[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr":3,"chapter-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-57":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Academic Director: Reborn in the Film Industry",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2297057,4493,"Chapter 57: Everyone's Expectations Differ","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>Marco Müller came again, treated everyone to a meal, and then the action began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang and his team stayed at the hotel with nothing to do for the moment; this was the probing stage, and there was no need for him to step forward yet. Only when there was a buzz internally would he, the director, go to visit those who supported him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For several days in a row, there was no news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They waited and waited, until late July, and even Old Tian couldn't sit still. Although he was in contact with Marco Müller almost every day, every time Old Ma would just tell him not to worry and to wait a bit longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, three days before the official announcement of the films selected for the main competition section, Marco Müller took the initiative to call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian beamed with joy and dragged Cao Yang along as they left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang’s heart stirred, and he couldn't help but ask, \"Is there a lead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Ma said that although Barbara is still sticking to his ideas, he hinted that compensation could be provided elsewhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang sighed. Still not enough?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the Golden Lion, what the hell is the use of compensation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian saw Cao Yang’s expression and knew what he was thinking. He smiled and said, \"You kid, I usually see you looking like you don't care about anything. Old Situ says you are mature beyond your years, unmoved by favor or humiliation. What’s wrong, did you lose your cool?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no such thing as being mature beyond one's years; it was just that the stakes weren't high enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opportunities like winning one of the top three European awards don't come around often, and besides, in another ten or twenty years, these awards won't be worth much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In these few years, the boosting effect of these awards is at its peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is also the Oscars, which need to be put on the agenda. In recent years, the \"sacredness\" of the Oscars still exists, so find an opportunity and try to crack it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior brother, I’m just a bit unwilling to let it go; this opportunity is too rare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand. If I had an opportunity like this, I would definitely care even more than you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Old Tian finished this sentence, he smiled and made a sharp turn in the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be discouraged. There are some things you don't understand. Since Barbara has the idea of compensation, it proves he is under great pressure. Venice isn't his private property; how could he cover the sky with one hand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang nodded thoughtfully, thought for a moment, and asked, \"Does senior brother mean that Barbara might compromise?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not necessarily, it depends on how he chooses. It’s his last year anyway. If he goes all out and insists on his opinion, no one can do anything about him. It just depends on whether he wants to trade for benefits or show off his authority one last time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Tian explained as they walked, \"In short, the combined power of our parties is already enough for Barbara to take seriously. Actually, this thing is just an art of compromise; very few people are mavericks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were almost out of the hotel when Cao Yang remembered to ask, \"Senior brother, where are we going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cocktail parties, banquets, and gatherings will be the theme for the next few days. Old Ma will push you out and introduce you to many, many people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was indeed as Old Tian said; the following days were nothing but cocktail parties or gatherings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang met many people from the Venice official side, as well as those who were unofficial but could influence the officials, along with quite a few producers and distributors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also a gathering consisting entirely of directors and producers, whose commonality was that they had all won awards at the top three European festivals; this should be the threshold for attending such a gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During these days of gatherings, Cao Yang almost never saw any commercial film directors. It seems there is a chain of contempt everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every gathering had many actresses and models participating, either actively or passively. Most of the models were from Eastern Europe—young, beautiful, and with figures that went without saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang even saw several models who would go on to have great success in the future, the kind that are very famous all over the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, everyone was well-dressed and suave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But every time a gathering ended, there were always many actresses and models who would either get into someone's car and leave or go straight to the rooms booked upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suppose this is high society. When in Rome, do as the Romans do; Cao Yang couldn't exactly appear out of place, so he followed along and experienced the debauched life of high society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this period, the 58th Venice International Film Festival announced the list of films for the main competition section, and *Empty House* was prominently on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news spread back to the country and caused a lot of heated discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Xiaogangpao, who was working on the post-production of *Big Shot's Funeral*, couldn't help but ask those around him upon hearing the news, \"Are you kidding me? Are you sure it's that kid from the Beijing Film Academy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming the accuracy of the news, Xiaogangpao smoked three cigarettes in silence, lost the mood to work, and couldn't help but think a lot. Finally, he threw the cigarette away, crushed it hard with his foot, and even twisted it a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, when did the temple of art cinema become his mother's backyard? Is it that easy to get into now? I'll go make one myself and see!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two brothers at Huayi couldn't help but mutter in their office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Wang: \"You should have known about that kid making a movie a long time ago. Why didn't you try to invest in it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Wang: \"Invest? That bunch at the Beijing Film Academy treat him like a treasure; you can't even see the person, where would I go to talk about investment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Wang: \"If there's a chance, find a few actresses to try and win him over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Wang: \"That works too. He's so young, this method should be effective. I'll have Wang Jinghua sign a few more young and beautiful ones.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Wang thought for a moment and suggested, \"Don't just look for young ones. A young guy like him might prefer a more mature and charming style. You can try different types.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Wang: \"Good, let's do that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news reached the Beijing Film Academy and also caused a great sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had only been a few months since he won an award in Berlin; how did he get selected for the main competition section of Venice just by shooting a random movie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people at the Beijing Film Academy couldn't help but have the illusion: is it really that easy to get into the top three European festivals?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main competition section only has about twenty spots, and at least one-third of them can win awards; this probability is already quite high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of whether they can win an award, as long as a film is selected for the main competition section, it is a huge success for any director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it is a success, the temptation is naturally very great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three female students from the Beijing Film Academy who participated in the acting were all very excited—two were still studying and one had just graduated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all thought in unison about how they could get Director Cao to take them to Venice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s impossible to take every actor to the Venice Film Festival. The male and female leads will definitely go, but as for the three supporting actresses, they estimated that at most only one could be taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is the Venice Film Festival. Just walking the red carpet and showing one's face, then sending a press release back to the country, would be enough to become famous quickly—at least no longer being unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they were lucky enough to attend the closing ceremony, follow the crew to receive an award, and take a photo with the Silver Lion at the post-event press conference, they could save years of struggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as the film wins an award, even for a small supporting role, it is a very important credential for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Xuan, Che Xiao, and Wen Zhengrong all went to the Directing Department, wanting to find Cao Yang to catch up and, by the way, mention whether he could take them along when the time came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, they were disappointed; they searched the entire Directing Department but didn't see Cao Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They asked around, but no one knew where Cao Yang was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did Cao Yang go?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1489,"2026-06-20T05:36:32.009Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","9398b75f51edd94920c37edfee509daf6ddf3ab44bc31aef67070f44ffec5737","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-58","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-56",411,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-cover.jpg"]