Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Yang Che knew what he meant: "My primary identity now is that of a director. I need to learn from the advanced experience of internationally renowned directors, so why can't I come? Besides, Jiang Zhiqiang told me last year that Cannes even called me specifically, so it wouldn't be right for me not to come. How's it going on your end? Is everything going smoothly?"

"Everything went smoothly. By the way, is there any problem with my cameo role on August 13th?"

"No problem, I'll be mostly free in August."

"Don't bring anyone, I'll make the arrangements."

Yang Che was speechless: "Fine, fine."

Well, although Yang Che didn't invest in "Happy Times," he still volunteered for a cameo role as Sun Honglei. He had two scenes: one where he and his girlfriend were arguing with Uncle Benshan outside their date house, and another where he asked Uncle Benshan to buy a watermelon...

He originally wanted to bring Gao Yuanyuan along for a cameo role and spend a couple of days in Dalian, but Zhang Yimou thought Gao Yuanyuan was too beautiful and absolutely refused.

The two were chatting and laughing, which was naturally noticed by all the guests and reporters. Then a brown-haired foreign woman in her forties walked up to them and spoke broken Chinese.

"Director Zhang, Yang Che, hello."

Zhang Yimou paused for a moment, then introduced, "This is Barbara from Colombia, who is in charge of Asian affairs."

Barbara held Yang Che's hand: "Just call me Old Barbara."

Yang Che smiled broadly. Columbia Pictures, that's an old friend of the Chinese people, they're really throwing money around.

Tsui Hark's *Time and Tide* grossed $400 million; Chen Kuo-fu's *Double Vision* grossed $600 million; Corey Yuen's *So Close* grossed $900 million; He Ping's *Warriors of Heaven and Earth* grossed $900 million; and oh yes, there's also Feng Xiaogang's *Big Shot's Funeral*...

It can be said that apart from the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" film that was purchased in advance from Jiang Zhiqiang, all the remaining investments were lost, and the losses kept increasing.

Someone asked, "Didn't 'Big Shot' make money?" Well, that was Huayi Brothers' profit. Columbia Pictures paid the lion's share for the overseas rights, while the Japanese lost a fortune...

Of course, the Japanese were used to it. Ever since Sony acquired Columbia in 1989, it has suffered all kinds of losses. The executives were all highly paid white foreigners. The Japanese had no chance to get involved.

So these executives don't really care, since it's the Japanese money they're losing, and they feel perfectly justified in doing so.

So, how could Yang Che not be all smiles when Barbara took the initiative to come over?

"I've heard of you before, beautiful and powerful Ms. Barbara."

Barbara was overjoyed.

Then Yang Che ignored the old strategist standing to the side and invited Barbara aside to talk.

Barbara felt that Yang Che was too direct. Having lived in Hong Kong for many years, she was still a little unaccustomed to it, but she liked him very much.

Barbara was no stranger to Yang Che, the actual creator, promoter, and boyfriend of "My Sassy Girl," who possessed both creative and operational abilities; otherwise, she wouldn't have taken the initiative to greet him.

"Old Ba, I originally planned to visit you when I went to the port city in August. I didn't expect to meet you today. It's really fate."

"Wow, that really is fate! What is it?"

"I'm currently preparing a film, which I'll direct myself. The plot is somewhat similar to Akira Kurosawa's 'Wild Dogs.' I'd like to collaborate with Columbia Pictures or other Hollywood studios."

Barbara raised an eyebrow: "Wait, you're directing?"

"Yes, I'm the director. If it's alright, I'd like to invite you to watch a short film I just finished shooting tomorrow."

"I have an appointment tomorrow at 3 PM, how about we meet at the Overseas Chinese Hotel?"

"Okay. Let's discuss it in detail tomorrow."

"Let's talk tomorrow."

The two shook hands, chatting and laughing.

Suddenly, a huge commotion was heard outside. Then, some magazine editors, newspaper reporters, film critics and the like inside the venue went crazy, some of them with unhealthy flushed faces.

They were chanting "Chow Yun-fat," "Brother Fat,"...

Yang Che was baffled, then he saw Wang Zhiwen and Jiang Wenli standing on tiptoe, looking excited...

Of course, Wu Shixian and Gong Beibi were no exception, not to mention that they knew each other.

Liu Chang was speechless: "He wasn't like this when he came to our group for a cameo role."

Yang Che shook his head, casually turned his head, and met Feng Xiaogang's gaze. They smiled at each other, everything understood without words.

A bunch of idiots.

Chow Yun-fat and Ang Lee, along with the relatively unknown Zhang Ziyi, arrived right on time. Another lead actress, Michelle Yeoh, was not present, reportedly due to illness.

However, Yang Che noticed that Dong Ping's face was terribly dark for a period of time.

He didn't gloat; on the contrary, he felt some sympathy for Dong Ping.

There were no further formalities; the press conference was held in the morning, and after Ang Lee thanked everyone with a pained expression, the screening began in the banquet hall.

Yang Che didn't watch the movie; he was observing the expressions of the guests, especially the directors.

Wu Shixian, Zhang Yimou, and Huang Jianxin watched quite attentively, Teng Wenji seemed somewhat distracted, Xie Fei frowned throughout, and Feng Xiaogang appeared puzzled.

Most of the actors, including Wang Zhiwen, Jiang Shan, Xu Fan, and Yang Che, saw the occasional look of confusion in their eyes.

Cheng Er's eyes were bright; she was completely absorbed in it.

During the observation, Yang Che inadvertently made eye contact with Li An, who turned around, and smiled as he raised his champagne glass.

Ang Lee looked puzzled, gave a forced smile, and then got up and left the banquet hall.

Then, the relatively unknown Zhang Ziyi stared at Yang Che many times.

The film ended, and everyone avoided the reporters, unwilling to comment.

Yes, that's true.

Only Xie Fei said, "This movie is like a delicate and delicious ice cream; it's a first-rate entertainment film."

Of course, Yang Che didn't hide either; he followed Xie Fei out through the main gate.

The reporters naturally wouldn't let him off the hook, and even asked him what he thought of Xie Fei's evaluation.

"How dare I comment on Teacher Xie? As for 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' I didn't like it, and I guess many people don't like it now either."

But one thing is for sure: this film will be a huge hit overseas, not just at the box office, but also with great reviews. Many people who don't like it now will definitely love it then.

The reporters immediately went wild, sensing the sarcasm in Yang Che's words.

One reporter quipped, "Yang Che, you don't like it, yet you're so optimistic about 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'?"

Yang Che nodded: "Yes, I think it could win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film next year."

"Whoosh!"

"boom"

"Hahaha."

Yang Che clicked his tongue, looking quite helpless: "I'm serious, I'm not joking. How about we make a bet?"

The reporters gradually fell silent, and a reporter from the Beijing Daily asked with a smile, "How do you bet? What are you betting on?"

.........

P.S.: My grandmother passed away the day before yesterday afternoon.

It was very sudden; I even ate a bowl of rice that noon.

I remember mentioning in a book two months ago that I went back to my hometown hospital to donate blood. That was to visit my grandmother who was hospitalized. She had a broken leg, but she was in good spirits and didn't have any major health problems.

However, something strange happened. The day before yesterday, my father, who works in Jinzhong, insisted on going back to his hometown in Datong. Then, to my mother's utter incomprehension, he abandoned all his work and drove five hours alone back to his hometown.

It wasn't that my mother had any problems; it was just that in five days it would be the third anniversary of my grandfather's death, and the whole family had originally planned to come back. My father was essentially asking to come back ahead of schedule.

Yesterday, I drove back to Datong and asked my father why. He said he felt anxious and just wanted to come back to see me.

...

Because the funeral can only be held after the start of autumn, which will be delayed for a long time, I will not be able to guarantee three chapters a day. Please forgive me.