Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Before the snow falls,

Filming for "Hearing Girl" has wrapped.

This type of film is actually best suited for Cannes, but the 06 Cannes Film Festival was truly indescribable. Wong Kar-wai's series of questionable actions brought the film festival, which was originally superior to the other two major film festivals, back to square one.

Five Best Actor winners and six Best Actress winners—although all from the same film, this is a rare occurrence.

The main point is that you won't get a free ride!

So let's go to Berlin. I happen to know someone there, so even though the registration period has ended, I can still squeeze in for the surprise movie segment.

You won't let me in? I'll blow it up!

Of course, the main reason is that this year's Berlin competition was almost uncompetitive, so public relations didn't require much effort.

I sent an email to my dear old Volker explaining the situation, and he replied the next day, saying that the film festival agreed in principle, provided that Zhuang Huai'an could deliver the film a week before the opening.

Zhuang Huai'an agreed.

Fortunately, it wasn't the film era, otherwise editing alone would have taken two or three months. In the digital age, all it takes is a few taps of a finger, and he already knows the original plot by heart, so he doesn't need to think too much or struggle with it.

After a month of seclusion, the documentary "Hearing Girl" was completed on January 8, 2006.

Zhuang Huai'an asked Wang Zhiyong, who had just returned from abroad, to make the trip himself, and also gave him and Zhou Yang a break.

That day, Old Xiahou sent an email. This old man was indeed a China expert, and he even used Chinese.

"An, it's been a long time, I miss you very much."

I heard you have a new film submitted to Berlin again? It's great to be young; your creativity is endless. I wish you the best of luck in winning the Golden Bear and completing your Grand Slam.

Getting back to the main point, the Cannes Film Festival invited me to serve as this year's artistic director, but we haven't yet found a suitable candidate for the important position of jury president. So I recommended you, and the organizers highly appreciate my suggestion and specifically asked me to convey their expectations to you.

I'm really looking forward to your arrival, after all, you're a Cannes native, which is quite a story.

If you are interested, please reply to me as soon as possible. I look forward to your good news.

?

Is that correct?

Zhuang Huai'an was a little confused after reading it. If Wong Kar-wai wasn't the chairman of this year's Cannes Film Festival, how could I possibly enjoy the show?

Should I go myself?

Just as he was pondering this, another email from Xiahou arrived.

"By the way, I've attached the information flow of this year's film festival and the proposed list of jury members."

Zhuang Huai'an clicked on the attachment and immediately focused on the member information in the bottom column.

Monica Bellucci (Italian actress), Helena Bonham Carter (British actress), Samuel L. Jackson (American actor), Tim Roth (British actor), Lucia Martel (Argentine director), Elijah Suleiman (director), Patrice Lecomte (French director), Zhang Ziyi (Chinese actress).

?

Didn't I kill this woman? Trying to steal the spotlight with a comeback, huh? Doing this in real life is one thing, but acting this arrogantly in the virtual world too?

After thinking it over, Zhuang Huai'an replied to the email. Even if it was just to kick Zhang Ziyi out, he still had to make a trip to Cannes.

"Mr. Xiahou, thank you for your blessings, and thank you to the organizers of the Cannes Film Festival for your recognition. I am willing to serve as the president of the jury for this year's film festival."

Also, please note: Zhang Ziyi, a member of the jury, was recently blacklisted by her alma mater, the Central Academy of Drama, and relevant departments for making inappropriate remarks that insulted my alma mater, Beijing Film Academy. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I hope the organizers will carefully consider this matter, as it will also determine whether I return to Cannes.

Thank you again, your dear friend, An.

After checking for any typos, Zhuang Huai'an clicked send. He was practically saying, "Choose one between me and Zhang Ziyi."

Unless the organizers are stupid, they will make the right decision.

About an hour later, Xiahou replied.

"An, I just spoke with Director Zhang and we've confirmed the whole story. Don't worry, Cannes has your back!"

This reply amused Zhuang Huai'an. Xiahou's tone didn't sound like he had just spoken with Zhang Yimou; it sounded more like Johnnie To's style.

The Cannes chairman...

Zhuang Huai'an looked at the time in the lower right corner of the computer screen: January 12, 2006.

Tsk, what a pity. According to the unspoken rules of film festivals, once you become a member of the jury, the films you've worked on can't be included in the main competition. Although he didn't direct "Departures," he was the screenwriter.

If we were to film another one, it would be too late.

Wait...it seems...there's still time!

He quickly took out his phone, paused slightly on Jiang Wen's number while scrolling through his contacts, then scrolled down to the last number and dialed it.

"Senior brother, what's wrong?"

"On the set of 'Curse of the Golden Flower,' what's up?"

"What kind of time is this to still be making your lousy movies!"

In the Hengdian film crew, Zhang Yimou looked completely bewildered. He took his phone off his ear, carefully looked at the name, and then replied.

"What's wrong with you, you brat? Did you choke on your bread and get so angry?"

"Oh dear, it's hard to explain in a short time. Wait here, I'll come find you right away."

Without waiting for Zhang Yimou's reply, Zhuang Huai'an hung up the phone and called Zhang Lu to prepare to book tickets.

Liu Yifei, who was gossiping with Zhang Lu, asked curiously, "Brother, where are you going?"

"Go to Hengdian to see Zhang Yimou."

Zhuang Huai'an told Liu Yifei what had just happened and his thoughts, leaving the young girl dumbfounded.

"So, you're planning to use this opportunity to force Zhang Yimou to complete the three-gold medal grand slam?"

"That's right, I have a very suitable film. If handled properly, it will definitely win the Palme d'Or. Even if there is controversy, we can just stop doing business with Cannes in the future."

"If you're so confident, why is it Zhang Yimou? He's not one of us. In terms of relationships, it should be Senior Brother Zhiyong, Senior Brother Sun Hao, or at the very least, Uncle Jiang, right?"

Upon hearing Liu Yifei's question, Zhuang Huai'an couldn't help but smile and tease, "Wow, Sergeant Qian, you're trying to skip class and become a general's wife, aren't you?"

"I don't want to be a general's wife, I want to be a general!"

Liu Yifei rolled her eyes at him haughtily, "Let's get down to business, why?"

"Although it sounds harsh, the truth is that Zhiyong is not worthy of Haozi. The situation of being unworthy of one's position is even more terrible than forcing seedlings to grow. Once they have mastered their skills, I have plenty of resources for them."

Zhuang Huai'an said seriously, "As for Jiang Wen, it's even simpler. We're friends, but he can't possibly join 91 Company, so giving him this opportunity... well... isn't appropriate."

"I see," Liu Yifei nodded, seemingly understanding, "So you want to recruit Zhang Yimou?"

"Sergeant Akane, your IQ must be a whopping 250!"

Zhuang Huai'an snapped his fingers and laughed, "The company is still missing a pillar of strength. It's too tiring to rely on just me, but I'm not willing to give up good resources. Looking at the major directors in China, Zhang Yimou is a rare big-scene director. Before Zhi Yong and others grow up, bringing Zhang Yimou on board is the best choice."

"But with Zhang Yimou's current status, even if he doesn't join our group... uh, our team, he's not short of investment and movies, is he?"

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and shook his head, then patiently explained to his silly daughter, "He doesn't lack investment or resources, but he lacks money. Zhang Yimou is a very pure director; he only wants to make movies. He needs someone to help him manage things in front of the camera, which is why Zhang Dapao is so unscrupulous."

"Zhang Yimou is short of money?" Liu Yifei asked in surprise.

"That's a huge shortage."

Zhuang Huai'an's smile was meaningful.