Chapter 111: Big Names Showing Support

On the morning of September 4, 2002, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Lu Kuan, and others arrived together at the Palazzo del Cinema to attend the screening of *The Missing Gun*.

There would be three Chinese-language films screened today; in the morning, *The Missing Gun* and *The Drummer*, and in the afternoon, *Small Town*.

Regardless of any previous friction, they were all compatriots abroad, so everyone still had to maintain a decent facade.

It wasn't just Tian Zhuangzhuang and Lu Kuan; Chinese-language filmmakers from the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong all arrived together.

With Jiang Wen absent, the "Tarō" (Lu Chuan) had become the big boss.

He stood on the stage in the cinema hall, chatting with reporters and fans with the air of an established director.

"Master Tian! You've come!"

Lu Chuan was no fool; he had always held the utmost respect for someone like Tian Zhuangzhuang, who had seniority, capability, and a sterling reputation within the upper echelons of the film industry.

Watching his sycophantic display, Lu Kuan felt a sense of disdain and quietly teased Liu Yifei beside him.

"Little Liu, look at how fawning this guy is; he’s practically ready to bow and scrape to Master Tian."

"Lu Kuan."

Liu Yifei hesitated for a few seconds.

"Hmm?"

"Actually, when you're with Master Tian, you're even more fawning than he is..."

The young director, who had been watching their pleasantries with amusement, was enraged upon hearing this.

Lies don't hurt; the truth is the sharp blade!

"Nonsense! My feelings for Master Tian are those of a student’s admiration; nothing like this grandson!"

The young girl had always been on the losing end of their conversations, and this was the first time she could finally see Boss Lu lose his composure.

She covered her mouth and chuckled: "That's right, he's the grandson, and Master Tian is the grandfather, so it is indeed admiration, isn't it? You two are of the same generation!"

"I! You!"

Boss Lu was left speechless.

"Little Liu, you don't seem to be putting much effort into your morning exercises lately. Let's extend them by half an hour starting tomorrow."

Liu Yifei: "..."

Chinese-language filmmakers from the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong exchanged greetings, and the film was about to start, but Lu Chuan’s expression grew increasingly anxious.

"President Wang, what about Chairwoman Gong Li?"

Wang Xiaolei’s expression wasn't great either: "She was delayed by something; it seems she can't make it. Her assistant answered the phone."

Lu Kuan and Liu Yifei in the front row exchanged a smile.

Lu Kuan was laughing at how good "Tarō" was at leveraging influence, knowing to pull Gong Li over to bolster the scene.

Liu Yifei was laughing at the fact that Lu Kuan was just an upgraded version of Lu Chuan—far more calculating and far more ruthless.

On the very first day of the Venice Film Festival, he had already won Gong Li’s favor and invited her to attend the premiere of *The Drummer*.

Grandson Lu and Grandson Lu were still on different levels!

The audience wasn't full; about a third of the seats were empty, but for a Chinese-language film, this was considered a pretty good turnout.

Yesterday, Hong Kong director Chen Guo’s *Public Toilet* hadn't even been half-full, and by the time the film was halfway through, almost everyone had left; it was truly frustrating.

Lu Chuan sighed and signaled the staff to begin the screening.

Lu Kuan had watched *The Missing Gun* many times in his past life.

To put it bluntly, the entire film was filled with typical Jiang Wen-style black humor and absurdity, almost identical to the "Jiang flavor" in *Let the Bullets Fly*.

It would be a wonder if Lu Chuan hadn't been overshadowed by Jiang Wen.

The audience watched the dual subtitles—some understood, some didn't—exclaiming in engagement during the scenes of Ma Shan chasing the killer, and whispering in the chilling atmosphere when the station chief asked Ma Shan, "Were you at home the night before?"

Lu Chuan kept looking back at the audience's reactions, feeling happy for their engagement.

Catching a glimpse of Lu Kuan, Tian Zhuangzhuang, and others intently watching the film, he couldn't help but feel smug.

Filmmakers ultimately have to let their work speak for itself; what is the point of winning a war of words?

As Ma Shan walked shakily along the railroad tracks, the film’s visuals underwent a strong blurring effect, and the entire movie ended.

The Venice audience had a relatively high level of film appreciation; they only began to applaud and rise to leave once the credits appeared and the lights came on.

Lu Chuan walked onto the stage and bowed; this was the creator’s gratitude for the audience's support.

Two female reporters were interviewing Lu Chuan in front of the screening hall, and Lu Kuan couldn't just leave without saying a word, so he struck up a conversation with Zhang Zuoji nearby.

"Director Zhang, I watched your film yesterday; it’s a fantastic drama!"

Lu Kuan offered some professional flattery.

Zhang Zuoji’s *The Best of Times* was the only film from Taiwan to enter the main competition, and it was highly anticipated.

"Not at all, Director Lu, I’m very much looking forward to your film later," Zhang Zuoji smiled.

Lu Kuan laughed: "I’ll give you a heads-up, Director Zhang; I’m young and have a strong sense of pride, so please go easy on me after you watch it."

Liu Yifei watched his hypocritical pleasantries from the side, thinking to herself that he didn't have a strong sense of pride—he had a strong sense of vengeance!

"What’s this about going easy?"

Lu Chuan walked over with a beaming smile; the audience's support and recognition allowed him to face Lu Kuan with the posture of a victor.

As for the previous minor sarcasm, there was no need to dwell on it; otherwise, wouldn't it just confirm the malicious and unreasonable speculations of the rumor-mongers?

Zhang Zuoji complimented: "Director Lu, the film is brilliant. I heard it has already reached over 9 million in box office, right?"

"Haha, the cost was 2 million, so for now, I can only say it’s a small profit. Let’s see if we can have a breakthrough in overseas rights this time!"

Lu Kuan watched Lu Chuan’s smug satisfaction and watched him show off with leisure, as if watching a monkey show.

Lu Chuan’s mouth was practically stretching to his ears as he boasted to the domestic media that had rushed over.

Seeing the seemingly harmless Boss Lu, he didn't forget to add: "Everyone, let’s not waste time here; why don't you move to the next room and take a look at Director Lu’s masterpiece?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang also called out to Lu Kuan: "Little Lu, let's go over and prepare."

With half an hour left until the premiere of *The Drummer*, the crew members arrived early to prepare to welcome the audience; this was etiquette and custom.

Han Lu from Sina and Xie Xiao from *Southern* also arrived at the screening hall early and greeted Lu Kuan.

"Director Lu, it’s finally your home turf. Answer a few questions for me!"

Lu Kuan had a good impression of this female reporter from a competing outlet, so he smiled and nodded in agreement.

"May I ask what your expectations are for your film's distribution and awards?"

Lu Kuan spoke the truth: "There have been some contacts regarding overseas rights, but the actual transaction situation may have to wait until the awards are announced."

"As for the awards, I don't have any extravagant hopes."

"*Whiplash* is not a pure art-house film; judging by the narrative structure and lens language, it carries Hollywood film elements."

The two reporters didn't react much, but Zhang Zuoji, Chen Guo, and even Lu Chuan, who were on the scene, were stunned.

What was this? Suicide? Declaring war on Venice?

As mentioned before, Venice was the vanguard of the anti-Hollywood camp in the film world.

Every film festival has its own selection tone, and you, Lu Kuan, as a director in the main competition, are openly declaring your Hollywood leanings.

This could be completely interpreted as a provocation against the traditional philosophy of the Venice jury.

Was he really that stupid?

Liu Yifei and Tian Zhuangzhuang had accompanied Lu Kuan to see Gong Li on the first day.

On their way back, Lu Kuan had expressed his thoughts on the jury team and award tendencies of this year's Venice.

The slogan of the Venice Film Festival before and after 2002 was anti-Hollywood; why was only this year called "Accepting Diversity"?

Lu Kuan, who was sharper than a monkey, wouldn't do such a stupid thing; his target was the chairman of this year's festival, Moritz de Hadeln!

How does a young director’s first film win the "Three Golds"?

Is it by time-traveling to the 2002 acting class at the Beijing Film Academy, copying a random script, gathering a few famous actors, having capital rush to invest, having Han Sanping bow down, and then becoming famous overnight?

It could be said that this is a matter where timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony are all indispensable.

First, the content of *Whiplash* is solid enough, and the lead actor Feng Yuan’s strength is superb; the film’s quality is recognized by the jury.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have agreed to his request to delay the submission.

Secondly, this time a Chinese actor is the jury president, which is an absolute benefit under the elite award system.

In the final tug-of-war and stalemate in voting, as long as the film quality passes, she has the courage and determination to make the final decision!

There is no need to doubt this; one can see it from 1997, when she openly clashed with Isabelle Adjani to get Liang Chaowei the Best Actor award.

Finally, this was also the purpose of Boss Lu’s speech to the media just now.

Isn't Moritz de Hadeln talking about "Accepting Diversity"?

Didn't you invite the most Hollywood films in history to participate in the screenings?

Didn't you put up posters of Hollywood superstars in the best spots outside the Palazzo del Cinema and invite them to walk the red carpet?

I am now catching this olive branch of yours, openly echoing you, let’s see if you take the bait!

This German man, who had helmed the Berlin Film Festival for over 20 years, was also a paranoid; Lu Kuan believed he had influence over the jury's decisions.

Besides these, the rest depended on the results of Boss Lu’s frantic efforts to piggyback on film screenings over the past few days.

For example, the support and appearances of a crowd of big names.

Lu Chuan and Wang Xiaolei were whispering together, then feigned comfort to the serious-looking Lu Kuan.

"Director Lu, don't be anxious. This is how Chinese films are when exhibited abroad; the hall for *The Missing Gun* just now was only two-thirds full."

He looked around at the sparse scene, feeling a sense of smugness at kicking someone while they were down, though he didn't want to make it too obvious.

It was a pity he was slapped in the face instantly...

The first to arrive was Gong Li.

"Chairwoman Gong, welcome!"

She was wearing a hollowed-out black silk long dress today, her temperament elegant and noble, and standing together with the sharp-suited Lu Kuan, one could not tell their age difference at all.

The two followed local customs and exchanged a cheek-kissing greeting.

Even though the distance between them was not close, Lu Kuan still fully felt the charm of the mature woman, the warm and soft sensation fleeting in an instant.

"Xiao Lu, do more interviews these next few days, and build up more momentum for yourself."

Boss Lu understood the meaning behind Gong Li's whisper in his ear, nodded with great excitement, and gentlemanly held her arm to invite her to be seated.

Gong Li seemed particularly close to him, gently patting the back of his hand to signal him to continue with his reception duties.

"Lu Kuan-san! I have come uninvited!"

Takeshi Kitano entered like a crime syndicate boss, bringing his studio's suit-clad staff with him, followed by a large crowd of film fans and reporters.

"China has an old saying."

Boss Lu felt a headache listening to his broken Chinese, wondering if the next sentence would be "those who submit to circumstances are wise."

"Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar!"

"Lu Kuan-san, I hope to enjoy your masterpiece here today to the fullest!"

Reporters scrambled to pick up their cameras to record the embrace between the two Asian directors, and Gong Li, standing to the side, also walked over in a friendly manner to offer her greetings.

How did this kid actually have such connections?

Gong Li smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Takeshi Kitano; both were iconic figures of Asian cinema.

"Mr. Takeshi Kitano, have you and Director Lu Kuan known each other for a long time?"

"No, no, no, we only became friends across generations in a hotel room last night!"

Gong Li cast a strange glance at Boss Lu; how could such a handsome young man also play that way?

"That! Sister Gong Li, what Director Takeshi Kitano means is that we drank too much in the room yesterday, and Teacher Tian was there too!"

"Not bad, not bad, I greatly admire Lu Kuan-san's drinking capacity! I am also very much looking forward to his film today!"

The crowd swayed, and only the reporter friends disappointedly crossed out the shorthand note "Takeshi Kitano has an affair with a certain Asian male director" from their notebooks.

Tian Zhuangzhuang watched with great delight as more and more audience members poured into the screening hall, and he chatted cordially with Takeshi Kitano for a few moments.

Lu Chuan, however, felt inexplicably furious, not expecting this kid's skill at flattery to be so strong that both Gong Li and Takeshi Kitano were willing to build momentum for him!

Wang Xiaolei was a scheming person; watching the intimate appearance of Gong Li and Lu Kuan, he was already secretly guessing if there was something going on between the two.

An old cow eating tender grass?

"Xiao Lu, ready to start?"

Lu Kuan checked his watch; the screening hall was basically almost full, the interviews were mostly done, and it was about time to start the screening.

"Wait two more minutes."

Liu Yifei asked in confusion: "The audience is about to protest, who are we waiting for?"

Suddenly, a tall, stout white man burst in; it was none other than the number one foot-fetishist of Hollywood who had just landed by plane today!

"Lu! You actually made it into the main competition section! Awesome!"

In June, he and Lu Kuan had met at the Beiyingchang, and he had greatly appreciated the latter's film creativity and talent; afterwards, the two had arranged a few more drinking sessions in Sanlitun.

As for whether Boss Lu had taken him to the Heaven on Earth club to mess around, that was not something to be told to outsiders.

The foot traffic Quentin brought was enormous; this cinematic genius was the focus wherever he went.

"Quentin, you are very welcome; I almost thought you wouldn't make it."

"Harvey from Miramax was just dragging me to talk about film business; it's really a headache."

Boss Lu chuckled inwardly; Harvey was probably complaining about his slow shooting progress in Beiping and the fact that the costs had severely exceeded the budget!

The audience filed in, crowding the corridors and aisles until they were packed full.

Lu Kuan invited Quentin to be seated and walked to the front of the stage to prepare his speech.

"I am very grateful for everyone's arrival. I am a newcomer director, but I am very lucky to have the dedication of the entire crew, the support of excellent actors, and the help of seniors who care for and cherish me; only then did this film come into being."

"I won't take up any more of your time. I wish you all a wonderful 120 minutes! Thank you!"

The applause was sparse; the audience was waiting to see what kind of magic this new Asian star director possessed that could make so many big names in the film industry stand up for him.

The film started quickly; after the dragon seal, it entered a burst of dense drumming—as the saying goes, hear the sound before seeing the person—and accompanied by the drums, the gradient images were introduced.

(End of chapter)