Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 404 Anne Hathaway: I was just playing around. Ma Xun: Me too.

"Ladies and gentlemen! From over 3000 films, we have selected more than 100 films to be shortlisted for this year's Sundance Film Festival..."

This year marks the 20th edition, but the opening ceremony still felt rather amateurish.

The speaker was Robert Redford, the founder of the film festival.

He was a big star a long time ago and made a lot of money, which is why he started this film festival.

Initially, this film festival was more like a research institution, focused on innovation and creating new films.

Instead of doing it that way, it would be better to solicit ideas from filmmakers across the United States.

That's right, their group was small in number after all.

If we consider the entire United States, then the number of people would be much larger.

Indeed, many people in the American film industry are people who are very passionate about movies, and they truly dedicate themselves to this career with their own enthusiasm.

In short: these people are all a bunch of poor bastards.

If you have no money but still want to make movies, then there's only one way out: B-movies.

B-movies are defined as films that cannot be shown in theaters normally.

Many of them are horror movies.

However, B-movies have one advantage: they make dreams come true.

Not everyone who makes B-movies ends up badly, just like the realities that often appear in American movies.

These guys won't amount to anything; they'll end up impoverished, either dependent on drugs or homeless.

Quite a few people who made B-movies actually succeeded.

Perhaps not everyone can make their own movies, but quite a few people do get into big Hollywood studios.

Very few people will become famous film directors.

The most representative figure is Sam Raimi.

We now know that he made "Spider-Man," which received rave reviews and was a box office hit, but he really became famous for "Evil Dead."

This movie is known for its low budget; it's rumored to have been made for only $8.

But in reality, what Chinese moviegoers can mainly see is "Evil Dead 3," a movie that couldn't have been made for $8.

As Ma Xun listened to Redford speak, he thought of Sam Raimi, but in fact, he also thought of a movie.

Transformers: Black Man

This film was actually broadcast on CCTV-6, but I believe many people remember the video game of the same name more vividly.

However, Ma Xun was still thinking about the movie. The male lead was Liam Neeson, and the female lead was actually more famous, namely Francis McDormand.

Mrs. Coen.

If we're talking about directors casting their own wives as leading ladies, then the Coen brothers really started this trend.

Section Chief Jia is basically learning from others.

However, Ma Xun also admitted that Ms. McDormand's acting skills are indeed beyond doubt; she is really strong.

Some film critics have described her as the best actress on the planet.

Later, with "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," she won her third Oscar.

"Alright! Let's all go enjoy the movie!"

After Redford finished speaking, the Sundance Film Festival officially began.

In fact, Ma Xun was somewhat flustered at this moment.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be having such wild thoughts.

Just like this Sundance Film Festival, it's actually quite unconventional.

Not only were the films that came in a mess, but the awards also seemed to be given out casually.

We can even customize an award for you, whatever kind you want.

This film festival can award countless prizes at once, and of course, some of them are quite prestigious.

For example, awards for documentaries and feature films.

So, given that this happened to Ma Xun, shouldn't you be thinking about winning an award?
Unfortunately, he didn't think that way.

In fact, this year's Sundance Film Festival came up with a new idea.

Originally, this film festival was only for American filmmakers, not from other places.

But since it's already pretty casual, let's just go with some foreign stuff.

That's how the World Cinema section came about.

And now, an Asian film screening section has been specially arranged.

That's why Ma Xun wanted to come over.

Because he brought several of his company's current films.

The Terror Live, Incense, and Heroes of Heaven and Earth.

In addition, there will be a small screening of "Heroes" to prepare for its North American release this year.

Then there's Columbia Pictures, which plans to give "50 First Dates" a preview here.

Ge Luming also planned to discuss "The Shadow Room" with Ma Xun further.

The intention to make this film had been agreed upon beforehand, and based on the performance of "Hero" and "Warriors of Heaven and Earth" so far.

Columbia Pictures was very satisfied and planned to bring both films to the United States.

So, if it succeeds, the "Yin'er Room" project can be officially launched.

After all, this way they can get more budget.

This would benefit Ma Xun and Ge Luming in making money.

But, there's nothing wrong with that.

Why is Ma Xun in such a state of confusion?

He understood it himself.

It was Anne Hathaway who pretended not to know him!
What's wrong with this girl?

Or did something happen?
As a seasoned driver, Ma Xun has had many women, and he has always been as steadfast as iron in his heart.

Therefore, he was more curious about Anne Hathaway's change.

He certainly didn't have that kind of self-pity.

Annie suddenly pretended not to know me. Does that mean she doesn't love me anymore? ... Ma Xun really didn't have this thought, and never will.

Probably no woman in this world would make him think that way.

However, Ma Xun felt it was still necessary to find out exactly what had happened.

He even thought it might be interesting.

Moreover, they will have some collaborations in the future; at least they'll all be in the same frame for "50 First Dates."

So, Ma Xun decided to let Yuanyuan and Jingwen go with the other film crews first.

Since it would be more convenient for me to travel alone, I decided to go with the creative team behind "50 First Dates".

As expected, this film festival still leans towards the United States.

Not long after, our main creative team came on stage to interact with other filmmakers and the media.

However, Ma Xun is not the only Chinese; there is also Li Bingbing.

In this movie, she played the female lead's best friend, a role that Ma Xun had previously offered her.

Bing Bing, of course, behaved very appropriately.

Moreover, she is very sensible.

Making way, Ma Xun stood next to Anne Hathaway.

However, the two still didn't exchange any words.

Ma Xun wasn't in a hurry.

The Sundance Film Festival is actually quite a makeshift affair; they cut corners on the opening ceremony, the red carpet, and everything else.

Of course, it's January now, and it's super cold in Utah, so there's no way we could have an outdoor red carpet ceremony.

Imagine wearing an evening gown or something and walking the red carpet in freezing weather; maybe a few people would freeze to death.

So, it's like a small seminar, with a small stage where the creative teams of some good movies come up and share their thoughts with everyone.

The place isn't big, but there are quite a few people.

Of course, who gets to come up depends on the 'arrangement'.

This is a movie produced by a big company with a decent investment.

The Sundance Film Festival is no longer just a festival that focuses on B-movies; it has long been a showcase for many big-budget productions.

After all, film festivals need to make a living, and big companies also need a platform for publicity.

Everyone immediately agreed.

However, since it's a big production, it will naturally receive some special treatment.

For example, right now... "Miss Hathaway, what's so special about this movie about love?"

During the discussion, this issue was deemed acceptable.

"This movie is very unique; it's a romance film I've never seen before."

Anne's answer was quite good.

But soon someone came out and continued questioning.

"That sounds so vague. Can you explain the specific differences?"

This clearly carries a sense of harassment or making things difficult.

Anne seemed a little caught off guard; after all, she was still relatively new to the film industry.

Or perhaps someone is putting pressure on her today.

That's right, it's Ma Xun.

I was just pretending not to know him all along.

Anne had her own reasons for doing so.

However, she really didn't want to say the reason.

Let's pretend we don't know each other for now.

But at that moment, her slight panic was quickly noticed by others.

"So you don't understand this movie at all."

"50 times is contradictory to first love."

"That's right, that's right..."

This commotion made Annie even more flustered.

Fortunately, Ma Xun was by her side.

"Everyone, as the original screenwriter of this film, let me say a few words here."

Love is wondrous, and it would be wonderful to have 50 completely different loves.

Isn't that even more amazing?
I guess the female lead, Miss Anne, completely immersed herself in the world of the film's female protagonist.

Therefore, she may be experiencing amnesia right now.

Amnesia?

This statement perfectly matches the female lead in "50 First Dates," and it also subtly alludes to something!
Anne Hathaway, have you lost your memory? ...Ma Xun was practically interrogating her.

But it was done so cleverly, because on the surface it was to help Anne out of a predicament.

As a result, the way Annie looked at Ma Xun... clearly, she could no longer keep up the act.

……

I was angry, but also felt very helpless.

The discussion about "50 First Dates" was pretty good.

Ma Xun is indeed quite impressive. He communicated entirely in English, and he spoke very well with clear logic.

After all, this movie belongs to him.

But Anne Hathaway was still struggling internally...

Back in Salt Lake City, Anne planned to be alone, but someone disrupted her plans.

"Can we walk around?"

Annie found it hard to refuse Ma Xun's words.

Or rather, at this moment, she also wanted to say something.

"Okay."

So the two of them broke away from the main group and strolled around Salt Lake City in the winter.

Utah is actually a pretty poor state.

Moreover, the only truly famous things here, besides that football team, are the Mormon Church.

Salt Lake City, as the capital of Utah, is really not that great.

It's quite desolate, especially in the dead of winter.

As they walked, they came to a place that resembled a park.

There is a forest not far away, and a small lake beside the forest.

Unfortunately, it was already frozen solid.

Interestingly, up to this point, the two of them hadn't exchanged a single word.

Are you planning to keep walking like this?

Annie couldn't hold back any longer.

Ma Xun laughed, "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist."

Annie rolled her eyes, but she really did want to say something.

"You're not in love with me, are you?"

This starting stance is really unique.

Ma Xun still smiled and said, "I admit, you have a great figure and you're great in bed, but to make me fall in love with you just like that, Miss Anne Hathaway, you're being a bit too confident."

"Hmph!" Annie was clearly angry. "Then why do you keep chasing after me?"

Ma Xun shook his head. "You're pretending not to know me on purpose, okay? Don't you think that's very rude?"

"What does this have to do with being rude?"

"Were you unhappy with how things were handled in Hong Kong?"

"You... no, not at all."

"So, why?"

"See, you're still relentlessly pursuing me?"

"I just want to know why, that's all."

The two engaged in a heated exchange, seemingly evenly matched.

Anne raised an eyebrow. "You mean, if I tell you the reason, you'll stop bothering me?"

Ma Xun shook his head again. "I want to emphasize again that I am not clinging to you. I have many women, although you are indeed very outstanding."

These words made Anne even angrier.

Originally, she really didn't want to say it, but now... humph!

"I originally intended to become a nun, you know?"

"Oh, this..."

To be honest, Ma Xun had indeed heard about this.

Anne continued, "But before that time, I suddenly discovered something very... well, I realized I could no longer be a nun, so I decided to just find someone... You're good, and coincidentally..."

Just because of this?
A strange smile appeared on Ma Xun's face. He looked at Annie and said, "Your brother is gay."

This sentence struck Anne Hathaway to the very core of her soul!
"You, how did you know?"

Anne Hathaway was really startled; wasn't this guy Chinese?
How did he find out this information?

Ma Xun laughed and said, "Anyway, I just know. It's not difficult at all. I can analyze it through some information. After all, you're going to star in my movie, so..."

These are all scams.

Ma Xun was just thinking about the gossip surrounding Anne Hathaway. She has a gay brother, and that makes her feel like she can't serve God anymore.

Her family was originally very traditional.

In short, Americans today are very prejudiced against gay people.

It will be completely different from what it will be twenty years from now.

To put it bluntly, their current actions are similar to their past hunting practices.

Although Anne's true colors were exposed, she still put on a very imposing air.

"I was just looking for someone to have some fun with, you're just lucky."

This……

Ma Xun wasn't angry at all after hearing this. He replied directly, "I was just playing around."

Annie was furious.

Fight back!