Huayu02 started by making films.

……

Meanwhile, the situation outside Cannes had quietly changed.

The first thing El did after developing the photos was to make copies, and then he and a group of brothers covered all the empty walls of the Palace of Film Festivals overnight.

The posters all featured the title "The Intouchables"—with Han Yi in the center and the words "Sino-French Co-production" behind him.

Many people got up early and arrived at the cinema palace, their interest piqued by the overwhelming posters, and they crowded to the front desk to inquire:

"I want to watch 'The Intouchables'!"

"Where's the new 'Cowboy' movie? Give me a ticket, front row only!"

The receptionist looked completely bewildered when asked, and quickly explained, "This movie was already shown yesterday..."

"What? Then why did you put up such a big poster?"

"I don't care, I'm going to watch 'The Intouchables'!"

"Believe it or not, I'll report you at the film festival!!"

Soon, the front desk of the Palais des Festivals was packed with audience members. The young woman, who had never experienced anything like this before, quickly called over the manager.

Finally, the bearded manager stepped forward and assured that "it will be available starting tomorrow," and the crowd gradually dispersed.

The latter half of the night.

Han Yi was being fed in bed when the Cannes Film Festival manager called. Zhang Min answered and held the phone to his ear.

"Manager with the big beard, what's up?"

"Han, your film 'The Intouchables' is a huge hit. The film festival has decided to add a few more screenings. Get ready, it starts tomorrow."

"Oh? Which theater will it be showing as an encore?"

"The biggest one. That's settled then."

The phone hangs up.

Zhang Min looked at Han Yi with her watery eyes filled with mist.

Han Yi understood immediately. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

In the following days, "The Intouchables" had several more screenings, all of which were sold out.

Han Yi repeats the same old phrases over and over again every day, almost memorizing them perfectly.

He also took some time to attend the premiere of "Purple Butterfly" to show his support. When you're away from home, you should always help out your own people.

Robert, on the other hand, spent every night in midnight theaters promoting his wife's new film, and every showing was packed.

That day, Han Yi saw Philippe and Arnaud off at the airport.

The two enjoyed themselves quite a bit during the film festival. Just before boarding their plane, Arnault pulled Han Yi aside and whispered:

"Han, do you think my life story could be adapted into a movie?"

Han Yi was secretly overjoyed, but feigned a serious expression on his face:

"Mr. Arnault, your history with the LVMH Group is itself a living movie. Adapting it... is indeed quite difficult."

Arno beamed with joy upon hearing this and patted Han Yi on the shoulder:

"Money is no problem as long as we can film it. Come find me after Cannes, and we'll talk in person."

Han Yi nodded in agreement.

After seeing the two big shots off, Han Yi went to the arrivals gate. There stood Xie Yi from the new line, her round belly protruding, swaggering out of the station with an air of nonchalance. Upon seeing Han Yi, she exclaimed:

"Han! I knew you would come to pick me up."

"Come on, I'm just going that way anyway," Han Yi said, scoffing.

The two got into the car, and the conversation continued:

"Han, I heard 'The Intouchables' is doing well in Cannes? Want to add fuel to the fire?"

"Too much of a good thing is bad; this is just right. Get ready, I want the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar next year."

"No problem, it's just public relations, I'm good at it."

"That's true. How's your Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King coming along?"

"It's expected to be released at the end of the year. For the third film, Warner Bros. plans to get involved directly and do some PR for next year's Oscars. They can just include 'The Intouchables' in the mix."

"Sure. What about the public relations expenses?"

"Let's go together."

……

On May 23, the film festival screenings came to an end.

Jiang Wen got up early that day and watched the last film nominated for the main competition with Chairman Pat.

They then returned to the hotel where the judging panel was staying, ready to begin the award bidding process.

This time, he plans to win Best Actor for his younger brother and Best Director for his half-brother Yi, and he'll be satisfied.

The hotel's conference room.

Pat, seated in the main seat, got straight to the point:

"The film festival screenings are basically over. We're now conducting preliminary judging, and the grand prize winner will be determined by noon tomorrow. Does anyone have any objections?"

"good!"

No objections.

The purpose of this meeting is to initially screen the entries that are eligible to receive a share of the prize, and to determine a few minor awards. As for those that are not selected, they can basically pack their bags and go home.

Just as Bosnian director Dennis was about to speak, Jiang Wen interrupted him, saying, "Ladies first, let's hear what Karin has to say first."

"Okay, okay, ladies first!"

"Thank you." French actress Karin, an old acquaintance of Pat, rose to greet him. She then spoke:

"I nominate 'The Intouchables.' It's a Sino-French co-production, and the director is Han, who also directed 'The Cowboys' at Cannes. It would be a shame if it didn't make it into the final competition for the Palme d'Or..."

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!"

"Slap slap slap!!!"

"America's Sweetheart" actress Meg led the applause.

Jiang Wen understood the situation immediately. His younger brother Yi had strong connections in Cannes, so it seemed he wouldn't need to intervene.

Chairman Pat said, "Now, let's vote by show of hands!"

"The Intouchables" advances directly to the next round.

Next, Dennis spoke. Surprisingly, he didn't mention "Elephant" or "The Intouchables," but instead nominated "Uzak," a film by a Turkish director.

Since it wasn't a particularly popular film, the judges raised their hands only sporadically, and the film was quickly dismissed.

An Italian screenwriter nominated the Canadian film "Savage Invasion".

French actor Pierre was nominated for the local film "Little Lily".

Jiang Wen naturally supported "The Intouchables," and Spielberg also raised his hand, after all, he had been taken to the island by Shay...

The meeting lasted for more than an hour, and after cuts, 8 of the 21 films in the main competition were ultimately selected.

"The Elephant" and "The Intouchables" are prominently featured.

As for the other awards, they are just formalities, such as encouragement awards and newcomer awards, and are not within the scope of the judges' focus.

The meeting ended in the evening.

Jiang Wen pulled Pat downstairs for a smoke, and the other judges followed. The two non-smokers also said they needed to get some fresh air.

The main picture is pretty clear: "The Intouchables" is the hottest film this year. Many of the judges are actors, and they all want to take this opportunity to become familiar faces and build relationships.

Jiang Wen had just applied some herbal poultice to Patty's face when he heard his younger brother's honest voice behind him:

"Sigh, I don't even know if we'll make it to the finals..."

Jiang Wen looked up and saw Jiang Wu, François, and Robert walking and chatting not far away, laughing and having a great time. Anyone who didn't know the situation would think that these two were already Cannes Film Festival Best Actor winners.

Jiang Wen felt a pang of resentment: "When 'Devils on the Doorstep' came to Cannes, it won a jury prize but was banned from directing for five years, and it's still banned. And now, it's tearing up awards for its own people? What kind of nonsense is this?"

But then I thought: one is a younger brother, and the other is also a younger brother. If I don't fight for them, who will I fight for?

Just then, Jiang Wu and the other two approached. Jiang Wu was about to go up and greet them when Jiang Wen turned around and strode upstairs, seemingly trying to avoid suspicion.

Silent all night.

The next day was the day before the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. Whether I could make it to the finals depended on whether I could receive that phone call that night.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Jiang Wen walked into the conference room in high spirits and began the second round of the argument.

During the first half of the meeting, several small awards were announced: the Chopin Newcomer Award and the Golden Coach Award. Jiang Wen was not interested and raised his hand throughout the meeting, following his senior, Pat.

As for Lou Ye's "Purple Butterfly," it didn't even make it into the top eight, so there's no point in trying to defend it.

"Now we will begin the judging for the main competition. The eight shortlisted films are..."

"The Palme d'Or for Short Films has been awarded to 'Cracker Bag.' No problem, let's start voting."

Swish, swish, swish, everyone raised their hands.

It passed with six votes.