Chapter 160

For several days in a row, the word-of-mouth of *Shoplifters* continued to ferment, and the film festival officially added two screenings according to the rules.

The field journal score also reached 3.1; Cannes' field journal is a 4-point system.

After the main competition section films finished a round of premieres, in the current wind vane field journal score, *Shoplifters* occupied the second place, ranking behind *Elephant* by a difference of 0.3 points.

This is also the film that won the Palme d'Or in 2003 in later generations.

Of course, this score can only represent the recognition of the audience and the art circle, and has nothing to do with the final award winning; whether the judges refer to the score is their own choice.

Except for a few films with good word-of-mouth like *Shoplifters* and *Elephant*, the poisonous tongues of film critics continued to attack other participating films.

This is also a true portrayal of Cannes, which is hailed as the worst in twenty years.

American director Vincent's *The Brown Bunny* was scolded as a milestone work that pioneered Cannes' inferior works;

British director Green's *The Tulse Luper Suitcases* was "hailed" as pioneering the precedent of hypnotic films;

Even the French local director Bedan's *Lamb* was called a disgusting stew.

The poisonous tongue film critics who are hard to hold...

It's a pity that these directors don't have Boss Lu's ability to spray back, and can only break their teeth and swallow them into their stomachs.

Boss Lu looked at the field journal and news newspapers in the car, estimating the possibility of winning an award in this Cannes.

*Shoplifters* is a group portrait play, and the possibility of winning collective awards such as Palme d'Or, Best Director, and Jury Grand Prize is slightly higher.

And some backstage awards such as Best Screenplay and Golden Camera.

Among them, the Palme d'Or is awarded to the film, while the Best Director is awarded to the individual; the two do not necessarily repeat.

"Sir, the destination has arrived."

Boss Lu gave the taxi driver an extra tip, then paced into the lobby of MK2's office in Nice.

Today, Lu Kasi and Luo Si took the initiative to make an appointment with Boss Lu; the purpose is also very clear, which is to take down *Shoplifters* before the attribution of the Palme d'Or is determined.

Perhaps their initiative and eagerness will make the seller raise the price, but it is better than paying several times the cost after *Shoplifters* truly wins the award.

"Lu, you're here, please sit."

Lu Kasi also stood up and took the initiative to reach out, expressing his respect for this excellent Eastern director.

"Hello both, looking for me today is..."

Luo Si clenched his fist and coughed twice: "Lu, MK2 is very optimistic about the market performance and word-of-mouth of *Shoplifters*, and wants to seek copyright outside North America and Asia."

Boss Lu was a bit surprised, not Europe?

Lu Kasi laughed: "MK2 has just opened branches in South America and North Africa to act as distribution business; the tone of *Shoplifters* is very consistent with the viewing needs of these economically underdeveloped regions."

North Africa was a French colony in the past; it seems that MK2 is no longer limited to the market share within Europe.

Boss Lu drank some water and didn't agree immediately.

Why don't these two bastards mention the power-money transaction yet? Damn!

How could he be embarrassed to say it actively? What if the other party has some recording equipment to record it? It's unclear.

Seeing Boss Lu frowning and thinking without speaking, Lu Kasi looked at Luo Si and went straight to the point.

"Lu, the quality of *Shoplifters* is very high; it will be a strong competitor for the Palme d'Or and Best Director. Luo Si and I can provide you with lobbying services."

Luo Si assisted: "That's right, this year's jury president Patricia is my close friend; I can recommend this film more to him."

"As a consideration for lobbying services, we need you to transfer the copyright of the above regions at a symbolic price of 200,000 US dollars."

Boss Lu laughed: "The two of you are pricing it so clearly, aren't you afraid I'll say it out?"

"You are a clever person; you should know the relationship between Cannes and MK2. Even if we can't do this business, it won't affect our friendship, right?"

"If you agree, sign the contract today, and you will get your Palme d'Or in a week."

Boss Lu fell into deep thought, difficult to decide for a while.

It's not that he has any moral cleanliness; even the Oscars have an open lobbying system.

It's just that the means of MK2 and Cannes haven't been made public.

The reason he hesitated was that he couldn't estimate whether the box office revenue brought to him after steadily winning the Palme d'Or was high.

Or whether the box office revenue in those regions that MK2 coveted brought him high profits.

If South America and North Africa have no value, then MK2 is full and bored to hook up with him?

Second, MK2 requires signing the contract first; what if they take the money and don't do things?

Who does he go to reason with?

Boss Lu probed: "Wait until I win the Palme d'Or or Best Director, regardless of whether it is out of your lobbying, I will transfer the copyright for 200,000 as agreed, how about it?"

"No, no, Lu, Luo Si and I are both people with faces in the industry; you can rest assured about our promises."

"Even if you are familiar, you can go and ask Hou Xiaoxian and Wang Jiawei of your country."

"But Lu... forgive me for speaking bluntly, you don't have enough strength to endorse your credibility yet."

Boss Lu's vigilance increased, shook his head, and didn't speak.

He was putting pressure on the opposite side; after all, it was a seller's market, the one who provokes first is cheap!

Luo Si's face was a bit angry; a small Chinese director, how dare he be so arrogant with himself?

How do you compare to Hou Xiaoxian and Wang Jiawei?

Aren't you also respectful in front of me?

"Lu! You are still young, and there are many opportunities to come to Cannes. I think you are a clever person; you should know that obtaining permanent friendship is more important than obtaining temporary interests."

Damn! You should have come with this set earlier!

If you don't say harsh words, I'm embarrassed to turn my face!

Boss Lu had a righteous spirit: "Art is sacred, how can it be traded? Goodbye!"

Laughing at the sky and going out, how can our generation be cheaters!

It doesn't matter whether you win the Palme d'Or or Best Director; he is not a senior literary director like the Fifth Generation, pursuing the three major film festivals with all his heart.

His goal is very simple, which is to master the right to speak in public opinion, complete his industrial chain closed loop as soon as possible, and become the person in charge.

Raising the meaning a bit higher, it is nothing more than exporting national culture to the outside world and resisting the poisonous influence of pro-Japan and pro-Korea.

Want my award, yes!

Want my money? No way!

In the office, Lu Kasi suddenly laughed out loud.

"Luo Si, I told you long ago that the means you used for that group of Hollywood people won't work on this Boss Lu."

Luo Si was noncommittal: "Do you think he saw it? Or is there someone in the jury?"

"Jiang Wen in the jury is his compatriot, but now the voting hasn't started yet; how would he know Patricia's attitude?"

Lu Kasi said strangely: "Does Patricia really like *Shoplifters* so much?"

"It's not that he likes *Shoplifters*; it's that the works in this film festival are too mediocre, only *Elephant* and *Shoplifters* can be considered good."

"He is the jury president for the first time, he must maintain his reputation, and he cannot let the name of the worst Cannes fall on his head."

"He got drunk the day before yesterday and told me that the Palme d'Or and Best Director won't run out of these two films, and even asked me to bet!"

Luo Si took out a cigar and picked up the double-edged scissors: "It's just that I didn't expect him to be so decisive, not quite the same as the Easterners I've seen."

Lu Kasi smiled and didn't speak; he explored the European copyright with Boss Lu under the introduction of Kitano Takeshi last year, and didn't take advantage either.

People who are not familiar with him are easily deceived by his appearance and age.

This is a practitioner who possesses both the talent of a director and the shrewdness of a businessman.

Just like himself, including in terms of women.

Dead friends don't die poor; hearing Luo Si reveal Patricia's attitude, Lu Kasi decided to attack himself.

At least take down the European copyright of *Shoplifters*.

"Luo Si, I'll go back to the company first, I won't accompany you to smoke cigars."

"Okay, I will contact Boss Lu later; even if I can't bluff him, it's not bad to get the copyright normally; this is a good film after all."

When Lu Kasi was preparing to cross the sea secretly, Boss Lu had already started waving his knife and fork in a high-end restaurant.

Sitting opposite were Harvey and Quentin.

"Harvey, the steak is good; your vision is very good."

"Of course, I come to Cannes every year; this is my private land."

Quentin was a bit worried; he said goodbye to festival president Jacob yesterday, but was retained.

"Lu, can you use your Eastern mysterious religion to help me predict the fortune of the next few days."

"I'm afraid of bombs falling on my head even when I sleep now!"

Boss Lu was stunned, then laughed out loud.

In addition to the mediocre films, there are several other places in this Cannes that are criticized.

The first is that the strike affected traffic, causing many stars to be late.

The second is that the French authorities admitted that the film festival might be plotted by terrorists.

Anyway, people are panicking now, rumors say that terrorists from North Africa have entered the Algerian community in the port of Marseille not far from Cannes;

There are also rumors that Bin Laden, in order to retaliate against the US sending troops to Iraq, has deployed large-scale suicide attacks against Cannes...

France:???

Fuck you! The US hit you, why are you looking for me?

In short, there are many Hollywood films shortlisted for Cannes this year, but more stars are absent.

George Clooney, Michael Douglas, Meg Ryan, etc.

It was still festival president Jacob who sold his face to invite Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and Schwarzenegger.

After eating and drinking, the Jewish An Lushan entered the topic.

"Lu, my sincerity is very sufficient this time; let's talk about your *Shoplifters*!"

Seeing that he didn't react, he shouted again.

"Lu?"

Boss Lu was stunned, because he suddenly thought of one thing!

An opportunity to pick up leaks derived from the terrorist attacks mentioned by Quentin!

*Fahrenheit 9/11*!

Boss Lu instantly felt like seeing the Imperial Jade Seal on a stall in Panjiayuan, Beiping.

He remained calm on the surface, first coming with a desire to catch and let go.

"Harvey, *Whiplash* last time made you suffer; I think you should be more cautious about *Shoplifters*!"

The Jewish An Lushan was a bit unbelievable; is this still the Chinese kid who is as stingy as himself and even more Jewish than the Jews?

"I bought the copyright this time to adapt it myself; the core of *Shoplifters* is very suitable for the multi-ethnic and diversified family structure in economically backward regions of the US."

Boss Lu slandered: Zero-dollar shopping, right?

"Okay, then you name the price."

(End of chapter)