I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

Chapter 61, "Memoirs of a Geisha," is a trap.
"I'm not that stupid!"

Fan Shuangbing's lips curled slightly, then she looked at Li Shuangbing sitting opposite her, thinking to herself: It seems this person has a very good relationship with Feng Dapao. If she does something foolish, will she say something...?

Click, click!
Cheng Sheng was speaking on stage when the reporters below quickly took photos, ready to publish the news the next day.

This is big news!
Cheng Sheng launched a scathing attack on his peers.

"Thank you all for taking up so much of your time tonight and for attending the celebration banquet."

After Cheng Sheng finished speaking, he walked back to the center position and handed the microphone to assistant director Liu Meng.

Liu Meng took the microphone, took two steps forward, expressed his gratitude, returned to his seat, and handed the microphone to the lead actor, Zheng Guolin.

In the following time, each member of the main creative team expressed their gratitude.

After that, the microphone was handed back to the host, and everyone returned to the audience.

The celebration banquet lasted for more than three hours before it ended.

After Cheng Sheng saw the guests off, he was about to go home when Su Chang came over.

"Is something wrong?"

Seeing Su Chang's hesitant expression, Cheng Sheng asked.

"I received an audition invitation from Hollywood, but I can't decide whether to go or not. I wanted to ask Director Cheng for your opinion," Su Chang said in a low voice.

Who sent you the notification?

In this era, domestic actors are all desperate to break into Hollywood, regardless of whether they suffer setbacks or not; Hollywood is their holy land.

If it were any other actor who heard an audition invitation from Hollywood, they probably would have accepted without hesitation, unlike Su Chang who hesitated.

Spielberg.

watt!

Cheng Sheng was shocked.

He originally thought it was just some small Hollywood companies or scam companies that saw Su Chang's influence in Venice and planned to use her fame to launch their films into the domestic market.

I never expected that it would be this film master who invited Su Chang.

Do you know the name of this show?

Although he was happy for Su Chang, Cheng Sheng felt he had to take it seriously since the other party had asked him to refer to it.

"They told me it was an art-house film with an investment of $8000 million..."

Before Su Chang could even say the movie's name, Cheng Sheng frowned.

Is an investment of 8000 million yuan for an art film a bit exaggerated?

Even if Spielberg is incredibly talented, isn't he afraid that this movie won't recoup its costs?
"The movie is called 'Memoirs of a Geisha', I think."

and many more.

Upon hearing Su Chang mention the movie's name.

Cheng Sheng suddenly remembered that there was a movie called "Memoirs of a Geisha" in the future.

This film is primarily aimed at ordinary people and the North American market, but the main actors are three Chinese.

Ok!

There aren't many young actors with international recognition in this era of everyday life. Besides, I guess foreigners think that all Asians look pretty much the same, so it's okay for Chinese actors to play everyday roles.

However, this movie was destined to flop.

For a film that isn't predominantly white, achieving high box office returns in North America is extremely difficult.

It's worth noting that even for Chen Long, his films only managed to break into the North American market by casting foreign actors as the leads.

For example, the Rush Hour series successfully combined action-comedy elements with North American audience acceptance by partnering with Chris Evans, which led to the film's huge success.

Chen Long carrying the box office on his own is fine domestically, but he's not doing so well internationally.

Therefore, Chen Long's movies in Hollywood are almost always paired with another Hollywood actor.

“Changchang, if you want to take my advice, then I don’t recommend you take this movie,” Cheng Sheng said.

This movie is a disaster for Chinese actors.

Su Chang is the best newcomer he nurtured in Venice, and he doesn't want Su Chang to make any mistakes.

"Why? Director Cheng, an investment of 80 million US dollars is equivalent to 600 to 700 million RMB. Are you really going to refuse such a big production?" Su Chang asked hesitantly.

Deep down, she wanted to accept the offer; she only asked Cheng Sheng for his opinion to put her mind at ease.

She was surprised that Cheng Sheng would ask her to decline.

"This movie is unlikely to succeed, and judging from the title, it's a movie about everyday life. You might even get criticized in China when it's released! It's best to refuse something that will damage your reputation and be thankless."

"Don't be misled by the idea that Hollywood is the holy land of movies. Your most important task right now is to proceed steadily and solidly, stabilize the domestic market first, and then consider venturing into the international market."

Cheng Sheng didn't lie to Su Chang; "Memoirs of a Geisha" was really a rip-off for Chinese actors.

What is a 'geisha'?
The reason why "geisha" is not "geisha prostitutes" is because of its special nature. Although most of them also work in places such as "prostitute brothels", this industry is a small-scale performing art profession, and such culture still exists today.

Just like the famous female prostitutes of ancient China who advocated "selling art but not their bodies," in short, geisha were such a person.

Geisha are the embodiment of these fantasies within everyday culture; they are young and beautiful, well-educated, understanding, and skilled in singing and dancing...

Of course, they receive strict and arduous training from a young age. They need to understand culture and etiquette, know how to dress themselves and decorate their homes, and be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, all to become excellent playthings for men.

Just like the lines in the play, "You are not a real geisha yet, unless you can make men stop in their tracks with just one look." To become such an "artist" in male culture, they are both "noble" and "lowly." The aloofness in their eyes is only to protect themselves, but the "distance" and "taboo" can also put them in danger.

But while glorifying geisha, in most people's eyes, aren't geisha just high-class prostitutes?

What were the consequences of Zhang Ziyi filming "Memoirs of a Geisha"?
She was mocked by ordinary people, criticized by her fellow countrymen, and even slapped by Gong Li. Although her acting skills were recognized by many, she ultimately ruined her reputation.

Spielberg originally approached Maggie Cheung to direct "Memoirs of a Geisha," but she declined, stating: "I don't want to dishonor my country's culture and be criticized by my hometown!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ziyi volunteered to be the female lead.

It's fair to say that some people have absolutely no bottom line when it comes to fame and money.

Cheng Sheng did not want Su Chang to follow the same path.

Fortunately, Su Chang listened to advice and said, "Then I'll have the company refuse."

"Wait a minute, don't rush to refuse. You didn't leak the news that Spielberg asked you to audition in Hollywood, did you?" Cheng Sheng stopped him.

"Only the company and Sister Li know," Su Chang said.

"Have your company leak this information, let people in China know that Spielberg invited you to audition, and make good use of this to create some buzz."

(End of this chapter)