Chapter 758 Contact
After the premiere, there was a Q&A session with the media.
Lu Yanhe attended the event along with everyone else.
This movie is truly star-studded, with a gathering of big names.
One of the most anticipated film crews at this year's Jose Film Festival.
Lu Yanhe and Chen Bige, who have become incredibly popular in recent years; Liu Bige, who is among the top young auteur directors in the film industry; and Shang Yongzhou, an award-winning actor already well-known on the international film scene, plus actors like Zhou Shuyu and Liu Zi, who are very popular in China—
When they entered, the audience was packed with people.
There are only a dozen or so Chinese media outlets.
If it weren't for a movie like "Dragon Inn," it would be impossible for so many Chinese media outlets to come.
The media had so many questions they wanted to ask, they were enthusiastic and eager to get to the point.
This scene made the place seem chaotic.
This is the kind of influence a top-tier film crew can achieve at a film festival.
The scene was captured on film by many people.
Guan Suchen even took a photo at the scene and posted it on his social media.
I have never seen a Chinese film so popular at an overseas film festival. China's top-notch film lineup is top-notch on the international stage as well.
People must go out and not just stay in their own markets. Like them, they represent the face of China. The more such faces there are, the more China will be to the international community than just a political symbol.
—Liu Zi is about to soar to great heights. Almost all the media reporters around me are discussing her. The role of Jin Xiangyu will become the most memorable character in "Dragon Inn".
...
There are quite a few Chinese media professionals like Guan Suchen who post a lot of updates at once.
Because they were at the Jose Film Festival, the atmosphere there was infectious.
Often, a person's confidence comes from two aspects: one is that they are very clear that it is a good thing, and the other is that the people around them are saying that it is a good thing.
Now, Dragon Inn has gained tremendous recognition, both from its creators and those around it.
Guan Suchen was naturally unable to contain his excitement.
Given their fame and industry standing, why would they still work as entertainment critics? Is it because they don't want to earn more money? It's simply because this is the industry they love most.
Because of my love for it, I feel honored and therefore excited.
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Liu Zi never expected that in such a short period of time, she would portray two innkeepers who are so similar yet completely different, from "My Own Swordsman" to "Dragon Inn".
In "Dragon Inn," she portrayed a character who was alluring, charming, and even sharp-tongued, completely different from Tong Xiangyu in "My Own Swordsman." She didn't have to worry about the two characters being too similar.
She has almost no international recognition, and many people don't know her.
She had thought that during this media Q&A session, people's attention wouldn't be focused on her.
After all, there were so many famous celebrities present.
As a result, many foreign journalists directly confronted her with their cameras and microphones, asking her all sorts of questions about her performance in the film.
Everyone here has seen the movie.
Many people decide who to ask questions to based on the actor's fame and status.
Of course, some people may become interested in, even like, admire, or fall in love with the actor who plays a character in a movie because they genuinely like that character.
In fact, it wasn't just Liu Zi; every actor who attended was bombarded with questions.
This scene also made many people realize that the movie had truly stood the test of time.
It's not just because of the main characters, but also because of the ensemble cast.
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Lu Yanhe was not surprised by this.
Because he knew that "Dragon Inn" was an ensemble film, and every character could leave a lasting impression.
The fact that this film was able to find those actors and create those characters was truly a matter of perfect timing, location, and people.
At the media Q&A session, Lu Yanhe only answered three questions.
He pushed all the other problems onto others.
The main reason is that he believes he already has a strong enough presence as a screenwriter, and if he were to answer some questions at this point, it would become an "interpretive" answer, which would have the nature of a "final verdict".
Therefore, he basically doesn't answer questions related to the content.
We need to leave room for interpretation for the media and the audience.
“This is a script that I really like,” Lu Yanhe said. “I finished the first draft in one night, in one go, until dawn. Strictly speaking, this is not the first time I have written a story with martial arts elements. I wrote a TV series called ‘My Own Swordsman’, which was also starring Liu Zi, but that series is completely different in style from this movie.”
"Actually, I finished writing it a long time ago. However, after finishing it, I didn't rush to find a director. One day, Liu Bige read the script and said that he wanted to film it and asked me if I could give him the script." Lu Yanhe smiled as he said this. "At that time, I had already shown the script to my senior brother Shang Yongzhou. He said he wanted to act in it, and Yan Liang was the same. So, I told him that some roles had already been cast in advance. As soon as he heard the cast, he immediately said that only a fool would not want to do that."
The entire audience burst into laughter.
Shang Yongzhou and Liu Bige also laughed.
"Later, when the script was approached to Brother Yu Ning, we were all worried that he wouldn't be willing to take on such a character, which was neither very heroic in terms of appearance nor acting style, and might even surprise some people," Lu Yanhe said. "Zhou Yu Ning is one of the best actors in China. His martial arts film 'Nine Yin' broke many box office records in China. I am very grateful that such a big star was willing to break his image to play the role of the supervisor."
Zhou Yuning immediately smiled and waved his hand.
"Thankfully, I breathed a sigh of relief during today's screening because I noticed that every time he appeared, many people gasped in surprise," Lu Yanhe said with a smile. "He's still very handsome."
In the original work, this role was played by Donnie Yen.
Indeed, this is a rare type of role in Donnie Yen's acting career.
It must be said that such extreme types of roles are particularly easy for actors to deliver refreshing performances.
The media Q&A session lasted 30 minutes longer than scheduled.
Finally, it ended because we couldn't delay any longer.
Next came the group interview session.
This group interview segment was more relaxed; it wasn't such a formal setting.
Lu Yanhe did not participate.
He needs to meet with Wu Yang.
Wu Yang made a last-minute appointment with him.
"Lu, congratulations on bringing another great movie." Wu Yang congratulated him as soon as they met.
"Thank you," Lu Yanhe said. "Jose is indeed my lucky place."
Wu Yang: "You have no idea how much pressure I'm under right now. Everyone is asking me why I didn't put 'Dragon Inn' in the main competition section, but instead put it in the screening section."
Lu Yanhe said, "We will explain later. It turns out that placing it in the screening section did provide a better platform for 'Dragon Inn,' didn't it? I believe that if it had been in the competition section, people would have been more critical of it."
Wu Yang: "You're very smart. You know what kind of films are suitable for the main competition."
“Of course.” Lu Yanhe nodded with a smile. “Dragon Inn is not the kind of film that the main competition section of the Jose Film Festival is more interested in. It is also an ensemble film. Going to the main competition section, apart from having a better name, may not be as good as the environment in the screening section.”
"If many directors were as open-minded as you, I wouldn't have to worry so much about choosing films every year," Wu Yang said with a smile.
Many famous directors only come if their work is selected for the main competition.
This situation is common at any film festival.
Lu Yanhe said, "I hope the Jose Film Festival can continue to uphold these standards."
Upon hearing this, Wu Yang immediately sighed.
“Lu, I thought about your suggestion for a long time after I got back last time,” Wu Yang said. “If we can’t find a suitable sponsor right away, perhaps we really need to consider the feasibility of your suggestion.”
Lu Yanhe smiled and said, "Director Wu, my invitation is valid at any time, and it's not just an invitation. In fact, no matter what decision you make in the end, you know I will do what I can. I love the Jose Film Festival. It has played a crucial role in my growth, and I am very clear about that. I also hope to be able to help it."
Lu Yanhe's words moved Wu Yang and also relieved him.
Wu Yang said, "Actually, your suggestion to hold the event around the world really appealed to me. However, the Olympics are held every four years, but the Jose Film Festival is held every year. I am worried that frequently changing the host city will make the event run very poorly."
“Then why not change it every four years?” Lu Yanhe said frankly. “These things can be adjusted. A city can host it for two or three consecutive years, which also provides time for the next host city to prepare.”
Wu Yang said, "What if no city is willing to host this film festival in the future?"
Lu Yanhe said, "Wouldn't that be similar to the situation now? No city is willing to provide funding anymore, and it will be as bad as it is now. In fact, by then, as long as the Jose Film Festival is still the Jose Film Festival it is today, I will use my influence to ensure that it can continue to be held in China."
Lu Yanhe smiled.
“Director Wu, why don’t you come to our Film Critics International Film Festival again this June?” Lu Yanhe said. “It’s a very small film festival that doesn’t do large-scale events, but it’s small but complete. You can participate in the whole thing and you’ll be able to feel the attitude of Chinese people towards organizing a good film festival.”
"China also has many of its own film festivals."
“There are film festivals all over the world,” Lu Yanhe said frankly. “But there is only one Jose Film Festival. This is something you have done, and I have great respect and admiration for it. Without you creating such a remarkable film festival, we filmmakers would not be able to share in the glory it brings us.”
Wu Yang took a deep breath and nodded.
"Actually, the reason I contacted you today is to talk to you about whether your previous invitation was serious."
Lu Yanhe: "Director Wu, if I were joking with you, I would make sure you know clearly that I am joking."
Wu Yang nodded.
“I’m hosting an event for Chinese filmmakers here tomorrow night,” Lu Yanhe said. “I was just about to invite you to attend. As you know, Chinese filmmakers make up the largest group of attendees at the Jose Film Festival. Everyone will be happy if you come.”
Wu Yang is one of the film festival directors who genuinely supports Chinese filmmakers.
The top film festival where Chinese filmmakers have won the most awards in the past two decades is Jose.
Some say that's because the Jose Film Festival is based on audience voting.
However, without the Jose Film Festival initially selecting Chinese films for the main competition, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to be voted on by the audience later.
Many things cannot be generalized from a single instance.
Wu Yang nodded and agreed.
-
The huge attention garnered by "Dragon Inn" at the Jose Film Festival has once again put Lu Yanhe, who just achieved a global box office miracle this year with his two films "Home Alone" and "Buried," on the front page of major film media outlets.
Another movie with such good reviews, is it going to be another box office hit?
This time, major film studios around the world are fighting tooth and nail for the distribution rights to "Dragon Inn".
Previously, the North American distribution rights for "Burning Fire" were sold off cheaply by Longyan. This time, because Lu Yanhe himself invested in "Dragon Inn," he directly told Longyan that if the North American distribution company couldn't provide more than a thousand theaters to screen the film, they would sell it hastily again, and he would never again hand over his scripts to Longyan for film production.
Lu Yanhe was too lazy to try to reason with them.
Of course, seeing how much money Linghe made from the movies "Home Alone" and "Buried," no one would believe that Long Yan wasn't envious.
Lu Yanhe didn't know how well "Dragon Inn" would perform at the global box office.
Because the original version was not released globally at that time.
However, based on Lu Yanhe's understanding of the film and with the added benefit of the positive reviews from the Jose Film Festival, he believes that the film should have no problem grossing more than 20 million US dollars overseas.
If it were to achieve the same critical acclaim as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" or "Hero," sparking global interest in Chinese martial arts films, its box office might be even higher.
However, all of this is predicated on the distributors placing sufficient importance on the film and securing the best possible release conditions for it.
If the distributors are unwilling to do this, even a movie that has the potential to gross a hundred million dollars at the box office may only end up with a few hundred thousand dollars.
At least in Lu Yanhe's opinion, the film "Burning Fire" should not have only grossed so little in North America.
However, they only guaranteed you screenings in 500 theaters for two weeks, so the movie was only shown in a limited number of theaters. It didn't generate much buzz, and only a small number of people knew about the movie. If it eventually grossed a few million dollars, that would be considered pretty good.
-
At the Chinese Filmmakers' Night event organized by Lu Yanhe, Lu Yanhe naturally sent invitations to Huang Zhongjing and Huang Taidu, and a group of Chinese filmmakers gathered together.
Besides Chinese filmmakers, there were also many filmmakers from other countries, all invited by Lu Yanhe.
Of course, the most crucial figure among them is Wu Yang.
To put it bluntly, tonight's event is specifically for Wu Yang.
He acted as a matchmaker between Wu Yang and Wen Shengming.
But Chinese films did indeed have a significant presence at this year's Jose Film Festival.
In addition to the two films in the screening section, there is also a film in the main competition section.
Lu Yanhe also invited them over.
There are enough filmmakers in China to make this event less "shabby".
It can't always be the same people coming and going.
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The young actors of "Pah! The Sea" met, greeted, and introduced themselves to different people under the guidance of the staff of Linghe.
Both the male lead, Kong Fanyu, and the female lead, Liu Guanxian, were a little nervous.
This was the first time they had attended such a large event and met so many people they usually only saw on the news.
Jiang Yue, on the other hand, is more generous and natural.
This chuunibyou (a Japanese term for someone with delusions of grandeur) girl enthusiastically expressed her admiration for everyone, leaving a deep impression on them.
Even in front of Wu Yang, she was not intimidated at all.
“Hello Mr. Wu, it’s such an honor to meet you,” she said. “I hope I can bring more of my films to the Jose Film Festival in the future.”
Wu Yang also felt a good impression of the girl with the friendly smile in front of him.
Who doesn't like a vibrant and energetic girl?
"Great! I'll definitely come to the Jose Film Festival more often in the future."
Lu Yanhe said with a smile, "She really will come. She stars in another movie for my company. We'll try to get that movie to have its premiere at the Jose Film Festival."
Wu Yang immediately said, "Then it's settled. I'll put this film on the shortlist for the next competition right away."
Lu Yanhe: "Haha, this movie hasn't even started filming yet, I don't know if it will be ready in time."
Wu Yang: "It's alright, I've been waiting."
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Kong Fanyu and Liu Guanxian stood to the side, watching Jiang Yue chatting and laughing with Lu Yanhe and Wu Yang so calmly, and a look of indescribable envy appeared on their faces.
At this moment, Chen Ziyan came over with a wine glass. Noticing their expressions, she walked up to them, smiled slightly, and said, "If you want to greet Director Wu Yang and introduce yourself, just go over there confidently. Don't miss this opportunity and regret it later."
Kong Fanyu and Liu Guanxian were both startled by the sudden turn of events.
After recognizing the person in front of him as Chen Ziyan, he quickly called out, "President Chen."
Chen Ziyan had just arrived at the last minute.
Chen Ziyan originally did not plan to attend this year's Jose Film Festival.
Man proposes, God disposes; what was supposed to be a very simple trip suddenly took a new turn.
Chen Ziyan certainly couldn't be absent.
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"Wen Shengming, a member of the China Film Association, is also my acting teacher."
When Lu Yanhe introduced Wen Shengming to Wu Yang, he directly addressed him as "teacher".
Wu Yang nodded.
"Director Liu Bige's next film, 'Dingfeng No. 1,' is starring me and Teacher Wen," said Lu Yanhe.
Upon hearing this, Wu Yang immediately asked, "I know this movie. How about we bring it to the next Jose Film Festival?"
Lu Yanhe said with a smile, "Our post-production isn't finished yet, we'll have to wait a bit."
Wu Yang shook hands with Wen Shengming.
Wu Yang said, "I have read your 'River of Life and Death'."
Wen Shengming, on the contrary, showed a look of surprise.
He is different from actors of Shang Yongzhou and Lu Yanhe's generation. In his time, their films were aimed at the domestic market rather than participating in film festivals abroad.
Therefore, his international reputation is quite average.
He hadn't expected that Wu Yang had actually seen one of his movies.
Lu Yanhe hadn't expected this either.
"I am very good friends with Liu Fengchi, the director of 'River of Life and Death'," Wu Yang said.
Lu Yanhe looked enlightened.
He said, "I haven't had the chance to meet director Liu Fengchi yet."
Wen Shengming said, "Director Feng Chi had stomach cancer. After he recovered, his body was already a bit weak. Coupled with his age, he retired from acting at the request of his family and hasn't appeared in public for a long time."
Lu Yanhe suddenly understood and nodded.
Wu Yang said, "Back then, 'River of Life and Death' was originally going to be screened at our Jose Film Festival, but due to some special reasons, Liu Fengchi contacted me and said that the film could not be screened. It was a pity, because it was really a good film."
Wen Shengming nodded.
"At that time, the regulations were indeed quite strict, and we were quite cautious about participating in overseas film festivals."
A special period.
Wu Yang added, "Liu Fengchi told me that the male lead in his film was a very good actor, so I paid special attention to your performance in the film. At that time, our selection committee all thought that you would be a strong contender for Best Actor that year."
Wen Shengming smiled and said, "It turns out my connection with the Jose Film Festival started a long time ago."
"yes."
Lu Yanhe: "That's great."
Everyone's past is full of stories.
If Wen Shengming or Wu Yang hadn't come tonight, Lu Yanhe wouldn't have known about this.
(End of this chapter)
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