Chapter 161: The Second Sino-Japanese Dialogue

Takeshi Kitano didn't know English, and Chen Nuo didn't know Japanese; when greeting him, a translator was needed.

After greeting Wang Jiawei in a formal manner, he turned his head, bowed slightly to Chen Nuo, and said with a solemn expression: "Hajimemashite..."

Chen Nuo followed suit: "Nice to meet you, please take care of me."

Takeshi Kitano said only that one sentence before stepping aside with an expressionless face. Tomokazu Miura walked up and, just like Takeshi Kitano, gave a Japanese-style greeting.

Afterwards, he revealed a very gentle smile and suddenly said a long string of words.

"Chen Nuo-kun, my wife likes your movies very much. This time, when I came to China and she learned I would be meeting you, she specifically instructed me to express her greetings to you, Nuo-kun. She hopes you stay healthy and safe, and that you can perform more roles that touch people's hearts in the future."

After hearing the translator's words, Chen Nuo was momentarily taken aback.

Momoe Yamaguchi had seen his movie?

Which one?

*The Zhang Zhang Yaba* or *If You Are the One*? Both had been released in Japan, but their box office performance hadn't been anything special.

Thinking about it, it must have been *The Zhang Zhang Yaba*.

After all, they were film people; it was likely the local distributors had used his fame as a Berlin Film Festival Best Actor to promote it, and she had watched it out of curiosity. That made sense.

He revealed a shy, slightly embarrassed smile and said: "Many thanks to Mrs. Yamaguchi for the praise. That was my first time making a movie, and there were many shortcomings; I'm embarrassed."

Chen Nuo saw that after Tomokazu Miura heard the translation, he also froze for a moment, but didn't say anything more. Both sides bowed to each other again and walked in together.

Ang Lee arrived last.

To be honest, this was only natural.

Regardless of anything else, the man had won the Oscar for Best Director last year. No matter how people in later generations might nitpick the Oscars, this award was still the film award with the greatest influence in the world.

If nothing else, the salary increase after winning an Oscar for Best Actor was more than the sum of all three major European film festival Best Actor awards combined.

The key was that Ang Lee had brought Tang Wei; it was obvious he was there for promotion. How could he not appear last to seem more prominent?

With this order of entry, no matter how the media reported it, they would have to write an extra sentence or two.

This was the second time Ang Lee had met Chen Nuo. The refined director didn't seem to hold a grudge; instead, he chatted about Heath Ledger calling him to complain after Chen Nuo snatched the role of the Joker.

"Heath told me that I gave him everything, and you took everything away from him. His life seemed to be controlled by Eastern magic. And I comforted him by saying that the actor who snatched his role had also once rejected my movie invitation, which also left me greatly disappointed. He and I are actually in the same boat."

Chen Nuo hurriedly said: "Director Lee, please don't say that. I really just had a scheduling conflict. I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

When Chen Nuo shook hands with Tang Wei, he discovered that the girl's hands were ice-cold, and her expression was incredibly awkward.

"Hello, I am Tang Wei."

Hearing Tang Wei's voice trembling, Chen Nuo smiled and encouraged her: "Hello, I am Chen Nuo. Miss Tang, you look very beautiful today."

Tang Wei was clearly startled, looking flattered: "Not at all, not at all."

With this, the guests had all arrived, and the cocktail party officially began.

Although there were only a dozen or so people, Wang Jiawei's opening remarks were still very formal. First, he thanked Cannes for giving them this opportunity to gather.

The small number of people was because this was originally a private gathering.

As far as Chen Nuo knew, whether it was Emperor Motion Pictures, Huayi Brothers, or even China Film Group, there were people who had approached Wang Jiawei wanting one or two invitations so their own directors or artists could squeeze in and make an appearance.

But Wang "Sunglasses" insisted that this was a private gathering regarding the 60th anniversary of Cannes, and it was truly inconvenient for outsiders to attend.

This seemed to make a certain director surnamed Feng at Huayi quite resentful, opening his big mouth to spray nonsense, publishing extreme remarks in the newspapers about how big shots were all farts and that those who formed small cliques were absolutely unpopular.

Therefore, Wang "Sunglasses" bringing up Cannes as soon as he started was a targeted move. With the reporters on-site spreading it, it could be considered giving all parties a way to save face.

Then, Wang "Sunglasses" chatted about the origins between the three countries' films. He focused on talking about the influence of Japan's Akira Kurosawa and Korea's Im Kwon-taek on him, which put smiles on the faces of the Japanese and Korean guests.

Finally, he called out names one by one, praising all the directors and actors present, especially welcoming the foreign friends for taking time out of their busy schedules to come.

His words were comprehensive and pleased everyone.

He was worthy of being the boss of Jet Tone Films.

Thinking of this, Chen Nuo became a bit distracted again.

His broken studio, as it stood now, was definitely out of step with the times.

Qi Yuntian had been asking him these past few days to name the new film company that was about to be established, and he hadn't decided yet.

He should hurry up and get the paperwork for the new company done before *The Message* was filed for record.

Come to think of it, in the future, he would be a person with dual identities, just like Wang Jiawei.

At this moment, a sentence in English suddenly popped up beside him: "Chen Nuo-xi, others are expressing their welcome to us, yet you are distracted. This is very impolite."

Chen Nuo looked over; Wang Jiawei had already stepped down from the stage, and now it was the leader of the sponsor, Sheshan Villa, giving a speech.

He replied to Jeon Do-yeon in a low voice: "Jeon Do-yeon Noona, are you angry at me?"

Jeon Do-yeon looked both annoyed and amused, saying in English: "You actually know a bit of Korean?"

Chen Nuo smiled: "I only know a little bit."

Jeon Do-yeon was truly surprised; the way she looked at him changed, and her volume increased. This time, she replied in Korean: "Chen Nuo-xi, have you studied Korean before? Your pronunciation doesn't have an accent at all."

The meaning of Chen Nuo's first sentence was, are you angry with me? The meaning of the second sentence was, I only know a little bit.

The scattered Korean he knew was all learned from a Korean girlfriend he had in LA in his previous life.

Come to think of it, that girlfriend of his looked a bit like Jeon Do-yeon.

However...

It wasn't strange.

As far as Chen Nuo knew, quite a few Korean plastic surgery hospitals used the actress in front of him as a template for plastic surgery.

Chen Nuo continued in Korean: "I haven't studied it, I really only know a little bit."

At this time, the leader finished speaking, and Bong Joon-ho, who was on the side, suddenly stuck his head over and interjected: "Chen Nuo-xi, your pronunciation is really good, very much like us Koreans."

You really know how to flatter people.

Although Chen Nuo wasn't very satisfied with Bong Joon-ho saying he was like a "stick" (a derogatory term for Koreans).

However, as a member of a nation of etiquette and half a host, seeing that he had only spoken a little Korean and these two guests from the "Stick Country" were already showing such excitement, he naturally wouldn't dampen their spirits.

He smiled and thanked him: "Kamsahamnida."

Bong Joon-ho said enthusiastically: "Chen Nuo-xi, you 【gibberish】?"

Alright, although Chen Nuo's language talent was good, Bong Joon-ho had said this sentence so fast and urgently that he was exposed immediately.

But he kept a smile on his face, switched back to English and said: "Sorry, Bong Joon-ho-xi, I don't understand."

Jeon Do-yeon had been staring at him, her beautiful eyes flashing, not knowing what she was thinking. Hearing him say this, she immediately laughed and translated in English: "Director Bong Joon-ho asked if you know about Korean movies? What movies have you seen?"

Bong Joon-ho also reacted; Chen Nuo's Korean wasn't as good as he had thought.

But this middle-aged fat uncle still looked at him with burning eyes, seemingly very interested in him.

Chen Nuo smiled: "Of course I've seen them, um, I actually like Korean movies very much, for example... um, *My Sassy Girl*, *Secret Sunshine*, and *The Host*."

Fortunately, Chen Nuo, a guy who hadn't even seen many Chinese movies, had at least seen the debut masterpiece of the "Goddess Jeon."

Moreover, Bong Joon-ho's *The Host* was currently showing in theaters at this time; come to think of it, it had even been a competitor to *Crazy Stone* for a period of time, although it had been beaten to a pulp.

But ever since Chen Nuo watched *Secret Sunshine* at Cannes, he had developed some interest in Korean movies.

This time, he had also come for Song Kanghao. After watching it, he felt that the special effects of this era were dog shit, which also strengthened his determination to use all real-life locations for *The Message*.

But aside from the clumsy special effects, in terms of the director's filming techniques and the depth of the story, the movie could be considered a masterpiece.

Bong Joon-ho laughed when he heard *The Host*, and said a long string of words again. Chen Nuo barely understood a part of it.

Jeon Do-yeon translated: "The director said, thank you for watching his movie, and he has also seen your movie. You are welcome to go to Korea to film movies in the future."

At this time, perhaps seeing two fellow countrymen gathered together with a young Chinese man and chatting happily, feeling a bit curious, Li Cangdong and Cui Min-sik also came over.

Chen Nuo had to express his love for *Secret Sunshine*.

He had watched this movie seriously, and his praise was right on the mark, making Li Cangdong's old face bloom like a chrysanthemum.

Others praising Li Cangdong might not necessarily make him this happy, but who was Chen Nuo?

Last year at Cannes, he was the male lead of *My Blueberry Nights*, the biggest competitor to their *Secret Sunshine*.

It could be said that all their limelight had been stolen by *Blueberry* back then, and in the end, they had come away empty-handed.

No matter how broad-minded Li Cangdong was, he still had a knot in his heart.

Now, the praise from his biggest competitor truly made him feel much better all of a sudden.

It seemed that the blockage in his heart had dissipated quite a bit.

"Chen Nuo-xi's performance in *Blueberry* also left me in awe. Our country has also imported *My Blueberry Nights*; everyone must go to the cinema to see it when the time comes. Chen Nuo-xi contributed an Oscar-level performance in it. I think it's a great pity that he didn't win an award at Cannes."

Li Cangdong said it as if it were true, much more sincere than Chen Nuo's half-hearted praise.

Chen Nuo hurriedly said: "It's all the director's credit. Actually, I was just listening to Director Wang Jiawei's teachings."

It would have been fine to say this sentence elsewhere, but who were these four Koreans? Everyone laughed all of a sudden.

Cui Min-sik laughed: "In that case, I'm the same. Jeon Do-yeon-xi, you are too, right?"

Jeon Do-yeon smiled like a flower and said: "Yes, which actor isn't listening to the director's teachings to act?"

Li Cangdong laughed: "According to your statement, Chen Nuo-xi, the Best Actor and Best Actress trophies should be awarded to us directors, right?"

Chen Nuo also laughed along: "Who's to say they shouldn't? If you ask me, if Director Lee and Director Bong were to act, you should win the Blue Dragon Award earlier than Cui Min-sik-xi and Jeon Do-yeon-xi."

"Hahahahaha."

Chen Nuo still had a sense of humor, and his words made several people laugh.

At that moment, several top big shots from Chungmuro stood in a pile with him and chatted happily.

Especially since his English was good and he knew a couple of words of Korean, everyone communicated relatively smoothly, and for a time, both host and guests were happy.

But while Chen Nuo was accompanying the chat, he was cursing in his heart.

He really, fucking didn't expect this kind of development. He had clearly come to hook up with Takeshi Kitano, so what was going on with him mixing with this group of Koreans who had nothing to do with him?

Fortunately, Takeshi Kitano, Tomokazu Miura, and Zhang Yimou, Jiang Wen were chatting in one place. And Ang Lee was talking with Chen Kaige and "International Zhang." Tang Wei didn't know where she had run off to.

Seeing him look over, Jiang Wen smiled at him, making Chen Nuo feel a little relieved.

It seemed Brother Jiang hadn't forgotten his business, that was good.

Come to think of it, that "International Zhang"...

Heh heh, she was all smiles to his face at Cannes, but stabbed him in the back. That vote was 80% likely not cast for him.

Otherwise, why would she be vaguely guilty and have shifty eyes when they met this time?

Chen Nuo estimated that this "International Zhang" just had some ulterior motives at the time, thinking that his Best Actor award was mostly secure anyway, so she didn't want to cast her vote for him.

After all, she hadn't won Best Actress yet.

A young person several years her junior is about to become a double Best Actor winner at Berlin and Cannes; how can she still claim to be the number one young Chinese film star?

So she played a trick.

However, Chen Nuo guessed that "International Zhang" probably didn't expect Wang Jiawei to be so pretentious.

Otherwise, she might not have dared to do so.

Because it was truly too offensive.

In a person's life, according to common sense, how many opportunities can one have to be shortlisted for Cannes?

And how many opportunities can one have to win the Cannes Best Actor award?

For many actors, you let me dream of Cannes, and it's truly a life-and-death feud that cuts off my path and destroys my road to longevity.

There were only nine judges in Cannes in total!

Although it was an anonymous vote, if one really wanted to check, it wasn't difficult to find out who voted and who didn't.

Therefore, with Zhang Ziyi's acting skills, she couldn't help but show guilt now when she saw him.

Originally there were two sure votes, but in the end, neither of them voted for him; could he still win Best Actor?

It was about the same as daydreaming.

Fine, he would remember this stab.

International Zhang, don't bully the young because they are poor.

I don't know if it was an illusion, but Chen Nuo always felt that although Jeon Do-yeon was also chatting and laughing with her fellow countrymen, her attention was actually on him.

Otherwise, why would Jeon Do-yeon bring the topic back to him as soon as he was slightly distracted?

She suddenly said: "I heard that Chen Nuo-xi is preparing to invest in filming a movie recently, is that right?"

The other few people all cast their gazes over, showing a very interested appearance.

After all, an actor investing in filming a movie is a relatively rare situation in any country.

Li Cangdong asked with great interest: "Chen Nuo-xi, really? What kind of movie are you preparing to film?"

Chen Nuo didn't know where Jeon Do-yeon got the news. Since Li Cangdong asked, he had to answer truthfully: "Yes, I'm preparing to film a war-themed movie, mainly about intelligence and espionage personnel, um, it's a movie about the period of the Japanese invasion of China."

After the translator translated the words, several Koreans suddenly became interested; after all, everyone belonged to the objects invaded by the Japanese.

Li Cangdong said thoughtfully: "Will this kind of subject matter be popular in China?"

Chen Nuo said truthfully: "Relatively popular."

Bong Joon-ho asked curiously: "Then Chen Nuo-xi, how much are you preparing to invest to film this movie?"

This was simple; Chen Nuo said directly in Korean: "100 million."

Bong Joon-ho frowned: "Can it be filmed?"

Chen Nuo froze for a moment; he had reported the claimed amount, so why was the tone of this bunch of "sticks" so big?

Could it be that they thought he was talking about Korean Won?

He didn't expose it, and said with a smile: "It should be possible."

Jeon Do-yeon looked at his expression and asked hesitantly: "Chen Nuo-xi, are you talking about RMB?"

Chen Nuo nodded happily: "Of course."

At this moment, the eyes of all four people changed.

Bong Joon-ho's *The Host*, which was currently showing in the country, had set a record-breaking 13 million viewers in Korea, and even triggered a controversy over film monopoly in Korea.

In fact, it had only invested 15 billion Korean Won, which was less than 80 million RMB.

And that was a monster-themed movie, with special effects done by a Hollywood team, with the commercial attributes of the whole film fully maxed out.

If it were changed to investing in filming an anti-Japanese movie, and spending 20 billion Korean Won, doing it like this in Korea, it would be strange if it didn't lose money. None of the people present had even thought about it.

Li Cangdong asked in shock: "Chen Nuo-xi, are you sure you won't lose a lot of money doing this?"

Chen Nuo said lightly: "Sometimes, we can't just stare at the banknotes when making movies. A movie that can alert the nation and allow the nation to get enlightenment is worth filming no matter how much money it costs, regardless of the cost, at all costs. This is the responsibility we should have as film people."

The eyes of the four Koreans lit up all of a sudden.

Brighter than when they heard 100 million RMB just now.

Because these pretentious words of his hit the vital point of the Koreans.

Compared to the Chinese who have nowhere to exert themselves, and the Japanese who only focus on individuals, in East Asia, the social responsibility of Korean film people is particularly prominent.

From *Hope* to *Burning*, to Bong Joon-ho's later god-level work *Parasite*, all reflect this point.

Exposing the dark side of society, educating the nation, alerting the nation.

Koreans really eat this up.

Several people were silent for a while, only to hear Bong Joon-ho say: "Chen Nuo-xi, can I come to visit the set when filming?"

Chen Nuo found it a bit funny, a cross-border set visit? But the other party was clearly well-intentioned, and maybe they were prepared to come and help, which wasn't certain. He naturally couldn't refuse, and said with a flattered expression: "Of course you can."

Li Cangdong also spoke up, with a bit of self-deprecation: "In my life, I have never filmed a movie over 2 billion. Chen Nuo-xi, I want to come over with Bong Joon-ho-xi, sorry for the trouble. I really want to see how a movie with an investment of 20 billion should be filmed."

Chen Nuo smiled: "Haha, welcome Director Lee, but I think it should also be filmed with a camera."

Several people laughed.

Jeon Do-yeon smiled and said: "Chen Nuo-xi, are there any suitable roles in your movie? I want to make a cameo in your movie, is that okay?"

Four-time Baeksang Best Actress, two-time Blue Dragon Best Actress, two-time Grand Bell Best Actress, the most award-winning powerful actress in Korea, proposed to make a cameo in *The Message*, what could Chen Nuo say?

Say sorry, there are no Koreans in my script?

How is that possible!

Was that 200,000 adaptation fee from Mai Jia given for nothing?

Chen Nuo immediately said: "Of course you can, if Miss Jeon Do-yeon has time, I would be honored for you to make a cameo in my movie."

Takeshi Kitano hadn't been settled yet, but besides Wang Jiawei, he had also secured Jeon Do-yeon, and had gotten to know Li Cangdong and Bong Joon-ho.

If nothing else, by making good use of these connections, dubbing *The Message*, and getting it to Korea for release, it shouldn't be a problem, right?

He felt he was a little further away from losing money.

Chen Nuo's mood was great for a moment, his eyes fell on Cui Min-sik, and he couldn't help but make a joke: "Actually, not just Jeon Do-yeon-xi, it's also possible for Cui Min-sik-xi to come for a cameo. My movie script hasn't been finalized yet, adding roles is completely feasible."

Heaven is my witness, Chen Nuo was really just making a joke, but Cui Min-sik seemed to take it seriously.

He pondered for a moment, then smiled and said: "If there is a positive role, and you, Chen Nuo-xi, can provide me with round-trip air tickets and accommodation, I will consider it."

Hearing the translated words, Chen Nuo almost couldn't believe his ears.

Who was this middle-aged man who had been silent all along?

Pressing Song Kanghao and Sol Kyung-gu, he was known as the head of the "Three Carriages" of Korea's Chungmuro.

Ten years later, as a national treasure-level actor in Korea and a symbol of Korean cinema, his status would be almost the same as the "Three Pure Ones."

Even now, one *Oldboy* had allowed him to win the three major Korean Best Actor awards simultaneously, and he was simultaneously rated by Korean entertainment magazines as the male actor with the greatest audience appeal.

With Jeon Do-yeon, and then having him make a cameo, *The Message* wouldn't just be as simple as selling to Korea; hoping for a bit of box office performance wasn't impossible!

After all, if Chen Nuo remembered correctly, these two leading figures among Korean male and female actors had never been in the same frame in a movie.

Chen Nuo immediately put away his joking mindset.

He said solemnly: "Cui Min-sik-xi, Jeon Do-yeon-xi, before I ask you to come over for a cameo, I will send the script to you. If you are not satisfied, we can discuss it further. If you have other arrangements at that time, that's also no problem. This time, whether we can cooperate or not, I am deeply grateful and will keep it in my heart. The same goes for the two directors. We Chinese have an old saying, 'a drop of water in need shall be returned with a spring.' We have a long road ahead of us."

This long and flowery sentence of his was said in Chinese.

Seeing his expression, several people looked at each other, all waiting for the professional translators beside them to translate.

Chen Nuo didn't know if that male translator had translated his words accurately.

However, after several Koreans heard it, including Jeon Do-yeon, they all revealed satisfied smiles.

In this way, Chen Nuo could be considered relieved; it seemed the people invited by the Sheshan tycoon boss were still reliable.

To show his sincerity and attitude, after the translator finished speaking, Chen Nuo even reached out and shook hands with each of them.

When shaking hands with Jeon Do-yeon, his palm felt a bit itchy.

Chen Nuo withdrew his hand calmly.

This woman didn't look at him favorably before, but now she was teasing him again.

Chen Nuo looked seriously at Jeon Do-yeon's attire today.

Unlike the white dress at Cannes.

She was wearing a backless black dress today.

Her slightly curly short hair was fluffy and natural; her features couldn't be called stunningly beautiful, but her graceful and soft young woman's charm was truly itchy and unbearable.

Especially that trace of elusive charm in the corners of her eyes and brows, it was a sexiness and flirtatiousness that young boys couldn't understand, and only men who had reached a certain stage would understand.

Just like a ripe fruit, the appearance might be unremarkable, but the inside must be full of juice.

Damn it, are you going to force me to be a scumbag again?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 162 =====