Chapter 40

"The Return of the Condor Heroes" has already entered its final stages. Zhang "Big Beard" invited some media to visit the set, and many stills appeared on the internet.

Not to mention how the plot is, just looking at the filming locations, every still released is very beautiful. Paired with a group of actresses, it can really arouse the public's curiosity.

The only shortcoming might be Huang Xiaoming's Yang Guo; there's a feeling of him coming out of a soy sauce bottle.

The most eye-catching thing in the industry recently is that Jiang Wen, who has been banned for five years, has returned to the director's chair. The former Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize winner is about to start a new film.

The film "The Sun Also Rises," co-produced by Emperor Motion Pictures and directed and co-written by Jiang Wen, has already officially announced its cast list, half of whom are Emperor actors.

Students of the Theatre Academy have won many major awards, but they all focus on the acting side; there are very few directors, but Jiang Wen is one of them.

Teachers and students of the two schools were waiting eagerly for auditions, but the other side set the cast without a sound, leaving a group of people disappointed.

To be honest, since the "Little White Dragon" incident last year, everyone has had some opinions about Hong Kong actors, especially their status.

Although the other side is the producer this time, many people still can't stand it. Even the "Dragon Prince" was stuffed in; having a background is just strong.

Listening to Zhu Yawen, Wang Jinghua had ideas at first, but Jiang Wen didn't agree. Many domestic film companies had tested the waters, but they all returned without success.

There are not many big directors with names and reputations, and each one is watched by many people. Borrowing Wang Jinghua's words from Zhu Yawen: Lin Nan is a piece of fat meat, easier to cooperate with than Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Feng Xiaogang because he has no interest community and works alone.

Lin Nan didn't know whether to be happy or reflect after hearing this. He is afraid there isn't a second person like him who works alone.

The disadvantage is that he can't handle big productions alone; the advantage is that no one treats him as an opponent, and when necessary, everyone is Lin Nan's partner.

Speaking of big productions, Lin Nan feels it's time to try. Nowadays, he has both box office and awards. Setting up a game shouldn't be difficult, but at the very least, he has to wait until "Crazy Stone" is released before making detailed plans.

Taking time to continue livering his own scripts—not just foreign ones, but domestic ones too.

A few days later, an invitation from France arrived at the Film Academy. Lin Nan was called from the film screening room to the Directing Department office.

"Your letter." Old Jiang pointed to the table; it was a transnational letter.

"What is it?" Lin Nan picked it up and opened it.

"What is it?" Several teachers leaned over, with both speculation and anticipation.

"An invitation to the Cannes Film Festival." Lin Nan said calmly.

"That's a good thing."

Looking at Lin Nan's indifferent appearance, several teachers were puzzled.

"It's a good thing, but I don't have any work, so what am I going for? I can't take 'Apart Together' there again, right? I can't do that kind of thing."

Hearing this, everyone understood. The unwritten rule is there; it's impossible for a film to win an award in Berlin and then be taken to Cannes. That would become a joke.

"This is the convention of the film festival; they send invitations to all well-known filmmakers." Lin Nan said, but he didn't expect it to be sent to the school.

"This is just one more thing; even if you don't go, you have to reply."

"That's right, it should be a polite reply."

Returning to the dormitory, Lin Nan opened his computer and wrote an email, sending it to the official email address on the invitation. It was a thank you and a refusal of the invitation, with the reason being that he was busy with work and studies and could only look forward to attending the next session.

Life at school was very comfortable. Every day, besides the necessary courses, Lin Nan spent his time writing scripts and occasionally asking about the company's situation, because activity invitations were often sent to the company.

"Youth Returns" has also been taken off the screens in South Korea. China Film Group is responsible for docking the revenue sharing. This money might arrive at any time, and Lin Nan also instructed people to keep an eye on it. If China Film Group has news, they should dock it immediately.

Regarding the scripts he has hoarded, Lin Nan plans that even if he accepts investment in the future, he must retain 100% of the copyright for himself. This point cannot be let go, especially for some series scripts.

The promotion of "Crazy Stone" is proceeding in an orderly manner, and Enlight Media has started to exert its strength. Lin Nan arranged the company's affairs and prepared to set off early. Passports and other documents were also prepared in advance.

Early April is the date of the Shanghai Theatre Academy exchange meeting. After it ends, Lin Nan plans to fly directly to America from there.

There are no classes at school recently, and everything that should be arranged for the company has been arranged. Lin Nan advanced his schedule, preparing to go over and play for two days first.

As an international metropolis, Shanghai is another important hub for the domestic film and television entertainment industry. Everything is based on the economy, and resources such as literature, art, fashion, and film and television are very rich.

Without telling anyone else, Lin Nan arrived in Shanghai on the last two days of March.

Some buildings with the style of the Republic of China have a sense of age, and the commercial atmosphere is heavy. It is worthy of being the bridgehead of the economy.

Lin Nan couldn't understand some local accents, but it didn't hinder him from visiting some scenic spots. After all, outsiders are the mainstream group.

Shanghai Film Park—Lin Nan deliberately put it at the top of his sightseeing list. Shanghai Film Group has built this place to be very distinctive; it is the first choice for filming dramas of that era.

A Huangpu River has witnessed how many past events in Shanghai.

The economy is getting bigger, and nightlife is getting richer. The lights are bright, and the traffic on the road is more congested than during the day.

Lin Nan returned to the hotel, took a hot bath, and then turned on the TV to browse the news. There were actually foreign channels...

For two consecutive days, he visited all the places he wanted to visit. During this time, he also encountered several TV crews. Modern dramas have this advantage; they don't need to go to specific film parks, just some office buildings will do.

In the blink of an eye, it was April Fool's Day. Lin Nan contacted Hu Ge. Since he had been here for two or three days, it was time to see Old Hu.

He drove an off-road vehicle to the hotel to find Lin Nan, "I heard the school has booked hotels for everyone attending the exchange meeting. Do you want to move over?"

"No need. I've been wandering around by myself for two days. Since there's still one day before the exchange meeting, let you, a local, take me around again." Lin Nan wore sunglasses and went to the parking lot with Hu Ge.

"I still underestimated your popularity; there are people following you to take secret photos." In the underground parking lot, Lin Nan said to Hu Ge.

"Where?" Hu Ge looked around and asked.

"That black SUV by the wall inside." As he said this, Lin Nan even waved in that direction; he had just scanned it inadvertently.

"Since 'Chinese Paladin' aired, there has been this problem, haha."

The two got into the car, and Hu Ge prepared to treat him to a meal.

"Was that Lin Nan just now?"

In the black SUV, a person wearing glasses looked at the camera and asked.

The person on the side leaned over and looked, "It's him. Did you capture the waving action just now?"

"Captured it. Are they friends?"

"Seems so. Some stills of 'Chinese Paladin' have Lin Nan, together with Liu Yifei; they should have known each other at that time."

"This time we made money." The person wearing glasses said happily.

"It's our luck, haha."

At a Japanese restaurant, Hu Ge treated him to sashimi, "Wait until the day I open one too; then friends can come directly to my shop."

Hu Ge said confidently.

Lin Nan gave a thumbs up: "Good idea, I'm optimistic about you."

This city has a strong petty-bourgeois sentiment. Foreign cuisine always seems to be a cut above, and everyone is willing to use this to show their status, as if they are not ordinary people this way.

"President Cai wants to invite you to be a guest at the company."

Lin Nan was eating the not-so-cheap fish slices and didn't answer this sentence.

After swallowing the fish, he spoke, "It's inevitable to talk about other things if I go, so I won't go."

"Hehe, who told you that you can write scripts and are a big director? President Cai just wants to lean towards the film side." Hu Ge didn't deny Cai Yinong's thoughts.

"If I don't go, I don't go. Anyway, you'll meet at the exchange meeting." Hu Ge added.

As a local film and television company, Tang Ren will definitely receive an invitation.

"Meeting at the meeting is at most chatting a few words. Can they force me to talk about cooperation?" Lin Nan said disapprovingly.

When the two came out of the restaurant, two hours had already passed.

Hu Ge received a call and glanced at Lin Nan, "You're on the news."

Lin Nan understood what he meant; those two people just now were quite efficient.

"Let's go. It's time for the host to entertain guests. Are there any good places that only locals know? Let's go around."

"Okay, let's go."

At 8:30 on the morning of the 4th, Lin Nan took Hu Ge's car to the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

After parking the car, the two walked on campus.

"How is it, compared to the Film Academy?"

"There are definitely differences. The architectural styles are different, okay."

"There are quite a few people coming to the exchange meeting today. I won't be able to get in then. Call me when you're done." Hu Ge said.

"There are still two hours left. Are you in such a hurry to say this? Take me around your school first."

"Then let's go, but don't be dazzled by the beauties."

"Do you think there are fewer beauties in the Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama than in your school?" Lin Nan retorted.

The first thing he saw was the Foxi Building, built to commemorate one of the pioneers and founders of domestic stage plays, Xiong Foxi, who was also the first dean of this academy.

When he arrived at the Dance Academy, Lin Nan gained knowledge, because Hu Ge took him to the rehearsal hall and enjoyed a ballet across the glass wall. He could only say it was beautiful.

Lin Nan couldn't understand the Opera Academy, but he was very shocked. On the stage, the students in makeup had flags stuck behind them...

After walking through several places in a row, Hu Ge finally took Lin Nan to the Chen Yanxi.

"Thinking about it, I still led you here." Hu Ge smiled cunningly, with a look of success.

Among the three major art academies, the Chen Yanxi is always the place with the highest quality of appearance.

"Yuan Hong, you guys come down." Hu Ge shouted.

Lin Nan wanted to pounce on him and cover his mouth. Is there such a way to shout?

Hu Ge had already become famous relying on "Chinese Paladin." With this shout outside, five or six people came out.

"Come, come, come, I've tricked Director Lin here for you." Hu Ge laughed loudly.

Lin Nan had to greet them, "Hello everyone, I'm here to attend the exchange meeting."

Logically speaking, it's the senior year; it's impossible for so many people to stay at school.

Could it be that an exchange meeting is being held, and many film and television companies and producers have come, so they all came back to try their luck and find opportunities?

Leading them was Hu Ge's best friend, Yuan Hong, who is signed to the same company. He had no impression of the others.

It wasn't just seniors who were attracted; there were also students from other grades.

Lin Nan saw one with characteristics at a glance, mixed in among a group of handsome men and beautiful women, looking old—Lei Jiayin.