Chapter 373: Great Ambition

The last time people from Maxine came to meet Lu Yan He, it was for *Squid Game*.

Their arrogant attitude left a deep impression on Lu Yan He.

Because of this, Lu Yan He had never even considered collaborating with Maxine.

This time, filming *Silent River* wasn't a direct collaboration between Lu Yan He and Maxine either; the main reason he agreed to act in this drama was that the director was Chen Lingling and the producer was Huangcheng—it had little to do with Maxine.

Huangcheng was somewhat surprised and asked, "Arrogant?"

Lu Yan He: "Yes."

"The people who came to find us have always been quite respectful, and to be honest, my coordination with them has been quite smooth. Basically, they just provide the money and don't interfere much with content or production matters," Huangcheng said. "What kind of people did you meet last time?"

Lu Yan He said: "Jack Wilson and Wu Zuping."

He still remembered their identities: the American Jack Wilson was the head of Maxine's drama acquisition department, while Wu Zuping was a producer at Maxine.

Huangcheng shook his head and said: "I don't know these two people, and I haven't dealt with them. Who introduced them to you?"

"Director Lian Bei."

"They might not have been officially representing Maxine when they met you," Huangcheng said. "Take our filming of *Silent River* this time—Maxine had already contacted us a long time ago, wanting to collaborate. We communicated many times during the pre-production phase. Later, when they learned we were preparing *Silent River*, they contacted us immediately. After their own internal evaluation, they decided to fully fund this drama. Honestly, they are generous with money, there are no miscellaneous additional clauses, and they don't interfere with our creative process. You have many projects ahead; having an extra potential partner is a good thing. When there's an opportunity later, I'll introduce you to the people we know."

"Okay." Lu Yan He nodded.

Huangcheng: "This time, *Late Spring* was shortlisted for the Venice International Film Festival. If this film is released this year, you will have produced two representative works in both TV dramas and films. Terrifying. I've been in this industry for so long and have never seen a young actor with more momentum than you. Did you know? Because *Friends* and *Seventeen Layers* are both short dramas, many actors have started picking short drama scripts when choosing projects."

"Short dramas have fewer episodes and shorter filming times, which is quite good," Lu Yan He said. "Previously, many of our shows were too bloated; short dramas are more concise and punchy."

"Indeed. Filming *Silent River* this time, I had the same feeling. This is my first time filming such a short series; the shooting cycle isn't that long, and the pressure isn't as high," Huangcheng said. "For those long dramas that easily run into dozens of episodes, the production pressure is immense. Once they don't broadcast well and suffer heavy losses, you really lose everything down to your underwear in one breath."

Lu Yan He couldn't help but laugh hearing Huangcheng say this.

"Short dramas have their advantages, the biggest being the ability to control costs. Many big productions can also spread risks through seasonal production," Huangcheng said. "For actors, it's even more so. In the past, a drama of dozens of episodes could take up half a year for a lead actor; add in pre-production and such, and more than half a year is gone. With short dramas, like our *Silent River*, the actual filming time is less than a month. I see that most of the dramas you film have very short shooting schedules, which is why you've produced so many works in just two years as an actor while still ensuring quality."

Lu Yan He also nodded.

Huangcheng had hit the nail on the head.

The dramas he filmed basically didn't require long periods on set, with the longest being only two months.

It was precisely for this reason that his pace of releasing works was very fast.

While other actors might consider it a lot to have two dramas broadcast in a year, he could have several.

Huangcheng: "The success of *Friends* and *Seventeen Layers* has also shown everyone the potential for short dramas to achieve huge commercial returns, and everyone has started laying out plans for them. You are changing this industry single-handedly."

Lu Yan He hurriedly waved his hands and said: "No, Mr. Huang, please don't flatter me like that; I don't have such great ability."

Huangcheng: "Don't be overly modest. Everyone in this industry is actually changing it through their own actions and influence. *Friends* became a hit, and platforms started paying attention to sitcoms; *Seventeen Layers* became a hit, and the battle royale genre was taken seriously. You achieved results with short dramas, making other actors start to value them and pick their scripts—it's all the same logic."

Chen Ziyan didn't expect that Mrs. Huang would take the initiative to contact her, just to invite Lu Yan He to attend the film festival with the *Late Spring* crew.

"I heard from Liu Bige that Yan He's health hasn't fully recovered yet?" Mrs. Huang asked. "Is movement still inconvenient?"

Chen Ziyan sat across from Mrs. Huang and smiled, saying: "Yes, he fell from three stories high before. Fortunately, there were no fractures, but his body is covered in bruises, which looks quite frightening. He has been using a wheelchair on set for the past few days."

The place they were at was a restaurant in a five-star hotel.

Coming here for afternoon tea was, of course, Mrs. Huang's idea.

Chen Ziyan usually didn't care much for these formal things. To discuss business, she would either go to a cafe or a teahouse; if privacy was truly needed, she would go to a club. Coming to a five-star hotel restaurant for afternoon tea was an option only for wealthy, leisurely ladies like Mrs. Huang.

However, as the wife of Long Yan Films president Huang Zhongjing, Mrs. Huang, Wen Zhimao, was never a lady who only managed household affairs. She was once an actress and retired after marrying Huang Zhongjing, but she assisted him in managing the vast company that was Long Yan Films. Relying on the connections she accumulated as an actress, she helped Huang Zhongjing clear many obstacles during the company's rise and even personally served as a producer, responsible for many major projects.

Long Yan Films was able to gain a firm foothold in the domestic film circle and now firmly occupy the first tier, and she deserved much of the credit.

In recent years, she had slowly stepped back from the front lines, no longer personally acting as a producer or managing projects.

Chen Ziyan respected her very much.

"That the film *Late Spring* could be shortlisted for the Venice International Film Festival is something none of us expected," Wen Zhimao said. "Zhongjing and I think highly of this young man, Liu Bige, but he had never independently directed a project, so we let him practice with this one. Initially, Venice wanted to put this film in the Orizzonti section, which I already felt was an unexpected joy, but Liu Bige is a newborn calf that's not afraid of the tiger; he was very insistent that if it wasn't in the Main Competition, he wouldn't participate. Liu Bige spent many years in France before, and this time, when his new work came out and was sent to Venice, many filmmakers in the French film circle helped recommend the film to the artistic director of the Venice International Film Festival, Alberto Barbera. Just like that, *Late Spring* actually ended up being shortlisted for the Main Competition."

Chen Ziyan hadn't known the story behind this before; hearing Wen Zhimao say it, she suddenly understood.

Lu Qingzhen was absolutely right.

Getting into the Main Competition was much more "unprofessional" than she had imagined.

Of course, one couldn't say that getting into the Main Competition was easy.

If *Late Spring* hadn't been filmed well, they wouldn't have been so eager to have it at the Venice International Film Festival—good works and film festivals achieve each other. Any film festival that wants to make a name for itself knows to discover new talent, especially those with the talent and hope to become big stars in the future. They watched *Late Spring*, saw the excellence of the film, and even the potential influence it might cause, so based on the premise that "*Late Spring* must appear at the Venice International Film Festival," the compromise was made after Liu Bige proposed that he wouldn't participate if it wasn't in the Main Competition.

Film festivals are about art, but they are also about "doing business" and how to further enhance the influence and status of the festival.

Talent and the film itself were Liu Bige's greatest bargaining chips.

Chen Ziyan smiled at Wen Zhimao and said: "Then I must congratulate you on finding such a promising new director as Liu Bige."

It is a consensus in the domestic film industry that a film company must have its own core directors.

Without core directors bound to the company, one is just a coordinator.

Wen Zhimao said: "This also requires thanks to you, Ziyan, for agreeing to let Lu Yan He film such a movie as *Late Spring*. Without Yan He's performance, this film wouldn't be so excellent. We have already conducted internal screenings; Yan He's performance is outstanding, and we will do our best to help Yan He push for the Best Actor award."

Chen Ziyan revealed a bright smile, nodded, and said: "That would be truly wonderful, Mrs. Huang. When Yan He first saw the script for *Late Spring*, he said it was good. This child truly loves acting and loves film and television art, so even when there were invitations for larger productions and more senior directors, he chose Director Liu Bige's *Late Spring* without hesitation. With your support, I believe Yan He can also have a good harvest on the road to winning awards."

Wen Zhimao's smile was gentle. "This time going to Venice, we also really need Yan He to accompany us. Forget other films; this film only has Yan He as a well-known actor, and everyone else is a newcomer that others don't recognize, including the director. If Yan He doesn't go, our promotional work in China for this trip to Venice won't take off."

Chen Ziyan showed a look of difficulty.

"Mrs. Huang, if he could go, of course we would want to. That's Venice; as an actor, how could Yan He not want to go? It's just that with Yan He's physical condition, even walking is difficult, and we don't know how his recovery will be by then," Chen Ziyan explained.

Wen Zhimao said: "Ziyan, I know a doctor who specializes in treating injuries from falls. In the past, when we filmed many action movies, the action superstars we invited were all accompanied by him on set. I will ask him to go and take a look at Yan He. Besides, since Yan He can film on set now, it means his body hasn't reached the point where he can't get out of bed at all. Don't mind me saying this, but as long as he can, I will arrange a private jet for him and a team to escort him the whole way, ensuring he won't feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable."

Chen Ziyan looked at Wen Zhimao in astonishment.

"Mrs. Huang, isn't this a bit too serious?"

"Ziyan, Long Yan Films hasn't had a film shortlisted for the Venice International Film Festival in many years. Among the world's four major film festivals, the ones leaning towards art are Venice and Situer. The other two major film festivals have greater influence, but in terms of film festivals, their artistry is recognized as being a notch weaker. This time, *Late Spring* being shortlisted is something Zhongjing and I take very seriously. We will both be going together," Wen Zhimao said. "For this trip to Venice, from food, clothing, housing, and transportation to promotional activities, we conservatively estimate spending over five million. If Yan He doesn't participate, the impact on *Late Spring* will be truly significant. I am really not someone who forces others, but this opportunity is very important for the film, for our Long Yan Films, and for Yan He. I understand Yan He is injured, but if he can overcome the difficulties, I sincerely hope he can."

Faced with Wen Zhimao's sincere attitude, what else could Chen Ziyan say?

She took a deep breath. "Mrs. Huang, we have known each other for so many years; you understand me. Since you've said so, I will go and communicate with Yan He later, and I promise you that if it is a difficulty that can be overcome, we will definitely overcome it."

Wen Zhimao smiled with satisfaction. "Ziyan, don't worry, this trip will definitely not let Yan He suffer any losses."

"Mrs. Huang values you so much, even arranging a private jet to pick you up; I don't even have that treatment," Liu Bige said sourly.

That day, Liu Bige came to visit the set of *Silent River*.

He got off the plane and rushed directly to the set, just in time to catch Lu Yan He finishing work.

Lu Yan He was sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed to the lounge by Zou Dong.

This scene was seen by Liu Bige.

Only then did Liu Bige know that Lu Yan He really hadn't been exaggerating; his movement was truly inconvenient.

Liu Bige's purpose this time was firstly to see Lu Yan He, and secondly, to solemnly invite Lu Yan He to go to Venice with him.

If there had been a second big star in *Late Spring*, Liu Bige wouldn't have had to do this.

Although Liu Bige was directing a film for the first time, having spent so many years in the French film circle, he knew too well how important a movie star was to the promotion of a film.

If it weren't important, they wouldn't offer actors such high salaries.

It's determined by the market.

Lu Yan He took Liu Bige to eat hot pot.

Clear broth hot pot.

"I didn't eat anything tonight, I'm a bit hungry," he said.

Liu Bige suddenly thought of something and asked curiously: "In this state, isn't it very inconvenient for you to go to the bathroom?"

Lu Yan He's face darkened. "Shut up, what does it have to do with you?"

Liu Bige laughed out loud.

"Go, we need you," Liu Bige said seriously after laughing. "If you really can't walk conveniently, I'll carry you on my back the whole way."

Lu Yan He: "……The picture is too beautiful, I dare not imagine it."

Liu Bige: "This is also the first film you've starred in that has been shortlisted for such a top-tier film festival. Are you really not going?"

"I didn't say I wasn't going," Lu Yan He said helplessly. "Actually, if you had called me before coming, you would have known that two hours ago, I had already agreed to go. Your boss's wife invited Sister Ziyan over, chatted for an hour, and promised all sorts of conditions. Sister Ziyan said that if we still didn't go, it would make me seem too unappreciative."

With a personal doctor and a private jet arranged, what else could he say?

Liu Bige: "I... damn, then didn't I come here for nothing?!"

Lu Yan He looked at him sideways. "What, you think coming to see me was for nothing?"

"Hahaha, what's there to see about you?" Liu Bige laughed heartily. "I've been very busy lately, still busy with the final cut of *Late Spring*. What I submitted to them before was just a rough cut; even the opening and closing credits aren't done yet."

"Then you need to hurry up."

"Yes," Liu Bige said. "Look, what did I say at the time? This will be a great film. Now, it has taken its first step towards greatness." Lu Yan He felt that the biggest difference between him and Liu Bige was that the latter was extremely confident.

Liu Bige sincerely believed that he was filming a very good movie.

Lu Yan He, however, never had such a feeling.

Liu Bige's mouth seemed unable to stop curling up.

Lu Yan He: "Congratulations on your debut work being shortlisted for Venice. You have also taken the first step towards becoming a great director."

Liu Bige said: "My next film's script is already being revised. Are you coming?"

"I'm coming," Lu Yan He nodded without hesitation. "But before I graduate, I still have to prioritize school. If it's not filmed during winter or summer break, the timing might be a bit troublesome."

"No problem. You're so popular, of course I'll accommodate your schedule," Liu Bige said.

Lu Yan He was very happy that Liu Bige still thought of him when preparing his second work.

This time, a total of two films were shortlisted for the Main Competition section of the Venice International Film Festival.

The other one was the realist film *White Pearl* directed by Yu Mingjiang.

This was also the first time Director Yu Mingjiang had been shortlisted for the Venice International Film Festival.

Of course, he was an old director who had filmed many low-budget art films with good reputations. However, his films had very little influence; even in China, often only a small group of people in the film circle knew his works.

This *White Pearl* was Director Yu Mingjiang's new work after a six-year hiatus; before it was shortlisted for the Venice International Film Festival, basically no news had come out.

Yet this film features top-tier powerhouse actors like Chen Pinhe and Xu Minyin, as well as the previously explosive rising star Zuo Hang.

The attention this film has garnered domestically is no less than that of "Late Spring," and there is even more discussion surrounding it.

If Shang Yongzhou is one of the top actors among the generation in their thirties and forties, then Chen Pinhe is the top among actors in their forties and fifties; his seniority is even higher than Shang Yongzhou's, as is his status within the industry.

He is also the actor who has won the most Best Actor awards domestically in the last twenty years; even Shang Yongzhou cannot match his tally.

Not to mention Xu Minyin, whose status in the industry is comparable to that of Chen Bige.

And Zuo Hang—

This young actor even has a connection to Chen Ziyan.

He exploded in popularity three years ago, but rumors had it that he offended Chen Ziyan, so he was suddenly bombarded with all sorts of scandals by hundreds of media outlets, and his nascent upward momentum came to an abrupt halt, slowly fading into obscurity.

Of course, Chen Ziyan once mentioned this to Lu Yan He, stating directly that it had nothing to do with her and that it was all just baseless rumors spread by others.

In short, because of these starring actors, the buzz for "White Pearl" is only higher than that of "Late Spring," not lower.

Regardless, the fact that two Chinese-language films could be shortlisted for this year's Venice International Film Festival is something worth celebrating for Chinese cinema.

In the days since the news broke, Lu Yan He has received congratulations from many people.

Just like when "Three Mountains" was shortlisted for the Xitu'er International Film Festival.

It was only at this moment that Lu Yan He felt that everyone truly hopes for the development and success of Chinese film and television.

In the three-person group chat, Yan Liang said: Yan He, are you going to Venice this time? One of the brands I endorse helped me get an invitation, so I'm going too.

Lu Yan He said: I will go, but the screening time for "Late Spring" is quite late, so I might not attend the opening ceremony.

The Venice International Film Festival generally lasts for two weeks; for a film like "Late Spring," its screening time is reportedly scheduled for the second week.

If Lu Yan He goes to Venice, he will have to stay there for more than a week.

Not to mention that he is currently still filming "River of Silence," which had its schedule delayed due to his accidental injury; spending another two weeks there would only increase the pressure on "River of Silence."

Moreover, even without "River of Silence," school would have already started for Lu Yan He by then.

This semester has many classes, and it is very difficult for Lu Yan He to take two weeks off in one go.

Yan Liang: Then we might not be able to meet in Venice. After I attend the opening ceremony, I have two more days of work, and then I'll be coming back. I have other work afterward, otherwise I'd really like to hang out in Venice and watch some films.

Lu Yan He: It's okay, we'll go together next time.

Yan Liang: Deal, it's a promise.

Li Zhibai asked: With your body, can you attend the Venice International Film Festival?

Lu Yan He: I've recovered quite well now. Besides, Long Yan Films has also arranged an accompanying doctor for me and chartered a private jet, so I'd feel bad if I didn't go.

Li Zhibai: Damn, they're that extravagant?

Yan Liang: I'm envious, a private jet!

Lu Yan He: Because "Late Spring" only has me as a recognizable actor, and everyone else is a newcomer, they said I must go.

Li Zhibai: What a humble-brag.

Yan Liang: Seconded.

Lu Yan He: Yeah, very humble, be envious.

This was followed by an emoji of someone curling their lip in a haughty way.

Li Zhibai: Fork this dog out of here!

Yan Liang sent an image: Runtu spearing a badger.

Lu Yan He:...

Yuming, a bakery that has recently become very popular online.

Chen Siqi carried a bag of bread, pushed open the glass door, and walked out of the bakery.

She was on a call with Linyu using her Bluetooth headset.

"Among us, your English is the best, and you've been mainly responsible for the film and television content, so you are the most suitable person to go on this Venice trip," Chen Siqi said. "So, I'll have to trouble you to make the trip. Please take Li Bi with you; I'm planning to have him do a special Venice column for his short video channel."

"Of course, Yan He's part must be done separately, but besides Yan He, we can also do a lot of other content," Chen Siqi said. "Why don't you and Li Bi come up with a plan? We'll discuss it in two days, how does that sound?"

"No problem."

After hanging up, Chen Siqi pondered how to make the best use of this Venice International Film Festival to increase the influence of "Jump Up."

She immediately said in the editorial group chat: We could do a retrospective of Chinese films at the Venice International Film Festival over the years, but many people will definitely do this topic, so let's see if we can do something different.

Bai Yu immediately suggested: Can we invite filmmakers who have won awards at the Venice International Film Festival to share their experiences and stories from the festival?

Chen Siqi: That's a good idea, we can try. We'll send invitations to these filmmakers in the name of "Jump Up" and ask if they are willing to share.

Bai Yu: OK.

Xu Zijun said: Besides filmmakers from our own country who have won awards, can we try to interview filmmakers who have won awards at Venice in previous years? If a few of them agree to be interviewed, it would definitely make for a high-profile topic.

Chen Siqi: We don't have the contact information for those overseas filmmakers. Does anyone have a way to reach them?

Xu Zijun: We don't have their personal contact info, but we can find out who their agencies and agents are online. Usually, the contact emails for agencies and agents can be found. Shall I try to find them and send them emails?

Chen Siqi: OK, if we can really get one or two to agree, that would be great. We must go international in the future.

Xu Zijun: Yeah, I'll handle that.

Linyu: I have another idea. Can our film account share some reviews or interview articles from world-famous film critics about films that won at the Venice International Film Festival? Over the many past editions of the Venice International Film Festival, many films have been selected, and there have been many film reviews that have sparked a lot of attention and discussion in the film field. Apart from true film lovers, few people actively look for these. With the buzz of the Venice International Film Festival, perhaps many readers might be interested.

Zhou Mukai: Collecting submissions for "About Me and the Venice International Film Festival" would also be good. We have been collecting submissions for various accounts for a long time; doing a special topic on this should also attract a lot of attention from film fans.

Chen Siqi: That works. I think all the suggestions everyone made are quite good. @Yu Lang, please follow up on the suggestions and create a schedule and task distribution.

Yu Lang: OK.

This is the core group of the "Jump Up" editorial department now. After two years of working together, everyone has gradually developed a tacit understanding and understands the positioning of "Jump Up" and what kind of media they want to build.

The key is that this group of people are all university students.

They are either old classmates from the Thirteenth High School or current classmates of Lu Yan He or Chen Siqi; they are all people who are very familiar and trusted.

Everyone has fought their way through the thousands of troops and horses of the college entrance examination; the basic quality is there, and after enough training, their work ability has been honed.

In the past, there were many things Chen Siqi didn't understand, but because she was the editor-in-chief, she had to bite the bullet and learn while doing.

Now she still doesn't understand many things, but the pressure isn't as great because she has a group of people she can trust around her to help share the pressure and learn together. In this process, they are also becoming more and more professional and starting to take charge.

I hope this magazine will get better and better.

Chen Siqi just said that the future must be internationalized; this is not just a slogan for her.

This is her true goal.

Her ambition is great, and she must work hard for it to achieve it.