The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 547 It’s not easy to win two consecutive grand prizes
"'The Hangover Part 2' became the highest-grossing movie worldwide in March, taking in $[-] million."

"Warner announced that it will produce "The Hangover 3" with Fenghua and has not ruled out the possibility of producing "The Hangover 4."

"The Hangover 2 perfectly hits the G-spot of young Europeans. They like movies that promote hedonism."

"The "Hangover" series is Lee Sung-yew's worst film. The theme is too negative. Such films should not be released in theaters."

"The "Hangover" series of movies should be banned from release and distribution. They affect young people's outlook on life."

"Lee Sing-yew will go to Paris to introduce the original intention of making "The Hangover 2"."

"Richard Gere: I'm not going to watch "The Hangover 2." This is giving money to Lee. I think everyone who goes to watch this movie is stupid."

"Many viewers said that the "Hangover" series of movies is too hedonistic and should not be disseminated on a large scale."

……

The daytime temperature in Cannes in April is around [-] degrees, and most pedestrians on the street are wearing a coat.

The Champs Elysées is full of tourists, and there are many tour groups of all kinds, most of which are Chinese.

Able to hear Mandarin with various accents.

In a daze, I thought I was in Shanghai or Yanjing.

But if you take it a little seriously, you will wake up immediately when you smell the smell of dog feces and urine.

This is Grand Paris, a city with a reputation that is already rotten inside.

In Paris, you really have to be careful about the dog poop on the ground. If you walk a little faster, you might get caught.

As for the smell of urine, you can't avoid it. Even on the Champs Elysées, there are places where urine has been used.

I have to say that the French people really cherish the flowers, plants and trees here. As long as there is fertilizer, they must be fertilized.

Lee Sheng Yew arrived in Paris last night and stayed at the Hilton Hotel for one night. He went out this morning. When he first got into the car, he didn’t feel much about it. Later, when the car was driving on the Champs Elysées, the smell of urine hit his face, and he almost stopped. Take him away.

It was really uncomfortable.

Is this the most romantic street in Paris?

So disgusting.

Lee Sing-yew was in Paris filming "Escape 1" before. He was quite busy at that time and didn't take a good stroll around.

When he thought about it later, he always felt a little regretful.

Only then did he understand that it was okay not to have such regrets.

Soon after, Lee Sheng-yew and his assistant arrived at the headquarters of France [-].

He came to Paris this time because in two days, the César Awards, known as the French Oscars, will award various awards.

Lee Sung-yew got the call and he was likely to get a Cesar Award.

This Caesar Award of Honor is not a lifetime achievement award. Lee Sheng-yao did not understand the specific basis for the recognition. He did not sign up at all, so the organizer of the Caesar Award contacted him.

However, the Cesar Award of Honor can fool people quite a bit. Stallone has won this award.

In addition, due to the release of "The Hangover 2", the box office was harvested like crazy, which attracted a lot of jealous people.

There have been a lot of media criticisms of Lee Sheng-yew in Europe recently, and he plans to explain it.

In addition, the Cesar Award can accumulate a positive image to some extent. The Cannes Film Festival will begin in May. Lee Sheng Yew hopes to add some positive influence at the last moment.

Based on the above factors, Li Shengyao rushed to Paris from Yanjing and subsequently arranged several activities.

First, I went to France TV [-] to participate in a talk show, then there were several Chinese banquets, embassy activities, and finally there was the César Awards evening party, the celebration banquet, and the Cannes TV program.

France [-] has always been the largest entertainment news channel here.

In the past, the French César Awards were broadcast live by TV station [-], but later, in order to promote the influence of the Cannes Film Festival, French officials supported the entertainment industry in Cannes.

The César Awards will be broadcast live on Cannes TV.

However, in terms of influence, France [-] is above Cannes TV.

At this time, Li Shengyao came to the headquarters of France Television [-], and then came to the recording hall and met two French sisters.

The current first lady - Bruni, and the French rose - Sophie Marceau.

Bruni is wearing a long woolen coat, which is very textured.

Sophie Marceau was wearing a long purple dress. She looked as if she was attending an important dinner. She was equally beautiful.

Bruni acted in "Taken" and has known Lee Sing-yew for a long time.

Sophie Marceau also met him.

When Li Shengyao passed by, the two of them were sitting quietly, letting the stylist do their makeup.

When they saw Li Shengyao, they immediately waved.

Li Shengyao smiled and nodded, then sat down and let the makeup artist do the makeup.

The program they participated in this time was called "Daily News". At the beginning, the host told a piece of news, and then interviewed guests. There were usually three or four guests, and each interview lasted about 10 minutes.

It seems that this is the case in Europe and the United States. The Conan Show and Oprah interviews in beautiful countries are not like those in China. An interview lasts 10 minutes. In Europe and the United States, it can be as short as 8 minutes or as long as 10 minutes. It is not too long. long.

Today, the "Daily News" invited Lee Sing-yew, Bruni, and Sophie Marceau. They are definitely big enough.

Soon after, the audience entered the recording hall one after another. A beautiful long-haired woman walked to the center of the stage, and then started babbling.

Li Shengyao knew that the show had officially started.

After he finished putting on makeup and waited for 5 minutes, the crew called the three of them to come on stage.

So Bruni took the lead, followed by Sophie Marceau and Lee Sheng Yew, and they all took the stage together.

The beautiful host is called Melissa Theriault. She is very famous in France and is a very popular host among the audience.

Melissa was the first to interview Bruni. She was smiling and looked very gentle, but Bruni was obviously unable to resist, and her smile became stiffer and stiffer.

Bruni is still the first lady of France. Hackers previously made her affair with her ex-boyfriend public. However, this did not bring down Bruni. On the contrary, it made her more popular.

However, her husband's term is coming up in June. Judging from the current survey, it is difficult for Lao Sa to be re-elected.

Melissa kept asking about this, which made Bruni a little embarrassed.

Sophie Marceau was sitting on the side, moving her body unnaturally, trying to move back a little. She obviously felt like her lips were dying and her teeth were cold.

Melissa, this little girl, is so unethical, and her questions are so sharp, I should have known she would never come.

Soon after, Melissa finished interviewing Bruni and then turned to Sophie Marceau.

The dark history of Rose de France is full of scandals.

The most important point is that although Sophie Marceau is popular with the audience, she has never been recognized by the industry. She has not won a single heavyweight award.

Not to mention Cannes and Venice, there was not even a Cesar Award for Best Actress.

After the millennium, Sophie Marceau has been trying to break through, even directing and acting, and working behind the scenes, but it still doesn't work, and the vase has always been with her.

At this time, Melissa focused on this point and kept asking Sophie Marceau about her views, plans, and future goals.

Sophie Marceau said with a wry smile.However, the audience found it very interesting and kept applauding.

Melissa interviewed Sophie Marceau for about 10 minutes, then turned to Lee Sheng Yew and said, "Lee, if you needed a middle-aged white woman for your next film, would you ask Sophie Marceau?"

Li Shengyao felt the looks from Bruni and Sophie Marceau, and he smiled secretly in his heart.

These two people are still in love, so why are they so nervous?
It's just an interview.

Just lie casually.

He then said: "Of course, if the character's temperament suits her, then I will find her."

"In Europe, there are many actresses of this age group, and there are many actresses with good acting skills. You can choose a better one, like Juliette Binoche."

"You are right, but everyone is unique. I admire Sophie Marceau very much. If the role is suitable, I will choose her."

Hearing this, Melissa glanced at Sophie Marceau and saw the corners of France Rose's lips raised, obviously satisfied with Li Shengyao's answer.

Melissa curled her lips, she thought Sophie Marceau was childish, and she was happy with such a compliment.

"Li, "The Hangover 2" has grossed more than 3 million US dollars at the box office in Europe, becoming the most popular and highest-grossing movie so far this year. However, the hedonism in it is very serious, and many people feel that the film's ideas are not positive enough. , promote negative thinking, what do you think?”

When Lee Sheng-Yao heard this, he did not panic and remained calm, "I'm sorry that those people only saw the surface of the movie. The "Hangover" series of movies are more about promoting friendship and a new interpretation of freedom and love. I think The movie is very positive and there are no problems at all.”

Melissa nodded, "You have no faith, do you?"

After the words fell, everyone looked at Li Shengyao. People here always believe in some gods. It seems that they are different and restrained, and they are good people.

Li Shengyao glanced at Melissa, then shook his head, "I am an atheist, but I have faith, which is the essence of 5000 years of Chinese civilization. For example, respecting the old and loving the young, man can conquer nature, the foolish old man can move mountains, and heaven rewards hard work. These are who I am. Something to believe in.”

"Oh, I don't understand."

"It's normal. Few foreigners can understand it."

Melissa nodded and then said: "I heard that you want to win the Palme d'Or again?"

"Yes, I hope to set a new record at Cannes."

"Then do you know that in the past few decades, very few people have won two Palme d'Or awards in Cannes? No one has ever won the Grand Prix two years in a row?"

"I know it's a very difficult thing to do, but I want to challenge it."

There are very few directors who have won two Palme d'Or awards. Currently, there are only four of them. They are all separated by a long time, and no one has won it for two consecutive years.

No matter which industry you are in, it is very difficult to win consecutively, because if you win the grand prize in the first year and want to win the grand prize in the second year, the judges will be more demanding and you must have a breakthrough, so that you can win the prize.

"I think your chances of winning the grand prize this year are slim."

"Maybe."

Li Shengyao's face was calm, his tone was normal, and his mood was not affected by Melissa at all.

Bruni and Sophie Marceau were very surprised to see Lee Sing-yew so calm, and became a little more interested in this young Oriental director.

Soon after the interview ended, Sophie Marceau invited Li Shengyao, "Li, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"

Her beautiful blue eyes looked at Li Shengyao, full of tenderness, like autumn water.

"No, I've been busy lately."

Sophie Marceau is 46 years old, and Lee Sheng Yew really has no interest in her.

……

Two nights later, Lee received the Cesar Award at the Elysée Theater, and then went with others to the Fouquet Hotel on the Champs Elysées for a celebration banquet.

The venue for the César Awards has always been in Paris, sometimes at the Imperial Theater and sometimes at the Elysée Theater.

Since 1976, after every Cesar Awards ceremony, guests have gone to the Hotel Fouquet to celebrate.

It is said that Fuka Hotel is not an ordinary star hotel, it is a luxury hotel, and its various services are more expensive than five-star hotels.

At this time, hundreds of people gathered in the banquet hall of the Fouquet Hotel, all of whom were celebrities from the European film industry.

France is the fourth largest film market in the world, second only to beautiful countries, mainland China, and island countries. It is the largest film market in Europe. Many European filmmakers like to go to France.

Lee Sung-yew carried the Cesar Honor Award trophy, although he tried to keep a low profile and reduce his sense of presence.

But he was so good that even if he wanted to keep a low profile, there was an endless stream of people coming to take photos and sign autographs with him.

Many actresses took the opportunity to take advantage of him and kissed him many times.

The autograph and photo session lasted for almost 10 minutes before he was free.

Li Shengyao then picked up a glass of water and sat quietly aside, enjoying the joy of being an observer.

"Lee, why are you sitting here?"

A middle-aged woman with long hair walked over and looked at Li Shengyao with eyes that were almost wired.

This middle-aged woman is Kate Winslet. Just now at the Elysée Theater, it was Kate Winslet who presented the trophy to Lee Sheng Yew. She was the guest of honor.

Feiwen holds a very important position in the hearts of many people.

Lee Sheng-yew has watched "Titanic" at least ten times, and the scene where DiCaprio is drawing Fei Wen has been watched at least twenty times.

If it were Fei Wen in [-], Lee Sheng Yew would be very interested.

But Director Li couldn't be interested in Fei Wen now.

"I was a little tired, so I sat down here."

"I know a place that can help you recover. Do you want to come with me?"

Feiwen looked at Li Shengyao, half-smiling.

"I won't go. I'm too tired. Just sit here."

When Fei Wen heard this, his eyes showed disappointment, and then he left.

Li Shengyao smiled and didn't say much.

At this moment, three white-haired old men entered the venue together. These three people obviously had status. The three of them quickly became the center of the banquet, and everyone greeted them.

After a long time, three old men came to Li Shengyao with wine glasses. The leading old man was tall and thin, with a middle-parted hairstyle. He looked a bit elegant. He raised his wine glass and said, "Li, I've seen it. "Sicario" and "1937", these two films are very exciting and great. I hope to see your new film in Cannes."

This old man is Austrian director Michael Haneke.

In 2011, he filmed the classic love movie "Love" with 85-year-old Emmanuelle Riva and 82-year-old Trintignant.

In Lee Sheng-yew's previous life, "Amour" won the Cannes Palme d'Or in 2012, the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, the Golden Globe for Best Film, and swept the Cesar Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. Actor, Best Actress and other heavyweight awards.

Li Shengyao looked at the three old people and chatted with them happily for a while.

After the three senior filmmakers left, he put down his glass and thought about this year's Cannes Film Festival.

"Love" is a very heartwarming movie. The two leading actors are both in their eighties and are veteran actors in Europe, which is a huge bonus.

If "Parasite" wants to win the Palme d'Or, it must beat "Love", which is not easy.

(End of this chapter)