1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

Chapter 58: Strippers, a Brief Camp Classic

NYFA stands for New York Film Academy.

Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, a distinguished producer.

Representative work: The Hunt for Red October (My favorite movie, adapted from Tom Clancy's novel, directed by John McTiernan, starring Sean Connery, a great film from the 1990s, four-star recommendation).

Its original purpose was to break down the barriers of traditional university film schools and eliminate the mystique surrounding the film production industry.

Yes, to promote the process of democracy and provide broader channels for participation.

……

If it weren't for that last sentence, you could interpret it as a great idea.

Adding the phrase "democracy" changes the meaning a bit; to put it bluntly, it increases the channels for brainwashing the world.

Movies are, after all, a tool for political propaganda.

However, its teaching staff is indeed very strong.

Spiel was exceptionally appointed as a visiting professor, and his son, Jack Spielberg, also graduated from the same institution.

In addition, many children of celebrities study here.

This private university is currently in its founding stage, but in the future, it will become a cradle for countless Asian directors.

Xu Shengjie knew about this university in his previous life, but... he never actually had any contact with it.

Today is Saturday, and it's the end of June, so school is already on holiday.

It was still very lively. When he arrived at the college built in the community, he found that there were quite a few people gathered there.

He parked the car, glanced at his watch, and saw it was 2:53.

So he didn't dare to delay and quickly walked into the teaching building.

But as soon as they entered, they were stopped.

"Are you here for an audition?"

The staff member dressed in a manner that clearly resembled a member of the film crew looked at Xu Shengjie with a very strange gaze.

"We don't have any auditions for Asian roles."

Asian characters are often portrayed as nerds, cooks, or thugs in Hollywood movies.

The purpose is to create a stereotypical image of Asians, or Chinese Americans.

Xu Shengjie wasn't going to argue with the other party, and simply said, "Spike Lee invited me here, and he asked me to go up to the third floor."

"Director Li's guest? I'm very sorry, you can go up from this side."

The staff immediately changed their attitude, replacing their previous expression of slight refusal with one of respect.

He immediately led Xu Shengjie to the elevator next door and pressed the button.

Meanwhile, a group of actresses waiting for auditions looked over curiously, speculating about Xu Shengjie's identity.

Xu Shengjie didn't pay any attention.

He'd seen that kind of look many times in his past life on film sets.

I entered the elevator and went up to the third floor with the help of staff.

In a deep corridor, people walk back and forth from time to time, each one looking hurried.

"Sir, please wait here for a moment while I go and inform Director Li."

The staff member left in a hurry, while Xu Shengjie stood next to the reception desk, his eyes scanning the posters on the wall.

Showgirls audition reception.

Behind the counter, there were several people dressed as members of a film crew, both men and women, each busy with their own tasks.

No one paid any attention to Xu Shengjie, and no one came over to exchange pleasantries with him.

Showgirls?

Xu Shengjie paused for a moment, then remembered the information about the movie.

striptease dancer?

Of course, there's also one called "American Dancer," directed by Paul Verhoeven... His representative works include "RoboCop," "Universe," "Starship Troopers," and... "Basic Instinct"! Yeah, the one starring that bitch, "Basic Instinct."

A highly talented and already successful Hollywood director.

However, he was about to face the darkest moment of his life, which was the film "Showgirls," a film about strippers.

Produced by MGM with an investment of $4500 million, it was definitely an A-list production in 94.

The director is awesome.

The screenwriter is awesome.

The actors are equally outstanding.

However, it ended in a crushing defeat.

With a budget of $45 million, the film grossed over $20 million in North America, but only a paltry $38 million worldwide, resulting in a huge loss for MGM. The film also garnered seven Raspberry Award nominations, with Verhoeven personally accepting the awards, becoming the first director in Raspberry history to attend the ceremony in person… Hmm, does that sound familiar?

In the future, Director Baby will do the same thing.

However, the media environment in Hollywood is not as relaxed as in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Director Bao Bao accepted the award in person, receiving widespread praise. Everyone said that Director Bao Bao had extraordinary courage and a responsible attitude.

But Verhoeven had to bear the brunt of public criticism from the entire American society.

Director Baby just made a bad movie; it has no impact on society as a whole.

But Showgirls, by pointing directly to the core of the American Dream and bursting its bubble, naturally faced greater pressure.

Xu Shengjie also watched this movie back then.

The first time I watched it, it was because of the numerous sex scenes that gave me a feeling of reliving "Basic Instinct".

The second time I watched it, it was a pile of crap!

It felt very unreal, like a pile of gorgeous shit. The lines and camera work made him even more uncomfortable... Well, that's normal. In his previous life in the 1990s, there were people like him everywhere, always thinking that America was a jinx, a beacon.

The third time I watched it was after the millennium.

There's a feeling that's different, even indescribable.

In film theory, there is a concept called Camp.

It means: gorgeous, fluid, emotional, stylish, and fun, rather than branded, stereotypical, bland, mechanical, or boring.

Behind the exaggerated scenes and playful dialogue, it seems there's more to it than just mere glamour and boredom. The director appears to be hinting at something, attempting to critique certain issues. But the problem is, Paul Verhoeven is Dutch, and he completed his education in Europe. He's trying to peel back the glamorous veneer of the American Dream to reveal the harsh realities beneath…

But it lacked a bit of energy.

So much so that it becomes ambiguous and pale.

In 2020, during the lockdown, he once again dug out a bunch of old movies to pass the time.

That same year, a documentary film, "You Are Not Nomi," went viral online and completely reversed the reputation of "Showgirls."

From an unprecedentedly bad movie, it has become a cult classic.

Xu Shengjie analyzed the film again and had to admit that it was a good movie.

The dialogue, the scenes, the camera work, and the actors' performances are all good, but there is still a sense of 'paleness'.

However, due to changes in the public opinion environment, the evaluation of this work in China has become vastly different.

A torrent of praise and accolades followed.

Elizabeth Berkeley, once condemned as a representative of pornographic performances, has transformed from a bad actress into a role model...

Public opinion has only one voice!

As for the audience, they often become the "leeks" (victims) manipulated by public opinion.

Everyone praises Elizabeth, but no one really talks about the difficult situation she faced for twenty years after starring in "Showgirls."

……

Oh, it was an audition for this movie!

Xu Shengjie was recalling information about the movie when Spike appeared in the corridor.

"Jeffrey, over here!"

He waved to Xu Shengjie, immediately attracting the attention of pedestrians in the corridor.

Spike has yet to achieve his future success. Although he has directed many excellent films and received numerous award nominations, he has always been ranked behind Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese in the New York independent film circle.

After all, the Black civil rights movement at this time had not yet reached its peak.

Spike is probably best known for the strangulation gesture he delivered to Reggie Miller during this year's NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

Of course, he already has a place in the film and television industry.

"Spike, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Ha, I wouldn't dare get angry, otherwise I wouldn't be able to handle it if you hit me like that."

Spike, a relatively outgoing person, went up and hugged Xu Shengjie.

At this moment, several women came out of the dressing room next door and looked at them curiously.

"Director Li!"

One of the actresses greeted him very cleverly.

Spike waved to them, then pulled Xu Shengjie away.

"Jeffrey, you can also write lyrics and compose music?"

"If Vanessa hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known you had this talent. But a song that Vanessa picked out must be extraordinary."

"Of course, you have no idea what I'm capable of."

"Kid, I like your confidence. We're definitely going to have a good talk today."

The two entered a room, and at the entrance of the dressing room, a tall, curvaceous young woman was curiously observing Xu Shengjie's back.

Her face is a wonderful fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics.

Her sculpted facial features, high cheekbones, and sharply defined jawline give her a cool and sophisticated look.

A hint of confusion flickered in those deep and captivating eyes.

She turned to the woman beside her and asked, "Gina, who is that Asian guy? Is he also in the film crew?"

Gina, whose full name is Gina Gershon, was also one of the auditionees for "Showgirls" and has a typical American girl image.

She shook her head and said softly, "It shouldn't be. I haven't heard of any Asian staff members on the set."

Furthermore, he seems to be quite familiar with Spike; he's probably Spike's friend. Otherwise, it would have been director Pao who stepped in.

The girl agreed and nodded repeatedly.

……