Hong Kong films: Starting from Shaolin Temple

Page 211

Chapter 175 The Green Snake crew, Zhang Manyu's teasing

The film crew of "Green Snake" was stationed in an antique-style film and television city.

The site features antique pavilions and towers, as well as a vast and ethereal artificial lake, making it perfect for filming ancient fantasy scenes.

When Long Yan arrived on set surrounded by Uncle Da, he immediately attracted everyone's attention.

His tall and straight figure, handsome features, and innate, serene demeanor made him stand out from the crowd, instantly attracting everyone's attention, even when he was wearing only the most ordinary gray monk's robe.

Wow! Is that Master Longyan? He's even more handsome in person than on TV!

"Yes, yes! Look at his eyes, so deep and calm, it feels like he can see right through you!"

"Oh my god, I'm a fan of his! From today onwards, I'm the number one fan of the 'Holy Monk'!"

The young female production assistants and makeup artists in the crew couldn't help but let out soft gasps of surprise, their eyes sparkling.

Director Tsui Hark even ran out of the director's booth and warmly shook Long Yan's hand.

"Oh my! Master Longyan! You've finally arrived! Welcome! Welcome! A warm welcome!" Xu Ke's attitude was even more respectful than when he treated the investors.

Long Yan was clearly not used to being the center of attention. He simply put his hands together in a gesture of respect to Xu Ke and said, "Director Xu, you're too kind. This is my first time acting, and I hope you will give me your guidance."

"Oh! You flatter me! You flatter me! It's an honor for our entire crew to have you here!" Xu Ke waved his hands repeatedly.

Just then, a magnetic voice, tinged with a touch of languid charm, came from the side.

"Oh, so this is the 'holy monk' who made our great actress Wang so infatuated? Indeed, seeing is believing."

Long Yan looked in the direction of the sound and saw a charming woman leaning against the door of the dressing room.

She wore an elegant white traditional Chinese dress, her long hair cascading down her back and simply held up with a hairpin. Her features weren't breathtakingly beautiful, but they possessed a unique charm that was languid, alluring, and deeply ingrained.

Especially her eyes, which seemed to speak volumes, sparkling with every glance, as if they could steal one's soul.

She is Zhang Manyu, who plays the role of "White Snake" in this film and is another top actress in Hong Kong cinema who is on par with Wang Xian'er.

Zhang Manyu is known for her versatile acting style and superb skills. She can play both an innocent girl next door and a charming woman of the night, portraying each character with remarkable depth and realism.

She looked at Long Yan with undisguised curiosity, inquiry, and a hint of provocation in her eyes.

Long Yan looked at her, his gaze slightly narrowing. He sensed a strange aura emanating from this woman.

That wasn't demonic energy, nor was it a devilish aura; rather, it was an innate "allure."

This kind of allure isn't a derogatory term, but rather an innate quality that easily stirs the emotions and desires of others. People with this quality are born to be actors.

"Hello, Miss Zhang." Long Yan nodded calmly to her.

Seeing that he remained unmoved by her "naked" gaze, his eyes still clear as water, Zhang Manyu couldn't help but feel a surge of competitive spirit.

She walked over gracefully and circled around Long Yan, as if she were examining a rare work of art.

"Hmm... nice figure, nice looks, and as for her temperament... it's alright too." She extended a slender finger and gently tapped Long Yan's firm chest, whispering in his ear, "I just wonder... how well you act?"

"Especially... when acting in 'romantic scenes,' do you ever feel like a block of wood, just like you are now?"

These provocative actions and words made Uncle Da, who was standing nearby, feel his blood boil.

Just then, a clear voice, with a hint of possessiveness, rang out, "Sister Manyu, you're not allowed to bully him!"

Then Wang Xian'er came out of the dressing room. She had changed into a light blue opera costume.

If Zhang Manyu's white dress is gentle and elegant, then Wang Xian'er's blue dress is lively and enchanting.

Watching Zhang Manyu's "teasing" actions towards Long Yan, she frowned slightly, stepped forward, and subtly pulled Long Yan behind her, like a little hen protecting her baby.

It turns out that after reading the script, Wang Xian'er told the director on the spot that she didn't want to play the "White Snake" anymore and wanted to play the "Green Snake" instead!

Because in the script, the White Snake and Fahai are purely opposed, while the Green Snake, who doesn't understand love but is full of curiosity and provocation towards Fahai, has a lot of tense and ambiguous scenes with Fahai.

Her decision surprised everyone.

But seeing this scene before them, everyone understood. This renowned actress Wang was going to take it all seriously, even if it was just acting!

Looking at the two stunning beauties, one in green and one in white, vying for his attention, Long Yan touched his nose, feeling a headache for the first time.

He suddenly felt that this "Green Snake" crew might be even more "dangerous" than the "A Chinese Ghost Story III" crew...

Chapter 176 Filming Begins! Wang Xian'er and Zhang Manyu, Green Snake and White Snake!

A chaotic scene sparked by the Green and White Snakes was temporarily brought to an end thanks to the timely appearance of director Tsui Hark.

"Hey, hey, hey, alright, alright, you two award-winning actresses, give me some face." Xu Ke chuckled, easing the tension. "Now that everyone's here, let's get ready and start filming our first major scene today!"

He announced that today's filming would be the scene where Fahai meditates in the bamboo forest and first encounters the Green and White Snakes. This scene marks the first direct confrontation between the three main characters and is crucial in setting the tone for the entire film.

Soon, the set was set up. A meticulously constructed bamboo forest, shrouded in mist, resembled a fairyland.

Long Yan changed into a pure white monk's robe and sat cross-legged on a blue stone. He didn't need any acting skills; he just sat there quietly with his eyes closed, and his solemn, dignified, and immaculate aura made everyone present hold their breath.

"My God...this...this is Fahai!" Xu Ke exclaimed excitedly from behind the monitor, rubbing his hands together. "No acting required! Just him sitting there is the performance!"

"Action!" With the director's command, filming officially began.

Deep in the bamboo forest, two graceful figures approached, Zhang Manyu and Wang Xian'er, who had changed into their full costumes.

Zhang Manyu's portrayal of the White Snake is graceful, with a mature woman's gentleness and charm in her every step.

Wang Xian'er's portrayal of the Green Snake is even more lively and unrestrained.

She wandered barefoot through the bamboo forest, sometimes curiously touching the dewdrops on the bamboo leaves with her fingers, and sometimes making all sorts of funny faces behind her sister like a mischievous girl. The two, one still and one in motion, one white and one green, perfectly portrayed the snake demon's curious and bewildered state when she first entered the human world.

They discovered Fahai meditating. The White Snake's eyes held wariness and awe; she knew this monk possessed powerful magic that instilled fear in demons. The Green Snake's eyes, however, were filled with curiosity and…provocation. She had never seen such a handsome and seemingly "clean" man. She wanted to know if this man, seemingly without desires, was truly indifferent to everything in the world.

According to the script, the Green Snake was supposed to go forward and "tease" Fahai. Wang Xian'er took a deep breath and slowly walked up to Long Yan.

She extended a slender, jade-like finger, gently tracing its way across Long Yan's tightly closed eyes, across the bridge of his high, straight nose, and finally resting on his sharply defined lips. Her movements were soft and alluring, her eyes dreamy and captivating. At that moment, she was not Wang Xian'er, but that little green snake who had cultivated for five hundred years, filled with curiosity and bewilderment about human love.

"Hey, monk." Her voice was slightly husky and alluring. "Don't you get bored sitting here every day?"

"You smell so good... Is it sandalwood? Or... a man's scent?"

Her breath was sweet as orchids, and she brought her face close to Long Yan's, almost touching his nose.

The entire set fell silent; everyone was stunned. Wang Xian'er's acting was superb! She perfectly captured the Green Snake's complex emotions—both pure and alluring, innocent yet seductive!

At this moment, all eyes were on Long Yan. They wanted to know how this "true high monk" would react to such blatant "provocative advances."

According to the script, Fahai should remain unmoved and then coldly rebuke him. However…

Long Yan slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was still clear, but deep within those clear eyes, there seemed to be an extremely subtle, almost imperceptible ripple...

He didn't scold her. He simply gazed quietly at the beautiful face so close to his. Then, he slowly raised his hand and gently placed his warm, dry palm on Wang Xian'er's cool, smooth cheek.

His voice was deep and magnetic.

"Even demons have feelings."

"However, your skills are not yet sufficient."

This action and this line weren't in the script at all! This was Long Yan's improvisation!

Everyone present was stunned! Wang Xian'er was also completely dumbfounded.

She felt the warmth from Long Yan's hand, causing her heart to skip a beat. Looking into his deep, all-seeing eyes, her mind went blank.

She couldn't tell whether the person standing in front of her was Fahai or Long Yan, nor could she tell whether she was the Green Snake or Wang Xian'er.

Just then, Zhang Manyu, the "White Snake," noticed a glint in her eyes! Looking at the ambiguous, yet undeniably chemistry-filled atmosphere between Long Yan and Wang Xian'er, an unprecedented competitive spirit suddenly surged within her!

She suddenly realized that this heartless "Fahai" was much more interesting than the elegant "Xu Xian" in the script!

So she moved too. 683 She gracefully walked to the other side of Long Yan, and with a more mature and charming demeanor than Wang Xian'er, gently leaned on Long Yan's shoulder.

Her voice was incredibly sweet and captivating.

"Young master, my sister is just being silly, please don't take offense."

“She doesn’t understand, but I can… teach you slowly.”

One in green and one in white, one lively and one alluring, the two stunningly beautiful "snake demons" sandwiched "Fahai" between them, one on the left and one on the right.

This...this is no longer acting! This is a real, vibrant "talent war"!

Director Tsui Ko, watching this tense and dramatic scene from behind the monitor, was so excited that he trembled all over and almost slapped his thigh until it was swollen!

"Amazing! Amazing! This is the real show!"

He didn't yell "cut." He wanted to see where this improvised drama by three "geniuses" would ultimately lead!

As the "eye of the storm," Long Yan felt the cool embrace on his left and the burning gaze on his right... his Buddhist heart wavered slightly.

Chapter 177 You're going to act out the flooding of Jinshan Temple? You're really going to do it!

The play in the bamboo forest ended in a way that no one expected.

Faced with the double attack from the green and white snakes, Long Yan could only sigh softly.

Then, he stood up, leaving the two "snake demons" with a desolate yet story-filled silhouette, and slowly disappeared into the depths of the bamboo forest.

This scene was a treasure to director Tsui Hark, who immediately made it the official cut of the film.

This "improvisation" made the atmosphere on set even more subtle.

The rivalry between Wang Xian'er and Zhang Manyu, akin to that between two "Best Actresses," extended from the screen to real life.

Today, Wang Xian'er will personally cook a pot of soup and deliver it to Long Yan's lounge; tomorrow, Zhang Manyu will spend an afternoon by Long Yan's side under the pretext of "discussing the script".

The two engaged in a battle of wits, countering each other's moves, which kept Uncle Da and the crew members watching with great interest and thoroughly entertained.

Long Yan, on the other hand, became the most "innocent" and "enviable" object of contention.

He mostly responded with silence and a smile.

But everyone could see that he still had a slight...favoritism towards Wang Xian'er.

And so, the filming proceeded smoothly in this wonderful atmosphere.

In the blink of an eye, the most important and crucial moment arrived—

The waters flooded Jinshan Temple.

This scene is the climax of the entire movie.