[Global Times Special Correspondent Yang Liu] "I hope the audience will find the story of "Old Gun" interesting and feel very happy in the short two hours." On November 1, directed by Gao Peng, starring Zu Feng, Qin Hailu, and Zhou Zhengjie The crime drama film "Old Gun" is relea

[Global Times Special Correspondent Yang Liu] "I hope the audience will find the story of "老gun" interesting and feel very happy in the short two hours." November 1st, directed by Gao Peng, zufeng, The crime drama "Old Gun" starring Qin Hailu , Zhou Zhengjie was released. The film is set in the Northeast in the 1980s. It tells the story of shooter Gu Xuebing (played by Zu Feng) who works in the security department of a factory after retiring. He accidentally discovers that Geng Xiaojun (played by Zhou Zhengjie), the son of his crush Xiao Jin (played by Qin Hailu), is involved in the theft. As Geng Xiaojun's companion fell to his death, more crimes were revealed and a fierce conflict broke out. The film won the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival last year. Recently, the film's lead star Zu Feng accepted an exclusive interview with the Global Times and shared his understanding of the character and the behind-the-scenes story of the film.

"I was very similar to Gu Xuebing when I was young"

At the beginning of the movie, shooting athlete Gu Xuebing had no choice but to retire due to hearing impairment and became an officer in the factory security department. In the Northeast in the 1980s, a wave of layoffs came, and factories almost stopped operating. Only security personnel were left on duty. Gu Xuebing still adhered to his duties. "Although he is a bit naughty and incompatible with the surrounding environment, he has his own persistence. I like this very much." In Zu Feng's view, Gu Xuebing lived a closed and simple life in the shooting team in his early years, and thus became a A "late bloomer" person "always has to distinguish between right and wrong, and use black and white methods to measure and judge problems."

"Old Gun" poster

Zu Feng explained that Gu Xuebing's "late maturity" is also reflected in Among the details of his interactions with people around him: "Gu Xuebing loves his single mother Xiao Jin. He is very happy with Xiao Jin and wants to do everything for her, but he is shy and doesn't know how to express it." When getting along with Xiao Jin's son Geng Xiaojun, Gu Xuebing was supposed to be Although he is a stepfather, in Zu Feng’s view, the two are more like brothers. “He hopes that Xiaojun can take the right path, but he doesn’t know how to guide him. Occasionally, he will show off in front of his children to show him that he can be stable.” Holding the paper steadily with his hands, he showed off his shooting talent, just like a child."

In the second half of the film, Geng Xiaojun's companion died accidentally during the theft, which also revealed the secret selling of equipment in the factory. Gu Xuebing was caught in the dilemma of reporting or concealing. Zu Feng explained: "When his standards of right and wrong conflict with the livelihood of 8,000 workers, he has never considered how to choose. He went through entanglement, depression, and finally broke out in a gun battle. I think this It is also a kind of growth. "Old Gun" is the story of Gu Xuebing's growth. "

director Gao Peng said that Zu Feng is the only actor suitable for Gu Xuebing. When asked about the similarities with the character, Zu Feng said frankly: "In the early years, I was very similar to Gu Xuebing. When I saw any unfairness, I would get angry inside. But as I grow older, I no longer simply judge the problem. Behind the incredible phenomenon, there may be complicated reasons and many helplessness. We must fully understand before making a judgment. Both the character and I have experienced growth.”

The shooter is different from what he imagined.

In order to play Gu Xuebing well, in addition to walking in. Zu Feng also needs to move closer to the image of a shooter as he tries to understand the character's heart and figure out the character changes at different stages. Before filming started, Zu Feng referred to relevant photos and videos, and also trained under the guidance of the shooting team coach at the filming location. Zu Feng revealed that this experience allowed him to learn the "little tips" of shooting for the first time. "The bullseye of the air pistol, the notch and the center of the gun are all black, which makes it difficult to see clearly when shooting, so they will make special adjustments to the gun. For adjustment, you only need to aim at the bottom edge of the square target paper to hit the center of the target. I even hit a lot of ten rings (laughing).”

More importantly, after truly understanding shooting, Zu Feng discovered. "This is actually a kind of inner training exercise": "We often think that athletes should be tall, with coordinated limbs and strong explosive power, but shooters are different. They are calm and gentle." This is also the case for Gu Xuebing interpreted by Zu Feng , the audience saw the turbulent power in his heart under his silent and peaceful appearance.

After watching "Old Gun", many viewers commented that "Gu Xuebing is the epitome of the Northeast back then." Zu Feng responded: "The creator just wrote the story in the Northeast, but at that time, similar people and things might have happened all over the country." Yes. When the great wheel of the times turns, companies fail to adjust their business methods in time and fall from glory. We cannot use our personal destiny to change the times, but we must adapt to the changes and strive to survive and live.”

wants to try “Yes. The characters and script of "Power"

In November 2023, "Old Gun" won the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival. After learning the news, Zu Feng was very excited, "We spent 5 months filming this movie, and the hard work paid off." When asked about what he wanted to convey to the audience through the film, Zu Feng said: "I don't want to make nonsense. , I hope the audience will find the story of "Old Gun" interesting and feel very happy in the short two hours, which is good."

recalled this cooperation with young director Gao Peng, Zu Feng said that the communication between the two was smooth. , will discuss film expression and shooting methods without any burden. After " Golden Wedding Romance ", he collaborated with Qin Hailu again after 14 years. Zu Feng lamented that "the two of them are no strangers and have grown up." He also joked that "Hailu has more aura." Talking about Zhou Zhengjie, who plays Geng Xiaojun, Zu Feng praised, "As you grow older, your experience will naturally increase. What is valuable is your respect and dedication to work, which Zhou Zhengjie has."

With 27 years of experience in the industry, Zu Feng has brought many deeply rooted characters. He is the hated and pitiable "villain" Li Ya in "Latent", Cui Zhongshi, an underground member of the Chinese Communist Party in "All Quiet in Peking", and the "wonder" in the "Ode to Joy" series that sparked discussion among the audience. "Point" is Bai Chongli, the selfless village primary school principal in "Mountains and Seas", and Jiang Daqiao, the foreign aid doctor in "Welcome to Maile Village"... Whether he is the protagonist or a "little person", Zu Feng's performance always gives the character a unique charm . In recent years, Zu Feng has also challenged his identity as a director: in 2019, his debut film "Six Desires" was shortlisted for the "Un Certain Regard" section of the 72nd Cannes International Film Festival. In future creations, Zu Feng will not limit the subject matter or type, because in his view, as long as the script foundation is solid, any subject matter can become a good work, "As long as the script and characters are powerful and attractive to me, I will Everyone is willing to try."