Global Film Emperor

Chapter 127 is officially released
After arranging for the children, Lu Ze officially went on stage. The flashbulbs started going off, and Lu Ze gave a slight bow to express his gratitude to the reporters and film critics who had come to the scene.

The premiere was not ticketed, and there were only about thirty people in the audience. It couldn't even compare to the audience of well-known films, let alone ordinary art films.

But as an artist, the first thing you have to do is stay relaxed and cheerful no matter how awkward the situation is, and not let the awkwardness on set affect you.

He pulled out a chair, nodded to Wang Zhen and Li Wei who were already there, and sat down next to Zhuang Yu.

"Wow, you've gotten so much stronger in just a few months?"

Not to mention Wang Zhen and Li Wei, even Zhuang Yu was surprised. As long as men work out for a long time, their temperament will become more rugged, while women will become more sexy.

Lu Ze now looks like a suit-wearing thug from a Western movie. He takes off his sunglasses and puts them on the table. With his short haircut, suit, big watch, and big ring, he looks much more domineering than before.

Zhuang Yu squeezed Lu Ze's arm; it was stiff, and the veins on the back of his hand were bulging, showing a strong sense of power. He knew that Lu Ze had taken on a new role and knew what kind of role it was, but Lu Ze's huge change still amazed him.

The current situation doesn't allow these people on stage to discuss trivial family matters. Although the setup is rather meager, with only five people including the emcee, of course, everyone who should be there is present.

Zhuang Yu handled everything: director, screenwriter, producer, supervisor, and art director. Only the male and female leads and a male supporting actor were left. Compared to the premieres of other movies, Zhuang Yu and his team seemed to be playing house.

Zhuang Yu nodded to the emcee, who then officially announced the start of the premiere. The reporters and film critics below were quite respectful, giving the four people on stage some applause.

Perhaps there was also an element of admiration in the thick skin of the four people on stage.

The emcee didn't say much, just briefly introduced the guests, and then handed the microphone to Zhuang Yu, who then began to speak.

"Hello, fellow journalists and film critics. Today marks the official release of 'Hello, Mr. Tree.' From November 17 to July 18, it took eight months for filming, editing, censorship, and scheduling. If you include the pre-production preparations, it took almost a year."

When the topic of time came up, Lu Ze and the others were momentarily dazed. The passage of time never attracts people's attention; it's only when others mention it that you realize, "Oh, it's been so long."

Zhuang Yu kept squeezing the water bottle on the table, but didn't make much noise. Lu Ze could feel his tension, after all, he had mortgaged the house to film the movie.

Pursuing dreams is an exciting thing, but Zhuang Yu also has to bear the cost of failing to achieve them, so how can Zhuang Yu not be nervous now?

"This film was very tough, so I want to thank the staff and the lead actors for accompanying me to the coldest province in China to film this movie. This film is not only my hard work, but also everyone's hard work. In fact, I have many stories to share with you behind the scenes."

Behind Zhuang Yu was a large screen. When Zhuang Yu turned his head, Lu Ze and the others also turned around to look. When they saw the sudden appearance on the screen, they couldn't help but chuckle.

The screen showed Lu Ze, his lips bleeding, the blood trickling down his chin with his saliva. It was quite creepy; this happened when he was fighting with his younger brother while hitting a tree.

There were also a series of actors and staff members whose ears were frostbitten, sores appeared, and they bled. Their lips were also frostbitten and turned blue. Everyone looked neither human nor ghost.

Next was a video, I don’t know who filmed it, it was when Lu Ze had a high fever, his whole face was burning red, he wasn’t talking nonsense but he was numb, he needed to be carried to the health station to get an IV drip, it was in the village clinic.

Lu Ze lay on a makeshift iron bed, next to a dilapidated stove still burning. Ash and ashes littered the ground. He was covered with a green military overcoat, looking as if he were dead, staring blankly at the ceiling. He didn't respond when called. Many more photos and videos followed, and the pitiful state of these staff members deeply moved everyone. How long had it been since they'd seen actors suffer like this?
The actors and crew ate from the same pot, drank hot liquor from the kettle, and shoveled snow together. It wasn't just a staged photoshoot; everyone was practically an expert in the industry. They could tell whether the frostbite was makeup or real, and that couldn't be faked.

Although the people in the photos and videos are suffering, their smiles are equally radiant. The last group photo, where everyone is making a peace sign, may be a bit corny, but it's still heartwarming.

The reporters recorded these things and applauded the four people on stage, especially Lu Ze, who appeared on camera the most. They didn't know if Lu Ze acted well or not, but his professional attitude alone deserved to be called an actor.

A good actor isn't someone who's never late, never leaves early, or doesn't use green screen effects. Rather, a true actor is someone who stays on the front lines even with minor injuries, recovers fully from serious injuries and comes back to work, and is serious and responsible for every scene and every performance.

After receiving applause, the four stood up and bowed slightly to the audience to express their gratitude. For them, the most important thing was that the movie was made well. It wasn't just about making a profit; a well-made movie was the greatest affirmation for them, and all their hard work would not have been in vain.

"After they finished speaking, I talked about the other actors. None of them complained. I told them how to film, and they filmed exactly as I told them. It's just that they couldn't be there because of their livelihoods. When I called them, many of them were filming other movies. One of them was even working in the countryside, playing the suona at a funeral. I don't deny that the crew I put together was a makeshift operation, but each of them should be praised, instead of saying that the four of us who were able to be there took on all the hardships."

Zhuang Yu talked a lot. He's not a qualified director, at least not for this film. He kept rambling on and on about how good many people in the crew were.

But he's a good person. He remembers everyone in the crew and everyone's contributions. He saw it all and kept it in his heart. Finally, today he couldn't help but open his mouth and let it all out.

He eventually stopped speaking due to time constraints, but Lu Ze and the other two didn't have time to give their remarks. They just listened, smiled, and began to reminisce about that difficult but wonderful time.

When the reporters started asking questions, the first person they asked was Lu Ze, who was the biggest star in the show.

"Hello Lu Ze, as far as I know, you had been approached for other film roles before filming 'Mr. Tree'. What made you ultimately choose to film 'Mr. Tree'?"

The reporter was probably in his thirties, quite overweight, wearing glasses, and waiting for Lu Ze's reply with a smile.

Actually, this question is easy to answer, but there are aspects that need to be avoided. Lu Ze picked up the microphone, shook it gently in his hand, pondered for a few seconds, and then answered the crew's question.

"Actually, it was also because of the role I was offered. Some of the film offers I was offered didn't quite match my appearance. For example, the roles in the films by directors Liu Yumin and Guan Jia were somewhat contrary to my own conditions. As an actor, I must put the filming of the movie first. If the appearance is not similar, how can I portray the spirit? Then Director Zhuang contacted me and said that he had a script for me to look at. 'Mr. Tree' is a true story that happened around me, which enhanced my sense of immersion. So in the end, I chose the role of Mr. Tree."

He nodded to the reporter, indicating that he had answered all his questions. Since everyone had received bribes, the reporter wouldn't cause Lu Ze any trouble.

Then a series of questions came, but Lu Ze easily deflected them all. Wang Zhen and Li Wei were both experienced and answered them very calmly.

After the twenty-minute Q&A session ended, Lu Ze and his team stepped down from the stage and sat in the front row, ready to see how their work had fared over the past few months.

The staff moved the tables and chairs off the stage, adjusted the equipment, and confirmed that everything was working properly.

"Hello, Mr. Tree" has officially begun.

(End of this chapter)