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

Han Sanping naturally knew Johnny Depp as an actor; he was a skilled actor and his salary seemed to be quite high.

"Then you'll bring back the Golden Bear!" Han Sanping laughed heartily.

Chen Yan did want to, but he didn't know if it would work out. After all, although the drama "Buried Alive" was clever and the filming was very imaginative, it also had many limitations.

It has too few scenes, almost no technical shots, and is almost entirely a showcase of Depp's acting skills.

Therefore, Chen Yan believes that Depp has a better chance of winning a Silver Bear for Best Actor than the Golden Bear for Best Picture.

"Chairman Han, don't have too high expectations of me, or you might be disappointed," Chen Yan replied bluntly.

Han Sanping raised an eyebrow. "Oh, it's not an award contender?"

That's a commercial film, then.

"Then when I have time, let's have a couple of drinks in private and have a good chat. Don't worry about this film for now," Han Sanping suddenly changed his mind and said.

Chen Yan understood after a moment's thought. "Buried" was filmed in Hollywood. If it were to be imported to China, whether it was a licensed film or a revenue-sharing import, it would depend on what Chairman Han wanted.

"Okay." Chen Yan also knew the principle of casting a long line to catch a big fish. Besides, even if this all-English film were to be adapted into a Chinese version, it might not suit the tastes of Chinese audiences.

It would be better to let Han Sanping sell the copyright and then make back the costs yourself.

Who could blame Chen Yan for paying such a high salary? He might not get much in return. Fortunately, the film didn't take too long to make and was even nominated for Berlin, which helped to salvage some of Chen Yan's losses.

Otherwise, it's not impossible to end up with nothing.

After hanging up with Han Sanping, Chen Yan made a transoceanic call to Depp.

Depp, clearly startled awake, answered the phone groggily, "Hello, who is this?"

Chen Yan briefly informed Depp: "Depp, I'm Chen Yan. I'm here to tell you that 'Buried' has been selected for the main competition at the Berlin Film Festival."

"ah!"

Chen Yan was very prescient; after speaking, he pulled the phone away and, sure enough, heard Depp scream.

After lowering his voice, Chen Yan brought the phone back to his ear. Depp's voice came from the other end: "Really! Really? Really, Chen Yan! What are my chances of winning Best Actor?"

"Anything is possible!" Chen Yan replied gently, then put the phone away.

Sure enough, Depp's screams were heard again.

"Thank you so much, Chen Yan. I love you. Thank you. My team told me that the public relations efforts with the Oscars have failed, and 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Black Pearl' may be going to sink. Now I only have you on my side."

Chen Yan got goosebumps listening to Depp's heartfelt confession.

Chen Yan started making grand promises: "Depp, don't worry, I'll pray for you. I also hope I can help you win a Berlin Film Festival Best Actor award. You know I can do it, I've done it before, I've helped you win a Cannes Film Festival Best Actress award, why can't you?"

"Oh my god! Chen! I love you so much!" Depp was already kissing his phone.

Chen Yan closed his eyes and moved the phone a good distance away.

"I know, I know, so what I'm saying is that after the Berlin lottery draw, our 'Alice in Wonderland' journey will begin, and you'd better get ready to join the crew." Chen Yan couldn't stand it anymore and finally revealed his true intentions.

Depp, still basking in the excitement of about to win the Best Actor award, exclaimed, "Yes, yes, of course!"

"That's it then? You can sleep a little longer, see you in Berlin."

See you in Berlin!

Chen Yan hung up the phone, feeling completely drained.

I immediately called Liu Yifei.

"Hey Chen Yan! Congratulations on your film being selected for Berlin!"

Chen Yan only came back to life after hearing Liu Yifei's soft and sweet voice. He still couldn't accept that a grown man was saying he loved him so passionately.

He's going to have nightmares.

"I'm much better, Qianqian," Chen Yan replied sincerely.

"What's wrong with you?" Liu Yifei quickly asked, noticing that Chen Yan sounded very dejected.

Chen Yan seized the opportunity to press her advantage: "It's nothing, I just got tormented by someone. Qianqian, I've sacrificed so much for your Alice, you have to make it up to me!"

"What do you want? I don't have anything." Liu Yifei scratched her head, really not knowing what to compensate Chen Yan for.

"Come with me to Berlin!"

Chen Yan wanted to bring Liu Yifei in front of Depp, let him be envious, and then also give him some advice, saying that Aquaman really wasn't right for him.

"what!"

Liu Yifei pursed her lips and replied, "I personally agree, but Mom needs to agree first."

Chen Yan replied, "That's easy. Auntie can come along too. Anyway, we'll just fly to America to start filming 'Alice in Wonderland'."

"Okay, okay, I agree! I've thoroughly understood the script!" Liu Yifei replied smugly.

She wasn't lying; she had thoroughly understood everything in the script, to the point that she could recite it from memory.

Chen Yan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll give you extra help then."

This is Liu Yifei's first film in the US, and Chen Yan is determined to make a good film for her, so he is prepared to mentor her throughout the entire process.

We can't let those acting fanatics like Depp and Helena overshadow Liu Yifei; this can at least be considered a female-led drama, after all.

"Okay, okay!" Liu Yifei smiled happily.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yifei skipped and hopped into the kitchen, clinging to the door frame, revealing half of her fair face.

Her voice rose in a cheerful tone: "Mom~ Chen Yan wants me to go to Berlin with him!"

"what?"

In shock, Liu Xiaoli slid the plate in her hand back into the sink. The strawberries on the plate fell into the water and then popped up again with a splash. The plate made a dull thud and splashed up a few water droplets.

"What did you say?" Liu Xiaoli didn't understand; her daughter hadn't participated in Chen Yan's previous film.

Liu Yifei stepped forward and hugged Liu Xiaoli's arm, saying coquettishly, "Um... he said that after the Berlin awards ceremony, 'Alice in Wonderland' will be performed! So he wants us to go straight there, Mom, will you come with me?"

"Is Alice in Wonderland going to open?" Liu Xiaoli had personally witnessed how hard her daughter had been working lately, constantly wielding the longsword Chen Yan had given her, almost to the point of obsession.

"Yes, he said he'd take me to Berlin this time!" Liu Yifei's face lit up with a smile.

"This..." Liu Xiaoli noticed that Chen Yan had been trying to take her daughter out to play all this time, attending one press conference or another banquet.

After thinking about this, Liu Xiaoli came to terms with it, took off her gloves, and gently tapped Liu Yifei's forehead, saying, "Sigh, I really can't do anything with you. A daughter grows up and can't be kept here. If you want to go, then go."

"Hehe! Great! We can go out and play now!" Liu Yifei let go of her mother, ran into the hall and spun around, her white skirt fluttering in the air, making her look young and carefree.

When Liu Xiaoli came out and saw her daughter smiling happily, she smiled from the bottom of her heart as well.

"Whatever makes you happy."