Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 349 360 [Nicholas and "Face-changing", Italians value family and partners] Please subscribe
Early April.

The sky in Los Angeles is blue and the sun is shining. A mansion in the Hawthorne area is full of guests.

Today is Martin Scorsese's housewarming day.

Many of Scorsese’s friends in the circle came, most of whom were from the Italian gang.

Martin Scorsese and his companion Illeana Douglas greeted guests at the door.

"Lee, Bellucci, welcome!"

Seeing Monica Bellucci getting out of the car with an Asian man, Scorsese hurriedly walked down the steps with Irina to greet them.

"Hello, Director Scorsese." Li Yishu extended her hand politely: "Thank you for inviting me to your housewarming party."

"Haha, I should thank you for coming over, Li. I love watching your movies so much."

Scorsese said enthusiastically: "The movie Chicago you shot is so wonderful. I didn't have a good chat with you at the premiere that day. I hope to discuss this movie with you later."

"no problem."

Li Yishu smiled and glanced at Monica beside her. Seeing that she was chatting well with Scorsese's female companion Irina, she handed the red wine in her hand to her and said, "It's a token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

"Thank you." Irina politely took the red wine and warmly invited the two into the house.

As soon as she came in, Li Yishu saw several familiar faces, including Nicolas Cage, Robert De Niro who played "Vito Corleone" in "The Godfather 2", and Depp's ex-girlfriend Winona Ryder...

"Cage, come here quickly, your favorite director is here." Scorsese shouted to the crowd.

Not only Nicolas Cage turned around to look, but all the guests at the scene looked over here.

Chinese Lee!
Except for the Italian gang who knew that Li Yishu was coming, most of the other friends in the circle were surprised. They didn't expect that this Chinese Li actually knew director Scorsese.

"plum!"

Nicolas Cage strode over in a hurry and extended his hand enthusiastically: "Finally I meet you, Li. I have seen all your movies, especially Farewell My Concubine, which I have seen no less than five times!"

"Thank you!"

Seeing the other party so enthusiastic, Li Yishu smiled and thanked him, then said, "Cage, I've seen your films Moonlight, Birdman, and Wild at Heart. They're really great. Your acting is superb. I've always wanted to work with you."

Nicholas quickly said, "Lee, I have always wanted to work with you. If there is a role, you must consider me. I have been filming movies for so many years, and I have always been eager to work with you."

At this time, Nicholas was not the box office guarantee he would become, nor was he the king of bad movies in his old age. Now he is an art film star, and almost all the films he has made since his debut are independent films. (Art film)
Several of his films have won awards at Cannes, but Nicholas has not yet made a breakthrough in the acting awards. Despite this, his acting skills are recognized as excellent in Hollywood today.

After all, almost all the movies he starred in won major awards at major film festivals.

Li Yishu could see that Nicholas really wanted to work with her. After all, after watching so many actors act, she could still tell the real from the fake.

You know, in the eyes of literary and artistic people, his achievements in the three European awards are no less than those of commercial directors such as Spielberg and George Lucas.

Many actors nowadays are not purely pursuing commercial interests. Many of them are trying their hand at art films. The most typical example is Tom Hanks. Before he took on the role in "Forrest Gump", he had already shot several independent films.

Li Yishu thought of "Face/Off" and readily agreed, "No problem, Cage, I think we can work together."

"Really?!" Nicholas' eyes lit up. He didn't expect the other party to answer so decisively.

Li Yishu said, "Of course, I said I admire your acting skills. It just so happens that our company has a new thriller crime film recently. I'll have someone contact you later."

“Are you directing?”

“It’s not me, but it’s also a very good director.”

Hearing that it wasn't directed by Li Yishu, Nicholas was not very interested, but since the other party took the initiative to invite him, he naturally would not refuse, and said, "No problem, Li, I'll let my agent contact your company later."

"Okay." Li Yishu was not surprised by Nicholas' change of attitude. Directing by him and directing by the company's director were definitely two different things.

However, Li Yishu's decisive invitation to Nicholas to star in the movie also made the guests around her realize that Li is not only an excellent film director, but also the owner of a film company. In the past two years, many films produced by the company have grossed over 100 million US dollars.

Thinking of this, they all came over to say hello.

With Monica's introduction, Li Yishu also responded to these people one by one.

Half an hour later, most of the guests who were supposed to come had arrived.

Monica went to chat with the women together with the hostess Irina.

Li Yishu came to the garden with Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Nicolas Cage and others, smoking cigars, drinking and chatting.

As they chatted, they talked about Scorsese's new film "Casino". He said: "I have always liked gangster movies. I have seen almost all gangster movies from all over the world. Gangster movies from Hong Kong are particularly special. That... Wu, yes, John Wu, I like the movie "Hero" he shot very much. Ignoring some details, the beauty created by that kind of lens is fascinating."

"Yes, he is indeed an excellent director who pioneered the aesthetics of violence."

Li Yishu nodded. He always thought that Wu Yusen was great when it came to shooting the aesthetics of violence. Movies like "A Better Tomorrow" and "Hard Boiled" portrayed the gangsters as affectionate and righteous. The beauty of the gunfire and pigeons taking off was truly remarkable.

"Aesthetics of violence!" Scorsese's eyes lit up and he agreed: "Yes, this word describes it very well. Frightening violent acts can produce beautiful images."

Robert had never seen Wu Yusen's movies. He smiled and said, "Maybe I should look for some movies directed by this director."

"Me too."

Nicholas had no interest in commercial films before, but in the past two years, his agent has been asking him to take some commercial films. After failing to win any major acting awards, Nicholas began to waver.

Scorsese, the godfather of American gangster films, and Lee Yi-su, the godfather of Asian films, both value a Hong Kong director so much, so he must have something outstanding.

Li Yishu said, "Cage, the director of the movie I recommended to you is John Wu."

The leading actor of the movie "Face/Off" needs to be played by someone with superb acting skills, and in terms of fame, Nicholas is no less famous. As a recognized acting star in Hollywood, although his box office appeal is limited, in this era of film critics, as long as the movie has a good reputation, the box office is definitely not a problem.

Just like Lee Yi-su's first Hollywood film, The Sixth Sense, it also conquered many critics first. With the publicity of word of mouth, more and more people went to the cinema to contribute to the box office, and finally achieved a box office of 200 million US dollars in North America. "Wow, it seems that I have to find more John Wu movies to watch."

Nicholas didn't expect the director to be John Wu, and he felt more excited.

Robert De Niro next to him also showed interest: "Lee, is there a role suitable for me in this movie?"

Li Yishu nodded: "Of course, but I'm not very clear about the specific crew. I will ask John Wu to prepare the crew and announce the audition roles as soon as possible. You and Cage can directly enter the third round of auditions."

Robert De Niro has been in Hollywood for more than twenty years, so his acting skills are beyond doubt.

Domestic audiences are more familiar with him for some films shot after the millennium, such as the "Meet the Fockers" trilogy and "The Man from Nowhere" in which he collaborated with Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie.

The few of them had a good chat.

Nicholas, who loves parties, even invited Li Yishu to attend a young people's party he would host in a few days. He also hinted that there were many beautiful women at the scene, and if the great director Li went there, he would definitely be the most handsome guy in the whole event.

Li Yishu was a little moved after hearing this, not because he wanted to pick up girls, but mainly because he had never actually attended such a party.

But then he remembered what he had seen online about the Black Daddy Party before his rebirth, and immediately gave up the idea of ​​trying it. He shook his head and declined, "Sorry, Cage, I have to go back to my country in a few days. There is an important crew waiting for me there."

Who doesn’t like beautiful women?

Li Yishu had heard about the extravagance of Hollywood parties, but he only wanted to tease others and not be teased by others.

Even if the host of the party is Nicholas, it is better to have as little contact with him as possible if the relationship is not very close.

Harvey invited him more than once, but Li Yishu rejected each time. Who knows if this old guy Harvey is up to something fishy.

"Well, that's a shame."

Nicholas was a little disappointed. In fact, there was no party at all. He just felt that he had a very good chat with Li Yishu, and the other party took the initiative to invite him to play the leading actor. In return, he wanted to hold a party to liven up their relationship.

"There will be a chance in the future." Li Yishu smiled and said, "Maybe in the future, I will come to the United States again. If I have time, I will definitely attend your party."

"no problem!"

Nicholas readily agreed. As long as the other party came, he was confident that Li Yishu would not want to leave.

"Hey, gentlemen, what are you talking about?"

Winona Ryder came over with a glass of wine in her hand. She had worked with Martin Scorsese on "The Age of Innocence" two years ago and had a good relationship with Scorsese's girlfriend Irina. She was also invited here today.

Seeing the beauty, Nicholas quickly said, "Nothing, just talking about a new movie."

"What movie? Is it Lee's?"

Winona Ryder looked at Li Yishu with burning eyes. She has also been filming art films in the past two years. She also watched "Chicago" which was released not long ago. She thought that there would be absolutely no problem if she played the role of Cindy Crawford.

"No, it's a new work that our company is preparing."

Looking at Depp's ex-girlfriend, Li Yishu always felt that she was more beautiful than the later "Queen of the Sea".

The only pity is that this woman seems to have a quirk. She likes to steal things, and they are those worthless little things, such as toothpaste and toothbrushes. Later, she was caught on the spot and sent to court.

"Wow, it seems I heard some shocking news."

Winona Ryder smiled and said, "Lee, if there is a role suitable for me, can you give me a chance to audition?"

"Like Cage, I have always been a fan of yours. When you were auditioning for a movie last year, I happened to be filming and didn't have the chance. Not long ago, I went to see Chicago, which was great and left a lasting impression. I watched it twice."

"Of course, no problem. I'll let the company know later and invite you over when the crew auditions."

Li Yishu readily agreed. He had no impression of who the heroine of "Face/Off" was. She thought it was just a vase-like role and it would be the same no matter who played it. The real protagonist was the male lead played by Nicolas Cage.

Winona Ryder said happily: "Great, I feel like today is my lucky day. Not only can I attend Director Scorsese's housewarming party, but I also got to know your new movie in advance and get an audition qualification in advance."

Watching her performance, Scorsese and De Niro just smiled but said nothing. This kind of "acting skills" was nothing new to these experienced Hollywood men.

Although Li Yishu doesn't know how it is called in Hollywood, the word "green tea" can perfectly describe Winona at this moment.

But Nicholas might have seen the beauty, and his eyes were fixed on her.

Happy times are always short-lived, and this housewarming party lasted for more than three hours.

It was not until the evening that Li Yishu took the initiative to say goodbye to Monica. Before leaving, Scorsese exchanged contact information with Li Yishu and said enthusiastically:

"Li, thank you very much for coming to my housewarming party. I know you are a big director and the owner of a film company. You may not need me normally, but if you need anything, you can contact me."

"No problem Scorsese, if I need your help, I won't hesitate."

Li Yishu glanced at Monica beside her and smiled, "Monica is still very young. When I'm not in Hollywood, I hope you can take care of her as much as possible."

"Of course!" Scorsese nodded happily: "Bellucci is a member of our Italian gang. When needed, we will do our best to help. Italians always value family and partners."

Hearing this, Li Yishu smiled, stretched out her hand to say goodbye to Scorsese, turned around and took Monica into the car and returned to Beverly Hills.

My girlfriend Irina asked, "You seem to think highly of this Chinese director?"

Scorsese glanced at her and nodded, "Lee is not only an excellent director, but also the owner of a film company. He also has a great influence in Asia."

Although in this era, Asia is synonymous with poverty and backwardness in the eyes of Europe and the United States, it is undeniable that the current economic development speed in Asia has been rising rapidly.

The box office of Hollywood movies is rising steadily.

Lee Ye-su, the godfather of Asian films, is certainly worth making friends with.

(End of this chapter)