I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

Chapter 560: 558. Cage Banquet

Chapter 560 558. Banquet of the Cage

The old man's evaluation of "Sword Rain" is similar to that of Xu Xin.

After understanding the core of Buddhism contained in it, after stripping off the martial arts coat of the whole film and seeing the complete "skeleton", although there are some flaws in some places, the overall evaluation is that the flaws are not concealed.

This movie is good.

After coming out of the movie theater and on the way back to the hotel by car, Xu Xin heard the old man yawn.

Then he said:

"What do you want to do tomorrow?"

"I'll take you to meet some old friends. The film festival will end the day after tomorrow, and the results of the selection that should come out at this time will come out, so it's not a foul to meet friends. You follow me, I'll take you through the relationship, and I met you." After that, just get along slowly in the future.”

"People at the Venice Film Festival?"

"Um."

Leaning on the chair, Zhang Yimou looked tired and looked at the night road ahead and said:

"Bringing you to meet these people, on the one hand, is business, you need to increase your influence, and the three major film festivals can help you the most, in fact, is the identity of the judges. With my recommendation, you can be included in the evaluation of jury members Among them. Their jury is different every year, and they are all selected from internal members.

You also have the opportunity to be a judge...this qualification is real. For movie fans or audiences, this qualification is sometimes equivalent to authority. Especially don't you want to stay in school to teach? Having this qualification will also benefit you in the future. "

"The other side..."

"Each of them has a lot of resources in their hands, whether it is a film company, a distributor, or some scripts from their own country. Whether it is Hollywood or Europe, sometimes the director chooses the script, and sometimes the script chooses the director. Know These people may not be of great help to your Chinese-language film future, but the international road is much wider."

"Understood."

Xu Xin nodded, and said something in his heart:

"I really don't know what the old man's status is in the world if I don't go abroad..."

Tut.

"Oh, by the way, did you receive that Jaguar?"

He suddenly remembered something and asked.

Zhang Yimou nodded:

"Received... I don't usually have the opportunity to drive. I just drove away from home this time. The interior is too eye-catching. I don't know how old I am. I drive a color used by young people... I just drove around. .”

Although he said so, the joy in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

No matter how eye-catching the orange color of Hermès is, it is not as important as the friendship of a confidant.

So, following this mood, he said:

"I'm letting go of the house... wait... it's all over. I'll bring it to Yanjing."

Because there were other people around, the old man's words were very cryptic.

But he didn’t hide it, and finally threw out a sentence:

"Don't tell me, it's really fun to drive a car that's run in."

"..."

Xu Xin didn't answer.

Just started to ponder in my heart...

He also wants to get a Hermès servant, a car that has been carefully repaired.

It's just...how should I mention it to those three big grievances, so that each of them can give me one?

…

"Hey, you haven't slept yet?"

After Yang Mi connected the phone, she was surprised at first, and then reprimanded:

"Xu Sanjin! Are you floating! What time is it? Isn't it 1 o'clock over there?! You still not sleeping? Are you dying?!"

"I miss you…"

"Hehe, thank you. If you miss me, go to bed quickly, we will see each other in our dreams."

Yang Mi couldn't laugh or cry:

"Brother, it's already 1 o'clock, and you're going to walk the red carpet the day after tomorrow, so you have to make dark circles under your eyes to look good?"

"I'm going to sleep right now. I just took a shower...Didn't Director Zhang come, we watched a movie."

"Oh, it's so romantic. Sister, you are so happy, do you know? My dog man didn't play with women after going abroad, but went on a date with a man to watch a movie. What do you think I should do?"

"..."

There are too many slots in these words, Xu Xin didn't know how to answer for a while?

Is it wrong to play with women? Or is it not right to date a man to the movies?

Or...playing girls is the right thing to do, not dating guys?

After thinking for a while, he didn't answer the question in the end, and said directly:

"Just to report to you, tomorrow the old man said he would bring me to meet friends here, and then recommend me to join the jury member club in Venice."

"Go ahead... I care more about whether you can win the prize the day after tomorrow than these..."

"let it go."

He expressed his truest thoughts.

Anyway, this trip to Venice has already gained enough.

…

On the 13th, for a whole day, Xu Xin followed the old man and left the main island where Venice was located, and went directly to Lido Island, the second largest island in the province of Venice.

Strictly speaking, this is actually the place where the serious Venice Film Festival is held. Tomorrow night, the awards ceremony of the Venice Film Festival will be held at the Summer Palace on Lido Island.

This is the second time for Xu Xin to come to Lido Island. The first time was brought here by Ai Qing.

This area belongs to the wealthy area of Venice. Sunshine, beaches, seafood, mansions, and the filming location of "Broken Venice"... all make Lido Island gain the attention of many wealthy people.

And Ai Qing is also here. After seeing Xu Xin's lack of interest in the beauty of some so-called mansions, she is convinced that Director Xu likes a more traditional and more authentic Venice.

So I came here once, and never came here again.

Instead, they took Xu Xin to turn around the main island of Venice in these ten days.

And Zhang Yimou didn't need a translator at all here.

When you land on the island, there are two special cars to pick you up.

Take the two of them to the golf course of the largest and most luxurious Auriel Villa Hotel on the island.

There is actually nothing to talk about socializing. Xu Xin’s identity is a disciple. Most of the time, it is Zhang Yimou who chats with these foreigners.

And it seems that the old man has known them for a long time. Although the language still needs to be translated, the relaxed atmosphere of talking and laughing cannot be faked.

As for golf skills…

To be honest, the old man is about the same level as Xu Xin.

are all pulpy levels.

There were seven or eight people in total. After playing golf all morning, Xu Xin finally got three letters of recommendation.

This means that Xu Xin has the qualifications to become a judge of the Venice Film Festival under the recommendation of three members.

But when he will be invited to participate in the review, it is uncertain.

In China, there are currently only three people who have dominated the Venice Film Festival and served as the head of the jury.

One is the old man, one is Li An, and the other is Gong Li.

Only members who have served as the head of the jury are eligible to recommend.

Otherwise, filmmakers can only wait for people from the Venice Film Festival to come and invite you to become a member.

But wanting to receive their invitation, the director didn't mention it, he just said that an actor needs at least two gold medals to start.

Chinese judges, so far, including Guan Jinpeng in this year's Horizon unit, there are only 7 people.

And according to the old man, there are currently no less than 40 domestic filmmakers, including directors and actors, in the Venice Jury Club.

It doesn’t look like much at first glance, but think about it from another angle. If one person takes one year’s turn, it will take 40 years to get my turn…

Xu Xin didn't care.

If you invite yourself, it doesn’t matter if you don’t invite yourself.

Then, the two came to another villa on Lido Island and met a middle-aged man named Adam Hoffman.

Adam Hoffman has a very close relationship with the old man. Whether it is "Golden Armor" or "Hero", it can be registered in North American theaters through his hands.

According to the old man, he is very popular in the European and American film studios and theaters, and has a deep network of relationships.

Introduce Xu Xin to him, which can pave the way for the European and American markets in the future.

Although he can also see that Xu Xin seems to be good to Hollywood, whether it is the European and American markets, he is not too cold.

But there are multiple relationships and multiple paths.

Eat and chat normally.

Although I dare not mention how deep friendship is, at least we have met, had dinner, and got to know each other. As for how it develops in the future, that is to be seen slowly.

In short, throughout the whole day, he followed the old man, and basically met all the relationships and contacts he had accumulated for a decade or two.

He was tired, the old man was tired, and the most tired one was Pang Liwei, who had been a real-time translator for a day.

Seeing that Sister Pang's eye sockets are sunken, today's trip is finally over.

And back to Venice in the evening, finally, including Xiying Studio, Liu Yifei and Lin Gou, everyone got together and had a "reunion dinner".

After nearly half a month of busy work, tomorrow is finally the last carnival.

Everyone felt a little uneasy, but no one was ashamed to show it.

In the end, everything was in the silent wine, and I drank it all in one gulp.

Then each disbanded.

Not long after Xu Xin returned to the room, Pang Liwei knocked on his door.

After staying for about half an hour, I left again.

No one knows what the two communicated.

Just after Pang Liwei left, Xu Xin fell into a puzzled thought.

Looking at the night scene outside the balcony, he muttered to himself:

"Did I misread you?...You are still a person who keeps your promises?...This is about to start filming and don't mention changing the script, adding bed scenes and adding box office gimmicks...it shouldn't be..."

No one around, talk and listen to the wind.

…

Early morning on the 14th.

The entire resort hotel suddenly became busy.

Countless people carrying suitcases poured into the hotel, and then entered one room after another.

are all makeup artists.

The award ceremony in Venice is actually very brief, and it can even be said to be in the same line as the Nobel Prize.

They don't need to be so fancy, just like the Oscars in the United States, as soon as the awards are announced, they will directly shoot the camera on the faces of the nominated crew or actors. discouraged expression...

No need for that.

The previous Venice Film Festival award ceremonies were very simple, with only one big screen. After each award presenter came on stage, the name of the award will appear on the big screen.

Then after the guests read out the awards, the name of the movie will appear in the middle of the screen.

It's that simple.

It looks the same as the Nobel announcement site.

You can say that it is old-fashioned and old-fashioned, or you can praise that it has a strong film art atmosphere and is not so commercialized.

But in any case, the fact is that its award ceremony scene is not exciting.

Therefore, the red carpet of the annual film festival is the top priority.

Who has good looks and whose clothes look good, it all depends on the distance of tens of meters.

Xu Xin's clothes are relatively simple, and the makeup is actually easy to paint. It is nothing more than reducing facial shadows. And Yang Mi helped him get his suits, he didn't even know what brand or size he was wearing.

He wears whatever his sister brings him.

Pure iron waste.

Besides, others may not believe it, the makeup artist who did his makeup was just an apprentice of Liu Yifei's makeup artist...

This treatment is no one else.

Kolin Dog and Liu Yifei are different.

From hair styling to face makeup...the two have been busy since noon.

I don’t even eat lunch.

Afraid of showing belly.

Lin Gou is okay, after putting on a handsome makeup, he can still drink some water, eat some small cakes and so on.

But Liu Yifei didn't even dare to drink water.

Although she is becoming more and more beautiful, Xu Xin really can't bear to see her pitiful appearance.

No way, this girl is prone to obesity.

Really pitiful.

Soon, the time came to 4 pm.

Liu Yifei, dressed in an off-white embroidered gold rose dress, has Xu Xin on the left and Lin Gou on the right. According to the photographer's request, she grabbed their ties and made a running appearance.

To be honest, it really looks like a breeder leading two dogs...

After taking photos, everyone started to head to Lido Island.

And before departure...

"Xiao Xu is really handsome."

Hearing Liu Xiaoli's smiling praise, Xu Xin laughed:

"Haha, Aunt Liu, don't praise me, or I will fly when a gust of wind blows."

"I'm telling the truth."

Looking at the young man with perfect height, long legs, and perfect body proportions, Liu Xiaoli sincerely expressed her praise:

"The clothes Mimi matched for you are also pretty. Very handsome~"

"hey-hey…"

Laughter, Liu Yifei walked over holding the corner of the white dress embroidered with gold roses:

"I'll help you take off your tie."

Hearing Sister Shenxian's words, Xu Xin froze for a moment, then waved his hand and said:

"It's okay, I can do it myself."

He and Lin Dog's tie is modeling.

This kind of occasion is not suitable for a tie, but a bow tie is more suitable, so after taking the photo, I took off the tie and changed it.

There are many reporters at the moment, and he doesn't want to have any scandals.

After refusing with a smile, Liu Yifei didn't say anything, but turned to look at Lin Juxin:

"Do you need any help?"

"No, I won't tie it for now, I'm going to panic."

While the three were chatting, Zhong Changyou walked out of the hotel:

"Director Xu, it's time for us to go."

When he said this, the expectation in his eyes was as real as it was.

seems to say:

"Director Xu, let's go get the prize!"

Xu Xin nodded with a smile, pretending that he didn't see his fiery eyes, and pouted at Su Meng:

"Let's go."

…

The road traffic throughout Venice began to become congested.

Xu Xin sat in the car, loosened his bow tie, looked at the crowd outside, and said to the old man in a Chinese tunic suit next to him:

"Are you nervous?"

Zhang Yimou asked back.

"Well…"

Xu Xin opened his mouth and let out a foolish smile:

"Hey, it's okay."

"Just calm down and let nature take its course."

Zhang Yimou seemed to see something, and comforted him:

"If it succeeds, it will be done. If it fails, your film will also be recognized by the audience of the film festival. Just be normal~"

"Um…"

Although he knew that what he said was reasonable, Xu Xin couldn't help but say something after answering:

“I’ve never been this nervous at Cannes…”

"Bullshit."

Zhang Yimou rolled his eyes directly:

"You didn't go to Cannes, you were squatting in Shenmu at that time."

"…hey-hey."

Besides an awkward smile, Xu Xin really didn't know what to say.

That familiar feeling of "test grades" hits again.

It's just... If the first night in Venice was just a junior high school, then he is now in the college entrance examination.

The pressure was brewing in my heart, and there was nowhere to vent the heavy weight.

He felt that he still hadn't mastered the kung fu of cultivating qi through experience... Obviously, he didn't know how many times he had said to himself before that, it didn't matter whether the trip to Venice won an award or not.

Because the trip was worthwhile.

But things are coming to an end...

He still couldn't escape.

Fortunately, there was no one else in the car except the driver, Pang Liwei who was sitting in the co-pilot, and Su Meng in the back row.

There can't be too many people in the commercial vehicle. Su Meng and Pang Liwei and Xu Xin didn't even plan to bring them if they were not worried about the language barrier.

Because the ironed trouser line of a suit or dress sits for a long time, it is easy to be pushed up at the knees.

that affects the shape.

Yang Mi specifically told him to find a spacious place to sit and try to straighten his legs when sitting.

It was this convenience that allowed no one on his side to see his restless appearance except the old man.

Otherwise, he would be really embarrassed to say this in front of Liu Yifei and Lin Gou.

He is the director.

is the backbone and pillar of the crew.

Anyone can bend, but he can't.

Then, the carriage fell into silence.

Take the car all the way, get off, and get on the luxury yacht...

It took about half an hour for them to arrive at the main island of Lido Island, and then, under the reception of the organizer of Venice, they boarded the car again and rushed to the summer palace of the festival.

When we arrived at the Summer Palace, there were already many people in the red carpet waiting hall.

Everyone is chatting and chatting separately.

After seeing that the people who came in were Xu Xin and the others, although many people recognized that this was... It can almost be said that the crew of "Under the Hawthorn Tree" was the most popular in Venice this year, but no one came to chat.

Before the awards ceremony, unless facing the media, the tradition of trying not to contact people outside the crew is obviously also in effect here.

In the red carpet waiting hall, only Zhong Changyou, who walked the red carpet with him for a while, came in.

People including Liu Xiaoli, Su Meng, and Wu Qiqi cannot enter here.

Several people got together... Perhaps because everyone was a little nervous, the content of the chat was also dry.

For example, seeing a familiar face, the three young people Xu Xin discussed what works each other had acted there.

The old man chatted with Zhong Changyou about the release of "The Hawthorn Tree".

The three of them were trying their best to hide their growing nervousness, but there were more and more people in the hall.

Then, after Xu Xin greeted Li Pingdong who had just entered, the door was pushed open again.

A face that was too familiar walked in first.

Natalie Portman.

Wearing a black…somewhat like velvet-like dress, although it is not particularly big, you can already see the swollen belly, and walked in.

"I grass..."

Lin Gou swears subconsciously:

"She is pregnant?"

"you do not know?"

Liu Yifei was a little surprised:

"The one supporting her is her husband... Oh no, they are not married yet. Her boyfriend is also the dancer director of "Black Swan". It is said that he is also an internationally famous ballet dancer. The two of them fell in love because of the drama, and they are together gone."

As the only one among the three who watched the version of "Black Swan" without Chinese subtitles, she obviously knows the gossip and anecdotes of this big star very well.

And following her words, Natalie Portman and her boyfriend, as well as others from the "Black Swan" crew, walked through the crowd.

As the person who is currently the most popular actress, she is really like the legendary swan. The aura she brings with her when she appears on the stage is a bit like "overlooking all living beings".

pity…

Xu Xin doesn't like this.

He just looked at the other party's swaying figure in high heels, and muttered:

"Look at that belly... If it's not twins, it's only two or three months. She looks quite pregnant~"

"..."

What Lin Gou and Liu Yifei said involved the knowledge blind spot, and the two didn't pick up the words, just listening to Xu Xin continue to chanting:

"The pregnancy is so obvious, so you have to pay attention to the fetal position. How dare you wear high heels at this time? This **** doesn't seem like a good type... Tsk, I'm really brave. If it doesn't go smoothly... what do you think I'm doing?"

Feeling the strange eyes of the two, Xu Xin was a little puzzled.

And Lin Xunxin said a little speechlessly:

"Old Xu...you understand it quite well."

"Yeah, I'm still observing so carefully... I'll tell Mimi to be careful!"

Facing the threat from the fairy sister, Xu Xin sneered:

"She's here, I'm sure she can tell you what kind of plus-size pants this girl will wear this month, don't you believe it? She's more hooligans than you can imagine."

Under Liu Yifei's dumbfounded gaze, Xu Xin's gaze fell on Matilda again.

He could feel it.

Her pride.

And that confidence.

Then…

The apprehension in his eyes and heart also began to disappear gradually.

Never mind being nervous, but the space in front of me is like a large colosseum.

The crew of every movie is a beast.

We are not friends, but competitors.

is here to fight.

Even a foreign woman with a pregnant belly can show that confident aura...

Our old Xu can still be compared to a big ocean horse?