Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 159: Cannes, the Money-Eating

As one of the most influential film festivals in the world, Cannes' opening ceremony red carpet is star-studded and attracts attention from global media.

As one of the 19 films shortlisted for the main competition unit of this year's Cannes, the crew of "Get Out" naturally had no shortage of spotlights when they walked on the red carpet of the opening ceremony.

Only compared to the cast of "Babel" starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, and "Marie Antoinette" director Sofia Coppola and star Kirsten Dunst.

The biggest shortcoming of Wu Chen's crew is that the leading actor is not famous at all.

Walking on the red carpet, the host could only briefly introduce the two leading actors, but when introducing Wu Chen, he was able to say a few more words.

What was quite coincidental was that Wu Chen met Johnnie To again.

The last time the two met was in Sitges.

"The most popular director in mainland China today!" Louis Koo and Simon Yam followed Johnnie To and walked towards Wu Chen.

"Well, the last time I met him was in Spain. We should get to know each other better. Maybe we can work together in the future."

Johnnie To whispered to the two of them, then extended his hand:
"Director Wu, this is truly fate."

Johnnie To still felt a little emotional.

It was only 2004 when he was in Sitges. At that time, Wu Chen was just a newcomer in the B-category film festival. Unexpectedly, he later won the Best Director Award in Berlin and now stands on the stage of Cannes.

"Long time no see. When will Director Du's "Harmony Is the Most Valuable" be screened?" Wu Chen couldn't help but ask.

"The 21st is the day after Director Wu's film premieres." Johnnie To nodded. "Director Wu is welcome to come and watch the movie."

Wu Chen smiled and nodded.

If he remembered correctly, "Peace is the Most Important Thing" was still about the trivial things in the Hong Kong underworld.

Hong Kong films seem to have been in a slump since "Infernal Affairs". No matter how they are filmed, the structure seems to be the same, focusing on that small piece of land and unable to break out of the barriers.

Of course, this may also be related to Hong Kong’s geographical location. It is still too small and too limited.

The next day, Wu Chen had nothing to do.

"Get Out" was scheduled for the 20th, which was close in time and not convenient for strolling around nearby cities, so Wu Chen simply took advantage of the film festival to watch a few more movies.

Among the films screened on the first day was Lou Ye's "Summer Palace".

Sensitive subject matter and era, nudity and dialogue.
Wu Chen just shook his head.

It's not a technical problem at all, it's a plot problem.

"Director Wu, how was it?" Lou Ye asked expectantly as Wu Chen was leaving.

The media's applause just now was the same as usual. This is Cannes' respect for the film. No matter how bad it is, at this moment, Cannes will not boo.

"Director Lou, honestly, if your film were to be released in a different era and you deleted some of the nudity, it would have passed the censorship."

Hearing this, Lou Ye shook his head: "Only in this age of surging dreams and passionate excitement can there be such youth and love. I can't shoot such a thing in other times."

When these words were spoken, Wu Chen was stunned.

Good man, no wonder you have half the credit for underground movies!
However, the heroine Hao Lei seemed to agree with Lou Ye's words and gave her affirmation.

"To be honest, I didn't understand his movies. Sometimes your Chinese movies express too profound things, but the heroine's role is quite good." Jason Blum followed Wu Chen and laughed.

"Just remember those nude scenes." Wu Chen said speechlessly.

"Of course, this is Cannes, you can even see more explicit films here," Jason Blum shrugged.

After watching the movie in the evening, the two were not interested in watching anything else and had to prepare for the premiere tomorrow morning.

At this moment, a yacht slowly approached the shore.

Several people Wu Chen was more familiar with got off the yacht.

Feng Xiaogang, also wearing sunglasses, came down with Wang Zhonglei, followed by Zhou Xun and Daniel Wu. Wu Chen glanced at the sunset, which had already saturated the entire sky with a rosy glow.

Damn, you are just pretending to be a fool. The sun has already set and you are still wearing sunglasses.

Zhou Xun glanced over at a distance and whispered to Feng Xiaogang and Wang Zhonglei, "Boss Wang, Director Feng, that person up ahead looks like Director Wu Chen."

Feng Xiaogang, who was talking to Wang Zhonglei about the bright prospects of "The Banquet" in Cannes, was stunned when he heard the words. He gently pulled his sunglasses down a little, and his eyes fixed.

Damn, it’s really that annoying Wu Chen.

I don’t know if Huayi specifically called on the media to pick them up for landing, but the media on both sides gathered very quickly.

The two groups shook hands warmly for this.

"Director Wu is really everywhere. I can meet him everywhere." Feng Xiaogang shook hands with Wu Chen happily.

"Isn't this the Cannes Film Festival giving me face? Or is it Director Feng's 'The Banquet' being so well-known? I even saw an introduction to 'The Banquet' in the festival's professional publications."

When Feng Xiaogang and Wang Zhonglei heard this, they inexplicably felt a little relieved.

Damn, they spent four million on advertising and this is the effect.

"No, no, Director Wu must come to the promotion meeting of "Night Banquet". We warmly welcome you." Wang Zhonglei seemed to feel Wu Chen's kindness and immediately invited him strongly.

"I heard Director Wu's masterpiece premieres tomorrow?" Feng Xiaogang said, fittingly. "Then we must go and see it!"

"Director Wu, hello, I'm Zhou Xun. Can we exchange contact information?"

"Director Wu, hello, Daniel Wu!"

"Okay!" Wu Chen chuckled and nodded.

After Wu Chen turned around and left, Feng Xiaogang and Wang Zhonglei led the team to deal with the media from China, and left after saying, "The rough cut of "Night Banquet" has been completed. I am very satisfied with the result, which is basically consistent with the idea in the script stage."

When passing by the Cannes Film Palace, the few of them suddenly found a huge sign pointing to the location where "Get Out" would premiere tomorrow, the Debussy Cinema in the Film Palace.

Then there was a huge poster not far away, which was the poster of "Get Out", fluttering in the wind.

It can be said that it is difficult for passers-by not to see it.

"I feel like this kind of publicity has a better effect." Zhou Xun muttered softly.

Zhang Ziyi walked over at this time and followed the group's gaze. "These are road signs and large posters, promotional materials only available for participating films."

The corners of Feng Xiaogang and Wang Zhonglei's mouths twitched silently.

It turns out that after spending four million, no one participated in the competition and the publicity was as strong as before.

Arriving at the Film Palace, Zhang Ziyi took out two more brochures. "One is an introduction to the competition films, and the other is a film publication. The promotion for 'The Banquet' is in this one."

Feng Xiaogang took another look. The introduction on the main competition unit brochure was quite detailed, even including the director's life story. Among them, Wu Chen's profile was on the left column of the movie "Get Out".

Let’s take a look at the promotional material for the movie “The Banquet” in the publication. It’s two pages long, and one of them is a movie poster. Fortunately, the publication isn’t thick.

Damn, Cannes is really a waste of money.

Wang Zhonglei and Feng Xiaogang were already cursing in their hearts.

I feel a little sad about spending these four million.

On the 20th, the third day of the opening of Cannes, at ten o'clock in the morning.

Wong Kar-wai took the jury to the Debussy Cinema.

At this time, a red carpet unique to Cannes is placed between the cinema and the entrance of the Film Palace. This is also the treatment that every film in the main competition unit can enjoy.

The films in the main competition unit are the objects of the film producers' official websites and bets, and are also the objects of media reviews. There is no shortage of people coming to watch the premieres.
After Wu Chen briefly introduced the leading actors, he glanced around and saw that the jury led by Wong Kar-wai was sitting in the middle row, while Feng Xiaogang, Zhou Xun and Daniel Wu were sitting quietly in the back row.

The overall audience seemed to have a lot more black people than other film premieres.
(End of this chapter)