Chapter 126: There is a chance this time

Cao Yang spent a morning in Old Situ's office, talking about some interesting things in Hollywood and some things he saw in Hollywood.

Old Situ didn't feel bored, but listened with relish.

At noon, he called Old Tian and ate a meal together. Old Tian said he had no class in the afternoon and wanted to have some white wine, but the wine wasn't drunk, and he was scolded by Old Situ.

Old Situ was scolding on the side, and Old Tian winked at Cao Yang when Old Situ wasn't paying attention.

"Senior brother, what's wrong with your eyes? Why do you keep blinking at me?"

Cao Yang said, stood up and walked out, "I'll go to the bathroom first."

Immediately, he heard the scolding behind him turn into cursing, and there was Old Tian's begging for mercy. Did they actually fight?

Cao Yang shook his head. Old Tian, look how sensible I am. You are already forty or fifty years old. For the sake of your face, I have to find an excuse to go to the bathroom when you are scolded.

Thank me, I left this face for you enough.

In the afternoon, Cao Yang went to see Hou Keming, only to find that the school had withstood a lot of pressure to prevent him from "sticking his head out."

"Cao Yang, you don't know. I have been having a headache every time I hear the phone ring during this period. Everyone wants you to shoot a commercial film. This is nonsense."

Hou Keming filled Cao Yang's cup with water and sighed endlessly. He knew that he definitely couldn't hold on for long. The only way was for Cao Yang to come forward and explain clearly.

Either say there is work in Hollywood, or say there is no schedule.

Sigh, you said when you came back to China is not good, but you happened to catch up with this time.

"Hou Yuan, I will go to Cannes in a while."

Hou Keming was instantly happy. This reason is good. After attending Cannes, go directly to Hollywood... hmm, no.

"Is that biographical film you shot in Hollywood going to participate in the Cannes Film Festival?"

A while ago, the matter of this film was bustling, and Hou Keming thought the film was finished.

"Yes, I estimate that entering the main competition unit should be no problem. If there are no accidents, perhaps there will be unexpected joy."

There will definitely be no accidents. When Cao Yang returned to China, Bei Er Man had already taken the film to Cannes. Since he decided to impact the Palme d'Or, he must operate in advance.

At noon today, Bei Er Man called Cao Yang and said that MK2 founder Marin Karmitz was excited after watching it, thinking it was an incredible film and absolutely had the ability to compete for the Palme d'Or.

And he also told Bei Er Man that the Cannes Film Festival intends to get closer to Hollywood this year and is likely to push American films.

The Cannes Film Festival intends to invite big director Spielberg, and Hollywood actress Meg Ryan has served as a member of the jury. This is a kind of signal.

"What are you going to do this time?"

Hou Keming probed. A biographical film, as long as it is shot well, is a hot candidate for winning awards at any time.

"I want to try. There are still some opportunities this time."

Cao Yang smiled. He had nothing to hide from Hou Keming. Although the school doesn't have many connections in Cannes, it has some, and it can always play a role.

"Bigger opportunity than *Secret Sunshine*?"

"It's not the same type of film. *Secret Sunshine* didn't think about impacting the Palme d'Or at the

Hou Ke Ming stood up abruptly, then perhaps feeling it was a bit unseemly, he hurriedly pretended to pour water for Cao Yang, though the excitement on his face was still very obvious.

Although this film was a typical Hollywood movie and the Youth Film Studio hadn't invested in it, the director was still a student of the Beijing Film Academy, a staff member of the Youth Film Studio, and a specially appointed professor about to receive an official offer from the Beijing Film Academy. If it really succeeded, who would dare say this honor didn't belong to the Beijing Film Academy?

By the way, the process for the specially appointed professor should be almost finished, right?

Hou Ke Ming made up his mind to go and urge them later; why was the process so slow? They needed to handle this as a special case and get it finished. Then, Hou Ke Ming remembered hearing someone say a while ago that this year's Cannes Film Festival was interested in inviting that kid Jiang Wen to be a jury member.

Hou Ke Ming hadn't paid attention to it at the time; it seemed he had just heard someone mention it.

"Wait a moment, I need to ask about something."

Hou Ke Ming made a call outside in front of Cao Yang.

After finishing the call, Hou Ke Ming said to Cao Yang with a face full of smiles: "Jiang Wen is one of the jury members for this Cannes Film Festival. Although he doesn't have that much influence on the Palme d'Or, that kid knows some people in Cannes and can put in a good word."

"Alright, I'll give him a call later."

"Hmm, I'll give him a call too. Although that kid is from the Central Academy of Drama, he has a pretty good relationship with the Beijing Film Academy."

After finishing this topic, Hou Ke Ming suddenly remembered that the main business of the day hadn't been discussed yet, so he continued: "Your participation in Cannes this time is a good reason. By the way, you should be going to the United States after Cannes, right? When will this film be released in the U. S.?"

"It's not decided yet. I haven't worried about it; I'll let them handle the arrangements."

Cao Yang said casually. He had long since figured it out; his attitude toward the Oscars was to let nature take its course. If Sony Pictures Classics and Miramax wanted high box office, they would have to work the Oscars.

!

Wasn't Harvey Weinstein an expert in this area? As long as he could win a major award at Cannes, they should also attach more importance to this film.

"After I finish at Cannes, I should be coming back. As for the U. S. side, I'll just go over once the film is released."

"Hmm? You're still coming back?"

Hou Ke Ming frowned. This made things difficult; sigh, the pressure was back on him again.

"Hou Yuan, I know you've been under a lot of pressure lately. Actually, I'm not against shooting a commercial film. Someone has to pave the way; we can't let Director Zhang be the only one charging into battle at the front."

Hou Ke Ming still frowned and explained: "Cao Yang, you might not understand. This isn't a question of paving the way. You haven't shot a commercial film before; that's a different field from art-house films. If you fail, it will definitely have a very large impact on you."

Perhaps feeling that Cao Yang was young and couldn't understand these complexities, he continued to explain: "Don't talk about failure; let me put it this way: if your box office is under 200 million, the outside world will think you aren't as good as Yimou, and it's possible to form a fixed impression.

Look at why Xiao Gangpao and Chen Kaige don't dare to agree to follow suit? It's because they're afraid of forming this fixed perception. That's 250 million, not 25 million; in the current market, no one is certain."

Cao Yang thought about it; Xiao Gangpao and Chen Kaige indeed hadn't immediately followed suit by shooting films with investments of over 100 million.

Director Zhang's second commercial blockbuster, "House of Flying Daggers," started filming on September 11, 2003, and was released on July 16, 2004, achieving a box office of over 150 million.

Chen Kaige's "The Promise" started filming on March 15, 2004, and was released on December 15, 2005.

Xiao Gangpao's "The Banquet" started filming on September 5, 2005, and was released on August 30, 2006.

"I understand, but we can't let the school bear too much pressure. I'll deliberate and write a suitable script, and give it a try. Anyway, I'm still young; even if I fail, it doesn't matter."

Hou Ke Ming looked at Cao Yang seriously, sighed, and said: "Think about it some more; the school can still shoulder this pressure for the time being."

"Hou Yuan, thank you for your kindness. There's no need to rush this matter. The situation in Guangdong is still very serious, and it's hard to say what the situation is. There's no need to be anxious; we can talk about it slowly."

"Sigh, alright."

If it weren't for Cao Yang's gentle and patient coaching and guidance, he would have suspected that Cao Yang was targeting him on purpose.

(End of chapter)