The literary era since 1979

The news that In the Mood for Love won three major awards including the Golden Lion Award and the Best Actor Award quickly reached Hong Kong the next day.

Newspapers, radio stations and television stations will not miss this once-in-a-lifetime hot spot and will rush to publicize it and add fuel to the fire.

Amid such popularity, In the Mood for Love will be released this weekend, and the three-day pre-sale tickets were quickly sold out.

Looking at the newspapers praising In the Mood for Love, Lin Qingxia smiled and said:

"It's just like Yanzi said, he did it!"

"This time my brother finally got what he wanted. He won the Venice Film Festival Best Actor Award."

Wang Zuxian stared at the photo of Zhang Guorong holding the Best Actor trophy and exclaimed, "But it's a pity that Zhu Lin didn't get the title."

"Given her personality, she definitely won't care about these things. And given her relationship with Yanzi and Xiaoxiang, there will be opportunities in the future."

There was a hint of envy in Lin Qingxia's tone.

"Sister Qingxia, when will we have such an opportunity?"

Wang Zuxian couldn't help feeling disappointed. Although Fang Yan had taken her to the Oscars ceremony, and she had even made a guest appearance as a member of the crew of "Farewell My Concubine" and had accepted the Golden Globe Awards, she was always a bystander. She hoped that one day she could experience such an experience in person.

"It's no use saying this to me. You have to tell Yanzi in person."

Lin Qingxia joked: "I think if you are willing to ask, he will definitely agree."

"Sister Qingxia, you are making fun of me again. If we really talk about it, it should be your turn next time."

Wang Zuxian gave him a playful look.

"It's obviously you who's trying to make me happy."

Lin Qingxia rolled her eyes.

Wang Zuxian suggested whether they should call Lizhi and take the initiative to go to Kai Tak Airport to greet Fang Yan, Gong Xing, Zhang Guorong and others.

"Let's not cause trouble for them. Let's just wait quietly for the invitation to the celebration party."

As she spoke, Lin Qingxia looked up at the sky, her thoughts drifting to who knows where.

………………

Meanwhile, in Chai Wan.

Shi Nansheng was watering the flowers in the office while listening to Xu Ke constantly exclaiming, "You are worthy of being Mr. Fang."

"I don't know how many times you've said this. This is not like you normally."

"Alas, who would have thought that in just a few years, Fang Sheng would win the Cannes Palme d'Or and Venice Golden Lion Awards."

Xu Ke's words were full of envy. If it were an ordinary director, if he could get one of these awards in his lifetime, he would be an internationally famous director who would go down in film history and could probably live off his achievements for the rest of his life. But Fang Yan and Gong Xing achieved this with just two movies.

You know, when I was still working on the New Wave films, my biggest dream was to win the laurels at the three major European film festivals.

"If you are really envious, why don't I talk to Fang Sheng and Xiao Xing about it? If they can support Wang Jiawei, they can certainly support you too."

Shi Nansheng put the kettle down.

"If it were me in the past, I would definitely do this, but let's not do it now."

Since Xu Ke switched to being a commercial film director, his pursuit of art has turned into an exploration of film technology and visual effects.

Shi Nansheng did not insist, but changed the topic to "Zongheng Sihai":

"Yong Shao won the Venice Film Festival Best Actor Award, which saved the company a lot of effort in film promotion. It can be regarded as a helping hand for us."

"When Mr. Fang holds a celebration party, we will thank him properly then."

Xu Ke smiled slyly, "By the way, discuss the matter of A Chinese Ghost Story 2 with Young Master Rong."

………………

October 10th, one day has passed since the premiere of "In the Mood for Love" in Hong Kong.

Fangyan split his team into two groups. One group included Zhang Guorong, Zhu Lin, and Wang Jiawei, the main creative team, who returned to Hong Kong first to participate in the subsequent film roadshow. The other group consisted of himself and Gong Xing, who continued to hang out in Italy to negotiate the contract for In the Mood for Love with distributors from all over the world.

Through the negotiations over the past few days, the distribution rights to more than a dozen countries and regions were sold one after another, not only recovering the cost of the film, but also making a profit twice as much as the cost. Even if "In the Mood for Love" does not perform well at the box office in Hong Kong, it is basically a sure profit.

This is also the reason why later films directed by Wang Jiawei, such as "2046", "Chungking Express" and "The Grandmaster", did not cause Deng Guangrong's company to go bankrupt and cause him to be hospitalized for anger like "Days of Being Wild", because there was an overseas market to back up art films like "In the Mood for Love".

Fangyan sorted out the signed contracts and put them all into the password box.

Gong Xing stood behind him, stretched out his hand in front of him and put it around his waist, "Should we stay here any longer?"

Fangyan joked, "Why, are you bored?"

"Not really."

Gong Xing really enjoyed this time alone with his wife, but both Hong Kong and the mainland were looking forward to the celebration party they would host.

"I have indeed stayed a little too long. It is time to go back."

Fangyan touched his chin and said, "Pack up and we'll go back home tomorrow afternoon."

Gong Xing asked: "Should we go back to the mainland first, or go to Hong Kong first?"

Fang Yan planned to hold a small celebration party in Hong Kong, and then take Zhu Lin, Zhang Guorong and other main creative team members to the mainland.

Gong Xing nodded in agreement, and suddenly remembered that Fang Yan had suddenly invited Marco Muller to join them at the cocktail party. He said with a puzzled look on his face:
"Why would you..."

"Alas, drinking is a hindrance to things."

Fangyan smiled and sighed.

"What's the matter?"

Gong Xing was very surprised.

"It's not a mistake, it's just a slip of the tongue."

Fang Yan said that he had a few extra drinks at the cocktail party after the Venice Film Festival awards ceremony, and he mentioned to Xie Jin and Marco Mueller the possibility of China establishing an A-level international film festival. After all, as the only film country in Asia that has won the Grand Slam of European Film Festivals and the Oscar for Best Picture, and as the country with the top film level in Asia, how can it not have a decent international film festival?
Even in our daily lives, there is a Tokyo International Film Festival.

"That makes sense. What's next?"

Gong Xingdun became interested and spoke in an anxious tone.

"Founding an international A-level film festival may be unfamiliar to me and Director Xie, but it is no big deal for Marco Mueller. Not to mention that he is the selection director of the Venice Film Festival, but he has previously organized and founded the Turin Film Festival. It can be said that he is experienced and mature in operation..."

Dialect winking.

"Oh!"

Gong Xing suddenly realized that her man wanted Marco Muller to help in establishing an international A-class film festival in China.

"And as for the location of this film festival, I recommend Shanghai." Fangyan smiled.

"No wonder! I was wondering why Director Xie and you drank so much that day. It turns out you were happy about this incident!"

When Gong Xing thought about China's international A-level film festival being held in Shanghai, he became excited and looked forward to it.

………………

The plane did not fly directly from Italy to Yanjing, but instead stopped in Hong Kong.

The celebration party was held at the Lido Hotel. Those who attended were either employees of Ming Tianxia Company or members of the In the Mood for Love crew. In addition, all the specially invited guests had a deep friendship with Fang Yan and Gong Xing, such as Lin Qingxia, Wang Zuxian, Shi Nansheng, Xu Ke...

The media paparazzi were caught off guard, and by the time they came to their senses, the celebration party had ended early.

The next day, Fang Yan took Zhang Guorong, Zhu Lin and others to the mainland. After all, the Film Bureau, Shanghai Film Studio and other departments had been waiting for many days.

Teng Jinxian arranged a welcoming ceremony of the same standard as when "Farewell My Concubine" won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.

Fangyan shook hands with him, exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then introduced Marco Muller to everyone:

"He is the director of selection for the Venice Film Festival and a good friend of Director Xie and I. He has been promoting Chinese films in the West. Including this time, the reason why In the Mood for Love was able to shine and win a big award is also thanks to his help."

"Welcome to China."

Teng Jinxian said with a smile: "Director Xie mentioned you to me a long time ago, saying that you are an important promoter of Chinese films in the West."

With the introduction of Fang Yan and Xie Jin, Marco Muller soon got acquainted with the heads of the film, culture, publicity and other departments.

Immediately afterwards, under the lens of official media such as CCTV and Guangming Daily, Fang Yan, Zhu Lin, Gong Xing, Teng Jinxian and others took a group photo.

"Yanzi, please come with us in the same car. Director Teng has something he wants to ask you on the way."

Xie Jin called Fang Yan to Teng Jinxian's car.

As soon as Fang Yan got into the rear driver's seat, Teng Jinxian next to him couldn't help but sigh:

"Your performance at the Venice Film Festival this time really gave us another big surprise."

"This is all thanks to Director Xie and Ma Ke."

"Don't blame me for this. This is all your hard work and luck."

Hearing this, Xie Jin raised his hand.

Teng Jinxian stared at Fangyan with a kind eye, and the more he looked, the more he admired her. After all, during the years he was in office, the domestic film industry had been deteriorating, the cinema chain business was bleak, and there were other miscellaneous and annoying things. The few achievements that could be shown off were all related to Fangyan.

Joint ventures between Hong Kong and the mainland, mainstream films, transformation of entertainment films, reform of the cinema distribution system...

"It's embarrassing to say that our generation of directors has not made as much contribution to the international promotion of Chinese films as your generation has."

There was a hint of helplessness in Xie Jin's words.

"You can't say that. Given the domestic and international environment you were in at the time, there were no such conditions."

Fangyan comforted him, "Our generation is just blessed by the times and luckily became the trendsetters of the times."

"You are being modest!"

Teng Jinxian said, "I heard from Director Xie that you suggested that we apply for an international A-level film festival like Venice or Cannes, right?"

Fangyan openly admitted that Chinese films have completed the Grand Slam of the three major European film festivals and also won the Best Picture at the Oscars, making them the only ones in the Asian film industry. With this status and reputation, wouldn't it be a waste if the entire international film festival didn't take place?
What's more, the country currently needs various types of international competitions, activities, and award ceremonies to face the world and showcase itself.

Otherwise, how could we actively apply to host the Asian Games and the Olympic Games, and how could we strongly support the World Science Fiction Convention in Chengdu?

"What Yanzi said is absolutely correct. Given the current influence of Chinese-language films, we do need a bigger stage."

Xie Jin said seriously: "It not only allows Chinese people to be exposed to more international films, but also allows the world to know more about Chinese films!"

Teng Jinxian still has doubts, "But will the application process for this international film festival be ..."

“That’s why I specially invited Marco to be a consultant to give us advice and support for our application for the international film festival.”

Fangyan smiled. When Marco Muller learned that China was going to establish an international A-level film festival, he took the initiative to ask for help.

Teng Jinxian couldn't help but be moved, "If we want to apply for it, what should we do?"

“It needs to be certified by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations to officially become a non-specialized competitive international film festival.”

Fangyan was obviously well prepared and described the founding procedures in a concise and clear manner.

The more Xie Jin listened, the brighter his eyes became. "Yanzi suggested that the international film festival be held in Shanghai!"

Teng Jinxian said "oh". As a former member of Shanghai Film Studio, he actually preferred to let Shanghai host the event.

"Tell me why you chose Shanghai instead of Beijing."

"This needs to be considered in conjunction with the city's positioning. Since Shanghai is aiming to be built into an international metropolis, how can we miss an event like the International Film Festival that can add luster to it?" Fang Yan mentioned the Magnolia Award, which was not originally aimed at domestic TV dramas but an international award.

"Indeed, the Shanghai Stock Exchange has more experience in this regard."

Teng Jinxian nodded.

"That's not the most important thing."

Fang Yan said: "The most important thing is what kind of international A-level film festival we are going to hold is?"

Teng Jinxian became more and more curious: "I think you must have a plan in mind. Tell me what you think."

"Cannes is committed to combining business and art, while Venice encourages the use of new artistic techniques, technical means and creative skills to shoot novel and unique films, that is, to support experimental avant-garde films. So what should the Shanghai International Film Festival be positioned as?"

Fangyan held up four fingers and said, "In my opinion, it's nothing more than 4 words."

"Which twelve words?"

Teng Jinxian and Xie Jin looked at each other.

“‘Based in Asia, focusing on Chinese language, supporting newcomers’.”

The dialect is straightforward.

Teng Jinxian's eyes sparkled with brilliance. He could see the leading, international and professional festival organizing concept from these twelve words.

Xie Jin cast an inquiring look, "Yanzi, can you be more specific?"

“The eight words ‘pay attention to Chinese language and support newcomers’ are not difficult to understand.”

Fangyan explained, "As for 'based in Asia', it means that our international film festival should not compete directly with the three major European film festivals right from the start. After all, Cannes, Berlin and Venice have been established for a long time and have a good reputation. The United States already has the Golden Globe Awards and the Oscars, while in Asia, there is only the Tokyo Film Festival, which has only been established for a few years and has not produced any works that can attract global attention."

"This is exactly the opportunity for the Shanghai International Film Festival. As long as we make a name for ourselves, we can become the most representative film festival in Asia!" (End of this chapter)