Chapter 725

"Beijing time, 2:00 AM today, the official website of the 64th San Sebastian International Film Festival organizing committee announced the list of nominees for each unit of this year's film festival;

Jointly produced by Huayi Brothers, Dongyang Meila Media, and Sparkle Roll Media, directed by Feng Xiaogang, written by Liu Zhenyun;

Starring Fan Bingbing, Guo Tao, Dong Chengpeng, Yu Hewei, Zhang Jiayi, and others, the realistic drama film *I Am Not Madame Bovary* is confirmed to be nominated for the main competition unit of this film festival."

"The San Sebastian International Film Festival official website issued an announcement that Chinese director Jia Zhangke has been officially invited to serve as a judge for the main competition unit of this year's San Sebastian International Film Festival."

"Jointly produced by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures, the *Tarzan* series action-adventure imported blockbuster *The Legend of Tarzan* held its premiere ceremony grandly in Beijing today..."

Feng Xiaogang went crazy, posting six Weibo posts in one morning to express his excitement and thrill about being nominated for the main competition unit of the San Sebastian International Film Festival.

And between his words, he praised this year's San Sebastian International Film Festival to the skies, almost blowing it up to the level of the three major European film festivals!

Besides that, Huayi and all the main creators like Fan Bingbing were overjoyed, especially Fan Bingbing, who was the female lead and also a contender for Best Actress.

Although the entire film circle sent congratulations and flattery to Huayi, Feng Xiaogang, Fan Bingbing, and others, there were definitely quite a few who were jealous or had resentment in their hearts.

And there was no doubt that it was almost entirely jealousy and hostility toward Fan Bingbing!

After all, the competition among actors, especially among big-name actresses, really had to be based on achievements, and the competition was very fierce and cruel.

And in terms of awards, compared to Fan Bingbing, no one among mainland actresses could surpass her; because the former already had a solid A-list Best Actress award, namely the Tokyo International Film Festival Best Actress!

To say something funny, Little Zhang Ziyi, who was jokingly called "International Zhang," hadn't won a Best Actress award at an international A-list film festival after all these years.

So in terms of awards, Fan Bingbing was undoubtedly the number one actress in the mainland!

Many people in the circle were paying attention to the news of *I Am Not Madame Bovary* being nominated for an A-list film festival. Coupled with the fact that the San Sebastian International Film Festival had always favored Chinese films, and Jia Zhangke was a judge for the main competition unit, the probability of winning was really very, very high.

"If you want awards, you still have to rely on big directors! Fan Bingbing..."

Little Zhang Ziyi had a terrible headache. In the circle, nothing was more uncomfortable than seeing a competitor develop better and better.

This was already the third or however many times Fan Bingbing had been nominated for an A-list film festival. If she really succeeded this time... she didn't even dare to think about it; she would become one of the top three Chinese actresses!

And although Li Bingbing had also reduced production in the past two years, the film *Operation Mekong* she starred in hadn't been released yet, and this was Lin Nan's mainstream commercial film...

Little Zhang Ziyi counted the big directors in the circle in her mind. It seemed they all had their own scope of personnel, and she basically found it very difficult to get opportunities, very, very difficult.

"Good news, Ziyi, good news..."

A burst of urgent, happy sounds woke Little Zhang Ziyi from her distraction; it was her studio's agent.

"What's wrong?"

"Toronto Film Festival sent an invitation, wanting to invite you to be a judge for this year's main competition unit..."

"Accept it!"

Little Zhang Ziyi subconsciously interrupted the agent's words, feeling a bit impatient. *The Wasted Times* had already been nominated for the Toronto exhibition unit... but it was a pity after all, this wasn't an A-list film festival.

"Alright, I'll reply for you.

Also, we can't get good film resources in the country for a while, should we try abroad?"

The agent's latter half of the sentence made Little Zhang Ziyi laugh and cry. If she couldn't get resources in the country, could she get them abroad? She was no longer the Little Zhang Ziyi of 10 years ago!

"Actually, for foreign films, it doesn't necessarily have to be the lead role. If it's a blockbuster, you can consider a supporting role..."

A few minutes later, the agent left with a full face of smiles, leaving only Little Zhang Ziyi still a bit stunned; she didn't know why she had agreed to the other party that she could take a supporting role...

*Hanson and the Beast* crew.

After the morning's filming ended, many people saw Liu Yifei's silly side for the first time. To a certain extent, this was also a true-to-life performance.

Especially when she stepped forward to help Lin Nan, the male lead, solve his troubles, she was just like a big sister, ready to beat people up at any minute, making people like her more the more they watched.

"Brother Wang, I'll have to trouble you for the next half month. Many shots can't be filmed continuously."

Wang Shuangbao was an old acquaintance of Lin Nan and Ning Hao. After shutting down for a rest, the three of them sat together chatting and laughing. The others were on the other side, waiting for a meal.

"It's too polite to say trouble. I'm not as busy as other actors, just making a living, so I'm on call."

Wang Shuangbao teased with a smile, but what he said was also the truth.

With his appearance and "bad reputation" on the screen, there really weren't many suitable roles. But fortunately, he was a Peking Opera martial arts actor in the art troupe and still had his main job to do.

"Oh, arriving early is not as good as arriving at the right time, I can still catch lunch!"

Suddenly, Zhou Xun's voice came from afar. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, and she had already passed through the prop team and arrived at the rest area.

"The staff outside didn't stop you? I said that visits are declined." Lin Nan stood up and teased.

"No one can stop me. Be careful, or I'll have Yifei fire them later. It's just that I'm about to join the crew, so I came to see you all before joining."

Zhou Xun walked carelessly toward Liu Yifei, who was smiling and waving at her, and greeted everyone else with a smile along the way.

"Did the start date for *Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace* move up?"

"Mm, it moved up to a week later. But that's fine, the earlier it starts, the earlier it wraps up."

Speaking of this, Zhou Xun's big eyes rolled around, and she changed the subject:

"Director Lin, look, Director Feng Xiaogang has been nominated for an A-list festival. You and Yifei's *Marriage Story*, haven't you decided where to go yet?"

"Sister Xun, the post-production hasn't even been done yet, it's too early to consider these things." Liu Yifei stood up, puffing out her cheeks and mocking Zhou Xun.

She had her hair in a bun, wearing a black suspender skirt with a black tube top underneath, paired with black hot pants, and wearing black ankle boots; those two straight, firm, snow-white long legs came into view, looking very energetic.

There were stains on her face from the makeup, giving people a beauty that was both real and illusory. This was the look prepared for the trash-picking scene in the afternoon.

I have to say, even if Miss Liu went to pick up trash, she was still so beautiful. And this was the effect the film wanted; after all, it was a sweet film.

"It is indeed a bit early to consider which film festival to go to, but... Xixi, I've already decided where to go."

Lin Nan's laughter instantly attracted everyone's attention, and Liu Yifei was the most surprised.

She pouted, pretending to be angry, and said with unfriendly eyes: "You actually kept it from me?"

"Hurry up, where are we going?" Zhou Xun urged; she was the most impatient.

"Hurry up, we want to know too." Ning Hao also urged with disdain, and Xing Aina nodded.

Shen Teng, Guo Jingfei, and others on the side were all looking over here, waiting for the answer.

"Let's agree first, keep it a secret for me, don't let it spread and cause chaotic discussions in the circle."

After getting everyone's nod of assurance, Director Lin finally opened his mouth: "Next year, Venice! This is the place I think has the best chance after I carefully analyzed it!"

Lin Nan said this last sentence looking at Liu Yifei. As for what chance? Naturally, it was the chance to help her win an award!

"Venice?"

"Mm, it's the best choice!"

"Good guy, I remember now. When you won the Golden Lion in Venice in 2009, you publicly confessed to Yifei for the first time on the awards stage! I remember that the internet and the circle in the country were like an explosion!"

Zhou Xun opened her big eyes and shouted excitedly. Everyone else reacted instantly upon hearing this. Now, Venice was indeed the place *Marriage Story* should go.

"I won the Golden Lion the first time I went to Venice, and I confessed publicly for the first time there; so isn't it very meaningful for our first film after marriage to go there again? Isn't it also very sincere and a good gimmick for the Venice International Film Festival?"

Lin Nan affirmed Zhou Xun's statement, and Liu Yifei nodded with a smile on the side, her face full of happy smiles, sweet and happy.

"Looking at it this way, the chance is indeed very high." Ning Hao and Xing Aina exclaimed in unison.

Film Bureau.

Zhang Hongsen looked at the review application materials brought by the secretary and frowned unconsciously.

A film had been killed. If they wanted to change actors and reshoot, they had to resubmit for review according to the rules; the filming permit after the previous review could not be used a second time!

"These old things are quite clever this time, knowing how to kick the ball to me? Truly, 'old but not dying is a thief'!" Zhang Hongsen mocked coldly.

Everyone knew that the commotion a few days ago was too big, and it had reached the point where both the military and political mouthpieces had come out to express their stance;

So much so that none of those old guys dared to touch *No Other Love*, and could only push it to the front of him, the bureau chief.

"Director Zhang, how should we handle this review application? They really want you to make the decision, they only do the approval."

The secretary said with a smile, also feeling that those old men were a bit too cunning and treacherous, worthy of being a group of old foxes.

"Don't rush to handle it. Reject it after leaving it there for two months; as for the reason for rejection, aren't they very good at it? Always giving others some muddled reasons.

If they submit it again later, just keep doing it. After a long time, that group of people will naturally understand and won't come to find trouble for themselves anymore."

Zhang Hongsen instructed the secretary according to the tacit understanding previously decided in the bureau.

At the same time, this was also the intention from above. After all, those top-level departments had all expressed their stance. If there were no follow-up punishment measures, wouldn't it be slapping their own faces? And where would the group's face be put?

Upon hearing this, a flash of light passed through the secretary's eyes. I have to say, this was indeed a good method!

"Alright, then I'll go to the review department and talk about this matter now."

"Wait a minute." The secretary was just about to turn around when he was called back.

"Director Zhang, what else is there?"

Zhang Hongsen said with an extremely serious face: "Warn them tactfully that if anyone leaks this matter, just wait for the 'naming' from above."