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

Chapter 140 "Under the Hawthorn Tree", world premiere!

《The 67th Venice Film Festival officially opens on September 9st! 》

"The jury chairman Quentin led the judges to the stage and personally named Chinese director Johnnie To as his favorite!"

"Sensation! The creative team of "Detective Dee" made their red carpet debut, led by Xu Ke and Huayi CEO Wang Zhonglei!"

"Zhang Yimou brings two new actors of "The Hawthorn Tree" to the Venice red carpet in a low-key manner!"

"The Hawthorn Tree and Detective Dee: The Mystery of the Phantom Flame have their world premieres on the same day in Venice!"

……

Only two days later, the whole of China was flooded with news about the Venice Film Festival.

There were also reports from overseas.

When Chen Jin and Zhu Yanmanzi walked the red carpet for the first time, no one paid any attention to them. But because they were accompanied by Zhang Yimou, they received cheers.

As for the so-called carpet stars, several European actresses walked on the red carpet for more than 5 minutes and were finally expelled by security.

Chen Jin thought that carpet stars were exclusive to China, but she didn't expect that foreigners had already pioneered it.

They also bought various press releases to promote the product around the world.

He is indeed very bold.

As for those who did not buy the draft, just like the news title above, Chen Jin would not appear in the headline of the front-page feature, let alone Zhu Yanmanzi.

It's just so pitiful.

Lao Mouzi has his own popularity, and Chen Jin is not without gain. It is estimated that Sina and Tencent know that he has had traffic recently, and his name is written in the entertainment section and subtitles. Xiao Zhu has won various unknown female leading roles.

Always use new actresses, new female lead roles…only the name is written in the main text.

But it is estimated that tens of millions of people visit Sina, and tens of thousands of people click in to read it. Many people just glance at the title and then scroll directly to the news below.

This is journalism’s magic moment.

At present, Chen Jin and Zhu Yanmanzi have just participated in the world premiere of "Detective Dee: The Mystery of the Phantom Flame" with Zhang Yimou.

Zhang Yimou was very considerate and supportive of the Chinese film industry, and brought the two of them here early in the morning. The entire Laguna Theater was packed with more than 5000 seats, and all seven members of the jury, including the chairman, were present.

Even the chairman, Ma, sat in the second row with the official staff of Venice.

It can be seen that Huayi has indeed spent a lot of money and put a lot of thought into this world premiere.

All those who could be invited and those who could not be invited were present.

The premiere was a great success, with warm applause that lasted for more than a minute throughout the entire screening.

Lao Ma even boasted on the spot: "Chinese martial arts films are finally no longer limited to fighting and visuals, but have begun to have humanity, flesh and blood, and the morality of the underworld!"

Uncle Ma, have you been completely invaded and brainwashed by Chinese culture?

You are very good at dealing with the human relationships.

Zhang Yimou also spoke, also with a burst of boasting.

Chen Jin didn’t actually feel anything after watching it. Isn’t it just a special effects martial arts movie?
It's an average film, just above the passing line. I can't say it's that great, but it's okay to watch. It probably can't be compared with "Flying Daggers of Dragon Gate" that Xu Ke will shoot next year.

This movie has received very high praise from later generations.

"Does it look good?"

Zhu Yanmanzi asked Chen Jin secretly.

"so so!"

"I think so too, and I don't really like watching this kind of movie!"

The little girl's artistic sense is back again.

"The movie is average, but it still has meaning. The special effects are pretty good. With a good plot, it will be a good movie. Don't look down on commercial films, okay?"

Chen Jin has no prejudice against movies.

But he could sense that many filmmakers, such as those at the cocktail party, were very resistant to Tsui Hark.

Because these so-called regulars of the three major film festivals have an extreme contempt for commercial films, when "Detective Dee" was shortlisted this time, many people have actually criticized it on the Internet, saying that Venice is getting worse every year and that it's all over.

In fact, if these guys really were allowed to make commercial films, each would fail miserably. It's not that Chen Jin looks down on them.

Even Li An couldn't handle it, let alone Lou and Jia.

So Zhang Yimou is still quite capable. He can make money with commercial films and win the box office. This is his ability.

Without the rise of commercial films, Chinese films would have ended long ago.

Looking at the global market, only Hollywood and Chinese-language films are flourishing, and there is a fertile ground for all types of films.

Art films in other countries can only make money by winning awards, and commercial films also suffer terrible losses.

"Xiao Chen is right!"

"There is no distinction between high and low movies. In fact, I have been trying to find a movie model that can be compatible with both!"

Zhang Yimou sat there, watching the workers setting up the venue.

Next, the world premiere of "Under the Hawthorn Tree" will be held here.

The scenery is being set up now.

By then, the lineup should be similar to that of "Detective Dee".

"Detective Dee" cost money, while Zhang Yimou spent money just to get his face, so he probably spent some money, but definitely not as much as Huayi.

If you want to hire someone, you have to use money and your reputation.

Since Xu Ke and Huayi don’t have the strength of Zhang Yimou, they can only spend money.

"Most of the people who will be here soon are domestic media. Don't be too nervous. Just tell the truth. There's nothing to be ashamed of!"

Zhang Yimou took the lunch box that was delivered to him and ate while talking to Chen Jin and Zhu Yanmanzi.

"it is good!"

Of course Chen Jin didn't feel any pressure, the main reason was that Zhu Yanmanzi couldn't be improved in a short period of time.

But this is exactly the effect Zhang Yimou wanted: "Xiao Zhu, don't try to say you're the same as other actresses. Our movie is about the purest love movie in history. You're fine the way you are now!"

"Okay Director Zhang!"

Zhu Yanmanzi nodded.

Soon the venue was set up, and various stills from "Under the Hawthorn Tree" with Lao San played by Chen Jin and Jingqiu played by Zhu Yanmanzi could be seen everywhere.

However, many of them are displayed in English.

The global premiere began with a routine press conference held in the theater.

These reporters will ask many relevant questions and will also watch the film later.

By then, the promotion and marketing of various movies will still depend on them.

It takes about an hour, and then the official screening process begins.

"Let's go in first!"

Zhang Yimou also wore a well-tailored suit, and Chen Jin was even more star-studded. Zhu Yanmanzi, on the other hand, wore a pure white long dress without any jewelry, and looked elegant and eye-catching.

Even the pure Chen Jin couldn't bear to desecrate it.

It’s not that there is no jewelry sponsorship, but what Zhang Yimou wants is this ethereal and pure feeling.

Click! Click!
Soon many domestic reporters and some foreign media came into the cinema.

The audience also began to enter one by one, while the jury, organizers and other official personnel would arrive later, leaving the time for the main creators of the show.

"Okay, the next thing we are going to do is the world premiere of director Zhang Yimou's new work, Under the Hawthorn Tree!"

"This is a film that is praised as the purest and cleanest love film in history!"

"..."

The emcee, who could speak Chinese, spoke to everyone present in English and Chinese.

As he was talking, the big screen in the theater began to play the trailer for Under the Hawthorn Tree, and countless people looked up and watched it attentively.

"Hello, Director Zhang. May I ask why you chose two newcomers to star in your film this time?"

"Are you at all worried about their acting skills?"

After the trailer ended, the Sina reporter started asking the first questions in the interview.

Click! Click!
Countless cameras were pointed at Zhang Yimou and his two companions standing on the stage.

"Of course there are concerns, but the positioning of this movie is pure and clean!"

"So I have to find a heroine like this!"

Zhang Yimou pointed at Zhu Yanmanzi and smiled: "What impresses me most about Xiao Zhu is her eyes as pure as mountain spring water..." As he said this, all the photographers immediately started taking pictures of Zhu Yanmanzi.

"During the chat and audition with her, I found that although this child is an adult, she is like a blank slate and has no idea about many human relationships and accidents in real life!"

"She not only looks clean and pure, but her expression and personality are as clear and transparent as a mountain spring. She is almost the original 'Jingqiu' in real life!"

"..."

Zhu Yanmanzi felt a little embarrassed by Zhang Yimou's praise.

Am I that good?!

Her face was slightly red, but the reporter suddenly asked, "So Director Zhang, the reason she was chosen is related to purity, right?"

"Of course, Jingqiu and Lao San are a perfect match. Oh, Jingqiu and Lao San are the male and female protagonists in "Under the Hawthorn Tree". They are very harmonious together. The two cleanest faces interpret the cleanest "Under the Hawthorn Tree"!"

Swah——

A still from Under the Hawthorn Tree suddenly popped up on the big screen behind him.

Chen Jin held Zhu Yanmanzi's slender fingers like jade onions. He smiled brightly and clearly, and there seemed to be light in his eyes. He looked at the shy and gentle girl in front of him who was lowering her head with a hint of tenderness.

Zhu Yanmanzi's rosy and shy expression, with the corners of her mouth slightly pursed with a faint smile, makes people feel extremely beautiful and youthful at a glance.

Everyone has gone through this ignorant stage of early love.

This still photo perfectly expresses the pure love between the male and female protagonists.

"A girl like Jingqiu must not only be pretty, but also young and innocent!"

"The so-called immaturity is unpolished, without self-awareness, and revealed instinctively. This is called immaturity!"

"Everyone says that The Hawthorn Tree is about pure love. The 'Jingqiu' I hope to find has a youthful feeling even when she is not acting, a very clean and pure feeling!"

"So, I define Jingqiu's age as those born between 1990 and 1994!"

"Now, everyone should have seen it!"

Zhang Yimou pointed at the stills on the big screen and smiled slightly, "The two new actors, in my opinion, completed the film beyond expectations!"

"If I don't have confidence in myself as an actress, I won't be able to shoot at all. This is not a small matter!"

Zhang Yimou suddenly sighed, and it was unknown whether it was because of the casting that he was inspired by: "There are fewer and fewer beautiful children nowadays. When I say beautiful, I mean the kind of beauty that is purely natural and not made up!"

"Is it because nowadays pretty girls don't want to marry handsome guys or have children with handsome guys?"

"Haha, they look for a coal boss, a rich man, an old man... This is a common phenomenon."

Director Zhang, you're talking too much.

Chen Jin glanced at Zhang Yimou, and at this moment, the big screen began to play the process of selecting Jingqiu and Lao San in "The Hawthorn Tree".

"The original intention is to be a newcomer!"

"In fact, the selection process started as early as when "Three Guns Surprise" was released. When I was promoting it in various places, I paid special attention to the good seedlings from local colleges and universities. I also accepted many recommendations, but I was not satisfied with any of them!"

"The look in her eyes is wrong. The purity of 'Jingqiu' lies in her eyes!"

"Nowadays, many young girls may look innocent on the surface, but their eyes are full of stories!"

"Her liveliness lies in her simplicity!"

"Now when I talk to you guys and tell you that I haven't found the person, you won't believe me. They will say, 'You haven't found the person, it's impossible. China lacks everything except people.'"

"Oh, there's really no one here!"

“Choosing actors is largely based on intuition!”

“Clean, clear and transparent!”

Zhang Yimou praised Zhu Yanmanzi a few more times, and Zhu Yanmanzi's face became even redder, as if stained with a layer of sunset glow, but the camera never stopped filming her.

Chen Jin also knew that this was Zhang Yimou's way of promoting the star.

He has no shortage of traffic and popularity, but Zhu Yanmanzi does. However, if Zhang Yimou says this, the media will definitely report more on her, and the box office appeal of this leading actress will also be enhanced to a certain extent.

When male audiences see her face, many of them may go to the cinema.

"Director Zhang, your casting always seems to be regular!"

"Whether it's Gong Li when she was young or Zhang Ziyi, their aesthetic style is pure as water and elegant oriental femininity!"

"But can you tell me the difference between the three of them?"

"It's contemporary!"

“It’s still very different!”

Zhang Yimou held the microphone and it was actually difficult to answer this question: "Xiao Zhu should be more pure!"

"These three actresses are from three different eras, there must be differences between them!"

"The novel "The Hawthorn Tree" gives all the praise to 'Jingqiu', and she is also beautiful with a curvy figure and a pure face. But where in the world can there be such a perfect girl?"

"The crew encountered a huge problem when casting. It is possible that the body is suitable but the face is not good; the face and body are suitable but the temperament is not right. It is really difficult to find such an actor..."

"Can you tell me about Chen Jin?"

A reporter from Tencent suddenly changed his tone.

"Chen Jin?"

Zhang Yimou was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "He actually has nothing to say. You should all know it, right?"

"But let me talk about the professional aspect!"

Zhang Yimou looked at Chen Jin, and then said loudly word by word: "He should be the most talented child in acting and learning that I have ever seen in my career as a director. He is also very self-disciplined. Have you ever seen someone who insists on doing actor body training on an airplane?"

wow——

Zhang Yimou's topic was obviously a bit revealing, so the reporters quickly threw the topic to him: "Chen Jin, is what Director Zhang said true?"

"No, no, Director Zhang is too flattering!"

"Strictly speaking, I can't be considered a real actor yet, because I haven't had any work released yet!"

"Look at the work. The work can answer this question for me!"

“Yes, look at the works!”

Zhang Yimou on the side took over the topic and said: "If Xiao Zhu's Jingqiu is the blessing of her own temperament and personality, then Chen Jin's role as the third brother should be a combination of his temperament, personality and performance!"

"I am very confident in his performance in this movie!"

"..."

Reporters took turns asking questions, and foreigners even joined in the questioning.

I can’t bear it. I totally can’t bear it.

Zhang Yimou is really eloquent, he is worthy of being a veteran in film festivals.

Moreover, many people were attracted by the purity and cleanliness he described, and by Chen Jin's acting skills.

After more than an hour, the questioning process was not over yet.

Journalists want to improve too much.

When the host saw the situation, he quickly started to interrupt.

The main judges and organizers have already arrived.

Moreover, Zhang Yimou didn't feel thirsty at all. He didn't even drink a sip of water and kept talking.

This period of time must have made Zhang Yimou very depressed.

"Thank you for the questions from the media, as time is limited!"

"You can ask Director Zhang other questions after the movie. I think many of the audience here are like me, and can't wait!"

clap clap clap!
The whole audience burst into warm applause.

It lasted for a long time. The jury, led by Quentin, went on stage and shook hands with Zhang Yimou, Chen Jin and others one by one.

The media reporters began to take their seats, and the originally bustling cinema suddenly became quiet.

Because everyone knows that the movie is about to begin.

pat!

After the audience was silent for a few seconds, the lights in the theater suddenly dimmed.

Chen Jin also pulled Zhang Yimou and Zhu Yanmanzi to sit in the first row with Quentin and other judges.

Although there were more than 5000 people sitting in the theater at that time, it was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone raised their heads and stared at the big screen in front of them without blinking.

"Under the Hawthorn Tree" is officially released!

(End of this chapter)