Chapter 129: Request

May 22nd, the Cannes Film Festival has already entered its eighth day.

At 11:30 AM, the premiere of *Purple Butterfly* took place. Cao Yang and Jiang Wen both attended, though the leads, International Zhang and Liu Ye, were absent; only Lou Ye and the film's executive producer, Wang Wei, were present.

According to Lou Ye, International Zhang and Liu Ye were in the country filming *Jasmine Women*. Due to certain reasons, they would arrive this afternoon to attend the film's press screening in the evening.

Once the premiere ended, Cao Yang noticed that the small screening hall was less than fifty percent full, with only a few dozen people scattered about.

This actually had to do with the screening slot arranged by the Cannes organizing committee; 11:30 AM was right at lunchtime. Who would come to watch a movie at this time?

"Cao Dao, please wait a moment. I have something I'd like to ask for your help with."

As Cao Yang and Jiang Wen were about to leave, Lou Ye called out to them.

Afterward, Lou Ye exchanged a few words with executive producer Wang Wei, stopped worrying about the post-screening follow-up, and walked over to Cao Yang.

Jiang Wen didn't leave either, just smiled and watched Lou Ye with interest.

"Let's go, let's find a place to grab a bite," Cao Yang said.

The other two had no objections; the film was over two hours long, and it was already nearly 2:00 PM.

"I know a Chinese restaurant; the taste is decent enough."

Jiang Wen said. Because he was a jury member, he had arrived in Cannes relatively early and was quite familiar with where to eat in the area.

So, following Jiang Wen, they found a Chinese restaurant with a somewhat Chinese-style decor. The owner clearly recognized Jiang Wen and greeted him with a smile.

However, he didn't recognize Cao Yang. Although Cao Yang had a great reputation, especially in the European art-house circle, he wasn't an actor after all, and few ordinary foreigners could recognize him.

The group found a quiet spot to eat and chat.

It was mostly Lou Ye talking, while Cao Yang and Jiang Wen listened from the side.

"... My executive producer, Wang Wei, said she had connections in Cannes. I didn't doubt her, thinking that having connections was good—at least the film could be scheduled for a good slot and screened a few more times so more people could see it."

Lou Ye put down his chopsticks and sighed.

"Who knew? The organizing committee only arranged two screenings in total: one at 11:30 AM and one at 10:30 PM. All other prime time slots were given away to the French local film *Little Lili*, which was screening on the same day."

"Haha, that's miserable enough. Both slots are at goddamn empty hours."

Jiang Wen said while chewing his food, smiling, with a hint of mockery in his tone.

Lou Ye shook his head, sighed again, and continued: "I went to question her. Guess what she said?"

Jiang Wen shook his head, picked up another bite of food, and remained silent.

Cao Yang could only cooperate and ask: "What did she say?"

Jiang Wen could afford not to care, but Cao Yang couldn't; after all, they were alumni, and he couldn't let people be too embarrassed.

"She said that because the films screened in the first few days become a bit blurry in the jury's memory by the final deliberation, and the jury can't chew over the films screened in the last two days before the closing ceremony carefully, *Purple Butterfly* has already gained an advantage in terms of competition timing."

After Lou Ye finished saying this, he himself felt a bit dazed. What kind of logic was that? Sigh!

"Hmm, that makes some sense."

Jiang Wen chewed his food and nodded, as if he agreed with the statement.

"What do you want to do now?" Cao Yang asked.

Although Lou Ye didn't say it explicitly, Cao Yang could roughly guess that Lou Ye simply wanted more screening time.

The Beijing Film Academy's main connections were in Berlin, and now they had added Venice, but here in Cannes, to be honest, their connections weren't that strong.

But wasn't Cao Yang in Cannes now? His presence here represented connections in itself.

"Cao Dao, can you think of a way to get the organizing committee to arrange a few more screenings?"

Lou Ye felt a bit embarrassed. Asking this at this time was actually putting someone on the spot. The film festival had already started eight days ago; everything that should have been arranged was already settled. If you asked at this time, where would the organizing committee find space for you?

"That's just nonsense! What time each film screens and how many times it screens is all planned before the film festival even opens."

Before Cao Yang could speak, Jiang Wen said it from the side.

"If you were afraid your film would have fewer screenings or bad time slots, you should have campaigned in advance. Everything is fully booked now; where are they going to find an empty screening hall for you?"

Lou Ye gave an embarrassed smile. "I'm just really out of options. One slot at 11:30 AM, one at 10:30 PM—just these two slots... I'm anxious."

"It's burning your eyebrows, and now you know you're anxious? What were you doing earlier? Find a more reliable executive producer next time." Jiang Wen pointed at Lou Ye with his chopsticks, his words not polite at all.

Lou Ye's temper wasn't exactly great, but he didn't give Jiang Wen a cold shoulder. Everyone knew Jiang Wen's temper was just like that—straightforward—plus he was currently a juror for the Cannes Film Festival.

"Don't even think about a screening hall; it must have been arranged long ago."

Cao Yang said, pondered for a moment, and then added: "How about this: during the press screening tonight, I'll try to find more reporters to come over, and I'll bring some Cannes officials as well to try and increase your exposure as much as possible."

"Thank you, Cao Dao."

Lou Ye smiled; this was already the best possible solution.

With this exposure, even if they didn't win an award, they could still sell the film for a few hundred thousand more.

"I just don't know what Cao Dao means by 'bringing more reporters,' or which officials he can bring." Lou Ye couldn't help but wonder. At 10:00 PM, Lou Ye, along with International Zhang and Liu Ye, who had only arrived this afternoon, prepared to welcome the group of reporters coming to watch the film.

However, twenty minutes passed, and not many media outlets had come. Most were domestic media, with only a few European and American outlets, but clearly, their interest in the film was not as great as their interest in International Zhang.

"Director Lou, why is the screening hall so small? Wasn't it said that tonight's screening was for the press? Why are there only these few reporters?"

International Zhang couldn't help herself; the scene was just too small.

"Given Director Lou's fame, it's not bad that even these many came. You thought Director Lou was Cao Dao or Director Zhang?"

Liu Ye said from the side. Hmm, he was just a straightforward boy.

Lou Ye smiled awkwardly. Even if I'm not as famous as them, you don't have to say it out loud, you bastard kid. Next time I film, I'm definitely not using you.

Just as they were talking, they saw Cao Yang coming over, chatting and laughing with a group of people.

Lou Ye's spirits lifted, and he hurried over to welcome them.

Among these people were Jury President Patrice Chéreau, organizing committee head Luc Godard, and jury members Spielberg, Meg Ryan, Karin Viard, Elie de Luca, and Jiang Wen.

Behind them followed a large group of reporters.

!

"Thank you, Cao Dao, thank you."

Lou Ye shook Cao Yang's hand and said sincerely.

"We are all from the Beijing Film Academy; it's only right to help each other out. You should go over and greet them quickly," Cao Yang said.

"Cao Dao, long time no see. You have more and more presence now."

Liu Ye came over, gave Cao Yang a direct hug, and smiled very happily.

"Cao Dao, long time no see. Thank you for your help. Let's sit down together when you have time."

International Zhang didn't shake hands; she hugged Cao Yang directly and whispered in his ear.

As shrewd as she was, she could certainly see that these people were all brought by Cao Yang.

"Cao Dao, when are you going back? Back to the country or to the United States?" Liu Ye asked from the side.

"Back to the country. It's not certain when yet. What about you guys? When are you going back?" Cao Yang asked with a smile.

International Zhang smoothed her hair and spoke first: "We aren't sure either. It would be best if we could wait until the organizing committee tells us. No rush, let's wait a couple of days before leaving."

Cao Yang nodded with a smile. "Then I wish you good luck."

"And I wish Cao Dao good luck too!"

Afterward, International Zhang, seemingly casually, whispered again, "I'm free these few days and am quite familiar with Cannes. Cao Dao can come find me anytime."

May 24th. Tomorrow is the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. Today is the premiere of Cao Yang's *Bad Milk*.

Depp also arrived from the United States only last night.

This film was again arranged to be held directly in the Lumière Theatre of the Palais des Festivals.

Lou Ye came with International Zhang and Liu Ye. Looking at the magnificent hall, he couldn't help but wonder, when would he ever have such treatment?

His own film was only arranged for two garbage-time screenings, while looking at Cao Dao's film, it was not only arranged in the Lumière Theatre but also had six screenings in prime time. It really couldn't be compared.

International Zhang's focus was different from Lou Ye's. She saw that the Cannes Film Festival President, the organizing committee chairman, the artistic director, and the jury president—all these big shots had come to attend Cao Yang's premiere.

There were also many famous directors and producers from the European art-house film circle, as well as numerous stars.

This turnout was on par with Director Zhang Yimou's treatment. It seemed Cannes highly valued this young, great director.

After the film finished, Liu Ye couldn't help but ask International Zhang beside him: "Wasn't it said to be a gay film? How did it turn into a political satire?"

International Zhang knew some inside information. She whispered: "When Cao Dao first arrived in Hollywood, he was backstabbed by the two male leads he favored. It's said the script was already written, but the male leads exposed that the biographical figure of the film wasn't like that at all, and they threw out a lot of evidence, putting the crew in a very passive position.

Cao Dao had to rewrite the script and re-prepare the film. I really didn't expect that in such a passive situation, Cao Dao could still film such a good movie in such a short time."

Liu Ye couldn't help but glance at International Zhang, his expression unreadable. The version of *Bad Milk* screened definitely wouldn't be cut, so the several passionate scenes between Depp and Anne Hathaway, lasting over ten minutes in total, were displayed from every angle.

He had felt a bit embarrassed just watching it, and International Zhang actually said it was good?

Afterward, Liu Ye thought carefully and recalled the action scenes, and had to admit that International Zhang was right—it was indeed quite good.

After the film ended, the Cannes Film Festival President took the lead, and everyone laughed happily. The applause lasted for a long time, a full five or six minutes.

It was evident that the Gallic Rooster still preferred watching the scandals of the Americans.

Of course, those with action scenes were definitely better.

In the European art-house circle, if your film didn't have some action scenes, how could you have the nerve to claim you were in the art circle?

As the crowd of big shots was leaving, the Cannes Film Festival organizing committee chairman specifically said to Cao Yang: "Cao, no rush, wait a couple of days before leaving."

This sentence, which International Zhang had been longing for, *Purple Butterfly* ultimately never received.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 130 =====