I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

This is a short press release, mainly about the preparations for the Cannes Film Festival and the films participating in the festival, with an interview with some well-known jury members in the middle.

Among them, Ms. Merritt's interview was particularly noteworthy.

First of all, she is a sharp-tongued queen, best at using incisive words to criticize works, and she basically condemns the works of commercial directors.

Secondly, she had previously published a short article arguing that Lu Ban's film didn't even deserve a nomination, which garnered some attention, mainly because many of Lu Ban's haters in China kept repeating it like gospel.

Therefore, Ms. Merritt's sudden change of attitude in this news article is quite surprising.

"After watching 'All Quiet in Spring,' I thought a lot. I had many words to describe the film, but in the end I gave up on describing it because any words would be pale and blasphemous. The best way to present a film is through the film itself. I believe that every viewer who watches this film can feel its unique charm."

Upon seeing this statement, Bai Qiquan was momentarily taken aback.

Wasn't this person criticizing the movie before, but changed their mind after watching it?

Isn't this a bit...too exaggerated?

Bai Qiquan had watched the entire movie. He asked himself honestly, and while the content was excellent, it was just excellent. How could Director Lu have transformed a film critic who was prejudiced from the beginning into the way he is now? Did he really add some computer components to the movie?

No, it's really not that bad.

He scrolled down through the comments.

[Director Lu's films are truly unbeatable! This judge, who used to look down on him, is now fawning over him!]

Am I the only one who finds this strange? A judge who was angrily criticizing Lu Ban just a week ago is suddenly praising him now? Could it be that they were paid off and changed their tune, or was this all part of Lu Ban's publicity stunt?

This comment doesn't contain any key information; it feels like it could be applied to any movie. It's probably just platitudes.

I can understand if you say Lu Ban's movies are scary, since everyone has been frightened before, but Cannes is an art award. Do his horror films really have any artistic merit?

I still have a lot of faith in Director Lu's abilities. He managed to silence those picky judges with the quality of his work—that's amazing!

[No way, no way, are there still people who don't understand the art of creating buzz through controversy? First, someone gets angry and criticizes to attract attention, then they whitewash the image and hype it up from the opposite perspective. It's an old marketing tactic.]

When will this movie be released in China? Is it only showing overseas and not in China?

The comments section was once again a battle of words, something Bai Qiquan had seen countless times before. At first, he was furious, watching those who were stirring up trouble get angry and grit their teeth.

But later he didn't care anymore. After all, his work wasn't worth money, and not everyone would like it.

However, seeing these comments still made him uneasy.

If Bai Qiquan hadn't seen the original film, he might have thought it was incredibly amazing. But he had seen it, and based on his own opinion, it didn't seem to be as good as some people claimed.

"Did Director Lu really slip some money?"

He was also somewhat uncertain.

The Cannes Film Festival will open in mid-May.

This year's film festival received more commercial attention due to the release of Lu Ban's film. Hotels around the city were fully booked a month in advance, and even hotels in neighboring cities were not guaranteed to be available.

In the past, tickets for many films at the film festival were readily available and there was no need to worry about not being able to buy them. However, this year, tickets for "All Quiet in Spring" were extremely difficult to obtain, which led to a significant increase in ticket sales for other films as well.

Fortunately, Bai Qiquan had two movie tickets given to him by his company.

You can bring your girlfriend to watch it together.

Chapter 381 Translate for me, what does "healing" mean?

Lu Ban arrived in Cannes half a day before the premiere.

He would naturally attend the premiere.

In the evening, Lu Ban, dressed in a black suit, arrived at the premiere theater. The theater was filled with bigwigs from the French film industry, theater executives, journalists, media, and film professionals from all over the world.

Before the premiere, there was a routine interview session where Lu Ban talked about the film.

"What was your initial motivation for creating this film?"

The interviewer was a blonde woman in a strapless evening gown who spoke fluent Mandarin, which was then translated into French.

"I've always wanted to bring everyone a heartwarming story. Viewers who have seen my other works know that my past works were more intense and less gentle. But in this film, I've incorporated warmth, growth, and healing into my creation. I hope that through my film, everyone can feel the love and hope in this world."

The interviewer translated Lu Ban's answer into French, which made the audience laugh.

Others might not know Lu Ban, but how could these veterans in the film industry not know him?

There must be something special about a movie that could make the acerbic Merritt go from vehemently criticizing it to praising it.

"As mentioned before, you wanted to win some awards at film festivals with this film. Some people think it's a turning point in your career. What do you think?"

The interviewer then asked.

"Actually, I haven't changed my career path. I'm just an ordinary director who presents interesting stories to everyone. All my creations, no matter which one, are showing people something beautiful, something that remains beautiful even when faced with adversity. From this perspective, I believe I've always been a director who heals people's hearts."

Lu Ban answered as a matter of course.

Upon hearing the interviewer's translation, the audience members' expressions became somewhat strange.

I always felt that Lu Ban's understanding of healing people's hearts was slightly different from theirs.

However, the problem is not very serious.

Even if Lu Ban lied to them, and this is a horror film disguised as an art film, at most they would just be scared a little. It's not like none of you here haven't been scared by "The Cry" or "The Mouth of a Madman".

"So, finally, is there anything you'd like to say to the audience?"

The interviewer then asked another question.

"I hope everyone can enjoy movies, enjoy life, and enjoy all the good things in life."

Lu Ban said sincerely.

Another burst of laughter followed.

After the interview, the movie started soon after.

Viewers are eagerly anticipating what kind of heartwarming story Lu Ban will present.

……

Bai Qiquan watched the second performance.

Those attending the premiere were all big shots—film industry leaders, media elites, and CEOs of large companies—and they all had to wear formal attire.

There's no need for a tourist like him.

"A lot of people."

His girlfriend, Pang Zhen, held his hand. In Cannes in May, the air was humid. In the afternoon, standing for a short while would make you feel sticky all over. The night was a little better, but still a bit hot.

Pang Zhen wore a dark dress and dressed up carefully; she looked much better than she did at school.

Bai Qiquan took his movie ticket and found his seat. Next to him was a foreigner speaking a language he couldn't understand, perhaps French or some other minor European language.

Just before the movie started, Pang Zhen checked the comments on her phone.

"It seems like everyone's saying the movie is really good, so you're not allowed to give away any spoilers later."

She said.

"What's there to spoil? It's just a normal love story, a heartwarming movie. You'll see when you watch it."

Bai Qiquan disagreed.

He had seen all the exciting moments in the movie, and although he might be scared on the big screen, there weren't many of those scenes.

The problem is not big.

The theater went dark, and the movie began.

Bai Qi leaned back in his chair, engrossed in watching the movie.

In the first half, when those monsters appeared, Bai Qiquan could still feel Pang Zhen holding his hand tightly.

By the middle of the screening, he could sense that everyone in the theater had become more tender.

A strange sense of melancholy permeated the movie theater, and even Bai Qiquan, who had seen the film countless times, was affected, becoming sentimental.

He even heard sobbing, probably moved to tears by the impending separation.

He was also well aware of what would happen next.

Although it's clear, seeing it on the big screen still feels quite different.

He especially loved the character Amber and had longed countless times to have such a lover.

Therefore, when he saw the two part ways and exchange a glance at each other during the ceremony, and those memories came flooding back, Bai Qiquan still couldn't help but sigh.

Pang Zhen, a sentimental girl beside him, was already moved to tears, constantly wiping her nose with tissues.

Is this what Director Lu meant by healing people's hearts?

Bai Qiquan was indeed deeply moved. The film vividly portrays the beauty and fleeting nature of love, the yearning for freedom, warmth, and growth.

Many people would say that such movies are addictive because they are easy to get hooked on and leave a very deep impression. Every time you watch them, you can gain different insights.

As Bai Qiquan silently handed a tissue to his girlfriend, the scene shifted to nighttime.

"?"

His movements suddenly froze.

He definitely hadn't seen this part of the story or this scene before.

This segment was not included in the original footage shown internally!

what happened?

Was it misplaced?

Is there a problem with the submitted original footage?

Bai Qiquan himself found it a bit funny; at this moment, he was actually thinking about whether there had been a mistake in their suppression process.

However, this part of the plot seems quite natural, and it's a later development.

Bai Qiquan remembered that in the version he read, Lu Ban left amidst the cherry blossoms after the ceremony; there was no mention of what happened that night.

Was this part added by Director Lu later?

Director's Cut?

He saw the protagonist enter the main hall, see the urns containing the ashes of the former high priestesses, and see the empty, uninhabited courtyard.