Cannes is a coastal city, a world-famous tourist destination.

Naturally, a lot of hotels have been built.

This is a huge advantage of Cannes over Venice and Berlin.

Venice is a city of water, and the most important means of transportation in the city is the boat, and many places are not even accessible to traffic.

As a result, while water cruises are romantic and poetic, there are too few places where you can connect quickly.

The Venice Film Festival will be hosted on the city's largest island, Lido.

The island is also nicknamed the Motor City, not because it produces cars, but because the other islands of Venice are not easy to navigate, only the island of Lido is large enough to have wide roads for cars.

But compared to Cannes, Lido Island is naturally not so wide and still too crowded.

If it's a film festival period, there are a lot of tourists and there are often traffic jams.

This has become an important constraint on the development of the Venice Film Festival, and local officials have discussed whether to fill the river, but it has been rejected.

As for Berlin, it is the capital of Germany, a place with a strong political atmosphere, the scenery is average, there is nothing special, and the ceiling is visibly low.

Overall, in terms of topography, Cannes is the best place to choose the location of the three major film festivals.

There are many hotels here, and the annual Cannes Film Festival celebration is a project that major hotels compete for.

The 2012 festival was celebrated at the Martinez Hotel.

This hotel is said to have opened in the twenties of the last world, and it is said to be a hotel, but it is more like a manor.

At this time, a group of celebrities, directors, and producers are on the grass outside the hotel building, enjoying wine and food.

The sound of glass bells clattering can be found in English, French, Korean, Chinese, and other languages.

The air wafted with the smell of perfume mixed with baguettes.

The lights were turned on all sides of the hotel meadow, long tables, a variety of pastries, and a variety of fine wines.

Hundreds of reporters followed, holding cameras in the distance, flashing on, and clicking to take pictures.

Li Shengyao was smiling, he wasn't sure how many people he had taken pictures with, not three hundred, but two hundred and five.

Only then did I realize that smiling was not an easy task.

He wasn't sure if his smile would be fake, so he could only say that he was as sincere as possible.

After standing for about forty minutes, he was free, then sat down, picked up a piece of pastry, and ate it.

At this moment, Zheng Youmei, who was wearing a long green dress and had an open back, walked over with a look of adoration.

"Senpai, congratulations."

Li Shengyao looked at Zheng Youmei, looked at each other, and nodded, "Thank you." ”

"Senior, our director wants to visit you, is it okay?"

Is it necessary to be so formal?

Li Shengyao was stunned when he heard this, and noticed Zheng Youmei's serious expression, not like a joke, so he came back to his senses.

Hong Sang-so, the director of "In a Foreign Country", is a director with a lot of personality.

He is in the Peninsula film and television circle, and his status should be in the top five.

In Lee Shengyao's previous life, Hong Sang-so would later win the Venice Silver Lion Award for Best Director, as well as Best Screenplay.

This man has a withdrawn personality and is deeply wary of everything in the outside world, and he rarely appears in front of the camera except for making movies.

has never been on variety shows, and even movie promotion, I don't care, that is, I show up on the premiere day.

That is, he never cared about the box office.

Of course, this person is not a person who does not eat fireworks in the world, and will cheat on Kim Minxi in a few years.

The eldest brother is right, men make mistakes.

On the whole, in this world, in addition to beautiful confidants, I am afraid that only film awards can enter Hong Shangxiu's eyes.

Hong Sang-so has a film every year, and he must participate in film festivals, not Cannes, Venice, Berlin.

He knows very well that with his character, every movie loses money, and he can still call for wind and rain on the peninsula, that is, he can win awards.

Li Shengyao thought of something and nodded, "Of course you can, Director Hong is a director I admire." ”

Not long after, Hong Sang-so led a group of actors from "In a Foreign Country" over, and he looked much older than his actual age.

He was just fifty years old, but he had white hair and an old countenance, like a man in his sixties.

"Director Li, congratulations on winning the award, you are the pride of our Asian films, I watched "Parasite", this movie is very good, it will definitely shock the whole world.

This film will definitely win more awards, and maybe participate in next year's Oscars, and it can also compete for honors. ”

Li Shengyao smiled and shook hands with Hong Sang-so, "Director Hong is polite, you are my senior, and I like your movie very much." ”

Hong Shangxiu's eyes lit up when he heard this, and then he said: "Yes, Director Li, what do you think of "In a Foreign Country"?"

Li Shengyao has not watched "In a Foreign Country", but when he gave Zheng Youmei a lesson, he heard Zheng Youmei talk about the plot of the movie.

At that time, he remembered that he had read some film reviews of "In a Foreign Country" in his previous life.

Although "In a Foreign Country" did not win an award at Cannes, it was highly praised by the industry, and the film was selected as one of the top ten films in the 2012 "Film Handbook".

"It's great, the collision of Eastern and Western cultures in this movie is interesting and full of thought, and I really like it."

Hong Sang-so and Jia Kechang, Nanni. Moretti is a director of the genre.

The theme of Chief Jia's movies is always small-town youth in the big era.

Nanni. The theme of Moretti's films is always the dilemmas and thoughts of ordinary people in ordinary life.

And Hong Sang-so's films are always about the uneasiness and desire in the emotions of men and women.

It seems a bit monotonous to dig into a subject matter like this, but if you shoot well, you can win an award.

When Hong Shangxiu heard this, he nodded excitedly, turned his head to look at a few people around him, and got affirmative glances from others, and then said: "Director Li, thank you for your recognition, "Parasite" is very good, and when the movie is released, I will go to the cinema to support "Parasite". ”

Hong Sang-so didn't even bother to go to the cinema to watch his own movie when it was released, and it was very rare that he could go to the cinema to watch "Parasite".

Li Shengyao smiled, and then chatted with Hong Sang-so for a while, and Hong Sang-so left satisfied.

Before leaving, he turned around and bowed to Li Shengyao, and said respectfully: "Director Li, I am very happy to communicate with you, and I hope to communicate with you more and cooperate more in the future." ”

Li Shengyao poured a glass of yellow orange juice and took a sip, which was sweet and sour.

He noticed that Hong Sang-so was still looking at him after leaving, so he smiled and waved his hand.

Hong Sang-so, a person who is not a bird on the peninsula, is now so polite to him, with an attitude of studying late and making progress.

He had a vague guess.

If he won the Palme d'Or last year, he became an excellent new director.

Then he won the Palme d'Or again this year, although Lee Shengyao is still very young, but in the circle, there is no doubt that he is not only a cutting-edge director, but also a world director.

In addition to making movies in the future, there will inevitably be many film festivals, and film awards invite Lee Shengyao to be a judge, with two golden palms in hand, it is not impossible to be the chief seal of the jury.

Like the Oscars, there are hundreds of judges, and a single judge doesn't matter.

But at a film festival like Cannes, Venice and Berlin, the taste of the jury is crucial.

It's like this year's Cannes Film Festival, Nanny. Moretti is very averse to commercial films and likes the kind of films that are innovative.

Regadas's movies are just a piece of, a movie that he watched with a nervous disorder, but he made the film in a novel form and in a unique way, even if it wasn't so perfect, it could still be favored by Nanni Moretti.

If last year's jury presided over the seal, Robert. De Niro judged that it was absolutely impossible for Regadas to win the best director.

Lee Shengyao's two Palme d'Or, the two consecutive Palme d'Or that made history, has already established his status in the film industry, and maybe he will be the chief jury of the Cannes Film Festival that year.

It is not surprising that Hong Sang-so, who is so keen on awards, came over to say good things and express his attitude.

Li Shengyao picked up the orange juice, shook it, and drank it all.

"Lee, congratulations, you're really amazing, you're a genius born for movies."

Director Li was just about to see if there was anything delicious at the other tables, when John, the theater manager of Raymond Pictures, came over with a goblet.

This guy drank a lot of wine, smelled of alcohol, and his face was red, but his eyes were calm and he was not drunk.

Last year, Lee Shengyao won the Palme d'Or, and John bought the rights to "1937" in Africa for $2 million on behalf of Raymond Pictures.

Later, John also called Lee Shengyao and said that "1937" performed well in the film market, and the total box office of African countries combined was 9 million US dollars.

Raymond Pictures has the largest cinema chain in Europe and is the largest film production company in Europe, and there is no conflict with Huaxia Films.

It's a natural friend.

Lee poured another glass of orange juice and then clinked a glass with John.

"Have you watched Parasite?"

"No, I was in England on the day of the screening, and when the movie comes out, I'll definitely go to see it."

John paused, and then said: "Lee, we have successful cooperation experience, I won't talk nonsense, the copyright of "Parasite" in Africa, sell it to Raymond Pictures." ”

The release of "Parasite" in Europe, North America will definitely go to Warner.

As for the copyright on the African continent, it is already a money that cannot be made, so it can naturally be sold to Raymond Pictures.

However, "1937" has two million US dollars, and "Parasite" is naturally more than that.

"1937" tells the story of the Battle of Songhu, which foreigners are not familiar with.

But "Parasite" is about class contradictions, which people all over the world can understand.

In Li Shengyao's previous life, "Parasite" was 1.9 billion US dollars worldwide, and this movie was not released in the mainland, otherwise there might be 200 million.

"No problem, but the royalties for Parasite are higher."

"Oh, how much?"

"Three million dollars."

Raymond Pictures had apparently investigated the subject matter of "Parasite" for a long time and knew that the film was more commercial.

John smiled with a sincere expression, "If it were someone else, I would definitely have to bargain, but you are different, Lee, for our friendship, three million, the deal was sought." ”

Although Lee didn't believe a word, he raised his glass and clinked a glass with John.

Anyway, you won't die by saying a few kind words.

John continued: "Lee, we at Raymond Pictures would like to cooperate with you more deeply and hold your personal film exhibition in France, do you have any requirements?" ”

Holding a personal film exhibition is pure money.

After all, it's all old movies on display.

Li Shengyao naturally would not refuse, he thought for a while, "John, you Raymond Pictures are responsible for this matter, it's like you just agreed to my offer, and I'm willing to cooperate with you." ”

John looked delighted, and then said, "When you have time, we will arrange for someone to take a few sets of promotional photos for you." ”

"Tomorrow."

Lee will not return to China immediately this time, and he still has some interviews.

Including Cannes TV, as well as France Salary, France 2, all wanted to interview him.

Now that he won the Palme d'Or in France, Li Shengyao will naturally give face.

"We will also arrange some French stars to attract you to the stream, and this film exhibition will definitely not disappoint you."

"Thank you."

John blinked, and then said: "Li, we at Raymond Pictures attach great importance to you, just like I said last year, we want to cooperate with you at any time, no matter what project you have, you can negotiate with us, we have funds and channels." ”

Li Shengyao nodded, "I understand that if there is really a suitable project, I am willing to cooperate with you." ”

Hearing this, John put down his wine glass, clapped his hands and said, "Lee, I'm looking forward to it very much." ”

Li Shengyao chatted with John for a while, and the two separated.

In the warm light, men wore suits, women wore gowns, and some wore dazzling gems.

Everyone was smiling, laughing everywhere, with kind faces and kind tones.

The smell of perfume, red wine, and baguette wafted in the air.

At this moment, it is like a paradise on earth.

Lee Shengyao knows that Raymond Pictures is not doing charity, this year John is more generous and enthusiastic than last year, it is definitely not that he has become handsome, or that John is in a good mood.

The only reason is that he has won the Palme d'Or twice in a row, and his status in the world film industry has improved.

Just like Hong Sang-so, Lee Shengyao can influence some things, and John's attitude has changed.

This is just the beginning, I believe that more people in the film industry will show him his kind and kind side in the future.

The celebration banquet has come to an end, and Li Shengyao plans to find Liu Dehua and Liang Jiahui and go back to the hotel together later.

It was at this time that the Cannes Film Festival was hosted by Jacob and Trandy. Niang, Emma. Riva is coming.

Jacob is 80 years old, he has no hair, his face is tired, and he doesn't look like a traditional Frenchman, a bit of an old Asian man.

Niang is eighty-two years old, he is an actor, although he is getting older, he is better maintained than Jacob, he has gray hair, but he has a temperament of his own.

Riva is eighty-five years old. She is in a similar state to Niang, and it is conceivable that she was very beautiful when she was younger.

Niang and Riva are the heroes and heroines of "Love", and the two of them are 167 years old together.

In Lee Shengyao's previous life, although these two did not win the Best Actor and Actress at the Cannes Film Festival, they will then win the French César Award for Best Actor, and they will also win the Best Actor Award at many film festivals.

Lee Shengyao has always respected people who are dedicated and love movies, and he took the initiative to meet them.

"Congratulations, Lee, you are the brightest star tonight, and Cannes is richer and more beautiful because of you."

Before Li Shengyao could speak, Jacob was the first to speak, he spoke English, which was very standard.

Niang and Riva then went on to say some compliments.

Li Shengyao said modestly: "Mr. Zhuxi is polite, I am just lucky, and I would like to thank the organizers of the film festival and the judges, your recognition has made me more confident." ”

Jacob was very satisfied with Li Shengyao's attitude, he smiled and said: "Lee, you are very good, among the new generation of directors, I am most optimistic about you, I hope you can continue to make great films, Cannes is like your home, we are always full of expectations, full of enthusiasm, and welcome you at any time." ”

As soon as the words fell, Jacob set his eyes on Li Shengyao's face.

He didn't actually come from a film major, he just liked movies when he was a student, and after leaving campus, he joined a factory to work, but he has always loved movies and often writes for various film magazines.

At the age of forty, the factory where he worked was bought by the magnesium people, and he was appreciated by Robert Bray, the director of the Cannes Film Festival at the time, and entered the Cannes Film Festival to work, and quickly rose to the position.

Since the 80s of the last century, he has been the Grand Seal of Cannes for 30 years.

It was thanks to his full impetus that Cannes became the number one film festival in the world.

But competition in Cannes remains.

Among the three major film festivals in Europe, the Cannes Film Festival is relatively commercial, and likes to find a balance between business and art.

The Venice Film Festival made mistakes during World War II, and then focused on artistry.

The Berlinale was the latest to be founded, and it took a different approach, focusing on niche or politically problematic films.

In this case, the three major film festivals have their own selection criteria at the beginning.

However, good movies and good directors are always scarce, and the three major film festivals will train their own direct directors.

Jacob hopes that Lee Shengyao will have good movies in the future, and his first choice is the Cannes Film Festival.

Li Shengyao nodded, "Mr. Zhuxi, just like you said, Cannes is my home, I will remember this, I hope to make more films, and then shine in Cannes." ”

Hearing this, Jacob nodded with satisfaction, "Lee, you have already set a new record in Cannes, you are still so young, I believe you can set more excellent records." ”

"Haha, that's what I expected."

(End of chapter)