Chapter 1390: Chapter 721: Night
Zhou Yun’s experience filming "Four Killers" was not exactly pleasant.
It’s not that the movie itself wasn’t good, in fact, it should have turned out pretty well.
It’s just that Zhou Yun couldn’t quite handle Director Hou Mengjie’s style during the shoot.
The kind that nitpicks and insists everything be performed exactly as he imagined.
Hou Mengjie doesn’t give actors much freedom when filming.
Actors are merely tools in his hands, like a painter’s brush.
A brush isn’t supposed to have its own will.
However, "Four Killers" being selected for the Venice International Film Festival’s main competition unit probably makes Yao Yuanfeng overjoyed.
This is the second time a film controlled by New Shield has made it into one of the three major film festivals. The first time was with "Life," and this is also New Shield’s first time making it into the main competition unit of the three major film festivals.
People say the Venice International Film Festival is a haven for Chinese-language films, and looking at it now, it certainly seems so.
This news quickly became a trending topic.
Zhou Yun’s new film entered the Venice International Film Festival, ranking ninth in the trending topics.
Yao Yuanfeng indeed couldn’t be happier.
Generously, he sent ten red envelopes in the "Four Killers" group chat, and everyone scrambled to grab them.
Then, Yao Yuanfeng was quick to call Zhou Yun.
"Xiao Yun, you must overcome all obstacles to attend the Venice International Film Festival this time!" Yao Yuanfeng said, "Promise me, no matter what, you must attend!"
This tone is so overbearing CEO-like.
Zhou Yun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
She said, "But I’m filming, President Yao, I’m working on ’Moon Sinking at Sea’."
Yao Yuanfeng said, "If you can’t coordinate with the crew, I’ll call Chen Wenjun, and I’ll handle it."
"It’s not a matter of coordination, President Yao. The workload for this film is heavy, and I don’t have enough time to attend this festival," Zhou Yun said. "Anyway, there are He Xuran and Yin Linglin, among others, attending, it’ll still be glamorous."
The news of being selected came so suddenly that Zhou Yun hadn’t prepared to attend the Venice International Film Festival this September.
Yao Yuanfeng said, "How can they compare to you?! Don’t decline me at this moment. I’m serious; I never thought ’Four Killers’ would make it to Venice! I just thought of trying and sending it for selection, I didn’t expect it to be chosen! This is New Shield’s first entry into the main competition unit of the three major film festivals!"
Yao Yuanfeng’s excitement could practically be felt through the phone line.
Zhou Yun said, "President Yao, I know it’s a good thing. If possible, of course, I’d like to attend such an impressive film festival with my work, but I genuinely don’t know if I can coordinate the time. I already delayed joining this group because of a cameo in another film, taking leave again is a big issue for the crew."
But Yao Yuanfeng wouldn’t listen.
"Oh, all this can be coordinated, it’s not that troublesome," Yao Yuanfeng said. "I said, if you find it difficult to coordinate, I’ll coordinate for you."
Zhou Yun felt Yao Yuanfeng was a bit obsessed, probably overwhelmed with excitement by the news, and a bit unreasonable.
She figured there was no point in arguing with him now.
"Okay, President Yao, wait a moment, I’ll first go talk to the crew."
Only then was Yao Yuanfeng willing to end the call.
The news of "Four Killers" being selected for the Venice International Film Festival was explosively popular.
Mainly because the four leads of this movie are all top celebrities.
Each of them has a very strong fan base; once the news was out, fans from each group continuously increased the topic’s buzz. Among the younger generation of actors, not many have starred in films that make it to the three major film festivals. In recent years, among movies that got into the three major film festivals with young lead actors, it’s only Zhou Yun and Song Chi.
This time, "Four Killers" is a legit film with four big stars as the lead, not a movie where Zhou Yun is the main star and others are just supporting.
No matter if others think Zhou Yun is the biggest star of this movie, the fans from the other three groups are all seizing this chance to promote their idol’s achievements.
And indeed, they are remarkable achievements to boast about.
Zhou Yun received another round of congratulations.
On the "Moon Sinking at Sea" set, the crew also held a small celebration party for her.
One night, when Zhou Yun rushed over to film, she was met with this surprise.
Many people were present, celebrating and drinking together.
Zhou Yun: "Thank you, thank you, everyone."
Usually, shooting is tiresome for everyone, so when a party finally comes along, everyone has a blast.
As people drank more, many daily restraints were tossed aside.
Someone asked Zhou Yun, "Zhou Yun, your movies have won so many awards, why are you still acting in our TV series?"
Zhou Yun laughed and said, "What’s wrong with TV series?"
"Oh, isn’t it said that movies are more prestigious than TV series?"
"Only incapable filmmakers say that." Zhou Yun said bluntly, "The cinema people I know are somewhat connected to the TV drama circle, all creating works. What’s with high and low statuses? I hate people like that the most."
"Then will you keep acting in TV series in the future?"
"Of course, as long as there’s a good script and crew, why wouldn’t I?" Zhou Yun said. "So far, my most treasured filming experience is shooting ’Heart Inquiry.’"
"Ah, that’s your and Song Chi’s love project."
"It has nothing to do with him," Zhou Yun said. "It was during that film that I started to recognize my pursuit of my identity as an actor. Initially, when I entered entertainment, to be honest, I genuinely just came to make money. But later... people always want to pursue something, right? We all want to find the value and meaning of our life, don’t we?"
At this moment, Song Chi also arrived.
He opened his arms and hugged Zhou Yun.
"Congratulations on entering Venice again!" Song Chi’s eyes filled with mirth.
Zhou Yun tilted her head up and kissed Song Chi’s lips.
Cheering erupted all around them.
Song Chi smiled and responded to Zhou Yun.
The two kissed right amid the laughter for a full half-minute before parting.
Among the crowd stood Liu Ziyin, feeling somewhat envious.
That night, it was until midnight that Zhou Yun and Song Chi were allowed by everyone to leave together.
The two talked about taking a stroll before heading back.
Walking in the gentle night breeze, Zhou Yun looked up at the bright moon in the sky.
She then turned to Song Chi.
Song Chi had drunk quite a bit, his cheeks slightly flushed.
Stopping under a streetlamp, Zhou Yun paused.
"I’m tired of walking."
Song Chi immediately asked, "Want me to carry you?"
"No need." Zhou Yun hugged Song Chi, "Just let me lean here for a while."
Song Chi lowered his head and smiled, wrapping his right arm around Zhou Yun, nodding okay.
Leaning on Song Chi’s shoulder, Zhou Yun’s heart, stirred from the earlier party, gradually calmed down.
"It’s great to have you here."
