CHAPTER 732: CHAPTER 503: PREMIERE MOMENT (PART 3)

From the reactions of the audience in the screening room, it was evident that they truly loved the movie from the bottom of their hearts and were deeply moved by it. If Zhou Yun already had such an experience in Venice, for Zeng Lili and Wang Jing, this was their first time at an international event feeling the love for their movie from people around the world.

Someone in the audience cheered as if applauding for them.

Such overwhelming cheers and applause, once experienced, would become addictive and hard to let go.

Mr. Brian came over and gave Xue Qin a warm hug.

He looked at her with the affectionate eyes of an elder to a junior and said, "Congratulations, you have made an extraordinary film, and I am proud of you."

Brian’s encouragement deeply touched Xue Qin.

Shi Luoqi also hugged Xue Qin, and from the reaction of the surrounding media, it was clear that the media also found the film fresh and likable.

The main creators went on stage.

Everyone made way for Zhou Yun to the center, Zhou Yun initially wanted Zeng Lili to stand in the middle, but could not insist, so he had to stand in the middle with Xue Qin.

The questioning was intense.

Film media from various countries were ignited with excitement, competing to ask questions.

The main focus was actually on Xue Qin, the director.

Indeed, a good film will have its fans. A good auteur director, fans are sometimes even more numerous than those of popular movie stars. Look at Quentin, look at Kang Wen, you’ll understand.

"Behind the Scenes," in everyone’s opinion, was entirely Xue Qin’s personal monologue. As a female director, she made a film about a female director’s journey. Such intertextuality was hard not to associate together.

"Director Xue Qin, did you draw a lot from real experiences in making this film?" a reporter promptly asked, "In this film, you sharply satirize the authoritarian nature of production companies and the egotism of big-name stars, is this a kind of reproduction of some experiences?"

Xue Qin answered, "If you view this film as merely a reproduction of my experiences, that doesn’t quite align with my original intention in making this film. Actually, I didn’t mean to mock anything or criticize any phenomena; I just structured a story to tell about one’s self-defense. The focus is on self-defense, not mockery or criticism."

Zhou Yun nodded when he heard Xue Qin say this.

"What do you think of Zhou Yun’s performance? Does the director portrayed by Zhou Yun have your traits?"

Xue Qin answered, "There are some traits, inevitably. However, like I previously said, the film itself is a fictitious story with fictitious characters. I project a bit of myself—the things I want to express—onto each character, but it isn’t to say that one particular character directly represents someone specific. I think everyone shouldn’t indulge in such trivial pursuits. A movie is just a movie; it’s not reality."

Xue Qin’s words left Zhou Yun quite reflective.

Then, suddenly someone asked, "Why does the film end with spitting? Aren’t you worried this scene might be too vulgar?"

Xue Qin turned to Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun knew this meant for her to answer.

Zhou Yun thought for a moment and said, "I don’t think the director was trying to showcase vulgarity for the sake of vulgarity, but, I always feel that when a person is really angry, they won’t consider whether their actions are elegant or not. In this film, this vulgar action may also symbolize, ’I am done pretending. I am done with the compromises just to continue the shooting, many of which I didn’t want to do. Now, I’ve let go, given up, and no longer intend to compromise. That spit is more like a symbol, sort of like, okay, now I don’t need you guys anymore, just go away.’ Kind of like that attitude."

...

The main creative interview ended, and Shi Luoqi organized a viewing luncheon.

Many people attended, including some who hadn’t been at the premiere.

Such luncheons are primarily social in nature. Shi Luoqi exchanged pleasantries as required, and Zhou Yun, as the leading actress, also carried the social burden. Of course, since the Cannes Film Festival has a jury system, such PR and social interactions don’t influence the judging outcome, but their aim wasn’t for awards, rather it was about selling the film.

Zhou Yun was so busy she barely ate anything.

But everyone was happy, "Behind the Scenes" received rave reviews, and all eyes were now on the festival program ratings.

Shi Luoqi said, "I think you might as well continue taking leave from ’Four Killers.’ Given this reaction, ’Behind the Scenes’ is bound to win an award!"