Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 144 Accidentally Entering the Imperial Family! Only Shock!
Near Jimen Bridge in Beijing.

A secluded alleyway.

A shy man, whose eyes were uneven due to long hours of photography work and who was even considered somewhat unattractive, was straining incessantly in the car.

After swaying for a while, the man suddenly let out a long sigh.

"I've been in the industry for 25 years now, what haven't I seen? But I've never seen anything like this in the last two years. To be honest, this is the first time I've felt that the entertainment industry is so scary."

I initially thought it was just a battle for box office revenue, a battle for control of the narrative, or even a battle for prestige.

Now I see it: these young people went there to run someone over.
It's purely about taking people's lives! For us directors, emotional issues, box office issues, awards issues, none of these matters, because the entire Chinese film industry, no matter where you go, is still our own circle.

But once certain lines are pointed out, the problems become much bigger.

Last year, Ang Wang left Hollywood, Jia Zhangke went underground, and now Wang Zuoyou has been made so miserable by Cao Zhong and a newcomer. If he had any backbone, he might have retired from acting altogether.

That's too ruthless!

After a while, the vehicle finally stopped shaking.

The man sighed softly at the woman in front of him.
"If it weren't for that little thing between you and my wife that kept me from ignoring Cao Zhong, I feel like he would be coming for my movie now."

It’s so scary.”

After a long time, a crack appeared in the car window, and the man lit a cigarette and sighed softly.

"A director as big as you is afraid of Director Cao?"

The woman lifted her clothes and asked curiously.

"Of course I'm not afraid, but it's hard to refute what Cao Zhong did. Jingchu, you tell me, what else can we make in art films if we don't deal with special eras, special policies, or moral struggles?"

Zhang Jingchu frowned and remained silent for a moment.

After a moment, she said, "Didn't Director Cao say that a film like 'Getting Home' isn't considered an art film? Besides, it was nominated for Best Feature Film at the Golden Horse Awards last year, and it was also nominated for the Hong Kong Film Awards these past few days. If it weren't considered an art film, it wouldn't have been nominated for both of the two major domestic awards, would it?"

Gu Changwei suddenly froze, unsure how to respond.

He wanted to refute it, but found that he had no point to refute at all.

Cao Zhong's triple structure is indeed not applicable to "Returning to One's Roots".

However, Gu Changwei felt he had lost face and said awkwardly:
"When I was filming 'Peacock,' the script seemed pretty good, so I didn't think too much about it."

"But Jingchu, why are you supporting Cao Zhong now? That movie gave you some fame, and now you're looking down on him?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingchu felt a chill in her heart, a disgruntled smile playing on her lips.

"Because of that movie, I was blacklisted by the wives and girlfriends. Why don't you mention that?"

However, Zhang Jingchu didn't dare to say these words out loud. She actually looked down on Gu Changwei. In the past two days, the movie "Li Chun" was also released. The box office on the first day exceeded one million. Although the occupancy rate was very high, her scenes were completely cut by Gu Changwei.

Gu dared not go against Jiang Wenli's attitude.

Even though he deleted his own scenes and didn't even attend the premiere, this guy is under pressure and wants to find me to have fun and relieve that pressure.

Shameless old man!

If it weren't for gratitude towards Gu Changwei for making her famous in the previous ten years,

She would never repay a small kindness with a great one.

On the bus, the old man was both shocked and frightened by the news that Shen Ao had crushed Wang Zuoyou, but he refused to admit that there was anything wrong with his film.

Zhang Jingchu found it quite funny.

But then Zhang Jingchu thought of the Olympic bid, Cao Zhong, and the movie's box office soaring in late March and April.

My heart trembled.

She thought of the rumors she had vaguely heard before.

There was a bit of a commotion between Shen Ao and Mu Zimei back then.

Zhang Jingchu's eyes lit up.

"Why would someone want to date an old man when there are young people available?"

Cao Zhong's side looks aggressive, so she doesn't dare to make a move. But the Olympic bid isn't out of the question.
……

At Xu Zheng's home.

Looking at his wife Tao Hong, who had just returned from the set of Zheng Xiaolong's "Spring Grass,"

Xu Zheng's expression was gloomy and uncertain.
He held in his hand the new script "Lost in the City," which he, Liu Yiwei, and the screenwriters they had found, including Tian Yusheng and Yang Qing, had already written. His eyes were hazy.

For the past twenty days, Xu Zheng has been following the Olympic bid and various key creative personnel to promote the event. At first, he was very excited and thrilled.

Later on, Xu Zheng felt somewhat resentful.

Although he was the lead actor and his popularity soared in the film, Shen Ao, the director, stole his thunder online.

Xu Zheng knew in his heart that Cao Zhong had given him the opportunity to become a director.

But "My Disqualified Daughter" did so well!
It was so good that Xu Zheng was speechless and couldn't believe it!

After 21 days in theaters, the box office has already exceeded 240 million yuan!
It's not just about displaying status!

It propelled the Olympic bid to new heights!
It completely crushed many films, including "10,000 BC", "In Love We Trust", "Springtime", "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon", "The Children of Huang Shi", and "Taken".

Shen Ao surpassed Chen Kaige directly because of this movie.

In terms of box office, he sat at the same table as Cao Zhong, Zhang Yimou, and Feng Xiaogang!

How could Xu Zheng not be envious?
Shen Ao was directing a film independently for the first time, and Cao Zhong had strictly distinguished between the main and secondary roles in this film, rather than co-directing it. Xu Zheng was naturally more concerned about the uneven distribution of resources than the lack of talent.

He's also a director! He put in just as much effort!
He didn't dare to show his emotions in public, but at home, he could finally let his feelings out properly.

“Actually, I’ve been trying to find an opportunity to hand this script to Director Cao these past few days.” Xu Zheng looked at his wife with mixed feelings. “But I’m busy on one hand and afraid on the other. I’m worried that Director Cao won’t let me direct it independently, since the copyright of this script was purchased by Director Cao.”

Secondly, I'm worried. I can see that this film about the Olympic bid is a pledge of loyalty; he'll completely sever ties with the art world afterward.

Wang Xiaoshuai and Jia Zhangke are both well-known figures in the art world.

If Xu Zheng sided with Cao Zhong because of "Ailing," it was ultimately because of his status as a revolutionary figure, and he had no personal motives.

After choosing sides this time, Xu Zheng knew there was no turning back.

"You're just overthinking things."

Tao Hong thought for a moment and then spoke.

"You're from the Shanghai Theatre Academy. In Shanghai, besides Wang Jiawei, there aren't many art directors. And since you're in comedy, you wouldn't really have any connection with these people. Artistically speaking, you didn't win a single mainstream male lead award in the past few years. What's there to worry about?"

As for the director's choice, since Director Cao initially said that he would let you write the script, I don't think he would let Shen Ao take away your power.

If you can establish a firm foothold in the team this time, you will not only be a core member of Director Cao's team in the early stages, but you will also be able to utilize the resources of Shanghai Film Studio. This will definitely be a good thing for you.

Even if you only make a movie that costs tens of millions, you'll still be considered famous.

These past two years have been difficult for you to transform and seek a breakthrough.

Right now, the more you think, the more you lose.

"Coach Cao was able to train someone like Shen Ou, so why can't he carry you, Xu Zheng?"

Xu Zheng seemed to be deep in thought upon hearing what Tao Hong said.

Xu Zheng quickly figured it out and made a phone call to Cao Zhong.

"Director Cao, regarding the movie I mentioned to you before, the script has been sent to your email. Please review it."

"it is good."

Cao Zhong was overjoyed upon hearing this.
"I'll take a good look."

Upon opening his email and seeing the words "Lost in the City," Cao Zhong thought to himself, "I'm all set."

……

On April 21, 2008, filming for "We Live in Nanjing" officially wrapped up.

"Crack!"

As Cao Zhong shouted out his last word to the crew.

The entire crew erupted in cheers.

At the finals banquet.

Photographer Lü Le was overjoyed and wept.

"Director Cao, I left in a huff because of a disagreement with Wu Baige during the filming of 'Red Cliff'."

But I never expected that this would become the opportunity for me to collaborate with Director Cao!
I believe this collaboration with Director Cao will be a life-changing one for me.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Lü Le's eyes reddened and her lips trembled.

"Zhang Yimou, Gu Changwei, Yan Hao, Chen Chong, John Woo... I've worked with almost all the big directors in this industry, and I've also won and received awards for cinematography at film festivals in Asia and Europe."

But Director Cao, in the past six months of working with you, I have nothing but admiration for you!
"Wow! Among Chinese directors, you're the only one who dares to dabble in science fiction films!"

Lü Le picked up a glass of white wine and drank it all in one gulp.

He was so emotional that he even started speaking in Tianjin dialect.

"I'm a photographer, and I've also thought about directing films. I used to think that anyone could be a director."

But now my thinking has changed, especially regarding this movie.

I dare say this is a film that will change the landscape of Chinese cinema, transform the Chinese film industry system, and crush us so-called fifth generation filmmakers and those unworthy sixth generation filmmakers into dust.

I'm not talking about art films; I'm only talking about films by great directors like "Hero," "The Banquet," and "The Promise." Compared to our film, none of them are worthy of ours!
Thank you, Director Cao! It's an honor to be the cinematographer for this film!

Seeing this, Dante Lam chimed in, "Brother Lu is right, Director Cao. It's an honor for me to be the assistant director on this film!"

Immediately afterwards, he downed a glass of baijiu straight down his throat!

Lu Yang quickly followed.

Jing Tian looked at Cao Zhong, his expression blank, only one of shock!

The box office success of "My Disqualified Daughter" had already left her speechless with shock.

After filming "We Live in Nanjing" for so long...
During the filming, she not only saw radio experts from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China come to the crew for training and guidance, but also saw instructors from China National Nuclear Corporation. In addition, several special effects artists stayed with the crew, meeting with Cao Zhongyao to discuss scenes and settings at any time.

When has Jing Tian ever seen a movie made like this?
Seeing Lü Le burst into tears, Lin Chaoxian's face turned red, and Lu Yang stood up and kept pouring wine.

Jing Tian was somewhat numb.

At this moment, how could she not realize that she had mistakenly entered the imperial palace!
I wonder what great good deeds they did in their past life to be able to make two movies like this in a row!
All of this was given to her by her senior brother.

Looking at Cao Zhong, Jing Tian suddenly felt a surge of impulse, but he forcefully restrained himself.

The wrap party ended.

Jing Tian asked Cao Zhong to take her back.

On the way,

Jing Tian stepped forward and suddenly kissed Cao Zhong on the lips!
She stood on her tiptoes and pressed down hard on Cao Zhong's head, as if she wanted to shove her whole body into his mouth.

(End of this chapter)