The King of Directors 2000

It rained lightly outside today, sparsely, with the May wind, but it wasn't cold at all. On the contrary, it felt like crisp spring rain.

The Gallic Theater in Cannes was particularly lively at this time. Not only were there a group of actors and directors, but also a group of idols from the Peninsula and their fanatical fans.

The crew of "La La Land" also came over.

Four people, Li Shengyao, Chen Hao, Li Lianhua and Sui Yueming, stood in a row.

The reason why it is so lively here today is because this year's Cannes Film Festival also has an Asian Culture Day event.

Li Shengyao naturally represents China, and Kore-eda Hirokazu came over to represent the island nation.

There are no Peninsula films participating in this year's Cannes Film Festival, but Peninsula has always been very confident in its men's and women's teams. They arranged for a men's team and a women's team to come over.

At this time, the idols of Peninsula were singing and dancing, and the young fans were very excited to watch.

However, the eyes of older people are not so kind.

As a major cultural country in Asia, both China and the island countries recommend their own country's best movies. Only Peninsula does not recommend movies on the cultural day of the film festival. It even arranges for people to sing and dance. I have to say that the people of Peninsula have really different ideas. .

Li Shengyao stood aside and watched with a smile without saying anything extra.

Chen Hao felt that all the attention at the scene was attracted by the idols from Peninsula. He was a little dissatisfied and muttered in a low voice, "Why don't the film festival promote movies and do singing and dancing at the scene? Isn't this wrong?"

Hearing this, Li Shengyao patted the back of Chen Hao's hand and said, "The scene looked lively, but in fact, the lack of presence on the stage made these old Europeans even more nauseated."

In his previous life, several major events on the peninsula had arranged for male and female groups to sing and dance on stage. They thought that such behavior was a kind of fashionable culture. In fact, European and American dads looked down on it, and they all treated it as a joke. .

On Asian Culture Day, each country recommends an outstanding film from its own country.

Although the limelight was stolen by the idols of Peninsula, the top management of the film festival and the judges knew that they would not look down on Peninsula movies just because the idols have many fans.

"Oh, I hate them."

After all, Peninsula idols stole attention, and everyone felt a little unhappy.

Li Shengyao was naturally unhappy.

However, Chen Hao's words that day reminded him that since he had participated, he should actively strive for it and not leave everything to God.

"La La Land" has been screened, and the effect was very good. After the movie ended, the audience received very warm applause.

Later, film critics' evaluations in various media were also very good.

Compared with "Return" and "Tai Ping Wheel", "One Step Away" can be said to be a heaven and an earth.

Many film critics, directors, and actors have said that this time Lee Sung-yew is extremely challenging.

I think "La La Land" is very good and eye-catching. It is the best musical film in recent years.

Under such circumstances, the reputation of "La La Land" has increased.

Li Shengyao does not need to be like Lao Mouzi and Jiang Wen, who knew at a glance that there was no hope and left Cannes in a hurry.

He can more or less expect that the film will win awards.

Therefore, Lee Sheng Yew did not buy a plane ticket overnight and did not leave Cannes.

On the contrary, in order to further expand "La La Land", let more people know about this movie, and subtly deepen the impression of the movie in the minds of the judges.

Lee Sheung Yew has been very active in recent days.

He was interviewed by local television in Cannes and also by the French Cinema Channel.

There are also local newspapers in Cannes, and AFP.

As well as Cahiers du Cinéma events, there was also a gathering of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure du Cinema et Sound.

He participated in any venue that could increase his exposure.

He even feels like a blanket star now. Of course, blanket stars don’t have works, but he does.

Under such circumstances, "La La Land" received more exposure.

Many people are discussing this musical.

I came to participate in this Asian Culture Day event today, even though it stole the attention from Peninsula idols.

But there is nothing to be angry about. After all, on such a cultural day, everyone should do what they want.

While they were chatting in low voices, some elderly tourists entered the Grand Theater and wandered at the entrance of the screening hall on the Chinese side.

Li Shengyao glanced at Li Lianhua and Xu Yueming, and the two immediately understood and stepped forward together with volunteers to explain the cultural phenomenon represented in the film to the tourists.

Lee Sing-yew still stood where he was, guarding the "La La Land" billboard.

Chen Hao stood next to Li Shengyao. She couldn't sit still and asked: "Lao Li, do you think there are many good films in this film festival?"

"Quite a lot."

This is not a polite statement. Several of the films that have been screened have been well received.

Like "Hibernation" from Turkey, "Miracle" from Italy, "White God" from Hungary, "Salt of the Earth" from Germany...

These movies have received high reviews.

Of course, these films are mainly literary films and are not widely distributed.

In Lee Sung-yao's previous life, all these movies combined were not as popular as "La La Land".

Although high popularity does not mean high quality, it can be said to have a wide audience.

To a greater or lesser extent, it can influence the film festival judges.

Chen Hao nodded and then asked, "Where are Teacher Lu and Teacher Tang?"

"They went to England to play."

Lu Guanting and Tang Shuchen were originally looking forward to the film's soundtrack and hoped to win a technical award.

However, the two of them lost confidence after spending a few days in Cannes.

The soundtrack they gave to "La La Land" has many Chinese elements.

The two of them felt that people in France had little interest in Chinese elements. In addition, they were older and did not want to be tense all the time.

I planned to visit the UK.

Lu Guanting said that if he can really win the award, it will be led by Li Shengyao. If not, then forget it.

Chen Hao heard this and laughed, "If we have time, we will go to Spain or Greece. There is nothing to do in the UK."

Spain and Greece are indeed more romantic. Li Shengyao nodded, "Okay, that's fine."

While the two were chatting, Jane Campion, the chief judge of the jury, came over. Naturally, she saw the Peninsula idols who had set up the stage for the performance. She glanced at it and turned away, and enthusiastically came to the movie theater on the Huaxia side. .

"Li, you really love movies. What movie are you showing this time?"

""Raise the Red Lantern"."

Raise the Red Lantern was not selected by Lee Sing-yew, but by the Ministry of Culture.

The Cannes Film Festival has held several Chinese Culture Week events before, and "Farewell My Concubine" is almost a must-recommend movie.

The leaders of the Ministry of Culture thought that it could not be "Farewell My Concubine" every time, so they chose "Raise the Red Lantern" this time.

Lee Sheng-yew then introduced to Campion this classic film by Lao Mouzi.

Campion should have seen this film, after all the composition and color in this film are world class.

However, she was very considerate and listened patiently to Li Shengyao's explanation. Then she nodded, smiled and waved goodbye, and went to see other exhibition halls.

Chen Hao stood aside, a little envious.

Campion is a female director.

The director of the highly acclaimed Italian film "Miracle" a few days ago is also a woman, named Alice Lovach. At a glance, you can tell that she is a rising new force in the film industry.

Chen Hao couldn't help comparing himself and felt ashamed. Seeing this, Li Shengyao smiled and squeezed Chen Hao's hand, "They don't have husbands who have won two Palme d'Or."

……

At 2014pm on May 5, 20, it was one day before the Cannes Film Festival Awards Ceremony.

The cast of "La La Land" gathered for dinner at a seaside restaurant in Cannes.

This restaurant is quite famous in the local area and can be considered an Internet celebrity restaurant. The price is relatively expensive, but the taste is really good.

While they were eating, a middle-aged East Asian man and woman walked into the restaurant.

Li Lianhua had sharp eyes. When she saw someone coming, she immediately reminded Li Shengyao, "Director, Chief Jia is here."

Li Shengyao smiled when he heard this, and then waved to say hello to Section Chief Jia.

"Director Li, would you like to share a table?"

"of course."

So Section Chief Jia and Zhao Tao sat over together. After the two of them ordered their dishes, Section Chief Jia looked at Li Shengyao blankly.

"Director Jia, what's your look like?"

"See what's different about you."

Chief Jia Ke replied with a sour tone.

He then added: "I asked Zhang Manyu four or five times, but she didn't agree, but you succeeded as soon as you took action.

And if you win prizes, you will be more lucky to win prizes.

It happens almost immediately. If I had your luck in winning awards, I would be the number one director in Asia. "

Li Shengyao laughed when he heard this, "Then do you see any difference?"

"No, it means you are more handsome and taller."

When he said this, his eyes lit up, "Yes, he is tall and handsome, and he is even more favored by the female judges."

Upon hearing this, Li Shengyao smiled and waved his hands, "How can there be any truth in this? If this were really the case, DiCaprio and Brad Pitt would have changed careers and become directors long ago."

Chief Jia asked for a glass of water, then took a sip of water and did not answer any more words.

When the steak ordered by Mr. and Mrs. Jia arrived, Mr. Jia cut the steak with a knife and fork and asked in a low voice: "Director Li, next year I want to make a movie that reflects the changes of the times."

Li Shengyao looked at Section Chief Jia for a moment speechless.

Isn't this bullshit?

Lao Jia, don’t your movies all reflect the confusion of young people in small towns under social changes?

Chief Jia didn't notice Li Shengyao's eyes, and continued: "This time, the main perspective of the movie is on a woman. From her falling in love, getting married, giving birth to a child, and then her child growing up, her story of dying alone, what do you think? How about it?"

Li Shengyao immediately understood that this was "Old Friends in Mountains and Rivers".

He personally likes this movie very much. Compared with Chief Jia's previous movies, "Old Friends in Mountains and Rivers" can be regarded as Chief Jia's masterpiece and very mature.

In Lee Sheng-yew's previous life, "We Are Old" will be participating in the Cannes Film Festival next year. It has a good reputation. At the end of the film screening, there was applause for a full minute.

However, I still lacked a bit of luck, and finally entered the 20th film selection, but unfortunately I didn't win the award.

Li Shengyao felt that Chief Jia did not have such a good relationship with the Cannes Film Festival. If this film had been placed at the Venice Film Festival, it might have won an award.

He couldn't help but ask: "Do you want to participate in next year's Cannes Film Festival?"

"correct."

The reason why Chief Jia agreed to be a judge this year was to increase his presence and let French directors, judges, and media remember him.

This way, if he comes here next year, others will look more familiar to him, and maybe he can win an award.

Li Shengyao smiled and said, "Why not go to the Venice Film Festival?"

"I already have a Golden Lion Award, and I want to compete for the Palme d'Or in Cannes."

"Director Jia, I think this is hard to say. It's better to find a place where you have better luck. Maybe you will have greater hope of winning the prize."

Chief Jia has a very good relationship with the main seal of the Venice Film Festival. If "Old Friends in Mountains and Rivers" is placed at the Venice Film Festival, it is really possible to win an award.

This film has greater hope if it is placed at the Berlin Film Festival.

The movie tells about the idea of ​​"going west". The heroine's husband and son go to Australia and start a Western-style life. Although they are very confused, they have a tendency in this regard.

This is even more obvious when Chief Jia uses the interlude "go west" in the movie.

The Berlin Film Festival likes such ideological films.

As a young man from a small town in the 1970s, it is normal for Chief Jia to yearn for the West.

It’s not that he is patriotic if he yearns for the West. This movie was released in the mainland, which shows that the higher authorities recognize his ideas.

Section Chief Jia heard Li Shengyao's words and was silent for a long time without answering.

Li Lianhua, Yue Ming and others did not dare to speak.

It was natural for Li Shengyao to persuade him kindly.

In his previous life, "Old Friends in Mountains and Rivers" received high reputation but did not win any awards.

Might as well go to the Venice Film Festival.

"Director Li, thank you for your reminder. I will consider it carefully."

Jia Zhangke spoke first.

He spoke, and the atmosphere immediately became much better.

Zhao Tao and Chen Hao and Li Lianhua started chatting about something.

When they had almost finished eating, Section Chief Jia whispered: "Director Li, I just came here to see you. I really want to see if there is anything special about you."

He sighed and then said: "Brother, prepare well, you may have good luck tomorrow."

Chief Jia is a judge, so he naturally communicates with other judges frequently and knows some inside information.

Even though the awards have not yet been voted on, the judges still have some idea of ​​which movies they prefer.

When Li Shengyao heard this, he immediately understood what Section Chief Jia meant.

His breathing was a little heavier. It seemed that he had gained something again this time. God was treating him well.

He tried to calm himself down, "Okay, I understand."

Section Chief Jia looked deeply at Li Shengyao, and then left with Zhao Tao.

Neither Li Lianhua nor Yue Yueming left. They looked at Li Shengyao with intense eyes.

They all heard what Section Chief Jia just said and naturally understood what it meant.

Li Shengyao smiled and waved, "Let's have a good night's rest. Let's see if we have good luck tomorrow."

The group then dispersed.

Li Shengyao did not go to the hotel immediately. He held Chen Hao's hand and looked at the sea not far away.

Chen Hao was very excited, "Lao Li, let's go back to the hotel and have a drink."

Li Shengyao almost never drank alcohol, but sometimes he would take a sip just to cheer him up. He understood what Chen Hao meant and nodded, "Let's go."

Have a big fight tonight and wait for good luck tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)