Chapter 115 The Berlin Red Carpet is a Bit Cold

Miss Liu arrived late and entered the room, only to see Li Chen chatting happily with an old white man whose face was full of smiles.

"Sissi, let me introduce you. This is Marchol Mueller, the president of the Venice Film Festival." Li Chen and Marchol both stood up.

Makor looked at the young oriental girl in front of him with a smile on his face.

I nodded secretly in my heart. She is really beautiful, not much different from Ziyi.

"Mackel, she is my girlfriend and the heroine of the work "Those Years" that I brought to Berlin this time."

"Hello, Mr. Maccol, I'm Liu Yifei." Miss Liu smiled, stretched out her hand and spoke in English.

"What a beautiful lady! Li Chen has good taste. Even I can't help but be moved." Makol said with a smile while holding Liu Yifei's hand.

Liu Yifei politely said thank you, but this time she spoke Chinese. She was a little surprised that Markel spoke Chinese so fluently.

"Yifei, don't be so polite. Li Chen and I are very familiar with each other. In fact, I prefer speaking Chinese to my poor English, haha." Makol joked seriously.

"That's right, Xixi, you should speak Chinese. I feel more comfortable listening to you." Li Chen added.

Miss Liu nodded and sat next to Li Chen naturally.

Li Chen and Makor were chatting about the Berlin Film Festival.

Miss Liu listened with great interest and would interject from time to time.

"Mark, you must come to the premiere of my film Those Years."

"Li Chen, even if you didn't tell me, I would have come. I won't miss any of your performances. I just saw Chen Kaige, he's not feeling well."

Macor shook his head as he spoke, feeling sorry for Chen Kaige.

Li Chen and Miss Liu looked at each other, and they had the same idea.

Berlin gave Chen Kaige face this time and held the premiere of "The Promise" for him at the main venue.

Unfortunately, only Jang Dong-gun came among the main actors, even his wife Chen Hong, who is inseparable from him on weekdays, did not come.

The consequence of the collapsed reputation of "The Promise" is that wherever the show goes, the media will try their best to ask questions that give Chen Kaige and his wife a headache.

Everyone in Europe and America knows that The Promise was "returned" by the overseas distributor Weinstein Brothers.

It was only recently that the North American and German distribution rights were purchased by Warner Independent Films, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Pictures that was established more than a year ago.

Moreover, the distributor of "The Promise" strongly requested that the film must be re-edited to a length of 103 minutes, 19 minutes shorter than the version released in China.

It is this "short version" that was shown in Berlin

The opening and ending credits of the "short version" have been changed, and most of the parts that domestic audiences considered funny have disappeared.

For example, Wuhuan extended a golden thumbs up, "You made me lose the opportunity to be a good person!", "I am moved by you!" and so on.

Chen Kaige was first pressured to lower his price by the Weinstein brothers, and then was asked by a newbie to cut and change his name.

A painstaking work worth 3.5 million yuan was kicked around like a ball, all thanks to Chen Kaige's self-centeredness.

If it were someone else, someone with a lower psychological endurance would probably be completely discouraged.

After seeing off Makol, Miss Liu smiled and said, "I didn't expect Makol to know so much about our culture."

"Do you think that Markol's name is Zhongguotong, which is given for free?" Li Chen said with a smile, holding Miss Li's waist.

Just as she was about to moisten her lips, Miss Liu blocked Li Chen's mouth with two fingers and said with a smile, "By the way, what should I wear on the red carpet tomorrow?"

This problem gave her a headache. There were many dresses, but the key was that Berlin was too cold, so she wanted to ask Li Chen's opinion.

"I asked Yang Siwei to tailor a suit for you, so you don't have to worry about it."

"No need to wear a dress?"

"Forget it. Our film 'Those Years' is not a competition entry. Besides, it's so cold, I don't want you to get cold." Li Chen said with a smile.

Miss Liu smiled slightly, put her arms around Li Chen's neck, and gave him a kiss, and the room immediately heated up.

In fact, there is another reason: there are very few stars coming to Berlin this year.

This year's film festival is sandwiched between the announcement of Oscar nominations and the awards show.

The big names in Europe and America are all busy canvassing for their movies in Los Angeles at this time. Who has the time to come to Berlin?

If Miss Liu dressed too formally, the media might publish the headline "Berlin Film Festival is cold, Chinese actors become popular" the next day.

Or, more exaggeratedly, "When there is no tiger in the mountain, the monkey becomes king."

In the evening, Li Chen and others met with Liu Dehua in the hotel restaurant.

Liu Dehua and Li Chen had not arrived yet. Yang Siwei, Tang Yan and Liu Yifei were chatting and laughing enthusiastically.

"This hotel is nice, but the Internet is ridiculously expensive. Mimi just wanted to video chat with me. I dialed the number and it cost 20 euros for 24 minutes. Oh my gosh, I have to get off the line and stay away." Tang Yan looked frightened.

Miss Liu was happy: "I didn't realize Tangtang is so good at managing the household. Brother Jin is so lucky!"

"Tangtang, feel free to video chat with my brother Jin at night. The boss really doesn't mind that." Yang Siwei also joked.

Tang Yan couldn't hold back after the two of them kept teasing each other, so she countered, "Well, the boss lady and the agent have spoken, so I have no choice but to obey!"

Ms. Liu was now used to the jokes from others, so she said nonchalantly, "That's right, but don't tell your boss that I instigated it. I won't admit it."

As the three were talking, Liu Dehua and Li Chen walked in.

The three girls stood up and greeted Liu Dehua.

"Brother Hua"

"Brother Hua"

"Hello, Yifei and Xiaotang have become prettier, and Siwei has become more and more lovely." Liu Dehua smiled and nodded to the three girls one by one.

"Okay, Brother Hua, you are the first person to say that I'm cute." Yang Siwei said with a depressed expression.

"Brother Hua is so handsome, and Li Chen has become a background board." Miss Liu shook her head and sighed.

"Xixi, don't be a fangirl. Brother Hua's age is the peak of his maturity and charm. I am definitely not as good as him! Not as good as him!" Li Chen said shamelessly.

The girls all held back their laughter and did not continue the topic that embarrassed Li Chen.

While chatting, Liu Dehua also mentioned Wang Zhonglei.

At this moment, Wang Zhonglei just wanted to laugh at Li Chen's joke.

Li Chen’s “Those Years” may have a fan base in China. After all, the novel is a bestseller and the lead actress is the currently most popular Liu Yifei.

But this is Berlin, who abroad knows who you, Liu Yifei, are.

Even if you, Li Chen, are a little famous, you are a director, not an actor.

Do you really think that even your fart, Li Chen, will smell good?

He believed that as long as he released the trailer of "The Banquet", he could rely on the grand scenes of "The Banquet" and the influence of Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun.

At this "Berlin Trade Fair", "The Banquet" will definitely shine! It will overshadow Li Chen's "Those Years".

Talking about love to the rigorous Germans is like talking to a cow!

That night, what Li Chen said at the Grand Hyatt Hotel was reported back to China.

The local media reported it with such headlines.

"On February 14, Valentine's Day, Li Chen, the youngest Chinese director to win the Palme d'Or, will tell the story of a Chinese woman's first love at the Berlinale Palace."

"Silver Lion director Li Chen interprets an oriental love story, the most anticipated masterpiece this Valentine's Day is "You Are the Apple of My Eye""

Li Chen was still sighing that Tim's operation was very good, and he even believed it a little.

I wanted to praise Tim, but he said it was not his masterpiece.

Later, Li Chen called Koslik, the chairman of the film festival who invited him to Berlin.

Koslik cleared the confusion for him.

"Don't be surprised, Li Chen. It's not an exaggeration to say that you are the biggest and most attractive filmmaker at this Berlin Film Festival. We also want to use your fame to make Berlin less cold."

This answer made Li Chen laugh and cry, and a sentence suddenly popped up in his mind: There is no great general in Shu, Liao Hua is the vanguard!

Ah, bah! How can Liao Hua compare with me? I am a time traveler who knows five thousand years in the past and a few decades in the future.

Koslik continued to explain: "Li Chen, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. This year's opening ceremony can barely be called a star."

"Only the 56-year-old American actress Sigourney Weaver, who plays an autistic person in the opening film Snowcake."

"But she's 56 years old!"

"This, this is too exaggerated, Koslik!" Li Chen smacked his lips.

"It's not an exaggeration at all! Otherwise, I wouldn't have been ridiculed by our newspaper as providing "full-service" just because I had nothing to do and took an actress who urgently needed to use the toilet around." Koslik said with a wry smile.

Li Chen was completely speechless. In that case, he really was the biggest star!

Not to mention that Berlin used Li Chen's name to make a fuss, domestic portals did the same. "Li Chen and Liu Yifei are going to Berlin together, it seems to be an official announcement!"

"Li Chen predicted that Those Years would be the pioneer of youth campus romance films, and there would be countless followers in the future!"

"Those Years" has received high-level treatment from Berlin and will hold its premiere at the main venue of the Berlin Film Palace on Valentine's Day!"

Netizens commented that Li Chen is the walking focus and the most handsome guy under the spotlight wherever he goes!
Wang Zhonglei got so angry that he started cursing in front of his deputy.

"These Germans! They look down on others! They look down on others! What the hell!"

"Mr. Wang, there's no need to be angry. It's the same everywhere when you flatter the powerful and bully the weak. Director Feng's international fame is indeed not comparable to that of Chen Kaige and Li Chen."

"However, as long as our "Night Banquet" is a hit, I believe their attitude will no longer be so arrogant!"

The deputy's words calmed Wang Zhonglei down.

Indeed, Xiaogang is definitely one of the top ones in China, but when he goes abroad, he is really not that impressive.

There's really no need to get so angry.

But when he thought about Li Chen coming everywhere to steal Huayi's limelight, he felt uncomfortable all over.

"Go ask Yang Siwei for two tickets for the premiere of Those Years, and we'll go to support them and see what kind of pioneer he is!" Wang Zhonglei said with a wry smile.

At this moment, the loneliest person is probably the other Palme d'Or winner.

Both won the Palme d'Or, but one was admired by thousands of people, while the other was full of bitterness and grievances and could only tell his wife.

"Hong, I just don't understand, what happened to our "The Promise"!"

On the phone, Chen Hong heard her husband's voice choked with sobs, and for a moment she didn't know what to say.

The contrast between the tears of joy when I was nominated for the Golden Globe and what happens now is a huge irony.

I have been troubled by reporters recently.

"Ge, come back soon after you're done. It's cold in Berlin, so wear something warmer."

His wife's care made Chen Kaige feel warm in his heart.

"Hong, I won't fall. I will come back to this battlefield! I definitely will!"

The next morning, Yang Siwei started to work.

One is her artist, the other is her boss lady.

She wished she could break herself in half.

Liu Yifei was woken up by the makeup artist in the morning, and Li Chen waited patiently beside her.

After nearly two hours, Miss Liu finally came out freshly baked.

Liu's mother likes Li Chen's taste more and more. She thinks this is how her daughter should dress.

"Xixi, Mommy is relieved to leave you to Li Chen. At least Li Chen won't let you waste our family's excellent genes." Mother Liu teased her daughter with a smile.

"Mom, how come even you are on Li Chen's side!"

"Yifei, my boss has an impeccable vision!" Yang Siwei added.

Liu Yifei also liked the outfit that Li Chen picked for her.

It's really cool, of course, she would never admit it.

"Siwei, are you praising your boss's taste in choosing clothes? Or are you praising your boss's taste in choosing girlfriends?" Liu Yifei said, supporting her chin.

Li Chen gave Miss Liu a thumbs up. This logic is perfect!
"Haha, of course I'm praising my boss for his taste in choosing a girlfriend! Yifei, you will definitely be the most beautiful person on the red carpet tonight, no doubt about it!"

"How much film will this cost the photographer?"

Miss Liu had her hair tied into a bun and wore light makeup.

A black pearl necklace was wrapped around her neck, and she wore a white suit with a black high-waisted pleated skirt and a round-neck long-sleeved T-shirt underneath.

With a pair of dark green high heels, her whole body exudes a sparkling luster.

Miss Liu turned around in front of Li Chen and said, "How is it, Director Li? I'm walking beside you, so it won't bother you, right?"

Li Chen sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, pinched his chin and nodded seriously: "It's just barely okay, after all, Director Li is not bad!"

This time Yang Siwei just pretended not to hear, stood up and said: "Boss, Boss Lady, I'm going to Tangtang's place. I feel sorry for our Tangtang. Tonight is destined to be Boss Lady's night."

Time soon arrived at the red carpet for the opening ceremony in the evening.

Although the sun was shining brightly in Berlin during the day, it unexpectedly started snowing in the evening.

The Berlin Film Festival, which originally had few people, had even fewer people now. As the red carpet ceremony began, the snow fell heavier and heavier.

It seems like God also looks down on the Berlin Film Festival.

The bad weather also caused a sharp drop in the number of movie fans, which was even equal to the number of reporters on site for interviews.

The red carpet ceremony, which lasted an hour and a half, was basically starred by German local stars, many of whom even local fans probably couldn't name.

I guess it’s Li Chen, Liu Dehua, Liu Yifei and Tang Yan.

I'm afraid half of the dozen or so domestic media outlets will have to leave.

Amid the anticipation of more than a dozen domestic media outlets, Li Chen, Liu Dehua, Liu Yifei and Tang Yan finally made their appearance.

Walking onto the red carpet, Li Chen felt sad for the Berlin Film Festival.

There were not many fans, but there were more reporters than fans. Reporters from domestic and several foreign media outlets warmly invited Li Chen and his colleagues to collect materials.

"Xixi, Yang Siwei is right. Tonight is indeed your night. Take good photos. Tomorrow your beauty will definitely become a spectacle of this film festival."

While greeting the media reporters, Li Chen whispered to Miss Liu.

"I feel like it's not as good as last year's Golden Rooster Film Festival."

"Yifei is right, it really is very similar to last year's Golden Rooster Film Festival." Liu Dehua also said.

"Andy, Director Li, Yifei, Tang Yan, you are finally here. If you hadn't come, we would have almost become snowmen, haha." The reporters joked.

"Sorry, sorry, thank you for your hard work." Liu Dehua clasped his hands together and apologized to the reporters.

Li Chen also said: "It's really hard for you. If we had known it was going to snow, we would have come earlier."

"It's not hard. Please give us some footage. We are leaving too. This Berlin Film Festival is too cold. Apart from Sigourney Weaver just walking by, it was still somewhat decent. We almost fell asleep from the cold."

"Yifei looks so beautiful today. Her style is a little different from your usual style. Was this dress chosen for you by Director Li?" The reporters started gossiping.

"Yes, Yifei, are you and Director Li preparing to make an official announcement? Please give us some inside information, considering how hard we've worked."

Several people cooperated with the media to collect materials, but also had to be on guard against media traps.

"I don't like him. This outfit was chosen for me by my stylist, not him!" Liu Yifei glanced at Li Chen and smiled back to the reporter.

But the stylist is his, Liu Yifei added in her heart.

"Director Li, Yifei said she doesn't like you. Do you have anything to say?" The reporters suddenly stopped being cold.

"Hey, aren't you cold anymore? Go back quickly after shooting the footage, or you'll catch a cold." Li Chen changed the subject and said with a smile.

The reporters all laughed. It seemed that the only way to make these two people confess was to get solid evidence.

The first day's opening ceremony was spent in cold and snowy weather.

What Li Chen said was right. With the right timing, location and people, Miss Liu became the highlight of the film festival and the focus of domestic media when she walked the red carpet for the first time.

"The Berlin Film Festival opened in the snow, and Liu Yifei made an elegant appearance in a white suit."

"Liu Yifei said with a smile that she looked down on Li Chen!"

The official website of the Berlin Film Festival also posted photos of Li Chen and Liu Yifei walking the red carpet.

Fans of Liu Yifei in China were all wondering why Liu Yifei's style had changed so much, and now it had become more mature.

But everyone agrees that Liu Yifei has become more beautiful.

Netizens commented one after another.

"A red flower needs green leaves to match it. I think it would be a good idea for a layman like Li Chen to stand aside."

“It feels like Beauty and the Beast!”

"Look at the look in their eyes. I don't believe they are fine!"

"Whether you believe it or not, there's nothing you can do about it. The photos of Fan Qiaoqiao and Wang Xuebing floating in the water together have been leaked, but they still deny it."

"Li Qiaoqiao and Zhu Xiaotian were fighting like that in the hotel, and they still said they were just studying the script!"

"There is still no solid evidence between Li Chen and Liu Yifei. Who knows if they are just hyping up 'Those Years'?"

　Refer to this photo

　　
　
(End of this chapter)