Chapter 263: Elite gathering, pointing the sword at the Olympics

The trip to Sichuan almost exhausted all of Lu Kuan's energy.

Wanting to do something but wanting to leave no trace like a wild goose on snow, it's like telling a lie and having to use countless lies to round it off.

Back in Beiping, Boss Lu confirmed the script progress and the deadline for the first draft with Liu Heng on the phone, and began to think about the formation of the Olympic opening ceremony bidding team.

The bidding for the Olympic opening and closing ceremony proposal is a systematic project that requires the gathering of top talents from all industries to work together.

Lu Kuan remembered some famous industry big shots from the bidding teams of his previous life; besides Old Mouzi's, which he couldn't easily poach, he could find connections to pull the others over first.

Now all the teams participating in the registration only have basic organizational frameworks; the dark night is the time to poach people.

March 11, Beiping Film Academy President's Office.

Zhang Huijun, Han Shanping, Tian Zhuangzhuang, and others were smoking, along with Dong Shuangqiang and Lu Kuan's current exclusive photographer Zhao Fei.

After *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*, this photography master who had studied in Hollywood for three years with Woody Allen was completely conquered by Lu Kuan's brain holes.

"Your body is much better, right?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang raised his chin, signaling to the tape on Lu Kuan's head.

But before he could answer, he was teased by Han Shanping: "It was nothing to begin with; I suspect this kid was pretending to sleep to earn the little girl's tears."

Zhang Huijun smiled and said nothing, looking very gratified at the young director who could be called the best in Beiping Film Academy in the last twenty-five years.

The last talent spurt had to be the class of '78, which included him and Old Mouzi.

The year they graduated, the domestic historical box office champion director in front of him was just one year old.

The waves behind push the waves in front; thinking about it is really sigh-inducing.

"Tell me, what do you need us old comrades to help you with?"

Boss Lu touched his pocket, only then remembering that the cigarettes on him had been taken away by Liu Yifei in Rongcheng on the grounds of quitting smoking.

"I'll have one first to refresh my mind."

He smiled and took the Da Qianmen cigarette box from Zhang Huijun's desk, and tucked the lighter into his pocket.

"Leaders and seniors, today I ask everyone to brainstorm and help me think about which top talents are suitable for this bidding team."

Zhang Huijun nodded: "The core of the Olympic opening ceremony bidding team is of course the director and creative talent; you have to take the lead on this yourself."

"Secondly, there are technical talents, stunts, special effects, fireworks, costumes, makeup, props, stage art, etc. This is not easy to generalize, and it depends on your proposal style."

"There is another must-have, which is the song and dance troupe."

Lu Kuan originally thought of finding the lighting and stage art from the People's Art and the National Theater, as he could be more familiar with people like Feng Yuanzheng and Li Xuejian.

But it was quickly denied by Tian Zhuangzhuang: "You must find a song and dance troupe; the stage of a play and the stage of an opening ceremony are two dimensions of art."

Zhao Fei knew some details about this: "The best national song and dance troupe has already partnered with CCTV, and several in the military system have registered to participate independently, so they can't be pulled over."

He counted on his fingers: "Now only the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe, the Central Ethnic Song and Dance Troupe, the National Ballet, and the Opera and Dance Drama Theater are left."

"The advantages of the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe and the Central Ethnic Song and Dance Troupe are more biased toward ethnic and folk dances, and the National Ballet doesn't need to be mentioned; it's obviously not suitable."

"I think the most suitable one is the Opera and Dance Drama Theater."

The Oriental Song and Dance Troupe has a strong lineup of song and dance talents; Wang Kun, Li Guyi, Cheng Fangyuan, and others are all Oriental-style artists, but the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe is biased toward ethnic and folk dance types.

A clear example is the large-scale song and dance gala in 2012, where the most brilliant part of the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe was the display of international ethnic dances such as Egyptian belly dance and African folk dance.

The Central Ethnic Song and Dance Troupe is the same, but in style, it is biased toward the inside rather than the outside; as the name suggests, it excavates the artistic treasures of our country's fifty-six ethnic groups.

Jiang Dawei, Dedema, Yang Liping, and Tengger are all in the establishment of the Ethnic Song and Dance Troupe.

Ethnic minorities sing and dance, while Han people watch and laugh.

Boss Lu recognized Zhao Fei's opinion, but some talents could try to contact them.

"I think Yang Liping of the Ethnic Song and Dance Troupe can be fought for."

"Tai Lihua, the lead dancer of *Thousand-Hand Guanyin* at this year's Spring Festival Gala, was discovered by her, and she also personally participated in the guidance of this program; I think her level is very high."

Tai Lihua and Yang Liping have a deep relationship; the latter's famous work *Spirit of the Peacock* was very successfully interpreted by Tai Lihua, and Tai Lihua's later benefactor Yang Jigang also benefited from Yang Liping's recommendation.

Han Shanping nodded: "Yang Liping is okay, but you have to start early; I estimate Zhang Jigang will find her first."

Dong Shuangqiang took this branch task first: "I'll do this work; I've had dinner with their Troupe Leader Bei, so I'll ask him to introduce us."

"Good, then I'll trouble Brother Dong with this matter."

Dong Shuangqiang has a deep background and rich connections and resources in all aspects, which is why he was called here today.

It is worth mentioning that this Troupe Leader Bei, who has a private friendship with him, fell from power in 2012, and the amount involved was only 310,000, which was obviously abnormally small.

Old Dong should have put in some effort.

Zhang Huijun suddenly thought of someone: "Huo Tingxiao, have you contacted him?"

Lu Kuan was surprised: "Him? Didn't Director Mouzi find him?"

"I'll call him now." Zhao Fei took out his phone and pushed the door out.

Huo Tingxiao is Zhang Yimou's exclusive art director, but the later *Aftershock* also cooperated with Feng Xiaogang; Boss Lu didn't think such a person could be left over.

"I had dinner with Mouzi that day; his art director is an American from Jack Morton."

Boss Lu nodded secretly.

Zhang Yimou's performance in the Athens eight minutes was too piled up with ethnic elements and colors; it seems he wants to change his thinking and take a route that combines with internationalization.

Can't say it's wrong, but being able to leave an art director like Huo Tingxiao to himself is also excellent.

"It's done, I'll invite him to dinner tonight and finalize it completely."

"Good!"

Tian Zhuangzhuang gently exhaled a puff of smoke: "Let's get back to the point; if you really want to find the Opera and Dance Drama Troupe, please ask President Zhang to come forward."

Compared with the first two, the Opera and Dance Drama Troupe is more comprehensive and international.

Besides the Opera and Dance Drama Troupe, there are also the National Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra, and the stage art production department, which perfectly meet the professional requirements of the Olympic opening ceremony stage.

The key is that the troupe's integration of Chinese and foreign styles is relatively good; there are folk classics like *The White-Haired Girl* and classical dance dramas like *Confucius*.

Among them, *Confucius* was invited to perform in Europe and America in the later period and was highly praised; it added three performances at the Lincoln Center in the United States, and *The New York Times* called it a "Chinese cultural business card."

Getty Images, Broadway World, and other professional art media and local Chinese media have given a lot of reports.

For a cultural event like the Olympic Games facing global audiences, a professional troupe that can combine traditional culture with Western aesthetic interest is needed.

Boss Lu also smiled: "President Zhang, the Opera and Dance Drama Theater is a unit directly under the Ministry of Culture; in terms of level, it is the same as you, so why don't you ask your old man to come forward?"

Beiping Film Academy is a municipal university, and its administrative level is positive department level; logically, Zhang Huijun and Han Shanping of China Film on the scene are both positive department level.

But because of the special status of Beiping Film Academy among art colleges, the head of the school is equipped with half a level higher.

And the Opera and Dance Drama Troupe is a unit directly under the Ministry of Culture, and the Dean Jin Wei is a deputy ministerial-level cadre.

Don't look at Boss Lu's wealth, his fame in Asia-Pacific, and his exposure in various international film festivals.

But in the domestic power context of management-based, a deputy ministerial-level troupe leader may not really give Lu Kuan face.

Based on the principle of dialogue at the same level, it is most appropriate for Zhang Huijun to come forward to invite and introduce, so it is not easy to be closed out.

This is also the reason why Lu Kuan has been seeking personal reputation and industry status discourse power.

There are some things you can not use, but you can't not have them; this society is looking at people to serve dishes, and there must be an external packaging of gold and jade on the outside.

Han Shanping today was led by several old smokers to smoke one after another: "The Opera and Dance Drama Troupe is there, the art director is there, the stage art design is there."

"For the remaining technical talents, you think about it again; today everyone here can help you contact them urgently, and they may all be poached in a day or two."

Lu Kuan frowned and thought for a few seconds; he thought of someone, but didn't know if he had been poached by Ang Lee.

Chinese-American female designer Lin Ying, who was a technical consultant for Ang Lee in 2005.

"Him?" The first to react was Zhao Fei, others were not very familiar.

"Who is this?"

Lu Kuan introduced: "Lin Ying is Lin Huiyin's niece, a Chinese-American architect."

"I met a Chinese-American fashion designer named Wang Daren in the United States; he said that in the Chinese circle in the United States, female stars attending the Oscars or the daughters of rich businessmen getting married generally find Wang Wei to design wedding dresses."

"When elderly people with high prestige and celebrities pass away, the host generally invites Yo-Yo Ma to play the cello at the memorial service."

Old Han is relatively traditional and old-fashioned, and he wondered: "Why play the cello at a memorial service?"

Dong Shuangqiang interjected with a smile: "It's the same principle as blowing the suona!"

Everyone laughed.

"Then what about this Lin Ying?"

"Lin Ying studied under her aunt and uncle's family, and has high attainments in architectural design and technology; in the Chinese circle in the United States, those who design garden landscapes and villa mansions generally can't invite her."

"Oh, that Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington is her work."

Lin Ying was born in 1959, and her design works are all over the United States.

Ye Lu University's "Women's Table," the Children's Defense Fund auditorium in Tennessee, and the Museum of African Art in New York are all very famous.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is naturally the best among them; she was still a junior at Ye Lu when she participated in the design competition.

Dong Shuangqiang slapped his thigh: "This works, contact her quickly!"

Boss Lu thought about it and dialed the overseas call.

"Hello? Lu Kuan?"

Wang Daren still has the American social habit of liking to call people by their first names regardless of status.

"Daren, the Lin Ying you mentioned last time, do you have a way to help me get contact information? I want to invite her to participate in the Olympic opening proposal design."

"Really? Great."

Wang Daren then cared: "You're okay, right? I just saw the news."

"Very good, don't worry."

"Lin Ying is easy to contact; I am classmates with Liang Zhouyang, and she just came to *Vogue* to find me last week."

Boss Lu was a bit confused, but through this surname, he seemed to associate something: "Liang Zhouyang is Liang Sicheng's?"

"Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin are her great-grandparents, and Liang Zhouyang calls Lin Ying her great-aunt."

(Left Lin Huiyin's niece-Lin Ying/Right Lin Huiyin's great-granddaughter-Liang Zhouyang)

Wang Daren smiled: "Actually, it's much more appropriate for you to contact her than me!"

"What do you mean?"

"Liang Zhouyang is your fan; she admires you very much, she collected your full set of movie DVDs, and just watched the newly released *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* three or four times!"

Boss Lu laughed dumbly: "Alright, please ask for the number, I will personally call to invite Lin Ying."

"No problem, Liang Zhouyang will be very happy."

Liang Zhouyang is quite famous in the later period; she is the founder of the Debutante Ball, and the key family is a top cultural family among Chinese in North America.

Great-grandfather is Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, needless to say.

Great-grandfather is physicist and Beiping University President Zhou Peiyuan, and father Liang Jian is a Chinese bronze cultural relic protection expert and collector.

Hanging up the phone, everyone in the room looked at him with a smile.

Han Shanping joked: "Young people are still popular; how come you have female fans everywhere?"

"But it's also a coincidence; how come you happened to know this classmate of Liang Zhouyang."

Boss Lu stood up and opened the window to ventilate: "The Chinese circle in the United States is very small; the higher you go, the smaller it gets, and it's normal to know each other and marry."

"If Lin Ying is willing to join, there will be no problem in technology; the engineering level of top architects is extremely high."

"I'll still find Williams for the special effects team, plus the backbone of Butian Film is enough."

Tian Zhuangzhuang prompted: "The young man just mentioned *Vogue*, your costume design and prop design?"

"Right, I'll see if Galliano works; he is very interested in Chinese culture, but the Dior director's business is too busy."

Lu Kuan had a hidden worry in his heart; this Galliano is an anti-Semitic person; in the later period of 2011, he was fired by Dior because of anti-Semitic remarks.

Must remind him in advance, don't be a big mouth.

He suddenly thought of that master-level figure in the fireworks field: "Cai Guoqiang, does anyone here know him?"

Zhang Huijun said in a deep voice: "Cai Guoqiang studied at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in his early years, but he immigrated to the United States in 1995; I have a suggestion for contacting him."

"What?"

"You have a good relationship with Marco Müller of the Venice Film Festival, ask him for help."

"Ah?" Boss Lu didn't understand Zhang Huijun's meaning.

"In 1999, Cai Guoqiang participated in the Venice International Art Biennale, also known as the Golden Lion Award; the film festival chairman that year was Marco Müller."

"Good, if there is an introduction, it will be much more convenient to talk."

Different industries are like mountains; no matter how famous he is in the film circle, people who play fireworks to the world's top level may not necessarily look up to him.

Boss Lu stood up excitedly and paced; from nothing to something, he basically built a skeleton.

The rest is to enrich the team according to needs and proposal details.

Zhang Huijun suddenly said: "In your team, I think there is still a role missing, a very key role."

Seeing everyone look over, he continued to explain.

"The people you just found are mostly at the technical level; this is for the feasibility of the proposal, which is correct."

"But in terms of core creativity, you alone are definitely not enough."

"And the Olympic Games are for audiences all over the world; to put it more plainly, you not only have to face your own people, but also take into account foreign audiences."

Boss Lu smiled: "Then I'll find a foreign opening ceremony director, let him provide a foreigner's perspective for the team."

"That's also possible, or find members of foreign art colleges and popular theater troupes; they understand the aesthetic interest representing foreign audiences."

Han Shanping provided two candidates: "Papadimitriou of the Athens Olympics, or Boche of the Sydney Olympics."

Tian Zhuangzhuang first raised an objection: "Papadimitriou won't work; he is a pioneer art school player, I can't understand that performance at all."

Hearing Old Tian's self-deprecation, everyone present laughed.

This person's movie in those years was also known for being obscure and difficult to understand.

His *Hunting Gun* was too obscure and difficult to understand, making the leaders angry, criticizing him for being divorced from the masses.

It was only after the then-Ministry of Culture art consultant, Dutch documentary director Ivens, spoke up that it passed the review.

As a result, he immediately filmed *Horse Thief*; this time, even his die-hard fan Ivens couldn't hold it, and whispered to Tian Zhuangzhuang at night: Didn't understand, can you show it to me again?

"Boche won't work either." Zhao Fei interjected: "Boche should have already been poached by Director Zhang."

The room was silent for a few seconds, continuing to brainstorm.

Dong Shuangqiang smiled: "Then just keep counting forward? 04 no, 00 no, 96 Atlanta, right? Ali lighting the fire is also very shocking."

Lu Kuan knew this director: "Atlanta Olympics is indeed good; I have met this Mitchell, he is the art consultant for the Oscar awards ceremony."

Han Shanping suddenly slapped the sofa excitedly: "This Mitchell is good, he understands us, he understands Chinese culture!"

"What do you mean?"

"In 1997, Hong Kong returned to the motherland; he was the director of the return celebration gala."

"In 1979, the designer visited the United States; he was hired by Carter as the TV director for the White House welcome banquet, and he is very familiar with China."

Everyone nodded in unison; this is simply an excellent core creative person.

It's just that such a gala big shot can form a team to bid by himself, and may not necessarily agree to join Lu Kuan's team.

"I'll find another backup, the Cirque du Soleil in Canada."

Although the name is circus, Cirque du Soleil is a theater troupe that clearly resists animal performances; its style covers drama, acrobatics, music shows, and other fields, and it is popular in North America.

"I met their director Dragone at the party after the Golden Globe Awards; I'll try to see if I can invite him over."

"Mitchell and Dragone, get one of the two, the Olympic proposal can be set!"

One hero needs three helpers; Lu Kuan has only been out for three or four years, even if he is galloping in his main business, his accumulation of contacts in various industries is not enough.

The five people combed through the talents of all walks of life from beginning to end again.

High-level Zhang Huijun and Han Shanping go to invite;

Dong Shuangqiang, who has complex social relations, goes to operate;

For those associated with the old generation of the domestic art circle, Tian Zhuangzhuang goes to invite, if not, ask his mother, Ms. Yu Lan, to come forward.

The rest are the artist groups in North America and Hollywood, which Lu Kuan contacts himself.

Actually, if you take the Olympic proposal from the previous life to bid, the probability of winning is very high.

It's just that Lu Kuan in this life is also an artist who aspires to cultivate deeply in film art and embark on the path of a master.

This kind of opportunity to compete on the same stage with Old Mouzi, Ang Lee, Chen Kaige, and others is rare.

Only under such great external pressure and the mental pressure given by an important event like the Olympic Games can an artist burst out more inspiration and create more amazing works.

I believe that if he can pass this level, it will also have infinite benefits for his future film path, and maybe he can truly touch the door leading to the master.

In addition, the final proposal of the previous life is certainly excellent and experienced, but it is a product of the balance between artistry and feasibility.

There are still many ideas that could not be implemented due to technical reasons, or have certain risks; in this life, with his forward-looking perspective, he can completely find solutions to transform them.

This is also a completely feasible route.

March 15, *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*, which has been released for more than half a month, continues to ferment in word-of-mouth and box office, continuing the trend of big explosions outside the Spring Festival file.

The domestic box office reported 130 million RMB, which is infinitely close to the 140 million of *A World Without Thieves* a few months ago; perhaps the 170 million record of Zhou Xingchi's *Kung Fu* will also become ancient.

The growth rate of domestic big screens in this life is very fast, which is also the reason why the box office of the same movie in this life is significantly higher than in the previous life.

At the same time, using Wenjie Jiahe's distribution network, the box office in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia reported 60 million RMB, and Japan and South Korea reported 6 million USD.

The box office trend in the North American market is strong, but the stamina is insufficient.

In the early stage of the opening, relying on Lu Kuan winning the Best Foreign Language Film and his personal IP hype of talking and laughing at the Oscars, it took 13 million USD in the first week.

But due to the subject matter of the film, compared to the 128 million box office of the martial arts style *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* in this life has no hope of breaking 100 million.

Even so, Wenjie North America still discussed with Miramax and Lionsgate to shift the focus of publicity to Mytube, which has more than 10 million regular users.

On the one hand, save marketing costs, and on the other hand, try film marketing in new media channels.

From domestic to foreign, Focus Media, Travel Channel, Blog. com, Douban, Wenjie Video, Mytube, and the TV stations mastered by Lionsgate and Miramax took turns bombing, and the public opinion weapon was loud.

Coupled with the fame of the Berlin Golden Bear, Best Actor, and Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, the whole of Asia and North America is shrouded in the publicity offensive of *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*.

Even without the pure commercial film *The Foreigner* making money, the cost of only about 70 million *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* is a foregone conclusion, not to mention derivatives and subsequent DVD revenue.

At the same time, the refined management after the establishment of Wenjie Holdings has greatly improved cost savings.

The group uses large low-interest loans provided by the two banks of Jiao and Jian according to a reasonable debt ratio to fully promote the penetration of Wenjie Jiahe Cinema in the mainland.

Such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, etc. in Guangdong Province;

Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, etc. in the Yangtze River Delta, as well as Beiping, are key development areas.

Although there is a heavy asset line like Wenjie Jiahe, the current financial pressure is not great.

Especially the listing plan of Focus Media on NASDAQ scheduled for July, when there will be nearly 400 million USD market value of stocks in hand, and you can pledge to financial institutions whenever you need money.

March 16, held a 140 million box office celebration banquet at the Kunlun Hotel in Beiping.

March 17, Lu Kuan and Zhou Xun, Liu Yifei, and Zhang Manyu also participated in the recording of the Travel Channel program *A Date with Luyu*.

The half-time celebration banquet was for publicity, and going on the show was for the same purpose, and also for Lu Kuan's personal IP hype.

In view of this, Long Danni, who had just taken office as Executive Deputy Station Master and Program Director, continued to exert force and dug *A Date with Luyu* from Phoenix TV to enrich the program content.

*A Date with Luyu* is currently a top domestic talk show, which joined the Hunan Station after leaving Phoenix TV in the later period.

In the peak period of Hunan Station in 2008, the ratings of *Luyu* once topped the talk show programs, surpassing CCTV mainstream talk shows such as *Art Life*, and the potential is great.

Each issue of *A Date with Luyu* will establish a theme.

For example, the previous issue was *Tai Lihua's Life and Love* for *Thousand-Hand Guanyin*, and the previous issue was *Shan Tianfang's Awakening Wood*.

And the theme of this issue that Lu Kuan and others participated in was *Young Director and His Movie Heroine*.

After the program was transplanted to the Travel Channel, in the process of Long Danni reporting to Lu Kuan, some changes were made to the process details in a targeted manner.

The positioning of *Art Life* is heavy and atmospheric, so *A Date with Luyu* must be sincere, grounded, and have a distinct personality.

The guests invited are mostly figures standing on the cusp of history and public opinion, such as Liu Xiaoqing in the first issue, Yang Yuying who is plagued by controversy, etc.

For example.

*Art Life* once interviewed Feng Xiaogang; at that time, his mother had passed away for only three days, but the program team didn't use this as a gimmick to move people to tears and improve the program effect, which was very popular.

But the style of *A Date with Luyu* is private conversation; as long as it doesn't violate public order and good customs and laws and regulations, everything is fine.

For example, when Liu Xiaoqing was on the show at the beginning of the year, Long Danni and other leaders instructed Chen Luyu to mention tax evasion, prison, and being a supporting role for Liu Tao and others.

Of course, Liu Xiaoqing is also very atmospheric, and she is also very willing to speak out through such channels to express her repentance and willingness to start over, which is a win-win.

Only in this way can the Travel Channel make this program go out of the circle and defeat Hunan Station's *Yang Lan Interview* in talk show variety shows.

She was born in Xicheng, Beiping; her father was a host at China Radio International, and her mother was a Bengali host; she was taught by words and deeds since childhood and debuted in 2001.

You can tell from the program name that this is a talk show with a clear personal style, and Chen Luyu herself has great power.

In the later *A Date with Luyu*, she has a one-vote veto power over the selection of topics.

Even many guest candidates were suddenly thought of by her and her friends while chatting or putting on makeup, and one phone call settled it.

The Travel Channel introduced her and also promised these personal treatment requirements.

In 2006, domestic Enlight Media launched the "China's Most Valuable Host" ranking, and Chen Luyu ranked in the top three with 300 million yuan.

In the same year, *Time* magazine rated *Luyu* as one of the most valuable TV programs in China in 15 years.

Several people are communicating the approximate interview scope and key points in the backstage.

Transferred to the Travel Channel, the program changed from recording to live broadcast, greatly enhancing randomness and fun, and also put forward higher requirements for the guests' on-the-spot response.

At the same time, the audience watching the fun also flocked, which is a double-edged sword.

Therefore, before the program, the communication between the guests and the program team is very important.

Among them, Chen Luyu plays a key role.

Chen Luyu has always been confident that she can deal with every guest.

She had interviewed the national scholar Yuan Longping, Zhou Xingchi, Gong Li, Li Lianjie, Anita Mui, and others, all of whom were familiar with the road.

Until today she met Boss Lu, and his three heroines.

"Director Lu, is it convenient to mention your emotional problems and nicknames?"

Chen Luyu looked sincere, as if she didn't know who the person in charge of this TV station was at all.

Big host, Long Danni finally dug her from Phoenix TV and competitor Hunan Station.

Entering the work state, in her eyes there is only Lu Kuan, no President Lu or Boss Lu.

Boss Lu looked sincere: "You mean genius director, let's forget it, it's embarrassing."

Zhang Manyu and Zhou Xun both laughed lightly, only Little Liu couldn't control her laughter.

Chen Luyu pursed her lips: "That is, regarding some gossip anecdotes about your personal feelings, do you think there is any need to dig or clarify?"

"Host Chen, to be honest, I am a bit ashamed to speak about these questions; I haven't graduated from university yet, and I haven't fallen in love..."

The young director looked ignorant, Chen Luyu was a bit dazed, shocked by his thick skin, and couldn't directly expose it.

"Alright."

"What about Yifei, is it convenient?"

"I haven't graduated from university either, and I haven't fallen in love..."

Chen Luyu looked at two faces with different looks but the same expression shaking in front of her, and had a bad premonition.

But the little girl is always easier to break through, right?

Let today's program effect come from you!

Zhou Xun and Zhang Manyu naturally didn't care.

One doesn't care about her nickname as a male star harvester at all, and the other is in a single divorced state, with the worldly wisdom of a middle-aged intellectual woman.

"Okay, then in terms of movies, considering the purpose of publicity, we will focus on *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*."

"But considering the theme of the program, the previous *The Thief* and *The Foreigner* will also be mentioned, talking about the behind-the-scenes stories between the two of you and the director during filming, no problem, right?"

"Can."

"No problem."

Chen Luyu flipped through the materials in her hand again: "That's good, we'll start in twenty minutes."

"By the way, Director Lu, the gauze on your head..."

"Doesn't it affect the program?"

"That won't, I'm worried it will affect your image."

Boss Lu smiled: "That's fine, my image is just like that."

Chen Luyu turned around and rolled her eyes; just now she was pretending to be garlic, now she knows how to self-deprecate.

This gauze on her head definitely can't be taken off; he still has to borrow this matter to nag about his encounter, deepening the logic that building buildings is repaying gratitude.

Use every possible means to wash away the suspicions that might be encountered three years later.

"Lighting?"

"Ready."

"Stage?"

"Ready."

"Microphone sound debugging?"

"No problem."

Long Danni gave instructions in the backstage: "Luyu, start recording in ten seconds, get ready."

"Okay, Sister Long."

In the studio hall of the Travel Channel Beiping Production Center, there was a curved yellow sofa, and Chen Luyu sat on one side.

A background music sounded, the program started, and Chen Luyu walked to the middle of the stage.

"I am a movie fan, but to be honest, I haven't been to the cinema for a long time before 2002."

Chen Luyu, wearing the 2024 Paris Olympics hairstyle, smiled: "Why say 2002? Because on National Day in 2002, I accompanied my family to the cinema and watched a movie called *Whiplash*."

"The director of the movie is our main guest today, Mr. Lu Kuan, and the three heroines who have worked with him, everyone welcome!"

Lu Kuan and the four walked in under the applause of the live audience, then smiled and greeted the audience before sitting down.

From near to far from Chen Luyu, they were Lu Kuan, Liu Yifei, Zhou Xun, and Zhang Manyu.

Boss Lu was dressed relatively casually today, jeans and a light blue shirt.

Beside him, Little Liu was wearing a white lace V-neck shirt and a light khaki short skirt, gentle and suitable.

The old mother in the audience looked at her excited expression helplessly, Liu Yifei, can you restrain yourself!

Beiping's first deep affection: Can't restrain, haven't seen the washing machine for a week!

"Okay, welcome the four."

Chen Luyu introduced: "I believe the audience here and in front of the TV are no strangers to these four."

"But according to the opening convention, let's watch a VCR."

Travel Channel backstage, Long Danni was asking about the real-time ratings data.

"Feedback from CSM, around 4.2%, Director Long."

"Good, not bad."

Last year's *Super Girl* final ratings soared, but the ceiling of talk show variety shows is not high, even *Art Life* is only around 2%-5%.

The screen lit up, which was the highlight moment of the heroines of Lu Kuan's four movies since his debut.

The breakup scene between Zhou Jielun and Liu Yifei in *Drummer*, speechless and determined to leave;

Zhou Xun in *The Thief* crying pear blossoms with rain, pulling Xiaotong's hand and crying loudly;

The 40-year-old Li Ming and Zhang Manyu in *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* kissing passionately, the Cannes Best Actress blooming with intellectual beauty.

Liu Yifei in *The Foreigner* holding a gun to kill monsters, holding beauty to commit crimes.

There was also a behind-the-scenes footage of firearms training.

Four movies brought the Lu Kuan fans at the scene and the fans of the three female stars back to the three years of time that had passed.

Especially Liu Yifei.

Carefully arranged order, placing her two movies at the beginning and the end.

The fans at the scene and in front of the TV were quite moved looking at her immaturity in *Drummer* at 15 and her dashing in *The Foreigner* at 17.

Especially Liu Xiaoli, when she sat in the audience as a bystander, listening to the screams and excitement of the fans around Xixi, she felt a lot of emotion in her heart.

The VCR ended, and there was a round of applause at the scene.

Chen Luyu's interview style is unique, and some questions may be relatively sharp.

Therefore, the opening usually starts from some relatively relaxed, widely known topics, unfolds preliminary exchanges with the guests, eases the guests' nervous emotions, and creates a harmonious interview atmosphere.

For example, asking about the guests' recent work dynamics and some interesting things in life: "What's going on with the wound on Director Lu's head, can you chat with our audience."

Boss Lu touched the small gauze on his head as if he didn't know: "Oh, last week I went to Rongcheng to visit Curator Fan Jianchuan to talk about movie props."

"I drank a black tea produced in Wuchuan Shuimo in his office, which is very special."

He paused and smiled at the audience and the camera: "Not an advertisement, but everyone who likes tea can pay attention to it."

"It happened that I accepted the commission of the Olympic Organizing Committee at that time, and as a directional unit, I participated in the bidding work of the opening ceremony proposal, so I went to gather inspiration."

"Very unfortunately, the car had a small problem with the brakes and had a car accident; fortunately, no casualties were caused, otherwise my sin would be great, hehe."

Little Liu still feels lingering fear listening to it.

Thinking of that day, her despair when he couldn't wake up for six hours.

"Yifei? Yifei?"

The little girl raised her head with an "ah"; it was Chen Luyu who cued her.

"I heard you were at the scene at that time, right? What was the feeling at that time?"

"Hmm... quite unexpected, Wenjie and I have a pastoral-themed variety show to cooperate, because Director Lu is busy with movies and Olympic matters, we actively cooperated with his time."

Yang Siwei in the audience looked at her natural blowing and lying, and nodded secretly in her heart.

You have one percent of the skill of the man beside you.

"At that time, I went to Shuimo Town with my agent Little Yang."

"It was 8:30 in the morning when we arrived."

Chen Luyu smiled: "Remember so clearly."

"Yeah, because the time we agreed on the day before was 8:30, so..."

Her heart paused, and she suddenly recalled the abnormality of Lu Kuan that day.

In the past, when they agreed to meet, he rarely specified the exact time due to his casual personality; she was still wondering why he was like arranging tasks that day?

The program was live, her thoughts flashed by: "When I arrived, I just saw that scene, very shocking and panicked."

"Can you tell us the story later? I see Lu Kuan's fans are still quite concerned."

Liu Yifei smiled: "Nothing much, thanks to the teachers, students, and villagers of Shuimo Town Elementary School who pulled him out of the car and sent him to the hospital."

"After the examination, there were no major external injuries, just a small cut on the forehead, but he just didn't wake up, and only turned to safety later."

Chen Luyu smiled: "It looks quite thrilling, we also know that Director Lu later held a press conference and decided to take out the net profit of *Aftershock* for charity."

"Director Lu, tell us about your thoughts at that time."

Boss Lu looked pained and fearful: "I am a Daoist, and this matter has a great impact on me."

"There is a sentence at the beginning of *Taishang Ganying Pian*, disaster and happiness have no door, only people call it themselves, the retribution of good and evil follows like a shadow."

Chen Luyu was surprised: "You still have religious beliefs, explain it to the audience."

"The meaning is very simple, similar to good rewards for good and evil rewards for evil in Buddhism."

"Because it was really dangerous at that time, medically, generally coma for more than 6 hours and not waking up may be more serious, and can be judged as some serious illness."

"So I am very grateful to the elders and villagers of Wuchuan, and the local area is an earthquake belt, which is related to *Aftershock* I am filming."

"Back and forth, I made up my mind, it was my repayment of gratitude, it was the villagers there who gave me this life, hehe."

The audience began to applaud, and those who hadn't paid attention to this story in front of the TV also figured out the ins and outs.

A self-consistent logic closed loop, using television images as a storage medium, will be taken out and played repeatedly three years later.

People will sigh at the magic of fate, but don't know his life-and-death situation at the beginning.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 264 =====