Huayu Entertainment: Tianxian really wants to improve

Chapter 281 Liu Yifei's New Project

"Things are different now!"

Looking at the crowd of people sitting there, Gu Bei felt quite emotional.

There weren't enough media and film critics at Cannes last year.

He and producer Joe initially wanted to let moviegoers in to fill the seats, but they eventually managed to fill them up thanks to the combined efforts of Chinese film companies.

But when it came to Venice this year...
Inside the largest cinema in Venice, the film festival's Palais des Festivals.
All 1032 seats were completely occupied!
Seeing that most of the red carpet walkers had finished, Gu Bei patted Leonardo on the shoulder: "Let's go, it's our turn!"

Afterwards, the two left the Palais des Festivals and walked the little red carpet again.

"Leonardo, and... director Bruce, what a coincidence!"

At the end of the red carpet, Gu Bei saw a very typical Jewish female celebrity who was warmly greeting him and Leonardo.

"It really is a coincidence!"

Gu Bei glanced at Natalie Portman,
He gave a slightly awkward but polite smile.

coincidence?

If they hadn't spotted Natalie walking the red carpet while they were upstairs at the Palais des Festivals, they might have actually believed her.

But now it seems... this coincidence was clearly man-made!
For this little girl from "Léon: The Professional" back then...

Gu Bei still has a bit of a classic movie filter about him.
However, a character is a character, and an actor is an actor.
Gu Bei knew very well that Natalie was not the Mathilda from the movie, but facing Natalie in person still made him feel a little like his illusions had been shattered.

Under the media's lens, Gu Bei said politely, "Natalie, thank you for attending the artists' opening ceremony."

“I’ve been looking forward to the release of this film ever since the film festival opened, and I’m sure you and Leonardo’s pairing will be a hit.”

Natalie smiled and extended an invitation, "My short film, which I will be directing tomorrow, will be the opening film of the short film section."

Director Bruce, if you have time, you can come and watch it. I really need some guidance right now!

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't have time."

Gu Bei said decisively.

Natalie came to attend the artists' opening ceremony, and given Gu Bei's personality, he certainly wouldn't refuse to support her request to direct a short film.

However, due to Natalie's deliberate coincidence, Gu Bei hesitated to agree to her request.

After all, for a big star like Natalie to use this trick, it must be more than just for a short film; the real idea behind it is the real iceberg.

Most importantly, Gu Bei and Liu Yifei do indeed have something going on.

"That's such a shame!"

Natalie showed a hint of regret, along with a touch of surprise in her eyes.

She hadn't expected Gu Bei to reject her so decisively, especially in such a public setting like the end of the red carpet, which meant she never had a chance to implement her later plans.

It is said that he also starred in a musical film after being named an artist.

It is still told from the female protagonist's perspective.
It is well known that members of the Academy have always had a preference for musicals.

The group entered the cinema.

After a while,
The movie starts playing.

To the accompaniment of a retro soundtrack,

Leonardo DiCaprio appeared on the movie screen sporting a mustache and a short, slicked-back hairstyle that was very popular at the time.

It immediately gave all the film critics and audience members present a visual shock!
Is this still Leonardo?

This question accompanied everyone throughout the entire movie.
At the end of the film, Leonardo finally utters the film's only line, "Extremely happy," and then the film pulls back, slowly rising in speed to reveal a very typical film set from that era.

Finally, the end credits began to appear slowly.

"Snapped!"

The cinema palace lights came back on.
Marco Müller, the president of the Venice Film Festival, was the first to stand up and start clapping, taking on the role of the clapping leader.

This is also a tradition of film festivals around the world.

Even for films that don't qualify for a premiere at the Palais des Festivals, there are festival-hired clappers who, like Marco Müller, will be the first to stand up and applaud.

According to the rules agreed upon by everyone,
Whenever someone claps, others will join in to encourage the film's crew.

As the oldest and most prestigious film festival in the world, Venice has maintained this tradition remarkably well.

"Welcome our young director Bruce, who has brought us this wonderful film!" Marco Müller introduced Gu Bei while clapping.

Gu Bei clapped as he walked onto the stage, smiling and gesturing to the audience.

"And then there's our leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio, who almost completely shattered all my preconceived notions about him, showing me a world-class superstar who transitioned from silent films to sound films!"

"And our leading lady..."

"And photographers..."

"besides……"

Marco Müller, that old man, is still in pretty good spirits.

They can introduce the artists and crew members participating in the press conference while clapping their hands continuously.

This is the power of practice!
Gu Bei watched from the sidelines with considerable admiration.

As they were introduced one by one, each person had to look around and smile so that the reporters present could take photos. After one round, more than ten minutes had passed.

This is why films at film festivals often receive press releases with applause lasting over ten minutes.

Actually, it was only a short time after the end credits were finished.
The facts are indeed the facts.
But it's really just a tradition of film festivals.

This is why people often leave early from film festival screenings.

They simply didn't want to stay and clap along with the clapping instructor for a few minutes.
Good movies are worth watching, but aren't bad movies just pure torture?

The applause session, which lasted for more than ten minutes, ended.
Gu Bei and the others took their seats on the stage.
Waiting for questions from film critics and reporters in the audience.

The first question is naturally directed at Gu Bei.
After all, film festivals are the directors' home turf, and even superstars like Leonardo DiCaprio have to take a backseat.

"Bruce, this is really a very good movie."

But I have a question: isn't this story a little too simple for the audience? Did you do that intentionally?

Gu Bei took the microphone: "Thank you for your praise, and thank you for noticing this."

The reason I made this silent film is because those silent films from Hollywood's golden age accompanied me through a difficult period.

That was when I first came to North America to study. My English was not good, and I didn't have many friends at school. I could only stay in my room and watch movies by myself.

However, my English level is so low that I can't even understand movies with subtitles; only silent movies can make up for this.

Therefore, I wrote the story as simply as possible.
This also takes into account that the general public no longer has the habit of watching silent films.
I wanted to express the film's message through the simplest of stories.

Gu Bei would say a sentence, and the translator would translate it into Italian and relay it to all parts of the cinema palace.

After hearing Gu Bei's story, although some film critics still believe that a good story doesn't need to be understood by everyone on the first viewing,

But having experienced Gu Bei firsthand, I am even more able to empathize with his choice.

"Leonardo..."

The press conference lasted for a long time.
Film critics and journalists were still eager for more.

This year's Venice Film Festival was absolutely terrible.

After holding back for a long time, they finally found a good movie to discuss, so naturally they wanted to ask more questions.

Unfortunately, the reception following the opening ceremony was about to begin, and Gu Bei and Leonardo still had to go and help with the film sales!
the next day.

Gu Bei and Liu Yifei were sitting in a restaurant.

Although this restaurant is not located on the main island of Venice, it is considered one of the must-visit restaurants at the Venice Film Festival due to its frequent visits by film festival stars.

In particular, this restaurant is located on the banks of the Piave River, where the river ripples in the breeze, reflecting the ever-changing clouds in the sky.

This pastoral scenery is quite different from the bustling atmosphere of the film festival.

"Gu Bei, this squid ink pasta is delicious, you can have the rest!"

Liu Yifei pushed the half-bowl of squid ink noodles towards Gu Bei, blinking her big eyes innocently.

Gu Bei's lips twitched slightly.

Are you sure it's not because you ordered too much and couldn't finish it?
See through, don’t tell,
Gu Bei took a bite and his eyes lit up: "The combination of squid ink and the sweetness of seafood, along with the wheat flavor of the pasta, creates a very rich taste experience. No wonder it is Venice's number one specialty food!"

I told you it was delicious!

Liu Yifei rested her chin on her hand and looked at Gu Bei, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Gu Bei nodded.

Then I noticed that there was still a little bit of squid ink on the corner of her mouth, and I reached out to wipe it off for her.

But after raising his hand halfway...
On a whim, he leaned over and took a bite, rolling the squid ink from Liu Yifei's lips into his mouth.

"what!"

Liu Yifei's face immediately turned red.

She looked around to make sure no customers were paying attention to them.
She then slapped Gu Bei's thigh and said coquettishly, "What are you doing!"

"You have a little bit of squid ink on you."

Gu Bei tasted the squid ink on its own; that slightly salty and astringent flavor, like seawater, was really not that great without the balance of seafood and pasta.

Gu Bei's slight frown earned him another playful punch from Liu Yifei: "You're starting to complain now!"

After a pause, Liu Yifei looked at the menu and asked, "What do you think about me getting another gelato? Wouldn't that be too much of a calorie intake?"

Are you sure this is a question?

Why didn't I hear a hint of doubt in my voice?

"point!"

Gu Bei said without hesitation, "Gelato itself is low in fat. Unlike American ice cream, which is fluffy and heavy, the slow-churning process makes the ice cream less calorie-rich."

You have absolutely nothing to worry about!

Gu Bei's words resonated with Liu Yifei.

Her eyes lit up immediately: "Then I'll go order one. When Star Fortune starts filming, don't blame me for being too fat!"

After Liu Yifei finished speaking, she didn't hesitate any longer, got up and skipped off to have some extra food.

After a while,
Gu Bei noticed a baby-faced man walking into the restaurant; he was the guest she had invited today.

So he stood up and waved: "Darren, over here!"

This is Darren Aronofsky, the director of the movie Wrestler.
It can be said that Gu Bei is his biggest competitor in this year's Venice Film Festival.

"Bruce, congratulations! I heard the sales for your opening ceremony reception went very well," Darren said to Gu Bei with a slightly bitter expression, though anyone could tell he wasn't being sincere.

The movie "The Wrestler" had a troubled history.
Darren is not only the director of this film, but also its investor, and is under pressure to recoup his investment.

What angered him most was that Wild Bunch, the only other investor in the film, was only willing to distribute the film overseas and not in North America.

After all, overseas distribution only requires selling the copyright.

North American distribution requires substantial investment in marketing and promotion.
If it's poorly managed, the movie will lose money twice.

One investment loss, one issuance loss.

"That's all thanks to Leonardo."
Although he only had one line in this movie, his face alone was enough!

Gu Bei shrugged and teased Leonardo.

"I've seen your film 'The Artist,' it was absolutely fantastic!"

Darren praised Gu Bei earnestly, saying, "It's my second favorite film at the festival. I saw the cycle of art in different forms, and the conflict between the individual and the times is fascinating!"

"Thank you, Darren!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Gu Bei steered the conversation to the main topic, "Did you read the script I sent you last night? Do you have any thoughts on the project about the father trapped in time?"

Are you sure Anthony Hopkins is interested in this project?

"This movie was written for him!"

Gu Bei said seriously.

He was very grateful for Anthony's cameo appearance back then.

Although looking back now, Anthony's addition may not have increased the benefits for Whiplash much, the most important thing is that Gu Bei won the Palme d'Or.

But that's not how it works.

Anthony joined Gu Bei when Gu Bei had nothing.
This has greatly boosted the morale and attention of the Whiplash drummers, which are all intangible benefits!

So he chose this film, "The Father Trapped in Time," which is the film that won Anthony his second Oscar for Best Actor. He wanted to see if he could help Anthony win his second golden statuette ahead of time.

And the film about a father trapped in time
The original director wrote the stage play version in 2012, and in 2020 he personally directed the film adaptation, with Anthony joining the project almost without receiving any salary.

Instead of seeking out the original author, Gu Bei set his sights on Darren.

Darren's unique audiovisual language

It can push the subjective experience of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease to its extreme.
Darren's frequent use of surreal techniques makes the "time dilemma" of Alzheimer's disease even more shocking!

The key is,

Gu Bei also set his sights on another project that Darren had in mind.
That is "Black Swan," which already has a basic script.
Of course, this movie is still called "Stuntman," but in the entertainment treasury, it is already in the state of being created or being created.

The Black Swan project was an art film project prepared for Liu Yifei.

(End of this chapter)