Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 169: The Highbrows and the Lowbrows
Just like the premiere of "The Promise" last year, China Film Group sent invitations to all parties early on.

September 2006, 6, Beijing.

Before dusk fell, the square in front of the CPPCC auditorium was already packed with people.

Hundreds of media outlets set up their cameras and reporters flashed in the afterglow of the scorching sun.
Movie Channel, Phoenix TV, Beijing TV, Southern Metropolis Daily, Xinhua Entertainment, Sina, Sohu, NetEase, Tianya Forum and others were all present;

Even "Watching Movies" and "Southern People Weekly" sent special photography teams.

Rows of cameras had already been set up, and the sounds of shutter clicks could be heard one after another.

Outside the cordon, audiences formed a long queue early in the morning, with security personnel maintaining order. Some of the crowd were film students and teachers who had entered with official "viewing tickets."

"Senior Brother Wu Chen is still the best!"

"This is no less impressive than last year's The Promise."

Several Beijing Film Academy students who got tickets exclaimed in low voices, their eyes burning with excitement.

Outside the auditorium, a red carpet was laid from the end of the square to the main entrance of the auditorium.

Huge banners in Chinese and English were hung on both sides: "Now You See Me" China Premiere and International Film Cooperation and Exchange Conference!

Under the banner are the cooperation seals of the four major production companies: China Film Group, Lionsgate, Blumhouse Films, and Obsidian Pictures.

The co-organizers are also listed prominently below, and the scene is formal and solemn.

"Old Mu, there are not many directors who can hold a premiere here, and your student is one of them." At this time, some teachers from the Beijing Film Academy saw this scene and couldn't help but envy Mu Deyuan.

Where can I find such students?

"Alas, they are all empty reputations. The real thing is that the movies are well made." Mu Deyuan grinned, but his humility could not hide his pride.

Seeing Mu Deyuan looking like he deserved a beating, no one wanted to pay any attention to him.

At this moment, in the distance, two black business cars slowly stopped by the roadside.

The doors of the two cars opened, and Scarlett Johansson, James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and other Hollywood creative members got out first.

Following closely behind were Wu Chen, Han Sanping, Jason Blum, Michael Burns and others.

At this time, Scarlett Johansson and others were a little stunned looking at the imposing auditorium outside.

If Hollywood premieres are all about variety, here there's only one feeling:
Magnificent and majestic!

Michael Burns looked at the huge crowds on both sides of the red carpet and whispered, "Han, I think your country has unlimited potential for film. What a passionate audience!"

"Of course!" Han Sanping said confidently.

"Boss Han, why is the scene so grand again?" Wu Chen smiled. He was indeed Han Sanping, and his scenes were not inferior to anyone else's.

"Director Wu, there's an old saying in China: 'If you don't return home in splendor, it's like walking in splendid at night.

You are the first director from mainland China to go to Hollywood to shoot an A-level production. Not to mention other things, the film investment alone is currently the highest among all domestic films. If you don’t make a big deal about it, you might even be looked down upon.”

At this moment, as they walked onto the red carpet, a loud cheer suddenly rang out outside the auditorium.

"Quick, quick, it's Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman!"

"Wu Chen is here——"

"."

In the auditorium, guests signed in and entered one after another.

Han Sanping walked back and forth in the venue, greeting everyone warmly.

Ren Zhonglun walked in slowly, glanced at Han Sanping's appearance, and then glanced at the banner hanging above, muttering involuntarily:

"A premiere is just a premiere, but adding an 'international film cooperation and exchange conference' to it is just ostentatious."

"Old Ren, welcome, welcome!" Han Sanping shouted happily when he saw Ren Zhonglun.

"By the way, Mr. Han, I heard something recently." Ren Zhonglun smiled slightly and said slowly, "Jung Long and Li Lianjie are going to co-star in the same movie. Have you heard about this?"

The next second, Han Sanping's expression remained unchanged, but he cursed in his heart, wondering which bastard had leaked this information? Couldn't he have delayed it for a few more days?

However, it was pointless to dwell on this now. Han Sanping asked in confusion, "Is this true? How come I don't know about it?"

"Just keep pretending, you want to eat alone again, right?"

Ren Zhonglun muttered to himself that Li Lianjie had told him everything, and the company pushing this matter was most likely Lionsgate, which was not far away. If he believed Han Sanping's words, then something would be fishy.

Han Sanping glanced over casually and saw Wang Zhongjun shaking hands and chatting with Michael Burns, and his eyes twitched.

"Damn. Turns out there's more than one person who knows about this."

At the same time, Wu Chen was also dealing with the people who came.

Brother Chen Kai and Chen Hong were very active in attending the congratulations this time, as if they wanted to make up for the incident when they were caught off guard with the copyright of "The Promise".

"Congratulations to Director Wu for the huge box office success!" Zhou Xun and Li Binbin came with Feng Xiaogang and others and also offered their congratulations.

Feng Xiaogang couldn't help feeling a little sour when looking at this magnificent auditorium. His films have never enjoyed such treatment before.

"Director Feng, I'll be grateful for your guidance later. You are a professional in commercial films." Wu Chen shook hands with Feng Xiaogang.

When Feng Xiaogang heard Wu Chen giving him face, he immediately grinned, but did not refute: "Oh, Director Wu, what are you talking about?"

"Congratulations to Director Wu on his hit." Jiang Wen brought Zhou Yun into the venue and looked at the grand spectacle. "Wow, this is such a grand occasion."

"Be careful with your words, there are so many people here." Zhou Yun gently nudged Jiang Wen.

"Hey, I'm used to it." "Sister Zhou Yun, it's okay. Everyone in the circle knows Director Jiang's habits." Wu Chen responded with a smile, and then walked towards the Beijing Film Academy.

A small area was specially designated in the auditorium where teachers from Beijing Film Academy sat in an orderly manner.

"Teacher, Principal Zhang, Director Tian."

"You go ahead and do your thing." Zhang Huijun nodded with satisfaction. Finally, a student in school could make such a big name for himself.

I took a closer look at the banner Han Sanping had created. The first half of the banner wasn't very useful; the key was the second half: "International Film Cooperation and Exchange Conference."
Well, this half sentence can be used to write an official document, and it can also be used by Beijing Film Academy.

"Don't take what some old professors have said recently too seriously. Movies are made for people to watch." Mu Deyuan patted Wu Chen on the shoulder.

Wu Chen was stunned, as if he didn't understand what it meant.

Time was running out, so he could only nod, temporarily suppress the doubts in his heart, and turn away.

In the front row of the movie theater, Liu Yifei, Shu Chang, Park Songri, Xiang Zhuo, Chu Tianshu and others were arranged in the row closest to the central axis. Although their positions were not at the front, they had an excellent view.

"Wow, this is the seat. If Wu Chen hadn't given me an invitation ticket, I don't know when I would be able to sit here again."

Shu Chang looked left and right.

"So busy." Liu Yifei couldn't help but sigh as she watched Wu Chen walking around, knowing that he would have to lead the main creators soon.

"Mr. Han invited too many guests." Xiang Zhuo glanced at the people in the front row and couldn't help but sigh.

After a while, the lights dimmed and the premiere officially began.

Wu Chen brought the main creative team onto the stage and after a brief speech, he asked James McAvoy, Scarlett Johansson and others to share their filming experiences one by one.

Several leading actors were obviously infected by the enthusiasm of the city's audience. They smiled constantly and talked a lot.

It was not until Wu Chen gently reminded them that they waved goodbye and left the stage reluctantly.

The big screen lights up, and "Now You See Me" officially opens in China.

"Old Mu, you're an incredible student. You've gotten used to Hollywood's fast-paced style so quickly. This is such a typical commercial film."

A group of insiders from the Beijing Film Academy naturally saw it clearly.

The rhythm of this movie is not the same as the domestic style.

"Director Feng, this is totally different from the rhythm and shooting style of our traditional domestic commercial films." Zhou Xun said in surprise as he watched the images quickly passing on the screen.

Feng Xiaogang nodded silently.

He was used to making commercial films, and could tell at a glance that the speed and editing rhythm of this film far exceeded the rhythm of ordinary domestic films, but he couldn't make that kind of film.

However, Brother Chen Kai and Jiang Wen had completely different ways of watching the movie at this time.

Brother Chen Kai became more and more silent as he watched, with his hands folded in front of his chest and a serious expression on his face.

Jiang Wen, however, felt more and more relaxed the more he watched, and leaned back in his chair comfortably. "Apart from anything else, this is a really cool shot, but it lacks substance. It's not my cup of tea, what a pity."

"Director Wu makes pure commercial films, and they need so much connotation, so why doesn't he make art films?"

"That's right!" Jiang Wen nodded slightly after hearing what Zhou Yun said.

Some theater managers became more and more excited as they watched, wishing it could be shown immediately. Some of them gently took out their phones and pressed the following button:
"They started increasing the number of screenings in the early morning, and all the films that could be withdrawn were withdrawn."

When the film ended and the lights came on, the auditorium erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for a long time.

"Xixi, it looks great!" Shu Chang clapped wildly and shouted loudly to Liu Yifei.

"I know, I've almost deafened you." Liu Yifei smiled, but her eyes passed through the crowd and fell on Wu Chen on the stage, her eyes moving slightly.

"Thank you, thank you everyone." Wu Chen took the microphone and bowed slightly. "The movie is not complicated. I believe everyone can understand it. As long as you can understand it, it's good that your ticket money was not wasted."

The scene suddenly erupted in laughter.

However, the next moment, a reporter took the opportunity to ask loudly:
"Director Wu, what you just said, did you have any hidden meaning?
Recently, some college professors have criticized you, saying that you lack talent for making commercial films. As a leading figure of the new generation of academics, you should not be reduced to making commercial films.

After this question, the whole audience fell silent instantly.

Wu Chen was stunned at first, then relieved.

These old professors are still stubbornly sticking to their own ways.

No wonder Zhang Yi was criticized so badly by these people when he was filming "Hero".

"Han, why would they think that? Although there are distinctions in Hollywood, commercial films have a high status. Spielberg also makes commercial blockbusters.

Wu can be a director of both art films and commercial films. He makes them very well, so there is no contradiction."

Michael Burns looked puzzled after hearing the translation.

"Hmm." Han Sanping was silent for a moment and was about to say something.

The people in the audience also looked at Wu Chen curiously, as if expecting how Wu Chen would respond.

Zhang Yimou avoided this issue and did not face it directly.
Wu Chen smiled upon hearing this and said, "There is no distinction between superior and inferior art forms, only between different audiences.

In the Chu Ci, it is said that although few people can sing along with the "Yangchun Baixue", the music is too high to be appreciated by many.
Thousands of people sing along to "Xia Li Ba Ren", which is appreciated by both the elite and the masses.

After all, movies are made for people to watch, just like searching for a soulmate across thousands of miles. The more soulmates there are, the stronger the resonance. If no one understands me, what is the point of having superb skills?

Today's stage for "Now You See Me" may not be highbrow enough, but if it can serve as a bridge, allowing the world to see the diverse possibilities of Chinese directors and attracting more audiences to the cinema -

I think this is also the responsibility of filmmakers.”

(End of this chapter)