Chapter 96: Firing Across the Air
After leaving Teacher Tian, Li Chen went to find Teacher Xue Xiaolu again.
those years was scheduled to start filming on October 1st in Yunnan.
This was something Li Chen had decided on early.
Yunnan has Erhai Lake, and the scenery is pleasant; filming there would definitely be better than Jiubadao's haphazardly edited version.
Most importantly, in Li Chen's eyes, the setting for those years should be a place with flowers, a sea, and a spring-like climate all year round.
Otherwise, if you film in Beijing, it might be all smog and gray, lacking the vibrant colors of youth.
Starting in 2004, the term 'smog' appeared for the first time in Beijing's weather forecast.
Li Chen sent Miss Liu home and then went to the company.
These past two days, the internet was filled with news about the Oscar race.
Hong Kong and the mainland successively announced their Oscar-contending films.
First, Starlight International Media and the Hong Kong Producers Association revealed that perhaps love would represent the Hong Kong region in this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Chen Kexin said in an interview that he had long planned to participate in the Oscar, which was why he rejected the five major international film festivals.
“Although I know participating in other film festivals wouldn't conflict with the Oscar.”
“But my film isn't an art-house film, so there's no need to participate in film festivals everywhere; if I'm going, I'll go to the best.”
“I chose to go to the Oscar, and I am very confident I can win a little golden man.”
This guy and his girlfriend have always been outspoken.
However, it's no wonder Chen Kexin's tone was exceptionally arrogant.
perhaps love beat The Myth and Red Bean, ultimately winning out among the three films, giving a sense of 'who else but me?'
Coincidentally, another Director Chen from the mainland, of The Promise, had already declared his intentions earlier.
His target was the Oscar, and today, the General Administration finally confirmed it.
“Chen Kaige's The Promise will represent mainland cinema in the race for next year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.”
“This is Chen Kaige's first time representing the mainland in the Oscar competition.”
“perhaps love, The Promise” competing for the Oscar, a double “Chen” story unfolds?
shanghai dreams, cocosilili, and six or seven other films were all swept aside; The Promise officially set off!
A relevant person from the Film Bureau told reporters.
“The Promise is an excellent film.”
“We went through repeated discussions and research before finally deciding to select it to represent mainland films at the Oscar.”
“It represents the highest level of artistic and commercial integration in mainland cinema this year.”
Netizens were immediately upset.
“What's the deal with shoplifters? Does the Golden Palm also have to go by seniority?”
“Upstairs, don't even think about it, Director Li didn't even register.”
“shoplifters has a problematic worldview, how can it contend for an Oscar?”
“What about painted skin then?”
“Mainland films participating in the Oscar must have 7 days of commercial screening in the mainland, and painted skin didn't.”
“And The Promise did?”
“You can go to Chengdu during the National Day holiday to see the sneak preview; Director Chen had already prepared for it.”
“Sigh, I mourn for Director Li for three seconds, but I wonder what's up with The Promise? The boasts have reached the heavens.”
“That couple has hyped The Promise to be out of this world; I'm really curious about the epic masterpiece they spent three years creating, dragging their family along.”
Yang Siwei was very clever in her media interview, offering blessings to The Promise.
Regarding the media's question about whether not registering was due to shoplifters' problematic worldview, as rumored.
Yang Siwei, following Li Chen's instructions, only replied with eight characters: “The benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom.”
Upon entering the company, the employees all greeted their boss with smiles.
“Director Li.”
“Director Li.”
Li Chen smiled and nodded: “Notify all departments to come to the conference room for a meeting.”
“Okay, Director Li.”
“Director Li seems to be in a good mood; he doesn't seem to care about The Promise contending for an Oscar!” the two young ladies at the front desk whispered.
In Li Chen's office, Wu Bin still felt it was unfair to Li Chen.
Li Chen, however, was very open-minded: “Senior Brother Wu, take it easy, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I don't even care, so you don't need to look like that.”
Li Chen naturally had his reasons for not registering for the Oscar.
The outside speculations were only part of it.
There were many more reasons.
Not to mention the unwritten “ban” that already existed within the Oscar itself.
Oscar judges are generally older and still hold prejudices against China films.
Except for Li An's crouching tiger, hidden dragon, which won Best Foreign Language Film once, all other attempts to win an Oscar failed.
Why? Because Li An had already flourished in Hollywood and was considered an “insider” there.
farewell my concubine, with the prestige of the Cannes Golden Palm and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, was nominated for an Oscar.
Everyone thought it was a sure win.
But surprisingly, it lost to an unknown Spanish film, The Daughter of the Nile.
Afterward, some people heard such words from a few Oscar judges.
“This film has already won too many awards; it doesn't need our award anymore.”
One sentence revealed that the Oscar was just like that.
What's more, The Promise basically had all the right timing, location, and people.
Just China Film Group Corporation, one of the co-producers, basically meant it was a done deal.
Why should Li Chen be stubborn and humiliate himself?
Moreover, in his previous life, shoplifters only received an Oscar nomination.
Five minutes later.
In the conference room, department heads from finance, legal, HR, administration, production, directing, and art, as well as publicity director Yang Siwei and operations director Wu Bin, were all neatly seated in the company's largest conference room, Room 1.
“I called everyone here to hear your opinions.”
“After the Spring Festival this year, it will be the company's third anniversary.”
“This year is also the first year our company has moved into Splendid Diamond.”
“Therefore, this year's company annual meeting should be grand, to enhance employee cohesion.”
“Everyone, please go and solicit opinions from the employees below and put together a plan.”
“Siwei, I'm entrusting this to you. Work with Qi Min to come up with a budget and submit it to me within two days.”
“The budget can be a bit higher; don't let the employees say Director Li is stingy.” Li Chen said with a self-deprecating laugh.
The department executives also laughed.
Especially Qi Min, the finance director, who was perfectly clear about the company's profits this year.
It was likely that all the film and television companies in Beijing combined wouldn't even earn half of Rongchen Film and Television's profits this year.
“Boss, don't worry, Qi Min and I will definitely not save money for you.” Yang Siwei said with a smile.
Laughter filled the conference room.
Employees, looking through the transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, saw their boss and the company owner laughing and chatting, and they all speculated whether there was some good news.
In the afternoon, all company employees knew that this year's annual meeting would be a grand affair.
In the past two years, they had received triple bonuses, and employees were already very satisfied.
Looking at this year's momentum, it was even more than that, and the employees were all even more excited.
Li Chen then handed the completed score for those years to Yang Siwei.
Yang Siwei took the score and exclaimed, “Boss, you are truly multitalented.”
It's not difficult for someone who understands music theory to write a score based on a song.
Li Chen smiled: “I'll grudgingly accept 'talented,' but 'multi-talented' is a bit much.”
“Your boss here has a terrible voice, otherwise I'd sing it myself.”
“You go contact Harlem Yu from Taiwan; I prefer him to arrange and sing it.”
Harlem Yu is a versatile singer who can compose, arrange, and sing.
Li Chen felt that if he sang those years, it would definitely not be worse than Hu Xia.
Yang Siwei didn't ask much, nodding: “No problem, Boss, I'll contact him.”
With the current momentum of this movie, finding someone to sing the ending theme song would not be difficult at all.
“It needs to be completed before mid-December. If Harlem Yu can't do it, then we'll find someone else.” Li Chen said.
Li Chen initially planned to release those years during the Spring Festival Film Season.
It was already 8 PM when he left the company, and as soon as he stepped out of Splendid Diamond.
Li Chen was immediately caught by several media reporters who had been waiting for a long time.
He didn't know how they found out he was back.
“Director Li, Director Li, do you have anything to say about Director Chen Kexin's remarks yesterday from Hong Kong?”
“Director Li, do you believe Director Chen Kexin's words were alluding to painted skin, given that painted skin and perhaps love were released at the same time and are competitors?”
Reporters all knew that Li Chen was always quiet until he made a statement that stunned everyone.
Right off the bat, they threw out a highly inflammatory question.
More than a dozen reporters all pointed their microphones at him, hoping Li Chen would continue to 'speak wildly' and 'surprise people.'
Li Chen actually had some opinions about Chen Kexin's words.
He always felt that Chen Kexin was implying painted skin, and painted skin was not an art film, yet it still participated in Venice.
Since you asked for it, then I apologize.
“Whether he was alluding to painted skin, you'll have to ask him.”
“As for competitors, are you referring to box office or awards?”
“If it's box office, then I can tell you clearly that painted skin has never considered perhaps love as a competitor.”
“If it's awards, wait until he gets an Oscar nomination before we talk about it. Excuse me, please move aside…”
“Director Li, what do you say about your rumored romance with Liu Yifei?”
...
At this moment, the reporters were incredibly excited.
This was an aerial battle between two major directors from Hong Kong and the mainland!
Indeed, staking out for a day yielded great rewards; this news would definitely explode today.
The reporters stopped Li Chen and asked a few more questions.
Li Chen then managed to break free from the crowd with the protection of two assistants.
After getting into the car, Li Chen called Yang Siwei.
“Mmm hmm… Okay, Boss, I know what to do.”
Yang Siwei hung up the phone, feeling somewhat invigorated, and immediately called her subordinates to prepare a contingency plan.
Today was also a good opportunity to push things along, to give Chen Kexin a good scolding, lest the old fellow keep talking without thinking.
Southern Daily
“lost in thailand, produced by Rongchen Film and Television and directed by Director Xu Zheng, has entered the post-production stage.”
“Director Xu Zheng said he hopes lost in thailand can meet everyone during the Spring Festival Film Season.”
“father's love is like a mountain, a crime-themed feature film co-produced by Rongchen Film and Television and Emperor Entertainment Group, will hold its Premiere on October 25th at the Political Consultative Conference Auditorium in Beijing.”
“And will be simultaneously released in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the mainland on October 28th.”
New Beijing News
The Golden Palm director Li Chen returned to Beijing yesterday in a low-key manner.
Our reporter interviewed Director Li Chen immediately.
Director Li Chen's big screen debut, those years, will begin filming on October 1st in Yunnan.
Regarding his rumored romance with Liu Yifei, Director Li Chen joked: He has too many rumored girlfriends, this is his third time being in the 'palace'!
Netizens' comments also made Li Chen smile; many netizens were still quite intelligent.
Their guesses, made out of thin air, were pretty close to the mark.
“As the ancient saying goes, 'things do not go beyond three.' Perhaps, this one is the real deal.”
“The ancient saying also goes, 'the third party comes out on top'!”
“Guo Xiang is just a supporting role; Little Dragon Girl is the main character.”
“Did the paparazzi get paid? A rumored girlfriend every now and then, I'm numb to it! None have ever been confirmed, I wonder how long Liu Yifei can dominate the charts!”
“Isn't the surname Li a rabbit? Not eating grass by the den anymore? Set his sights on Little Dragon Girl?”
“Big directors playing with actresses are like monkeys moving corn, picking one up and dropping another. Fairy Sister, please don't degrade yourself.”
“A big director is better than a sugar daddy!”
These were just appetizers.
The main event arrived at 10 PM, when three major portals successively reported Li Chen's remarks from two hours earlier, with no more than a 5-minute time difference.
The titles were varied, all designed to grab attention.
“Director Li Chen fires across the air at Director Chen Kexin, seemingly responding to Director Chen Kexin's remarks yesterday.”
“painted skin never considered perhaps love as a competitor, Director Li Chen is pessimistic about perhaps love's Oscar nomination.”
“Chen Kexin angers Li Chen, was it careless talk or intentional?”
“painted skin, perhaps love not yet released, two major directors already clashing.”
As soon as the news broke.
Innumerable netizens immediately commented.
“Holy cow, Director Li is in full force! The last time I saw Director Li speak so bluntly was at the Premiere of a world without thieves.”
“Damn it, he should be sprayed! Don't indulge him, acting all high and mighty. If he's so capable, then don't go to any film festivals!”
“What does he have besides comrades: almost a love story? Compared to Director Li, his only advantage is his age, but even at his age, why does he speak without thinking?”
“These reporters are finally doing something useful.”
“I just want to know how Chen Kexin will respond now.”
“Chen Kexin used a veiled accusation, Director Li used a direct naming. Next, I predict Chen Kexin will run out of tricks.”
Unlike netizens who can say whatever they want, artists in the industry, even if they have an opinion, won't easily take sides.
Those who dare to take sides are usually the smart ones among the A-list artists.
When Zhou Xun learned of this news, Zeng Jia called her.
She was repeatedly cautioned not to impulsively choose a side, otherwise, she would definitely end up alienating both parties.
Although Zhou Xun had a personality, she wasn't foolish.
The Oscar was important, but whether she could even get a nomination was truly up in the air, but painted skin had already put her on the podium of the Big Three European film festivals.
By not siding with Director Li, she was already being fair to Director Chen.
Zhou Xun immediately called Yang Siwei.
“Sister Xun, you shouldn't comment on this. You can't control it. Is that person sick? My boss definitely won't tolerate such words from him.”
Zhou Xun sighed, somewhat annoyed: “Sigh, sister's life is truly bitter. Two plays are opening on the same day, and Director Li and Director Chen have already started fighting.”
“I don't even have to think about it, at the Premieres of both plays, sister will definitely feel worse than dead…”
Yang Siwei laughed heartily: “Sister Xun, I support you spiritually.”
After hanging up, Yang Siwei also posted a blog entry on her blog.
“My boss, though young, doesn't easily argue with people. If he does speak up to argue, it's definitely because someone brought it upon themselves.”
The blog post was published less than two minutes later.
Someone left a comment.
Yang Mi: If Senior argues with someone, then the problem definitely lies with that person.
Tang Yan: What the boss said is true. I don't think it counts as arguing, does it?
Huang Xiaoming: Director Li has always been outspoken.
Fan Bingbing: Director Li's tone is a bit aggressive, but what he said is indeed the truth.
Li Bingbing: I am the lead actress of painted skin, and I am optimistic about painted skin.
The next morning, those in the industry who woke up finally understood what had happened the previous night.
Artists below the A-list all kept silent, having no right to make any comments, as they couldn't afford to offend either side.
However, Director Chen Kexin's girlfriend jumped out.
Facing reporters, she stated directly,
“Some directors in the mainland are too sensitive. My husband was just discussing the matter at hand and didn't mean to allude to anyone.”
The news fermented online.
There was no need for Li Chen to act; mainland netizens taught her a lesson.
“Your husband? Why don't you get married first?”
“Like attracts like; they're almost a hundred years old combined, why are they still so willful?”
“Oscar statuette? Get a nomination first!”
“Comparing box office, Director Li's lowest was lost on journey, 49 million. Bring out your boyfriend's highest to compare.”
“Comparing awards, forget it, don't compare, for your own good.”
“It's as if Director Li wasn't just discussing the matter at hand.”
“Don't always aim too high, pursuing that flashy but impractical statuette. I'll give you a saying: a flower in the water, a moon in the mirror.”
“Your boyfriend's hair is already white, save it.”
Early in the morning, Li Chen and Miss Liu were having breakfast, treating the online comments as a joke.
Miss Liu was also following Yang Siwei and asked curiously, “Director Li, many people are leaving messages for Siwei.”
Li Chen smiled, “Xixi, artists in the entertainment industry are all shrewd. No one would rashly offend a big director.”
“If there is, it must be because the disparity in strength between the two sides is too great; even a fool knows how to choose a side.”
Miss Liu smiled, “I'll choose too!”
With that, she left a message on Yang Siwei's blog: Siwei, I'm not familiar with Director Li, but I trust you.
“Here, look for yourself, I've thrown myself out there.”
Li Chen looked and immediately shook his head with a light laugh, “Isn't this an attempt to cover up? Netizens will definitely suspect even more that you are my girlfriend.”
Miss Liu chuckled, “Then let them suspect, I haven't admitted it anyway.”
Compared to the cautious messages between A-list artists, the big bosses had fewer concerns.
“Li Chen, don't worry. Although the mainland distributor for perhaps love is Starlight International Media, I will support you this time.”
“Oh, Han Dong, save it. Starlight International Media is still a partner of your China Film Group Corporation, no need.”
“I truly don't take perhaps love seriously.”
“Brother, I can't say anything else, but the promotion and distribution of painted skin will definitely crush perhaps love,” Wang Changtian said aggressively.
painted skin had given him a huge taste of success, and he was just looking for an opportunity to return the favor, and this opportunity had come.
After hanging up the phone, Wang Changtian called his assistant, “Xiaoping, don't take any more orders for perhaps love.”
Li Xiaoping was stunned but still nodded in agreement.
After a movie is released, the distributor will inevitably increase exposure or strike while the iron is hot by appearing on shows and issuing press releases.
Wang Dong was determined to side with Rongchen Film and Television.
But thinking about it, he was right; only a fool would side with that Chen Kexin.
Miss Liu was next to him petting a cat and reading blogs, while Li Chen kept answering calls.
President Bao of Wanda called, even explicitly stating that they would definitely prioritize painted skin in terms of screening schedules.
Li Chen repeatedly explained, “No, really!”
But the other party was determined, as if not accepting would be looking down on Wanda.
Ren Zhonglun of Shanghai Film Group also called, his meaning very subtle, implying that they would definitely side with their own people.
The meaning of 'their own people' was self-evident.
Even Xiao Wang of Huayi Brothers and Yu Dong of Bona Film Group also 'righteously' expressed their absolute support.
Li Chen was truly speechless, making it seem as if painted skin was a disadvantaged group.
Although the big bosses reached a tacit understanding privately, there is no such thing as a watertight wall in the world.
Someone broke the news,
“Chen Kexin's words caused trouble, and his girlfriend added fuel to the fire.”
“perhaps love is likely to be jointly 'boycotted' by several mainland cinemas, leading to reduced screening schedules.”
Netizens were all watching the show, expressing that he brought it upon himself.
Chen Kexin was a bit annoyed, not expecting it to turn into such a result.
Just now, President Qin of Starlight International Media called him, confirming that the online news was likely true.
He hadn't expected that young man to have such great influence.
Now he was in a difficult position.
He couldn't risk offending most mainland cinemas by using the media to cry foul.
Just now, Emperor Entertainment Group also sent word to him, telling him not to be too stubborn.
A few words, but they carried significant weight.
His girlfriend was also in a panic, now daring not to speak easily to the media.
Li Chen saw that this wouldn't do.
He had Yang Siwei issue a statement on behalf of the company.
“Rongchen Film and Television's publicity director, Miss Yang Siwei, publicly stated that there is no such thing as a joint boycott or reduction of screening schedules as rumored online.”
“Rongchen Film and Television has full confidence in painted skin and does not need to resort to such methods.”
“If mainland cinemas reduce the screening schedule of a certain film, there is only one reason: the audience doesn't buy it.”
A battle without smoke thus came to an end.
The influence of Rongchen Film and Television surfaced for the first time.
Previously, everyone only felt that Rongchen Film and Television had strength, but this time it was truly demonstrated.
The tacit understanding reached by the big bosses in silence further illustrated the point.
This now solidified Rongchen Film and Television's title as an uncrowned king.
Fan Bingbing invited Yang Siwei out for dinner.
There were only the two of them in the private room, and Fan Bingbing sighed, “Director Li is truly, how should I put it, he didn't even make a move, and his allies eliminated the enemy.”
Yang Siwei smiled, “It was that Chen Kexin who ran into the gun. My boss's personality certainly wouldn't be easy to talk to.”
“Those big bosses in the industry, unable to decline their hospitality, made my boss somewhat helpless, which is why I issued a statement.”
On September 30th, Li Chen, the main actors of those years, and Xue Xiaolu flew to Kunming.
Tang Yan and Miss Liu sat together, their relationship growing increasingly intimate, like sisters-in-law.
Li Chen, on the other hand, sat with Xue Xiaolu.
Shen Teng and Qiao Shan sat across the aisle from Li Chen.
Shen Teng was truly a campus heartthrob at this time; he wasn't boasting later.
As the plane took off, Shen Teng started a conversation with Li Chen to get closer.
“Director Li, if you have time, please come and give us some advice on our play,” Shen Teng said with a clean smile.
Li Chen pondered, he would have to make him look more wretched when applying makeup.
“Alright, I'll definitely go if I have time,” Li Chen said with a smile.
Qiao Shan, next to Shen Teng, was round and chubby, perfectly fitting the fat character played by Hao Shaowen.
But he was even more comedic than the adult Hao Shaowen.
It reminded Li Chen of the later nicknames 'Health Brother' and 'King of Bathhouses'.
However, the current King of Bathhouses was still just a junior schoolmate of Tang Yan.
The plane landed in Kunming.
The crew had already contacted a local private school, and extras had also been found locally.
The first day of National Day.
Before filming began, Li Chen, representing the crew of “those years,” accepted media interviews, and there would be one media visit during filming.
There was no need to keep this film a secret, as the novel was already popular across the internet.
At the set.
Xue Xiaolu joked, “Director Li, if anything is out of place, you can also yell 'cut.'”
“Alright, Sister Lu, I've never seen an actor yell 'cut.' If you don't yell 'cut,' who would dare to?” Li Chen replied with a smile.
Xue Xiaolu smiled, “Then let's start. I'm also really looking forward to seeing what you're like when acting.”
The crew planned to finish filming the campus scenes during the seven-day National Day holiday.
The remaining scenes filmed in Yunnan would not need to be rushed.
First scene.
“Action!” The clapperboard clapped.
Ke Teng (Li Chen) had just entered the school.
A basketball flew over, but unfortunately, Hu Kun, who played Old Cao, was too nervous.
After all, he had to hit The Golden Palm director's head with a basketball, and he used too little force, missing the target.
Xue Xiaolu immediately yelled “Cut!”
Hu Kun knew his mistake and quickly apologized.
Xue Xiaolu said, “Hu Kun, relax. He's your buddy and classmate now.”
Restarting the scene.
This time, Hu Kun hit him. Li Chen's head tilted, no acting needed; the kid used too much force.
It hurt him so much that he stumbled.
“Don't you have hands?” Hu Kun said nonchalantly.
Next scene.
The group walked into the classroom.
The camera zoomed in on Li Chen, who had breakfast stuffed in his mouth and a novel in his hands.
Then it turned to each supporting character.
Later, voiceovers for each character's introduction would be added.
Finally, the camera slowly pushed in, focusing on the female lead, the academic overachiever Shen Jiayi (Liu Yifei).
Liu Yifei was wearing a white school uniform shirt.
Her shoulder-length black hair fell naturally.
Her pure, unadorned beauty surpassed even the school's actual beauty queen.
She sat quietly in her seat, smiling gently, engrossed in her textbook.
Like an ethereal narcissus, she formed a stark contrast with the surrounding students.
Xue Xiaolu secretly nodded, thinking that Li Chen's eye for casting was still on point.
Although she hadn't seen much of Liu Yifei, this young girl was indeed very suitable for playing this type of school beauty and academic overachiever.
She could just act naturally; there weren't many places that required extensive acting skills.
After a long take was finished.
Next shot.
Liao Gaibi, played by Shen Teng, appeared.
Shen Teng, rubbing his crotch as he entered the classroom, indeed had great comedic talent.
He embodied the character very well; it seemed he had diligently studied the script beforehand.
As for the subsequent scene of fantasizing about the teacher and competing in 'hand-shooting' during class, Li Chen had no intention of including it when writing the script.
Unless he didn't want it to pass censorship.
The academic overachiever Liu Yifei was called out by the teacher, who then handed the academic underachiever Li Chen over to her.
Li Chen was made to sit in front of Liu Yifei, becoming her one-on-one poverty alleviation target.
Li Chen sat in front of Liu Yifei, looking disgusted, muttering, “Transferred to this godforsaken place, unlucky, unlucky!”
Liu Yifei said, “Who's really unlucky? Sitting in front of me, don't play any more childish tricks that cause me trouble.”
“Cut!” Xue Xiaolu yelled.
Li Chen didn't know what was wrong; he felt his acting was fine.
Liu Yifei felt a bit uneasy, having a premonition that something might be wrong with her performance.
Xue Xiaolu said, “Yifei, your line delivery isn't good. I didn't hear any hint of disgust from you.”
“And there's no trace of annoyance on your face either.”
“Right now, your feeling towards Ke Teng should be disgust and disdain. Your tone should convey your impatience and annoyance!”
“Not just reciting lines!”
Li Chen was a bit helpless; he had his back to Miss Liu and didn't know how she was acting.
Xue Xiaolu's style, once she entered director mode, she wouldn't care about your feelings.
Liu Yifei pursed her lips, humbly nodded, and said, “Teacher Xue, I understand. Let's do it again.”
Li Chen turned and quietly comforted her, “Just pretend I'm that Song Gou who's always disgusting people in the industry.”
Liu Yifei felt a warmth in her heart, wanting to laugh but feeling it was inappropriate, and nodded slightly.
The next day, a rumor about the Olympic Chief Director selection sparked heated discussion.
Even the opening ceremony interview for those years couldn't overshadow the popularity of this news.
For the first time, Li Chen's headline was stolen by someone else.
This person was none other than another Golden Palm director.
“Director Chen Kaige carelessly lost Jingzhou, eliminated in the first round of the Olympic Chief Director selection?”
The striking headline was eye-catching, and the leaker claimed that Director Chen Kaige was in high spirits during the selection that day.
He improvised a poem in front of a group of judges, completely engrossed in himself, his eyes practically treating the judges in front of him as elementary school students.
But the judges didn't buy it.
Most people online believed it, because the description was so vivid and detailed.
“With The Promise's Premiere imminent, the Olympic Organizing Committee has given Director Chen a harsh blow!”
“It seems the Golden Palm isn't omnipotent; I just wonder how Zhang Yimou is doing.”
“Upstairs, if Zhang Yimou passes, I estimate Director Chen will vomit three liters of blood. And the Golden Palm also depends on the person.”
The crew of those years was also discussing this matter.
During the lunch break, Xue Xiaolu smiled, “Li Chen, do you think this is real or fake?”
“It's probably true. Reciting a poem definitely fits Director Chen's character. The person who broke the news seems like they were right there,” Li Chen replied.
Of course, this was true, but Li Chen could only pretend not to know at this time.
“If you had gone, perhaps the outcome would have been different,” Xue Xiaolu said.
“Sister Lu, why are you as idle as the netizens? Don't ever say that again. If I had gone, the result would have been the same as Director Chen's,” Li Chen said with a wry smile.
With so many people watching him, if Li Chen were to disparage a Poet in front of everyone today, countless versions of the story would probably spread by busybodies.
Xue Xiaolu and Li Chen, one a teacher at Beijing Film Academy and the other a Golden Palm director.
Only the two of them could comment on such a topic.
The actors in the crew could only listen with wide eyes and relish, unable to interject a single word.
At this moment, the other Golden Palm director involved was truly furious, his three corpses jumping with rage.
Like a bull in heat, he paced back and forth in front of his wife.
“One was carrying my camera back then, and the other is just a wet-behind-the-ears kid who got lucky.”
“What do those people understand? What do they understand about being a director? What right do they have to be judges!”
“Alright, these people online just like to join in the fun, and the results haven't been announced yet.”
“Even if you're not selected, it's nothing. If you don't do this thankless task, then don't do it. We don't care.”
When the Poet heard his wife say this, he looked at her still beautiful face, and the anger in his heart seemed to dissipate a little.