Chapter 309: Love to Hear the Ghost Recite Poetry in the Autumn Grave (10,000-word update!)

To the overseas reporters, Wang Zhong was the only well-known filmmaker in the *Sanshan* crew.

The other few actors were all newcomers; they didn't know them.

At most, when looking up information, they knew a little bit about Lu Yan He and knew he was a very famous star in China. But this had nothing to do with them. Not many people overseas knew Lu Yan He.

Originally, not many people were prepared to attend the *Sanshan* press conference, but after watching this film, many who were ready to leave directly all came over one after another.

Media reporters might not be as familiar with masterpieces in film history as professional film critics, nor could they quickly list one, two, three, or four points about a work, but they were people who had been running the film festival circuit for years. After watching a film, they had a sense of whether it was good or bad, controversial, or destined for the shelf.

When the news was first released that the film *Sanshan* had been shortlisted for the Main Competition Unit, it was quiet and didn't attract much attention; it wasn't a hot contender.

Except for the Chinese media, who were somewhat excited and thrilled because it was the only Chinese-language film shortlisted, to the foreign media, it was almost a benchwarmer.

Director Wang Zhong, although famous, and his personal style could be considered unique in the world of cinema, was still a breath away from being a "master" or "renowned director."

Many film critics said he was burdened by the eerie, ghostly style he loved so much. He succeeded because of this style and failed because of it. It was stunning the first time you saw it, but after seeing it too much, it was just so-so, and after watching it, it felt like having a meaningless dream.

No one expected that this time, he would actually bring *Sanshan*.

Would this film become a classic?

They didn't dare say so.

However, there was no doubt, as could be seen from the reaction of the audience at the premiere just now, that this film would definitely be a topic of conversation.

Moreover, it might be the most talked-about film Wang Zhong had ever made.

There were nearly seventy media outlets present today, with about ninety people in total.

The venue was very crowded.

But having such a grand occasion at a media press conference was a major proof that the film was receiving attention.

Director Wang Zhong first shared his thoughts on filming this movie.

When the reporters were allowed to raise their hands to ask questions freely, everyone in the audience raised their hands.

A reporter from Japan, Nagayama Kanzan, got the first opportunity to ask a question.

Lu Yan He was somewhat surprised to find that when Nagayama Kanzan stood up, the expressions of Wang Zhong and Chen Ling both turned unpleasant.

"Director Wang Zhong, it's been a long time since I've seen you. I'm especially happy to see you've filmed a new work again. In the past, many film critics evaluated your films as being dragged down by your style, saying that whatever film you shoot has a ghostly, eerie feeling. This time, you seem to have pushed this style to the extreme again. I wonder what your considerations were?"

After the interpreter translated his question into English, the whole room was in an uproar.

The film criticism circle had always had mixed reviews of Wang Zhong's films; he was considered a highly controversial director. The question raised by Nagayama Kanzan was equivalent to directly saying in front of Wang Zhong what some film critics who didn't like his style had said. To describe it in four words, it could be called "slapping him in the face."

Lu Yan He looked at the Japanese reporter with some surprise. The latter was actually not young; he wasn't the kind of young person who had just entered the industry and didn't understand things—actually, that was also true; any reporter who would be stationed here had to have fought their way through their own media to win the opportunity. No one was a simple character, and no media outlet would send a rookie to a film festival of this level.

Nagayama Kanzan had a sincere expression on his face, as if he were earnestly looking forward to Wang Zhong's answer.

Wang Zhong pondered for a moment before answering: "I have my own creative preferences and style. After all, the world in everyone's eyes is different, based on their own life experiences or aesthetic preferences. As a film director, the style of a film is not something I subjectively want to define, but based on my own judgment, it should be shot this way. Only by shooting it this way can I capture what I want."

Nagayama Kanzan immediately followed up with a question: "Do you mean that the world in your eyes is such a world full of disasters, terror, and sudden death?"

His speaking speed was very fast. By the time he finished, the host at the scene only had time to say, "Sorry, because time is limited, each reporter is limited to one question."

Nagayama Kanzan nodded, "Sorry, if it's inconvenient for Director Wang Zhong to answer, then forget it."

After saying this, he sat down.

The interpreter translated his words word for word.

Lu Yan He could almost conclude that this person harbored malice and prejudice against Director Wang Zhong and had deliberately said such things.

He turned to look at Director Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong's expression was also somewhat unpleasant. He seemed to want to say something, but was held back by something, and didn't speak for several seconds.

Lu Yan He didn't know if he needed to help Director Wang Zhong out of the predicament.

He was afraid that it would be inappropriate for him to speak rashly.

At this moment, producer Chen Ling suddenly looked at Lu Yan He and said: "Just now, this reporter said that because the director's film has the eerie feeling of a ghost movie, the world in the director's eyes is full of disasters and sudden death. Yan He, although your cooperation with the director this time wasn't for a long time, your performance has been praised by many. I wonder how you view this issue?"

Lu Yan He didn't expect Chen Ling to suddenly throw the question to him in front of everyone.

But he immediately saw a hint of "please" and "begging" in Chen Ling's eyes.

This was asking him for help.

Chen Ling knew how sharp Lu Yan He's tongue was, which was why he spoke up at this moment.

Lu Yan He smiled and looked at the reporters in the audience.

"I didn't even know my performance had been praised by many people." After saying this, he felt it was hypocritical, but he continued to smile and looked at the people in the audience, asking, "Did I really perform well?"

The reporters looked at him blankly.

Why was there no reaction at all?

The reaction of the reporters in the audience left Lu Yan He stunned.

Could it be that they didn't think so?

But they didn't look like they had no reaction; it was more like they didn't know who he was at all.

Wait, don't tell me they didn't recognize what he played in the movie?

"In the movie, I played the fortune teller who told fortunes for them in the mountain temple."

Lu Yan He said this sentence in English, and also pointed to Chen Jiang and the others, with a smile on his face.

The media reporters in the audience suddenly seemed to explode, and all kinds of colorful expressions appeared on their faces. Some started to applaud, and some shouted in languages Lu Yan He didn't understand, but Lu Yan He could see that everyone was encouraging him and praising him.

"Thank you!" Lu Yan He said with a smile.

He appeared calm on the surface, but he was relieved in his heart.

He was really afraid that it wasn't that they didn't recognize him, but simply didn't want to show support.

"This is my first time acting in a movie, so I'm a bit nervous. I don't know if my performance is really as good as they say."

Someone immediately said in English, "You were very good!"

"Thank you, thank you!"

Lu Yan He's few words brought the atmosphere of the scene back from the awkwardness just now, adding a bit of liveliness and joy.

Back in China.

Xin Zixing, who was watching the live broadcast of the media meeting, obviously knew about the conflict between Director Wang Zhong and Nagayama Kanzan, and said annoyedly to the people around her: "This Nagayama Kanzan has held a grudge against Director Wang Zhong ever since he was scolded by him seven years ago. Whenever he runs into Director Wang Zhong, he has to disgust him."

This was a live broadcast event on the Ye Mai website.

Xin Zixing and several other guests sat together to watch the live broadcast of the *Sanshan* media meeting and provided real-time commentary.

Another guest, Chen Bing, who had become famous in recent years for his talk show performances, immediately asked: "Why was Nagayama Kanzan scolded by Wang Zhong?"

"Previously, when Wang Zhong's *Retention* was released in Japan, Director Wang Zhong went to Japan for promotion. Nagayama Kanzan was the interviewing reporter at the time, but he was very rude to the heroine of *Retention* because she had some nude scenes in the movie. Nagayama Kanzan asked her if she was worried that her lover would mind this matter for making such a big sacrifice to become famous. The heroine was already unable to handle it at the time, but Nagayama Kanzan kept pursuing it, saying that our traditional Chinese culture minds this aspect of women, and asking if she felt it was worth it for such a big sacrifice," Xin Zixing said. "Director Wang Zhong dropped the microphone and scolded him right then and there. If you ask me, this is Nagayama Kanzan asking for a scolding; he doesn't respect the director, nor does he respect the actors."

"This little Jap—" Chen Bing gasped, reminding himself that this was a live broadcast, "Damn him."

Xin Zixing's face sank.

Ye Mai website's contracted host Song Jiang said: "He maliciously interpreted Director Wang's words, leading everyone to have a negative impression of him. It's vicious enough."

Chen Bing: "I don't know if Yan He can save the atmosphere. Sigh."

Xin Zixing didn't speak.

At this moment, she didn't want to say "Yan He will definitely be able to" to set him up for a fall.

What if Yan He couldn't do it? -

When the atmosphere at the scene became a little warmer, Lu Yan He returned to the question Chen Ling had asked earlier.

"I don't know if everyone knows that in ancient China, there was a very famous writer named Pu Songling, who wrote a book called *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*." Lu Yan He smiled slightly. "This book tells stories about gods, demons, and ghosts. Almost every Chinese person grew up listening to the stories in this book."

"In the Qing Dynasty, a man named Wang Shizhen wrote a sentence to evaluate this book."

"I am tired of hearing human talk, I love to hear the ghost recite poetry in the autumn grave."

Having said this, Lu Yan He recited this poem in Chinese first, before translating it into plain language—

I don't like to hear people talk about worldly matters of fame, wealth, and scrambling for power; I prefer the ghosts who have already died in the graveyard to tell me their innermost feelings.

"This is my own translation, it's not very accurate, but it is my own understanding of this poem."

Lu Yan He smiled lightly. His tone was gentle, powerful, and rich in a rhythmic sense of slow delivery.

"I don't know if everyone can understand this kind of mood? We live in this world, and sometimes we helplessly develop a trace of disgust for the world we live in, just like the British writer Mr. Maugham wrote in *The Moon and Sixpence*, 'There are sixpences all over the ground, but he looked up and saw the moon.' I will always remember this sentence."

Everyone in the room quieted down.

Most of the people here were reporters from European and American countries; how could they not know Maugham?

And including Director Wang Zhong, as well as the other actors on stage, and the producer Chen Ling who asked him the question, the expressions of those looking at Lu Yan He here had changed.

Lu Yan He's speech completely exceeded their imagination.

"Sometimes we tend to understand style as the clothes a person wears. Some people like to dress more classically and elegantly, while others like to dress more loosely and freely. However, style is not just the clothes a person wears, but more of a person's temperament. And in our Chinese context, I prefer to call it 'character and integrity' (Fenggu). Translated into English, I call it 'a personality that distinguishes one from others.' Of course, this is not so accurate, but it is the translation I can think of right now."

Lu Yan He emphasized again that this was his own translation.

"The film *Sanshan*, obviously, is different from most films. Whether it is good or bad is for everyone to judge, but we can definitely reach a consensus: it is not a film that can be copied from elsewhere, but a film that only Director Wang Zhong could shoot."

"Desire, impulse, anger, regret, fate, fear... Some people understand a director as someone who puts the world they see into a film, just as some people understand style as the style of clothes a person wears."

"But after working with Director Wang Zhong, I prefer to understand a director as someone who is reshaping the world. He uses his thinking, his confusion, his greed, hatred, and ignorance, and his letting go to reshape a world in a film."

"It is completely different from our real world, but in the two hours of watching the film, we seem to fall into a vast and blurred dream. After watching it, waking up, we know it is a film, it is not real, and then at some moment of loss, we recall some segments and a picture in our minds, and we blankly ask ourselves, was that a dream, or did it really happen?"

"This is the film world as I understand it. Does it have anything to do with style? Of course it does, but is that important?"

Lu Yan He said with a smile: "What's important is what we feel. A film is the director's work, but it is not the director; it belongs to everyone who watches it."

After Lu Yan He finished speaking, the scene was quiet for several seconds.

In stark contrast to this silence was the bullet screen area in several live broadcast rooms in China.

As Lu Yan He said it sentence by sentence, sometimes in English, sometimes in Chinese, but because there was real-time translation, everyone could basically know what Lu Yan He was saying without any obstacles.

And the more they listened, the more excited and complicated their moods became.

—I almost forgot what Lu Yan He was saying with this speech; I just felt like he was glowing.

—From *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* to *The Moon and Sixpence*, he actually just brought them up so easily, even remembered other people's evaluations, and could translate them into English on the spot?

—Can you guys stop focusing on these external things? Listen carefully to what Lu Yan He said. It's too high-level, too awesome. He is completely standing in another dimension, rubbing that SOB Nagayama Kanzan on the ground!

—I'm already used to Lu Yan He speaking in such a high-level and awesome way.

—I'm so vulgar; I just think his calm and composed posture is so handsome. I can't hear what he's saying at all.

—Same as above, I'm also vulgar.

—Lu Yan He's speech simply turned this media meeting into his performance. The foreign internet is already buzzing about it.

—A foreign netizen asked me what *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* is and asked if there is an English version. Damn, how would I know if there is an English version!

—Lu Yan He's wave of cultural output is awesome to the max.

—Everyone said Lu Yan He was lucky to get into Zhenhua and became a stain on Zhenhua. Now, who dares to say Lu Yan He is a stain on Zhenhua? Too awesome, I'm almost moved to tears. He is worthy of being a student of Zhenhua, worthy of being from the Zhenhua Academy of Literature!

The number of people watching the live broadcast was small, but as major media outlets cut out Lu Yan He's speech, made it into long pictures, and posted them on media accounts, more and more people read it.

Actually, originally, such a speech, no matter how well said, would at most receive attention from people who usually pay attention to the entertainment industry because the person speaking was Lu Yan He.

However, this time, the incident stemmed from the "malicious" questioning by a Japanese reporter.

Consequently, the matter transformed into Lu Yan He wittily refuting the Japanese reporter.

For well-known reasons, this topic has fermented into increasing heat on the internet.

After the media meet-and-greet for *Sanshan*, Lu Yan He followed everyone to complete several official promotional schedules. Afterward, he returned to the hotel to eat something, as he had two very formal exclusive interviews in the evening.

Both were exclusive interviews with domestic media.

One was with *Tomorrow Daily*, the other with *Film Report*; both are first-tier domestic media outlets.

Reporters from both media outlets coincidentally mentioned his performance at the media meet-and-greet that afternoon.

They made no secret of their fondness for Lu Yan He, and after offering some encouragement, they asked: "Yan He, have you seen the domestic online reviews about you?"

Lu Yan He shook his head, looking a bit dazed, and said: "I haven't had time to check my phone yet. What's wrong? What reviews?"

"You can check for yourself later. Simply put, your remarks have gained support from many people—and it's not just simple support," the reporter said. "Mainly, your words have made many people in the film industry stand up to support you. Director Wang Zhong's films have always been highly controversial over the years, not just internationally, but domestically as well. Your remarks didn't just respond to the questioning from Nagayama Sanka, but also seriously addressed the matter of Director Wang Zhong's film style. Many people believe your answer was a redefinition of Director Wang Zhong's film style."

"That's putting it too strongly. I was just expressing my own feelings; how could it be considered a redefinition?" Lu Yan He said.

Only after discussing his remarks in earnest did they move on to the main topic.

They specifically asked about how he shaped this character.

When Lu Yan He mentioned that the scene he acted in was actually just a one-night guest appearance, the reporters were stunned.

Upon further questioning, when they learned Lu Yan He had received the script segment that very day, everyone was dumbfounded.

The reporters laughed on the spot: "We don't even know how to write this draft. If we write it like this, people will either think you're exaggerating or that we're writing nonsense."

Lu Yan He waved his hand with a smile, "Then don't write about that."

"But, in such a short time, how did you find the character's state?" the reporter asked.

Lu Yan He shook his head, "Actually, I don't know either. The state of getting into character that day was particularly magical. Because Director Wang Zhong really found a real mountain temple—it wasn't a set built temporarily. We rode in a car for a long time, driving on mountain roads for ages; I even got a bit carsick and wanted to vomit as soon as I got out of the car. The environment that day was just right: a small hilltop, cold winds whistling, surrounded by mountains and wilderness. The situation from the script appeared directly before your eyes. The small temple was the same; once you went inside, it was dusty, everything was real. You couldn't help but imagine the story. After the director gave me my character and lines, I stood facing the wall, imagining the past of my character all by myself. It was especially magical; without a single distracting thought, I filled in a lot of experiences in my head. Then, when it came time to act, I didn't have any baggage in my heart, and I acted very relaxed."

He said: "Director Wang is the kind of director who doesn't give you specific guidance. He just sets the camera there, gives you a huge amount of space, and lets you perform based on your own ideas. He won't nitpick your details, but instead tells you what kind of feeling he wants. As an actor, I really enjoyed acting that night. I didn't have to worry about anything; even until today, I hadn't seen what I looked like in the movie."

"When you saw this movie yourself, is there any feeling you'd like to share with us?"

"I just want to say, the director's camera lens is too kind to actors," Lu Yan He said. "The person in the lens, even I find him unfamiliar. The director is someone who really knows how to use the lens to find the actor; the person in this lens, even I find him unfamiliar."

After the exclusive interview ended, Lu Yan He was so tired he chugged water, not wanting to say another word.

After a full day, the high-intensity work left him exhausted.

Chen Ziyan came over to tell him that the trade paper ratings were out, and *Sanshan* had received a very high score.

The trade paper ratings refer to the scores given to competing films by media from various countries. Although it has nothing to do with the final awards, it represents the evaluation of the films by international film media and carries significant influence.

In fact, looking at the situation over the years, the correlation between trade paper scores and the final awards is quite high.

The judges aren't locked in a dark room to review these films; they also come out to attend events and look at the trade paper ratings.

Chen Ziyan added: "More than a dozen media outlets, including *The New York Times*, *French Film*, and *The Guardian*, have given your performance high praise. They specifically mentioned your acting, especially *French Film*, which called your performance the most surprising supporting role of the year and affirmed that it will definitely be the top contender for Best Supporting Actor this year!"

Lu Yan He listened to Chen Ziyan speaking excitedly and couldn't stop laughing, saying: "Top contender? Is that for real?"

"There's a bit of exaggeration, of course. After all, these magazines at film festivals will use the most exaggerated words to describe any good performance they encounter, but this also shows how much everyone likes you," Chen Ziyan said. "You didn't know, did you? *French Film* has even sent an interview request, wanting to interview you."

Lu Yan He was somewhat surprised.

"Really?"

"Yes," Chen Ziyan nodded. "Of course, the interview might not be published in their magazine; it might just be posted on their website, but this is still good. It's rare to have such a proper foreign film media outlet interview you."

Lu Yan He nodded and readily agreed.

Chen Ziyan continued: "Right now, the hottest topic about you domestically is actually the remarks you made at the media meet-and-greet this afternoon. You spoke very well, and many foreign media present also rated you highly. In fact, everyone dislikes an actor with an empty head. You showed this side of yourself during your first meeting with them, which left them with a very good impression of you."

After finishing, Chen Ziyan sighed, "It's a pity that your screen time is too short. Although the reviews are high, there's absolutely no hope of competing for Best Actor this year."

Lu Yan He was shocked, "No way, Sister Ziyan, you were actually thinking about competing for Best Actor at the Xitu'er Film Festival?"

"With these reviews, if you were the lead actor, it wouldn't be impossible," Chen Ziyan said.

Lu Yan He waved his hand, "Don't say that, you'll make me get more and more full of myself."

"With your modest and cautious personality, even if I praised you every day and blew you up to the sky, you'd still find a step to walk down yourself," Chen Ziyan teased.

Lu Yan He: "..."

"But this time, coming to the Xitu'er Film Festival with *Sanshan*, the harvest is much greater than imagined. At first, I just thought about coming to see the world, attending a film festival for the first time, and getting familiar faces. This time, you've had a great start; even the director, Wintour Robert, knows you and remembers your name."

"He was just being polite."

"He specifically mentioned you when he was being interviewed by the media," Chen Ziyan said. "A foreign media outlet asked him if there was anything particularly worth introducing to everyone at this year's Xitu'er Film Festival, and you were among the content he introduced. He said that among the films in the main competition this year, there is a young actor from China who has won praise from many people, including many of his friends, and he even solemnly introduced your name."

Lu Yan He saw this video on Chen Ziyan's tablet and was astonished.

"Of course, he also said these words to the media because you are a very famous big star in China," Chen Ziyan immediately added. "He has some tricks up his sleeve to have made the Xitu'er Film Festival what it is today. Big stars from various countries are all well-treated by him, and he gives everyone enough face, including Jia Long. He even personally appeared at one of Jia Long's public events and took a photo with him."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan He's slightly excited mood couldn't help but dampen a bit.

He had thought Wintour Robert really looked at him differently because of his performance.

It turned out it was still for other purposes.

Seeing Lu Yan He like this, Chen Ziyan immediately guessed what he was minding.

"Keep a level head. People are willing to praise you on the premise that you are worth praising. If you acted poorly, he wouldn't risk being mocked to praise you hard. My point is, if he wants to praise you in front of the media, your fans will naturally spread his evaluation of you. Invisibly, he and the golden signboard of the Xitu'er Film Festival will spread along with it. This is a matter of mutual benefit," Chen Ziyan said. "This is a good thing."

"Yes, it's a good thing," Lu Yan He yawned. "However, Sister Ziyan, I'm really a bit tired. Today's work was too much. Why don't you let me rest first? Tomorrow is another day of work."

"Fine, then you rest," Chen Ziyan was clearly still excited and not sleepy at all.

She left Lu Yan He's room, but instead of returning to her own, she left the hotel.

She had another gathering.

There are quite a few Chinese filmmakers in Xitu'er.

It's rare to be gathered in one place, so they all try their best to find time to get together.

Director Wang Zhong was there too.

As soon as Chen Ziyan appeared, they asked: "Why didn't Lu Yan He come with you?"

"He just finished work and can barely keep his eyes open, so I let him sleep first," Chen Ziyan said.

"Oh, young people don't get tired that easily. You're also managing him too strictly."

"There's no other way. It's not easy to cultivate such a treasure; I have to take good care of him," Chen Ziyan said with a smile.

"You really did find a treasure. Who could have imagined that a ten-minute scene could stir up such a big momentum, with over a dozen foreign media outlets specifically naming and praising him."

"It's mainly the remarks he made at the media meet-and-greet. Ha, he stunned those foreigners."

"He spoke well. Director Wang's film style has always been picked at by some people who don't have eyes. Little Lu spoke well—those who pick at things are just picking at the clothes; they are superficial and can't see the backbone."

Wang Zhong waved his hand with a smile, "You guys stop teasing me. It was Little Lu saving face for me."

"Director, you're being too modest. This isn't Little Lu saving face for you. The feedback for *Sanshan* at the Xitu'er Film Festival this time is so good, we are very likely to take home an award!"

Wang Zhong laughed, but only said: "That's hard to say. We'll just have to wait and see if we have that luck later."

It has been many years since a Chinese-language film has had any success at the Xitu'er Film Festival.

Scarcity makes things valuable.

This makes the domestic film circle very hopeful that Chinese-language films can once again have success at the Xitu'er Film Festival.

"I think the hope for *Sanshan* to win an award this time is very high."

"If there were Chinese filmmakers among the judges this time, it would be stable. Now it depends on whether those judges can appreciate the goodness of *Sanshan*."

It's not that having Chinese filmmakers among the judges means there are connections or anything. In fact, many times, if there is a filmmaker from one's own country, they can often interpret why the film itself is good to other judges from the perspective of cultural background. The barrier of cultural background easily makes others unable to understand what the film itself contains; having someone to interpret it will be more conducive to others' understanding.

Especially for a film like *Sanshan*.

Wang Zhong said again: "It's fine. Winning an award is luck; not winning an award doesn't mean my film wasn't shot well. I'll just keep a level head and wait for the results."

In the competition section, no one is indifferent to the outcome of the big awards.

Wang Zhong's films are often shortlisted for the four major international film festivals, but he has almost never won an award.

Deep down, of course, he also wants to win a big award. It's just that the disappointment over these years has made him almost habitually prepared for disappointment.

"However, *Sanshan* seems to be quite sought after in the international market? Many film distributors want to come and buy the rights?"

"Yes, the response to *Sanshan* this time is relatively large, making many distributors interested."

"That's a good thing."

"Is it for theatrical release?"

"Maxine wants to buy the exclusive global streaming rights outside of mainland China," someone said.

Wang Zhong nodded, "I haven't figured out yet whether to sell them separately or bundle them all to Maxine at once."

"If sold to Maxine, for global streaming release, I don't know what the situation will be."

Chen Ziyan said: "It depends on what kind of promotional resources Maxine will give to *Sanshan*."

"Although Maxine has many users and has been quite popular in recent years, launching several big hits, it's not a traditional film company after all. *Sanshan* isn't the kind of film aimed at the box office. On streaming media, the data might not look good, and then it might not achieve good data, leading to it being belittled."

"Maxine says that if we give it to them, they will help *Sanshan* operate in the North American awards season."

"Chasing the Oscars?"

"Yes."

The American Academy Awards are, after all, one of the top film awards in the world. Although they no longer hold the unique status they had before Lu Yan He traveled through time, they are still not to be underestimated. At least in Europe and America, their influence and dominance are still very great.

"Is there much hope for *Sanshan* to chase the Oscars?"

"After the premiere today, several American media outlets gave positive reviews, which at least shows that this film is acceptable to the American media. If it can win an award in Xitu'er, chasing the Oscars is indeed possible. Films coming out of Xitu'er in recent years have all been able to have some presence in the awards season and can also get some nominations at the Oscars."

"Our Chinese-language films haven't entered the Oscar nomination list for a long time either."

"It's completely two different lines now. In the past, there were many domestic art films that could break in by relying on the reputation and momentum of international film festivals. Now, basically, no directors are making art films that have become a climate, and playing with commercial films has just started. It hasn't reached the point of breaking through their production ceiling, and it's already disconnected from their set of things."

"That's true."

"If *Sanshan* goes to chase the Oscars, can't Little Lu's momentum also be used to chase Best Supporting Actor? It's a real pity for him in Xitu'er. If Xitu'er had a Best Supporting Actor category, it would definitely be him this year. But Xitu'er only selects one Best Actor and one Best Actress each year, which is irrelevant to supporting roles."

Chen Ziyan smiled and waved her hand, "Little Lu wouldn't dare to think about these things. Anyway, we'll just follow the crew's arrangements."

Because he was in a hurry to go back to class, Lu Yan He hurriedly returned to the country after finishing his last job—the interview with *French Film* magazine.

Zou Dong accompanied him back to the country, while Chen Ziyan had to stay in Xitu'er for other work.

As soon as he landed, he was blocked by media reporters who had received the news early.

"Yan He, your performance in *Sanshan* has been highly praised by media from various countries. How are you feeling?"

"Do you think *Sanshan* can win an award at this year's Xitu'er International Film Festival?"

"Why did you come back so early? Is it because you heard some news in advance that *Sanshan* didn't win anything at this Xitu'er Film Festival?"

Everyone asked questions all at once.

Lu Yan He couldn't move a step.

"Brothers and sisters, I just went through a long-haul flight. Let me catch my breath first, or I'm going to faint."

Lu Yan He made a helpless expression.

Everyone's enthusiastic posture restrained slightly.

He said: "Let me explain first. The reason I came back early is because I need to rush back to school for class. I've already asked for five days off from school and can't ask for any more. The director and the others are still at the Xitu'er Film Festival. I myself only went to guest-star in one scene and am not the protagonist of this film, so my coming back early doesn't affect the crew."

He added: "Going to Xitu'er this time, because it was my first time at an international film festival, I felt it was very fresh. Moreover, it was a rare experience to feel such a grand party gathered for film. I met many people. *Sanshan* did indeed receive a lot of love and support from media friends, especially many foreign reporter friends. Some of them even laughed and said that although they didn't quite understand it, they were shocked by it; it was an unparalleled viewing experience."

"Of course, I very much hope that *Sanshan* can win an award. Even though I'm back, I will continue to pay attention to the news."

After Lu Yan He finished speaking, he waved his hand and said: "I have to go, bye-bye."

"Your response to Nagayama Sanka earlier was great, keep it up!" Suddenly, a reporter said loudly.

Lu Yan He looked at him with some surprise, smiled, and raised his hand to make a 'V' sign.

Seven days later, the Xitu'er Film Festival held its awards ceremony.

Director Wang Zhong attended with the three lead actors.

*Sanshan* won the Best Director award at this year's Xitu'er Film Festival. Wang Zhong went on stage to receive the award, quite excited. When giving his acceptance speech, his emotions were even overly agitated at one point, making it impossible to speak normally.

The scene erupted in thunderous applause.

After the awards ceremony ended, the main competition jury accepted media interviews.

A famous actress from Spain, Felina Ricci, talked about the outcome of Best Actor and smiled as she spoke about some behind-the-scenes tidbits during their decision-making.

"Actually, the competition for Best Actor this year was very fierce. Several actors' performances were good enough to win this award, including the actor who played the fortune teller in *Sanshan*. I don't know his name; he only appeared for about ten minutes, but some judges thought he should win the award. However, considering the richness, complexity, and difficulty of the performance, we ultimately chose Leon Spatch."

Lu Yan He was stunned when he saw this video.

At this moment, he suddenly felt a sudden regret.

Having said so many things on his lips before about how it was impossible to win an award and how it had nothing to do with him, now that he heard the judge say it in person and realized he really had a chance and hope to win, his first reaction was "if only the screen time had been longer."

It was exactly the same as what Chen Ziyan had said.

Lu Yan He shook his head with a smile, sighing that people indeed have desires, and he is no exception.

He thought he saw things clearly and believed he had no fate with the awards.

But when the fact became that he had brushed past this award, his desire for it became incomparably strong in an instant, strong because of regret.

On the day Wang Zhong returned to the country, he announced that *Sanshan* would be released domestically on March 18th.

At the same time, *Sanshan* would land on Maxine on April 10th for a global streaming release.

He contacted Lu Yan He immediately, asking him to spare time to join the promotional schedule for *Sanshan*.