The entertainment industry: My 99 future timelines!

In mid-July, Li Xu was busy overseeing publicity and distribution when Jing Tian called.

"Li Xu, are you free tonight? I'll take you somewhere."

Her voice came through the receiver, gentle yet tinged with laughter.

"Where are you going? What's up? I've been a bit busy lately," Li Xu asked.

"It's nothing serious, just a private collection that recently received a batch of reproductions of Impressionist masterpieces. I think you'll like them. If you're busy, we can do it next time."

Jing Tian answered softly, but her tone clearly carried a hint of seduction.

Li Xu remained silent for two seconds.

The publicity campaign has been in full swing these past few days. He practically lives in the studio, dealing with massive amounts of data and feedback every day, his mind constantly racing.

It would be a lie to say I'm not tired.

But Impressionist masterpieces, new paintings, private collections—these words were incredibly appealing to him.

"Send me the address," he said quickly.

"No, I'll come pick you up. Seven o'clock, wait downstairs. Don't keep me waiting, hey."

Seeing that she had successfully gained the upper hand, Jing Tian "domineeringly" hung up the phone, and her triumphant laughter could be faintly heard from the other end of the line.

At 6:55, Li Xu walked out of the office building.

The summer night's heat hadn't yet dissipated, but the evening breeze already carried a hint of coolness.

He stood by the roadside, watching the traffic flow by, and for once, he seemed to be lost in thought.

A black sedan silently slid up in front of him.

It's not a particularly flashy car model, but anyone in the know can immediately tell that the modifications and maintenance of this car far exceed those of the regular version.

The car window rolled down, and Jing Tian, ​​sitting in the back seat, waved and said with a smile, "Director Li, get in the car."

Li Xu opened the car door and got in.

The air conditioning in the car was on full blast, and there was a faint, cedar-like scent in the air—not overpowering, but very pleasant.

"Have you eaten?" Jing Tian asked.

"I ate something; I had a sandwich around 4 PM," Li Xu told the truth.

Jing Tian didn't ask any further questions. She took out a thermos from the side and handed it to him: "I had someone make this soup. I knew you hadn't been eating properly lately. Drink some while it's hot."

Li Xu took it, opened it, and saw that it was cordyceps flower chicken soup, still warm. "Huh, it's no longer rock sugar stewed pear... cordyceps, good, this stuff is a tonic, but it feels like it's easier to poison it now..."

"Snow pears nourish the lungs, and cordyceps replenishes qi."

Jing Tian smiled and said, "Director Li, you decide which kind of poison you need, and I'll have someone prepare it."

Li Xu glanced at her and said, "You've gone astray, Miss Jing."

"One who stays near ink gets stained black." Jing Tian blinked, her eyes revealing a hint of smugness.

The car headed north, passing through the bustling city center, and gradually entered a quiet neighborhood.

The area is mostly comprised of detached buildings with high walls, dense trees, and streetlights casting dappled light through the sycamore leaves.

Finally, the car stopped in front of a rather unassuming gray building.

There was no signboard, only a heavy bronze door.

Jing Tian got out of the car, took out a card from her handbag, and swiped it on the sensor by the door.

The bronze door slid open silently.

"This is your friend's private collection?" Li Xu's eyebrows twitched. This thing was quite impressive.

"Of course, it's not open to the public."

"This mainly collects contemporary art, as well as some imitations by famous artists, and genuine works as well, though not many."

Jing Tian curled her lip arrogantly, led Li Xu inside, and said as she walked.

Pass through the entrance hall and enter the main hall.

The space has a high ceiling, the walls are clean white, and the lighting is carefully designed, making each painting seem to float in the light and shadow.

There are no superfluous decorations, only paintings, light, and space.

Li Xu's gaze was instantly drawn to the painting in the very center.

It was a huge oil painting, almost entirely in cool tones—dark gray, indigo, and emerald green.

The painting depicts the sea before a storm, with low-hanging dark clouds and surging waves. But in the very center of the painting, a beam of light pierces through the clouds and shines obliquely onto the sea, forming a broken path of light.

The light wasn't a bright golden yellow, but rather an almost pale silver, with a certain chilling quality.

"This painting is called 'Before Dawn'."

"It's not a famous painting, but the painter was very talented. He was Norwegian and lived at sea for three years."

"He said the sea is calmest before a storm because all the energy is building up. I think he might become famous after he dies."

Seeing Li Xu scrutinizing her, Jing Tian walked to his side and whispered, her words so sharp that Li Xu couldn't help but glance at her without saying a word.

He never expected that after only two months with him, Jing Tian, ​​this dignified young lady, would actually go astray and start talking badly about people.

Seeing that Li Xu didn't reply and only continued to silently look at the painting in front of him, Jing Tian suddenly spoke up:

"Li Xu, your film 'Love Announcement,' which I submitted to the Busan International Film Festival, has been approved."

"A few days ago, my dad had dinner at home, and a friend of his was there. He said he was very influential in South Korea. I casually mentioned your film, and he said he would help and that it might be selected for the New Currents section."

Li Xu turned his head.

He was pleased with the news. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me, there's no need to be so polite between us."

"Besides, I was just mentioning it casually. It mainly depends on the quality of your movie. My relationship with you can at most save you a little trouble in the early stages, but it can't determine the outcome."

Jing Tian smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, and waved her hand, not fully acknowledging the credit.

at night.

After viewing the new paintings in this private art collection.

Jing Tian's car drove out of the quiet neighborhood and rejoined the traffic.

Outside the window, the night view of Beijing is dazzling with lights.

Li Xu leaned back in his seat, watching the lights flash by, and the painting "Before Dawn" came to mind.

My movie has just finished filming and post-production, and it's still in the promotional stage. There's still some time before it's officially released and becomes a hit in theaters.

The sea surface in this painting is on the eve of a storm.

The scene is indeed very fitting.

-

In early August, when Beijing was at its hottest, a fax from South Korea rendered the air conditioner in Li Xu's post-production studio instantly useless.

"Busan! It's the Busan International Film Festival!"

Li Deyuan practically roared it out, his hand trembling as he clutched the thin piece of paper. "New Wave Competition! Official shortlist notification!"

Shen Ao snatched it away, his eyes wide like saucers. He checked the heading and signature three times to make sure it wasn't a prank. Then he turned around abruptly and jumped up, shouting, "Holy crap, we're awesome!!!"

Li Xu was on the phone in the inner room of the studio when he heard the noise and came out: "What's all the commotion?"

"Director Lee! Busan! We've made it!"

Li Deyuan handed the fax to Li Xu, his voice trembling with excitement.

Li Xu took it and quickly scanned the entire text in English.

It is indeed an official letter from the Busan International Film Festival organizing committee, formally inviting the film "Love Notification" to participate in the 12th Busan International Film Festival (held from October 4th to 12th) and to be shortlisted for the "New Currents" competition section.

The letter clearly outlines the relevant schedule, material submission requirements, and contact information.

Very formal, very official.

But every word carries a heavy weight.

"Has it been confirmed?"

Li Xu's voice was unusually calm.

"It's confirmed! I just spoke with China Film Group on the phone, and they've also received the official email!"

Li Deyuan spoke rapidly, "Manager Zhou from China Film Group said that we are the only film from mainland China to be shortlisted for the Korean New Wave this year! The only one!"

The New Currents section, one of the core competition sections of the Busan International Film Festival, is dedicated to the debut or second films of new Asian directors.

Each year, only about ten films are selected from hundreds. The jury is known for its sharp tongue, but winning an award is equivalent to gaining international recognition in the film industry.

Li Xu nodded and gently placed the fax paper on the table. "Understood."

He said that, then turned and went back into the inner room to continue the phone call that had been interrupted.

Wang Jing and Shen Ao looked at each other in bewilderment.

"That's...that's all? That's all the reaction you get?" Shen Ao said in disbelief.

Li Deyuan was also stunned. "Exactly, shouldn't he at least have shouted a couple of times? Has our Director Li not realized what's going on yet?"

"It's possible..." Shen Ao murmured incredulously.

Inside the studio, Li Xu continued his conversation on the phone: "That's the situation, yes, my film has been nominated for the New Currents."

"Okay, I understand. You're going to Busan too? Sure, see you then, thanks."

After hanging up Jing Tian's call, Li Xu plopped back into his chair, closed his eyes, and let out a long breath.

His palms were also sweaty at that moment.

His calmness was all an act.

How could I not be excited? This is a new wave!

Although it cannot compare to the three major European film festivals such as Cannes, its prestige is no less than that of domestic awards such as the Golden Horse Awards, making it one of the most important springboards for emerging Asian directors.

However, Li Xu knew even better that getting the film nominated was just a stepping stone, and the easiest step at that.

The real test will be whether they can win an award.

A few minutes later, he came out of the inner room of the studio again, while Li Deyuan and Shen Ao were still standing there, watching expectantly.

"Notify the entire team that there will be a meeting in half an hour."

"Also, please contact Manager Zhou at China Film Group and ask him to send someone over as well. We need to develop a complete plan for the Busan trip."

"Also, let's not release any press releases about this for now. We'll wait until China Film Group and I have finalized our stance before making any statements."

Li Xu spoke in a deep voice, his voice tinged with barely suppressed excitement.

"Okay, understood!" Li Deyuan and Shen Ao nodded in unison, exchanged a glance, and their faces shone with the same excitement.

-

Although Li Xu instructed his team members, including Li Deyuan and Shen Ao, to keep a low profile and not release any information.

But in the entertainment industry, news always gets out quickly, and secrets can't be kept forever.

That afternoon, Zheng Dongtian called.

The old man's voice came through the receiver, tinged with obvious satisfaction: "Busan has good taste, and you're even better, lad. The New Wave unit is quite significant. Li Xu, you've taken this step well."

"It's all thanks to Teacher Zheng's excellent teaching," Li Xu said sincerely.

Don't give me that.

Zheng Dongtian laughed and cursed.

"It's your own merit that made you successful. What did I teach you? I didn't teach you anything. Little Mu can barely say that."

"But I have to remind you, being nominated is a good thing, but don't get carried away. I've been to Busan. A good film is one thing, but whether the people involved know how to handle things is also very important."

"With your personality... never mind, just talk less, listen more and watch more. Film festivals aren't just places to watch films, they're also places to network."

"I understand." Li Xu nodded softly.

"Just remember that. Um... I have a few old friends here who are quite influential in the Asian film critic circle. I'll give you their contact information later. When you get there, you should make connections and not act all high and mighty," Zheng Dongtian carefully instructed.

"Thank you, Teacher Zheng."

"No need to thank me. You are a student from Beijing Film Academy. You have done a great job, and the school is proud of you."

Zheng Dongtian hung up the phone decisively, true to his usual style.

The rest of the day.

He didn't answer any of the indirect inquiries from the media, congratulations from colleagues, or attempts to curry favor with people he had worked with before. Li Xu forwarded them all to Shen Ao to handle.

Late at night, a familiar number called, and Li Xu finally answered. It was Liu Yifei.

As soon as the call connected, Liu Yifei's voice, which was trying hard to remain calm but was clearly tense, came through: "Director Li, I heard... there's news from Busan?"

"Yes, I just received the official notification today." Li Xu leaned back in his chair, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"oh."

Liu Yifei responded, "Then... do I need to go?"

Li Xu almost burst out laughing: "Senior, you're the female lead, don't you think?"

A very soft, almost limp laugh came from the other end of the phone, which quickly stopped.

"Yeah, right... cough, I was just confirming the procedure."

Liu Yifei's voice returned to its "dignified" tone, "So what do I need to prepare? A dress? An interview outline? Should I learn some Korean?"

"The China Film Group team will make these arrangements. What you need to prepare is to figure out what kind of Liu Yifei you want the international media to see in Busan."

A slight smile appeared on Li Xu's lips as he answered.

"What do you mean?" Liu Yifei asked, puzzled.

"Literal meaning."

"Are you going to continue being the 'Fairy Sister,' or do you want them to see that there's a young actress in China named Liu Yifei who's quite good at acting?" Li Xu calmly asked.

Liu Yifei's breath hitched.

After a long pause, she whispered, "I...I want them to see the latter."

"Then get ready."

"Busan is not like China. Even if the media and film critics there know a little about you, they won't be particularly familiar with you, and they certainly won't have many fans. They will only see you in movies and at the event."

"You're looking to change your career path, right? This is a great opportunity."

"I see."

Liu Yifei's voice was cheerful, then she suddenly seemed to remember something, "By the way, Li Xu, is the red carpet over there... long? I might walk slowly in high heels."

"It's not long, you won't fall."

"By the way, when you're doing the interview, remember not to get our movie title wrong," Li Xu joked.

"Li Xu!" Liu Yifei's voice was tinged with annoyance.

Li Xu shifted his old Nokia phone to his ear and began, his tone slightly more serious: "I'm serious. I'm really looking forward to your performance in the post-screening discussion and interviews. You should be able to handle the English, right?"

"After all, you've spent several years in the United States, so you're definitely not lacking in this area."

"Of course my English is fine!"

Liu Yifei immediately said, "But... I might need to prepare more about film terminology."

"Okay, when reporters ask about your role, be more specific and don't just say things like 'I'm very grateful to the director for giving me this opportunity'."

"If a film selector or critic likes our film more because of your interview answers, then you've exceeded expectations."

Li Xu whispered a message, preparing to end the chat.

"I know, I'm not stupid."

Liu Yifei muttered to herself, then lowered her voice, "Li Xu, this time... let's cheer each other on and fight side by side in Busan."

Li Xu raised an eyebrow: "Otherwise what? Am I supposed to go by myself?"

A hum came from the other end of the phone, and then the call ended.

Looking at the darkened phone screen, Li Xu shook his head. Liu Yifei, this senior, was quite interesting sometimes.

He put down his phone and looked back at the computer screen.

Above is the box office projection curve for "Love Announcement" and the Busan International Film Festival schedule.