Japanese big things

On May 18th, the day after the opening of the Cannes Film Festival, Masahiro Nakamura packed his bags and Kasumi Arimura embarked on a journey to Cannes, France.

Since there are no direct flights from Tokyo to Cannes, the two had to take a flight to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, then transfer to Nice, and then transfer to a bus to Cannes.

After all this hard work, both Nakamura Masahiro and Arimura Kasumi were very tired, and their original high spirits quickly became depressed.

After meeting up with Ojo Shoji who arrived in Cannes early, Nakamura Masahiro and Arimura Kasumi checked into the reserved hotel directly without even bothering to eat. They just wanted to have a good sleep.

After resting for two full hours, Masahiro Nakamura and Kasumi Arimura returned to their normal state, although they still looked a little tired.

After tidying up a little, the two of them left the room and went to the hotel restaurant to eat in order to satisfy their hunger problem.

After a while, Oshiro Shoji came back. He directly found Masahiro Nakamura and Kamura Arimura in the restaurant and briefly explained the screening arrangements for the movie "Model Student".

"The screening of "Model Student" is scheduled for the 21st. I have communicated with the organizing committee of the Cannes Film Festival in advance..."

Shoji Oshiro said methodically: "It should be enough to leave two days for publicity... I also bought some space for media reports."

Nakamura Masahiro thought for a moment and nodded in agreement with Ojo Shoji's arrangement. Nakamura Masahiro had always trusted his ability to work, so he was naturally relieved.

If it were replaced by Masahiro Nakamura, the effect would probably be similar. It is impossible to say that changing someone can improve the results by a large margin.

"Nakamura-san, actually you should come here early and participate in the red carpet show at the opening ceremony. It will be of great benefit to the promotion of the movie."

Looking at the thoughtful Nakamura Masahiro, Oshiro Shoji opened his mouth to express his opinions and thoughts. He added: "There are many big-name stars coming to the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival this time, and the media attention is very high."

"It's useless to pay too much attention. Those media reporters are all focusing on big-name celebrities and won't notice us..."

Nakamura Masahiro has a very clear understanding of his status in the European film industry. Although he is highly sought after in the Japanese entertainment circle, he is just a slightly well-known minor character in Europe.

If it hadn't won the Silver Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival and "One Long Day" had grossed more than 13 million US dollars at the box office in Europe, maybe even European media reporters would not have known about a figure like Masahiro Nakamura.

"Even if they report it, I'm afraid it will only be a passing glance and there won't be much content in the report."

"Nakamura-san, the organizing committee of the Cannes Film Festival will provide corresponding support..."

Shoji Oshiro paused as he spoke. He glanced at Masahiro Nakamura, who looked calm, and then glanced at Kasumi Arimura, who looked blank next to him, and then continued: "You may have forgotten... "Model Student"

"When I came to participate in the Cannes Film Festival, the organizing committee promised some conditions."

Nakamura Masahiro smiled. Of course he knew that the organizing committee of the Cannes Film Festival had offered some good preferential treatment when it invited him.

Otherwise, if Masahiro Nakamura skipped the Berlin Film Festival, which he is closely related to, and instead went to the rival Cannes Film Festival to participate in the festival, wouldn't that be pure nonsense?

"Shoji, I know that the organizing committee of the Cannes Film Festival has promised us some conditions..."

After pondering for a moment, Nakamura Masahiro opened his mouth to express his understanding and thoughts. He elaborated in a calm tone: "But don't you know the urine nature of media reporters?"

"If I guess correctly, the news reports in the past two days should be focused on the female stars competing for beauty on the red carpet..."

"Well, recent reports have indeed focused on that aspect."

After hesitating for a moment, Oshiro Shoji nodded affirmatively: He came to Cannes in advance, and of course he knew the hot news direction reported by the media recently.

Compared with men's more conservative and uniform black suits, female celebrities' gorgeous outfits are definitely more eye-catching, and it is not surprising that media reporters tend to report on them.

"By the way, who are the Asian filmmakers at this year's Cannes Film Festival?"

Skipping that topic, Nakamura Masahiro asked Oshiro Shoji another question about Asian filmmakers and wanted to know how many Asian colleagues came to participate.

"I don't know why, but there are very few Asian filmmakers coming to the Cannes Film Festival this year..."

Shoji Oshiro frowned and thought for a while, then he leisurely introduced the participation of Asian filmmakers at the Cannes Film Festival to Masahiro Nakamura.

"As far as I know, the only shortlisted candidates for the main competition are South Korea's Hong Sang-soo and Lim Chang-soo..."

"Director Lou Ye from the other side of the country and director Koji Wakamatsu from our country were shortlisted for the Un Certain Regard section.... Then Nakamura-san, you were shortlisted for the Screening section."

"In addition, there is a film co-produced by France and Japan on the shortlist of the main competition unit... However, that film should be considered French."

After listening to Oshiro Shoji's narration, Nakamura Masahiro had a more detailed understanding of the specific situation of this year's Cannes Film Festival.

"Senior Wakamatsu Koji, has he arrived in Cannes now?"

Compared with the participants from the other side and South Korea, Masahiro Nakamura undoubtedly pays more attention to the familiar senior Wakamatsu Koji.

You know, he and Wakamatsu Koji have not seen each other for more than a year. If news about him had not spread in the entertainment circle, Nakamura Masahiro would have thought that this senior had disappeared from the world.

"No, his movie is scheduled for late at night on the 25th, so he probably won't come so early..."

Shoji Oshiro shook his head and gave a negative reply. He replied: "I also asked about it, and the organizing committee doesn't know the exact time they will come."

"Sigh... I guess when they come over, we may all go back."

Nakamura Masahiro sighed sadly, his tone somewhat unable to conceal his regret: If you miss this opportunity, it will probably be difficult to see senior Wakamatsu Kouji again.

"We should be able to meet each other, we won't leave so early..."

Shoji Oshiro smiled at Masahiro Nakamura, then took over the conversation and said: "Don't forget, we still have to sell movies, and this also takes time."

"Whatever..."

Nakamura Masahiro replied noncommittally, and he did not force himself to meet Wakamatsu Koji: after all, the other party had been avoiding him.

"It's a rare trip to Cannes. You and Arimura-san might as well go shopping..."

Seeing that Masahiro Nakamura lost interest in talking, Shoji Ojo quickly changed the topic and said: "The scenery here is very good, and the beach is also very beautiful."

Hearing what Ojo Shoji said, Nakamura Masahiro didn't say anything, but Arimura Kasumi already showed an expectant look.

For most people, Cannes is famous for the Cannes Film Festival, one of the three major film festivals in Europe. Other than that, the name Cannes seems to have little impression.

But in fact, Cannes, located in the south of France, is a leisure town on the Mediterranean coast. It is famous for its beautiful beaches and is one of the three major tourist centers in Southern Europe.

The sun is shining brightly here, the scenery is beautiful, the sea is blue, and the climate is mild, making it the first choice for many tourists.

Especially now that it is already in the peak tourist season, and Cannes is hosting the world-famous film festival. With the double influence, the town that originally only had tens of thousands of people has seen an influx of several times more tourists.

In other words, Oshiro Shoji came here in advance to book a hotel, so he didn't have to worry about accommodation during the film festival.

If you really wait until now to consider accommodation, let alone hotels, even remote small hotels may not have rooms.

"By the way, I almost forgot..."

Seemingly remembering something? Shoji Ojo suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Masahiro Nakamura. He said seriously: "Nakamura-san, Thierry Fremaux, the artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival, wants to meet you."

"Thierry Fremaux wants to see me?"

With a slight raise of his eyebrows, Nakamura Masahiro asked in confusion: "Do you know the reason?"

"I don't know, I probably have something I want to talk to you about..."

Shoji Oshiro shook his head frankly and replied: "I personally feel that it may have something to do with the movie."

Hearing what Ojo Shoji said, Nakamura Masahiro couldn't help but rolled his eyes. Isn't this pure nonsense?

The artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival came to him for anything other than film-related matters.

Oshiro Shoji didn't care about Nakamura Masahiro's reaction. He lowered his head and thought for a while, and then said again: "I'm not sure, it might involve selling the film."

"Selling movies?"

Ojo Shoji's reminder made Nakamura Masahiro suspicious. He frowned and thought for a while, but he had no clue for a while.

Although the sponsors of the Cannes Film Festival do have some closely related film companies, even if it involves the sale of films, art director Thierry Fremaud will not be involved, right?

"Don't think so much, you'll know it when you meet."

Seeing Masahiro Nakamura frowning, Shoji Oshiro couldn't help but persuade him: "It must not be a small matter to have Thierry Fremaux, the artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival, come forward."

Of course, Nakamura Masahiro knew that it was not a trivial matter, but he couldn't know the reason why the other party was looking for him. It always lingered in his mind, and it must have been a very uncomfortable feeling.

After pondering for a moment, Nakamura Masahiro looked at Ojo Shoji and asked in a deep voice: "Is there a specific time?"

"This is not yet certain..."

Shoji Oshiro shook his head and replied: "It was Lucero who came to contact me. He is also in Cannes now."

Curling his lips, Nakamura Masahiro felt a little disappointed for a moment. Then he sighed and said a little discouraged: "Forget it, since they have something to do with me, let's wait until they take the initiative to come to me..."