It's reasonable for me, a stuntman, to live a crazy life, right?

Chapter 1415 Stephen Chow's "Fall"; Grand Appearance on the Venice Red Carpet!

"With the conclusion of several web dramas such as 'The Beginning,' 'Lotus Pavilion,' 'Jade Bone Distance,' and 'Longing for Each Other,' the TV/web drama market has seen a surge in popularity this summer!"

"The key extension notice for 'The Longest Day in Chang'an' has been issued, and it will be extended to September 15. The film has been in theaters for 51 days and its total box office has exceeded 25 billion yuan!"

"Films such as 'Tea, No. 2 Middle School,' 'Mission: Impossible 7,' and 'The Incredibles' have been removed from theaters due to a sharp drop in daily box office revenue."

"The box office of 'Sicario 2' and 'Fever' has both surpassed 1 billion yuan, and their keys have been extended to the end of September."

"The key extension notice for 'Fengshen Part 1' has been issued. The film has grossed over 2 billion yuan in 38 days."

"Several films, including The Meg, I've Been Through the Storm, and Daddy's Got Talent, are currently showing in theaters."

……

Inside the VIP lounge at Beijing Capital International Airport, Liu Yifei and Gong Li were chatting about the details of their gowns for the Venice red carpet, with occasional soft laughter escaping their lips.

According to the schedule, Maggie Cheung will fly directly from Hong Kong to Venice, and the three of them will meet at the Palais des Festivals.

Chen Fei sat to the side, holding his phone and scrolling through the final review news of the summer movie season.

This year's summer movie season was indeed lively, with "The Longest Day in Chang'an" breaking 25 billion yuan, "Sicario 2" and "Fever" both surpassing 10 billion yuan, and "The First Part of Fengshen" aiming for 20 billion yuan. There were quite a few blockbuster films, and the genres were quite diverse, which finally supported the market's enthusiasm.

But the more he looked, the more his brows furrowed.

The main problem is that the shady practices of some of the publishers are truly disgusting!
"The Vanished She" made a fortune by stirring up gender antagonism, setting a bad precedent of "topic first, content second".

The approach taken by "Fengshen Part 1" – "precisely targeting core audiences and controlling public opinion to distance themselves from critics" – turned film promotion into an internet traffic business, making it extremely unsightly.

As I was swiping the screen, a movie title suddenly came into view.

"Burning Winter"? !

Chen Fei paused for a moment, then clicked on the plot summary, his expression growing increasingly grim as he read.

The synopsis vaguely describes "three young people growing closer to each other in the winter of Yanji," but after reading the film reviews, it turns out that the content is actually a chaotic relationship where a man loves another man and is entangled with a woman, with a fragmented plot and ambiguous values.

"What the hell is this?" he couldn't help but mutter under his breath.

Liu Yifei and Gong Li looked over upon hearing the sound.

"what happened?"

“I saw a movie called ‘Burning Winter’,” Chen Fei said with obvious discomfort. “The plot is a mess, with some inexplicable relationships. It’s a good thing that the box office was low and it wasn’t widely distributed, otherwise it would really corrupt children.”

Gong Li paused for a moment, then shrugged helplessly: "These days, some films will really dare to shoot anything just to grab attention."

Chen Fei sighed and closed the news page.

Fortunately, the film didn't cause much of a stir, otherwise it would have been another media frenzy.

"Let's go, it's time to board."

He stood up, temporarily putting aside the messy news online.

……

Upon landing in Venice, the group dragged their luggage straight to the hotel.

After a short rest, Maggie Cheung also flew from Hong Kong to join them.

Immediately afterwards, Chen Fei led Liu Yifei, Gong Li, and Zhang Manyu to Lido Island, the venue for this year's Venice International Film Festival.

Lido Island is a floating cinematic art palace, with Gothic buildings scattered across the island.

Looking around, the walls were covered with film festival posters, and the sea breeze carried the scent of art.

The group first found the registration desk of the organizer, and informed the staff of their names, phone numbers and other information to complete the registration process.

There was still one day until the film festival's opening ceremony.

Chen Fei then led everyone on a stroll through the film festival grounds.

Although only one Chinese-language film, "The Room Next Door," was nominated for the main competition at this year's Venice International Film Festival, a considerable number of Chinese filmmakers attended the event.

For example, Shu Qi, one of the judges, is undoubtedly the focus of attention.

Besides industry insiders, there were also some internet celebrities who came to hang out on the red carpet, as well as first- and second-tier stars who came to promote their new films, adding to the liveliness and excitement of the film festival.

As Chen Fei was walking, a news notification suddenly popped up on his phone:
"The Challenger, which was originally scheduled to be the opening film of this year's Venice International Film Festival and was shortlisted for the main competition, has decided to officially withdraw from the festival."

He frowned slightly, clicked in to check the details, and learned that it was affected by this year's Hollywood strike.

This strike is arguably the biggest industry upheaval in Hollywood in recent decades!

It all stemmed from the transformation of the American film and television industry.

The rise of streaming media has disrupted the traditional landscape, exacerbating conflicts between actors, screenwriters, and investors, while the rapid development of artificial intelligence has only added fuel to the fire.

On May 2nd of this year, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) took the lead, firing the first shot in a strike.

Screenwriters are dissatisfied with the reduced creative opportunities and lower incomes in the streaming era, and are worried that artificial intelligence will replace them in scriptwriting.

On July 13, the Screen Actors Guild and the United Federation of Broadcasters and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA), representing 160,000 performers, announced that negotiations with production companies had broken down and joined the strike.

They are also dissatisfied with their salaries, especially feeling unfairly treated in terms of streaming revenue sharing, and worried that artificial intelligence technology will replace actors with digital stand-ins, taking away their job opportunities.

On the day of the strike, numerous Hollywood actors and screenwriters gathered outside the headquarters of companies such as Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros., and Disney, holding up protest signs and creating a large-scale scene.

In order to comply with the strike rules, the London premiere of Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" was brought forward, and many stars left the venue immediately after the strike was announced to show their support for the strike action.

Subsequently, numerous Hollywood film and television projects came to a standstill, and the promotion of new films was hampered.

The producers of "The Challenger" were also overwhelmed by strike-related issues and had no choice but to withdraw from the Venice International Film Festival.

After reading the news, Chen Fei put his phone back in his pocket and shook his head helplessly.

Although this Hollywood turmoil is far across the ocean, its impact on the global film and television industry should not be underestimated.

Walton Pictures' projects were also significantly affected, but overall, the losses were not too great.

After all, many projects have already been prepared in advance and are currently either in post-production or in the promotional period, so even if they are suspended, it won't matter.

……

"The biographical/historical film Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, officially enters domestic theaters today."

"Feng Xiaogang's new film 'If You Are the One 3' has quietly wrapped up filming in Hengdian."

"It's a pity that the animated film 'The Monkey King,' which was co-produced by Stephen Chow, failed miserably in the Hollywood box office..."

"..."

The date is August 30th, and the opening ceremony of the 80th Venice International Film Festival is scheduled to begin at 6 pm.

Liu Yifei got up early in the morning and was busy running around in the dressing room.

The makeup artist was creating her red carpet look, while the stylist was comparing three alternative dresses. She herself was holding several carefully prepared pieces of jewelry, and she kept reminding her assistant to check the packaging details, afraid of any oversight.

Chen Fei, on the other hand, seemed relaxed and went to the hotel restaurant to have breakfast alone.

He picked up his tray, found a seat by the window, and casually opened his phone to browse the news. His gaze quickly fell on the report that Stephen Chow's "The Monkey King" was a flop in Hollywood. The report said that the film's North American box office was less than ten million, and its critical reception was even worse, with foreign media describing it as "a crude deconstruction of a classic that neither captured the essence of the East nor pleased Western audiences..."

Chen Fei flipped to the end of the article and shook his head helplessly.

Stephen Chow, a name that once resonated throughout the Chinese film industry, has now completely stumbled.

From "The New King of Comedy" to this "Monkey King," several of his works have flopped both critically and commercially, to the point that audiences' trust in the "Stephen Chow" label has long been exhausted.

Want to salvage the relationship?
difficult!
Very difficult!
Nowadays, audiences no longer blindly believe in so-called "cast" and "famous directors." No matter how brilliant your box office appeal was in the past, if the quality of your work is subpar, it will still flop.

As Chen Fei swiped his finger across the screen, he saw the news that Feng Xiaogang's "If You Are the One 3" had quietly wrapped up filming in Hengdian.

He raised an eyebrow, but he had no expectations.

Although the sequel had not yet been released before his rebirth, the poor reputation of the first two installments of the "If You Are the One" IP was enough for him to predict the ending.

It's not that Feng Xiaogang lacks talent, but rather that these kinds of sequels are too prone to falling into the trap of "exploiting nostalgia."

The charm and sincerity of the first season of "If You Are the One" have become deliberate and sentimental in the second season.

Now, after many years, a third installment is being filmed, with a completely different cast, but the core story remains the same. It's simply using the old IP as a shell to try and reap another wave of nostalgia.

But audiences are no longer buying into that. They want fresh stories and genuine emotions, not recycled medleys.

Moreover, Feng Xiaogang's works in recent years have become increasingly detached from the market, lacking both the down-to-earth feel of his early New Year films and the aesthetic appeal of contemporary audiences.

It will be even more difficult for "If You Are the One 3" to replicate the success of its predecessor.

Chen Fei is quite optimistic about the domestic release of "Oppenheimer".

The very act of bombarding ordinary people with materialistic ideas is enough to attract a large number of nostalgic viewers to this film.

……

In the afternoon, the Venice Film Festival's red carpet ceremony kicked off first.

Sunlight filters through the palm leaves of Lido Island, casting dappled shadows on the red carpet.

The clicking of cameras from journalists from various countries was incessant, like a never-ending rain.

As is customary at film festivals, big names usually make their grand finale appearance.

Chen Fei, Liu Yifei, Gong Li, Zhang Manyu, and others lingered briefly in the red carpet waiting area, waiting for staff to announce their entry.

Even from a distance, you can see the bustling scene ahead.

However, rather than saying the red carpet was glittering with stars, it would be more accurate to say it was full of embarrassing moments.

Not far away, an actress in a haute couture gown and high heels stumbled and fell after taking only two steps, her skirt lifting to reveal the "beautiful scenery" underneath, attracting a flurry of photos from the surrounding reporters.

Another second-tier male star, relying on his experience in several American TV series, posed in the center of the red carpet and refused to move. In the end, he was half-persuaded and half-dragged away by security guards.

The most eye-catching were those few internet celebrities from China, dressed in flamboyant gowns that were completely out of place at the event, posing frantically for the camera, as if they wanted to press the shutter a hundred times per second. They were clearly determined to make a big deal out of these photos after returning to China.

"Look, it's Yang Ying!" Liu Yifei suddenly nudged Chen Fei's arm and gestured forward.

Chen Fei followed her gaze and looked up, his eyes landing on a familiar figure. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.

It’s really her!

Yang Ying chose a bright red strapless dress today, with a very long train, and her makeup was heavy but still quite exquisite.

As she walked the red carpet, she held her head high and puffed out her chest. Her waving and turning around exuded a deliberately practiced aura, and she even vaguely resembled the former "Queen of the Red Carpet," Fan Bingbing.

"Why is she here too?" Liu Yifei asked in a low voice, her tone tinged with doubt.

After all, "The Room Next Door" is the only Chinese-language film nominated for the main competition, while most of the other Chinese-language stars are there to attend screenings or commercial events.

Chen Fei didn't say anything, but just watched Yang Ying give a brief interview at the end of the red carpet, his expression somewhat strange.

Considering the failure of her previous film "Twilight Heart's Promise" and her gradually fading career, a thought suddenly popped into my head:

Is this person really planning to follow in Fan Bingbing's footsteps, return to her original modeling career, rely on international red carpets to make a comeback as a "carpet star"?

It's worth noting that Fan Bingbing gained international recognition step by step through her stunning appearances on the red carpets of major international film festivals and fashion shows. Even with a limited number of works, she was able to maintain top-tier popularity.

Yang Ying's film and television resources have declined, and she urgently needs to find new exposure points. This route seems to be the best solution.

"That's putting the cart before the horse," Chen Fei thought to himself.

No matter how beautifully you walk the red carpet, without any substantial work to back it up, it's all just a mirage.

After watching for a while, he looked away and turned to Liu Yifei, Gong Li, and Zhang Manyu beside him.

Their dresses were simple and appropriate, and their eyes showed no anxiety about proving anything, only a firm belief in the film itself.

This is what a film festival should be like: the red carpet is just an embellishment, the works themselves are the foundation.

Just then, a staff member came over to remind them: "Director Chen, Director Liu... it's your turn to enter."

Chen Fei nodded and reached out to take Liu Yifei's hand.

The group exchanged smiles and walked towards the shimmering lights.

The next second, the host's enthusiastic introduction resounded throughout the venue, piercing through the interplay of sea breeze and camera shutter clicks:
"Next to walk the red carpet are Chen Fei, winner of the three major European film festival awards; Liu Yifei, double Best Actress at Cannes and Venice; Gong Li, Best Actress at Venice; and Zhang Manyu, double Best Actress at Berlin and Cannes!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all eyes in the room were drawn to the entrance of the red carpet, as if by an invisible thread.

Media reporters quickly adjusted their camera angles, and telephoto lenses and flashes instantly focused on those figures, as if they were holding their breath.

The celebrities and internet celebrities who were still lingering on the red carpet seemed to be enveloped by an invisible aura. Their posing for photos came to an abrupt halt, and they tactfully stepped aside to make way for the group.

Their expressions were complex, a mixture of awe, envy, and above all, a sense of pride in being a part of it.

Being able to compete against such a lineup is already a rare achievement.

Yang Ying, who was posing for the camera in front of the autograph wall, turned around when she heard the sound.

When she saw Liu Yifei walking arm in arm with Chen Fei, alongside Gong Li and Zhang Manyu, she instinctively paused.

They were once known as the "Four Little Actresses" and had similar starting points when they debuted.

But now, Liu Yifei seems to be bathed in a glow, a confidence built from her works and awards, a composure alongside top filmmakers, and the dazzling brilliance of truly standing at the center of the international stage...

Yang Ying's fingertips tightened slightly, and she unconsciously increased the grip on her skirt.

Envy surged into her heart like a tidal wave, almost drowning her!

She knew perfectly well that no matter how exquisite her red carpet look was, it was only a fleeting moment of glory.

In contrast, Liu Yifei's path has already led to heights she can hardly reach.

Flashbulbs were going off in quick succession ahead as Chen Fei and his group approached, their conversation exuding the confidence and tacit understanding of top filmmakers.

Yang Ying silently turned around and quickly entered the venue.

Faced with true glory, she had no choice but to step back...

(End of this chapter)