Chapter 551: Gao Yuanyuan's gratitude, cut, inverted heaven and earth

Mid-May, the Cannes Film Festival opened.

At this Cannes Film Festival, 4 Chinese films would appear, including Lao Mouzi's *Hidden in the Dust*, which was aiming for a Grand Slam. Domestic media attention was not small.

However, before the awards ceremony, the media was currently paying more attention to the scenes of female stars competing for beauty on various red carpets.

Speaking of which, Wei Jin had a deep relationship with the Cannes Film Festival. Previously, when he was in North America, he received an invitation to serve as one of the judges for the Un Certain Regard section, but unfortunately, he refused.

There was no way around it; from film selection to awards, the whole process would take at least more than a month, which was too delaying.

Later, this errand fell on Zhang Ziyi's head. Now, International Zhang appeared in Cannes as a judge, and the press releases for these two days could be said to be flying all over the sky.

It could be seen that International Zhang wanted to severely suppress the domestic big flowers like Li Bingbing and Fan Bingbing in terms of status.

Unfortunately, in front of Zeng Li, the 1 billion USD box office heroine and Cannes Best Actress, whether it was Zhang Ziyi or the two Bingbings, they were all not enough to look at.

At the opening ceremony, Zeng Li wore a high-definition black one-shoulder slim dress, matched with slightly curly big waves, turning into a queen of the dark night, suppressing all the big actresses in the country.

Fortunately, Zeng Li didn't like to be in the limelight. Except for brand activities, she rarely participated in red carpet shows of other films, so she didn't kill them all.

But even so, every move of Zeng Li was the focus of domestic media attention. Who told her that the number of times she appeared in public these years could be counted on one's fingers? It wasn't just the media paying attention to Zeng Li's situation; Gao Yuanyuan, her good friend and good sister, was also paying attention.

After a hearty pleasure, Gao Yuanyuan leaned lazily in Wei Jin's arms and asked: "Xiao Jin, do you think Li Jie's chance of winning the award this time is big?"

Wei Jin couldn't help but laugh or cry upon hearing this, "Yuan Yuanjie, you are embarrassing me. *Hidden in the Dust* will only premiere on the 22nd. I don't even know the field score now; how can I judge?"

While talking, Wei Jin tightened the beauty in his arms slightly, and then quietly mastered the big orange, "And you also know that the three major European festivals have a lot of luck components..."

Although there was Li An among the judges this time, the Cannes Film Festival wasn't so easy to publicize. Whether it was Lao Mouzi or Li Jie, winning the award was still ambiguous.

"Hmm, that's true."

Gao Yuanyuan nodded slowly, thinking of *Search* back then. She felt her performance was very good, but unfortunately, the result wasn't satisfactory.

Shaking her head, Gao Yuanyuan no longer paid attention to this matter and asked about Wei Jin's new film.

"Xiao Jin, have you decided on the roles for your new film?"

"Hmm? Why ask this?"

Wei Jin naturally wouldn't think Gao Yuanyuan wanted to act, just a bit curious.

"It's Jingwen; she entrusted me to ask if there are any supporting roles or something..."

Wei Jin understood in his heart. Although it was a supporting role, a literary film by a Palme d'Or director, partnering with a top commercial film heroine, the attraction to the circle was not low.

Even if it was a guest appearance with low pay or no pay, it was still a favor, and it was definitely profitable.

In fact, Wei Jin had already completed part of the casting these days.

The male lead's best friend, who had the most scenes, was arranged for company artist Luo Jin.

On one hand, the age was relatively suitable; on the other hand, Luo Jin and Liu Yifei were classmates, so they should cooperate better.

The remaining older roles were all arranged by Chen Zhiming for veteran actors to go on stage, and the remaining few guest appearances weren't suitable for Jia Jingwen.

"Is that so? Then forget it."

After listening to Wei Jin's explanation, Gao Yuanyuan expressed understanding, then held his arm and shook it.

"Xiao Jin, if there is a chance, take care of her; she has been quite pitiful these years..."

"..."

This made Wei Jin very difficult to comment. Sister, do you know that your best friend wants to eat your husband?

However, soon, he thought of one thing, "Yuan Yuanjie, the company plans to do *Sisters Over Flowers*; it's okay to let her try."

The new two episodes of *Flowers on Youth* had soared to 2.8 in ratings, and the sister piece *Sisters Over Flowers* had already been negotiated with Modu TV.

The variety show department was already making a detailed plan, this time considering including female stars from both sides of the strait and three places.

Although Jia Jingwen hadn't been so popular these years, she still had a lot of face in the Taiwan region.

And in the early years, her audience edge in the mainland was quite good, completely meeting the show's requirements.

It was just a favor, and Wei Jin naturally wouldn't brush off Gao Yuanyuan's face.

In fact, for the previous *Red Sorghum* casting, Wei Jin also gave Li Jie face and arranged Qin Hailu.

Although this was what Zheng Xiaolong was relatively optimistic about, anyway, the big sister didn't know, and she promised quite a few benefits.

"That's great; she will definitely be very happy when she knows..."

Gao Yuanyuan didn't know these twists and turns, just very happy that the man could consider her feelings.

"Then Yuan Yuanjie, don't you plan to thank me?"

Looking at the playfulness on Wei Jin's mouth, Gao Yuanyuan understood his meaning.

Giving Wei Jin a white look with all kinds of amorous feelings, Gao Yuanyuan coquettishly said: "Bad guy, only know how to bully me..."

In the film market, *American Dreams in China* was released.

Thanks to the luxurious cast, cinemas were generally optimistic about this play, and the first-day screening gave more than 35%.

And facts proved that the appeal of the three people, Huang Xiaoming, Qiao Zhenyu, and Tong Dawei, was really not covered.

The film's first-day box office was as high as 31.89 million, and the word-of-mouth was overwhelming. The Yinxiang Net rating was as high as 8.2 points, which was definitely the best word-of-mouth among Peter Chan's films in recent years.

Judging from the first-day results and word-of-mouth, the film's box office potential was very considerable. The industry already had a judgment that breaking 300 or 400 million box office should be very easy, and even 500 million wasn't a big problem.

This wave, Han Sanping should have made a lot of money.

And the release of *American Dreams in China* also confirmed Wei Jin's previous view.

*So Young*'s screening was affected not small, and the box office fell again that day, hovering around 3 or 4 million, but the total box office also reached 582 million, distance to the 600 million mark, close at hand.

In comparison, *SPL: Sha Po Lang*, which had good word-of-mouth, appeared much calmer. The single-day still maintained at 7 or 8 million, and the total box office also reached 550 million.

Just at this time, a piece of news attracted the attention of the circle.

"Director Feng Xiaogang's new film *Personal Tailor* has been killed today. Huayi announced to the outside world that the film will land in the New Year slot."

As soon as the news came out, the circle was amazed, because counting it all up, this play only took about two months to film, and the efficiency was too high.

However, just after filming, the post-production hadn't even started, and it was pointing to the New Year slot, which also showed Feng Dapao's confidence.

Many film production companies aiming at the New Year slot were considering whether to adjust the schedule.

In the afternoon, Wei Jin received a call from Ye Ning.

He didn't plan to change the schedule of *New Police Story 2013*. After the finished film was obtained and the public screening permit was obtained, it would be set directly.

In Ye Ning's words, Feng Dapao being the king of the New Year slot was true, but the final result had to be known after bumping.

Wei Jin expressed deep agreement with this. After all, he knew the word-of-mouth of *Personal Tailor* very well.

"Knock knock knock~~~"

Wei Jin had just hung up the phone when a knock sounded outside the door. Looking up, it was Huang Mengying, who had just completed her graduation defense.

Before the graduation ceremony, the little girl would still serve as his assistant, and by the way, she would eat some meat every day. This was the experience she learned from her seniors.

"President Wei, the front desk notified that Director Ning Hao has arrived."

"Good."

The refined script for *Breakup Buddies* was out, and Ning Hao had already made an appointment to meet today.

It was just that Wei Jin didn't expect Huang Bo to follow along. "You two are really wearing one-piece pants; doesn't Na Jie feel jealous?"

Wei Jin greeted the two to sit on the guest sofa while teasing with a smile.

"Isn't this the promotion of *No Man's Land*? Just came back from the show. Bozi's face is thick, and he insisted on following along. I couldn't drive him away..."

Ning Hao wore a big gold chain and sat down carelessly, losing a sentence.

Huang Bo didn't show weakness and immediately replied: "What are you talking about? I'm an old employee of the company; can't I come home to see?"

"Yo, I didn't see you missing home so much usually? If you want to follow and hit the autumn wind, just say it clearly..."

"Eh, Haozi, just say whether it works or not? My boss is here; give me a painful word."

"Okay, Bozi, do you give a discount?"

"I'm damn convinced by you, stingy to this extent, forgot the matter of helping you keep secrets at the club last time?"

"You damn keep your voice down..."

The two of you said one sentence, and I said one sentence, really damn funny. Wei Jin watched their two-person turn from the side.

After a while, it finally entered the topic. Ning Hao handed over the refined script, and then regardless of whether Wei Jin was still flipping through it, he started chatting about the follow-up directly.

"Junior brother, regarding the budget, your Na Jie has already done it. It is initially estimated at 50 million. Even if there is a discrepancy, it is estimated that there will be a float of 5 million."

"Hmm, very reasonable."

Wei Jin nodded while flipping through the script.

Road comedy film, the investment cost had always been small. Ning Hao's budget, the actors wanted to come, wouldn't suffer. The conversation with Huang Bo just now was more of a tease.

"Senior brother, how do you arrange the investment share?"

"This time I plan to take the full 50%, the company will invest half. In addition, if you have time, be a producer for me, but there is no pay, hahaha..."

It could be seen that Ning Hao was very confident in this script, and Wei Jin had no opinion, agreeing with a smile:

"Alright, but this is my first time being a producer; don't blame me for being a hands-off shopkeeper."

"That can't be. Your name, Old Wei, is hit on it, and the box office will be at least 100 million more."

Huang Bo on the side flattered, which brought Ning Hao's white eyes, "You guy, in ancient times, you must be a big internal manager..."

"Get lost..."

"That's a eunuch like Lao Ai."

The two started teasing again, but a thought flashed through Wei Jin's mind, looking up and down at Huang Bo, which made the latter instantly silent.

"Old Wei, your eyes, brother is afraid..."

Wei Jin smiled: "Old Huang, are you interested in making a guest appearance in my new film?"

"Of course no problem, the boss speaks, what else is there to say."

Hearing this, Huang Bo became energetic, immediately nodded and agreed, and then raised his eyebrows at Ning Hao.

"See, Haozi, the new film of the Palme d'Or big director, as for your side, then it depends on my schedule..."

It had to be said that this Huang Bo's mouth was really slippery, and Ning Hao didn't want to continue arguing with him.

Seeing Ning Hao not arguing, Huang Bo also felt it was boring, rubbed his hands and asked Wei Jin: "Old Wei, what specific role?"

"Hmm, a role that is older and has a sense of comedy..."

"Old Wei's vision is really superb, it's really tailor-made for me..."

Huang Bo's flattery was endless, but Wei Jin's next sentence made him dumbfounded.

"This role, because of egg cancer, was cut..."

"Puff..."

Ning Hao sprayed a mouthful of tea, then couldn't help it, laughed loudly: "Hahaha, Bozi, tailor-made, hahaha..."

Huang Bo belonged to the character of not being stingy, immediately stiffened his neck and argued: "Even if you are a director, the role has no size, it's all for art."

"Alright, Bozi, for your awareness, today brother will also set you down for the new film."

"Hehe, that's great, double happiness, I'll treat tonight."

"Alright, rare Golden Horse Best Actor treats, must eat a good meal."

"Haha..."

A small gathering ended, Wei Jin went to the Xishan villa, and made an appointment with Liu Yifei to discuss acting tonight.

On the way, Wei Jin called Lei Datou and Qiao Zhenyu.

Since Huang Bo had joined, Wei Jin felt that they could also join in, plus Liu Yifei, wouldn't this be a return to *Those Years*? The two received the call and also agreed fully. After all, the boss called personally, what else was there to say?

Settling most of the roles, Wei Jin also finished one thing, and the remaining time could be well pondered about acting.

With a relaxed mood, Wei Jin came all the way to the place, and saw Liu Yifei leaning on the sofa, holding a notebook and writing and drawing.

Hearing the movement of opening the door, the little girl looked up, a smile on her face.

"Brother, you're here."

While talking, the girl walked over, took out shoes for Wei Jin, as if a little daughter-in-law waiting for the two to return home.

"Yifei, what were you doing just now?"

Wei Jin hugged Liu Yifei's slender waist, pointed at her nose, and asked casually.

"Oh, brother, I made a character biography, can you help me look at it?"

After Liu Yifei finished speaking, she pulled Wei Jin to the sofa, and handed over the pink notebook as if offering a treasure.

"Good."

After taking the notebook, Wei Jin looked at the neat and beautiful handwriting, and for a time, he was fascinated.

After a long while, Wei Jin closed the notebook and held the girl's beautiful face.

"Yifei, you did a great job, you will definitely be able to act well."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Wei Jin reached out to comb the girl's hair and gave an affirmative answer. As for the decided actors, he planned to give the little girl a surprise when the time came.

It was just that he didn't expect that Liu Yifei, who got the affirmation, would arrogantly raise her head and want to check his character biography.

"Er... I'm a director, what character biography do I need to make? The script was written by me..."

"That won't do, what if you can't catch my play?"

"Yifei, you are going to invert heaven and earth, I will see how your acting is tonight..."

After speaking, Wei Jin reached out to hold the beauty's knees, hugged her horizontally, and strode towards the bedroom.

This night, Liu Yifei seemed to have returned to the *Those Years* crew, and was severely tidied up by Wei Jin all night, crying messily. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 556 =====