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

Chapter 37 Jing Tian's Judgment, Filming Begins for "Nanjing Photo Studio"

Many people are getting anxious.

Very uneasy.

For example, in the art department, many people's research projects, research grants, and research papers are closely related to Ozu.

They were panicked.

But these people, for some reason, dare not step into the fray.

It's so awkward.

……

Jing Tian also saw Cao Zhong's speech.

"Uncle Lu, what do you think of the online opinions?"

Jing Tian took Cao Zhong's brilliant writings and handed them to Lu Zheng.

"That arrogant kid, if he doesn't die, he'll definitely have a place in the entertainment industry."

The road administration gave its assessment of Cao Zhong.

"Undying?" Jing Tian was somewhat surprised. "To have reached this level?"

"He is now a thorn in the side of many people. It is only because of the country that he was protected, and Han Sanpin protected him."

The road administration scoffed.

“When people become arrogant, they will be punished by Heaven. He must be careful.”

"He was the one who took two million from me last time."

Jing Tian said, "It seems that my opinion is the same as Uncle Lu's. Senior Brother Cao Zhong is indeed a very talented person."

The road administration was taken aback.

"This kid?"

Two million is too little. Last time he saw Jing Tian was very eager, and he heard that Ning Hao played a role in connecting them, so he didn't ask any questions.

Only now do I realize that it was Cao Zhong, who caused such a stir online.

“It’s him, Uncle Lu. Isn’t my senior brother very talented?” Jing Tian raised his little face, showing off his discerning eye.

"He's dead."

Lu Zhengdao said, "I misspoke earlier. Now look at this kid, he messed with the wrong person, he's doomed."

Jing Tian: Huh?

……

Cao Zhong's response to Mao Yushi also quickly went viral online.

However, very few people dared to oppose Cao Zhong's article.

Online supporters, however, began to increase rapidly.

"I've been online for so many years and seen a lot of news, but as a celebrity, there's no one who dares to talk about this so clearly! I'll remember director Cao Zhong; he's someone who really studies history in order to make movies!"

"Now I truly believe it; he was genuinely heartbroken over the name of Ozu, the art department instructor!"

"We should trust the enthusiasm of young contemporary directors. 'Nanjing Photo Studio,' right? I'll remember that."

"Although I don't like this young man's nationalism, I have to admit that this is the first time I've come into close contact with what he's written."

"After reading Cao Zhong's article, I no longer agree with the view that art and character are not linked. Back then, every single Japanese person was an inhuman aggressor."

"Support. No further explanation needed."

From the day Cao Zhong published his article, his supporters began a period of rapid growth.

There has always been online debate about this kind of incident.

It's just that the volume isn't very high.

Cao Zhong rose to prominence by becoming a film director and leveraging the popularity of celebrities like Huang Xiaoming and Xu Zheng. He then launched a scathing attack on a project launch ceremony and subsequently published a powerful article criticizing Mao.

He stepped forward and became a symbol of support for Cao Zhong's faction.

He solidified the beliefs of his supporters and became their idol.

They became the absolute backbone of the anti-Japanese front.

At this moment of unprecedented unity within the pink-clad faction, the pink school needed a leader with the authority to speak out. Cao Zhong, being young, talented, capable of making films, and possessing a large following, was conveniently chosen and became the leader to launch this offensive. Meanwhile, the opponents, through interviews with figures like Jia Zhangke and Su Mu, and further attacks from Mao Yushi and his ilk, began to muddy the waters.

Instead of discussing the events themselves, they launched a massive verbal attack on Cao Zhong, focusing on the film's historical significance, the relationship between his artistic integrity and his personal character, and Cao Zhong's assertion that "Tokyo Story" embodies subservience within a Western narrative.

This resulted in a fierce battle with both sides alternating victories.

During this time,
Wang Renjun and Qi Jiuzhou strictly adhered to Cao Zhong's one central principle and two basic points. No matter how much they argued, they always brought up the topic of Nanjing DTS itself, and then used this as an opportunity to promote the name of "Nanjing Photo Studio".

This has led to the gradual dismantling and deconstruction of Cao Zhong's statements in terms of his status in film history, artistic integrity, and Western narrative discourse, with his supporters being defeated one by one.

Large sums of money have also begun to attract some big names to get involved, hoping to completely bury the matter.

And gradually, attacks were launched against Cao Zhong himself.

They claim that Cao Zhong deliberately made extreme remarks and used extreme narratives in order to promote the film.

Under the guise of "attracting investment," no one took action, and the blurred lines between those who pursued their goals and those who were patriots were abruptly exposed.

Moreover, because Cao Zhong's previous articles were too aggressive, the ambiguous boundaries between the two sides were completely broken.

People gradually formed two basic principles.

Anyone who stands in Cao Zhong's shoes and angrily criticizes Ozu Yasujiro for not apologizing is a comrade.

Those who take the opposing perspective, talk around the bush, and circle around the central argument are rare.

Many veils of warmth and compassion have been lifted, revealing the bloody truth.

People suddenly realized.

There are so many rare things.

Those labeled as "rare" were desperate to shed this title; they were frantic, terrified, anxious, and angry.

Therefore, Cao Zhong was subjected to even fiercer attacks.

A war has begun.

Among those who attacked Cao Zhong, there were none from art schools.

This was somewhat unexpected for Cao Zhong.

"Quite smart."

Seeing that his colleagues had not yet joined the competition, Cao Zhong chuckled softly.

Many people in the art world are spineless.

Cao Zhong's speech did not attack them by emphasizing their pursuit of Western discourse power, and it did not provoke them.

The conversation revolved around real facts, making these people completely afraid to act recklessly or speak carelessly in real life.

It's just that I feel frustrated and resentful.

Stakeholders
They also called Cui Xinqin, Wang Hongwei, and even the principal had a meeting with Cao Zhong.
Hopefully, Cao Zhong will stop talking.

Cold treatment.

The principal met with Cao Zhong and very seriously approved a creative fund of 200,000 yuan for Cao Zhong.

This indicates that the relevant issues will be reported to higher authorities.

However, for the sake of the school, Cao Zhong needs to keep quiet for the time being.

Cao Zhongren was completely numb.

When I applied to Wang Hongwei last time, you said it was no longer available.

I've already signed the contract and am no longer applying, but you've got it again.

Absolutely amazing.

After a few days of panic, the creative team behind "Nanjing Photo Studio" found that Cao Zhong was very calm and completely unaffected by the online public opinion.

Some people who were initially forced to stay on set due to breach of contract penalties have now felt more at ease.

Cao Zhong also began to focus all his attention on movies.

Shen Ao had already gone to see the set construction at the film and television base.

Time flew by, and several more days passed. Cao Zhong requested that all the main creators gather in NJ City.

Filming for "Nanjing Photo Studio" is about to begin.

(End of this chapter)