Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 85 A Shocking Turn of Events in Venice! [Please Subscribe]

As Zhang Yimou pondered Cao Zhong's words, his expression became uncertain.

Why are you so sure those two votes were inevitable?

Zhang Yimou asked in a deep voice.

"Because of artistic style, the artistic style you emphasize can only be expressed as higher when you choose the same type of artistic style."

Cao Zhong smiled and said, "Besides, I don't know if they've been paid or not. And the vote is coming up soon. Director Zhang will be able to see for himself whether those two votes are a sure thing or not."

This is not something I should be explaining; once art is defined, many people will praise it.

Isn't that the reason for Ozu's work? It's just that the definition of his *Tokyo Story* is in the hands of *Sight and Sound* magazine.

Zhang Yimou's breathing became heavy.

Previously, he had a vague feeling that the three major European countries had political intentions, so he had a falling out with Cannes.

But at this moment, upon hearing Cao Zhong's analysis, Zhang Yimou felt a faint sense of fear.

"As you say, all of this was directed? And I was just an actor?"

This thought shocked Zhang Yimou even more: "So all those film awards I received before were given to me by the director?"

“No,” Cao Zhong emphasized, “I think their film selection criteria are based on stereotypes. The West isn’t monolithic, but they have a natural aversion to films with different ideologies.”

Ugliness can be beautiful, but ultimately, it's a human judgment; some have a high threshold, others a low one.

Furthermore, I don't believe they'll be involved all the time, because the definition of art in mainland China has already largely reached a unified standard; any nomination is simply a matter of profit.

“And since last year, it has been a clear task.”

As the grand spectacle of Chinese civilization is about to unfold, those at the deepest levels of society need to complete certain tasks to prepare for its potential blossoming.

Starting last year, fh's "The Good Man" won the Golden Lion, and this year, you, the director of the Olympic Games opening ceremony...

Master Zhang Yimou will award a Golden Lion to the selected winner, and then their mission will be complete.

Cao Zhong added as a final statement:
"Director Zhang, don't forget that last year's 'The Good Man' also entered the main competition in the final stage by using the method of a 'surprise film'."

Upon hearing Cao Zhong's last words, Zhang Yimou's expression changed.

He almost forgot if he hadn't been reminded.

Last year's Golden Lion winner was a "surprise film" that was only shortlisted for the main competition at the last minute.
The so-called surprise film is a special competition segment that is added temporarily during the main competition and announced at the last minute before the judging begins.

Logically speaking, the Golden Lion shouldn't be awarded to films in this category.

Because it offends too many people

This means that the previous twenty films were all runners-up, but last year, this surprise film won the Golden Lion and took home the final crown!

Zhang Yimou instantly felt a chill run down his spine!
Although he still had some lingering doubts, Zhang Yimou was now seven-tenths convinced.

The two did not engage in any further in-depth conversation, as they had already discussed things quite thoroughly.

Yang Mi, who had just finished showering, had been standing next to Cao Zhong the whole time, not daring to breathe loudly.

Only after hanging up the phone did he cautiously inquire.

"Is that Director Zhang?"

Cao Zhong nodded. "It was him. He was in Venice and called me."

Yang Mi asked in surprise, "I just heard you talking about some very in-depth topics again. Do you think he understood them?"

"You think everyone's like you, unable to understand anything? You're so stupid." Cao Zhong glanced at Yang Mi. "You got over 500 points on the college entrance exam, is that for real?"

"Really, really!" Yang Mi angrily slapped Cao Zhong. "How many points did you get?"

"I also scored over 500 points."

"We're the same, we're the same!" Yang Mi pouted angrily. "Don't call me stupid!"

Cao Zhongdao said, "I took the Shandong exam."

Yang Mi: "I'm from Beijing... Ugh, let's not talk about that. Do you think you convinced Director Zhang just now?"

“I don’t know,” Cao Zhong said. “But he has to think about it. If I beat him the same way I beat Jia Zhangke, he won’t be able to take it.”

"Because my logic is closed," Cao Zhong said, patting Yang Mi's smooth back. "And now, at least some people will listen to what I say."

Yang Mi asked, "What about the Olympics you mentioned earlier?"

“I guessed,” Cao Zhong said.

"To undermine your confidence, you'll need to create weaknesses in how you present that confidence."

"So, what you just mentioned, is it the same thing as the dog leash from last time?" Yang Mi asked.

"More or less. But this time it's more covert. From what I just heard from Director Zhang, he's just a pawn."

"And what about director Ang Wang?"

“Perhaps they are pawns, perhaps not,” Cao Zhong said. “I will not comment on Americans.”

"I'm a little confused, what's their purpose in doing this?"

“Create your baseness, obscure your narrative, and undermine your civilization,” Cao Zhong said. “This is a long process of transformation, not something that can be accomplished overnight. Once the mission objectives are achieved, they can go on a carefree vacation. It’s all done by people. As long as the basic objectives are met, that’s enough. As for the effects, influencing a portion of the population is sufficient.”

Cao Zhongdao said, "Look, aren't there many people who criticize my films for being extreme and say that I don't understand art? There must be a group of people who have been influenced by this, and it's even uncertain whether they received money or not."

"oh oh."

Yang Mi seemed thoughtful, then asked, "If Director Zhang really gave it to you, would you really hit him?"

“Even if we were to fight, it would be after the Olympics,” Cao Zhong said. “That’s why I told you not to tell you about our close relationship. There are countless eyes watching me in the shadows.”

Yang Mi pouted, feeling sorry for me again: "I know you're doing this for my own good."

A moment later, Yang Mi lowered her head and they became intimate.

……

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yimou, in the Lido Island Hotel, narrowed his eyes fiercely.

He didn't know if Wang An had instigated him to play Mr. Yi, or if Cao Zhong had said there was a hidden hand behind it. But thinking about how he had rejected the film, he didn't know whether he should be happy or scared.

"That son of a bitch, was he doing this on purpose?"

If he acts in it, it seems there's no need to award the Golden Lion, because a connection has already been made.

Cao Zhong's words have their merits. Zhang Yimou is unsure whether such collusion can have any impact on the so-called influence on Chinese civilization, but one thing is certain: it is disgusting enough.

If what Cao Zhong said was true, and Zhang Bei was behind all of this, then their purpose was to disgust you. Zhang Yimou suddenly felt that this trip was like entering a dragon's den or a tiger's lair.

Fortunately, Jiang Wen at least gave him a choice.

If all else fails, I'll give it to another movie.

……

A few days flew by.

2007 9 Month 8 Day.

day.

Ten hours before the awards ceremony.

By this time, the popularity of "Nanjing Photo Studio" had been surpassed by the popularity of the Venice International Film Festival.

Along with Venice, the phrase "Cao Zhong's prediction" also appeared on the headlines of major portal websites, which also brought Jia Zhangke to the top of the trending searches.

These days, international film festivals have a significant impact on the domestic entertainment industry. It's common for directors to become top directors and actors to rise in status after winning an award.

Moreover, this year's main competition includes four Chinese-language films.

For two consecutive years, Chinese-language films have won the Golden Lion, a source of great pride for the entertainment media and industry insiders. This year, the almost 5 to 1 ratio has generated even more excitement, with everyone eagerly awaiting the award.

It was afternoon in China, and the news online was already in an uproar.

Venice Film Festival News Flash: Director Ang Wang returns to Venice from Toronto and has been invited to attend the closing ceremony; may his film "Eileen Chang" win an award?

Four Chinese-language films are fiercely competing for the Golden Lion. Can Chinese films achieve a three-peat at Venice?

"Cao Zhong, the director of 'Nanjing Photo Studio,' previously criticized the Venice International Film Festival awards, and has not shown his face for three days now!"

Will Cao Zhong's predictions come true? Director Wang An's last-minute return to Venice adds to the mystery?

"The box office of 'Nanjing Photo Studio' has exceeded 3.5 million yuan, becoming the highest-grossing film in China, just one step away from becoming the highest-grossing film in the country!"

"Director Jia Zhangke's new film 'Useless' won the Best Documentary Award in the Horizons section of the 64th Venice International Film Festival, adding glory to Chinese-language films."

Meanwhile, in a meeting room at a hotel on Lido Island, Zhang Yimou was making his final efforts.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this film, 'The Sun Also Rises,' is a magical realism film that embodies a beautiful and poetic Chinese epic. Whether it is Soviet cannons, a Chinese madwoman, lost ideals, or the distorted life under a grand narrative, the obliteration of two love stories, the entanglement of two generations, a cycle of reincarnation, an old dream, death ends, new life is born, a painting within a painting, a nested nest, one generation goes, one generation stays, the earth endures, and the sun still rises."

Zhang Yimou looked at everyone and said, "This is absolute art."

Foreigners sometimes don't understand, so Zhang Yimou explains things to them very thoroughly, and even talks about things that can't be discussed in depth.

Moreover, because of these things, Zhang Yimou was somewhat convinced by Cao Zhong's triple structure. After watching the film carefully many times, Zhang Yimou did see the metaphors in "The Sun Also Rises".

Zhang Yimou talked in great depth, but when he talked about new life and the sun rising as usual...

Dutch director judge Paul's heart skipped a beat. How could such a great European director allow the sun of China to rise? A little voice inside him immediately made him feel a natural resistance, and he shook his head, saying:

"Zhang, I understand your point of view, but I don't think this movie is good enough. It seems to imitate Quentin Tarantino's narrative style."
I think the revised version is better. This film depicts the persecution of innocent Iraqi girls by the US military. It has a very experimental feel, like a documentary, with a constant sense of tragic despair. Although it's about an unnamed girl who died, the director is very brave to use real events as background. I want to choose this one.

Mexican director Alejandro González wanted to choose the French film "Mullet and Grain," which he considered a relay race about dignity.

Several people had differing opinions, but the two female judges were in agreement, as if they had already discussed it beforehand, and decided to choose "Ailing".

Zhang Yimou was stunned, seeing that what Cao Zhong said was about to become a reality.

Zhang Yimou's inner doubts inevitably deepened.

Five hours before the awards ceremony.

After five hours of effort and analysis, the Mexican director finally decided to follow Zhang Yimou's choice of "The Sun Also Rises." However, Paul criticized Zhang Yimou again: "Zhang, if you insist on competing for awards for Chinese-language films, I think you should choose 'Ailing' instead of 'The Sun Also Rises.'"

Zhang Yimou squinted his eyes.
The discussion, which lasted for more than five hours, left him parched, but he realized that he couldn't influence the outcome at all.

Even a tie won't work.

Moreover, these people reacted very naturally.

There is no clear intention behind it.

Zhang Yimou is exhausted.

After leaving the hotel, Zhang Yimou went to the bathroom, washed his face, and took a deep breath.

he whispered.

"Fuck you!"

……

Three hours before the awards ceremony.

It's evening in China.

Venice is suddenly in turmoil!
Entertainment media outlets suddenly released breaking news headlines.

"Zhang Yimou, president of the jury for the 64th Venice International Film Festival, has experienced serious health problems during the judging process. After evaluation by the medical team, he needs to immediately return to China and be admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital!"

In Beijing, New Pictures held a press conference, where Zhang Weiping addressed domestic media and issued a statement.

"Director Zhang Yimou had to leave the Venice International Film Festival due to health issues, and New Pictures Pictures deeply regrets this."

The specific details will be disclosed to the public as soon as the hospital confirms the situation. It is initially believed that the physical and mental strain of the Olympics, coupled with the long-distance travel, has increased the burden on the body.

There's no need for excessive worry. This flight is a chartered plane returning to China, and there will be dedicated medical personnel on board to provide care and ensure Director Zhang Yimou's health at all times.

Zhang Weiping faced the camera with a solemn gaze: "We deeply regret this incident and apologize to all the filmmakers participating in the Venice International Film Festival. However, due to director Zhang Yimou's health condition, I am unaware of his opinion. Therefore, the list of winners for this film festival has nothing to do with director Zhang Yimou."

"Director Zhang Yimou's health condition is currently stable. We solemnly warn all media outlets not to spread rumors, not to cause trouble, and not to fabricate facts. Otherwise, New Pictures will definitely sue to the end, even to the point of bankruptcy!"
Furthermore, do not fabricate health problems for Director Zhang and damage his reputation!

Zhang Weiping's remarks were very serious, and people in the entertainment industry all know his temperament and understand it.

It was precisely because of Zhang Weiping's performance that everyone believed him. If the matter wasn't serious, Zhang Weiping wouldn't have given such a serious warning to the media.

Moreover, the hospital they mentioned is legitimate.

Beijing Tiantan Hospital is the best brain hospital in the capital.

People have been speculating that it might be due to a brain tumor or something that caused the dizziness.
In any case, everyone believed it.

Who would joke about their own body?
The entire film industry worldwide fell silent because the matter was so outrageous.

Cao Zhong couldn't help but laugh when he saw the news.

"Damn, you don't want to offend anyone or be infamous, so you retire due to illness? Zhang Yimou, you're something else!"

Cao Zhong was shocked!
This move was brilliant! Cao Zhong knew Zhang Yimou's health well; he was still very energetic in his seventies and eighties, how could he possibly retire due to illness!
(End of this chapter)