May has finally passed, and June has come to the earth with open arms, swaggering, and high-profile.

The weather was obviously much hotter, and it was pouring rain on a regular basis.

The morning was a beautiful and sunny day.

At noon, it suddenly began to rain heavily, and it was as if the water of the entire Pacific Ocean had been turned upside down.

In a small courtyard in the eastern district of Yanjing, a middle-aged man with short hair and big pants is sitting under a sun umbrella in the middle of the courtyard, squinting and thinking about things.

This middle-aged man is the well-known Chief Jia.

Returning from the Cannes Film Festival, Chief Jia continued to write the script for his new film.

The movie is tentatively titled "The Old Man of Mountains and Rivers", and the script has actually been completed a long time ago, but he has been restless lately, and he always feels that it is not good enough, so he keeps checking and trying to find the reason for his uneasiness.

It wasn't until last night that he discovered the source of his uneasiness.

He wants to go to the Cannes Film Festival next year and make a splash for the awards.

During this year's film festival, when communicating with Lee Shengyao, Lee persuaded him not to participate in next year's Cannes Film Festival, and persuaded him to go to the Venice Film Festival, or the Berlin Film Festival.

Li Shengyao's business vision and ability to win awards are convincing to everyone.

This became a factor of uneasiness in Chief Jia's heart.

He wants to participate in the Cannes Film Festival, of course, not for the beautiful sea view of Cannes, he just wants to win the award.

Lee Shengyao persuaded him not to attend Cannes, did he think he would not be able to make a difference in Cannes next year?

Is it true that he was not able to make it to the Cannes Film Festival?

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Chief Jia got up and went over to open the door, only to see a young man standing at the door, with a thoughtful appearance, a smile, and a sunny and warm male temperament.

This young man's name is Wei Shujun, and he graduated from Huaxia University of Media and Communication.

He has directed several short films and is quite talented.

And Wei Shujun's family has a little relationship, a little money, and Section Chief Jia has known him for a long time.

"Xiao Wei, come in."

Wei Shujun carried a bag in his hand, entered the small courtyard, and handed the bag to Section Chief Jia, "Uncle, this month's new "Film Manual", as well as "Seeing and Hearing", I brought it back from abroad. ”

Neither the Movie Handbook nor the Sight and Sound are available in Chinese characters.

There are no sales outlets in the mainland, so you can only buy these two books abroad.

Hearing this, Chief Jia smiled and nodded, "Sit, let's eat some fruit." ”

He asked the aunt at home to cut a plate of fruit, and then sat down to chat with Wei Shujun.

Mr. Wei graduated from college last summer and started his own film and television company with ambitions to become a good film director.

He's now all about making his own films.

He had no experience in making feature-length films in the past, so he came to Chief Jia, hoping to get his guidance.

This kid is not making ordinary commercial movies, he wants to make literary films.

Chief Jia was not a stingy person, so he patiently recounted his own early experiences.

It is to make low-cost literary films, show them at foreign film festivals, impact awards, sell copyrights, and form a virtuous circle.

Wei Shujun listened very carefully, nodding his head while constantly asking questions.

After chatting for two hours, Section Chief Jia told his early experience clearly, and Wei Shujun was very impressed when he heard it, and said some good things again and again.

It's like Chief Jia's set.

Lao Mouzi, they have already started playing.

However, Chief Jia should be the last heir to this set of gameplay.

No one has been as successful as he has been.

Today's young directors are more likely to choose commercial films to start.

After all, commercial films can make money.

When Chief Jia saw Wei Shujun's appearance, he was also a little proud in his heart, he started making small-budget literary films, and finally won the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival, which is not something anyone can copy.

Listening to the other party's praise, he gradually felt that this young man had vision, and when he thought of what he had been thinking about recently, he couldn't help but say: "Xiao Wei, I plan to make a new movie, do you think I should participate in the Cannes Film Festival next year, or the Venice Film Festival?" ”

Wei Shujun was stunned when he heard this, "Uncle, what kind of movie?" ”

"Under the great social changes, the mentality and life of ordinary people have changed."

"And what did you originally think?"

Section Chief Jia felt that Wei Shujun was a person who could be trusted, thought about it, and said: "I originally planned to participate in the Cannes Film Festival, and in order to participate in the Cannes Film Festival next year, I will go over to be a judge this year.

And in the choice of roles in the movie, I will use some more famous actresses. ”

He had already conceived of the actors who would play several important roles in the story.

He planned to go to Hong Kong Island after a while and ask Zhang Manyu to go out of the mountain, but Zhang Manyu was unwilling, so he invited Zhang Aijia.

Although Zhang Aijia is not as famous as Zhang Manyu in Europe, she has acted in many excellent movies, and professional film critics basically know her in Europe.

In fact, in order to impact the Cannes Film Festival, he still has some ideas.

For example, "Go West" is used as an interlude throughout the movie, which was once a forbidden song.

In addition, it will describe the heroine's yearning for Western life, and arrange for the heroine's children to receive Western education.

Although these things were normal in those days, China's economy is now the second largest in the world.

The self-confidence of the common people has been raised.

Such a storyline is bound to be unflattering at home.

Chief Jia knows that after his movie comes out, he will definitely be criticized by many audiences.

But he still wants to shoot it, and it can be said that in order to win the award, he really fought hard.

Of course, these words are not good to say to Wei Shujun.

Wei Shujun heard Section Chief Jia's words and felt that it was normal.

After all, the Cannes Film Festival is the world's number one film festival.

He was curious in his heart and didn't understand what he hesitated, "It's good to participate in the Cannes Film Festival, uncle, why are you hesitating?" Why attend the Venice Film Festival? ”

Chief Jia took out a pack of cigarettes, handed one to Wei Shujun, and lit one himself, "There is a friend who is very powerful in the circle, he suggested that I participate in the Venice Film Festival, and he said that my new film is not suitable for the Cannes Film Festival, and it is suitable for the Venice Film Festival." ”

Wei Shujun nodded, "So that's the case, uncle, I think it's up to you."

Both the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival are difficult, with the Cannes Film Festival being more biased towards commercial films and the Venice Film Festival being more biased towards literary films.

You consider the nature of the film yourself. ”

Chief Jia nodded, and caught a glimpse of the two magazines in the bag, then took the bag and took out the two magazines inside.

The covers of "Cinema Handbook" and "Seeing and Hearing" are both Lee Shengyao, and the covers of the two magazines share a picture, which is the picture of Lee Shengyao thinking under the Arc de Triomphe.

This was the first time Section Chief Jia saw Li Shengyao's appearance, and he was a little uncomfortable.

Li Dadao has infinite scenery, what is he thinking?

"What was he thinking?"

"What else does he need?"

This is a blank space written next to the two magazines.

Section Chief Jia looked at the cover and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Wei Shujun said with envy: "Director Li is really awesome, he won the top three best directors in Europe within a year, this record has never been seen before, and his luck in winning the award is really good." ”

When Section Chief Jia heard this, he thought about it carefully, he had no grievances with Li Shengyao, and Li Shengyao should not deliberately cheat him.

Does that mean that Li Shengyao's words of persuasion of him are reasonable?

"The Old Man of Mountains and Rivers" is more suitable for the Venice Film Festival.

Wei Shujun continued: "Uncle, do you know Director Li? Can you introduce me to him, I asked him some questions. ”

Section Chief Jia glanced at Wei Shujun, "Let's talk about it when we have time." ”

Li Shengyao's vision, even Wei Shujun wants to make literary films like this, is ambitious, and is very confident young is very convinced.

What are you hesitating about?

Thinking of this, Chief Jia finally made up his mind.

Listen to the advice of others to eat well.

Next year, let's take "The Old Man of Mountains and Rivers" to the Venice Film Festival.

……

Warner Pictures headquarters building in Los Angeles, a beautiful country.

Toby. Emmerich was sitting in his office, and across from him sat a man in his thirties with slightly curly hair.

Both of them were holding coffee at this time, but they didn't drink it, and they were thinking about something, and they were silent for five or six minutes.

Emmerich was the first to come back to his senses, "Steven, Warner Pictures is changing its president." ”

Warner Pictures' performance has not been good in recent years, and the total annual box office has deteriorated, so naturally someone needs to be responsible.

Despite the fact that the current president Jeff. Robinov is constantly looking for supplements, and this year he has opened several sci-fi blockbusters to reverse the decline.

But the directors didn't give him a chance at all.

At today's meeting, a group of sensible people blamed Robinov for Warner's defeat.

Emmerich knew that Robinov had completely lost power, and even if several sci-fi blockbusters this year worked well, it would not be possible to make up for the directors' rejection of him.

Steven is a new producer, Emmerich's little brother, and is usually responsible for finding out Hollywood news for Emmerich.

Hearing Emmerich's words, Steven was not surprised.

Hollywood is like this, you can make money, you are the sky, you can't make money, you are nothing.

He nodded, then said, "Toby, you asked me to find out how other companies reacted to Lee, I think you should have prepared early." ”

"Oh, tell me about it."

Steven continued: "The June issues of Cinema Handbook and Sight and Sound both came out, and both magazines featured Lee on their covers.

"Film Magazine" praised him as the best young director of the new century.

"Sight & Hearing" considers Lee to be a role model for all young directors.

"Hollywood News" and "Los Angeles Daily" both reported on Lee at length, and they both believed that a talented director like Lee should come to work in Hollywood. ”

He paused, took a sip of coffee, felt a little cold, frowned slightly, and continued: "The New York University Film School has spread the news that they will award Li the title of Honorary Professor. ”

NYU Film School is one of the five best film schools in the world.

Ang Lee, Woody. Allen, Martin. Scorsese came out of this school.

Previously, Lee Shengyao was awarded an honorary professor to the École Nationale Supérieure des Images and Sounds in France, but now the New York University Film School can't help it.

Emmerich knew that Li Shengyao was becoming more and more popular, but he didn't expect that the academics in the beautiful country would extend an olive branch.

In fact, at the end of May, he spoke to Li Shengyao on the phone, and he hinted at the cooperation.

Li Shengyao said that he could talk, saying that he would go to the beautiful country to promote "La La Land" in the summer, and he could meet in person when the time came.

Now Emmerich is a little hesitant, whether to wait until Li Shengyao comes to the beautiful country, or he should hurry up and fly to Huaxia to talk about cooperation as soon as possible.

Robinov was bound to step down.

At this time, several promising executives of Warner Pictures were nervous, and they all wanted to come up with a convincing enough project, get the support of the board of directors, and the project was successful, as a promotion fund, and become the new president of Warner Pictures.

Emmerich is also looking forward to it.

He plans to work with Lee Shengyao.

Lee Shengyao has won two consecutive Palme d'Or and three consecutive Best European directors.

In addition, Lee Shengyao has had very successful commercial films in Hollywood before.

If he can say that Lee Shengyao will come to Hollywood to make films, with Lee Shengyao's status and resume, he will definitely get the support of the board of directors.

Next, let's see if Li Shengyao's new film will work.

As long as the new film makes money, his credit is indelible.

"Anything else?"

Steven nodded, and said, "Of course."

According to my understanding, several other major Hollywood film companies are planning to cooperate with Lee, and they are willing to give Lee a salary of 20 million US dollars, as well as the final editing rights. ”

When Emmerich heard this, he immediately frowned.

With a salary of 20 million US dollars, there are several directors in Hollywood who can get it.

Like Nolan, and Cameron even have dividends.

It is not surprising that Lee Shengyao is now paid 20 million US dollars.

Lee Shengyao got the final editing rights, which is even more important, representing the recognition of Lee Shengyao by other film companies, and they feel that his films can make money.

Emmerich remembers talking to Lee about cooperation.

Li Shengyao said about the final editing right, and he didn't dare to give it at that time.

Now it seems that in order to win over Li Shengyao, Hollywood companies really want to let go of power and spend money.

Although he has always cooperated with Li Shengyao and has the best relationship, he is still a little nervous, in case Li Shengyao pries him away, then his plan to compete for the president will fail.

Steven continued: "This time, "This time, "The Movie Handbook" and "Sight and Sound" praised Lee so that more people know him, and now many people think that a talented director like Lee should come to Hollywood to make movies.

They feel that Lee's future business achievements in Hollywood will not be worse than Nolan's. ”

Nolan has a great reputation and a group of die-hard fans.

But he did nothing to promote the development of cinematic art.

"Sight & Sound" and "The Movie Manual" never made Nolan's films in the top 10 of the year.

At the end of the day, Nolan is an excellent commercial film director.

As far as the status of film director is concerned, he is related to Woody. Allen, Martin. Scorsese can't compare.

Woody Allen can be the chief seal of the Cannes jury, and no film festival will ask Nolan to do this.

When Emmerich heard this, he pouted, "If Lee is willing to develop in Hollywood, I believe he must be better than Nolan." ”

Steven nodded, "Toby, what are you going to do then?" ”

Emmerich thought for a moment, then looked out the window, his gaze to the distant sky.

"Of course I have to fight, I'm going to invite Lee over and let him make me a movie that's hot enough, I can't miss it, I'm going to be the new president of Warner Pictures."

(End of chapter)