This director lacks vision.

Chapter 321

After the awards ceremony, Jiang Yifeng and the cast of "Youth" attended the celebration dinner at Cannes.

Having won the Palme d'Or, he naturally became the focus of the banquet.

Jiang Yifeng exuded an aura of authority, behaving like the host of a banquet, moving with ease and displaying the demeanor of a powerful figure.

That's the confidence that comes from having money and connections.

As Jiang Yifeng's female companion, Yan Danchen followed in his footsteps and got to know many people.

This is actually very important.

In places like Cannes, seniority and connections are highly valued.

While Jiang Yifeng's filming contributed to Fanghua winning the Palme d'Or, Han Sanping's tireless public relations efforts were also indispensable.

Without Third Master's connections and public relations skills, even if Fanghua wanted to carry Zuo Yi's banner, she wouldn't be able to.

Nobody cares about you.

Many new directors who come to Cannes have to honestly attend special screenings or Un Certain Regard sections to gain experience.

This is also the reason for Cannes' future decline.

Besides the global shift in thought to the right and the rise of protectionism in various countries and regions, Cannes is also plagued by factionalism and seniority-based ranking within the organization.

As the circle shrinks and newcomers dwindle, it naturally stagnates.

Seeing Jiang Yifeng and Yan Danchen basking in the limelight in the crowd, Zhang Ziyi was filled with deep regret.

She spent 600 million to terminate her contract and withdraw from the second season of "Sisters Who Make Waves" to side with the Hong Kong entertainment circle, which now seems incredibly foolish.

The main problem is that Jiang Yifeng and Fengxing Media have exposed the true nature of Ip Man's character, making it difficult for viewers to connect with the series.

Gong Er's awesomeness and pretentiousness are all based on Ip Man's awesomeness.

If Ip Man's image collapses and the audience can't connect with him, then Gong Er becomes a joke.

In addition, when The Grandmaster was released, John Wick was still showing in theaters.

Therefore, after the release of The Grandmaster, the box office was only around 4000 million, a huge difference from the 2.89 million in its previous life.

It was a bloodbath.

Moreover, the film didn't receive good reviews.

Zhang Ziyi may win two more awards, but it's absolutely impossible for her to sweep all the awards like she did in her previous life, making a spectacular comeback with her status as a grandmaster.

At this time, Zhang Ziyi's reputation was much worse than it had been at the same time in her previous life.

Seeing Yan Danchen win the Best Actress award at Cannes for her role in "Youth," Zhang Ziyi couldn't help but think, "What if?"

If she hadn't withdrawn from the competition, wouldn't she have won the title of "Sisters Who Make Waves," the role of the female lead in "Youth" would have been hers, and the Cannes Best Actress award would have been hers too?

She should be the one enjoying the most glory right now!
The more Zhang Ziyi thought about it, the more she regretted it. Her expression towards Yan Danchen was one of envy, jealousy, and hatred—a very subtle mix.

She forgot that there were also media reporters at the celebration banquet.

Domestic media, especially reporters from Sohu Entertainment, know that the comparison between Zhang Ziyi and Yan Danchen is a topic of discussion.

Soon, a reporter captured the moment Zhang Ziyi looked at Yan Danchen and took a classic photo.

In the photo, Zhang Ziyi stands alone in the shadows, looking at Yan Danchen, who is bright and radiant in the middle of the banquet, with a lonely expression and complicated eyes.

The two sides are in the light and in the dark, one is glorious and the other is desolate, one is bright and charming and the other is sinister and jealous. The contrast is very obvious.

Before the banquet was even over, the reporter sent the photo back to China and edited it into a news article.

[Regretful! Zhang Ziyi handed over the Cannes Best Actress award to Yan Danchen, becoming the biggest laughing stock of this year's Cannes Film Festival!]

"I'm sure you all remember that when the second season of Sisters Who Make Waves was airing two years ago, the production team had a dispute with the production team of The Grandmaster and the Hong Kong entertainment circle because they revealed that Ip Man was a rare thing."

Zhang Ziyi is a mainland star, but she sided with the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

She spent 600 million yuan of her own money to terminate her contract and withdrew from the recording of the second season of Sisters Who Make Waves.

Zhang Ziyi thought this would cause trouble for Sisters Who Make Waves and Fengxing Media.

Unexpectedly, Sisters Who Make Waves immediately brought in Yan Danchen as a substitute.

Subsequently, Yan Danchen unexpectedly won the second season of Sisters Who Make Waves and became the female lead in Jiang Yifeng's film Youth.

Now, "Youth" has won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and Yan Danchen has won the Best Actress award at Cannes for her role as He Qingfang.

Zhang Ziyi deeply regrets her actions!
If she could do it all over again, Zhang Ziyi definitely wouldn't choose to withdraw from the competition!
But time cannot be turned back, and she still became the biggest laughingstock and clown at this year's Cannes Film Festival, secretly heartbroken at the after-party, but no one paid any attention to her.

Soon, this news became a major highlight in the series of reports on Fanghua winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes, sparking a great deal of discussion.

"So Zhang Ziyi paid a 600 million yuan termination fee to leave Sisters Who Make Waves? She really loves the Hong Kong entertainment circle so much, I'm so heartbroken!"

"It really is 600 million. It is said that Zhang Ziyi couldn't come up with that much money all at once, and Fengxing Media gave her a few days' grace."

"Hahaha, Zhang Ziyi is such a clown!"

"Great achievements always need villains. Yan Danchen also needed Zhang Ziyi's help to win the Cannes Best Actress award. Thanks to Zhang Ziyi for her natural performance as the Joker, which made this story even more legendary."

"I think the editor is wrong. Even if we could do it all over again ten thousand times, Zhang Ziyi would still side with the Hong Kong entertainment circle. She's just a dog kept by the Hong Kong entertainment circle!"

"There's so much information about Zhang Ziyi, let me give you a rundown."

……

Yan Danchen winning the Cannes Best Actress award was a huge blow to Zhang Ziyi, further damaging her image and turning her into a laughingstock. Her past scandals were dug up and brought up again.

If this situation happened to a popular celebrity like Fan Bingbing, it wouldn't be a bad thing, since Bingbing follows the path of becoming famous through controversy.

However, Zhang Ziyi is a film actress and doesn't have much national recognition or audience appeal. She rose to fame through film awards.

If an actor becomes a laughingstock or a clown, their status will never rise, and their career will be over.

Especially since Zhang Ziyi has another blockbuster movie coming out soon, called The Crossing...

While domestic audiences were mocking Zhang Ziyi, Jiang Yifeng was enjoying Yan Danchen's gratitude in Cannes.

Honors and career success are also stimulants for women.

Jiang Yifeng tasted the hottest Chang'e Fairy; her heart was burning, tense, spasming, and trembling, giving Jiang Yifeng the most extreme experience.

The celebrations went on so late that they spent an extra half-day resting in Cannes.

I finally boarded the plane back to China at 10:30 p.m. local time on the 27th.

This time, the film crew paid for a chartered plane to return to China.

On the plane, Han Sanping said, "We will land at around 3 p.m. The authorities have organized a welcoming ceremony at the airport, which will not only be broadcast live, but also interviewed by dozens of media outlets."

Everyone, please take a rest on the plane, recharge, and get ready.

Hearing Han Sanping's instructions, Jiang Yifeng smiled and said, "This time we have returned with honors. I can attend a few events, but no more."

The Pacific Rim movie is still in production.

The Palme d'Or win for "Youth" is of great significance to the Cannes Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival is the premier of the three major international film festivals, often referred to as the king of world film festivals, and the Palme d'Or is the most prestigious award.

Cheng Kaige lived off the Palme d'Or for the rest of his life.

Moreover, even though they are both award-winning films, their significance is different in the eyes of the authorities.

Take Genshin Impact and Black Wukong for example.

Genshin Impact has also been exported overseas and made a lot of money, but there is obviously more official coverage of Black Wukong.

This is because Black Wukong tells a Chinese story, while Genshin Impact is still rooted in anime and manga culture.

When "Youth" won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and the Internationale was played at the Palais des Festivals, this was true ideological export.

Just as Jiang Yifeng exaggerated the value of the award in his acceptance speech, the official authorities also felt that this was indeed the case.

The fact that a Chinese director won the Palme d'Or for a film with a budget of 100 million yuan is far more significant than that of Farewell My Concubine.

Of course, we should promote it vigorously domestically.

Moreover, this also affects the performance of many people.

Han Sanping has been running around doing public relations and smoothing over various relationships; now it's time for him to reap the rewards.

Besides him, there are also relevant departments such as optoelectronics, film bureau, and cultural affairs, all of which deserve extensive coverage.

Things have developed to the point where it's no longer a matter for Jiang Yifeng to simply say he won't publicize it.

That's why Jiang Yifeng told Han Sanping that he could spare some time to attend a few events, but not too many.

This is why Jiang Yifeng has reached such a high level of status now, and is also a big boss of a company.

If it were a typical director, they would probably be attending various events and cooperating with official promotions for the next few months.

Of course, this is an honor that many people yearn for.

Upon hearing Jiang Yifeng's request, Han Sanping shook his head with a smile and said, "You don't know how lucky you are. Participate in more activities, and you'll become an officially certified director in the future, which will bring you many benefits."

Jiang Yifeng retorted, "I'm just keeping a low profile and leaving the spotlight on you."

I'm just waiting for you to take another step forward, Mr. Han, so I can latch onto your coattails.

Besides, without official support, there would be no film like ours.

Han Sanping was born in October 1953 and will be 60 years old in a few months.

According to regulations, leaders of state-owned enterprises must retire when they reach a certain age.

Han Sanping certainly didn't want to retire. He was also lobbying to advance further and become a deputy director at the General Administration, which would allow him to delay his retirement age.

Jiang Yifeng's appearance made Han Sanping's performance even more impressive.

But it's hard to say whether there's progress, as there are too many factors involved.

Good performance is just one indicator.

Regardless, Han Sanping does need screen time right now, and Jiang Yifeng also hopes Han Sanping will improve, which would be beneficial for him.

Jiang Yifeng's public statement was also a reminder to the rest of the crew.

Abroad, because Jiang Yifeng speaks the best foreign languages ​​and is the focus of attention, he is the main subject of interviews.

But after returning home, everyone should remember to praise Han Sanping, and even more so, praise the General Administration and the authorities.

Jiang Yifeng, as the director of Youth, deserves recognition and credit.

At this time, it's still important to know how to conduct yourself.

The crew members nodded, indicating that they understood.

Han Sanping coughed, very satisfied with Jiang Yifeng's attitude; a smart person doesn't need many words to get things done.

He said, "Youth will be released in China on May 31st, and I've already arranged the screening schedule and everything."

A premiere will be held at the Great Hall of the People on May 30th, and many leaders may attend.

You absolutely must be at this premiere.

"no problem."

At 3:10 PM Beijing time on May 28, the special plane carrying the cast and crew of the film "Youth" arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport.

The authorities organized a grand welcoming ceremony, giving the Youthful Days film crew a great deal of recognition.

The movie channel of CCTV and Sohu Video will broadcast the live simultaneously.

Jiang Yifeng accepted the flowers presented by the children.

After the leader finished speaking, the interviews began on site.

The entire crew became a praise team, thanking the officials, the leaders, and Han Sanping. Everyone's awareness was very high, and the leaders were very satisfied.

On May 30th, Jiang Yifeng attended the domestic premiere of "Youth" at the Great Hall of the People.

There were more leaders present this time, and many of them were very important.

Jiang Yifeng wanted to keep a low profile, but his strength wouldn't allow it.

He was asked to speak after the movie screening.

Looking at the leaders in the front row, Jiang Yifeng subconsciously said, "My biggest takeaway from winning the award in Cannes this time is the importance of self-confidence."

Our culture is brilliant and our system is superior, but many people are still not confident enough and always feel that the grass is greener on the other side.

Comrade Han Sanping often told me that one of the missions of us filmmakers is to help everyone build confidence.

But there are some people who keep undermining our confidence.

I wanted to help everyone see the true colors of these people and strengthen their faith, which is why the film *Youth* came about.

Comrade Xiao Jiang has made a name for himself in the leaders' minds.

Jiang Yifeng's statement was given prominent publicity by the authorities.

The report, which was repeatedly covered by multiple media outlets including CCTV, has attracted significant attention and discussion.

Who exactly are the people Jiang Yifeng is referring to?
Zuo Yi's film, the Cannes Palme d'Or, leadership approval...

With all these advantages combined, domestic audiences' expectations for Youth have been extremely high.

On May 31st, Youth finally began its theatrical release in the country.

But Jiang Yifeng has become more low-key.

He threw himself into the Pacific Rim film crew and didn't participate in any film promotion.

The publicity and roadshow for "Youth" were handled by Yan Danchen and Liu Jicun.

(End of this chapter)