“These past few days, someone in our class mentioned that Teacher Mu’s ‘black mansion's ghost’ is still the pinnacle of domestic horror films, unsurpassed by anyone. The viewing craze was so immense that it practically emptied the streets, like Jet Li’s ‘Shaolin Temple’ back in the day.
It’s just that none of us have seen it; we’ve only heard about it from the older generation in our families. They even said that when it was screened in a certain theater in the capital back then, a viewer with a heart condition was scared to death…”
“Cough…”
Mu Deyuan nearly choked upon hearing this. He quickly patted his chest, glared at Wu Chen, and said, “What nonsense are you little brats spreading? Nobody died! That’s all made-up stuff from later.”
“I was just quoting it!”
Mu Deyuan took a puff of his cigarette, his expression subtle, seemingly tinged with nostalgia, yet also a hint of hesitation. He slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, his voice dropping a few notes:
“Actually, ‘black mansion's ghost’… when that film was made, it was riding the wave of the times, a stroke of luck.”
‘black mansion's ghost’ was a domestic horror film he co-directed with his good friend Liang Ming. Although it is still banned now, it was extremely popular back then.
Now that his students brought it up, Mu Deyuan felt a certain degree of pride, a sense of accomplishment.
After speaking, his gaze fell on the ashtray on the table, as if he were reminiscing.
“You young people might not know much about it, but in the late 70s and early 80s, an international horror film wave was sweeping the global cinema.
‘The Exorcist,’ ‘Suspiria,’ ‘Dawn of the Dead’… each one was shocking.
Then in Hong Kong, Bao Fang made ‘painted skin,’ Ann Hui made ‘The Secret,’ Kuei Chih-hung had ‘The Oily Maniac,’ Dennis Yu’s ‘The Imp,’ Tsui Hark’s ‘Hell Has No Gates’… At that time, horror films were the trend of the era.
Our generation made ‘black mansion's ghost’ within this trend.”
Mu Deyuan paused, lightly flicked the ash from his cigarette, holding it between the fingers of his right hand, and took another deep drag. There was a hint of regret in his tone, “Originally, when this film came out, the response was quite good… Unfortunately, you know what happened later.”
Wu Chen, of course, knew.
In 1989, ‘black mansion's ghost’ was banned shortly after its release due to its sensitive subject matter.
And it was also after this film’s release that the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television explicitly prohibited the appearance of ghosts in films.
Compared to Hong Kong horror films of the same period, this type of film in mainland China quickly disappeared from the market, becoming a sealed piece of history.
Wu Chen seized the opportunity to press further: “So, Teacher Mu, do you still have the work print of this film? I heard that the cinematography in it is absolutely superb!”
Mu Deyuan lightly patted the pocket of his leather coat, seemingly an unconscious action, but his gaze did not directly meet Wu Chen’s. He tapped his fingertips on the table, remained silent for a moment, then asked with a half-smile:
“You really want to see it? Why do I feel like that’s not quite right? You wouldn’t be thinking of making a ghost film, would you?”
Wu Chen immediately raised his hand, a look of righteousness on his face: “Teacher Mu, I am a serious filmmaker! How could I possibly make a ghost film?”
“Although everyone in our Photography Department wants to transition to directing, you are only a freshman, just a few months into school. You should settle down properly, don’t be impatient, there will be opportunities…”
Mu Deyuan was an experienced person. From the moment Wu Chen entered with the document to when he asked about ‘black mansion's ghost,’ he had his suspicions.
After all, the Photography Department of Beijing Film Academy has a tradition!
He actually thought highly of Wu Chen. In these four months since he enrolled, whether it was basic theoretical knowledge, the use of equipment, the understanding of lenses, or the artistry of film aesthetics, Wu Chen far surpassed his classmates, and even students in their third and fourth years couldn't compare to Wu Chen.
However, one must take things one step at a time. In his opinion, it was acceptable to shoot some short films as practice, slowly refining his skills, and paving a long and wide path for himself.
“Cough!”
At this moment, Wu Chen couldn't help but cough lightly, looking a bit awkward, and said, “Teacher Mu, ghost films can’t pass censorship now. Actually, I want to make a psychological thriller…”
“Psychological thriller?”
Mu Deyuan narrowed his eyes, as if savoring the term. Why did that word sound so familiar? It seemed he had also used this genre to cause a stir back then.
“Yes, Teacher Mu, think about it. Horror films mostly rely on jump scares, throwing in some ghost shadows and creepy twins, and that’s it.
But psychological thrillers are different. They play on the anxious core of Hitchcock, using what Deleuze called ‘time-image’ to tear apart the audience’s sense of security. In short, it’s easier to win awards!”
Mu Deyuan stroked his chin, looking at him meaningfully, “You little rascal, you’re quite the schemer, already thinking about winning awards…”
Wu Chen merely blinked, his expression unchanged, his demeanor calm.
“Is that document you’re holding the script?” Mu Deyuan sighed, extinguishing his cigarette in the ashtray.
“Still so young after all!”
Mu Deyuan secretly sighed. In his years as a teacher and department head, he had met many young people in their first or second year who wanted to make films. Most of them came to nothing. Of course, there were also some who truly produced decent works, but ultimately, they didn't make much of a splash.
Just as Wu Chen was about to take out the document, he saw Mu Deyuan stand up, “Let’s go.”
“Go where?” Wu Chen was startled.
Mu Deyuan picked up his coat, cast a lazy glance at him, and slowly said, “Didn’t you want to see ‘black mansion's ghost’ as soon as you came in? The script isn’t urgent. I’ll take you to see it first. See what you can learn…”
Wu Chen’s mouth twitched. He always felt that Mu Deyuan’s tone was a bit off…
If he had known earlier that Mu Deyuan actually had the work print, he wouldn’t have started the conversation from that topic.
But the pretense was already done. At this point, he had to go whether he wanted to or not.
At this moment, outside Mu Deyuan’s office door, Pu Songri had his hands tucked into the pockets of his black down jacket, his hat pulled lower, and his scarf tightly wrapped around his neck, even covering his ears completely.
“Ai, why isn’t Chen Ge coming out yet…” Pu Songri mumbled softly, his mouth opening and closing, the white breath he exhaled quickly dissipating into the air.
“Why is he such a coward…”
Just as Pu Songri was still sighing to himself, the office door suddenly creaked open.
“Chen Ge!” Pu Songri had just finished speaking when he finally looked up, immediately looking a bit awkward, and quickly corrected himself, “Uh, Teacher Mu.”
Mu Deyuan gave a wry smile, then turned to look at Wu Chen behind him, and then at Pu Songri, “Songri, you come along too.”
“Ah!”
Pu Songri was stunned for a moment, looking at Wu Chen with a bewildered expression.
“Just follow.” Wu Chen patted Pu Songri, signaling him to keep up.
Originally, Wu Chen was only half a step away from Mu Deyuan, but Pu Songri pulled him, so he had to step back one pace.
“Chen Ge, where are we going?” Pu Songri asked quietly.
“To watch a movie, one you haven’t seen before!”
“One I haven’t seen?” Pu Songri became even more curious upon hearing this.
“Yes, ‘black mansion's ghost’…”