The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 44 He doesn’t understand failed art students at all!

……

Zhao Shanshan is so smart and respects Lu Zhiyuan so much.

In her words, she even regarded Lu Zhiyuan as someone who was absolutely not for sale.

This surprised James very much.

At this moment, he lowered his head and took a sip of coffee to hide his inner nervousness.

This time, the partner, Lu Zhiyuan, is not a lone cultural figure like Li An, but has a strong business team behind him.

This kind of person is the most difficult to deal with.

Moreover, it is clear that Zhao Shanshan is not short of money.

The background is even more unfathomable.

How could she actually use her personal connections to get the plan directly into Jobs' hands?

Damn!

The Chinese are truly powerful!
James originally wanted to fool Zhao Shanshan the same way he fooled Wall Street, but he didn't expect that this time, it seemed like he hit a wall!
"Ms. Zhao, you can make your offer. We at Focus Features are very sincere. Moreover, Universal Pictures is behind us."

After a moment of silence, James finally decided to take a step back.

As the top force in Hollywood, Universal Pictures' brand is still very effective in the global film industry.

"James, you have a strong background, but you are not the only one with a strong background in this world."

Faced with the threats implied in James' words, Zhao Shanshan remained calm and composed.

"It's true that we need the honor of the Palme d'Or. However, Ayuan is still young. If he can't win it this time, he can make a comeback in two years and eventually win the Palme d'Or."

"But there is only one project like 'Upgrade' that can consistently make a lot of money."

After figuring out James' weakness, Zhao Shanshan began to wait for the right price.

She was initially intimidated by James's reputation.

The CEO of Focus Features, a subsidiary of Universal Pictures that specializes in art films!

What a great name!
She thought that the opponent's moves were very powerful.

At present, it seems that it is nothing more than painting a rosy picture for people and using threats and inducements.

In the past, she suffered because she didn’t have many cards in her hand and her superiors were pressuring her to play, so she could only play them randomly and was cheated without saying a word.

Now, she has the royal flush in her hand, so she can play this card at will, right?

"Ms. Zhao, please forgive my disrespect. Let's renegotiate."

James felt that he was unsure about Zhao Shanshan and chose to adjust his strategy.

He thought carefully for a moment and spoke again: "I can do my best to help you with the Palme d'Or. I hope that through this, you can see my sincerity."

"As for letting Director Lu Zhiyuan join our company, since you don't agree, let's just drop the idea."

"We are back in negotiations on the Upgrade project."

"I hope you can consider cooperating with Focus Features on this project and let us produce and distribute it. I promise to satisfy you."

This is what negotiation looks like.

After all, the project "Upgrade" looks very promising at first glance.

The main thing is that Lu Zhiyuan tied up with the currently popular technology giant, Apple, right from the start.

For this project, the investors clearly have no shortage of money.

Investors are not short of money.

This means that everyone can make a lot of money through this project.

"James, you're very sincere. However, I can't promise you right away. Let's wait until tomorrow night when Ayuan comes."

I have some say in Lu Zhiyuan's affairs, but not much.

The main reason why I have the right to speak is that Lu Zhiyuan respects me more and almost all the business negotiation matters are left to me.

It feels good to be trusted.

However, Zhao Shanshan did not get carried away.

After all, they and Lu Zhiyuan are just partners, not superiors and subordinates.

"That's natural."

James nodded. He could still wait for a day.

"Ms. Zhao, the coffee is great. Thank you for the hospitality."

After a few polite words, James turned and left.

After the guests left, Zhao Shanshan called home: "Tiantian, guess who I was chatting with just now?"

"You wouldn't guess it."

"He's the CEO of a production and distribution company under Universal Pictures. He compared A Yuan to a younger, more luxurious version of Li An."

"Do you know how much Li An spent on the film 'Taking Woodstock'?"

"A full 3000 million US dollars!"

“It’s just crazy.”

"I really don't know how Li An convinced James, such a gullible fool, to give him so much money."

"I attended a preview of this movie this afternoon. If Ayuan were to shoot it, the maximum he could make would be $500 million!"

At this point, Zhao Shanshan suddenly understood why James wanted to poach their players?

Because Lu Zhiyuan really saves money when making movies.

To achieve the same visual effect, he only needs to spend less than half of what others spend... For film companies, this is equivalent to a direct increase in profits.

"I really have a keen eye for talent. I spotted Ayuan right away among the crowd."

Zhao Shanshan couldn't help feeling a little proud.

Upon hearing this, Jing Tian on the opposite side was dissatisfied and shouted, "Sister Shanshan, what are you talking about? I was the one who had a keen eye for talent! It was me who took a liking to A Yuan at first sight in the tavern."

Next, Zhao Shanshan shared with Jing Tian how popular she had been in the past two days.

The movie "Labyrinth of the Heart" is very unique among the many films in Cannes with its multi-line narrative, tight plot, and painterly visual labels.

It attracted the attention of many film producers.

I heard that the director Lu Zhiyuan, who was only in his early 20s, shocked the foreigners so much that they were stunned and kept shouting "unbelievable".

In their early 20s, many people can't even be good actors.

Jing Tian was seduced and fascinated by Zhao Shanshan's description.

She couldn't sit still any longer and asked directly, "Sister Shanshan, which hotel are you staying in? Is it the Martinez Hotel? Wait, I'll book a flight now and come in two days!"

I'm fine at school anyway. Just treat it like a vacation in Cannes!

……

The next day, due to the time difference between France and China, it was 7 hours later.

After a long journey, Lu Zhiyuan and Xin Yukun arrived in Cannes at about 10 a.m. China time.

Xin Yukun was originally planning to find a place to have brunch or something.

"Ayuan, what's going on? It's still dark in Cannes at 10 o'clock? I remember it gets light very late in Urumqi, too. Is it like this in France too?"

I took a taxi from the airport. It was pitch dark and there was no one on the road.

He looked at his watch and it was already 10 o'clock!

Foreigners are really lazy. It’s 10 o’clock and there’s no one on the street!

"Brother Kun, you forgot to calculate the time difference. It's 3 a.m. local time now. Who do you think will be on the road?"

Lu Zhiyuan was so sleepy that he didn't want to waste time talking to Brother Kun.

After arriving at the hotel, although it was already three or four in the morning, Zhao Shanshan calculated the time and waited for them downstairs.

"Mr. Zhao."

Although they were just partners and had only met a few times, Lu Zhiyuan was deeply moved by Zhao Shanshan's action.

"Ayuan, the room is ready for you. It's a sea view suite on the top floor."

Zhao Shanshan was a little tired, but still very happy to see Lu Zhiyuan.

It’s such a great honor!
In the past, people flattered her in every way because she was rich.

Now it is because she discovered the great director Lu Zhiyuan, admired her vision, and everyone agreed that she has great artistic accomplishment.

Otherwise, how could her company create a work like "Maze of the Heart"?

After all, the name written in the producer column was Zhao Shanshan!
Anyway, she had a very happy life these days.

"Ayuan, the organizers are really nice. I've never stayed in the penthouse suite with a sea view... After we get to know each other better in a couple of days, I can invite a few French female celebrities to a party. That would be a real treat."

Xin Yukun is strong and healthy. He is not tired even after sitting on the plane for a whole day. He has already started to imagine the colorful world that will follow.

"Ayuan, go to bed early. Tomorrow afternoon, I have an appointment with Focus Features CEO James and the renowned director Li An to have afternoon tea with you. I'd also like to chat with you about some of our competitors."

Lu Zhiyuan didn't have a team of agents, so Zhao Shanshan took over temporarily. She was so busy with the work that she was dizzy.

However, this feeling of fulfillment is quite good.

There is a sense of excitement in maneuvering and fighting with the world's top players.

Back in China, it will be enough for her to brag about for the rest of her life.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao. You've worked hard these past few days."

"Why are you so hard? I'm happy for you if you can succeed."

A warm smile appeared on Zhao Shanshan's face.

Who said Lu Zhiyuan is a wooden man?
He just doesn't bother to socialize with ordinary people.

Moreover, this is good, as everyone has a clear division of labor.

A Yuan was in charge of the art, while he was in charge of the business, leaving Xin Yukun to run errands and do odd jobs. This was how a team looked like.

"Mr. Zhao, you should go back first. Ayuan hasn't showered yet today, and he must be about to burst."

Xin Yukun made a joke, suggesting that Zhao Shanshan could leave. If they kept standing at the door, how could they go into the house and sleep?

"Brother Kun, come with me."

Zhao Shanshan smiled at Lu Zhiyuan, then pulled Xin Yukun away.

"Mr. Zhao, I don't sell myself."

Although the rich woman is nice, Zhao Shanshan seems to be a difficult person to deal with.

Xin Yukun felt that he would soon make it big in his life, and there were plenty of beautiful girls waiting for him to help the poor, so there was no need to humble himself and hang out with rich women.

"You think beautiful!"

Zhao Shanshan rolled her eyes and shoved a door card into Xin Yukun's hand. "The organizer arranged a penthouse suite with sea view for the director. Since you're the screenwriter, this ordinary suite is yours."

Depend on!
Are the organizers so snobbish?
The director and screenwriter are from the same team, so why are they treated differently?
Xin Yukun cursed and swore, but finally had to hold his nose and enter the ordinary suite.

……

Wake up feeling refreshed.

Lu Zhiyuan packed up simply and went downstairs to eat.

Later, with Zhao Shanshan's introduction, he met the famous director Li An and Focus Features CEO James in a hotel room.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, they got straight to the point.

Li An spoke first: "Ayuan, 'The Prophet' is very likely to win the Palme d'Or. Do you think this film has a chance?"

"It's hard."

Lu Zhiyuan is very clear that this year's Palme d'Or will most likely go to "The White Ribbon".

This movie is too politically correct.

"The Prophet is no match for The White Ribbon."

"However, 'The White Ribbon' is not without flaws. I just wrote an article while having lunch, and I hope to find a media outlet to help me publish it."

After Lu Zhiyuan finished speaking, he took out a piece of paper from the bag he was carrying.

Wrote an article while having lunch?
At this moment, everyone else was very curious.

"Can I see it?"

Li An couldn't help but want to see what kind of article could make Lu Zhiyuan say that "White Ribbon" was not flawless.

"of course."

Lu Zhiyuan nodded.

The purpose of publishing the article is to convince everyone. If I can't even convince Li An, how can I convince the other judges?

James couldn't understand Chinese and was drinking coffee nearby.

Li An and Zhao Shanshan, coincidentally, both leaned over the table and read Lu Zhiyuan's article.

——[In this era full of hypocrisy, Haneke has accomplished a perfect moral kidnapping with "The White Ribbon"! ]

——[Bottoming the root causes of the two world wars as "patriarchal oppression" is even more hasty than the conclusions in middle school history textbooks.]

——[Haneke, he doesn’t understand failed art students at all! ]

Depend on!
The first three sentences made Li An and Zhao Shanshan gasp.

It's crazy!

If this article is published...

It is conceivable that there will be no shortage of excitement in Cannes over the next month.

(End of this chapter)