Generation Z Artists

Chapter 303 is a huge hit!

One by one, the audience stood up, and the applause was thunderous.

Although Liu Yifei's description of waterboarding is very simple and brief, most people can realize how painful and unbearable this type of torture, specifically used for interrogation, must be.

Now, the little girl who delivered a superb performance stands there, tears welling in her eyes, and tells everyone: I am so grateful for the courage I showed in that moment.

What could be more moving than this?

"You are wonderful!"

"Angel, you are really amazing!"

"Best Actress!"

Amidst the shouts and cries, Liu Xiaoli covered her mouth, sobbing uncontrollably. Her vision was so blurred that she could no longer see her daughter's figure, but she could feel the beam of light shining down from above her daughter's head.

Through tear-filled eyes, the beam of light spread out, forming a pair of blurry wings, as if draping a sacred garment over the daughter.

She felt heartache, yet immense pride.

That was her precious child whom she had cherished for 16 years. Before returning to China, the child was still as innocent and carefree as a child, but after watching this movie, the child instantly grew into an adult.

No, it's not just growing up, it's breaking free from the cocoon and becoming a butterfly!
On the side of the stage, Fang Xinghe also felt gratified.

He did ask Liu Yifei to talk about her filming experience, but he didn't specify how she should talk about it.

Now, with the most understated attitude, the most plain and simple language, and the most sincere and moving emotions, she has achieved an effect that resonates with anyone, which is more meaningful than any performance.

On a smaller scale, she paved at least half of her path to becoming a Best Actress.

Looking at the bigger picture, she found her best self many years ahead of time.

Fang Xinghe clearly remembers that Liu Yifei, who was around 20 years old and almost 30, said very sincerely in an interview: "Actually, I've never been afraid of hardship, but the problem is, now I feel like there's less and less hardship to endure. As long as I'm happy, what hardship would I feel?"

Viewing acting as a joyful experience doesn't guarantee becoming a good actor; ultimately, improving one's skills still requires talent.

However, once you have this mindset, it becomes impossible for you to be defeated.

For Fang Xinghe, the significance of Tender Immortal's early transformation lies in the fact that his grinding did not destroy this beautiful raw stone, but instead polished her into a dazzling form ahead of time, which is actually a very fulfilling thing.

Well, it made him even happier than the NBA championship that was within his grasp.

The nature of the two projects is quite different. When he won the championship, Fang Ge didn't even go all out, but in the adventure of "Young You," he risked everything.

Thankfully, I didn't misjudge the person, and they made a classic in every sense of the word.

"Classic," is Monica's assessment.

"Such a classic was actually filmed under these circumstances..."

She shouted excitedly, trying to drown out the cheers from the audience.

"I am deeply impressed by Director Fang's boldness, and I also deeply admire the two actors' spirit of sacrifice, exploration, and professionalism. You deserve all the praise! Yes, all of it!"

The opening ceremony concluded amidst enthusiastic applause.

Looking back over the past ten or twenty years, this opening ceremony and opening film will be the most spectacular and talked-about exception.

From that night until the next day, television stations and newspapers throughout France were filled with reports of the event.

Fang Xinghe's combination of screenwriting, directing, and acting inherently generates significant buzz, not to mention the quality and compelling story behind it.

The sponsors in Cannes didn't even put in any effort, yet the event naturally caused a sensation in France.

With just a little effort from the sponsors, the shockwaves quickly swept across Europe.

As a hub for arts and culture, Cannes attracts a considerable number of people, perhaps even more than the NBA Finals.

It's quite difficult to compile all the data, but Liu Yifei became an overnight sensation—Fang Ge can't even describe her as just famous; given her level of fame, it would be difficult to raise her popularity by another 5 percentage points.

Early in the morning, everyone spontaneously gathered at the restaurant, eagerly looking at the newspaper and Fang Xinghe—they didn't understand French, so Fang Xinghe was the only one translating.

"Director, what happened? I couldn't sleep all night because I was so worried! Please stop keeping me in suspense!"

Zhao Xiaoding was so anxious that he scratched his head and cheeks.

Fang Xinghe replied slowly and deliberately, "Good news, the program score is very high."

Dong Youde craned his neck: "And the bad news?"

Brother Fang shrugged with a wicked grin: "Nobody's praising the cinematography, everyone's praising our genius but idiotic actress..."

"Hahahaha!"

Everyone burst into laughter, teasing Zhao Xiaoding who was rolling his eyes in anger, while congratulating the blushing girl who couldn't help but laugh.

Of the four event publications, three gave it top marks.

The event program received an overall rating of 3.3, making it a huge hit!
Gong Li tried to maintain a balance: "Actually, the scores in the event publication can't guarantee anything. After all, it's just the media's rating, not the jury's opinion. In previous years, there have often been cases where a favorite was eliminated. Don't be too quick to celebrate..."

Even so, they couldn't help but be happy.

One person held two newspapers, vying for the help of a temporarily hired Chinese student translator.

Overall, the public opinion has been overwhelmingly positive.

Renowned French director Luc Besson sang praises.

"I fucking love Better Days!"

As an actor, Star River delivered a highly compelling performance, together with the angelic Princess Xixi, creating a youth film masterpiece that is almost impossible to surpass!

As the director, Star River's restrained style and subtle storyline blend together perfectly, delivering a thrilling and exhilarating experience.

During the entire movie, I only lost focus for one moment—yes, it was when SR appeared as if she was getting beaten up!
Haha, this is hilarious!

However, the terrifying thing about Star River is precisely this – apart from that first moment when it appeared, SR never pulled me out of the story again!

I was completely absorbed in the storyline and didn't think about Prince Yu or him for a single moment!

This is both a testament to the incredible acting skills and proof of the director's profound control over the film.

Although it's just a simple teen movie, I have to say: SR really didn't exaggerate. He made a must-see classic that is not only for teenagers but also for middle-aged people to reminisce about the past!
I highly recommend you go see it for yourselves!

This guy is one of the most businessman-like European artists; it's a no-brainer for him to support Fang Xinghe.

Similarly, Sophie Marceau, known for her straightforward personality, didn't need to think before boldly expressing her love to the media.

"YES! I love Director Fang Xinghe's Eastern-style expression of this innocent and budding love between teenagers!"
I prefer his performance as an actor in movies. I don't care if you like it or not, I absolutely adore him, especially when that "Z" appeared on screen in the last scene, I felt so good it gave me goosebumps!
Hey, listen up, this isn't a professional review. To hell with the professionalism! You guys should enjoy it!

Many media outlets and television stations quoted her views, with the keywords being: enjoyment and pleasure.

The four film critics from the core program "Screen International" continued to uphold their professionalism, analyzing the film from all aspects.

Medium review:

"Better Days is not a mainstream art film. Although it explores a profound theme, its structure is a completely commercial, fast-paced, linear narrative."

A story that isn’t particularly complex is filled with a multitude of conflicts by SR. Please note that I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this fullness; I’m just saying that Better Days is fast-paced with intense conflicts, keeping you on the edge of your seat and unable to look away for a moment. Then, in the climax at the end, all the pent-up frustration is released to the fullest.

Undoubtedly, this is a technique used in commercial films. But cleverly, SR doesn't sacrifice its thematic exploration for commercial success, which gives the film a unique charm—

It combines the profound reflections of an art film with the exhilarating fun of a commercial film.

Personally, I think this is a perfect blend of commerce and art, and it's definitely worth seeing.

Positive review:

"The best film worldwide so far this year!"
The best movie ever made in the entire teen school genre!
Storyline: 3.8 points!
It's a clichéd redemption story, but the process is incredibly exciting and the ending is breathtaking!

Performance rating: 4 points!
There's no need to elaborate on the supporting roles played by big names like Gong Li and Chen Daoming; they completed their tasks perfectly.

The real surprise lies in the teenage actors in the film!
Every single one of them... I mean, all the characters, were so lifelike.

The jealousy and meanness of Wei Lai's trio, Xiao Bei's arrogant and wild nature, her feigned coldness and genuine warmth, and Nian's gloomy, withdrawn, desperate, and repentant state—they all present the most intense and authentic emotions, making the audience empathize with them.

Smoothness of the plot: 3.8 points!
From start to finish, only one word can describe it: silky smooth!
The plot development and character transformations are seamless and without any abrupt changes. Even Wei Lai's sudden death feels unexpected yet logical.

Writer SR didn't make a single mistake, so the plot progressed extremely smoothly.

Directing technique: 3.5 points!
Director SR didn't use many flashy techniques; apart from a few long takes, the whole film can almost be described as meticulously crafted.

Neatness means a lack of originality, but it also means that the story is placed in the main position.

SR tells a good story with twists and turns. It may seem unoriginal, but the skill lies in the details, making it hard to believe that he is just a minor who is directing for the first time.

Humanistic essence: 4 points!
I absolutely love the core themes of this story: bullying and redemption.

School bullying is a chronic problem that is widespread in any country. Children's evil is without reason and is far more pure than that of adults. They vent their anger when they are angry and destroy when they are jealous, without ever considering the consequences.

This unbridled behavior precisely reflects their own fragile resilience—they bully others because they are vulnerable, and they suffer the greatest harm because they are vulnerable.

This is a complete realist tragedy, and what's even more tragic is that this complex systemic problem is almost unsolvable.

Better Days doesn't offer a solution; it only offers a hope.

In the bullying scenes, the director's shots are objective, cold, and gloomy;
In the redemption section, the director's shots are positive, enthusiastic, and sunny.

More than two-thirds of the film consists of objective shots; however, the remaining third is the highlight.

Depicting adversity objectively and creating miracles subjectively is not a matter of technique, but rather stems from the director's profound humanistic concern.

Artistic value: 3.8 points!
This is not a complex film from which much additional value can be extracted. It does not use sophisticated techniques to set up any puzzles for us, forcing us to watch it repeatedly and constantly dig out those hidden messages and values.

Its essence is very clear and obvious, and its value is certain and not easily changed.

It's a nutritious soup that you don't need to figure out how to make; you just need to savor it and follow it from sadness to joy.

Yet it still possesses the highest artistic value—

It makes you cry, it makes you laugh, and it makes you reminisce repeatedly, marveling at the beauty of youth and the preciousness of redemption.

It is subtle but not ignorant, intense but not manic, warm but not verbose, and refreshing but not superficial.

Its very existence is its value.

It will stand at the top of its genre, forever illuminating the youth of generations and inspiring the beauty of youth.

Personal rating: Highly recommended, don't miss it!

Behind the overwhelmingly positive reviews is a clear understanding of the historical significance of "Better Days" among films of the same genre.

More than one expert has asserted that "Better Days" is the pinnacle of youth films, the sweetest of all in the genre of lighthearted romance.

Female viewers enthusiastically recommended the sweet details in "Young Love" during post-screening interviews. Fang Xinghe was restrained yet delicate in delivering the sweet moments, and although there wasn't a single kissing scene in the entire film, it still touched the hearts of the audience.

Negative reviews? There are absolutely no negative reviews in the main program.

However, in the non-core program publications, the conservative and old-fashioned faction, led by Marshall, still went all out with a scathing critique.

There are three angles in total.

First, the lack of artistry is due to excessive commercialization.

To paraphrase some artists, it's like "smearing a thick layer of cheese on a plate of top-quality caviar," ruining the finest ingredients and turning them into something utterly vulgar.

Second, the directing technique is too rigid.

Without flashy handheld long takes, avant-garde shooting techniques, or innovative language, the entire film feels like an industrial mass-produced product, failing to reflect any authorial intent.

Third, beasts.

You put underage girls on the waterboard?!

She almost drove someone to depression?!
Butcher! Madman! Tyrant! Selfish! Beast!

What? Liu Yifei agreed?

That won't do, I disagree!
This aspect of the criticism was relatively the most intense, and it attracted a lot of inexplicable NGOs.

They not only denounced Fang Xinghe as a demonic director in the newspapers, but also staged a small-scale protest in Cannes and posted banners outside all the screening venues of "You Are My Destiny".

For a time, Fang Xinghe became a universally hated figure among certain groups in Europe.

Actually, it doesn't affect him much. When he doesn't want to be interviewed, no media outlet can get close to him.

However, the young fairy who became famous overnight was surrounded and couldn't go anywhere.

Compared to interviewing Fang Xinghe, the media prefers to find a breakthrough by interviewing her.

To solve this problem, with the dog's encouragement, Sister Li's push, and LV's help, they jointly sent the bewildered young fairy to France's most popular talk show—"The Schönbecks."

Then, the naive young fairy was tricked into revealing all her secrets by the couple.

After more details were added, the European arts and culture world was astonished to discover that even the jealousy of the Wei Lai trio was a genuine performance!
The director actually found three fanatical fans to act opposite Liu Yifei, and deliberately treated them differently!

How could he not act well?

Nenxian awkwardly tried to salvage the situation: "Actually, Director Fang only treats me as a student. Although we train together every day, he is extremely strict and never chats. Most of the time, he only criticizes me..."

Okay, okay, this is even worse!

Chen Nian in the new version of "Young Love" is a very charming character. Her two highlight scenes at the end made her popular with both male and female audiences.

Therefore, her popularity soared throughout the screening, while Fang Gou, who had created all the difficulties for himself, received extremely polarized reviews.

Those who love him believe this is how God should behave.

Those who dislike him think he is not human.

At first glance, the two seem to mean exactly the same thing, but their emotional core is completely different.

Amidst all the commotion, "Better Days" quickly broke through the Cannes platform and achieved widespread expansion.

Now, it's a truly anticipated blockbuster movie for teenagers all over the world.

If it wins a prestigious award, countless people will go crazy for it this summer.

(End of this chapter)