The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 662 Be confident
Lido Island is cool and comfortable in October, which is the peak tourist season.

When Lee Sheng-yao, Phoenix, Emmerich, Robert De Niro and others rushed to the island, the island was full of people and bustling.

After checking into the hotel, there were media interviews immediately.

"Joker" is a Warner film, and Warner is responsible for the publicity and distribution work. In order to further promote the film, Warner has arranged a lot of interviews this time, not only with media from Italy and the United States, but also from France, England, Germany and other countries. .

Emmerich knew that Li Shengyao actually didn't like to be in contact with the media. He repeatedly promised that this was the last time and that such a situation would not happen again in the future.

Li Shengyao understood Warner's considerations. He was not an inflexible person, so he smiled and replied: "I have no problem here, but Phoenix, you can solve it yourself."

Phoenix is ​​known as a Hollywood geek who really doesn't like entertainment media.

He rarely participated in the promotion of the movies he acted in in the past, whether they were works by big-name directors or lesser-known directors. It was very difficult for him to accept media interviews.

However, Li Shengyao was a little surprised. When he arrived at the interview location, Phoenix was also there.

"Li, I heard you would come over, so I came over."

Obviously, Phoenix is ​​all about Lee Sheng-yew's face.

"Man, you don't need to pay attention to me, just be yourself. I actually don't like interviews like this."

"Li, you are a sincere and trustworthy person."

After receiving praise from Phoenix, Li Shengyao was interviewed. He answered all the reporters' questions seriously.

A reporter from the Hollywood Film News asked Lee Sheng-yew about his award expectations for "Joker". He did not hesitate and said with firm eyes: "I like this movie very much. I think it is an excellent movie and everyone performed very well.

I think this movie can win many honors, such as the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival, the Oscar for Best Picture, the Oscar for Best Actor, Best Score, and other awards. "

Another Golden Lion, another Oscar for Best Picture.

The two highest film awards were given to "Joker". Are other movies worthless?
The reporter felt that Lee Sing-yao was a little crazy, but that didn't matter, the audience liked to see such arrogance.

"How sure are you?"

"Ninety percent, as long as the audience has independent judgment in their hearts, they will definitely see the advantages of "Joker"."

After the interview ended, Li Shengyao dragged his exhausted body back to the room.

He has to attend the premiere tomorrow, and it will be much easier after that. He can watch the outstanding works of the Study Film Festival.

……

This time at the Venice Film Festival, there are quite a few Chinese-language films, such as Zhao Liang's "Sorrow of the Beast", Wanma Tseden's "Talow", Tsai Ming-liang's "That Afternoon", and Guan Hu's "Old Paoer" 》.

Among them, "Old Paoer" is also the closing ceremony film of the film festival.

In addition, Hou Hsiao-hsien is one of the jury members of this film festival.

He is the only jury member in Asia. It can be said that Chinese-language films are truly top-notch in Asia.

The chairman of this film festival is Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron. This big shot directed "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban". In 2013, he won the Oscar for "Gravity". Best Director Award.

Judging from Alfonso's past experiences and his comments, he actually prefers films that combine both commercial and artistic aspects.

As for the director who is the best at combining both business and art, in recent years, it is definitely Lee Sheng-yew.

Therefore, "Joker" has attracted a lot of attention. It is said that a gambling website has opened the grand prize odds of this Venice Film Festival.

"Joker" has the lowest odds of winning the Golden Lion, followed by "Abnormal" from the United States and third by "For Your Sake" from Italy.

The organizers of the Venice Film Festival were also very generous and arranged for the "Joker" crew to walk on the red carpet as the finale.

While waiting, Emmerich was not very happy. He looked around and finally whispered to Li Shengyao: "Li, it sounds like we are a hit movie now, but I know their routine. Before the award ceremony, more and more people The more popular a movie is, the less likely it is to win an award, and I have a very bad feeling about it.”

Hearing this, Li Shengyao glanced at Phoenix, De Niro and others who were listening attentively, "Man, we must have confidence. A big hit means we are strong and others have expectations.

If the movie is not good, then of course we cannot bear the expectations, but if we are good enough, then we don’t have to worry, others will recognize us. "

Emmerich frowned and nodded when he heard this.

Li Shengyao didn't say much and looked into the distance. In fact, he didn't have much confidence.

In his previous life, "Joker" did win the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival.

However, considering his past achievements in Europe's top three majors, maybe the organizers will put pressure on him.

In addition, the members of the jury are different in different years, and different people have different aesthetics. In his previous life, "Joker" participated in the Venice Film Festival in 2019, but now it is in 2015.

At this time, the film festival has excellent films such as "Abnormal" and "Come From Away". Although they are not very well-known, their quality is still very high. Such films really beat "Joker" and won the Golden Lion Award. This situation It's not impossible.

So it’s really hard to say whether I can win the Golden Lion Award.

After staying quietly for a few minutes, the car that picked them up came over. The "Joker" crew members sat in two cars, and Lee Sung-yao and Emmerich sat together.

He looked at the crowds of reporters and photographers outside and spoke in a positive tone.

"Man, Warner has done such a big announcement. You were confident before, and you should be more confident now."

When Emmerich heard this, he also felt that his mentality was not firm enough. He nodded, "Li, you are right. The quality of our work is good enough, so we don't have to worry about people who don't appreciate it. I am confident that "Joker" will be the best one this year." The best movie ever.

No, in my mind, "Joker" is the best movie in recent years, on the same level as your "Parasite". "

"It's good to have confidence, we should have this mentality."

I gave Emmerich several bowls of chicken soup to cheer him up. When the car arrived in front of the red carpet, Emmerich had already put on a smile. He held his chest and head high, looking like a winner. .

The "Joker" cast members got out of their cars and strode onto the red carpet.

Phoenix is ​​not very well-known in Europe, and De Niro is even more famous than him.

It's just that neither Phoenix nor De Niro is a heartthrob idol like Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt, and they don't have many movie fans.

So they walked down the red carpet to no huge cheers.

However, reporters and photographers were still very enthusiastic. They knew that "Joker" is now the most popular movie, so members of the "Joker" crew walked on the red carpet with flashing lights.

The two hosts in front of the red carpet were also very enthusiastic. "Li, after the trailers of "Joker" came out, the response in the market was very good, and many people think that this movie has great hope of winning awards. What do you think?"

"I agree with this statement. Our staff is excellent and they have completed a great work. I hope "Joker" can win the award."

Li Shengyao's expression was very confident and his tone was affirmative.

Phoenix and De Niro's eyes became a little more excited when they heard Li Shengyao's words.

At the end of the interview, Li Shengyao led the others into the Caesar Theater, found their seats, and sat down.

This time they sat in the center of the third row, which can be said to be the best seat in the theater.

Sitting next to Lee Sing-yew was a row of Hollywood stars.

Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Kristen Stewart, Dakota Johnson, Cooper, Sia, Hailey, Jaylen Haal...

At this time, Captain Jack had gained serious weight. He no longer looked as handsome as before and looked like a wretched uncle.

Hilde is very beautiful. She has blond hair and is very conspicuous.

When Hilde greeted Li Shengyao, she even winked.

However, Li Shengyao had no interest in her. The thought of Heard defecating on Depp's bed and the fact that this woman had already been on good terms with Max made him feel very bored.

I don’t know why, but it stands to reason that Marx will be the richest man in the world in the future, and sleeping with the same woman as him should give him a sense of accomplishment.

But Li Shengyao just doesn't like it.

Kristen rarely wears skirts since she became a lesbian, and she seems to have lost her femininity all of a sudden.

Today I wore a short-sleeved shirt and a pair of shorts on the red carpet. It was really common.

As for other Hollywood actresses, they are not very good.

Top Hollywood actresses are getting uglier and uglier, which is a bit of a trend in Japanese entertainment.

Depp didn't know what Lee Sing-yew was thinking. When he saw Lee Sing-yew sitting down, he tilted his head and whispered: "Lee, "Joker" is a big hit this time, and you will be the big winner.

"Joker" will be released in a few days, will you go to Los Angeles? "

Hearing this, Li Shengyao smiled and nodded, "I will go."

"I'm going to have a party then, do you want to come over?"

Isn’t Depp’s party just about gathering fans and having sex?

Phoenix's brother died of an overdose at Depp's party.

Lee Sheng-yao was a little speechless. He shook his head and said, "I probably won't have time at that time. Warner has arranged a lot of interviews. Let's talk about it later."

"Oh, Lee, you are the top director in the world. You should protest against Warner's arrangement. You are not a slave, you are their partner."

"What you say makes sense, I will consider it."

Li Shengyao gave Depp a few perfunctory words and then took the initiative to end the topic.

Li Shengyao really has no interest in communicating with this big brother who loves to attract fans.

I have to say that Li Zi’s hobby is better. Who doesn’t like supermodels under the age of 25?
The opening ceremony of the film festival officially started soon. First, it paid tribute to some classic movies of the past, then several Italian singers sang, and then the chairman of the jury, Alfonso, took the stage.

Alfonso is fifty-four years old, but he is very capable and looks like he is in his early forties.

He is Mexican and his native language is Spanish. When he speaks English, he also has a Spanish flavor. He speaks very fast, like bullets pouring out. It can be heard that he is very happy. Very excited, "I am very honored to be the chairman of the jury of this film festival. When I received the invitation from the organizers of the Venice Film Festival, I was very surprised. After all, there are many excellent directors, and they are definitely more suitable to be a jury than me. Chairman of the meeting.

Just like Li, he is recognized by "Sight and Sound" as the best director of the new century.

But then I figured it out, Lee still wants to make movies and continue to win awards.

He is a contestant and does not have time to be a judge. In that case, let me do it and I will try to select the best movie.

I'm looking forward to all the films in this festival. "

Alfonso said a lot of things, but he only praised Lee Sing Yew. Judging from his tone, he had no ill intentions and really recognized Lee Sing Yew's status.

Emmerich, De Niro and others couldn't help but nodded after hearing Alfonso's words.

After Alfonso, the film festival chairman Alberto Berbara came to the stage to speak. Alberto mainly talked about the film types of this film festival.

For example, "Come From Away" is a story about the love-hate relationship between an uncle and a young boy. It seems to be about gay men, but it actually reflects the hard life and helpless choices of individuals in the poor social environment of Venezuela.

There is also "Abnormal". This movie seems to be about extramarital affairs, but in fact it reflects the life and emotional problems of different classes in the bad economic environment.

Lee Sheng-yew remembers clearly that in his previous life, "Come from Away" won the Golden Lion Award at this film festival, and "Abnormal" won the Jury Prize.

He didn't quite understand it at first, but after listening to Alberto's words, he immediately understood why these two films won awards.

These two movies chose slightly alternative themes and used small gimmicks, but they actually reflected overall social problems, which can be regarded as seeing the big from the small.

The Venice Film Festival likes this tone very much. They like this kind of film that reflects the state of the entire society and the entire country.

"Joker" is actually a movie of this type.

But both "Joker" and "Abnormal" are fictional societies.

And "Come From Away" tells the story of Venezuela, a country with a terrible economy and political ups and downs.

There is no doubt that "Come From Away" is actually easier to impress people. After all, many people understand that this country is now on the verge of collapse.

Alberto quickly introduced "Joker" and used many complimentary words.

Hearing this, Emmerich spoke with excitement, "Lee, it seems that Alfonso and Alberto both approve of "Joker" very much. It's great. I believe your words more and more. We are good enough and we can conquer all audiences." .”

Li Shengyao was still unsure, but he didn't want the crew members to lose confidence, so he didn't refute Emmerich's words. He nodded slightly to Emmerich and gave a thumbs up.

Emmerich laughed, turned to De Niro and said: "Old man, have you seen that our situation is getting better and better, and we are moving towards the best goal."

(End of this chapter)