Chapter 590: Premiere: Is Wei Jin Someone Who Appeals to Both Genders and All Ages?

On the 4th, "The Distinguished Citizen" held its premiere.

As the work with which his mentor Tian Zhuangzhuang was campaigning at Venice, Wei Jin naturally had to be there to show his support.

Although Tian Zhuangzhuang was not well-known internationally, with the gimmick of Wei Jin as the screenwriter and Chen Daoming starring, this premiere still attracted the attention of many media outlets and film critics.

However, compared to the Venice Film Festival two years ago, the strength of Chinese-language films this year was very weak, with only two Chinese-language films in total shortlisted for the Main Competition Section.

Therefore, not many Chinese people came to show support; apart from Jiang Wen, who was a member of the Pingshutuan, there was only the other Taiwan director, Cai Mingliang.

Come to think of it, Cai Mingliang could be considered one of the more presentable art-house directors from Taiwan.

Since 1993, he had been active on the big screen, with works often exploring themes such as loneliness, family relationships, and human nature, and his style was considered relatively alternative and profound.

His most famous works should be the Torrent Trilogy filmed between 1994 and 1998: "Love Conquers All", "The River", and "Hole".

These three films all enjoyed considerable international reputation.

Especially the first one, "Love Conquers All", which won the Venice Golden Lion Award, the FIPRESCI Prize, and the Golden Horse Award for Best Feature Film at the 31st Golden Horse Awards.

This year, his film "Stray Dogs" was also shortlisted for the Main Competition Section, though it had already premiered on the 2nd.

Although Wei Jin had not seen it, he had noticed the reports from the local media.

It was a typical art film with no clear plot, mainly using long takes to showcase the characters' actions and emotions.

So much so that most of the audience, or rather the film critics, could not quite understand it, and the word-of-mouth was polarized.

The ratings from the four major Venice festival dailies were only 2.9, ranking low among the dozen or so films that had already premiered.

It was hard to say whether he would be able to win an award with Wei Jin and Tian Zhuangzhuang in the running.

However, this man had a pretty good attitude; he was still chatting with Wei Jin about film creation techniques and philosophies, looking quite excited.

It was just that Wei Jin did not notice that the look in Cai Mingliang's eyes when he looked at him was a bit strange.

The two chatted for a while, and the premiere began.

"The Distinguished Citizen" was a film that was black to the core; no character was spared, and all became targets of satire under the lens.

This type of biting, satirical subject matter had always been a favorite of Venice.

Especially after Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize last year, the Huaxia background of the story had an even more convincing justification.

Therefore, throughout the screening, many audience members and media personnel in the venue were emitting knowing laughter, clearly having "gotten" the essence of the film's satire.

When the screening ended, the whole room stood up and applauded.

"Director Wei, I really like the content of this script of yours. You truly are a gold-medal screenwriter. When will you put one together for old Jiang here?"

Jiang Wen joked with a smile while clapping.

"Give it a rest, would you even want someone else's script?"

Wei Jin rolled his eyes at Jiang Wen, who remained grinning.

"It's hard to say for others, but yours might be different, haha."

To this, Wei Jin was noncommittal.

Jiang Wen did indeed like this type of subject matter, but he had an even stronger desire for control; even if he were given a script, it would eventually be changed beyond recognition.

Seeing that Wei Jin did not take the bait, Jiang Wen looked at Tian Zhuangzhuang, who was still accepting everyone's applause on stage, and changed the subject to continue teasing.

"I say, it looks like Director Tian has a very good chance of winning an award this time. You and your mentor will be competing on the same stage then; aren't you afraid?"

"It doesn't matter. Isn't there an extra award this year? I think the chances should be better than two years ago."

This year's Venice Film Festival had many changes, and the officials had added a "Jury Special Award".

This award was not the same thing as the previous Jury Grand Prize. It was intended to recognize films that were outstanding in all aspects, including actors and directors.

After all, the Venice Film Festival had always been unable to combine awards; that is, a film that won an acting award could only compete for the Golden Lion, but once it lost, there were no other opportunities.

This award could be considered a replacement for the previous technical awards.

If one had to draw an analogy, it was somewhat similar to the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award at the Berlin International Film Festival.

In any case, there were fewer films shortlisted, and a new award had been set up, which was good news for the films shortlisted this year.

"Hmm, that's true. Perhaps you and Director Tian, mentor and student, will win awards together; that would be a perfect story."

"Haha, then I thank Director Jiang for your kind words."

Wei Jin naturally understood the meaning behind Jiang Wen's words and thanked him with a smile.

Although the public relations work had started long ago, with Jiang Wen's coordination, it would inevitably be much easier.

The premiere of "The Distinguished Citizen" ended, and a cocktail party was naturally indispensable.

Tian Zhuangzhuang, Chen Daoming, and others were still accepting interviews from reporters, while Wei Jin, as the producer and student, took on the role of host for the cocktail party, frequently moving among the many guests.

When the cocktail party ended, Wei Jin brought a slightly exhausted Yifei back to the hotel.

Just seeing the young girl staring blankly at him, Wei Jin was a bit curious.

"What's wrong, Yifei? Is there a flower on my face?"

Yifei hesitated for a while, then said, "Brother, that Taiwan director from just now, the way he looked at you, I feel like something is not right, just like, just like..."

Watching the girl stumble over her words, Wei Jin pulled her to sit on the sofa and said gently, "Just like what?"

Yifei tilted her head and thought for a moment, her big eyes suddenly lighting up. "Ah, I know, just like the way those female stars in the country look at you..."

"No way? He is..."

Wei Jin stopped halfway through his sentence, his hand resting on his heart also froze, and he had a bad guess in his heart.

Taiwan was a small place, but the tastes were heavy; it seemed there really were quite a lot of these "gays".

Especially since Cai Mingliang's most famous works involved homosexual elements.

Thinking that he might have been being fantasized about all night, Wei Jin shuddered and secretly vowed in his heart to keep his distance from men in the future.

And seeing Wei Jin's expression, Yifei let out a "pfft" laugh.

"Brother, so you can be afraid too."

"..."

Wei Jin rolled his eyes; this wasn't fear, it was disgust, alright?

However, looking at the girl's charming and smiling appearance, Wei Jin's appetite was immediately whetted, and a trace of playfulness appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Yeah, Yifei, you scared me to death. For the sake of our future happiness, you really have to help me out tonight."

After speaking, Wei Jin leaned back against the sofa, leaving his lower abdomen exposed, the meaning self-evident.

Liu Yifei gave Wei Jin a coquettish look, slowly squatted down, and her hair instantly cascaded down. Perhaps because they were abroad, Wei Jin's biological clock seemed to have stopped working.

After this night of indulgence, Wei Jin didn't wake up until near noon, and he was woken up by a call from Hunter; Frances McDormand and her group had arrived.

Because *Nomadland* is basically a film centered on a female lead, the roles of the other supporting actors are not particularly prominent.

Therefore, the only ones who came this time were Frances McDormand and the male lead—David Strathairn.

After not seeing each other for a few months, Frances McDormand remained as enthusiastic as ever, giving Wei Jin a cheek kiss as soon as they met.

"Wei, long time no see."

"Yeah, Francis, long time no see."

After the pleasantries, Frances McDormand looked at her partner beside her and pouted, saying: "Wei, you have no idea, David has been provoking me this whole time. You say he already has a Volpi Cup, yet he still wants to compete with me, it's just too much." Hearing this, David Strathairn beside them showed a helpless smile toward Wei Jin, and the latter couldn't help but laugh, defeated by this funny character Frances McDormand.

In 2005, David Strathairn won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his role in the drama film *Good Night, and Good Luck*, which he co-starred in with George Clooney and Jeff Daniels.

But the rules of the European Big Three are just like that; as long as the screen time meets the requirements, films shortlisted for the Main Competition Section automatically receive nominations for Best Actor and Best Actress, so it wasn't really David trying to compete.

Besides, isn't Frances McDormand a bit too confident?

However, Wei Jin didn't want to pour cold water on her; after all, who doesn't have their own hopes? So he smiled and comforted her: "Don't worry, Francis, in terms of screen time, you have much more than David. I think if there really are acting awards, your chances should be much higher."

Having said this, Wei Jin snapped his fingers.

"Besides, even if Venice doesn't have acting awards, I promise you, we have other ways out."

Wei Jin couldn't guarantee anything for this year's Venice, but he believed that such a film, which aligns with North American mainstream values, would definitely shine at next year's Oscar.

Frances McDormand clearly understood what Wei Jin meant, blinked at him, and feigned regret:

"Wei, I think if I were thirty years younger, no, twenty years younger, I would definitely fall in love with you."

"Frances McDormand, that is really not necessary!"

"Hahaha."

Watching Wei Jin play along with a look of "shock," Frances McDormand and David both burst into hearty laughter.

For a moment, the entire hotel lobby was filled with a joyful atmosphere. In the evening, *Nomadland* held its premiere.

Everyone knew that this film was aiming for the highest award, the Golden Lion Award.

If he won the award, Wei Jin would become the fourth director in film history to achieve this honor.

Therefore, from the moment it was shortlisted, *Nomadland* had earned plenty of anticipation from the media and the audience.

Now that the premiere had arrived, countless people wanted to see it as soon as possible.

Thus, when Wei Jin brought the main creative team to the Film Festival Palace, the one thousand seats in the palace-level hall, SALA GRANDE, were already packed.

The audience included film distributors, media, and film critics from all over the world, including many members of the Pingshutuan.

Wei Jin even saw the president of the Pingshutuan for this year's Venice Film Festival—the 71-year-old Italian director, Bernardo Bertolucci.

He was the very director who was the first in history to enter the Forbidden City to shoot *The Last Emperor*.

Wei Jin smiled and greeted the guests who came to show their support one by one, but when it was Cai Mingliang's turn, he deliberately kept his distance.

Although love is free, being targeted by a man is truly quite sickening.

Before long, the lights in the venue slowly dimmed.

The name of the film appeared on the pitch-black giant screen—*Nomadland*! In the winter of 2011, due to a decrease in demand for drywall, the North American Gypsum Company closed the factory it had established in Empire, Nevada, 88 years ago.

Subsequently, the entire town that had risen because of the gypsum factory would also close, leaving hundreds of local workers homeless.

To survive, they rushed to all parts of North America, building temporary communities among the mobile crowds and spaces.

The female lead, Fern, took her things out of a storage locker, stuffed her soul and daily necessities into her van, and couldn't control her grief while holding her late husband's work clothes.

Fern, who belonged to the working class, had made a decision about her life ahead.

That was to drive her "RV" and finish out the twilight years of her life.

Because of her constant trekking, she kept taking odd jobs and dealing with different people.

Although she was extremely lacking in material goods and lived in poverty, she remained true to herself in character and was often outspoken.

This was a resilient old woman whose pride made her unable to endure anyone's pity.

But even if she had to endure loneliness and hunger and cold, Fern was still romantic.

She sat in her van practicing the flute; she recited Shakespeare's poetry for a young homeless man... Undoubtedly, compared to *Whiplash*, *Nomadland* was slightly inferior in both plot and structure.

But by showing the plight faced by the bottom-tier people in North America after the subprime mortgage crisis, the film greatly resonated with the guests present.

After all, this "man-made disaster" could be said to have swept the globe, and almost everyone was deeply affected.

Especially in this story, there was also a hidden, familiar old age that most people were facing or about to face, as well as a kind of sad and lonely family affection that many people could not express.

Therefore, when the film ended, thunderous applause erupted in the venue, and everyone stood up to applaud.

"How was it?"

"A stunning masterpiece."

Bernardo Bertolucci sat in his wheelchair, clapping along with the audience, not hiding his admiration at all:

"Using concrete details and a grand sense of narrative to explore social issues, as well as the relationship of opposition and integration between the individual and society, is very high-level."

"I didn't expect your evaluation to be so high..." Jiang Wen was a little surprised.

You have to know, Bernardo Bertolucci had been in the industry for over half a century and had seen countless art films.

He himself was an Oscar Best Director and a recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from Berlin and Cannes.

However, thinking of the honors and titles Wei Jin held, as well as the core of this film, Jiang Wen could only secretly admit his admiration.

"He deserves the praise. It's really hard to believe that Wei is only just thirty years old."

Bernardo Bertolucci smiled and said, "Although he is very young, whether it is his filming technique or his composition and camera movement, he performs with great maturity. The script content also has considerable depth; it is impeccable in every aspect."

"In addition, the soundtrack is also excellent. It appears when Fern faces reality and wants to escape or change, adding emotional depth; it can be described as just right. I heard that Wei did this himself as well; he is truly a genius."

This man, who was over 70 years old, looked toward the stage at Wei Jin, who was still receiving applause from the crowd, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

He had a premonition that perhaps this time, he was truly going to witness the birth of history. Wei Jin was unaware of Bernardo Bertolucci's thoughts; after the premiere ended, he was busy beyond measure.

First, he took the main creative team to accept interviews from domestic and foreign reporters.

Frances McDormand lived up to her reputation as someone with maxed-out comedic talent and as a veteran artist; in less than half an hour, she had calmed down from the enthusiastic atmosphere of the premiere site.

Facing the reporters' questions, she was a master of being supportive, constantly heaping praise on Wei Jin's brilliance.

A series of glowing compliments, such as "efficiency so high it's ridiculous," "the perfect finished film in his head," and "a genius director the likes of which I've never seen," were tossed out as if they cost nothing.

Of course, as the director, Wei Jin was also given many topics by the media, and they chatted quite a bit about the content related to the film's creation and shooting.

After dismissing the reporters, Wei Jin took the main cast and crew to the cocktail party hosted by the *Nomadland* production team.

And just at this time, the situation at the *Nomadland* premiere was sent back to the country, instantly occupying the headlines of major portal websites.

"'Nomadland' campaigns at Venice, premiere site response is enthusiastic, media reviews are full of praise!"

"After a three-year interval, a second assault on the Venice Golden Lion; Director Wei Jin from the East may have the hope of becoming the fourth director in history to achieve the European Three Major Film Festivals Grand Slam!"

"The previously released 'The Distinguished Citizen' is also highly acclaimed; this Venice Film Festival may see the grand spectacle of a teacher and student competing for the Golden Lion together."

Many night-owl netizens saw the news and participated in the discussion one after another.

"Wei Jin is awesome. It seems the films that have premiered so far don't have high ratings, right? I feel this wave is stable."

"Right, the Pingshutuan also includes Jiang Wen, and since it's an English-language film competing for awards, it should be a bit easier."

"That's hard to say. Perhaps the film has hope of winning the Golden Lion, but the Westerners might not necessarily let him have his way (Ruyi)."

"Whatever, in any case, there are only two days left until the results, waiting for a miracle to be born!"

For a time, before the closing ceremony of Venice had even begun, it had already earned enough anticipation from domestic audiences. (End of this chapter)