I was just thinking about taking the arts exam and you said I've been playing supporting roles

Chapter 139: Collided with Hua Yi...

"Hahaha, old Ma!"

In the Venice private restaurant where the cocktail party was held, Zhang Yimou walked towards a bald, white old man wearing glasses.

The two people hugged each other tightly.

This old man is Mark Muller, an internationally renowned curator. He has a full white beard and is slightly plump. He looks about the same age as Zhang Yimou, only three years younger than him.

According to the maximum age calculation for Zhang Yimou's admission to Beijing Film Academy, Lao Ma and the class of 78 of Beijing Film Academy are actually the same age.

No wonder they came together.

Moreover, he came to China to study in 1974, which also fits the timeline.

Currently, Lao Ma serves as the curatorial chairman of the Venice Film Festival. From 04 to the present, he has supplied a large number of Chinese-language films to Europe.

Moreover, during his tenure as chairman of major international film festivals, he promoted many Chinese directors, including Xie Jing, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, and Jia Zhangke, to the international stage.

If he hadn't been involved in Cannes, Farewell My Concubine wouldn't have won the Palme d'Or.

Therefore, Lao Ma is widely praised as "the first person to promote Chinese films to the world". For his outstanding contribution to Chinese films, he was awarded the "China-Italy Friendship Contribution Award" by the State Council!
Chen Jin regards him as an officially certified promoter of Chinese-language films.

In fact, after leaving Venice in 2012, this foreigner moved to Shanghai with his entire family and was specially appointed as a distinguished professor at Shanghai University, responsible for the curatorial activities of the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Imperial Capital International Film Festival.

In later generations, there were film festivals in various places in China, such as Pingyao, Aocheng, Haidao... In fact, they were all models he copied in China by referring to foreign experiences.

It is true that money can be made, but it is also one of the contributions that domestic films of all kinds can have exposure opportunities and allow more young directors to be discovered.

"Let me introduce you to it!"

Zhang Yimou was all smiles, pointing at Chen Jin and Zhu Yanmanzi behind him. Unexpectedly, Marco Mueller spoke fluent Beijing dialect and said, "Don't introduce yourself, Lao Tian has already called me!"

"Chen Jin...you got a perfect score in the college entrance exam and entered Beijing Film Academy. I saw you in the news every day recently!"

Old Ma laughed at Chen Jin, and Chen Jin hurriedly shook his hand humbly: "Hello, Chairman Mueller!"

"Why call me Chairman? Call me Lao Ma or Uncle Ma!"

Chen Jin: “…”

This foreigner is so enthusiastic, and he can switch between Beijing dialect and Northeastern dialect skillfully, which is amazing.

"Why don't you call me uncle?"

Zhang Yimou, who was standing next to him, laughed and teased, but his eyes were quickly moving towards Chen Jin.

Chen Jin hurriedly said, "Uncle Ma!"

"Oh, sure, that's a good name!"

Marco Muller put his arm around Chen Jin's shoulders and suddenly saw Zhu Yanmanzi next to him. He then realized, "Sorry, I almost forgot about our leading lady. Yimou, you really know how to choose someone. This actress looks so pure!"

"Impurity cannot highlight the theme of The Hawthorn Tree. You should know that!"

"It just doesn't fit in with this cocktail party..."

Old Ma pointed at the people behind him who were toasting each other.

Countless beautiful young women with hot bodies were moving around men who looked very successful.

Many of them should be models, and there were a few actresses, mainly from Europe. Chen Jin saw many of them exchanging phone numbers with each other.

On the surface, they looked elegant and well-dressed, but soon they were hugging each other, talking and laughing.

Old Europe is open-minded, the so-called upper class.

In fact, the common point among those who can attend this kind of banquet is that they have all won awards from the three major film festivals, which is the threshold for attending the party.

So many people are actually directors, producers or actors, and there are a few producers and distributors.

Female models and actresses are also seeking an opportunity to become famous. They have actually paid a considerable price to enter this cocktail party, so there is really nothing wrong with equal exchange.

In fact, just now, an old white-haired girl came up to chat with Zhu Yanmanzi, which scared little Zhu. The main reason was that she was like a little white flower, and really attracted a lot of attention.

Fortunately, Chen Jin was also a capable person. He hugged his girlfriend's slender waist and she left in anger.

These guys are quite gentlemanly, but they are always looking at the pot while eating from the bowl.

"Xiao Chen, take good care of Xiao Zhu. Lao Ma and I have something to discuss!"

"I'll take you to meet some of the judges later..."

Zhang Yimou was explaining things to Chen Jin when he was pulled aside by Lao Ma.

Chen Jin didn't seem to know anyone here, so he could only chat with Zhu Yanmanzi in a random manner.

“I saw several celebrities…”

Zhu Yanmanzi followed Chen Jin closely, her beautiful eyes scanning around. She was wearing a slightly conservative evening dress, but her slim curves and long legs were very eye-catching. In such an environment, it was hard not to attract attention.

“You’re a star too!”

Chen Jin knew who she was talking about.

Zhen Zidan's "Fist of Fury", Huayi's "Detective Dee", and Wu Yusen's "Sword Rain"!
These three films are the main Chinese-language hits at this year's Venice Film Festival, apart from "The Hawthorn Tree".

"Fist of Fury" is the opening film, "Detective Dee" is shortlisted for the main competition, and "Sword Rain" can be called a new Chinese martial arts film. It is said that Wu Yusen will be awarded the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award in Venice this time.

Many of these awards are given out in advance, rather than waiting until the final awards ceremony.

"Someone is coming towards us!"

Zhu Yanmanzi was very nervous, but Chen Jin seemed very calm and smiled at the Huayi group who were walking towards him.

Huayi, owned by the Wang brothers, is currently at the peak of China's entertainment industry, and is poised to become the number one film studio in the industry. Whether it is the lineup of signed artists or the total box office of films produced each year, it ranks first in the country.

The currently popular "Aftershock" was produced by Huayi and has broken many Chinese box office records for domestic films.

It was released on the 22nd of last month and has grossed 11 million in 4 days.

Currently just over 6 million, it is already the highest box office for a domestic film to date.

Although Feng Xiaogang, the director of this film, is not even worthy of Zhang Yimou's award, he is indeed unrivaled in the field of commercial films in China.

It sets new box office records every year.

Since "See You Tomorrow" in 1998, almost all of the movies he directed have been annual box office champions in China and he has never fallen out of the top three. He is the director with the greatest box office appeal to date.

He did not come to Venice this time, but was the lead producer of another blockbuster film by Huayi this year, Di Renjie.

The Wang brothers and Xu Ke, as well as a number of leading actors including Liu Dehua, Li Bingbing, Liu Jialing, and Deng Chao.

Walking towards Chen Jin were Wang Zhonglei and Li Bingbing.

Liu Dehua and the others just glanced in Chen Jin's direction and then looked away.

They knew Chen Jin, but there was no need to approach him since he was the best. But Wang Zhonglei was different. He was a businessman and knew the rising stars in the circle. There might be opportunities for cooperation in the future.

"Chen Jin?"

Wang Zhonglei smiled and stretched out his hand to Chen Jin: "I'm Wang Zhonglei, where is Director Yimou?"

"Hello, Mr. Wang!"

Chen Jin shook hands with him, and Zhu Yanmanzi next to him also stepped forward and greeted him with a smile, then covered her chest and nodded slightly as a greeting.

"Director Zhang left because of something!"

At this time, Li Bingbing also smiled and waved to Chen Jin.

They are all insiders, and Chen Jin's resume has been thoroughly ripped off by many companies. But just because he is Zhang Yimou's man and played the leading role in "The Founding of a Party", no one dares to underestimate him.

There will definitely be a place for Chen Jin in the future entertainment industry.

"What are you doing standing here? Let me take you to meet him."

Wang Zhonglei smiled politely.

Chen Jin thought about it and didn't refuse. She took Zhu Yanmanzi's hand and walked forward.

Student Xiao Zhu looked very reserved, obviously he had never seen such a scene before.

In the past, these big stars and directors could only be seen on TV, but now they are right in front of us.

Even though she has a good mental quality, she still seems very awkward in dealing with people.

Chen Jin, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened and greeted everyone present in a familiar manner; Liu Dehua and others certainly did not put on airs and seemed very friendly.

Wang Zhonglei is indeed a very versatile person, and he kept praising Chen Jin.

He felt a little embarrassed and had to respond with a professional smile.

Mainly, in the future autobiographical movies, he knows everything about Hua Yi’s character, which is very embarrassing.

To use a few idioms to describe it, Chen Jin now looks smiling on the outside, but is actually feeling uncomfortable, as if sitting on pins and needles, as if a thorn in the back, as if a fishbone is stuck in the back... He doesn't have any of these.

Anyway, there was a feeling that the days were long and Chen Jin was not used to it.

It’s not as fun as being on the set filming.

"By the way, Chen Jin, when will your movie The Hawthorn Tree premiere? I heard it's also on the 5th?"

Li Bingbing suddenly asked.

Chen Jin is actually very careful about the content of your answers, because he might be setting a trap for you to get some information or something.

There were few good people in this circle, Pu Lun had told him that a long time ago.

Everything is easy to say when you are popular, but when you are down and out, more people will step on you than anyone else.

There are only so many resources in the entire circle. If you step down, it will make way for those who come later to step in.

Chen Jin is currently in a period of rapid rise in popularity, and no one dares to mess with him.

As soon as the exposure of Mou Nanlang ended, the popularity of the top scorer in the college entrance examination was hotly discussed on the whole network, and then he got full marks for his composition, and then he was admitted to Beijing Film Academy and Beijing Arts... Just when the popularity had finally subsided, the leading actor of "The Founding of a Party" popped up again.

Although the whole internet is scolding her, who in the entertainment industry doesn’t envy the resources that Chen Jin has now?

The number of followers of Chen Jin on Weibo just exceeded one million yesterday.

How long has it been?

Li Bingbing's net worth is only 131 million yuan so far.

But how long has she been famous? Chen Jin has only been famous for a few months.

Although the comparison is not made in this way, it does illustrate from one side how popular Chen Jin is now on the entire Internet.

"Sister Bingbing, is your movie also on the 5th?"

"Yes, the world premiere will be in the morning, so you guys... should be in the afternoon?"

"It seems so!"

"Then we'll support each other!"

"Okay, I will..."

If nothing unexpected happens, the premieres will probably all be held in the same hall.

Companies like Huayi and Zhang Yimou will definitely use the largest theater in the Film Palace, the Laguna Theater that can accommodate more than 5000 people, to arrange the world premiere.

"Director Zhang is here!"

Li Bingbing had sharp eyes and watched Zhang Yimou walking towards them.

Suddenly, countless cheers were heard, obviously welcoming Zhang Yimou.

He has the qualifications. Not to mention the Chinese filmmakers, there should be no one in the entire party who doesn't know him.

Lao Mouzi greeted everyone, hugged everyone, and introduced Chen Jin and Zhu Yanmanzi. This is the feeling of being led by someone.

Chen Jin also met the legendary Quentin Tarantino, the chairman of the jury of this Venice Film Festival, a guy who speaks foul language. Chen Jin chatted with him fluently in English.

This surprised Zhang Yimou.

But when he thought about the fact that Chen Jin was the top scorer in the college entrance examination, he felt relieved.

"Haha, now I don't have to translate anymore!"

"Be my interpreter!"

Zhang Yimou said to Chen Jin.

Chen Jin didn't feel any pressure at all, but was afraid of hearing something bad.

Fortunately, this circle is full of greetings and courtesies, but after going through this circle, Chen Jin at least got to know a lot of directors who were nominated for the three major awards. If you don’t see it, you won’t know, there are so many such amazing directors?

A slightly less notable one is that it has been shortlisted for the three major awards seven or eight times.

“It’s easy to get shortlisted if you come to the three major film festivals a few more times!”

"After all, there are more than 1 films nominated for the main competition unit. It doesn't matter if you add 2- more films, but it will be difficult to win the award!"

On the way back, Zhang Yimou talked about it with Chen Jin.

Chen Jin suddenly realized that it was no wonder that Chief Jia was nominated so often. The quality of many of his films was so average.

This is the circle!

It's all a business.

If a film is nominated and can be sold at a high price, it must have the reputation of being nominated at the three major film festivals.

“Detective Dee, that’s probably what it is, right?”

"Well, 80 euros for one nomination!"

Chen Jin: “…”

It's really a fucking way to make money while lying down.

Chen Jin really wanted to ask how much "The Hawthorn Tree" cost, but after thinking about it, Zhang Yimou didn't have much money and Zhang Weiping was stingy, so this was definitely a face-saving move.

Moreover, it should not be difficult for "The Hawthorn Tree" to be shortlisted for the main competition even for a newcomer.

The pictures, the camera language, and the music are all of an extraordinary level.

There is definitely no way that "Detective Dee" can be copied.

"We have found everyone we need to find!"

"You have to bear the consequences no matter what the final result is; although many awards are determined by personal relationships, voting is sometimes biased!"

Zhang Yimou's sudden remark left Chen Jin very confused.

No, are you still counting on winning the award?
Chen Jin never thought about it at all!

(End of this chapter)