Chapter 203: Premiere

On September 30th, *Painted Skin* held a grand premiere.

Last year, when Cao Yang took Gao Yuanyuan to attend the premiere of *Infernal Affairs 3*, Gao Yuanyuan envied that *Hero* and *Infernal Affairs 3* could hold premieres in the Great Hall of the People.

Cao Yang once joked to Gao Yuanyuan that he would hold a premiere in the CPPCC Auditorium.

He did it.

This premiere was chosen in the CPPCC Auditorium.

Just don't know how the great poet Chen Kaige will choose next year.

Originally, his *The Promise* released next year was the first film to use the CPPCC Auditorium. It is estimated that with Chen Kaige's arrogant personality, he would probably not choose the CPPCC Auditorium, right?

Han Zong once jokingly suggested, "Our film has no pressure to break even, why not spend more money, invite some domestic and foreign big-name singers, and hold a song and dance party more lively than *House of Flying Daggers*?"

Cao Yang didn't agree. Doing so is too easy to be criticized, and there is no need for it.

*Painted Skin* is not lacking in popularity, why bother to engage in things that attract eyeballs.

Still follow tradition.

Han Zong thought, since you don't want to engage in things that attract eyeballs, why choose the CPPCC Auditorium? Since you follow tradition, why not choose a place like the Beijing Theater to hold the premiere?

"Junior brother is right, we come from Beijing Film Academy, so we should respect tradition and not engage in messy gimmicks. On this point, I still admire you very much."

Han Zong is still very sensible. He has an excellent relationship with Cao Yang now. Whether Cao Yang shoots co-productions or domestic big productions, he can think of him, which makes him very determined to maintain his relationship with Cao Yang.

Even, Han Zong now has a momentum of "Cao Yang in hand, I have the world."

Before the premiere officially started, Tian Zhuangzhuang came.

He pulled Cao Yang and sighed endlessly, "The CPPCC Auditorium is such a sacred place, now it can also hold a film premiere, really... sigh."

"Is it because you feel that it has been tarnished by secular filmmakers here?"

Cao Yang smiled on the surface, but dug a hole for Old Tian in his words.

"Go, go, just some emotion, as if I am not a filmmaker."

Old Tian smiled and made a gesture to kick Cao Yang. There are very few people who dare to play and joke with Cao Yang like this now.

"Senior brother, you are not kind. A while ago, I saw you crazily praising Lu Chuan's *Kekexili* for shooting well in the media. Sigh, it's outside, I haven't seen you praise my film in the media."

Cao Yang joked with a smile. He actually had another meaning.

Old Tian wanted to shoot a biographical film about Go. This was his plan when he was young.

After the ban was lifted, in the past year, he had the idea of shooting a biographical film again.

Cao Yang once advised him, and even said, if you want to shoot a film, I can write a script for you specifically.

Unfortunately, Old Tian is too stubborn, and he only thought about completing this wish.

Unfortunately, reality is really realistic.

Old Tian has always been worried about funds, and very few people are willing to invest in such biographical films.

Of course, if Cao Yang said he wanted to shoot a biographical film, even if it was about Go, it is estimated that the people who want to invest would line up very long.

This is reality.

Cao Yang later saw Old Tian insisting on shooting, so he said don't worry, I will invest for you.

Where did Old Tian know that he would not be willing to die.

In his words, "I know what this biographical film will look like when it is shot. You don't have to worry about it, just do whatever you want."

Fine, he even knows not to pit his own people.

Such biographical films are very difficult to break even if they don't win awards.

So, Cao Yang pointed out Old Tian, saying he was too outside.

Old Tian pretended not to understand Cao Yang's words and laughed.

"Does your film need me to praise it? You kid's fame is much bigger than mine now. It's useless for me to praise you. You have long since not needed to be affirmed by others."

Old Tian shook his head with a smile, "No way, Lu Chuan is Teacher Jiang's graduate student. Teacher Jiang opened his mouth, this face must be given."

After speaking, Old Tian couldn't help but laugh again.

"However, that kid is really interesting. He insisted on saying in front of the media that his film is a commercial film. Teacher Jiang was stupid and almost died of anger. Even his premiere didn't go."

Cao Yang also laughed. It is estimated that because that guy is not a graduate of Beijing Film Academy, he doesn't have such a deep understanding of the tradition of the academic school.

Don't say it's him Lu Chuan, even Zhang Yimou shot a *Hero* back then, and he covered it up and said he was engaged in industrial films, not commercial films.

You know, when Zhang Yimou shot *Hero*, that was definitely considered a success. He had two Golden Lions and one Golden Bear, which are the highest level awards in the three major European festivals.

Compared with Zhang Yimou's artistic achievements, Lu Chuan is nothing now. It is estimated that Teacher Jiang Shixiong wants to expel Lu Chuan from the school.

Even Cao Yang shot *Painted Skin*, it was because the superiors asked him to test the market. Just this, he was still hard-topped by the school for a long time. If Old Situ hadn't agreed, the school would really dare to hard-top it.

If Cao Yang had proposed to shoot a commercial film first, the school's opposition would definitely not be small. Old Situ would definitely talk to Cao Yang.

"Ning Hao is your graduate student now, isn't he? How is he?"

Cao Yang asked casually.

Mentioning this, Old Tian was clearly interested.

"That kid is not bad, has many ideas, and also agrees with that set of viewpoints..."

"I am not asking this."

Cao Yang interrupted Old Tian's words, "I am asking, how is he to you?"

Old Tian frowned slightly, he understood Cao Yang's meaning.

Looking at Cao Yang thoughtfully, he said: "Very respectful to me, that kid is not bad, really not bad."

"Hmm."

Cao Yang nodded, "Time is almost up, I will have someone take you in first."

Subsequently, he added, "After a while, when you are free, I will write a script. It's fine for you to direct, it's fine for Ning Hao to direct and you to be the producer, and joint directing is no problem. You can watch and do it then."

Sigh, Old Tian is a bit miserable now. It is so difficult to find an investment for shooting a film, it is time to improve his "value."

Today's premiere can also be considered full of big names, and many stars came.

Among them, there are two people who surprised Cao Yang.

One is Old Situ, didn't expect him to come in person.

Cao Yang really didn't expect that for a commercial film in his eyes, Old Situ gave so much face. In Old Situ's words, this film was shot by Cao Yang at his request, and Cao Yang took another path and shot it into an experimental film. Of course, he wants to come, which is considered a surprise to Cao Yang.

Another person who surprised Cao Yang is Xiao Gangpao.

Everyone knows that Xiao Gangpao is Huayi's person. Today, *Kekexili* invested by Huayi also held a premiere. Xiao Gangpao should logically go there.

"Director Feng, you come to me, aren't you afraid that the two Boss Wangs will give you small shoes to wear?"

Cao Yang hugged Xiao Gangpao and walked towards the auditorium.

Li Xiaoran and Gao Yuanyuan stood on his left and right. Although they were dressed beautifully and charmingly, the two were fighting openly and secretly, mocking each other, making him feel a bit uncomfortable, so he took the opportunity to leave this right and wrong place.

Xiao Gangpao waved his hand and said while walking, "I don't like Lu Chuan, that guy is a stick, I'm annoyed to see him, too lazy to pay attention to him, so I came to you."

Subsequently, he looked left and right, and whispered again: "You don't take the media's words seriously. I really didn't decide to shoot a film with humanistic care after watching the experimental film you shot. I swear, I really didn't learn from you."

After speaking, he shook his head again, sighed, and waved his hand again.

"Forget it, you can think whatever you want. I have been characterized by the media now, even the recording is spread on the Internet. No matter how I explain it, it's useless. This is the ironclad evidence, I have a mouth and can't explain it clearly..."

Along the way, Xiao Gangpao was like a resentful woman, constantly complaining to Cao Yang.

!

Cao Yang knew Xiao Gangpao's resentment. He was set up by a reporter and even recorded. How can he explain it clearly?

Now, whether it is the media or the Internet, everyone thinks that Xiao Gangpao is a firm supporter of Cao Yang's new concept, and even followed up to shoot a film of this type to show support.

Taking action is the best support.

Even if Xiao Gangpao has a mouth all over his body, he can't explain it clearly.

Looking at Xiao Gangpao who was still constantly resentful, Cao Yang laughed and asked softly:

"Then why did you admit in front of the media that you felt my experimental film was very good, had many ideas, and dared to practice, and was a pioneer of the era, and you were deeply inspired, so you made this *A World Without Thieves*?"

"I..."

Xiao Gangpao's resentment was stuck in his throat, not knowing how to say it.

Do you want to say that I saw your *Painted Skin* win the Venice big award, the popularity is high, and the films we both shot can be considered a combination of commercial films and art films.

So, simply break the jar and break it, "borrow" your popularity to justify and pave the way for my *A World Without Thieves*, which is also an excellent promotion method.

At least it can make everyone no longer have a fixed impression of me, and it can also add a "high-end" feel to the film.

Xiao Gangpao really wanted to break the prejudice of southerners against him too much. Who doesn't want an extra ticket warehouse? The box office in the south is no lower than in the north.

"I think your idea is very good. As a senior, even if I suffer some grievances, it doesn't matter. It is considered support for you."

Xiao Gangpao grinned with a big mouth, and the perfunctory words came out of his mouth, and he also had an expression of "I am doing it for your own good."

Cao Yang was a bit amused by Xiao Gangpao's shamelessness, thought about it, and said: "Director Feng, actually you were really wrong this time. This film of mine is just a commercial film. Are you very disappointed to publicly express support for a commercial film?"

"Pfft..."

Xiao Gangpao laughed directly.

Good you Cao Yang, in order to attack me, you even made up such lies. You really think I am a three-year-old child, so easy to be deceived.

What is the Venice Film Festival?

The temple of art directors all over the world, who doesn't want to go there to win an award?

Even if you are nominated in the main competition section, it is an incredible achievement.

Is the Venice Film Festival a fool? If this film of yours is not an innovative experimental film, would they give you Best Director?

Joke!

Didn't see that idiot Lu Chuan, thinking his *Kekexili* could be nominated for the Venice main competition section, shouting everywhere, wishing the whole world knew.

Although it became a joke, everyone just sneered at Lu Chuan for being too arrogant, not that Venice had no vision.

From this, we can see the status of the Venice Film Festival in the hearts of domestic directors.

Cao Yang didn't expect Xiao Gangpao to come. He came publicly, which also confirmed his support for his "experimental film," and he also went down to shoot such a film.

How to arrange Xiao Gangpao's seat actually has a saying.

After a short consideration, Cao Yang let him sit beside him.

Since you want to confirm this matter, and also want to get benefits from it, then sit beside me. Others see it, and will definitely think you are my firm supporter.

Xiao Gangpao didn't refuse either, and sat down.

And, when the main creator talked about the film, he also spoke.

Talked about the topic of shooting art-house films with the rhythm of commercial films, and laughed that he had experience in shooting commercial films, and Director Cao had experience in shooting art-house films. Everyone is in different fields, can communicate with each other, and persist in this concept together...

Xiao Gangpao is not stupid either. Saying this, he became: I am not following your Cao Yang's footsteps to shoot this kind of film, not your follower, everyone is equal.

People are actually very strange creatures sometimes. If there is no hint, they may not feel anything, but with hints or psychological suggestions, it is different.

After walking through a series of processes, Xiao Gangpao couldn't wait to watch the film.

Since it is an experimental film, it must be considered an art-house film. Art-house films either reflect social reality or dig deep into human nature.

In Xiao Gangpao's view, Cao Yang borrowed the skin of a fantasy film, so he couldn't reflect social reality problems, so he could only dig deep into human nature.

So, he began to look for "human nature" in the film.

Watching and watching, until the end, Xiao Wei, in order to save Wang Sheng, unhesitatingly crushed her demon pill and died for Wang Sheng.

Xiao Gangpao slapped his thigh suddenly, this is human nature. Human nature is complex and subtle, full of uncertainty.

Xiao Wei could unhesitatingly kill to take the heart at the beginning. Is this a metaphor that human nature is evil at birth? People are selfish when they are born.

She slowly had human nature from a naive and pure little fox, and as she knew more about society, this human nature became more complex.

She wanted to be Wang Sheng's concubine from the beginning, even promised Wang's wife that even if she grew old with Wang Sheng, she would no longer kill to take the heart to maintain the painted skin, and then later wanted to frame Wang's wife, wanted to be Wang Sheng's legitimate wife...

Is this series of changes very much like the whole process of a person from birth to growing up, and knowing society and being assimilated by society?

This damn is the whole process of the change of human nature!

This kid Cao Yang is really awesome!

Worthy of being an experimental film that won the Venice Best Director, using a whole film to metaphor the change of human nature, to tell a process from "demon" to "human."

Human nature is complex and subtle. In different environments, it can show completely different sides.

Wang Sheng can die for Wang's wife. Xiao Wei has complex human nature and has become selfish and "bad," but she can also unhesitatingly die for Wang Sheng.

Human nature, human nature, this is the complex and changeable human nature!

Xiao Gangpao looked at Cao Yang beside him with a complex expression. Worthy of being Cao Yang, he has thoroughly explained human nature.

Although comprehensively speaking, the rhythm of this film is a bit too fast, that is, it is a bit biased towards commercialization, but this is originally an experimental film. Being able to reach this level is already very incredible.

Subsequently, he made up his mind that his *A World Without Thieves* must learn a lesson and cut the editing a bit more.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 204 =====