Chapter 46

Cao Yang had the coordinator double-check everything, because Liu Ye and Yu Feihong's superb performance caused the progress to speed up rapidly later on, forcing them to adjust the shooting schedule several times.

It really lived up to the saying: plans cannot keep up with changes.

After confirming there were no problems, Cao Yang picked up the megaphone, and everyone watched him quietly.

"I announce that '3-Iron' has officially wrapped!"

"Wow..."

"It's wrapped!"

"Haha..."

After the crew's actors finished their parts, besides the Beijing Film Academy students, only the two leads, Liu Ye and Yu Feihong, remained; actually, Yu Feihong's scenes were finished yesterday, but she didn't leave.

Now, besides the original staff, the crew was mainly composed of young people; every position had an intern from the Beijing Film Academy, and the five actors from the Beijing Film Academy also stayed until the end.

Since there were mostly young people, it felt very lively.

After spending this time together, they no longer believed the so-called rumors; on set, as long as they were filming, even Tian Zhuangzhuang had to listen to Cao Yang.

Now, if anyone dared to say in front of them that Cao Yang was just a nominal director, they might smile contemptuously and not bother to pay you any mind.

But if anyone said Cao Yang just got lucky and only won the Silver Bear because he met Li Xiaoran, they would definitely spit in your face.

This matter was too shocking.

They had seen with their own eyes the acting of Yu Feihong and Liu Ye, under Cao Yang's guidance, go from frequent mistakes to god-like performances.

Especially Yu Feihong; everyone knew what her acting was like, but under Cao Yang's scolding and constant special coaching, she was practically reborn—they wouldn't have believed it if they hadn't seen it with their own eyes.

Cao Yang's image as an actor-trainer formed an indelible mark in their hearts.

"Dinner tonight, on the company account."

Cao Yang added another sentence while holding the megaphone.

"Long live..."

"Cao Dao is mighty."

"Cao Dao, I love you."

Suddenly, a female voice rang out from the crowd.

The crew was silent for a few seconds, then everyone burst into laughter.

Cao Yang then instructed the assistant director Li Mingyi: "The wrap party will be held after we return to Beijing; let's set it for the day after tomorrow. You discuss it with Mr. Cheng later; notify everyone who participated, and the standards can be a bit higher."

After thinking for a moment, he added: "Don't forget to notify Sony Pictures Classics and MK2, just say I've finished filming another movie and might participate in the Venice Film Festival; if they are interested, they can come to a screening in about a month."

Participating in the Venice Film Festival this time, the jury definitely won't have any true insiders like Xie Fei; relying solely on the school's power might be enough, after all, the National Master has won the Golden Lion at Venice twice, and these connections are massive.

But why not add a double insurance? The glory and influence of art-house films will only last these few years; it is a wise move to hurry and snag a few more awards.

Chen Kaige can live off one Cannes Golden Palm for a lifetime; who would dare say Old Chen isn't a top-tier director?

Why is the National Master the National Master? Because he has a Berlin Jin Xiong and two Venice Golden Lions in his hands.

Actually, the National Master had a great hope of sweeping the three major European film festivals.

At the time, "Not One Less" was first submitted to the Cannes Film Festival; the film opens with a school flag-raising ceremony, and Cannes said the political implications were too strong, asking Old Mouzi to modify it.

Why did Cannes say that?

Because they wanted to give the Golden Palm to Old Mouzi, but were afraid of being attacked for acting as propaganda for the Chinese government.

Their meaning was that if you even blur the flag-raising ceremony, as long as those five stars don't appear in the shot, the Golden Palm is yours. Who knew Old Mouzi was just that stubborn? You want me to blur the national flag? You bunch of idiots, you're fucking dreaming!

I'm not playing with you idiots anymore, withdrawing the film!

So, a few days before the main competition list was announced, the National Master directly announced the withdrawal of the film and issued an open letter to the Cannes International Film Festival, expressing his protest.

Afterward, he turned around and sent the film to the Venice Film Festival.

And then, Venice gave the Golden Lion to the National Master for the second time.

Just like that, the National Master missed the Grand Slam of the three major festivals.

Otherwise, with a Grand Slam of the three major European festivals, the National Master's status in film history would have been elevated significantly; there have only been three people in history, and the National Master almost became the fourth.

But even so, the National Master still has a Grand Slam of the runner-up awards from the three major European festivals—the Jury Grand Prize!

1991, 48th Venice International Film Festival Main Competition Jury Grand Prize—"Raise the Red Lantern."

1994, 47th Cannes International Film Festival Main Competition Jury Grand Prize—"To Live."

!

2000, 50th Berlin International Film Festival Main Competition Jury Grand Prize—"The Road Home."

One Berlin Jin Xiong, two Venice Golden Lions, three Jury Grand Prizes from the three major festivals—how can domestic directors compare to this artistic achievement?

At the dinner that evening, because there were mostly young people, they were a bit reserved at first.

Cao Yang took the lead in raising his glass, "Today isn't a wrap party, it's our internal dinner; everyone is from the Beijing Film Academy, and there are many seniors here who are my upperclassmen. You can just treat me as a normal junior student, don't be restrained, eat and drink as you please."

Liu Ye curled his lip, then should I leave?

Dong Xuan also curled her lip, treat you as a normal junior student? Who would dare... eh? Holy crap, Che Xiao, what are you doing?

They saw Che Xiao holding her glass and walking to Cao Yang's side, looking straight at Cao Yang, puffing out her... well, she didn't puff anything out, but her big, watery eyes seemed to speak, her face full of smiles.

"Many thanks to my senior for giving me this rare opportunity, and many thanks to my senior for taking care of me during this time. I hope my senior will think of his junior sister often and give her more opportunities; I can do anything. I'll finish this glass."

Pfft!

Dong Xuan gave a slight huff.

Che Xiao, oh Che Xiao, I didn't expect you to be this kind of person; don't think that just because no one saw you deliberately hook your pinky finger against the back of his hand when you clinked glasses with Cao Yang, I saw it clearly!

Look at Wen Zhengrong... Wen Zhengrong, what do you want to do?

Just as Che Xiao left, Wen Zhengrong also walked over with her glass.

She looked at Cao Yang with an equally undisguised smile; her expression was exactly like a fan girl seeing her idol, her eyes rippling with water.

"Calling you Cao Dao is a bit too formal; I'm Wen Zhengrong from the '97 class, one year older than you, junior, and I'm graduating soon. It's an honor to meet you before graduation. Thank you for giving me this opportunity; in the future, if you have any orders, just one phone call and I'll be there."

She deliberately paused when she said "any."

Dong Xuan gritted her teeth; although she was only a freshman, she was already aware of the cruelty of the acting industry.

Everyone is equally young, and their acting skills are about the same; without any special bonuses, why should he choose you?

So what talent did you rely on to get this role?

Even if you are prettier than others, between beauty you can't get and beauty you can get that is also quite good, how would others choose?

So in the acting industry, no one who makes it to the top is a simple, innocent flower.

Without hesitating long, Dong Xuan also took her glass to toast Cao Yang; she originally wanted to learn from Che Xiao and Wen Zhengrong, using her expressive big eyes to look at Cao Yang with adoration.

Unfortunately, she couldn't learn it and could only force a smile.

She raised her glass, her mind went blank, she tilted her head back and finished it directly, then realized she hadn't said anything yet, so she just gave up and smiled somewhat stiffly, "Senior, I've finished, you drink as you like, I can do anything too."

Afterward, she walked away with stiff steps, fleeing in panic.

First, I want to thank my brothers for their monthly tickets and recommendation support, thank you all! Let me talk about the updates; I'll tentatively update one chapter around 8:00 AM and one around 12:00 PM. If you think there's a problem with the update time, you can bring it up. Thanks again for the brothers' support!

(End of Chapter)