Best Director in Literature Department of Huayu

Chapter 112 Talk Show and Homecoming Premiere (4K)

From its stunning premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 15th to its nationwide release in North America on June 30th, a full fourteen days passed.

In Hollywood's traditional marketing lexicon, this two-week hiatus is usually referred to as the "word-of-mouth settling period."

If it's a mediocre, bad movie, then this period is tantamount to a public execution. A sufficient number of negative reviews on the internet can effectively kill the movie, just like "Poseidon" in May.

However, if it falls on a masterpiece, this period becomes a means for 20th Century Fox, the "chef," to continue to whet the audience's appetite and engage in scarcity marketing.

Harvey has completely become a perpetual motion machine in the publicity and distribution line.

Thanks to Fox's masterful public relations strategy, the production team was propelled onto North America's top traditional promotional route—the studios of the three major late-night talk shows in the United States.

Burbank, California, NBC headquarters.

Inside the studio, late-night talk show king Jay Leno flashed his signature mischievous grin at the camera.

"OK, everyone, I know what you've all been talking about lately. Warner Bros.' Red Underpants Superman is flying around on the big screen, trying to save the world."

A burst of laughter immediately erupted in the room, and Jay Reynolds paused deliberately.

"But according to the data I've recently received, what really drives American women crazy isn't Superman, but a fashion magazine editor who calls you at 3 a.m.

Let's welcome the most incredible miracle of this summer's blockbuster season—"The Devil Wears Prada"!

Accompanied by the rousing brass accompaniment of a live jazz band, the studio doors suddenly opened.

The audience erupted in screams and applause that seemed to lift the ceiling.

The four members of the crew walked side by side into the reception area. This wonderful combination of two generations of top actresses and a young, talented Chinese-American director created a visually striking dramatic tension.

"Oh, welcome! Please sit down, please sit down!" Jay Reynolds stepped forward, first giving Meryl a gentlemanly hug, then shaking hands with Lin Ruiyang, Anne, and Emily in turn.

"Meryl, I must confess to you first. For three whole days after the premiere, I didn't dare raise my voice to my female producers." Jay Reno rubbed his nose, eliciting a burst of laughter from the audience.

He then looked at Meryl Streep and posed the question that American audiences were most concerned about: "When Fox first approached you with the script and told you that the director was a young Chinese man who was only twenty years old, what was your first reaction? Honestly, didn't you think that the Fox executives had collectively lost their minds?"

The audience members below the stage all perked up their ears.

Hollywood has always been a fiercely competitive and seniority-driven arena. The story of an Eastern youth leading a group of arrogant top actors is bound to be interesting.

Meryl replied almost without thinking, "Of course."

The audience burst into laughter, and even Lin Ruiyang couldn't help but facepalm.

Jay Reynolds immediately slammed his fist on the table and demanded, "So you really think Fox is crazy?"

"To be precise, I think Elizabeth is crazy," Meryl said seriously.

"Because under normal circumstances, a twenty-year-old director should still be in film school making his graduation short film, not sitting behind the camera directing me."

"But on the first day of filming, I realized I was wrong. Lam didn't have the inexperience of a young director; he quickly took control of the crew and was a true tyrant on set."

"Wow, a tyrant on set." Jay Reynolds keenly caught the bombshell.

"So, Lin, all the top analysts in the US are watching the market on June 30th. Are you really that confident that you can dethrone Warner Bros.' Superman in this brutal summer blockbuster season with a female-centric fashion film without superpowers or big explosions?"

"Jay, there are not only boys in this world who like to watch Superman save the world, but also millions of working women who wear high heels every morning and fight for their ambition and survival in office buildings."

As soon as Lin Ruiyang finished speaking, a round of applause broke out in the room.

Jay Reno clutched his chest dramatically: "My God, you know what? That line alone could have sold at least 100,000 movie tickets."

"I hope so," Lin Ruiyang shrugged. "After all, Fox has already spent a lot of money on me."

Jay Reno immediately seized the opportunity: "Speaking of spending money, I heard you bought millions of dollars worth of costumes for this movie?"

""

"almost."

"Approximately how much?"

"If I give specific figures, the Ministry of Justice might send me a lawyer's letter tomorrow."

The audience burst into laughter, and Jay Reno turned to look at Anne.

"Annie, I have to ask a question that every girl wants to know."

"What?"

"Did you secretly take any of those clothes from the movie home?"

Annie's eyes widened instantly: "Of course not!"

Then she paused for a second: "Because the crew was very strict."

"Wait, so you actually tried it?" Jay Reynolds pressed his advantage.

"I didn't steal it!" Anne protested immediately.

"I just... did a very serious study on whether certain clothes could fit in my suitcase."

The audience was already laughing hysterically, and Emily next to her immediately added, "She even gave each of her clothes a name."

"Emily!"

"It's true." Emily nodded seriously.

"By the third week, she had already started to have an emotional connection with a certain Gucci jacket."

A chorus of applause and laughter erupted from the audience, and Jay Reynolds slapped the table with his hand, exclaiming, "God, this is absolutely the most valuable news of the night!"

He then turned his gaze to Emily: "Emily, your portrayal of Emily has now become one of the most popular characters on the internet."

"Thanks."

"But I've heard that many viewers think you're more like the lead than the female lead."

Emily flashed a standard British fake smile: "I completely agree with that view."

Annie immediately reached out and patted her on the shoulder: "Hey!"

"Take a look," Emily said, shrugging.

"She even brought this behavior into her real life."

Laughter once again filled the studio, and Jay Reynolds nodded in satisfaction; this was exactly the effect he wanted. The genuine and relaxed interaction between the actors was more effective at spreading publicity than any promotional material.

As the interview drew to a close, Jay Reynolds looked at the four men and said, "One last question."

"If you had to describe this movie in one sentence, what would you say?"

Meryl spoke first: "About power."

Anne thought for a moment: "About growing up."

Emily raised an eyebrow: "About fashion, and how to survive in the fashion industry."

Finally, it was Lin Ruiyang's turn: "Regarding choices, is it choosing to become what others expect you to be, or to become the person you want to be?"

Immediately afterwards, a wave of applause swept through the entire studio.

Jay Reynolds stood up: "Ladies and gentlemen, the cast and crew of 'The Devil Wears Prada'!"

June 25, 2006, Terminal 2 (T6) of Beijing Capital International Airport.

Two hours before the flight was scheduled to land, the exit of the international arrivals hall was already packed with people.

In the airport terminal, fans holding posters and media reporters with cameras and microphones almost completely blocked the arrival area.

"They're here! They're here! Director Lin's flight has landed!"

With a piercing scream coming from inside the passage, the cordon that had been maintaining order was instantly thrown into disarray.

Anne Hathaway was taken aback by the scene before her as soon as she stepped out of the VIP passage.

Even though she was used to being surrounded and blocked on Hollywood Boulevard, she had never seen such an oppressive and fervently restrained wave of people welcoming people from the East.

"Annie!"

"Annie, look this way!"

"Here, here!"

The scene instantly spiraled out of control, with a large number of reporters rushing forward with their cameras in hand.

However, before everyone could press the shutter button a few times, another tall figure appeared in the passageway.

"Emily!"

"Miss Emily!"

"What do you think of China?"

The crowd, which had just calmed down a little, became restless again.

Emily was visibly taken aback. She whispered to Anne beside her, "I'm starting to understand how the Beatles felt when they first came to America."

Anne nodded, suppressing a laugh: "I think we may have underestimated the population here."

Just then, an even louder exclamation came from the direction of the exit.

"Meryl!"

"Meryl is out!"

"Oh my god!"

The sound of camera shutters suddenly increased several times over. Meryl took off her sunglasses and looked at the huge crowd in front of her, revealing a clear look of surprise for the first time.

She turned to look at Lin Ruiyang: "Are you sure this is a welcome party for a movie crew, and not for a national leader?"

Lin Ruiyang smiled: "Welcome to China."

Stanley Tucci was the last to emerge from the passage; he received slightly less attention compared to the three actresses.

But cheers still rang out loudly at the scene.

When all five members of the crew appeared, the scene reached a climax.

Countless reporters began asking questions frantically.

"Director Lin! What are your expectations for the North American box office?"

"Ms. Meryl! This is your first time visiting China. What are your impressions?"

"Annie! Which outfit in the movie is your favorite?"

"Emily! Many people online are saying you stole the spotlight from the female lead, what do you think?"

The questions came like a machine gun, and the security personnel on site started sweating.

Just when things were about to get out of control, the staff from China Film Group responsible for receiving guests finally broke through the encirclement.

"Excuse me!"

"Please make way!"

"Media interviews are scheduled for tomorrow's press conference!"

After a difficult push of more than ten minutes, the crew finally managed to leave the airport.

However, no sooner had they left than their photos appeared on the homepages of major domestic portal websites.

Lin Ruiyang arrives in Beijing with a top Hollywood cast!

Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep spotted at Beijing Capital International Airport!

Anne Hathaway causes a stir at the airport!

As night fell in Yanjing, the traffic on the elevated highways flowed like a golden river. With the coordination of China Film Group, the film crew stayed directly at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in the heart of Chang'an Avenue.

5 PM on the 26th, Oriental Plaza on Chang'an Avenue.

As the most prestigious modern and fashionable landmark in Yanjing at the time, the exterior of the New Century Cinema underground in Oriental Plaza was already completely covered by a red carpet that stretched for 100 meters.

There was still nearly an hour before the premiere was scheduled to begin, but the crowd outside the cinema had already far exceeded the organizers' expectations.

Behind the railings on both sides of the red carpet, the audience stood densely packed.

Some people held up posters of "The Devil Wears Prada," some held up photos of Meryl Streep cut out from foreign magazines, and many young girls held up printed copies of "Runway" magazine covers.

"There are just too many people..." The China Film Group staff member in charge of on-site coordination was sweating profusely as he looked at the ever-increasing crowd.

Another person nearby smiled wryly: "There's nothing we can do. The movie's stars are all here in China for promotional purposes, and it's their first time here."

.

Inside the hotel suite, Annie stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the flashing lights in the distance, and sighed, "So tonight is really just a movie premiere? Why do I feel like I'm at the Oscars?"

"Because you underestimated the enthusiasm of the Chinese audience." Meryl slowly adjusted her cuffs.

"I'm starting to look forward to tonight."

Lin Ruiyang glanced at his watch; the hands pointed precisely to 5:40.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time. Our battlefield is downstairs."

The Grand Hyatt Hotel has a private elevator that goes directly to the basement level of Oriental Plaza.

The moment the elevator doors opened, a cacophony of noise and a barrage of flashing lights enveloped everyone.

Dozens of professional security personnel dispatched by China Film Group held hands and carved out a passage through the dense crowd.

Before them, most of the fashion and entertainment industry in China had already arrived.

Top fashion editors such as Hong Huang and Su Mang, as well as top domestic celebrities such as Zhou Xun and Zhang Ziyi, all attended in their finest attire.

In an era where the Chinese entertainment industry looks up to Hollywood with awe, being able to show one's face on the red carpet of a Hollywood film crew is an excellent opportunity for any domestic star to gain prestige.

"He's out! Director Lin is out!"

With a scream from the crowd, hundreds of media outlets instantly focused their cameras on the elevator exit.

"Meryl!!!"

"Annie!!!"

"Emily, I love you!!!"

"Stanley, look here!!!"

At the entrance to the red carpet, Su Mang greeted them warmly: "Welcome to Yanjing."

Meryl smiled and shook hands: "Thank you, it's more lively here than I expected."

After exchanging pleasantries with Meryl, Su Mang looked at Lin Ruiyang with a fervent glint in her eyes: "Director Lin, the entire fashion world in Yanjing is going crazy for you tonight. After the movie ends, most of the mainstream media are waiting for your exclusive interview."

"Thank you, Editor-in-Chief Su. Tonight's stars are them, and the audience below the stage."

Lin Ruiyang nodded slightly and, with the crew escorted by security, officially stepped onto the red carpet.

At the end of the red carpet, in front of the autograph backdrop, the leading lady of China Film Group's Sixth Princess, specially invited to host, stirred up the atmosphere: "Dear viewers at home! Now walking towards us is the most anticipated film crew of tonight, 'The Devil Wears Prada'! Leading the procession is our pride of the younger generation of China—Director Lin Ruiyang!"

After the five members of the cast and crew posed for photos and signed autographs in front of the poster wall, the official interviews on the red carpet officially began.

>