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Seven Swords of Mt Tian: The Duo Behind the Screenplay China Movies Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2004 Rong Chao A Pair of Petite Girls? As August draws nearer, Seven Swords of Mt Tian 《七剑下天山》, which has long created quite a stir in the pugilistic world, gradually becomes the primary spotlight of the media. However, after Dao Lang incident, the studio and Tsui Hark seemed to have formed a tacit agreement, making it a point not to leave behind any traces. Thus, our preparation for interview was met with obstruction. Yet, a miracle happened. We found the scriptwriters behind Seven Swords of MT Tian. As far as a work that has not yet gone into production is concerned, apart from director Tsui Hark, who else would be in more felicitous position than them to deliver the speech? After much cajoling and negotiations, they granted us an audience. This resulted in our reporters being frantic with elations. However, when this reporter cheerfully went to the appointed venue, he seemed to be struck by a thunderbolt, "Huh? A pair of dainty girls?" We Grew Up Watching Tsui Hark Films Central Drama Academy's graduate of Year 96 Director Faculty, Wu Jiu Xi, and of Year 98 Drama and Literature Faculty, Liu Yu Zhu, are the heroines behind the screen of Seven Swords of Mt Tian. To be honest, facing these two unfamiliar faces, this reporter could not think of any of their previous works. And they seemed to have had a prior agreement to keep a low profile, and now matter how this reporter implored, their lips were sealed. The short-haired Wu Jiu Xi was rather outgoing and vivacious; she indicated frankly that her favourite star was Hong Kong's Sandra Ng, in the whole interview she kept up with her loquacious mood. Accordingly, she was a great story teller when she was a kid. Liu Yu Zhu was more reticent, and would only append a line or two occasionally, only when necessary. Wu Jiu Xiu described the brush would come alive literarily under this partner's hand. Having collaborated with each other for six years, the two complements each other in personality, exhibiting great rapport between each other. In the recent years, countless wuxia novels have been adapted, however, those that truly leave behind deep impressions are far and few in between, with the best at best mediocre, let alone a work that truly strikes chord with the audience. On the mention of wuxia films or TV series, the audience's first reaction is hype. When we heard that Tsui Hark is personally involved in the production of Liang Yu Sheng's Qi Jian Xia Tian Shan, the wuxia aficionados would already have not been able to contain the ardent exhilarations in their hearts - since, in our hearts, Tsui Hark is the paradigm of wuxia, the peak that could hardly be scaled any higher. The two dainty sisters in front of us gave rise to doubts in us: In what manner has this little pair of girls altered the novel? Would they change it into something mawkish, effeminate, cloying, or a second-rate period romance emblazoned with wuxia insignia? Owing to having extremely high expectations for Tsui Hark and misgivings of the script-writing ability of the two, this reporter brought out his doubts directly, expecting to be treated curtly. Unexpectedly, rather than being offended, they giggled. Wu Jiu Xi smiled, "We are well aware that those who pay great attention to this drama serial would express such skepticism on seeing us. But it doesn't matter, for we wish to tell everyone, through you, that we grew up watching Tsui Hark's movies." As she spoke, her eyes were overflowing with utmost reverence for Tsui Hark. The Forthrightness of Petite Girls Shrouds the Sky "Tsui Hark's wuxia movies belong to the most pristine class, and are closest to our ideal wuxia films." Subsequently, they use various descriptions, which this reporter deemed not appropriate to write out, to rant at the faults of those ancient productions masquerading with exterior wuxia clothing. Wu Jiu Xi said, "While we aren't so audacious as to lay claim to saying what we have achieved is the very best, we believe that what we have written would certainly make the audience feel, empathise the real spirit of wuxia. Heroism and chivalry formed the basis of what we set out to write. It's not those crude eternal triangles and love entanglements." These are the essence of what make Tsui Hark wuxia movies so memorable. The two girls spoke in an uncompromising tone as they made the above remarks, reaching out to the thorn that has been deeply rooted in the flesh for ages. Haven't we all been deceived and fooled by the so called wuxia blockbusters? The puny looking Liu Yu Zhu also related of the harms she frequently encounters as a scriptwriter, "Often, when people here that scriptwriting is our profession, they would began hurling abuses. At that time, we felt so embarrassed." Indeed, the immense number of atrocious scripts in the recent years have disappointed countless viewers, and these viewers would inevitably nail all screenwriters onto the board of humiliation. Yet, on the other hand, that these two puny girls are shouldering the heavy burden of such an epic wuxia production greatly anticipated by millions of viewers, requires great courage on their part. Should Seven Swords of Mt Tian become a fiasco, the diehard wuxia fans may forgive Tsui Hark, but they would still look for locum tenentes to vent their frustrations and disappointments. The actors or actresses might become even more famous after being lambasted, but the scriptwriters would face unimaginable damage, to the extent of their careers being ruined forever. "If such a lofty and major project is destroyed in our own hands, others might perhaps still stay on unabashedly, but we couldn't afford to lose this face." Wu Jiu Xi's conviction was greeted with Liu Yu Zhu's firm assurance in the eyes. A Change in Lifetime Upon Meeting Tsui Hark Seeing how serious the atmosphere had become so tense, this reporter quickly changed to subject to Tsui Hark. The two girls' miens quickly changed to delights as they recounted their first encounter with Tsui Hark: At that time, Tsui Hark saw them watching on TV an old movie in which Tsui Hark had a cameo role. Tsui Hark's face was blushing red, like a kid who did something wrong. What they felt most about Tsui Hark was that he is like a kid who never grows up. During breaks, he would buy some snacks to share with the little girls, and once they begin working, Tsui Hark's thinking would leap by leaps and bounds, his imaginations are so far-fetched and out of this world, no one could catch up with his pace. Just as watching his movies, you have to think real fast, or Tsui Hark would "kah kah kah', with two, three snips, the story would be led very quickly to another direction, just like a car passing through a mountain tunnel, he wouldn't consider the feelings of a fool or a wimp. More often than not, when communicating with the scriptwriters, Tsui Hark would use all sorts of means to express his ideas, from a painting, through a certain sound, to a certain action, he would use the most direct approach to tell you what he needs, the sharp change in thoughts is a means connecting between his work and film. "And our respect and awe for him lie in his extremely meticulous approach to work, his relentless drive to strive for breakthroughs." "Like The Great Sage Equals to Heaven Sun Wu Kong.' When Wu Jiu Xi used this metaphor, everyone burst into laughter - for those who know him well know that his favourite character is this impish monkey who enjoys wreaking havocs. How the Seven Swords Descend Mt Tian Out of habitual reflex brought about by this profession, throughout the whole interview, this reporter would unconsciously steer the topic to the sensitive subject Seven Swords of Mt Tian. However, the duo is bound by non-disclosure agreement as having the plot leaked out too prematurely is the bane of all studios. Both parties understood the difficulties of the other, and through various poking, enquiries and explorations, eventually we reached an consensus whereby they would in their personal capacity, tell us what they feel about a few of the characters. From there, we could draw some inferences on the basic characteristic of Seven Swords of Mt Tian which is slated to commence production in August. "Yang Yun Cong is a self-deprecating person. He feels contrite too easily. He has a strong sense of responsibility and also carries the air of a scholar. The key factor underlying this character is the constant dilemmas he faces, puts himself in." "While Chu Zhao Nan is a villain, who is really nefarious, but just as there are two sides to (wo)man's personality, Chu Zhao Nan is a Jekyll and Hyde. He also possesses the strengths of Yang Yun Cong. Human nature is reflected more realistically through him." "Ling Mo Feng (called Mu Lang initially) is the character that we could identify most with, for he is in a maturing stage, just like us. Among the Seven Swords (First Generation), he is the youngest. This inevitably means that in the process of growing up, he must learn to accept responsibilities, to face stress, and even betrayal." On reaching Flying Red Shawl, Wu Jiu Xi blurted out, "She was the character that brought us the most delights as we wrote." Immediately afterwards, she regretted, feeling that she had divulged too much. Actually, readers who have read the original novel would have their own yardsticks. As to the two ladies, how would Seven Swords of Mt Tian turn out to be, giving rise to more reasons for anticipating Seven Swords of Mt Tian: How would these two girls, who are in their twenties, rampage Liang Yu Sheng's classic? Subsequently, some would then rail at the two until they dare not raise their heads, for there would invariably be those would find excuses to entertain themselves. Eventually, after countless pressings and interrogations, Wu Jiu Xi indicated that while Seven Swords of Mt Tian follows the basic premise of the original novel, the overall intricacies and details are mostly extraneous to the original novel. Without a shadow of doubt, being completely faithful to the original is never part of Tsui Hark's game. Then, we seek confirmation from them on whether the martial arts director would indeed be Master Liu Chia Liang. They neither denied nor affirmed, but indicated that they were averse to seeing blatant abuse of special effects and wires. It is not difficult for those who are familiar with Liang Yu Sheng novels to discover that the trademark of Liu Chia Liang's choreography lies in its precision and authenticity, a trait bearing much closeness to this wuxia epic. "Tsui Hark's request to us regarding the script is humanity, life, élan and emotions, only by carving out characters and drama that could move ourselves would we be able to tug at the viewers' heartstrings. We spare no effort to accomplish this." Being born in the 70s, could the screenplay duo bring us a work that not only conveys the essence of wuxia but has an interesting story to boot? |
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