Huayu: Enjoy Yourself

Chapter 25 The Tranquil Seaside

Although a number of companies were turned down, manufacturers continued to come knocking on the door.

Chen Andu was rejected by Lin Dajiang, who chose to discuss it at the last minute.

The screenings of "Run Lola Run" are becoming increasingly popular. If it weren't against the rules, Cannes would have liked to add another theater for "Run Lola Run".

Nowadays, many people greet the crew members when they walk on the street, especially Ning Jing.

Whenever she goes out, many people call out "Lola" and ask for her autograph.

Its popularity is evident.

As the film festival progressed, the jury members also gathered together.

The discussion was about the award arrangements, and this was the most intense moment of the exchange, with the blonde beauty, Greta Scáthach, passionately expressing her views:

"I absolutely disagree with awarding Best Director to 'Fargo,' and I also disagree with rejecting 'Run Lola Run' because of age!"

Meanwhile, cinematographer Michael Bauhaus, who had photographed numerous classic Hollywood works, also stood by his decision:

"I don't deny the excellence of 'Run Lola Run,' but its director is just too young. He's only twenty years old. If it weren't absolutely true, I wouldn't believe that such a young director could have made it. He has many more opportunities to come, and 'Fargo' is also excellent!"

"While Fargo is excellent, it falls far short of the innovative filming of Run Lola Run! I absolutely disagree with denying the excellence of a film simply because of its age."

The blonde beauty is not going to back down on this issue. She loves this film, which symbolizes feminism, and feels she must stand up for it and gain more publicity through the Cannes Film Festival.

Michael Bauhaus stood by his choice, and this serious German man argued his case forcefully:

"While 'Run Lola Run' is excellent, its core dramatic conflict doesn't compare to 'Fargo.' Giving this award to such a young director will make others question the credibility of Cannes!"

"Therefore, I support Best Director. This award belongs to directors. The approach taken in 'Run Lola Run' is a groundbreaking innovation. If it's rejected because of age, then the 42nd Cannes Film Festival wouldn't have awarded the Palme d'Or to 26-year-old Steven Soderbergh. Your actions are undermining the credibility of the Cannes Film Festival and the entire jury this year!"

The blonde beauty unleashed her ultimate move, pulling everyone into the battlefield.

Seeing this, the people behind also spoke up and expressed their opinions.

After all, they've already dragged themselves into this, and they're genuinely worried that if things continue, the two of them might start arguing, which would be bad enough, but if they end up cursing at each other, it would be a much bigger problem.

Ultimately, unable to reach an agreement, the two sides decided to have everyone vote to decide.

All three female members of the jury chose to support him, and Tran Anh Hung, who had met him once before in Venice, also raised his hand in support.

However, there were only four members opposing the proposal.

Henri Chapier, a French journalist, film critic, television presenter, and documentary film director, chose to abstain. He actually quite liked the filming techniques of "Run Lola Run," but "Fargo" was also excellent.

Neither side was a good choice, so in the end they had to abstain.

Finally, the most important decision-making power was handed over to Francis Ford Coppola, who had remained silent until now.

The jury president for this year's competition is the renowned director who once shocked the world film industry with "The Godfather" trilogy.

Even the blonde beauty Greta Scáthach was disheartened by this scene and gave up hope, after all, this great director came from Hollywood.

At this time, Chen An was still in the hotel reading movie reviews.

It's not easy to go out now, unlike before when I could wander around without attracting attention.

As the director of "Run Lola Run," one of the most anticipated films at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Chen An is also known to many.

Who told him to add his own photo to the promotional posters at the event to promote his movie and show off his youth?

To attract more people to watch their movies, they also made sure that many of the moviegoers recognized them when they went out to watch the film.

They ran over and started chatting with Chen An, but Chen An couldn't understand what they were saying, only words like "like" and "Lola".

I guess I messed up myself, which is why I hardly ever leave the hotel now.

Ning Jing is even worse off. As the main character, he knows everyone he goes by, not just the audience, but also various interviews.

Now he's staying in the hotel and not going out.

The film crew members gathered in a room, playing cards and chatting at the same time.

"I went to Venice with your brother for a movie before, but it wasn't this amazing. Now, people recognize me everywhere I go on the street, and it's so annoying that I can't even go out for a walk."

Ning Jing, feeling rather agitated, spoke to Jiang Wu beside him.

She finally managed to get a trip abroad, but now she's stuck in a hotel and wants to explore the area.

Now, people here are even more enthusiastic about her than they are back home. She gets recognized everywhere she goes and people want her autograph.

"It's good that you're popular. It means people like our movie. Besides, there are only a few days left. The film festival is almost over, and the closing ceremony and awards ceremony are in a couple of days."

"Just bear with it and it will pass."

Jiang Wu was also helpless; his situation was only slightly better than Ning Jing's, after all, he was the male lead.

I know quite a few people, and my rugged features are quite distinctive here.

Many people pulled him along the street.

Although this was the first time he had ever been so popular, it was okay once or twice. He could even be dragged along and talked for a long time about the wine he wanted to buy at night.

He couldn't take it anymore and also hid in the hotel.

"If I could win Best Actress, that would make up for my loss."

Ning Jing lay on the chair, feeling that if she could win the Best Actress award, all her suffering would have been worthwhile.

Not counting now, she suffered the most during filming, often running until she was exhausted.

Chen An couldn't care less about anything else; he had to meet his own standards, so he clicked the shutter again and again.

It took a lot of effort to finally finish the film, which was tough on Ning Jing.

"I think so too, but I'm afraid I don't have a chance for Best Actor. This movie is mainly about your performance, and I, the male lead, am like a supporting character."

Jiang Wu also knew that his performance was far from that of a Best Actor, both in terms of acting skills and the film's presentation.

It originally had little to do with the male lead.

The film's main focus remains on its entirely new expressive techniques and female lead.

"Let's stop talking. It's getting more and more annoying. It's getting dark. Let's find a restaurant to eat."

Ning Jing became increasingly agitated as he thought about it, and called everyone to head to the restaurant.

After we covered ourselves up late at night, we all set off together.

We found a restaurant that was quite secluded and had a separate balcony overlooking the sea.

We ordered some seafood again, and everyone sat down to eat.

Chen An also cleared his mind, focusing solely on eating.

Ning Jing couldn't help but joke, "Look at these young people, they're so healthy, they can eat a lot."

"That's right, it's only for the next couple of days. If we don't eat more, who knows when we'll be able to eat again? This French food is alright, just not as good as the food back home."

Chen An didn't mind, and stuffed the spaghetti and seafood into his mouth.

Fortunately, none of the three major film festivals are British, otherwise Chen An felt he would have starved to death there.

The seaside scenery was quite nice as night fell, and Chen An sat down in a chair after finishing his meal.

I lit a cigarette, and a warm sea breeze gently blew by, which felt quite comfortable on my skin.

The sound of waves crashing against the rocks came in waves, rhythmic and distinct.

The sound of a piano could still be heard from inside the restaurant as Chen An gazed at the scenery before him.

I unconsciously thought of a movie.

The Pianist on the Sea

A classic movie.

As the moonlight spread, Chen An felt as if he were sitting on a boat, and looking at the sea in front of him, he unconsciously felt a sense of tranquility.

Not long after, the group, having digested some of their food, left the restaurant together.

Two days later, Chen An stayed in the hotel chatting with Han Sanping.

Han Sanping kept enticing Chen An to film his next movie, preferably one that could be released domestically.

After all, the current group of directors in China, excluding the older generation, are all from the fifth generation.

They only care about art, and everything else is bullshit.

As they chatted, Chen An successfully received a call about the closing ceremony, and he felt more at ease!

Seeking everything

(End of this chapter)