Huayu: Enjoy Yourself

Chapter 86 The New Year Ends Amidst the Sound of Firecrackers

The year 2000, the millennium, was marked by three major events. ♝🐜 👌🎈

It is also the emergence of the first Chinese chairman among the three major European leaders.

That person was Gong Li, who was also the president of the jury at the Venice Film Festival in 02.

Putting Venice aside, Chen An still wanted to try visiting Berlin, a place he had never been to before.

"The Berlin Film Festival," Chen An murmured softly as he sat in his chair.

This film festival, which is closest to Chinese-language films and was the first to extend an olive branch to them, is one of the three major European film festivals that Chen An has never visited.

Since Zhang Yimou's "Red Sorghum" won the first Golden Bear Award, the highest honor, in 1987, Chinese-language films have been winning this award continuously.

Four of their subsequent films won the Golden Bear Award, a feat unique in all of Asia.

Zhang Ziyi's breakthrough film, "The Road Home," won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at this year's Berlin Film Festival, second only to the Golden Bear.

Feeling that he could also get involved, and considering that his relationship with Gong Li was pretty good, Chen An thought to himself.

I also want to make a truly art-house film first, and there are many scripts to choose from.

However, Chen An did not want to use the film that won the Golden Bear in his previous life, such as "Tuya's Marriage" or "Black Coal, Thin Ice".

In particular, "Black Coal, Thin Ice" is a movie that Chen An really likes, but Chen An did not intend to use this movie to make a film.

This amazing movie will have to wait; I'm planning to make another film.

It's also one of his favorite movies, a tragic comedy, about a humble little man's powerlessness and frustration in the face of his environment, and a world that drives people crazy.

"Let's finish this movie first, then go back and prepare for filming," Chen An muttered to himself.

I'm thinking of staggering the time, going back when the film is almost finished here, and then coming back when it's released and promoted. I should have enough time.

Just enough to create a time gap.

However, Chen An did not immediately start writing the script. He had just finished a job, and who could stand that?

Let's rest for a while before talking.

We also ordered some late-night snacks from the front desk, along with the drinks in the room, to have a good meal first.

It was past 11 p.m. when the food was delivered. Chen An ate and drank with the guests, then took a shower and went to sleep.

It wasn't until the next day, after waking up and taking a taxi to Warner, that I saw Jerry again, who had returned earlier than before.

He was obviously very busy; his dark circles under his eyes stood out even more against his Caucasian skin, making him look like a national treasure.

"Jerry, want some coffee? You could be a panda at my national zoo now," Chen An said, holding up the coffee he had bought.

He bought these on the way; he bought two cups and brought one back for the other person.

Jerry, slumped in his chair, immediately reached out his hand: "Hurry up, Chen, I really need it to give me some energy."

"Don't say that, it's like I'm carrying something illegal." Chen An handed over the coffee in his hand with a hint of annoyance.

Jerry took the coffee, immediately removed the lid, and took a big gulp of the now-cool coffee.

"Chen, you're finally back. You'll need to help with post-production too, otherwise I won't feel at ease."

"Hollywood doesn't need directors for post-production, does it?"

"That's because they don't understand. I know Chen Ni's strength."

"But now I suddenly don't want to care anymore. It's quite comfortable to just leave it at that after filming."

Chen An smiled, trying to rouse the tired Jerry and make him more energetic.

"Oh, you must be joking." Jerry looked incredulous.

This is your work, your creation, and you just ignore it, while others want it but don't.

"Of course, I'll help you finish the basics before leaving Hollywood," Chen An said, revealing his thoughts.

Chen An was still interested in learning about the excellence of Hollywood's post-production.

Just how amazing is this post-production team that doesn't need a director?

After joining, Che Chen'an witnessed the power of the later stages.

The editors are all professionals with impressive resumes; one of them was even the editor of "Saving Private Ryan."

Through the script and camera work, they were able to edit out almost everything Chen An wanted to express.

And it's extremely accurate.

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"No wonder the director didn't need to intervene," Chen An thought to himself.

It feels like whether I'm there or not makes no difference in post-production.

This makes us even more eager to send people to learn.

If a company has many such talents, that would be a wonderful thing.

Chen An's involvement was brief, lasting only half a month before it was essentially over.

We no longer need Chen An as a tool.

When you leave, pack your things neatly, just like when you came.

Jerry picked up Chen An in his car and took him to the airport.

As for the US dollars, they will remain in the account, and there are no plans to take them back.

The plane, which departed from the City of Angels, crossed the Pacific Ocean and finally landed at the place where Chen An had started.

After nearly three months away, Chen An returned to the city.

The Spring Festival has passed, and the Lantern Festival is not yet here, but the city is still filled with the atmosphere of the New Year.

On his way back, Chen An saw that many houses still had red Spring Festival couplets pasted on them.

When Chen An returned home, he found that a Spring Festival couplet had been pasted on his door.

"A sunny home is always filled with spring, and a virtuous family enjoys abundant blessings." Chen An said unconsciously as he looked at the festive Spring Festival couplets in front of his door.

Above the door, four characters were written: "户纳千祥" (meaning "May your household receive a thousand auspicious omens").

Although he didn't know who put it up, Chen An liked it very much.

Unfortunately, Chen An did not return home this year, nor did he bring his parents to the capital.

Only when I return here can I feel the atmosphere of the Chinese New Year; it's a very strong feeling.

It's a feeling I've never experienced abroad.

With the sound of firecrackers a year old, the spring breeze sent warmth to Tusu.

It is unique to this place.

Pushing open the door and passing through the hall, the courtyard seemed even more desolate than when I left.

Although it didn't feel dirty or messy, it just didn't feel like a place where people lived.

Some of the flowers and plants in the yard had withered, giving it a strangely old feel.

Chen An took his luggage into the room and tidied up. There was basically nothing left to eat in the house.

"I don't know if any farmers' markets are open."

Looking at the empty food reserves at home, Chen An thought he might as well go and freeload a meal.

But it's the Lunar New Year, so it's not appropriate to go to any house for a free meal.

He put his heavy coat back on, put on his mask, and also put a cap on his head.

He tightened his clothes, opened the door, and stepped out.

I first went to check if the nearby farmers' market was open. Luckily, it had been seven or eight days since the Spring Festival, and the farmers' market was already open.

Moreover, there were quite a few people coming to buy groceries, and the bustling crowd walked among them, with almost everyone wearing a joyful expression.

Many red lanterns were hung in the market, and some doors were decorated with Spring Festival couplets.

Of course, it would be great if these vegetables hadn't gone up in price. The auntie selling vegetables had a bright smile on her face, it seemed that the income she earned in exchange for spending the New Year holiday must be quite substantial.

During the Spring Festival, Chen An did not haggle over the price, nor did he care about the small amount.

Chen An, carrying two bags of groceries, walked back home, feeling a bit stuffy from the mask he was wearing.

He put the food aside, took off his mask, and exhaled a long breath, releasing a puff of white mist.

People kept passing by, and they started to seem familiar, but it felt like it was still the same person.

Four years ago in the dormitory, I think I was like this, spending the Lunar New Year alone.

She took out the money she had saved up from her hidden stash of money, bought some of her favorite dishes, and spent ages haggling with others to buy just a little bit.

Carrying his things alone, he walked down the bustling street, thinking that once he became famous, he would definitely buy more and not haggle with the shopkeeper.

Just throw the money in his face and let him show off.

The last person hid in the dormitory, using a radio borrowed from Chen Wei, listening to the Spring Festival Gala broadcasting the New Year's Eve celebration of family reunion.

"Hahaha," Chen An suddenly laughed.

On this bustling street, looking at the things I was carrying, I seemed to recall my past self.

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(End of this chapter)