After 11 years, I received a new drama, recalling the shooting of the 87th edition of "Dream of Red Mansions", saying that the output of the work was low because I didn't want to play inappropriate roles.

  Deng Jie: I don't want to make myself difficult for exposure

  In 2020, a movie "Singing Alive", which tells the story of Sichuan opera actors' hard work, brought Deng Jie, who was on the edge of the entertainment circle, back to the audience's attention.

When she appeared as a producer, everyone realized that "Deng Jie hasn't acted for a long time".

Last year, Deng Jie returned to the screen after a lapse of 11 years. The new drama "My Assistant is Sixty Years Old" with Wang Ziwen and Bai Jingting was completed at the end of the year. She played a housewife who only entered the workplace at the age of sixty.

  Speaking of which, Deng Jie's character that left the deepest impression on the audience was Wang Xifeng in the 87th edition of "Dream of Red Mansions" which was broadcast 35 years ago. One of the characters has also become synonymous with his artistic career.

Deng Jie has experienced many roles in her life for many years. She is sure that she has a passion for acting, and she has the advantage of acting well in front of the camera.

  Deng Jie's social media followers are more than 160,000. They are not updated every day. The content published and forwarded is related to her own creation and family.

The last update was to introduce her role in "My Assistant is Sixty Years Old".

Deng Jie doesn't have much desire for "being seen" outside of her creation. If it wasn't for the propaganda period, she would rather hide it all the time, accompany her children and run a family.

  In recent years, she has become more and more aware that life is nothing more than a multiple-choice question, to do or not to do.

If something is what you want to do, you must think deeply about how to do it.

She will also laugh at herself "I'm old and out of breath", but she never loses her desire for good works.

She said that she was able to return to the family indifferently because of her lack of material desires. She had a "workaholic" husband who was constantly engaged in creation, so he did not want to make a living by filming.

Therefore, if there is no suitable play, she would rather not play it, and play what she wants if she wants to.

This is the path Deng Jie has chosen for herself - she is fully devoted to the characters she wants to work hard for, and she returns to her family with peace of mind if she fails to meet her.

At any stage, she enjoys it.

  A See you on the camera

  Wang Xifeng, who is not favored

  No one knows better than Deng Jie that her advantage is in front of the camera.

  During the filming of the 87th edition of "A Dream of Red Mansions", after Deng Jie's first scene, director Wang Fulin was relieved. He said, "Okay, Sister Feng has stood up." It was too important for Deng Jie to prepare.

Deng Jie still feels a lot of emotion: "Before this scene, I was in a very depressed state and was scolded by the director almost every day. I remember very clearly that at that time, Zhou Rui's family (played by Sun Caihong) and grandma Liu (played by Sha Yuhua) were in Sitting there, I took a scene to audition. Facing two very experienced actors with excellent lines, I spoke Sichuan Mandarin and showed no advantage. Director Wang frowned and said, 'What is this? '."

  At that time, almost no one thought that Deng Jie could win the role of Wang Xifeng.

None of her mother, teachers and classmates in the Sichuan Opera House thought she could control Wang Xifeng, including herself.

In the spring of 1984, Deng Jie took a green-skin train to Beijing to participate in an interview with the crew of the TV series "Dream of Red Mansions". The director of production asked "Who is Deng Jie?" in the reception hall. face disappointed.

"At that time, I was dark-skinned, short and average-looking, and the people standing beside me were fair-skinned, graceful, and good-looking. It seemed that I had no sense of existence. If you throw it into the crowd, you won't be able to find it. How dare you talk to others about her looks?" When meeting director Wang Fulin, the other party also thought that she could not hook up with "beautiful Wang Xifeng", but "Never mind, since she's here, let her receive training first, what can she do? What do you do?"

  The doubts and objections around her, the dismissive attitude of others towards her, never wavered Deng Jie's determination.

From the beginning, she thought she could play Wang Xifeng well.

"Actors need to be able to speak and dare to express. I usually don't know how to speak, but if this occasion is an occasion where I can express and speak, when I have the right to speak, I must do my part and perform well." Deng Jie said this occasion, That is, in front of the camera, you can usually be submerged in the crowd, but you must be the most radiant in front of the camera.

"It stands to reason that I should be 'high pressure', but I don't care at all, and I don't care about those unsatisfactory voices. Anyway, this role is already mine, why? Let's see you on camera!"

  B eternal friendship

  I always miss Chen Xiaoxu

  The phrase "see you on the camera" shows Deng Jie's "spicy" as a Sichuan girl.

She devoted all her attention to Wang Xifeng, and for three and a half years, she did not dare to slack off.

You ask her if she has lived herself as Wang Xifeng - "Only wearing makeup is Wang Xifeng. In my life, I am Lin Daiyu, and I worry about performances. First of all, I am not a Beijinger, and it takes a lot of time to practice Beijing-flavored lines; In addition, the filming is one of the four famous novels, and every day there is a pile of high and thick scripts on the table, and the lines must be memorized, and even today I can still come here with my mouth open." In those years, Deng Jie didn't go anywhere, I haven't even been to a barber shop once, and I don't usually say anything about it, "I'm probably the dirtiest person in the entire crew, my hair and styling are just Shimizu noodles, there's no layering, because I never put much thought into these things. ."

  After three and a half years, Deng Jie's performance captured the hearts of everyone in the crew and was recognized by audiences all over the country. She played the "Feng Lazi" in the original work, and the outside world even commented on "Deng Jie". There will be no Wang Xifeng after that."

  But this kind of fame was something Deng Jie never expected. "In those days when the filming was almost over, I was even worried that I would be criticized for not acting well. Fortunately, no one played Wang Xifeng before me, so there was no preconceived idea. Compared with me , Ouyang Fenqiang and Chen Xiaoxu are more stressed and psychologically burdened." Looking back at the time after more than 30 years, Deng Jie always smiled when talking about this role that she had followed her all her life, and missed her colleagues in the crew who filmed together. .

  In this era of audiences enjoying "memories killing", it is becoming more and more popular to reunite classic crews. In the past few decades, some people have left, some have changed careers, and some have grown old.

Deng Jie said that those days were not easy, but it also forged an eternal friendship in everyone's heart: "For example, Xiaoxu's departure, I am very aware of it. We didn't have much contact during the filming process because there were not many rival scenes. But there was a time when the two of us always participated in the show together. She followed me, and she also went when I went. She would not agree if I didn't go, and thus became very close friends. I was very sad when she left us. unwilling to accept it.”

  C only play what you want to play

  I found a big trick, but I don't want to embarrass myself for exposure

  Deng Jie, who became a household name in the 87th edition of "A Dream of Red Mansions" before the age of 30, did not perform many works in the following years.

When asked why she didn't strike while the iron was hot, she said that it wasn't because she didn't have a script to find her, but because there was a lack of characters that made her really excited: "Maybe the starting point was too high when I first acted, and the script I found has been set for you, and the characters must be like Wang Xifeng is like that, but the plot of the whole play is so much worse than that of "A Dream of Red Mansions", it can't be compared at all. Then I thought, why should I play her? I would rather not play it, because I can't accept it in my heart." Someone once asked her that she should find ways to climb the peak after creating a classic role, so she is not afraid of someone guessing, "Is there no one looking for Deng Jie to act? Or Wang Xifeng is too difficult to surpass?" "I'm not the same as others, I never make these comments. I care too much, the acting is because I really like this character, just like the "Prime Minister Liu Luoguo" that was put in front of me seven years later, when I saw the script, I felt that this play had to be played, because it was so exciting, so good. "Deng Jie said.

  In addition to Wang Xifeng, Deng Jie also hopes to try some different roles, but the TV drama market at that time was relatively narrow, unlike now there are endless dramas and countless projects, she is a good actor, but more attention is on suitability herself, so she chose to go with the flow of the law of survival in the entertainment industry, not necessarily to fight for something, but to express her desire for artistic creation within a limited time.

  Of course, during this period, she also met a lot of good characters, Mrs. Liu in "Prime Minister Liu Luoguo", and Concubine Yi in the TV series "Kangxi Weifu Private Interview", each of which is enough to be regarded as a classic in the history of TV dramas.

"After all, I also did some dramas, and then I was able to play the roles of my mother-in-law and mother. To be honest, I felt that my image didn't seem right. It wasn't that I didn't want to play an old role, but It’s really not suitable. I want to play a good script and a good role. If I can’t, I just go home and bring my children. I still think the family should be the priority.” Deng Jie said with a smile that this industry is indeed full of temptations. The TV drama market is very hot, and there are really many people who come to her with scripts. "But I don't want to stay on the set for exposure. It's very uncomfortable."

  D show couple

  He is more serious than me, and I believe more in the natural feeling that comes naturally

  When it comes to Deng Jie, the topic cannot escape her husband Zhang Guoli.

  In 2019, Deng Jie rarely appeared in the variety show "Happy Trio". Among the three star couples, she and Zhang Guoli were the most interesting, plain but sweet, with a unique warmth and fireworks between traditional Chinese couples.

Occasionally, the two of them "fight each other" because of some living habits, but they always dote on and care about each other enough in their hearts.

After the program was broadcast, many articles were titled "Deng Jie teaches you how to keep love fresh" and "Deng Jie teaches you how to fall in love" to attract readers.

In fact, Deng Jie has been preparing for a long time before the last show, "If I can act in my true colors, I don't pretend, but I have too many restrictions, I can agree. It is true that we are usually busy, and this show just allows us to get along for a long time. I haven't had such a day for many years. So, I asked my child for advice, and before I went, I also agreed with Zhang Guoli that he must act and live in his true colors throughout the whole process. It will save him face (laughs)."

  Most of the couples in the entertainment industry have become attached to dramas, and Deng Jie and Zhang Guoli are no exception. Since their first cooperation in the TV series "Password Not Leaked" in 1984, they have collaborated on many works along the way, such as "Stagnant Water" and "Kangxi Weifu Private Interview". ""The Son of Heaven"... Deng Jie joked, "We started working together very early, and in the end there was a 'break up' (laughs)."

  "Really, after working together, I feel more and more that it is better not to cooperate, and always quarrel on the set. What's the point? Especially after he (Zhang Guoli) became a director, he didn't recognize his six relatives. I began to think that directors would be open to actresses. , you should be more lenient with your wife. As a result, I stuttered when I said the lines, and he was far away, shouting with a loudspeaker, which didn't give me face. I He didn't accept it either, saying 'what do you mean, it's just a slap in the face, I'm a human, not a repeater', then the script flicked and left (laughs)."

  "You are both actors, can you compare who is better than each other?" The reporter asked, Deng Jie thought for a while: "Actually, our styles are completely different. He is more serious than me about roles and scripts. I can't be wrong; I'm a Sichuan Opera actor, so my Mandarin may not be that authentic, so every time I have a similar problem, he accuses me, saying that my acting is a game state. But to be honest, I'm sure I can handle some roles at first glance, such as Mrs. Liu, I think I can act in my true colors, but he thinks why you are not serious, but I insist on a natural feeling that comes naturally." However, Deng Jie also reflected on it afterwards, and she relied more on instinct in her performance. : "I think acting still needs talent. Although I have less output now, I believe that as long as I appear in front of the camera and stand on the stage, I can walk into the heart of the character, and the character will naturally possess me. I always believe that, Acting is in my blood and I know how to do it."

  【dialogue】

  Deng Jie: Praise has never made me feel any different

  Beijing News: Over the years, you have been working hard for this industry in your own way, such as being the producer of the movie "Singing Alive", and doing a lot for the promotion of Sichuan Opera.

  Deng Jie: Sichuan Opera is in my blood. I was born as a Sichuan Opera actor, and their stories are worth knowing.

At the beginning, everyone always said that this film could not recover the cost, the subject matter was relatively small, no one paid attention, and even Zhang Guoli was not very supportive, I was afraid that I would not be able to hold these young creators.

But it's something I like and should do, and I'm afraid of ruining my artistic creation, so I have to do it well at all costs.

  Beijing News: Zhang Guoli said that you have lived your life the way you want at every stage. Do you agree with this?

  Deng Jie: In fact, there will be regrets at every stage, but the results every time are pretty good. For example, "Singing Alive", I have a mentality of "If you can shoot it, you will win". Everyone, it doesn't matter, just do it.

Later, we went to the Cannes Film Festival and the Shanghai Film Festival, and we won two awards. I was so surprised and felt very good.

  Beijing News: Is your mentality of not demanding everything suitable for the entertainment industry?

  Deng Jie: In fact, it is not suitable. The entertainment industry is indeed a place full of temptations, but just like the golden hairpin in "A Dream of Red Mansions" falling into a well, what should be yours is yours. Not force.

For example, a lot of people persuaded me to act. There was a movie before that asked me to play the female lead. No matter what, I didn’t act because it didn’t suit me. It wasn’t because I was stubborn. Act what other people want, but act what I want.

  Beijing News: This calm should be difficult to maintain. After all, you have received a lot of compliments?

  Deng Jie: Yes, but praise will never make me feel any different. I can look at myself outside of the evaluation. For example, many people will use the words "brilliant" when evaluating my performances in "Dream of Red Mansions" and "Prime Minister Liu Luoguo". At first, I thought that this evaluation could not be applied to everyone, and I also doubted it. I thought it was because everyone loved them and thought, "Do I really have such a trait?"

But when I turned around, I was 40 years old when I acted in "Prime Minister Liu Luoguo", and the maid next to me was only 16 years old. At that time, I also wondered "what does this mean", but would silently tell myself, "I'll see you in front of the camera then. Bar".

I would think I have an edge in front of the camera and that's where my confidence lies.

Even now, I am not afraid of who is younger or taller than me in acting (laughs).

  Beijing News: With that confidence, you won't be afraid of getting older?

  Deng Jie: This (getting old) is a fact, what should I do?

Afraid of what use?

I think don't be afraid, let's face it.

  Beijing News: But the outside world will discuss it, such as comparing the photos of you when you were young with the current ones. If you see false reports, you should be very angry because of your personality?

  Deng Jie: I seem to automatically block these things, because it has nothing to do with me. I will also see false reports, and I will be fine for a while (laughs).

  Beijing News: Remember a detail in the variety show "Happy Trio", Zhang Guoli plays music on CDs, and you use Bluetooth speakers. You seem to be more receptive to new things?

  Deng Jie: Yes, in this regard, I am quite keeping pace with the times. Because I have children around me, I must master new trends as soon as possible, and maintain a never-outdated mentality, so as not to derail and bring convenience to my family.

  Beijing News: Has your acting changed since then?

  Deng Jie: No, I'm getting more and more calm. I never think about how I am in this circle, and I don't want to know what the future will be like. I will always live in the present.

  Beijing News: So the phrase "presenting a satisfied self at every stage" really exists?

Maybe because you have something that other people want to have?

  Deng Jie: There must be some points of dissatisfaction, but these are not bad things for me, they are experiences.

I also had a period of "nothing", and I also had many setbacks, such as the five years in the Sichuan Opera School and the five years in the Sichuan Opera Theater. During those ten years, I was extremely depressed and confused. When I didn't encounter opportunities, I was very depressed. , Crying is useless, not even anyone who can cry.

But "I am born to be useful", I thought about this sentence.

I have always felt that I will not waste my whole life. After all, life is inspirational. As for the specifics, I have no specific goals or real plans, so I will move forward calmly.

  Written by version B02-B03/Beijing News reporter Zhou Huixiaowan