After all of them were reborn, who would still be an actor?

Chapter 702 Going Against the Current: Why Should I Kneel?
In simple terms, share pledging is the act of a listed company shareholder using their shares as collateral to borrow money from financial institutions such as banks and securities firms. For example, a shareholder holding 100 million shares with a current market value of 1000 million yuan can obtain 500 million yuan in financing with a 50% pledge ratio. The funds can be used for various purposes, such as personal investment, supplementing the company's working capital, or investing in other industries.

The core of this operation is the "collateral ratio" and the "warning line/liquidation line".

The pledge ratio is usually lower than the stock price (commonly 40%-60%) to prevent the stock price from falling and causing insufficient collateral value; the warning line (such as a 20% drop in stock price) prompts shareholders to replenish their margin or add margin, while the liquidation line (such as a 30% drop) is the critical point at which financial institutions force the sale of shares.

Li Mingyang has basically never pledged any shares; it was Wang Changtian who pledged them, mainly to reduce risk.

When stock prices plummet, financial institutions will sell shares to raise cash, causing prices to fall further and creating a "stampede effect."

If there isn't enough money to liquidate the position and buy it back, it could even lead to a change in control of the company.

The two of them invested in stocks, and the principal was all pledged by Wang Changtian.

"Holy crap, it's over 80%! That must be seven or eight billion! We don't think we've spent that much on stocks! Where did your money go?!"

"Some of them were acquired from animation and game companies, and most of them were used to build film and television cities. I had no choice but to follow the orders given to me from above."

"Film studios are too prone to going out of business..."

"It's okay if it fails, they will return my principal, it's just that the process takes a bit long."

"Don't worry, I won't pledge my shares. There's still Boss Zhao, he's got money."

Li Mingyang had his eye on Boss Zhao from the very beginning.

However, Wang Changtian quickly poured cold water on Li Mingyang's enthusiasm.

Ms. Zhao was very dissatisfied with Li Mingyang's unilateral decision and refused to pay the $1.3 million.

Li Mingyang nodded and went inside to persuade Boss Zhao to pay the bill.

“Boss Zhao, money only creates value when it’s put to use. Don’t worry, this deal won’t be a loss.” As Li Mingyang sat down, he casually nudged Zhang Wei, waking her up.

Zhang Wei was awake and woke up with a push, but she couldn't persuade Boss Zhao and was unwilling to speak.

Mr. Zhao adjusted his glasses and said, "Director Li, this is incredibly disrespectful of us. A transaction worth nearly 8 million RMB, and you didn't even give us a heads-up. We're all in Cannes!"

"I'm informing you that you definitely won't agree."

Li Mingyang's words made Wang Changtian and Boss Zhao want to curse.

"Why do you think we disagree? We've always trusted Director Li's judgment," Boss Zhao said calmly.

"Because no matter how you look at it, this business is a huge loss, and there is basically no possibility of making a profit."

Now that things had come to this, Boss Zhao didn't know what to say. He smiled, got up, and prepared to leave.

Li Mingyang stopped Boss Zhao and challenged him to a bet.

"What are we betting on?" Boss Zhao asked warily.

Li Mingyang held up one finger and said confidently, "I will make FBTV profitable within a year."

Boss Zhao, Wang Changtian, and Zhang Wei watched Li Mingyang show off quietly, none of them taking his words seriously.

Because it's impossible!
"Why aren't any of you reacting?" Li Mingyang said.

“Gambling is a matter of probability; there’s a chance of success, but what you’re saying is completely impossible… Of course, bookkeeping is possible, but I’m not interested.” Boss Zhao was about to leave again.

Li Mingyang supported Boss Zhao's shoulders and pressed her back onto the sofa.

He then sat down at the coffee table and repeatedly assured everyone that he would not falsify accounts.

He wants to use the most truthful financial reports and data to prove everyone wrong!

"It's okay to take a gamble, what if it works?" Wang Changtian suggested.

Mr. Zhao thought for a moment, "Alright, let's take a gamble. If you can't do it, you have to return the $1.3 million to me with interest. 10% interest. If you accept that, we'll sign the contract."

Seeing that the discussion was almost over, Zhang Wei got up to prepare the contract, but what Li Mingyang said next shocked everyone in the room.

"It's not $130 million, it's $1 billion."

Boss Zhao laughed in exasperation, "Director Li, you've caught a sheep and are trying to fleece it!"

"This amount of money is difficult for others, but for Boss Zhao it's just a matter of signing a document."

"Are you kidding me? You think you don't have to pay it back? Do you know that the interest rate is capped? It's four times the LPR! The annual interest is at least one hundred million US dollars!"

"So that means I can borrow it." Li Mingyang grinned, finding Boss Zhao more and more pleasing to the eye.

Mr. Zhao was furious and refused outright, "Impossible."

"Even if I win the Palme d'Or, it's impossible?"

In the end, both sides returned to the original issue.

Can we win the Palme d'Or?

To be honest, Li Mingyang refuses to kneel and is determined to stand up to overseas capital head-on!

Both Wang Changtian and Boss Zhao felt it was hopeless.

The two of them were all too familiar with the underhanded dealings of the three major European clubs; they knew they couldn't win by going head-to-head.

Cannes only bows to Hollywood, and Asia has to kneel down. The power of Western film culture is not as simple as just a few words.

Behind it lies a rich history and glory, as well as painstaking efforts.

Trying to challenge Cannes, the pinnacle of A-list international film festivals, on your own is like throwing an egg against a rock.

Although Li Mingyang, Li Meijin, Boss Zhao, and Wang Changtian are in cahoots and are all in the same boat.

Li Mingyang winning the Palme d'Or would be of great benefit to all four of them!
However, everyone's level of desire and need is different.

Li Meijin is facing difficulties both internally and externally, and is also being threatened. She urgently needs the Palme d'Or to turn the tide.

This year is crucial! He's the one who most wants Li Mingyang to win the Palme d'Or.

Lee Myung-yang wants the Palme d'Or to break into the market, leverage the collaboration between China and South Korea to inject resources into FBTV, and complete his Asian streaming ecosystem as soon as possible.

If you can't get it, you can wait a little longer.

He has backup plans for blood transfusions; it's not that this year is the only option, there's also next year.

FBTV is what Mr. Zhao and Wang Changtian care about most. They are naturally overjoyed that Li Mingyang won the Palme d'Or and opened up the market.

Not getting it will have a significant impact on the two of them, but it won't be a matter of life or death.

After all, both Enlight Media and Huace Media focus on the domestic market.

“If this bet is contingent on winning the Palme d'Or, I’ll accept it,” Mr. Zhao said, frowning. “But can you actually win it?”

"You've got one premise wrong. If I don't win the Palme d'Or, you won't have a chance to get hundreds of millions of dollars into South Korea. FBTV is a local Korean company!"

After a minute of calculating the gains and losses, Mr. Zhao, a seasoned businessman, ultimately chose to become a cash cow.

But she only lends money, and Li Mingyang has to repay it himself, including interest.

Moreover, the profits of FBTV will be reduced by the amount of money she invested in FBTV.

Li Mingyang refused to comply again.

Leaving aside all other expenses, its annual revenue exceeds one billion US dollars, which is more than iQiyi, Youku, and Tencent Video combined.

Its annual revenue is equivalent to Netflix's revenue in a single quarter...

Netflix has nearly 40 million subscribers worldwide!

But FBTV doesn't even have a million viewers!
Li Mingyang, however arrogant he may be, has become honest when faced with the stark reality of the data!

Ultimately, no performance-based contract was signed; instead, a verbal agreement was reached to discuss it further after the Cannes Film Festival closed.

If Li Mingyang can't win the Palme d'Or, then everything is just empty talk.

After Wang Changtian and Boss Zhao left.

Zhang Wei poured Li Mingyang a glass of red wine, sat down opposite him, gazed at him for a moment, and slowly said, "Why take the risk when something is almost certain?"

"There's no such thing as a sure thing; it's just business."

"Are you asking for a higher price?"

Li Mingyang nodded. "Cannes is the organizer, and we can't get around them no matter what. I just didn't expect them to be so greedy."

“You can afford it, can’t you?” Zhang Wei spread her hands, pointing at Li Mingyang. “And you have the ability to earn it back, don’t you?”

Li Mingyang picked up his wine glass and held it in front of him.

Crimson wine, everything crimson and distorted.

Why should I kneel?

"It's a very simple logic: if you win the Palme d'Or, does that make you one of Cannes' own people? Cannes itself is bowing down to Hollywood, so you've already bowed down too. What's the difference between bowing down sooner or later?"

Zhang Wei's logic is actually correct.

If you're not one of Cannes' own people, why should you win the Palme d'Or?

What if they turn against me?
The Palme d'Or is a business, but it's more than just a business.

Cannes is thinking long-term, considering both the present and the future.

It needs to be both commercial and artistic.

The seaside town of Cannes has formed a vast business circle through the influence of art and the achievements of countless people within it.

We all prosper together and suffer together.

If he doesn't kneel, no one feels at ease...

"You need to do two things for me: one is to stall those film companies that want to sell their films, and the other is to let everyone know that this year's Palme d'Or is mine."

"Help? I rarely hear you use that word."

"Helping me is helping yourself." Li Mingyang finished his drink, put down the glass, and lightly hooked Zhang Wei's chin.

Just as Zhang Wei was about to slap him away, Li Mingyang withdrew his hand, looking dashing and confident as he walked slowly and leisurely towards his bedroom.

Zhang Wei frowned slightly and gave Li Mingyang a deep look.

She felt that Li Mingyang was becoming more and more different.

There's a feeling of being able to do whatever you want...

She clearly remembers that two years ago, Li Mingyang asked her when he would win an award.

That disappointment wasn't feigned...

Li Mingyang really wants to win the award, and he's willing to pay any price!
He is willing to go along with the corrupt practices, and if that's not enough, he will abandon all his followers.

Li Mingyang is that kind of person; he puts profit above all else!

However, ever since Wall Street capital targeted FBTV, the choices Li Mingyang has made have all gone against his own interests.

Going against Wall Street capital is tantamount to the end for FBTV's stock price.

Returning to China to personally take charge of Bouquet Entertainment would not benefit the entire group.

The combined revenue of all the members of Bouquet Entertainment is less than that of Li Mingyang alone.

It's time-consuming and laborious... and you basically can't train anyone, because those with talent have been eliminated by him.

The Palme d'Or was clearly arranged by Li Meijin, but she didn't take the path that guaranteed her victory.

Why take such a risk...

If they lose and don't get the Palme d'Or, they won't be able to bring in large sums of money from within the country, and FBTV's development will suffer an unprecedented blow, leaving them only able to barely survive...

Wasting the most important year of your life.

It will be even harder in the future. Li Mingyang spent $1.3 million to buy a bunch of bad movies, and he will continue to buy movies. This has nothing to do with profit; he is just acting on impulse.

He wants others to know he's rich, but he won't accept unfair terms and conditions!
As for prematurely announcing that this year's Palme d'Or belongs to him.

This is yet another form of resistance.

"Cannes is the organizer; how could it possibly yield to an individual?"

"You're not Spielberg."

Zhang Wei felt that Li Mingyang was doomed to lose this time.

But Li Mingyang was used to losing situations, and miracles always seemed to happen.

Will there be a miracle?

Li Mingyang's recent demeanor has completely deviated from his self-interest-first attitude, and he seems to have taken a detached view of life and death.

Even ghosts would shake their heads at the sight of it.

Nobody knows what he's up to...

Zhang Wei tried to find out something from Jing Tian.

No, nothing.

Jing Tian was completely immersed in walking the Cannes opening red carpet as an assistant director.

I brought over a dozen suitcases just for the dresses...

In her heart, this year's Palme d'Or belongs to Li Mingyang.

Zhang Wei said it's not necessarily true.

Jing Tian said, "My husband gives me a lot, why shouldn't he give me more?"

Jing Tian completely doesn't understand Cannes...

Jing Tian is even better at bragging than Li Mingyang...

……

The master bedroom of the presidential suite has a small living room, which is about 30 square meters.

Four mobile clothes racks, shoe cabinets, and jewelry racks were displayed in the room, and Chanel staff were discussing tomorrow's styling with Jing Tian.

Lanhuayuan offers door-to-door service from high-end brands, which Jingtian really likes, especially Chanel.

Over time, he truly became a VIC for Chanel, a very important client.

Even abroad, you can still enjoy door-to-door service from high-end luxury brands.

Li Mingyang thought Jing Tian had already made up her mind, but he didn't expect her to still be making trouble.

“Honey, they brought men’s clothes, why don’t you try them on?” Jing Tian raised her hands, beckoning Li Mingyang over.

"I don't need it," Li Mingyang waved his hand in refusal.

"It's free."

"The most expensive things are the free ones."

"Honey, would you be interested in becoming a Chanel spokesperson?"

Jing Tian blocked Li Mingyang's way. A Chanel account manager handed over his business card, wanting to talk to Li Mingyang about an endorsement deal.

There was no transition through a brand ambassador; the spokesperson went directly to the Asia-Pacific region.

High-end brand endorsements are quite valuable, with endorsement fees starting at tens of millions, but he was tied up in Samsung's package deal and had no opportunity to endorse other brands.

Chanel's account manager didn't give up, and said in a very friendly manner that they would wait and hoped that Li Mingyang could give them a chance to cooperate after his endorsement expired.

Li Mingyang neither agreed nor disagreed, but nodded.

The other party then asked him if he could wear a different brand of dress for the opening ceremony tomorrow.

Definitely not. Aside from shooting commercials and promotional materials, he wears whatever he wants and uses whatever he wants in his daily life.

However, Li Mingyang did not intend to wear the Chanel suit; he had already prepared his battle attire, so he declined.

The bedroom and guest room were connected. Li Mingyang went to the study, turned on the computer, and checked the group messages while looking up information.

Around 2 a.m., Li Mingyang went out and took a peek. Seeing that Jing Tian showed no signs of sleeping, he sent Bai Bin a message, asking her to wake him up at noon the next day.

Afterwards, Li Mingyang turned off both phones, leaned back in his chair, hugged himself, and quickly fell asleep.

Get plenty of sleep so you can handle the people and things that come next.

……

The 66th Cannes International Film Festival opened on May 15 in Cannes, a seaside city in southern France. During the nearly two-week festival, 20 films, including "A Touch of Sin" by Jia Zhangke and "Coming Home" by Zhang Yimou, will compete for the Palme d'Or in the main competition.

Chinese-language films shone brightly at this year's Cannes Film Festival, with two films selected for the main competition.

In addition, there is Lee Myung-yang, who represents South Korea in the main competition.

Most of the Chinese entertainment industry attended the opening ceremony.

Models are a staple on the Cannes red carpet, but most of the top models opted for backless dresses, with even Paz Vega, known as the Spanish goddess of desire, fully covered. In contrast, Zhang Yuqi from China stood out with her bold and revealing outfit, becoming one of the few "revealing" figures on the red carpet.

A haute couture green deep-V gown, snow-white skin, vibrant red lips, and a French retro updo.

Zhang Yuqi became the first Chinese female star to walk the red carpet.

After striking her first pose on the red carpet, she smiled, leaned forward, blew kisses, and even raised her right hand as if to catch raindrops.

Zhang Yuqi showed off for 3 minutes and 50 seconds on the red carpet.

Even so, she still couldn't escape the misfortune of being called "Bingbing" by foreign media.

Nicole Kidman rarely makes a mistake on the red carpet, except for her less-than-stellar appearance at the Oscars earlier this year.

But even among the supermodels and top models from many countries on the Cannes red carpet this time, Nicole still outshone everyone else.

She looked stunning in a white Dior 2013 Spring/Summer Haute Couture outfit with a colorful floral pattern lining.

As darkness fell, Fan Binbin walked the red carpet in a pink peach-colored dress and wavy hair.

Fan Bingbing waved to everyone generously, and then behaved quite low-key, constantly fiddling with her hair.

Pink and domineering.

This year, with Zhang Ziyi serving as a jury member for the "Un Certain Regard" section, the situation where Chinese actresses dominated the Cannes red carpet for the past three years has improved somewhat, with Fan Bingbing being the only Chinese star on the red carpet.

However, Zhang Ziyi, who served as a judge, received consistently negative reviews.

Zhang Ziyi appeared on the red carpet in a purple rhinestone-studded plaid mini skirt paired with black trousers, wearing a pantsuit from Dior's 2013 Fall/Winter Haute Couture collection.

This outfit isn't something just anyone can get their hands on.

However, her short hairstyle was terrible.

She went from being a poised goddess to a seasoned woman in the blink of an eye.

She can portray a noble goddess and a middle-aged woman with ease; it must be said that Zhang Ziyi's acting skills can withstand the test.

It's just that the attire of a mature woman is a bit out of place.

Wanting to highlight a sense of fashion, but not wanting to fall into vulgarity like Fan Binbin, they created a hybrid that doesn't quite fit the bill.

After Zhang Ziyi entered.

A sudden burst of screams erupted from the crowd.

Li Mingyang, Zhang Yimou, Section Chief Jia, and Li An walked down the red carpet together.

Three generations of Chinese directors walked the runway together. Li Mingyang's fame works well in Asia, but it doesn't work so well in Cannes.

They are not as well-known as the other three.

However, he was the most unconventional and the happiest of the four.

Everyone else was dressed in a smart black suit with a white shirt and a black bow tie.

He was wearing a white T-shirt with the words "FBTV" printed in large English letters on the front and a black ink painting of the Monkey King facing away from the masses and towards the heavenly soldiers and generals on the back.

She was wearing blue jeans and sneakers.

They didn't look like celebrities walking the red carpet; they looked more like ordinary people watching a movie.

Li Mingyang's unconventional attire is hard not to attract attention, especially with his signature black sunglasses.

Many photographers shouted his name and asked to take his picture.

Li Mingyang also tried his best to meet the photographer's requests. After the other three left, he stayed on the red carpet, acting cute and even performing a moonwalk, gliding for dozens of meters before stepping onto the steps to meet up with Section Chief Jia, Zhang Yimou, and Li An, who had been waiting for him.

After taking a group photo, Li Mingyang and his two companions went inside first, while Li An, as a judge, had to wait for Spielberg and the other judges.

After Spielberg took the stage, the nine members of the jury made a collective appearance on the large platform in the center of the steps.

Nicole Kidman stood in the center of the white cake, dazzlingly white, as if she were on a different level from everyone else.

The opening red carpet event was over, and most people had left.

Because most people only paid for the red carpet, not for watching the opening film inside.

Li Mingyang entered the inner area to watch the opening film of this year's Cannes Film Festival, The Great Gatsby.

This film is good.

Leonardo DiCaprio has an excellent eye for choosing scripts, and his acting is superb!
He was too young back then, became famous worldwide because of his big ship, and didn't take the Oscars seriously.

After years of being nominated but never winning, he finally won the Best Actor award for The Revenant.

An Oscar somehow managed to turn Leonardo DiCaprio, a football enthusiast, into a strange, greasy middle-aged man who plays with water guns.

It has to be greasy!

Too many people want to sleep with him!
There are black people, white people, old people, and even older people—too many to count.

The reason he always dates young models under 25 is to make up for his lack of girlfriends.

Li Mingyang said he doesn't care about the Oscars, which is pure nonsense. No filmmaker is indifferent to the Oscars!
The highest honor in global cinema is something no one can say they don't care about.

Leonardo DiCaprio was too young back then and made some insolent remarks, saying he didn't care about the Oscars.

After winning the award, he made some rude remarks, saying that he finally got it this time, but for me, winning or not winning an award is not that special or important.

This is to vent my anger!

I have no intention of winning another Oscar for Best Actor, so I guess I've finished what I started!

They disrespected the Oscars back then, shamelessly fawning over them for twenty years, but turned their backs on them immediately after winning the award!

Li Mingyang looked at Xiao Li standing on the stage with a group of judges.

Suddenly, he grinned and remembered the $1800 million 'Golden Boy's Fall Contract'.

That experience became a watershed moment in Leonardo DiCaprio's life. He, who used to be known for his slender figure, began to let his body go out of shape and grew a full beard to cover his face.

Of course, this guy got what he deserved, and he doesn't deserve any sympathy; he's just another member of the stinking ditch.

Li Mingyang admires his acting skills, but as for his character, this guy is truly utterly worthless and has no bottom line.

My butt is all bruised and battered!

Ah ha ha!
(End of this chapter)