Who says Beijing Film Academy has no great directors? (2002)

Chen Yan didn't say much during the meal, mostly listening quietly and then pouring wine for his uncle and elders whenever he had the chance.

Everyone praised Zhao Changlin's nephew for being well-behaved and sensible, and before long everyone was calling him Xiao Yan.

"In my opinion, the film about heartbreak is very good. It will be nominated for all the awards that should be nominated. There's not much fresh blood in the industry right now. Apart from a few old guys, there's no new blood. How can that work?" Zhang Hongsen's face was flushed from drinking, but his aura was still very strong.

"Yes, give young people more opportunities! Don't be like those old men at Jinji, clinging to those rules and refusing to let go."

"They say it's a reform, but in the end, it's just a change of name without substance, a change of appearance without change of essence," Zhang Hongsen sighed.

Chen Yan silently processed these words, knowing that winning awards consistently in China was extremely difficult.

Unlike overseas, where things are at least relatively fair and just, if you make a film that's top-notch in the industry, they'll have to vote for you out of politeness.

Hey, those guys in China are a different story. If you cause any trouble, no matter what international big name or top star you are, you'll all be relegated to shining shoes for my niche arthouse films.

But Chen Yan also experienced Lu Chuan's joy today. Looking at the several industry veterans around him who were as steady as Mount Tai, he really wanted to shout:

If I don't take the award, who will?

Who else!

A single meal sealed the deal for Chen Yan to travel to the Huabiao Awards in August to participate in the judging process.

After seeing off his old friends, Zhao Changlin felt a little dizzy and slumped on the sofa to rest with his eyes closed.

"Uncle! You're amazing!" Chen Yan quickly went up and hugged his uncle's arm.

Zhao Changlin opened one eye to glance at Chen Yan and then closed it again. "It's all thanks to you, kid. If you hadn't made such a big splash these past two years, even if I had the most powerful friends, I wouldn't have been able to help you."

"To forge iron, one must be strong oneself."

"Yes, yes, I understand!" Chen Yan replied helplessly.

"What are you two saying? Come and have some hangover soup."

Wang He brought over two cups and, seeing that Zhao Changlin was almost asleep, nagged a bit more.

"Old Zhao! Old Zhao! Hiss, you're all so old and you still drink so much."

Zhao Changlin sensed that his wife was about to get angry, so he suddenly opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but he had really drunk too much and couldn't stand up steadily.

"Huh? I'm not drunk!"

Wang He put down his cup and quickly helped him up, one on each side, with Chen Yan. "You said you weren't drunk! You're almost asleep."

"I'm happy today! Don't nag me," Zhao Changlin replied cheerfully, leaning back on the sofa.

"Who wants to nag you! Drink the hangover soup, and don't act crazy tonight. I can't control you when Yan Yan isn't here." Wang He looked at Zhao Changlin with a reproachful expression.

Zhao Changlin had no choice but to obediently get up and drink it.

Wang He handed another cup to Chen Yan. Chen Yan had also drunk quite a bit today, but he was still young and could handle it.

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Hey, sweetie, drink up. Don't leave today, just stay here. The house is all tidyed up for you." Wang He said with a loving expression.

"Okay, don't leave today," Zhao Changlin echoed.

Chen Yan couldn't very well refuse his aunt and uncle's kind offer.

"OK."

That evening, Chen Yan returned to the place where the original owner of the body had lived in his childhood, and felt a surge of emotions.

The elderly couple truly doted on this child as if he were their own; there were even several of Chen Yan's elementary and middle school award certificates on the wall.

The room was decorated very warmly, and the bed sheets... well, let's just say they were the kind of pattern my mom likes.

After washing up, Chen Yan lay on the bed, thinking that the old couple must often look forward to his return for a couple of days, which is why the house was decorated so warmly and tidy, clearly indicating that it was regularly cleaned.

Not a speck of dust.

Chen Yan fell into a deep sleep, enveloped in this warm feeling of love.

The next day, when Wang He left home, he earnestly reminded her as usual, "Eat well and go to bed early while you're away. Don't overwork yourself. Come back and stay for a couple of days when you have time. Your aunt will cook you something delicious."

Although the words were always similar, Chen Yan could always feel the increasing tenderness and paternal love in them.

"Okay, Auntie," Chen Yan replied with a smile.

Although his uncle never said a word, he would always stand behind him and watch him leave with affection.

Chen Yan felt a warm feeling in her heart.

Now, Chen Yan seems to be more at ease with his uncle and aunt's care than before, and he genuinely treats the elderly couple as his own family.

"Go back!" Chen Yan waved his hand.

Leaving home and returning to the Beijing Film Academy felt like falling from a warm paradise back into the harsh reality of life.

All sorts of worldly matters came rushing in.

Chen Yan went to a meeting with her mentor, Tian Zhuangzhuang, to share her experiences at Cannes.

After going twice, Chen Yan became impatient and complained to Tian Zhuangzhuang, "Teacher, can we not go next time?"

"I still have work to do."

Tian Zhuangzhuang knew that Chen Yan didn't like it, "Well, if you don't want to go, then you don't have to go. It's just a formality anyway. Next time I'll tell them that you have to go into seclusion to write the script, and they won't bother you anymore."

"become."

Chen Yan hadn't had a long rest when Han Sanping called.

They said they wanted to discuss the release of "Love" with him.

Chen Yan agreed and said he would go to China Film Group to find him that afternoon.

I need to carefully choose a release date for "Love," and my first priority is to avoid Feng Xiaogang's "Cellphone."

My film is a pure art film. If I were to go head-to-head with "Cell Phone," I wouldn't stand a chance, not even if I were the best director at the Oscars, let alone the Palme d'Or.

Chen Yan took a taxi to the China Film Building and told the staff that he had made an appointment with Chairman Han. Immediately, someone came and personally took him to Han Sanping's office.

Because there were still people in the office, Chen Yan waited outside for a while longer.

A short while later, a bald, middle-aged man came out looking displeased.

He was surprised when he saw Chen Yan, but he still didn't give him a friendly look, leaving Chen Yan confused. What had he done to him?

baffling!

After Chen Yan went inside, Han Sanping greeted him with a smile and invited him over.

I poured Chen Yan a cup of tea.

"Chairman Han, what happened to that guy just now? He glared at me as he left," Chen Yan asked casually.

Han Sanping replied with a look of disdain, "He's here to ask for film fund support, humph, all he does is dream."

Chen Yan instantly understood; they had come to freeload.

"Here you go, the release date for 'Love,' right?" Han Sanping returned to his desk and pulled out a list.

The schedule is already densely written on the screen, with director Feng Xiaogang's "Cellphone" marked as a key film.

It's during the Spring Festival season, on December 18th.

In addition, there is also "Infernal Affairs 2" to be released during the National Day holiday, so the champion of these two prime time slots can basically be said to be locked in.

Kim Sung-woo's "Turn Left, Turn Right" released in September also grossed tens of millions at the box office that year.

Chen Yan then turned his attention to June and July, and immediately saw his old friend "Purple Butterfly," which was Lou's masterpiece after his first run at Cannes.

It's scheduled for June! And the top row of movies... wow, *The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers*, *Warm Spring*...

Chen Yan wasn't the only one to achieve a miracle in 03. This low-budget film with a rural theme and a tearjerker theme actually managed to gross 2000 million yuan in a year packed with big names, making it a true dark horse.

Of course, if Chen Yan hadn't suddenly appeared, it might have been the darkest of them all.

Needless to say, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" has a solid foundation laid by "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" and is a foreign blockbuster, so it's sure to be a box office hit in the tens of millions. Chen Yan was already silently praying for Director Lou.

Chen Yan could only keep pushing the time back.

July and August are considered summer movie seasons, and by then the SARS outbreak in China is nearing its end. As long as you avoid the release of "Finding Nemo" and "Terminator 3" at the end of the month, you can get by.

"Mr. Han, let's set the release date for July 1st."

This way, they can skirt the rules and directly participate in this year's Huabiao Awards.