1979: The child's mother is a celestial being.

Chapter 74 Transaction (First Order Request!)
Shanghai.

The Gong family.

"Sis, didn't you say last time that there would be an internal screening of your movie 'Andhadhun' at the studio? What's the exact date? Could you take me to see it too?"

Looking at her expectant younger sister, Gong Xue thought of the news she had heard at the factory today and shrugged helplessly, saying, "It's canceled, we can't watch it."

"Huh?" Gong Ying asked in surprise, "Why was it canceled?"

"I heard that the Asian film selectors for the Cannes Film Festival were in Beijing. They called to urge Director Han and Director Chen to take the film back as soon as possible. So they left this afternoon, and the planned screening had to be canceled."

"What a pity, so you haven't seen the movie yet either?"

"I haven't seen it, I can only wait for it to be released." At this moment, Gong Xue suddenly remembered that the two directors seemed to have discussed that this film might not be released in China. Instantly, she felt even more disappointed.

But then her sister's question echoed in her ears again: "By the way, sis, which country's film festival is the Cannes Film Festival from?"

"France, didn't you learn about that in your geography textbook...?"

Gong Xue's eyes lit up when the film festival was mentioned.

She suddenly remembered that she was the female lead, and if "Andhadhun" was really sent to an international film festival, she could definitely go too.

With this thought in mind, my mood improved again.

……

Beijing.

Film Bureau.

The Asian film selector sent by the Cannes International Film Festival this year is Pierre Lissent.

Old Li is a true Frenchman, born in 1936. Now 44 years old, he has worked as a film critic, co-founded a film club with friends, served as assistant director on Godard's "Breathless," and has also worked in media relations, art consultant, and producer. He has also directed films, including "Wu Jia Pi."

Now, Lao Li is one of the film selectors for the Cannes International Film Festival in Asia. Historically, almost all the Chinese films submitted to Cannes in the 1980s and 90s were recommended by him, such as Zhang Yimou's "Ju Dou," "To Live," and "Shanghai Triad," as well as the young poet's "King of the Children" and "Farewell My Concubine"...

As the Cannes Film Festival's selector for Asia, Lao Li naturally paid attention to Chen Fusheng, who won the Best Screenplay Award at the Venice Film Festival last year.

In addition, he learned through his own channels that the film Chen Fusheng and his team were making to generate foreign exchange was about to finish post-production, and Ling Zi's film adapted from the play "The Wilderness" by Chinese drama master Cao Yu was also under review. He suspected that both works might be sent to Venice, so he came to take a look in advance. If the quality was acceptable, he would snatch them away.

So when Chen Fusheng and Han Sanping "rushed" back from Shanghai, they first ran into Ling Zi outside Deputy Director Shi's office.

"Director Lingzi, you're here too."

Ling Zi nodded, glanced at Chen Fusheng and Han Sanping, and said, "You two look travel-worn. Did you just come back from Shanghai?"

"Yes, I heard that the Cannes Film Festival selectors came, so Director Shi called and urged us to come back. Director Lingzi, you didn't do the same, did you?"

"almost."

At this moment, Deputy Director Shi came out and was slightly surprised to see Chen Fusheng and Han Sanping at the door.

"You guys got back pretty quickly this time."

"Director Shi, since you've given the order, how could we dare to delay?"

"You've all worked hard."

Deputy Director Shi stepped forward and patted Chen and Han on the shoulder, saying some words of concern.

Then he looked at the box the two men were carrying: "Is this a box of film reels?"

"Yes, Bureau Shi."

"it is good."

Deputy Director Shi glanced down at his watch, then continued:
"There's not enough time. Here's what we'll do: you guys put the film reels in first, then hurry up and come to the projection room. This afternoon we'll show Lingzi's 'The Wilderness,' and tomorrow morning we'll show the foreigners your 'The Tuner.'"

Chen Fusheng and Han Sanping naturally had no objections to this.

When they finished loading the film reel and arrived at the projection room, they found that there were quite a few people there.

“Fusheng, you two come here. Let me introduce you. This is Pierre Lissent, the Asian selector for the Cannes Film Festival.”

"Hello Mr. Pierre, I am Chen Fusheng, welcome to China."

Old Li extended his hand to Chen Fusheng and said, "Chen, I know you. Your novel 'Cow' won the Best Screenplay Award at the Venice Film Festival last year. It's very good. I hope your new film will also be shown at the Cannes Film Festival awards ceremony this time."

"Thank you, but first we need your recommendation, Mr. Pierre."

"Of course, that's my job, but only if your movie doesn't disappoint me."

"That's definitely not the case."

"Haha, I'm really looking forward to it."

After exchanging greetings, everyone took their seats.

There were many leaders present, and Chen Fusheng and Han Sanping, who were considered young people here, tactfully sat in the back.

Soon, the movie began to play.

Liu Xiaoqing plays the female lead, Jinzi, in this film.

She was only 25 years old when she acted. Although she had a large face, her acting skills were still quite good. The background of "The Wilderness" is the same as Chen Fusheng's "The Tuner," both set in the Republican era, except that it is set in a remote rural area in the north.

The film's plot is somewhat dark, telling the story of a farmer named Qiu Hu who returns to his hometown to avenge his family's death. He is torn between love and hate with his former fiancée, Jin Zi, who has become the wife of his enemy. In the end, after taking revenge, he commits suicide while on the run, and his enemies also meet a tragic end.

After watching the movie, everyone felt somewhat heavy-hearted.

After a long silence, Han Sanping and Chen Fusheng couldn't help but whisper to each other.

What did you think of the movie?

"It's hard to say, the tone is too pessimistic," Chen Fusheng replied.

Han Sanping nodded in agreement: "I also think the plot is a bit too heavy. I didn't feel that way when I watched the play, but I didn't expect the movie to have this effect."

After a pause, Han Sanping continued, "I estimate that Lingzi's movie probably won't be released in China."

“It’s packed.”

In the front row, Pierre Lissent frowned slightly after watching the movie.

Although he didn't fully understand the movie, he felt it was missing something.

He didn't express his opinion today, planning to wait until tomorrow to watch Chen Fusheng and his team's "The Tuner" before making a decision together.

"Comrade Fusheng, Comrade Han Sanping, what do you two think of my film? Give me an objective evaluation."

After the screening, Chen Fusheng and Han Sanping, as members of the foreign exchange earning group, naturally stayed behind to help tidy up, and that's when Lingzi caught them and asked them this question.

"I think it's alright. Director Lingzi, your film uses strong dramatic conflicts and symbolism to deeply explore the love, hate, desires, and resistance of human nature, showcasing the tragedy and profound thoughts under feudal oppression. It's just that the viewing experience might be a bit heavy. If you want to release it in China, the censorship process will probably be a bit strict, but it should be fine to send it to international film festivals."

Seeing that Chen Fusheng had said everything he wanted to say, Han Sanping chuckled and said, "My views are similar to Fusheng's."

"Thank you, and I look forward to your performance of 'The Tuner' tomorrow."

Chen Fusheng then changed the subject, curiously asking about the other members of their foreign exchange earning group.

Lingzi thought for a moment and said, "Director Wu Tianming decided to adapt Ye Weilin's novella 'The River Without Beacon' at the end of last year. His script was only approved at the beginning of this year, and he's now back at the Xi'an Film Studio filming. As for Director Chen Huaikai, I heard he's working on a traditional opera film with Wang Ziyi, Zhang Yafei, and others. I wonder if it's been completed yet."

At this point, Ling Zi paused for a moment and said with some emotion, "You guys are really fast. The project was only started last October, and the post-production of the movie was completed this March."

"It's all thanks to Fusheng." Han Sanping wasn't just being polite; he genuinely believed it.

Ling Zi had also heard some rumors and smiled at Chen Fusheng, "Comrade Fusheng, how about we collaborate on the next movie?"

"I also want to work with director Ling Zi, but for my next film, I want to try directing it myself."

"You can direct?"

"He's incredibly capable," Han Sanping testified.

"I did hear before that someone at the Shanghai Film Studio gave you the nickname 'genius director,' is it all true?"

"That's an exaggeration."

"If you put it that way, then it seems to be true. I never imagined that you, Comrade Fusheng, were such a film genius."

"I can't accept that."

Chen Fusheng waved his hand modestly, then changed the subject, saying, "Director Lingzi, do you know where there are houses for sale in Beijing?"

"Hmm? You want to buy a house in Beijing?"

At this moment, not only Ling Zi cast a curious glance at him, but Han Sanping did the same.

“It’s not good to always stay in guesthouses, and I don’t know when I’ll get a room, so I’m thinking of buying one myself if there are suitable houses for sale.”

"Great job, no wonder you're a top writer and screenwriter, your income is really high." Lingzi joked, then nodded and said, "Okay, I'll look into it for you... By the way, what kind of house are you looking to buy?"

"Both apartment buildings and courtyard houses are fine, but I don't want apartment buildings that are too tall, and I don't want courtyard houses that are too crowded. It would be best if it were close to our workplace, so that it would be more convenient for commuting."

"Hehehe, you have pretty high standards." But Lingzi nodded anyway: "I happen to know a friend who's a middleman, I'll ask around for you later."

"Thank you very much."

"If things really work out, a verbal thank you won't suffice."

Seeing Chen Fusheng deep in thought, Lingzi thought he had misunderstood her meaning and added, "It's not too much for you to treat me to a meal, is it?"

“No.” Chen Fusheng shook his head, and then, under Ling Zi’s questioning gaze, continued, “I’ll write you a script.”

"really?"

"It's absolutely true, but it's not a free gift; you'll have to pay for it."

"Okay, deal."

Lingzi was surprised by this unexpected joy.

He quickly added, "Don't worry, even if you're not satisfied with my friend's house, I'll help you find one until you're happy with it."

Lingzi's willingness to go this far was not entirely due to the script, since she hadn't even seen it yet; she simply wanted to befriend Chen Fusheng.

(End of this chapter)