I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 396 Response
Venice Film Festival?

Before dawn?
Prior to this, Liu Jinzhen had not connected the two.

Because in Liu Jin's memory, Before Sunrise was indeed an award-winning film, but not in Venice, but in Berlin.

Best Picture, Best Director.

Two major awards brought fame to this low-budget film.

It was these two awards that led to the creation of the first two installments of the series, "Before Sunrise".

But that was in 1995!
Liu Jin truly never imagined that such a work could be selected for the Venice Film Festival.

But upon further reflection, it seems quite normal.

Who is the chairman of the Venice Organizing Committee?
Marco Müller, a long-time pro-China Italian.

It's quite interesting to think about.

In this era, the chairpersons of the organizing committees of the three major film festivals—Cannes, Venice, and Berlin—are all pro-China figures.

But the future...

Forget it, I won’t say anymore!

All I can say is that times are constantly changing.

When the older generation grows old, the new generation will take their place.

But who can truly understand the thoughts of this new generation?

Earlier, Liu Jin was still thinking about how to say goodbye.

Now that's settled, he doesn't need to make excuses anymore; he has to go to the Venice Film Festival.

……

"Uncle, are you going to the Venice Film Festival?"

The older generation doesn't really know much about the three major European countries.

But the younger generation mostly understands.

That evening, when Liu Jin told everyone that he was going to Venice, everyone was very surprised.

But the three generations of the Xu family realized what was happening.

Is it the movie "Before Sunrise"?

"you know?"

"Hehe, Qianqian often posts news about you in Europe in the group chat."

When you appeared in the movie "Before Sunrise" in February, we didn't really believe it at first. Then Qianqian sent us photos of you on set, and that's when we realized, Uncle is a big star now!

Liu Dasheng turned his head and asked, "You've become an actor?"

"Just playing around. Why would I, a writer, be an actor?"
An actor's paycheck isn't even as much as the royalties from one of my books.

"Yeah, if you're going to write a book, just focus on writing it. Don't keep thinking about crooked ways... Being an actor isn't a good profession."

Liu Jin nodded obediently.

The old man had the mindset of the older generation and didn't think much of actors.

Liu Jin expressed his understanding.

"Then I'll be leaving tomorrow. I need to fly to Venice to meet up."

"Go away, go away, you're just lounging around at home all day, doing nothing."

"Liu Dasheng, how dare you talk like that? Xiao Jin was writing every day in Europe. He came home to rest for a couple of days, how come he's just loafing around?"

The mother glared at Liu Dasheng like an angry lioness.

She was also annoyed by Liu Jin, feeling that he did nothing all day and just wandered around East Lake.

But she said those things, and no one else could say them, not even Liu Dasheng.

Liu Dasheng could only lower his head, speechless.

Mom started packing Liu Jin's luggage.

My uncle prepared braised beef and Shaoxing wine.

When my uncle heard that Liu Jin liked reading "Selected Works of Mao Zedong," he got him a special edition, the legendary unabridged version.

He used to work in the military, doing political work.

In this respect, it has a natural advantage.

Liu Jin readily accepted.

That evening, his mother grumbled as she helped him pack his luggage and chatted with him.

I didn't sleep all night.

The next morning, his cousin drove Liu Jin to the airport.

He contacted Leslie Cheung and Sophia by phone, and then mentioned it to Ren Zhonglun to avoid people thinking he had left without saying goodbye.

Venice Film Festival?

Ren Zhonglun was very surprised.

Since there were almost no Chinese elements at the 2003 Venice Film Festival, he didn't pay special attention to it.

Before dawn?
He had an impression.

But before this, he had never associated the movie with Liu Jin.

After all, Liu Jin's name was replaced by Amos Liu Jin in the cast and crew list, so Ren Zhonglun simply ignored it.

After meeting Liu Jin, he forgot all about Venice.

Now that Liu Jin brought it up, he slapped his thigh in agreement.

"Xiao Jin, is there any chance?"

"I?"

"Yes!"

“I don’t know, I haven’t been paying attention to this at all. If Emmanuelle Béart hadn’t called me, I would have gone straight back to Toulouse.”

"Well then, good luck."

Love Before Dawn has not been published in the country.

Only a few people knew that Liu Jin was in the role.

A complete novice actor, a director transitioning to a new role, and a fledgling producer.

It's only a five million dollar investment... Yes, that's a huge investment in China, but it's nothing in Hollywood.

Therefore, no one paid attention to this matter, and no media outlets followed it.

There have been reports about it on Hong Kong Island.

However, the discussion was limited to Ann Hui (a judge) and the film "Love in the Wind" directed by Hong Kong female director Lai Miu-suet.

The key point is that Li Miaoxue is not famous, so there is very little coverage of her.

As a result, most of the article focused on Xu Anhua.

Ren Zhonglun was quite annoyed after ending the call with Liu Jin.

He suddenly realized a problem, so he quickly made a phone call.

"Old Han, this is Ren Zhonglun."

"I have a question for you. Are you very familiar with Liu Jin?"

"Yes, if that's the case, you must know that his movie 'Before Sunrise' was selected for the Venice Film Festival."

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

After a moment, Han Shanping asked, "How did you know?"

"Um, I just finished talking to him... I figured you two are so close, I'd definitely tell you. Haha, there's something else I wanted to discuss with you. I've reached a collaboration agreement with Xiao Liu and Spielberg from DreamWorks. It's about the book 'Life Is Beautiful,' and Xiao Liu is planning to invest $60 million to film it in Shanghai."

Haha, I shamelessly went over and got a small share.

As for the story set in Shanghai, Magic Film Studio will definitely give it their full support... Filming will most likely begin next year, so please come and support us then!

Han Shanping hung up the phone.

Ren Zhonglun couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He had no grudges against Han Shanping.

But Central Film and Shadow...

All the good resources have been taken by China Film Group, leaving only scraps for Shadow Film.

This time, we finally turned the tables.

……

Meanwhile, Han Shanping stormed into the office of Yang Buting, chairman of China Film Group Corporation.

Chairman Yang, who is nearly 60 years old, has long since stopped being involved in specific affairs and has handed everything over to Han Shanping.

Chairman Yang was surprised to see him storm in.

"Old Han, what's wrong? Why are you so unhappy?"

"Ren Zhonglun just called me."

"Old Ren from Shadow Demon? What does he want with you?"

"Showing off!"

"show off?"

"He just secured a 20% stake in a $60 million investment project."

"Sixty million, that's a huge sum. Do you know what project it is? Given Shadow's current situation, I estimate... wait, you just said US dollars?"

"Ok!"

"what happened?"

"I mentioned a writer to you before, Liu Jin, do you remember him?"

"Liu Jin...that Pulitzer Prize and Katz Prize winner, Liu Jin?"

"Correct."

"What happened to him?" Yang Buting laughed. "It's quite a coincidence. A few days ago, when I met with Xiaotang, she was bragging about this to me. She said that Liu Jin was her junior, and that her family was neighbors with Liu Jin's father before the founding of the People's Republic of China."

Last month, when Liu Jin returned to China, Little Sugar (a nickname for a restaurant owner) even had dinner with him.

"Liu Jin returned to China? When did that happen?"

Han Shanping's expression immediately changed.

"Around July 20th, what's wrong?"

Han Shanping stamped his foot and said, "Chairman Yang, why didn't you tell me?"

"Do you know?"

"We don't know each other, but if we get to know each other, we'll be acquainted, right?"

"what happened?"

"Old Ren's project is the one Liu Jin has, 'Life Is Beautiful.' The total investment is 60 million. Before Old Ren appeared, he had a 70% share, and the remaining 30% was in Spielberg's DreamWorks. What qualifications does Old Ren have... If I had known that Liu Jin was back and had the connection with Little Sugar, I would have shamelessly taken the 30%."

Chairman Yang, that 20% that Old Ren mentioned isn't a 20% premium!

"Is there such a thing?"

Chairman Yang also became serious.

Han Shanping is right. Why does Demon Shadow eat so well?

Just because he's 500 million in debt?

"you sure?"

"That guy just called me to brag."

Also, as I mentioned to you before, Liu Jin starred in a Hollywood-funded film in February, which is also adapted from his novel.

"I already said that, so what?"

"The Venice Film Festival... I hadn't been paying attention to it before, but I didn't expect that the adaptation of that kid's work would actually be selected for the Venice Film Festival."

Also, his previous film, "Amélie," grossed 200 million at the box office.

"Identity," with over $100 million at the box office... this shows that his works are very popular in Europe and America. And I just heard that his "Pirates of the Caribbean" project with Warner Bros. is finished and expected to be released in North America at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

"what do you mean……"

"Channels, Chairman Yang, these are the channels, the channels to get into Hollywood."

And also, he just finished filming a movie in May with Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Kate Winslet, and Matt Damon… This guy's connections in Hollywood are probably beyond our imagination.”

"I'll call Little Sugar Master right now."

Yang Buting thought for a moment and said, "Old Han, you have to find a way to contact him as soon as possible."

Even if we can't collaborate this time, we can try again next time. Also, why are only four of his many works published in China? Are domestic publishers blind? Why aren't they promoting such excellent works?

That's right, they don't operate in China.

But he's Chinese! Even his own family doesn't support him, no wonder they're not very willing to communicate with us.

Han Shanping nodded and said, "I'll think of a way to contact him right away."

Third Master left in a hurry.

Yang Buting shook his head and sighed.

He grabbed the phone on the table, dialed a number, and the call was answered a moment later.

“Master Wang, I am Yang Buting.”

Haha, I'm here to congratulate you. I just received some news about that nephew you mentioned to me at the last meeting?
Yes, it's Liu Jin.

His film, "Before Sunrise," was selected for the Venice Film Festival.

He's the male lead, don't you know? Also, this time when he returned to China, he finalized a collaboration with Moying in Shanghai... Do you know his book, "Life Is Beautiful"?
I know... that's right, he's going to adapt this novel into a movie.

He invested in it himself, in collaboration with Spielberg's DreamWorks, starring Leslie Cheung and Juliette Binoche… The producers are Spielberg and Brian Glazer. This is a huge project; China Film Group is also very keen on projects like this. Could you please help us get in touch? We at China Film Group are very much looking forward to collaborating with him.”

"Okay, okay, I'll wait for your news."

Yang Buting hung up the phone and plopped down in a chair.

He calmed down, thought for a moment, and then picked up the phone again.

"Director Ouyang, I am Yang Buting from China Film Group."

Well, I wanted to bring something up with you... not about the movie. You probably know Liu Jin, the Pulitzer Prize winner for Literature this year. Since 01, he has created many excellent literary works and achieved remarkable success overseas. Such an outstanding author is, in fact, a true Chinese author.

To date, apart from the four works published by Guangdong People's Publishing House, no other major publishing houses have made any response.

I think that's wrong.

I've looked into his work; it's excellent, and there's nothing smearing about it.

How could our publishing house not value the work of such a comrade? I think there's something wrong here.

......"

After hanging up the phone, Yang Buting let out a long sigh of relief.

Next, we can use this incident to quickly establish a relationship with Liu Jin, which can be seen as laying the groundwork for future cooperation.

……

(End of this chapter)