Reshaping the landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 72 Dream Factory

Chapter 72 Dream Factory (Seeking first subscriptions and monthly votes!)

"I'll handle the copyright issue, don't worry. Even if China Film Group doesn't have a share of overseas copyrights, your Uncle Han won't cheat you. As for Gong Li—"

"I'm afraid it's not appropriate for you to contact them directly right now. I'll send someone over to talk to them later. Let's wait over there for now," Han Sanping said in a low voice. "When everyone is around, it won't be as noticeable."

He Yi'an nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Han Sanping's arrangement.

Then, he took his wine glass and walked to a corner, where he waited quietly.

Yu Feihong came over at some point, holding a glass of champagne in his hand, his cheeks slightly flushed, clearly having already drunk a few glasses.

"Angel, you really stole the show today," she said with a smile, her eyes slightly tipsy. "The eighteen-year-old Best Director at Venice, some people back home should shut up."

"Shutting up is impossible," He Yi'an shook his head. He knew those people's nature very well. "We've already completely torn off the mask. They'll still curse, just from a different angle."

"You have to trust their ability to find the right angle!"

Yu Feihong thought for a moment and smiled: "That's true. With your 'barking dog' comment in front of all the media igniting the fire, I think many of them would probably be driven crazy by you."

"Before, people criticized you for being arrogant and ignorant; now they'll criticize you for being a 'foreign worshipper' and for relying on Gong Li to win awards." Yu Feihong had a pretty good idea of what these people would say.

Anyway, it's all the same stuff; many of the current rhetoric techniques are still in their most basic stage.

Unlike in 2026, these people are constantly improving their rhetoric and tactics, becoming more and more subtle and harder to detect.

Those guys back then were forced to improve, unlike the group of people now who live so comfortably.

"Whatever, they're just a bunch of barking dogs. I don't care what they say."

He Yi'an swirled the wine in his glass: "They can only insult me now because I'm not strong enough. If I didn't even have the ability to make them insult me—"

How can we prevent some people from hurling insults at us?

It's nothing more than treating someone to a meal, beheading them, or taking them in as dogs!

He doesn't want to treat anyone right now, but he might as well find an opportunity to swindle a few of the more troublesome ones.

Of course, a better approach would be to control one's own channels of expression, but achieving that would constitute a monopoly.

But he still decided to give it a try.

He Yi'an, who was pondering some things, noticed that Yu Feihong's gaze towards him was somewhat complicated.

"What's wrong?" He Yi'an asked.

"It's nothing," Yu Feihong shook his head, "It's just that I feel you're sometimes too clear-headed, more clear-headed than someone your age."

He Yi'an smiled but offered no explanation.

At that moment, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed for a moment and then came back on, and the music changed to a more soothing tune.

The second half of the banquet officially began.

The crowd began to move around, gathering in small groups to chat.

Han Sanping took his wine glass and went to find the film producers. Li Baotian, being old, went back to his hotel to rest after receiving his award.

Yan Danchen stood alone in the corner, quietly drinking her own beverage. People would occasionally come over to talk to her, and she would politely respond, but her eyes would always unconsciously drift towards He Yi'an.

He Yi'an noticed and smiled at her.

Yu Feihong, who was standing to the side, saw everything clearly and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

"Angel, your senior classmate seems to have a crush on you."

He Yi'an was speechless: "Senior, don't talk nonsense. She's an artist in my company, it's just a normal working relationship."

"Work relationship?" Yu Feihong raised an eyebrow. "Work relationship would make you cry like that when you were receiving an award? You still don't understand women—"

He Yi'an was stunned for a moment; he hadn't even noticed Yan Danchen's expression.

"Alright, alright, I know you don't have any feelings for her, I'll stop teasing you." Yu Feihong stood up, patted his shoulder, and gestured for him to look in that direction. "You should go thank your benefactor."

He Yi'an followed her gaze and saw Gong Li walking out from the depths of the hall, surrounded by several European filmmakers, but she seemed to be looking for someone.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Gong Li nodded slightly, then waved to him.

He Yi'an immediately understood and walked over with his wine glass.

"Teacher Gong Li." He stopped a step closer to Gong Li, his tone sincere, "Thank you."

This simple "thank you" contains so much.

it is more than words.

Gong Li looked at him with a mixture of admiration and emotion in her eyes.

"What are you thanking me for?" Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. "You made a good movie. I was just telling the truth."

She paused for a moment: "This award, you earned it yourself. It wasn't given to you by me, nor was it given to you by anyone. Remember that."

He Yi'an nodded.

Han Sanping then walked over, beaming, "Gong Li, congratulations! You've really made Chinese filmmakers proud at this year's Venice Film Festival."

Gong Li smiled and said, "Mr. Han, you flatter me. Without your support for Chinese films going global over the years, all our efforts would have been in vain."

Han Sanping waved his hand: "I'm just a gofer now. We're all just working together for Chinese films."

The three of them stood together, chatting and laughing, in a harmonious atmosphere.

Someone nearby noticed what was happening, but no one came over to disturb them.

Yu Feihong also came over and stood next to He Yi'an, smiling as he greeted Gong Li: "Hello, Teacher Gong Li, I am Yu Feihong."

Gong Li looked her up and down: "I know you. Your performance in 'The Joy Luck Club' was excellent. I heard from Xiao An that you're going to be a director too?"

Yu Feihong was a little embarrassed: "I'm still learning. I've been following An Ge'er for a few months and I've gotten the hang of it."

Gong Li glanced at He Yi'an and smiled: "This kid is definitely something."

After chatting for a while, Yan Danchen was still standing in the corner, hesitating whether to come over.

She was just a small-time actress, and it was inevitable that she would feel a little stage fright in this setting, facing an international film queen like Gong Li.

He Yi'an noticed and waved to her.

Yan Danchen paused for a moment, then walked over and whispered, "Hello, Teacher Gong Li."

Gong Li looked at her with gentle eyes: "You acted well in 'Fireworks in the Human World,' your stubborn yet gentle spirit was very touching. If your acting were a little better and more nuanced, you would have the opportunity to reach even greater heights."

Upon hearing this comment, Yan Danchen was immediately excited: "Thank you, Teacher Gong Li."

"Don't call me teacher anymore, just call me sister." Gong Li smiled, then looked at He Yi'an, "Is this an artist signed by your company? You have good taste."

He Yi'an didn't take credit for it: "It was my senior's good performance."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Han Sanping checked his watch and said he had to go talk to some European film distributors about distribution, so he left first.

Yu Feihong tactfully pulled Yan Danchen to the other side to get some food, leaving space for He Yi'an and Gong Li.

"Xiao An," Gong Li looked into his eyes and said earnestly, "there are some things that are inconvenient to say at the awards ceremony, but you can say them now."

He Yi'an said seriously, "Go ahead."

"I've watched your film three times," Gong Li said calmly. "The first time was as a judge, the second time as a fellow filmmaker, and the third time as an ordinary viewer."

"I have different feelings every time I watch it."

He Yi'an didn't speak, but listened quietly.

"The first time I watched it, I thought, how could this eighteen-year-old use the camera with such restraint and precision? The second time, I thought, how could he film a subject that should normally be depicted as cruel and painful, yet still manage to be so warm and powerful? The third time..."

She paused, her gaze softening: "The third time, I've figured it out. The core of your films is different from that of Yi Mou and his contemporaries."

"Whether it's 'The Red Lantern,' 'Red Sorghum,' or even Li An's 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' although they are Eastern films, their core narratives are all Western. But you are different; you are truly telling our own story."

"If Chinese cinema could have more directors like this, and more films like this, that would be wonderful."

"So you don't need to listen to other people's nagging, saying that I deliberately gave it to you; I genuinely think you deserve it!"

A warm feeling welled up in He Yi'an's heart; Gong Li had truly understood his film.

"Ms. Gong Li, I—"

"I told you not to call me teacher anymore," Gong Li interrupted him. "If you don't mind that I'm much older than you, you can just call me 'sister' from now on."

He Yi'an paused for a moment, then smiled: "Sister Gong Li."

Gong Li smiled and held out her hand: "Come on, give me a hug."

He Yi'an stepped forward and gently hugged her.

It was just a polite hug, then they let go.

"Sister Gong Li, I will definitely do my best to film the movie in January next year."

"I believe you." Gong Li nodded. "I've read the script several times already, and as for Yi Mou—"

"Are you alright? I'm not worried about him, but about that guy."

"Don't worry." He Yi'an nodded. "He'll join the crew in January. It's my production team, and I already have a complete publicity plan. He won't be able to get in."

Gong Li nodded: "Okay, see you in January then."

She turned to leave, but after a few steps, she turned back and said, "Oh, by the way, after the banquet, don't rush off. I'll take you to meet a few people."

He Yi'an's heart skipped a beat: "Who is it?"

"You'll find out when the time comes." Gong Li didn't say anything more, waved her hand, and disappeared into the crowd.

He Yi'an stood there, watching her back, his mind racing.

Who is Gong Li taking him to see?

Someone who can be personally introduced by her in such a setting must be no ordinary person.

European film masters?

Hollywood producers?

still----

"An-ge'er, what are you thinking about?" Yu Feihong walked over with a plate of desserts, with Yan Danchen following behind.

"It's nothing." He Yi'an snapped out of his reverie. "Senior, after the banquet, you guys go back to the hotel first. I have something to do."

The two women were somewhat puzzled.

"Sister Gong Li said she would take me to meet a few people."

Yu Feihong and Yan Danchen exchanged a glance but neither asked any further questions.

In this situation, some things don't need to be asked too clearly.

The banquet lasted for nearly two hours before the crowd gradually dispersed.

He Yi'an had been waiting for news from Gong Li until most of the guests had left, at which point his phone finally vibrated.

"Come to the VIP room on the east side of the second floor."

He Yi'an put away his phone, greeted Yu Feihong and Yan Danchen, and headed upstairs.

On the east side of the second floor is a quiet corridor covered with a deep red carpet, and posters from past Venice Film Festivals hang on the walls.

At the end of the corridor was a heavy wooden door, with two security guards in black suits standing in the doorway.

He Yi'an walked over and gave his name.

The security personnel checked the list and then opened the door.

The room was softly lit and small, but exquisitely decorated.

A sofa was placed by the window, where several people were chatting.

Gong Li sat in the middle and waved to He Yi'an when she saw him come in.

"Xiao An, here, let me introduce you to a few people."

He Yi'an walked over, his gaze sweeping over the person on the sofa, and his heart suddenly raced.

Sitting to Gong Li's left was a man with gray hair but a vigorous spirit. He greeted her with a formulaic smile.

Steven Spielberg.

This name needs no introduction.

Sitting next to Spielberg was a thin, middle-aged man with thinning hair. He had sharp eyes and a shrewd smile on his lips.