Chapter 473 Help

Shen Xudong does look at beautiful women...

Even the opening ceremony was ignored!

It's not that he's lustful or anything, it's just that the opening ceremony was boring...

In fact, for Shen Xudong, the Cannes Film Festival is more like an exhibition in the film industry, a procurement site where supply and demand are related.

Many times the commercial nature outweighs its artistic value.

When a movie has not received distribution or promotion funds, it will choose to go to film festivals. After a series of operations, can it be released in the United States? Released in Europe? Or win an award and return to the Chinese market for release.

He is even planning to go to Paris or Monaco after "Carol" is released...

Take a trip…

It’s a worthwhile trip!

I thought too much and the movie channel came over for an interview the next morning...

It's still "World Cinema Journey".

…

The interview environment is much better, right on the beach, the sun is shining and the breeze is gentle. Of course, ignore the garbage and vomit not far away...

Shen Xudong is still wearing a white shirt, cool and elegant.

"The cost of "Carol" was US$12 million, and we spent the vast majority of it. Of course, we attach great importance to whether it can gain something in Cannes...the appearance in the main competition unit is equivalent to US$2 million in advertising fees!"

"Whether you win or not depends on the judges' opinions. I haven't met Wang Jiawei yet..."

"I haven't seen the full-length movie either, but I've watched the trailer and I think it's very good, quite romantic..."

"It's just a love movie, but both protagonists are women..."

"Actually, the original work of "Carol", "The Price of Salt," is not Highsmith's masterpiece. Her first work, "Strangers on a Train," became famous when she met Hitchcock, and Hitchcock adapted it into "The Price of Salt." "Strangers on a Train"...and "The Talented Mr. Ripley"..."

"The theme is love, and the core of the story is relatively ordinary... In fact, it is the story of the mutual love and happy ending between a lady and a girl in New York in the 1950s... This kind of story is not shocking enough..."

"When I received this script, I knew it was unlikely to be released in China, but we wanted to be nominated for an Oscar...so, I accepted the script and adapted it, and also brought my own investment..."

"The cinematography, storyboards, and actors' performances are impeccable. Coupled with Hollywood's politically correct nature, and of course its strong public relations capabilities, it won't be a problem for "Carol" to get a few Oscar nominations, and it may even win a gold medal. Ball Awards, for example, Gong Li was crowned the first Asian Best Actress..."

"Hollywood likes to play with these things to show their tolerance and advancement..."

Shen Xudong said it very straightforwardly. Anyway, it will be edited later...

Tell everything about your plans directly.

Ju Wenpei, who interviewed him, was shocked: "Can Gong Li win the award?"

"...It's not a big problem...Hollywood also needs an Asian actress. The Oscar is unlikely to give it to her. The Golden Globe should not mind stealing the limelight!"

“What about Cannes?”

Shen Xudong thought for a while and said: "...I don't know about Cannes. After all, the pork must be divided, best director or best actress..."

"...Can I report on these?"

"Of course, you just report. Last year I was able to predict that Li Min would win the Oscar for Best Director for "Brokeback Mountain". Of course I dare to predict this year's "Carol" as well!"

Hearing this, Ju Wenpei couldn't help but ask: "You came to the conclusion that Li Min won the award half a year in advance, and it was absolutely accurate... I'm curious, how did you predict it?"

"...It's very simple, "Brokeback Mountain" is good enough and bold enough, but not bold enough..."

"You know Oscar so well?"

Shen Xudong nodded: "Indeed, I have studied it..."

Nonsense, he has a memory, and he added by the way: "In fact, if "The Aviator" had been selected last year, I would have at least guaranteed to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film!"

"Ahem..."

Ju Wenpei hurriedly coughed...

That’s right, the Oscar awards are not about screening all the movies in the world, criticizing them one by one, and then selecting a few good ones and awarding them an award. That's not the case. This is what movie reviewers do.

When you select the best foreign language film for the Oscars, each country sends its own. In the Mainland, it is a little more complicated. It is selected by the General Administration. The director cannot send it privately, and only one film is sent every year.

Last year I gave "The Promise" as a gift...

Shen Xudong has always been unhappy!

Even if you choose to give "Ride Alone Thousands of Miles" as a gift, he will feel better. "The Promise"...

…

The interview lasted half an hour and was basically about "Carol"...

Of course, much of it may not be airworthy, but the stuff about award prospects should be.

Anyway, I only show my face for five minutes.

They edit according to the situation.

At the end of the interview, Shen Xudong once again paid for them to have a meal with his own money - Chinese food!

The consumption level in Cannes is only higher than that in Venice...

An ordinary home-cooked meal costs nearly 6,000 yuan.

Damn it, a bowl of ordinary rice costs 4 euros!

Now, the euro is very strong, one euro is equivalent to RMB 11.

It’s outrageous, a bowl of rice costs 44 yuan…

The key point is that 6,000 yuan is only half full.

Saying goodbye to the movie channel people, Shen Xudong... went to see a movie - "Short Bus"...

This movie was not in the main competition. He knew this because "Short Bus" was as famous as "Nine Songs of Love" - ​​the director tried to show real sex on the screen, remove the hazy feeling of sex, and restore sex to its true colors.

Well, Ivy is still the kind who doesn’t fight horses!

I felt excited when I heard the publicity, but after watching it, I found this movie... people who watched it were very unhappy. The director has no structure at all, and is far inferior to Tindo Barras...

Some types require a professional!

…

"Uncle Feng, Harvey Weinstein is very famous in Hollywood, he is thick-skinned and shameless... When he buys movies, he often only pays a deposit. His usual tactic is to buy the North American distribution rights of the movie at a high price. He initially offered 8 million, When others saw this, they stopped competing with him. He gave him a deposit of US$200,000. When the filming was finally completed, he said, I don’t want this movie anymore. Return it, and it will be too late if you want to sell it to others. Now he is looking for you, Just $1 million."

Feng Xiaogang was stunned: "...ah?"

Shen Xudong nodded: "Really, that's what "The Promise" did, but "The Promise" was helped by China Film and contacted Warner..."

At the "Night Banquet" reception, Shen Xudong saw Harvey Weinstein who was communicating with Huang Zhonglei, then pulled Feng Xiaogang over and whispered to him...

They were all in the same circle, and Feng Xiaogang treated Shen Xudong very well, and couldn't bear to see him being cheated by Harvey!

In the original time and space, "The Banquet" was sold to Harvey for 5 million in Cannes. At that time, the film's post-production period was not over yet. Hua Yi brought the trailer. Harvey used the reason for returning "The Promise" and was only willing to pay 200,000 US dollars. Advance payment.

Hua Yi had no experience in selling films overseas, so he agreed readily without thinking too much. When it was time to pay the bill, Harvey said, "The quality of "The Banquet" is too poor and he is not optimistic about the film's prospects in North America. He sold it to him for US$1 million, otherwise No more! ’

If not to Harvey, who else could it be sold to?

At the time of "The Banquet," I had gone to all the film festivals I needed to go to, and had discussed all the film business deals I needed to make. It was very difficult to find a buyer again.

Chinese-language films are inherently difficult to sell, and it becomes even more difficult if they have a reputation for returns.

If it hadn't been sold to Harvey, the North American copyright might have been lost and the loss would have been even greater.

Feng Xiaogang later complained publicly about this matter.

However, Feng Xiaogang doesn't know Harvey well now, but he knows that he is a famous film producer in North America. He is very surprised: "No way... I heard that he is very famous!"

"It's all because of the bad reputation. Jiahe didn't cooperate with him anymore..."

Just as he was talking, Harvey walked over and his eyes lit up when he saw Shen Xudong: "Shen, you are here too!"

"Of course, Director Feng is a director whose reputation in China is not inferior to that of Zhang Yi, and he is also my uncle!" Speaking of this, Shen Xudong smiled: "Mr. Harvey, you also watched the half-hour clip of "The Night Banquet" Okay, how much do you think this movie is worth? To be honest, don’t forget that “Little Miss Sunshine” was the script I sold you!”

Harvey...his expression was still cheerful: "Five million dollars..."

This man is so shameless!

Shen Xudong rolled his eyes: "Really? Can you pay now?"

"...That won't work. I can only pay a deposit of 200,000..."