Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

March,

"A World Without Thieves" was sent to Berlin, and its biggest competitor in this year's Lunar New Year film season is Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu Hustle".

His influence goes without saying. In the mainland market, Zhuang Huai'an doesn't think he can beat Stephen Chow.

This isn't meant to boost others' morale, but rather to highlight Stephen Chow's decades-long legacy of nonsensical comedies; he's simply been on a winning streak all along.

To put it another way: What makes you think that your ten years of studying are worth three generations of my family's business?

The words are unrelated, but that's the gist of it.

Moreover, using a romance film to compete with a comedy film seems to have no advantage, but this release date was set by Professor Ren. Shanghai Film Studio has been in decline for many years and urgently needs a good film to re-establish its status in the industry.

Zhuang Huai'an let him be. After all, Bouquet was an art-house romance film, and it wasn't shameful to lose to Stephen Chow, especially since it was a behemoth like Kung Fu Hustle.

While the two leading companies were promoting their films in the media, the third company, Lu Chuan, was the first to succumb to the pressure and decided to avoid direct confrontation by setting the release date of "Kekexili" for December 5th, aiming to fire the first shot in the New Year's film season.

Coincidentally, Professor Ren was also trying to avoid the release date of "Kung Fu Hustle" by moving the date of the bouquet to December 6th.

When Chuanzi heard the news, he was stunned. He quickly pulled Lu's father along, and the two of them shamelessly approached Han Sanping. They changed the release date of "Kekexili" to the beginning of 2005, preparing to compete with the Hong Kong comedies "Himalaya Star" and "Neurotic Couple".

This left Zhuang Huai'an somewhat regretful, as he made Chuanzi dance for a few more months.

On the afternoon of the 6th, at the Beijing Grand Theatre.

Professor Ren had long ago extended invitations to all sorts of big shots to attend the premiere. With the Shanghai Film Studio still wielding considerable influence and Zhuang Huai'an at the peak of his career, countless followers flocked to the event with their own underlings.

This scene was even more lively than the celebration party for "Gone Girl".

In the red carpet interview area, some nosy media outlets stirred up trouble, urging Zhuang Huai'an to take a photo with Zhang Yimou, Jiang Wen, and Feng Xiaogang, hoping to solidify his status as one of the top five directors in mainland China.

"Oh."

Kai sneered, curled his lips arrogantly, and ignored the reporter, walking into the venue on his own. Zhang Yimou and Jiang Wen exchanged a glance and grinned mischievously.

Feng Kuzi looked unpleasant, but dared not retaliate. Even if he were to make the Berlin Film Festival next month, he would still be considered inferior to these men.

Endurance

After entering the venue and engaging in some social interactions, Zhang Yimou pulled Zhuang Huai'an aside, his hesitant expression amusing Zhuang Huai'an.

"Hey senior, do you need to borrow money or what?"

"What are you saying?" Zhang Yimou glared at him. "Does a big director like me need to borrow money from you?"

Hard to say!

Zhuang Huai'an pursed his lips, hoping that you could still speak so confidently seven years from now.

"What is it? Is it so hard to talk about? If you don't tell me, I'm leaving. Brother Kai and Senior Brother Ren Kai have put down Wuji to support me, so I have to take care of them."

Zhang Yimou pursed his lips, glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, and then said in a low voice, "It's about my niece. She just graduated, and she's thinking of going to NYU's film school for further studies. I heard they require letters of recommendation, and I... sigh..."

Zhuang Huai'an understood; so that's what it was about.

In the original storyline, Zhang Yimou probably asked Li An for help, and later used a Golden Lion Award to repay the favor for "Lust, Caution," causing his good friend Jiang Wen to lose face.

Now that he's on the board of MGM, Zhang Yimou will definitely be looking for his own people.

"What could it be?"

Zhuang Huai'an forced himself to double down, "Since it's my niece who wants to study here, then what else is there to say? I'm going to the US after the New Year anyway. If NYU doesn't work out, Southern California will definitely do."

Teacher Yang Chen's annual charcoal offerings shouldn't be wasted!

"That's wonderful!"

Zhang Yimou smiled broadly, his face crinkling with wrinkles. "With you handling things, I have no worries. You have no idea how much I've been troubled these past few days..."

Zhuang Huai'an smiled but remained silent. Although he wanted to recruit and save Zhang Yimou, speaking up at this moment would seem like taking advantage of a favor, which didn't fit his public image.

Let's wait and see, let Zhang Dapao wear him down a bit more.

Social engagements happen very quickly.

At 6 o'clock, the host, old friends Li Jing and Dai Jun, came on stage to invite the guests to take their seats, and then invited Zhuang Huai'an and other main creators to come on stage to share some filming stories, before the screening began.

Although "Love Like a Bouquet" is a romance film, its structure is progressive and not at all dull.

When making the modifications, Zhuang Huai'an also added some of his own ideas.

For example, Zhuang Huai'an made a cameo appearance as the cartoonist that the male and female leads encountered when they first met, marking his debut on the big screen.

Just as the male protagonist was feeling disappointed that his companion didn't recognize Zhuang Huai'an, the internationally renowned director, the female protagonist asked: "Was that Director Zhuang Huai'an just now?"

The male protagonist's eyes lit up: You know him?

The female lead replied: Whether you like him or not, knowing Zhuang Huai'an is common knowledge that everyone should have, right?

One character, while setting the stage for the romance between the male and female leads, also made a lighthearted comment about his role as a behind-the-scenes staff member.

This clever addition drew chuckles from everyone in the room.

Yes, no matter how famous a director is, how can everyone possibly know him?

It's unreasonable to be recognized on the street and then exclaim, cheer, or be shocked, isn't it?

The screening continued.

Two artsy young people unexpectedly meet and, after chatting about literature, movies, and their respective hobbies, are pleasantly surprised to find that they are extremely similar in both habits and ideas. It's as if they have found another version of themselves, and their hearts begin to flutter.

The sweeter the first half, the sadder the second half.

After graduating and entering society, the realities of life temper the young man's will and love. The male protagonist gave up his dream of painting and, with the initial intention of taking care of the female protagonist, became an office worker. His increasingly tight financial situation also diminished his demands for an ideal life.

Without realizing it, the two people who were once so compatible could hardly exchange a few words. Even when they bumped into each other on the subway after get off work, they would only smile at each other.

After becoming numb day after day, the two drifted apart and became the most familiar strangers.

Finally, the scene freezes on the two people back to back, raising their hands in farewell, and the movie ends.

With a snap, the hall lights came on.

People remained unmoved, and many girls secretly shed tears. Liu Yifei leaned on Zhuang Huai'an's shoulder and cried her heart out.

A faint sense of regret permeated the entire venue.

Until Kai broke the deadlock by standing up and clapping, applause followed in quick succession.

Li Jing and Dai Jun took the stage to control the situation, and the applause lasted for two and a half minutes before Zhuang Huai'an calmed the young girl down and led the main cast onto the stage.

"Director Kai, could you please share your thoughts?"

After taking the microphone from the staff, Brother Kai immediately launched into a tirade of praise, extolling every aspect he could—from lighting and shadows to the narrative structure.

Zhuang Huai'an blushed a little. Brother Kai really does go for things when he needs them, but if you praise me like this, what am I going to do after "The Promise" is released?

"This movie is good, and it's good that it's not cliché. Huai'an shows us a realistic kind of love. In the fast-paced life we ​​live, he asks us a question: Is bread more important or love?"

Can you keep love once you have bread? I think everyone has a different answer. Thank you everyone.

After another round of applause, the staff handed the microphone to Zhang Yimou, a arrangement that pleased Zhang Yimou greatly.

After the two gave their comments, Li Jing asked a question.

"Director Huai'an, what motivated you to make this film?"

Zhuang Huai'an smiled, raised the microphone and spoke eloquently: "First of all, I am a young man, which is something that many viewers overlook."

Everyone knows I like to play realistic themes, and this flower bouquet is no exception. In recent years, the love stories on the market are either about the impulsiveness of the early stages or the reward after success, but no one has ever told the story of how love grows in the turbulent and broken stages of life.

I really like the story of Xiaomai and Xiaojuan because it depicts that neglected, turbulent, and broken stage of life.

I hope you enjoyed this story. Thank you everyone.

Amidst thunderous applause, the premiere with bouquets came to a close.

The banquet was over before the screening, and everyone went home.

On the way,

Liu Yifei's beautiful eyes were as red as a rabbit's, and she kept twitching her nose, as if she hadn't yet come out of the movie.

"Brother, do you think...we'll end up like that?"

"What?"

"I mean... in the future... will we end up like Xiaogu and Xiaojuan?"

"Won't."

"Really?"

"real."

Just as the traffic light turned green, Zhuang Huai'an shifted gears and stopped the car. He turned around and looked directly into Liu Yifei's eyes, his expression extremely serious.

"We will keep going."

"it is good."

Liu Yifei flashed a sweet smile, looking adorable.