At 9 p.m. on May 14, 2011, a drizzle of rain fell in the sky over Cannes.

Lee Shengyao watched another whole day of movies today, and he felt as happy as when he went home to watch cartoons when he was a child.

There is no trivial things in life, no pressure of work, it is immersed in the world of movies, which is a rare time for him to enjoy movies after he crosses over.

He separated from Dapeng and Brother Xiao Ming, and then went back to the room to take a bath, planning to rest early and continue watching movies tomorrow.

Ten minutes later, Lee took a shower and received a strange phone call, and he then went out.

Moments later, he saw Shi Nansheng in the hotel's café.

This aunt, who is just sixty, is dressed very fashionably, wearing silk long sleeves on her upper body, with a pair of denim trousers, and a silk scarf, which has a very elite feeling in the fashion circle.

Her hair has turned gray, but she doesn't look like she's pretending to be tender.

Shi Nansheng is a capable person, and Xu Wei can concentrate on making movies, a big reason is that Shi Nansheng helped him solve things off the set.

And she is good at dancing with long sleeves, and she has a good relationship with various film and television companies in the Hong Kong Island film and television industry.

This time, Cannes invited her to be a judge, which can be regarded as an affirmation of her.

Li Shengyao had met with Shi Nansheng before and talked about some things, but they were all relatively superficial, and they could only be said to be acquaintances, not friends.

At this time, Shi Nansheng is the judge, and Li Shengyao is the director of the participating films, and it is not good for the two to meet.

Although the current social atmosphere is more tolerant and does not care too much about the contact between the judges and the participating directors, taking photos of the paparazzi will have some impact after all.

Shi Nansheng called and invited them to have a drink together, Li Shengyao didn't want to be invited, but after thinking about it, it was over.

Shi Nansheng is a strong woman, such a woman will not do something to waste time, there must be something, so she found Li Shengyao.

He was going to go over and take a look.

"Director Li, you are such a pretty boy, just like when Liming was young."

Liming was really handsome when she was young, and when she was engaged in activities in other countries, female stars would be.

Li Shengyao smiled, "Miss Shi, you are also very beautiful, just like Zhao Yazhi, your demeanor has not diminished back then." ”

Shi Nansheng then beckoned and asked for a cup of coffee.

Li Shengyao thought about it and asked for a glass of orange juice.

"Director Li, are you feeling okay these days?"

Shi Nansheng saw it in his eyes, and then asked leisurely.

"It's okay, I'm not Chen Kexin, I'm stronger than him."

Li Shengyao made a joke.

Chen Kexin came with the "Martial Arts" team and wanted to make a breakthrough in Cannes, but the foreign audience and judges didn't like this setting very much, and they were not interested in kung fu films.

The film did not make any waves in Cannes, and it fluttered quietly.

Chen Kexin was devastated, and early on the second day of the screening of "Martial Arts", he left Cannes with people.

If the word-of-mouth of "1937" is not good, it is determined that he will not win the award, and Lee Shengyao will leave Cannes the next morning.

But that doesn't stop him from talking right now.

Shi Nansheng nodded, and then said: ""The Moon of Vermilion Flowers" and "One Life" have both completed screenings, and the reputation is not bad, I think it should be shortlisted for the best film. ”

"The Moon of Vermilion Flowers" is a film by Naomi Kawase, director of the island nation.

"One Life" is a film by Takashi Miike, director of the island nation.

Takashi Miike has a general influence in the world film industry.

Naomi Kawase is different, she is known as the best female director in the island country, she is only 42 years old this year, she has already won the Grand Jury Prize in Cannes for two films, and is known as the daughter of Cannes.

Ten years later, Naomi Kawase became the first Asian female director to win the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

This time at the Cannes Film Festival, there were only two Chinese-language films in the competition, and there were not many films in the Peninsula and Ah San, and the response was not good, just like "Martial Arts", there was no splash.

At this time, if "1937" hit the streets.

At this year's Cannes Film Festival, the island film will be the representative of Asian cinema.

Although the filmmakers of the two countries did not confront, losing to the island country film will undoubtedly make Director Li lose face.

Li Shengyao actually knew "The Moon of Vermilion Flowers" and "One Life", he didn't go to watch "One Life", but after watching "The Moon of Vermilion Flowers", it was indeed very beautiful.

Naomi Kawase loves to photograph nature, and in her films, nature is the real protagonist, and humans are just little bugs active on it.

Under such a big concept, Naomi Kawase's film is very free.

Some messy trivial things of human beings are just some small embellishments and gadgets in her movies, which are very decompressing to watch.

"I watched "The Moon of Vermilion Flowers", and it is indeed a very good movie."

Shi Nansheng took a sip of coffee, and then said slowly: "I have seen some Hong Kong Island media reports, saying that Chinese films are going to be wiped out, and island films will lead Asia at this Cannes Film Festival." ”

"Oh, the Hong Kong media still like to talk nonsense so much."

"It's not necessarily nonsense, now the pressure is on "1937", and everyone wants your film to rise."

Shi Nansheng looked at Li Shengyao, and his voice was very soft.

Director Li is now a big capitalist in domestic entertainment and a big man in the theater chain, so he can't be offended.

She didn't want to make Lee angry.

Li Shengyao nodded, "I'm fine, I'm confident." ”

Shi Nansheng followed up and said: "You are the most successful commercial film director in Asia, we all believe in your strength, and Lao Du and I are optimistic about your films." ”

Lao Du is Du Qifeng.

Li Shengyao chuckled and drank orange juice and did not answer.

To Qifeng is definitely talented, but he is prejudiced against the mainland.

Wang Jing knows that the decline of Hong Kong films has nothing to do with the mainland, but To Qifeng said all day long that the mainland restricts the development of Hong Kong films, and the mainland film censorship is yin and yang.

"Hong Kong Island films and mainland films are both Chinese-language films, we are our own family, and we will definitely be fair and just to "1937"."

When Li Shengyao heard this, he moved slightly.

Shi Nansheng came to him tonight, is it just to show that he will be fair and just?

This is what should be done, so why take a stand?

The only explanation is that there are still some things about heather.

Li Shengyao wanted to rest early and go to the movies tomorrow full of energy, so he directly clicked out, "Miss Shi, do you have anything else to say?" ”

Shi Nansheng shook his head, "No, this is the same thing, I came to tell you, I hope that Hong Kong Island films and mainland films will grow and progress together." ”

She saw that Li Shengyao's face had not changed and she looked in a good mood, so she continued: "The development of Hong Kong Island films has been hindered in recent years, you are a big man in the mainland, and we hope that you can help a group of Hong Kong Island films at that time." ”

finally said the real purpose, that is, I hope Director Li can understand.

Next, Shi Nansheng and To Qifeng will support "1937", which can be regarded as Director Li owing a favor, and the price is that Director Li will take more care of Hong Kong Island movies in the future.

When Li Shengyao heard this, he glanced at Shi Nansheng.

I felt funny in my heart, as a judge, it should have been fair and impartial, and now Shi Nansheng used this matter to make him make some kind of commitment.

He thought it was ridiculous.

Maybe Shi Nansheng and Du Qifeng felt that he needed to be escorted, but he never had such an idea, and he was very confident.

He shook his head, "Miss Shi, I can't promise you what you said, I'm tired tonight, so be it." ”

After the words fell, Li Shengyao got up, and then quickly left under Shi Nansheng's surprised gaze.

……

The matter of Shi Nansheng did not affect Li Shengyao's mood to watch the movie, and the next day, he was still watching various movies.

It wasn't until 9 a.m. on May 16, 2011 that "1937" was officially screened, and he put away his leisurely mood and prepared for the screening of "1937".

According to Lee Shengyao's thoughtfulness.

"1937" will be screened twice in a row at the Cannes Film Festival, both in a 300-seat theater.

When the time came, Dunst, Pitt, Jolie, and De Niro, as well as some filmmakers that Lee Shengyao didn't know, really came to the screening hall of "1937".

De Niro also stopped to chat with Lee for a while.

"Lee, your film has a very good gimmick, but I hope it's not just an eye-catcher, it's a huge innovation and development."

De Niro then entered the theater.

Lee Shengyao didn't go in, he had already watched "1937", and he planned to sit outside and feel the emotions of the audience inside.

At this time, audiences entered the theater one after another, and many audiences went straight to the "1937" screening hall, looking like they were rushing to this movie.

Among them are mainly whites, who are supposed to be native to France.

He was a little surprised, he didn't arrange for someone to promote "1937" in Cannes, so why did so many locals come to watch "1937"?

At this moment, the staff in the theater stood at the door, stopping the audience who wanted to continue to enter the theater.

"It's already full of 300 people, and there are no empty seats inside."

The screening was 100% attended.

Many fans stood at the door, looking helpless.

Li Shengyao gave Dapeng a look and asked him to go over to inquire about the news.

After a while, Dapeng came back with an excited face, "Director, the official website of the Cannes Film Festival has recommended several participating films, and "1937" is one of them. ”

I see.

There was an official push, Li Shengyao smiled, "Okay, let's wait and see the effect." ”

More and more local movie fans are coming to watch "1937", and many people are sorry when they hear that the seats are full.

Li Shengyao sat on a chair outside the theater and looked at the fans who came over with a smile.

At this moment, a middle-aged man in an Armani suit walked over, stretched out his hand and said, "Li, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm the marketing manager of Gaumont Film Company, and my name is John." ”

John was about forty years old, with a strong body and broad shoulders, and he exercised regularly at first glance.

There wasn't much left of his hair, but it was still well cared for and combed back completely.

Overall, this is a European elite.

And John didn't lie, as the marketing manager of Gaumon Film Company, he has indeed climbed to a very high level.

After European integration, France and Germany frantically encroached on and devoured the high-quality industries of other countries.

At present, the three largest film distribution companies in Europe and the three largest cinema companies are all French companies.

These three companies are Gaumont Films, EMI Films, and Europa Films.

Among them, Gaumont Films was established the earliest, in 1888, and is now a giant in the European film and television industry, they both produce, distribute, and cinema.

Gaumon cinema had a great influence throughout Europe.

Lee stood up, shook John's hand, and then said some kind words.

"Lee, although I haven't seen your movie yet, I think it's a very good movie, and I recognize your talent very much."

Li Shengyao remained vigilant, smiling and nodding.

John then said some nice things, and then he said: "Lee, we are very optimistic about the development of "1937" in the European film market, and we want to buy the theatrical rights of "1937" for five million euros. ”

The purchase of the copyright, that is, Gaumont paid five million euros, and then the box office revenue of "1937" in Europe was all attributed to Gaumont, and it had nothing to do with Fenghua.

This kind of buying and selling transaction is actually the mainstream of today's world.

Not all national films, they are Hollywood films, which can be distributed worldwide and are able to make money all over the world.

The vast majority of films in small countries sell the copyright at a relatively low price.

Mainland publishing companies actually like to play this set.

In Li Shengyao's previous life, Tyrande's "Genius Gunman" is said to have been sold to Hengye Films in the mainland for 500,000 yuan, and then made hundreds of millions.

"Wrestling, Dad" was sold to Huaying World in the mainland, and the copyright was only 3 million.

Now Gaumont is willing to offer a price of 5 million euros, which is actually a high price, almost 40 million people.

When Li Shengyao heard this, he paused slightly, then shook his head with a smile, "I'm glad that Gaomeng Pictures is so optimistic about "1937", but we have already made an agreement with Warner, and Warner will help distribute it worldwide." ”

John frowned slightly when he heard Warner, but he didn't give up, "Lee, I think you should think about "1937" carefully. ”

"If "1937" has a good reputation, then it will be released by Warner, and there will be no problem."

"But if "1937" has a bad reputation, then even if it is released by Warner, it may not make five million euros in Europe."

"And we're giving you a chance now, you can get five million euros safely, and you don't need to worry about the subsequent box office at all."

Is it a stable five million euros, or a higher profit.

It's a matter of choice.

At this time, "1937" was being screened in the theater, and there was no laughter, no applause, and it seemed very quiet.

Just now, a group of fans who wanted to come over to watch "1937", after seeing that there were no seats, most of them left, and only a few of them were willing to sit aside and wait.

Lee actually understood John's words very well.

However, he spent five months rehearsing, three months of formal filming, and two months in the post-production, plus the time for preliminary preparation, a total of almost a year, and invited more than 4,000 group performers.

He naturally has confidence in his films.

"John, I've thought very clearly, we're going to work with Warners for a global release."

(End of chapter)