Huayu: Director started with art films

It was the first time that she heard Li Yishu speak so seriously. Instead of being angry or afraid, Izumi Sakai was filled with joy.

She said happily, "Yes, Mr. Li, I will listen to you. I will stop all my work and go to China with you in the second half of the year!"

Izumi Sakai herself is a person who does not have much passion for her career.

In simple terms, be content with a small fortune.

Otherwise, Izumi Sakai wouldn't have only held one concert after so many years of debut.

A maximum of two albums and one single per year.

This amount is actually very small. Compared with the Hong Kong music scene of the same period, it can be said to be very Buddhist.

It's been almost half a year this year, and Izumi Sakai has only released one album.

She is expected to release another album in the second half of the year. She doesn't hold concerts or participate in variety shows. Apart from a few offline autograph sessions, she spends most of her time at home composing songs or recording songs in the recording studio.

So she was naturally delighted to stop working and follow Li Yishu to China.

Seeing her agree, Li Yishu smiled and said, "Well, I'm going to shoot a movie in the second half of the year. Come with me and I'll introduce you to some friends."

"That's great!" Izumi Sakai was very happy. This could be regarded as officially integrating into each other's life and circle of friends.

The two went home talking and laughing.

The two who haven't seen each other for a long time naturally have to spend some time together.

From noon till night, except for Izumi Sakai getting up to cook a Japanese meal, Li Yishu didn't let her get out of bed.

Spent the whole day hanging out.

The next morning, Li Yishu and Izumi Sakai started to wander around Tokyo.

Because Izumi Sakai has become so popular in recent months, even though she was wearing a mask, she was still recognized by some passers-by.

It’s definitely not a good idea to continue shopping. The Japanese paparazzi can’t be underestimated. Who knows, someone might receive a call from a fan.

Li Yishu took her to Music Times Company and talked to the person in charge about stopping Izumi Sakai's work in the second half of the year.

Since the big boss had spoken, the general manager of Music Times naturally didn't dare to say anything, even though he felt it was a waste because the company currently only had three singers.

The most famous and profitable one is Izumi Sakai.

As for Akina Nakamori, she was very popular in the past, but after her relationship with a scumbag, her fame plummeted. Fortunately, she became popular again last year.

The last one is a newly signed singer this year, her name is Ayumi Hamasaki.

"By the way, how about the new female singer hired by the company?"

"Very good, I like her voice very much, I have the confidence to promote her."

"Really? What's your name?"

"Ayumi Hamasaki."

"Ayumi Hamasaki?"

Li Yishu looked at Izumi Sakai in surprise. Although he didn't know much about the Japanese music scene, he had heard of Ayumi Hamasaki, who became popular in Asia in the millennium.

Izumi Sakai asked in confusion: "Do you know her?"

"I don't know him, I just think the name is interesting."

Li Yishu became interested and asked, "She is in the company?"

"Yes, at the company. Can I take you to have a look?"

"Well, then let's go check out the new singer our Quanshui is optimistic about!"

soon.

Someone from the company went to the recording studio and called Ayumi Hamasaki.

Looking at the little girl in front of her who was less than 1.6 meters tall, Li Yishu was also confused, not sure whether she was Ayumi Hamasaki.

To be honest, Lee Ye-su doesn’t have a deep impression of the group of singers who became popular in Japan in the millennium. Ayumi Hamasaki is very famous, but perhaps it is the effect of Japanese makeup that makes Ayumi Hamasaki look a bit "ordinary".

It’s not that she’s not beautiful, but she looks a bit like the later “Internet celebrity face”.

With the same makeup and wigs, it would be difficult for ordinary people to tell the difference between Ayumi Hamasaki and Mie Annamuro, unless they are true fans.

Unlike Japanese singers such as Izumi Sakai, Akina Nakamori, and Miyuki Nakajima, who each have their own strengths.

After the general manager of the company introduced Ayumi Hamasaki, the girl immediately bowed after learning that it was the big boss and the famous Supervisor Li: "Arigato Kozaimas..."

A bunch of Japanese gibberish.

Li Yishu had a headache after listening to this, luckily Izumi Sakai helped translate.

Seeing the boss's impatience, Ayumi Hamasaki hurriedly said in broken Japanese English: "I'm sorry, President Li, my English is not very good, but I am working hard to learn it."

"It's okay, just work hard."

Li Yishu also tried her best to communicate with her using simple words, and after giving her a few words of encouragement, she let Ayumi Hamasaki leave.

Even if Ayumi Hamasaki becomes very famous in the future, now that she has changed to a new company, it is hard for Lee Yi-su to say whether she will be able to achieve the same results in the future?
It might get worse, but it might also get better.

"Ayumi Hamasaki works very hard. She has also been trying to write lyrics recently."

Izumi Sakai said with emotion: "I see my own shadow in her, so even if she is not a professional singer, I am willing to give her a chance to try."

As early as two years ago, Ayumi Hamasaki relied on her fairly good looks to study at school while participating in some low-budget dramas and B-level films, and used "Hamazaki Kurumi" (浜崎くるみ) as her stage name.

Later, she officially changed her name to Ayumi Hamasaki. Coincidentally, at the beginning of this year, Music Times Company was recruiting new singers, but not many came.

After all, Music Times Company is not very famous. Apart from two singers, Izumi Sakai and Akina Nakamori, it has almost no outstanding achievements or outstanding musical talents.

Ayumi Hamasaki signed up with the intention of giving it a try, and successfully made it to the interview stage. Izumi Sakai was attracted to this pretty girl at first sight because her voice was very powerful.

Li Yishu smiled and said, "If you want to train new people, you can transition to a management position in the future."

"No, I don't want to be so tired."

Izumi Sakai said with a smile: "I've thought about it. I will release an album a year from now on. The rest of the time, I will go to China to accompany Li Jun."

In the past few years, Izumi Sakai was quite busy, but since joining Music Times, her workload has decreased. However, she did not want Li Jun's investment to fail, so she worked hard to rehearse songs and attend autograph sessions, just to sell more albums.

But Li Yishu's words yesterday gradually made Izumi Sakai think about returning to her family.

But singing is her passion and she can't give it up for a while.

She decided to release an album a year, which not only satisfied her love for singing rock music, but also allowed her to better return to her family and be with Li Jun.

"Okay." Li Yishu agreed readily.

When visiting the music company, Ichiro Tanaka learned that he was coming and rushed over immediately.

Kitano Takeshi also came with the edited version of "Fireworks". Nakamori Akina also asked to have dinner together.

Seeing that she was meeting more and more acquaintances, Li Yishu decided to go to the film company together in the afternoon to watch "Fireworks" and then have dinner together in the evening.

movie company.

In the small screening room.

"Fireworks" is already halfway through its run.

Kitano Takeshi asked nervously: "Director Li, how do you feel now?"

"Great cut, almost exactly what I had in mind."

Li Yishu smiled and said, of course it's almost the same. He wrote the script basically according to the plot of the movie, and there are definitely many points that are different from the original film.

But under Takeshi Kitano's editing, the film gave Lee Yi-su a very good feeling. It's not a complete restoration, but it's definitely better than the original.

Lee Ye-su said, "If this style continues, I will be confident to participate in this year's Venice Film Festival."

Kitano Takeshi quickly said: "I edited everything according to Director Li's requirements."

"Yeah, I can see it."

Li Yishu turned to look at Kitano Takeshi and said with a smile, "Later, ask President Tanaka to sign up for this year's Venice Film Festival in the name of the company."

"No problem, Director Li."

"Kitano, get ready to attend this year's Venice Film Festival. Your first movie after your rebirth from the ashes must be a big hit!"

Hearing this, Kitano Takeshi was moved to tears: "Director Li, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I think I would never get out of the shadow for the rest of my life."

An actor, half of his face became paralyzed.

He could only smile crookedly, which basically meant he was announcing his farewell to the film industry.

But if he can step onto the red carpet of the Venice International Film Festival with this movie, Takeshi Kitano will have the confidence to continue to be active in the film industry with his expressionless face.

A grown man was being sentimental in front of her, and he had a "gangster boss" face like Takeshi Kitano. Li Yishu felt very uncomfortable and waved her hands and said, "Okay Kitano, this is all the result of your own efforts. Let's watch the movie first."

"Hey!"

Kitano Takeshita's front face looks more like Yazaku.

Li Yishu curled the corners of her mouth. No wonder Takeshi Kitano likes to make gangster movies so much. He was born with such appearance.

Izumi Sakai, who was sitting on the right, whispered, "Mr. Li, I feel this movie is so hopeless."

"despair?"

"Yes, the young detective Tanaka died in an ambush. After being injured, Horibe was abandoned by his wife and daughter and lived alone by the sea. The protagonist's son died tragically, and his wife was in the late stage of leukemia."

Izumi Sakai said sentimentally: "The positive characters in the movie all have their own problems, and everyone has a tragic fate."

"You'll know when you see the light of day."

Li Yishu patted the back of her hand.

The first half of the movie is indeed filled with despair. The protagonists are either killed or injured and separated from their wives and children. The protagonist is even more miserable. His son died tragically and his wife suffers from advanced leukemia.

When she first watched this movie, Li Yishu didn’t know that Kitano Takeshi had facial paralysis due to a car accident. After learning about it later, she had a new understanding and insight into this movie.

I think Kitano Takeshi is using the first half of the plot to describe the despair he faces.

In the second half of the movie, the male protagonist transforms the stolen taxi into a police car, puts on a police uniform, and then goes to rob a bank...

This exhilarating feeling is undoubtedly a rebound to the depressing plot in the first half, which is first depressing and then uplifting.

The final ending is also very vague. The male protagonist takes his sick wife first to the Snow Country and then to the seaside, embarking on a journey with no return.

It also seems that Kitano Takeshi wanted to express his uncertainty about his future reputation.

The 110-minute film screening ended.

There was not much, but definitely loud applause.

Izumi Sakai clapped her hands vigorously. She finally understood why Li Jun asked her to look back.

The following plot brings hope. The male protagonist first repays the debtor with the money he robbed, then sends a sum of money to the widow of his deceased descendant, and mails a package of paint, brushes, canvas and an artist's brush washer to the disabled Horibe...

Each of them has the "hope" for the future to sustain them!
"Thank you!"

Lee Yi-su smiled and thanked everyone for their applause, and added, "Kitano made a great contribution to the success of this film."

Kitano Takeshi said gratefully: "No, no, Director Li is so kind. I also want to thank Director Li for giving me the opportunity to play this role. It has allowed me to find hope and motivation for the future again."

He is truly grateful to Lee Yi-su. After his car accident, some media wrote articles saying "Kitano Takeshi is finished."

Although Kitano Takeshi was very angry, he also felt desperate after learning that half of his face was paralyzed, because he was not sure whether Lee Yi-su would still give him the role.

But in the end, Li Yishu not only kept her promise, but also gave him a position as assistant director.

Since then, Kitano Takeshi has been grateful to Lee Yi-su from the bottom of his heart, and in order to repay Lee Yi-su's kindness, he officially signed a contract with Art Entertainment Group this year and became one of its directors.

Everyone sat and chatted in the small screening room for a while, and then Ichiro Tanaka received a call saying that the restaurant had been arranged.

Everyone set off to a Japanese restaurant near the company.

It's the kind of Japanese food restaurant that has a karaoke machine.

After eating and drinking, Izumi Sakai asked Akina Nakamori to sing for everyone, and Ichiro Tanaka also went up to make some funny moves.

This was Li Yishu's first time attending such a Japanese "social event" and he found it quite interesting. He glanced at Kitano Takeshi, who was a little drunk sitting next to him, and asked, "Kitano, do you have time in the second half of this year?"

"Of course!" Kitano Takeshi was a little drunk, but he sobered up immediately after hearing this.

“Did you know that China is going to hold the Shanghai International Film Festival?”

"I've heard that Director Li seems to be the chairman of the film festival jury?"

"Yes, I will be the chairman of the film festival jury this year. Kitano, you must come in person."

Li Yishu smiled. He was aware of his own value as the chairman of the film festival.

It's simply unrealistic to want to step on the heads of those old men when you are less than 30 years old.

It's simply because the organizers were impressed by his popularity overseas.

There are still five months to go before the film festival, but the Shanghai Film Festival has already started contacting the media to publicize the fact that Lee Yi-seok will be the chairman of the jury this year.

In order to attract overseas filmmakers, they also spent a lot of money to have newspapers in European and American countries report on it.

With Lee Yi-su's own fame and Chicago being released overseas, it quickly became known in Asia. Europe was the first to respond, and many independent filmmakers from Europe and the United States have decided to bring their films to the exhibition or sign up for film festivals. (End of this chapter)