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

Chapter 58 The real opponent is a line.
2007, April 4.

Jia Zhangke, who had been out of the public eye for a long time, dropped a bombshell on the entertainment industry when he first appeared.

"The film 'Nanjing Photo Studio' has obvious nationalist and extremist tendencies. Cao Zhong previously criticized it in the media, saying that all his motives were for the film's promotion. Ultimately, this young man's goal is just money and box office."

"The film 'Nanjing Photo Studio' has finished filming and had a test screening. Su Mu said that the film has an extreme narrative and is extremely patriotic!"

"After a long hiatus, Jia Jinshi spoke about the Yasujiro Ozu incident again, clearly stating that the history of film was compiled by the French film historian Georges Sadoul. The book merely systematically sorts out the development of global film based on the innovation of film technology and artistic trends. The omissions in it are the historian's problem and have nothing to do with him."

In the interview, Jia Zhangke once again discussed this person's artistic style, believing that artistic merit should not be linked to moral character. However, he supported Cao Zhong's criticism of this person's character, but declined to comment on other aspects.

When discussing "Nanjing Photo Studio," which had already finished filming and had a test screening, Su Mu began by saying:

“I watched the movie. The narrative is extreme and disregards the impact. Cao Zhong has a very strong attitude, commercializing suffering and showing a tendency to ‘profit from national disaster’ and ‘incite confrontation.’ Moreover, the movie has no artistic value, is unrealistic, and too flashy.”

The news caused an uproar across the internet.

These two were very clever this time. They kept silent about the Yasujiro Ozu incident, shifted the blame directly to the author, and even implied that they were throwing the blame at the school, thus extricating themselves from the situation.

The film then turns to the question of Cao Zhong's ultimate goal in criticizing public opinion, and offers its own assessment of the film's content.

They attempted to influence public opinion about Cao Zhong's film, aiming to abruptly cut off its potential momentum before it could launch a large-scale promotional campaign.

This is a very insidious tactic.

And they are also very smart.

When the reporter brought up previous topics such as "Don't talk about independent personality if you're being kept" and "Is there any shady dealing involved in the Golden Lion Award?", Jia Zhangke said that he had already sent a lawyer's letter to the relevant responsible persons and would let the matter drop.

These topics were not the subject of the interview; the interview, ostensibly published by Southern Metropolis Daily, was an artistic interview with the two individuals.

However, almost all the topics discussed were related to Cao Zhong.

Subsequently, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' lavish spending policy, numerous campaigns targeting Cao Zhong quickly emerged.

Investigative journalist Deng Fei openly supported Jia Zhangke's argument at the forum: "Extreme patriotism is a sign of insecurity. Japan has provided a lot of dialogue and aid, so why can't we accept the Japanese people's sincerity for peace?"

It was a lengthy article, and they even enabled article rewards.

Renowned teacher Liang Yanping has also begun publishing various articles on civilization, arguing that Chinese people should reflect on themselves, learn from the myths of civilization, and not grow up in hatred.

Some even went so far as to argue that the number of victims lacked supporting data.

Some opponents sided with Cao Zhong on the forum, refuting his point by point, but were met with insults and attacks from many people, which broke their defenses.

"Do you know what history is? History is the inherent flaws of civilization, which cannot create people with independent thinking abilities, but only beasts tearing each other apart."

You're not even as good as an animal. You're relegated to the bottom of society and you're still grateful. What a piece of trash!
Such behavior is shameful. You lack the ability to think independently; perhaps your university education was wasted. You believe everything you read in textbooks without ever doing any research?

"According to the informant, Cao Zhong's family owns a photo studio. The reason for making the movie and naming it 'Nanjing Photo Studio' may be to advertise the family's photo studio."

A barrage of insults and abuses against Cao Zhong and "Nanjing Photo Studio" followed.

In just one or two days, it brought a huge negative impact on Cao Zhonghe's film.

In the middle of the incident, Zhang Huijun called Cao Zhong and said that Su Mu's behavior was unrelated to the school and that he would issue a swift decision on the handling of the Ozu Yasujiro incident. He also said that Su Mu would be seriously criticized and dealt with within the school.

The principal also apologized to Cao Zhong over the phone, saying that his initial intention in letting Su Mu go to the movies was good, and he was extremely uneasy about causing this incident.

Cao Zhong neither confirmed nor denied Zhang Huijun's statement, and said with a smile that it was nothing.

Although public opinion has been stirred up, Cao Zhong's "Nanjing Photo Studio" has not yet been promoted, but its fame is even greater than before.

……

"Pah! Shameless!"

When Yang Mi saw the news, she spat several times.

“I don’t understand,” Yang Mi blinked, her eyes blank. “Why can these people argue so illogically? Love is love, and hate is hate. Why can they turn love into an extreme and make hate disappear?”

She's a celebrity and doesn't usually pay attention to these kinds of online arguments, even though she knew about them.

However, after watching Cao Zhong's movie and seeing the comments online, Yang Mi was confused.

For a moment, I didn't know where I was or where I was.

"Why has the smear campaign and distortion of the truth gone to this extent?"

Yang Mi hugged Cao Zhong tightly, pressed herself against him, and offered him warmth, saying, "I feel so sorry for you."

The day before yesterday, I took Cao Zhong back to our rented apartment from the banquet.

The two had an in-depth conversation over two days.

I was originally happy.

However, this sudden news made Yang Mi instantly realize that she had made a mistake, and she felt that she had wasted Cao Zhong's publicity time.

Cao Zhong smiled and said, "Because we have money. Money makes the world go round."

Yang Mi didn't quite understand. But she was very angry.

"I want to post this, I want to criticize them," Yang Mi said.

"Don't go offstage. You're an artist; you'll get hurt."

Yang Mi said, "But I'm very nervous. I don't understand why they're targeting you like this. There are many movies with scripts. I've watched many of them when I was analyzing them, like 'Yellow River Love' and 'Purple Sun.' Is it because public opinion wasn't as developed back then?"

I've never dared to ask you about what you and Teacher Cui were talking about last time.

You said something about "I'd rather die speaking out than live in silence." I looked up the meaning of those two sentences later, and it means you definitely don't want to remain silent. So what exactly did you say to Teacher Cui?

Why are they targeting you?

Cao Zhong patted Yang Mi's hair: "Do you really want to know?"

Yang Mi is very eager to learn. "I want to."

Cao Zhong explained, "Let me put it simply. You probably think my opponents are some Japanese people, and you might even be wondering why Jia Zhangke, who has been silent for so long, would suddenly reappear, right?"

Yang Mi nodded.

"Because of a line, a line you can't see."

Cao Zhongdao: "I made a movie, but my publicity campaign was about Yasujiro Ozu. Behind Yasujiro Ozu is the compilation of world film history, and my initial dissection at the project launch ceremony touched a very sensitive line."

“I don’t understand,” Yang Mi said.

"This line is about why Tokyo Story became the number one film in a certain radiation circle."

Cao Zhong said solemnly, "And this line connects not only this movie, but also that Golden Lion Award winner."

Yang Mi's eyes remained clear.

Cao Zhongdao:
"I have touched upon some people's aesthetic rights."

Some people are defining what is good, what is beautiful, what is civilized, and what is universal.

But I hid it well. I didn't actively cross that line. I only mentioned it once, and it was hidden in my extremely critical remarks, but I targeted a specific individual. I played dumb.

Some people may not even notice me now.

But dogs can; their sense of smell is very sensitive.

Yang Mi was still confused, but she understood one thing: You mean, the little lion dog?
(End of this chapter)