This director loves making friends.

Chen Kaige thoroughly enjoyed the premiere of "A Bittersweet Life".

Yes, it was simply very "exhilarating" in a sensory sense. During the movie screening, he couldn't help but say to Zhang Fengyi next to him, "Hong Kong movies still have to be good. The action is sharp, the pace is fast, and revenge is never delayed."

Zhang Fengyi sensed something, especially the Hong Kong, action, rhythm, and revenge that Chen Kaige specifically mentioned... These elements combined didn't seem like something an art film should have.

"Director Qin came from the mainland to Hong Kong, and I heard that he has a very good relationship with Director Xie Fei."

Zhang Fengyi remained silent for a moment before whispering a reminder to Chen Kaige.

Xie Fei was a teacher who had actually taught Chen Kaige's courses. Zhang Fengyi was afraid that Chen Kaige might have a moment of intellectual folly and say something he shouldn't in front of the reporters, so he specifically mentioned Xie Fei.

"snort……"

Zhang Fengyi heard Chen Kai grunt, but he wasn't sure if he had heard him or not, and he just couldn't help but wonder.

This is Cannes. We are all Chinese, especially since we all come from the mainland. We should unite and help each other.

Besides, there must be a reason why Cannes chose "La Dolce Vita".

As for why it looks more like a commercial film... there must be something I haven't figured out yet.

Even as the movie was nearing its end, Zhang Fengyi still felt that it was more like a commercial film exploring the brilliance of humanity, only superficially touching upon the themes of desire and the human predicament.

"What do you think?"

Zhang Fengyi couldn't help but ask Gong Li, who was standing next to him.

"I think it's great."

Gong Li immediately said, "Cannes is the world's largest film market. The primary criteria for the main competition are the director's personal style, visual innovation, and depth of thought. It prioritizes art while also considering watchability."

She glanced at Zhang Fengyi, then thought of what Zhang Yimou had told her about Cannes.

"After taking the stage, Cannes Film Festival Artistic Director Gilles Jacob clearly stated that he was pursuing something 'between mainstream commercial films at the Oscars and obscure art films at Venice,' requiring works to be artistic but not clichéd, and to be acceptable to a considerable number of viewers in terms of form."

Zhang Fengyi nodded in realization, "So that's how it is."

"I was wondering why Cannes would choose a film that's somewhat commercial; it turns out that Cannes has such broad selection criteria."

"Lacks artistry."

Chen Kaige chimed in from the side, "The whole film shouldn't focus on action scenes. These can be glossed over. The film should delve deeper into the protagonist's emotional journey and transformation. In the movie, it feels too abrupt and the transitions aren't smooth enough."

Furthermore, the female lead has too few scenes, and the actress's performance is too superficial. They should have cast a more skilled actress, and added a few scenes depicting the twisted relationship between the female lead and the mob boss. Then everything about the female lead would make sense.

Zhang Fengyi smacked his lips but didn't say anything, feeling even more uneasy.

Gong Li glanced at Chen Kaige and smiled silently.

"I think that kind of filming would be more suitable for Venice."

Chen Kaige closed his eyes, seemingly "enacting" his altered version of "A Bittersweet Life" in his mind, then opened his eyes and nodded, saying, "It really suits Venice."

After saying that, Chen Kai couldn't help but feel a little regretful that Qin Keqing didn't film it according to his own ideas, which was a real waste of a good subject with a distinctive style.

He was almost certain that "La Dolce Vita" was unlikely to win an award.

"what?"

Chen Kaige had just mentally sentenced "A Bittersweet Life" to death when the male protagonist in the film, seriously injured and powerless to resist, was reminded of the tragedy by the sound of a phone call and the sound of a piano, and then a gunshot rang out.

The male lead died?

This doesn't quite fit the typical happy ending formula of commercial films.

Then, unexpected conversations began again.

Master: "Did you have a nightmare?"

Disciple: "No."

Master: "Did you have a sad dream?"

Disciple: "No, I had a sweet dream."

Master: "Then why are you crying?"

Disciple: (Wiping away tears, answering softly) "Because that sweet dream cannot come true."

The movie is over.

As a literary youth, Chen Kaige was somewhat infected at this moment.

The beginning and end echo each other, which is quite interesting.

The opening dialogue between the master and apprentice in the film emphasizes that "heartbeat" is the root of all changes, explaining the inner logic of the tragedy.

The ending emphasizes that "shattered dreams" is the final destination, elevating the film's theme about the coexistence of bitterness and sweetness in life.

Then he shook his head, saying it was too Eastern philosophy, and that Westerners might not be able to understand it due to cultural differences.

What a pity!

He reaffirmed that this "somewhat interesting" film would be unlikely to win awards.

Chen Kaige felt that if he were a judge, he would definitely try his best to win. Although this is a commercial film, the Buddhist dialogues before and after the film clearly elevated the film.

Unfortunately, none of the judges this time were of East Asian descent.

"The movie is very interesting. If it weren't so commercialized and the focus were on exploring the male and female leads more deeply, it would be a truly exceptional film."

When saying goodbye to Qin Keqing, Chen Kai hesitated for a moment before finally speaking his mind.

"Thanks."

Qin Keqing didn't say much, just smiled and responded.

"The film's choice of angle is excellent, and its philosophical implications are very clear, exceeding my expectations."

Hou Xiaoxian took the initiative to shake hands with Qin Keqing and said.

"Thanks."

As usual, Qin Keqing didn't say much. He could tell that Hou Xiaoxian's words implied something, and the movie seemed to be better than he had imagined.

"Congratulations."

Congratulations, that's a great movie.

"Congratulations."

"..."

The judges shook hands with Qin Keqing one by one. When it was the turn of the jury chairman, French director Louis Malle, he said a few more words.

"The film is great. It has a philosophical core, stylized realistic violence, and uses minimalist composition and color metaphors. It's a very good attempt and a very experimental film."

Experimental nature?

Qin Keqing seemed to have picked up on something.

"Thanks."

"Well, Claudia Katina and Inna Chulikova have different opinions, but they both really like your film."

Before leaving, Louis-Mall said with a smile.

Qin Keqing understood this time.

Louis-Mall just mentioned experimental films, which are the films most often awarded the "Special Prize," a non-permanent prize, in the main competition.

Claudia Katina and Inna Chulikova have different opinions?

Both of them are judges in this year's main competition.

Well, the second half of the sentence can be ignored.

In other words, do these two disagree with the inclusion of a "special award" at this year's film festival?

According to official regulations, the establishment of a "Special Award" requires the unanimous consent of all judges at this year's film festival.

Shouldn't this be considered a reminder?

Does Louis-Mall mean that if he can get these two people on his side, he'll get the "special prize"?

Meanwhile, Chen Kaige is being interviewed.

When Zhang Fengyi saw reporters interviewing Chen Kaige, he almost couldn't help but remind Chen again to remember that they were compatriots and not to forget Teacher Xie Fei...

"...Through this narrative technique of echoing the beginning and end, the gangster film is elevated to the level of philosophical reflection, expressing an aesthetic tragedy that suggests even a fleeting moment of beauty is worth remembering with one's life, despite its inevitable shattering..."

To Zhang Fengyi's surprise, Chen Kaige did not deliberately belittle "A Bittersweet Life." On the contrary, he seemed to quite admire it.

"I still stand by my point of view, but I have a responsibility to popularize the Eastern philosophical perspective on history to Westerners. They don't understand what it means, and I want them to understand."

After the interview, Chen Kaige specifically explained to Zhang Fengyi and Gong Li.

Compared to Chen Kaige, there were many more reporters interviewing Hou Xiaoxian. He even waited a bit to let more reporters come over.