The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 589 Invitation from the Chief Seal of Venice

Cannes is very beautiful in late May. The weather is suitable at this time, neither too cold nor too hot.

The maple trees on the street are covered with young leaves.

The passionate French girl wears a miniskirt and shows off her figure generously.

Not to mention the Cannes Film Festival, even if there is no festival, this is a very suitable place for travel and rest.

Lee Sheng Yew only had three days to spare, and it took almost two days to go back and forth. He only came to Cannes to attend the awards show.

The biggest winner at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival was French director Abdé Cocchiux, whose "La Vie Adèle" won the Palme d'Or.

Then there are the Coen brothers, whose "The Ballad of Drunkenness" won the Grand Jury Prize.

The Coen brothers have been very lucky in winning awards at Cannes. They have already won two Palme d'Or awards. This time they almost set a new record in Cannes and won three Palme d'Or awards.

In addition, Chinese-language films also have great honors. Chief Jia won the Best Screenplay Award for "Destiny".

Island countries, peninsulas, Tyrande, Asan and other Asian countries have not made any breakthroughs.

Although Peninsula movies are often boasted by some kneeling people on the Internet, compared with art films, China's honor in Asia is second only to the island country. There is no need for Lao Mouzi to fight. Chief Jia's honor is almost the same as that of Peninsula.

The award presented by Lee Sung Yew was for Best Actress, and the winner was Bérénice Bejo, an actress who was born in Argentina and worked in the French film industry. She is pretty and has a very hot figure.

After the awards show ended, Li Shengyao greeted Zhang Manyu and agreed to rush to Bangkok early the next morning.

Before going back, they will also attend a film festival celebration banquet.

The organizers of Cannes knew that there had been various red carpets before, but this final celebration banquet also had a red carpet, and hundreds of reporters were arranged to take photos.

This time, Li Shengyao took Zhang Manyu with him.

Maggie Cheung is considered a legendary actress in Cannes, so she naturally has no stage fright.

If you use too much power, you will feel guilty.

She held her breast slightly and curled her neck to prevent herself from erecting so hard.

She thought about Zhang Yuqi and Pi Bingbing, who were constantly being pressured online in mainland China, but neither of them attended the awards show.

She felt that she could participate and gain a wave of traffic.

So she asked Li Shengyao to bring her over, but at this time the flashing lights were constantly flashing. Zhang Manyu and Li Shengyao were used to it. Both of them had works and confidence, but they did not have the power, so she felt very empty.

Luckily the red carpet wasn't too long.

Da Mi Mi quickly followed Li Shengyao.

Li Shengyao laughed, "Are you nervous?"

"Tch, why am I nervous?"

Da Mi Mi was unwilling to admit that she felt guilty. She put her hands on her hips and moved to the left and right, trying to look calmer.

"Your forehead is sweating."

"is it?"

Da Mi Mi subconsciously touched her forehead, but found no sweat. She knew she had been tricked by Li Shengyao and couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Are you not nervous anymore?"

"Ok!"

Although I was reluctant, I have to say that I felt less nervous after saying this to Li Shengyao.

After walking through the red carpet and entering the hotel, Zhang Manyu smiled and went to chat with friends.

Li Shengyao sat down with Da Mimi and said, "Let's have something to eat. Did you not eat in the afternoon?"

Many female celebrities do not eat before the party in order to lose weight and look better in dresses.

Da Mi Mi did not eat in the afternoon.

She was slightly moved when she heard Li Shengyao's words, but she has always been a mean-mouthed person.

"I'm not hungry. I've recently gotten into shape."

"Whatever you want, I'm going to eat."

In Li Shengyao's view, it is better to sit down and have a good meal than to spend time making friends with celebrity directors from various countries.

French food is pretty good.

He then sat down and started eating generously.

Da Mi Mi kept holding her belly in, and she couldn't help but feel excited when she saw this. However, she thought about what she had just said, and still didn't eat. She turned her head and looked at the others.

Li Shengyao doesn't want to go socializing, but because of his popularity, he doesn't need to move around, people come here automatically.

"Li, didn't you have lunch this afternoon?"

"Lee, come on, let's take a picture."

"Wow, the woman next to you is so beautiful. Is she your friend?"

Three emerging directors, Apichatpong, Reygadas and Wes Anderson, came together.

The three of them, plus Lee Sung-yew, are all Cannes darlings and have either won the Palme d'Or or the Best Director Award.

Many local media believe that the four of them will be the backbone of Cannes in the future.

Li Shengyao took a tissue, wiped his mouth, and then took a photo with Wes Anderson and the others.

"Li, are there any activities tonight?"

"No, do you have any activities?"

"Yes, I have a local friend in France. He will hold a party. Are you interested? There will be many movie lovers."

Although Reygadas is from Mexico, he is very outgoing, and since he goes to Cannes almost every year, he has many friends here.

He said "movie lovers" and winked.

Li Shengyao understood what kind of party this was. He had no interest in it. There were too many people and it was unsafe.

He didn't want to get sick and be secretly photographed by the media.

"I have to catch a flight tomorrow and work the day after tomorrow, so I can't go out to play."

"Oh, you're trying so hard."

Seven or eight reporters came over to take photos of the four of them and conduct brief interviews.

After the reporters left, Woody Allen came over with a glass of wine. He talked to Lee Sung-Yew about his new movie, hoping to get some inspiration from Lee Sung-Yew.

After Woody Allen, Ang Lee and Spielberg came together with wine glasses.

Spielberg is the chief judge of this film festival, and Ang Lee is one of the judges.

When Li Shengyao heard the news, he was a little surprised. A director of Ang Lee's level should be the chief judge of the jury. Why did he become an ordinary judge this time?
He guessed that Ang Lee had a deal with Cannes, but it was hard to ask about such things.

At this time, Li An smiled and said, "Director Li, hello."

Spielberg nodded, "Lee, you are still so young. When I see you, I can't help but sigh. We are all old, but you are the only one who has always been so young."

Lee Sing-yew had met Ang Lee and Spielberg as early as when they were filming in Beautiful Country, but they didn't have much communication with each other. When they met at this time, he thought it was just ordinary greetings.

But Spielberg and Ang Lee obviously didn’t think so.

"Director Li, if you are not participating in the Cannes International Film Festival this year, the movie has not been produced yet, okay?"

“Post-production hasn’t been completed yet.”

Lee Sing-yew did not reveal the news about the post-production completion of "Dalian by the Sea".

Spielberg took a sip of wine and then said: "Lee, why doesn't your movie participate in the Oscars?"

The Oscars are not an international film festival, they are an internal awards ceremony in a beautiful country.However, the Oscar has Best Foreign Film, and sometimes the Best Foreign Film can also win the Best Picture Award.

Just like "Parasite" in Lee Sung-yew's previous life, it won two Oscars for Best Foreign Film and Best Picture.

The reason why Lee Sung Yew does not participate in the Oscars is very simple. He does not like to spend money to operate. In this case, it is impossible for him to win an award.

There are more than 9000 Oscar judges, of which about 90 are from the Chinese film industry and about 6000 are from Beautiful Country.

If you want to win honors at the Oscars, you must either have money and connections to lobby the judges, or you must have a good reputation and create a movie-watching craze in a beautiful country, so the judges will not dare to cheat.

The films that Lee Sing-yew has completed so far, such as "1937" and "Parasite", are actually good at the domestic box office, but they are far from reaching the movie-going craze.

Under such circumstances, he was reluctant to spend money and naturally had no hope of winning the prize.

If you can't win a prize, then there is no need to participate.

Without waiting for Li Shengyao's reply, Ang Lee continued: "Director Li, the Oscars very much welcomes an excellent director like you. You can consider it."

"Yes, Lee, an Oscar can help you become a top director in Hollywood."

When Spielberg talks about Hollywood, the pride hidden in his eyes is very obvious.

Lee Sheng-yew did not point it out. He could understand Spielberg's thoughts. After all, the beautiful country is the largest film market in the world today.

Countless actors and directors rush to Los Angeles every year. The country’s filmmakers are worthy of being proud.

"Okay, thank you both for your suggestions. If my movie is completed, I will consider going to the Oscars."

Spielberg and Ang Lee were very happy when they heard this, and then chatted with Lee Sheng-yao for a while before leaving.

Da Mi Mi had been sitting next to him. She couldn't help it anymore. She was so hungry that she picked up a French pastry and started eating.

"That Spielberg just now felt so arrogant."

Spielberg is a Jew, one of America's top directors and one of the best producers.

This man usually looks quite gentle, but there is no sign of his turning against him. Just like a Jew doing business, he cannot be said to be arrogant, but he has a sense of distance towards others.

"Don't pay attention to him and refuse to be mentally drained."

Da Mi Mi snorted softly, and then continued to eat pastries.

Li Shengyao took out his mobile phone and took several eight-shot pictures for her.

Seeing this, Da Mi Mi said softly: "Brother! I hate it!"

At this moment, Al Pacino came over with Robert De Niro and Nicolas Cage, and all three seemed to be in good condition.

Al Pacino and De Niro are both relatively old. They are now semi-retired and only come out to work when they have good movies.

Nicolas Cage is not picky. As long as you give him money, he will make a movie for you. No matter what the subject is, you can act in it.

Probably because he has no money to squander, Nicolas Cage is not as chic as he was when he was young, and his eyes are a little wandering.

"Li, if you have a new movie, don't forget us old guys, we can still act."

"Li, I heard that you are preparing a new movie in Tyrande. I hope your new movie will be more exciting and receive higher honors."

It turns out I came here to brush up on impression points.

Li Shengyao liked these three actors, so he chatted with them for a while and said that if there were suitable roles for them, they would definitely leave. The three of them left with satisfaction.

Da Mi Mi raised his head and stared blankly at Al Pacino who was walking away.

"The godfather feels completely different!"

Once Al Pacino acts, it's a completely different state.

He is very casual in his daily life and does not look like a star at all.

Li Shengyao smiled and said, "Do you like him? If you didn't tell me earlier, let him sign your autograph."

Da Mi Mi shook his head, "Don't bother, I just felt it.

Brother, I didn’t expect you to be more popular here than outside. Big directors and actors are looking for you to chat. "

Li Shengyao poured himself a glass of orange juice and said, "It's a joke."

"cut."

The two were chatting without a word, and at this moment Jacob led a bald man about 60 years old over.

"Li, let me introduce you, this is Alberto Barbara."

Alberto Barbara is the official seal of the Venice Film Festival, which just took over last year.

Jacob is the official seal of the Cannes Film Festival.

Li Shengyao was a little surprised when he heard this.

"Barbara has something she wants to talk to you about. I'm leaving first."

Alberto Barbara has a traditional Italian look, and if he weren't bald, he would be somewhat similar to Al Pacino.

At this time, he was wearing a suit, very formal.

"Li, I'm taking the liberty. I originally wanted to visit you privately, but after Jacob finds out, he must come over and introduce you to me in person."

Jacob obviously does not want Lee Sheng Yew and Barbara to get close.

But now Barbara's words had a hint of provocation.

When Li Shengyao heard this, he had no unnecessary expression.

Upon seeing this, Barbara immediately said: "Li, the Venice Film Festival welcomes you. Like Marco, I welcome you Chinese filmmakers to Venice."

The Marco that Barbara is talking about is the former chief seal of the Venice Film Festival, named Marco Muller.

Marco is a master of China. He likes Chinese culture very much. In the 70s, when China was very poor, he came to study abroad.

Later, he became a senior executive of the Venice Film Festival and actively led Chinese films to enter the Venice Film Festival.

Marco was responsible for the introduction of Lao Mouzi's "Raise the Red Lantern".

Later, the Venice Film Festival almost became a blessed place for Chinese-language films, winning awards every now and then.

Barbara took over the Venice Film Festival last year, and he naturally hopes that the Venice Film Festival can become even more glorious under his leadership.

And now he needs to rebuild his contacts and make new friends with superstars and outstanding directors.

After entering the new century, as Italy's economy became worse and worse, the beautiful country supported the Toronto Film Festival.

Many times, before the Venice International Film Festival ends, [-] to [-] percent of the reporters leave and go to the Toronto Film Festival.

This has led to the Venice Film Festival’s starlight being even dimmer.

During the Marco period, in order to revitalize the Venice Film Festival, Marco would invite a large number of Hollywood films to each edition. Basically, Hollywood films would win one or two awards.

Now that Barbara was in charge, he had no connections and could not contact the Hollywood superstars for the time being. When he saw Lee Sheng Yew, he went over as soon as possible.

Upon hearing this, Li Shengyao naturally said that he would definitely go if he had the chance.

Barbara said excitedly: "Li, this year is your opportunity. I heard that you are filming your second movie. I believe that you will have a work by then and you must come to Venice.

I am 100% sincere. As long as your film is of high quality and can be valued by the judges, it will definitely receive honors. "

Li Shengyao was a little moved when he heard this, but he did not agree immediately.

Barbara continued: "Li, we have a long history of cooperation with Chinese filmmakers. We should continue this friendship and let Chinese films shine in Venice."

For this reason, Li Shengyao planned to reveal a few words.

"Mr. Barbara, if our film is completed, I will participate in this year's Venice Film Festival."

When Barbara heard this, an exciting smile broke out on her face, "That's great, Li, we welcome you very much. You will definitely receive the most solemn reception in Venice."

(End of this chapter)