Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 344-355 [Public relations to find Li Yishu to win awards! "Forrest Gump" dominates the Oscars]

Gong Li talked incessantly about the contents of the script, as well as some historical materials she had read about the Empress Dowager of the Liao Dynasty.

The look on her face showed that she was not just satisfied with the script, but extremely satisfied!

Ever since Li Yishu flattered her to be Queen Gong, she has always wanted to play this kind of role. Now that she finally has an Empress Dowager Xiao, she is naturally very happy.

Li Yishu smiled and said, "Then act well. Don't worry about the investment budget. When the time comes, we can shoot the war scenes together with Red Cliff."

"Well, Director Xing is already preparing for the production, and it's estimated that the production will officially start at the end of June."

"Why not start the machine earlier?"

"I'm going to the Cannes Film Festival in May."

Hearing this, Li Yishu remembered that Zhang Yimou was going to attend the Cannes Film Festival again. However, he vaguely remembered that the movie "Raise the Red Lantern" did not seem to win any major awards.

Gong Li asked curiously, "Do you think Director Zhang can win the award this time?"

"It's hard to say. I haven't seen the finished film, but a movie directed by Director Zhang will definitely not be bad."

Li Yishu has seen the movie, but she couldn't tell Gong Li that she had seen it. As for whether it is good or not, it depends on the individual. Anyway, Gong Li in the play is extremely beautiful and her acting is very good. She portrayed a generation of courtesan who became famous in the Shanghai Song and Dance Theater very well.

"If you want to see it, I'll tell Director Zhang later. I haven't seen the original film yet."

"Okay, maybe there'll be a chance later. I have to go to the United States in the next two days."

"What are you going to do in America?"

"The movie I shot in the United States last year will be released at the end of this month, and I have to go there in person to attend the red carpet of the premiere."

Li Yishu put a lot of effort into the film "Chicago", and since she invested money, she naturally wanted to make a lot of money.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen Tom Hanks to play the role.

Gong Li couldn't help but ask, "Will you go to the Cannes Film Festival?"

"Do you want me to go or not?" Li Yishu looked at her playfully, as if waiting for an answer.

"I don't care if you go or not."

Gong Li turned her head away proudly and looked at the art painting beside her. Perhaps she couldn't help herself and muttered softly, "It's OK if you go. Isn't your movie going to be released in March? It's a good opportunity to exhibit it at the film festival and sell the copyright."

"Haha, okay, then I'll listen to Sister Gong Li. I'll go there in person when the time comes, but I can only stay for two days."

In fact, even without Gong Li telling her, Lee Yi-su was going to attend the Cannes Film Festival.

"Chicago" will be released at the end of this month, starring Tom Hanks. It is also a musical that has not been seen in Hollywood for many years. It is hard to say whether it will break 100 million US dollars at the box office, but Li Yishu is still confident that it will reach 50 million US dollars.

The film was released for more than a month, just in time for the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. Lee Yi-su's influence in Europe is much greater than in the United States. Harvey had long said that he would attend the Cannes Film Festival to sell the copyright.

After all, a local musical like "Chicago" has a market in the United States, but it may not be accepted by overseas audiences when it is released overseas. Instead of going to the trouble of getting someone to distribute it overseas, it is more cost-effective to directly sell the copyright, and the funds can be recovered faster.

In response to Li Yishu's words, Gong Li raised the corners of her mouth. She didn't say anything, but she was obviously in a good mood.

In fact, Gong Li was still very happy.

That night, in the hotel where Li Yishu was staying, Gong Li used all her skills to express her inner joy.

The next morning.

Li Yishu held her waist and went to attend the opening ceremony of Gong Li Culture and Art Center.

Many of Gong Li’s friends in the circle came to the scene, as well as local leaders in Jinan, including leaders of Shandong’s cultural department.

There were also a large number of reporters. As the most famous actress in mainland China, Gong Li's influence is still very high in the country. Suddenly, she transformed from an actress to the founder of the Gong Li Culture and Art Center, and made such a big fuss about it.

Naturally, it attracted many reporters to come to the scene for interviews and reports.

Seeing so many reporters coming to the scene, Li Yishu immediately turned around and left after trying to help Gong Li warm up the atmosphere.

If he doesn't leave now, the reporters will come looking for him.

"Where's Director Li? Didn't he come over just now?"

Zhang Yimou, who was invited, arrived late.

"Gone." Gong Li smiled and said, "Director Zhang, you should have seen the news recently, right? If he doesn't leave early, I'm afraid he won't be able to leave."

"Pity."

Zhang Yimou sighed: "I also want to talk to Director Li about the Cannes PR."

Not long ago, the news that Li An won another Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival had already spread throughout the country. Zhang Yimou was an insider in the circle and knew a little more than outsiders. He was aware of Li An's winning of the award and how much role Li Yishu's Art and Entertainment Group played in it.

Zhang Yimou, who had seen how Li Yishu’s public relations won the Cannes Film Festival, naturally wanted to talk to Li Yishu in person to see if he could also do some public relations for his film “Grandma Bridge”.

Gong Li said, "Director Zhang, you can call Yishu to tell her, but if it's not urgent, then wait for a while. I've agreed with Yishu before that we can watch the finished film "Grandma Bridge" together later."

"it is good!"

Zhang Yimou readily agreed: "April, I recently found some problems in post-production, and I'm going to find someone to make some changes. It happens to be sent to Cannes in April, so I'll organize a small screening then, and you can invite Director Li to come along."

"Sure, Yishu happens to be free in April."

Gong Li nodded. She had already made an appointment with Li Yishu for April. The specific time would depend on Li Yishu's schedule. Anyway, the film screening could be held at any time and there was no need to rush.

Two days later.

3 month 27 number.

Los Angeles, USA.

In Lee Yi-su's mansion in Beverly Hills.

"Lee, you're really not going to the Oscars ceremony tonight?"

"No, Harvey, I'm not nominated for any movies, so I'd better not go to the red carpet."

Li Yishu shook his head and declined. He is a director, not a carpet star, and there is no need to ride on the popularity of the Oscars.

Harvey persuaded him, "It's okay, Lee. Not all the people who attend the Oscars have their movies nominated. If you attend, it will just be a good opportunity to promote the movie that will be released in a few days."

"For publicity work, let's wait for Hanks."

Li Yishu said, "I have a feeling that Hanks will definitely win an award. Wouldn't it be more appropriate for him, the newly crowned best actor, to promote it?"

"Okay, if you insist."

Seeing that he could not persuade Lee Yi-su, Harvey had to give up and brought up the matter of attending the Cannes Film Festival in May. This time, Harvey was much tougher and insisted that Lee Yi-su, as a director, personally attend the Cannes Film Festival. Although "Chicago" did not register for the film festival, it could still be exhibited at the film festival to sell the copyright at a high price.

"Don't worry, I will definitely go to the Cannes Film Festival. I am very positive about making money."

Li Yishu smiled. After all, he had half of the shares in "Chicago". It would take at least several months to share the box office in North America, but since the copyright was sold at the Cannes Film Festival, it was a cash exchange for goods.

"OK!" Seeing that Li Yishu finally relented, Harvey said in a good mood, "Oscar, you won't attend, but you can come and watch the cocktail party Oscar is hosting tonight. I'll take you to meet some interesting friends and I guarantee you'll have a blast."

"Okay Harvey, you know I don't like that kind of situation."

Li Yishu was not very interested in Hollywood parties. He had more fun than the later online celebrity circles. He still remembers the news about a rapper named P. Diddy that was exposed on the Internet.

Harvey shook his head and said, "You are too conservative, Lee. If you want to truly integrate into Hollywood, you must learn to adapt to these."

Li Yishu smiled but said nothing. His cooperation with Harvey was going quite smoothly now, so some things were hard to say.

Because Li Yishu knows very well that he will never be able to integrate into Hollywood in his lifetime, and it is impossible for him to integrate into Hollywood. His base is in the mainland, and in the future he will have to add Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Seeing that Lee Yi-shu insisted, Harvey didn't say much. He knew Lee Yi-shu's character. When the filming of the movie was finished last year, Harvey organized a lively cocktail party, but Lee Yi-shu only stayed for a while and then left.

In Harvey's view, this is the inherent conservatism of Oriental people.

In fact, Li Yishu didn't want to have too much contact with Harvey.

After a while, Harvey got up and left.

After seeing Harvey off, Li Yishu returned to the house. Monica came down from upstairs and asked, "Is Harvey gone?"

"Hmm." Li Yishu nodded.

"Actually, he's right. The Oscars ceremony is very popular. You can go and participate. It's a good opportunity to promote your movie."

"forget it."

Li Yishu walked over and hugged Monica's waist, took her to sit on the sofa, and said with a smile: "Compared to attending the ceremony in person, I would rather watch the award ceremony with you at home."

If Lee Yi-su really wanted to attend the event, she could have gone, not just by walking the red carpet, but by following the crew of "The Shawshank Redemption".

Last year, he bought the copyright of this film through his relationship with Hisao Morishima. As the boss of the crew, he is naturally qualified to participate in the Oscars.

But maybe because she was a little annoyed by being chased by reporters during this period, Li Yishu really didn't want to face the media reporters now.

Although the movie premiere must be held in the next few days, there is no way around it because it is work.

Hearing this, Monica smiled happily and said, "Then I'll go prepare dinner, and we'll eat while watching the award ceremony tonight."

Li Yishu smiled and agreed: "I'll go to the wine cellar to get some wine, and we'll have a candlelight dinner tonight."

time flies.

With the help of Li Yishu, they finally prepared a sumptuous dinner before the red carpet.

The two did not eat at the dining table, but sat at the coffee table in front of the TV, watching TV while drinking red wine and eating dinner.

On TV, the crew of "Forrest Gump" was walking the red carpet, and the audience was excited.

It can be seen that this movie has a great influence on the audience and fans.

Monica took a sip of red wine and said, "Honey, a while ago a weekly magazine predicted that this year's Oscar winner would be Forrest Gump."

"What weekly?"

“Vanity Fair.”

When she heard it was Vanity Fair, Li Yishu smiled and said, "It seems that their predictions are quite accurate."

"Can Forrest Gump really win so many awards?"

Monica frowned and said, "I prefer The Shawshank Redemption. And you bought the copyright of this movie. If you can win a few more awards, you can sell more peripheral videotapes in the future."

Monica is now fully familiar with and passionate about the job of film producer. She knows that Li Yishu spent a lot of money to buy the global rights to "The Shawshank Redemption" last year.

I had originally thought that this year's Oscars would help this dusty gem shine, but now even Lee Yi-su is not optimistic about "The Shawshank Redemption", so I'm afraid it may not be able to make a comeback.

"In terms of art and film perfection, The Shawshank Redemption is certainly better, but Forrest Gump is more suitable for Americans today."

"More suitable for Americans today? What do you mean?"

"Arrogant, insolent, and always winning!"

Because Monica is not American, even though she has lived in the United States for several years, she is still Italian at heart, so she doesn't really understand the characteristics of these Americans.

But Li Yishu knew clearly that before he was reborn, the America at that time and the America now were two completely different extremes.

At this time, the United States was the undisputed number one superpower in the world. It had outlasted the Soviet Union and dominated the world. Much of modern technology was born in the United States, which naturally cultivated the self-confidence of the people of a great power.

"Forrest Gump" is about the seemingly mentally retarded "Forrest Gump", who luckily climbs up to become an entrepreneur and a wealthy man. In fact, to ordinary audiences of this era, this is a history of the rise of the United States.

Forrest Gump escaped from childhood bullying and became a college football star and a Vietnam War hero. After returning to the United States, he was lucky enough to become a shrimping tycoon and achieved success.

To use the American saying, this is called "God bless America", and Forrest Gump is a "God-blessed" person, just like every American.

Of course, this is one of Lee Yi-su’s ideas. The other is that “Forrest Gump” contains many qualities of being a human being. Secondly, this movie is quite enjoyable.

The story starts with suppression and ends with praise, making Forrest Gump, a mentally retarded man, suffer bullying since childhood, but because of his persistence and perseverance, he enjoys a happy life in the future.

Even if you run and get mud on your face, you can create a famous "smiley face T-shirt" for a passerby selling clothes.

This is a typical cool novel, except that it gives the hero Forrest Gump more beautiful qualities as a human being, and on the road to coolness, it adds a lot of good moral halos to Forrest Gump.

"Just wait and see. If nothing unexpected happens, this year's "Forrest Gump" will definitely dominate the Oscars."

Li Yishu gave the result with confidence.

Monica didn't quite believe it at first. There are many good movies participating in the Oscars this year, such as "The Shawshank Redemption", "The Lion King", "Pulp Fiction", "Little Women", "Bullets Over Broadway", "Interview with the Vampire", etc.

"Forrest Gump" is good, but it may be difficult for it to dominate the Oscars.

But the result was that "Forrest Gump" won six major awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Visual Effects.

Even if he didn't win the last three, he would have dominated the Oscars with just the first three awards.

At this moment, Tom Hanks, the male lead, became completely legendary in the United States.

(End of this chapter)