I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 472 Section Chief Jia's Decision
"Okay, no problem!"

Haha, don't be so polite.

I'll set a time and let you know... Hongwei, have Lao Jia get you a prepaid phone card so we can stay in touch.

"I'll have Chairman Ren reimburse you then."

Liu Jin chuckled and hung up the phone.

A bonfire was lit on the beach.

Scarlett was watching the commotion over there, so only Liu Jin and Spike were in the bar.

"Spike, I have something to ask you."

A friend from my hometown is visiting, and I need to go see them. However, one of their films has been nominated for a film festival, and I heard that you can't meet with people privately at film festivals. Is that true?

Spike took a sip of beer and laughed, "Theoretically it's not possible, but in reality it's not that strict."

As long as you don't get spotted by the media, it's perfectly normal to see friends. I had dinner with Shay from New Line Cinema a few days ago, and we talked about Jonathan's "Rebirth." However, since you're currently very popular, there will definitely be reporters watching you.

The best solution is to find a more private restaurant and then expand the gathering.

For example, you could get a few other people involved, so even if the reporters find out, they can't say anything... By the way, you could ask Mirren, she's a big fan of your book.

"Helen Mirren?"

Being a member of the judging panel can alleviate a lot of pressure.

"What about you?"

Liu Jin's eyes darted around as he looked at Spike and asked.

"Of course I can. You can also invite two more film crews, and then there won't be any problems."

Liu Jin thought for a moment and quickly thought of two people.

"Then that's settled. I'll go find someone."

"I'll invite Mirren for you."

Liu Jin gave an OK sign and then left in a hurry.

……

"You bastard, you really told me?"

That evening, in Section Chief Jia's room, Wang Hongwei recounted his conversation with Liu Jin.

Section Chief Jia's eyes widened, and he pointed at Wang Hongwei, cursing, "You idiot, what's wrong with you? I was just joking, can't I just brag a little? You actually went and told people... Now how am I supposed to meet Amos?"

Wang Hongwei sneered, "So, are you going or not?"

"Go, only a fool wouldn't go."

Jia Kechang's early works have a hint of selling ugliness, which caters to the Westerners' curiosity.

But his subsequent works followed the same theme, and foreigners lost interest, so he gradually fell out of favor.

In addition, his later works began to spread beyond Fenyang.

He explores human nature, which is somewhat different from those who deliberately sell ugliness.

Take this film, "The World," for example. His perspective shifts from his hometown to the city, but the core theme is 'humility,' and it remains an exploration of human nature.

But it seems that after leaving his hometown, Jia Zhangke's work became somewhat lost.

Or rather, Section Chief Jia himself was in a state of confusion.

The entire work lacks the characteristics of "Xiao Wu" and "Platform". It seems to be full of contradictions, but it is unable to develop these contradictions, so it keeps compromising.

Even he himself was somewhat lacking in confidence.

But if we can try, we should.

Besides, being able to communicate more with other people is not a bad thing for him.

So, although he was a little angry, Section Chief Jia still hoped to take this opportunity to reconnect with Liu Jin.

After all, he had this idea back in 02.

……

The film festival opened as scheduled the following day.

After Liu Jin and the judges appeared on camera, they were stopped by reporters.

“Mr. Amos, I heard that Mr. Luzko is in the hospital and just woke up this morning.”

You two only had a verbal argument, but you gave him a mild concussion. Wasn't that a bit too much? Don't you feel any remorse for it?

This reporter is clearly the same kind of person as Luzko and others.

Liu Jin glanced at him and asked in a surprised tone, "Ant report?"

"Yes."

"Are you unhappy with your life, that's why you're talking incoherently?"

"what?"

Liu Jin ignored him and left with Scarlett.

Ants, a very famous Italian newspaper with extremely distinctive anti-China characteristics.

It was similar to the Republic Daily, filled with hostility and discrimination against China.

Liu Jin didn't even bother to waste words with him.

Scarlett chuckled and said, "Life's not going well?"

"Yeah, if life were good, would you ask such a brainless question?"

"Haha, that's true!"

As they were talking, a woman walked towards them.

Liu Jin quickly greeted him, "Director Dennis."

"Amos?"

Claire Dennis, now in her fifties, is also an extremely energetic director with a long creative cycle.

Liu Jin vaguely remembers that she also directed a science fiction film that she wrote and directed in 2023.

However, the reason he greeted Claire was because she had clearly supported him during a press interview yesterday.

"Director Dennis, are you free on the 3rd? Let's have dinner together."

"Forehead?"

"I'm a fan of The Gun and Zorro. I've watched those two movies countless times."

Old Gun and Zorro are early works by Claire Dennis.

However, she was only the executive director and assistant director on set.

But Liu Jin liked both works and was also very happy to know that she had directed them.

Most people would bring up her book, "Insomnia".

Yes, that film was selected as one of Cahiers du Cinéma's top ten films of the year, but to be honest, she didn't particularly like it.

Liu Jin's mention of Old Gun and Zorro indicates that he wasn't just making excuses.

"Have a meal?"

“I also invited Ozon and Chinese director Jia, you know, he’s from my hometown.”

Claire Dennis is a seasoned veteran.

After Liu Jin explained it this way, she understood the reason.

To avoid suspicion!
Use her as a shield.

But she wasn't angry; instead, she felt happy.

This at least shows that Liu Jin considered her one of his own.

Since we're all from France, we should definitely help each other out.

"Did you tell Ozon?"

"Not yet."

“Okay, tell me the time and address, and I will pass it on to Director Ozon.”

Liu Jin smiled and hugged her before turning and leaving with Scarlett.

When he met Section Chief Jia and his group, he didn't make any special effort to contact them; he simply nodded and left in a hurry.

The opening film of this year's Venice Film Festival is Spielberg's "The Terminal".

Spielberg arrived and left on the same day.

He didn't even have time to greet Liu Jin.

However, in an interview, he also expressed his support for Liu Jin.

I'm really busy. I have to keep an eye on Star Wars, and the script for "The Eye of the Beast" is also in progress.

Although the copyright hadn't been finalized, he knew Liu Jin had already agreed; the only thing that hadn't been agreed upon was the price. DreamWorks, on the other hand, wasn't keen on making the film.

Because part of their investment comes from their daily lives.

But what kind of person is Spielberg?

Since he had made the decision, he naturally wouldn't abandon it halfway, so he approached Paramount and Warner Bros. as collaborators for the film.

Fox was also interested in joining, but they made a request.

Hopefully, Spielberg will be more subtle when adapting the plot of "Everyday Life".

For example, the entire population participating in the war, and their fervor for war...

The head of Fox and his associates have many private collaborations.

After hearing this, Spielberg rejected the offer outright and instead focused his efforts on collaborating with Paramount and Warner.

In fact, MGM is the best partner for this kind of anti-war film.

Unfortunately, MGM went bankrupt because of "Windtalkers"!

Liu Jin did not take the initiative to contact Spielberg; he became busy after the opening ceremony.

With 49 films to make and writing to do, he is indeed quite busy.

During the conversation, Michelle called and, when discussing his recent situation, jokingly remarked that he was going through a very difficult time.

He was shot in July.

They attended a film festival in August, but a fight broke out.

"Amos, you'd better behave yourself. Right now, you're all over the news in France every day."

Liu Jin couldn't help but smile wryly, "I didn't want this either... If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn't have come to Venice. It would have been so much better to write quietly in Gruçon."

"Haha, you're not even thirty yet, go out more, don't act like an old man."

At your age, you're in the prime of your life. Amos, don't waste the willfulness that youth gives you..."

"what?"

"I haven't heard any rumors about you lately!"

Michelle laughed heartily on the phone.

Liu Jin scratched his head, unsure how to answer.

When I was involved in a scandal, you all said I wasn't doing my job properly.

They've stopped having scandals, and now they're nagging me every day...

So free?

His gaze then fell on Scarlett, who was sitting in the garden reading a book.

Her room also has a garden, so why does she come to my room to read?
Liu Jin muttered to himself, then turned his attention to the computer document.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 3 is still in development!
……

Two days later, Liu Jin hosted a banquet for Ren Zhonglun and Section Chief Jia at a private club called Oceano Mare.

He also invited Claire Dennis and Ozon.

Spike Lee arrived with Helen Mirren and Scarlett O'Hara.

Their whereabouts were discovered by reporters from Ant News.

That's right, it's the reporter that Liu Jin referred to as having a 'dissatisfactory life'.

His name was Mattia Alessiodo, but he is now widely known as 'the man who is unhappy with his life'.

Liu Jin's words turned him into a clown.

This infuriated him, and he became determined to cause trouble for Liu Jin.

He originally wanted to take the opportunity to get revenge on Liu Jin after seeing him meet with the World Film Crew in private.

I just didn't expect so many people to participate.

Chinese, Americans, French, British...

This looks more like a private banquet hosted by Liu Jin.

Moreover, the club's security was extremely tight, so he couldn't get in at all, let alone find out the specifics.

Helen Mirren was British.

However, her career has now largely shifted to Hollywood, so she naturally wouldn't refuse Spike's invitation.

Moreover, her two favorite works in the past two years are "The Father Trapped in Time" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame".

Chairman Ren was a little surprised.

He hadn't expected Liu Jin to invite so many people.

Despite being the chairman of Magic Shadow, he may have a lot of influence in China, but he doesn't have much of a presence abroad.

Liu Jin really made him look good!
Getting to know these people might lead to more opportunities for collaboration in the future.

Therefore, he was also very enthusiastic and moved around among the crowd.

After having a drink with Liu Jin, Section Chief Jia, blushing, hid in a corner.

Zhao Tao couldn't help but tease, "You always say you want to drink with Lao Liu, so why are you hiding here when we actually get together?"

"What do you know? Can't you see Lao Liu is busy?"

Wang Hongwei drifted up behind him in a sinister manner and suddenly interjected, "He doesn't understand!"

One sentence made Cheng Taishen and Huang Yiqun, who had come with him, burst out laughing.

"Who says I don't understand? I do, I do..."

Section Chief Jia blushed and tried to explain himself.

At this moment, Liu Jin and Ren Zhonglun walked over together.

"Old Jia, what are you doing hiding here?"

"He's hiding here because he's sullen."

"You're the one who's disgusting..."

Section Chief Jia blurted out, even using the local dialect of the Lüliang region.

Liu Jin understands Shanxi dialect... Henan and Shanxi provinces are neighbors, and some dialects in the four provinces share commonalities.

He smiled and stepped forward, putting his arm around Old Jia's shoulder.

"What the hell? We're all on the same side."

After chatting with Wang Hongwei and a few others for a while, he pulled Lao Jia and Chairman Ren aside.

"Your movie is too pretentious, full of compromises, and in the end, it has no originality at all... Old Jia, I won't mince words with you. I've asked Spike and Helen, and they don't think your movie is good."

I've also spoken to Chairman Ren, and I'll try to get you a small prize, but don't even think about the big one.

How so?

Section Chief Jia was taken aback.

He hadn't expected Liu Jin to be so decisive, leaving him somewhat at a loss.

But he received this sentiment.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Old Liu, don't bother. I know where the problem lies with this movie. How about we just let it go? I'll go back and work on it, and I'll make sure I don't make the same mistake again in the next movie. It's just that I've let Chairman Ren down..."

Upon hearing this, Chairman Ren smiled.

"What's this talk of letting someone down? With your reputation as Section Chief Jia, I'm confident that your next work will be a success."

Besides, we didn't lose money; in fact, we made quite a bit.

Liu Jin doesn't like any of Jia Zhangke's movies.

But it must be admitted that his movies are truly profitable...

It's a small investment, and it's quite well-known in Europe, so there's no worry about it not selling.

The film "The World" is already in negotiations with EuropaCorp, and it's expected to fetch a good price.

Most importantly, he understood from Ren Dong's words that Magic Shadow would continue to invest in the next film, which secretly relieved him.

You have to admit, Section Chief Jia is a smart man!
Liu Jin vaguely remembers that his next work should be "Still Life," the film about capturing a lion in Venice.

What story is it telling?
He can't remember!
The only thing that impressed him was a movie poster.

The posters of the Three Gorges scenery are so beautiful!
It completely lacks the gloomy and oppressive characteristics of Jia Zhangke's previous films...

This person isn't a bad person!

At least, he's not like 523, who is purely evil!

……

(End of this chapter)