REVISED: weibo 2015 dec screenplay

12月6日 01:46  Script writing is a lonely road; the more you know, the lonelier you could only become; only you know what you know thus only you can resolve it! I'm going crazy! Everybody, quickly give me support. The writing is tough but (I) can do it and do it well, too. Don't worry!  If have free time, give me a 'like' la!

編劇的路很孤獨，你知得愈多，你就只能更孤獨，你知的就歸你知，所以解決的必須是自己！我快瘋了，大家快給我支持，很難寫，但一定寫到，而且會超好，大家放心！得閒比個like我啦


From the uploaded pix, looks like the script involves Xu Zhimo and Zhang Youyi.  Good luck on his writing which is indeed not only a lonely process but a lengthy one, too.

From my superficial read-up on Xu Zhimo, though unimpressed by Xu's character (defiant, selfish and totally spoiled by his parents, that being said, his indomitable spirit is admirable), I do however sympathize with his situation brought on by his time -- fueled by youthful rebelliousness and youthful single-mindedness, idealism, romantic notions, a poet's passion and temperament, and newly acquired modern ideas he felt alienated and fettered by China's close-minded society, Chinese cultures and traditions, Chinese morals and values, Chinese superstitions and Chinese filial obligations. In short, Chinese conventions clashed with his newly acquired western education and worldly exposure. Given his young age (a mere 18- year-old teenager when he got married), he was gutsy to sever these societal shackles (as the first couple in China at the time to get a divorce) just so he could live his life the way he envisioned it, and to be with the woman he loved at the time. Unfortunately and inevitably, his defying parents and China society in pursuit of own happiness hurt the people who loved him, and in the end, he still did not achieve the happiness he longed for. 

The times were against him.  Indeed, he lived a typical poet's life - inspired but tragic and unfulfilled because he felt so much more with a poet's heart and idealism.  He's a man both inspired and subverted by his times;  a man both energized and disillusioned by the women he loved; a romantic idealist whose life was gradually but inevitably sapped by the everyday living and society's expectations - he's a Jonathan Livingston's seagull with wings clipped.

Take away his romances with 3 women, his tumultuous life exemplifies that of many an overseas returnee who after having lived in a more open and advanced western society found it difficult to adjust and conform to the old world China society, and to marry a wife not of his choosing. They were all being tugged between familial duty and society's expectations against individual freedom and personal desires, those like Xu defied while others conformed to marrying a legal wife (of his parents' choosing) with mistresses aplenty on the side. Yes, Xu was caught in a time warp but he was still a cad for his callous treatments towards his 1st wife, Zhang. Their divorce was a blessing in disguise for Zhang as it released her from being a long suffering wife to a husband who  did not love her, and for her to find her inner strength and fortitude, thus becoming the strong woman that she was thereafter. Anyway, Xu got his comeuppance.  Pity that the footnote to this great Chinese poet is that theirs were the first divorce of irreconcilable differences in China. Indeed, Xu was a man before his time.  Perhaps had his parents and society not trapped the unwilling Xu in an arranged marriage at such a young age, could his and Zhang's tragedy be averted?

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Below is a video on 1st wife Zhang Youyi




Huang Lei did an excellent portrayal of Xu Zhimo, and he was so cute then.
Young Huang Lei and young Steven have similar cultured and scholarly feel.
Wonder how Zhou Jie (of Huang Zhu Ge Ge) did on his 2013 stage play on Xu Zhimo's life?

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Steven's fascination with Xu Zhimo thread
Steven's scriptwriting process
Bound feet and Western Dress 
Pheonix TV  Xu Zhimo's personality
20140512 《徐志摩生命中的女人》之《发妻张幼仪》

Lin Huiyin 《徐志摩生命中的女人》之《“女神”林徽因》
Lu Xiaoman《徐志摩生命中的女人》之《名媛陆小曼》; link2

lu xiaoman  那一场风花雪月的往事 陆小曼 徐志摩 1/2
lu xiaoman 那一场风花雪月的往事 陆小曼 徐志摩 2/2

weibo 9/26/2013 What role(s), what drama(s), what song(s)?

2013-09-26 20:28 Some dramas, some songs, in my lifetime, (I) must portray, I must film, I must sing! Know which ones? Or perhaps, what you think I should portray? To film? To sing? Would you please tell me? Haha!


TN: Of course the two characters Steven most wants to portray are Xu Zhimo and Lu Xun. 

Photos separated by the passing of fleeting time.  The now vs then. So handsome then and young, still handsome now but more mature -- or maybe it is the hair that separates the then and now?

For me:
Role= Please don't portray someone in his 20's or even early 30's. The character should be someone closer to Steven's own age.  A charismatic mature man.  Tired of watching his common everyday man - he did those roles well and all, but he needs other challenging roles to build up his acting repertoire, and for breakthrough.

Drama = Please, please don't let that discarded 'Single Mother, Ten Years' turn up like a bad penny. (shudder) And please no more, I repeat, no more  Qing dynasty drama. No more shaving his head bald. Steven's Qing image has lost its freshness like way back when, and now all of his Qing characters sort of blended into one big image of this man with a 'pigtail at the back of his head.' So enough of that qing guy already on my tv screen even though Steven looks absolutely stunning in Qing costumes. Moreover, I personally don't relish looking at a bald-headed Steven once again for at least 6 month until hair starts growing, slowly.

Song = maybe more dramatic and emotion rousing songs than those on his Cherish cd.

JMHO

So mosey over to Steven's weibo to tell him your opinion.

Steven Ma and Peggy Liu at their LA press conference

source: youtube ZWTV

Gist: Steven Ma and Peggy Liu will hold a Christmas concert in Pala Casino and Spa resort concert on the 12/22nd at 7 pm.  Like Steven, Peggy Liu is also a champion of a singing competition - she won the Taiwan Teresa Teng imitator competition in Taiwan.

Transcript on Steven's portion only.

In the press conference, Steven says he had been diligently practicing singing Mandarin songs for quite a while now, so even if audience requested songs impromptu he is well prepared to deliver.  Besides his own themesongs and Cantonese songs, he will also sing some unlikely Mandarin songs that people would be surprised he knew, and what's more, can sing them too.

Steven sings "Happenstance (偶然)" in a cappella.
Steven has often mentioned this poem Happenstance by Xu Zhimo as one of his favorite Chinese poems. Hong Kong singer, Chelsea Chan, later composed the music to this poem, and sang it as the theme song for her movie. link

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In another news report video: link to www.ctitv.com.tw

Steven Ma Adapted Well to Mainland Lifestyle

There are 3 news articles in Wenweipo on Steven.  Wenweipo is one of HK more reputable newspapers. So its write up on artists are usually well-written and neutral. However, these lengthy articles are rehashing old news.

wenweipo part 1

已融入内地的拍剧节奏 马浚伟多搞作 设小马工作室

Steven Ma Adjusted Well to Mainland Lifestyle, Multi-Tasking, Setting Up Xiao Ma’s Studio
In any set rules, variables inherently exist so as to cope with the inevitable changes wrought by time and circumstances as such change is the true constant. Last year, Steven Ma (Mazai)insisted on terminating early his contract with TVB. Although he is now soaring in open skies and over blue seas, but still humans being emotional creatures, especially having to abruptly leave one’s habitat it is only natural that the new environment needs some getting use to, initially.

weibo: Lu Xun and Xu Zhimo

Contrasting with Ting Xuan's haggard look below, there's this Ting Xuan's handsome and youthful look. @电视剧-鸳鸯佩

5/14 08:58 Steven: Know that portraying Mr. Lu Xun and Mr. Xu Zhimo has always been my greatest wish. //@闻家三宝XD爱shi易早安: Anticipating 4th Brother can truly portray Mr.Lu Xun; want a lengthy drama //@馬浚偉:  (tn: apparently Ting Xuan just got released from prison hence his haggard look.)

材叔 @ 10:32：Little Ma absolutely has Mr. Lu Xun's fire, Mr. Xu Zhimo's talent, and also you can also portray Yue Fei.. (tn: I'm so touched by Uncle Choi's appreciation of Steven.)

麥長青 @ 9:13：Add oil! Also anticipating to drinking with you upon your return to Hong Kong ! Haha! //@  馬浚偉 @ 9:11: Well, I will strive hard to get them then, 2nd gor miss you//@麥長青 @ 9:08:3rd younger brother, morning！These two roles suit you! I too anticipate them!

Steven's Ting Xuan with YYP Director

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TN: Don't know why but many of Steven's unflattering pix floating on weibo are uploaded by Steven himself.  haiz! Like the one below who many said looks like Moses Chan. lol!  And even more cringing, many replied calling him 'manly'  in the photo. 2nd Haiz!

weibo 4/28/2012

4/28 19:17 April Rhapsody (人間四月天)  (tn: China TV series title for poet Xu Zhimo inspired story acted by Huang Lei and Zhou Xun)

Steven 4/28 08:22 Morning, Mr. Ka. I'm fine. Everything's smooth sailing, where are you? When free, look me up in Hengdian ya!//@賈偉南HK 4/27 7:51  @馬浚偉: This morning woke up, suddenly remember had to call you up to explain.  Yesterday morning, talked to (Miu) Siu Ching jeh over phone for half an hour.  A good feeling. Best wishes to your filming. Look me up for lunch/dinner when you are back. 

Steven's Photography work

[My Photography work]: Looking at this photo once again recall "Happenstance", feel like singing this song again, even more so, want to portray Mr. Xu  Zhimo!*

"Happenstance"
I'm a cloud in the sky, 
by chance casting a shadow on your heart wave
don't be surprised, or be elated  
I'll be gone before you know it.
We met at sea late at night 
you have your destination
I have mine.
Fine, if you remember
better, if you forget

the sparks of this encounter 

 Xu Zhimo

English translation: Tamaya

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~~~~see mvs/video of the song~~~

chelsea chan rendition
music and sang by: Chelsea Chan (original singer)
lyrics/poem by: Xu Zhimo (1897-1931), famous China writer and poet

Xú​ Zhì​mó​'s life story was made into a China tv series starring Zhou Xun, 黄磊、刘若英、伊能静
I've watched it and I did enjoy watching it despite its extremely slow pace. And 黄磊 was very good looking then.

My preferred rendition by 张清芳 rendition

Steven says he is reading up information on Xu Zhimo. Wonder why?
[我的攝影作品]: 看著照片,再次想起"偶然",多想重唱這首歌,更想演一次徐志摩先生! <我是天空裡的一片雲 偶爾投影在你的波心 你不必訝異 更無須歡喜 在轉瞬間消滅了蹤影 你我相逢在黑夜的海上 你有你的 我有我的 方向 你記得也好 最好你忘掉 在這交會時互放的光亮！~徐志摩

related material
steven vs xu zhimo weibo
steven's first mention of Happenstance in his weibo

Weibo: Steven vs Xu Zhimo

2010-12-15 22:47 My friend read that I wish to shoot a film about Mr. Xu Zhimo so made this photo for me!  Haha, quite suggestive ah.  Thanks, buddy! 朋友看到我說想演一部關於徐志摩先生的戲，就弄了這照片給我！哈哈，有點感覺啊，謝謝老友！

Weibo -- Steven's desire to portray poet, Xu Zhimo

steven weibo




 2010-12-13 13:21This photo suddenly brought to mind.. ‘By Chance’, ‘Farewell, Cambridge!’ If have the opportunity must shoot a series about Xu Zhimo*, truly.  這照片,突然讓我想起...偶然,再别康橋!有機會的話,一定要拍一部關於徐志摩先生的戲,真的。

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*Xu Zhimo was a famous early 20th century Chinese poet.  His love stories with three women-Zhang Youyi, Lin Huiyin and Lu Xiaoman are especially well known among the Chinese.  Some of his well-known poems such as “By chance/"Happenstance”, “Farewell Cambridge”  are loved by millions of people.

By Chance/Happenstance lyrics have been composed into a song by Chelsea Chan who is also its original singer.

By Chance/Happenstance by Chelsea Chan  But I personally prefer this rendition by 張清芳

xu zhimo" Happenstance" 偶然

Steven says he is reading up information on Xu Zhimo. Wonder why?

Posted 04 September 2010 - 12:45 AM

Steven weibo: 2010/9/04 7:20

"Happenstance" 
I'm a cloud in the sky, 
by chance casting a shadow on your heart wave
don't be surprised, or be elated  
I'll be gone before you know it.
We met at sea late at night 
you have your destination
I have mine.
Fine, if you remember
better, if you forget
the sparks of this encounter 

偶然
我是天空裡的一片雲
偶爾投影在你的波心
你不必訝異無須歡喜
在轉瞬間消滅了蹤影

你我相逢在黑夜的海上
你有你的我有我的方向
你記得也好最好你忘掉
在這交會時互放的光亮

youtube  music composed and sang by: Chelsea Chan
lyrics/poem by: Xu Zhimo (1897-1931), famous China writer and poet

Xú​ Zhì​mó​'s life story was made into a China tv series starring Zhou Xun, 黄磊、刘若英、伊能静
I've watched it and I did enjoy watching it despite its extremely slow pace. And 黄磊 was very good looking then.

My preferred rendition is by  by 张清芳