Entertainment: I am the peak

Chapter 709 Interview
The first question was excellent, from a French journalist. He first praised how good the film was, noting that the 2.9 rating in the festival's daily publication was a great achievement. Then he asked Li Qiutang: "Family and intimate relationships are timeless themes in film, but as film has evolved, many directors choose to explore more unusual intimate relationships, such as same-sex relationships or relationships under extreme circumstances. This seems to be a consensus among directors. Why did you choose to make a film about an ordinary married couple's relationship at this particular time? Was it a deliberate choice?"

Li Qiutang leaned closer to the microphone and said, "Because it's ordinary, this kind of relationship has a wider appeal and can resonate with the audience. Special relationships are very attractive and worth discussing, but I personally focus more on the ordinary lives of ordinary couples. Besides, many directors have already made films about special relationships, so I'm not the only one."

The second question came from Chinese-language media. The reporter first congratulated Liu Yifei on the successful premiere of "Marriage Story," and then posed the question to Liu Yifei: "Many film critics praised the natural and sincere performances of the actors in 'Marriage Story,' especially Yifei's performance, which was a pleasant surprise. I would like to ask Yifei, what preparations did you make for your performance in this film? How did you adjust your performance during filming?"

Liu Yifei said, "Thank you. Actually, I didn't do any special work; I just experienced life. I moved out of my old house and into a simple three-bedroom apartment, just like in the drama. I originally wanted to find a job at an advertising company like Zhu Xiaoyan, but no company wanted me, so I worked as a yoga instructor at my friend's gym for two months to experience what it's like to work. Um... I didn't know how to cook before, but I started learning to cook to play the role well. In short, it's about working and living like Zhu Xiaoyan. I also want to thank my family here; they moved out with me to help me complete the role."

"As for how to act on set, there's no other way. You just have to bring out everything you've learned and felt, and then listen to the director. If one take isn't enough, you shoot it twice, and if two takes aren't enough, you shoot it three times, until you're satisfied. We filmed this movie for more than four months, and I spent every day saying 'Cut, let's do it again.' The most I ever did was 27 takes."

Then, each member of the main creative team on stage was given a chance to answer their own questions by reporters.

When discussing the scriptwriting process, screenwriter Li Qiang not only talked about her own creative journey, but also complained to reporters about Li Qiutang: "He is a director with extremely high requirements for scripts. I spent almost two years writing the script for 'Marriage Story,' and he rejected it more than a dozen times." But she also said: "Actually, a large part of this script was completed by him and me together."

The post-screening press conference was originally scheduled for 40 minutes, but by the time Li Qiang finished speaking, it had already exceeded the allotted time by 20 minutes. The reporters were just too enthusiastic. However, the official host was still preparing to end the press conference, otherwise it would never end, and allowed one last question. This question was given to Li Qiutang: "I want to ask the director, was the use of the Rashomon structure in the entire film decided during the scriptwriting stage, or was it changed later? Is the use of the Rashomon structure to obscure the truth simply to express the ambiguity of life?"

Most Cannes journalists are very professional and won't waste their last precious opportunity to ask a low-level question like "Why use the Rashomon structure? What is the purpose of using the Rashomon structure?" Any film buff with a certain level of experience could answer that question.

Li Qiutang laughed and said, "Actually, as a director, I shouldn't be answering your question here, because that would deprive the audience of the joy of watching and exploring. But I have to answer it." Li Qiutang smiled and continued, "The Rashomon structure came to my mind along with this idea, even before the script was written. As soon as I thought of this story, I decided to use Rashomon and never thought of using any other narrative structure."

"I won't go into the details of Rashomon's role here," Li Qiutang said, still refusing to answer the second question, because no director would so blatantly state their own meaning. "As for the role of the Rashomon structure here, I think film critics and audiences can all see it, so I won't boast about it. Thank you."

After the post-screening press conference, the cast and crew didn't even have time for lunch before rushing off to the next event.

Today is the last day of the Cannes competition, and tomorrow is the awards ceremony. Everyone in the town of Cannes is extremely busy!

It wasn't until after 4 p.m., when Li Qiutang finished her interview with Phoenix.com, that she finally ate a piece of cake and drank a cup of coffee because she was so hungry.

My wife doesn't even know where she's taking pictures yet.

Even when she was having snacks or coffee, Li Qiutang was never free.

Because Huang Xiaoming and Qin Lan are also in Cannes, they are sitting opposite Li Qiutang.

"Poor thing, such a big director, and he doesn't even have food to eat," Qin Lan said with a laugh.

Huang Xiaoming said, "Would you like me to order something else?"

"I don't have time, I have an interview in five minutes."

Huang Xiaoming and Qin Lan came to Cannes, which can be described as an invitation to participate in an event, but to put it bluntly, they were just there to gain exposure by walking the red carpet.

But this is common in the industry, and there's nothing wrong with it.

"Why didn't you let me know you were coming?"

"You're so busy, I won't bother you," Qin Lan said. "I read the program booklet, and 'Marriage Story' has very good reviews."

"You can read French?"

"I don't understand it, but I can read the numbers. 2.9 is pretty high, right?" "It's alright. The program is out of 4 points, so 2.9 is not bad."

The three chatted and ate when Li Qiutang's assistant told him that the next interview had been canceled at the last minute. Li Qiutang quickly called the waiter and ordered a signature pineapple fried rice and fish soup.

"What a mess, it's like you haven't eaten in eight lifetimes," Qin Lan continued to tease him.

"There's nothing I can do, it's a hit," Li Qiutang said smugly.

"Just eat yours," Huang Xiaoming said, unable to stand it any longer.

While we were eating, Naza came over to greet us again.

"Hello Director, it's been a long time." Don't ask, the answer is that I was invited to participate in an event.

"Ah, it's been a long time." Li Qiutang shook hands with Nazha.

"I watched 'Marriage Story' yesterday, it was really good."

Sorry, I was too busy with the premiere yesterday, and Li Qiutang really didn't know that Gulnazar was also there.

"Thank you."

Naza sat down, and the photographer who came with her said, "Director, can we take a picture?"

"No problem." In Cannes, this is nothing; Gulnazar needs to promote her work too. "How do you need my cooperation?"

"No need, you can just eat and chat normally." He wouldn't dare ask Li Qiutang to cooperate with taking photos.

What Nazha could say to Li Qiutang was nothing more than praising "Marriage Story." She said, "I didn't even recognize Yifei. She acted so well. They say Yifei could win Best Actress."

Li Qiutang said, "You should tell Yifei this; she'll be very happy."

The fact that Li Qiutang and Gulnazar were able to chat for a few minutes surprised Huang Xiaoming and Qin Lan, who were standing nearby. These two didn't seem like people who would have anything in common, and it seemed that Gulnazar also knew Liu Yifei.

Li Qiutang explained, "She is a fan of Yifei and has met her a few times."

Naza then said at the opportune moment, "I'm also a fan of yours, Director."

“You’re being a bit deliberate,” Li Qiutang laughed.

The laughter and chatter among the group helped Li Qiutang relax considerably.

Naza even said, "I don't know when I'll be able to act in this kind of role."

Um...why not just play a role like the founding emperor? Why bother trying to be a veteran artist?

(End of this chapter)