Chapter 162: The Proud Director Chen

Inside Stage 12 of Universal Studios, the "Dream Heist Space" crew is filming intensively.

For this film, location shooting will take place in six countries: Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Morocco, the United States, and Canada.

The interior scenes are shot in rented soundstages at Universal Studios, including the interior of a fortress and several other special indoor sets, all essentially completed within this soundstage.

The crew then went to Japan to film the opening shot, which is set on a Tokyo skyscraper.

Saito, played by Qian Ye Zhen Qian, will here present his proposal to Cobb, played by Wu Yanzu, and Arthur, played by Joseph‑Gordon‑Levit, confirming the story's main thread.

The sequence looks like a very simple set of shots, but it is actually quite challenging for the crew.

In a city like Tokyo, helicopter flight altitude and routes are strictly regulated, making it hard to obtain filming permits.

Fortunately, Jiang Heng's fame and influence are substantial; after some setbacks, approval was finally secured, the sequence was shot, and the crew then headed to the United Kingdom.

Since "Wu Ji" is about to hold its domestic premiere, Jiang Heng took two days off, flew to Jingcheng first, then to London to meet the crew.

For "Wu Ji" here, 1880 yuan is the official price, but many fans can still obtain free tickets through online "ticket‑snatching" events.

All the attending guests were astonished, thinking that Jiang Heng's premiere couldn't possibly be so extravagant.

At the Q&A session, the host gave the creators a "challenge", assigning each a term related to "Wu Ji" to explain.

It is said that the premiere cost over 20 million, turning the solemn hall into a lavish "Land of Wu Ji".

When the screening ended, the creators took the stage again.

Even more exaggerated, the premiere ticket price reached 1880 yuan, surpassing the previous mainland film‑festival record of 1800 yuan set by "The Matrix 3".

At the end of the red carpet stood a "Gate of Wu Ji" with a golden roof and red walls, surrounded by 18 artificial pink crabapple trees and a giant white balloon lamp symbolizing a full moon, creating a romantic, warm atmosphere.

Along the hundred‑meter‑long red carpet, hundreds of crowd actors dressed as the film's army, creating an impressive spectacle.

Finally, Xie Tingfeng stylishly performed a signature "Fan Flying Dance", astonishing everyone.

Xie Tingfeng demonstrated the film's "Fan Divine Skill" on the spot; it must be said that Xie Tingfeng, known as the "successor of Cheng Long", truly has talent.

Even more exaggerated, there was not only a theme but also a slogan, "Our Wu Ji", which made Jiang Heng feel very awkward.

The issue is that the "Matrix 3" premiere price wasn't high; the 1800 yuan was inflated by scalpers.

When the fan flowed smoothly in his hand, the audience erupted in thunderous applause.

The set theme was "Open the Gate of Wu Ji, Ignite the Light of Wu Ji"; after the red‑carpet ceremony, the creators pressed a button together, igniting the white "Light of Wu Ji".

The premiere's concept, it is said, was also entirely crafted by Chen Kaige.

However, Chen Kaige's performance is rather hard to describe.

That move was rather flamboyant, as if intended to crush Jiang Heng.

Jingcheng, the Political Consultative Conference Hall, has already changed its appearance.

Old Chen got the word "infatuation"; he said, "In this world, there are two things I am most infatuated with—being infatuated with the 'Wu Ji' I filmed with Chen Hong, and being infatuated with Chen Hong."

Then, under everyone's gaze, the two publicly kissed flamboyantly, leaving the on‑stage actors stunned and the reporters off‑stage even more shocked.

Guests such as Han Sanping, Zhao Huayong, and Jiang Heng all exchanged bewildered looks.

One has to silently commend them—what talent!

Honestly, Jiang Heng came this time partly out of reciprocity; when someone attends your premiere, you should try to attend theirs as well.

Doing it like Zhou Xingxing is wrong; Feng Xiaogang cameoed in "Kung Fu", contributing the classic line "Who else?".

When Feng Xiaogang invited him, he turned it down outright, being far too ungracious.

Secondly, he wanted to see Chen Kaige's performance.

This person's desire to showcase and perform is truly overwhelming.

Old Chen is talented, but unrestrained; he tries to express everything, leaving the audience a bit confused.

On site, some audience members who spent a lot of money looked bewildered after watching, asking their friends, "Did you understand it?"

"No, what a mess!"

"The composition and colors are really good!"

"What on earth is the plot about!"

"This is an epic‑level trash movie!"

But it's Chen Kaige's home turf; although some viewers think it's trash, they don't dare shout it out.

Some guests, though confused, kept silent out of face.

Chen Kaige, however, was extremely smug and at the subsequent dinner asked Jiang Heng, "Director Jiang, how do you think my film turned out?"

Jiang Heng smiled, "Director Chen, it's a flashy production; the content is too profound—within ten years, I doubt anyone will understand it!"

Chen Kaige was stunned by the remark, his complexion shifting, unable to tell whether Jiang Heng's words were praise or criticism.

Factually, it is indeed his show‑off piece.

What was originally a simple, thin story became extremely convoluted under his hand.

The male and female leads don't meet until a quarter into the film, fall in love within four minutes, then part ways.

After watching, the audience naturally looks bewildered—has it even started?

No, it's already over!

The whole film weaves multiple storylines that constantly surprise the audience.

Especially Kunlun, hanging from a tree, narrating his own story to Wu Huan, drawing the female lead and highlighting the film's theme.

His inner thoughts must be like Chen Peisi in "Protagonist and Supporting Actor", shouting in his heart, "No, I'm the real protagonist!"

As for the audience, they're even more confused—first thinking Kunlun is the lead, then Guangming, finally Wu Huan, and ultimately unable to latch onto the plot, naturally finding it incomprehensible.

Yet Chen Kaige is very proud of this; he intends to embed a plethora of clues and metaphors he wishes to convey in the film.

The content is indeed rather profound, so it's normal that some viewers don't get it.

Ten years—could that be an exaggeration?

Wait, that kid isn't mocking me, is he?

Director Jiang, when young people speak, don't beat around the bush—just tell me how my film turned out? How does it compare to your *The Matrix* series?

After a few drinks, Thus output: Chen Kaige, his 'big brother' aura overflowing, insists that Jiang Heng give a definite answer.

Seeing Jiang Heng's uneasy expression, the others hurried out to smooth things over.

Han Sanping, Zhao Hua Yong, and others tried to change the subject, but Thus output: Chen Kaige wouldn't back down, insisting that Jiang Heng speak up.

Heh, Director Chen, since you're being so picky, I'll just say it plainly: film and TV works are meant to serve the people; ordinary folks can't possibly understand them, can't resonate— at least the common folk won't say they're good!

(End of chapter)