The King of Directors 2000

It seems like ten days have passed in the blink of an eye, and the lively Venice Film Festival has come to an end.

The film festival awards show will be held tomorrow night.

In the past few days, not only Simon Yam has been engaged in business activities, but Maggie Cheung has also left Venice.

Only Li Shengyao took Dapeng, Bi Gan, and Wen Muye to watch a movie on Lido Island.

To be honest, the movies in the next few days are far less good than the movies in the previous days.

However, whether you are watching a movie or reading a novel, you should look at the advantages. If you look at the shortcomings and find faults, then naturally there will be nothing to watch.

Although the quality of the movies shown in the next few days was not as high as the movies in the previous days, Lee Sheng-yew still watched them with gusto. He liked this kind of life very much.

In addition to Lee Sung-yao and the other four, Peter Chan and Sandra Ng were also watching movies at the Venice Film Festival.

Peter Chan saw those movies that were not that good in quality, and the more he watched them, the more he felt that "Three Billboards" was outstanding. He privately said to Sandra Ng: "There are so many screened movies, but the one with the best story is "Three Billboards." Lee Sung-yew is indeed a master of scripts, he can write any kind of scripts, I can’t help but accept this."

Wu Junru watched so many movies with Chen Kexin, and she felt like she was suffering.

She didn't like watching art films.

In her opinion, the only movie that can be watched at this Venice Film Festival is "Three Billboards", so she agrees with Chen Kexin's words.

"You are right, Lee Sheng-yew does have a way of writing scripts."

Seeing that his wife agreed with his words, Peter Chan tentatively asked, "What do you think about me asking him for a script?"

"Try it."

Wu Junru did not ridicule or belittle, which made Chen Kexin relieved.

He has always been very proud in front of his family. He rarely praises other men in front of Wu Junru.

However, considering Lee Sheng-yew's ability to write scripts, he planned to compromise once.

He took action as soon as he thought of it, so he took Wu Junru and contacted Li Shengyao, planning to have a meal together at noon.

At noon, Chen Kexin and Wu Junru met Li Shengyao and four others.

"Director Li, please sit down quickly, please sit down quickly."

Peter Chan then personally poured tea for Lee Sheng Yew. He himself did not drink alcohol this time, but poured a cup of hot tea, trying to make himself appear to have more in common with Lee Sheng Yew.

"Director Li, I want to congratulate you this time. "Three Billboards" will definitely win the award. It's really amazing. It's so rare for someone as young as you to win the Palme d'Or twice in a row and then win the Grand Prix at the Venice Film Festival. "

When Li Shengyao heard this, he looked humble, "Director Chen is joking. The awards show has not started yet. It's hard to say whether I can win the award. How can I say I can win the award so soon."

Chen Kexin shook his head, his small eyes hidden behind the lenses full of determination, "Director Li, I have been paying attention to the local media in Venice these days. After the screening of "Three Billboards", the effect was very good and the reputation was very good. The local media are all praising it.”

Li Shengyao smiled when he heard this, "Really? I didn't pay attention to these things."

"It's true. It wasn't just media reporters who praised it. When Berlutucci was interviewed by reporters, he said that there were several impressive films at this film festival, and he mentioned "Three Billboards"."

Li Shengyao really doesn't know. He has been focusing on watching movies recently and hasn't paid much attention to outside matters.

"Alberto Barbara, the chief secretary of the Venice Film Festival, also praised you, saying that your filmmaking is very mature and that you are a role model for other young directors and worth learning from."

Chen Kexin paused and then said: "I think whether it is Barbara or Bellutucci, they are not praising, but stating a fact. I have watched so many movies, excellent movies from all over the world, but what really makes people There are very few works that stand out in this film festival, and "Three Billboards" is one of them. I'm not exaggerating on purpose, but "Three Billboards" is really excellent, and it's a film that can win awards. .”

Hearing this, Li Shengyao glanced at Chen Kexin.

He knew that this person was someone who had nothing to gain and couldn't afford to be early. He couldn't praise others casually. He must have some back-up plans.

However, what Peter Chan said is not nonsense. The quality of "Three Billboards" is indeed outstanding.

Not to mention that this film can win the Golden Lion Award, it is inevitable that it will enter the final twenty candidates for the main competition.

Seeing that Li Shengyao did not answer, Chen Kexin already understood what Li Shengyao meant.

You can boast as much as you want, I won't make any promises.

Thinking of this, Chen Kexin was slightly disappointed, but he quickly calmed down and decided to ask again. He felt that if he explained the conditions, maybe Li Shengyao would agree.

"Director Li, this time "Sweet Honey" was re-screened on Lido Island, it gave me some ideas. Many of my films have good reviews. Do you think there is any hope for it to be re-screened?"

Mainland people are actually very nostalgic and like old things.

Regarding movie re-releases, in Lee Sheng-yew's previous life, many of Wang's movies were re-released, such as "In the Mood for Love", "Ashes of Time", and "Chungking Express". The box office was average, with a few thousand dollars. Won't wait.

For example, "Titanic" was also re-released, and this movie also received a box office of [-] billion.

He had never heard of Peter Chan's movies being re-screened in the Mainland, but he did have several classic films. If they worked hard, it would not be impossible for them to be re-screened.

Chen Kexin then said: "Director Li, I can get the copyright of those movies. If you are willing to cooperate, then I don't want anything, and all the profits will be yours."

The copyrights for Peter Chan's classic films are naturally in the hands of film companies in Hong Kong, and Peter Chan would not get much money from them.

Now that Chen Kexin said this, it seemed that he had given up huge benefits.

Li Shengyao laughed secretly in his heart, but he did not expose Chen Kexin's words, it was so boring.

"Director Li, I also have some friends who run cinema chains in Hong Kong Island. If you have ideas about cinema chains in Hong Kong Island, I can help you connect them."

Peter Chan did not lie this time, he did have relevant friends.

He really has a few good friends who run theater chains. Although they are not high-quality theater chains in the center of Hong Kong Island, he knows that Lee Sheng Yew has been actively expanding the scale of the theater chain.

Previously, Cheng Long and I were shopping for theaters in Tyrande.

The theater chains on Hong Kong Island can affect the film schedule of Fenghua Films on Hong Kong Island, and he believes that Lee Sheng Yew will be interested.

Li Shengyao was indeed interested, and he was about to reply with a few words, but Chen Kexin quickly continued: "Director Li, there is another advantage for me. I have shares in several film and television cities. I think there is no use in keeping them. You may not need it."

After finishing his words, Chen Kexin did not continue, but looked expectantly at Li Shengyao.

"Director Chen, what do you want me to do?"

"Director Li, I watched a lot of movies at the film festival this time. I found "Three Billboards" to be the most exciting movie. I really like your creative style. They are all movies that combine art and business. I think I invite you to write a manuscript."

A few years ago, Peter Chan climbed onto Jet Li's lap and wanted to film "The Movie". At that time, Peter Chan didn't like Lee Sing-yew's script at all.

Later, Peter Chan realized Lee Sheng Yew's ability to write scripts. He approached an intermediary to invite him to write a script, but Lee Sheng Yew directly refused. Later came "China Partner". It was Peter Chan who secured the leadership of China Film Group Corporation and obtained the right to direct this film.

I filmed "Partners in China", which got a great reputation and received high ratings.

Peter Chan vaguely felt that he had found something that mainland audiences liked, and he began to shoot some more down-to-earth movies. However, his subsequent movies were not as good as "China Partners", let alone "Three Billboards".

Chen Kexin now spoke to Li Shengyao face to face. He really gave up his previous pride and wanted to give it a try.

Hearing this, Li Shengyao smiled and shook his head, "Director Chen, it's hard for me to say this. Now I don't have a clue about the next movie, so I can't promise you."

The three benefits mentioned by Peter Chan are that the Hong Kong Island theater chain is slightly more eye-catching.

However, the prosperous areas in the city center of Hong Kong Island are occupied by several major cinema chains.

Peter Chan said that his friend's theater chain must be in a few poor areas on Hong Kong Island, such as Yuen Long, Tuen Mun and other places. The theater chains in these places are naturally not that important.

To sum up, the advantage of Peter Chan is that it is useless. It has a little use, but it is not worthy of Lee Sheng Yew to write a script for him.

Chen Kexin was disappointed when he heard this.

He thought that he had put down his face and took the initiative to be humble, but he still couldn't get Li Shengyao's commitment.

Although he had expected it, he still stood up awkwardly, and then expressed that he was not feeling well and wanted to leave first.

Li Shengyao was not angry because of this. He was not a stranger and there was no need to be so close.

……

Lee Sheng-yew did not go to the movies in the afternoon. It was not that Peter Chan affected his mood, but that there were several documentaries in the afternoon, which he found uninteresting, so he did not go to the movies.

As the sun set, Li Shengyao received a call from Jiang Wen, who invited Li Shengyao to have a meal together.

Soon after, Li Shengyao met Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen didn't seem to be in very good condition. His eyes were bloodshot, there were dark circles, and his complexion was dull. It was obvious at a glance that he had not rested well.

Zhou Yun looks very beautiful, in excellent condition, and looks very charming. Cao Thief loves her the most.

"Director Jiang, what's wrong with you?"

Before Jiang Wen could speak, Zhou Yun took the lead and said: "Hey, what else can I do? I'm not tired. Others as judges just watch the movie happily, but he is better, throwing himself into it, and he is like a demon. , I think about movies all the time when I go to sleep, I can’t sleep well, that’s what it looks like.”

Jiang Wen smiled and said, "It's not that serious. I just like movies and want to do it well."

Li Shengyao gave a few words of comfort, and then had dinner and tea with Jiang Wen and his wife.

After everyone had finished their meal, Jiang Wen whispered: "Director Li, we judges have basically watched all the movies. Tomorrow morning, everyone will discuss the ownership of each award."

The awards will be given tomorrow night, and it will be the last day to decide who will win the award.

Li Shengyao was a little surprised when he heard this. He didn't expect Jiang Wen to talk to him about this matter.

Jiang Wen raised the tea cup, took a sip of tea, and then said: "There is one thing I want to remind you first."

"You said."

"Recently, "Three Billboards" has gained a good reputation and has been recognized by many people. Some people say that this movie has a high possibility of winning awards."

He glanced at Li Shengyao and continued: "However, these are rumors after all and cannot be taken seriously. Let me tell you, I personally like "Three Billboards" very much. When the time comes, I will vote for "Three Billboards" in many awards. "But if "Three Billboards" doesn't win the award in the end, it won't be that I voted for other movies, but that other movies got more support."

Li Shengyao looked at Jiang Wen, his brain turned, and then he understood what Jiang Wen meant.

Jiang Wen said that he would vote for "Three Billboards", but he couldn't control others.

According to the information he has heard now, it is quite difficult for "Three Billboards" to win an award.

If "Three Billboards" doesn't win the award, he hopes Lee Sheng Yew won't blame him.

After carefully sorting out Jiang Wen's thoughts, Li Shengyao immediately said: "There is a time in life, but there is no time in life. Don't force it. I will definitely not blame you whether you can win the prize, so you don't have to worry."

Jiang Wen breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.

In fact, he has a sense of using himself to save others. In 2007, Jiang Wen participated in the Venice Film Festival with "The Sun Also Rises". The chief seal of the jury of that film festival was Lao Mouzi.

Jiang Wen thought that with his relationship with Lao Mouzi, he was sure of winning the prize.

However, the results came out and "The Sun Also Rises" didn't win any awards.

Since then, Jiang Wen has had much less contact with Lao Mouzi. The two have gradually become distant, that is, they will meet in public and have almost no contact at ordinary times.

He was worried that Lee Sheng Yew would be blamed for not winning the award this time, so he vaccinated Lee Sheng Yew in advance.

After all, he also wants to make new movies in the mainland, and Lee Sheng-yew has the promotional tool of Fenghua Video and Fenghua Cinemas to influence the film schedule.

He thought for a while and then said: "As far as the news I have received now, there are two opinions within the jury. One is to be innovative, and the other is to focus on profit-making films.

"The Police Officer's Wife" was recognized by many judges, but the film was not very good.

However, the film is three hours long and consists of fifty-nine clips, which has never been attempted before. "

He glanced at the glass window. It was dark outside, and then said: "As for the second point, that is because no Italian film has won the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival for several years. This time, many judges want to win the Golden Lion Award." The Lion Award remains in Italy.

"Palermo Flowers" and "Rome Ring Road" have been recognized by many people. "

Hearing this, Li Shengyao felt quite speechless, but he could understand the situation.

After all, it is a film festival that is only interested in profit, and it is normal to prefer its own films.

Jiang Wen continued: "Barbara, Bellutucci, and I, the three of us all like "Three Billboards", but you have won the Palme d'Or twice in a row, and the outside world generally thinks that you are For directors in the Cannes clique, this is also a problem.

So if you can't win the grand prize, don't think too much. I think "Three Billboards" is of sufficient quality. Whether it can win the prize or not depends on luck. "

These words should not have been leaked. Jiang Wen found Li Shengyao, and it was interesting enough to say this.

Li Shengyao nodded, "I understand, no matter what the outcome, I can accept it."

(End of this chapter)