Chapter 249: Differences Between Chinese and Western Opening Ceremonies

Early morning, the New Zealand location was shrouded in a thin mist. On the stage built by the *Avatar* crew for the opening ceremony, a red silk-draped offering table stood out conspicuously, laden with fruit, roast pig, and the three sacrificial meats; three thick tall sticks of incense were planted in the incense burner.

Leonardo DiCaprio stood among the crowd, his blond hair swaying slightly in the morning breeze, and he curiously poked the Cheng Long beside him: "Hey, Jackie, what are they doing?"

Cheng Long straightened his collar and explained with a smile: "This is a Chinese film tradition for starting a shoot, called 'worshipping the gods.' We offer incense and pray for blessings, to ensure smooth filming and a box-office hit."

"Like praying in a church?" Anne Hathaway leaned over, her blue eyes full of puzzlement.

"Pretty much," Cheng Long nodded, "except we believe more that burning incense can ward off evil."

Li Xuejian held three sticks of incense, standing solemnly at the very front. He turned and said to the foreign actors behind him: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since you're here to film a Chinese movie, just follow along—it's not complicated."

Mei Yanfang had already nimbly lit the incense and planted it in the burner; she turned back and winked at Cheng Long: "Cheng Long, you teach them—don't let the foreigners hold the incense upside down."

Under Cheng Long's guidance, the foreign actors clumsily learned how to hold the incense.

"Left hand on top, right hand below," Cheng Long demonstrated, "Right, just like that—bow three times, then stick it into the burner."

Leonardo mimicked him seriously, muttering under his breath: "Bless me not to be crushed by Teacher Li's aura..."

Nagano Hiroshi, on the other hand, was right at home—he had filmed *Tang Renjie* before, so he knew the steps.

Suddenly, Xiang Fei's phone rang.

"Sorry, I need to take a call."

"You guys go ahead."

After the incense-offering ceremony ended, Chen Kaige stepped onto a large rock and clapped his hands: "Everyone, quiet please."

The noisy set immediately fell silent.

"This shoot will be a long one," Director Chen swept his gaze across the crowd, "as short as a year, as long as three to five."

A collective hiss of sharp intakes of breath rose from below the stage.

"During this period," Director Chen continued, "unless there's something special, don't leave the production on your own. If there's an emergency, you must report to me or the guide."

Cheng Long muttered quietly to Mei Yanfang: "Now we're really going to be 'cut off from the world.'"

Mei Yanfang laughed lightly: "What, still thinking about going out for drinks tonight?"

"I wouldn't dare," Cheng Long struck a surrendering pose, "Director Chen's gaze is scarier than Teacher Li's villain."

After dismissing them, the actors gathered in twos and threes to chat.

Mei Yanfang and Cheng Long sat on a prop crate, sharing a bag of sunflower seeds.

"Ah Mei, that scientist role of yours," Cheng Long spat out a sunflower-seed shell, "I heard you have to wear a bald cap?"

Mei Yanfang touched her own long hair: "Yeah, a sacrifice for art. But..." she grinned mischievously and lowered her voice, "I had the props team line the cap with real silk—can't let myself suffer."

On the other side, Leonardo was discussing the script with Li Xuejian.

"Teacher Li, in this scene together," Leonardo pointed at the script, "why do you think Colonel Miles insists on killing Jack?"

Li Xuejian thought for a moment: "Because he's afraid." Seeing Leonardo's puzzled expression, he explained: "For a soldier, the thing he fears most isn't death—it's discovering that the beliefs he's clung to are wrong."

Leonardo's face lit up with sudden understanding: "So that's why he wants to wipe out Jack, the 'living proof'!"

Li Xuejian nodded with satisfaction: "Smart."

In the hastily erected rest tent, Anne Hathaway and Lin Qingxia were sharing their respective skincare tips.

"This blue-skin makeup," Anne pointed at the test makeup on her own face, "takes five hours to apply every day, and another two to remove."

Lin Qingxia elegantly sipped her tea: "Back when I filmed *Dragon Inn*, the wirework left me bruised all over." She blinked, "So playing a female pilot this time is actually a lot easier."

Liu Xiaoqing strode over and plopped herself down: "I heard you talking about makeup? My Na'vi look is way too over the top."

The three actresses exchanged a smile and instantly found common ground.

When Xiang Fei came back after finishing his call, this was the scene that greeted him:

Cheng Long and Mei Yanfang were demonstrating martial-arts moves; Leonardo was earnestly asking Li Xuejian for acting tips; Anne, Lin Qingxia, and Liu Xiaoqing were chatting animatedly; Nagano Hiroshi was surrounded by a group of crew members asking for autographs...

"Looks like everyone's getting along fine," Xiang Fei said to Chen Kaige beside him, "I was worried cultural differences might be a problem."

Chen Kaige smiled: "Film is the best language."

Xiang Fei stepped onto a high spot and clapped his hands: "Everyone!"

Everyone stopped talking and looked at him.

"Tomorrow we officially shoot the first scene," Xiang Fei's voice was especially clear in the morning light, "Get a good rest tonight. In the coming years, we'll make history together!"

Answering him was a wave of warm applause and cheers.