Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 160: Blending
For several days in a row, the reputation of "Shoplifters" continued to grow, and the film festival officials added two screenings according to the rules.

The program brochure also scored 3.1, and the Cannes program brochure uses a 4-point system.

After the films in the main competition unit have premiered, "Shoplifters" ranks second in the current bellwether program score, only 0.3 points behind "Elephant".

This was also the film that won the Palme d'Or in 2003.

Of course, this score only represents the recognition of the audience and the literary and art circles, and has nothing to do with the final award. It is the judges' own choice whether to refer to the score or not.

Apart from a few well-received films such as "Shoplifters" and "Elephant", film critics continued to attack other participating films with venomous tongues.

This is also a true reflection of what is being hailed as the worst Cannes in 20 years.

American director Vincent's "The Brown Bunny" was criticized as a landmark work that pioneered the inferior films in Cannes;

British director Green's "Tus" is "praised" as the first hypnotic film;

Even French director Pétain's "Lamb Chops" was called a disgusting stew.

The venomous film critic who is difficult to hold back...

It’s a pity that these directors don’t have Boss Lu’s ability to argue back, so they can only swallow their anger.

Lu Kuan was in the car looking at the program brochure and newspapers, estimating his chances of winning an award at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

"Shoplifters" is an ensemble drama, and has a slightly higher chance of winning collective awards such as the Palme d'Or, Best Director, and the Grand Prix.

As well as some backstage awards such as Best Screenplay and Golden Camera.

Among them, the Palme d'Or is awarded to the film, while the Best Director award is awarded to the individual, and the two are not necessarily the same.

"Sir, we have arrived at our destination."

Lu Kuan gave the taxi driver an extra tip and then walked into the lobby of MK2's office in Nice.

Today, Luc Besson and Laurent took the initiative to make an appointment with Lu Kuan, and their purpose was very clear, which was to win "Shoplifters" before the Palme d'Or was determined.

Perhaps their initiative and eagerness will cause the seller to raise the price, but it is better than paying several times the cost after "Shoplifters" actually wins an award.

"Lu, you're here, please sit down."

Luc Besson also stood up and extended his hand to express his respect for this outstanding Eastern director.

"Hello, everyone. I'm here today because..."

Lauren clenched her fist and coughed twice. "Lu, MK2 is very optimistic about the market performance and reputation of Shoplifters and wants to seek copyrights outside of North America and Asia."

I was a little surprised at how wide the road was. Isn't this Europe?
Luc Besson said with a smile: "MK2 has just opened branches in South America and North Africa to distribute the film. The tone of Shoplifters is very consistent with the viewing needs of these economically underdeveloped regions."

North Africa used to be a French colony, and it seems that MK2 is no longer limited to the market share within Europe.

Boss Lu took a sip of water and did not agree immediately.

Why haven't these two bitches mentioned the power-for-money transaction yet? Damn it!
He didn't have the nerve to say it on his own initiative. What if the other party had some recording device and recorded it? He wouldn't be able to explain it clearly.

Seeing Lu Kuan frowning and thinking without saying anything, Luc Besson looked at Lauren and went straight to the point.

"Lu, Shoplifters is of very high quality and will be a strong contender for the Palme d'Or and Best Director. Mr. Laurent and I can provide you with lobbying services."

Lauren assisted: "Yes, this year's jury chairperson Patricia is a close friend of mine, I can promote this film to her a little more."

"As consideration for your lobbying services, we require you to transfer the copyrights for the aforementioned territories for a nominal fee of $20."

Lu Kuan laughed and said, "You two clearly marked the price like this, aren't you afraid that I'll tell others about it?"

"You're a smart person. You should know the relationship between Cannes and MK2. Even if we can't make this deal, it won't affect our friendship, right?"

"If you agree, sign the contract today and you will get your Palme d'Or in a week."

Boss Lu fell into deep thought, unable to make a decision for a moment.

It’s not that he has any moral purportedness. Even the Oscars have an open lobbying system.

It’s just that the methods used by MK2 and Cannes have not been made public.

The reason for his hesitation was that he could not estimate the high box office revenue that winning the Palme d'Or would bring him.

It is still the box office revenue in those regions that MK2 covets that brings higher profits to itself.

If South America and North Africa have no value, then why would MK2 mix them with itself?

Second, MK2 requires a contract to be signed first. What if they take the money but don’t do the job?
Who can he talk to for reason?

Lu Kuan tried to probe: "When I win the Palme d'Or or Best Director, regardless of whether it was due to your lobbying or not, I will transfer the copyright for about 20 yuan. How about that?"

"No, no, no, Lu, Mr. Luc Besson and I are both well-known figures in the industry. You can rest assured of our promise."

"If you are familiar with it, you can even ask Hou Xiaoxian and Wang Jiawei in your country."

"But Lu...with all due respect, you don't have enough strength to back up your reputation."

Lu Kuan became even more alert, shook his head and said nothing.

He is putting pressure on the other side. After all, it is a seller's market, and the one who strikes first is the cheapest!

Lauren looked a little angry. How dare a small Chinese director talk to her like this?

How do you compare to Hou Xiaoxian and Wang Jiawei?

Aren’t you still respectful in front of me?
"Lu! You're still young and will have many opportunities to come to Cannes. I think you're a smart person and should know that gaining lasting friendship is more important than gaining temporary benefits."

Oh no! Why didn’t you do this earlier?
If you don't say something harsh, I won't be able to get angry with you! Boss Lu said with righteous indignation: "Art is sacred, how can it be traded? Goodbye!"

I laughed out loud and went out, how could I be a cheater!
It doesn’t matter whether he wins the Palme d’Or or Best Director. He is not a senior literary and artistic director like the fifth generation who spends his whole life pursuing the three major awards.

His goal is simple, which is to control the discourse power of public opinion, complete the closed loop of his own industrial chain as soon as possible, and become the person in charge.

To raise the goal a little further, it is nothing more than exporting national culture to the outside world and resisting the influence of Japan and South Korea.

You can take my award!
Want my money? No way!
In the office, Luc Besson suddenly laughed out loud.

"Lauren, I told you long ago that the methods you used on those Hollywood people will not work on this Lu Kuan."

Lauren was noncommittal: "Do you think he figured it out? Or is there someone on the jury?"

"Jiang Wen, who's on the jury, is his compatriot, but the voting hasn't even started yet. How would he know Patricia's attitude?"

Luc Besson asked curiously, "Does Patricia really like Shoplifters so much?"

"It's not that he likes Shoplifters, it's that the films in this year's festival are all too mediocre. Only Elephant and Thief are considered good."

"This is his first time as jury president, and he has to protect his reputation. He can't be labeled the worst Cannes Lions."

"The day before yesterday, he got drunk and told me that the Palme d'Or and Best Director awards wouldn't go to these two films, and he even asked me to go to the lottery and place a bet!"

Lauren took out a cigar and picked up a pair of double-edged scissors: "I just didn't expect him to be so decisive. He is different from the Oriental people I have met."

Luc Besson smiled but said nothing. Last year, he and Lu Kuan explored the European copyright with the introduction of Takeshi Kitano, but did not get any advantage.

People who are not familiar with him can easily be deceived by his appearance and age.

This is a man who possesses both the talent of a director and the shrewdness of a businessman.

Just like himself, including when it comes to women.

A friend would rather die than be killed. After hearing Lauren reveal Patricia's attitude, Luc Besson decided to take action on his own.

At least get the European rights to "Thief".

"Lauren, I have to go back to the company first. I won't smoke cigars with you anymore."

"Okay, I'll contact Lu Kuan later. Even if I can't fool him, getting the copyright normally is not bad. This is still an excellent movie."

When Luc Besson was preparing to make a secret move, Lu Kuan had already started wielding a knife and fork in a high-end restaurant.

Sitting across from him were Harvey and Quentin.

"Harvey, the steak is good. You have good taste."

"Of course, I come to Cannes every year. This is my special place."

Quentin looked a little sad. He said goodbye to the conference chairman Jacob yesterday, but was asked to stay.

"Lu, can you use your Eastern mystical religion to help me predict my fortune for the next few days?"

"I'm afraid of a bomb falling on my head even when I sleep now!"

Lu Kuan was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

In addition to the mediocre films, this year's Cannes also had several other issues that were worthy of criticism.

The first was that the strike affected traffic, causing many stars to be late.

The second is that the French authorities admitted that the film festival may have been the target of a terrorist plot.

Anyway, people are in a panic now. There are rumors that terrorists from North Africa have entered the Algerian community in the port of Marseille, not far from Cannes, and are lurking.
There are also rumors that Bin Laden has deployed a large-scale suicide attack on Cannes in retaliation for the US invasion of Iraq.

France:???
Fuck you! Why are you looking for me when America is fighting you?
In short, there are many Hollywood films shortlisted for Cannes this year, but there are even more stars who did not attend.

George Clooney, Michael Douglas, Meg Ryan, and many more.

It was thanks to the conference chairman Jacob that he was able to invite Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Schwarzenegger.

After having a good meal and a good drink, Jewish An Lushan got down to business.

"Lu, I'm sincere this time. Let's talk about your 'Shoplifters'!"

Seeing that he didn't respond, she shouted again.

"road?"

Boss Lu was stunned for a moment, because he suddenly thought of something!

An opportunity to pick up a bargain derived from the terrorist attack mentioned by Quentin!

"Fahrenheit 911/"!
Lu Kuan suddenly felt as if he had seen the imperial seal at a stall in Panjiayuan, Peking.

He remained expressionless and tried to play hard to get.

"Harvey, you suffered a loss last time with Whiplash. I think you should be more cautious with Shoplifters!"

The Jewish An Lushan was a little bit unbelievable. Is this still the Chinese guy who was so stingy with him that he would be even more Jewish than the Jews?
"I've bought the copyright this time and plan to adapt it myself. The core of Shoplifters is very suitable for the multi-ethnic and diverse family structures in some economically underdeveloped areas of the United States."

Lu Kuan secretly complained: Zero yuan purchase, right?

"Okay, then you name your price."

(End of this chapter)