Renowned screenwriter Chen Yu defied conventions by releasing his new novel "Under the Light" this past Sunday in Beijing, an adaptation of the hit 2023 anti-corruption film of the same name. This practice is rare, as novels typically precede their film adaptations.

Screenplay writer Chen Yu speaks at a book launch event for his new book "Under the Light" in Beijing, Jan. 21, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Askwin]

At the book launch event, Chen expressed his hope that the novel would enrich the story and delve deeper into plot elements that director Zhang Yimou couldn't explore in the film. He highlighted that in the novel, the relationship between the two young police officers, depicted as lovers, is given more depth, and their characters are more thoroughly developed. Moreover, the policewoman's fate differs from that in the film.

"Literature and motion pictures are two different art forms, so I understand director Zhang's choices of what to include or exclude," the writer said. "He has his unique vision and style. I believe this novel will offer a fulfilling and expansive experience for fans of the film. It's also my foray into writing a suspense novel."

A poster for "Under the Light." [Image courtesy of Enlight Media]

"Under the Light," in production since 2017, was the first project on which Chen collaborated with Zhang. Their subsequent collaborations, "Snipers" and "Full River Red," were released in 2022 and early 2023, respectively. "Under the Light" faced delays but eventually premiered during the National Day holiday on Sept. 28, 2023. It went on to gross 1.35 billion yuan (US$188 million), becoming the box office champion for the holiday season and ranking among the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2023.

Zhang's final cut of "Under the Light" was hailed for its vibrant urban atmosphere, featuring a cast of esteemed Chinese actors such as Zhang Guoli, Yu Hewei, Lei Jiayin, Zhou Dongyu, and Joan Chen. The narrative revolves around a young police officer, the son of the vice mayor, as he embarks on a thrilling investigation. The movie showcases the intelligence and courage of police officers as they delve into the murky pasts of influential figures like the vice mayor and his business associates. With its sleek and stylish presentation, the film stands as Zhang's most intricate and somber tale in recent years, representing a fresh direction for the acclaimed director.

Chen Yu revealed how he conducted in-depth research on real cases, documents, and online news reports during his creative process. He also drew inspiration from other excellent literary works. He noted that artists, filmmakers, and writers are like engineers of human emotions, constantly exploring the inner worlds of humans. "I think that any good artistic creation reflects our self-awareness and portrays an understanding of human nature."

As an avid believer in stage dramas and films as the best storytelling mediums, Chen also shared his thoughts on ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI). "AI can assist with post-production, visual effects, and other aspects and replace the traditional roles in these areas. But in terms of creation, it can only combine and integrate things that we have created before to generate content. It still cannot generate new ideas that have never existed in the world. Therefore, I believe that AI cannot replace writers in the near future."

The book cover art for "Under the Light" novel. [Image courtesy of Flower City Publishing House]

The discussion also featured insights from another renowned screenwriter, Song Fangjin, and stage actor Jin Guangfa. They delved into various topics, including the artistic merits and vision of "Under the Light," the interplay of screenplay and literature, and the influence of short videos on film production and marketing. The event was hosted by Zhang Wenbo, CEO of Bravo Entertainment, a movie promotion and marketing firm, who added his perspectives to the conversation.

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