[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr":3,"chapter-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-108":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Academic Director: Reborn in the Film Industry",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2297108,4493,"Chapter 108: Pulling Off a Bigger Stunt","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-108",108,"\u003Cp>Over the next few days, Cao Yang pondered a great deal about how to pull off this stunt, and finally, he had a rough plan in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He called Bellman and rambled on for a long time; he did all the talking, and Bellman did all the listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellman was a bit confused, not understanding why they needed to operate this way—was it for the sake of hype? However, he didn't ask too many questions and just followed Cao Yang's instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days later, Bellman arrived in China with a team, making a grand entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let it be known that Sony Pictures Classics was interested in filming a biographical movie and wanted to see if there were any suitable directors in China.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the head of the marketing department at Sony Pictures Classics, a fact known to many in the country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sony Pictures Classics had invested in and distributed quite a few films domestically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several of Zhang Yimou’s award-winning films bore the mark of Sony Pictures Classics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The foreign rights to several of Cao Yang’s films had also been sold to Sony Pictures Classics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something many in the industry knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was quite reasonable for Sony Pictures Classics to come to China to recruit a director; in this era, many directors had foreign capital behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that this time, it involved going to Hollywood to film, which was a massive opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single stone stirred up a thousand ripples; everyone who thought they had a chance was incredibly excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many directors spoke to the media, claiming they had specifically studied the filming of biographical movies and had deep insights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chuan was a figure who had risen rapidly in the domestic film circle this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although his film didn't enter the main competition section at Cannes this May, after its domestic release, it rode the coattails of Jiang Wen’s fame and pulled in nearly 9 million in box office revenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For any domestic director, this was considered a decent achievement, especially since he was still a newcomer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised the domestic media most was that while \"The Missing Gun\" didn't enter the main competition, it did participate in the Cannes screenings, and because of Jiang Wen, Columbia purchased all rights outside of China for 1.5 million USD.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chuan made a name for himself in one fell swoop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding this Sony Pictures Classics recruitment, Lu Chuan was particularly ambitious, believing he had the best chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an interview with the media, he said: \"Sony Pictures Classics is a great company, and the biographical film they want to make will be a great work. I will do my best to compete for it; I especially support their idea of making a biographical film.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reporter then asked: \"It is said that the person they want to film is an American politician, and it seems this politician supports the legitimate rights of homosexuals and is himself a homosexual.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chuan said without hesitation: \"Homosexuals also have their own rights...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Feng Xiaogang was interviewed, he also mentioned some precautions for filming biographical movies, noting that while such films are difficult to shoot, they are prone to controversy if not handled well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he changed his tune, saying he wasn't afraid; as long as one studied carefully, made bold assumptions, and verified them cautiously, he believed there would surely be a good result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consequently, the media asked him the same question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xiaogang hesitated for a moment, then said: \"Biographical films should follow the principle of objectivity and fairness and do not represent the director's point of view.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps feeling that this was a bit too perfunctory, he added, \"Some states in the U.S. support same-sex marriage, and homosexuality is their freedom...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, these topics were not overly sensitive, so many directors said similar things. After all, it was someone else's business; what did it have to do with us? It would be better if the American Empire was full of this stuff; we could topple them without any effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after round after round of interviews and meetings, not a single director among those invited could meet the requirements of Sony Pictures Classics, including Feng Xiaogang and Lu Chuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they weren't hired, no one dared to speak ill of Sony Pictures Classics; this company specialized in the production and distribution of global art films and was part of the same group as Columbia, one of the Hollywood Big Seven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When cornered by the media, Feng Xiaogang only said, \"It's a pity we couldn't reach an agreement,\" and then walked away without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chuan said a bit more: \"Sony Pictures Classics' requirements are a bit high; I think it's hard for any domestic director to meet them. Of course, as a Hollywood film, I can understand their original intention of seeking a high-level director.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On a popular talk show that had only started airing last year, the host asked Cao Yang: \"As a famous big director in the country, why didn't you try out for the Sony Pictures Classics selection? This is a great opportunity to enter Hollywood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang said: \"I didn't participate in the Sony Pictures Classics selection because of my own reasons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What reasons? Can you tell us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang hesitated for a moment and said: \"Actually, this is a personal reason. I don't really want to film movies with homosexual themes. I respect everyone's choices, but that doesn't mean I agree with their point of view.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The host said in surprise: \"Is that so? But this is a biographical film; you just need to film it according to objective facts. What does that have to do with your point of view?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang thought for a moment and said seriously to the camera: \"You're right, I was narrow-minded. Although I don't agree with such things, a biographical film should be objective and fair. It doesn't represent the director's point of view, and a director cannot deny objective facts based on their own likes or dislikes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The host showed an expression of \"he is teachable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that not a single one of so many directors had been hired, and with Sony Pictures Classics letting it be known that they were preparing to go to South Korea and Japan to look,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the media couldn't sit still, and the vast number of netizens who knew the news couldn't sit still either. Why go to South Korea or Japan? Weren't there any badass directors in the country?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was such a good opportunity; maybe one could break into Hollywood because of it. It was a matter of bringing honor to the country, so why hadn't anyone taken it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, one name was frequently mentioned: Cao Yang, one of the three major directors in the country. He hadn't tried yet—hurry up and go, bring honor to the country, and let them see that we also have badass directors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the video of Cao Yang’s talk show appearance was broadcast on television, and even more people called out: what does a biographical film have to do with your own stance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go quickly, don't let South Korea or Japan snatch it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following that, many people called Cao Yang to persuade him to try, telling him not to be stubborn. It was just filming a biographical movie; just do it based on the principle of seeking truth from facts—it had nothing to do with his own views.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang told everyone who called that this didn't align with his values and that he had a mental hurdle he couldn't get over. Finally, he said with a bitter smile, \"I'll consider it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the day before the Sony Pictures Classics people were set to leave, many people had lost hope, and some were already saying online that Cao Yang was just worried about his reputation and afraid of being rejected and losing face, which was why he didn't dare to try.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consequently, some media cornered Cao Yang and asked why he wouldn't go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang emphasized again that because this biographical film didn't align with his values, he was unwilling to film such a movie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reporter then brought up the comments online and asked if Cao Yang was afraid? Was it because he was worried about his reputation as one of the three major domestic directors?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang was so angry his face turned red, and he finally dropped the line: \"You wait, I'm going right now! And one more thing, even if I film such a movie, it doesn't mean I will change my point of view.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, Sony Pictures Classics held a press conference. After a conversation with Director Cao Yang, they believed Director Cao Yang fully met their requirements and had already signed a directing contract with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the news broke, everyone cheered. Cao Yang was indeed a badass; he got Sony Pictures Classics to agree as soon as he stepped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hell with South Korea and Japan; they could all stand aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday's third chapter was written too late, so today is tentatively two updates; I will resume three updates tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1532,"2026-06-20T05:36:32.009Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","0fda10a9b27c296670fafd928eea8088db1273df507bab66b741925537d90068","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-109","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-107",411,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-cover.jpg"]