Chapter 61: Formidable Opponent
As the director and producer, Li Chen first thanked the guests and media friends present.
He then wasted no time, suggesting they discuss the film after watching it.
The two-hour film was captivating.
The final shot of the film showed Guan Xiaotong, back with her birth mother, returning to the balcony where she was first found.
She sang the song she learned from shoplifters.
This blend of warmth and sadness delivered the film's final punch.
In the largest screening hall of the Cinema Palace, nearly a thousand viewers gave shoplifters a warm round of applause.
"Old Chen, what do you think?" Chen Hong clapped along with the others and whispered to her husband.
Chen Kaige frowned slightly, glancing at Li Chen who was on stage.
After a few seconds, he said, "Li Chen still has something."
The Black Society film crew also nodded frequently.
Tony Leung Ka-fai was not surprised by this.
He had starred in new world and knew then that Director Li was not just a name.
This film, shoplifters, took a unique approach, directly addressing the good and evil of human nature from ordinary circumstances.
In terms of script, Black Society, also in the competition unit, was completely incomparable.
Tony Leung Ka-fai knew in his heart that among the four Chinese films,
the most promising to win an award was probably shoplifters.
Although he hadn't seen the other two yet.
"Director Wang, what do you think of Director Li's shoplifters?"
Gao Yuanyuan asked Wang Xiaoshuai beside her while clapping.
Wang Xiaoshuai didn't speak, but Gao Yuanyuan understood.
This film, shoplifters, was unmatched by shanghai dreams, both in the cleverness of its script conception and the acting of its cast.
Han Sanping was even more delighted.
The boundless sale, shoplifters was highly praised by everyone.
The media and film critics on site gave rave reviews, flocking to Li Chen and the other main creators.
Han Sanping knew that his year-end work report would surely be a highlight.
Judging by the situation, shoplifters might really win an award.
The next morning, domestic media reported on the grand premiere of shoplifters.
There was also a group photo of Li Chen and the Match Point crew, with Scarlett standing close to him like a small bird.
Another group photo with Zhang Ziyi was prominently displayed on Sina Entertainment's entertainment page.
Zhang Ziyi had posted on her blog last night: shoplifters is wonderful, looking forward to Director Li winning gold at Cannes.
"Yifei, don't worry, with me by the boss's side, no evil spirits can get near him."
Yang Siwei said, holding the phone and patting her chest with a smile, assuring her.
"Of course I trust you. Look how happy he is, taking pictures with everyone."
"He's almost like a wax figure in Madame Tussauds!" Liu Yifei couldn't help but tease.
Yang Siwei laughed loudly: "Yifei, your description is too vivid."
"No choice, the boss is too young."
"But don't worry, the boss knows what he's doing."
By the 17th.
shoplifters' 3.2 rating in the festival publication ranked first among the ten main competition entries screened so far!
This news greatly excited Han Sanping and the film's main creators.
The news spread back to China.
The three major portal websites immediately headlined shoplifters' unique position.
The prominent headlines of a 3.2 rating in the festival publication were all pinned to the top.
The entertainment industry was shocked, and the Beijing Film Academy school leaders were also beaming with joy.
Not to mention Miss Liu, who shared in the glory.
"What? Couldn't get through on the phone?" Liu Xiaoli teased her daughter with a smile.
"Mom, he's probably busy, but I'm sure he wouldn't dare not return my call."
Miss Liu was a little depressed at first, but quickly cheered up.
Unlike Han Sanping and the film's main actors, Li Chen was happy, but not carried away.
He knew that the formidable opponents had not yet appeared.
Today was the moment of truth.
Because the Dardenne Brothers' The Child and Jarmusch's broken flowers both premiered today.
Everyone knew that the Dardenne Brothers had already won a Golden Palm award once.
No one dared to underestimate the strength of the two brothers.
Moreover, Li Chen remembered that this year the Dardenne Brothers should have won the Golden Palm for the second time.
Director fees, value soared!
When Han Sanping learned that Li Chen and Li Xuejian had gone out, he immediately called Li Chen.
The film distributors' offer for shoplifters had increased again, and if they closed the deal now,
it would be comparable to The Promise.
Li Chen and Li Xuejian had just finished watching The Child.
"Teacher Xue Jian, what do you think?"
Li Xuejian shook his head gently and smiled: "Hard to say, fifty-fifty."
"What a coincidence, both are about thieves."
Li Chen also found it amusing; this film, The Child, was also about a thief.
However, if Li Chen were to judge, shoplifters depicted a group of people from the bottom of society.
The Child, on the other hand, focused on a single point, reflecting the special group of young fathers.
So the film is called The Child, but it's actually about the father.
In terms of filming techniques, The Child did not have the same heartwarming impact as the final punch of shoplifters.
Li Chen himself was still more optimistic about shoplifters, especially after watching The Child.
Upon receiving Han Sanping's call, Li Chen unhesitatingly rejected Han Sanping's proposal.
This left Han Sanping somewhat helpless.
Although both were producers, each holding half of the investment shares,
Li Chen was key to reaching this point, so Han Sanping couldn't be too forceful.
On the evening of the eighteenth.
The General Administration's Film Bureau held a grand China Night reception on the beach of the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Chinese cinema.
When Li Chen arrived with the shoplifters cast, the venue was already star-studded.
Jackie Chan, Wu Yusen, Yang Ziqiong, Shu Qi, Wang Xiaoshuai, Wang Zhonglei, Lu Chuan, Chang Chen, and many others.
Li Chen naturally became the undisputed focus.
Currently, the festival publication ratings for The Child and broken flowers were also 3.2, tied with shoplifters for first place.
The most exciting closing ceremony and awards were about to begin.
Wu Yusen, as the only Chinese judge at this Cannes Film Festival, actively spoke with Li Chen and was very optimistic about shoplifters.
Li Chen, Han Sanping, Wu Yusen, and Jackie Chan discussed the development of Chinese cinema together.
Han Sanping sincerely said: "This year, four Chinese films were shortlisted for Cannes."
"Two of them are sixth-generation directors from the mainland."
"The status of Chinese cinema will become higher and higher!"
"To be honest, Han Dong's contributions are indispensable."
"Establishing the New Year Film Season, introducing the revenue-sharing model, supporting sixth-generation directors, and promoting the industrialization of China Film Group Corporation."
"Each one is a major undertaking. Director Wu, Brother, don't you agree?"
Li Chen and Han Sanping clinked glasses and complimented him with a smile.
"Director Li is right!" Wu Yusen echoed with a smile, secretly admiring Li Chen's astuteness.
"Li Chen really knows how to talk, he hit the nail on the head. Let's toast Han Dong."
Jackie Chan raised his glass with his signature smile and said.
These words truly resonated with Han Sanping.
Especially on such a special day.
Sure enough, although Han Sanping maintained his composure, the light in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
"You rascal, don't flatter me."
"Without the support of Yang Dong, Director Wang, and leaders from relevant departments,"
"Chinese cinema could not have achieved such significant development."
Li Chen laughed heartily: "Han Dong is right. Come, let's toast to the continuous improvement of Chinese cinema."
The four chatted happily, and others came over one after another to offer a toast, then discreetly moved aside.
Zhang Ziyi's eyes were full of envy.
Although she had earned the nickname 'International Zhang',
in the eyes of those few, she was just an actress.
Those four, however, were influential figures in the industry with significant capital.
Even the youngest, Li Chen, was beyond her comparison.
At this moment, the strict unspoken rules of the industry further solidified Zhang Ziyi's thoughts.
Li Chen saw Lu Chuan and nodded slightly, as a greeting.
Han Sanping was still very supportive of Lu Chuan, who traveled all the way from China even without a new work.
