China Entertainment started in 2004

Chapter 333 Venice

After staying in Singapore for two days, Wang Shu and Zhou Haiwei took a flight back to China, and Liang Jiahui took a flight back to Hong Kong Island.

Zhou Haiwei is now settled in Beijing, and since he had already gathered with his family and friends when he returned to Hong Kong, he returned to Beijing with Wang Shu.

As for Gong Li, after staying in Singapore for a few days, she rushed to Hollywood in the United States.

……

"Mr. Dino, I have already communicated with Director Wang Shu about your intention to purchase the film adaptation rights of "The Tuner"."

Gong Li came to visit Dino De Laurentiis at his home in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

Dino De Laurentiis is a famous film producer and a leading figure in the European and American film industry.

He devoted his life to the film career and shot nearly 500 films in total, making a significant contribution to the revival of the Italian film industry after the end of World War II.

At the age of 17, he entered the Rome Film Experimental Center and worked as an actor, prop manager, production assistant, etc.

Today, he is a well-known filmmaker in Europe and the United States.

It's true that he wanted to buy the film adaptation rights of "The Tuner" and remake it into a Hollywood movie, but he just wanted to buy the film adaptation rights of "The Tuner" and didn't think about giving the director a gift.

Even if it takes time and effort to understand, it is of no use.

And now it's August, whether it's Li Yu's "Lust, Caution", Jiang Wen's "The Sun Also Rises" or Wang Shu's "The Big Crowd", they have all been shortlisted for this year's Venice International Film Festival.

That young director is only 20 years old this year?
Still 21?
At this age.
In contrast, he believes that major Hollywood directors can make "The Tuner" better.

"It's just that in order to ensure the quality of the film adaptation, he hopes that he will direct the film himself."

After Gong Li said the previous sentence, she glanced at Dino De Laurentiis secretly, and then said: "But."

"Not only that, the script of "The Tuner" was also written by director Wang Shu himself."

As for Gong Li, she is not only a frequent visitor to the three major European films, but also the chairperson of the jury for the main competition unit of the 2002th Venice International Film Festival in 59.

In fact, Dino De Laurentiis expected that "The Tuner" would be the last film he produced.

"And, it has been shortlisted!"

"I think no one knows this kind of movie with many twists and turns better than Wang Shu, the director who wrote the script himself."

There are many directors in Hollywood, and there are also many capable directors. There is absolutely no need to use that little director from the East.

And Gong Li's acquaintance with him was due to the fate of one of Europe's top three actors, or the fact that "The Tuner" appeared at the Cannes Film Festival and caught his attention.

Furthermore, as a producer working in Hollywood, there is no need to waste time getting to know a director in the Chinese film and television industry.

Then I learned that Gong Li, who was also in Hollywood, Los Angeles, starred in the new film directed by "The Tuner" and participated in the promotion of the new film with her from time to time, so I contacted Gong Li and asked Gong Li to pass on my ideas to the intermediary.

Under normal circumstances, the Venice International Film Festival film shortlist will be announced in late July.

After a pause, he added, "Moreover, Director Wang Shu also has an art film signed up to participate in this year's Venice International Film Festival."

These words will make an 88-year-old man unable to stop.

"Written and directed?" Dino De Laurentiis glanced at such a talented director who could write and direct himself, and asked subconsciously.

Dino De Laurentiis became famous through the three European majors, and then went to the United States. In addition, he is Italian and has a lot of affection for the three European majors, especially the Venice Film Festival.

Therefore, when he heard that Wang Shu had made an art film and signed it up for the Venice International Film Festival, he instinctively felt more kindness.

Gong Li seemed to have guessed what Dino De Laurentiis was thinking, and then said: "Although Director Wang Shu is young, he is an extremely powerful director. The recent "Terror Cruise" he directed has a box office of It broke the box office record of a single film in China and became the first Chinese-language film in China to have a box office of over 2000 million US dollars.”

Because for an 88-year-old man with limited energy, there is no need to understand the accompanying information. He only needs to pay attention to the film and television adaptation rights of "The Tuner".

If he hadn't suddenly seen the movie "The Tuner", he actually produced "The Last Legion" in 2007 and stopped making movies.

He had learned about the movie "The Tuner" through the Cannes International Film Festival before, and was surprised by the twists and turns in it. He thought that this movie was just a Chinese-language film from the East and had not been released globally, and he immediately came up with the idea. The idea of ​​turning it into a Hollywood movie.

He is Italian, and the Venice International Film Festival is located in Venice, Italy.

At the age of 20, he started producing in Rome and Turin, and established the Ponti-De Laurentiis Production Company with producer Carlo Ponti, which produced Fellini's "Avenue" and "Cabiri". "Asian Night" and other art classics, the company produced many masterpieces that have been handed down for generations, and in the 50s they swept the awards at international film festivals such as Cannes and Venice.

"Director Wang Shu means that there is no problem with your purchase of the film adaptation rights of "The Tuner"."

Dino De Laurentiis naturally knew Gong Li, and even had a brief meeting with Gong Li during the film festival.

Gong Li nodded and said: "All the films directed by Director Wang Shu were written and directed by him. Not only "The Crowd", but also "Terror Cruise", "The Tuner", "Time Traveler" and "Buried Alive". It’s a film he wrote and directed.”

Now 88 years old, his physical decline is no longer enough to support his continued work in the film industry.

Dino De Laurentiis is a well-known producer in Europe and the United States and a leading figure in European and American film festivals. Knowing his intention, Gong Li was naturally willing to help.

"The movie is called "Human Mountain" and is written and directed by director Wang Shu. It will compete for various awards at this Venice Film Festival." Gong Li saw Dino De Laurentiis showing interest and immediately added. .

After that, he only made guest appearances in a few film and television works, and passed away at his home in Los Angeles in 2010.

"And, the film will be released in North America later."

After that, he added, "Warner is its distributor in North America."

"Oh?" Dino De Laurentiis was a little impatient when he heard Gong Li chattering incessantly, but then he suddenly became interested when he heard that Wang Shu had another film signed up for this year's Venice International Film Festival.

In 2003, he even won the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival.

Dino De Laurentiis is an 88-year-old man. Although he knew that the copyright of "The Tuner" was in the hands of Wang Shu, and he also knew that Wang Shu was the director of "The Tuner", in fact, Wang Shu's No other information is known.

In the 60s, the United Company disintegrated and established "Dino Cinema City" independently. He turned from art to business and produced a number of luxurious epic films. However, the crisis in the Italian film industry affected his studio. In 1971, it was sold and transferred to The United States has produced a large number of low-quality commercial films that imitate old films.

This is the arrogance of European and American filmmakers, and that is the fact.

Wang Shu is not Zhang Yimou or Chen Kaige who won the Palme d'Or, plus he is not very old.

Therefore, even though he has been to the Berlin Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival, he is not well-known.

In fact, it is just a little famous.

There are actually no people like him in the eyes of filmmakers who truly have international status.

When Dino heard what Gong Li said, there was surprise in his eyes.

A young director has made so many films? Could it be that you started directing films when you were still a minor?
How can this be?

Or maybe he didn't direct it himself, but in name only?

Gong Li seemed to have guessed what Dino De Laurentiis was thinking this time, and said with a smile: "Director Wang Shu was born in rural China, which is what Europe and the United States call rural."

"Despite his youth, he is really talented."

The figure of Zhang Yimou appeared in his mind, and he suddenly said again, "It can be said that he is the most talented director in China."

She knew that when talking about things with others, one part relies on talking, the other seven relies on boasting, and the other two relies on lying.

Only by blowing loud enough can the deception be successful.

When many actors' agents recommend actors to investors, they always boast about their actors. Only in this way can they get opportunities more easily.

When Gong Li pointed out that Wang Shu was born in a rural area and was talented, she was telling Dino De Laurentiis that Wang Shu's achievements were not adulterated, but genuine.

Finally, blow the Wang Shu to empower her previous words.

The fact is that Wang Shu has only made his debut for two or three years and has only made a few movies. To call him the most talented director in China is too much.

But it doesn't mean that Gong Li can't use this to brag about Wang Shu in front of Dino De Laurentiis.

When Dino De Laurentiis heard this, he felt that it was necessary to get to know Wang Shu, a young director from the East.

He immediately said: "I will consider the matter of director Wang Shu's directing."

"That's it for now. I'll contact you after I think about it."

"Also, I wish the film directed by Wang Shu will achieve good results at the Venice Film Festival."

This was already a farewell to the guests. Gong Li immediately stood up and said, "If Mr. Dino has any ideas, you can contact me at any time."

"If I didn't have a work schedule, I would always be in Los Angeles."

Dino De Laurentiis nodded and said with a smile: "I will, Ms. Gong Li."

After leaving Dino De Laurentiis' home, Gong Li sighed softly.

She could tell that Dino De Laurentiis did not want to invite Wang Shu to direct, but just wanted to buy the film adaptation rights of "The Tuner" and then find a director in Hollywood to direct it.

She also understands this.

After all, Dino De Laurentiis has been working in Hollywood for many years, so he not only has corresponding connections here, but is also more familiar with him.

And Wang Shu is a new director from Oriental China.

Not only was he young, he was also unfamiliar.

Rather than leaving the adaptation to Wang Shu to direct, he trusted familiar Hollywood directors rather than young Chinese directors.

Even if the original version of "The Tuner" was written and directed by Wang Shu, it wouldn't work.

Because there are bound to be deviations between Eastern and Western cultures.

In late August, the annual Venice International Film Festival is about to open.

Wang Shu took Zhang Hanyu, Fu Dalong, Mei Ting, and the staff of Yishu Company to Venice, Italy by plane.

Like Jiang Wen, several of them came in advance and took the lead in staying at a hotel in Venice to prepare for the promotion of "A Big Crowd" and wait for the opening of the film festival.

Many filmmakers around the world are like this. They don't come to the Venice Film Festival just before the opening, but they come here in advance.

Of course, if the schedule is tight, or if you are not a filmmaker like Wang Shu who comes to participate, you will also come before the opening or after the opening.

In short, there are people who come in advance and people who come at the right time. It all depends on which itinerary is suitable.

Venice is a famous tourist and industrial city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region (Veneto Region).

This city was once the center of the Venetian Republic and was known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic". The Crusades also gathered here, making it one of the most romantic cities in the world.

The city of Venice covers 118 artificial islands in the Venetian lagoon on the Adriatic coast of northeastern Italy and an adjacent artificial peninsula. It is also crisscrossed by 117 waterways. It has the meaning of "born by water, beautiful by water, beautiful by water". It has the reputation of "Xingxing" and enjoys the reputation of "Water City", "Water City" and "Hundred Island City".

Of course, this is only on the surface.

When Wang Shu, Mei Ting and others came to this city, they saw that many of the waterways were turbid.

As for the smell, it's not that bad.

Because Venice is a famous tourist city in Italy, the local government will treat the sewage to prevent the water in the river from emitting odor and causing negative impacts.

However, even so, the phenomenon of sneaky emissions cannot be avoided.

As the population increases, the self-purification ability of water cannot match the rate of pollution.

Therefore, turbidity is a fact.

It is undeniable that a long time ago in Venice, the water in the rivers was indeed clear.

But as time went by, Venice's population increased and its clear colors slowly lost.

In the original timeline, during the quarantine period, the waterways in Venice not only became relatively clear, but there were even white swans playing in the water, and fish in the water were visible.

……

After arriving in Venice, Zhang Hanyu and Fu Dalong stayed in the hotel. Mei Ting asked them to go shopping. The two declined politely and suggested that Mei Ting call Wang Shu.

Rather than going shopping with Mei Ting, they preferred to go out together for a walk.

Therefore, we can only suffer from the King Tree.

Then, Wang Shu was pulled out by the excited Mei Ting.

Wangshu of Venice has never been here, but it doesn’t matter, Mei Ting has traveled here before.

Knowing that Wang Shu was coming to Venice for the first time, Mei Ting became very motivated. Like a guide, she first took Wang Shu to St. Mark's Square, then to St. Mark's Basilica, the Golden Palace, the Doge's Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs.
Because she was abroad, and Zhang Hanyu and Fu Dalong were not around, Mei Ting was much bolder than at home. Sometimes she would take the initiative to hold Wang Shu's hand, sometimes hold his arm, or Nestled in his arms.

Along the way, Mei Ting's face was filled with a smile from the bottom of her heart, and she was very happy.

(End of this chapter)