Chapter 513

Here.

Lin Mo was chatting intermittently with these CCTV leaders.

He's skilled at talking to people like a person and to ghosts like a ghost—he's slick.

The CCTV leaders had just left when Sa Beilin sprang over in a few steps: "Director Lin! Your Batman box office is about to punch a hole through the Earth—can you save me a role in your next film? Even a walk‑on would do!"

Lin Mo also knew these CCTV hosts.

Especially Sa Beilin.

After all, he had previously sung a song together with Cheng Long at the Spring Festival Gala.

Ni Ge Mai Ti first tugged at Sa Beilin's suit: "Old Sa, rein it in!" Then, the next second, he turned to Lin Mo and gave his signature smile: "Director Lin, don't mind him—if you're going to act, you should first consider whether we Xinjiang locals are up for it! ~"

That's actually not wrong.

Now, Lin Mo could be considered half a Xinjiang local.

"Alright, you two!" At that moment, Zhu Xun walked in, finished scolding them, then smiled and said to Lin Mo: "Director Lin, long time no see!"

Soon, Lin Mo became friendly with them.

As for Wang Bingbing and Ma Fanshu.

They were too junior, so they could only stand aside and smile along.

Of course.

In the end, Lin Mo also fulfilled their wish, taking a photo with each of them.

The formal recording was at four in the afternoon.

It's only just three o'clock now, and the makeup artist still needs to do Lin Mo's makeup.

Actually.

Lin Mo doesn't really like putting powder on his face.

But, considering his image.

He still decided to put on a little makeup, after all, there will definitely be plenty of netizens watching this episode.

In the makeup room, Dong Qing sat beside Lin Mo with the script in hand and passed him a warm cup of tea: "Director Lin, shall we go through the process first? These questions have already been screened three times in advance—let me know if anything needs adjustment."

Lin Mo took the tea cup, glanced at the densely highlighted script, and couldn't help but smile: "Teacher Dong, you've prepared thoroughly."

"Please don't laugh at me~" Dong Qing heard this and covered her mouth, chuckling lightly.

Lin Mo picked up the script, glanced at it, and saw that there was basically nothing he couldn't answer.

As Dong Qing said, they had screened these questions several times in advance—what to talk about and what not to talk about was clear.

Soon.

After finishing makeup, they rested a while in the VIP room, and the time came to 4 o'clock.

Getting ready to start recording the Face to Face interview.

CCTV's studio is a round stage dominated by deep blue, with two sofas placed in the center and a huge LED screen behind them currently playing some shocking clips from the movie Batman: The Dark Knight.

Meanwhile, downstairs there were fifty audience members who had undergone strict selection.

On stage.

After receiving a gesture from Chief Director Chen Wei, Dong Qing understood that recording had begun.

Dong Qing wore a professional smile: "Hello, everyone, welcome to this episode of Face to Face. Today we are honored to have internationally renowned director Lin Mo, Director Lin!"

Saying this, Dong Qing turned to Lin Mo: "Director Lin, do you know? The internet is currently spreading a claim—that your movie will take Chinese-language cinema out of Earth."

Lin Mo laughed and replied: "Saying that puts a lot of pressure on me!"

After the brief opening remarks.

Dong Qing then switched into professional mode.

"Batman: The Dark Knight has been out for only 18 days, grossing a worldwide box office of $2.447 billion, just over $500 million shy of Avatar's record—do you sneak a look at the box office numbers before bed each day?"

"I don't need to sneak a look—my wife excitedly tells me the Batman box office figures every day; she's more professional than my assistant!"

Hearing this answer, laughter rose from the audience.

Dong Qing also laughed a little.

Next, Dong Qing leaned forward slightly, eyes sparkling with professional curiosity: "Director Lin, I think everyone wants to know—what opportunity led you to decide to film Batman, such a superhero theme?"

Hearing this, Lin Mo also explained in a sentence: "Actually, superheroes are the most modern wuxia films." He lifted his gaze to the audience: "Just as we watched Shaolin Temple as kids, young people now watch Batman—essentially, they're all pursuing the spirit of xia."

Dong Qing nodded in understanding: "Speaking of that, Hollywood recently reported that you "reconstructed superheroes with Eastern philosophy." What do you think?"

Lin Mo gently stroked his chin, showing a thoughtful expression: "That comment is quite interesting."

Immediately, he sat up straight and said seriously: "Actually, during preparations, I told my team this: we're not filming a savior in tights, but a modern xia who upholds light in the darkness."

Well, the on‑site interview.

Of course, they would randomly select lucky audience members to ask Lin Mo a few questions.

These on‑site audience members were either film academy students or seasoned movie fans.

Upon hearing they could ask Director Lin questions.

They got excited one by one!

Dong Qing scanned the audience, her eyes landing on a male student wearing black‑frame glasses, hands wringing with excitement: "The guy in the blue hoodie—yes, that's you!"

The boy jumped to his feet, his hand shaking as he took the microphone from the staff member: "Hello, Director Lin! I'm a graduate student in the Directing Department at Beidian..." He took a deep breath: "I want to ask you, after breaking the global box office record, what are your plans for your next film? For example, will there be a sequel to Batman??"

Obviously, this question was also on the minds of most of the audience members present.

A sequel to Batman?

Is there one?

Hearing this, Lin Mo took the microphone and directly said: "Batman probably won't have a sequel, and as for my next film's plan, I honestly haven't figured it out yet!"

Afterward, Dong Qing drew a few more lucky audience members.

There are also those who stir up trouble.

For example, a female student asked Lin Mo when he and Re Ba would have a child, that sort of topic.

Cough cough...

And Lin Mo's answer was: Soon, soon.

The Face to Face column interview lasted about an hour.

After editing, it's estimated to be about 40 minutes.

When wrapping up.

Dong Qing asked: 'Finally, I ask Director Lin on behalf of countless young directors: how can one make a work that changes film history?'

Lin Mo gazed calmly at the camera: 'First, forget the goal of changing film history; all great works in film history, when conceived, thought only about how to tell a good story.'

Then the LED screen switched to the scene in The Dark Knight where Batman gazes at Gotham City's backdrop; Lin Mo pointed at the screen and continued: 'Just like when we filmed this movie, we discussed daily not box office records, but how to shoot this scene well, to satisfy the audience!'

He turned to the Beidian student who asked the question: 'You should know that the first lesson of studying directing is that the camera should always face humanity, not box office numbers.'

Finally, the Batman theme music swelled, and the whole audience rose to applause.