The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 125 A Huge Victory (44)
"Factory manager, I'd like to make a comedy to clear my head. It's about the Spring Festival travel rush; I actually had an idea for it before."

Shen Shandeng, knowing when to stop, offered an idea.

This project doesn't require investment from China Film Group, but since it's starting a separate venture within the Du Gong universe, I still need to let you know.

Han Sanping was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what was happening, his expression shifting from astonishment to disbelief.

"You, Shen Shandeng! You're at it again! When you came to China Film Group to raise investment, you promised 100 million for 'Brotherhood of Blades,' but it turned out to be 10 million for 'The Eunuch'! So you had a backup plan after 'The Eunuch,' huh?"

They've ambushed this old comrade again!
Is this good? No, this is not good!

Shen Shandeng chuckled.

Inside the Beijing Film Academy campus, the plane tree leaves have all fallen, and the gnarled branches point towards the gray-white winter sky.

The meeting room in the directing department was warm and cozy, filled with an almost obsequious enthusiasm.

Department Head Tian Lili, beaming with pride, was engaged in a lively discussion with several professors and the visiting Marco Müller.

It was as if the international friend who stood up to pour wine for Shen Shandeng at yesterday's dinner party, looking embarrassed, had never existed.

"Marco and I have been friends since the 1980s!"

Tian Lili waved her arms proudly, saying, "Back then, Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige were still young. When Marco came to the Beijing Film Academy, I accompanied him! What did Marco admire most? It was his insistence on the purity of art! Just like my works!"

He selectively forgot Mark Müller's cold gaze and distant attitude towards him yesterday.

Foreign friends don't understand Chinese social customs, so it's normal for them to have a bit of a temper.

Several professors around him echoed their admiration, as if listening to an art prophet preach.

Marco Müller smiled and nodded slightly, enjoying the long-awaited, pressure-free praise.

He donned that "artistic robe" once more, transforming back into the Venice director who wielded international artistic power.

The lunch party further heightened this atmosphere.

Professor Huang, who has several disciples of the sixth generation of directors, went to great lengths to praise Marco Müller while subtly criticizing Shen Shandeng.

“Mr. Muller, Shen Shandeng is just an isolated case. He treats film purely as a business, and even as a weapon to suppress dissent!”

"Most of us Chinese filmmakers still have an international perspective and a critical awareness! For example, my students, Jia Zhangke and Wang Xiaoshuai, both have a deep respect for art and have received rigorous formal education. They are definitely not like Shen Shandeng, a self-taught madman who thinks he knows everyone else!"

“I’ve been watching your work closely. The directing department produces excellent students.” Marco Müller was overjoyed and nodded slightly, always mentioning “art.”

The confidence that had been completely shattered by Shen Shandeng has been regained!
He got it!
As long as he doesn't clash head-on with Shen Shandeng, who is as imposing as a mountain, he can keep winning big!
Tian Lili suddenly said, "However, to be fair, Shen Shandeng isn't entirely hopeless. He still has some passion for filmmaking."

As Tian Lili got more and more excited, she didn't notice that Marco Müller's smile froze slightly.

Tian Lili tried to bring up the "Dark Surge" project that had piqued his curiosity, wanting to discuss it in comparison with "Creating Sins".

"For example, I think his new idea is very good."

“Tian!” Marco Müller suddenly spoke, interrupting him.

Marco Müller quickly changed the subject: "Director Shen, he has a strong artistic talent. It's just that his way of expressing it is more direct."

He knew full well that walls have ears and that these artsy types couldn't keep things to themselves.

This praise is both a disguised attempt to curry favor with Shen Shandeng's power.

It's also a way of elevating one's own status. Being able to manage and even guide such an unruly genius only makes Marco Müller seem even more impressive, doesn't it?
He then used his imagination, omitting all taboo topics from the West, and vividly described how he used his high emotional intelligence to resolve the conflict between Shen Shandeng and the stakeholders of "The Creation of Sin".

He stated that they were currently engaged in difficult negotiations, striving to facilitate an artistic dialogue between Shen Shandeng and Paperclip, hoping to resolve the issue "through art." Professor Huang was greatly displeased upon hearing this: "Is it necessary to be so polite with a brat like Shen Shandeng?"

Seeing this, Tian Lili quickly corrected her earlier slip of the tongue and began to praise Mark Müller: "Professor Huang, you don't understand! Mr. Müller has the demeanor of a master!"

"Look at the three top artistic directors in Europe, what high-ranking officials are they? What level are they equivalent to? They don't even bring any entourage, how simple they are! Can we compare? We definitely can't!"

Marco Müller looked at these "leading figures" in the Chinese film industry, who could argue endlessly over a single word, a past grudge, or even who had slept with which female students, like a disorganized mess.

That smug, condescending smile reappeared on his face.

That's it, that's the feeling.

This is the field he is familiar with and good at; these are the Chinese filmmakers he remembers as easy to manipulate.

Under the same sky.

Inside a quiet, stylish coffee shop in BJ.

Charperick's assistant, Smith, is organizing a small gathering of media professionals on behalf of his boss, who is a drunkard and depressed man.

An editor surnamed Hu, along with several other media professionals known in the industry for their "profound" and "independent" views, were chatting and exchanging pleasantries with Smith.

These people, drawing on their own knowledge, actively offered advice and suggestions to Smith.

"His success was accidental, a brief victory of populist sentiment, lacking genuine artistic value and cultural depth," a newspaper editor said, adjusting his glasses.

Another person added, "We need to guide public opinion and prevent the 'simplistic and crude' values ​​he represents from becoming mainstream. Films should carry more social criticism and reflection on human nature."

Smith's assistant nodded repeatedly as he listened to these insightful opinions.

came back!
It feels like everything is back!
That familiar feeling of strategizing and indirectly controlling the situation by influencing key figures has returned!
As long as they avoid Shen Shandeng, that unpredictable monster, they can win in these areas no matter how they play.

One win a day!
Three wins in three days!

Win every day!

Win however you want!
When Smith heard that Shen Shandeng was about to be interviewed by Chai Jing on "Face to Face," he immediately suggested, "Can we exert some influence? We can't let him be too relaxed or too proud during the interview."

Someone immediately patted their chest and assured them, "Don't worry, we can talk to Chai Jing. Leave it to us, we'll make sure she says something 'real'."

Smith smiled with satisfaction.

11 month 29 day.

Friday.

The CCTV program "Face to Face" studio.

The lights are focused, creating an invisible tension in the air.

Shen Shandeng sat on a single sofa, relaxed and even a little leisurely.

opposite.

The host, Chai Jing, has her signature expression, which is slightly compassionate and inquisitive.

While asking the questions, he looked at Shen Shandeng with a calm and professional gaze, like an experienced hunter scrutinizing the interviewee before him.

(End of this chapter)