I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

"Yes, it's this movie. Su Chang gave up on it, but unexpectedly, Zhang Ziyi snatched it away. Now everyone online is mocking Su Chang for being ungrateful," Li Heiniu said.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Sheng's lips curled up slightly, thinking to himself: Don't know what's good for them? When the movie is released, these people will probably lose their guard.

It's only because Spielberg is so famous that the audience thinks Su Chang's refusal is ungrateful, foolish, and stupid.

But this movie will prove these people wrong.

You should know that this movie was likely to be driven away by Chinese audiences.

As for why they boycotted the movie.

The reason is simple: domestic audiences cannot accept that three A-list actresses, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, and Yang Ziqiong, would disregard their personal integrity for the sake of pay and actually play ordinary Chinese women and prostitutes, willingly degrading themselves and becoming the laughingstock of the world.

Around 2006, almost every day viewers wrote complaints to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, resolutely resisting the screening of such subject matter in mainland China.

Due to pressure from various public opinions, "Memoirs of a Geisha" was not released in China.

At the same time, this film, which adapts the local culture of the small country, has also been met with a barrage of criticism in the small country itself.

Because she played a geisha from the Kingdom of Little Japan, Zhang Ziyi, as the lead actress, faced a lot of public pressure.

Many Chinese people criticized her because of her role, and she was not well received in China either, so Zhang Ziyi faced a lot of pressure.

This is a film that is neither popular nor controversial.

If Su Chang were to star in the series, the fame she had built up from "The Great Tang Dynasty" would likely be ruined.

This is also why Cheng Sheng strongly advised Su Chang not to accept the film.

Now that Zhang Ziyi has taken on this film, it seems like she's won.

But when the movie was released overseas, it became clear how wise Su Chang was to refuse it.

"This is what I suggested Su Chang refuse."

Cheng Sheng said calmly.

"what?"

Li Heiniu and Da Tiantian were both taken aback and almost lost their composure.

The two thought Su Chang had gotten too big for his britches, daring to refuse even a big director like Spielberg, but they never expected it was Cheng Sheng who suggested it.

But why would he do this?
Does Cheng Sheng not want Su Chang to go to Hollywood, or does he have some private affair with Su Chang and want to use this to tie Su Chang down?

Seeing their shocked expressions, Cheng Sheng smiled and didn't explain further, because they would know the reason after "Memoirs of a Geisha" was released.

"Alright, the live stream has started."

Cheng Sheng glanced at the computer screen; the countdown had just ended.

Da da da!
First, a piece of music started playing.

Then the judges appeared on stage to receive applause from the audience.

Next, jury president Dante Ferretti took the stage and went through the film festival's procedures.

The awards ceremony only truly began after he stepped off the stage.

The award presented was the Outstanding Technical Contribution Award, presided over by the host.

The award goes to William's "Ordinary Lovers".

Neither the current Cheng Sheng nor the Cheng Sheng of my memory has ever seen or heard of this movie. It seems that this movie is a niche film and has never been released in mainland China.

After the technical awards, it's time for the Best New Actor/Actress award.

That is, the best newcomer.

I've never heard of the award winner, Cheng Sheng. He probably won't be very famous in the future, or he may have retired from the entertainment industry.

"Director Cheng, you deserve the best screenplay."

Li Heiniu shouted nervously.

"Uh-huh."

Sweetie's little face was filled with nervousness and anticipation. Cheng Sheng's "Buried Alive" was one of the selected works.

He's sure to win the award.

An overseas award presenter came on stage, opened a letter, and then looked at the guests below with a smile, saying, "My God, I really don't know how to describe my feelings right now, because the winner is someone I greatly admire, and I've also read another one of his works..."

The foreigner was clearly a chatterbox; he talked on and on, driving everyone in the audience and those watching the live stream to their wits' end.

In front of the camera, the foreigner spoke for three minutes before finally finishing. Then, amidst everyone's anticipation, he said, "Let's congratulate him. The winner is Cheng, the Chinese director I admire most. Congratulations."

Cheng.

As soon as the word was uttered, everyone in the audience turned to look at the crew of "Buried Alive".

Where is Cheng Ren?
Those present didn't say they saw Cheng Sheng, but because of the movie "The Great Tang Dynasty," they all looked at Cheng Sheng's photos. However, it seems that the "Buried Alive" crew didn't have Cheng Sheng.

Ning was overjoyed to hear that Cheng Sheng had won an award. She stood up happily, hugged Li Naiwen tightly, then gave Wang Zhi a light hug before letting go.

Under the lights, Ning Hao walked onto the award stage.

"Huh, why isn't it Cheng Sheng?"

Mainland viewers watching the live broadcast were thrilled to hear that Cheng Sheng had won the award, as it brought glory to China.

Last year, Cheng Sheng swept the Venice Film Festival with "The Great Tang Dynasty," winning three major awards: Best Newcomer, two Best Actor awards, and Best Film.

Although he didn't have any works this year, he wrote a play for Ning Hao, and unexpectedly, it was also nominated.

Helping others counts as a win, right?

That's for sure.

Those watching the live stream in China applauded enthusiastically, but to their surprise, it wasn't Cheng Sheng who went on stage to receive the award, but Ning Hao.

Cheng Sheng did not go to the Venice Film Festival!
In an instant, all the domestic viewers understood.

Unexpectedly!

Cheng Sheng doesn't even go to such a big film festival.

If this were any other screenwriter, director, or actor in China, they would probably crawl to the Venice Film Festival.

Cheng Sheng, on the other hand, had the chance to win an award but didn't go.

Wouldn't this be too disrespectful to the Venice Film Festival?
"Ahhh... Cheng Sheng, you won an award!"

When Cheng Sheng won the award, Da Tiantian seemed even happier than him. She shouted like crazy, then hugged Cheng Sheng tightly, jumping for joy.

Cheng Sheng felt a soft touch on his shoulder, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Alright, alright, everyone sit down."

Cheng Sheng pushed Da Tiantian away and pressed her down on the sofa to stop her from doing anything reckless.

Da Tiantian pouted in dissatisfaction. People were happy for him, and he treated her like this. It was really awful.

"Congratulations, Director," Li Heiniu said happily.

Cheng Sheng smiled slightly, his gaze fixed on the computer screen.

At this moment, Ning Hao is explaining to everyone why Cheng Sheng didn't come.

The guests in the audience were understanding when they heard that Cheng Sheng was busy with his new film.

While attending film festivals is important, it's not so important if you're busy with a new film.

After explaining why Cheng Sheng was absent, Ning Hao began to deliver a speech on Cheng Sheng's behalf.

The acceptance speeches were unremarkable, mostly similar to others, except that Ning Hao delivered them in Chinese this time, which made viewers in China feel more favorably toward her.

Inside the female dormitory at Beijing Film Academy.

Zhang Xiaofei, Yang Mi, Jiao Junyan, and Yuan Shanshan were also watching the live stream.

When they saw Cheng Sheng win Best Screenplay, the four women clapped their hands excitedly. (End of Chapter)