Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 382 Intentionally Invited
The Hundred Flowers Awards concluded on September 13.

This year's Hundred Flowers Awards can be considered Huayi's personal showcase, as well as a showcase for Feng Xiaogang's film "Assembly".

Feng Xiaogang won Best Director, Li Binbin won Best Actress, Zhang Hanyu won Best Actor, and even Deng Chao won Best Supporting Actor.

Considering Feng Xiaogang's unusual praise of the Hundred Flowers Film Festival, the industry immediately understood.

Chen Kaige naturally looked down on Feng Xiaogang and didn't think much of him at all.

Jiang Wen complained over the phone, "Feng Xiaogang is such a spineless opportunist. He's the one who criticizes the most."

Wu Chen listened and said with a faint smile, "They were selectively confronting others, and they were confronting others with a purpose. They weren't confronting others blindly or randomly."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wen paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Damn, you're quite the sarcastic one too!"

"By the way, I've sent out invitations to the premiere of 'Painted Skin' later this month. Come check it out when you have time?"

"Sure, no problem!" Jiang Wen readily agreed. "By the way, when are you going to find some time to let me take a look at my script?"

"You haven't encountered any key problems yet," Wu Chen said with a smile.

"I feel like I've gotten the short end of the stick."

Jiang Wen muttered something, but Wu Chen ignored him.

Meanwhile, in the New Pictures office, Zhang Weiping was furiously cursing incessantly:

"That Feng Xiaogang is a real scoundrel! He used to criticize Baihua Film Studio every day, but now he's praising it so enthusiastically, making our 'Curse of the Golden Flower' seem like it's caught in the middle."

After cursing for a while, Zhang Weiping slowly calmed down and turned to look at Zhang Yimou, saying:

"Old Zhang, is that settled then? I'll go and buy the adaptation rights to the Coen brothers' 'Blood Simple'?"

Zhang Yi nodded and casually asked, "Who are you planning to buy it from?"

"Jiang Zhiqiang, he has deep connections in Hollywood, so contacting him shouldn't be a big problem."

Before Zhang Yi could finish speaking, Zhang Weiping interrupted him, "There's no need to trouble Wu Chen with such a small matter. Besides, it's not like Jiang Zhiqiang can't buy it."

He didn't particularly like Zhang Yi's frequent contact with Wu Chen; the other party was too wealthy and owned a film and television company, which gave him a natural sense of crisis.

Fortunately, his relationship with Zhang Yimou remains tightly intertwined.

Time quickly passed and it was already late September.

The popularity of the domestic fantasy blockbuster "Painted Skin" is rising day by day, and netizens on various forums are already eagerly anticipating its release.

"I hope 'Painted Skin' is released soon so it can take 'The Mummy 3' down the charts quickly; that movie is just too awful!"

"I don't know what Li Lianjie was thinking, taking on a movie that ruins his public image."

Despite its poor reviews, The Mummy 3 slowly broke the 100 million yuan mark at the domestic box office. Although it is quite difficult to go any further, it has left many people feeling frustrated.

The release date for "Painted Skin" is September 26, and the premiere is scheduled for the 23rd.

That afternoon, Liu Yifei was still browsing through her outfits in the dressing room, unable to make a decision.

Wu Chen leaned against the doorframe and watched Liu Yifei pick and choose, and couldn't help but laugh: "What's there to choose? It's not like it's a movie you starred in."

"You don't understand, and I have to support Changchang, don't I?"

Liu Yifei turned her head and smiled at Wu Chen.

“Okay, I’ll help you pick one,” Wu Chen pointed to a set hanging on the wall. “You’ll look great in that light blue long dress, paired with silver stilettos, and that pearl gray knitted cardigan.”

"Hmph, I won't listen!"

"Trust me, your own combinations might not be as good as my choices."

"Oh dear, are you questioning my aesthetic sense?" Liu Yifei put her hands on her hips, immediately puffing out her cheeks in anger. Fortunately, the phone rang at that moment.

Shu Chang called.

"Sissi, I'm going first. We need to see if you're almost done yet."

"Almost there, we're leaving right away," Liu Yifei replied instantly.

After hanging up with Shu Chang, Zhang Liangying called again. She was a performer at today's premiere. Liu Yifei replied again, word for word:

"Almost there, let's set off immediately!"

Wu Chen looked at him strangely. He hadn't even changed his clothes yet, and he still had the nerve to say they should leave immediately?

"Don't laugh. Get out of here. You're bothering me, that's why I'm so slow." Liu Yifei couldn't stand his teasing expression and pushed Wu Chen out.

After a long while, the door slowly opened. Liu Yifei's figure appeared even more slender in a light blue long dress paired with silver stilettos. A pearl gray knitted cardigan draped over her shoulders added a touch of gentleness and also perfectly shielded her from the slight chill of autumn.

That's right, it's the same set he chose.

Liu Yifei stood at the door, seemingly casually smoothing her sideburns, and said stubbornly:
"Let me tell you, this isn't just what you said; I carefully selected it myself and felt that this combination was the most suitable."

Wu Chen appeared serious on the surface, but was secretly overjoyed.

This girl is so adorably arrogant and charmingly naive.

As evening fell, the red carpet at the Sanlitun Star Cinema was glittering with stars.

"Why is 'Painted Skin' having its premiere at this new cinema? What's the connection?"

"Nonsense! Didn't you see it's a theater chain under Wu Chen's company? 'Painted Skin' was even produced by them!"

"."

Many viewers looked up and recognized the cinema.

On the red carpet, Lu Yang, along with lead actors Huang Xiaoming, Zhou Xun, Yuan Quan, and Shu Chang, stood at the entrance to warmly welcome the arriving guests.

Pang Hong, Xiang Zhuo, and others were inside the hall.

Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun arrived early.

Tian Zhuangzhuang walked the red carpet to support his student, while the other teachers from the Beijing Film Academy's directing department entered discreetly from the other side.

Jiang Wenze led Zhou Yun down the red carpet, eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

However, when Zhang Yimou appeared, the atmosphere at the scene immediately reached its climax, with the media's flashbulbs flashing incessantly. After all, this was his first public appearance at a film event since directing the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

When the next person arrived, Huang Xiaoming was slightly taken aback, only to see Zhou Xun greet him with a bright smile, as if she were seeing her best friend.

"Binbin, thank you for making the special trip to support us!"

"This is no trouble at all. I wish the movie great box office success!" Li Binbin said cheerfully.

Huang Xiaoming's expression became even stranger upon hearing this.

He knew that after Li Binbin won the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actress, she was practically the undisputed number one actress. With the addition of "The Forbidden Kingdom" and Wang Zhonglei's strong support, she had completely overshadowed Zhou Xun.

Zhou Xun glanced at him and bluntly said, "Don't look around like that, I invited them."

Huang Xiaoming chuckled awkwardly, "You two have such a good relationship."

"Hehe!" Zhou Xun was too lazy to pay attention to Huang Xiaoming; this guy was just pretending to be ignorant when he knew the truth.

Of course, she deliberately invited Li Binbin over. What does it matter if she's the top actress or not? My movie "The Equation of Love and Death" was released last week, and the word-of-mouth is amazing, and the box office is also quite good.

In addition, there's the blockbuster film "Painted Skin".
She had to show Li Binbin what it truly meant to achieve both critical and commercial success.

At this moment, Li Binbin walked up the steps with a smile.

She knew exactly what Zhou Xun was planning, but she also came on purpose.

In a post-Hundred Flowers Awards interview, she made it clear that she wanted to compete for the Oscars. In China, only Wu Chen of Starry Night Pictures has the ability to do so.

If she could become acquainted with Zhou Xun, it would be a good opportunity; otherwise, she wouldn't be so bored as to accept Zhou Xun's invitation.

When Wu Chen and Liu Yifei arrived, it was already completely dark, and the venue was brightly lit.

"Director Wu, Xixi, you two are a little late. Most of the guests have already arrived," Zhou Xun replied with a smile.

Before Wu Chen could say anything, Liu Yifei chuckled and said, "Sister Zhou Xun, Sister Yuan Quan, your dresses are so beautiful!"

Zhou Xun quickly looked down and immediately smiled brightly, "No, you're still prettier, Qianqian!"

Yuan Quan smiled broadly and immediately replied.

"That's enough. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were participating in a beauty pageant." Wu Chen chuckled and couldn't help but tease him.

Immediately, Lu Yang, Huang Xiaoming, Shu Chang, and the others standing nearby couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Liu Yifei gave a light, reproachful look: "You're so annoying!"

"Director Wu, what's wrong with praising us a couple of times?"

A chuckle rippled through the crowd.

(End of this chapter)