Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 574 Liu Yifei, slightly inferior, Boss Lu, indifferent to making money.
Anyone who has traveled to Japan will often see a man with facial paralysis (one side of his face is paralyzed) occupying prime time on television, appearing in various programs in different ways.

To the locals, this somewhat menacing-looking old boy is none other than Takeshi Kitano, the comedian, host, and talk show star they know and love.

Half of his face is now immobile due to an unexpected car accident.

So now everyone in Cannes is laughing as they watch him act silly.

"Lu-san! Lu-san from the world has arrived!" As soon as Takeshi Kitano saw Lu Kuan, his face, which was slightly stiff due to his facial paralysis, instantly blossomed into an exaggeratedly infectious smile.

Completely disregarding the reserve of the other directors present, he suddenly jumped up from his seat, spread his arms, and shouted as he approached in heavily accented Japanese Chinese.

Then, he suddenly braked in front of the wide road, making an extremely comical swerving maneuver, as if avoiding something unseen, while groping around in the air with his hands, and shouting in a mix of Japanese and English with wide eyes:

"Wait, wait! Let me check first... Is there that ball lightning near you? You mean that 'invisible thing' from the trailer? I don't want to get hit by it. If I turn into a quantum state too, tomorrow's newspapers will be saying 'Takeshi Kitano mysteriously disappears in Cannes'!"

Takeshi Kitano, a comedian by profession, delivered an impromptu performance that had everyone at the table in stitches.

Boss Lu couldn't help but chuckle, stepping forward to pat him firmly on the back: "Don't worry, that thing is still on the special effects hard drive. Let's have a good drink tonight."

Kitano Takeshi finally released the object with satisfaction, then put his arm around Lu Kuan's shoulder and announced to the crowd in Japanese-accented English: "Ladies and gentlemen! This is the magician who just terrified film critics all over the world with his 'invisible thing'! I see his trailers every day in Japan, and even TV comedians are imitating the sound of shattering glass!"

He leaned closer to the road, lowered his voice so everyone could hear, and said with a wink, "You rascal, your marketing is more entertaining than my variety show. You've filled up all the IMAX screens in Tokyo. You're so cunning!"

Da Tiantian was amused by his appearance and swayed wildly, which made Kitano Takeshi look at her curiously a few more times. Then, he raised his eyebrows at Boss Lu with a teasing look, as if to hint at his usual womanizing ways.

"I'm always jealous of how many beautiful women you have around you, even though your wife isn't here today, Si Guoyi!" Takeshi Kitano gestured to Bingbing and actresses like Jing Tian and Zhou Xun.

After exchanging pleasantries and taking their seats, Lu Kuan joked, "Luckily you didn't say these things in front of my wife, otherwise my allowance might have been confiscated too."

Section Chief Jia, who was relatively familiar with Takeshi Kitano, clapped his hands and laughed: "Director Lu's words are a bit like pointing out someone's shortcomings."

This topic dates back to the 2002 Venice Film Festival. At that time, Takeshi Kitano, who was competing with "Dolls", was living with his leading lady, actress Yuko Osamu. His wife, furious, cut off his financial support, and even the cost of participating in the film festival was paid by his lover, which became a laughing stock.

Jing Tian, ​​Zhou Xun, Bingbing, and the others laughed when they heard the gossip for the first time, thinking to themselves that they were just like Lu Kuan.

It can only be said that he has a good eye for people. Takeshi Kitano, the fledgling director Lu Xun, and Quentin Tarantino got along very well that year. Apart from exchanging ideas on the art of directing, they were all like-minded.

After everyone laughed about Takeshi Kitano's anecdote about his allowance, the atmosphere became more relaxed.

The waiter began serving appetizers, and Wang Xiaoshuai raised his wine glass to Lu Kuan, his smile carrying a hint of barely perceptible restraint: "Director Lu, I heard that tickets for the opening film and subsequent screenings of 'Ball Lightning' sold out very quickly. Congratulations. It's much better than the films in our competition section in terms of scale."

He was one of the seven gentlemen who had been verbally attacked by Boss Lu back then. Although there hadn't been any direct communication between them over the years, they were still somewhat reserved towards each other. (Chapter 208)
After all, times have changed, and the differences in people's status, artistic achievements, and wealth are now vast.

His presence today is thanks to the efforts of the participating soldiers. They say he's not a petty person at all, so there's no need to worry.

Director Jia and Boss Lu have a relatively harmonious relationship. He is also one of the more tactful directors among the sixth generation of directors.

He then took over the conversation at the opportune moment, mentioning that his entry for this year was the documentary "Legend of the Sea," a style quite different from everyone else present.

He looked at Lu Kuan and suggested sincerely, "Xiao Shuai is right. Director Lu, you see, it's quite a coincidence that we've all come together this year. Wu Sang is making 'Outrage,' a gangster film; Xiao Shuai is making 'Chongqing Blues,' which focuses on the estrangement between father and son; and I'm making 'Legend of the Sea,' a documentary about urban change. Our styles are very different. You have a keen eye and a global market perspective, so why don't you take this opportunity to comment on our films? It would give us some inspiration."

Upon hearing this, even Takeshi Kitano stopped chewing and looked at Lu Kuan with great interest, exclaiming in Japanese, "Oh! This is interesting! Lu-san, please tell the truth!"

Today was just a casual chat about movies, and Boss Lu didn't bother with any of that fake modesty. He put down his glass, paused for a moment, and said:
"Actually, my perspective is relatively neutral, since I don't participate in the judging of your main competition sections. But I can only offer some suggestions based on the subject matter and the tone of the Cannes Film Festival. I can't say much else."

Bingbing raised his glass and laughed, "Then we're going to broaden our horizons today."

His gaze first fell on Wang Xiaoshuai: "I've seen the trailer and synopsis of Director Xiaoshuai's 'Chongqing Blues.' The film continues the exploration of the fate of individuals in social change. A father returns to the city that he changed to find his son. This core is very powerful and is a typical auteur film path."

"On the Cannes stage, this kind of profound, repentant humanistic concern is always something the jury will not overlook. The challenge is how to make this very Eastern, restrained emotion penetrate cultural barriers and touch international audiences more directly."

Wang Xiaoshuai's previously tense expression relaxed slightly. Lu Kuan's evaluation pointed out both his strengths and key difficulties, which was very pertinent. He nodded: "Director Lu hit the nail on the head. The cross-cultural transmission of emotional resonance is indeed the biggest challenge for our kind of film."

Lu Kuan then turned to Jia Zhangke, his tone filled with admiration: "Director Jia's 'Shanghai Legend' is even bolder. Using the form of a documentary to let those who experienced it firsthand recount the history of Shanghai is itself building a 'visual epic.' In a film festival trend that pursues spectacular narratives, this kind of back-to-basics creation based on real memories is all the more precious."

"But I'm worried that there's a problem you'll be criticized for, which I just thought of."

Section Chief Jia, who was feeling quite pleased with himself after being praised, was suddenly startled: "What?"

"Your movie is all in Shanghai dialect, but Chinese films don't have subtitles. I think you should prepare more movie guides."

Logically speaking, Director Jia is no longer a newcomer to the film festival, but he had done the same embarrassing thing in his previous life, which resulted in not only foreigners not being able to understand it, but also the local reporters who wanted to promote him scratching their heads in front of the Shanghai dialect on the big screen.

Bingbing and Jingtian listened silently, thinking to themselves that these sixth-generation entrepreneurs were still far behind Wenjie and Boss Lu in terms of pragmatism.

Perhaps this is the difference between a pure director and a film genius.

Boss Lu smiled and looked at Takeshi Kitano: "As for Takeshi's 'Outrage'..." He paused deliberately, and Takeshi Kitano immediately made a funny face that said, "Bring it on."

"This film is simply the product of your complete fusion of comedic talent on television and your inherent violent aesthetics. Unlike traditional gangster films that emphasize loyalty, it nakedly displays the ruthlessness and absurdity under the rules of power, especially the sudden violence, coupled with your unique dry humor, which creates a very unique effect. I dare say that this film will be one of the most sought-after works in the market because it is direct, raw, and full of your signature style."

"Hahaha!" Takeshi Kitano slammed his hand on the table, thoroughly enjoying himself. "Lu-san, you understand me! Those film critics always say it's too violent, too dark, but they don't understand, this is the real world! It's exhilarating!"

As Wang Xiaoshuai watched Lu Kuan skillfully and incisively evaluate everyone's work, the precision and vision he felt gradually replaced the subtle distance that had arisen in his heart due to the change in their status with a professional admiration.

He couldn't help but think of the controversy surrounding Wanda's acquisition of overseas cinemas and the young director's frank criticism over the past two months. At that time, he had also secretly wondered if the person in front of him was worried about Wanda becoming too big.

But looking back today, it's hard to say whether he was being sincere at the time.

When this group of sixth-generation artists emerged from the underground in 2004 after martial law was lifted by the authorities, they were warned: "You have now come to the surface of creation, but if you do not adapt to the market, you will soon return to the underground of the market."

Looking back now, apart from Section Chief Jia who is doing relatively well, the rest of our like-minded friends have indeed gradually faded into obscurity.

The young man in front of him, who was only in his early twenties at the time, made accurate judgments and predictions early on, and gradually put them into practice to reach the top of the industry.

Meanwhile, those "seniors" who once debated with him with such high spirits now have to work themselves to the bone for a few million dollars in film production funding.

"Director Lu, you see things much more clearly. It's not just about making movies, it's about creating movies," Wang Xiaoshuai couldn't help but exclaim.

Section Chief Jia couldn't help but nod: "Indeed, this kind of insight, which goes beyond the creation itself and focuses on the industry and communication, is very valuable."

"Let's stop flattering each other," Lu Kuan laughed. "Judging from the current situation, the goal of exceeding 10 billion yuan in box office revenue in mainland China this year is actually a bit too ambitious."

"Whether you're making art films or genre films, now is the best of times." He paused, raised his glass to conclude today's directors' gathering: "Come on, I wish everyone success this time, and a toast to the best of times!"

Cheers!

……

A group of Chinese filmmakers, having had a few drinks, strolled back to their hotel along the Croisette. Slightly tipsy, Jing Tian's pretty face was flushed as she shared her day's itinerary and experiences with her girlfriends on her phone, including Takeshi Kitano's exaggerated and hilarious performance at the party.

Bingbing and Boss Lu chatted about WeChat under the palm tree.

"So we decided to hold it for 618? That's pretty mean!"

Boss Lu laughed and said, "We've been fighting Ali head-on from the very beginning, so why bother with saving face? Let's put it on their shopping festival and let the audience shop while watching the show, isn't that great?"

This is obviously not good for Ahri, who has been preparing painstakingly for more than half a year.

618 was originally a shopping festival created by Ali, aiming to lock users firmly into the transaction scenario. However, Wenjie mobilized top resources across all channels to promote "My Love from the Star", including pre-planting on Weibo's trending topics, pop-ups on video websites, and a saturation attack by Focus Media offline, which will create a powerful "entertainment content black hole" that night.

A massive number of users, especially young women who are the main consumers, are likely to temporarily put their shopping carts aside and focus on watching the show. WeChat's emotional short films, which intersect at the climax of the plot, have a conversion rate far superior to ordinary advertisements, and will break through the focus that Ali has painstakingly created for the shopping festival.

You should learn from "Double Eleven" and make "618" a landmark holiday, right?

Then I will use the strongest public opinion to push "WeChat official announcement of the first release" and "My Love from the Star premiere" to the top of the trending topics, and suppress the heat of 618.

It's just a battle of public opinion; this hot topic couldn't be easier to grab.

At that time, those who want to download WeChat will download it, and those who want to watch dramas will prepare snacks and melon seeds. After all, what sophisticated fairy wouldn't want to experience the latest social software and female-centric dramas to prepare material for her Weibo topics and casual chats with her best friends?

As for shopping festivals...

Singles' Day is just a few months away, so I'll just take a quick look.

"That's awful! You just gave Mr. Ma a little taste of success, and now you're pushing him into a corner." Bingbing suddenly realized, "No wonder you only announced a rough listing date before. You were afraid he'd change the date, weren't you?"

“That’s right.” Boss Lu laughed: “We’ll at least wait until early June to announce it. Unless Jack Ma postpones it indefinitely and turns 618 into 718 or 818, he can’t touch 918, and there’s no need for him to, since it’s already very close to Singles’ Day.”

"He has no choice but to accept this move."

Bingbing covered her mouth and laughed, "But this little theater idea is really good, it's like a behind-the-scenes clip from the story."

She was referring to the commercial breaks that are common in later generations, which involve inserting product advertisements into the plot of a TV series.

For example, in the climax of the series, when the male lead is about to say goodbye, a 15-second short film suddenly cuts in. Bingbing, playing the female lead, chokes up while looking at a phone screen displaying WeChat: "Even if you're on another planet, can you find me using this?" Then the screen fades out, revealing the WeChat logo and the slogan "Connectivity Everywhere."

Including the scenes that Zhang Xiaolong developed in advance for product placement in the drama, all of these will become deeply ingrained in people's minds along with this destined hit drama. At that time, the entire internet will be filled with "My Love from the Star" and the WeChat messages used by the male and female leads to talk about their love.

From the very first version, Wenjie was prepared to use methods even more advanced than those used in Farmville, leveraging its far ahead development schedule to forcefully drag the powerful Penguin forward.

But having remained silent for over three months since the WeChat announcement in the first month of the lunar calendar, and now hearing the news in early June, will Tencent and Ali simply sit idly by?
The French usually have an appetizer with their main meal, but the red carpet ceremony, the appetizer of an international film festival, is in a sense one of the two main courses of today's opening ceremony.

At 9:00 a.m. on May 12, the red carpet in front of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes was already filled with top faces from the global film industry under the sunlight.

This year's film festival jury president, Tim Burton, appeared in his signature black and white attire, flanked by jury members Kate Beckinsale, Elijah Suleiman, and others.

Sir Ridley Scott, the director of the original opening film "Robin Hood," made a grand entrance with stars Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett, the latter exuding queenly elegance in a silver gown.

American director Woody Allen promoted his new film "Encountering Strangers," chatting and laughing with stars Anthony Hopkins and Naomi Watts.

In addition, international stars such as Juliette Binoche, a member of the jury, Eva Longoria, a spokesperson for L'Oréal, and Indian actress Aishwarya Rai walked the red carpet one after another, making the flashbulbs on the scene look like a never-ending galaxy.

Against this backdrop of dazzling stars, the Asian faces and figures of Chinese filmmakers seem to have gone largely unnoticed.

Until Bingbing appeared.

When a bright yellow figure appeared at the top of the red carpet, it was as if the Mediterranean sun was instantly focused on that figure.

The meticulously designed "dragon robe" dress exuded ultimate luxury and majesty under the ample light. The dragon pattern embroidered with gold thread reflected a flowing luster as she walked, and the wide skirt trailed solemnly on the ground with her steps, each step carrying a steady rhythm.

Unlike many celebrities who need to carefully calculate their steps and deliberately find the best angles and lighting, Bingbing's appearance carries a natural aura.

She did not rush forward, but paused briefly at the entrance, her posture upright, her chin slightly raised, her gaze sweeping calmly and deeply over the bustling media area and cheering fans. On her face was a confident smile that belonged to the president of Wuyue Culture, a smile of composure and control.

She began to move, her steps neither hurried nor slow, perfectly showcasing the beauty of the dress and her own elegance;
With her shoulders and back straight, her neck as graceful as a swan's, and her arms hanging naturally or occasionally brushing the hem of her skirt, every subtle movement revealed a demeanor honed through countless trials.

She maintained a harmonious distance from Wang Xiaoshuai and others from the "Chongqing Blues" crew, sometimes whispering with her companions, sometimes facing the camera alone. No matter what posture she adopted, she seemed so natural, as if this red carpet, which was the focus of everyone's attention, was a stage for her to stroll leisurely.

Compared to her previous life, Bingbing no longer needed to desperately stand in the center of the red carpet to gain exposure. Instead, she precisely cooperated with the cameras from all directions, and wherever her gaze fell, she offered gentle greetings.

"Bingbing! Over here!"

"Bing! This way!"

Foreign journalists recognize her because she is a regular at major fashion shows, not to mention Asian and Chinese journalists. She is one of the top actresses in China and the president of the only listed film company.

Shouts from both Chinese and foreign media rose and fell, flashes of light surrounding her creating a relentless daylight. Domestic reporters, while frantically pressing their shutters, exchanged excited whispers.

"That aura is amazing! Bingbing is truly Fan Bingbing now; she exudes an aura of absolute power in that dragon robe."

"We have plenty of confidence! The boss of a listed company represents the face of our cultural enterprises. How can we be the same?"

"Look at her steps, they're so steady, it's completely different from before."

"I heard that Wuyue's stock price even rose a bit because of this trip to Cannes? That's soft power!"

Bingbing, whose mindset was completely different from her previous life, walked the red carpet with a radiant smile, signed her name in front of the backdrop, and was about to enter the cinema palace under the guidance of staff. Just then, an even more enthusiastic cheer erupted from the entrance of the red carpet.

She instinctively turned around, and there came the cast and crew of "Ball Lightning".

As the opening film, renowned international director Lu Kuan, adorned with accolades, received the treatment he deserved. Not only was jury president Tim Burton waiting in front of the autograph wall, but members of the Chinese film crew, including Bingbing, as well as Hollywood directors and stars, also waited to greet him, such as Woody Allen, Zhao Fei's former employer. Mr. Lu, dressed in an elegant suit, stood beside Jing Tian, ​​who was making her international film festival red carpet debut in a Dior strapless gown, exuding grace and elegance, slightly nervous yet possessing impeccable poise.

Behind them are Xin Baiqing and Zhou Xun, the male and female leads of "Ball Lightning".

The two actresses, one elfin and the other graceful, created another beautiful scene on the red carpet.

Reporters naturally went all out against Mr. Lu, an old acquaintance, showering the three of them with flashes of light like a storm, while shouts in various languages ​​mingled together.

Lu Kuan remained calm and composed, wearing his signature smile that was both steady and easygoing. After taking a series of photos, a Chinese reporter called out, "Director Lu, please take a photo with this young lady."

This is the kind of intimate interaction the media wants to capture.

Lu Kuan smiled and agreed, naturally turning to the side.

Da Tian Tian's heart couldn't help but pound a few times faster. Although she tried her best to maintain a well-trained sweet smile, there was a slight, imperceptible tension in her fingertips.

She knew this was just work, a normal part of meeting the expectations of the media and fans, but the thought of being able to stand alone with him in front of the camera still brought a small, indescribable sense of joy and unease to her heart.

Boss Lu's smile remained gentle as he made a very gentlemanly invitation gesture. Jing Tian took a deep breath and stepped forward, her movements appearing reserved and shy.

The girl didn't take his arm; she simply leaned slightly towards him, maintaining a perfect distance. The man, on the other hand, acted more like a considerate older brother, gently placing his hand on her shoulder—a gesture that was both intimate and respectful.

Just as the photographer was about to press the shutter, a Mediterranean breeze swept by, gently ruffling a few strands of hair on Jing Tian's forehead. She subconsciously tilted her head slightly, a sweet smile playing on her lips, tinged with a hint of naivety and helplessness. Her eyes were bright, as if filled with starlight and a touch of shyness, as if disturbed by this unexpected turn of events.

This natural, unresponsive moment was captured precisely by the camera, making her appear exceptionally fresh and charming.

"Great! Absolutely beautiful!" the photographers exclaimed.

The "scene" lasted only a little over a minute. After taking the photos, Da Tiantian used the action of adjusting her skirt to hide her slightly flushed cheeks, but her heart was pounding like a little rabbit.

She didn't think about how Liu Yifei had already made a public appearance with him in Venice in 2002, nor did she think about the special significance or implications of this photo of them together...

This brief moment, this seemingly ordinary group photo, was, for her, just like secretly fulfilling a small but precious wish of hers in this grand, glorious moment that belonged to him.

She would quietly hide this secret joy, then raise her head and continue in her best form, following in the footsteps of Lu Kuan and Zhou Xun, toward the gates of glory at the Palace of Film.

In front of the autograph wall, the Mediterranean morning sun shone through the gaps in the columns of the cinema palace, casting dappled light and shadow on Bingbing's bright yellow dragon robe, as if adding a hazy hue to her complex emotions at that moment.

Looking at Jing Tian's charming shyness, she saw the image of another girl who was already a mother, and her heart was filled with emotion.

Bingbing recalled what he had told Xiao Liu: "No woman stays twenty forever, but there will always be women who are twenty years old." He hoped to use this to persuade her to accept him. (Chapter 381)
But for someone like her, who has experienced both heaven and hell and returned to the human world, this is the best possible ending.

He gained status, money, glory, and respect, but he also lost a lot.

Looking at Jing Tian in front of him, Bingbing couldn't help but feel a little envious.

It wasn't that I envied her family background, but rather her pure heart, unlike my former self who was frantically trying to obtain something.

If you don't want to gain something, you won't lose anything.

Bingbing paused for a moment, then lifted the hem of her dragon robe and tried to walk inside. Qin Hao, standing beside her, asked in confusion, "Didn't you say you were going to wait for Director Lu to take a group photo? Aren't you going to wait?"

Wang Xiaoshuai also looked at the top female star with a puzzled expression.

"You guys can take the pictures, I've taken several with him!" The female star, who exuded an incredibly domineering and aloof aura today, smiled, leaving Wang Xiaoshuai and Qin Hao exchanging bewildered glances.

They didn't understand the deeper meaning in her words, nor could they hear the unfinished whisper in her heart:
That little flutter of excitement that belongs to Jing Tian deserves to be captured completely and undivided by anyone else in the lens.

Just like myself at twenty, just like Cannes that year when "Shoplifters" was released.

Now, time has indeed been stolen away.

Bingbing slightly raised her chin, allowing the sunlight to better illuminate her beautifully contoured profile so that she could be captured by the cameras not far away.

She completely suppressed that subtle emotion and put on the impeccable, composed smile befitting a female CEO.

Then, with an even more determined and proud demeanor than when she arrived, trailing her bright yellow skirt, she took the lead in entering the cinema's hallway, a place that symbolized glory and dreams, yet was also somewhat dimly lit.

The bustling sunlight behind her, the red carpet battlefield where she had fought so hard, and that little bit of unspeakable and needless melancholy were all left outside the door.

As Lu Kuan entered the cinema, he was quickly surrounded by people who greeted him. The first person to come forward and exchange pleasantries was Woody Allen, who was wearing traditional black-rimmed glasses.

“Lou!” Woody Allen extended his hand, speaking rapidly, “Your Olympic opening ceremony made me rethink the possibilities of grand narratives. Now I hear you’re using quantum mechanics and the observer to torment the audience’s minds again? That sounds much more hardcore than the pointless whining of my New York intellectuals.”

Lu Kuan smiled and shook hands with him: "I have to thank you for returning Zhao Fei to me a few years ago. His experience working with you in New York gave him a more international understanding of camera language."

“Ha! Zhao Fei!” Woody Allen raised his voice. “He’s a genius catcher of light. But I have to say, Lu, he seems to have evolved even more since he teamed up with you.”

“He used to be good at capturing subtle emotional nuances, but now I see from the trailer for ‘Ball Lightning’ that he’s starting to master a more abstract and grand conceptual light and shadow. You’ve taken a top artist to a new level, which is remarkable.”

This evaluation reflects the professional recognition and mutual appreciation between two top directors based on their collaboration.

Lu Kuan responded modestly, "It is his own talent and spirit of exploration. We are just trying together to see how to transform invisible scientific concepts into visible visual impact."

"Lu-san, what are you talking about with Woody?" Takeshi Kitano, with his nonchalant demeanor, and Lee Chang-dong, the long-haired South Korean director, arrived together.

Mr. Lu laughed and said, "I'm thanking Woody for attending today's opening premiere, and you all are too. Please give me some suggestions. This time, we played some tricks with the colors. I wonder how the audience will accept them."

Before the opening film began today, many more internationally renowned directors came over to exchange pleasantries.

Austrian director Michael Haneke, whose representative work is "The Piano Teacher", shook hands briefly with Lu Kuan with his signature serious expression, expressing his interest in the philosophical setting of "Ball Lightning".

The Greek director Angelopoulos, known for his philosophical films such as "Eternity and a Day," met with Lu Kuan for the first time and praised Lu Kuan's bold exploration of visual storytelling in a gentle tone.

There was also von Trier, a Cannes regular whom I had met several times before, who directed the unique film "Dogville." After everyone exchanged pleasantries, the latter quietly asked the Eastern director if he had met with Bergman recently.

That's right. Like Ang Lee and others, he is a die-hard fan of Bergman, a master who is universally recognized as a living master, but he is the kind of one-sided sycophant.

Because this film master doesn't meet just anyone, he might not even have seen von Trier's films. It was Martin Scorsese who brought his "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" to the island, which led to that meeting that would later be written into history.

It was from that time onward that the title of "Asia's next Akira Kurosawa" was bestowed upon this Eastern director, and his reputation spread throughout the world through Bergman's endorsement.

After Bergman watched the opening ceremony of the 08 Beijing Olympics on Fårö Island, he became even more certain of his future success. (Chapter 457)
For von Trier, Bergman was like a celestial fan to Liu Yifei—both were people who could only watch helplessly as Bergman or Liu Yifei favored this young Chinese man who was not yet thirty.

"No." Boss Lu's answer was direct, which left the latter with mixed feelings.

“Uh… Lu, you’re a director he approves of, so you could actually contact him and visit him.” The art fanatic von Trier was unusually a little embarrassed at this moment. “If possible, I would like to ask you to take my film ‘Dogville’ to him to see. I think it will be the style he likes.”

“Hmm, probably not in the short term.” Lu Kuan pondered, “Unless I think I have made greater progress in some area and can talk to him about more in-depth topics, I might fly to see him immediately.”

"Otherwise, it's not worth bothering him with mundane topics."

Fontaine's face flushed red; the resentment from being a sycophant was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress...

Damn Chinese directors! What enviable conveniences and privileges they enjoy!

Just as this Eastern director, who could already be said to have international prestige, was chatting and laughing with a group of arrogant Western directors, another group of people not far away were also watching the lively scene.

Hong Kong directors, led by Chen Kexin, Alan Mak, and Felix Chong, are gathering together.

They also brought new works to the trip: the comedy "The Incredible Couple," produced by Chen Kexin and directed by Vincent Kok, and the historical action film "Guan Yun Chang," directed by the Mak-Chong duo and starring Donnie Yen. The latter also released a concept poster at Cannes featuring the Green Dragon Crescent Blade and the character "义" (righteousness).

There's no need to mention Chen Kexin for now. Mak and Chong are old partners, and their collaborations include "Infernal Affairs 3", "Overheard" and "The Great Search".

However, like with "Ball Lightning," the main purpose of this group of Hong Kong directors' trip was to sell their films and hold the "Hong Kong Night" event, a regular cultural export program of the Hong Kong government at the film festival. (Chapter 227)
Eager to improve, Zhen Zidan looked at the star-studded scene and, as both an actor and producer, felt it was only right to go over and exchange pleasantries. "Should we also go over and say hello to Director Lu?"

Chen Kexin adjusted his glasses, a complex expression flashing across his face. His feelings toward Boss Lu were quite subtle.

On the one hand, his own films, such as "Bodyguards and Assassins" and "The Warlords" from two years ago, did not perform as expected in the mainland market, and were even major flops. On the other hand, Golden Harvest gave itself the worst screenings among the top-ranked cinemas.

Even speaking to Han Shanping couldn't change Gao Jun's decision in the slightest; the latter simply made the excuse that "General Manager Lu doesn't think it's good," seemingly showing utter contempt for these Hong Kong directors.

This kind of "stereotype," or rather, this fact, started with "Whiplash," and with the Hong Kong night scene and Liu's angry confrontation with the pigeon king. (Chapter 228)
What's even more frustrating for Chen Kexin, who failed to make money in mainland China, is that her friend Huang Qiusheng is being criticized by mainland netizens for his controversial remarks, and his company LeTV Culture is a direct competitor of Lu Kuan Wenjie.

From the general trend to personal relationships, he was not very fond of this richest man in mainland China. After all, not everyone is Feng Tier. Boss Lu has been openly looking down on Hong Kong directors since 02. He himself is still a contracted director of LeTV Culture. Why should he rush to suck up to him?

Upon hearing Donnie Yen's words, Chen Kexin's lips curled into a slightly self-deprecating and bitter smile, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm: "Go? Go to what? Didn't you see that he's surrounded by internationally renowned directors of the caliber of Haneke, Angelopoulos, and von Trier?"

"We 'Hong Kong filmmakers' are only good at making gangster and kung fu movies, how could we possibly be worthy of their attention?"

"Of course, if they look down on us, then perhaps Hong Kong audiences won't appreciate his 'Ball Lightning' either. Zhao Hui, Wen Qiang? Oh?"

The two golden partners and Donnie Yen exchanged wry smiles, not wanting to offend Chen Kexin directly, since they were all in the same boat.

But who would want to antagonize the richest man if they didn't share Chen Kexin's stance?

But judging from his tone, could he be plotting something against this richest man in mainland China? They couldn't and dared not accept that, even if his influence didn't extend to Hong Kong for the time being.

“Bullet, I’m not stopping you from associating with big directors, it’s just pointless.” Seeing that they didn’t speak, Chen Kexin paused and lowered her voice: “Is Brother Hendrik Willem Van Loon international enough? Is he influential enough? Yet he still can’t participate in Boss Lu’s core projects.”

"I don't think he's the Han supremacist that people on the internet talk about anymore, he's a total tyrant... otherwise why would he target Hong Kong and Taiwanese filmmakers so much, especially the Golden Horse Awards?"

Everyone remained silent, as if dead. Fortunately, a melodious piece of music came from the venue and "brought back to life" Donnie Yen and the other two. The lights in the Palais des Festivals gradually dimmed, and the opening ceremony of the main venue, the Lumière Hall, was about to officially begin.

This grand event, which brought together film elites from around the world, temporarily shrouded all the subtle thoughts and barriers in the glory of art. Following the instructions, everyone took their seats and turned their attention to the stage.

Festival President Jacob first took the stage to deliver a welcome speech, followed by this year's jury president, Tim Burton, who walked slowly to the microphone amidst enthusiastic applause.

This American director, who collaborated with Johnny Depp on films like *Edward Scissorhands* and *Sweeney Todd*, has a unique voice that blends the bizarre with the sincere:

"Welcome to Cannes, a palace where dreams and memories intertwine," Tim Burton began, his gaze sweeping over the star-studded audience. "Film is like a collective dream, allowing us to glimpse the truest light and shadow within each other in the most wondrous ways."

"This year, we gather here not to find perfect answers, but to embrace bold questions, courageous failures, and those thrilling, unique perspectives on beauty and truth. May every pulsating frame of light and shadow on the screen over the next ten days become the starting point for our dialogue."

His speech was brief and poetic, and he then looked at the Chinese faces in the first row of the audience: "Next, we are very honored to invite a director who, with his extraordinary imagination, is constantly redefining the boundaries of film."

"From grand Olympic celebrations to profound spiritual explorations, he always uses light and shadow to open doors to the unknown world for us. Let's welcome Lu, the director of 'Ball Lightning'!"

Amidst enthusiastic applause, Lu Kuan calmly rose, walked steadily onto the stage, and stood before the microphone.

His gaze swept calmly across the room, his commanding presence seemingly innate, even more radiant than when he visited Cannes a few years ago.

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and a special thank you to Tim." Director Dongfang's voice was steady and clear.

"Edward Scissorhands gives sharp metal the softest heart, while Sweeney Todd sings a complex symphony of humanity in a revenge tragedy. Tim always manages to use the most bizarre perspectives to endow marginal and unconventional things with ultimate beauty and profound humanistic concern, which makes us understand that the charm of film lies in its ability to embrace and sublimate all seemingly different existences."

Lu Kuan turned his gaze back to the audience, “Ball Lightning also originates from a seemingly unorthodox scientific hypothesis. It attempts to explore how ‘observation’ itself defines ‘existence.’ When we gaze at the unknowable, what are we actually gazing at? Is it objective reality, or a projection of our inner fears and desires?”

"This film is our attempt to capture the subtle tremors at the intersection of science and humanities within a relatively rational scientific framework. It pays tribute to all those who dare to explore unconventional imaginations."

"Today, everyone here is an actor, a director, and all people who love movies," Mr. Lu concluded with a smile. "To be honest, although I have a little money, I'm actually not very interested in making money."

The audience erupted in laughter, jeers, and whistles.

Thanks to Hurun, Caixin, and Time magazine, people know that this person's assets are worth two to three hundred billion US dollars. Even if they don't know about his businesses in mainland China, his Netflix and Marvel overseas are enough to make people envious.

Slightly inferior to Liu Yifei, and with Boss Lu seemingly oblivious to making money, he's destined to become a classic. (Chapter 265)
“Just kidding,” Lu Kuan laughed. “What I mean is that I have benefited from movies in my whole life. I love it and I am fortunate to make a living from movies. Through movies, I have met so many friends, teachers, and my wife.”

And my mother, who taught me about movies since I was little.

The young Chinese director paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over each focused face in the audience, as if engaging in a profound dialogue with each of his colleagues:
"Therefore, I'd like to conclude by sharing a line from 'Ball Lightning' with everyone, and with all those who love movies—"

"The key to a wonderful life is what you can become obsessed with."

……

The stage lights suddenly dimmed, the screen lit up, and the quantum world of "Ball Lightning" was about to unfold.

(End of this chapter)