Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 108 The Bigger Life
In the following days, Cao Yang thought a lot about how to do the job, and finally came up with a rough plan in his mind.

He called Berman and talked for a long time. It was all him talking and Berman listening.

Berman was a little confused, not understanding why he had to do this. Was it for hype? However, he didn't ask much and just followed Cao Yang's instructions.

A few days later, Bellman came to China with a team in a grand manner.

It was also leaked that Sony Classics was interested in making a biographical film and wanted to see if there was a suitable director in China.

He is the head of Sony's classic marketing department, and many people in China know him.

Sony Classics has invested in and distributed many films in the country.

Several of Zhang Yimou's award-winning films have the shadow of Sony Classics.

The overseas copyrights of several of Cao Yang's films were also sold to Sony Classics.

This is something that many people in the circle know.

It is reasonable for Sony Classics to come to China to recruit directors. Many directors these days have foreign capital behind them.

But this time I'm going to Hollywood to make a movie, which is a huge opportunity.

One stone can cause a thousand ripples, and anyone who thinks they have a chance is excited.

Many directors have stated in front of the media that they have specialized in the shooting of biographical films and have a lot of experience in this area.

Lu Chuan is a rapidly rising figure in the domestic film industry this year.

Although his film did not enter the main competition unit of Cannes in May this year, after it was released in China, it took in nearly 900 million at the box office thanks to Jiang Wen's fame.

This is a good result for any domestic director, not to mention that he is a new director.

What surprised the domestic media the most was that although "Looking for the Gun" did not enter the main competition unit, it also participated in the Cannes screening. Because of Jiang Wen, Columbia purchased all copyrights except domestic and foreign copyrights for US$150 million.

Lu Chuan became famous overnight.

Lu Chuan is even more ambitious about Sony Classics' recruitment this time and believes that he has the greatest chance.

He also said in an interview with the media: "Sony Classics is a great company. The biographical film they are going to make will be a great work. I will do my best to fight for it. I especially support their idea of ​​making a biographical film."

The reporter then asked, "It is said that the person they want to film is an American politician. It seems that this politician supports the legitimate rights of homosexuals and he himself is also a homosexual."

Lu Chuan said without hesitation: "Homosexuals also have their own rights..."

In an interview, Xiao Gangpao also talked about some things to pay attention to when shooting biographical films, saying that although this type of film is difficult to shoot, it can easily cause criticism if it is not shot well.

But he changed his tone and said that he was not afraid. As long as he conducted serious research, made bold assumptions and verified them carefully, he believed there would be a good result.

So the media asked the same question.

Xiao Gangpao hesitated for a moment, then said: "Biographical films should follow the principle of objectivity and fairness, and do not represent the director's point of view."

Perhaps he felt that this was a bit perfunctory, so he continued, "Some states in the United States support same-sex marriage, and homosexuality is their freedom..."

In this era, these topics are not too sensitive, so many directors have said similar things. What does it have to do with us? The United States is like this, we can defeat them without any effort.

Then, the directors who received the invitation went through rounds of interviews, but none of them met the requirements of Sony Classics, including Xiao Gangpao and Lu Chuan.

Even if they were not hired, no one dared to say bad things about Sony Classics, a company that specializes in the production and distribution of global art films and is the same company as Columbia, one of the seven major Hollywood studios.

The little steel cannon was blocked by the media and only said "It's a pity that we couldn't reach an agreement with them", and then left without looking back.

Lu Chuan did say a few more words, "Sony Classics' requirements are a bit high. I think it's hard for domestic directors to meet their requirements. Of course, as a Hollywood movie, I can understand their original intention of seeking high-level directors."

Cao Yang was on a popular talk show that just started last year, and the host asked him, "As a famous director in China, why don't you try out for Sony Classics? This is a good opportunity to enter Hollywood."

Cao Yang said: "I didn't participate in the Sony Classics selection for my own reasons."

"What's the reason? Can you tell me?"

Cao Yang hesitated for a moment and said, "Actually, this is my personal reason. I don't really want to make a movie about homosexuality. I respect everyone's choice, but it doesn't mean I agree with their point of view."

The host was surprised and said, "Really? But this is a biographical film. It only needs to be based on objective facts. What does it have to do with your opinion?"

Cao Yang thought for a moment, then said seriously to the camera: "You are right, I am narrow-minded. Although I do not agree with this kind of thing, biographical films should be objective and fair. They do not represent the director's point of view, and the director cannot deny objective facts based on his own likes and dislikes."

The host showed a teachable expression.

Seeing that none of the directors were hired, Sony Classics announced that it was going to look in South Korea and Xiao Ri Zi.

The media couldn't sit still, and the netizens who knew the news couldn't sit still either. What's the point of going to South Korea? What's the point of living an easy life? Aren't there any more awesome directors in the country?
What a great opportunity this is! Maybe I can break into Hollywood. It will bring honor to the Chinese people, but why has no one taken the opportunity?

So, a name was frequently mentioned, Cao Yang, one of the three top directors in China. He hasn't tried it yet, but he should go quickly to make the Chinese people proud and let them see that we also have awesome directors.

Then, the video of Cao Yang's talk show was broadcast on TV, and more people asked, what does the biographical film have to do with your own position?
Go quickly, don’t let South Korea or the small life take it away from you.

Then, many people called Cao Yang and advised him to give it a try and not to be stubborn. It was just a biographical film and he should just shoot it based on the principle of seeking truth from facts. It had nothing to do with his own opinions.

Cao Yang told everyone who called him that this was inconsistent with his values ​​and he was having trouble getting over it. Finally, he smiled wryly and said, "Let me think about it."

Until the day before the Sony Classics people were about to leave, many people had given up hope, and some people had already said online that Cao Yang was concerned about his reputation and was afraid of being eliminated and embarrassed, so he didn't dare to try.

So, some media blocked Cao Yang and asked why he didn't go.

Cao Yang once again emphasized that he was unwilling to make such a film because the biographical film was inconsistent with his own values.

The reporter said what was said online and asked Cao Yang if he was afraid and if he was worried about his reputation as one of the top three directors in China.
Cao Yang's face turned red with anger, and he finally said, "Just wait, I'll go right away! Let me say one more thing, even if I make a movie like this, it doesn't mean I will change my opinion."

In the afternoon, Sony Classics held a press conference. After a conversation with Director Cao Yang, they believed that Director Cao Yang fully met the requirements and had signed a director contract with Director Cao Yang.

As soon as the news came out, everyone cheered. Cao Yang was really awesome. He took care of Sony Classics at once.

What South Korea, what easy life, all of them stand aside.

　I wrote the third chapter too late yesterday, so I will tentatively update it twice today, and resume three chapters tomorrow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)