Huayu: Everyone's been reborn, who's still going to be an actor?

Cheng Yuan received numerous phone calls, including one from Han Sanping, the vice chairman of China Film Group.

He called to congratulate "Buried" on its nomination and also to tell him not to be influenced by some of the online comments.

The phone call left Cheng Yuan somewhat flattered.

The difference in social status is there for all to see.

He's just a nobody now.

Cheng Yuan stayed at home for a few more days before returning to Yanjing ahead of schedule.

"You don't need to pay attention to those voices online. They will naturally disappear when the movie is released. I have absolutely no part in the movie 'Buried'."

Jiang Wen had obviously also noticed some of the comments online.

He sounded somewhat embarrassed when he said that.

"Do I look like I care?" Cheng Yuan said. "I expected this when I approached you. But, Brother Wen, did you consider this when you changed your performance style?"

Jiang Wen paused for a moment, then raised his glass and clinked it against Cheng Yuan's before drinking it all in one gulp.

"You're different from that kid," Jiang Wen said. "He's hopeless, but you have the ability to make a good film like 'Buried'."

If you have the ability to film well, then I naturally won't interfere.

As for changing the performance style?

Jiang Wen didn't say whether he had considered that aspect, and Cheng Yuan didn't ask further, because there was really no need to ask.

"Let's drink!" Cheng Yuan said. "Try the snacks I brought to go with the drinks."

When Cheng Yuan returned, he brought back a lot of cold-served beef and cold-served rabbit.

That's a local specialty.

Besides Jiang Wenyou, Wang Jinsong and Tian Zhuangzhuang also have it.

They also gave some to Han Sanping.

His father had served as the deputy mayor of Cheng Yuan's hometown, so this was considered a local delicacy.

It may not be worth much, but it can still express your feelings.

Of course, if Han Sanping hadn't made that call, Cheng Yuan probably wouldn't have delivered it either.

After all, it's far away.

If someone shows you closeness, you should maintain that relationship.

"Have you been busy lately?"

Jiang Wen put down his wine glass and asked.

"Nothing's wrong." Cheng Yuan looked at Jiang Wen and said, "Brother Wen, is something the matter?"

"If you're free, let's talk about the film 'Let the Bullets Fly,'" Jiang Wen said. "And help me with the storyboarding. Once my directing ban ends next year, I'll immediately get the crew to start filming."

As for investment?

Is Jiang Wen's movie, "The Return of the King," still lacking investment?

At least, Han Sanping had previously stated that China Film Group was willing to invest a portion of the funds.

"Storyboard?" Cheng Yuan paused for a moment, then a smile crept across his face as he couldn't help but ask, "Brother Wen, is it true that you draw storyboards using stick figures?"

"It's not like painting, why make it so easy? As long as it's understandable, that's enough."

Jiang Wen did not deny it, but tried to justify himself.

"Okay," Cheng Yuan said with a smile, "I'll come find you tomorrow."

Cheng Yuan had watched the movie "Let the Bullets Fly" many times and read a lot of related film reviews and analyses.

Of course, do you think you understand now?

That's hard to say.

Who knows if those online analyses are what Jiang Wen actually wanted to express?

Jiang Wen's films are full of metaphors, and he likes to cram a lot of things into his movies.

However, when discussing with Jiang Wen, Cheng Yuan didn't need to try to figure out Jiang Wen's thoughts or what he was trying to express in the movie.

Cheng Yuan simply shared his thoughts on the film.

Before they knew it, it was the end of August, and Cheng Yuan, Jiang Wen, and the others were preparing to head to Venice.

"First time going abroad?"

Jiang Wen smiled and looked at Cheng Yuan, then asked.

"Um!"

Cheng Yuan nodded.

In his previous life, he had naturally traveled abroad, but this was indeed his first time going abroad.

"I'll show you around later," Jiang Wen said with a smile. "I know Venice pretty well."

Is it cooked?

His very first film was screened at the Venice Film Festival and even won an award.

In addition, the films he starred in were also nominated for the Venice Film Festival.

"Don't worry about me if anything happens to you," Cheng Yuan replied with a smile, then added, "Why didn't you bring Sister Yun?"

"She's not in this movie," Jiang Wen said. "Then, the two of us will walk the red carpet together."

"I thought you were going to say something about father and son," Cheng Yuan said with a smile. "Actually, you're only two years younger than my dad."

Jiang Wen was born in 63, while Cheng Juemin was born in 61.

"Then why don't you stop calling me Brother Wen and just call me Uncle Wen?"

Jiang Wen smiled upon hearing this.

When he was with Cheng Yuan, he didn't really treat him like a twenty-year-old young man; he often subconsciously treated him as a peer.

"That won't do. Wouldn't it make you look old if I called you that? Are you old? No," Cheng Yuan said. "Besides, being a generation younger than you for no reason, how am I supposed to drink with you in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wen laughed heartily. If he really treated Cheng Yuan as a junior, he would feel rather uncomfortable.

With the Venice Film Festival about to open, media attention has increased significantly.

This year, besides the film "Buried Alive," only Jia Zhangke's "The World" was nominated.

In addition, Hou Hsiao-hsien's "Café Lumière" is not a Chinese-language film.

Of course, Buried also has its controversies, but it is much better than Café Lumière, after all, the actors and main creators are all Chinese filmmakers, and the film is not entirely in English.

Domestically, "Buried" has clearly garnered more attention than other films.

It's generating so much buzz.

The actor is Jiang Wen, but the director is a sophomore majoring in acting at the Beijing Film Academy.

Jiang's reputation is well-known, which makes people suspicious.

The online narrative that "Buried Alive" was filmed by Jiang Wen and that Cheng Yuan was merely a tool for the film is gaining traction.

Many media outlets had previously tried to interview Jiang Wen and Cheng Yuan, but were unable to reach them.

However, the novel "The Hunger Games" was unearthed by someone.

It's still uncertain whether the author of the novel "The Hunger Games" and the director of "Buried" are the same person.

I'm pretty sure it's true.

"Buried" has been shortlisted for the main competition, and the organizers will arrange accommodation and meals.

"What good food is available here?"

After adjusting to the time difference, Cheng Yuan went to see Jiang Wen.

"What good food could there be here?" Jiang Wen said. "Compared to our country, the rest of the world is a food wasteland."

"Then find a place, I'll treat you to a drink."

Cheng Yuan agreed with Jiang Wen's words, but he couldn't just stop eating because of that, could he?

"How could I let you treat me!" Jiang Wen said. "I'll treat you."

"You forgot, the price was increased by GG after the film was nominated."

Cheng Yuan said with a smile.

"That's your treat!"

Jiang Wen was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but say something.

The movie hasn't been released yet, and the copyright hasn't been sold, but this kid has already earned hundreds of thousands.

The audacity of this movie is simply astounding.

"If you win an award, you'll have to buy me a drink."

Jiang Wen added another sentence.

"You won an award, so I have to treat you too?"

Cheng Yuan asked with a smile, not thinking he had a chance.

However, Jiang Wen may still have a chance.

He remembered that the film for which he won Best Actor this year, "The Sea Inside," also won a special jury award.

If a movie gets two slices of the pie, the chances of it getting one is quite high.

"Do you think I can take it?"

Jiang Wen looked at Cheng Yuan. He was still very confident in his acting skills, but the other actors' acting skills were not good.

Putting aside other factors, winning the Best Actor award is largely related to the role played.

"What if we sold the rights in advance and let the buyer handle the Best Actor award? Wouldn't that make things more likely?" Cheng Yuan paused for a moment before saying, "The current festival president is Marco Müller, who is quite friendly towards Chinese-language films."