Rapid Spread

"Director Shen! Please elaborate on the specific meaning of 'A weak nation has no art'!"

"Do you believe that all Chinese directors currently pursuing artistic films are doing pointless work?"

"Is your attitude toward the European Big Three film festivals overly extreme?"

"Mr. Wu Jing, you've staked your entire fortune on supporting Director Shen. Do you also agree that art alone cannot save Chinese cinema?"

"What is China Film Group's stance on your remarks?"

Shen Shanden said nothing, struggling forward under the protection of staff, Zhou Qifeng, and Wu Jing.

He kept a composed expression, offering the occasional brief response. "My views were already made clear onstage. At their core, I hope China's film industry can grow stronger. As for the specifics, please follow the subsequent progress of our The Grand Director project and judge the work itself."

He knew full well that loose lips brought trouble. At a time like this, maintaining a measure of mystery and impact was actually better.

After finally shaking off the reporters, Shen Shanden did not forget to remind Zhou Qifeng.

"Don't forget the gifts for our media friends."

Depending on the media outlet, they were to give anywhere from several hundred or a thousand yuan to several thousand; reporters and cameramen alike had to be taken care of.

It was an industry convention.

The internet had battered traditional media, yet it still could not shake traditional media's dominance.

You could not say that because the buzz had exploded, you would not give them anything. Not giving was absolutely not an option.

The PR company under Shen Shanden had handled similar matters before. If you did not pay up, then just wait to be smeared.

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Zhou Qifeng answered excitedly.

Once they reached backstage—

Wu Jing's gaze was resolute, filled with excitement, emotion, and the certainty of having found a kindred spirit.

"Brother, art alone cannot save Chinese cinema—those words went straight to my heart! I saw enough during those years in Hong Kong Island! Let's keep our feet on the ground, do The Grand Director right, and make something worthy of being held up as an example! Let them see whether our path is the right one!"

Wu Jing gave Shen Shanden's shoulder a heavy pat. "Brother, thank you for letting me join this project."

Shen Shanden's words about the dignity of a strong nation had deeply stirred the disdain Wu Jing had experienced while struggling as an action actor in Hong Kong's entertainment circle.

His agent over on Hong Kong Island had tried to persuade him before, but Wu Jing had remained unmoved.

Now, he was even more determined!

Even if it meant staking his entire fortune, he would make this film well!

Shen Shanden hurriedly said, "Don't mention it, Brother Jing. I should be the one thanking you."

Zhang Nengshou, China Film Group's production representative, also came over to offer congratulations. "I can already imagine the sensation the reports will cause. You're incredible, brother."

Yet Shen Shanden gave a bitter smile. "Brother, don't put a hat on me. I had no choice. Look at the questions that student asked—what was I supposed to do?"

"If it were just me, it would not matter if I became a director who put commercial interests above all else. But this project is also a key China Film Group project."

At this point—

Shen Shanden lowered his voice. "I'm also carrying out a task entrusted to me by the factory director. I can't afford to retreat."

What Shen Shanden said was half true and half false.

If he had said such things a few years ago, he most likely would not have been able to remain at Beijing Film Academy.

The Directing Department was the stronghold of the academic school. If the Management Department had not protected him, he would have been kicked out.

Even in 2007, though the environment had improved somewhat, it had not improved by much.

But now, he had China Film Group backing him, a project in hand, and he was the one and only of his kind in the Management Department!

His mentor was the department chair, and he was also the department's outstanding student representative. The situation was completely different.

Deep down, Shen Shanden had another thought.

But that would have to wait until later.

Even now, Shen Shanden remained calm and did not let success go to his head. Zhang Nengshou sincerely wanted to befriend this young man, so he said, "Brother, rest assured. With China Film Group here, no one can touch you."

"This project is a key China Film Group project. We are the sky over this industry."

Shen Shanden smiled. With a great tree at his back, it really was easy to enjoy the shade. "With those words from you, brother, I can rest easy."

Finding an opening, Ma Youde pulled out his little notebook to report. "Boss, I'll keep an eye on online public opinion."

The paid commenters were ready to move at any moment!

When he saw Da Mimi approaching, Ma Youde quickly took a step back and gave up his spot.

Da Mimi came backstage and, without a care for the classmates around them, pounced on Shen Shanden like a koala and hugged him tightly.

Her eyes shone astonishingly bright, and her voice trembled faintly with excitement.

"You—you were unbelievably handsome today! Those words gave me goosebumps all over! It was so satisfying!"

She did not hide her admiration and pride in the slightest.

If there had not been other people around, who knew what she might have done.

Besides Yuan Shanshan and Zhang Xiaofei, Da Mimi had also brought in a female classmate, whose eyes were sparkling as well.

Shen Shanden smiled faintly. "Just perform normally."

Elsewhere.

Deputy Manager Wang, who had left earlier, had just returned to China Film Group when he listened to his secretary's brief report on Shen Shanden's final remarks. His heart jolted at first, then a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

He said to the secretary beside him, "That kid has some real nerve, and his words are rough as sandpaper. Saying it privately would be one thing, but he dared say it in public. Still, 'A weak nation has no art'—the words may be rough, but the reasoning isn't."

"President Han's eye for people is still as sharp as ever. This 'barb' struck well, and it struck at exactly the right time! It looks like the fire of public opinion has been lit. Now we'll see whether they can truly make this project blaze."

His tone carried a measure of admiration and anticipation.

Deputy Manager Wang finally understood why Han Sanping thought so highly of Shen Shanden.

He truly dared to charge ahead and get things done. Not only could he work, he could even come up with theories.

Such a declaration would have been too shocking, too crude, within the system.

But Shen Shanden was an independent force, and a student of Beijing Film Academy. That was not merely good—it was exceptionally good.

Han Sanping also received a report from his secretary.

After reading it, he could not help laughing. "This kid is going to suffer a little this time. He has no filter. Fine if he says it in private, but in a public setting, he knocked down The European Big Three with one sweeping pole—and in this manner, no less."

As he spoke.

Han Sanping could not hold it in any longer and burst into hearty laughter.

Though the words were rough but the logic sound, Shen Shanden's words were simply too rough.

But rough in a good way! Rough in a brilliant way!

This was exactly how it should be!

Han Sanping let out a fierce breath in his heart.

The film world, the arts world, the cultural world—they needed voices like this far too badly.

And the more one chewed over Shen Shanden's words, the more interesting they became.

Because this kind of relationship with Europe and America was not reflected only in the film industry; it was the same in other areas as well.

"'A weak nation has no art' is a good formulation. By our standards of reasoning, it is open to debate, but it is clear at a glance. 'Art alone cannot save Chinese cinema' is even better—it can lift a great deal of psychological burden from young people."

Han Sanping sighed emotionally. "If New Generation directors could all see things as clearly as Shen Shanden, how wonderful would that be? Live a little more freely, and they themselves would be happier. What is the point of sighing all day, mourning spring and grieving autumn, weeping and sniveling one after another?"

"He should suffer a bit, that's only right. But young people should still mainly be encouraged. Have the publicity department and the media put out a word and set the tone. Discussion is fine, debate is fine too, but no one can start shouting for blood."

After thinking for a moment, Han Sanping said, "'A weak nation has no art'—don't elevate that phrase too high. Keep it at the level of film."

After the project's launch ceremony ended, the The Grand Director production crew did not hold a celebration banquet. Dinner was merely a little more lavish.

They would keep working in the same style. The day for celebration would be saved for when the release succeeded.

That evening.

Shen Shanden returned home.

In the residential complex, he ran into Sun Li, who was taking her child for a walk, and the two chatted for a while.

"Sister Li, you heard about it so quickly? Haha, yes, Teacher Huang attended too. Right, right, Teacher Huang supports me a lot. I'll pay you a special visit someday to thank him. You're moving? Sure. If you need anything, just say the word."

After returning home, Shen Shanden casually mentioned his chance encounter with Sun Li to Da Mimi.

Da Mimi looked puzzled. "Didn't you say Teacher Huang set you up?"

"He is still a teacher, in the end, even if teacher-student relationships in our line of work are blurry. We live in the same complex too. As long as no one says it outright, we're still friends. The more friends you have, the more roads you have. Besides, we'll be moving soon anyway."

Shen Shanden kept receiving congratulatory calls, many of them from alumni.

Clearly, the campus had exploded. What happened that afternoon had spread at the speed of light, becoming the absolute focus of discussion in every department and every grade.

Through networks of personal connections and all kinds of channels, it had already spread among the alumni as well.

And from Zhou Qifeng, he learned that a large number of Beijing Film Academy students wanted to join the The Grand Director production crew and had sought him out to ask about it.

Da Mimi said sourly, "You're really busy now. I saw that several calls were from alumni who already have quite a reputation in the industry, weren't they?"

"Xiao Yang, you need to work hard too. Don't lose face."

Da Mimi puffed up her cheeks. "You had me admiring you today, you know."

Before long.

Da Mimi looked at the sensational headlines on the web portal and cried out, "The buzz has exploded!"

Shen Shanden took a look. It really had.