Chapter 114 The Originator

"The filming of "The Banquet" and "The Warring States" has been completed one after another, and internal strife may be inevitable."

"The Banquet has been confirmed to compete for the Oscars next year! Following Chen Kaige, Feng Xiaogang is not willing to be left out."

“Feng Xiaogang: I filmed The Banquet just to act like a grandson!”

Early in the morning, all the news is about Huayi. At the beginning of the Year of the Dog, Huayi Brothers seems to want to vent all the frustration in its heart!

Feng Kuazi still had to pretend to be a grandson. Whenever he saw Chen Kaige, he always called him "Uncle Kai".

There's no need to pretend, I'm a real grandson.

Wang Zhonglei is going to Berlin to sell the trailer of "The Banquet" and "The Unrest" starring Feng Xiaogang's wife.

Chen Kaige is also going to Berlin to make a desperate effort to cooperate with Warner Productions, the new North American distributor of The Promise, to promote The Promise.

Li Chen has even more reasons to promote his film "Those Years".

The reputation of Li Chen's scripts and the title of Palme d'Or are now equivalent to a brand effect in Asia and Europe.

"Shoplifters", "New World", "Love Is Like a Mountain" and "Painted Skin" have laid a solid foundation for him among film producers in Asia and Europe.

Even in North America, Li Chen is a rising star.

My movie "Those Years" with Ms. Liu definitely has a good market in Asia.

Even Europe is very likely to be favored by some countries.

For example, the romantic country of France, after all, it is only 2006 now.

When "Those Years" was released in 2011, it became a hit in Asia.

Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and South Korea have all received great popularity.

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the island country also bought the remake rights and TV adaptation rights of "Those Years" and made their own movies and TV series.

Why don't I take this opportunity in Berlin to give Miss Liu a push?

As the saying goes, good wind helps her rise to the sky.

At the very least, it could help her gain popularity in Asia.

Yang Siwei was extremely happy when he received Li Chen’s call. He could go to Berlin again!
"Boss, you should have made this decision a long time ago. Look at how much criticism The Promise has received, and yet they still have the nerve to hold a premiere in Berlin!"

"Teacher Xue and I were originally planning to hold a film screening in Beijing next month. After all, your reputation as a boss is a guarantee of box office success for those film producers."

"Well, tell them to bring Tangtang along. You don't need to bring the other actors. Xixi, let me talk."

"Also, let the reporters know whether we are being too low-key!"

This year, there is only one Chinese-language film shortlisted for the main competition unit in Berlin, which is "Isabella" directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Pang Ho-cheung.

But there are quite a few Chinese-language films exhibited in Berlin.

In addition to the films mentioned before, there is also Zhang Jingchu and Fan Wei’s "Aroma Journey", and everyone’s goals are very clear.

I came here just for the film producers from all over the world who came to the Berlin Film Festival.

Li Chen told Miss Liu and her daughter about his decision to go to Berlin.

"Really? You're not lying?" Miss Liu asked in surprise.

When I thought about walking on the red carpet of the Berlin Film Festival with my boyfriend, I couldn't help but feel more excited.

"There's no prize for lying to you. I've asked Yang Siwei to prepare." Li Chen scratched Miss Liu's nose and said with a smile.

Miss Liu held Li Chen's arm, and the two of them sat together on the sofa opposite Liu's mother.

Mother Liu was also happy for her daughter: "Li Chen, you should tell me earlier next time. Xixi's schedule for this month has been arranged, and now it has to be adjusted temporarily."

Li Chen nodded and said, "I also made a last-minute decision, auntie. Huang Xiaoming is not filming "New Shanghai Bund", so it doesn't matter if Xixi's promotion of The Condor Heroes is postponed for a few days."

"Compared with the promotion of Those Years, the promotion of The Return of the Condor Heroes is not important. This may be a representative work of Sissi."

Mother Liu heard Li Chen's confidence, but she didn't agree.

I have shot two films of this type before. The director was a famous director and the actors were popular young actors, but they still didn't make any splash.

"It is reported that "Those Years", produced by Rongchen Films and starring Li Chen and Liu Yifei, will also go to Berlin for the exhibition."

Yang Siwei contacted Berlin, and Berlin was of course welcoming.

This year's Berlin Film Festival was a bit quiet. Although there were 26 films shortlisted, only 13 of them were actually competing for the Golden Bear.

“I’m so envious of Siwei and Tangtang for being able to go to Berlin.” Yang Mi posted in the QQ group.

"Sister Xun went to America to meet her parents, Tangtang and Siwei went to Berlin, so Xiaozhu and I are the only ones left to look after the house!"

Yang Mi tapped the keyboard skillfully.

Yang Siwei has already told her that she should study hard and calmly when she returns to school.

Before her junior year, the company would not allow her to take on acting jobs frequently every year.

Yang Mi was a little disapproving in her heart. She thought that compared with the students in school, she was a senior.

I have been acting since I was young, what else do I need to learn?

Didn’t Yifei learn anything either? She still gets acting jobs every day.

But she didn't dare to get angry. If she broke up with her senior again, she would probably become a rat crossing the street.

Li Shaohong also asked Zhang Ziyi to shoot a movie related to the Three Kingdoms, as if he wanted to tell the outside world that even without Zhou Xun, Rong Xingda is still Rong Xingda.

Yang Mi was bored and complained to her father. She came to Rongchen Pictures, thinking that she would get many acting offers.

The result was the eight words "study hard and make progress every day".

Unexpectedly, Dad Yang Xiaolin didn't think so. Instead, he felt that the company's arrangement was correct.

"What do you mean, Brother Xiaolin, don't you know whether your daughter can act?" Yang Mi argued with her father.

Yang Xiaolin laughed and said, "You are just an amateur. You haven't received any systematic training. I, your father, don't even look down on you as an outsider!"

"Xiao Mi, listen to what your father says. If you want to go far, you have to be down-to-earth. Without small steps, you cannot reach a thousand miles."

Yang Mi said in annoyance: "Come on, Brother Xiaolin, I can't explain it to you!"

The day before going to Berlin, the young and beautiful Black Widow made the headlines of Sina.

"Scarlett and Keira naked on the cover of Vanity Fair."

Although Keira was just nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress, she was instantly defeated by Black Widow.

Black Widow’s main characteristics are two words: white and big!
Anyone who is a normal guy would be excited when seeing this.

Compared to Edison Chen’s sex partners a few years later, the difference is unimaginable!

No wonder she later became one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.

On the flight to Berlin, the girls had a lot to talk about when they got together. Liu's mother and Liu Yifei's assistant sat in the back.

"Yifei, has my boss seen the photo of Scarlett today?" Yang Siwei said with a sly smile.

Li Chen closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. Miss Liu glanced at Li Chen and smiled playfully: "You have to ask your boss about this. I asked him if he had seen it, and he said he had, and it was just like that!"

Li Chen felt unlucky when he thought of the scene in the morning.

Li Chen just said, "That's it."

Miss Liu directly asked him if he had seen anything more exciting!
Li Chen really wanted to slap himself. Miss Liu was sometimes very slow to react in some aspects.

But for Li Chen, his reaction can be summed up in one word: quick!

Li Chen explained for a long time before letting the matter go. Unexpectedly, Yang Siwei brought it up again.

Li Chen couldn't pretend to be asleep anymore, he opened his eyes and said seriously: "Sissi, Scarlett is indeed very beautiful, but I don't like her."

"Just like that star girl, even if she's naked, she's still nothing compared to you in my eyes."

Although Miss Liu still had a tense face, the smile in her eyes and the slightly upturned corners of her mouth showed that the sky was clearing up after the storm.

"It's so corny, boss! I can't stand it, Tangtang." Yang Siwei fell into Tang Yan's arms and complained.

"Si Xiang, I didn't expect you to be so good at digging holes. What good will it do you if you bury your boss one day!" Li Chen said with a smile.

Yang Siwei was stunned. Miss Liu smiled and said, "Don't pay attention to him. I'll back you up. He won't dare to do anything to you."

After saying this, Miss Liu shook her head proudly.

Li Chen was so angry that he suffered internal injuries!
Tang Yan leaned back, hiding behind Yang Siwei's sturdy body and laughing secretly. It was rare to see the boss being humiliated.

When we arrived in Berlin, Tim was already there to pick us up at the airport.

He waved to Li Chen and others from a distance.

"Hi, boss, boss lady, and Siwei, this must be Miss Tang Yan." Tim walked up to her and said with a smile in a familiar manner.

Tang Yan already knew from Yang Siwei that the white man in front of her was the boss's spokesperson in Hollywood.

"Hello Tim, I didn't expect you to speak Chinese so well." Tang Yan said with a smile.

"Tim, be careful, there are reporters at the airport!" Li Chen reminded.

Tim immediately calmed down, and the bodyguards accompanying him escorted them out of the airport quickly.

After getting in the car, Tim reported his work to Li Chen.

"Boss, I contacted some old friends from Seattle and the Tribeca Film Festival, and also found reporters from Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. I guarantee that the movie starring you, Those Years, will shine in Berlin."

Li Chen was satisfied that he had already contacted the Asian and European film producers, Yang Siwei.

Tim is the producer of Buried Alive. Before coming, Li Chen greeted him and asked him to contact some film selectors in North America.

Even if there is no intention in the end, we still have to create momentum.

Liu Dehua had already arrived in Berlin from Hong Kong Island.

When we arrived at the hotel, Chinese and foreign reporters were already waiting there.

"Look, Director Li is here, along with Liu Yifei. The white guy next to them seems to be Tim from Panda (Chiyou Pictures)."

A group of reporters swarmed in like hornets, and Li Chen and his group were blocked outside the door before they even entered the hotel.

"Director Li, you brought Yifei to Berlin this time. Are you planning to make an official announcement?"

Li Chen and his friends all had smiles on their faces, as they had expected the reporter to ask this question.

"Director Li, if Those Years is not well received in Berlin, will your self-esteem be hurt?"

"Director Li Chen, your oriental campus love story "Those Years" is rumored to be the first film about the first love of you oriental people, and it is also your big screen debut."

"Even the president of the Venice Film Festival, Macor, told us yesterday that he is looking forward to your big screen debut. Please tell us about your experience."

Macor really doesn't want to be lonely. He is just the chairman of the Venice Film Festival, but he makes himself look like the chairman of the three major European film festivals.

Since Li Chen participated in the Cannes Film Festival, he has never missed a show and is like a tool.

Li Chen avoided the main point and did not respond to the scandal between him and Liu Yifei.

He just smiled and said, "The movie 'Those Years' is different from the unrestrained, passionate and bold love stories in the West. It tells the story of the restrained, subtle and beautiful first love of our young people in the East."

“It is also the most deeply relatable love film for our generation born in the 1980s. I believe you will not be disappointed after watching it, because it will surely create a wave of youth in Asia.”

"You can wait and see. My film, Those Years, will become the pioneer of youth romance films, as we Chinese would say."

"Go on! There are countless people following suit!"

Liu's mother was a little surprised that Li Chen was bragging like that!

After Li Chen finished answering, Yang Siwei came up and said with a smile: "If you have any questions, you can continue to ask me and I will answer them for you."

Li Chen and his companions entered the hotel under the escort of bodyguards.

"You are so bold to brag! You are the founder of a school. However, your confidence in front of the media just now is finally a bit cool, right, Tangtang?"

In the elevator, Miss Liu said with a smile.

"That's right. Every time the boss faces the media, he becomes a different person, so rich and powerful!" Tang Yan also laughed.

"What do you two know! This is just a marketing strategy. I'm not exaggerating. You will know in the future."

"You two are the leading actors in this play, especially you, Sissi. You should have confidence in Those Years."

Miss Liu pretended to be angry and said, "Director Li, watch your attitude!"

Tang Yan glanced away and pretended not to see it.

Li Chen smiled and nodded: "Tangtang is a smart person. She knows not to look at or listen to anything indecent, unlike your agent, Yang Siwei!"

Li Chen and his companions each had a room, although he wanted to book one with Miss Liu and let his annoying mother-in-law sleep alone.

But there are too many hotel reporters.

If you really live in one of them, that would give the paparazzi solid evidence.

They each went back to their rooms, and before Li Chen could even sit down, the doorbell rang.

When I opened the door, I saw Makor, who was as tall as a mountain, with his arms outstretched.

"Li Chen, my friend, we meet again."

"It's nice to see you again in Berlin, Markel." Li Chen also opened his arms and gave the other person a big hug.

The two sat down on the sofa.

Li Chen smiled and said, "Wait a moment, I'll introduce my girlfriend to you."

"You have a girlfriend? God, I wonder which girl is so lucky."

Li Chen picked up the phone and dialed Miss Liu's room.

"Xixi, come over here and I'll introduce a friend to you."

"Ah, okay."

After hanging up the phone, Miss Liu was a little flustered.

"Mom, Li Chen wants to introduce a friend to me, what should I wear?" Liu Yifei asked while rummaging through the drawers.

Several well-known domestic clothing and jewelry brands endorsed by Miss Liu knew that she was coming to Berlin and provided many options, which were delivered to the hotel early.

Liu's mother shook her head and said with a smile: "Since we are friends, just be casual. It's not like we are walking on the red carpet. Why are you so excited?"

Miss Liu stopped and thought that what her mother said was right.

He picked up a black slim leather jacket, paired it with a high-necked pure white wool sweater and a pair of khaki casual pants.

After putting it on, I turned around in front of the mirror and felt good about myself.

"Li Chen, why hasn't your girlfriend come yet? I can't wait any longer."

"Makol, be patient. In our country, it is natural for men to wait for women."

(End of this chapter)