China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 942 The future is promising
With the 66th Cannes Film Festival just around the corner, the small city of Cannes is already packed with filmmakers, media, and movie fans from all over the world. Everywhere you look, there are crowds taking photos and checking in, and even the air is filled with a restlessness and anticipation known as "the art of light and shadow."

Liu Yunwen is 29 years old and comes from Hong Kong Island. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Dramatic Arts and later studied directing at the London Film Academy. This year, her directorial debut, "Over the Boundary," was selected for the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, which is a wonderful thing for her.

If she is fortunate enough to win another trophy, it would be the greatest affirmation of her life.

Her 30th birthday is at the end of this month, and she hopes to receive the most perfect gift on her birthday.

"Officer Du, Brother Hua, shall we set off now?"

"Yes, Wen, let's set off now, the timing is just right."

Liu Yunwen attended the Cannes Film Festival for the first time, just like Sun Yi did back then, accompanied by familiar seniors. This time, Johnnie To's "Blind Detective" was also shortlisted for the Midnight Screenings section, along with the male lead Andy Lau. The two film crews basically traveled together and stayed at the same hotel.

In Hong Kong Island, most new actors or directors address Johnnie To as "To Sir," and the title "Teacher" is rarely used there.

Johnnie To has a fiery temper on set, but he is very easy to talk to in private and is happy to mentor newcomers, especially new directors like Lau Wan-man, who are rare to find in Hong Kong.

After all, the decline of Hong Kong cinema is an undeniable fact.

"Director Liu, it's alright. Every time we attend the Cannes Film Festival, whether it's Hong Kong or the mainland, we always have a small get-together before the opening ceremony."

Seemingly noticing Liu Yunwen's slight awkwardness, Andy Lau kindly offered an explanation.

"Brother Hua, this makes things difficult for me. Just call me Awen."

"It's okay. I might have to work under you in the future, so this is just a way to get familiar with things beforehand."

"Brother Hua, you're joking. There's really no need for that."

"Alright, alright." Johnnie To chuckled as he interrupted the two of them. "Wen, Wah-jai is always like this to everyone, always so polite. You'll understand as you get to know him better. Let's go, it's not good to keep our old friends waiting."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked ahead. After a few polite exchanges, Andy Lau and Liu Yunwen followed closely behind.

The Chinese people's fighting spirit is unmatched everywhere. Even in Cannes, a place with a permanent population of less than 7, which is less than that of a small town in China, there is a Chinese community.

The Chinese-owned hotel called Huicuilou is where everyone is gathering tonight.

Generally speaking, when Chinese filmmakers collectively travel to overseas film festivals, they will attend such an informal gathering unless their relationship has deteriorated to the point of a public falling out.

Firstly, it demonstrates the unity of Chinese filmmakers and showcases the strength of the Chinese-language film industry to the outside world; secondly, it is a good opportunity for industry insiders to exchange information and share resources.

Domestic media often affectionately refer to them as the "Chinese Legion".

This year's Cannes Film Festival featured a star-studded lineup of Chinese artists, bringing together elites from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

On the director side, there are Jia Zhangke and Johnnie To, who came to the awards with their new film "A Touch of Sin", as well as Jiang Wen, a regular at the three major European film festivals, who was specially invited to attend this time, and Li An, who serves as the chief jury member of the "Un Certain Regard" section. Finally, there is Liu Yunwen, whose debut film was nominated for "Un Certain Regard".

Of course, most importantly, there's Sun Yi, a judge for the main competition. However, he couldn't attend tonight's gathering due to his position. The cast is equally star-studded. Besides Liu Yifei, there's Jiang Wu, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Kun, Andy Lau, Wang Baoqiang, Fan Bingbing, and many more—any one of them is a leading figure.

Holding their wine glasses, the guests gathered in small groups in the banquet hall, exchanging pleasantries. Inevitably, the conversation first focused on Sun Yi, a fellow countryman whose status was most unique this year.

"Incredible! A judge in the main competition, and he's only twenty-six?" Jiang Wu exclaimed loudly, holding a wine glass.

Jiang Wen, standing to the side, took a sip of red wine, her tone carrying her usual teasing tone, but her eyes were full of admiration, "Among our group, besides Brother Li An, who else has ever reached the threshold of becoming a Cannes jury member at around the same age?"

Li An was a little embarrassed by the praise, and smiled gently, "This is truly remarkable. He is a double winner of the Venice Golden Lion and the Cannes Palme d'Or for Best Director, having already won two of the three major awards in Europe. He is only missing the Berlin Golden Bear. In terms of awards alone, he truly deserves his position."

“Indeed, Sun is really good at this.” Jia Zhangke nodded in agreement. “The key is the difference in influence. He can handle not only art films but also commercial blockbusters, and he has made a name for himself in Hollywood. The Cannes Film Festival probably chose him as a jury member because they value his cross-disciplinary perspective and international potential.”

"I bet they're also hoping to use his status to boost their own popularity, don't you think? Hahaha."

Everyone was impressed, both by Sun Yi's youth and talent, and also by his impressive track record.

Sun Yi has indeed earned everyone's respect through his strength.

Liu Yunwen, sitting in the corner, listened carefully to the conversation of the big shots. Originally, she was a little arrogant that her first personal debut film had been shortlisted for Cannes at the age of less than 30. At first, when people talked about Sun Yi, she was somewhat dismissive of him.

But when she heard the positive evaluations from Li An, Jiang Wen, Jia Zhangke and others, and even the "Du Sir" she admired showed his full approval and even lamented that she was no match for Sun Yi at the same age, she was truly shocked. The pride in her heart was instantly suppressed by reality and turned into a strong curiosity about Sun Yi.

He's two years younger than me, how did he manage that?!

Why didn't you attend the party tonight?
Sun Yi certainly can't come right now.

It wasn't that he didn't want to come, but he was simply too busy. Right now, he was attending a gathering of the organizing committee and the judges of the main competition with his daughter.

"Hello, Director Spielberg."

"Hello, young man."

"It is a great honor to serve as a jury member for the main competition this year. This is my first time holding such an important position, and I hope that Director Spielberg will give me his guidance."

A crisp clinking of glasses rang out between the two, and the renowned Steven Spielberg looked at Sun Yi with a warm smile.

“Young man. I’ve seen your ‘Shelter,’ a very outstanding work, full of imagination, especially in its capture of the brilliance of humanity under disaster, calm yet powerful. Watching you reminds me of myself when I was filming ‘Jaws,’ also full of all sorts of bold ideas and inexhaustible energy.”

"Director Spielberg, you flatter me too much."

"Don't be modest, young people. Believe in the future. Respect the years!"

Respect for the passage of time!

(End of this chapter)