Jim is a senior editor at Screen magazine in the UK and has been in charge of the festival in Cannes for many years. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

At noon, he learned from a friend that a Chinese movie was playing in a bar last night, and the suspenseful storyline was a rare murder in the style of "Agatha Christie", and he couldn't help but scoff at it.

Agatha Christie is the pride of England, second only to Shakespeare in the number of books she has written.

She pioneered the "country house school" of detective fiction, in which the murder takes place in a specific enclosed environment, and the murderer is also one of several specific related people. Therefore, she is known as the "Queen of Reasoning", and many works have been put on the big screen, and have also formed a unique style, influencing many detective works in Europe, America and even Japan.

A Chinese film in the style of "Agatha Christie", Jim expressed skepticism. The Chinese movies in his impression are more about the ancient mysteries of the Orient, as well as the magical kung fu that can fly the eaves and walk the wall.

At ten o'clock in the evening, he came to the Mbiwa bar alone, sat on the bar and sipped the bar's signature cocktail, chatting casually with the bartender and the drinkers around him.

"I heard the bar showed a movie last night?"

"Yes. I've lived here for 33 years, and this is the first time I've come across a bar showing a movie. ”

"Is there still a screening tonight?"

"That's for our boss. ”

"Is the movie good?"

The drinker next to him interjected: "My friend said that the suspense was very strong, and the ending surprised him." ”

"So you're coming to the bar for the movie?"

"Why not? I just need to buy a cocktail and watch a movie that might be good, much cheaper than a movie theater. ”

……

In the exclusive card seat of Mengren BIG3, there are many acquaintances tonight.

In addition to Huang Lei, who had greeted him, brought friends over, as well as Li Bingyu and Yihua's executives. Lin Zhiling has returned to China after attending the premiere of Taiwanese films, but Stewart came and sat next to Mai Xiaoyu, which was eye-shattering.

Everyone has their own purpose.

Huang Lei and the others came over, first, to join in the fun to see the quality of Mengren's new film, and second, to be curious about Mai Xiaoyu's routine.

Yihualai's motive is very simple, that is, to test whether Mai Xiaoyu's use of this strange way to seek overseas distribution can be successful, and if so, whether he can learn from it. Although they are not familiar with Mai Xiaoyu, is there Li Bingyu in the middle to introduce them?

As for Stewart, he simply wanted to know as much as possible about Mai Xiaoyu and increase his confidence in gambling.

"I've convinced you, can't you go back to the usual path?" Huang Lei said jokingly.

Mai Xiaoyu was very innocent about this: "If I can go to the theater to screen it, why should I make such a decision?"

Many foreign celebrities have posted photos with their necks and Chao on Twitter, and the domestic media are also promoting their popularity abroad; MLGB is also your person, I remember that they used to play underground bands, and this time they made a successful comeback. There is also the identity of Xiao Yuer, the crew of "Struggle" is frequently reported, this is a TV series invested by your company. ”

As Huang Lei said, for the overseas release of "Fatal ID", the routine designed by Mai Xiaoyu is quite a bit unintentional. There are no publishers yet, but there are many other benefits.

If the overseas distribution is finally done, it will be a bumper harvest with a perfect ending.

"Actually, I think that if this film is shown in theaters, or if the media and distributors watch the film, the effect will be better, and the distributor may have contacted you. It was Ye Chu who spoke, and after watching "Fatal ID" last night, he had a positive attitude.

"I want to, too, but we're 'black' and can't do it. ”

Of course, Mai Xiaoyu knew that Ye Chu was right, but it was not possible to show every film in the theater, not to mention that he was a "black household"...... He can invite media and publishers, but you don't have any fame, will people come?

"You mean that what you're doing now is a last resort?"

Yihua's executives are crazy. I thought that I could refer to the alternative overseas distribution method of Mengren, but now I understand that Mai Xiaoyu is unable to seek a formal way, and is forced to go sideways.

Mamadi, we have been operating overseas distribution through formal channels, but it is more difficult!

Stewart touched Mai Xiaoyu and whispered, "Look over there, Mr. Frenrich and Mr. MacDonald are here." ”

"That MacDonald is the publisher?"

"No, he's a senior manager at Fox. ”

Tonight, Mai Xiaoyu will definitely not go on stage again, and he has already given the old man enough space steps for two consecutive nights. From tonight onwards, only the MLGB band will be the finale, and the dance will be performed by local French enthusiasts.

Like last night, when "Fatal ID" was played at half past eleven, the bar was once again hit by a storm of drinkers, but it was much less than last night, and the number of people who watched the movie seriously changed from a few last night to a few.

After the movie was played, Diao Yi and his friends appeared, and the bar returned to a frenzied atmosphere.

Huang Lei, Ye Chu, Xi Xiaoxing and others discussed the plot structure of the movie, Yihua executives said goodbye under the pretext of attending the event tomorrow morning, and Li Bingyu looked apologetic.

After a while, Mbiwa walked over with Jim.

"Mai, he said he was the editor of "The Screen" and wanted to meet the director of the film. ”

Jim came with a skeptical mind, looking at the film with a critical eye. But after watching the movie, he found that the actors' performances in "Fatal ID" were not outstanding, and he could only say that he was decent, but the rhythm of the plot was ...... I really grasped the essence of the "Agatha Christie" murder style!

Not only that, behind the murder case, there is a profound exploration of human nature and psychology, and movies with human nature themes, even in the main competition unit, are the most popular themes!

He was very curious and eager to meet the Chinese director who made this film. Then he found the bar owner, Mbiwa, and followed the latter to find him.

Screen editor?

Finally caught a big fish!

Mai Xiaoyu was secretly happy in his heart, and brought Xi Xiaoxing to introduce quietly: "He is the director." ”

"Hello, I'm Jim, the editor of Screen magazine, and here's my business card......"

Exchanging business cards with Jim, Xiao Xing looked at Mai Xiaoyu, excused himself for lame English, and asked Mai Xiaoyu to be the translator, and then the two brothers began to have a cordial and friendly exchange with Jim.

Zhang Xiaoquan hugged Shen Fei, and said something in her ear with a smile on the corner of his eyebrows, which made Shen Fei's beautiful eyes flicker; Huang Lei, Ye Chu and the others stopped talking and focused on the conversation between the three; Stewart pricked up his ears and listened to the conversation between Mai Xiaoyu and Jim.

Everyone understands how important it is for Deadly ID to get Jim, the editor of "Screen".

If the "black household" wind sees the light, maybe it will be tonight!

Mai Xiaoyu and Xi Xiaoxing have been partners for many years, and there is no doubt about the tacit understanding, and they have deceived Jim for more than 20 minutes. In the end, Jim proposed when he left that it was too late today, and he hoped to have an exclusive interview with Xiaoxing at the hotel café at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, and the theme was naturally "Fatal ID"!

After coming to Cannes, the net was cast for several days, and Mai Xiaoyu successively put a lot of bait into it, and now it is important to harvest the season.

The next morning, he wanted to accompany Xiao Xing to an exclusive interview with the reporter of "The Screen" as a translator, but the arrival of the staff of a small French distribution company disrupted his plans.

There was no way, he had to ask Ye Chu to accompany Xi Xiaoxing, anyway, the brothers discussed most of the night, and Xi Xiaoxing knew how to reply to the reporter.

Ye Chu happily agreed.

He is the biggest spectator, and now that the show is at its climax, he certainly won't miss it.

However, Mai Xiaoyu does not think that this is a high tide, on the contrary, he believes that the current has officially entered the most difficult moment.

Just like the high-spirited, superiority director of the distribution company Eagle Hooknose, who expressed his interest in "Deadly ID" in arrogant words, and then asked for a DVD sample.

"We needed a quiet environment to calm down and evaluate the film. ”

"Sorry, the DVD dailies aren't ready yet. I guess you guys should have seen the movie at the bar, didn't you?"

"You Huaxia people are too poorly prepared, and I have to doubt your sincerity. Okay, I'll take a step back, is there a rough cut?"

"Nope. ”

"Our company is very interested in this film and is very sincere about bringing it to the big screen. It's a pity that I don't feel any sincerity from you, I can only express regret. Maybe other publishers are interested, or maybe not, good luck. ”

With that, Hooknose turned to leave.

"Yu'er, it's easy for a publisher to come to the door, why do you just refuse him?" Zhang Xiaoquan next to him asked anxiously.

Mai Xiaoyu smiled coldly: "Brother Fork, don't ask too much, there are a lot of cats in this." In a word, if you don't see a rabbit, you don't scatter an eagle. ”

"But ......"

Zhang Xiaoquan still wanted to persuade him, but Shen Fei grabbed him and shook his head, signaling him not to say anything more.

Her actions were appreciated by Mai Xiaoyu, who nodded with a smile in affirmation.

"Brother Fork, I have a hunch that that guy will come back in the afternoon. ”

It didn't have to wait for the afternoon, only an hour had passed, and the hooknose came again, but the attitude was still arrogant.

"I went back to discuss it, and our company believes that China and France are vigorously carrying out economic, cultural and other exchanges, and are willing to help your country and let more Europeans see Chinese movies......

"Let's get to the conclusion. ”

"Choke ......"

The conclusion is simple, Hooknose is willing to pay a high price of 200,000 euros for the European distribution rights of Deadly ID.

"200,000 euros?

"Questions?"

"Huh. ”

Mai Xiaoyu's eyes looked like a fool.

Chinese films have a small share of the international market, but they are extremely pursuing overseas distribution and release. The overseas box office is on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is forced to go up, which is in line with international standards.

Even if the box office is a mess, as long as there is a small gimmick, it can be hyped up in China.

Because of this, Chinese producers are often in a weak position in the international film market, and they have to often make regressions in order to distribute overseas, showing the broad-mindedness of Chinese people.

The investment in "Fatal ID" is only three million, and the buyout price of 200,000 euros is not too low. Eagle Hooknose thought that the conditions he saw were very high, but Mai Xiaoyu's response was: "Hehe." ”

can let the other party act as an agent for European distribution rights, but does not accept buyouts, only accepts the box office, which is Mai Xiaoyu's bottom line.

"This can't be!" Hooknose felt his dignity challenged, "You must know that this film is not a kung fu movie, nor is it starring a star in your country, and our company's release is extremely risky." We wouldn't have taken such a big risk without a high enough stake!"

"Then bye bye. ”

Break up again!

"Arrogant Huaxia, you will regret losing this opportunity!"

The hooked nose and left with a negative breath, but Mai Xiaoyu's heart became more and more stable.

Even Zhang Xiaoquan felt the other party's lust and guilt, scolded "forked", and ignored the other party's threat.

The day passed like this, and the days were uneventful.

The next day, Li Bingyu prepared to leave for China. Her trip to Cannes has ended, there is no need to stay until the closing ceremony, there are still announcements waiting for her in the country.

Packed up my luggage, had lunch, picked up today's special issue of "Screen" on the way back, and when I returned to the hotel, I was bored and flipped through it, and I flipped to a page casually, and was stunned.

The words "bar" and "Chinese film" attracted her attention, and after a closer look, she found the words "fatal ID". However, the title of this report is about the movie "Identity".

identity？

English name?

"This is a suspense film from China. At the beginning, the situation of a rainy night and a lonely hotel in the barren mountains is used to exaggerate the typical serial murder environment, and then through the mysterious deaths of the characters one after another, the story is slowly led to the climax......"

"The storyline is full of suspense, the whole film is filled with an atmosphere of horror, and the suspense is intertwined, until the end that the murderer is revealed......"

"Director Xiaoxing Huan is a talented young Chinese director who deeply understands the essence of the 'Agatha Christie' style murder case, and applies it to this film, which is applauded. ”

"Screen" magazine gave a detailed account of the movie "Deadly ID", and the editor's words at the end of the article said in a joking tone:

"This logical suspense thriller film, for a funny reason - the producer was negligent, did not have time to register for the film before the registration deadline, and finally passed by the Cannes Film Festival. ”

"Thankfully, the producers took the approach of showing in bars. Although absurd, it shows another side of Chinese films, different from the Chinese films of 'Kung Fu'......"

After reading the report, Li Bingyu found Director Yihua, and the first sentence of the latter after a brief reading of the report was: "How much did they spend?"

"Screen" is the fixed venue of the three major European film festivals, and it is also the most influential, highest-concerned and most authoritative industry magazine during the film festival, and it is also one of the favorable platforms for promoting films.

The cover of the house book is a must for major commercial films, and the films reported in them are also a means of publicity and promotion.

It's not hard to get on the story, as long as you're willing to spend money.

"It's not about money, is it?" Li Bingyu objected.

During the Cannes Film Festival, the number of issues of "Screen", "French Cinema" and "Hollywood Reporter" is fixed, and the films introduced every day to participate in the exhibition, participate in and sell films have already paid for the time and location.

It is impossible for Mai Xiaoyu to spend money temporarily to buy publicity spots for "Deadly ID". Moreover, the report on "Fatal ID" was published on the magazine's lace news page as entertainment news that happened during the festival, rather than on the promotional page that had to be purchased for money.

"What's the problem with that!" (To be continued.) )