Chapter 696: The First Choice for the Navy, Lin Nan!

"Jointly produced by Enlight Media, Lin Nan Film, and Orange Image, starring Deng Chao, Bai Baihe, Yang Yang, Zhang Tianai, Yue Yunpeng, Du Juan, Liu Yan, and others;

The romantic comedy film *I Belonged to You* will hold its wrap-up press conference in Chongqing, Shancheng, this morning..."

"Enlight Media Vice President and producer Li Xiaoping publicly announced that the film *I Belonged to You* is officially set for the National Day slot on September 29th;

It is reported that the film will directly compete on the same day in the same slot with the large-scale CG fantasy, action, and adventure blockbuster *L. O. R. D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties*, produced by LeEco and directed by Guo Jingming!"

"Half an hour ago, Liu Yifei was suspected of appearing at the Wanda IMAX cinema, buying popcorn..."

In the pitch-black cinema, there was only that little bit of light on the big screen, illuminating the faces of the audience from time to time.

Liu Yifei wore black-rimmed flat glasses, dressed casually and ladylike, reaching out from time to time to grab a few grains from the popcorn paper tube in Lin Nan's arms, and then was amused by the movie and giggled.

In Lin Nan's view, *Alice Through the Looking Glass*, except for a slight flaw in the plot logic, everything else, whether it was color, picture, imagination, special effects, acting, or visual effects... without exception, was almost full marks.

It's just a pity for the male lead Johnny Depp. He had been in trouble for the past two days and had just been sued by Amber Heard.

You know, on the other side of the ocean, "domestic violence" is a "felony"!

And regardless of whether the matter is true or false, things like feminism, public opinion, and messy stuff can completely destroy a top-tier first-line male actor "in advance."

In short, even Tom couldn't help but complain to Lin Nan, saying that he wouldn't believe that a person as arrogant as Depp would commit domestic violence even if he were beaten to death; it would be more likely that he was the one being abused!

"Anne's White Queen is still so beautiful."

Liu Yifei whispered to Lin Nan, the two completely unaware that their whereabouts had already been exposed in entertainment news.

"Hmm, but it's obvious that she looks older than in the first one. Unlike you, always so beautiful."

Lin Nan stated the facts seriously, resulting in a coquettish retort, "Hmph, cliché."

Even a rational "big woman" like Liu Yifei likes to hear love words; although she always has a hard mouth and refuses to admit it, the little woman's side cannot be hidden.

As the movie neared its end, the muttering around the cinema also grew louder.

"Is that Liu Yifei? Is it her?"

"Looks like... it is! It's bare-faced, even more beautiful than on the screen."

"Then the one beside her is..."

Seeing people spreading the word, causing more and more fans to look over here, and even quite a few people having the posture of wanting to come over to ask for photos and autographs;

Liu Yifei hurriedly gave Lin Nan a look, the meaning very obvious: discovered, run?

Lin Dao understood, immediately got up to protect Miss Liu, and the two crouched down and slipped out quickly, taking advantage of the dim environment.

But several fans around them also got up excitedly and chased after them.

I don't know when seven or eight entertainment reporters and paparazzi had gathered in the cinema, just happening to catch Lin Nan and Liu Yifei...

For a time, the scene became congested immediately, and the order of the queue and the flow of people entering and leaving became chaotic instantly; many people shouted loudly, anxiously taking photos and asking for autographs.

Half an hour later, with the help of the Wanda cinema staff, the two successfully "broke out," got into the car, and ran away in a hurry.

"It's all a small scene. When I go shopping with Changchang and the others, I'm often 'caught,' it's just that there are too many people here in the cinema. When we go out, aren't we often followed?"

Sitting in the passenger seat, Liu Yifei showed off with a smile.

"But every time I accompany you out, it's because of you that I'm exposed." Lin Nan said quite speechlessly, but, he felt honored.

After all, in terms of the number of fans, Liu Yifei's passerby fans far exceed him, this big director;

And one thing worth showing off is that the fan groups of both of them basically have high quality!

"Then in the future when I go out with you, I'll try to be more low-key, hehe."

At noon, two more films were released on the same day in August of the summer slot.

One is Yang Ying's *Love O2O*, and the other is the co-production between Hong Kong and the mainland, *Call of Heroes*;

The latter stars Louis Koo, Sean Lau, and Eddie Peng, with Wu and Yuan Quan, Jiang Shuying, and others as supporting roles;

When filming started in the middle of last year, Wu was already a 700 million box office director, but due to the human feelings in Hong Kong, he still went to play a supporting role, and the mainland actors were all supporting roles!

This is no different from a completely Hong Kong film, and at that time, many people in the mainland film circle "despised" Bona.

Because Fatty Yu always likes to sing against everyone, willing to continue to lick the stinky feet of the Hong Kong circle, continuing the "tradition" of the year, letting mainland actors carry the sedan chair!

Time, it seems, has arrived at the graduation season every year again.

After lunch, Lin Nan was preparing to take a nap, and then he received a call from Old Jiang.

The graduation defenses for all majors had all started, asking if he had time to go back to take photos, as many students hoped he would appear in the graduation photo.

"This is really the first time, hmm, the first time since I graduated!"

"It's the first time since your undergraduate graduation, right? When you graduated from graduate school, you didn't pay attention to those classmates, and you didn't come back when taking graduation photos."

"That's because I was busy! Besides, I didn't have any contact in three years, the so-called classmates weren't familiar at all."

Lin Nan said with a smile, in three years, he had almost never attended a single class.

"Then this time?"

"Fine, it's only a half-hour thing, in two days."

"Good, call me when you're free, according to your time. By the way, let me tell you, the specific announcement time is out, at the end of next month!"

Hearing Old Jiang's second half of the sentence, Lin Nan was stunned for a moment before reacting: "The matter of the senior professional title?"

"Professor Lin, isn't this nonsense!"

"Then thank you, Director Jiang, for revealing the inside information." Lin Nan yawned and joked.

"Director Jiang, Deputy Director Jiang, hehe, I'm really convinced by you kid, hanging up!"

"Isn't this to motivate you? A great man born between heaven and earth, how can he be willing to live under others for a long time! I support you in getting rid of the old director and becoming the head of the directing department yourself, haha..."

"Go to your grandfather."

In the blink of an eye, the release period of *Finding Mr. Right 2* had arrived.

The total box office of 1.016 billion was hung high on the headlines of film information and Weibo hot searches early the next morning.

There is no need to guess that these hot searches must have been bought by Jaywalk, because every one of them carries Yang Mi!

In the *Marriage Story* crew, everyone was meticulously checking all the preparations before filming, lighting, props, sliders, cameras...

And Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, and Zhou Xun were busy with makeup and styling in the makeup room.

"Speaking of which, that means choosing between Cannes and Venice?"

"Hmm."

Lin Nan responded softly, not daring to make too big facial movements, because he was putting on makeup.

Both his and Liu Yifei's makeup needed to be a bit more "vicissitudes" than in reality, so they couldn't affect the makeup artist's work at this moment.

"You are really arrogant, never considering ordinary A-list film festivals."

"After all, I already have a solid foundation and extraordinary influence in the Big Three, so naturally, the Big Three film festivals are the first choice. There is no reason to suddenly go to an ordinary A-list film festival. I'm done."

Liu Yifei took over the conversation and answered for Lin Nan. Her makeup and styling were completed.

"You two are really considering enough! I just think, if you go to a general A-list, maybe it's a sure thing?"

Zhou Xun's makeup and styling were also completed. She stood up and said bluntly.

"Are you talking about Shanghai? For an ordinary A-list, that's where I have an innate advantage, right?" The makeup artist signaled the end, and Lin Nan spoke freely.

He was telling the truth. The Shanghai International Film Festival is guided by the Film Bureau and hosted by the CCTV Headquarters and the Shanghai Municipal Government; if Lin Nan fights on his home field, can the jury not give him face?

"Yeah."

"But, I still choose the Big Three! Actually, they invited me a few years ago." Lin Nan confirmed with a smile.

"So you refused to his face?" Zhou Xun asked in astonishment.

"Do you think I'm stupid? Of course not. I just prevaricated and said I would definitely consider it if there was an opportunity in the future." Lin Nan spread his hands and laughed.

"The Shanghai International Film Festival won't take your words as a joke, after all, you are the benchmark among domestic film directors."

Zhou Xun curled her lips and looked at Liu Yifei; Miss Liu shook her head with a smile, it was none of her business, it was Lin Nan who "promised."

"I wasn't joking either, I said 'I will definitely consider it if there is an opportunity.' Alright, prepare to start filming." Lin Nan decisively ended the topic.

A few minutes later, with a "Action," filming officially began.

Liu Yifei, the female lead, finally listened to the advice of Zhou Xun, the lawyer, and the latter drafted divorce documents, advocating for child custody, and chose to hand them to the male lead played by Lin Nan privately first;

If the latter is unwilling to let go of the child... then sue for divorce. Anyway, this marriage must be divorced. She doesn't want to drag it out until a few years later, doesn't want to be immersed in torment anymore.

Although the two might still have feelings, in her eyes, that might not be love, just some other bond...

At the same time, in Hengdian, the *Once Upon a Time* crew.

Watching Shu Chang, dressed in a fresh and simple outfit, wearing sunglasses, sat in a car with her assistant and left the crew low-key, heading straight to the airport.

"Sister Watching Shu Chang, we have to run back and forth several times, right?"

"Hmm, that's right. Oh, I can be considered to be overlapping with Lin Dao's play, right? Hehe, but the acting is definitely guaranteed."

Watching Shu Chang suddenly reacted, she should be the first among actors in the domestic film and television circle, thinking about it makes her feel face!

Navy, in the conference room.

The script for *Operation Red Sea* is still being made, and the first draft hasn't even been completed yet, but this doesn't affect the project team's simultaneous screening of director candidates.

"In the list submitted by Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun, the first choice is Lin Nan, while La Peikang's side is Zhang Yimou. The ones behind are actually about the same, all well-known film directors."

"Hmm, one old and one young, both very convincing! Then let's discuss everyone on this list."

"If it's a mainstream film, then there are many suitable candidates; but for a mainstream commercial film, I think Lin Nan is the most suitable!"

"That's right, *The Taking of Tiger Mountain* and *Operation Mekong*, which hasn't been released yet, are examples. Among all film directors in the country, he is the pioneer of this type of mainstream commercial film, with the most box office appeal and directing experience, and his resume of big productions is also quite a lot."

"But Zhang Yimou's blockbuster experience is no less inferior, and activities of the level of the Olympic opening ceremony can achieve huge success and attract world attention..."

"Actually, other directors on the list can also be considered. After all, this time the Navy will provide all the necessary support, enough to make up for the director's personal ability..."

The conference room was chattering with discussions, and from time to time they teased and mocked the Air Force next door; that side was purely messing around!

"I vote for Lin Nan."

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

"I'll vote for Lin Nan too. In terms of awards, experience, appeal, and box office, overall, he beats Zhang Yimou by quite a bit. Most importantly, he is young!"

"Actually, Director Zhang Yimou is also okay. Don't look at his age, but his energy is quite vigorous; it's more reassuring to have an experienced person carry the heavy burden, I vote for Director Zhang."

"I also vote for Director Zhang. Didn't he just finish a big production like *The Great Wall* with 150 million US dollars, without any ambiguity."

"Jiang Wen likes to mess around..."

"These few are too young, right? The resume is also light..."

"Hong Kong's? Too petty! Although the Navy can make up for it, it's better not to consider it, it's not like there aren't more preferred ones..."

"Wong Kar-wai? Are you kidding? Where would we have time to waste with him!"

"Guo Fan from Lin Nan Film..."

A meeting pulled nearly a hundred directors from the Chinese film circle to go through it. It wasn't until near noon that it ended.

"First choice, then it's Lin Nan?"

"Hmm, he is the most reliable!"

"Compared to it, he is still the one who makes everyone feel most at ease and has confidence and confidence!"

"Indeed."

Another round of seconding, Lin Nan occupied an absolute advantage, including those who had objections before, who also fell silent.

"What is Lin Nan's situation recently?"

The project manager of *Operation Red Sea* asked.

"He is filming a movie recently, heard that it is basically a two-point-one-line between home and the crew, very busy."

"Our script still needs a while. Regarding costumes, makeup, and props, we still need to dock with the Navy from time to time. By the time Lin Nan's movie wraps up, it will be completely in time!"

"Fine, then wait until that side wraps up, and we will communicate with the Film Bureau and China Film Group. Let them find someone to come over, and we will talk at the Film Bureau... Keep today's meeting confidential."

"Good."

Lin Nan, who had just shouted "Cut" in the *Marriage Story* crew, didn't know that he had been discussed by a group of people all morning.

He followed Liu Yifei and Zhou Xun into the lounge, and the assistant from StarWu had already gone to get food.

"When will Changchang arrive?"

"Should be off the plane soon, right? Before two o'clock in the afternoon, she will definitely be able to arrive at the crew."

Liu Yifei said with great certainty, Watching Shu Chang will continue to play her sister in the movie.

"Lin Dao, your phone, it's from Chairman Wang." The assistant ran over in a hurry. During filming, Lin Nan and others didn't carry mobile phones.

"Good."

"Lin Dao, the list of Chinese actors for *Pacific Rim 2*..."

Wang Changtian was urging to announce the cast, he really couldn't wait.

"Then it will be these two days, the three of you decide on the time and issue a joint announcement."

... ===== CHAPTER 697 =====