Chapter 28: Premiere, A Place of Fame and Fortune
The final scene.
Guan Xiaotong's character, the daughter, seemingly returned to her original family.
But she also went back to the abusive life she had before.
Guan Xiaotong stood on tiptoes, looking out the window.
Her eyes revealed the pure anticipation only a child possesses.
"Cut!"
I announce: "shoplifters" has wrapped.
Everyone's faces immediately broke into smiles. For three months, everyone had poured a lot into this film.
Lu Zhong and Li Xuejian knew that this film was going for awards.
Mei Ting could also roughly guess some of it.
Li Chen's subsequent words confirmed her guess.
"Thank you all for your wonderful performances. I hope this film can achieve something at Cannes next year."
Lu Zhong and Li Xuejian smiled, while Wan Qian looked surprised.
Mei Ting had a look of relief on her face: "I knew Director Li's film was definitely aiming for awards."
"How about it, Xiao Wan, wasn't I right?"
Li Chen laughed: "Let's just pretend we don't know. If it doesn't get selected, I won't lose too much face."
"However, if we are fortunate enough to be selected, please make time to conquer Cannes together."
"No problem, Director Li."
Sina Entertainment News
"new world," "nightclub," and "shoplifters" have recently wrapped up one after another. All three films have entered the post-production stage.
They are expected to meet audiences in the spring.
This news filled Xing Ai'na with mixed emotions.
Both were Beijing Film Academy students. Her husband had graduated a year ago and seemingly won many awards.
But his life was still a mess, with no clear path forward.
Meanwhile, her husband's junior from the academy was already a famous director with films grossing hundreds of millions.
He even supported a new director, Xu Zheng.
His breakthrough work was remarkably similar to the "Big Diamond" script she had written.
But she knew he couldn't have plagiarized, as "Big Diamond" was still a half-finished product.
Just now, her husband, who was filming "green grassland" on the China-Mongolia border, called.
The investors had suddenly withdrawn their funds again. The 120,000 yuan in their savings account instantly dwindled to 20,000 yuan.
As a wife, she unconditionally supported her husband.
However, while a man pursues his dreams,
as a woman, one cannot help but consider the daily necessities of life more.
Xing Ai'na thought to herself: Perhaps listening to Teacher Li and meeting the other party might lead to a turning point.
Li Chen returned to Beijing on September 2nd. Liu Yifei and her mother had returned a few days earlier than Li Chen.
After all, school had started. No matter how many acting offers you had throughout the year, it was best to show your face once school began.
"new world" was the last of the three films to be greenlit, but it was the first to wrap.
Even when "infernal affairs" was filmed back then, it didn't take more than a month.
School had already started. Unbeknownst to him, Li Chen was already a junior, and he dared not neglect the promise he made to Teacher Li.
When Li Chen met Teacher Li, he felt that Teacher Li looked at him as if he were a big spender.
A woman in her thirties was also sitting on the sofa in the office.
Teacher Li laughed: "Good boy, you still remember to come back."
Li Chen also laughed: "Isn't it because I'm thinking about what I promised you, Teacher Li?"
Teacher Li laughed: "It's good that you know. Let me introduce you, this is Xing Ai'na, the wife of Ning Hao from the Director Department."
Li Chen was startled, but his expression remained unchanged as he extended his hand and said: "Hello."
Xing Ai'na enthusiastically said: "Hello, Director Li."
After they all sat down,
Teacher Li said faintly: "Ning Hao is filming 'green grassland' in Inner Mongolia, you must have heard about it, right?"
Li Chen nodded, and Xing Ai'na's expression became a bit unnatural.
Teacher Li continued: "The teachers from the Cinematography Department came to me, asking if you could invest some. The investors over there suddenly withdrew their funds."
Li Chen knew why Teacher Li had such a perfunctory expression.
After all, there were so many senior students in the Director Department who were counting on Li Chen, this big spender.
The Cinematography Department couldn't help but come to ask for donations.
Li Chen chuckled: "I've seen Senior Ning Hao's 'Thursday Wednesday'."
"Some of the narrative structures and camera techniques in 'Crazy Stone' actually benefited from that film."
Xing Ai'na's heart rejoiced; there was hope.
"I watched Director Li's 'Crazy Stone'. The story is wonderful. In fact, I've also been trying to write scripts in that area."
"The success of 'Crazy Stone' deeply moved me."
"I also plan to write a script of this type. When the time comes, I'd like to ask Director Li to help me revise it."
Li Chen nodded: "No problem. By the way, how much more is needed for this 'green grassland' now?"
Xing Ai'na was delighted and quickly said: "Another 200,000 yuan."
Li Chen nodded and said: "How about this, I'll invest 500,000 yuan. I heard the environment there is harsh, so the extra can be for unforeseen needs."
"Ah, thank you, Director Li, thank you." Xing Ai'na stood up excitedly.
Xing Ai'na came to seek investment with a try-and-see attitude, and she didn't expect it to actually work out.
Li Chen thought to himself, there might be an opportunity to cooperate with Ning Hao in the future, so this investment was not a loss.
He just considered it returning a favor to Ning Hao. Li Chen felt a little bad about taking his "Crazy Stone."
As soon as Xing Ai'na left the school, she called Ning Hao.
Ning Hao, on the vast grassland, looked distressed and preoccupied, unlike a young man in his twenties.
Seeing the phone flash, Ning Hao answered: "Wife?"
Xing Ai'na said happily: "I just got you 500,000 yuan in investment. Cheer up."
"It's not a big deal. It's not like we haven't encountered withdrawals before! At worst, we'll find new investors, and we just did."
Ning Hao was greatly surprised: "Where did you get the investment? And 500,000 yuan?"
Although Ning Hao had won several awards, he really hadn't made any money. Instead, he was burdened with a mortgage and a lot of debt.
After hanging up the phone, Ning Hao breathed a sigh of relief, composed himself, and felt confident again.
After finishing "green grassland," perhaps it was time to seriously think things through.
After Xing Ai'na left, Teacher Li laughed: "You, Li Chen, there are still many people in the Director Department waiting for food."
"And you, you started by helping the neighboring department."
Li Chen said humorously: "Teacher Li, it's all in the family. We're all alumni, why distinguish between us, don't you think?"
Teacher Li hummed twice and handed Li Chen a list.
After leaving the office, Li Chen returned to his dorm.
From the list Teacher Li gave him, he only chose one person: Wu Ershan.
The others either had no works or had just enrolled, such as Lu Yang.
Only Wu Ershan not only had deep artistic accomplishments but also already had a "Soap Opera" as a foundation this year.
Perhaps "painted skin" wouldn't need to wait for Chen Jiashang; he could completely use Wu Ershan.
As long as he set the overall tone for "painted skin," he believed Wu Ershan would definitely not be worse than Chen Jiashang.
"painted skin 2" was directed by Wu Ershan.
His works all carried an extreme personal style, difficult to imitate.
His later works like "Mojin: The Lost Legend" and "Creation of the Gods" series all followed a similar aesthetic in terms of color to "painted skin," truly beautiful and magnificent.
Walking on campus, many students whispered about him, but no one dared to approach.
Presumably, his buzz cut had an effect.
"Look, look, isn't that Director Li Chen!"
"Yes, it really is Senior Li Chen."
Li Chen was now used to the feeling of being stared at like a monkey wherever he went.
Liu Xiaoli's efficiency was very high. Although the role of Little Dragon Girl had not yet been finalized,
Liu Xiaoli was already busy preparing for her daughter's first single.
According to Liu Yifei, Huayi Brothers was willing to produce "the flowers of farewell" for Liu Yifei.
The girl had already fully immersed herself in this single.
Huayi Brothers had professional vocal teachers to train Liu Yifei.
Li Chen estimated that Huayi Brothers definitely wanted to sign Liu Yifei, but Liu Xiaoli would certainly not give in easily.
Li Chen suggested that Liu Yifei not credit him for the composition, as it would be good for both parties.
Liu Xiaoli also felt the same way.
Back in the dorm, he chatted with a few foreigners for a bit.
Li Chen lay on his bed, starting to plan for next year.
In a little over a month, once the futures market closed out, his net worth would definitely not be less than Liu Yifei's godfather.
With capital, many things could be started.
If he was shortlisted for Cannes next April, should he also make some preparations?
Especially for some high-grossing foreign film scripts.
He could completely write them out, which might have unexpected effects.
Even if he couldn't go to Cannes, he could register the scripts in Hollywood first, for future use.
Li Chen acted immediately, opened his laptop, and started working again.
The next day, Han Sanping specifically called, telling him to come early for the Premiere of "Zhang Side" and not be late.
Li Chen told him not to worry.
On September 4th, Li Chen drove to the Great Hall of the People early.
He thought he was early, but when he arrived at the screening room on the third floor of the Great Hall of the People, the hall was already packed with people.
Li Chen saw Han Sanping from afar, in a group of people at the very front.
Good heavens, he had seen one of them on TV, a number 2 figure.
Next to him were the Director of the General Administration, all bigwigs.
Li Chen also saw many familiar faces.
The Poet and his wife, Xiao Gang Pao and his wife, Zhang Yimou.
Groups formed distinct circles, centered around various directors and film company bosses.
As for artists, there was no need to mention them. Those invited by Han Sanping were at least A-list: Big Brother Long, Andy Lau, Ge You, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, Zhao Yanzi.
Last month, Zhang Ziyi was just photographed by Hong Kong paparazzi kissing Huo Dashao on the street. A few days later, she appeared here again?
Everyone in the place of fame and fortune is merely a passerby; no one should take anyone seriously.
Beneath each mask, a restless heart is hidden.
Usually, this would be the best time for toasts, networking, and fostering relationships.
However, today everyone was noticeably restrained; there were no scenes of constant socializing and moving between groups.
After all, there were official bigwigs present.
Han Sanping saw Li Chen and nodded to him from afar.
Li Chen smiled and quickly walked over under the gaze of attentive people in the hall.
Wang Changtian was waving at him.
"Why are you only just arriving?" Wang Changtian laughed.
Li Chen smiled bitterly: "This is my first time attending a Premiere."
"I thought I was early, but I didn't expect you all to be here already."
Wang Changtian laughed: "Brother, do you have any leads for your next project?"
Li Chen shook his head and laughed: "How could it be that fast? I probably won't have time this year, there's too much to do at the end of the year."
"But don't worry, my dear brother, the next project won't be small-scale.
"Han Dong already has an opinion, always saying I'm hogging the good stuff. When the time comes, I'll definitely include you, my dear brother."
Wang Changtian laughed: "Good. Han Dong has aspirations in his career, so he naturally hopes his achievements will be more prominent."
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