Chapter 212: Star

The girl agreed without hesitation, but the young director was noncommittal.

The two watched the film in silence and took a car back to the hotel together.

Liu Yifei's appearance was somewhat similar to the character, but the most important thing was to be able to perform the intellect, courage, and perseverance of this respected female writer.

Interpret her inner noble character.

In short, there were still four years, let's see again. Let's see what level she could grow to.

According to her current development speed, in four years, maybe her annual income would be calculated in the tens of millions. At that time, could she still firmly say "I want to act"?

But there was something she could do in advance now.

"Because Sister Chunru wrote books and established theories, her mental pressure is relatively high. You can accompany her to talk more when you have nothing to do."

"Just use the banner of playing this role to enlighten her more."

Liu Yifei nodded: "Hmm, I know."

She suddenly turned her head to look at Lu Kuan, who had been silent all day today.

"Why did you think of filming this movie?"

"According to what you said, this kind of film is destined not to appear as a pure commodity. Are you afraid of losing money?"

She had thought about this question for a long time. She saw a contradiction between ideals and reality in Lu Kuan.

Just like the difference between him in life and in film work, the former is dissolute, the latter is pure.

Liu Yifei suddenly discovered that she seemed to have never truly known him or walked into his heart.

Lu Kuan was silent for a long time before speaking slowly.

"Some things are destined to be done by someone."

"Just like her, born in the United States, she could completely be like millions of Chinese immigrants, plunging into the American dream and enjoying the life of a capitalist country."

"But she exhausted her youth to expose this history, bearing huge mental pressure, and losing time to be with her children and family."

"There are many things you don't know, such as media influenced by the right-wing forces of the ghosts will slander and mock her to the extreme, and some extremists will follow and threaten her."

Liu Yifei clenched her fists when she heard this, seeing the ugliness under the water of this world once again.

"I just happened to encounter this matter, and it's just doing my part."

"It's enough to have no shame in my heart."

Perhaps feeling the atmosphere was too dull, Boss Lu joked with her.

"If you really play this role well and make it popular, and have an impact on the whole world, maybe you will never receive advertisements for Japanese brands in the future."

Liu Yifei said disdainfully: "I'm not a miser like you; it doesn't matter."

The two chatted and laughed as they entered the hotel lobby, and unexpectedly, an uninvited guest came!

Lu Kuan couldn't laugh or cry: "Hou Dao, why did you chase me to Canada?"

Hou Hsiao-hsien looked calm: "Last year's Golden Horse Awards caused you trouble, and I am very sorry. I invited you early this year, but you didn't agree."

"What can I do? I, the president of the Directors' Association, can only come over myself, and by the way, travel at public expense."

Meeting an old friend in a foreign land, and he came for him, what else could Lu Kuan say!

"Hou Dao, shall we have a drink?"

Hou Hsiao-hsien's eyes lit up: "I'll respectfully obey."

Boss Lu laughed loudly and asked A-Fei to send Liu Yifei back to her room. He and Hou Hsiao-hsien smoked a cigarette at the hotel entrance first.

"Director Lu, you quarreled with people last month, why did you move me out?"

Lu Kuan was stunned, and then remembered it was the time he debated with the "Seven Gentlemen" at the Beijing Film Academy, and he had spilled the beans about Hou Hsiao-hsien filming *A City of Sadness*.

Hou Hsiao-hsien smiled: "It doesn't matter that you popularized this, but now some young people in Taiwan who like to go online see what you said and come to scold me!"

"Saying that Old Hou is messing around filming movies, causing the local film market on our island to be so withered, and it's all occupied by Hollywood."

Lu Kuan laughed dumbly; this had become his unintentional mistake.

"Hou Dao, I owe you this favor."

"How about this, next time you film a movie that needs special effects, Butian Film will give you a discount, how about it?"

Hou Hsiao-hsien laughed loudly: "You are trying every possible way to solicit business for your own company!"

"The last time was indeed the poor preparation of the organizing committee. Because of the intervention of relevant government departments, many jokes were made. This time..."

Boss Lu sighed silently. The sincerity of others was indeed given enough.

Not to mention the phone calls every few days in these two months, now he had condescended to come and invite him in the capacity of the president of the Directors' Association.

However, he had already said all the harsh words on the internet before, calling people a "dead horse award," so it was impossible for him to go.

"How about this, Hou Dao, we will sign up for *The Thief* as we should. I will let Feng Yuanzheng, Zhou Xun, Fan Bingbing, and the others go to cheer for you."

"But here, you have also seen that the filming progress was delayed because of Zhang Ziyi's problem some time ago. The post-production time for this kind of special effects film is very long."

"I must finish the film before Cannes next year, and it will be released globally around June. Time is really tight..."

He could not care about the Golden Horse Awards, but the actors' efforts should be rewarded, and he couldn't deprive them of their rights because of his own position.

Hou Hsiao-hsien saw his embarrassed look and was embarrassed to persuade him again. After all, he was a gentle and introverted art film director; how could he have the thick skin of an old oil like Boss Lu.

"Alright, that can only be the case."

He still felt unwilling and rarely said loudly: "Then I must have a good drink with you tonight, otherwise wouldn't this trip be in vain!"

"Hahaha, I will definitely accompany you."

Both of them had a good capacity for liquor and drank for almost a whole night before being helped back to the crew hotel by A-Fei.

The next morning, Wang Baoqiang called the boss, still in that silly tone.

"Boss, Director Li asked me to go to the Golden Horse Awards with him. I specially ask for your instructions."

Lu Kuan thought this kid had finally opened up a bit, knowing that he was at odds with the Golden Horse Awards and still knowing to say hello.

"Hmm, got it. Perform well and try to win an award."

The heart of Wang Baoqiang on the other end of the phone finally landed, and he looked at Zhang Songwen beside him gratefully.

Suddenly, Boss Lu's voice came from the phone again.

"By the way, Yanda Huayi has a film *A World Without Thieves* filed, and they might be casting recently. Go and try."

Boss Lu now also had people in the Film Bureau, plus Feng Xiaogang had inquired about special effects at Butian Film, so he learned this news.

Zhang Songwen heard it clearly on the side and taught Wang Baoqiang to speak with his mouth: Promise, promise. 【

"Yes, Boss, I will definitely work hard!"

Wang Baoqiang is currently sharing a rental with Zhang Songwen in Beiping; after hanging up the phone, he jumped three feet high!

"Brother Songwen, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known how to report to the Boss."

"Psh! It's nothing, you're the one who earned it."

To say Zhang Songwen wasn't envious in his heart would be a lie; he was also one of the old-timers who followed Lu Kuan from the very beginning.

Initially, he acted alongside Wang Baoqiang in *Blind Shaft*, which Boss Lu invested in, but his own role had very little screen time.

Over these past two years, he has played secondary supporting roles in *Crazy Stone* and the currently filming *Lurk*. While he has gained some exposure, he just hasn't waited for a role that would allow him to truly shine...

Even Hu Ge, who came later, became the male lead in *Chinese Paladin*, and the role of the cheeky male lead Wang Xiaojian in *Love Is Not Blind* was taken by Zhu Yawen, a sophomore at the Beijing Film Academy.

It looks like he is also preparing to sign with the company.

Fortunately, he has patience and knows that the Boss likes professional actors the most. He has always told himself to accumulate strength and wait for the right moment; he will definitely be able to wait for the day he can shine!

On December 1, 2003, the *Alien Realm* crew finished all filming tasks in North America, and the final few scenes were moved to the Chedun Film and Television City in the Magic City.

The last two major scenes were: Lan Jiangshui, played by Liang Jiahui, inviting his former student, Dr. Ximai, to Chinatown, where the two perish together.

And Lan Yue, played by Liu Yifei, and Alexander, played by Leonardo, deciding to destroy the code door from inside the Ximai farm, isolating it from the human world forever.

The reason for filming the last two scenes domestically was, first, to comply with the regulations for co-produced films.

To receive the treatment of a co-produced film, the Chinese side's investment ratio must not be less than one-third, there must be Chinese actors in important roles, and it must be filmed domestically.

Secondly, it was to achieve promotional effects.

During the filming period in North America, a star visited the set every three days, and behind-the-scenes footage was leaked every five days, constantly hyping the crew's popularity to attract attention.

But the film is, after all, a global release; besides North America, the two major box office markets of Asia and Europe must also be won over.

Among them, the promotional work for the European market will be placed in 2004, at the Cannes Film Festival after the New Year.

The jury president for this year's Cannes is Boss Lu's "wolf friend" Quentin, and he will invite *Alien Realm* to be exhibited as a non-competition entry.

For this kind of purely eye-catching sci-fi commercial film, don't think about winning any awards; using the film festival opportunity to do a good job in promotion and getting more box office is better than anything else.

Marketing in the Asian region will begin with the wrap-up of these two major scenes, gradually building momentum until the film's release in June next year.

From the project's preparation to the twists and turns along the way, as well as the various promotions nearing the wrap-up, Lu Kuan has truly racked his brains and exhausted his efforts.

The investment in this film is huge, and the involvement of various parties including Miramax, Lionsgate, China Film Group, and Emperor Group is so extensive that it truly must succeed and cannot fail.

Early on the 2nd, a large number of security teams were on duty outside the Chedun Film and Television City.

Even so, countless fans of Leonardo, Liu Yifei, Liang Jiahui, and others were waiting outside the studio early, holding gifts, autograph books, T-shirts, and other items.

"They're here! They're here!"

"Xixi! I love you!"

"Little Li, I want to have your babies!"

The fans watched Liu Yifei approach from a distance, but her outfit was truly hard to describe...

Yang Siwei followed behind her, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into!

She had just finished her final exams yesterday and hadn't made it to the Magic City to meet up with Liu Yifei, and Liu Xiaoli hadn't come over from Beiping today yet.

Why didn't I come earlier to supervise her clothes!

How could I let her wear whatever she wanted!

Has this outfit ever saved your life?!

How can you be dressed so dowdily and still walk with such a steady, confident pace?

The fans were filled with tears and quickly changed the subject: "It must be that damn washing machine's pay was too low, making Xixi unable to afford clothes!"

"Yes! It must be! My heart aches!"

"Brothers, find an internet cafe and go to the Long Qishi's homepage to start flaming!"

The Long Qishi director, who didn't know he had already become the target of their displaced anger, was "welcoming guests" on the set.

Since it's for promotion, today's scene definitely can't lack big-name guests to show their support.

Yu Dong, Wang Changtian, Dong Shuangqiang, the host Shanghai Film Group's Ren Zhonglun, Han Shanping's representative Gao Chengsheng;

There was also Jiang Zhiqiang, who hadn't been able to cooperate with Lu Kuan these past two times;

Li Shoucheng's representative Huo Wenxi, Xiang Huaqiang's representative Zhang Baizhi, and so on.

It's the circle, after all; everyone supports each other. Even Yanda Huayi sent Bingbing, though she also had a role.

The film has a scene at the end where a supporting character sees Liu Yifei off, and she plays this character who only has two lines.

While everyone was exchanging pleasantries, a Hong Kong director whose Mandarin wasn't very good visited.

"Mr. Lu, sorry to bother you."

Zhang Baizhi was the first to react: Why did Master Xing come?

Zhou Xingchi and Tian Qiwen arrived together; the former was still wearing his costume, looking like he had been upgraded from a dockside thug to a hotel security guard.

A white shirt, black bowtie, and a red-and-black checkered apron on his chest—he looked just like Xiao Shenyang.

Although Lu Kuan found it a bit strange, since a distinguished guest had come, he naturally had to show proper courtesy.

"Director Zhou, hello, nice to meet you."

Dong Shuangqiang, Yu Dong, Jiang Zhiqiang, and others also came over to greet him.

Zhou Xingchi wasn't very good at socializing, but Tian Qiwen on the side was thorough, flattering and exchanging pleasantries with everyone without missing a beat.

Leonardo was outside accepting interviews from Asian media, and just as Liu Yifei walked into the studio, she looked in surprise at the scene of the two directors shaking hands.

Zhou Xingchi tilted his head and glanced at her: "Pretty girl, do you still remember me?"

"Director Zhou, hello!"

Liu Yifei was slightly embarrassed; she had rejected his female lead role, only to end up doing stunt work for Lu Kuan's film.

Although it was a personal choice, it was still a bit disrespectful when you think about it.

Zhou Xingchi rarely cracked a joke: "I was wondering why you refused to act in my film; turns out it's because Lu Kuan is too handsome."

Liu Yifei laughed sheepishly: "No, no, how could he be more handsome than you!"

Zhang Baizhi and Fan Bingbing on the side watched their interaction, eyes fixed on their noses, thoughts hidden.

Lu Kuan invited Zhou Xingchi to sit down in a chair: "Director Zhou's *Kung Fu Hustle* is about to wrap up, right?"

"Just these next two days. I knew you guys were here, so I specifically came to say hello and watch you film a scene, is that okay?"

Before he could answer, he feigned anger: "Don't call me Master Xing; just calling me Xingzai is fine."

Boss Lu went with the flow: "Oh, alright, Xingzai."

"Wow, you really called me that. I'm nearly twenty years older than you."

Lu Kuan laughed: "Isn't that perfect? Isn't it good to make you feel younger?"

Zhou Xingchi really is a strange person; hearing his words, he laughed until tears were almost coming out.

Except for when he was an extra, he hadn't heard anyone call him that for many years.

For example, with the crew's Little Huang, he genuinely let her call him Xingzai because the two needed to work together, and changing the form of address could close the distance.

It's just that with his current status in the industry, he rarely hears that form of address anymore.

Zhou Xingchi suddenly said calmly: "I finally know why you can film works like *The Thief* and *The Drummer*, Lu Kuan. You are a strange person, a strange person as strange as me! Haha!"

It is said that people who act in comedies are the most prone to depression; coincidentally, Chaplin, Jim Carrey, and Mr. Bean were no exceptions.

Comedy usually carries the core of tragedy, just like Zhou Xingchi's *King of Comedy*; although it has constant laughs, the character Yin Tianchou interprets the essence of tragedy.

Boss Lu watched him laughing and cursing, acting with such ease, and thought he must be using this attitude toward life to vent his mental pressure.

Zhang Baizhi had originally wanted to catch up with Zhou Xingchi, but she didn't expect Lu Kuan to be able to chat with him so well.

Perhaps in all of Hong Kong, besides his direct old-timers, no one had spoken so much to Zhou Xingchi in all these years.

Including her old boss.

Lu Kuan suddenly waved at Fan Bingbing not far away.

"Bingbing, come here."

Lu Kuan laughed: "Say hello to Xingzai!"

Fan Bingbing looked at him in surprise but didn't dare to call out that name: "Master Xing, nice to meet you."

Zhou Xingchi smiled: "I've seen your acting; I hope we have a chance to cooperate in the future."

Socialize when you need to socialize, interview when you need to interview, and market when you need to market.

At 10:00 AM, the crew officially started filming.

A group of big-name guests watched the scene from outside the studio.

Everyone present had seen Lu Kuan's two famous works, but many were seeing him direct a scene for the first time, and they couldn't help but be filled with curiosity.

Today, they were filming the final scene of *Alien Realm*.

【The supporting actress played by Fan Bingbing sees off Lan Yue, played by Liu Yifei. Fan Bingbing is Lan Jiangshui's student, who inherited her teacher's legacy and is responsible for monitoring the Ximai farm after it was closed in the human world.】

【And Liu Yifei, along with Leonardo, enters the farm with a death wish, preparing to close the passage from the inside.】

This is a dilemma: if the farm is closed, the human world, with its exploding population, will never be able to obtain resources from the Ximai farm again;

But if it is not closed, the monsters evolved in the Ximai farm due to the accelerated time will destroy the human world at any time.

Just as He Xi stated in the original novel: of these two evil fruits, humanity must swallow one.

Hollywood commercial films are like essays; the beginning and the end carry the most weight, and the final scene is also meticulously designed.

Lu Kuan picked up the intercom to guide the positioning:

"The three of you walk toward the entrance together first. Cao Yu, pay attention to the camera; pull back a bit first, then push forward."

"Yes, Director."

"Bingbing, pay attention. This scene is an over-the-shoulder shot of the male and female leads. You will suddenly stop after hearing Liu Yifei's explanation, because she didn't tell you before that once they go in this time, they won't come back out."

"Immediately after, Liu Yifei and Leo gradually stop. At this time, keep the camera pulling back. When the male and female leads suddenly turn to face Bingbing, zoom in sharply to synchronize Bingbing's shock at hearing the news with the audience's shock. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Okay, Director." "Received."

"Come, let's try one take first."

"*Alien Realm*, Scene 52, Take 1, Shot 1, Action!"

Fan Bingbing walked silently side-by-side with Liu Yifei and Leonardo.

"Lan Yue, I feel regret for the teacher's passing. This time, I hope you can return safely, otherwise he..."

Liu Yifei and Leonardo walked to the entrance of the Ximai farm. The two looked at each other, and she suddenly turned around.

"Senior Sister, I won't be coming back."

Fan Bingbing showed a look of surprise at the right moment, just about to speak.

"Cut!"

(End of chapter)