Chapter 187: Hot and Spicy: Rewriting Film History

Chen Nuo stayed in Hancheng for a day and a night, then flew to Tokyo on the evening of July 21st.

During this time, he attended a cinema event, participated in two variety shows, looked at a menu, and revisited an old dream.

There is nothing much to say about the first two promotional activities, and the last one is also not worth mentioning.

It was nothing more than, while entangled and messing around with Jeon Do-yeon, agreeing on the specific time for her to come over and make a cameo in *The Message*, which would be early next month.

That menu was the eye-opening highlight of this trip to South Korea for Brother Nuo.

Chaebols, oh, chaebols.

The so-called "chaebol selections" of later generations are still too small in scope; they have no idea how big the Koreans really play. If it weren't for the favor of Warner this time, this menu would absolutely never have reached his hands.

There were some dishes inside that were a sin just to look at; if one really dared to eat them, a sentence of chemical castration wouldn't be an overstatement.

But in this country that seems democratic but is actually solidified to the extreme in terms of class, people dare to do exactly that.

In the end, Chen Nuo closed the cover and politely declined. It was better to just spend the night with someone like Jeon Do-yeon, who was fun and tasty without being a liability.

As for Kim Tae-hee or Jun Ji-hyun, let's leave that for next time.

Because at the warm invitation of Bong Joon-ho, Chen Nuo still agreed to take a look at the other party's script.

Bong Joon-ho said the character in his film was slightly mentally disabled, with few lines, and would be very easy for Chen Nuo to learn given his Korean foundation and accent.

Chen Nuo hadn't really watched many Korean films in his past life, but he seemed to have a tiny bit of an impression of the character Bong Joon-ho mentioned.

That was enough; any film that could reach his ears had at least a thirty percent foundation of quality.

After *The Message*, he did indeed have an opening in his schedule next year. Plus, collaborating with a future Oscar-winning director like Bong Joon-ho and seeing the other party's brilliance was something he was very interested in.

What's more.

Next year is 2008, which is not very suitable for staying in the country. Some things cannot be said, so they can only be temporarily forgotten.

In short, when the other party comes to visit the set, he will read the script then.

In the first-class cabin flying to Tokyo, Luo Rui discussed the subsequent North American matters with Chen Nuo.

"Michael Slane must be frantic these past two days. I have news that the pressure from the president's office on him is not small."

Luo Rui chuckled, "Chen, is this what you call the strategy of attacking the heart?"

She said the four words "strategy of attacking the heart" with a clumsy Chinese pronunciation, which was exactly what Chen Nuo had taught her two days ago.

Chen Nuo chuckled: "I communicated with him so nicely before, but he wouldn't listen. This is all his own doing."

Luo Rui smiled: "I heard that he had only said three sentences before you hung up the phone. That can hardly be called nice."

Chen Nuo asked in surprise: "Is that what Michael Slane told you? He's full of it."

He thought for a moment; he had been extremely sleepy at the time, so maybe... well, never mind.

His tone shifted immediately: "Regardless, letting him wait two days and letting him get anxious is no problem at all."

Luo Rui nodded: "Indeed, this will be helpful for our later plans."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but sigh: "I originally thought I would be stuck in Singapore for a long time; I didn't expect to be able to return to LA so soon. Chen, thank you."

Chen Nuo shook his head: "No need to thank me; I was only doing it for myself."

Luo Rui said earnestly: "Regardless, if it weren't for your insistence, that bastard Michael Slane would never have let me return to LA. I owe you a favor this time."

Chen Nuo felt quite satisfied; although he had known Luo Rui for such a short time that trust was out of the question.

But he did indeed need someone like her.

Since the other party showed this attitude, he would listen to her words and watch her actions.

Anyway, this time it was only for Best Supporting Actor, serving as the beginning of their cooperation; it was the perfect touchstone to test character.

It seemed she had seen through Chen Nuo's thoughts.

Luo Rui continued: "During the awards season at the end of the year, besides Warner's resources, I will definitely use my connections to help you campaign for the award. In this regard, your trip back to the US for promotion is also a good thing for you. After all, those old men and women who don't have the energy to walk into a cinema will appreciate a familiar face they've seen on TV even more."

Chen Nuo said: "I think they would appreciate gift cards or shopping vouchers inside an envelope even more."

Luo Rui couldn't help but laugh and said: "Sometimes I really don't understand you. Aren't you a college student studying in China? Why do you know so much about these Hollywood matters?"

Chen Nuo chuckled: "We have an old saying in China: good news doesn't leave the house, but bad news travels a thousand miles. Who in the world doesn't know about the messy affairs in your America?"

Luo Rui said seriously: "Chen, you are actually being a bit extreme. Although our country's lobbying system has its shortcomings, generally speaking, it is able to maintain fairness."

"Including these Oscar judges, although they can be lobbied, it is only to gain the other party's appreciation, not to buy it with money. It's like a public relations manager from a lobbying firm; although he brings gift cards or shopping vouchers, in the end, he can only invite the other party to sit in a small screening room, show them our film again, and put in a good word for you on the side."

"As for whether they will vote for you in the end, no one can guarantee it; at most, you will only get a verbal promise. Therefore, this process is called lobbying, not bribery. This is also why the Oscars can maintain a basic level of fairness."

After listening, Chen Nuo nodded: "So that's how it is. Thank you, Luo Rui. I really didn't know these things before."

As if.

Chen Nuo was a little more satisfied with this partner.

Although Harvey Weinstein might be more helpful for his award campaign, he still preferred to work with someone like Luo Rui.

At the very least, it was worry-free; no need to worry about being cheated or led into a trap.

Living a second life, he felt that whatever height he could reach, he would just do his best.

Being in a pleasant mood was the most important thing.

If you stare into the abyss for too long, you'll vomit.

"You're welcome." Luo Rui returned a smile to him.

It must be said, this woman was really quite beautiful. Chen Nuo couldn't help his scumbag nature and asked: "Luo Rui, has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Vivien Leigh in *Gone with the Wind*?"

Complimenting an American woman by saying she looks like Vivien Leigh is like complimenting a Chinese woman by saying she looks like Liu Qi Yifei; basically, no one would get angry.

Luo Rui smiled even more sweetly: "No, I have very few friends. You are the first person to say that. Can I take it as a compliment?"

"A compliment? No, no, no, these are words from the bottom of my heart."

Luo Rui smiled: "Chen, are you flirting with me?"

Chen Nuo didn't change his expression or skip a beat: "You can also take it as a little pastime on a boring journey."

Luo Rui's eyes flickered, and she chuckled: "Even if I'm bisexual?"

It can only be said that the body after rebirth is just great; even though this period could be described as singing and dancing every night, a 21-year-old man is really no different from a teddy bear.

The smile Chen Nuo revealed upon hearing this was a pity that only Luo Rui saw.

If it were filmed and turned into a GIF, it would definitely be a global sensation.

Not because it was too handsome, but because it was too flirtatious, and handsome at that. "Of course I don't mind. I'm very inclusive in this regard. All the LGBT folks are my compatriots. By the way, do you have a girlfriend?"

"I have one, in the US. If there's a chance, I'll introduce you later." Luo Rui stretched: "Ah, Chen, I'm sleepy, I'm going to sleep for a while."

Damn, looking at this bitchy demeanor, Chen Nuo cursed inwardly; this is definitely an opponent.

The plane landed at Tokyo Narita Airport after 10 PM.

When in Korea, Bong Joon-ho, Li Li Cangdong, and others knew how to observe etiquette. When in Japan, Takeshi Kitano couldn't possibly not know how to behave.

However, although this old man had high prestige, his connections were truly narrow.

Hosting a banquet at a geisha house to entertain distinguished guests from afar, although the class was high, the guests besides Tomokazu Miura were also people Chen Nuo had heard of, such as Hayao Miyazaki and Hirokazu Kore-eda; it could not be said that it wasn't grand.

However, except for the two geishas on stage whose faces were painted whiter than clowns, looking neither human nor ghost, there wasn't a single woman.

This left Chen, who had been sitting leg-to-leg with Kim Tae-hee in Korea, toasted by Jun Ji-hyun, touched her little hand, and even had a sultry woman like Jeon Do-yeon sleeping with him at night, feeling a bit uninterested.

However, Takeshi Kitano represented the organizing committee of this year's 22nd Tokyo International Film Festival at the banquet and invited him to serve as an international judge, which forced him to treat it with caution.

"Chen Jun, this time it is a request from the jury president, Ohno-kun. If you are interested, he will formally issue an invitation to you on behalf of the organizing committee."

Although the Tokyo International Film Festival is not as long-standing as the three major European festivals, it is the largest international A-list film festival in Asia, and it has always been the target of the Shanghai International Film Festival.

In 2005, when Chen Nuo first entered school, Zhang Zhang Yimou was invited as the jury president of the Tokyo International Film Festival, and the Beijing Film Academy hung banners for seven days because of it.

If he could get in as an ordinary judge this time, could it be considered winning a little glory for his alma mater?

On the road to surpassing the Central Academy of Drama, had he taken another small step forward?

Thinking of Li Er, thinking of Huang Lei, Dean Zhang, and the teachers at school who had always taken good care of him, Chen Nuo did not shirk and agreed directly.

Takeshi Kitano was very happy; although the old man had quit drinking for many years, he took a small sip and said that when he went to make a cameo for him next month, he would definitely give a true-to-life performance, exposing the ugly face of the invading Japanese army.

The remark made everyone else at the table look embarrassed, but the old man didn't care and laughed out loud instead, though half of his face couldn't move, which was a bit creepy.

That night, Chen Nuo didn't go anywhere else; following the host's arrangements, he rested in this antique house with flowing water, rockeries, galleries, and courtyards.

Led by a woman in a kimono, he walked to a room facing a Japanese-style garden.

The woman knelt at the door and opened the door of the Japanese-style room for him.

Seeing the identical, cute, and naked twin sisters in the room, Chen Nuo suddenly remembered that menu.

Perhaps these two ways of hospitality, one open and one hidden, represented the different personalities of the Korean and Japanese peoples. One is openly bad, the other is secretly sultry.

Being able to think about such problems at a time like this, Chen the Scumbag is truly a man of depth and thought.

After a night of fragrant and enchanting dreams,

Chen Nuo could roughly understand what the hell "Yangzhou slender horses" meant.

It's no wonder this dross of feudalism had to be eradicated on the mainland; it was simply too corrosive to one's will, simply too... refreshing. There are absolutely not many... who could withstand the test.

The next day, at a cinema in Akihabara, Chen Nuo mentioned this point while being interviewed by reporters.

"I have a very good impression of Japan; the people here are very enthusiastic. Yesterday, I received a warm welcome from Director Kitano, Director Miyazaki, and others, and I felt very honored and deeply grateful."

A Japanese reporter asked: "Chen Jun, what did you talk about with Director Kitano and Director Miyazaki at the banquet yesterday? Can you reveal it?"

Chen Nuo knew that this reporter must have been arranged by the Tokyo Film Festival, so he said according to the prepared lines: "Director Takeshi Kitano, on behalf of this year's Tokyo Film Festival organizing committee, invited me to be a judge. Although I am still a student myself, I couldn't refuse such a kind invitation, so I agreed. I will come to Tokyo again in October this year, and I hope to enjoy excellent films then."

A 21-year-old Tokyo Film Festival judge was undoubtedly a bit shocking, but none of the reporters and media at the scene felt it was strange; they just wrote the news according to the routine.

The host called on a white reporter, who stood up with a microphone and asked: "Chen, hello. I am a reporter for the *Washington Post*. Yesterday, director Luo Man Polanski wrote an article in the French newspaper *Le Figaro*, criticizing your acting style in *The Dark Knight* as too exaggerated and intentionally seeking attention. What is your opinion on this?"

Before the interview, Luo Rui had already told him about these things. After all, this matter wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either.

It was extremely rare for a director of Luo Man Polanski's level to openly write an article attacking an actor. No one knew what he was thinking, but it was causing quite a stir on the internet in Europe and America today.

This grandstanding Polish director had been cursed by the fans of *The Dark Knight* until his ancestral graves were smoking. Now a reporter actually ran over to ask him about it; it was truly nonsensical.

Chen Nuo didn't read from a script and said: "Although I haven't watched Director Polanski's works, I have heard his name. Um, I hope he can return to Hollywood one day."

Everyone present smiled, because those in the industry all knew that in 1978, Luo Man Polanski had fled the United States due to a case of statutory rape.

The reporter did not sit down and continued, "Director Polanski says that if the Oscars award you Best Supporting Actor this year, it would mean the Oscars have been completely bought by money. What do you think?"

Chen Nuo could see it now; this Post reporter was likely here to stir up trouble as well.

But when it came to bickering and trash-talking, sorry, the Chinese are number one in the world, and that is not up for debate.

He smiled at the microphone and said in English, "I think it's great to be a rich man."

The Western reporters in the audience all laughed, and the Japanese reporters who could understand also laughed.

The reporter also gave an awkward laugh and asked, "Chen, what I mean is, Director Polanski is clearly implying that Warner might spare no expense to go all out for your Oscar Best Supporting Actor bid, and he believes the Oscar voters won't be able to resist the power of money. Do you think he is right?"

Standing to the side, Luo Rui felt her heart tighten, and she prepared to have the host end the interview.

Although she had gained quite a bit of confidence in Chen Nuo through the last few days, if this question were not answered well, it would be very easy to give people ammunition.

But conversely, the reporter's question implicitly accused the Oscar's awarding body, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. If answered well, it could also win the Academy's favor.

Chen Nuo said calmly, "I am Chinese, I don't understand the American system, and as a young actor who has just begun my acting career, I am not qualified to point fingers at a film event that has been held for nearly a century. I also don't understand why Director Polanski, as a criminal who has been wanted by the United States for decades, is so worried about the Oscars."

Afterward, his tone shifted, his voice rose sharply, and in the lenses of the many cameras present, he stared sharply at the reporter: "However, what I want to say is, I do want to win an Oscar."

"Is there anything wrong with that?"

"From the moment I stepped onto this path as an actor, it has been my goal all along. Now, if I truly have the chance to realize this once-distant goal, then why not?"

Chen Nuo's tone grew heavier again, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if they were glinting with a fierce light.

This scene would later be watched repeatedly by a small group of die-hard Dark Knight fans, who would cite it as evidence of Chen Nuo's natural performance as the Joker.

But at this moment, the reporters present did not feel anything unusual; they simply tapped excitedly on their laptop keyboards, sending what Chen Nuo said to media outlets around the world.

He repeated it again, "Why not?"

"Within the scope of the rules, I will of course use every means to win the most important film award in the world. If lobbying is allowed within the rules, then I will have the production company do everything in their power to lobby for me. If the rules say bribery is allowed, then I would certainly spend millions of dollars. If the rules told me I needed to enter a hexagonal cage with my competitors to fight to the death, then I would start practicing combat immediately."

"Mr. Post, I don't think there is anything shameful about using these means. As long as I don't break the rules. Then, to use all my strength to pursue my goal, to realize my acting dream, to let the Oscars, let the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, let the 2,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild know of my ambition for this year's Best Supporting Actor, and to know of my desire to win it at all costs—what is wrong with that?"

"If Mr. Polanski feels that he can stop my pursuit of an Oscar from far away in Europe, relying on some empty, baseless talk, then I think he is delusional."

"Coincidentally, I would like to take this opportunity to send my regards across the distance to the gentlemen of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."

"Please include me, a young actor from China, in your field of vision."

"Because I can proudly declare that I have burned my entire heart and soul into this role, and in doing so, I have delivered the best performance of this summer and created the greatest opponent for Batman. Therefore, I want to join the competition for the 80th Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Thank you."

(End of chapter)