The Cannes Film Festival has finally opened.

Of course, the list of films selected for the main competition and some other categories has finally been announced.

And just like Zhou Mo Sen remembered.

Neither "Escape from Clone Island" nor "Brokeback Mountain" made it to Cannes... not even in any category.

Of course, both films are works of major directors, so if they cannot enter the main competition, at the very least they should consider a treatment like being the opening film.

But now, the creative teams of both films are completely silent.

Cannes has made no comment either.

Clearly, their negotiations didn't go well.

If they don't even have an opening film slot, then these two films really can't be screened at Cannes.

And... of course, there are some rumors.

In fact, regarding this selection issue, nearly confirmed news had already been leaked before the opening.

Which means, "Escape from Clone Island" and "Brokeback Mountain" knew early on they were out of luck.

However, these two films are quite different.

"Escape from Clone Island" was initially aiming to be the opening film.

This film is actually a commercial blockbuster, and commercial blockbusters typically love to be the opening films of famous film festivals.

Because this way, they can smoothly get the first wave of 'reputation,' which means getting reviews from very famous critics.

You should know, on Rotten Tomatoes, the critics' reviews are crucial.

Many films have done this before, such as "Soldiers at the City Gates".

But, there are also counterexamples.

Like Director Chen's "Wuji".

In fact, this year "Wuji" also came, and Director Chen has a good relationship with Cannes.

Still, it didn't receive the opening film treatment.

Director Chen then angrily left with his movie.

It seems that, at times, the Cannes jury also has some standards, knowing that certain films are truly unworthy.

We won't even talk about Director Chen; his films are just too much trouble.

The rumor is that "Wuji" had an investment exceeding 500 million... some say the actual funding was at least 300 million.

Either way, this movie really ended in financial ruin.

But Director Chen seems to be getting more and more successful.

And the opening film is really more about commercial considerations.

We, the Cannes Film Festival, have always prided ourselves on art, right?

So the main thing is this main competition category!

Why didn't "Brokeback Mountain" get selected?

Although neither the creative team nor Cannes has said anything.

The rumors are endless!

In fact, anyone who knows anything about "Brokeback Mountain" would think... How could this not make it to Cannes?

A typical art film, and on that topic.

It's like... the American version of "Winter's Fire"?

Ah, well, Zhou Mo Sen actually hasn't really watched "Winter's Fire".

Not thinking too much about it, Zhou Mo Sen has no interest in such films.

But now, "Brokeback Mountain" not making it into the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival has sparked some interesting discussions.

Logically, such a film should at least be in the main competition even if it doesn't win the Golden Palm.

This is what many media reporters thought.

Really, no one would have expected this film couldn't make it.

So, what's the reason?

Rumor has it.

That some Cannes jurors think "Brokeback Mountain" is indeed good, and with that kind of subject matter.

But!

How can such a film be directed by a Chinese person?

Where does the story take place?

In the United States, right?

What are the protagonists?

Cowboys, male cowboys, female cowboys, right.

Then why can Director Li, a Chinese, shoot this?

Goodness, this reasoning is really intense!

Translated, it means: everything about this film is good, except for the director!

In other words: everything is correct, except the director is not correct!

And hearing this, Zhou Mo Sen just wanted to laugh.

Actually, isn't this just the fate of outsiders?

No matter how you try to cater to those folks, they won't consider you one of their own.

Especially Zhou Mo Sen also thought of Director Li's later film, the one about halftime speculation.

That film was also super 'correct,' about the trauma of war, and during a football game too.

A football game, indeed a sort of American Spring Festival, but also a major base for American patriotic education.

Anyone who has really watched the Super Bowl will know, the place is filled with Star-Spangled Banners, and the American national anthem must be sung flamboyantly.

By the way, many people in China might not know, the United States' national anthem, the lyrics are the same, but the melody or arrangement can be done however you want.

Some have complained about how at every large event, the American national anthem sounds different.

Zhou Mo Sen doesn't understand much about music; there might be a basic melody, but the arrangement is definitely willy-nilly, tailored to the singer's style.

Some say this is freedom.

But no matter how free it is, after Director Li shot that film.

It was a complete flop.

The United States didn't buy it.

In China, even his fans found it utterly boring.

Since that movie, Director Li went downhill.

Now looking at "Brokeback Mountain," it seems the seeds of cause and effect were already sown.

But as for Director Li's awkwardness, let's not talk about it.

Zhou Mo Sen was also affected.

This influence naturally came from Anne Hathaway.

No one knows why, but she seems a bit down recently.

It must be related to "Brokeback Mountain" failing to make the main competition, right?

Should Zhou Mo Sen do something?

But he has his own dilemmas.

This girl, Scarlett Johnson, she always wants to 'steal'.

"When you're kissing Anne... hehe..."

"You, how do you come up with that?"

What's up?

Actually, Scarlett made a bold request.

Zhou Mo Sen comforting Anne Hathaway, isn't that nice?

But that comfort, at least in public, say when Scarlett is present.

Kissing is acceptable, right?

Absolutely, Scarlett suggested that when kissing Anne, why not touch her Scarlett's conscience too.

This... No wonder Zhou Mo Sen thought of "Winter's Fire".

What's in Scarlett Johnson's mind!

But Zhou Mo Sen finds this... inexplicably a bit exciting too.

However, Zhou Mo Sen is still relatively normal.

Even with Scarlett Johnson egging him on with all sorts of looks, Zhou Mo Sen didn't end up kissing Anne.

So it seems... our Dr. Zhou is not overly twisted.

Ahem...

Scarlett says: You're a coward... boring...

Words like this, Zhou Mo Sen just ignores them.

The truth is, although Zhou Mo Sen isn't a psychologist, he sensed that Anne seems to be in a sad state.

In such a state, to go into a Winter's Fire state.

It's really impossible.

Forget it, not getting tangled up with this prank-loving girl, Scarlett.

Be that as it may, Anne also needs to go back.

Of course, before going back, she found a chance to learn more about each other with Zhou Mo Sen again.

They did it at night, watching the distant sea, learning bit by bit with the waves.

But the charming woman still needs to leave.

And Scarlett Johnson?

She has to go too. The sparks in her eyes told Zhou Mo Sen she also wants to know more.

But Zhou Mo Sen?

Humph!

Not letting this girl have her way!

This is not about being angry, it's just giving her a little taste of her own medicine.

What Zhou Mo Sen didn't expect was, after the Cannes Film Festival's opening ceremony ended that night.

As soon as he returned to the hotel, he was entangled by someone.

To be precise, she was about to fall, and Zhou Mo Sen lent a hand.

But as he helped, his hand landed in an awkward position.

When he got a clear look at her...

"Zhou Mo Sen, you, you... hehe... why are you here?"

Gao Yuanyuan, with a drunken gaze and a seductive demeanor, is really bewitching.

But, Zhou Mo Sen had a bad feeling.

She shouldn't be like this...