China Entertainment: I just want to give my child a home

Chapter 375: Taiguo officials meet at the airport, Chen Dong is very impressive (please subscribe!)

"Director Chen, I heard that you rejected the invitation to join the jury of this year's Venice Film Festival?"

"how do you know?"

Faced with Jiang Wen's question, although Chen Dong was a little surprised, he did not deny it, because he did do this in the morning.

"Because they contacted me again." Jiang Wen responded on the phone.

Chen Dong suddenly realized, "Then do you agree?"

"I wanted to agree, but I heard that you refused first, so they came to me. Damn it, I thought if I agreed, wouldn't I be a backup?"

Chen Dong asked with a smile: "So you refused too?"

"No, actually I think it would be nice if the spare tire had a chance to become a regular employee."

"..." Chen Dong was speechless, "So what is the purpose of your call?"

"Can I ask when your movie will start shooting? If it happens to be during the review period, I may need to join the crew later."

Chen Dong had served as the chairman of the jury at the Venice Film Festival, so he was familiar with the review schedule. He said, "The Tang Dynasty will start filming on the fifth of next month. If the mechanism of this Venice Film Festival has not changed, you should have finished reviewing the shortlist by then, so you can catch up with the opening ceremony. By the end of August when the film festival officially opens, you can take another leave..."

"Okay, that's it." Jiang Wen might have felt a little embarrassed, so he added: "If it really doesn't work, you can fire me and find another assistant director."

"That's not your style."

"Haha, I'm a bit long-winded. Okay, brother, I'll try to catch up with the movie's opening ceremony... By the way, it's being filmed in Taiguo, right?"

"Yes."

At the same time as hanging up the phone with Jiang Wen, Chen Dong was also holding a meeting with the team that had just returned from a location scouting trip in Taiguo. To be more precise, he was listening to their reports.

"So the local government is supportive?"

"Yes, Director Chen." The person in charge said excitedly, "We originally thought that it would be challenging to get the support of the Taiguo government, but we didn't expect things to go so smoothly. In particular, when the local police chief heard that you were going to film, he not only said that he would fully cooperate, but also reported the matter. When we came back, a senior official from Taiguo came to see us off and said that when you go to Taiguo, you must notify them. According to the senior official, they seem to send an official to pick you up at the airport."

"..." Chen Dong opened his mouth and hesitated for two seconds before saying: "Are you sure you are not making up a story?"

"It's absolutely true. Everyone in our group can testify to this."

Chen Dong actually believed that this backbone member of his team would not dare to deceive him, but what he said made Chen Dong feel that it was a little unreal.

This was something Chen Dong had never experienced or imagined before.

It feels like a dream suddenly comes true.

But Chen Dong didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, or whether there were any complicated political issues behind it.

So after get off work today, he didn't go home directly, but went to see his father-in-law.

"You don't have to be too alarmed. In recent years, the relationship between our country and the Kingdom of Tai has been good. As for the purpose of their doing this, first of all, it must be to show goodwill. Secondly, they also want to use your international influence to promote their country and promote the development of tourism."

After listening to his father-in-law's analysis, Chen Dong also felt that the matter was not as complicated as he thought.

But I'm still a little worried.

The concern was that he didn't know how to deal with the officials from the Kingdom of Tai.

The father-in-law seemed to see through his son-in-law's thoughts. He smiled and continued, "If you still have concerns, how about I contact an old friend of mine at the Thai Embassy and ask him to come over and support you that day?"

Chen Dong's eyes lit up when he heard this. He thought that if he had the support of his own country's diplomats, he would not have to worry. So he did not bother to be polite with his father-in-law and quickly said, "Thank you, Dad."

"We are all family, don't be so polite."

The father-in-law was not being polite, because he then took out his phone and called his diplomat friend from the Kingdom of Tai in front of Chen Dong. Not only did he explain the whole story, he also gave the other party's number to his son-in-law.

At the end of July, Director Toro personally brought the original film materials of "Pacific Rim" to China. After three days of communication and negotiation with Chen Dong's Dongcheng Pictures, the two parties signed a cooperation contract.

On this day, in order to promote the reputation of Dongcheng Visual Effects, Chen Dong also held a media meeting specifically for this cooperation.

"It is rumored that Dongcheng Visual Effects is second to none in China in terms of equipment... Director Chen, is this a rumor or a fact?"

"That's about right. It's not really a rumor. I'd also like to add that we not only have excellent equipment, but also an excellent production team. So if you're still hesitating, or if you want to do special effects or post-production in the future, you can consider Dongcheng Visual Effects. We guarantee that you'll get value for money."

Although Chen Dong is very low-key in front of the media most of the time, he will never fail to be high-profile when it is necessary.

For example, right now, since we are all about publicity effects, we naturally cannot be too conservative in what we say, but instead we need to be more confident.

After all, Wang Po was selling melons and boasting about them. What's more, Chen Dong was just telling the truth and not bragging.

“Will Director Toro collaborate with Director Chen?”

This question was asked to Toro, and yes, he was also invited to attend the media meeting.

But Toro didn't understand the reporter's question, so his response was: "Aren't we working together?"

"I'm sorry, what I meant is, will you collaborate on the next movie?"

"Oh, I think I understand what you mean, but I don't think I can answer this question by myself, because my answer alone doesn't count." Then, Toro turned to Chen Dong and shrugged at him: "Right, Chen?"

Chen Dong smiled, raised the microphone and said, "Then let me answer... This is the first time I have worked with Director Toro, but I hope there will be a second, third, or even more collaborations in the future. Please look forward to it."

Toro was very satisfied with Chen Dong's answer. He turned to the reporter and said, "Chen is right. We may have more cooperation in the future. And I think the cooperation area is not limited to special effects. It may also be film content or script. Because I know Chen is a very good and powerful director and screenwriter..."

"..."

There is no doubt that this media meeting became a hot topic on the day.

Dongcheng Visual Effects has made an unrivaled entry into the hot post-production special effects market in the past two years.

This made colleagues in the industry shout: The wolf is coming!
……

The registration process for the 2013 Spring Festival Gala directors has begun. Chen Dong receives invitations almost every year, and this year is no exception.

However, he has little interest in hosting such large-scale evening parties and has no experience, so he just goes through the motions every year to give face.

"Director Chen, aren't you planning to compete this year?"

As soon as Chen Dong sat down, Lao Mouzi, who was sitting next to him, started the conversation.

"I'm too inexperienced and don't have much experience, so I won't embarrass myself. Director Zhang can give it a try." Chen Dong threw the question to Zhang Yimou.

"I'm old, and I can't compete with you young people." Then, the two looked at each other and smiled, skipping this embarrassing topic.

"The Peking Opera 'The World is at Peace' that Director Zhang choreographed some time ago was pretty good." Because the meeting hadn't officially started yet, Chen Dong had no topics to talk about.

"Oh, Director Chen also likes to watch Peking Opera?"

Chen Dong shook his head honestly, and then explained: "My father-in-law likes it. He even took me to see a show. We talked about it during dinner last time."

"Indeed, Peking opera is more popular among the middle-aged and elderly groups."

Zhang Yimou continued, "Director Chen's next film is a detective film? Is it similar to your film "The Blind Pianist"? "

"No, this time I added a lot of comedy elements to the movie. It's not so serious. It's a pure popcorn movie."

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it then."

"Director Zhang, don't you have any plans for a new play?"

Chen Dong felt that after the breakup between Zhang Yimou and Stephen Chow, as well as the scandals that had plagued him over the past year, he had lost most of his fighting spirit.

Therefore, the efficiency of filming is not as good as before.

"It's already in preparation." replied Zhang Yimou.

"Oh, what type?"

"Art films."

While Chen Dong was asking Zhang Yimou, he had already retrieved this movie that Zhang Yimou had not yet filmed from his own brain inventory.

Its name is "The Return".

Lao Mouzi didn't know that Chen Dong already had a lot of information, and he was still introducing it to himself: "My new play is called "The Return", adapted from Yan Geling's novel "Lu Fan Yan Shi", I wonder if Director Chen has read it?"

"I have read it... Ah, Director Zhang, are you talking about the novel? I haven't read it."

Chen Dong subconsciously wanted to say that he had watched Zhang Yimou's film "Coming Home", but fortunately he came to his senses in time and did not let the cat out of the bag.

Lao Mouzi did not suspect anything and simply recommended the novel to Chen Dong, "It is really well written. Director Chen, you can go and read it when you have time."

"Actually, I can go back and watch the movies you, Director Zhang, have made." Chen Dong said with a wry smile. He really didn't like reading. Most of the books in his study were read by his wife.

"It's different." Lao Mouzi seemed a little excited and continued to promote it to Chen Dong: "The movie can only film part of the story, and because of the length, many details will be lost..."

Thanks to the fact that the meeting officially started at this time, Lao Mouzi stopped.

At this time, directors who want to participate in the election for chief director of this year's Spring Festival Gala are actively preparing to give speeches on stage.

What surprised Chen Dong was that Feng Xiaogang also prepared a speech this year.

Although the content of his speech was similar to that of the directors he had talked about before, he was so confident that many leaders in the front row of the meeting nodded in agreement.

But Chen Dong vaguely remembered that the director of this year's Spring Festival Gala was not Feng Dapao.

Of course he seemed to have served for one term, it should be next year... Yes, next year, Chen Dong remembered.

As expected, when female director Ha Wen, who served as chief director of the previous session, came on stage, the content she produced was obviously more outstanding.

And it seems that she is still the chief director of this year's Spring Festival Gala.

"Director Chen, you and your wife haven't been on the Spring Festival Gala for a few years. Would you like to consider signing up for a show this year?"

After the meeting, CCTV arranged a dinner. Chen Dong was asked this question after drinking with a leader.

He thought for a moment and replied, "Tai Zhao, it's not that we don't want to sign up. It's mainly because I'm a director and my wife is an actress. To be honest, I feel embarrassed to sing on the Spring Festival Gala and steal other singers' jobs."

"Haha, why don't you, Director Chen, come on stage to run for the directorship of the Spring Festival Gala?"

"I am a film director. Although I am also a director like the Spring Festival Gala director, there is still a big difference between us. I am worried that I won't be able to do well."

"I think you are just a 'little rascal'..."

After attending this director election conference, July is basically over.

At the beginning of August, the actors of "Detective Chinatown" began to join the crew one after another.

Because the film was scheduled to start shooting on the 5th, it was impossible for everyone to fly over from China on the 5th. It would have to be at least two to three days in advance.

Chen Dong was on plane number two, and because he was the director, he needed to go there in advance to familiarize himself with the environment or make some arrangements, such as dealing with official social events held by the Kingdom of Tai.

The actors who arrived early would board the plane with them. If they really had to leave a few days later due to schedule, they would arrive at the crew before the 5th at the latest.

……

"At 10:35 this morning, Director Chen Dong and the crew of Detective Chinatown took off from the Capital International Airport and headed to Taiguo for filming. His wife Liu Yifei came to the airport to see him off."

"Chen Dong revealed that the shooting schedule is four months."

"Director Zhang Yimou approved the project for his new play, Coming Home, and announced that Gong Li would be the female lead, without any hesitation."

"The 70th Venice International Film Festival has announced the shortlist. Chinese director Cai Mingliang's "Outing" has been shortlisted for the main competition unit... Director Jiang Wen is one of the members of this year's jury. In addition, Jiang Wen is also the deputy director of Director Chen's new play "Chinatown Detective". It is reported that he has already bought a flight to Thailand and should not miss the opening ceremony."

"Today, Director Wen Muye and the main creators of "One Man's Martial Arts" went to Mango TV to record "Day Day Up". The reporter interviewed Wang Baoqiang. He said that after recording this episode of "Day Day Up", he will fly to Taiguo on the 4th to participate in the opening ceremony of "Tangren", and said that he might miss the premiere of "One Man's Martial Arts"."

"Guo Jingming has increased his frequency of posting on Weibo, from once every two or three days to two or three times a day now. I would like to ask, how many fans of Tiny Times are really willing to pay for it?"

Chen Dong no longer had time to pay attention to domestic news, as the flight he was on had already arrived at Bangkok International Airport in Thailand.

Although Chen Dong had anticipated Taiguo's welcome ceremony, he was still surprised after seeing it with his own eyes.

It was grand and shocking.

Chen Dong was a little flattered.

In particular, when the translator introduced to him that the leading Taiguo official was actually a secretary of the deputy general, his heart beat faster.

Fortunately, there was someone introduced by his father-in-law at the airport to pick him up, otherwise Chen Dong would really be worried that he would not be able to handle such a situation.

(End of this chapter)