Chinese entertainment director: I can wholesale Best Actress awards.

The next day

Cannes Film Festival

Dozens of journalists from globally renowned media outlets are already waiting.

Cannes this year.

There is a hot topic.

The exchange between new and old directors.

One is Ken Loach, the "intellectual British director," who is once again competing in the Cannes Film Festival with his film "The Wind That Shakes the Barley."

This veteran, now in his seventies, has had several entanglements with the Cannes Film Festival over the past few decades, each time falling short. Although he has received two Jury Prizes and one Best Screenplay Award as consolation, his connection with the Palme d'Or has never been resolved.

One of them is Lu Chen, a student from the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy in China. His debut film was shortlisted for the Cannes Film Festival. Since its release, the film has received high praise and is of a very high standard. Instructors at the French Film Academy even used "Shoplifters" to teach their students on the spot.

The works of the two are the most attention-grabbing.

The two also represent the transition between old and new directors.

Some European media outlets have already described Ken Loach as a tragic director, because this year has seen the emergence of a highly talented new director who may once again be a runner-up at the Palme d'Or.

By this time, all the shortlisted film crews had arrived at the venue one by one.

During the day, there are red carpet events, and the main creative teams of various film and television crews also have to accept interviews from media reporters.

"Director Lu." At this moment, a man with a typical French appearance quickly came up to Lu Chen, shook hands with him, and said, "Congratulations. I heard that you received an invitation from the Cannes organizing committee. This trip to Cannes will surely be very fruitful."

The translator was working alongside them, providing on-site translation.

"Mr. Frank, it seems you have excellent connections." Lu Chen had met the French man in front of him three times in total.

This is the producer of Pathé Cinema in France.

After the premiere of "Shoplifters" received rave reviews.

They specifically approached us, wanting to acquire the global (excluding China) box office rights and other revenue from "Shoplifters".

They offered two million US dollars to buy it as a package deal.

Based on the current ratio of 7.9.

That's equivalent to about 1600 million.

Shoplifters only cost three million.

After paying taxes, this 1600 million is pure profit, unlike box office revenue, which is shared with theaters and distributors.

This will generate a net profit of ten million.

Quite good.

But Lu Chen did not agree.

I'm confident that "Shoplifters" will win a major award.

Frank, from the French film company 100 Films, was also betting that "Shoplifters" would win a major award, especially given the high attendance and positive reviews at its film festival premiere.

As a professional producer, Frank believes that "Shoplifters" has considerable box office potential in the European film market.

That's why they offered two million US dollars.

Works that are shortlisted for the main competition at Cannes typically fetch over a million US dollars, and this is already several hundred thousand US dollars more.

They thought Lu Chen would agree.

But I didn't expect to be rejected.

We met twice more after that.

The price kept rising, reaching $420 million, but Director Lu Chen still didn't agree.

So Frank could only wait until the awards ceremony was over.

Although "Shoplifters" received high praise, it is not guaranteed to win a major award.

This has happened before at the three major international film festivals. Sometimes, the films that the media and film critics consider the best will win a small award at the festival, or they may not win anything at all.

This is because some film producers spend money to create hype, while others rely entirely on online trolls.

But Shoplifters has already received an invitation, so there's bound to be a trophy, and the quality of Shoplifters is undeniably high.

Now we just have to wait and see what awards "Shoplifters" wins before deciding how much more money to add.

"Director Lu, we at Pathé Films generally know a lot about what's going on in the European film market," Frank said confidently. "In France, Pathé Films has an even greater influence and more distribution channels."

Pathé Films was founded in 1896 and is one of the oldest film companies in Europe. Its logo is a rooster crowing with its head held high, which is very much in line with the image of France.

The period from 1903 to 1909 was a significant era in film history known as the #PathéPeriod#.

But then.

The rise of Hollywood movies.

The global film market is now dominated by Hollywood movies.

European film companies are unable to compete with Hollywood studios in the blockbuster market, so they prefer art-house films, especially those nominated for the three major international film festivals.

It has a high profile and is more popular with European audiences.

These art-house films are not considered good enough for the eight major Hollywood film studios. Even if they win the top award, they won't make much money for the eight major Hollywood film studios.

"Mr. Frank, I know how strong your Pathé Films is, and in fact, I most want to cooperate with you." Lu Chen affirmed the other party's strength.

"Director Lu, I really hope our collaboration can be successful. You have no idea how much our French audience wants to see your work right now. We should finalize it as soon as possible so that it can be released in the European film market." Frank knew that in addition to Pathé, six other European film companies had approached Lu Chen.

However, there are only two companies that can compete with EMI, and there is also concern that Lu Chen might choose one of the other two.

"Really? I didn't know that. It seems my work is quite popular with French audiences." Lu Chen chatted with Frank for a while longer before preparing to walk the Cannes red carpet.

"Xiao Chen, EMI has offered $420 million, and you still aren't willing?" Yu Feihong asked in a low voice.

That translates to 33 million.

The production cost of "Shoplifters" was only three million.

It increased elevenfold!

What does this mean?

There are only a handful of films in the mainland Chinese film market that have achieved this level of revenue.

And all Lu Chen has to do is nod.

That's over thirty million.

This allows one to achieve financial freedom directly in the country.

"Sister Fei Hong, the awards ceremony isn't over yet, there's no rush to make a move." Lu Chen was not satisfied with the price.

And film copyright and other fees.

Lu Chen already had a plan.

It was placed in the newly established Starry Sky Pictures.

Initially, his uncle asked him to set up a film company.

It's just for the convenience of transferring from left to right hand.

With Starry Sky Pictures, you can fund your own movies and avoid criticism.

But from the very beginning, Lu Chen's goal was to make Starry Night Pictures a success, not just a film company that shuffles money around between its own hands.

I want to build a film company.

It requires money.

Only with money can we continue making movies and recruit talent for the company.

"If 'Shoplifters' doesn't win any major awards, the price will definitely drop." Yu Feihong felt that this was a good time to make a move.

Cannes Film Festival.

The most prestigious awards are Best Picture (Palme d'Or), Grand Jury Prize, Grand Jury Prize, and Best Director.

If Shoplifters hadn't gotten one of them, Pathé Films would definitely have lowered the price.

"Sister Fei Hong, what's wrong? Don't you believe me, or do you not believe in your own performance in the movie?" Lu Chen smiled.

"Of course I believe you." Yu Feihong answered without hesitation, then felt that Lu Chen's decision was right. "Shoplifters" had high ratings and a box office presence in the European film market, so it was worth waiting a little longer.

"Sister Fei Hong, it's almost time for us to walk the red carpet." Lu Chen called over the lead actors, as it was almost time for the "Shoplifters" red carpet event.