Just because I wrote "Zhu Xian," the school beauty sent me razor blades.

Paris.

The second day of the International Youth Film Forum.

The morning activities were as lively as ever.

Young directors from all over the world discussed the future development of the film industry in the hall.

Some people are talking about artificial intelligence.

Some people are talking about the streaming era.

Some people are talking about commercial films.

Lin Yuan sat in the crowd.

He listened very attentively.

Although……

The notebook in his hand still had very few words written on it.

A South Korean director standing nearby couldn't help but glance at it.

"Forest."

"Um?"

"Don't you have a record?"

Lin Yuan looked down at it.

Blank page.

Silence for two seconds.

"It's been recorded."

The other party was curious.

"Record what?"

Lin Yuan turned the notebook over.

There is only one sentence above.

—The price of coffee in Paris is five times that of the school cafeteria.

South Korean director:

"..."

"Is this also movie material?"

Lin Yuan nodded seriously.

"certainly."

"I'll make a film about international students sometime in the future."

"I've already thought of a name."

The other party became interested.

"What's your name?"

Lin Yuan:

"Breakfast in Paris"

"..."

This was the first time the other party had ever seen it.

The creative inspiration of the director from Longguo.

The sources appear to be very diverse.

noon.

Forum break time.

Lin Yuan's phone rang.

A message.

From Michael.

"Do you have time this afternoon?"

I'd like to invite you to a place.

Lin Yuan glanced at it.

reply:

"Where?"

A few seconds later.

Michael replied:

"Private cinema".

in the afternoon.

The outskirts of Paris.

A private cinema.

Lin Yuan pushed open the door and went in.

There was no one else inside.

There was only one huge screen.

And neatly arranged old film reels.

He looked around.

Michael.

"Um?"

"You're not planning to make me sit here watching a two-hour movie and then write a 5,000-word review, are you?"

Michael shook his head.

Then I walked over to the projector.

Pick up a reel of film.

"rest assured."

No review today.

Lin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good."

Lin Yuan sat down.

The screen lights up.

An old movie begins to play.

The visuals have a vintage feel.

The actor is not famous.

The scene is not grand.

Even in many places, it looks rather simple.

But the characters inside.

But it feels very real.

Two hours later.

The movie has ended.

The lights came on.

Michael looked at Lin Yuan.

"How is it?"

Lin Yuan did not answer immediately.

Instead, they remained silent for a while.

"very good."

Michael smiled.

"Only good?"

Lin Yuan nodded.

"Um."

"Because I feel..."

He looked at the screen.

"You in the past."

"Happier than now."

Michael was stunned.

The room fell silent.

A few seconds passed.

Michael said in a low voice:

"You're the first person to say that."

He looked at the screen.

It's as if I'm seeing myself from many years ago.

"Back then."

I don't have any awards.

"There was no major investment."

"But every time we film."

"I know why I'm filming."

"later."

"I did it."

"I won an award."

"We have more resources."

"More people will know me."

"But things started to get complicated."

"Everyone tells me."

What types of money can you make?

"What topics are safe?"

What kinds of movies are likely to succeed?

"Slowly."

Michael smiled.

"I'm starting to know."

How to make a successful film.

"but."

"I forgot."

Why did I start making movies?

Lin Yuan remained silent.

After a while.

Michael turned to look at him.

"And you?"

Lin Yuan looked up.

"I?"

Michael nodded.

Why didn't you become like that?

You are younger than me.

"But you already possess many things that a director may never have in his entire life."

"box office."

"Fame".

"focus on."

"Why haven't you started pursuing something bigger?"

Lin Yuan thought for a while.

Then he laughed.

"Perhaps because..."

"I'm lucky."

Michael raised an eyebrow.

"Lucky?"

Lin Yuan nodded.

"Um."

"Because of the stories I encountered."

"They are all more important than success."

"They make me feel..."

"Some things."

"If no one is recording it."

"That would be a real shame."

Michael looked at him.

for a long time.

Said:

"so."

"You're not looking for success."

"You're looking for something worth keeping."

Lin Yuan nodded.

"almost."

outside the window.

The Parisian sun slowly dimmed.

Michael leaned back in his chair.

Suddenly asked:

"If it were you."

"What kind of story do you think it is?"

"Is it worth staying?"

Lin Yuan remained silent.

long after.

他 说:

"I have no idea."

But I think...

There is a type of person.

"It deserves to be seen."

Michael:

"Who is it?"

Lin Yuan looked at the screen.

Said:

"Those who are clearly trapped."

"But I never gave up on being myself."

Michael did not speak.

Lin Yuan continued:

"They may not have changed the world."

"I didn't become a hero."

"Nobody even knows them."

"but."

"They proved one thing."

"The environment can limit a person's life."

"But it cannot determine a person's inner world."

Michael looked up.

Lin Yuan did not continue to explain.

Instead, he said slowly:

There is one person.

"He originally had a good life."

"I have a job."

"I have a family."

"Having everything that others envy."

"But one day..."

He was taken to a place.

"There are high walls there."

"There are iron bars on the windows."

"There are long years that seem to have no end."

"There."

"Many people have gradually gotten used to life here."

"They learned to accept the rules."

Learn to accept what fate has in store for you.

"But he's different."

"He faces the same wall every day."

"The same kind of people."

"The same life."

"But he always believed."

"The human heart."

"We shouldn't be trapped by a wall."

Michael listened quietly.

A long time passed.

he asks:

"And then?"

Lin Yuan smiled.

"later."

"He is free."

Michael did not press the matter further.

Because he already knew.

Much later.

Michael then spoke.

"What is the name of this story?"

Lin Yuan remained silent for a second.

Then he said:

"The Shawshank Redemption".

Michael repeated it in a low voice.

"The Shawshank Redemption..."

He looked at the name.

It's like savoring something.

"Redemption".

"It's not about escaping."

"But..."

"After losing everything."

"Stay true to yourself."

Lin Yuan nodded.

"Um."

in the cinema.

It was quiet for a long time.

Michael kept thinking about the story he had just heard.

at last.

He raised his head.

"Where is the script?"

Lin Yuan was taken aback.

"What?"

"The complete script."

Michael said.

"You didn't just prepare one story, did you?"

Lin Yuan smiled.

"Of course."

"only……"

"I haven't decided who to give it to yet."

Michael looked at him.

Why?

Lin Yuan leaned back in his chair.

"Because not all directors."

"It's suitable for filming anywhere."

"Some people will make it into a prison break movie."

"Some people will make it into a crime film."

"Some people only focus on the conflicts in prison."

But I think...

"The truly important thing about this story."

"Not those."

Michael looked at him.

"so……"

"You already have a complete plan?"

Lin Yuan nodded.

"have."

"But I haven't decided yet."

Michael:

"Decid what?"

Lin Yuan looked at the screen.

"Decid who should receive it."

The room quieted down.

Michael paused for a moment.

Then he laughed.

"so."

Are you choosing a director?

Lin Yuan nodded seriously.

"Um."

"Choose a suitable person."

Michael couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Nineteen years old.

"This is my first time in Paris."

"Attend international film forums."

"So you're here to pick a director?"

Lin Yuan thought for a moment.

Strictly speaking...

"It's about choosing partners."

Michael looked at the young man in front of him.

It suddenly feels a bit unbelievable.

past.

Everyone wants to collaborate with him.

They would all tell him:

This project is very profitable.

This project has a large market.

This project has a high chance of winning awards.

But this young man in front of me.

I only care about one thing.

This story.

Who should it be given to?

Michael stood up.

He walked up to Lin Yuan.

"Forest."

"If I said..."

"I want to film it."

"Would you like to do this with me?"

Lin Yuan looked at him.

There was no immediate response.

"What are the cooperation methods?"

Michael was stunned.

"Your first reaction wasn't to say yes?"

Lin Yuan was puzzled.

"Film is a commercial project."

"Of course we should talk about cooperation."

Michael smiled.

"I almost forgot."

"Besides being a director."

"He's also someone who can negotiate copyright."

Lin Yuan:

"Professional habits".

Michael reached out his hand.

"Then let's start with professional habits."

"Let's make this movie together."

Lin Yuan looked at that hand.

A few seconds later.

hold.

"it is good."

"But I'll let you know in advance."

Michael:

"What?"

Lin Yuan:

"I'm very strict about revising the script."

Michael raised an eyebrow.

"Stricter than me?"

Lin Yuan thought about it seriously for a moment.

"possible."

"after all."

"This is my favorite movie."

Michael smiled.

"Now I'm feeling a bit of pressure."

Lin Yuan:

"rest assured."

"The actors should be under the most pressure."

Michael:

Why?

Lin Yuan:

"Because I want them to believe it."

"Hope truly exists."

The two looked at each other and smiled.