes named ‘Hua’?” Feng Gong blurted out, “That’s my partner Niu Zhenhua.” That’s it, he and Niu. Zhen Hua went to meet Huang Jianxin that afternoon, but during the meeting he found that Huang Jianxin hesitated several times. It was only after the filming of “Stand Up Straight, Don’t Get Down” that he learned that Huang Jianxin was originally looking for a human actor. Liang Guanhua, he made a mistake, “I feel guilty when I see Teacher Liang today.” Unexpectedly, Niu Zhenhua played the leading role in Huang Jianxin’s movie “Back to Back, Face to Face” in 1994, and won the seventh place in one fell swoop. Best Actor at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Feng Gong said that he not only learned the art of filmmaking from Huang Jianxin, but also learned from his life and work. “Director Huang directs all his films and participates in screenwriting. I also write and direct by myself, and I can also act. Director Huang brought it to me.”

Zhao Fei completed every shot with all his heart and soul

The famous cinematographer Zhao Fei has collaborated with Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Tian Zhuangzhuang, etc., but he still clearly remembers his collaboration with Huang Jianxin in “Reincarnation” in 1988. During the preparation stage, Huang Jianxin talked most about those great classic movies. “He liked going abroad very much at that time because he could see various types of movies. I envied him very much.” Zhao Fei said that Huang Jianxin was keen, studious and curious. Especially strong, he has extensive exposure to international politics, economics, history, and various social and literary trends of thought. “This is also the reason why he is able to make films with strong uniqueness and authorial temperament.”

Zhao Fei remembered that in order to prepare for the filming of “Reincarnation”, Huang Jianxin took him to Chongqing and Chengdu to find Han Sanping and Mi Jiashan. Mi Jiashan used the latest video recorder at home to play “The Razor’s Edge” and “Last Tango in Paris” for them. Zhao Fei was deeply impressed by the use of light and color in the classic film “Last Tango in Paris” directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, and he soon used it in “Reincarnation” , “The reason why Director Huang Jianxin has achieved outstanding achievements is closely related to his tireless creative passion that has remained strong for decades. Every scene in “Reincarnation” was shot by us and Director Huang with all our heart and soul. This is also why I The reason why I always like “Reincarnation”.

Yanjun boldly asked me to do “synchronized recording” for the first time

The famous sound engineer Yan Jun collaborated with Huang Jianxin on four works: “City Trilogy” (“Stand Up Straight, Don’t Lie Down”, “Back to Back, Face to Face”, “Stop on Red Light, Go on Green Light”) and “Ambush”. He first worked as an assistant on “The Black Cannon Incident”. When it was time to prepare for “Stand Up Straight, Don’t Get Down”, Huang Jianxin told him that this was an urban-themed movie and required “synchronized recording”. Yanjun was surprised at the time , he has never been a sound engineer. “He is so courageous!” Yanjun recalled that it was very hard when filming “Stand Up, Don’t Lie Down”. He had to shoot until two or three in the morning every day, and he had to turn around in the morning. The tape was given to Huang Jianxin to read. He would carefully analyze every picture and sound and select the best one. Yan Jun said with emotion, “Huang Jianxin has been my mentor along the way, leading us step by step to where we are now.”

In 2022, Liu Zifeng, the star of “The Black Cannon Incident” passed away; in 2023, Wang Xinsheng, the photographer of “The Black Cannon Incident” and “Dislocation” passed away. Huang Jianxin felt extremely sad when he thought of these old friends. He said with emotion: “Movies are of great significance in our lives. Life is very short, but these movies are still being played.” Huang Jianxin told reporters that artificial intelligence is now developing rapidly. Intelligence may bring revolutionary changes. “Each of us faces challenges, but we have the wisdom and ability to face this challenge. We must make Chinese movies better.” (Reporter Wang Jinyue)