The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 597 The neglected Chinese movies

Venice in September is a tourist destination. The weather is excellent. The temperature is around [-] degrees, neither cold nor hot.

And there is sunshine almost every day, bathing in the sunshine and facing the gentle sea breeze is particularly refreshing.

For those who love movies, the Venice Film Festival is naturally a grand event. There are many good films released at this time.

Lee Sheng-yew had a great time watching movies in the past three days. He spent almost the whole day in the cinema except for meal time.

Just when he was fully enjoying the fun of movies, the reputation of the films at the Venice Film Festival gradually came out, and some films stood out.

The films are discussed by fans who watch them, judges, and the local media.

Among them are "Moebius", "Rome", "Palermo", "The Police Officer's Wife", "Philomena", "The Wind Rises" and so on.

"Mobius" is the new film from Peninsula director Kim Ki-duk, who won the Golden Lion for last year's "Pamento".

"Rome Ring Road" is a documentary.

"The Wind Rises" is an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki.

Lee Sing-yew's "Three Billboards" will be screened on the fifth day of the festival.

That night, the crew of "Three Billboards" gathered together to have dinner and exchange information about the past few days.

Zhang Manyu is in good spirits. She seems to be more radiant and much younger. She is obviously a person who likes movies.

There were so many great films at the Venice Film Festival and she enjoyed it very much.

Ren Dahua was a little tired, with bloodshot eyes and obvious dark circles.

He also has to support his wife and daughter. He has not been in Venice in recent days, but has gone to Paris and Rome and Milan to attend business activities.

Brother Hua worked as a model for a period of time when he was young. It is said that he went to Milan just to watch fashion shows and even walked on stage several times.

The situation of the assistant directors Dapeng, Bi Gan and Wen Muye is similar to that of Lee Sheng-yao. They are all watching movies crazily and enjoying the time of watching movies without any worries.

In the hotel's bright restaurant, a band plays warm tunes.

The food on the table is beautiful and delicious.

Everyone is in a good mood.

"Come on, cheers."

Dapeng will liven up the atmosphere, and everyone will get up and clink glasses.

Maggie Cheung took a sip of her wine, glanced at Li Shengyao, hesitated for a moment, thought about it, and said to Li Shengyao: "Director, I am very happy to come to Venice this time. Thank you for inviting me to perform "Three Billboards"."

When Li Shengyao heard this, he smiled and said that this was what he should do.

Zhang Manyu nodded, then looked at the night sky outside the window and saw a faint crescent moon. She retracted her gaze and continued: "Director, when you invited me last year, we agreed to fight for the best actress at the Venice Film Festival. I always keep it in mind and work hard for it.

But whether you can win the prize or not really depends on God.

Although I am looking forward to it, I am very rational about this matter.

If I can win the award, I will be very happy. If I cannot win the award, I will be very happy as well. I have seen many good movies here, and that is enough.

If you don't win the award, I hope it won't affect you. Don't deny our experience in the past few months because of this incident. "

Li Shengyao was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect Zhang Manyu to say such things.

She was comforting Li Shengyao, but in fact it was more to comfort herself.

She definitely hopes to win the Best Actress Award at the Venice Film Festival, but whether she can win it really depends on her luck.

When I came to the Venice Film Festival and saw so many excellent films, I realized that this is a place where filmmakers from all over the world compete, and the gold content cannot be compared to domestic awards.

This time at the Venice Film Festival, so far, there are several female leads in films that have attracted special attention.

"Miss Violence" is a Greek movie that tells the story of a real ghost father who controls his daughter and three granddaughters. The leading actress Eleni Lucero performed very well.

"The Police Officer's Wife" is a German film about domestic violence and mother-daughter love.

The film lasts for a total of three hours and is divided into fifty-nine segments. No filmmaker has ever done this before. It can be regarded as a very meaningful attempt in the history of film.

The female lead Alexandra Fender also performed well and was favored by many film critics.

In the above two movies, the female protagonists were favored by people, more or less, and there were also some negative reviews.

As for the leading actress of "Palermo", Irina Cotta, and the leading actress of "Philomena", Judi Dench, their performances have almost zero negative reviews and have received [-]% praise rate.

"Palermo" tells the story of two women, a middle-aged woman who lost her mother and an elderly woman who lost her daughter. The theme is the indescribable pain in life.

Irina Cota is an absolutely powerful actor in Italy. She was a drama actress when she was young and has won many drama awards.

She is eighty-two years old this year.

"Philomena" tells the story of a mother who became pregnant out of wedlock and went from young to old, searching for her son for fifty years.

Many people are unfamiliar with the name Judi Dench, but when it comes to Mrs. M, 007’s boss, they are much more familiar.

This grandma is also a legendary actor and is seventy-nine years old this year.

The three major European film festivals are all "respecting the elderly". If these two performances have zero negative reviews now, if they win the best actress, there will be no objection.

Maggie Cheung has stayed in Europe for several years, and she is very aware of the importance of Judi Dench to Irina Cotta.

It is normal for her to feel that she is not sure of victory.

Li Shengyao thought about the recent scandal in Venice. He had nothing to say about this matter.

Just like Zhang Manyu said, it really depends on luck.

It doesn’t mean that you think you are awesome, so you can win the Best Actress Award. You have been acting for sixty years, and you are equally talented and passionate about concentration. Why should you succeed while others act as a foil?

He thought for a while and said slowly: "Teacher Zhang, I understand what you mean.

Let’s just be normal, it’s a blessing to win an award, and it’s okay if we can’t win an award. We should maintain our mentality and welcome life. "

Zhang Manyu nodded repeatedly, then raised his glass and invited everyone to clink glasses again.

"clang!"

The sound of the clinking wine glasses was clear and sweet, like autumn raindrops.

Li Shengyao smiled on the outside, but sighed deeply in his heart.

Even if he is a time traveler, nothing is [-]% certain.

……

On the fourth day of the Venice Film Festival, the weather on Lido Island is still very good.

Li Shengyao, Maggie Cheung, Simon Yam, and Peter Chan took a commercial vehicle to the San Roman Cinema on Lido Island.

Today is a relatively special day. The Yanjing Film Festival promotion meeting is held today.

The Yanjing Film Festival was established in 2011, and its current positioning is relatively vague. It is neither a category A nor a category B film festival.

But after all, it is a film festival in their own country. Since there is a promotion meeting, they, a group of Chinese actors and directors on Lido Island, naturally want to participate and support the Yanjing Film Festival.

Not only Li Shengyao, Zhang Manyu, Chen Kexin, Jiang Wen and Zhou Yun will also go there. Tomorrow is the screening day of "Three Billboards".

Comparatively speaking, Li Shengyao, Zhang Manyu and Simon Yam feel a little more fettered in their hearts.

But Chen Kexin had nothing to do at this time. He was in the most relaxed mood and had the most smile on his face.

He took the Yenching Film Festival introduction book and started reading it with a smile. While reading, he was looking for a topic with Li Shengyao, "Director Li, the organizer of the Yenching Film Festival has spent a lot of money this time."

Hearing this, Li Shengyao looked away, nodded and smiled, "Is that so?"

"Well, there are a lot of activities today."

Chen Kexin continued: "The San Roma Cinema we went to this time is one of the best cinemas on Lido Island. It used to be an important cinema for the Venice Film Festival. This time it was used as the venue for the Yanjing Film Festival's promotion meeting. It will definitely cost a lot of money." It took a lot of effort.”

"The organizers of the Yanjing Film Festival have also invited several local stars from Italy to perform events."

"They also advertised on local TV stations in Venice, saying they would have advertisements during the film festival."

"This time, classic Chinese movies will be screened at the San Roma Cinema. Tickets are very cheap, only five euros."

“The organizers have also invited local students from the Confucius Institute in Italy to serve as volunteers. As long as there are tourists, these volunteers will guide and accompany them throughout the process.”

“Last but not least, there are food tastings and Peking Opera performances.”

Listening to Chen Kexin's words, Li Shengyao also understood that the organizers of the Yanjing Film Festival were indeed very careful this time and had prepared many activities with full details.

Under such circumstances, they should support them even more.

Chen Kexin glanced at the others, and then whispered: "Director Li, have you noticed that there have been a lot fewer reporters in Venice in the past two days."

The Venice Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival are held very close to each other, only two or three days apart.

Not just this year, but after the new millennium, Italy’s economy is getting worse and worse, and more and more journalists are abandoning the Venice Film Festival and turning to the Toronto Film Festival.

Toronto is located in Canada, very close to the beautiful country. Hollywood stars visiting Toronto are like visiting.

Therefore, the Toronto Film Festival has an average status and average authority, but it cannot stand up to the star-studded festival. People like to watch celebrities.

Li Shengyao thought for a while and said slowly: "There should be [-] to [-]% fewer reporters."

Lee Sheng Yew has nothing to do about this matter. Currently, among the three major film festivals in Europe, except for the Cannes Film Festival, which is still popular, the Berlin Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival have declined to varying degrees.

Just look at mainland female celebrities.

During the Cannes Film Festival, everyone wanted to sleep on the red carpet.

When it came to the Venice Film Festival, not a single carpet star came, and they didn't even bother to walk the red carpet.

I just don’t know whether the situation at the Venice Film Festival will affect the Yanjing Film Festival’s promotion meeting and whether it will affect the screening of “Three Billboards” tomorrow.

Soon after, the commercial vehicle arrived at the Holy Roman Cinema.

I saw a long red carpet from the cinema door to the road.

There were seven or eight Chinese guys in suits holding five-star red flags, waving them awkwardly.

There are also four reporters. Judging from their appearance, they should all be Chinese.

Li Shengyao, Zhang Manyu, and Simon Yam got out of the car, and the reporters immediately rushed over. They interviewed one guest each, which was just right.

The person in charge of the Yanjing Film Festival promotion meeting is a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a pair of glasses, and he has a somewhat elegant temperament, but he is obviously not in a good mood at this time.

With a strong smile, he introduced Li Shengyao and others into the Holy Roman Cinema.

Entering the cinema, Li Shengyao did not see a single tourist. There were more ticket sellers and waiters than tourists.

"A few tourists were watching a movie inside, and we were playing Farewell My Concubine."

There were a few tourists... less than ten tourists.

It has to be said that without Cheng Long and Jet Li, other actors and directors would have no appeal in Venice.

European tourists are not interested in classic Chinese films at all.

Li Shengyao could actually understand this situation, and he also felt a little embarrassed, "Are those celebrities who are interested in profit coming over?"

"He came, but he walked around for a while and then left."

I guess I left in a hurry because there was no audience.

If such a film festival promotion event is reported by local media, the impact will be even worse.

Li Shengyao felt that it might be more appropriate to stop the loss now and cancel immediately.

However, such a matter was not something he could decide, so Li Shengyao, Zhang Manyu, and Simon Yam gathered together to chat while the organizers went outside to greet other guests.

After a while, Jiang Wen and Zhou Yun came over, as did representatives from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Overseas Students Association.

As more and more guests arrived, the San Roman Cinema became a little livelier.

However, there were only about thirty people in their group in total, and Nuoda's cinema still looked very deserted and empty.

These thirty or so people not only need to find angles, but also carefully photoshop, in order to create the effect of thousands of people.

"There's nothing going on here. We want to go see a new movie. Let's go first."

Seeing that there were no local tourists, the students from the Confucius Institute in Italy came over to resign.

The person in charge agreed with a livid face.

Li Shengyao noticed that not only were there no tourists, but also no film producers came, and he felt a little helpless.

Because of his promotion of idol dramas, Chinese film and television dramas have accumulated enough influence and fans in Southeast Asia.

Even in the Zhongdong area, many fans have been cultivated.

However, in Europe and the United States, the influence of Fenghua idol dramas is very small, almost non-existent.

Audiences in Europe and the United States still hold on to the old concept, thinking that their own movies and TV series are the best in the world, and they are too lazy to watch TV series from other countries.

Coupled with the crazy infiltration of European and American media, the number of people who are truly interested in Chinese culture is really only one in a thousand, and very few.

Movies and TV shows cannot change this.

We have to wait until the mainland's economy ranks first in the world and its living conditions surpass those of Europe and the United States before ordinary people here will notice movies and TV dramas from China.

Li Shengyao chatted awkwardly with Maggie Cheung, Simon Yam, Jiang Wen and others for half an hour, but still felt very embarrassed.

After the interview, everyone wanted to withdraw, but was too embarrassed to speak.

Fortunately, the person in charge of the Yanjing Film Festival promotion meeting was also an honest person. He knew that this would be meaningless, so he took out the prepared food and said, "Everyone, please bring some delicious food back. That's it for today."

Soon after, the guests got into their cars and left.

Zhang Manyu held her chin and whispered: "I wonder if the audience here is interested in watching our movie screening?"

"With the name of Venice Film Festival, more movie fans will watch it, and it won't be so miserable."

(End of this chapter)