Huayu02 started by making films.

The next morning, Han Yi went to the "Old Friend Restaurant" and borrowed a stove from the owner to cook some congee to take back to the hotel.

Pushing open the door, they saw Fan Xiaopang sitting on the edge of the bed, talking to Chen Chen.

Han Yi thought to himself: Little Fatty is quite sturdy. He was up half the night last night, but he can still get up so early today.

He placed the porridge on the table, looked at Chen Chen's slightly pale face, and said gently, "Chenchen, you should rest well at the hotel for the next few days. I'm going to watch some other movies and learn something."

Chen Chen slurped the porridge in small sips, sticking out her tongue lightly: "Where did you get this porridge?"

"There's a restaurant here run by a Wenzhou businessman; it's just a matter of offering a cigarette."

"Then go ahead, I'm too lazy to move anyway."

Fan Xiaopang's eyes flickered, and just as she was about to get up, Han Yi gave her a look, then turned and left.

Standing downstairs at the hotel, Han Yi dialed Robert's number. Soon after, Robert came running over, clutching a stack of photos; it seemed he'd had quite a haul last night.

Han Yi took the photo, glanced at it, and frowned, saying, "Why is it so small? I can't even see it clearly. Lao Luo, did you not use proper lighting?"

Robert protested, "I'm innocent, Han! I zoomed in as much as I could; any closer and I'd be spotted."

"Alright, alright." Han Yi waved his hand, pulled him aside, and whispered:

"Wear a mask, or find a local to make multiple copies of these photos and give them to reporters who look like me. Remember, make sure to print and distribute them widely."

Robert said with a pained expression, "Han, I'm afraid that if I do this, I'll be shot eight times in the back and commit suicide."

That's not wrong. Han Yi thought for a moment: "Then go back and pack your things first. Don't show the film for now. Find a boat to keep on hand, and leave as soon as you've sent the photos."

Robert pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Han, what do you do in your country? You don't seem like a director to me."

"Nonsense, I'm an upright person, what else would I be but a director?"

"Okay, Han, I'll do it. But when you go back to France to film, don't forget me."

"Absolutely."

After seeing Robert off, Han Yi randomly picked a theater, watched a movie, and then leisurely strolled back to the hotel.

For the next few days, he would sneak out to the next room every night in the middle of the night and then go back to his own room to sleep until noon before dawn, completely disrupting his biological clock.

Thursday, September 5th, is the premiere of "Selaginella".

The Venice Film Festival scheduled "Selaginella" for just a few days before its closing, which seemed rather disrespectful to the director. Of course, it could also simply be that there were too many films to screen this year.

One o'clock in the afternoon.

Han Yi, along with Chen Chen, Fan Xiaopang, and Jiang Wu, arrived at the screening room dressed in their best.

Under the arrangement of the staff, the group cooperated with the film festival's official photographer to take several promotional photos.

"Come on, look at the camera, smile, the two ladies are surrounding the gentleman... you dark-faced gentleman, move aside. Yes, that's it, perfect..."

Han Yi, with a woman on each arm, was in high spirits, even thinking it would be even better if they could play cards together. He glanced at Jiang Wu, who had a serious expression, and almost burst out laughing.

After taking the photos, Han Yi went backstage at the screening room and tested the playback equipment with the staff to ensure everything was working perfectly.

As is well known, among the three major European film festivals, Venice has the closest relationship with Beijing Film Academy, and it is no exaggeration to say that Venice is Beijing Film Academy's backyard.

Marco Müller, the Asian selector for the Venice Film Festival, came to China to study as early as 1974. He helped promote the works of directors such as Xie Jin, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Kai Zige, and Zhang Yimou to the international stage. His involvement was behind the participation of films such as "Yellow Earth" and "Raise the Red Lantern".

Unfortunately, it's not 2004 yet. Otherwise, given Tian Zhuangzhuang's friendship with Marco Müller, Han Yi would have dared to compete for the Golden Lion with "Selaginella".

It's exactly 2 o'clock.

Audience members and filmmakers entered the venue one after another. Han Yi, along with Chen Chen, Fan Xiaopang, and Jiang Wu, greeted the guests at the entrance.

"Thank you for coming. Please come in."

"Oh my, Sofia! You've become even more beautiful in just a few days."

"It's incredibly hot today, why don't you go inside and enjoy the air conditioning?"

At this moment, Han Shanping led Jiang Wen and Lu Taro over. Han Yi warmly stepped forward to shake hands:

"Mr. Han, it's been a long time. Your presence truly makes this screening room shine."

Han Shanping looked unwell and whispered in his ear, "Come support 'Looking for a Gun' tonight. If it doesn't sell, it'll be a real loss."

"Huh? What happened?" Han Yi asked, his mouth agape.

Han Shanping shook his head and didn't say anything more. Jiang Wen gave him a look, and Han Yi understood: Lao Luo's photos had worked.

Just after seeing Han Shanping and his group off, Han Yi turned around and saw Gong Li leading the other members of the judging panel to arrive late. There were two older male judges and a lady, Francesca Nelly, the female lead in the film version of "Hannibal".

Han Yi quickly went to greet them, exchanging pleasantries before leading the judges to their seats. As he greeted them, he secretly pondered: When will I ever become the president of the jury at one of the three major film festivals? When I get back to France, I'll have to study "The Intouchables" carefully; let's try the mass line.

Finally, Tian Zhuangzhuang pulled Marco Müller over as well. Now, everyone who was supposed to be there was there.

"Selaginella" is ready to be screened.

The film festival's host gave a brief speech, which was met with polite applause from the audience.

"Clap clap clap!"

The lights dimmed, and the screen lit up.

The film opens with a close-up of a plant—a resurrection plant.

The camera slowly pulls back, revealing a lone blade of grass growing in a crevice of a rock. Then, a foot steps down, and the female protagonist, Shanju (played by Fan Xiaopang), carrying a bamboo basket, walks heavily across it.

...(I won't go into the plot)...

Finally, with the help of the obstetrician, Shanju escaped from the hospital.

Outside the hospital, she witnessed human traffickers luring another young girl...

The image freezes, and the credits appear. The film ends abruptly.

Han Yi sat in his seat, glancing furtively left and right, thinking: Italians, young and old, give me some reaction.

Before he could finish his thought, the audience in the theater, as if by prior arrangement, suddenly erupted in applause, like a continuous, surging river...

"Clap clap clap!"

When Han Yi saw the host waving from the side of the stage, he led the main creative team onto the stage to express their gratitude.

Whether it was because Fan Xiaopang's portrayal of Shanju was exceptionally charming, or Jiang Wu's simple and honest face was so convincing, or perhaps the young director-producer duo of Han Yi and Chen Chen radiated their own light, the applause from the audience reached another climax, like the Yellow River overflowing its banks, unstoppable.

As Tian Zhuangzhuang clapped, he turned to the side and whispered to Marco Müller beside him, a pleased smile on his face.

Jiang Wen looked at Fan Xiaopang on the stage and thought to himself, "This film is aiming for the Best Actress award. Xiaobing's role is still a bit too small. I wonder if Gong Li will be willing to put in the effort to fight for him."

Han Shanping's hands were almost numb from clapping, and he secretly groaned: Why haven't these people stopped yet? My arthritis is about to flare up.

As for Lu Taro—don't mention him, Director Han thinks it's bad luck.

"Awesome—!"

"Han Yi is awesome!"

Han Yi instinctively looked in the direction of the sound, thinking it was Robert sneaking back. But when he saw it was a strange young man, he smiled back at him.

Because of the sensitive subject matter, even though Han Shanping was present, Han Yi still dared not speak too explicitly, for fear that Director Tong would get wind of it and fly over to reprimand him.

"Director Han, is this movie based on a true story?" a reporter asked.