Chapter 58: Down with Hollywood

Time arrived at mid-August, and the National Master’s "Hero" announced its start of filming, immediately attracting countless eyes of attention.

This is the film with the largest domestic investment to date, 30 million USD, which is 248 million yuan; placed in the domestic scene at the turn of the century, it is simply unimaginable.

This is also the first time the National Master has filmed what he himself claims to be an "industrial film."

Regrettably, Li Xiaoran ultimately lost to International Zhang; the National Master compromised after all, choosing International Zhang, who has greater fame over in the US.

There was no helping it; the pressure to recoup the film's costs was too great, and they could only rely on the US market.

Last month, when Li Xiaoran called Cao Yang to tell him this news, she didn't sound too upset.

She said the National Master had spoken with her personally, explained the difficulties, and promised that for his next film, she would definitely be his first choice.

Next film?

The National Master’s next film should be "House of Flying Daggers," and it really is a coincidence; if Li Xiaoran wants to act in it then, her biggest competitor will likely still be International Zhang.

This matter is still too far off; who knows what might happen in the meantime.

Right up until the film festival was about to open, Marco Müller only said there was hope, but there was still no definitive news.

On August 29th, the Venice Film Festival opened. Liu Ye and Yu Feihong arrived in Venice a day early, and arriving on the same day as them were Wu Qihua from Xiangjiang and his agent.

As the major supporting character who runs through the entire film, in fact, given his plotline, in the absence of a Best Supporting Actor award at the three major European festivals, he could be submitted for Best Actor.

The day before the opening ceremony, everyone ate a meal together.

Wu Qihua’s agent was very enthusiastic, thanking Cao Yang incessantly for giving his artist an opportunity, and stated that from now on, as long as Cao Yang said the word, no matter what the role, they would be at his beck and call.

After returning to the hotel, not long passed before Yu Feihong came to Cao Yang’s room.

At first, both were very proper; after all, having not seen each other for so long, they couldn't just go to bed the moment they met.

Then, after chatting idly for a few sentences, it was unclear who initiated it, but they quickly embraced, and clothes became fewer and fewer—they were both adult men and women, what else could they do upon meeting? This method is the easiest way to break the barrier of not seeing each other for a period of time.

……

On August 29th, the 58th Venice International Film Festival raised its curtain on the beautiful Lido Island in Italy.

The procedures for the three major European festivals are all about the same; on the day the film festival opens, stars and guests walk the red carpet. This is the customary opening method and ritual of the film festival, and also the focus of media and audience attention.

How does one judge the influence of a film festival?

You just need to count the "stars" on the day of the opening ceremony; the more stars that come, and the bigger their names, the higher the film festival’s attention will be, and the greater the film festival’s influence will be.

On this point, at the turn of the century, the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival attempted different paths.

Although the Cannes Film Festival still focuses primarily on art films, it does not reject commercial films, or to put it bluntly, it does not reject the invasion of Hollywood; it selectively accepts some, and will occasionally give awards to Hollywood films.

The Venice Film Festival is the exact opposite; it is known for being innovative and radical, rejecting commercial films and rejecting Hollywood films—almost all Venice Film Festival chairmen have been very averse to Hollywood.

And then, they still give an award to a Hollywood film from time to time; the Italians are very practiced at playing this game.

This year is even more outrageous, having shouted an unexpected slogan—"Down with Hollywood imperialism!"

This phrase actually became the main theme of this year’s film festival.

But ironically, this year’s Venice attracted a large number of Hollywood stars, from Nicole Kidman to Helen Hunt.

There was also Spielberg, who came with his "A.I. Artificial Intelligence," Woody Allen also brought his new work "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion," John Carpenter brought "Ghosts of Mars," and so on.

With these big names, almost all the hotels on Lido Island were fully booked, forcing the organizers to rent a cruise ship to make up the numbers.

So, why do the Italians shout "down with Hollywood" on one hand, while letting Hollywood films enter different competition categories on the other? Of the twenty films entering the main competition category this time, Hollywood accounts for four.

Alejandro Amenábar’s "The Others."

Larry Clark’s "Bully."

Richard Linklater’s "Waking Life."

Alfonso Cuarón’s "Y Tu Mamá También."

It’s fucking outrageous, but thinking about how this is Italy, one feels relieved; perhaps they are playing a big game of chess.

Although Cao Yang just took home two Silver Bears in Berlin and has a bit of fame in Europe, compared to these global stars from Hollywood, his fame is a bit lacking.

What left Cao Yang even more speechless was that some genius arranged for the "Empty Room" crew to appear right after "The Others."

Who is the lead of "The Others"? Nicole Kidman!

In February at the beginning of the year, she and Tom Cruise announced their divorce, causing a sensational effect that the news reported on for several months straight.

Then, after the song-and-dance romance film "Moulin Rouge!" she starred in was released in May, there were suddenly very few news stories hyping her divorce from Tom Cruise.

It could be considered consuming Tom Cruise one more time.

!

On the red carpet, the media were all attracted to Nicole Kidman.

When Cao Yang and his team stepped onto the red carpet, they were given pitifully few shots, walking a cold and lonely red carpet once again.

The good news is that several domestic media outlets came this time.

At least after finishing filming Nicole Kidman, they could still take a shot of Cao Yang and his team; it was better than nothing.

The opening film for Venice this time was "Dust," directed by Milcho Manchevski, which did not enter the main competition category.

It should be that this film had the strength to enter the main competition category, but the twenty films in the main competition category were full, so they compensated by making it the opening film.

After finishing the red carpet, Old Tian came looking for him.

"What’s wrong?"

Looking at Old Tian’s expression, Cao Yang knew there must be something up.

Old Tian pulled Cao Yang into a deserted corner and whispered: "Didn't Venice open a new Contemporary Cinema category this time? The Best Film of that category can also be given a Golden Lion. Old Ma is asking if you want to take that."

Cao Yang fell silent. The Contemporary Cinema category is a new competition category opened this year, facilitated single-handedly by Venice Film Festival chairman Alberto Barbera.

The original intention was to improve the competitiveness of the Venice Film Festival, while leaving behind some mark unique to him before stepping down.

Unfortunately, the idea was good, but it didn't get everyone's approval; this category will be canceled next year, without even making a splash.

"Doesn't this category have separately nominated films? We didn't enter that category, and I heard those were all eliminated from the main competition category," Cao Yang said tactfully.

"If you want to take the Best Film of that category, they have plenty of ways; you don't need to worry about that. As long as you are willing, you can take the Best Film of the Contemporary Cinema category, which is also a Golden Lion," Old Tian said.

"So, Barbera has already compromised?"

"Probably."

"Then why the fuck would I go to that bullshit category? Even if I take a Golden Lion, it’s not the main competition category; it has no influence at all. Who outside would recognize it?"

Cao Yang smiled and made up his mind. "Since he has compromised, then let’s gamble on whether he compromises to the end or insists on his own views."

(End of chapter)