China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 951 Sun Yi, I can't make decisions about my wife!

"Oh my, our great judge has finally arrived."

The terrace banquet hall of the InterContinental Bayer Hotel has now become a joyful gathering place for Chinese filmmakers in Cannes.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows were wide open, framing the still-brilliant lights in the direction of the cinema palace and the bustling crowds on the street below as a flowing backdrop.

The Mediterranean night breeze remained gentle, unable to dispel the mellow aroma of Moutai, the lingering fragrance of cigars, and the exhilarating clamor of triumph.

Liu Yifei smiled and linked arms with Sun Yi, who repeatedly bowed and apologized.

Although the two rushed here immediately after attending the event, they were still a little late.

Almost all the dishes have been served, but it seems no one has touched them.

"I'm so sorry, I'm really sorry. I should have met with everyone earlier, but I was really busy with my duties and it wasn't convenient. I'll definitely punish myself with a drink later."

Sun Yi walked humbly toward the crowd.

Basically, apart from directors Li An and Johnnie To, who declined to attend the awards ceremony due to the late hour and their advanced age, almost everyone else was present.

"You boy!"

Jiang Wen, carrying a signature white porcelain bottle of Moutai, walked past several people who were smiling and clapping, and went straight to Sun Yi. Without saying a word, she picked up the wine dispenser on the table and poured three cups in front of Sun Yi with a "glug glug" sound. Although the small wine cups were not big, they were full of wine that was almost overflowing.

"One cup isn't enough, that would be too easy for you. You need at least three cups."

Jiang Wen's voice was loud and clear, carrying the unique straightforwardness of a Beijing man and a hint of heartfelt admiration, "You've been holding back on the judging panel for so many days, that's tough enough! You've brought honor to Chinese cinema! But one thing at a time, these three drinks must be finished!"

"Senior brother, I just arrived and you..."

Sun Yi looked at the three "hardcore" congratulatory drinks in front of him and smiled wryly. He knew in his heart that he couldn't refuse these drinks at all, and judging from the situation, this was just an appetizer.

"Wife, you have to save me in a bit, these people are up to no good!"

"Eek~~~ Hahaha."

Sun Yi shamelessly asked Liu Yifei for help, which caused everyone to burst into laughter.

Liu Yifei pursed her lips and gave Sun Yi a reproachful look, as if to say, "Who cares about you?"

But when it comes to actually saying it, it changes completely: "Just drink yours~"

"Ouch!!" "Hahaha!" "Director Sun has obtained the imperial sword!"

Faced with the teasing of the crowd, Sun Yi was not annoyed. Instead, he smiled, picked up his wine glass, and downed it in one gulp. His decisive manner was as if he had a strong backing.

Whether I say it or not, with my wife, the Alchemist—no, my celestial beauty—around us, none of you are a match for her!
Amidst applause, Sun Yi raised his second cup.

At this moment, Jia Zhangke walked over with red eyes, holding a wine glass in his hand. "Xiao Yi, thank you."

Just hours earlier, this sixth-generation director, who had won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, still had the excitement and dazed look on his face. He didn't say anything more, but simply raised his glass and clinked it heavily with Sun Yi's.

Clearly, he wanted to accompany someone, and he poured all his emotions, hardships, and heartfelt gratitude into this glass of wine.

Sun Yi didn't mince words. He took a deep breath, tilted his head back, and downed the ounce of Moutai in one gulp. The spicy liquid burned his way down his throat to his stomach, bringing a strong warmth that made him furrow his brow slightly.

"Director Sun has a huge capacity for alcohol. I propose we all drink this third glass together. First, to congratulate Director Jia on winning the award; second, to thank Director Sun for his contributions to Chinese cinema; and third, to encourage ourselves to keep up the good work!"

Having won a major prize, Jiang Wu immediately started to liven up the atmosphere, and everyone readily agreed, raising their glasses.

"Come on, congratulations Director Jia, thanks Director Sun, and best wishes to Chinese cinema! Cheers!"

After three cups of wine, Sun Yi felt warm all over, but his consciousness became somewhat hazy.

You know, this is his second round of drinking, including the host's cocktail party just now, and it's a mix of foreign liquor and baijiu. You have to experience it to know what it's like.

Fortunately, everyone knew that no one was urging him to drink anymore, which allowed Sun Yi to calm down, eat something, chat with Brother Hua, Jiang Wu, and Bao Qiang for a while, and then immerse himself in the "director group" of Director Jia and Senior Brother Jiang Wen.

Liu Yifei sat with Jiang Wen's lover, Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun chatted warmly with Liu Yifei about the local customs and culture of France, shopping guarantees, and the latest works of French designers.

Liu Yifei smiled and agreed, sharing her thoughts while occasionally glancing in Sun Yi's direction to check on his condition.

Don't let him get drunk; he's so heavy, who can carry him!

"Old Jia, winning the award is a good thing, but have you thought about the next step in China?" Sun Yi was perhaps a little carried away and started paying attention to the issues surrounding "A Touch of Sin" in China.

Jia Zhangke, who had just been full of excitement, frowned upon hearing this.

Yes, it has indeed won a major award, but whether it can pass censorship in China is still a crucial issue. Given the current state of the film, the chances of it passing censorship are very low. He knows this all too well; there have been cases before where films won major awards but were subsequently banned.

The person involved was sitting right next to me.

Jiang Wen took out a cigar and offered it to Sun Yi. When Sun Yi waved his hand, Jiang Wen took one from Jia Zhangke's cigarette case and then lit it. He took a light puff, exhaled, and sighed, "Yes, Lao Jia, we need to pay more attention to the censorship in China. It's not like before; the checks are definitely stricter now. This film will probably have to undergo some revisions."

Jia Zhangke took a deep drag on his cigarette, his lips habitually drooping, and the artist's stubbornness immediately surfaced: "Every one of my shots has its necessity; it can't be..."

"Hey! It's not like I'm asking you to be castrated!" Sun Yi waved his hand to interrupt him, his tone resolute.

"It's pruning! It's to let it see the light! Lao Jia, you made this film to expose this bloody reality, to let more people see it, and to serve as a warning, right? If the film is too sharp, too extreme, and ends up getting stuck in censorship and can't even be shown in domestic theaters, does your personal artistic pursuit win, or does the social reality you truly want to reflect and warn against win?"

Although Sun Yi was somewhat tipsy, he remained clear-headed. He picked up the empty wine glass on the table and twirled it between his fingers.

"Things are different now. You have the Cannes Jury Prize, which is international recognition. Moreover, it's the only overseas achievement for a Chinese film in recent years. The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television will definitely soften its stance and give you face when they see this award."

“Didn’t you win the Venice Film Festival the year before last? How come you haven’t won any major international awards?” Jia Zhangke retorted as usual.

Well.
It seems that's really true~
"I am me, that's not important, we're talking about you now."

"Oh."

Sun Yi interrupted, bringing Jia Zhangke back to reality. Jiang Wen chuckled and exhaled a smoke ring, shaking her head as she watched.

This honest guy...
"Where were we? Right, the State Administration's face." Sun Yi waved his hand, flicking off his cigarette ash with practiced ease, completely unaware of Liu Yifei's murderous glare not far away. "The State Administration definitely cares about its face, but that face is mutual. The premise is that you also have to give them a way out. Make some minor edits, without affecting the core, so that the film can be released smoothly and that the right people can see it. That's the real victory."

"Yes, Xiao Yi is right. Things are different now than before."

Jiang Wen sighed from the side, but there was something else he wanted to say but didn't: "Unless you have my skills, you can make the subtle satire so obvious that even the reviewers can't see it."

Jia Zhangke fell silent, his fingers unconsciously stroking the glass he held. He glanced at Sun Yi, then at his team members in the distance, chatting and laughing with other filmmakers, their faces beaming with the joy of winning an award, and then thought of the silent majority depicted in the film.
I feel something in my heart.

Sun Yi and Jiang Wen's advice was like a hammer, striking at a certain belief he had always held dear. An artist's aloofness is important, but perhaps even more important is allowing their work to speak for itself.

He let out a long sigh, thick with the smell of alcohol, and finally said nothing. He simply picked up the bottle, refilled the three people's glasses, and then gently clinked glasses with those of Sun Yi and Jiang Wen on the table.

it is more than words.

The party ended late at night. Fortunately, everyone was understanding of Sun Yi, as the party was held at the same hotel where the two of them were staying, so they could simply take the elevator back to their room.

Sun Yi drank quite a bit; if Liu Yifei hadn't stepped in later, he would probably be unconscious by now.

After a quick wash, the two finally collapsed onto the hotel's large bed.

Liu Yifei was slightly tipsy, her head gently resting on Sun Yi's shoulder, her mind still reminiscing about her trip to Cannes, feeling incredibly honored.

Seeing that Sun Yi was still half asleep, though he was drowsy, she suddenly remembered the topic from the event and shouted, "Wake up! Wake up!"

"Ouch~ Don't pinch me!"

"You still have something to tell me, don't even think about sleeping."

Sun Yi, eyes half-open and confused, asked, "What??"

"It's about that Japanese female judge at the party and director Luc Besson, and your jury's affairs!"

"This is it?" Sun Yi chuckled, tightening his grip on Liu Yifei's arm slightly.

"Speak up, speak up!"

"What else could it be but a tacit cooperation? Just like you thought, she nominated Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda's 'Like Father, Like Son' on the jury, but no one supported her. In the end, I cast the crucial vote for her. And then, for 'A Touch of Sin,' she turned around and supported me instead."

"Ha, it really is like that!" Liu Yifei excitedly propped her head up, her beautiful eyes fixed on Sun Yi. "Hey, honey, wait a minute, what if she doesn't help you later?"

"Heh, wife, are you stupid? Who said that once a vote is cast, it can't be changed? That was a discussion vote, not the final election."

"Oh~" Liu Yifei nodded knowingly, then followed up with, "What about Luc Besson? I don't remember you ever interacting with him before! You chatted with him for so long all night, and you seemed to get along quite well. His French arrogance doesn't seem like the kind of person who would casually get close to someone."

The continuous questioning seemed to rouse Sun Yi, and his free hand naturally rested on Liu Yifei's waist, unconsciously stroking it. "You've really guessed wrong. He's not here for me."

"what?"

Sun Yi's lips curled slightly upwards as he deliberately brushed his lips against Liu Yifei's sensitive earlobe, feeling her slight tremor for a moment. Then, with a playful smile, he slowly revealed the secret:
"He came to me to make connections. He's preparing for a new... well, you could call it a sci-fi blockbuster. Firstly, he wanted to know if I was interested in investing, and secondly..."

"Hey, don't keep me in suspense, just tell me!"

"Secondly, he asked me if I had the honor of having Mrs. Sun grace us with her presence as the female lead in this film?"

"Huh? Me?!?" Liu Yifei exclaimed in surprise, forgetting even the mischievous hand Sun Yi was still using under the covers. "You agreed?"

"How can that be?" I replied. "Investment is no problem, we can discuss it in detail. But I can't make decisions about my wife's schedule. I have to go home first and ask my international superstar if she's willing and if her schedule is convenient at that time."

Wow, that's quite thoughtful!
"Humph~"

(End of this chapter)