Entertainment 2000: Supporting female stars will bring you a hundredfold return

Will Chapter 234 affect our chances of winning awards at Cannes? (2 updates)
In order to better crack down on these old filmmakers who are jumping around.

After discussing it, Fan Xiaopang and Tang Wen decided to name only one person in the article.

That is, Director Dai, whose achievements are "most outstanding".

An Apology Letter to Senior Film and Television Professionals

Director Tang Wen taught me to humbly learn from my seniors!

Learn from those who criticize me!

Recently, Director Dai has been scolding me the most.

It almost escalated to the point of personal attack.

But I still patiently decided to watch Director Dai's films to learn from him.

When they went to the cinema, they discovered that Director Dai, who had been in the industry for over thirty years, had only released two films in theaters.

Together, the total box office was 73.

The younger generation was greatly alarmed.

How can someone invest in a director like this?

Later, after making inquiries from various sources, it was discovered that Director Dai was using taxpayers' money and spending subsidies.

Then I wondered, is it possible that his artistic talent is as high as a two-story building and that he has won many awards?

After making inquiries from various sources and repeatedly verifying the information, the answer is—0!

That's right, the award is "0"!
It was this very senior who launched a frenzied attack on the record-breaking domestic film "Infernal Affairs 2," and on me, a mere actor!
But I'm really sorry, Director Dai.

I don't know how to learn from you.

What else will we learn?
I would appreciate your kind guidance...

The article has been published.

The reporters were as happy as if it were Chinese New Year.

They all rushed to surround Director Dai and Fan Xiaopang.

The latter was very frank: "I didn't tell a single lie. The data I wrote was all based on investigation. Everyone can check the movie theater's archives."

Director Dai's illustrious past has been exposed, and some netizens have already suspected that he is fraudulently obtaining subsidies.

He refused all interviews with reporters and stayed at home, refusing to go out.

Two days later, the situation escalated further.

He avoided responding.

The heat has not subsided.

But he simply couldn't respond.

That little brat surnamed Fan is so vicious! Everything she wrote in the article was the truth!

How is he supposed to respond?!
Many people called, wanting Renren.com to delete the message.

But Renren.com doesn't tolerate them and ignores them completely.

Online, netizens judge cases without considering qualifications.

Not only was Director Dai subjected to a barrage of criticism, but netizens with incredible connections also dug up all the people who had previously criticized Tang Wen and Fan Bingbing.

Public opinion was outraged, and these people all went into hiding.

But privately, he was extremely anxious.

They rely on subsidies for their livelihood. Once their reputation is ruined, the relevant departments will have a reason to remove them from the list.

They secretly conspired and discussed the matter, hoping that Fan Xiaopang would delete the post, but they refused to back down.

Finally, someone offered an idea.

Go and ask Brother Chen Kai to act as a peacemaker and settle this matter.

As for why they sought out Chen Kaige...

The main problem is that Han Sanping ignores them.

Chen Kaige's family is a film family.

Director Chen's father had some connections with these people.

Secondly, Chen Kaige is highly favored by the Cannes Film Festival.

Tang Wen and Fan Bingbing, aren't you aiming for Cannes?

Director Chen is a Cannes celebrity.

He personally came out to mediate, do you dare not delete the article?
How dare we offend the Cannes Palme d'Or winner—Director Chen?!
Having found a way in, Director Dai and his two companions made a phone call in advance and visited the Chen family.

Before even approaching the villa gate, one could hear the sound of children reading in the yard.

"Ten years have passed since I honed this sword, its sharp edge yet to be tested. Today I present it to you; who has a grievance to redress?"

Director Chen's eldest son, Arthur's brother, is reading poetry under his father's guidance.

Director Dai's spirits lifted: An injustice?
Director Chen, I have something to be done!
Tang Wen and Fan Bingbing, those two juniors are going too far! They're really going too far!
Chen Hong opened the gate and led the guests into the garden.

Director Chen had already begun leading the recitation of the next line of the poem:

"I have fought in battles over three thousand miles, and my sword has been as powerful as a million men!"

Upon hearing this, Director Dai could no longer contain himself: "What a fine poem! What a magnificent poem! Such powerful words are a perfect match for Director Chen!"

Director Chen is most annoyed by being disturbed when he is reading poetry.

But after all, the other party was praising him, and it touched on a sensitive spot.

He then smiled and said, "Please enlighten me."

"I dare not offer my advice! I am merely expressing my feelings!" Director Dai's directing skills are terrible, yet he has been able to receive subsidies for so many years. He must have a knack for flattery.

Seeing the joy on Director Chen's face, I knew that the homework I had done beforehand would come in handy.
"In 1994!"

Director Chen's eyes lit up, and he silently straightened his back: Here it comes, here it comes, it's coming!
Sure enough, Director Dai loudly clapped his hands:
"Director Chen traveled thousands of miles with 'Farewell My Concubine' to Cannes!"

Using the "sword of Peking Opera," it directly confronts the works of dozens of film masters from various countries, including "Blue" and "The Piano."

Ultimately, it won the Palme d'Or, becoming the first Chinese-language film to receive this honor!

Just like "a sword flashing coldly" breaking through the encirclement of the Western film industry.

As the saying goes, "One sword can be worth a million soldiers!"

hiss--

So cool!

Director Chen felt completely refreshed, as if it were the coldest time of winter, and after sweating profusely, he drank a glass of ice-cold beer!

A true friend, this is a true friend!

Overwhelmed with emotion, Director Chen stretched out both hands.

No, this person's movie grossed a total of 73.

You can't be my confidant.

He withdrew one hand halfway through.

Director Dai didn't care about these details; he was here to ask for a favor.

He still extended both hands and shook hands firmly with Director Chen.

The two men who followed looked at each other in surprise: "No, Lao Dai, why didn't you use this skill earlier? Why didn't we go and beg Master Han for help?"

Maybe we can reserve next year's subsidy share in advance.

Oh, I went to beg for it.

He didn't even get into the office...

"Please come in, tea please!"

Director Chen put his hands behind his back and led the way into the house.

Every move he made exuded the demeanor of a master!

After taking a seat.

Director Dai spoke at length about "Farewell My Concubine," praising the improved acting skills of the male and female leads under Director Chen's tutelage.

Director Chen, slightly tipsy from being filmed, exclaimed: "Brother Dai, please have some tea!"
Director Dai was also thirsty, so he downed the tea in one gulp.

Chen Hong got up and continued serving him.

"Oh, what a pity."

Director Chen frowned, wondering what was wrong.
I was enjoying listening to this, so why did you stop filming, cough, and stop giving an objective description?
Director Dai looked worried: "Now there are rising stars aiming for Cannes, and I'm afraid 'Farewell My Concubine' will soon not be the only one."

The person he was referring to was, of course, Tang Wen.

Seeing Chen Kai frown, he quickly increased his hints.

Tang Wen is younger and has already won the Golden Lion Award, and his movies have high box office returns.

If he wins the Palme d'Or again, he will definitely outshine all the veteran directors.

At that time, the title of China's top film director will likely belong to this person.

Director Chen frowned deeply: "The Cannes Film Festival isn't something you can just go to whenever you want."

"Hey! That's right! That's what I advised him too." Director Dai slapped his thigh, then began to twist the truth: "I seemed to be scolding him, but I was actually advising him not to be so arrogant. And what happened? Sigh~"

Chen Hong couldn't help but roll her eyes secretly.

You insulted Fan Bingbing by saying she looked like a vixen, and you criticized Tang Wen, saying he was "promising as a child but not necessarily a good adult"...

This doesn't sound like advice.

She disliked Fan Bingbing, who looked like a vixen, but had a strong liking for Tang Wen and always wanted to find an opportunity to get to know this young, handsome director with abs.

At the same time, she didn't want Chen Kai to get involved in the mess.

However, Director Chen had his own ideas.

Upon hearing that Director Dai had come to ask him to say a few kind words so that Tang Wen and Fan Bingbing could delete the posts, the two families stopped their dispute.

I thought it was just a small matter.

Tang Wen once praised himself to the media.

They must have a sense of self-admiration.

If I step in myself, do you think he won't give me face?
This matter has escalated to such a huge extent now that even Han Sanping can't handle it.

He personally intervened and resolved the conflict between the two parties.

Doesn't that demonstrate your status?
When the time comes, it will surely become a legendary tale!
Also, my new film is in preparation.

After this incident, Tang Wen owes me a favor, so I asked him to take charge of the film's commercial direction. Surely he won't refuse?
Getting this done will earn me favors from both sides, enhance my reputation, and boost the success of my new film!

Four-fold carving!

Killing four birds with one stone!
Do not?
more than.

I heard that my former photographer, Zhang Yimou, had encountered difficulties selling the copyright for his film "Hero" and turned to Tang Wen for help.

And Tang Wen was outdone by me.

What will Zhang Yimou have to compete with me with in the future?

Five carvings!

Killing five birds with one stone!

"Director Chen?"

Director Dai was puzzled. "You've been sitting here for half a day."

One moment he's frowning, the next he's relaxing.

One moment his eyes were gleaming, the next his face was flushed...

Give me a straight answer, whether you agree or not.

Chen Kaige snapped out of his daze, pondered for a moment, then raised his head at a 45-degree angle and looked out the window.

Director Dai quickly looked over, but saw nothing.

Having emphasized this point, Chen Kaige said, "Leave this matter to me."

"Oh! Thank you so much, Director Chen! Thank you so much, Director Chen! No wonder you're considered the leader of Chinese cinema..."

See him agree.

And there were their own people testifying to it.

Director Dai was afraid he would change his mind, so he left in a hurry without even eating.

"What are you planning to do?" Chen Hong asked wearily.

Director Chen raised his hand: "Madam, in my name, call Blue Star Entertainment and attach a letter."

Chen Hong blinked: "And then?"

"And then?" Director Chen raised a thick eyebrow and looked out the window: "And then, it was all done."

Chen Hong: “…”

Two days passed.

Tang Wen has finished filming in the Bahamas.

The film crew was given a break.

Filming will begin in five days in the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean.

He took the yellow robe and prepared to return to Los Angeles.

She was different from the naive young girl she had been when she arrived.

At this moment, Huang Shengyi's beautiful face showed a mature charm amidst her youthful innocence.

Looking at the boundless ocean below, Miss Huang—no, the beautiful Miss Huang—was filled with reluctance.

This beautiful island holds so many memories for her.

"Why are you feeling melancholy?" Tang Wen took her hand.

They were traveling in a small business jet chartered by the film crew, so they weren't worried about being seen.

"Do we still have a chance to come back?"

"Of course, if you want."

The plane flew smoothly.

Huang Shengyi left her seat, snuggled into his arms, and whispered, "Brother, I don't want to go back to China."

Tang Wen knew this was going to happen, so he made preparations in advance.

“I couldn’t be happier! But have you thought it through? If you’re always with me, you won’t become a star or an actor. I’ll have to give the role in ‘Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre’ to someone else. And there’s an even more surprising role that I’m planning for you.”

Tang Wen hugged her tightly, and Huang Shengyi looked up into his eyes.

All I saw was deep affection.

She felt a sweet warmth in her heart: "What surprise role?"

"I can't tell you yet, but I can say that once you get it, you'll become famous quickly."

"Thank you, brother!" Huang Shengyi smiled sweetly and offered her red lips.

It seems she wants to go back to filming.

And Tang Wen's words were not empty promises.

The role he was referring to was, of course, the mute girl in Huang Shengyi's original breakthrough role, "Kung Fu Hustle".

The script for "Kung Fu Hustle" was first developed and began to be polished as early as 2001.

Meanwhile, Stephen Chow has also been looking for actors.

However, among the female celebrities in Hong Kong, it's really hard to find one with a pure and innocent temperament.

In 03, she secretly went north to audition and was selected as Huang Shengyi, which led to her being cast as the "mute girl".

The problem is that when Stephen Chow promotes actors, he has to sign them to contracts.

However, Tang Wen could not possibly let Huang Shengyi go, neither out of sentiment nor reason.

Stephen Chow is also quite profit-oriented.

Without signing an agency contract, it will be difficult for Huang Shengyi to get roles.

As is well known, Stephen Chow is not very particular about interpersonal relationships.

Feng Xiaogang has also complained about this point.

Feng Xiaogang was invited to make a cameo appearance as a "gangster boss" in "Kung Fu Hustle," and he has also supported Stephen Chow on multiple occasions, attending the premiere of "CJ7," and so on.

However, Feng Xiaogang later invited Stephen Chow to promote the product twice, but both times he declined.

Even Feng Xiaogang, one of the three major directors in mainland China, couldn't get face from Stephen Chow.

Could Tang Wen get Stephen Chow to give up his profits and promote Huang Shengyi?
Relying solely on the "affinity" keyword is probably not enough.

After all, it involves interests.

It seems I'll have to ask Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui for help.

Stephen Chow does support people in the industry.

He was mentored and cared for by Leslie Cheung in his early years, and later he repeatedly supported and promoted Leslie Cheung's films.

It is said that Anita Mui, in her capacity as "Sister Fang," endorsed Stephen Chow's books back then.

Therefore, if these two were to act together...

Stephen Chow is likely to agree.

However, they are both patients now, so let's wait until their condition improves a bit before making any decisions.

We could ask Sister Zuxian to inquire whether Stephen Chow needs investment.

Normally, given his influence, he wouldn't be short of money.

However, if "Kung Fu Hustle" wants to be released in mainland China, it has to get past China Film Group.

A few hours later.

The Pirates of the Caribbean crew landed in Los Angeles.

"Welcome back!"

As soon as he got out of the car, Lin Zhiling gave Tang Wen a big hug.

For a long time, they didn't let go.

Lin Chih-ling even started to act coquettishly.

Huang Shengyi wrinkled her nose, feeling a pang of sadness, but dared not say anything.

She sensed a bit of Jingwen's personality in this Sister Lin.

Although she felt favored, she dared not easily provoke the other party.

She's not the type to cause trouble for no reason.

If it were Huo Siyan or Zhang Jingchu, they would probably have to arm wrestle right now.

That evening, Tang Wen brought two women and had dinner with Robert.

At the dinner table, Robert took out the event invitation he had obtained for Tang Wen:
"Two days later, several filmmakers from Cannes, France, will come to the United States to participate in an art exchange event. There will be a banquet afterward, and you can enter with your invitation."

"Thanks for your hard work, buddy."

Robert looked worried: "But I don't think you can convince those old European stubborns."

Tang Wen patted him on the shoulder without offering any further explanation.

I don't need to persuade them; they'll convince themselves when they see me.

Two hours later, it was morning back home.

Fan Xiaopang looked at the letter Xia Tian had forwarded, his expression somewhat complicated.

Is this Director Chen being too arrogant?

The saying goes, "It's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester," and another saying goes, "Give him some face."

Do you expect me to delete the article and for Director Tang to stop pursuing the matter?
Unable to make the decision herself, she sent the letter to Tang Wen.

I called him and asked how he would respond.

Director Tang was in a good mood when he heard this and was very displeased. After reading the two lines in the letter, he said coldly, "Reply with eight words: Thank you for your concern, but don't bother."

Fan Bingbing worriedly asked, "Director Chen has a good relationship with the Cannes Film Festival. Will responding to him like this affect our film's chances of winning awards?"

(End of this chapter)