Chapter 84: painted skin Points to Venice
After seeing Yang Mi off.
Yang Siwei returned and casually asked a question.
"Boss, are you really planning to get the role of Wang Zhaojun for Mi Mi?"
Li Chen was noncommittal: "Siwei, no matter how much potential Fan Bingbing has."
"For now, she's not one of us, understand?"
Yang Siwei instantly understood and said no more.
She also felt sorry for Fan Bingbing in her heart.
With the boss making a move, Double Bing and Gao Yuanyuan might be out of luck.
Even Huayi Brothers, behind Double Bing, might not be a match.
She just didn't know how the boss would help Mi Mi.
For the role of Wang Zhaojun, Li Chen didn't even plan to use underhanded tactics.
Wang Zhaojun was originally produced by CCTV and China Central Television.
Whether it was the personal friendship between Han Sanping and Director Zhang Jialin.
When filming Jiangshan Fengyuqing, one was the producer and the other was the director.
Or the connection between Yang Mi and Zhang Jialin.
At that Time, the little princess in Tang Minghuang, whom Zhang Jialin had taken a liking to, was Yang Mi.
As well as Yang Mi's own age advantage.
It wouldn't be difficult to secure this role.
Li Chen asked Yang Siwei to start hiring experienced veteran actors with high salaries, even from Hong Kong.
He wanted to establish a crash course similar to TVB's training class in Hong Kong.
He didn't want the artists in his company to be criticized in the future for only having pretty faces.
Li Chen always felt that TVB's six-month crash course model was very helpful for new talents.
The first three months were for learning basic knowledge, and the latter three months were for practical exercises.
Until 2022, TVB began recruiting students from mainland China.
Of course, that's a story for another Time.
However, he could also emulate this model to improve the artists under Rongchen Film and Television.
Miss Liu could also benefit.
Yang Mi exited the Splendid Diamond building, feeling the sunshine was exceptionally bright.
The gloom of recent days was swept away.
Wang Zhaojun, ah, the female lead, and a major female lead at that!!!
She called her father: "Xiao Lin Ge, tonight this girl is treating you to a big meal, without Ms. Yang."
On the other side, Miss Liu and Liu Xiaoli, mother and daughter, went to the cinema together to contribute to the box office of Li Chen's shoplifters.
After watching the movie, the mother and daughter had different opinions.
Liu Xiaoli preferred this type of film.
Miss Liu, on the other hand, preferred watching lost on journey.
Compared to lost on journey and crazy stone.
This shoplifters was more imaginative.
Miss Liu took a photo of the two movie ticket stubs and sent it to Li Chen, with two words: Reimburse!
Li Chen shook his head and smiled, not taking it seriously.
In the afternoon, online comments gradually emerged.
"How do I feel like this story is hinting at the island nation?"
"Didn't the movie say, East Asia! A certain country! Coastal town!"
"The person upstairs is right, dae jang geum disgusted the Koreans, and Director Li is again subtly criticizing the Japanese."
"The Golden Palm is well deserved, this imagination, you could tie up five or six generations of directors and they wouldn't come up with this kind of plot."
Most of the netizens' comments were positive.
Film critics, however, had differing views.
"The incorrect values of this movie are compensated by its rough and primitive human brilliance!"
"At first glance, it seems like a family drama."
"But only at the end do you realize it's a lament for societal failures and an examination of human nature."
"The human nature revealed at the end cannot cover up the incorrect values of this movie!"
"This movie is like a clown, attracting attention with exaggerated makeup and antics."
"It can't be compared to the artistry of farewell my concubine!"
Online comments gradually showed a polarizing trend.
But the movie became more and more popular.
The next day, the first-day box office for shoplifters was released: 7.25 million.
Li Chen and Han Sanping were already very satisfied; at this rate, breaking sixty or seventy million was not a problem.
Given the type of film and the cast, this was already very remarkable.
Today was Sunday, and Li Chen had an appointment with Xue Xiaolu.
They met at a coffee shop.
Li Chen arrived first, and shortly after, Xue Xiaolu arrived late.
Upon meeting, Xue Xiaolu put down her bag and smiled.
"What's so important that it couldn't be said over the phone and required a meeting?"
"Making me leave my husband to have coffee with you."
Li Chen also smiled: "Sister Lu, I wouldn't dare to take that remark."
Xue Xiaolu took a sip of coffee and smiled: "Alright, what do you need me for? Just say it directly."
Li Chen didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"You want to invite me to direct your film, those years?"
Xue Xiaolu said in surprise.
She never expected that Li Chen's appointment with her today was about this.
"Exactly, you've directed many TV documentaries and short dramas at the CCTV Science and Education Program Production Center."
"Now that you're back at school, I don't believe you don't have other ideas." Li Chen said with a confident smile.
Xue Xiaolu, who graduated from Beijing Film Academy in '96, had come full circle and returned to Beijing Film Academy.
She wouldn't just want to be a literature department teacher.
Directing was her ultimate pursuit.
Li Chen's words indeed struck a chord in Xue Xiaolu's heart.
Xue Xiaolu answered evasively, smiling: "Why don't you direct it yourself?"
Li Chen knew this matter was half done, and smiled: "For this play, I just want to be the male lead, it's a way to give an account of my youth."
"You're going to act?" Xue Xiaolu couldn't help but laugh.
"What? Sister Lu? Acting is also a required course for directors."
"Are there few directors at our school who both direct and act? What's strange about me acting?"
"Besides, this is my screen debut, I'm dedicating it to you, what are you still afraid of?" Li Chen said with a smile.
"You say that, and it seems true, I really have no reason to refuse." Xue Xiaolu also smiled.
"Then it's settled, after this busy period."
"I'll submit the script, and once everything is ready, I'll contact you to sign the contract." Li Chen extended his hand.
"Although I can't compare to you in the directing industry, I won't be polite with you about money."
"Who doesn't know you're a big boss now, an Audi car for one red packet!"
Xue Xiaolu also extended her hand and shook Li Chen's, smiling.
"No problem, I can't let anyone lose out, especially you, Sister Lu."
"I'm so poor now, all I have left is money."
"Haha."
The two smiled at each other.
On the way back, Xue Xiaolu was also overjoyed.
Her quick agreement to Li Chen was not only because she already had this intention.
But also to pave the way for the future.
With Li Chen's help, perhaps her plan could be advanced by four or five years.
Back home, Li Chen changed his clothes and went to Miss Liu's house.
"You said Teacher Xue is going to film those years?" Miss Liu asked in surprise.
"Mm, I plan to dedicate myself fully this one Time, just this once in a lifetime." Li Chen hinted meaningfully.
How could Miss Liu not understand, her face flushed red: "So you invited Teacher Xue to film it?"
"Mm, actually, Sister Lu also had this intention early on."
"We're like a tortoise looking at a mung bean, we just clicked." Li Chen joked about himself.
Miss Liu smiled: "How can you describe it like that? If Teacher Xue knew, she wouldn't let you off."
"You're right, it should be described as you and I are like a tortoise looking at a mung bean, we just clicked."
"You're the tortoise, I'm not the mung bean." Miss Liu retorted with a smile.
Li Chen grabbed Miss Liu's hands.
Miss Liu seemed to know what her boyfriend wanted to do.
She said with a smile: "I'm warning you, Mom is upstairs."
"If you're not afraid, go ahead and try."
With that, she looked eager to try, like a flower waiting to be picked.
Joke, who is she trying to scare? Li Chen, without a word, wanted to give a quick kiss.
Miss Liu turned her head and said: "Mom..."
Li Chen quickly turned his head to look, but there was no one there.
Turning back, Miss Liu had already smiled and gracefully stood up and walked out.
"Xi Xi, come back here..."
After having dinner at Miss Liu's house, Li Chen had just fallen asleep when he was woken up by a phone call.
Picking it up, Li Chen reluctantly answered.
"Tim, do you know what Time it is here!"
"As a qualified employee, disturbing the boss's dreams is very annoying."
"OH, I'm sorry, boss, I'll be careful next Time."
"Forget it, what's up, quickly."
"Boss, lurking has already started filming."
"I'm calling to remind you that post-production will be completed by early August at the latest."
"When it's released, do you want to come over?"
"I know, I'll let you know once I've arranged things here."
"Okay, boss, good night."
After hanging up, Tim muttered to himself: "It seems I need to buy another clock and hang it at home, set to China Time."
The next day, Li Chen received a call from Marco Müller.
This old man was really persistent.
At the shoplifters promotion event in Cannes, he raved about Li Chen's shoplifters.
He also took the opportunity to invite Li Chen to participate in the 62nd Venice Film Festival, which was held on August 31st.
Li Chen had rejected him at the Time, what would he go for without a work?
This old man had a special fondness for Chinese cinema, and his contribution to Chinese cinema going global was undeniable.
He had only started serving as the president of the Venice Film Festival last year.
For the eighteen years prior, he had been responsible for selecting Asian films for the Venice Film Festival.
Zhang Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern was recommended by him.
He also promised that on the occasion of the centenary of Chinese cinema.
The Venice Film Festival would definitely celebrate in the most beautiful way.
Indeed, this year he not only participated in the Cannes celebration of the centenary of Chinese cinema.
But also planned to set up a special "Chinese Cinema Retrospective Unit" at this year's Venice Film Festival.
To fulfill his previous promise, and his Chinese was incredibly fluent.
Li Chen remembered that at one Cannes Film Festival, the old man even bowed to Zhang Ziyi.
At that Time, Zhang Ziyi's the banquet had already been released.
Zhang Ziyi went to participate in the Venice Film Festival.
As soon as she got out of the car and stepped onto the red carpet.
Marco Müller, as the president of the Venice Film Festival, knelt before her and shouted: "Welcome, Empress!"
This scene immediately caused a sensation, becoming a global headline the next day.
At that Time, Zhang Ziyi was at the peak of her glory, a hot commodity.
She had starred in films by famous directors like Li An, Zhang Yimou, and Xiao Gang Pao.
"Mr. Marco, thank you very much for your invitation, but I think I'll pass for now."
"Next Time, I will definitely bring my work to the Venice awards stage." Li Chen politely declined.
"Li Chen, Yi Mou told me you also have a painted skin, why don't you give it a try?" Marco Müller said with a hearty laugh.
Li Chen was stunned; he hadn't thought of that.
Aside from the scene where Pei Rong transforms into a demon, the horror elements of painted skin.
He had basically changed them to a beautiful style that fit the logic.
Trying it out wouldn't hurt, but the timing might not work out.
"Marco, I remember the registration deadline for the Venice Film Festival was a few days ago." Li Chen asked, confused.
"Li Chen, as the president of the film festival, none of these are problems."
"That's just the external registration period, you are personally invited by me."
"In your words, this is called an internal recommendation."
Li Chen laughed heartily: "Alright, Marco, I'll confirm on my end and get back to you if it's not too late."
Marco also laughed happily: "Good, then I'll await your good news."
This old Marco, even using idioms, he truly was a China expert.
Li Chen shook his head with a smile.
After hanging up with Marco, Li Chen called Wu Ershan, who worked on special effects at Sony.
He learned that Wu Ershan could complete the special effects and post-production editing by July 10th at the latest.
Li Chen then felt confident.
At that Time, he would also need Han Sanping's help to shorten the review Time.
On the 23rd, initial d, adapted from a Japanese manga, was released.
It was the little heavenly king's big screen debut.
It must be said that the little heavenly king's box office appeal was indeed remarkable.
On the first day, the box office exceeded 7.25 million, setting a new record for the highest opening day box office for a domestic film this year.
shoplifters was no match either.
Millions of Jay Chou fans flocked to cinemas to support their idol.
They didn't leave even after the movie ended, just to listen to the ending songs 'Drifting' and 'All the Way North'.
Fans expressed that they were already very satisfied to see their idol on the big screen.
Li Chen also sighed at this.
He knew that the era of fan groups, where fans banded together, was about to arrive.
The first to bear the brunt would be super girl, which became popular this year, as its representative.
In the past, most fans followed stars alone and rarely formed groups.
But starting this year, the fan circle already had the conditions for growth.
The popularity of Tieba and forums was the soil.
What Li Yi Bar, which was later known as Di Bar.
Chun Ge Bar, which was for Li Yuchun, who was about to win the championship.
Later, these Tieba gradually developed into online dissemination hubs for widespread mockery, a fleeting addiction.
One by one, stars were pulled down from their pedestals.
The saying 'believe in Chun Ge and gain eternal life' has been passed around for over a decade.
Phrases like 'Chun Ge is a true man, a tough Sylvester Stallone' spread to every corner of the internet.
If you didn't mock Chun Ge, you wouldn't dare to go out and chat with people.
Each fan had their own title.
Li Yuchun's fans were called 'Corns', and fans called Li Yuchun 'Chun Chun'.
Zhang Liangying's fans were called 'Jelly', and Zhou Bichang's were called 'Bibi'.
And so on, too many to list.
When Li Chen heard these back then, it was from his younger cousin.
He couldn't understand at all; if that's the case, what should Leo Ku's fans be called?
Organized fan groups began to support, criticize, control comments, and whitewash their idols.
Li Chen felt he needed to take some Time to advise Yang Siwei.
None of the artists under his company were easy to manage.
Whether it was Yang Mi and Tangtang, or Fan Xiaopang, who might join in the future, and so on.
They were all the brightest girls under the spotlight.
Each one had a physique that attracted negative attention.
This didn't even include his own girlfriend; thinking about it, it was simply a microcosm of Zhang Yimou's house of flying daggers.
Besides Li Chen, someone else was also moved by Jay Chou's box office appeal: Zhang Weiping.
The huge profits from Hero and house of flying daggers gave Zhang Weiping a taste of success.
However, the two films were box office hits but not critically acclaimed in China, which made Zhang Yimou unhappy.
The two argued many Times over this, but neither could convince the other.
This year's riding alone for thousands of miles, which had not yet been released, was the result of Zhang Weiping's compromise.
But Zhang Weiping had made up his mind: as long as riding alone for thousands of miles didn't sell well.
It still had to be done his way; Yi Mou couldn't be so willful!
The box office for shanghai dreams reached 2.4 million and then stalled.
On the 25th, the audition for the ip man female lead was held as scheduled at Splendid Diamond.
Fan Bingbing arrived early, using a backdoor with Yang Siwei, as she was still under 25.
It was her first Time at Splendid Diamond, and Fan Bingbing inexplicably fell in love with the place.
She was already very familiar with Yang Siwei.
The two chatted idly, and Fan Bingbing brought up the matter of Wang Zhaojun.
She spoke without reservation in front of Yang Siwei.
"Even with Gao Yuanyuan and Li Bingbing competing, do you believe me, Siwei?"
"They don't necessarily have an advantage over me."
Yang Siwei's smile remained unchanged: "Of course I believe you. Don't say so much; the boss and Director Wu are waiting."
"Let's go up quickly; don't make my boss and Director Wu wait too long."
Yang Siwei sighed inwardly; if there wasn't Yang Mi, I would certainly believe you could win.
But now, Yang Siwei didn't know what to say.
Fan Bingbing felt strange, always feeling that Yang Siwei was changing the subject.
Yang Siwei took Fan Bingbing to change into a qipao.
Then they went to the audition meeting room.
Li Chen and Wu Bin were already waiting.
Wu Bin returned two days ago and successfully acquired parents love for a considerable price.
Li Chen held a meeting with the company's screenwriting department.
He recounted parents love from his memory, like giving a plot summary.
Then he handed it over to Wu Bin to oversee.
Li Chen had already introduced Wu Bin to Yang Siwei.
Yang Siwei also issued an announcement on behalf of Rongchen Film and Television, welcoming Wu Bin's joining.
Fan Bingbing greeted them proactively: "Director Li, Director Wu, I'm Fan Bingbing."
"I'm here today to audition for the ip man female lead, Zhang Yongcheng."
Yang Siwei had also taken her seat, sitting on either side of Li Chen with Wu Bin.
Fan Bingbing was already ready.
Li Chen smiled: "Then let's begin. You already know Zhang Yongcheng's personality."
"Let's see your interpretation."
This kind of non-physical performance greatly tests an actor's skill.
The blue and white qipao perfectly showcased Fan Bingbing's exquisite figure.
Every gesture was indeed very feminine.
The prerequisite was not to look at her face; her features were too delicate, easily causing the focus to shift.
"It's not our first day knowing each other, so I'll be direct. Let's find another opportunity to collaborate next Time."
Li Chen said bluntly.
Yang Siwei glanced at her boss, somewhat puzzled; she thought Fan Bingbing performed very well.
However, despite her confusion, she wouldn't misplace herself.
Fan Bingbing felt a bit dejected; for this role.
She had specifically gone to ip man's descendants to inquire about Zhang Yongcheng's personality and habits.
She didn't expect it would still...
"It's okay, Director Li. I still want to thank Director Li for giving me the opportunity to audition."
"I hope to have the chance to star in Director Li's films in the future."
Fan Bingbing smiled.
After Fan Bingbing left, Yang Siwei couldn't help but ask her boss for the reason.
After understanding, she immediately sent a message to Fan Bingbing.
"The boss said you're too beautiful. ip man is a biography of a male protagonist, and he's afraid you'd steal the male lead's thunder."
When Fan Bingbing saw the message, her mood instantly improved a lot.
She also knew that her beauty was sometimes an advantage, and sometimes it could be a disadvantage.
Next was another person with connections, Xu Qing.
It must be said that there are not many actresses with dimples in the entertainment industry.
Miss Liu was one, Xu Qing was another, and there was Chen Jingfei's future girlfriend.
"Director Li, I am Xu Qing."
Xu Qing was not suitable, neither in age nor in feeling.
It was a whole morning until Yang Gongru walked in that Li Chen felt his eyes light up.
After putting on the qipao, her temperament was also good.
It reminded Li Chen of Wang Zhenzhen from My Date with a Vampire.
Although not as dazzling as Fan Bingbing.
However, her slender figure could still carry the qipao, truly worthy of being the most photogenic Miss Asia champion.
Moreover, her gentle and graceful temperament perfectly matched the description from ip man's descendants.
"Hello, Director Li, I am Yang Gongru."
Yang Gongru was at the peak of her beauty now.
It was her first Time meeting this young The Golden Palm director.
Yang Gongru couldn't describe how she felt, only that his eyes were very bright.
It was as if he could see through her, as if he had known her for a long Time.
She heard that the online streaming rights for her The Legendary Siblings and My Date with a Vampire had already been acquired by Rongchen Film and Television.
Asia Television (ATV) and TVB both seemed to value their strategic cooperation with Rongchen Film and Television.
"Are you ready? Then let's begin, Miss Yang," Li Chen smiled.
The previous Ada Choi and Charmaine Sheh, Sonija Kwok, plus the current Yang Gongru.
More and more Hong Kong artists were moving to the mainland to find work.
The ten-minute audition was actually just a formality.
Whether someone was suitable or not, Li Chen could tell with almost certainty at a glance.
"Alright, that's enough."
Yang Gongru was interrupted and thought she had been rejected.
A feeling of disappointment was inevitable.
Li Chen ignored her and instead asked Wu Bin beside him: "Brother Wu, what do you think?"
Wu Bin smiled: "I have no opinion; you decide."
Yang Siwei smiled: "I have even less of an opinion, boss. We were one family five hundred years ago."
Li Chen then turned and smiled: "Miss Yang, this is the script."
"You can take it back first, but please keep it confidential."
Yang Gongru instantly felt a sense of revival.
"Director Li, are you saying I passed the audition?" Yang Gongru asked excitedly.
Yang Siwei held a document bag and handed it to Yang Gongru, smiling.
"The boss has given you the script, so how can it be fake?"
"Have your company send someone to sign the contract with me."
"Ah, thank you, Director Li."
For the remaining actors, Li Chen handed the list to Yang Siwei to contact.
On July 5th, Rongchen Film and Television announced the casting results for ip man, as well as the director and main actors.
Director: Ning Hao
Action Director: Sammo Hung
ip man: Zhang Jin
Zhang Yongcheng: Yang Gongru
Zhou Qingquan: Huang Lei
Jin Shanzhao: Fan Shaohuang
Li Zhao: Yu Hewei
Miura: Hiroyuki Ikeuchi
Guest appearance: Zhou Zhaolong
Sammo Hung was Zhou Zhaolong's master, and with Zhou Zhaolong's connection, things were much easier.
As soon as the news was announced, it immediately caused heated discussions in the industry.
No one had guessed the results for the male and female leads.
The role of ip man went to the little-known Zhang Jin.
The female lead was even more unexpectedly given to Yang Gongru, who came from Miss Asia.
None of his own Double Bing were selected, which made Wang Zhonglei somewhat annoyed.
Rongchen Film and Television was like an iron fence, impervious to influence.
Would he make a call just for an audition opportunity?
Li Bingbing and Li Xue, the sisters, were quite open-minded about it.
"Sister, the situation where Huayi Brothers dominated the market is probably gone forever."
"Director Wang is probably very angry," Li Xue said.
"Anger is useless; Director Wang can't control Director Li."
"Director Li is no longer the fledgling university student he was two years ago," Li Bingbing said.
"That's right. I understood it at the shoplifters premiere that day. Director Li is not simple."
"Young in age, but with formidable means. All his allies are industry leaders and elites."
"China Film Group Corporation, a state-owned enterprise, Enlight Media, the leader in distribution, plus Rongchen Film and Television's golden reputation in production, can be said to be unstoppable."
"There's no need to care about Director Wang's mood at all," Li Xue sighed.
On the other side, Li Shaohong of Rongxingda was also puzzled when Rongchen Film and Television had not yet signed Yang Mi.
Li Chen didn't care about how the outside world discussed things.
ip man was scheduled to start filming after the National Day holiday, and Wing Chun couldn't be mastered in a day or two.
Wu Ershan returned from Sony.
Li Chen, Wu Bin, and Wu Ershan watched the edited film at the company.
Li Chen was very satisfied.
From the first part, painted skin already bore Wu Ershan's cool tone.
Watching the entire movie, Li Chen felt that the beauty of the visuals was no less than Zhang Yimou's Hero.
If Hero was a passionate azalea, then painted skin was a cool narcissus.
The special effects were also much more dazzling than the five-cent special effects made in Hong Kong in his previous life.
Without the logical flaws, Li Chen now had confidence to go to Venice.
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