National Tide 1980

"Ring, ring, ring..."

Before he had time to put his luggage away, the phone in Ning Weimin's room rang.

When Ning Weimin picked up the phone, it turned out to be the hotel front desk calling.

What he didn't expect was that just when Ning Weimin thought of meeting a friend in France, an old friend actually came to his door.

The hotel front desk informed him that there was a visitor - Alain Delon.

Soon after agreeing to meet the visitor, there was another knock on the door of the room.

As soon as Alain Delon opened the door, he spoke in English and gave Ning Weimin a big hug.

"Hey, my dear Chinese friend! I really miss you! It's great to see you in Cannes!"

Although the two people can be said to be as different in age as father and son.

But after a period of time together in Beijing, they now look more like brothers who haven't seen each other for a long time.

"I'm glad to see you too." Ning Weimin responded with enthusiasm.

However, such a sudden meeting must have surprised him and made him curious.

Not only because Alain Delon did not come alone, he also brought his current girlfriend, a beautiful girl who is 30 years younger than him.

More importantly, although Ning Weimin contacted Alain Delon and Deneuve in advance, told them about his marriage, and also expressed that he would come to the Cannes Film Festival for the movie "Li Xianglan", he did not tell them his specific itinerary.

Alain Delon actually showed up like this, no matter how you think about it, it is incredible.

"This is my girlfriend Rosalie van Blimon, a Dutch model. This is my Chinese friend Ning. Oh, by the way, Ning is one of the shareholders of Pierre Cardin, and is also a fashion industry person. Maybe you also have a chance to cooperate."

Hearing Alain Delon's introduction, Ning Weimin hurriedly shook hands with the girl, "Hello, hello, first meeting."

But after a few polite words, he couldn't help but turn around and ask, "But...how did you know I arrived today? We just checked in for less than an hour..."

Unexpectedly, Alain Delon just smiled noncommittally, and then patted his shoulder like a big brother.

He didn't answer the question directly, but revealed his pretentiousness and undisguised pride.

"This is France, Cannes, my territory. Even if the Prince and Princess of Wales come, I know very well where they will stay..."

Alain Delon was talking about the fact that Prince Charles and Princess Diana of the United Kingdom should visit this year's Cannes Film Festival.

The news that this special guest will be here tomorrow has added a special aura to this year's Cannes Film Festival and is spreading everywhere in the streets and alleys.

Ning Weimin and Matsumoto Keiko learned about it from the hotel manager as soon as they arrived in Cannes.

But Ning Weimin really can't say that Alain Delon is bragging.

Because this guy seems to have been getting into trouble all his life, but no matter how much trouble he has caused, someone will clean up his mess.

It is rumored that he has a major connection with the local French mafia organization, but I don't know whether it is true or not.

Anyway, the personal bodyguard who had an affair with his wife was shot in the head.

And even though this case made a sensation throughout Europe, it ended up in vain.

No media even dared to say anything about Alain Delon's failed marriage.

All these abnormalities show the complexity of Alain Delon's background.

So Ning Weimin would rather believe it.

Especially now that he is in France, facing this local snake, he is a little confused.

Who knows if this guy is the cold and selfish elder brother in "The Black Tulip" or the warm and kind younger brother?

But even so, there are some things he cannot tolerate.

"Hey, look, who is this! What a beautiful oriental beauty! Welcome to Cannes! You are Ning's wife, right? No wonder he is so young and eager to get married..."

Seeing Alain Delon's eyes looking at Matsumoto Keiko behind him again.

Even this guy showed a charming smile, habitually stretched his head to hug his wife and kiss her face.

Ning Weimin quickly dodged to stop him.

"NO, NO, we are oriental people, not used to such etiquette. Let's shake hands, just shake hands..."

Ning Weimin was extremely wary of this handsome and playboy.

Who made this guy so bold? For women, there is nothing he dare not do.

Back then, I won't talk about abandoning his fiancée Romy Schneider for a woman who took the initiative to come to the door.

This guy was not honest when he came to Beijing, and he almost caused a big trouble.

It turned out that at the reception of Maxim's Restaurant, Alain Delon fell in love with a 20-year-old girl and was shocked by her beauty.

He actually dared to propose to her on the spot and asked her to be his wife.

They just met for the first time. He might be older than the girl's father. Is this something a human would do?

Besides, the guests attending the meeting that day were not ordinary people. They were all children of cadres, and everyone came from a good family.

Fortunately, the girl was also wise. She just liked the star but not obsessed with it, and clearly refused on the spot.

Otherwise, this matter would really be a bad end for Pierre Cardin Company, and maybe they would offend some big shots inexplicably.

So, since Ning Weimin has recognized the other side of Alain Delon, of course he would not let down his guard.

This cannot be said to be a lack of confidence, but a man is declaring his bottom line, which is called taking precautions before it happens.

Fortunately, Alain Delon is a big-hearted guy, and he is still very rough in some aspects.

And maybe he knows his own affairs.

After all, his girlfriend is still with him. If he really upsets the jealousy, he will be the one to bear the consequences.

So we shook hands. Alain Delon and Matsumoto Keiko's hands touched each other lightly, and they didn't take the opportunity to kiss their hands. They were quite restrained and gentlemanly.

Instead, the two women hugged each other very intimately, then sat on the sofa in the living room and tried to communicate in English.

At this time, Alain Delon found a chair and sat down, and also took out the things he brought for Ning Weimin.

"Here are some documents. For you."

Ning Weimin took the certificate from Alain Delon and saw that it read "Marché du Film Badge".

Not knowing French, he raised his head and looked at Alain Delon with a puzzled expression.

"The market pass means. This kind of pass has the highest authority. You can go anywhere in the film festival. You said you wanted to see the trading market on the basement floor of the Cannes Film Festival Palace, so I applied for it for you. You could have applied for a film The practitioner's pass is cheaper and can go anywhere except the trading market. But it's a pity that you contacted me too late and I couldn't arrange a booth for you."

𝘀𝘁𝗼𝟱𝟱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Oh, thank you so much. That's appreciated."

Ning Weimin suddenly realized this and quickly thanked him.

"There are also these, a list of participating films and screenings, and a directory of manufacturers from the film trading market. You will also need it."

Alain Delon was very thoughtful and gave them some detailed information about this film festival.

This made Ning Weimin have to admit that Alan Delon, the big brother, was still very reliable in doing things.

To be honest, they only came to Cannes on an impromptu basis.

Because the time was indeed set too late, it was indeed difficult to obtain qualifications to attend the conference.

Not to mention that Shochiku Pictures couldn't solve the problem, and Kurosawa's connections didn't work either.

Even Toei, whose films were shortlisted, said they couldn't bring them in.

The original plan was to wait until we got to Cannes, but at worst we would have to think of a last-minute solution.

As a result, the French local snake solved their big problem.

At first it was just a casual conversation on the phone, but unexpectedly, the biggest problem was solved unintentionally.

It seems that the efforts he spent on this big star in Beijing were not in vain.

As a friend, Alain Delon was quite interesting to him, not a pure acquaintance.

Now, with these legal documents, you just need to hang them around your neck, so you can look around at will.

"When you came to Cannes this time, did you take any position at the film festival? As an expert, do you have any other suggestions for me?"

Ning Weimin asked about Alan Delon's arrangements again.

"Ahem, little brother, if you expect me to speak for you in the organizing committee, then you will be disappointed. I am just here to play out of boredom, mainly to get together with you and do my best. I don't hold any position. As for whether I will show up and walk on the red carpet, it just depends on my mood. I'm sorry, I can't help you much. I can only introduce you to a few European companies. Film dealers, for the rest, you can only try your luck at the exhibition hall with famous films and posters.”

However, even though Alain Delon said this, he still gave a lot of valuable suggestions.

"Ah, but if you don't care about money, maybe you can buy a booth from others at a high price to sell your movie. After all, every year in Cannes, there are many lucky people who have sold copies of their movies and withdraw early. There will always be a place for you. Well, also, I have a friend who is in charge of screening at the Cannes Film Festival Palace this year. I remember she once told me that many people don’t know the screening times of non-competition films. There are gaps. If you are lucky, you may have some free time to arrange a screening of your film, which will also be beneficial to the sales of the film. You know, you can spend money to meet the public. Showing a movie here will always attract some movie buyers who come to participate in the market. Of course, you still have to pay extra, and because it is a temporary screening and no information is available, the attention it receives is relatively limited. I'm afraid you need to consider this yourself. …

"oh……"

Ning Weimin thought to himself, this is the so-called relying on friends when going out. He never thought there was such a way.

Thanks to Alain Delon, who is an expert in the French film industry, otherwise he would not be able to get the hang of it if he came to participate in two more editions with these insider tips.

So he immediately asked Alain Delon about the details and related prices.

It's a pity that Alain Delon only knows these things in general, and he really can't give too detailed trading information.

After all, he is a big star and cannot do such things as reselling film festival resources. He has to consult others for the specific market price.

"Don't worry, things will be fine, Ning."

Alain Delon saw that Ning Weimin attached great importance to this matter, so he comforted him, "If you are really interested, I will help you contact these people tomorrow, relax, little brother. I dare not say about other places, but in France, even in Europe, my face in the film industry is still useful. Besides, Catherine will come tomorrow, and she is more familiar with the organizing committee than I am. You know how powerful that woman is. There is probably no man in the world who can refuse her request. She also knows that you are coming, and she will definitely be happy to help. So please relax and enjoy the present."

When talking about Catherine Deneuve, Alain Delon couldn't help but smile and blink.

This is a tacit understanding between men, so Ning Weimin had to laugh along.

"What are you going to do next? Do you want to go to Martinez Beach together? The sunshine and scenery there are quite nice. You must go and see it."

Alain Delon then extended an invitation, and also included different project options, "I have a boat here. If you like, we can go out to sea for a ride, drink beer, fish, etc..."

However, Ning Weimin felt a little tired and just wanted to walk around and get familiar with the environment of Cannes Town.

He rejected Alain Delon's kindness on the grounds of jet lag.

"No, thank you. We just arrived here and we still have to pack our luggage and adjust to the jet lag. Thank you for your invitation, although I am looking forward to experiencing the scenes in "The Wrath of the Sea" in person, and eager to feel the excitement of boating with you, a dangerous person. But forget it today. I don't have enough physical strength and spirit to support me to do this. I don't want to be wrapped in a canvas by you and sent to the sea to sleep forever. It would be even better if we could change the time."

This made Alain Delon laugh immediately.

For no other reason than "The Wrath of the Sea" was his work in 1960. The Republic also has a version translated by Shanghai Translation. The story is the novel "The Talented Mr. Ripley" which has been remade several times.

Alain Delon is the protagonist in the film. Because of hatred and envy of a wealthy life, this poor boy killed the rich second-generation who took him out to sea on a sailboat, and wrapped the body with canvas and threw it back into the sea.

Ning Weimin's words are undoubtedly a ridicule of him based on his role in the film.

Although this film did not win an award, Alain Delon's appearance in the film is at its peak.

Moreover, the plot of this film is compact, the logic is reasonable, and the reputation is particularly good, which has played a very important role in Alain Delon's career.

Even in the eyes of many fans, Alain Delon's performance in this film is far more charming and sympathetic than another version performed by Matt Damon decades later.

So, Ning Weimin scratched Alain Delon's itch without knowing it.

Even if he refused the invitation, Alain Delon would not have any grudges about it.

Instead, he turned to the next best thing and made an appointment with Ning Weimin and Matsumoto Keiko to have dinner together to show his hospitality.

In fact, Alain Delon and his girlfriend Rosalie stayed and drank only one glass of wine, and then left happily together, giving the couple the freedom to be alone.