Reshaping the landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 71 Han Sanping Learns About the New Project (Please Subscribe!)

He Yi'an finished the brief interview backstage and returned to his seat.

His face turned rosy, not only because of the award, but also because of his candid expression.

Did you really think he had a good temper when you scolded him like that?

Is it enough to just retaliate with insults?

Later, they were suppressed by their superiors and could no longer speak out or engage in verbal sparring. Besides being restricted, the main reason was that they genuinely lacked confidence at that time.

When you haven't succeeded, your words have no hegemonic power.

Even if what you say is true and correct, no matter how well you say it, no one will believe you or listen to you, so you have no choice but to humble yourself.

Now that I've won an award, if I still have to put up with your attitude, then what the hell was the point of my trip?

"Let me see it." Once He Yi'an was seated, Yu Feihong took the Silver Lion Trophy and began to caress it.

"This is the Silver Lion Trophy, it's quite prestigious." Yu Feihong tossed it around.

Having made up her mind to become a director, and having even made one film, her thinking has already begun to shift towards directing, so she must still have some thoughts about such awards.

After all, people all want to keep improving!

The trophy was then passed around and touched by several members of the crew, and he really had nothing to do with the awards ceremony afterwards.

The Grand Jury Prize and the Golden Lion remain unchanged!

But He Yi'an was already very satisfied.

After the awards ceremony, the crowd filed out of the cinema and headed toward the banquet hall next to the main venue.

The nights in Venice are a bit chilly, and the wind blowing from the lagoon carries a damp, salty smell, but no one cares about that at this moment.

Whether they won awards or not, everyone wore polite smiles as they socialized in the brightly lit banquet hall.

The awards ceremony was just the climax of the film festival; the real enjoyment came at the banquet.

This is also the main place where major film studios discuss copyright purchases and transactions.

He Yi'an was not familiar with these things, so he entrusted them entirely to Han Sanping.

Although he had lived an extra lifetime, he had no experience in this area, and he couldn't allow an outsider to interfere with an expert.

"Director He, congratulations!"

Just as He Yi'an was looking around, a middle-aged man speaking with a Hong Kong accent walked over with a wine glass in hand, his face full of smiles.

"I am Chen Zhiqiang from Sil-Metropole Organisation. Before the film festival opened, I heard that a genius director had emerged in mainland China. After meeting him today, I can confirm that he lives up to his reputation."

He Yi'an politely clinked glasses with him: "Mr. Chen, you're too kind."

-

He certainly knew about Sil-Metropole Organisation, a long-established film company in Hong Kong, backed by Sun Hwa Group.

Hong Kong films have declined in recent years, and Silver Screen has also had a tough time. However, even a weakened camel is bigger than a horse, and it still has some influence in some distribution channels.

I watched Director He's "Fireworks in the World" twice in Venice.

Chen Zhiqiang gave a thumbs up, "It's so well-made. That sense of everyday life and human warmth is something Hong Kong directors can't capture. I wonder if there's any other potential collaboration in terms of distribution besides China Film Group?"

He Yi'an liked this kind of straightforward person, and smiled: "Regarding the distribution, Mr. Chen can talk to Mr. Han. I'm only responsible for filming."

Chen Zhiqiang nodded tactfully, exchanged a few more polite words, and then turned to find Han Sanping.

Just as He Yi'an was about to sit down, someone else approached with a wine glass.

This time it was a blonde, blue-eyed French woman, wearing a well-tailored red dress, exuding a capable and sophisticated air.

"Ale, I'm Juliette Binoche from MK2. Of course, not the actress Binoche, just someone with the same name."

She smiled and extended her hand: "I really like your film. That kind of Eastern-style blank space and restraint is rarely seen in European films."

MK2.

He Yi'an's heart stirred.

This company has a strong distribution network in France and throughout Europe, and later developed a very close partnership with China.

The films by Jia Zhangke and Wang Xiaoshuai were mostly distributed in France through MK2.

"Thank you." He Yi'an shook hands with her. "I've seen quite a few MK2 films, including Yuri's 'Faimosu'."

I really like "papaarazzo".

Juliet's eyes lit up: "You've seen Yuris's films? They're not exactly commercial films."

"Good movies don't distinguish between commercial and art films." Everyone praises a pretty sedan chair, it's all commercial hype, He Yi'an understands this point. "A good movie is one that can move people."

Juliet laughed: "Ale, you're quite different from other Eastern men in your reserved nature. I like your personality!"

She then took a business card out of her handbag and handed it to him: "Director He Yi'an, if you want your films distributed in Europe in the future, you can contact me. Even if you have stable channels to cooperate with others, it's always good to have more options, right?"

He Yi'an took the business card and carefully put it away: "Of course, you're right. If the opportunity arises, I will definitely contact you."

After Juliet left, several film distributors and film festival programmers came over to talk to him. He Yi'an dealt with them one by one, his smile almost frozen.

This is the price of winning an award.

A Versailles-like price to pay.

At the beginning of the century, winning awards was still a very important thing.

When you haven't won an award, not many people will give you a second glance; when you win an award, everyone will gather around, as if your movie has suddenly become better.

Just then, a hand patted his shoulder from behind.

He Yi'an turned around and saw Han Sanping standing behind him with a wine glass in his hand and a smile like that of Zuo Shandiao on his face.

Old Han was also very happy, after all, China Film Group had invested in this movie.

"Uncle Han".

"Can you handle it?" Han Sanping gestured towards the film distributors.

"It's alright." He Yi'an swirled the wine in his glass. "My hand is a little sore, though."

Han Sanping laughed heartily: "This is nothing! Wait until you win more awards, even an Oscar, and you'll be so happy you'll break your arms."

He Yi'an laughed too: "Uncle Han, please stop joking with me. The Oscars are still a long way off."

"It's getting late."

Han Sanping's smile faded, and he looked at him seriously: "You're only eighteen, you have a lot of time ahead of you, but didn't you say yourself that you should treat every moment as if it were the last? What if it turns out to be the closest you've ever come to it?"

Hearing Han Sanping suddenly repeat the same words he had used not long ago to show off, He Yi'an smiled knowingly.

"I'm being very serious. What is that new film project you mentioned to the reporters?"

Okay, so this is his real purpose: he can't resist any new project.

He Yi'an didn't respond to that question, instead scanning the banquet hall with his gaze: "Has Teacher Gong Li arrived?"

"They're here," Han Sanping said, pointing towards the back of the hall. "They were talking to some judges over there; they should still be here. But are you looking for Gong Li?"

Han Sanping has seen his fair share of storms and is quick to understand subtle meanings.

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

New film, judges, Gong Li —

Although it was somewhat unbelievable, Han Sanping, who was very familiar with the inner workings of these so-called awards, began to understand the situation.

He had just heard from other film distributors that Gong Li had put in a lot of effort for his film.

But Han Sanping had never heard of any interaction between them.

So, if we eliminate the impossible options, then even the most outrageous ones might actually be true.

Han Sanping suddenly pulled him aside and whispered, "Xiao An, are you planning to cast Gong Li in your new film?"

"What?" He Yi'an was startled. Noticing Han Sanping's intense gaze, he nodded subconsciously. "Uncle Han, how did you know? I remember that apart from Director Yimou and my mother, no one else knew?"

"I guessed it, it really is Gong Li? How much is the investment? Which film festival are they going to attend?"

Han Sanping had only guessed at first, but when he saw that He Yi'an really had this plan, he immediately thought of the opportunity.

Gong Li is a true A-list celebrity in the Chinese entertainment industry; projects she's involved in...

Seeing the gleam in Han Sanping's eyes, He Yi'an knew perfectly well that he also wanted to get involved.

He gave Han Sanping a general overview of the movie's plot and design.

"Uncle Han, don't worry, I've basically finalized the decision for this film. I'm planning to go to Cannes, and if possible, I'd like to try for an Oscar. That might be what I need your help with—"

"Cannes is great! The Oscars are great too!!!"

Upon hearing this, Han Sanping became even more excited: "This film is also good, and it needs a young person like you. China Film Group will invest in this film!"

"It's too early to talk about that now, Uncle Han, remember to keep it a secret!"

"certainly!"

Han Sanping isn't stupid.

After seeing He Yi'an look in Gong Li's direction again, he reminded him, "It's best if you don't go over now. Let her come over on her own; that way, there won't be any other rumors."

"Uncle Han, don't worry, I understand. I'm counting on you to handle this copyright sale!"

P.S.: Requesting first-time subscriptions~ Thank you all for your support, I expect at least 10,000 words per day for at least half a month after release~

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