The literary era since 1979

"Mr. Rong, are you gay?"

"........."

Zhang Guorong was speechless facing this Hong Kong reporter who seemed innocent but was actually evil.

On the day after the premiere of Farewell My Concubine, Fang Yan held a press conference. In addition to inviting veteran film newspapers and magazines such as The Hollywood Reporter, Screen, and Cahiers du Cinema, he also invited a group of media reporters from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

More than half of them came here for Fangyan and Zhang Guorong, such as Ming Pao and Oriental Daily...

In order to help the audience understand the cultural and historical background of "Farewell My Concubine", Fangyan even printed a 28-page brochure, which gave a detailed introduction to what "Peking Opera" is, as well as the film's story background and character relationships.

However, what no one expected was that the Hong Kong media had no interest in art, history, etc., and they were still focused on off-site gossip and entertainment gossip.

"Uh, I'm not."

Zhang Guorong shook his head.

"Then why are you hesitating?"

The reporter seized upon any flaw and pursued the case relentlessly.

Zhang Guorong blinked his eyes, because he knew the character of Hong Kong's professional paparazzi, who could turn black into white, so he simply kept silent.

At this moment, Fangyan immediately took over the conversation and helped him out.

"This is exactly what I admire most about Guo Rong. Although he is not gay, he can play the role to perfection. I think this is the skill of an actor, which is rare. In addition, his efforts in Farewell My Concubine are also obvious to all, such as learning Peking Opera and Mandarin."

The reporter gave face to Fangyan and let Zhang Guorong off.

Then I talked in detail with Gong Xing and Fang Yan about the movie, the original intention of filming, the process, the difficulties, and the current feelings of success.

Seeing that the interview was back on track, Zhang Guorong began to cooperate and answer questions again, saying that he benefited a lot from working with dialects.

Although the process was hard, it was so worth it to be recognized by my colleagues in Cannes.

Finally, a senior entertainment reporter concluded the conversation by asking, "I wonder what plans Young Master Rong has for making films next?"

Without waiting for Zhang Guorong to speak, Li Bihua spoke first:
"Young Master Rong will star in a new play I wrote, called Rouge Button, and it will be the first time that he and Mei Gu will co-star..."

The Hong Kong media's attention was gradually attracted by Rouge and they no longer asked difficult questions to force Zhang Guorong to answer.

After sending away all the "plague gods", Li Bihua was furious:

"These reporters are so despicable and shameless. They actually slandered my brother just because of Farewell My Concubine..."

"Well, that's how they make money."

Zhang Guorong sighed, "Forget it, don't bother with them. Actually, when I accepted the role in Farewell My Concubine, my agency and Sister Fen advised me that it might cause damage and problems to my image, but I don't care. Those who are innocent will be innocent!"

"What a saying that goes 'the innocent will be cleared'!"

Fang Yan was quite appreciative, "But you don't have to worry, Master Rong. Do you remember the promise I made to you?"

Li Bihua, Gong Xing and others looked at each other, very curious.

"I promised to tailor a movie for him to help him change his image, adjust his mentality, and get out of Farewell My Concubine."

Dialect with a smile.

"Yes, yes. Next, I will wait for good news from Fang Sheng."

Zhang Guorong's tone was full of anticipation, wondering what kind of script he would write for him.

………………

After the press conference, "Farewell My Concubine" and the entire crew became the focus of media reports. The French "Film" magazine, which represents the trends of the Cannes Film Festival, used a full 6 pages to introduce Fang Yan, Gong Xing and others, and even stated that "Farewell My Concubine" represents a new achievement for Asian films.

All of a sudden, the craze for "Farewell My Concubine" swept the entire Cannes Film Festival.

Whether the audience has seen the show or not, they all strongly demanded "additional screenings" in different ways.

Fortunately, the Cannes Film Festival had made all the necessary preparations in advance. Without affecting the screening of other films, it had arranged a theater that could accommodate a thousand people for the additional screening of "Farewell My Concubine". However, the result far exceeded Gilles Jacob's expectations.

I originally thought that a cinema that could accommodate a thousand people should be able to meet everyone's movie-watching needs, but it soon became overcrowded and was full from morning to night.

As a last resort, they used the second screening room of the Holiday Palace Theater to open up a second battlefield, and only then were they able to cope with the situation.

Along with the viewing craze of "Farewell My Concubine", Gong Wei, Zhang Guorong, Zhang Yimou and others were invited one after another. Gong Wei was the busiest among them. She received nearly 50 reporters who came to interview her in just one day. Those who were not interviewed had already made appointments for the closing ceremony.

As a result, the accompanying translators were simply not enough and had to switch scenes continuously.

Fangyan was tactful enough not to steal the limelight from his wife, but he was not idle either. Instead, he was selling the overseas distribution rights of "Farewell My Concubine".

If you want to sell your film in Cannes, you have to create a big scene. Generally there are three ways to do this: buy a cover, hold a cocktail party, and get celebrities involved.

Buying a cover is a common way to sell films at the Cannes Film Market, and it is also the most cost-effective means of promotion.

There are two program magazines in Cannes, "Daily Screen" and "The Hollywood Reporter". They will launch a special issue every day during the film festival, summarizing and commenting on various recent events, scoring the screened films, and predicting the awards results of the main competition unit.

Compared to spending a lot of money and time to make a concept poster in China, being able to appear as the cover of an international mainstream film media will greatly increase your status. These covers are sold to the outside world, which is equivalent to advertising space, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 US dollars.

Of course, you can't just be published if you want to. The magazine itself will do some screening based on the level of the film.

However, the latter two methods are more costly and their effectiveness varies from person to person.

After all, even if all the celebrities from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong were packed up and sent over, foreigners would not be interested in them because their international status is too low.

A cocktail party is okay, but it's definitely a waste of money, even if it's just an ordinary dinner party.

But with the dialect present, things were very different. What's more, those invited to the reception included famous Hollywood directors like Francis Coppola and executives of film giants like Fox, Warner and Universal. Naturally, it was favored by European stars and the media.

Even film distributors from Europe and around the world who wanted to buy the copyright of "Farewell My Concubine" were vying to participate.

"clang!"

Alan Ryder smiled and clinked glasses with Fangyan.

Fang Yan couldn't help but sigh: "I never thought that the CEO of Fox would come to the Cannes Film Festival in person."

Alan Ryder said: "This shows that Fox respects and values ​​you."

"Haha."

Fang Yan laughed out loud, "I have indeed felt your sincerity and respect."

"In that case, Fang, I hope you can agree to give the North American distribution rights of Farewell My Concubine to Fox."

Alan Ryder vowed: "Of course I will offer more favorable conditions and prices than others, and I will also guarantee that Fox will do its best to promote Farewell My Concubine at next year's Golden Globe Awards and Oscars."

"That's what I hope to see as well." Fang Yan said meaningfully, "Of course, there are also you and Murdoch."

Alan Ryder added knowingly: "And Fox!"

"cheers!"

The two smiled at each other. Everything was said without words, all in the wine.

…………

The atmosphere at the reception was lively and harmonious, with everyone toasting and chatting happily. The dialect was heard among the crowd, and they met with film distributors from all over the world and compared prices.

Overseas distribution of movies usually takes two forms: buyout and profit-sharing. The big film producers in various countries will never offer a very high price for a buyout.

Generally, there is a guaranteed price, which fluctuates up and down according to the director's status. For example, Zhang Yimou may get 200,000, while a rookie may only get 20,000.

Then, on this basis, the film company will deduct all the expenses for publicity and distribution, and see how much it can recover in the end.

If there is any surplus, you can share it. If not, you can only get the guaranteed money.

Although "Farewell My Concubine" was directed by newcomer Gong Xing, the original novel has been translated into more than a dozen languages. It is not only famous in China, but also a best-seller in Europe and the United States. Even though it has not yet won a major award at the Cannes Film Festival, such as the Palme d'Or, it will still attract many film companies to compete for it.

Therefore, Fangyan is not in a hurry to make a decision, but will wait until the Cannes Film Festival awards ceremony to make a decision.

After strolling around, he returned to Alan Ryder.

"I just contacted Universal, MGM, and Paramount, and they all want to buy out the global distribution rights for Farewell My Concubine."

"So what are your plans?"

Alan Ryder frowned.

"The buyout price is not bad."

Fangyan said that this money alone was enough to make back the investment, and even more, but they still failed to reach an agreement on the share of the global box office.

"Haha, take your time."

Alan Ryder thought that the price he offered for the distribution rights and the box office share ratio were the most appropriate among all film companies.

"I think so too."

Fang Yan smiled and said, "But the other thing is indeed more urgent. I have a cooperation that I want to discuss with you Fox."

Alan Ryder immediately became interested, "What kind of cooperation!"

"Don't you want me to write another script for Fox?" Fangyan shook his wine glass.

"That's right. Could it be that the script has been finalized so soon?" Alan Reid was pleasantly surprised.

"I found a Chinese novel and got in touch with the author." Fang Yan nodded. "We revised the background story and characters together to make the script more relevant to sensitive issues in American society. I believe you will like it after reading it."

“When can I see this book?”

Alan Ryder became more and more interested.

"I'm afraid it will take a while. Francis has the script now."

Fang Yan smiled and said, "I asked him to help me, give me some valuable advice."

"Fang, you don't want Coppola to be the director, do you?"

Alan Ryder keenly guessed his intention.

Fang Yan said: "I do have this idea, what do you think?"

"Well, Fang, don't blame me for not reminding you. Coppola has no place in Hollywood anymore because of his series of bad movies and heavy box office losses. It's possible that no film company will be willing to pay him to make a movie. In other words, he has been expelled from Hollywood."

Alan Ryder suggested: "I think that if Farewell My Concubine eventually wins the Palme d'Or or the Best Director Award, it would be possible to ask your wife to be the director of the film you wrote, what do you think?"

"This is a very good suggestion, exactly what I want!"

Fang Yan said that he was considering letting Gong Xing assist Francis Coppola, with the two of them co-directing the film, and he would serve as one of the producers.

“Why would you be interested in a failed director?”

Alan Ryder couldn't help but be surprised.

The dialect expressed Steven Spielberg's request. "Francis's filming skills are absolutely world-class. The reason why he failed repeatedly is that he doesn't know how to choose the script that suits him. If there is an excellent story, I believe he can definitely make it well."

Alan Ryder said: "What you said makes sense."

"Besides, he's in a low point right now, so he shouldn't have to spend much money on film pay, right?"

Fang Dialect said that "The Intouchables" is not a big-budget movie and can be regarded as Fox Searchlight's first independent self-made movie.

Alan Ryder's heart was moved, but his reason still took over:
"I'm sorry, Fang, I have to read the script before I can make a decision."

"Of course this is no problem."

Fangyan is full of confidence. As a powerful seller, his voice is unlimited!

………………

After an hour or two, the cocktail party came to a successful conclusion.

Fangyan returned with a full load and was ready to share the good news with Gong Xing, but was surprised to find that she was not in the bedroom.

I thought she hadn't finished the media interview yet, but after asking Jiang Wen I found out that she was in Gong Li's room.

At this moment, the two of them were sitting side by side on the sofa, one holding a copy of "Screen" and the other holding a copy of "Hollywood Reporter" and laughing foolishly.

Gong Li is quiet and elegant, Gong Xing is generous and intellectual. They are each beautiful in their own way and very pleasing to the eye.

"Boom boom boom!"

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Gong Xing ran over and opened the door. He saw Fang Yan with a smirk on his face. His heart skipped a beat:

"What's going on?"

"You came to this room, and I was wondering why I couldn't find you."

"I'm looking at the program brochure with Gong Li."

Gong Xing's face was all smiles.

"What are you looking at this for?"

Fangyan disagreed: "The judges of the Cannes Film Festival will not really refer to this program review when scoring."

Gong Xing smiled and said, "Although we won't use it as a reference, it's okay for us to enjoy watching it ourselves!"

Fangyan was confused. He walked over and picked up her book, flipping through it and saying, "What nonsense! Say something I can understand."

Gong Xing took the magazine handed over by Gong Li, cleared his throat, and said with emotion:
"Although the film festival only lasted three days, it does not prevent me from calling Farewell My Concubine the best film of all the films on display."

"I feel really bad because it's just a film that's in the exhibition."

"Gong Wei tells an Eastern-style same-sex love story from a unique female perspective. Whether in terms of logical narrative or visual style, she behaves like a seasoned director who has mastered the craft. Her talent is enough to amaze the entire Cannes Film Festival."

"that's amazing!"

Fangyan winked at each other, and then the couple smiled at each other.

Seeing their loving relationship, Gong Li stood alone by the side, indicating that he had eaten too much dog food. (End of this chapter)