The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 141 It's not easy being a dog!
Ma Youde scribbled notes rapidly.

Keywords were recorded in the notebook.

Old money, Mayflower, blue blood, subverting perceptions, and packaging universal values.
Marco Müller observed Ma Youde's shock, a glint of solitude flashing in his eyes.

This is a deep world.

Sometimes, seeing these things isn't a good thing.

The roles of hunter and prey can change at any time.

Marco Müller resumed his somewhat ingratiating expression and continued, "Charperic thoroughly enjoys the feeling of influencing, shaping, and even manipulating others behind the scenes through culture and ideas."

“He believes this is the ‘responsibility’ and tradition of elites like them. You know, their ancestors colonized with guns and trade, while they colonized with culture and ideas. Essentially, it’s a more covert form of colonization.”

As Ma Youde continued writing, his heart was already churning with emotion.

The boss's insight was indeed profound; this kind of enemy is a hundred times more troublesome than a mere business rival.

The world of film is much deeper than I imagined.

"And what about Smith?"

Ma Youde abruptly changed the subject, as if it were just a casual question.

Finally, they got the information he wanted most.

"Smith?"

Marco Müller curled his lip, his tone much more relaxed, even carrying a hint of condescending pity: "Him? Compared to Charperic, he's just an ordinary laborer."

"He comes from a working-class family and relied on loans to finish college. He's probably still worried about paying off that huge student loan."

At this point, Müller couldn't help but feel a little proud.

"To be honest, in this respect, Italy's welfare system is much better than that of the United States. At least our young people don't have to carry a lifetime of debt for a little tuition."

Ma Youde closed his notebook, his face expressionless, and simply nodded slightly.

Working-class families burdened with huge student loans.
Each word was like a piece of a puzzle, gradually sketching out a clear image in his mind.

A person who is overwhelmed by reality and is eager to find a way to move up in society.

A person completely different from old-money aristocrats like Chalperic.

Someone who might be won over by the boss.

Having learned of Smith's background, Ma Youde did not rush to reveal his intentions.

Ma Youde said with a smile, "Old Ma, you did a great job. The boss will know about your cooperation. You look listless, what's wrong? Didn't you have fun?"

Ma Youde inquired about Marco Müller's situation.

Marco Müller shook his head, half-jokingly and half-sadly saying, "In the end, I'm just an artist, a film festival organizer."

"Now that I'm caught between two giants, to be honest, sometimes I really wish I had never taken that call from the Americans."

Seeing that Ma Youde was not impatient, Marco Müller boldly continued to pour out his grievances: "I know that Director Shen and you think highly of me and have given me dignity and opportunities."

"But Big Beauty's methods have always been brutal. The Perrick family is deeply rooted, and someone like Smith is willing to go to any lengths for his future."

"And me? I just want to run my film festival peacefully. Right now, all I want is to go home. I still have my mother to take care of! I still have my children!"

Marco Müller covered his face and pleaded for sympathy.

Ma Youde wore an expression of understanding and sympathy on his face, but inwardly he sneered.

That old fox, he's even resorting to crying and playing the victim now.

Ma Youde showed no sympathy whatsoever; they weren't friends.

“We understand your difficulties. The boss often says, ‘We welcome friends with good wine.’ You are our friend, and we certainly wouldn’t stand by and watch our friend suffer.”

Ma Youde then changed the subject, his tone becoming more candid: "Actually, it's not difficult to get out of our current predicament. The key is to let them know that some things aren't as they wish to be."

"We need to teach them to talk to us as equals."

Muller perked up and quickly sat up straight, asking, "What do you mean?"

Instead of mentioning Smith directly, Ma Youde steered the conversation toward paperclips.

"The boss has no personal grudge against the director of Paperclip. But some principles must be made clear. If the director of Paperclip wants to have this conversation, there are two prerequisites."

He held up two fingers, leaving no room for argument.

"First, we clearly proclaim 'Dialogue between Masters: From Costume Blockbusters to Historical Blockbusters.' Paperclip is a master in the field of art films, while our Director Shen is undoubtedly a master in the field of commercial films."

"This point must be made clear in all publicity materials. The theme of the dialogue must also revolve around the two paths of period epics represented by 'The Hidden Dragon and the Hidden Tiger' and 'The Eunuch.'"

"Paperclip must publicly and thoroughly acknowledge the success of 'Du Gong' and admit that the path of 'Chinese skin and Western bones' that he once led has come to an end."

"second."

Ma Youde's voice deepened: "Director Paperclip must issue a public and sincere apology for making a film like 'The Sin,' which seriously hurts our national feelings. This is the basis for any dialogue."

Ma Youde looked intently at Mark Müller: "If you can get these two prerequisites met, not only will your current predicament be resolved, but you will also truly become a trustworthy partner for us."

Ma Youde's real intention was to get Marco Müller and his backers to increase their investment.

The deeper one gets, the more likely one is to be exposed and thus vulnerable to attack.

Ma Youde was prepared for Marco Müller to haggle, and his second demand was so severe that he practically wanted to nail Paperclip to the pillar of shame.

However, to Ma Youde's surprise...

Marco Müller remained silent for only a few seconds, a hint of relief even flashing across his face, before nodding emphatically.

"No problem, these two requests are very reasonable."

Ma Youde was somewhat taken aback, almost doubting that he had misheard.

Do you agree?
"You must be the mentor and old friend who helped Paperclip rise to fame?"

Mark Müller said sadly, "We were indeed good friends."

"And you?" Ma Youde asked.

Mark Muller stated firmly, "But we are better friends."

Ma Youde thought to himself, "Wow, this guy's social skills are impressive."

Marco Müller said, "If I may be so bold, Paperclip's success is inseparable from Venice and the support of our Western film festival system."

"He enjoyed the glory, but he also had to bear the corresponding price."

"In the field of art, friendship is precious, but it is even more important to recognize one's own position and value."

Ma Youde was dumbfounded. Cultured people are different; even betrayal is described in such a refined and elegant way.

Marco Müller spoke with a heavy tone, but his words were as if he were dealing with an ordinary object: "Director Shen represents an unstoppable new force and future, while Paperclip is more like an interesting but somewhat outdated toy."

At this point, Marco Müller lowered his voice: "If this is handled well, everyone will benefit."

Ma Youde couldn't help but ask, "Oh? What do you mean?"

Marco Müller seemed to be back in the days when he was handling the Venice Film Festival: "We can do this in two steps, or rather, in two versions." "To Smith's side, we will only make the first request. We will emphasize that this is a 'positive signal' that Director Shen is willing to have a dialogue, emphasize the equal framework of 'masters to masters,' and only discuss the narrative of the period epic film itself."

"This meets their expectations. It makes them feel that although Director Shen is tough, he is still playing the game 'within the rules' and still has expectations for the Western values ​​of 'artistic dialogue'. They will be happy to promote it."

"In private, I will personally communicate with Paperclip as an old friend."

Muller's lips curled into a sly smile: "I will tell him that the Americans are aggressive and Shen Shandeng is taking a hard line, but I will do my best to help him find an occasion where he can showcase his artistic talent and even provide some kind of 'artistic defense' for 'The Creation'."

“I will create the illusion for him that this dialogue is his chance to save face and prove the purity of his art again. As the moderator, I will ‘proactively’ broaden the scope of the dialogue.”

"The discussion will not be limited to genre films, but will even try to steer the conversation toward more abstract areas such as 'artistic freedom' and 'unrestricted creation'."

"Based on my understanding of him, he appears weak on the surface, but he has a ruthless streak deep down."

“In that case,” Muller spread his hands and made an Italian gesture, “the Paperclip itself broke the pre-agreed agenda and took the initiative to provoke us.”

"So, no matter how sharp or even humiliating Director Shen's rebuttal to Paperclip may be in the eyes of onlookers, it is Paperclip's own fault and Director Shen's passive counterattack."

"Director Shen upheld his own position, dealt a blow to his opponents, and occupied the moral and rational high ground."

"Paperclip will only lose even more miserably, but it can't blame anyone else; it even has to thank me for my 'help'."

“I’m the one who feels wronged. He ruined such a great event for Chinese-speaking people that we worked so hard to make happen.”

Are you still feeling wronged?

A chill ran down Ma Youde's spine. Wasn't this the same kind of operation that happened in "The Sin"?

If it weren't for the boss's "The Eunuch" dominating the scene.
Ma Youde exclaimed in amazement: "Old Ma, you truly deserve to be the artistic director who has been in charge of the Venice Film Festival for many years!"

Marco Müller gave him a knowing look: "It's just a little professional skill. In the end, it still comes down to serving Director Shen's strategic goals. It's my honor to share Director Shen's burdens."

Ma Youde picked up his teacup, using the act of drinking tea to mask the shock in his heart.

He once again deeply appreciated his boss's brilliance.

Without even needing to show his face, simply by releasing an intention, he could make a shrewd person like Marco Müller not only obediently offer his allegiance but also proactively contribute such a ruthless and comprehensive plan, even taking pride in it.

Although it's a tool shaped by Western narratives, the boss was able to use it after some manipulation.

"it is good!"

Ma Youde put down his teacup: "We'll do it your way. If you need any cooperation, just contact me anytime. I'll give the boss a full report of your plan and sincerity."

Upon hearing this, Marco Müller smiled genuinely; all he wanted now was to get out of this predicament.

"Please rest assured, Director Shen, I will definitely handle it perfectly and will never let you down."

"Is this still possible?"

Shen Shandeng was stunned after hearing Ma Youde's report.

It's not that being a master is difficult, it's that being a dog is difficult!
He thought he would put in a lot of effort when he pedaled, but he didn't expect that he was still being conservative.

When it comes to using dogs outside, they really go all out!
If the value decreases even slightly, there is a risk of being slaughtered and eaten.

Ma Youde said excitedly, "Boss, Smith is an ordinary person burdened with student loans and yearning for upward mobility. We can definitely make a move on him. And there's Charperick, who's also in a state of mental depression right now. We can find a way to get him too."

"Look, you're in a hurry."

Seeing Ma Youde's excessive excitement, Shen Shandeng shook his head and said, "Charperic is not that simple. We may be able to make contact later, but not now. Smith can't rush things either. He has already taken Marco Müller, so Smith can wait."

Once Ma Youde calmed down, he talked about more details, especially Marco Müller's "you can't write two horses in one stroke" and that "you understand" expression.

Shen Shandeng nodded: "It's like that in Italy. Among Westerners, only Italians have the idea of ​​'taking a loss to make a friend.' Indeed, their level of civilization is higher than that of other Western races."

After listening to Ma Youde's report, Shen Shandeng stroked his chin.

Marco Müller wasn't exactly obedient either.

However, he didn't really want to be a puppet who followed him blindly, because that would make him ineffective in combat.

The next day.

12 month 6 day.

Shen Shandeng went home after get off work.

The premiere of "The Warlords" at the Olympic Sports Center is being broadcast on television.

The stars shone brightly, the red carpet was dazzling, and the media's flashbulbs almost lit up the night sky.

CCTV Movie Channel, Beijing Arts Channel and other mainstream media simultaneously broadcast the event, while six online media outlets, including Sina, provided live coverage.

It was said that there were 300 media outlets and 800 reporters covering the event, taking the scale of the event to the extreme.

Yang Mi curled up on the sofa, watching the three superstars Li Lianjie, Liu Dehua, and Takeshi Kaneshiro on the same stage on TV, with the audience filled with well-known artists from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong. She couldn't help but sigh.

"This is quite an impressive spectacle. You know, even when our 'The Eunuch' broke records, we didn't have a premiere of this scale, did we? Aren't you envious?"

Shen Shandeng was looking down at documents about domestic film post-production companies. Without looking up, he said calmly, "Doing your own job well is the most important thing. If the film doesn't work, everything else is zero."

Da Mimi glanced at him, and seeing that he really didn't care, she didn't say anything more and continued to watch the show.

Shen Shandeng shifted his gaze from the documents to the television screen.

It was like this in the previous life.

Even though "The Warlords" has a dark and oppressive core, a long narrative, terrible logic, and doesn't even have the brotherhood that is common in Hong Kong films.

However, thanks to China Film Group's strong administrative resources and distribution channels, they managed to push the box office to 200 million yuan.

This figure was undoubtedly a shot in the arm at the time, but it also left behind a distorted result.

Chen Kexin and his colleagues became even more convinced of the correctness of the "borrowing a chicken to lay eggs" model.

Because they did indeed gain something, and a lot of it.

The co-production model, in which Hong Kong and Taiwan directors and actors hold an absolute dominant position, has continued and even become more entrenched.

Capital and resources continue to flow to them, as if only they know how to make "blockbusters".

Those within the industry probably know that this is a result of China Film Group's strength.

But at the public level, and in the broader market perception, it is the success of the "Hong Kong big-name director + superstar" model.

They used their own hard-earned resources to enrich others, further consolidating others' right to speak and squeezing out the space for local creators.

Unlike in his previous life, Han Sanping would no longer use a large amount of administrative resources to protect "The Warlords".

Shen Shandeng was very curious about how much real money "The Warlords" could actually earn at the box office without the support of China Film Group.
The Lunar New Year film season is fast approaching.

While Shen Shandeng focused on the film, a piece of news spread rapidly.

Like a storm!

At first, no one believed it, but after inquiring further, they were all shocked!

Rumors have been circulating that Shen Shandeng will have a "master dialogue" with Paperclip at the Beijing Film Academy.

Everyone was in an uproar!

(End of this chapter)