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The south wind rises on the bank of the Wenjiang ✎ River
Editor: ✎ The south wind rises on the riverside
Preface
In 1991, director Zhang Jianya, with sincere respect, personally came to the actor Wei Zongwan's house, knelt down, and begged him to join his crew to shoot a new play.
At this time, Wei Zongwan was 54 years old, although he was neither a popular traffic star, nor did he put on any big-name shelf, but because of his superb acting skills and unique artistic charm, more than one director was willing to put down his body, and even did not hesitate to kneel, just to invite him to star in his own works.
In addition to Zhang Jianya, the famous director Zhang Jizhong has also visited the door many times, and sincerely invited Wei Zongwan to play an important role in the large-scale historical drama "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" three times.
In that era, Wei Zongwan's status in the entertainment industry can be described as "Zhao Benshan in the north and Wei Zongwan in the south", which shows his weight in the hearts of the audience.
With Wei Zongwan's strength, if he wants, he can easily take on a few brand endorsements or shoot a few advertisements, and he can earn a rich income enough to buy a luxury villa.
However, he is rather indifferent, even dismissive, at this lure of money at his fingertips.
This detached attitude towards material pursuits made his brother and sister-in-law feel dissatisfied, and they believed that Wei Zongwan did not do his job properly and did not know how to seize the opportunity to make money to improve the family life.
In the end, Wei Zongwan was kicked out of the house by his brother and sister-in-law after getting married.
It wasn't until he was 32 years old that Wei Zongwan completed his life event and married a wife with a daughter who was six years older than him.
Today, 86-year-old Wei Zongwan still lives with his wife in a modest rental house, and the living conditions are even worse than those of many ordinary people.
Although Wei Zongwan seems a little poor in terms of material life, his spiritual world is incomparably rich.
His indifference to fame and fortune, his dedication to art, and his sobriety beyond the world have undoubtedly taught many stars in the current entertainment industry who are obsessed with fame and fortune and lose themselves a vivid lesson, making them embarrassed.
Wei Zongwan used his lifestyle and values to show the world what a true artist is.
【1】
From the factory workers to the drama masters, behind the stage scenery is a life of tricks
Wei Zongwan, the child of many siblings in a large family in Shanghai, has been bathed in the influence of his parents' intellectual family since he was a child.
Both parents are cultural people and attach great importance to their children's education, so 5-year-old Wei Zongwan followed his brothers into the school early to receive enlightenment.
By chance, he watched a Peking Opera with his family, and since then he has been deeply attracted by the charm of this traditional art.
He not only has a strong interest in Peking Opera, but also shows extraordinary talent.
Without the guidance of a special master, Wei Zongwan went to the opera garden on his own, secretly observed and studied, and with his extraordinary understanding and perseverance, he was only 9 years old and was able to sing a whole play completely.
However, in the social concept at that time, singing opera was regarded as an unpopular profession, and Wei Zongwan's parents naturally did not want their son to become a despised "opera" in the future, so they often punished Wei Zongwan, who was obsessed with Peking Opera.
When he graduated from middle school, his parents planned two paths for Wei Zongwan that were in line with the mainstream of society at that time: one was to continue his studies, and the other was to enter the factory as a worker.
In view of his mediocre academic performance, Wei Zongwan, who did not have much enthusiasm for his studies, chose the latter and became a worker in a steam turbine factory.
However, Wei Zongwan, who stepped into the factory, did not work as expected, he was never able to calm down, he was careless about his work, unwilling to use his brain, and was often reprimanded by his master.
In this way, Wei Zongwan spent four years in the factory in a daze.
The turning point came when Wei Zongwan was 21 years old, when he was bored and strolling the streets, a prospectus for the Shanghai Theater Academy came into view, like a dawn that illuminated his future.
Wei Zongwan was shocked in his heart, and had a premonition that this might be an excellent opportunity to change his fate, so he resolutely decided to apply for the play.
However, his parents did not support this, so he could only secretly sign up without telling his family.
After all, Wei Zongwan had hardly touched books during his four years in the factory, and his study time was very limited, so he could only use his after-work time to study hard by the faint light of kerosene lamps.
As expected, he was not admitted as expected.
But Wei Zongwan knew that this was the only way to change his fate, he was not discouraged, took the exam three times in a row, and finally knocked on the door of the Shanghai Theater Academy with his perseverance.
When Wei Zongwan happily informed his family of the news of being admitted to the play, he was greeted with not the expected congratulations and encouragement, but indifference.
In the eyes of his family, this was not something to be proud of, and no one celebrated him, and even asked him to move out of the house, citing the shortage of housing in the family after his brother got married.
However, in the face of the coldness and rejection of his family, Wei Zongwan did not flinch, and he was determined to prove his worth in the play.
During his time at the school, Wei Zongwan quickly emerged with his innate artistic talent and hard work, and became an excellent student in the eyes of teachers and a role model in the hearts of his classmates.
Whether it's class rehearsals or extracurricular assignments, Wei Zongwan is almost always entrusted with important tasks and plays the leading role on stage.
Wei Zongwan on the campus swayed freely on the stage, pointing out the country, high-spirited, and the scenery was unique for a while.
However, when he graduated from the Shanghai Theater Academy and confidently entered the People's Art Theater, looking forward to showing his strength here, reality gave him a blow in the face.
It turned out that this popular figure on campus could only play the role of a showman in the repertory troupe.
According to the aesthetic standards of the society at that time, the actor usually required thick eyebrows and big eyes and a righteous face, but Wei Zongwan looked old, his face was long and thin, and he looked lacking in energy, and the director thought that he was not qualified for the male lead, so he could only be assigned some inconsequential small roles.
In addition, Wei Zongwan's personality is too upright, he only knows how to study acting skills, and he doesn't know how to meet and please screenwriters and directors in the workplace, which is also one of the reasons why he has always hovered on the edge of supporting roles and played tricks for a long time.
Despite this, Wei Zongwan did not get depressed, he adhered to his love and dedication to performing arts, silently polished his acting skills in every inconspicuous role, and looked forward to one day breaking the shackles of fate and truly standing in the center of his own stage.
【2】
Affectionate perseverance and unapologetic love in the bumpy road of acting
In 1963, Wei Zongwan ended his study career at the Shanghai Theater Academy and officially graduated.
Due to his late enrollment, he was 25 years old when he graduated.
There was an older brother who was a few years older than him, and when the elder brother was about to get married, the already small housing suddenly seemed stretched.
Faced with the pressure of reality, Wei Zongwan had no choice but to silently pack his bags, take the initiative to move out of the house, and leave the room for his brother who was about to start a family.
In this way, he began to live an independent life.
Wei Zongwan, who was new to the entertainment industry, did not have smooth sailing, and ran around looking for performance opportunities.
However, fate sometimes sows the seeds of the unexpected on a seemingly difficult path.
In the process of renting a house, Wei Zongwan met the woman who later became an important partner in his life - Zhou Weiming.
Zhou Weiming was the daughter of the landlord of Wei Zongwan's rented house and was working as a teacher at the school.
At first, the two didn't have much to do with each other, and they were busy with their own lives.
However, some of Zhou Weiming's behaviors gradually attracted Wei Zongwan's attention.
He learned that although Zhou Weiming was married, the relationship with her husband was not harmonious, and the two often had disputes, so that Zhou Weiming frequently returned to her parents' house to seek comfort.
With the passage of time, this marriage finally broke down, and Zhou Weiming chose to divorce.
At the low point of her life, Wei Zongwan gave her warmth and companionship, and the two hearts gradually got closer, and finally came together.
Although Zhou Weiming has a history of marriage and has children, Wei Zongwan does not dislike it at all.
On the contrary, he admired Zhou Weiming's kind character and housekeeping ability, and decided that she was an ideal partner who knew how to manage life.
However, in that relatively conservative era, Wei Zongwan's choice to marry a divorced woman with children undoubtedly caused a lot of criticism.
In the face of doubts and accusations from the outside world, Wei Zongwan adhered to his inner choice, firmly believing that only the parties have the right to decide emotional matters, and the pointing of others cannot affect their determination to build a happy family.
After marriage, Wei Zongwan treated his stepdaughter as his own, not only caring, but also showing fairness and respect everywhere in his daily life.
Two years later, the crystallization of the love between Wei Zongwan and Zhou Weiming - their biological daughter came to the world.
Even with his own flesh and blood, Wei Zongwan's love for his stepdaughter has not diminished at all, and he has always given her complete fatherly love.
In Wei Zongwan's heart, he always thought that Zhou Weiming was "married" to him, so in life, he was extremely considerate of his wife and took the initiative to take on most of the housework, whether it was cooking, cleaning or taking care of the children, he did it himself without complaint.
Such a man was rare in the social environment at that time.
Although Wei Zongwan's acting career has not made significant breakthroughs in the next ten years, and he has been in a state of silent cultivation, Zhou Weiming has always stood firmly by his side, supported and accompanied him without regrets, and spent those challenging days together.
【3】
Accumulated steadily, from obscurity to national first-class actor, won the "Golden Rooster Best Supporting Actor" with "Sanmao in the Army"
Time passed to 1982, and Wei Zongwan finally ushered in the first film work of his acting career - "One and Eight".
At this time, Wei Zongwan had entered the age of not being confused, at the age of forty-four.
Although he doesn't have many scenes in this film, for an actor who is eager to leave a presence on the big screen, this is undoubtedly a precious appearance after a long wait.
Although the space for character performance is limited, Wei Zongwan has successfully impressed the audience with his superb acting skills honed for more than ten years, making him stand out in the film industry and winning him more acting opportunities.
In a blink of an eye, in 1986, Wei Zongwan played a bandit role in the movie "Xiangxi Bandits".
Although he participated in the filming of a series of works in the following years, due to his unremarkable appearance and despite his acclaimed acting skills, Wei Zongwan's popularity among the public was limited to a small recognition, and he did not receive widespread and enthusiastic popularity.
However, in the industry, Wei Zongwan's acting skills are undoubted and have been highly affirmed by his peers.
With the year approaching the 50th mark, in 1987, Wei Zongwan's acting career finally ushered in a major turning point.
On the stage of the classic drama "Thinking of Nothing", he single-handedly completed the entire one-act performance that lasted for more than two hours.
As people often say, "three minutes on stage, ten years off stage", this shocking one-man show fully demonstrates Wei Zongwan's profound acting skills accumulated over the years, as well as his extraordinary attainments in performing arts.
This feat not only won warm applause from the audience, but also opened a new chapter in his career.
In 1989, Wei Zongwan was awarded the honorary title of national first-class actor for his outstanding contributions in the field of performance, which is well deserved.
Since then, Wei Zongwan's reputation has gradually climbed, and many scripts have come one after another.
However, for works that do not conform to his artistic concept, he has always remained sober and resolute, resolutely rejected them, and adhered to the persistent pursuit of artistic quality.
When Wei Zongwan entered the age of 54, he received an invitation to the movie "Sanmao in the Army".
Initially, considering that he was over half a hundred years old, Wei Zongwan was hesitant to play such a role.
However, in order to show his sincerity, director Zhang Jianya actually knelt down on one knee and implored Wei Zongwan to join the crew.
Faced with the director's sincerity and perseverance, Wei Zongwan was deeply moved and finally agreed to act.
Facts have proved that this decision is extremely wise, after the filming of "Sanmao in the Army", even the director was full of praise for Wei Zongwan's acting skills, and he won the "Golden Rooster Best Supporting Actor" award with his wonderful performance in the film, once again proving his strength and charm.
【4】
Sima Yi, who no one surpasses in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", is the brilliant epitome of rigorous artistic life
Wei Zongwan's real fame stems from the classic image of "Sima Yi" he created in the 1991 version of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
If Tang Guoqiang's "Zhuge Liang" is unsurpassed, then Wei Zongwan's interpretation of "Sima Yi" is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and to this day, many viewers still think that his interpretation of Sima Yi is exemplary.
The birth of this work is inseparable from the careful planning and casting of director Zhang Jizhong.
In 1990, the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" TV series project was officially launched, with the goal of creating a classic that can stand the test of time.
The casting process is crucial, and the crew strictly controls every role.
When the work of the election progressed to the key role of Sima Yi, the problem arose.
Sima Yi, a historical figure, is quite controversial, intertwined with good and evil, and in order to accurately grasp his complex character and deep resourcefulness, the actor's acting skills are extremely demanding.
After repeated deliberations, Zhang Jizhong suddenly recalled Wei Zongwan, who had more than 20 years of experience in drama performance.
Wei Zongwan's precise control of the details of the performance has long been perfected, which is necessary to create the role of Sima Yi.
Sima Yi is not simply a decent or villain, his wisdom and means need to be displayed through subtle details, and Zhuge Liang is in line with each other, and this character trait is highly consistent with Wei Zongwan's artistic attainments.
However, when Zhang Jizhong extended an invitation to Wei Zongwan with great anticipation, he encountered unexpected resistance.
Wei Zongwan categorically refused on the grounds that Sima Yi's role was "white-faced".
Having studied Peking Opera since childhood, he knew that the white face in Peking Opera symbolized treachery and cunning, which contradicted his personal emotional tendencies.
Faced with such a resolute attitude, Zhang Jizhong had to give up for the time being.
The unwilling Zhang Jizhong came to the door twice to try to persuade Wei Zongwan to change his mind, but he was unsuccessful.
It wasn't until the third time that he brought a portrait of Sima Yi, pointing out that Wei Zongwan was very similar to the character in the painting, suggesting that no one was more suitable for the role than him, and asked Wei Zongwan if he had the confidence to handle such a challenging role.
Wei Zongwan was aroused and finally agreed to play Sima Yi.
After accepting the role, Wei Zongwan was fully engaged, although he was over half a hundred years old at this time, and there were a lot of horseback riding scenes in the play.
For safety reasons, the crew proposed to find a stand-in to act on their behalf, but Wei Zongwan, who has very high requirements for himself, insisted on going into battle in person, regardless of his age, and wore heavy armor to practice horseback riding skills to ensure the authenticity and perfection of the performance.
Looking back on Wei Zongwan's artistic career, he not only portrayed the insurmountable Sima Yi in 1991's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", but also showed extraordinary acting skills in many other works.
In 1988, he participated in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", in 1989, he was rated as a national first-class actor, in 1990, he won the first National Drama Outstanding Actor Award, the first Shanghai Drama Sketch Competition Award, in 1992, he won the 13th China Film Golden Rooster Award for Best Supporting Actor with "Sanmao in the Army", in 1996, he participated in the filming of "Water Margin", and in 2007, he starred in the movie "Casting Names".
Whether he plays a simple and honest little person, or a big person full of wisdom and complex emotions, he can give the character a sense of intimacy and show the valuable qualities of an artist.
In addition to his dedication to the performing arts, Wei Zongwan is also strict with himself in other areas of life and professionalism, and this rigorous attitude runs through his entire career and life.
【5】
refused to accept advertisements, was willing to live in a rental house, and a monthly income of 4,000 yuan was enough, just because he loved acting
In today's entertainment industry, it is not uncommon for actors to overturn due to problems with endorsement products, even well-respected veteran actors have had similar experiences.
However, Wei Zongwan is an exception, he always insists on not endorsing any goods, no matter how attractive the other party offers, he will politely refuse.
For acting actors like Wei Zongwan, their salaries are actually not high, and they are far from traffic stars.
As we all know, shooting commercials is a quick and easy way to make money, but Wei Zongwan has never been tempted by this.
On the one hand, he felt that he did not know much about the products advertised, and that if he did not endorse them, he could lead to losses from consumers who trusted him, which made him feel uneasy.
On the other hand, he firmly believes that as an actor, he should focus on his acting career itself and do his job well, that is, he should shoot every drama and drama with his heart.
Therefore, for audiences who love Wei Zongwan, it is almost impossible to see him in commercials, except for being able to enjoy his wonderful performances in TV and film works, and listening to him share his experience about filming in extremely rare talk shows.
So, isn't Wei Zongwan short of money? The answer is obviously yes.
Now 83 years old, he and his wife still live in a rented house, working hard all their lives to buy only one property for their children and ensure that they have a stable home.
However, the life of Wei Zongwan and his wife is not as prosperous as people think, and their life is quite simple.
Some people can't help but wonder, in this case, why didn't Wei Zongwan choose to take on a few more dramas, or follow the trend to take on advertisements and make brand endorsements, and easily make enough money to buy a house with a few words? Faced with such a question, Wei Zongwan's answer was straightforward: "I devoted myself to the acting career because I have a deep love for performing arts.
Now I am a first-class actor in the national establishment, and I can receive a salary of 4,000 yuan per month, which is enough for me to maintain my life.
No matter how much money there is, what does it mean to me?" Wei Zongwan not only said this, but also did it.
He has always adhered to his principles, resolutely not involved in the field of advertising, and devoted himself to being a pure good actor, giving back to the audience with superb acting skills, and interpreting his dedication and loyalty to the performing arts.
【6】
Wei Zongwan: The old drama bones of both virtue and art, affectionately live up to his family, and enjoy the warm time of his old age
Wei Zongwan's acting career began in the 80s of the last century, and after twenty or thirty years of unremitting efforts and accumulation, he finally bought his own property in the suburbs of Shanghai.
Although his salary is not high compared with the top traffic stars in today's entertainment industry, this has not affected his love and dedication to his acting career.
You must know that Wei Zongwan didn't officially appear in movies until he was 44 years old, and most of the time he appeared as a supporting role.
Despite this, as long as he encounters a role he really likes, he never cares about the salary, and is even willing to participate for free.
This reflects the embarrassing situation of the older generation of supporting actors in the entertainment industry: the leading actors are often popular stars with good salaries, while these experienced veteran actors are willing to be green leaves, adding color to their works with superb acting skills, thinking that acting well is their duty, and they don't care too much about the salary.
They devote themselves to performing arts, more out of love for performing arts, and are willing to give up many material pursuits for this.
The property purchased by Wei Zongwan is registered in the name of his wife and stepdaughter on the property ownership certificate, because in his heart, his family is his whole world.
Unlike some actors who are a little famous, a little wealthy, and start to flutter and pursue a young and beautiful partner, Wei Zongwan has always maintained a humble and low-key attitude.
An old actor like him, who is both virtuous and artistic, and loyal to his family, is rare in today's entertainment industry, and many actors of the same generation have chosen to change their spouses as they grow older and their status improves, and even have many marriage experiences.
However, in Wei Zongwan's heart, he always adheres to a simple and grateful mentality.
When he was unknown, his wife was willing to spend the wind and rain with him, and when he broke through the world with his superb acting skills, his wife always supported him silently behind his back without complaint.
The deep relationship they established when they were young is as strong as a rock, accompanying them all the way to old age, and they always occupy an irreplaceable place in each other's hearts, and they are the most loved people in each other's lives.
After retirement, Wei Zongwan and his wife Zhou Weiming lived a leisurely and slow life.
Because he had the privilege of traveling to many beautiful places across the country during filming in the past, he decided to take his wife Zhou Weiming to revisit his hometown, not only for a distraction, but also for his silent return to his wife for many years of silent efforts behind the scenes.
As he grew older, Zhou Weiming suffered from chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and his body gradually became blessed and his mobility became inconvenient.
In the process of traveling, once encountering a hotel with poor accommodation conditions and a bathroom that needs to be stepped up, the careful Wei Zongwan will always prepare a chair in advance and put it at the door, so that his wife can enter and exit steadily with the chair, which fully reflects his meticulous care and care for his wife.
————END————
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