Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 55 Give it a try

What Lao Tian didn't know was that Alberto Barbara, the outgoing president of the Venice Film Festival, had promoted Mark Mueller to be in charge of film selection for the entire Venice Film Festival.

It is obvious that Marco Muller has been given an important position and has become one of the most important figures after the president of the film festival.

Perhaps he is now also one of the candidates for the president of the Venice Film Festival.

This is indeed the case. Marco Muller became the president of the Venice Film Festival in 04 and served for two consecutive terms, until 12, and then handed over the presidency of the Venice Film Festival to Alberto Barbara.

Well, Italians are also good at playing politics, no wonder they are always the winners in every war.

Marco Muller is one of the first Italian students to study in China. He can speak fluent Mandarin. Since he became a member of the Venice Film Festival's selection committee in 80, he has been working tirelessly to promote domestic films.

He has close friendships with many fifth and sixth generation directors. After stepping down as president of the Venice Film Festival, he shifted the focus of his work and life to China.

He settled in Shanghai with his wife and daughter, and became a distinguished professor at Shanghai University and artistic director of the Film Art Research Center.

Marco Muller has made a huge contribution to Chinese-language films. Chinese-language films have won so many awards in Venice over the years, and Mark Muller has made an indispensable contribution.

He is even considered to be the first person to systematically promote domestic films to the West.

In the future, he will also receive the China-Italy Friendship Contribution Award from the State Council.

Cao Yang vaguely recalled that during the four years of Marco Muller's first term, except for the first year after taking office, he probably did not have complete control. Starting from the second year, the Golden Lion Award was given to Chinese for three consecutive years, which almost caused public outrage in the West.

It was during this period that Jia Zhangke won the Golden Lion.

No wonder Hou Ke hinted in various ways that he should consult Lao Tian.

"You may not know this, but he is now the director of film selection and artistic director of the Venice Film Festival. His power is second only to the president of the festival and the chairman of the organizing committee."

Cao Yang explained to Lao Tian.

Now it was Lao Tian's turn to be surprised. He said in disbelief, "Is Lao Ma so capable? I always thought he was just in charge of the Asia region, and occasionally served as the chairman of a sleazy film festival to brush up his qualifications."

Then he said to himself, "I asked him if he could find out who would be the jury president. He told me without hesitation that he might invite Nanni Moretti, who just won the Palme d'Or at Cannes."

Then he slammed the table and said, "Don't worry, the quality of our film this time is very high, and with Lao Ma here, we will never return empty-handed. At least we can win a Silver Lion."

Cao Yang took a deep breath and suppressed the excitement in his heart.

Before he knew that Lao Tian had this connection, his biggest wish was to win the Grand Jury Prize or Best Director Award with the help of the school.

If Sony Classics and MK2 put more effort into overseas box office, it shouldn't be a problem for them to win the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival. Yu Feihong might even be able to covet the Best Actress award if she can find some connections.

To be honest, Cao Yang had never thought about the Venice Golden Lion Award before.

But, isn't this opportunity suddenly falling from the sky?

Marco Muller, an old friend of the Chinese people and the newly appointed Art Director of Venice, who would have thought that he is such a close friend of Lao Tian.

Cao Yang whispered to Lao Tian, ​​as if talking to himself, "Sony Classics has someone in the organizing committee, MK2 has a relationship with the chairman of the jury, Nanni Moretti, and the school can definitely pull in some other connections. If Marco Muller, the third person in the film festival, can make some more efforts, brother..."

Cao Yang then clapped his hands and said, "Brother, when the film is submitted to Venice, I will also make you a producer!"

"You..." Old Tian opened his mouth and finally sighed. Of course, he knew what Cao Yang meant. What are the Golden Bear, Golden Lion, and Golden Palm? For the best film, the director and producer went on stage together to receive the award.

When Mark Mueller knew that Lao Tian was one of the producers of this film, how could he not help with all his heart?

Cao Yang had a good idea.

But will Lao Tian refuse? Can he refuse?
That's the Golden Lion, the highest award in Venice! It's the lifelong dream of many directors. If they get this, calling themselves artists is just a humble title.

"Aren't you afraid that the higher-ups will cause trouble for you? I'm in the banned period." Lao Tian reminded with a lack of confidence. He was really a little worried.

"Hey! If you were to be given a producer before the film was reviewed, to be honest, I wouldn't dare to do that, because I'm afraid that group of people would cause trouble.

But now that the filming is done, as long as I can get that, who dares to say anything to me? I haven't violated anything on the surface, and you are not the director, just a producer. "

"What if you still can't get it?"

Lao Tian asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid that they will cause trouble for you when you come back?"

"If I still can't get it, then it's really because human power is no match for destiny. I have done everything I can, but still can't get it. It only means that I am not destined to win the Golden Lion."

Cao Yang took a big bite of the food and chewed it hard with a crunching sound. After swallowing it, he picked up the beer bottle and drank it in one gulp.

He put the beer bottle on the table, wiped his mouth with his hand, and said fiercely: "If I can't get it, it's fine, but if they dare to cause trouble for me and block my review, I will go straight to Hollywood to win an Oscar!"

Old Tian also imitated Cao Yang, blew the beer in one breath and wiped his mouth.

"Since you are determined, then do it! Don't worry, if your review is blocked because of this, I will be your personal photographer. I will follow you wherever you go!"

After saying that, Lao Tian stood up and walked out.

Cao Yang quickly called him, "Where are you going?"

"Call up."

Old Tian waved his hand. "It's better to do it sooner rather than later. The sooner we act, the sooner we have a chance of success. I have to get Old Ma to act quickly, so he doesn't get booked too early."

Seeing Lao Tian go out, Cao Yang tried his best to calm himself down.

He used all the relationships he could to the fullest, the quality of the film was good, and it dealt with a female theme that was easy to win awards. If he still couldn't succeed after doing so much, then there would be nothing he could do.

With the relationship with Marco Muller, Cao Yang knew that he could not keep it secret and had to communicate with the school and Sony Classics. Only if everyone cooperated sincerely, worked together to find a good solution and worked together, would there be a possibility of success.

At the same time, it also gives confidence to Sony Classics and MK2, letting them know that there is a No. figure in Venice pushing them forward. Only when they see the possibility of success will they make up their minds and do their best.

When Hou Keming knew that Cao Yang was going to give Lao Tian the title of producer, he did not blame Cao Yang. Instead, he looked up to him in his heart.

This move is really quick!
If Tian Zhuangzhuang didn't hang up the producer, Mark Muller would also help, but it is hard to say how much he would do.

But now Tian Zhuangzhuang is also a producer. In a narrow sense, the best film award is given to producers and directors. This is something that can be written into the resume and recognized. Even for Tian Zhuangzhuang, Mark Muller will do his best to help.

This opportunity is too good to be missed. If you still hesitate and are reluctant to give it a try, your future achievements will be limited.

(End of this chapter)