The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 42: Not the Best Director Award? It’s the Palme d’Or!

……

Director Lu Zhiyuan's film "The Heart Labyrinth" has been shortlisted for the Cannes main competition unit and is aiming for the Palme d'Or!

[The first film ever shot with a SLR camera, "The Heart," sparked controversy among digital enthusiasts worldwide!]

A failed art student's comeback! The visual art of the film "The Heart" is breathtaking! CAFA and GAME, do you regret your studies?

……

Lu Zhiyuan's plane just landed in Urumqi.

On the Xingguang Canlan side, Zhao Shanshan helped contact the major art colleges and dance troupes in Urumqi through the company's publicity channels.

Lu Zhiyuan said that he wanted to find a new female lead for the new film.

The other person's appearance needs to conform to both Eastern and Western aesthetics, have strong dancing skills, and be willing to work hard and undergo three months of closed training.

These conditions are harsh.

However, in such a large city like Urumqi, he would definitely be able to find a heroine that meets his requirements.

……

Among the national song and dance troupe.

"Have you heard? A big director is coming to our place to select a newcomer. If you are chosen, you may become the leading actress of his next movie."

"I know! The director's name is Lu Zhiyuan. He's only in his 20s, and his debut film was shortlisted for the Cannes Film Festival... He's been all over the newspapers these past few days."

"That's him! He also shot the music video for the song 'Possible' which was very popular a while ago, and he's also the composer of the lyrics."

"This is a great talent!"

"If I could become the leading lady in his movie, not only would I become a star, but I might even become an international superstar like Zhang Ziyi."

A group of little girls gathered together, chattering and looking very excited.

Lu Zhiyuan's arrival greatly enriched their dream material.

"Everyone, pay attention! Someone's coming!"

At this moment, someone shouted,
Immediately afterwards, a large number of little girls came in from outside.

And these little girls surrounded a young man like stars surrounding the moon.

It is the long way to go.

"Everyone, come and see. The person next to Sister Dilinar is the famous director Lu Zhiyuan."

Although he only made one movie, it was shortlisted for Cannes. In the eyes of ordinary people, Lu Zhiyuan has become an internationally renowned director.

At this moment, as Lu Zhiyuan walked in, the entire song and dance troupe became lively.

Many young girls immediately fixed their hair and checked their makeup.

As soon as Lu Zhiyuan looked over, they immediately showed their most charming smiles.

Because, as long as you are selected, you can become a star, be envied by countless people, make a lot of money, leave your hometown, and go to a big city to enjoy a life of feasting and drinking.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them!

……

Lu Zhiyuan glanced at the crowd and soon found Reba hiding in the corner.

Mainly, she was so striking.

Even in a chorus filled with beautiful women, she is the brightest star.

"Teacher Dilinar, I only have one afternoon. Please help me arrange it. Each person will have three minutes to introduce themselves and perform a talent show."

Although he came for Reba, Lu Zhiyuan did not give Reba any special care, but handled the matter in an impartial manner.

"no problem!"

[Dilinar] is the president of the local dancers association and has represented China on the international stage several times.

She was very prestigious in the chorus. With just one word of instruction, the young dancers immediately lined up and prepared for the interview one by one.

……

I have to say that Reba is indeed excellent enough. Looking at the entire song and dance troupe, she stands out like a crane among chickens.

The dance performances by others were excellent though.

However, no one gave Lu Zhiyuan the dazzling feeling that Reba did.

Reba's dance is full of strength and strength while being passionate and unrestrained, yet also has the shyness of a girl.

Dance beautifully.

Teacher Dilinar, who was accompanying them, also showed a relieved smile on her face when she saw this scene.

"Thank you."

After Reba finished dancing, she bowed and walked out.

Because, next, there are other people coming in for interviews.

"What kind of personality does she have?"

Turning to look at Teacher Dilinar, Lu Zhiyuan asked a few questions seriously: "As for her physical condition, I have seen it. I want to say that I have very high requirements for actors. Can she endure hardship?"

"Please rest assured about this, Director Lu."

Teacher Dilinar quickly assured her, "Reba is a good kid, except for being a bit greedy. She's very obedient in the troupe, practices very hard, and never complains of being tired."

Be obedient, work hard, and don't cause trouble.

This is most important.

"I want to take her to Yanjing, or even take her abroad for filming...will there be any problems with her family?"

In the eyes of Teacher Dilinar, Lu Zhiyuan's question was completely unnecessary.

He is not some small-time director.

He is now an internationally renowned director of art films. He does not follow any messy unspoken rules and directly selects actors through the song and dance troupe in a formal manner.

And, it is possible that she is the heroine.

If Reba becomes a big star, it will also be an honor for the entire song and dance troupe.

There is definitely no problem in Reba's home.

Even if there is a small objection, the song and dance troupe can help Lu Zhiyuan resolve it.

After all, Reba’s father is also a member of the song and dance troupe.

"Since there's no problem, ask her to get ready and return to Yanjing with me in a couple of days. She'll have a lot to do next."

There are a lot of things to do to train an excellent actor from beginning to end.

However, it is much simpler to customize a functional heroine just for one movie.

……

Although Reba has been chosen as the role.

However, other art schools and dance troupes were eagerly awaiting his selection... Lu Zhiyuan couldn't help but give them face given their enthusiasm. He was just too lazy to socialize, but that didn't mean he had low emotional intelligence.

Next, Lu Zhiyuan spent another two days visiting three or four colleges and dance troupes and meeting some potential talents.

Just don't treat these things as work, but as travel, and appreciate the level of the local song and dance troupe.

In fact, this kind of thing is quite pleasant.

……

Three days later.

Lu Zhiyuan brought the little girl Reba back to Yanjing.

"Brother Yuan, what's that smell?"

"Would you like some donkey meat hot pot? Okay, wait here for a moment while I go buy two."

During the 3000-kilometer flight from Urumqi to Yanjing, the two had become very familiar with each other.

When Reba left her hometown for the first time, she did not feel reluctant at all. Instead, she was full of curiosity about the new world.

As soon as she got off the plane, she started to feel hungry.

"Brother Yuan, can I live with you in the future? Will that disturb your work?"

Reba is still a minor.

As Lu Zhiyuan brought her out from her hometown, he naturally became her temporary guardian.

After getting to know Lu Zhiyuan, Reba discovered that Lu Zhiyuan was a person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

Although he is quiet and seems a bit aloof.

But, she actually has a very good personality and is very gentle... On the plane, when she fell asleep, Brother Yuan would cover her with clothes!
And just now, when I bought her donkey meat hotpot, he looked so handsome!
"I'm sharing a two-bedroom apartment with a friend of mine... I can help you arrange for me to share the apartment with another friend of mine. She lives in the same complex as us and works as a print model."

"I hope you two get along well."

Of course Lu Zhiyuan would not live with Reba.

He arranged for Reba to be Zhang Tianai's roommate.

Zhang Tianai welcomed this with open arms.

Zhang Tianai is an advertising model. When she is not working, she likes to stay at home and is very bored.

In addition, ever since Lu Zhiyuan's "Maze" was shortlisted for Cannes, she began to feel a little inferior and didn't dare to ask Lu Zhiyuan to watch a movie together.

After all, Lu Zhiyuan is a big director, and she is still a small model. There is a huge gap between the two.

That day, Lu Zhiyuan asked her if she could let Reba live with her?

She was actually very happy.

This shows that Lu Zhiyuan still regards her as a friend!

……

"Xiao Ai, Reba is troubling you."

Lu Zhiyuan carried a lot of bags and sent Reba to Zhang Tianai's house: "Please put all the expenses of Reba staying at your place in the account and ask Brother Kun to reimburse you later."

Zhang Tianai wanted to say, "How much can a little girl like Reba spend? Does she need to be reimbursed? You're looking down on me!"

However, she was afraid that if she said that, Lu Zhiyuan would not want to take advantage of her and take Reba to someone else.

It’s better to spend some money on him!
Anyway, he is about to become an international director and has no shortage of money.

"Reba, call me if you have anything."

After making all the arrangements for Reba, Lu Zhiyuan went home to sleep.

The continuous running around made him a little tired.

And tomorrow, he will fly to Cannes again.

……

on the way back.

Lu Zhiyuan suddenly received several unfamiliar text messages.

"Hello, Ayuan, I'm Li An."

"[Minimalist composition], [Aesthetics of Gaze], [Static Tension], integrating painting techniques into film images, creating a unique visual signature."

“This kind of narrative is really unique to Cannes.”

"You've been everywhere in Cannes these past few days... Congratulations, you've successfully piqued the interest of countless people!"

"Tomorrow, when you get to Cannes, I'll introduce you to a very important person. It's James Schamus, the CEO of Focus Features."

"He's very interested in you!"

"If you want to develop in Hollywood, this is a good opportunity."

Focus Features, a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, is positioned as a production and distribution platform for art films, independent films and mid-budget commercial films.

Li An's "Lust, Caution" and "Brokeback Mountain" were both distributed through this company.

obviously!
Lu Zhiyuan's "Maze of the Heart" became famous in Cannes for its unique visual label.

Focus Features, a Hollywood production company, has taken a fancy to Lu Zhiyuan and wants to recruit him!

"Okay, thank you Director Li. I'll contact you tomorrow when I get to Cannes."

Lu Zhiyuan had some doubts about Li An's enthusiasm.

However, upon closer consideration, Li An might have accepted Xing Guang Cang Lan's money simply out of respect for the money.

Lu Zhiyuan didn't think much about it, opened the door and went home, ready to take a shower and go to bed.

And the next moment, messages from Zhao Shanshan suddenly came in continuously like bombers.

"Ayuan, breaking news!"

"'The White Ribbon' and 'The Prophet,' two Palme d'Or favorites, have begun to clash. The media and public relations war of words has become increasingly heated, and has already caused dissatisfaction among many jury members."

"In addition, through the introduction of James, CEO of Focus Features, we met the president of the jury [Isabelle Huppert] at a private cocktail party."

"She really appreciates your point that [film is a visual art]... Of course, the truth is, several of her upcoming films will be produced and financed by Focus Features."

"Following James's suggestion, she became very friendly to us and even revealed that the judging criteria for this year's Palme d'Or would be biased towards regions outside Europe."

Unbelievable!

The butterfly effect has appeared!

Li An...Focus Features...President of the Jury [Isabelle Huppert].

That’s what happened!
But, it’s not the Best Director Award?

It's the Palme d'Or!
Is it really possible?

At this moment, Lu Zhiyuan, who was always calm, couldn't help but feel his heart beating faster.

(End of this chapter)