“Han Fei, sorry to trouble you some more.” Spotting Han Fei, Director Jiang came to welcome him. “Mainly it’s because your acting skill is too good for us to let it go to waste. Due to budget constraints, the project employs many new actors. Most of them are fresh in the field, unfortunately not many of them can truly master their roles.”
“I don’t mind it personally but won’t a last-minute amendment to the script ruin the flow? Every single minute is crucial in a movie. If additional scenes are given to me, perhaps the characterization of the main characters wouldn’t be so rounded.” Han Fei was truly concerned about the quality of the film.
“The script will be changed regardless.” Director Jiang said sincerely. “Our writers have a long discussion about it. Out of concern to the victims’ families, we decided to edit some of the scenes.” Director Jiang was strict with his actors but he was respectful towards the victims and their surviving families. After all, it was not his goal to take advantage of them.
“The movie is based on a real event. Indeed, we’ll have to consider the feelings of the actual victims’ family.”
“You’re right.” Director Jiang patted Han Fei’s shoulders. “Hurry to make-up then. For your information, we’re going to add some everyday scenes to flesh out Wei Youfu’s character.”
Han Fei moved to a room down in the basement. It was the crew’s temporary dressing room. Han Fei chose the innermost corner and sat down. The stylist handed him the clothes similar to those worn by Wei Youfu and set for him Wei Youfu’s hairstyle. While the stylists busied with his make-up, Han Fei picked up the newly-edited script and read it silently.
The door was pushed open. “Why are we here again? We’ve already wrapped up the shot, haven’t we?!” A young man about 180 cm stormed into the room. A woman about 30 trailed behind him.
“Who could have predicted that the victims’ family would suddenly change their minds. They’re now outside the set. The scenes have to be reshot because of them.” The woman carried a bag and held several documents and the script.
“Why did you choose this script in the first place?” The young man turned his anger on the woman. “There’s no budget and, other than myself, all the other actors are practically unheard of. This film is going to ruin my accumulated reputation.”
“This is the agency’s decision. There are not many films in this genre, thus lesser competition. It can get popular if done well.” The woman mumbled softly, afraid of being viewed as combative by the star. She added plaintively, “Furthermore, Jiang Yi is a good director. Even though he has not produced any blockbusters, the critics always rave about his films. Ah Cheng, please just follow along this one time.”
“It’s easy for you to say.” The young man called Ah Cheng was about to argue further when a commotion came from outside the building. It sounded like a heated argument. Ah Cheng and his manager’s interest was instantly piqued and they went to watch the show. Han Fei, whose make-up was done, showed zero interest. He went to find Jiang Yi instead. He wanted to finish his parts and return home as soon as possible. Instead of small arguments, Han Fei’s focus was on how to apprehend the serial killer and avenge the victims. Han Fei had reached a new level of Zen. This was all thanks to the contribution of that Iyashikei game.
Soon the ruckus sounded inside the building, the victims’ families appeared to have barged into the set. Having no other choice, Director Jiang led Han Fei upstairs to a different set. This was where they shot the indoor scenes. “The aim is for the audience to see that Wei Youfu and the other victims were once like them. They led their own peaceful lives. We would add some scenes of everyday life to Wei Youfu’s character so that the audience could empathize with him further when his family’s lives were violently taken away.”
“Understood.” For others, this might pose a challenge but not for Han Fei. After all, Han Fei had met Wei Youfu in person. He remembered every single one of Wei Youfu’s expressions. The man radiated kindness but after being wrought by pain and despair, his loss would rake at people’s hearts. “I will do my best.”
After heading into the set, Han Fei inputted the information he had on Wei Youfu slowly into his mind and body. He detached his own consciousness.
He just finished an OT until midnight. His body was haggard with tiredness as he reached home. His eyes dulled with fatigue but underneath it, there was a glint of satisfaction from a day well spent. He plopped himself down on the sofa. Picking up and staring at the picture of himself and his wife, his gaze softened with love. Wiping the frame tenderly, he formulated a surprise for his wife. In a few days, there would be a new and eye-grabbing wedding photo decorating the house. He turned to the wall as if seeing the new picture there. At that moment, his phone rang. He answered it. His old father’s streams of nags made him smile silently. Even at his age, his aging father could still make him feel like a child.
“I know, I know. Don’t just worry about me, you have to take care of yourself too…” After hanging up, Han Fei turned to the bedroom. This would lead to his death scene.
“Youfu!” Before Han Fei heard the ‘cut’, an old man’s voice came from the stairwell behind the camera. The placard fell from the frail old man’s hands as he wandered numbly into the set. “Don’t go in there, Youfu…”
Han Fei stopped moving. He remembered this voice, it belonged to Wei Youfu’s father. Turning around, Han Fei’s eyes met those of the old man holding the placard. The expression on the old man’s face was devastating.
“Who let the families into the set?!” The set director and floor manager went to grab at the old man. They worked together to pull him away.
“Wait a minute!” Han Fei quickly rushed over. “There’s no need to use force. You might accidentally injure the old gentleman.” He guarded the old man behind him. “I’m sure we can talk this out peacefully.”
“What is there for us to talk about? Everything has been discussed beforehand and now they decide to intervene with the shoot?! If this is not blatant contract breach, then what is?” Ah Cheng leaned against the door and grumbled, ignoring the warning gaze his manager shot at him.
“Preposterous!” The old man tightened his grip on the placard. “We only agreed to this because you came to us with the promise that you’ll help promote this incident and help us find the murderer! But what have you done instead?! The film is filled with purposeful fabrication and lies!”
“We are film makers and not the police, why would you even expect us to help you catch the murderer? In any case, you’ve all signed the contract.” Ah Cheng was much taller than the old man, he looked down at the elder man with derision. “We’ve already finished shooting most of the movie and now because of you people, do you know how many things we need to change? Our tapes, my time, do you know how precious they are?”
“I don’t care, you people are the ones who violated the contract first!” The old man shouted due to agitation. Hearing the voice, a few other people rushed up the stairs holding placards. They were all families of the victims.
“What is really happening?” Han Fei was confused. He had no idea the situation was so contentious.
“Since most of the movie has been cut and edited, we decided to release the trailer. They must have seen it.” Jiang Yi sighed. He lowered his voice, “I really do wish to respect their wishes but that won’t fly with the sponsors. In reality, the killer is still out there but the sponsors want a happy ending because they believe that will draw in a bigger crowd at the cinema.”
“What do you mean by a happy ending?”
“They ordered the script-writers to force an ending.” Jiang Yi was quite helpless too. “To put it simply, in the end, the main character luckily escaped from the murderer’s pursuit and managed to turn on him. The killer was thus successfully apprehended by the main character.”
“Since this movie is based on a real story, then we shouldn’t manufacture a false ending, that is disrespectful to the audience and to the victims.” Han Fei turned to glance at the old man. Even after so many years, the gentleman still visited the police station yesterday to demand updates. The loss of one’s loved ones weighed on one’s heart for life.
“There is nothing we can do. For now, we can only hope that both parties can calm down and reach for a compromise.” Jiang Yi shook his head and his face lined with worry.
“It’ll be fine.” Han Fei’s eyes narrowed, hiding the sharp sting residing at the bottom. “This movie will have an ending and we shan’t wait too long for it.”
