A widower's entertainment

Lin Zhaomei's film "Our Millionaire" was shortlisted for the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Regardless of whether it wins an award or not, filmmakers from abroad have been drawn to the film.

There's no other reason than that the screenwriter of this movie is Lin Youcheng.

Most importantly, the director of this film is only 21 years old and is a woman. Upon further investigation, it is discovered that this young female director is the daughter of screenwriter Lin Youcheng.

These factors will undoubtedly make this movie attract a lot of attention, but we'll have to wait and see to know for sure.

Because of Lin Youcheng, an international screenwriter, countless foreign media outlets wanted to interview the cast and crew of "Our Millionaire," specifically Lin Youcheng and Lin Zhaomei.

After all, Lin Zhaomei is only 21 years old, a new director, and the first film she directed was nominated for the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival.

Twenty-one years old!
And she's a female director, so how could the entire Cannes Film Festival not take notice and pay attention?

Of course, because of Lin Youcheng, even before the premiere of "Our Millionaire" was held, many film and television companies from both Asia and Europe came to inquire about overseas distribution rights. Of course, the specific outcome of the negotiations depends on the film's performance. This shows that the film is confident and even believes it has the potential to win awards, so the negotiations will naturally continue later. After all, if it wins an award, the price will naturally be higher.

In any case, being shortlisted for the Cannes Film Festival means that the overseas distribution rights will allow the film to break even, or even make a huge profit.

Besides awarding prizes, film festivals are also a place for filmmakers to network, and people like Lin Youcheng, a big name in the film screenwriting world, are naturally people that many people want to meet and get to know.

Hou Xiaoxian also came to the Cannes Film Festival and met with Lin Youcheng. He had known Lin Zhaomei for a long time, and now that he saw that little girl from long ago had already made movies and been nominated for the Cannes Film Festival, he was really impressed. He said with a smile, "Youcheng, your daughter Zhaomei is really amazing."

“I remember the first time I went to your house, she must have been only a few years old then, and you were still living in Decheng.”

Lin Youcheng smiled and nodded upon hearing this, confirming that it had indeed been a long time ago.

Lin Zhaomei said with a smile, "I still need to learn from Director Hou."

Hou Xiaoxian waved his hand and said with a smile, "I should learn from your dad. Speaking of which, Youcheng, when do you think we should collaborate again? I'd really like to win the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival."

Well, Hou Xiaoxian won the Palme d'Or for "The Devotion of Suspect X" and the Golden Lion for "Amour" in Venice. Both of these films are related to Lin Youcheng, so naturally he would want to collaborate with Lin Youcheng again and try to win the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

In this way, even without an Oscar, Hou Xiaoxian is still a director who has won the highest awards at the three major film festivals, which is absolutely amazing.

Of course, director Hou Xiaoxian is also quite a big shot now. Even the two young actors, Zhou Xun and Duan Long, are looking at Hou Xiaoxian with admiration.

Upon hearing Hou Xiaoxian's words, Lin Youcheng laughed and said, "Of course, you can if you have the chance. But you've already come to the Cannes Film Festival, why are you still thinking about the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival? Shouldn't you be thinking about the Palme d'Or?"

"I'd like to too, it just depends on whether the jury will grant it."

After all, which director who has been nominated for the main competition doesn't want their film to win the Palme d'Or? Hou Xiaoxian is no exception; he also wants to win the Palme d'Or for the second time.

And so, one film after another was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Soon it was time for "Our Millionaire" to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival. It should be said that many film lovers and filmmakers were looking forward to the work of the 21-year-old young female director Lin Zhaomei, and were also looking forward to what kind of touching story screenwriter Lin Youcheng would bring this time.

Even though Lin Youcheng is Lin Zhaomei's father, a film is ultimately a work of art. If this young female director, Lin Zhaomei, makes a bad film, the media will not hold back their criticism and will relentlessly condemn the film and the film festival for allowing such a young director's work to enter the main competition.

Well, whatever the reasoning behind it, everyone is eagerly anticipating this film's inclusion in the main competition.

The screening room arranged by the Cannes Film Festival organizers was very large. Because of Lin Youcheng, the festival president Pierre Vieux also attended the premiere of "Our Millionaire". There was no other reason, after all, Pierre Vieux had initially thought of inviting Lin Youcheng to serve as the president of the main competition jury of the film festival, but he declined because of his film.

Piervio is also thinking of inviting Lin Youcheng to be the chairman of the jury next time.

Besides Pierre Vieux, Hou Xiaoxian and many international movie stars also attended the premiere of "Our Millionaire," making it a star-studded event.

Thanks to Lin Youcheng, this film directed by a newcomer has attracted a large audience, especially since Leslie Cheung also made a cameo appearance in the film, which was also included in the cast list for promotional purposes. The Cannes Film Festival naturally has high expectations for this Cannes Best Actor winner from last year.

After the red carpet ceremony, the entire screening room was packed with people.

Lin Zhaomei sat next to Lin Youcheng, glancing at the nearly full audience behind her. She was a little excited. Unlike her previous short film screenings at the Berlin Film Festival, which received less attention than feature films, this was her first time being nominated for the main competition and having her film screened here. Clearly, Lin Zhaomei was both nervous and excited.

Lin Youcheng patted Lin Zhaomei's hand, indicating that she didn't need to be nervous.

Lin Zhaomei nodded and looked at the big screen; the screening room had already darkened.

Actually, it wasn't just Lin Zhaomei who was nervous and excited; Zhou Xun and Duan Long were also there. However, the two of them were more excited, as it was their first time seeing their performance on the big screen.

A beautiful piece of background music began to play in the darkness, followed by the start of the movie, where the millionaire was about to appear.

On the screen, the subtitles of Huayi Film & Television Company, the sole producer, flashed by quickly, and then dim yellow lights spread out, the flickering light and shadow instantly outlining a chilling atmosphere.

The next second, the camera focuses on Xu Qingshan, played by Duan Long. He is covered in cold sweat, looks haggard, and his eyes reveal undisguised exhaustion and fear. He has clearly just endured a long and harsh interrogation.

"to be frank!"

A sharp shout suddenly rang out, followed by an abrupt plunge into darkness. On the black screen, a line of text slowly emerged, more like a riddle questioning fate—

Xu Qingshan is just one question away from winning 100 million. How did he do it?
A. He cheated. B. He was lucky. C. He's a genius. D. It was fate.
The story begins with this mystery, instantly capturing the curiosity of all viewers. It is obvious that Xu Qingshan is the male protagonist of this film, and the young man who is just one step away from winning the million-dollar prize.

The narrative unfolds at a leisurely pace, with the camera cutting back to the scene where Xu Qingshan has just arrived on television, preparing to participate in a quiz show.

"Good evening, everyone who watches our program. Welcome to 'Millionaire Winner'."

Compared to the original "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," the program's name has been simplified to "Millionaire Winner," which is more straightforward and simple.

"Please give a warm round of applause to welcome our first contestant tonight—Xu Qingshan!"

The camera pans across the recording site of "Millionaire Winner," and Xu Qingshan's figure just freezes in the frame before the scene quickly switches to a police station interrogation room. On one side, the host invites Xu Qingshan to introduce himself, while on the other side, the police sternly order him to tell the whole truth. The two scenes are cross-cut, with a tight pace but no sense of chaos.

Viewers can easily recognize that Xu Qingshan, played by Duan Long, is just an ordinary restaurant waiter who has stood on the stage of a million-dollar quiz show and is now trapped in an interrogation room, becoming a suspect.

"Honestly, stop wasting time, how exactly did you cheat?"

Jiang Wen, playing a policeman, speaks in a voice as cold as ice: "Did you hide your phone on the show? A pager? Or did someone in the audience give you a code by coughing?" The film doesn't use the original's torture scenes, but instead employs a more suffocating visual style to create a palpable tension. The interrogator's condescending scrutiny and questioning form a tight, impenetrable net, firmly trapping Xu Qingshan.

Seeing that Xu Qingshan had been detained and interrogated for a long time but still refused to admit to cheating, the recorder next to him looked at his painful, curled-up appearance and couldn't help but whisper to the captain beside him: "Brother Zhang, I suddenly thought, what if... he really knows the answer?"

Jiang Wen, who plays the captain, speaks in a cold tone, with undisguised skepticism and contempt: "Professors, doctors, teachers, and so many highly educated people can't even get a 500,000 yuan bonus. What could a restaurant waiter like him know?"

Xu Qingshan slowly raised his head from the interrogation chair, his voice weak but with a hint of stubbornness: "I know the answer."

As soon as the words were spoken, the camera suddenly switched back to Xu Qingshan's childhood. It was as if a memory was coming back. In the green mountains and on the ridges of the fields, young Xu Qingshan ran freely, his laughter clear and innocent. The picture was clear and soft in color, which vividly showed the innocence and carefree nature of the child.

But as the camera pans across the dilapidated villages and muddy paths, the majestic, rolling mountains reveal a sense of isolation and poverty, silently telling the story of this remote mountain village's plight.

In an instant, the scene returns to the police station, only the setting has changed from the cold interrogation room to the relatively relaxed investigation room.

The captain gestured to the recorder to pour Xu Qingshan a glass of water, his tone laced with mockery and probing: "So, Xu Qingshan, why don't you tell me how you knew the answer?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the team member turned on the computer, and the screen was playing the first question that Xu Qingshan had asked in "Millionaire Winner".

The camera slowly zooms in, then zooms in again, until it is completely immersed in the scene of the quiz show. The transition is natural and smooth, without any sense of incongruity.

The venue was packed, with all eyes on the stage. Xu Qingshan and Zhang Guoli, who played the host, sat facing each other, their computer screens ready to display the questions.

"Remember, you have three chances to ask for help: ask the audience at the venue, eliminate half of the wrong options, or ask your friends and family outside the venue for help via their hotline."

As soon as the host Zhang Guoli finished speaking, he raised his hand and said, "The first question, please listen to the question."

In which of the following cities is Qingcheng Mountain located?

The scene cuts to Xu Qingshan's memories, and the answer doesn't come from book knowledge, but from a deeply unforgettable experience.

His hometown is Yuncheng, a place also surrounded by mountains. In the secluded villages, there are women who have been trafficked. The kind-hearted Xu Qingshan once helped one of these women send a letter. The woman longed to escape her misery, and the address on the envelope was Qingcheng Mountain in Chuancheng.

A seemingly simple geography question hides the dark reality of the forced sale of women.

The audience was also stunned by the story, and they clearly realized what memories meant.

As the story unfolds, Xu Qingshan, knowing the answer from the address Bai Xuemei sent the letter to, says, "Choose C, Chuancheng."

"Congratulations, you got it right!" the host announced with a smile, his tone slightly teasing. "Wouldn't the prize for the first question be exactly your monthly salary as a waiter?"

With that, the scene cuts back to the investigation room. Duan Long, playing Xu Qingshan, holds a water glass, still weak, but looks up at the captain with a hint of resentment in his voice: "Even if you're not a genius, you can still answer the questions correctly."

The recorder standing nearby couldn't help but chime in, "I also know the answer is Chuancheng."

Xu Qingshan immediately chimed in, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm: "See, I told you, even a genius can answer that."

The captain, played by Jiang Wen, remained silent, his gaze sweeping over Xu Qingshan before returning to the computer screen—the second question had already appeared.

"According to the Constitution, which class leads our country?"

A. Working class B. Peasant class C. Urban petty bourgeoisie D. National bourgeoisie
Xu Qingshan stared blankly at the question on the screen, clearly clueless about it, and ultimately had no choice but to ask the audience for help. This action further convinced the police and the production team that he was suspected of cheating—the question was too basic, common sense that everyone knew.

However, this question has a deeper meaning.

"The third question is quite interesting—what is the most common underground mining method in coal mining?"

It was another obscure topic. Before the words were even finished, the camera sank back into memories, taking the audience back to the remote mountain village where Xu Qingshan grew up.

The first three questions laid the groundwork, making everyone realize that each question in the program was a microcosm of Xu Qingshan's arduous life, and behind each answer lay a hidden past. Everyone's hearts were captivated by the young man on screen, completely immersed in this narrative interwoven with warmth and darkness.

As always, the film confronts reality head-on, presenting the cruelty and darkness of the lower classes nakedly on screen.

Years ago, Xu Qingshan helped Bai Xuemei send him a letter. After the affair was exposed, he and his father were ruthlessly driven out of the village by the villagers. The scene shifts, and the boy has grown into a young man. Having left his hometown, he works hard to earn money while searching for his father, who has disappeared after going out to work. Unfortunately, he is lured into a coal mine by two people.

Deep in the dark and damp mines, human greed is amplified to an extreme; for money, some people are willing to commit murder.

This scene made the filmmakers present understand even more the weight of the word "millionaire"—it is not only a temptation, but also an abyss that devours humanity.

It was so real, so cruel, so suffocatingly despairing, as if the deep mine itself was a graveyard for burying life and conscience.

The audience in the screening room felt a chill run down their spines, while the film critics were deeply moved and their blood boiled with excitement by the story behind the question.

They knew clearly that this past contained too many details and human struggles to be explored: the second uncle had personally killed Xu Qingshan's father, but when facing Xu Qingshan, he was caught in an unprecedented human struggle and ultimately could not bring himself to kill him.

This complex human conflict is far more impactful than a simple battle between good and evil.

It was so exciting, so brutal, so wonderful, and so shocking!
Every detail in the film is imbued with metaphor, intricately linked, even the cinematography is masterful. When Xu Qingshan, Song, and Tang descend into the well together, the camera slowly pulls back, creating a long, drawn-out shot. The light at the wellhead shrinks little by little as the cage descends, eventually becoming just a faint glimmer, yet never completely extinguished.

This is like the goodness in Xu Qingshan's heart, which, even when compressed to the extreme in the darkest of circumstances, has never been completely extinguished.

Xu Qingshan ran wildly through the mine with all his might.

Just then, "BOOM—!"

A deafening explosion erupted, causing the entire mine to tremble violently, as if to bury the darkness and evil beneath the earth.

Inside the screening room, the audience and filmmakers alike were stunned by the sudden shock, their hearts pounding. (End of Chapter)