CHAPTER 642: CHAPTER 435: WALKING THE RED CARPET_2

Being good-looking is advantageous in attracting fans but a complete disadvantage when it comes to acting.

The more handsome one is, the more it limits their range; it easily distracts the audience, leading them to blame the appearance.

Just like in a previous life on Earth, with how Leonardo DiCaprio stunned the world in Titanic, from his first nomination to actually winning took twenty-two years. It was only once he had become quite ugly did he finally win the Best Actor.

However, it seems someone doesn’t feel the same way.

As they approached the red carpet and entrance steps, Wu Mu and Lin Qingyue encountered someone they didn’t expect.

It was Matthew Albert waiting for them.

The old man was still as stoic as he was on the previous Paris program.

Especially his look towards Lin Qingyue, still not very favorable like on the previous show.

But regarding Wu Mu...

He smiled warmly at Wu Mu and said, "Wu, I’m thrilled to see you in Cannes. When I watched ’Love on the Seine’ previously, I already thought you were a very talented actor."

Both Wu Mu and Lin Qingyue were surprised.

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This was not the attitude they imagined, was it?

Matthew Albert continued speaking, "Today’s opening film is ’Love on the Seine.’ You probably haven’t seen your own performance yet. I believe it’s necessary for you to realize how exceptional your acting is, so I waited here to tell you."

Then after speaking, he nodded at Wu Mu and promptly left.

This left Wu Mu stunned. Did he come here just to say that?

Lin Qingyue’s expression was also peculiar, "Did he take a liking to you?"

Hmm!?

Wu Mu gave her a look and said, "I think that great directors have artistic integrity. They are true filmmakers."

Although somewhat inexplicable, it seems to be a good thing.

At least they don’t have to worry about Matthew Albert voting against them?

After entering, the opening movie was indeed ’Love on the Seine,’ filmed during the previous program.

In this film, Wu Mu played a cameo role as a wandering singer, strumming ’Canon.’

This scene, to him, brought some small reflections; half a year had already passed.

But to other actors and filmmakers present, it seemed somewhat astonishing.

Many kept glancing at Wu Mu, recognizing him as the conspicuous Hua Country person from the red carpet.

This surprise wasn’t only reflected in people’s expressions.

It also showed up in the next day’s festival publication.

The second page of the publication the following day.

[Hua Country actor Wu Mu amazes, opening film character stuns audience]

A straightforward title, accompanied by a full-color page of Wu Mu.

Although not the cover, the second page’s value far surpassed the "Most Stylish" selection from the previous day.

He had directly transitioned from a previously unnoticed minor role to a hot topic character within a small circle.

After the opening ceremony comes each film’s premiere and showcase.

Oh, and film trading.

Besides awards, Cannes is one of the largest global film trading markets annually.

Sister Yan was busy contacting distributors, scheduling premiere viewings, and trying to sell the movie’s overseas rights.

Lin Qingyue escorted Wu Mu around to learn about the competitors, which meant watching films.

To Wu Mu, this was undoubtedly a tough task.

After all, art films aren’t something everyone can appreciate.

Those tedious and sleep-inducing films aside, those pretentious ones with bizarre sound effects were more unbearable.

For instance, Lin Qingyue had previously mentioned ’Death Mail.’

This film is a courtroom drama, featuring lengthy and dull trial scenes that make viewers sleepy.

And that ’Sad Train,’ a suspenseful art film.

Enough suspense, enough artistry. One scene shows someone murdered on a train, then inexplicably jumps back, replaying events before the murder.

Such rewind without warning, accompanied only by mysterious sound effects, made Wu Mu often wonder if the film’s master tape was faulty, re-playing past segments.

"Is this the great enemy you mentioned?"

Wu Mu was speechless.

He had taken Lin Qingyue’s previous solemn mention seriously.

Upon seeing the current situation, he felt things had already settled for them?

Weren’t these nonsensical films being completely defeated by their movie?

Lin Qingyue didn’t speak, only motioned with his eyes for Wu Mu to observe the audience.

Wu Mu watched as the filmmakers and audience all stood and applauded enthusiastically, paused for two seconds, "If that’s considered good by these standards, then indeed our movie stands little chance."

Not boring enough, not pretentious enough.

Wu Mu couldn’t appreciate these films. However, there was a genre he did appreciate.

He watched the big screen, where the male and female leads were entwined naked, muttering in curiosity, "So avant-garde, so artistic?"

Lin Qingyue laughed, "You like it? Shall I make a film for you?"

"Let’s drop that idea."

After watching movies, it was finally time for their film’s premiere.

The premiere was held in a hall sufficient to accommodate over two thousand three hundred people.

Typically, given their film’s popularity, it wouldn’t be possible to fill this large hall.

Let alone filling it, getting even half filled would be challenging.

But now it was clearly not the typical situation.

More than half an hour before the premiere, people were steadily entering the hall.

Shu Mei, who was fervently gathering knowledge of Cannes recently, was excited, "Brother, that’s the editor of ’The Screen,’ Scott. I specifically checked."

"Look, over there! It’s the renowned French filmmaker Elsa, a previous Cannes jury member."

"Those are the distributors Sister Yan contacted! These distributors initially showed little interest before the opening ceremony. But after it, intrigued by brother’s popularity, they came to check it out!"

In just over ten minutes, the hall was half filled.

Not only industry professionals but numerous ordinary audience members who won entry lotteries, mostly women, obviously here for Wu Mu.

Yan Yongmei couldn’t suppress her smile, inviting Wu Mu was indeed the right choice.

Setting aside other considerations, his popularity directly pulled in the crowd. With so many people attending, someone was bound to take a liking to their film. Even if they didn’t win an award, it seemed quite possible they could sell it, eliminating concerns about losses.

It wasn’t just these individuals.

Other domestic teams in the festival also came.

Coming from Hua Country, they had to show some respect.

"Director Lin, Mr. Wu Mu, these past few days you’ve been in the spotlight." Cheng Bo, director of ’Shadow Kill,’ remarked.

Li Cheng beside him felt similarly.

Domestically, all eyes were on them.

But once abroad, the tables turned immediately with them completely unnoticed.

In contrast, Wu Mu and his team’s presence seemed increasingly prominent.

Like the Cannes publications, they hadn’t even appeared once, while Wu Mu and his team appeared frequently.

"If I’d known Wu Mu could draw such interest abroad, I would have just cast him as the lead." Cheng Bo mused.

Domestically, Li Cheng had higher recognition, but abroad the difference was too stark.

The hall grew increasingly filled, until just ten minutes before the start, it was eighty percent filled.

Film festival jury members also arrived.

Nodding at Wu Mu, Matthew Albert took a seat in the front row of the hall.

"Alright, everyone, please quiet down. The film is about to start." Yan Yongmei looked at the time. It was almost right, and most people had arrived, so she stepped out to give an English reminder.

The buzzing inside the hall gradually subsided.

The lights dimmed, and the big screen slowly brightened.

Wu Mu sat in the front row where the creators were located, also watching the screen.

Apart from Lin Qingyue and Yan Yongmei, no one had seen the final cut yet.

He was completely unsure how the footage they shot earlier would turn out.

Many segments felt inexplicable during filming; how would they look on the big screen?

Curiously, he watched.

On the screen, it opened with Lin Qingyue’s clear, pure voice.

"Dear Amu, long time no contact."