Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 107: The groundbreaking "Run Lola Run"—a must-read for women!
Looking at the two young people who stayed behind, their eyes shining as they asked him questions about various aspects of filming, Wu Yuchen felt a bit like he had met some die-hard fans. Hearing them say that they had already watched the film three times in the exhibition hall, he felt like he had met some really enthusiastic fans.

"Yes, essentially, 'Run Lola Run' is an action movie. The female lead is constantly running, so the whole film has to be dynamic. Both the visual and auditory aspects have to give the audience a sense of speed. I wanted to create a pure sense of pleasure derived from speed, conveying a cause-and-effect relationship in a crazy chase."

"Time? From a creator's perspective, you have to understand that it is a means of manipulating the film. It can do more than just create a sense of urgency for the audience. I think you can also see that each of Lola's 20-minute segments is a continuous process. As the film progresses, the audience's emotions completely transcend the limitations of time segments."

"The biggest challenge is not jumping between scenes in advance like in action movies, but keeping all the transitions smooth so that the audience can move from one scene to another with their emotional ups and downs."

Why didn't people notice that the principle of temporal unity in the film was challenged? Because we used different filming techniques for each temporal layer, allowing the audience to subconsciously distinguish between them.

Muller and Reus listened to Wu Yuchen's various answers, their eyes filled with even greater admiration. It was very likely that the concepts and techniques Wu Yuchen was sharing about filming would greatly benefit their future directing careers.

Wu Yuchen wasn't impatient. The purpose and theme of the film festival screenings was to encourage communication, not only with the audience but also with colleagues. Besides, he wasn't only with these two people; there were other colleagues standing there to support him, such as Derek Yee and Yan Hao.

After Müller and Reus left, looking as if they had received a sudden enlightenment and their faces filled with excitement, Derek Yee gave Wu Yu-chen a thumbs up:

“I’ve heard Ann Hui mention your sharp style before, but I didn’t expect it to be this amazing! Director Wu, I feel your style is more like that of people from Hong Kong Island.”

Actually, I recently saw a film with this kind of segmented narrative exploration structure on Hong Kong Island. It was a new film produced by Milkyway Image that hasn't been released yet, called "The Birth of a Gangster".

I already felt that it was very impressive, but I didn't expect that at the same time, Director Wu would also make an even more amazing and avant-garde film like "Run Lola Run".

It really makes me feel like I'm falling behind the times!

Wu Yuchen smiled and said, "Oh? Then I'll definitely have a good chat with them when I get the chance!"

In fact, Wu Yuchen had seen "The Birth of a Gangster," a film co-directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-fai, starring Lau Ching-wan, Francis Ng, and Carman Lee. It also uses a hypothetical and segmented narrative structure, making it a masterpiece among Hong Kong cult films.

However, in its handling of the film, *The Birth of a Gangster* felt like an experiment, with 80 minutes of build-up before the final reveal, leaving viewers feeling somewhat obscure and confused, and was criticized for being too long. In contrast, *Run Lola Run* was more direct and exciting, with a clearer message. At the same time, *The Birth of a Gangster* appeared somewhat rough in its use of camera angles and attention to detail.

Li Xiaoran is very happy now. The film "Run Lola Run," in which she stars, has received a very good response during its three-day screening. After each screening, she enjoys the cheers and applause from the audience, which gives her the illusion that she has become a star. Therefore, she can't wait to finish breakfast every day and drag Wu Yuchen to the exhibition hall.

After Li Xiaoran and Wu Yuchen arrived at the exhibition hall, chatting and laughing, they saw the staff member in charge of their exhibition hall running towards them excitedly, holding a newspaper and shouting:

"Director Wu, Lola, 'Run Lola Run' is in the newspaper, Bild!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen's heart skipped a beat. He thought of Hannah, the female reporter who had come to see their movie a few days ago. It really worked out?
Wu Yuchen picked up the newspaper and looked at it. With the help of the staff, he saw an article in the lower left corner of the page. It wasn't in a prominent position, but it was still quite good that it was published.

He immediately said, "Schumacher, could you read what the newspaper says for us?"

Wu Yuchen can communicate with people in English, but he can't understand the German in Bild; his staff has to translate it into English for him.

"No problem at all!"

Schumacher unfolded the newspaper and said:

"Run Lola Run, a groundbreaking anti-Hollywood pioneering work!"
—A must-read for women!

Wu Yuchen couldn't help but chuckle when he heard the headline. Those in the news industry always know how to attract attention. He himself wouldn't dare to call it "epoch-making," as he hadn't reached that level.

"If a movie has 70 minutes of the main character running, you will definitely find it boring, but 'Run Lola Run' unfolds a wild imagination, turning a boring run into a butterfly effect cycle."

……

The director cleverly used a cool "time tunnel" technique, integrating time loops into high-speed footage, so that every action and judgment made by the protagonist Lola during her run is directly related to the passersby she encounters.

Every choice Lola makes is like the flapping of a butterfly's wings, subtly changing everyone she encounters. And this change indirectly affects her fate.

……

The director deliberately used an anti-genre approach in his expression, which is a kind of resistance against the current Hollywood film hegemony!
He scoffed at classicism and did not follow the popular Hollywood narrative model of beginning, development, climax, ending, and epilogue. He abandoned the non-linear narrative structure and adopted a three-part structure, telling a story that takes place within 20 minutes in three different ways with different endings. Various experimental photography styles and unconventional character settings undoubtedly represent another innovation in film form!
At the same time, *Run Lola Run* breaks the Hollywood trope of the hero rescuing the damsel in distress. Throughout the film, the female lead constantly runs around actively solving problems, even altering time and space, while the male lead passively awaits his fate. This is undoubtedly a mockery of Hollywood!

The misalignment of men and women in the face of fate highlights the dramatic changes in the roles and positions of men and women in today's world.

While both characters run, Lola's courage and fearlessness are more worthy of emulation by women than Hollywood's Forrest Gump!

"Lola" is a rebellion against patriarchal society!

...This is a must-see film for modern women!

Wu Yuchen listened to the review of "Run Lola Run," which was full of praise. However, it was no wonder that the title included the words "must-see for women," as the second half of the article was all about feminism through the movie.

But Wu Yuchen also knew that, whether the movie "Run Lola Run" was deliberately anti-Hollywood or in line with the current trend of the European feminist movement, it really did appeal to women in various aspects of the movie.

The European version was developed decades earlier than the Chinese version, with the feminist movement in full swing. The pie was right there, and Wu Yuchen had no reason not to take a bite through "Run Lola Run".

Perhaps it was precisely because of its association with feminism that Run Lola Run was able to publish this article; otherwise, why would Bild, Europe's largest circulation newspaper, dedicate a separate commentary to it? Could they afford the PR fee?
Seeing Li Xiaoran looking at him expectantly, Wu Yuchen knew that her English was not good, so he picked out the key points and explained it to her again, mainly praising her, which made her overjoyed and smile happily.

The same report wasn't just seen by Wu Yuchen alone; it reached thousands of households across Germany, and everyone who followed the "Berlin Film Festival Tracking" column read the article.

The title's "anti-Hollywood" has attracted a lot of attention. Although people usually watch Hollywood blockbusters, many are still deeply influenced by European art films and take pride in art films, believing that Hollywood-style commercial films are just vulgar and tasteless.

Many female readers were intrigued by the "must-see for women" label and planned to watch "Run Lola Run" when they had the chance.

Although only a tiny fraction of Bild’s readers may have access to this article, given its enormous circulation, it still provides significant exposure for Run Lola Run.

Anna was one of the female readers who saw this report and made a special trip to the film festival to watch the movie.

"I'm sorry, miss, the tickets are sold out!"

"What if we win the next game?"

"Miss, I'm sorry, what I mean is that all the tickets for 'Run Lola Run' today are sold out."

Anna looked disappointed, then asked, "Can I buy a ticket for tomorrow?"

"Miss, we only sell tickets for the day of the event. If you really want to see it, please come back tomorrow."

Anna arrived at the film festival around 9 a.m. the next day, but was still told, "Sorry, miss, today's tickets are sold out."

"It's only 9:15, and your tickets are already sold out?" Anna asked incredulously.

The ticket seller gestured and said, "There's no way around it, 'Run Lola Run' is really popular right now!"

"Oh my god, can't you guys add more shows?!" Anna complained.

The ticket seller shrugged: "Miss, I think you should complain to the organizers."

The screening rooms at the film festival are all arranged at the beginning, and unless there are special circumstances, they are generally not changed. The number of screenings each day is also fixed.

Anna had to rush over early the next morning to queue up before she finally managed to buy tickets for "Run Lola Run." After watching the film, she felt all the trips she'd made over the past two days were worthwhile. It was truly a movie she absolutely loved. Besides its innovative format, Lola's brave and fearless character perfectly embodied the traits of a modern, independent woman! She was so cool!
Wu Yuchen is very busy right now. A report brought a lot of attention, making "Run Lola Run" one of the most popular films at the film festival, and even slightly overshadowing several other popular films that already had their own hype, such as "The English Patient".

This has not only resulted in packed screenings, but numerous film distributors have also approached him to discuss various copyright matters. Everyone's not blind; whether it's their own viewing experience or the audience's excitement and enthusiasm, it's clear that *Run Lola Run* has the potential to be a blockbuster. Even without film festival awards, it could become a hit through word-of-mouth!

"Wu, 100 million is a very generous figure! You know, even those movies that have won major awards might not be able to sell for that price!"

“Mr. Anthony, thank you for your kind offer, but I really don’t want to talk about money right now. You know, my focus is on the film festival awards.”

Wu Yuchen saw off another film distributor with a smile. To be honest, $100 million is a very generous price for most low-budget films, but not for "Run Lola Run".

Putting aside the fact that "Run Lola Run" grossed over 100 million in Europe in his previous life, he himself spent 500,000 US dollars to make this film. How could he be satisfied with just 1 million?
To be honest, this is why he, as a reborn individual, was able to film it for $50. He had seen the original footage, and this purposeful filming resulted in far fewer wasted shots and unnecessary footage. This saved not only money on film stock but also filming time, significantly reducing the crew's expenses and other costs. This is also why he has consistently been able to keep his films low-budget.

If a different director were to produce the same effect, the production cost would be at least $80. If it were filmed in a more expensive location like the US or Europe, the cost would be between $150 million and $200 million. And now you're telling me you want to buy it for $100 million? That's ridiculous!
Moreover, according to Wu Yuchen's thinking, there is no need to rush now. He can wait for the right price and definitely wait until after the award results are announced.

However, just one day later, representatives from Pathé Films, Europe's largest film distributor, came knocking on their door.

Nowadays, when people mention film companies, they usually think of the eight major American studios or the likes of Toho, Toei, and Shochiku in Japan. However, before World War II, the world's film industry was dominated by Pathé, whose only competitor was Gaumont, a fellow French film company.

With the changing global landscape, Pathé Pictures has long since fallen out of favor with the Big Eight studios, but it still maintains a distribution network across Europe and remains one of the most important distributors in the continent. Furthermore, unlike MK2, which specializes in art films, Pathé Pictures caters to both commercial and art-house cinema.

"Wu, would you be interested in talking about your 'Run Lola Run' and its award situation?"

I'll move future updates to daytime.
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(End of this chapter)