I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

Chapter 331 Reaction
Cheng Sheng opened the door and asked the two men with a puzzled look, "Did you need something?"

"Boss, we wanted to ask if there are any activities today! If not, I'd like to stroll around the island with Xiaofei," Jiao Junyan said.

"You're free these next few days, so feel free to do whatever you want. But be careful, and don't go to any deserted places."

Cheng Sheng thought for a moment and then said.

The next few days will be the film screening period, until the film festival begins.

However, he still gave the two a word of advice, since it's not as safe abroad as it is in China.

If a crisis occurs, they won't even be able to find anyone to call for help.

The film then ran for nearly two weeks.

As word spread among audiences and the film gained popularity, more and more people came to the cinema to watch movies.

The 800 seats were all filled, and every show was sold out.

It ranked first in the festival's program ratings, something that has never happened before for Chinese-language films.

When this news reached China, it caused a huge sensation. Although the movie was not released in China, domestic audiences were very interested in it.

If you were to ask who in China would be happiest about Cheng Shengxin's film winning an award, it would undoubtedly be the Xijiang government.

It's important to know that this film promotes the soldiers of Xijiang, which is a great way to promote Xijiang to people all over the world.

Haven't you noticed that in the past few days, all those bigwigs in Kyoto have been calling Xijiang to inquire about some of Xijiang's policies and the deeds of Xijiang's soldiers, intending to use this to promote their work on CCTV?

The Nishi-jiang government was overjoyed. Being praised by the Kyoto bigwigs meant they had achieved a political accomplishment and could advance further in the future.

Cheng Sheng gave the Xijiang government such a great gift, so of course the Xijiang government had to reciprocate. To this end, the Xijiang government specially approved a sum of money for Cheng Sheng's hometown for rural construction.

As Cheng Sheng's alma mater, the Central Academy of Drama immediately began promoting his new film after learning that it had been shortlisted for the main competition.

This once again makes the Central Academy of Drama the most prestigious film and television school in China.

This almost broke the Beijing Film Academy's defenses. They had been doing this for several years in a row, and for several years they had not been able to recruit any good students.

If this continues, the Beijing Film Academy will be crushed and unable to stand up.

In response, the leaders of Beijing Film Academy went directly to the Central Academy of Drama to cause trouble, demanding that the Central Academy of Drama stop its 'boring' propaganda.

This led to another standoff between the two schools. If higher-ups hadn't arrived, the teachers from both schools would probably have started fighting again.

China Film Group.

"It's a real pity that China Film Group didn't invest in this film, otherwise it would have been a great publicity opportunity for us."

Looking at the newspaper in his hand, which described what happened to Cheng Sheng in Venice, Third Master Han said with a hint of disappointment.

But he also understood that "Ten Red Army Soldiers Sent Off" was a film specifically commissioned by the Xijiang government to Cheng Sheng, and even if China Film Group wanted to invest, the Xijiang government would not agree.

“Cheng Sheng is very good at making movies. An old friend of mine in Venice told me that Cheng Sheng might win a big prize this time.”

Lu Zheng, sitting opposite Han Sanye, sighed.

The Venice Film Festival awards are generally for Best Director, Special Jury Prize, and Best Film. Whichever award Cheng Sheng wins, it will be an honor for him.

"Haha, I think this Venice Film Festival is going to be very interesting," Han Sanye said with a smile, taking a sip of tea.

"Oh, what's your explanation?" Lu Zheng asked curiously.

"Didn't you see the films nominated this time? Besides Cheng Sheng's 'Ten Red Army Soldiers,' there are two other Chinese-language films nominated as well. It'll be a battle between the two sides then," said Master Han leisurely.

He had a feeling that this year's Venice Film Festival would be a year in which Chinese-language films would shine.

"I really didn't care. What are the names of the other two movies?" Lu Zheng immediately became curious.

"One is called 'Crazy Stone,' directed by Ning Hao, who works for Cheng Sheng Film and Television Company. The other is called 'Still Life,' directed by Jia Zhangke," said Master Han.

"I know 'Crazy Stone,' and last year his film 'Buried Alive' won the Best Actor Award at the Venice Film Festival, Jia Zhangke..."

When the road administration officer mentioned the Chia-Chang section, his brows furrowed.

He knew this person well; he was good at making movies, but his actions were questionable.

Chia Chang-ko's lens usually focuses on ordinary people at the bottom of society, forming the most authentic background of China.

Just like the film "Xiao Wu" made in 98, Jia Zhangke took "Xiao Wu" to the Berlin Film Festival without passing the censorship.

Although "Xiao Wu" won eight awards, including the Wolfgang Stoddard Prize at the 48th Berlin International Film Festival, it did not obtain the "Dragon Seal" (a special film license) for public screening in China.

In the past few years, he directed "Platform" and "Unknown Pleasures" under the guise of an "underground worker," but neither of them obtained a public screening license.

In 04, the same year Cheng Sheng made his first film, "The Great Tang Dynasty," Jia Zhangke finally resumed his role as a director.

"Mr. Han, did Jia Zhangke's 'Still Life' fail to pass censorship in China before being submitted to the Venice Film Festival?"

Knowing that Chia-chang had a criminal record, the road administration cautiously asked.

Master Han nodded with a wry smile. He had already investigated the matter when Chia-Chang Film was shortlisted for the main competition at the Venice Film Festival.

Although such people make very good movies, rules are still rules. If everyone did this, how could Chinese-language films develop?

"What an interesting person."

Lu Zheng said with a smile.

……

The person whom the road administration considered interesting was sitting with Cheng Sheng at that moment.

"Congratulations, Director Jia, you can finally relax now that the film's distribution rights have been sold."

Cheng Sheng said to Jia Zhangke with a smile.

Jia Zhangke raised his glass and said gratefully, "I have to thank Director Cheng for this. If you hadn't introduced me to those film companies and helped me get such a high price, 'Still Life' wouldn't have been sold so quickly."

“It’s a pity. I feel you sold it too early. If you had waited until ‘Still Life’ won the award before selling it, the price could have increased several times over,” Cheng Sheng sighed.

(End of this chapter)