Entering the Chinese entertainment industry is like entering a deep sea

Chapter 759: Nouveau Riche and Villain
In one Christmas, the box office of "Longling Mystery Cave" exceeded 16 billion yuan, and the box office of "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" reached 2.1 million yuan in two days of its release. Both the latecomer and the film surpassed the others in terms of word of mouth and screening schedule.

On New Year's Eve, a special guest came to the set of "La La Land".

Everyone in the crew was curious about who could have made Director Li and Yifei wait at the entrance of the set.

Many paparazzi waiting outside the set of "La La Land" picked up their cameras to take pictures of the Maybach that flashed by.

"Who is in the car? It's Director Li's car!"

"It's definitely not someone who's on the screen!"

"Could it be Director Han?"

"impossible!"

The paparazzi talked about it but couldn't get an answer.

A black Maybach slowly stopped at the entrance of the studio. The door opened and a fat, bald foreigner got out, followed by a slightly younger white man.

When Li Chen saw the person coming, a smile appeared on his face. He walked forward, opened his arms and gave the person a big hug.

"Old Ma! I haven't seen you for a few years. How come you don't look old at all? It seems that your sister-in-law is very good at taking care of people!"

"Hahaha, Li Chen, you too, how come you're getting younger and younger? And Yifei, she's so beautiful that I almost couldn't recognize her." After Marcol Muller hugged Li Chen, he shook hands with Liu Yifei.

Liu Yifei smiled and said, "Long time no see, Mr. Makol."

She wasn't familiar with Maccol to the point where they could joke harmlessly with each other like her husband did.

The day before yesterday, the former president of the Venice Film Festival suddenly called her husband and said that she would come to Shanghai today to "visit relatives and friends", and Li Chen was one of them.

Macor stepped aside and said, "Lee, let me introduce you. This is Alberto Barbera, artistic director of the Venice Film Festival."

"When he heard that I was coming to China, he came with me."

Barbera had been observing the Golden Lion director and felt that he looked unnaturally young.

Last year he met Jia Zhangke and Wang Quanan, but compared with this person, those two indeed looked like directors, while this person looked like a star.

"La La Land" is starred by him and Liu Yifei, the most famous Chinese actress in the world.

It is still directed by Chen Kexin and produced by Wang Jia.

This lineup has been highly anticipated by movie fans around the world since the filming of "La La Land" began.

He had just taken office for less than two years, so he was very unfamiliar with this person, but he was not unfamiliar with this person's fame.

The purpose of his visit this time is to hope that "La La Land" can participate in next year's Venice Film Festival and premiere at the Venice Film Festival!
Before coming, he heard that Cannes had also sent someone to Beijing to meet with this person.

Berlin has also sent an invitation, and I can use the internal recommendation channel.

After discussion, the Venice Organizing Committee decided to invite Macor to take action.

After all, this person has a close friendship with several big Chinese directors and they have always been on good terms with each other. Most importantly, he is a true China expert.

With him in action, success is certain.

Who knew that when I called Maccol, the old man was about to go to China.

It turns out that Markel has officially accepted the invitation from the BJ International Film Festival Organizing Committee and will serve as the chief consultant for the 5th BJ International Film Festival.

"Li, nice to meet you." Barbera shook hands with Li Chen and his wife.

Liu Yifei's heart moved, and she glanced at her husband silently, sighing in her heart that her husband was really a man of foresight.

When her husband learned the day before yesterday that Macor was coming to Shanghai, he predicted that people from the Venice Film Festival would definitely be there.

Otherwise, Makor should fly directly to Beijing and meet with the BJ International Film Festival organizing committee first.

Li Chen nodded and smiled: "Old Ma, let's go in and talk."

Li Chen saw that many media outlets were collecting materials like Gao Jiaoqi!
"Okay." Makol smiled.

Several people entered the set, and a group of media finally recognized from a distance who the two white people were who got out of the Maybach.

"It seems to be the former president of Venice Film Festival and Rome Film Festival, Marcol Mueller!"

"The person next to him also looks familiar, but I can't remember who he is!"

"Tomorrow, La La Land will open to media for the first time. Just ask Director Li and you'll know everything!"

Although the paparazzi said this, they all began to anxiously investigate who the person next to them was.

By the time I visit the set tomorrow, the news will have long passed its timeliness.

Whoever figures out the identities of the two first will have their news make the headlines!

Li Chen and his companions entered the set, and Markle exchanged a few words with Chen Kexin, Wang Jiawei, and Du Kefeng.

Then he followed Li Chen and his wife into the lounge.

After the four of them sat down, Macor acted as an interpreter, and Barbera got straight to the point and said sincerely, "Lee, your films have the romance of the Golden Age and the poetry of modern films. Venice needs such works."

Li Chen found it funny but was not in a hurry to agree. He had not decided whether to go to Cannes or Venice. The time in Cannes was a bit tight and it might not be possible to complete all the post-production before the opening.

"Venice has always been one of the film festivals I respect the most. I will seriously consider it." Li Chen replied with a smile.

Markel smiled and translated Li Chen's words to Barbera.

Barbera continued to talk a lot to Macor.

Macor nodded repeatedly. After Barbera finished speaking, Macor turned around and said to Li Chen and his wife with a smile, "Li Chen, for my sake, choose Venice."

Li Chen and his wife looked at each other, and Liu Yifei's mouth corners slightly raised. This Barbera said a lot just now, and it seemed that it was most likely to let Macol and Li Chen talk about love.

"What do you think? Lao Ma has spoken, why don't we go to Venice?" Li Chen asked his wife with a smile.

Liu Yifei nodded and smiled, "Mr. Maccol has always had a soft spot for Chinese filmmakers like us. Would you mind not choosing Venice?"

Before Li Chen could say anything, Makol burst into laughter: "Thank you Yifei, Li Chen, I heard that you are a henpecked husband. How about it, Yifei agrees."

Barbera didn't understand Chinese, but seeing that Macor and the Chinese director's wife were smiling, he also started to smile foolishly.

Li Chen shrugged and said helplessly, "My reputation as a henpecked husband is proven. Even you, Old Ma, know about it!"

Liu Yifei hit Li Chen in a scolding manner, and they all burst into laughter.
Li Chen arranged a hotel for Markel to stay in. He also had to visit Xie Jin's widow.

"Should I not have agreed to Macol so easily today?" After returning to the villa, Liu Yifei suddenly asked, thinking of what happened during the day.

"It doesn't matter. Venice is the first choice. If we talk about probability, your chances of winning in Venice are higher than in Cannes and much higher than in Berlin."

Hearing that her husband didn't mention himself at all and only cared about whether she could be crowned queen in Venice, Liu Yifei suddenly felt a little pressure.

"If, I mean if I return empty-handed in Venice, will you be disappointed?" Liu Yifei asked uncertainly, holding Li Chen's neck. "Why should I be disappointed? I have already got the beauty. What does your return empty-handed have to do with me?" Li Chen held Liu Yifei's slender waist with both hands, gently sniffed the fragrance of her hair and teased.

Liu Yifei punched Li Chen's chest a few times and said angrily, "Hate it! I'm serious!"

Li Chen laughed out loud, and seeing his wife's cute and adorable appearance, he couldn't help but kiss her rosy lips.

"woo"

Although Liu Yifei was caught off guard, she took the initiative to respond.

After about ten seconds, Li Chen finally let go with a look of reluctance.

Liu Yifei's cheeks were as red as red clouds, and her watery eyes looked at Li Chen, which was very attractive.

Li Chen put away his joking expression and said, "How could I be disappointed? If it doesn't work this time, we can try again next time."

Li Chen paused, pinched his wife's delicate nose and returned to a joking tone: "Don't forget, you are only 27 years old, and you are thinking about becoming the queen in one go!"

"Gongli won the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award at the age of 27, while Zhang Ziyi has yet to win any of the three major European awards."

"Ms. Liu, I didn't realize you were so ambitious! It turns out you've been eyeing Gong Li for a long time!"

Liu Yifei found what her husband said funny and blushed even more: "Why, it's not possible? You were only a few years old when you won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and you still have the nerve to laugh at me!"

"Ahahahaha." Li Chen laughed and thought to himself that his wife's reaction was getting faster and faster, but who could compare with him.

-

The next day was the first media visit day of "La La Land" before New Year's Day.

Hundreds of film media from around the world gathered on the set.

The scene was extremely lively, and Li Chen was the focus of the attention.

Reporters surrounded Li Chen and Liu Yifei, and suddenly a reporter asked a question.

"Director Li and Sony Pictures China executive Didi publicly stated the day before yesterday that One Step Away is a satire on the 'nouveau riche' and hinted that Wang Sicong is Wu Qi and Wanda is a nouveau riche like the Beiyang warlords!"

Li Chen glanced at the reporter and chuckled, "In theory, I don't have to answer your question because today is a visit to the set of La La Land."

The reporter was stared at by countless colleagues, with an embarrassed look on his face, but he cursed in his heart: "You bastards, who doesn't want to ask this question in your heart? I asked it for you, and you are still pretending to be noble!"

Li Chen changed the subject and said, "However, I can answer your question today, but this will not happen again."

The reporter nodded repeatedly and said, "Thank you, Director Li."

Many reporters focused their spotlights on Li Chen.

"Sony may have been a little anxious in the past two years. In fact, if it weren't for Jiang Wen's "One Step Away", how many people in China would have remembered Sony Pictures?"

"Even in North America and around the world, in the past two years, Sony's films have only ranked fifth in box office revenue."

Many Chinese media at the scene laughed. Li Chen, the fifth man, was obviously mocking Sony.

"Last year, Sony Pictures Entertainment's market share was only 8%, equivalent to one-third of Disney's, and a 6% decrease from the previous year!"

"China is now the world's second largest box office after North America, and Sony's box office revenue is not even ranked high. It is understandable that they are anxious."

Chinese and foreign reporters at the scene were shocked. They did not expect that Li Chen would use industry data to slap Sony in the face so directly.

Some reporters have already come to the senses. Li Chen and Wanda are partners.

Li Chen also had a bad relationship with Sony. At the Oscars that year, "The Flowers of War" won the Golden Man, beating "A Separation" directed by Sony.

The reporters were in turmoil. Li Chen's statement today would definitely be the headline among the headlines. Sony's stock price might even fall.

"The Chinese market welcomes all companies that are serious about making movies, but if you compete by talking, you probably won't win over the audience."

Liu Yifei, who was standing next to Li Chen, smiled, but she was worried: "Who knows who will suffer if her husband faces the media?"

The reporters in front of Chen Kexin, Wang Jiawei and others were attracted by Li Chen's words.

Chen Kexin also smiled blankly at Wang Jiawei beside her: "Director Wang, as soon as Director Li opened his mouth, we all became extras."

After sending the media away, Liu Yifei frowned and asked, "You did this on purpose, right?"

Li Chen shrugged: "I can't stand the Japanese being so rampant. If Lao Wang becomes a nouveau riche, they will be the villains who have achieved success!"

Seeing that her husband had no sign of joking on his face, Liu Yifei didn't dare to say a word.

She knows her husband best, and generally speaking, when things like this happen, it's best for her to follow her husband's wishes.

-

Sina Entertainment News

"Li Chen made a sharp statement: If it weren't for "One Step Away", the audience would have long forgotten Sony."

"On December 2014, 12, the highly anticipated Chinese musical blockbuster "La La Land" opened its doors to the media for the first time."

"The producer and leading actor Li Chen went all out in the interview, responding strongly to the controversial remarks made by Sony Pictures China executive Didi, using data to illustrate the weaknesses of Sony Pictures, and mocking Sony for winning by talking instead of content."

"It is worth noting that just one day before Li Chen made these remarks, Venice Film Festival Artistic Director Alberto Barbera and former Venice Film Festival President Marco Mueller made a special trip to visit the set of La La Land."

"We strongly invite the film to participate in the main competition unit of the 2015 Venice Film Festival. As of press time, Sony Pictures has not yet responded to Li Chen's remarks."

Li Chen's response quickly sparked heated discussions on social media, and Li Chen's fans and netizens cheered for Li Chen.

That guy Wang Sicong actually went to Li Chen's Weibo and left a message. He first made a fist gesture and then added a sentence.

"It was Brother Chen who stepped in. The data was presented here, and then I suddenly realized that I had hit someone sore. No wonder they attacked me personally."

Netizens also joked one by one:

"If it wasn't for One Step, I wouldn't have known the producer was Sony? I can't even think of a single movie produced by Sony other than Spider-Man. It was One Step that made me remember you!"

"Sony: I just complained and you threw my financial report in my face?"

"This wave of ridicule is so extreme. Leo is indeed the most charming director of Chinese-language films!"

"Before the richest man made a move, his allies had already destroyed Sony. Once Wanda acquires Sony, things will be interesting."

-

A sharp roar came from Sony headquarters far away in Los Angeles.

"Bagaya road!"

(End of this chapter)