Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 465 was deemed less prestigious than Cannes.

Shigeru Okada, the current president of Toei, was not stumped by Akira Tani's question.

He simply picked up the microphone and gave an explanation.

"The so-called artistry means that your film lacks some thought-provoking plots, such as the emotional entanglement between the reincarnated queen and the monarch in the Demon World Reincarnation."

"Oh." Gu Ming looked like he suddenly understood. "So, artistry is what Zhuo Ai is all about. It seems the judging criteria aren't about making a good film, but about making me make porn, right?"

Someone chuckled, but quickly realized their mistake and fell silent.

Okada Shigeru naturally shook his head.

"Furuya-kun, your statement is somewhat flawed. Isn't this a case of shifting the focus? How could my so-called emotional entanglement refer to erotic films? Emotional entanglement naturally refers to a situation where two people are not acting voluntarily, but are forced to engage in a relationship, thus allowing the audience to feel their emotions fluctuate with the characters' feelings."

Gu Ming wanted to laugh, but he held it in.

Actually, he has a curse word he wants to say right now, and he can't wait to say it.

However, while Gu Ming was carefully considering whether to be polite or aggressive, Kadokawa Haruki had already burst out laughing.

"Oh, so art is all about strength. Is that stuff in your crotch really that fun? Well then, I'll show you something funny!"

Haruki Kadokawa suddenly unbuckled his belt, pulled down his suit trousers, and brazenly revealed his plain-colored underwear. He even showed off the removed pant legs in front of the camera.

"Was it good? Have you finished watching it? Wasn't it very artistic? When will you send me the Best Film award? I'll definitely come to accept it in person!"

He fastened his belt, jumped off the stage in a few steps, and walked off the stage without looking back.

Gu Ming also shook his head at this moment and looked at the people around the round table.

"Let's not wait any longer. Since the party is over, let's go back."

Gu Ming glanced at the trophy on the table and casually pushed it forward.

What kind of lousy best killing formation design is this? We're better off without it.

Gu Ming led the way and walked the fastest, and the rest of the crew quickly followed suit, no longer lingering over the trophy.

After the group left, several more film crews left the scene, leaving only those works in which Toei had directly or indirectly participated.

Shinichi Chiba stood in the aisle, feeling somewhat awkward for a moment.

So, should he still go on stage to accept the award?

……

……

"It's a complete cover-up! I saw it myself. The card originally had seven Japanese characters printed on it, which of course meant sailor uniforms and machine guns! But a line was scribbled over and replaced with 'reincarnation in the demon world.' This was definitely a last-minute change, not something prepared beforehand!"

Outside the venue, in the parking lot, Haruki Kadokawa cursed, "Just because it's not a Toei film, they're making such a fuss. Isn't that going too far?"

Jissōji Shōyō scratched his head, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

"Actually, Toei was also responsible for the distribution of this film."

"So you do know it's about distribution, huh?" Kadokawa Haruki said sarcastically, making everyone's scalp tingle. "How can an adopted child compare to a biological son! Because of you, you, and you, you're not signed with Toei, so of course he prioritizes promoting Toei's own works first, and then you! I've seen Makai Tensei, it's not a bad movie, and if it deserves some awards, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. But this movie doesn't deserve this Best Picture!"

After venting his emotions, Kadokawa Haruki looked at Tani Akira.

Gu Ming hadn't said much since leaving the venue, which made Kadokawa Haruki somewhat annoyed: "Give me some reaction! That's your movie!"

"Yes, of course it's mine, but what do you think I can do now? It's going to snow in Hokkaido, and my stepmother is getting married. Are those things that you and I can change?"

Gu Ming twisted his wrist, his thoughts racing.

Actually, the awards that year weren't very convincing to begin with.

In the 1982 Academy Awards, Toei Animation films dominated the major categories, while other companies' entries received only minor, unremarkable awards. Furthermore, other awards clearly reflected a distribution of prizes; for example, Keiko Matsuzaka's performance and the film in question were somewhat lacking in merit, yet she still won the Best Actress award.

Gu Ming flexed his wrists and suddenly asked a somewhat unrelated question.

Has this film been submitted for international awards?

"I didn't handle the overseas distribution, so of course I didn't report it!"

Just as Haruki Kadokawa finished speaking, he suddenly remembered something: "You mean, go overseas and win an award?"

“I didn’t say that,” Gu Ming said. “But judging by the time, it should still be in time. I heard that the application period for the Cannes Film Festival is between February and March every year. If we hurry up now, it should still be possible to make it?”

Gu Ming had just considered something.

Sailor Suit and Machine Gun is a Japanese film, but the original work it adapted, The Killer Is Not Cold, is a French film.

Although it couldn't be submitted to the Cannes Film Festival (it was submitted in February) due to its release date (September), it was still eligible for the César Awards.

The César Awards, like the Japan Academy Film Prize, are regional awards that are considered equivalent to the Oscars in their respective countries.

France.

Gu Ming thought to himself, "It seems I might really have to go to France this year."

"France, Cannes... Oh right, and the French Academy Awards! Furuya-kun, you really reminded me, I can't let someone do this to the film I'm directing! I'll go get the master tapes from Dongzhong Production, and I'll arrange a flight to France tomorrow! I'll try to get the film over there before the submission deadline!"

"If the registration is successful, I will call you back. You should all get ready to go to France for the film festival in May. In the meantime, I'd appreciate it if you could do some publicity in the newspapers. The Kadokawa Group will fully cooperate."

Gu Ming turned to look at him and asked a crucial question.

"You seem even more excited than I am."

"It's because you weren't excited at all when you should have been!"

Haruki Kadokawa rolled up his sleeves and gave a matter-of-fact response.

"Of course, you and I both know that such an answer is impossible. The reason is simple... Okada Shigeru wants to dominate the Japan Academy Film Prize, Shochiku doesn't have that kind of ambition, and Toho can't compete with him alone. Do you think I don't want to win this award? The chairmanship of the Japan Academy Film Prize, does Okada Shigeru have it, but I can't? Anyway, don't worry about me, I'm thinking of going to France to relax."

After Kadokawa Haruki finished speaking, he casually punched Gu Ming on the shoulder.

"Instead of worrying about me, you should think about how to smear him more in the newspapers and what movie to make next! You still owe me money!"

After Kadokawa Haruki finished speaking, he didn't care how Gu Ming responded, climbed into his sports car, stepped on the gas, and roared away.

With his hands in his pockets, Gu Ming watched Kadokawa Haruki leave, but couldn't help shaking his head and chuckling.

In fact, Gu Ming didn't want to get too close to Kadokawa Haruki because he knew there were some bad rumors about him.

But now it seems that, in a sense, their personalities do complement each other.

At least Gu Ming wouldn't do what happened today.

He would get angry, he would get furious, and he might even rush onto the stage and knock Okada Shigeru unconscious.

But he wouldn't take his pants off in front of so many cameras.

Although at that time, Gu Ming really wanted to ask Okada Shigeru something.

If art is about physical strength, why don't you let me get stronger?

Fortunately, Haruki Kadokawa said those words for him, and he took off his pants and flexed himself in front of the camera, which pleased everyone.

"Alright! Let's go back too." Gu Ming waved his hand. "If possible, let's go to France this May. I've heard Cannes is a really fun place."

(End of this chapter)