Chapter 1021: Chapter 1021: Refusing the Invitation
Sheng Tang and Qi Lin chatted for a while.
"I’m planning to make a movie myself, tentatively titled ’Wu Zetian,’ and I want to make it a historical drama," Qi Lin said. "Can I invite you to be the lead actress?"
Sheng Tang: "Am I suitable?"
Her face was delicate, not round and plump, which didn’t match people’s impression of Tang Dynasty beauties being full and radiant.
"You can." Qi Lin said, "The post-production can handle makeup, and your acting can carry it."
"I’ll have to ask my agent about this. Once I’m back in the country, show me the script first," Sheng Tang said with a smile.
She couldn’t agree outright, nor could she immediately refuse and offend Qi Lin’s mentor, Director Han Haoming.
Director Han really liked Qi Lin and valued him highly. After two years of internship, Director Han entrusted Qi Lin to independently direct a historical drama.
Offending tasks can be pushed to the agent.
After all, agents are meant to play the bad guy.
"Alright, once we’re back home, let’s find an opportunity to talk in detail." Qi Lin said.
They also chatted about this trip to the Venice Film Festival.
Qi Lin invited her for a stroll, to enjoy the scenery.
Sheng Tang wasn’t very interested.
She was quite unfamiliar with Qi Lin; even though they were classmates during their studies, they didn’t have much interaction.
Besides, there were quite a few Chinese journalists at the Venice Film Festival, and Sheng Tang didn’t want to be photographed, inviting gossip. Sheng Tang was always very cautious about rumors.
She never stirred up gossip, and besides the promotional periods, she was as quiet as a chicken.
This way, the audience always remains curious about her, and once her film has a good reputation, audiences will go to see it.
If she were like a variety show celebrity or TV star, constantly showing up and consuming the audience, it might greatly reduce the film’s effect.
"Sorry, Qi Lin, I have to help my sister-in-law with the kids later," Sheng Tang said. "The staff who came this time are all there to support my senior brother, so my sister-in-law and the two kids are left free."
Qi Lin was silent for two seconds, then smiled and said, "Let’s get together when there’s an opportunity."
After a casual chat, Sheng Tang returned to Mrs. Ding.
Mrs. Ding quietly said to her: "Han Haoming is actually one of the judges."
"Unfortunately, we didn’t know this news in advance!" Mrs. Ding was a bit upset. "Eight Chinese films are participating this time; surely someone had given them a heads-up."
Sheng Tang: "Yes, it’s a pity."
Mrs. Ding sighed again.
Honestly, given their status in S City, she could have communicated with Han Haoming earlier.
And over at Han Haoming’s side, they deliberately kept the judging matter a secret, probably to avoid anyone trying to connect with him, causing a disturbance.
"My senior brother’s acting has made a big breakthrough this time, and the film is also good. Maybe even without a heads-up, Director Han might still vote for him?" Sheng Tang said.
Mrs. Ding felt that the possibility wasn’t very high.
Sheng Tang wanted to ask Qi Lin.
However, she had just decided to keep a distance from Qi Lin and then to turn around and thick-skinnedly inquire would make her seem hypocritical.
She held back.
On the third day of the Venice Film Festival, it was time for the awards ceremony.
The invited film teams could bring four or five people to the venue.
Ding Ruifan brought the director, producer, English translator, and Sheng Tang; the five of them went to the scene.
Their spot was very bad, located far back where the cameras might not even catch them.
Ding Ruifan didn’t have much status in the international film festival.
But Director Han Haoming’s team was at the very front, and Qi Lin even sent a message to Sheng Tang, asking where she was, saying there was an extra seat at their table that could be saved for her.
Sheng Tang couldn’t refuse, nor could she accept, so she simply pretended not to see the message, planning to reply to Qi Lin after it ended.
Not looking at the phone during the event is also a matter of courtesy.
Qi Lin looked for her for a long time, but didn’t find Sheng Tang and her team’s location, and could not keep standing, so he had to sit down.
The awards ceremony officially began.
