Entering the Chinese entertainment industry is like entering a deep sea

Chapter 840 The Zhongshan Suit's Counterattack
Regardless of whether any Chinese-language films are nominated for the Cannes Film Festival, Chinese films consistently promote themselves without fail.

Meanwhile, domestic copywriters use words like "march into action," "ignite," "outshine," "internationally renowned," and "causing a sensation overseas" to describe events thousands of miles away.

However, very few Chinese-language films can actually live up to these words.

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Inside the private terminal of Beijing Capital International Airport, Li Chen's Gulfstream G650 was ready. The golden characters "Rongchen" on the tail of the aircraft shone brightly in the morning light.

"Director Li, I'm starting to regret hitching a ride on your private jet!" Inside the cabin, Li Bingbing, with her impeccable makeup, sat opposite Li Chen with a glass of champagne and laughed.

"It's still not too late to get off the plane now, Sister Bingbing," Yang Siwei said cheerfully.

Li Chen chuckled softly but remained silent.

Li Xue, standing next to Li Chen, laughed and said, "Siwei, you and Director Li, aren't you going to ask my sister why she regrets it? You two are really not being supportive." Li Xue was in a very good mood.

It felt like I was back in the day when Yang Siwei was just starting out, and my sister and I gave her a Patek Philippe watch. Since then, we've maintained a harmonious and close relationship.

"Is that even a question? When you're with my boss, you're always the center of attention, but there's only one center of attention. Bingbing is just a background figure for the boss." Yang Siwei and Li Xue lightly clinked their glasses.

Li Bingbing chuckled and glanced at Li Chen with her beautiful eyes: "Even if you're just a background character for Director Li, you still have to rely on your talent. I wish 'Ne Zha' great success at Cannes this time."

"Thank you." Li Chen raised his glass and clinked it with the three of them.

"To be honest, the fact that Director Li came to Cannes this time gave me a sense of security." Li Bingbing's expression was so sincere that even a lie could be taken as truth.

"You don't need to be modest. This time on the red carpet, it's all up to you. Gong Li only has fame left now. She hasn't had any notable works in years. Ultimately, actors have to let their work speak for itself."

Li Xue and Li Bingbing quickly echoed, the two sisters exchanging a glance, their thoughts almost identical.

If we're talking about seniority, Gong Li is definitely above Director Li.

But if we're talking about skill, this one is miles ahead of Gongli.

Yang Siwei lowered her head and remained silent. Of course, she knew that her boss didn't like Gong Li and didn't think it was a big deal.

He's just a washed-up actor.

The attitude of the big boss actually represents the attitude of those above.

There are two types of actors who acquire foreign citizenship: those whose parents grant them citizenship when they are young, and those who choose to do so themselves after they become famous.

Clearly, Gong Li and Li Lianjie belong to the latter category.

Their current status in China is quite awkward.

"Xue'er, it seems Director Li really doesn't like Gong Li!" Li Xue was pretending to be asleep when she suddenly heard her sister say this.

Li Xue opened her eyes, glanced at her sister, and nodded slightly: "Of course I could tell, but it's not surprising. I could tell when Director Li debuted."

"Yes, I remember that when other newcomers met Gong Li, they were either excited or at a loss, but Director Li was calm as if he had met an ordinary person."

"Sister, just go for it this time. Don't take Gongli seriously. Siwei and I have agreed that you'll be the most beautiful on the Cannes red carpet!"

After a ten-hour flight, the plane began its descent. Through the porthole, the azure Mediterranean Sea and the iconic palm trees of Cannes were already visible.

Li Xue laughed and said, "Sister, we've arrived at the battlefield."

"What battlefield? This is my home turf!" Li Bingbing suddenly exuded confidence and touched up her lip gloss in front of the mirror.

As soon as the plane came to a stop, a group of security personnel quickly stepped forward to form a human wall.

Li Chen straightened his suit and let Li Bingbing walk in front.

Li Bingbing quickly declined, saying she dared not, but Li Chen smiled and said, "Ladies first. Now that we're in Cannes, we're all Chinese."

Upon hearing this, Li Xue quickly smiled and said, "Sister, we'd better accept your offer."

Li Bingbing thought to himself, "Is Director Li implying that Gong Li isn't one of our own?"

The moment the hatch opened, a barrage of flashes came from the cameras.

Li Bingbing descended the suspended ladder first, followed closely by Li Chen.

Dozens of media microphones were instantly thrust in front of the crowd, but the vast majority were aimed at Li Chen, and a barrage of questions in various languages ​​followed.

"Mr. Li (of French descent)! Is the selection of an animated film as the opening film a sign that Cannes is bowing down to the Chinese market?" A French question was particularly jarring.

Li Chen stopped and looked at the reporter who had asked the question. The translator behind Li Chen informed him that it was the French media outlet Cahiers du Cinéma.
In fact, Li Chen can understand French, thanks to the influence of his father-in-law and wife; he can even speak a few words.

However, on this occasion, he didn't want to speak French or English, so what was the point of bringing a translator?

“That’s a very good question,” Li Chen said in Chinese, causing a small commotion.

"But I think you've got the cause and effect wrong. It's not because the Chinese market is important that Chinese films are chosen, but because Chinese films are good enough."

Another reporter followed up with, "There are rumors that you have a close personal relationship with Mr. Frémaux. Did this affect the film selection results?"

Standing next to Li Chen, Li Bingbing, for some reason, wasn't worried at all that Director Li would be unable to handle the situation.

Looking back at Yang Siwei, he saw that Yang Siwei also had a relaxed smile on his face, without even frowning.

Li Chen chuckled lightly: "If personal relationships could determine the opening film, then Cannes would have long since become my personal exhibition."

The humorous response drew laughter, easing the tense atmosphere slightly.

Li Bingbing maintained a polite smile throughout, thinking to himself, "No wonder Yifei told me to keep an eye on Director Li. Just having him by my side gives me a strange sense of security that can easily win over any woman! Not to mention his billions in assets!"

"So, what are your expectations for 'Ne Zha'?" a Chinese reporter quickly asked, trying to smooth things over.

Li Chen's expression turned serious: "I have no expectations. I'm just stating a fact to a global audience."

"That's right, Chinese animation is no longer anyone's student; we've already graduated."

Another burst of laughter erupted from the crowd, and then an unexpected figure walked through the crowd.

Everyone turned their heads, recognizing the newcomer all too well.

It was Thierry Frémaux, the artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival.

Many media outlets were both surprised and took it as normal.

After all, Freymar and Li Chen were close friends, so it wasn't surprising that he came to greet them personally.

“Li! Welcome back.” Freymar greeted Li Chen with a cheek kiss, then turned to the media.

Li Chen smiled but remained silent, while Fremont immediately turned and spoke to the media.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you will understand why we made this choice tomorrow night. Now, please allow our guests to rest."

After saying that, the two teams of black security guards separated the crowd, protected Li Chen and his party in the middle, and led them out of the airport and into the limousine to the hotel.

In addition to the security provided by Cannes, Li Chen's personal security team is even more professional.

At this time, a group had already arrived at the Majestic Hotel, where Li Chen and the others were going to stay. This was the closest five-star luxury hotel to the cinema.

At this moment, a poster of the character Red Boy was prominently displayed on the exterior wall of the Majestic Hotel, which had a similar feel to the color red in China.

On the night of the premiere, "Ne Zha" will also host a "Ne Zha Night" party.

Yang Siwei has booked the entire Majestic Beach tent in a prime location, covering an area of ​​several hundred square meters, which can provide food and drinks for several hundred guests.

It is on par with previous 'China Night' events.

Such a cocktail party alone costs no less than a million.

After seeing Li Chen and the others off at the hotel, Freymar prepared to take his leave.

"Li, to welcome you home, I've prepared a welcome dinner for you. Get some rest, and we'll see you tonight," Freymar said warmly with a smile.

How could he get a proper rest with a dinner party? But since the other party was being so kind, Li Chen couldn't refuse.

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me, we're friends. If you really want to thank me, then come visit me every year! Don't make me invite you every year before you'll come even once!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fremont burst out laughing.

At 7 p.m. local time, Yang Siwei arrived at Li Chen's suite and was puzzled to find that the big boss was wearing a black Zhongshan suit with a dark pattern that he had never worn before.

"Boss, although you have a natural clothes hanger, I've rarely seen you wear a Zhongshan suit before. When I first saw your back, I thought you were a director," Yang Siwei said with a smile.

The boss's hairstyle is similar to Zhang Yimou's, the only difference being that the boss is much taller than Zhang Yimou.

"What do you know! You graduated from the Communication University of China, and you can't even figure out the ins and outs of this?" Li Chen said with a laugh, sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed.

"Boss, I graduated from the Communication University of China, but I majored in directing. In the field of media, you're the one who taught me the most!" Yang Siwei flattered Li Chen in a subtle way.

That's true, though; many people have asked her if she plans to switch jobs.

However, she refused them all. To her, Li Chen was not only her boss, but also her mentor who introduced her to the world of business.

"Just one thing to remind you, what happened on the day the nominations were announced?"

Yang Siwei was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood: "I get it, boss! The master is indeed the master! Even a single move from him is enough for me to learn!"

Stop flattering me and just do your own job!

That evening, the hotel banquet hall was illuminated by crystal chandeliers as if it were daytime.

Li Chen was seen wearing a black Zhongshan suit with subtle patterns, a rare sight for him.

This drew attention from the Cannes Film Festival president and nearly a hundred media outlets present.

On Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, there are as many as eight trending topics related to Li Chen.

#Li Chen Receives High-Level Reception in Cannes##Li Chen's Zhongshan Suit Exudes Extraordinary Elegance##Fremo Hosts Welcome Dinner for Li Chen
Netizens and fans are discussing it enthusiastically.

"Where are the people who criticized Leonardo DiCaprio for being unpatriotic by making a Korean film? Come out and show yourselves! This is high-level cultural export: winning against you using your own rules, and then showing off our style in our clothes. Brother Chen: Didn't expect that, did you? My skill points are all maxed out!"

"Got it! Parasite is about flexing muscles: Look, I can make it big outside; the Zhongshan suit is about showing identity: But my roots will always be here. We need to grasp both commercial logic and cultural confidence, and make sure both are strong!"

"I suspect there's a clause in Li Chen and Zhang Yimou's art director contracts that says: 'On important occasions, you must wear a Zhongshan shirt.' (Just kidding.) But seriously, Zhang Yimou looks like a national director when he wears it, while Li Chen looks like a domineering CEO. It feels like he's about to buy out the Cannes Film Festival."

"Little Li: I heard someone's questioning me? Someone, put on my top-tier 'national attire'! This skin's bonuses are maxed out: hater defense -1000%, cultural confidence +10000%!"

"That was such a dignified response! Unlike some people who just engage in online arguments. A true master is a true master; one move from him silenced all the voices. That aura, that vision—no wonder he succeeded!"

"In the past, Zhang Yimou wore a Zhongshan suit and led Chinese films to 'go global,' but now Li Chen wears a Zhongshan suit and represents Chinese capital and culture 'standing firm.' Times have changed, but the essence remains the same, which is wonderful!"

Liu Yifei was stunned. She had initially disagreed with her husband wearing a Zhongshan suit, thinking it made him look too old-fashioned.

So her husband was waiting for her here!

"Mom, don't you think your son-in-law is too cunning!" The pregnant woman was very dissatisfied, feeling that her intelligence had been insulted.

Liu Xiaoli was watching "Ne Zha" with her grandson in her arms, and without turning her head, she said, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I told you before, he sold you out, and you're still helping him count the money!"

Liu Yifei puffed out her cheeks and said angrily, "Then why didn't you stop me from marrying him back then!" "Didn't I stop you? A daughter is beyond her mother's control once she grows up, is it my fault?" Liu Xiaoli kissed Xiao Wuxia's fair and tender face.

"Mom! You!"

Seeing that her daughter was upset and worried that it might affect her pregnancy, Liu Xiaoli turned her head and said.

"Okay, okay, I was just kidding, don't get excited."

"Why are you angry? Even if Li Chen doesn't wear a Zhongshan suit, does he think he can be controlled by you? You can't even choose what you wear!"

Liu Yifei was speechless: "I! I'm going upstairs to sleep!"

Liu Xiaoli shook her head and smiled as she watched the pregnant woman's back. The nanny helped Liu Yifei back to the bedroom.

Liu Yifei went back to her bedroom, hugging and rubbing a cartoon doll that was half her height: "You stinky Li Chen, you bad Li Chen! I'll deal with you when you get back!"

At that moment, Li Chen was at the welcome banquet, and the pregnant woman couldn't very well call to confront him.

I could only call Yang Siwei.

Hearing the landlady's complaints, Yang Siwei laughed and said, "Don't be angry with the boss. I was just discouraged by him too."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you? I think the same way you do. I was just mocked by the boss for being a top student from the Communication University of China! You should be grateful! At least the boss always considers your feelings. We subordinates are often 'stupid to death'!"

After hanging up Yang Siwei's call, Liu Yifei felt a little better. She picked up her tablet and browsed for a while, only to find that the media, netizens, and fans had almost the same attitude.

The pregnant woman was completely speechless.

Sina Entertainment News

"Li Chen's Zhongshan suit at Cannes showcases cultural confidence and uses Eastern aesthetics to refute criticisms of 'de-localization'."

"When Li Chen appeared at the official Cannes welcome dinner in a well-tailored dark Zhongshan suit, he spoke not only about the artistic achievements of 'Ne Zha,' but also about a silent declaration."

"Having previously been embroiled in controversy for directing the Korean film 'Parasite,' he used the most Chinese language of clothing to reiterate his core stance of being rooted in the local community while embracing the world: going out is for a better return."

Caijing.com reported

"From Zhang Yimou to Li Chen: Commercial and Cultural Discourse Power Under the Zhongshan Suit"

"Both generations of the Rongchen Group's 'face' wore the Zhongshan suit as their 'battle robe,' but the meaning has changed. In Zhang Yimou's era, the Zhongshan suit was a 'cultural calling card' for knocking on the door of the world!"

"For boss Li Chen, this is a 'big boss's armor' that demonstrates his dual control over capital and culture. It cleverly responds to the controversy: making 'Parasite' is a business strategy and a testament to his capabilities, while China's cultural foundation has never been shaken."

"A 'Chen' style response! No need for further explanation! Li Chen's move is widely interpreted as an elegant response to his recent controversies: making 'Parasite' is a filmmaker's profession, while wearing a Zhongshan suit is the true nature of a Chinese entrepreneur."

In Xiangyang, Hubei, a Palme d'Or-winning director looked somewhat dejected.

"Why am I always the one who gets hurt! Even when he wears a Zhongshan suit, I get hurt too!" Chen Kaige hugged his wife's still slender waist, buried his head in her arms, and looked as helpless as a child.

"Geese, all romance fades with time, don't overthink it. Filming for 'The Legend of the Demon Cat' is about to begin!" Chen Hong comforted her Geese, but inwardly she sighed, wondering if she had two sons or three!

In faraway Cannes, the welcome dinner was already halfway through.

Freymour introduced Li Chen to the jury chairman, George Miller.

Miller held Li Chen's hand and smiled, "I've seen the trailer. The scene of Nezha's transformation reminded me of Furiosa's scene in Mad Max: Fury Road. The same anger, the same power."

"You flatter me," Li Chen nodded modestly.

"We are simply trying to tell an ancient story in modern language."

Just then, a discordant voice broke in.

"I hope that when the film is officially screened tomorrow, the whole movie will maintain the quality of the trailer. The lessons learned from 'Little Door Gods' are still fresh in our minds."

"Boss, the speaker is Richard Cooper, the chief commentator of Variety magazine, known for his sharp tongue." Tim Smith also arrived, and seeing the newcomer's sarcastic tone, he quickly whispered the newcomer's identity to Li Chen.

His boss has ruined the reputation of the Oscars, yet there's nothing that can be done about it. Many American media figures are extremely dissatisfied with Li Chen.

Li Chen sneered inwardly. As "Ne Zha" was the opening film, Li Chen was mentally prepared for such a scene before he came.

“Mr. Cooper, do you know what Nezha means in Chinese mythology?” Li Chen deliberately spoke in English and raised his voice.

It immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the room.

Foreigners know nothing, and Cooper knows absolutely nothing!
Li Chen asked himself the question and answered it himself, chuckled softly, and raised his eyes slightly, saying, "It means breaking down prejudices and reshaping oneself."

After saying that, Li Chen looked directly into Cooper's eyes: "Perhaps you will have the same experience tomorrow."

Cooper smiled insincerely and said, "I hope so. I will definitely be there to witness it tomorrow."

"Welcome!" Li Chen retorted with a sharp smile.

"Li, let me introduce you to some friends!" Seeing that the situation was getting tense, Freymar quickly pulled Li Chen away.

Tim Smith stepped forward, stared at Cooper, and smiled, "Don't be late tomorrow!"

The attack by the Variety reporter at the dinner quickly reached China.

The premiere of "Ne Zha" made it an even bigger focus in China.

Yang Siwei admired him immensely. Many times, her boss could save nearly ten million yuan in advertising costs with just a few words.

The Cannes Film Festival opened as scheduled the following day.

On the red carpet, Li Bingbing made a stunning appearance in a white trailing dress, finally taking the lead.

By 5 p.m., the area outside the Lumière Hall was already packed with people.

On both sides of the red carpet, countless Chinese fans held up images of Nezha and shouted in Chinese, "The arrival of the demon child has shocked Cannes!"
When Li Chen and director Wu Bin led the voice acting team onto the red carpet, they were both a little overwhelmed.

The arrival of the demon child is fine, but when it comes to shocking Cannes, it's more convincing to do more and say less.

The flashbulbs went off again.

Kristen Stewart, who walked the red carpet later, also showed off her Chinese: "Nezha, keep going!"

This immediately triggered screams from the fans.

However, in Li Chen's opinion, the Twilight Girl looked old and dejected at this time, and if it weren't for the heavy makeup, she would be almost unbearable to look at.

Guests, media, and audience members entered the venue one after another.

Ten minutes before the screening, the hall was already packed.

When Li Bingbing, Li Xue, and others entered, they heard a lot of discussion in the back row of reporters.

"I heard the cost is only a little over half that of comparable Hollywood productions?"

"Using an animated film as the opening film is incredibly risky."

"If they mess this up, the Chinese won't be able to get into the main competition for three years."

The two sisters exchanged a glance, said nothing, and quickly took their seats.

"Xue'er, do you think Director Li is under pressure?"

"I guess Director Li is used to it. His films are always packed, no matter where they're shown. Some people might not be there to watch the movie, but to see a joke."

“That’s right!” As Li Bingbing spoke, he glanced at Li Chen, who was sitting in the middle with the presidents of the Cannes and Venice film festivals.

A phrase that Fan Bingbing loved to say popped into my mind: "If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight."

The lights dimmed, and the dragon emblem appeared on the screen.

As soon as the opening credits rolled, a collective gasp of surprise rippled through the audience.

Li Bingbing had already learned from Wu Bin about the high quality of the opening performance.

The Tai Chi diagram scene uses a brand-new rendering technology, a new technology recently developed by Zhizhen Painting Art, which is in no way inferior to Hollywood's craftsmanship.

On the big screen, however, traditional ink painting was presented in a three-dimensional dynamic form to the audience from all over the world, a beauty that was breathtaking.

As the plot unfolds, the once somewhat agitated hall gradually quiets down.

When Nezha learns of his fate and shouts "My fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens!" in the pouring rain, the superb voice acting transcends the language barrier. Li Bingbing glances back and sees that everyone is staring at the big screen.

Some people were even wiping away tears.

"Cod, what do you think Cooper's reaction will be right now?"

"I don't know, he might just storm off in anger."

The two sisters smiled gently and turned their attention back to the big screen.

The worry I had for Li Chen vanished.

Cooper's expression was completely bewildered.

At first, he would occasionally take notes in his notebook, but by the middle of the movie, he had put down his pen, leaned forward, and unconsciously became completely immersed in the story.

Nearly two hours passed quickly, and as the end credits rolled, the hall fell into a brief silence.

But then thunderous applause erupted.

Wu Bin and the "Ne Zha" team were pushed onto the stage.

In the mixed zone, the reporters' questions had completely changed in tone.

"How are ink wash painting effects achieved?"

What traditional cultural elements were referenced in the character design?

Are there plans for a sequel?

Many people surrounded Li Chen and congratulated him.

"Excuse me, let me through!" Richard Cooper finally managed to squeeze in front of Li Chen, his previous arrogance completely gone.

"Cooper, how is it?" Tim Smith spoke first on behalf of Li Chen, the boss.

Cooper ignored Tim and just looked at Li Chen, who was surrounded by the crowd.

"Mr. Li, I must apologize for my arrogance yesterday. It's hard to believe this is made in China; it's the best animated film I've seen in the last five years. Are you interested in collaborating with Hollywood?"

Li Chen paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mr. Cooper, I have to correct one of your points."

"Ne Zha is not Maleficent; it's not just made in China, it's a creation of China!"

Li Bingbing, Yang Siwei, Wu Bin, and other Chinese people at the scene felt that the four words "Made in China" were full of unparalleled power, and they couldn't help but applaud vigorously.

The guests and media present were also infected by this atmosphere.

(End of this chapter)