The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 491 Let’s create a great movie together

"Lee Sing-yew's new film aims to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes."

"'1937' is really remarkable. It is another masterpiece after 'Farewell My Concubine' that hit Cannes."

"Lee Sing-yew: I didn't say I wanted the Palme d'Or, I just wanted to speak out for Chinese-language films in Cannes."

"Brother Kaizi: I'm glad that Director Li has such ambition. We should have ambitious goals."

"It's just a fool's errand. Chinese-language films have been away from the Palme d'Or for 16 years, and Lee Sheng-yew is just hyping up new films."

"'Aerial Rescue' will be released in mid-July, 'No Man's Land' will be released in early August, and 'Unfortunately' will be released in late August. The films invested by Fenghua will cover the entire summer season."

"Lee Sing-yew is so confused. So many excellent films have failed in Cannes before. Why is he so confident?"

"There are many excellent films at next year's Cannes Film Festival. "Midnight in Paris," "The Artist," and "The Tree of Life" are all popular films. How dare Lee Sheng Yew make such bold statements at this time."

……

The news that Lee Sheung Yew said that "1937" is targeting next year's Cannes Film Festival spread, and it immediately attracted a lot of discussion, most of which were negative and a few were positive.

It's not that the mainland media is unwilling to support Director Li, it's mainly because it's really difficult to break through in Cannes.

The status of the Cannes Film Festival is too high. Film talents from all over the world are eager to become famous here. If you want to achieve success, you must not only have strength, but also luck.

Just like "To Live", "The Devil Is Coming", and "The Movie" are all classic movies. They can be said to be just a hair's breadth away. They won the Grand Jury Prize and were just a hair away from being the best movie.

If you want to win the Grand Prize at Cannes, you must not only have strong capabilities, but also look at the quality of your competitors' films.

Lee Sheng Yew did not respond too much to these public opinions. At this time, he had already taken a plane to London. This time his destination was the British soundtrack master Rupert Gregson.

This boss is not very famous at this time. In a few years, "Aquaman", "Wonder Woman", and "Steel Ridge" will be released, and he will be famous all over the world.

He is particularly good at scoring war films, and later the mainland film "Eight Hundred" approached him.

Lee Sheung Yew hopes that "1937" will participate in next year's Cannes Film Festival, and the film must be produced before May.

And this movie is quite special. The shooting time on the set is too long, which leaves less time for post-production.

In order to be 100% sure of the quality of the movie soundtrack and avoid having to find a soundtrack master in a hurry.

After Li Shengyao thought about it, he decided to find a good person now, tell a good story, and let others create it first.

He considered a number of score masters and settled on Rupert.

There are three reasons. First, Rupert is not very famous at this time. He has investigated and found that Rupert is taking a break now and has not taken a new job yet.

Second, Rupert is indeed capable, and this guy is particularly good at scoring war movies.

Third, Grandpa Rupert and his mother once lived in the mainland. It is said that it was during the era of war.

He still has many letters at home about the Battle of Songhu, so he was particularly serious about the soundtrack for "Eight Hundred".

When he scored "The Eight Hundred", he adapted the traditional folk song of Erlan and made a piece for the soldiers to play the harmonica. This piece was later used in the theme song "Suzhou River" of "The Eight Hundred".

It is natural to use such talents.

When Li Shengyao came to London and saw Rupert, he was a little surprised.

On the movie website, Rupert is wearing a suit, his hair is all combed back, he is smiling, and he looks quite handsome, a bit like Uncle Fei.

But at this time, Rupert was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans. His hair was messy. He seemed to have not showered for several days, and he had a strange smell.

"Sorry, Li, I planned to take a shower this morning, but I watched a movie last night. I watched it too late and I just got up."

Okay, that’s what artists are like.

Li Shengyao nodded, "It's okay. Do you need to take a shower first?" "No, I can talk about it now."

Li Shengyao then took his assistant into Rupert's home. It was a very ordinary house, and he didn't know whether it was rented or bought.

The house was large and Rupert lived alone.

It can be seen that it is a bit messy. There are some strange things piled on the sofa, including magazines, CDs, coffee cups, bread, burgers...

Rupert laughed, and then pulled out a few stools, "Li, you guys sit on the stools, it's too messy there, I need someone to clean it up."

He then took out a few bottles of wine, Coke, and juice from the refrigerator, "You can drink whatever you want, I bought a lot."

It can be seen that this British gentleman is different, he is very casual.

Li Shengyao took the juice, took a sip, and then explained his purpose.

Before he came, he had contacted Rupert on the phone and roughly stated his intention. Now he would say it formally.

Rupert opened a can of Coke and nodded while listening. After Li Shengyao finished speaking, he said slowly: "Li, I am very interested in your new movie. My grandfather and my mother once lived in Shanghai. , she was still a child at that time, and she told me that it was a bustling city, and I have always been curious about that place."

"I very much hope to be a part of your film production, and it is an honor to score such a film."

"If I take this job, I will go all out to produce the best work possible."

Li Shengyao nodded, "I believe you can."

Rupert paused for a moment, and then said slowly: "But I hope you understand my feelings. This is a war movie. I want to ask if this is a story you imagined or a story that really exists."

Li Shengyao has already prepared for this.

Artists in Europe and the United States are like this, they are afraid of touching something that is incorrect.

If it can make money and is correct, then they will be very happy. Only in this way can they be competent.

After Li Shengyao wrote the script, he arranged for people to search for information about the Battle of Songhu, and naturally found the story of dispatching orders and saving his comrades.

There are actually many such things.

"This is a real thing, two great soldiers, they saved 2000 lives."

Hearing this, Rupert breathed a sigh of relief, and then nodded affirmatively, "In that case, I am willing to take on this task."

Li Shengyao smiled secretly in his heart, and then he pretended to be embarrassed and said: "Rupert, I believe in your ability, but I still hope you will listen to my request."

This time he came in person to explain clearly what kind of soundtrack he wanted.

"Of course, you say."

"This is a great and touching story. One of the two messengers died, and the other completed the mission alone. I hope the soundtrack is calm and full of power, just like the slowly flowing river. "

The story of "1937" focuses on two soldiers. They don't have many scenes of fighting the enemy. They mainly hide and escape, and there are relatively few intense emotions.

Li Shengyao hopes that the soundtrack will be calm and peaceful. At the last moment, when the task is completed, strong music will be used to express such feelings.

Rupert nodded, "I understand."

"Another point is that I will portray the image of the island nation's soldiers. I hope the emotions will be heavier at that time. They are the invaders and they should be pointed out."

"No problem, I understand."

Rupert was so easy to talk to. Lee Sheng Yew thought for a while and then said: "Okay, man, my goal is Cannes next year. I hope we can work together to create a great movie."

Rupert paused after hearing this, and then he became very excited and said, "Li, I will go all out."

(End of this chapter)