Chapter 366

The red carpet for the opening ceremony of the 64th Venice International Film Festival on August 29th was not very star-studded; even though 8 Hollywood films were shortlisted for the main competition unit, very few big stars came.

However, what was unexpected was that on the red carpet for the closing ceremony on September 8th, it was the opposite; the leads of those few Hollywood films nominated for the main competition unit almost all came.

"Professor X" James McAvoy, the lead of "Atonement," and the beautiful and sexy Keira Knightley.

The male lead of "The Darjeeling Limited," the youngest Oscar Best Actor Adrien Brody.

The male lead of "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt, and Casey Affleck.

The male lead of "Michael Clayton," superstar George Clooney.

The male and female leads of "In the Valley of Elah," Tommy Lee Jones and Oscar Best Actress Charlize Theron.

The male and female leads of "I'm Not There," well, maybe it's only the male lead, Christian Bale, and the "Great Demon King" Cate Blanchett, who has won awards until her hands are soft in various awards.

Why emphasize the male lead? Because "I'm Not There" is a biographical film about Bob Dylan; Christian Bale plays Bob Dylan, and Cate Blanchett also cross-dressed as Bob Dylan.

Just Bob Dylan at different periods.

And, another interesting point of this film is that Christian Bale is considered one of the male leads, and the actor who plays an important role in it is Heath Ledger.

The "Batman 2" that Cao Yang and Nolan teamed up for, the actor who plays Batman is exactly Christian Bale, and Heath Ledger is the actor who plays Joker.

This Venice Film Festival closing ceremony red carpet was absolutely star-studded.

Not only were there Hollywood superstars, but also Oscar Best Actors, Oscar Best Actresses, and Oscar Best Supporting Actresses; actually, this is also called Oscar Best Actress.

Since the closing ceremony red carpet ceremony started, Old Ma hadn't closed his mouth, smiling so brightly.

He really wanted to tell everyone loudly, didn't you all say the Venice Film Festival's influence was declining? Didn't you all say the Venice Film Festival was "intercepted" by that bullshit Toronto Film Festival?

Then, tell me, look into my eyes and tell me, who is walking on the red carpet?

That is Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt, that is Hollywood Best Actress Cate Blanchett and Charlize Theron, that is superstar George Clooney who still has huge influence all over the world!

When has the Venice Film Festival ever attracted so many superstars?

Answer me!

As for coming with so many Hollywood big stars, will it be criticized that the Venice Film Festival has "degenerated"?

So what if it has "degenerated"?

Didn't Cannes also compromise with Hollywood? Isn't Berlin also tilting toward Hollywood?

Why can't Venice?

"For the sake of the Venice Film Festival's attention and influence, let me bear this infamy."

Old Ma mocked himself in his heart with some pity for the world.

Of course, if it weren't for the unclosable corners of his mouth, if it weren't for the biggest competitor inside the film festival being taken down, if it weren't for the foreseeable commercial development next year being much smoother...

His self-mockery might be able to make people empathize more.

Cao Yang walked the red carpet with the "Sanctuary" crew, and the time he stepped onto the red carpet was still very early; he didn't appear last.

The "Sanctuary" crew, counting Cao Yang, came with a total of four people, Old Tian and the male lead Fu Fu Dalong, and the female lead Hui Hui Yinghong.

However, when it comes to fame and influence, especially in Venice, the three of them added together... fine, this comparison is a bit insulting to the three of them, because they are not worthy.

On the red carpet, whether it was the media on both sides or the fans, they were all calling Cao Yang's name; the three of them were completely passersby.

Fortunately, there were also mainland media, and Hong Kong media.

The three of them at least weren't completely ignored; at this moment, they were especially grateful to the media from the mainland and Hong Kong, otherwise they would really have become background boards and passersby.

"Cao Dao's influence is really huge."

Fu Fu Dalong sighed sincerely.

The three of them walked the red carpet quickly, while Cao Yang was left alone on the red carpet; no way, too many media wanted to interview Cao Yang.

Old Ma's meaning was also to let Cao Yang stay on the red carpet for a while longer.

Hui Hui Yinghong next to him nodded, looking at the media reporters who were taking pictures crazily, and sighed along: "I thought Cao Dao's influence in Hollywood was greater; didn't expect his influence in Venice to be so much too."

Old Tian glanced at Hui Hui Yinghong, sneering in his heart; if it weren't for her being a woman, Old Tian, who pities the fragrant and cherishes the jade, would have already opened his mouth to retort her.

Truly an ignorant woman; do you think the two Golden Lions and one Palme d'Or in Cao Yang's hands are decorations? Do you think just anyone can nurture a Berlin Best Actress, Venice Best Actress, and Cannes Best Actress?

It's just that Cao Yang is still young; if he were fifty, Cannes, Venice, and Berlin would have already scrambled to give him a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Don't look at Cao Yang being young; it's just that you Hong Kong media have few reports on art-house films and the three major European festivals that belong to the art-house circle.

If Hong Kong media reported normally, you would know that Cao Yang, that brat, is almost about to be canonized in the European art-house circle, okay?

It is estimated that he is only one Berlin Golden Bear away from being "canonized."

Old Tian glanced at Hui Hui Yinghong again; truly long hair and short knowledge.

Hong Kong?

Hehe, just a cultural desert; the media and entertainment circle are mostly a group of people who cannot recognize themselves.

Old Tian was too lazy to explain so much to Hui Hui Yinghong, walked directly inside, and said: "Let's go, let's go in first; Cao Yang still has things to do later, we don't need to wait for him."

Cao Yang indeed still has things to do later.

Taiwan director Chen Ma Yili's "The Blood Brothers" entered the Midnight Screening unit and was also selected as the closing film.

The closing film of the Venice Film Festival is very special, so special that the premiere of the closing film has to be held on the day the film festival's award ceremony is held, and it is also after the red carpet starts (the real situation is just like this).

So, is this damn closing film better off not having it?

At this time, for the premiere, everyone can use their imagination about the attention of the media and fans.

Of course, for films not shortlisted for the main competition unit, even if the attention isn't high, being able to become the closing film is much better than having nothing—at least one can brag to the outside world that we are the Venice Film Festival closing film.

Don't underestimate this title; if one wants to sell European copyright, this title is still worth quite a bit of money.

If there is no "label" of the three major European festivals, Chinese-language films, including Hong Kong and Taiwan films, are still very difficult to sell European copyright.

After Cao Yang walked the red carpet, he got into the car arranged in advance to attend the premiere of "The Blood Brothers."

No way, when the few of them domestic directors dined together, because Cao Yang came to Venice relatively late, only Jiang Wen's "The Sun Also Rises" and Chen Ma Yili's "The Blood Brothers" hadn't premiered yet.

Jiang Wen spoke first, inviting Cao Yang to attend the premiere, and to show gratitude, he even drank a cup of white liquor, showing boldness and atmosphere.

Taiwan director Chen Ma Yili was stunned thoughtfully for a moment, then also drank a cup of white liquor, and personally poured a full cup for Cao Yang, toasting Cao Yang.

Only then did he open his mouth to invite Cao Yang to attend the premiere of "The Blood Brothers."

Cao Yang had just agreed to Jiang Wen, and now Chen Ma Yili was even more polite; what could he do?

Not to mention, the day before this party, one of the leads of "The Blood Brothers," Cao Yang's little fan Liu Ye, heard that Cao Yang came to Venice and came to find Cao Yang to gather.

When leaving, he also invited Cao Yang, saying if Cao Dao had time, could he come to attend the premiere of "The Blood Brothers."

In this situation, Cao Yang had to agree.

Even if he didn't give Taiwan's Chen Ma Yili face, he had to give Liu Ye face.

"The Blood Brothers" attached great importance to this Venice screening; the crew's three main male leads Liu Ye, Zhang Zhen, and Wu Wu Yanzu all came, and additionally, the two female leads Shu Qi and Li Li Xiaolu also came.

When Cao Yang arrived, what entered his eyes were the five main actors and the director all on the red carpet, hmm, doing nothing.

Media reporters came in sparse numbers, and there weren't many fans either.

Sigh, mainly this time point is too pit-father; the film festival closing ceremony red carpet is being held over there, not to mention this red carpet has so many Hollywood superstars, who would be full and bored to come here to find "news."

Fine, the few "full and bored" media reporters really captured big news; didn't expect to meet Cao Yang on such an occasion.

Instantly, the few reporters were like they had been injected with chicken blood, and with an "ow" sound, they rushed toward Cao Yang.

"Cao Dao, are you here to attend the premiere of 'The Blood Brothers'?" "Cao Dao, are you very optimistic about 'The Blood Brothers'?"

"Cao Dao, what is the reason that made you come to attend the premiere of 'The Blood Brothers'?"

Cao Yang grabbed Liu Ye from the few people who came to greet him, and said with a smile:

"This is Liu Ye; some of you might know, he is the male lead of my first Golden Lion award-winning film '3-Iron,' and also my friend.

So you should know why I came to attend the premiere of 'The Blood Brothers' now, right?

As for how this film is, sorry, I haven't seen it yet, unable to comment; however, you have seen it, this film has so many beauties and handsome guys, these alone can be worth the ticket price, right? Haha..."

"Haha..."

The reporters also followed and laughed; although some didn't understand why they should laugh, but Cao Dao laughed, so they definitely had to follow and laugh.

For a time, the red carpet was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

"Hello Cao Dao, thank you for being able to spare time to attend the premiere of 'The Blood Brothers,' really especially grateful."

Director Chen Ma Yili was obviously very happy that Cao Yang could come.

"Hello Cao Dao, thank you." Zhang Zhen usually looks unsmiling, but at this moment he still revealed a smile.

"Hello Cao Dao, especially grateful for your arrival, thank you." Shu Qi said with the unique, seemingly delicate tone of Taiwan.

Cao Yang shook hands with her, and couldn't help but think of Shu Qi's representative work "Sex & Zen II," and her performance in it was still very classic.

All in all, Shu Qi is considered the most successful of so many Category III female stars to come ashore.

"Hello Cao Dao, thank you." Wu Wu Yanzu's appearance is still quite capable of fighting, in the prime of youth and good years.

"Hello Cao Dao, I am Li Li Xiaolu, you are the director I like and admire the most."

Miss Li Xiaolu, who likes to do hair, shook hands with Cao Yang, and when letting go, don't know if it was intentional, she even scratched the back of Cao Yang's hand with her ring finger.

For Cao Yang, who has been "harassed" by actresses with all sorts of excuses and tricks countless times, Li Li Xiaolu's means were still a bit green; this was just pediatrics.

However, to tell the truth, Li Li Xiaolu is currently twenty-five or twenty-six years old, exactly the time when she is blooming most beautifully, and her figure is not something the "flat and unremarkable" Shu Qi can compare to; she looks quite pleasing to the eye.

As for the dressing, whether it was Shu Qi or Li Li Xiaolu, compared to the completely backless attire of Chen Chong and Kong Wei at the Jiang Wen film premiere Cao Yang attended last time, the two were considered very conservative.

Don't know why, Shu Qi, who should have been more "bold," was instead more conservative, wearing a pink strapless long dress, only the arms above the shoulders were exposed, and other places were very tight.

Li Li Xiaolu, compared to Shu Qi, exposed more.

Also a strapless long dress, two hemispheres exposed a little, the cleavage was squeezed out very obviously, but this attire at the Venice Film Festival is considered conservative.

Cao Yang can also be considered to have come just in time; now it's just the time to show the film, and a few people walked toward the screening hall while laughing and talking.

"Cao Dao, before you came, I attended the premiere of 'Sanctuary,' oh my mother, I was really shocked at the time; Director Tian is really daring to shoot, especially that segment of Fu Fu Dalong and Hui Hui Yinghong, tsk tsk...

That male lead is really damn perverted; have to know at the time he might have thought Hui Hui Yinghong was his mother, he, in order to take revenge on his mother for abandoning him early, actually... tsk tsk, too shocking, too three-views-destroying, haha..."

Liu Ye is a famous big mouth, especially after becoming famous, he is quite daring to speak, and even when the conversation comes, he won't care about what occasion it is.

Cao Yang glanced at him, and said with a smile while walking: "Shocking, right? Destroying three views, right? I wrote the script."

"Uh..."

Liu Ye was like being pinched by the neck; hmm, although he is a big mouth, he is also quite daring to speak, but he is not stupid and can still distinguish between big and small kings.

"Pfft..."

Li Li Xiaolu next to him couldn't hold back and laughed covering her mouth.

As for the rest of the people, they all acted as if they didn't hear.

Liu Ye glared at Li Li Xiaolu fiercely, then forced two haha laughs to ease the embarrassment, and then said seriously:

"Only this kind of shocking plot can highlight the essence of art, can explore the good and evil of human nature more deeply and simply, can..."

"Fine, fine."

Cao Yang waved his hand to interrupt Liu Ye's boasting words, and exhorted somewhat seriously:

"It's just that I know your personality and won't be generally knowledgeable with you; you brat, remember, manage your mouth, pass through your brain a few times before speaking, otherwise, your career will sooner or later be destroyed by this mouth of yours."

Liu Ye nodded solemnly and promised: "Cao Dao, I know you are doing it for my own good; I have remembered your words."

Fine, although Cao Yang doesn't quite believe he can remember, I hope he can remember.

Next, start watching the film.

"The Blood Brothers" has already been released in China; Old Tian mentioned it to Cao Yang, saying this film was shot a bit twisted, and the director didn't control the plot well, leading to it being a bit out of control.

He even joked to Cao Yang that after this film was released, many people on the internet started to feel that Old Chen's "The Promise" was shot well.

Now that he watched it, Cao Yang felt that what Old Tian said... still had some truth.

The plot is actually very simple; the story happens in old Shanghai, the dance girl played by Shu Qi is the woman of the black boss Sun Sun Honglei, but she has an affair with Sun Sun Honglei's number one thug and killer Zhang Zhen, and also makes Wu Wu Yanzu fascinated.

After the incident was exposed, the boss wanted to assassinate those who betrayed him, so there was Wu Wu Yanzu's desperate protection, Wu Wu Yanzu's good brother shooting his own big brother Liu Ye, and finally Liu Ye sending people to kill Shu Qi...

Although the plot seems very "twisting," Shu Qi's love with any man is very hard to make people moved.

How she was made famous by the black boss Sun Sun Honglei is unknown; how she and Zhang Zhen silently loved each other for many years is unclear, and her seemingly non-existent feelings with Wu Wu Yanzu are also inexplicable...

So much so that when she finally fell in a pool of blood, Cao Yang didn't have a trace of empathy, didn't feel the slightest tragedy, but wanted to laugh very much.

In short, too bullshit.

Especially when the killer played by Zhang Zhen killed Liu Ye, Liu Ye actually used his hand to resist his forehead, made a thinker's pose, posed, and then talked to himself: "This, is called a killer."

My Nima!

Uh, Cao Yang don't know why, suddenly a film segment of a second-generation Xiang family in Hong Kong appeared in his mind; that guy wouldn't have been shocked after watching "The Blood Brothers" and followed suit, right?

So much so that just as the film started to rise subtitles, Cao Yang said softly to Director Chen Ma Yili next to him: "I still have to rush back to present the award for Best Actress tonight, no way to stay anymore."

Cao Yang's original plan was to leave after attending the subsequent reporter Q&A session.

However, he is afraid.

If the reporter asks him, what do you think of "The Blood Brothers"?

How does he answer?

Withdraw bird, withdraw bird.

When Cao Yang rushed back to the award ceremony scene, he found that other messy awards were still being presented, and the main competition unit films hadn't started to be presented yet, so he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Sometimes, attending other people's premieres is not that easy to attend.

Just like Jiang Wen's "The Sun Also Rises," the reporter asked him what the film was like?

Fine, even if Jiang Wen shot with too strong self-expression consciousness, at least there were still advantages, and he could still find points to praise, such as pointing directly to the human heart, exploring the fragility of human nature, etc.

However, how to praise "The Blood Brothers"?

Is it "praising" the director for being too pretentious, or "praising" this as an author's moaning-style film under the banner of art?

Sigh, damn Wu Baige, as a film produced by your studio, as the film's executive producer, as a remake film based on your "Bullet in the Head," just this?

At this moment, Cao Yang complained about Old Ma again; you are also really, supporting Chinese-language films is not wrong, but quality should at least be guaranteed, right?

Your support like this is not helping Chinese-language films, it is smearing Chinese-language films!

It seems I have to talk to Old Ma properly.

(End of chapter)