10 Knowledge is Power

"Hello, you are..." Ang Lee turned his head. He doesn't know who the young man in front of him is, but his tone is enough to make him respond friendly. "Nicholas Levi, son of Adam Levi, brother of Bruce Levi, barely a film critic." Now that everyone around him noticed him, Levi immediately confessed all the big names he could pull without hesitation, telling people his identity, "Congratulations, this is an excellent movie. You have taken a firm first step in English-language movies, and after your 'Father Knows Best' trilogy, your new work is even more exciting." Next to Bruce, Harry also felt that something was wrong: this is Ang Lee, and it's his first English-language film. Many people know this, but at the same time, how many people can also know the previous works? This is very remarkable. Those three movies are all Chinese movies, and they are all family-friendly movies. Is it that he is very familiar with this director? It's not impossible.

"Harry, is what my brother said correct?" He wanted to leave, but Bruce, beside him, asked him in time. Harry is a little embarrassed. The person he looks down on can talk freely here, making his ridicule just now a joke.

Levi knew exactly what he was doing from the beginning. He didn't come here to meet Ang Lee but to make a name for himself. "I have to say. This is the best movie I've seen this year: great director, script, and actors. First, I must say that Ms. Emma Thompson's script was changed very well. Able to condense a novel into two hours, retaining the original work of Austen with the same dramatic advantages and British style. This kind of scriptwriting level is top-notch. As an actor with such great screenwriting ability, Ms. Thompson may be able to become the first actress to win the Oscar screenwriter statuette."

Around the two of them, several leading actors were also here, and Thompson nodded when she heard Levi's words. The current media are optimistic about her winning the Oscar statuette, and she doesn't think anything strange about Levi's words.

These words were high-sounding enough and made Emma Thompson chuckle. Emma Thompson was nominated for the best screenplay as an actress, which was the focus of many people's discussions, and there was no problem in praising her. Emma Thompson has already won the Oscar for Best Actress, and now she doesn't care about winning another actress but wants to win Best Adapted Screenplay. If she gets that, no one can doubt that she is the most outstanding actress in the circle.

"And if the screenwriter only satisfies me, I am surprised by the director's level. This is the first time I have seen such a good movie that can integrate Eastern and Western elements."

Eastern culture? Bruce held back a little and didn't speak. People are always talking about how this movie conforms to the British drama style, how well Ang Lee understands the Western culture, and filmed a perfect British drama. At such an important banquet, this should also be the theme. The British now wish that this movie was shot by the British so that they don't have to be questioned by others that "Orientals can also make Sense and Sensibility." But Levi came up and said that this drama has oriental elements.

In front of him, Levi was still talking freely. His words surprised everyone in the hall again: the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures? This is Sense and Sensibility, a work of Jane Austen. How can there be oriental culture?

"Director Ang Lee, I always thought about it before watching the movie. Director Ang Lee's 'Father Knows Best' trilogy has always sought a balance between Eastern and Western cultures so that the two cultures can be integrated into one. This movie, a British film, how to integrate with oriental culture. This is what I am most interested in. And I have to say, I was shocked by your performance."

This film is considered to be one of the Oscar-nominated films, and it is because the movie itself presents Jane Austen's novels and the upper-class life in England in the 18th century in the way of British classical dramas. This is the reason why this movie is considered a terrific movie. Where are the oriental elements in this movie? This kid, seeing that the director is an Asian, is just talking nonsense about having oriental aspects, right?

"You can see oriental elements in Jane Austen's works. You have an amazing brother." Next to Bruce, Harry's laughter rang out again.

Bruce frowned, but he said, "He said A movie directed by Ang Lee and adapted by Ms. Emma Thompson."

"Well, even so, where are the oriental elements?"

Bruce didn't say anything this time and didn't know what Levi was talking about.

He is his younger brother, and what he said also represents himself in a sense, so he can't talk nonsense. If he can't say something satisfactory, then his reputation will be ruined in the future. Half of Hollywood's critics are here. He said that he had watched Ang Lee's three previous movies-those movies were all Chinese-language movies, and even Bruce hadn't watched them carefully. Bruce also can't stop his brother from talking nonsense: he can only hope he will not make himself ashamed.

"What is the common ground between British classical culture and oriental culture? In the simplest terms, it can be summed up by a simple word:

Aesthetics. Humans have a particular appreciation for beauty, and any culture's aesthetics have consistency. In this film, the lens is wide open, the composition is meticulous, the tone is gentle, and the atmosphere is peaceful. Such beautiful film aesthetics reminds me of the aesthetics of oriental fine brushwork and ink. The story's plot, the lens's use, and the rhythm's deduction also have the characteristics of oriental classical novels. The structure is clear, smooth, and simple, and the subtleties of the details attract the audience."

Oriental art and novels? When did his younger brother understand this? Bruce looked at his younger brother in surprise: Although his younger brother has always been considered talented by his father, he never discovered his talent. But since when did he have such an excellent talent for judging British and Chinese classics? Even he, the older brother, didn't know that he had such abilities.

From childhood to adulthood, Bruce couldn't remember how often his father praised his younger brother for being more of an artist than himself. While growing up, his father always praised his younger brother, saying he was talented and had a bright future. After graduating with his master's degree, his father called him back to the magazine after only one year of production. Since then, he never went to him to discuss shooting movies again as he realized he had no talent. And even if the younger brother lost millions, his father still supported him in engaging in TV dramas and let him continue to develop. The younger brother is more handsome than himself, and he is the youngest son in the family. Bruce always felt that his father was simply partial.

It is no secret that critics prefer works with more cultural connotations and works that can better reflect the artistry of films. And what is culture? What is the fusion of different cultures? It's not simply Asian people, oriental utensils, or a few lines. This kind of research on inner aesthetics is the fundamental understanding of culture. Levi can only analyze the movie from this angle and understand the film and director Ang Lee's arrangement.

Of course, Bruce didn't know if what he said was correct or not. The only person who could comment on his words here was Ang Lee, the director of the movie—and seeing the surprised expression on Ang Lee's face, he felt that what his younger brother said was true, even if it was not entirely correct.

Lucky guy, he chose a field everyone is unfamiliar with: at least in this field, the one with the most right to comment is not others, but the director standing opposite him. And that director is a very kind person.

"Mr. Levi, I didn't expect you to have studied oriental culture. Few people are willing to study oriental classical culture in depth and use classical aesthetics in movies." Ang Lee said to Levi. The comments are very satisfactory; the two have already started discussing the two cultures.

While talking, Levi smiled in his heart: They can't see the excellence of Ang Lee's movies, but in the future, after becoming famous, how many insiders are there in the world who have conducted in-depth research on his works? The later generations made this analysis, and he is using it now. However, who would doubt that this is the analysis of later generations? Let's not talk about whether anyone has analyzed these now; just the surname of Levi will not make people suspect that he is talking about other people's analysis—since his father and his family have manipulated top-level publications like "Variety Show," no matter what comments Levi made, people would not think that he was talking about other people's reflections.

And these analyzes are now enough for Levi to gain a firm foothold. In many people's eyes, the Levi family's youngest son has always been a person who has no future and is even so unlucky that he attempted suicide. But now, after many words, who in Hollywood would dare to say that he is an ignorant prodigal?

Others pave the road, but you have to walk it yourself. Bruce can bring himself into this circle, but whether he can go on this path depends on his ability. His words were heard by half of the banquet people. From this moment on, no one will feel that he is just a kid from a wealthy family, a waste who knows nothing.

'I have changed my image from today onwards - my future is already in my hands.'

*****

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