Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 479 Wearing a Watch in France

The Cannes International Film Festival has come to a successful close. There may be some things to come, but those won't have much to do with Gu Ming.

—Actually, he didn't even need to meet with the film distributor, because the film had already been sold, and Toei was responsible for the overseas distribution.

The minor issues with the film awards did not affect the film's release at all; after all, Toei knew exactly what would make money.

If you have money, why not make it!
At the dinner, Gu Ming finally got a chance to relax. Although he did exchange pleasantries with the French film distributors, he couldn't understand their language anyway, so it was just a formality.

Until a blond man with an afro walked over and said a long string of words that Gu Ming couldn't understand.

Although he couldn't understand the words, he could understand the body language, and Gu Ming immediately hugged the other person.

Haruki Kadokawa quickly followed up: "This guy's name is Jean-Jacques Annaud, he's a French director and a member of the jury."

Gu Ming suddenly looked up.

Arnold?

However, his head doesn't look very pointed.

Jean-Jacques Annaud said a few more words quickly, which Gu Ming didn't understand, but kept nodding.

However, he saw that Haruki Kadokawa's eyes lit up instantly, as if he had heard something extraordinary.

"Is that so? Oh my... Furuya-kun, quickly thank him, say it in French!"

Gu Ming, unaware of the situation, quickly said a few words.

He still managed to memorize these common phrases.

After another round of polite exchanges, Gu Ming didn't understand a word, only repeatedly saying thank you, hello, and umm.

Gu Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief after the other party left.

"Will I have to learn French again in the future?"

Looking at the other person's back, Gu Ming tried to recall some things about them.

Then, they actually found a movie.

"Enemy at the Gates" is a film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

There is no doubt that this is an extremely dark film, but it did a great job at the box office, grossing nearly $100 million worldwide.

Jean-Jacques Annaud also directed a special film called "The Lover," which is quite remarkable, starring Tony Leung Ka-fai.

Yes, it's Tony Leung Ka-fai from Hong Kong.

Although the film didn't perform well at the box office, it had a huge impact. Tony Leung Ka-fai's half-exposed buttocks in the film were dubbed "the sexiest buttocks in the world" by the French.

This film is also extremely rare, as it is a successful film that uses a combination of Asian men and white women.

After all, sometimes success through word of mouth is also a form of success.

In short, this French director is very famous and influential.

Although it's not as big as it was later, it's still quite large. In 1977, Jean-Jacques Annaud's film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Gu Ming looked at Kadokawa Haruki.

"So what did this famous French director say to me? Is he asking me to come to France to make a movie?"

"No, that's not it. First, he said you fought very well. He didn't believe it at first, but now he does. Then, he mentioned something else, you know, that we were actually doing something against the rules this year. We don't usually submit films like that. He came on behalf of the Cannes jury president."

"If you're going to submit a film, I hope you'll use the proper channels next time."

Gu Ming asked in surprise, "What do you mean by 'legitimate channels'?"

Haruki Kadokawa nodded at Akira Tani.

“You weren’t one before, but from today onwards, you are a legitimate channel.”

Seeing Gu Ming's astonished expression, Kadokawa Haruki explained, "You know you've won several awards at Cannes, right? Although you weren't there for 'Kagemusha' last time, you still made a good impression on many French filmmakers. This year's Grand Jury Prize and Grand Prix of Technical Achievement have made the French start to consider you one of their own. So, this is a kind of entrustment. Within Japan, if you have a good film, you can submit it to Cannes anytime before April 1st each year. And it's best if you submit it in person."

Gu Ming cried out in pain and slapped his thigh.

Now he understood!
If we were to explain it in plain and easy-to-understand language...

He's now essentially the Cannes Film Festival's representative to Japan.

Gu Ming touched his wrist.

Surprisingly, he's wearing a watch too!

Haruki Kadokawa smiled quite smugly.

"You got yours, looks like mine will be ready soon too. Let me see where the Toei guys are... Got it!"

He held a glass of red wine and strode quickly toward a reporter.

Gu Ming quickly followed.

"Hey, you, it's you. Stop drinking, go back and send a telegram, make a phone call. I don't care what methods you use, tell that guy Okada Shigeru today. Get your ass clean and wait for me! I'm going to take over the Japan Academy Film Prize!" Gu Ming instantly retreated, and in a flash, he was on the other side of the table.

I have no idea what those two middle-aged men are up to!
……

……

Japan, Tokyo.

There is a time difference between the two places, which is seven hours.

In other words, what is evening for the French is morning for the Japanese.

Under these circumstances, Okada Shigeru received an urgent transoceanic telegram.

Because it was important intelligence, there was no need to skimp on the cost; the telegram described the matter in detail.

Two awards, and the entrustment of the French jury.

After reading it, Shigeru Okada took a deep breath.

Although the report didn't mention anything about washing butts, he could almost picture the guy's expression.

The secretary leaned closer, speaking cautiously: "President."

"What president? Where is the association?" Okada Shigeru called his secretary: "I want to see the news published tomorrow morning. There has been a problem within the film academy, and the people involved have been expelled. Since the founding of the Film Academy Awards, we have adhered to the principles of fairness and openness, and there will never be any favoritism."

"Then, buy a front page from the Asahi Shimbun to congratulate Furuya-kun on winning an award overseas."

"We need to pay more attention to the distribution of 'Violent Man' to ensure it reaches a wider audience and lets more people know about and pay attention to the film."

"One last thing." Okada Shigeru grinned, seemingly a little pained, but still lowered his voice and said it.

"In the name of Toei, on the grounds of thanking them for the success of the movie 'Sailor Suit and Machine Gun,' we'll pay them a visit when Mr. Furuya returns and present them with one..."

Okada Shigeru felt even more pained, but he still said that name.

"An imported sedan. Remember, don't choose the best, choose the most expensive!"

With the arrangements complete, Okada Shigeru breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that the film academy will not be his for the foreseeable future, at least not next year.

"However, that makes sense. Although that guy isn't a contracted artist with Toei, all his works so far have been collaborations with Toei. Since he's won awards overseas and gained both fame and fortune, even if we can't control him, we shouldn't push him to another company."

Kadokawa Group's own distribution capabilities are not strong enough. Although Kadokawa Shoten can handle some of the distribution work, it still needs to rely on existing theater chains for large-scale screenings.

So in a sense, Kadokawa and Toei are not rivals—at least not rivals forever.

Shigeru Okada looked down at the bustling traffic below.

Living in Japan, he could certainly sense the changes that had taken place in the Japanese economy in recent years.

so.

We must at least minimize the impact of this incident; we absolutely cannot let it affect Toei's stock price!
……

……

Paris France.

The quality of live television broadcasts today is not good enough, and they can only cover a small area, so of course, people cannot see the live broadcast of Cannes.

So, while Gu Ming was receiving his award, Zhen Xialong was still lying in his hotel in Paris.

It was probably because the power of Third Brother's Masala Small Round Ball was too great that Zhenxialong was still unable to get up.

"I can't eat this anymore! Indians are terrifying! I'll never eat Indian food again!"

Zhenxia Long was on the verge of tears: "I heard that the Cannes awards ceremony has started. I wonder how things are going with Gugu. Damn it, I should have gone to Cannes with him back then, and I wouldn't have had to eat those little masala balls."

“That’s not something we need to worry about.” Kayoko wrung out a towel and helped Manatsu Ryu wipe himself down. “You should focus on getting better. If you can’t fight anymore, how will you continue being an actor?”

“At that time, I had no choice but to sell the leather drum to Brother Gugu and then let him support me for the rest of my life.”

While making jokes, Zhenxia Long's eyes remained fixed on his girlfriend.

so.

Actually, he originally wanted to confess his feelings in France.

But you can't exactly confess your feelings while lying in bed! Besides, he's wearing a suit!

As a result, he missed the awards ceremony, doesn't know the outcome, his confession was unsuccessful, the trip didn't happen, and he's now troubled his girlfriend to take care of him all this time.

Those despicable Indians.

Zhen Xialong thought to himself, "How can Indians be so wicked!"

(End of this chapter)