Jiang Li was stunned. Staring at the announcement on the screen, she asked, "What's the reason for it not being allowed to be released?"
"According to them, Embroidery Maid can't pass the review because its historical background is too realistic," Sister Chen sighed. "It's a movie set in a specific era. Isn't it reasonable to show war - torn chaos and starving people everywhere? Moreover, several other movies set in the Republic of China next door, which also have bloody scenes, were released smoothly. Why?"
Jiang Li silently took out her phone and wanted to send a text message to Ying Chengqi to inquire about the situation. However, she quickly saw the red exclamation mark from him.
Ying Chengqi must have been so angry that he blocked her.
Looking at that glaring red mark, Jiang Li impatiently ran her fingers through her hair, with a look of unwillingness and helplessness on her face.
"It can't be that the subject matter failed the review," Jiang Li frowned tightly. "Ying Chengqi has put a great deal of effort into this movie. He must have made preparations in advance. At least, the scale and plot shouldn't be rejected."
Jiang Li glanced at Sister Chen. The implication in her words was obvious: "I offended some people before. It seems I'm getting my comeuppance now."
Sister Chen was taken aback and suddenly remembered something. "You mean the time when you walked on the international red - carpet—"
"Yeah, it's very likely," Jiang Li forced a smile, feeling a bit heart - broken. "I refused to drink a few glasses of wine with those old men back then. Now they can ban the movie I starred in. It's quite a tit - for - tat."
In those years when Jiang Li was at the peak of her popularity, she was also extremely arrogant.
With her excellent acting skills and protected by Xiao Yanzhi, she didn't need to flatter anyone or act like a socialite to accompany others drinking and laughing.
However, she was always very smart and knew the principle of "leaving some leeway for others so as to meet again in the future". In the entertainment circle, she was respectful to capital and bigwigs, but this respect was only superficial.
She always had an impeccable smile and was extremely charming, looking like she was good at ingratiating herself. In fact, she had never truly submitted or bowed to anyone.
It was precisely this high - and - mighty attitude that made some people eager to pull out the last proud thorn from her.
Some bad habits of men are nothing more than making a noble and proud beauty fall from grace; making the sacred and inviolable purity be defiled and muddled.
After the international red - carpet ceremony two years ago, those old men on the jury insisted that Jiang Li stay. They claimed it was to have a meal with the future Chinese movie queen, but in fact, their real purpose was obvious to all.
Jiang Li remembered that when she refused, some of them looked very embarrassed, with faces so dark that it was terrifying.
But she wasn't afraid and still used the excuse of having other engagements to decline their invitation.
Now that Jiang Li's bipolar disorder has been exposed, those people must be happy to make her life unpleasant.
"Those old farts should be dead already! At their age, they still think about those dirty things. They should all be hung on the wall, then they'll be honest," Ye said angrily, her words coming out like a machine - gun. "Those old geezers who are half - buried in the coffin don't even look at the size of their private parts. It's probably thinner than their minds."
"They're like toads on the instep—they don't bite, but they're really disgusting," Ye added.
Jiang Li couldn't help laughing and tapped Ye on the head. "If you talked like this in the entertainment industry, you'd be banned within three days."
In a very elegant restaurant private room,
The crystal chandelier illuminated the whole room brightly. The man sitting in the main seat was gentle and noble. He casually picked up the crystal glass, clinked glasses with others, and greeted them unhurriedly. "How have you been recently, Director Ying?"
Ying Chengqi didn't expect Xiao Yanzhi to invite him for dinner.
Just yesterday, the committee announced the bad news that Embroidery Maid couldn't pass the review. He hadn't even had time to think of a remedy when Xiao Yanzhi came to him. This made him a bit nervous.
Jiang Entertainment was the biggest investor in this movie, and Xiao Yanzhi was the producer. Now that the movie couldn't be released, Ying Chengqi assumed that Xiao Yanzhi must be coming to blame him.
Thinking of this, Ying Chengqi swallowed hard, feeling a bit scared.
He calmed himself down and said directly, "Mr. Xiao, I'm sure you've already heard the news. Embroidery Maid has been blocked and can't be released for now."
Xiao Yanzhi nodded, his tone calm. "Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have invited you here specially."
Ying Chengqi was a director, not a shrewd businessman. He couldn't figure out Xiao Yanzhi's thoughts for a moment, so he quickly explained, "This is really an accident. We had inquired about the plot and settings in advance. It shouldn't have failed the review."
If a movie couldn't be released, it meant that all the previous investments would be in vain. There was no way to recover the basic cost, let alone achieve a box - office hit.
It was no wonder that Xiao Yanzhi came to hold him accountable.
"Then in your opinion, what's the reason for this movie being rejected?" Xiao Yanzhi asked as usual. "Don't be shy. Just say it directly."
Ying Chengqi hesitated for a while before slowly saying, "Embroidery Maid is also a work I've painstakingly created. I originally wanted to take this work to compete for awards. It's my honor to get your investment. I confirmed before filming that there was no problem with the movie's subject matter."
Seeing that Xiao Yanzhi's expression was calm, Ying Chengqi continued, "To be honest, I've inquired about the internal situation. This rejection has little to do with the movie itself. The problem lies with the actress."
"Actress?" Xiao Yanzhi raised his eyebrows, his tone casual and showing no extra emotions. "Which actress?"
"…Jiang Li."
"What's wrong with her?" Xiao Yanzhi frowned slightly and asked indifferently.
Ying Chengqi pursed his lips in embarrassment but didn't dare to hide the truth. "She was very stubborn before and offended some seniors on the jury. Since she's the leading actress in this movie, it's obvious that they're targeting her."
Xiao Yanzhi glanced at him but didn't say a word, as if he was thinking about something.
After a moment, he put down his knife and fork and asked calmly, "Then how can we get this movie released? I need a solution."
It seemed that he wanted to salvage the investment.
Ying Chengqi wracked his brains, thinking of a way to remedy the situation. "At present, we can only resubmit the application and go through the process again, but the result will probably be the same."
"So you mean this movie basically has no chance of being released?" the man in a high position said in a low and cold voice, with an imposing aura that didn't need to show anger.
Ying Chengqi was very nervous. He said in a negotiating tone, "Actually, the biggest problem is Jiang Li. If we replace the parts related to her temporarily, find another actress to reshoot, or use AI face - swapping technology, it's still possible for the movie to pass the review…"