Back then, the awards were indeed quite pure, and the selected works were truly outstanding, with a diverse range of film and television works from around the world.
Ning Jiaqi was a bit unlucky, as he always ran into many foreign works that are still considered classics at Cannes, so he was slow to win any major awards. However, the male and female leads he mentored have all won awards, and their works have also achieved some success in other awards.
Later, Ning Jiaqi lost interest in international awards and sensed the vitality of the mainland film market, so he gave up the pursuit and began to direct commercial films.
Thus, the multi-billion-dollar box office empire that we have today came into being.
Sun Gong, however, did not possess such keen insight.
Like Ning Jiaqi, he initially aimed for international awards and studied them diligently. Later, he discovered that foreigners preferred certain backward and ignorant themes, so some of his art films achieved good results. Although the domestic response was lukewarm and they didn't receive much attention, he won many international awards.
However, such works cannot put food on the table, and apart from a title, they cannot earn Sun Gong much more money.
He considered returning to China to make commercial films, just like Ning Jiaqi, but his works could no longer escape the affectation and melodrama of art films, which were out of step with the thinking of many people today. Gradually, no one was willing to watch them anymore, and the box office of several of his films was dismal.
However, the fact that Sun Gong was able to become Ning Jiaqi's rival shows that he is quite intelligent.
Soon, Sun Gong discovered another way to make money—goldening traffic.
That's right. Simply put, it's about helping actors with popularity, capital, and some acting skills to film suitable works and take them abroad to compete for awards.
Although those titles and awards can no longer make him money or gain him more fame, there will always be someone who needs them!
Sun Gong has studied foreign awards for many years. He can guess the judges' preferences, this year's biases, and the competitors who are nominated. He can even help with the process. In addition, his directing ability is indeed quite good. So once he wins the award and gains prestige, and with the support of popular actors, the film's box office will naturally be stable, and he can make a lot of money.
Thus, Sun Gong embarked on a highly controversial path to making money—
Of course, this money isn't something anyone can earn; each party needs to have sufficient strength, and winning an award is a testament to their ability.
Ning Jiaqi just hates this kind of person the most.
So when Ning Jiaqi learned that Sun Gong's company and the film company that produced the male lead's new movie were secretly targeting "No Bait" behind the scenes, he was furious.
As soon as the premiere of "No Bait" ended, Ning Jiaqi went straight to the screening room where Sun Gong was, grabbed Sun Gong and grabbed his hair.
"Sun Gong, you idiot, you've been plotting against your grandpa, haven't you?"
Over the years, Sun Gong had made things difficult for Ning Jiaqi, and now it was time to settle old scores with new ones. Ning Jiaqi grabbed Sun Gong and started pulling on him, determined to rip off all of Sun Gong's transplanted hair, which was of utmost importance to him.
Sun Gong clutched his head and screamed in pain, completely stunned by Ning Jiaqi's unexpected move.
The premiere here hadn't started yet, and there weren't many people in the theater. It was mostly Sun Gong's own crew. Everyone was completely dumbfounded when they saw this situation. They didn't expect Ning Jiaqi to be so direct, not even bothering to pretend, and just starting the fight right away.
Where is the director's reserve?
Where is the demeanor of a great director?
What about the director's reputation?
Ning Jiaqi just chuckled coldly: "I've spent the rest of my life cultivating my character, all for the sake of taking down a piece of trash like you now."
"Stop hitting! Stop hitting! Someone's taking pictures!"
"Director Ning, let's talk this out."
"Calm down, everyone calm down."
Ning Jiaqi let go after hitting me, then glared around angrily: "Don't touch me, or I'll end up lying on the ground when I get old!"
Everyone immediately stopped daring to touch Ning Jiaqi.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Sun Gong dared not speak again, but only looked at Ning Jiaqi with extreme anger.
Ning Jiaqi just smiled, then pointed at the people filming and said very readily, "What are you looking at? Take more pictures and post them online. I'll continue to argue with your family online and let everyone know who's stirring up trouble behind the scenes. Let's see if netizens criticize me or you."
Director Ning holds a prominent position in the industry and has several outstanding disciples, among whom Zhuang Hongyi is wealthy, powerful, and famous. Normal people would really not dare to mess with Ning Jiaqi.
After giving Sun Gong a swift and decisive beating, Director Ning snorted coldly, crossed his arms, and swaggered out.
The Sun Gong crew was left looking at each other in bewilderment.
...
hotel.
Ning Jiaqi sat on the sofa, making one phone call after another back to China. Although his expression was serious, his aura was not intimidating.
After he finished dealing with the aftermath of the domestic public opinion controversy, he looked at Ding Wanyu and said calmly, "Alright, this matter is a private matter for each of us. We know what's going on with each other, so you don't need to take it [N O V E L I G H T] too seriously."
Ning Jiaqi has been in the industry for so many years, what kind of scandals and controversies hasn't he seen? Secret marriage and having children are already the most common gossip about him, and there are countless other shocking stories.
Therefore, Ning Jiaqi did not take Ding Wanyu's concealment to heart.
Ding Wanyu was too embarrassed to say anything more, so she simply bowed apologetically to Ning Jiaqi and said, "My flight is this afternoon. Thank you all for taking care of me lately."
Given the situation in China, Ding Wanyu felt embarrassed to stay any longer. In addition, her child was also affected and was photographed by paparazzi. At this point, Ding Wanyu was even more anxious to go back and comfort her child.
Ning Jiaqi naturally nodded in agreement: "Don't worry about the crew, they won't leak the news of your return. Once you're back in China, take the kids and find a new place to live immediately."
"Thank you, thank you."
Ding Wanyu thanked her gratefully.
As Ding Wanyu walked out of the hotel, Liu Rulan called out to her in the corridor.
"These are local specialties that our assistant just bought for the children. We hope you don't mind."
“Everyone’s been quite busy lately, so there’s probably not been much time to explore the area. Consider this a little treat for you, don’t be shy.” Liu Rulan gestured to Lao Qi, “I’ll have Lao Qi help put these in your cars.”
Old Qi, carrying the gift box and bag, silently walked down to the parking lot.
Ding Wanyu was very surprised, and then bowed deeply to Liu Rulan and Xiao He again to express her gratitude: "Thank you, and I'm sorry, I hope my matter will not affect the release of the movie."
Xiao He smiled brightly: "It's alright, Sister Ding. Director Ning said that the premiere today went very well. The audience who came to watch it all praised it highly. Our movie will definitely be a great success!"
Ding Wanyu pursed her lips, and a hint of warmth finally appeared on her face, which was always tinged with worry: "Okay, 'No Bait' will definitely work, thank you."
Once she was in the car, Ding Wanyu learned from her assistant that not only Lao Qi had brought gifts, but also other members of the crew, including Director Ning, had sent Xu Fuxue with some small trinkets as gifts for the children.
Ding Wanyu looked at the gifts filling the trunk, and tears streamed down her face as she smiled.
The world is not entirely bad.
Behind the rumors she feared, there was another group of people silently concerned.
Perhaps the woman she once was was indeed too timid and cowardly, and viewed everything with excessive pessimism.
It seems... there's nothing to be afraid of anymore.
