The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 46 No way, Canon wants me to be its spokesperson?

……

There are not many concept drawings of "Life of Pi".

It is obvious that Li An has just started this project.

However, from the way he treated the stack of concept drawings, it can be seen that he attaches great importance to this project.

After Lu Zhiyuan flipped through it for a while, he couldn't help laughing.

"Director Li, your idea is really clever."

"The theme of this film is clearly inspired by Friedrich's famous painting, 'Traveler on the Sea of ​​Fog.'"

"However, the core of this film is borrowed from another romantic painter, Joseph Turner's 'Steamboat in a Snowstorm'."

"One is an illusion, the other is reality."

"You use a psychedelic visual style to let Life of Pi tell a fantastical story, exploring the core of [the value of self-existence]."

"I think this is a crazy experiment."

In fact, the visual style of this film combines the characteristics of various art genres.

It not only has the magnificence and mystery of romanticism, but also incorporates the artistic conception of oriental ink painting, the color expression of modernism, and some of the light and shadow beauty of impressionism.

It can be said that this movie is a visual enjoyment from beginning to end.

"When I first met you, it was like an old friend returning."

"Ayuan, it's so comfortable to talk to you."

This was his first meeting with Lu Zhiyuan, but when they chatted, it felt like they were old friends who had known each other for a long time, and it was very comfortable.

Li An couldn't help but sigh.

Then, he treated the coffee as wine and gently clinked his cup with Lu Zhiyuan to express his inner joy at the moment.

“[Turner] represents the violence and sublimity of nature, and the insignificance and shock of human beings in the face of nature.”

“[Friedrich] implies both human loneliness and divinity.”

"Both Pi and Elliot (the gay protagonist of 'Taking Woodstock') are marginalized members of mainstream society. The former needs to tell fantasy stories to prove his worth, while the latter needs to gain mainstream recognition by organizing music festivals."

"Obviously, Elliot, I failed in this attempt. The response to the several test screenings during this period was not good."

"I hope that Pi can succeed!"

Like Lu Zhiyuan, Li An likes to incorporate painting art into movies, elevating the entire film story to a more philosophical and aesthetic level.

And through its own unique perspective, it explores the conflict and integration of multiple cultures.

From a certain perspective, "cross-cultural director" is a unique label on Li An.

To possess one’s own unique visual label, in Lu Zhiyuan’s opinion, is the most magnificent medal of being a historical-level director.

"Ayuan, I'm afraid my cooperation with Focus Features is coming to an end."

Li An seemed to see the shadow of his own youth in Lu Zhiyuan.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of mutual admiration for this young genius.

This is a feeling he has never encountered in other Chinese-language directors.

In fact, the reason why James wanted to recruit Lu Zhiyuan to Focus Features was because of his strong recommendation.

James also wants to find another Chinese director who can replace Li An.

Because the once close cooperative relationship between Focus Features and Li An is about to end.

"why?"

Lu Zhiyuan was a little confused. He lowered his head and thought about it, and some fragmented memories emerged in his mind.

Even if the companies in Hollywood are nominally pursuing art, they are actually doing it to make money.

After all, running a company is not like running a charity, and capitalists don’t have surplus food!
It is very likely that it was Li An’s movie that caused Focus Features to lose money!

Li An chuckled, a hint of regret in his eyes, and said, "The senior management of Universal Pictures is very dissatisfied with the financial statements of Focus Features."

"The head office asked Focus Features to increase its commercial return rate from 15% to 25%, and an arthouse film director like me who didn't know how to save money suddenly became a thorn in their side."

"Taking Woodstock cost $3000 million to produce, and according to current market estimates, it's highly unlikely to even reach $1000 million at the box office. Even if the overseas and DVD rights are successfully sold, there's still a potential loss of $1000 million."

"Universal Pictures wanted to make an example of someone and I was unlucky. My movie flopped at this critical juncture, and I just ran into the trap."

At this point, Li An glanced at Lu Zhiyuan with a hint of envy in his eyes. "If I could be like you, spending very little money to get the look I want, James would definitely worship me like a bodhisattva. Universal Pictures would probably be waving checks every day, promising to increase their investment in me."

"Haha, just kidding."

"Actually, James is a nice guy. Universal Pictures is also pretty good. We've had a very pleasant cooperation over the years."

"However, there is a saying that is true: all good things must come to an end."

"Even if James and I have a good personal relationship, if the movie doesn't meet commercial expectations, not only will it be embarrassing for me, but it will also be difficult for him to explain to the board of directors."

"Besides, I also think Focus Features is a bit stingy... My next movie is going to be something big, and I'm afraid Focus Features can't afford it."

Even great directors have their own troubles!

Once a movie fails commercially, no matter how brilliant its achievements may have been, it will instantly become a discarded child of capital.

Lu Zhiyuan understood the hidden meaning in Li An's words.

His collaboration with Focus Features was about to end, and before leaving, he recommended himself to James of Focus Features.

James was eager to recruit talented people and just happened to need an art film director who was more cost-effective to replace Li An.

The two parties can be said to have hit it off immediately.

No wonder James took the initiative to come and see him.

The words imply that as long as Lu Zhiyuan is willing to sign his director studio to Focus Features, he will win the Palme d'Or at all costs.

"Director Li, thank you for your kindness. However, I'm not really interested in making art films."

The reason why Lu Zhiyuan chose "Maze" as his first film is that this movie has a small investment, high returns, and even the possibility of winning awards.

——He's not afraid of failure, after all, he showed Zhao Shanshan a plan B. In addition, his partner Xin Yukun, in another time and space, happened to be the original director of this movie.

Brother Kun writes scripts more fluently than diarrhea.

the most important is……

He has a half-crippled system, and only when he gets first place can he bring out the talent of his opponents.

Who can say for sure about winning awards?
This time, he finally saw the unspoken rules of Cannes.

Next time, if there is no sucker like James who comes forward to help, who can help him win the big prize again?
In comparison, impacting the box office and using the first place in the box office to get system rewards is obviously more reliable.

"Don't want to make art films anymore? Haha, you can't quit."

Upon hearing that Lu Zhiyuan wanted to give up art films and switch to making commercial films, Li An smiled faintly, thinking that Lu Zhiyuan was still too young and thought too simply.

Directors who have made art films will always have a restless heart.

When he goes to shoot a commercial film, once he encounters a certain plot or scene, it's like his DNA is moved, and he can't help but force his literary and artistic attributes into the commercial film.

By then, it will be easy to create something weird.

It is not easy to balance art and business.

……

The two of them talked for a while about other films at Cannes, and then, seeing that it was getting dark, they went their separate ways to have dinner.

Li An also has a private cocktail party in the evening.

As a big director, Li An's schedule is very busy.

"Lee, how's it going?"

As soon as Lu Zhiyuan left, James hurried over to find Li An and asked how the conversation between Li An and Lu Zhiyuan went.
Is there any way to bring Lu Zhiyuan under Focus Features?

"James, I advise you not to think about it."

Li An shook his head and couldn't help but say, "Can't you see? They are a family! No, not a family by blood. I mean, their relationship goes beyond ordinary partners. They trust each other deeply."

James suddenly realized: "That Miss Zhao has taken a fancy to A Yuan! After all, he is a talented and handsome young man. I understand that this kind of thing is also very common in the United States."

You know shit!
That's called a gentleman will die for his friend!

You are a yellow-haired guy and don’t understand.

Li An didn't want to explain more. As long as James knew that he couldn't deal with Lu Zhiyuan, it would be fine.

Don't bother him anymore.

He has done his best.

……

In the restaurant.

Zhao Shanshan invited Lu Zhiyuan to dinner alone.

As for Xin Yukun, I don’t know where he went. I guess he went to date a French girl?

This is Cannes, a resort town on the south coast of France, teeming with beautiful women.

Brother Kun was already extremely hungry.

"Ayuan, how was the talk with the director?"

"After talking with Li An, I became even more determined to stop making art films and focus on commercial films. In a word, I must never let my films flop."

Zhao Shanshan originally thought that Lu Zhiyuan and Li An had a mutual understanding. After all, they were both full of literary and artistic spirit and would probably talk a lot about art.

As soon as Lu Zhiyuan opened his mouth, he would definitely mention something like "Monet", "Degas", "Renoir" and so on, names that made her feel overwhelmed.

No one would have thought that Lu Zhiyuan, this artistic male god, decided to take the commercial route!
After being stunned for a moment, Zhao Shanshan immediately became happy.

"Commercial films are good. Don't worry about what to invest in. Our company can afford the losses."

Although art films can win awards, I can’t understand them myself.

If you want to brag to your girlfriends, they will probably ask you in return, "You? And you're a producer? Do you understand art?"

This sentence might choke her to death.

Besides, the loss wouldn't be that much... Lu Zhiyuan was really good at saving money. Furthermore, this guy was incredibly cunning, always able to trick others into sending him money.

Last time it was Canon.

This time it's Apple.

I don’t know who it will be next time.

"By the way, Canon and Fang Long's contract expired and was not renewed. This was because Fang Long made irresponsible remarks in front of the media again."

Speaking of this, Zhao Shanshan suddenly became interested: "Guess, if Canon wants to find a new spokesperson for the Asia region, who will they choose?"

Lu Zhiyuan shook his head. How would he know?

"Ha ha……"

Zhao Shanshan couldn't help laughing and said mysteriously, "Guess what? There's a prize for guessing!"

Seeing Zhao Shanshan's interested look, Lu Zhiyuan suddenly felt a little strange.

She is obviously a wealthy lady, why is she acting like a child today?
and many more!

In an instant, Lu Zhiyuan thought of something and his eyes widened slightly.

"Could it be..."

He hasn't finished yet.

Zhao Shanshan smiled and nodded. "Yes, it's you! The person in charge of Canon China couldn't contact you, so he contacted me a while ago and said he wanted you to be their spokesperson."

"I'll wait until Cannes is over and then I'll sign an endorsement contract with you after I return home!"

"Congratulations, Ayuan!"

(End of this chapter)