The King of Directors 2000

May finally passed, June opened its arms, swaggered, and descended on the earth with a high profile.

The weather was obviously much hotter, and it rained frequently.

The weather was good this morning, the sun was shining brightly.

At noon, it suddenly started raining heavily, and it seemed as if the entire Pacific Ocean had turned upside down.

In a small courtyard in the Dongcheng District of Yanjing, a middle-aged man with short hair and big pants was sitting under a sun umbrella in the middle of the courtyard, squinting and thinking.

This middle-aged man is the famous Section Chief Jia.

After returning from the Cannes Film Festival, Chief Jia continues to write the script of the new film.

The film is tentatively titled "Old Friend in Mountains and Rivers", and the script has actually been completed a long time ago. However, he has been restless recently and always feels that it is not good enough, so he keeps checking and trying to find the reason for his uneasiness.

It wasn't until last night that he discovered the source of his uneasiness.

He wants to participate in the Cannes Film Festival next year and compete for awards.

During this year's film festival, when communicating with Lee Sung Yew, Lee Sung Yew advised him not to participate in next year's Cannes Film Festival and advised him to go to the Venice Film Festival or the Berlin Film Festival.

Everyone is convinced of Li Shengyao's business vision and ability to win awards.

This became an uneasy factor in Chief Jia's heart.

He wants to participate in the Cannes Film Festival, of course not for the beautiful sea view of Cannes, he just wants to win the prize.

Lee Sheung Yew advised him not to attend Cannes. Did he think that he would not be able to make a difference in Cannes next year?

Is it true that he has no chance at the Cannes Film Festival?

At this moment, there was a knock on the door.

Section Chief Jia stood up and went to open the door. He saw a young man standing at the door with an upright appearance, a smile, and a sunny and warm temperament.

This young man's name is Wei Shujun, who graduated from Huaxia Communication University.

He has directed several short films and is quite talented.

Moreover, Wei Shujun's family has some connections and a little money, and Section Chief Jia has known him for a long time.

"Xiao Wei, come in quickly."

Wei Shujun entered the small courtyard with a bag in his hand and handed the bag to Section Chief Jia, "Uncle, this month's new "Cinema Manual" and "Sight and Sound", I brought them back from abroad."

Neither Cahiers du Cinema nor Sight and Sound are available in Chinese characters.

There are no sales outlets in the mainland. To purchase these two books, you can only buy them abroad.

When Section Chief Jia heard this, he smiled and nodded, "Sit down, let's eat some fruit."

He asked his aunt at home to cut a plate of fruit, and then sat down to chat with Wei Shujun.

Wei Shujun just graduated from college last summer and then opened his own film and television company. He is ambitious and wants to become an excellent film director.

All he can think about now is making his own movie.

He had no experience in making feature films in the past, so he came to see Chief Jia, hoping to get some advice from him.

This guy doesn't want to make ordinary commercial films, he wants to make artistic films.

Section Chief Jia is not a stingy person, so he patiently recounted his own early experiences.

It means making low-budget literary films, showing them at foreign film festivals, winning awards, selling copyrights, and forming a virtuous cycle.

Wei Shujun listened attentively, nodding and asking questions constantly.

After chatting for a full two hours, Section Chief Jia explained all his early experiences clearly. Wei Shujun was very impressed and said some kind words again and again.

Just like what Section Chief Jia does.

Lao Mouzi and the others had already started playing.

But Section Chief Jia should be the final heir to this gameplay.

No one has been as successful as him since.

Today's young directors are more likely to start with commercial films.

After all, commercial films can make money.

When Chief Jia saw Wei Shujun's appearance, he felt a little proud. He started making small-budget art films and finally won the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival. Not everyone can copy this.

Listening to the other party's compliments, he gradually felt that this young man had a vision. Thinking of what he had been thinking about recently, he couldn't help but said: "Xiao Wei, I plan to make a new movie. Do you think I should participate in Cannes next year?" Film festival, or Venice Film Festival?”

Wei Shujun was stunned when he heard this, "Uncle, what kind of movie is it about?"

"Under the great social changes, the mentality and lives of ordinary people have changed."

"Then what did you originally think?"

Chief Jia felt that Wei Shujun was a trustworthy person. After thinking about it, he said, "I originally planned to participate in the Cannes Film Festival. In order to participate in the Cannes Film Festival next year, I will go there and be a judge this year.

And when it comes to selecting roles in the movie, I will use some relatively famous actresses. "

He has already conceived the actors who will play several important roles in the story.

He plans to go to Hong Kong Island in the near future and invite Zhang Manyu to come out. If Zhang Manyu is not willing, he will invite Zhang Sylvia.

Although Sylvia Chang is not as famous as Maggie Cheung in Europe, she has acted in many excellent films and is basically known to professional film critics in Europe.

In fact, he has some ideas in order to hit the Cannes Film Festival.

For example, "Go West" was used as an interlude throughout the movie. This song was once a banned song.

In addition, it will also describe the hero and heroine's yearning for Western life, and arrange for the heroine's children to receive Western education.

Although these things were normal at that time, China's economic aggregate is now the second largest in the world.

The people's self-confidence has been improved.

Such a storyline is bound to be unpopular in China.

Chief Jia knows that after his movie comes out, it will definitely be criticized by many viewers.

But he still wanted to film it. It can be said that he really worked hard to win the prize.

Of course, it is not easy to say these words to Wei Shujun.

Wei Shujun heard what Section Chief Jia said and thought it was normal.

After all, the Cannes Film Festival is the world's number one film festival.

He was curious and didn't understand why he was hesitant. "It's great to participate in the Cannes Film Festival. Uncle, why are you hesitant? Why do you want to participate in the Venice Film Festival?"

Chief Jia took out a pack of cigarettes, handed one to Wei Shujun, and lit one himself, "I have a friend who is very powerful in the industry. He suggested that I participate in the Venice Film Festival. He said that my new movie is not suitable. Cannes, for Venice.”

Wei Shujun nodded, "That's it, uncle, I think it's up to you.

Both the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival are difficult. The Cannes Film Festival is more biased towards commercial films, while the Venice Film Festival is more biased towards artistic films.

Consider the nature of the movie yourself. "

Section Chief Jia nodded and glanced at the two magazines in the bag from the corner of his eye. Then he took the bag and took out the two magazines inside.

The covers of "Cahiers du Cinema" and "Sight and Sound" are both Lee Sheng-yew, and the covers of the two magazines share a picture, which is a picture of Lee Sheng-yew thinking under the Arc de Triomphe.

This was the first time that Section Chief Jia saw Li Shengyao like this, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

Director Li is so famous, what is he thinking?

"What was he thinking about?"

"What else does he need?"

This is the blank space written next to the two magazines.

Section Chief Jia looked at the cover and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Wei Shujun said with an envious look: "Director Li is really awesome. He won the three best director awards in Europe within one year. This record is unprecedented and has never been matched before. His luck in winning the award is really good." After hearing this, Chief Jia said, After thinking about it carefully, he had no enmity with Li Shengyao, and Li Shengyao would not deliberately cheat him.

Does that mean that Li Shengyao’s words to persuade him were reasonable?

"Old Friends in Mountains and Rivers" is more suitable for the Venice Film Festival.

Wei Shujun then said: "Uncle, do you know Director Li? Can you introduce him to me? I will ask him some questions."

Section Chief Jia glanced at Wei Shujun and said, "Let's talk about it when we have time."

Li Shengyao's vision convinced even Wei Shujun, an ambitious and confident young man who wanted to make a literary film.

What are you hesitating about?

Chief Jia thought of this and finally made up his mind.

Listen to people's advice to eat a full meal.

Let’s take “Old Friends in Mountains and Rivers” to the Venice Film Festival next year.

……

The Warner Pictures headquarters building in the beautiful country of Los Angeles.

Toby Emmerich was sitting in the office. Opposite him sat a man in his thirties with slightly curly hair.

Both of them were holding coffee at this time, but neither of them drank it. They were thinking about something and were silent for five or six minutes.

Emmerich was the first to come to his senses and said, "Steven, Warner Pictures is going to change its president."

Warner Pictures' performance has been poor in recent years, and its annual box office has been deteriorating. Naturally, someone needs to be held responsible.

Although the current president, Jeff Robinov, continues to look for compensation, he has released several science fiction blockbusters this year in an attempt to reverse the decline.

But the directors didn't give him a chance.

Just at today's meeting, a group of sensible people blamed Robinov for Warner's failure.

Emmerich knows that Robinov has completely lost his power. Even if several science fiction blockbusters this year are effective, they will not be able to make up for the directors' rejection of him.

Steven is a new producer and Emmerich's little brother. He is usually responsible for asking Emmerich for news about Hollywood.

Steven was not surprised after hearing Emmerich's words.

This is what Hollywood is like, embracing the high and suppressing the low. If you can make money, you are the god. If you can't make money, you are nothing.

He nodded, and then said: "Toby, you asked me to find out how other companies reacted to Li. I think you should prepare early."

"Oh, tell me."

Steven continued: “The June issues of Cahiers du Cinema and Sight & Sound are out, and both magazines have Lee as the cover character.

"Film Magazine" rated him as the best young director in the new century.

Sight & Sound considers Lee a role model for all young directors.

Both "Hollywood News" and "Los Angeles Daily News" reported on Lee in large sections. They both believed that a talented director like Lee should come to work in Hollywood. "

He paused, took a sip of coffee, felt a little cold, frowned slightly, and then said: "New York University Film School has spread the news that they will award Li the title of Honorary Professor."

The New York University Film School is one of the five best film schools in the world.

Ang Lee, Woody Allen, and Martin Scorsese all came from this school.

Previously, Lee Sing-yew awarded an honorary professorship to the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Image et Sound, but now the New York University Film School can’t help it.

Emmerich knew that Li Shengyao was becoming more and more popular, but he did not expect that academics in beautiful countries would extend an olive branch.

In fact, he had a phone call with Lee Sheng Yew at the end of May, and he hinted at cooperation.

Lee Sheng Yew said that we could talk, saying that he would go to the beautiful country in the summer to promote "La La Land" and that we could have an interview then.

Now Emmerich is hesitant, whether he should wait until Lee Sheng-yew comes to the United States, or whether he should fly to China as soon as possible to discuss cooperation as soon as possible.

Robinov must step down.

At this time, several promising executives at Warner Pictures were tensing up. They all wanted to come up with a project that was convincing enough to get the support of the board of directors, and if the project was successful, they would use it as a basis for promotion and become a member of Warner Pictures. New president.

Emmerich is also looking forward to it.

He plans to cooperate with Li Shengyao.

Lee Sung-yao won the Palme d'Or twice and the three Best Directors in Europe three times.

In addition, Li Shengyao has had very successful commercial films in Hollywood before.

If he can persuade Lee Sheng Yew to come to Hollywood to make movies, with Lee Sheng Yew's status and resume, he will definitely get the support of the board of directors.

Let’s see if Lee Sung-yew’s new film works next.

As long as the new film makes money, his contribution will be indelible.

"Any more?"

Steven nodded and said, "Of course.

According to my understanding, several other major Hollywood film companies are planning to cooperate with Lee. They are willing to give Lee a salary of US$20 million and the final editing rights. "

Emmerich immediately frowned when he heard this.

There are several directors in Hollywood who can get a salary of US$20 million.

People like Nolan and Cameron even get bonuses.

It’s not surprising that Lee Sing-yew is now being paid US$20 million.

Lee Sheng Yew got the final editing rights, which is even more important. It represents other film companies' recognition of Lee Sheng Yew and feels that his movies can make money.

Emmerich remembers approaching Lee Sheng-yew to discuss cooperation.

Li Shengyao mentioned the final editing rights, but at that time he did not dare to give them.

Now it seems that in order to win over Li Shengyao, Hollywood companies are really going to decentralize their power and spend a lot of money.

Although he has always cooperated with Lee Sheng Yew and has the best relationship, he is still a little nervous. If Lee Sheng Yew is taken away, his plan to compete for the president will fail.

Steven continued: "This time Cahiers du Cinema and Sight and Sound praised Lee so much that more people know him. Now many people think that a talented director like Lee should come to Hollywood to make movies.

They feel that Li's future business achievements in Hollywood will not be worse than Nolan's. "

Nolan is famous and has a group of die-hard fans.

But he made no contribution to the advancement of film art.

Sight & Sound and Cahiers du Cinema have never placed a Nolan film in the top ten of the year.

After all, Nolan is an excellent commercial film director.

In terms of status as a film director, he is incomparable to Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese.

Woody Allen can be the chief seal of the Cannes jury. No film festival would ask Nolan to do this.

Emmerich curled his lips when he heard this, "If Lee is willing to develop in Hollywood, I believe he will be better than Nolan."

Steven nodded, "Toby, what are you going to do?"

Emmerich thought for a moment, then looked out the window and cast his gaze toward the distant sky.

"Of course I'm going to give it a try. I'm going to invite Lee over and ask him to make a movie that's hot enough for me. I can't miss it. I'm going to become the new president of Warner Pictures."

(End of this chapter)