553: Chapter 553 Understanding Applause

As the end credits slowly rolled, thunderous applause erupted instantly throughout the theater.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Director Qi Kai, caught in the moment, was also applauding enthusiastically—he was convinced.

This film had first ruthlessly shattered his conviction, and then forged it anew.

It was shattered because the film was truly too good; he couldn't compete, and he felt inferior. It was forged anew because of a realization: why not just stop comparing himself to Lin Chuyan? Compared to others, he still held a significant advantage!

The applause, like a surging tide, continued unabated.

Immediately following, behind-the-scenes footage during the end credits caught everyone's eyes.

On screen, he knelt on one knee, and she put on the ring.

Ouyang Xi couldn't help but blurt out, "Holy shit!"

A... a proposal? You actually put the marriage proposal video here?!

Seriously, man, what kind of top-tier move is this?!

I just shed so many tears over the tragic ending, and you completely healed me with real life?

Others use movies to console reality, but you use reality to heal the movie?

Ouyang Xi's tears lost control once again: In reality, most people's love stories are more like those of the male and female leads in the film. Lin Chuyan was fulfilling a dream for everyone, a beautiful dream of love.

It wasn't just Ouyang Xi who was deeply moved by this scene; in the audience, many were crying and laughing, having just wiped away tears for the film's plot, only to be infected by this sudden, sweet proposal.

Language felt pale and powerless at this moment, unable to describe this complex emotion.

So what could they do? They could only keep clapping! Everyone stood up, using the most enthusiastic applause to convey their inner shock and emotion.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Lin Chuyan stood behind the theater door, listening to the applause, and felt that it wouldn't stop anytime soon...

The host seemed to see through his thoughts, glanced at his watch, and said with a smile, "I guess at least 4 minutes."

Alright, then we'll just wait.

Lin Chuyan had heard about this. Generally, applause for an ordinary film might last 1-2 minutes. But for those highly anticipated, critically acclaimed opening films or films in the main competition section, it wasn't rare for applause to last over 5 minutes.

However, 5 minutes passed, and the applause was still deafening.

Damn, aren't you guys tired?

Lin Chuyan grew suspicious, even entertaining a thought: Did Lionsgate specifically hire shills for him?

He looked at the host again.

The host was also looking blank, and could only bite the bullet and respond, "Should be soon, right?"

Time ticked by second by second.

10 minutes passed.

15 minutes passed.

Now the host couldn't sit still at all: "Why do I feel like it's going to break a record?"

17 minutes, a full 17 minutes, before the applause gradually subsided. [Note: Don't call me exaggerated, this actually happens in reality.]

Lin Chuyan was completely convinced: Lionsgate hadn't told him about this, had they? Could it really be 17 minutes of spontaneous applause? Tough crowd, everyone sitting inside was a tough crowd.

The host walked quickly onto the stage: "Ladies and gentlemen who have traveled from afar! Now, let us once again welcome the creators of la la land with the most enthusiastic applause! Lin Chuyan! Ruan Xingyu! Producer Zhang Man! Sand!"

As the creators walked into the theater, the applause that had just ceased rang out like thunder once again.

Fortunately, what Lin Chuyan was worried about didn't happen; perhaps everyone was waiting to ask questions, so this time the applause stopped quickly.

After everyone briefly introduced themselves and expressed sincere gratitude to the organizers, the host began to control the session, selecting audience members to ask questions.

"First, please allow me to pay my highest respects to Director Lin. I would like to ask, is the behind-the-scenes footage in the end credits real?"

Lin Chuyan looked at Ruan Xingyu and found the question amusing: "That's right, the person standing beside me is my newlywed wife, and what she is wearing on her hand is the very engagement ring. Proposing during the final wrap-up scene of la la land was also carefully planned before filming. Or rather, you can view this film itself as a... complete marriage proposal ceremony."

Many young female audience members held their breath upon hearing this—

They were already amazed by the romantic plot of the film, but they didn't expect Director Lin to be even more romantic in reality!

And looking at the beauty of these two on stage... help, what kind of stunning love is this?

Emily sat in the audience, silently noting in her heart: We must sign up for the César Awards in France; just based on this romance, getting a nomination will definitely not be a problem!

The atmosphere at the scene was warm and harmonious, with no one deliberately making things difficult. Perhaps it was because of Lin Chuyan's sharp retort to reporters at the wrap party in Los Angeles, which had a deterrent effect; or perhaps it was because everyone was truly deeply convinced by the film after watching la la land. In any case, the audience's questions were all very gentle.

"Director Lin, I know that in la la land, you served as director, screenwriter, producer, lead actor, and many other important roles, and even the music in the film came from you alone. Moreover, you have other businesses in China. I am very curious, how do you manage to have such abundant energy and such a strong desire to create?"

This question was easy to answer: "The male and female protagonists in la la land couldn't find a perfect balance between love and career, and that was their regret. Fortunately, my wife and I have a lot of intersection in our work, and outside of work, she is my soulmate. Such a relationship allows me to have sufficient energy to devote to creation. Therefore, I want to sincerely thank her, thank her for me, for this film, for working hard to learn Dance, and constantly honing her acting skills... If la la land has anything worth praising, it must be because of her existence; it couldn't have been done without her contribution. Yes, we have always been learning from each other and growing together."

How should I put it? A director who made a stunning love movie also loves his wife so much in reality... This statement could really boost the audience's favorability towards him and the film.

Of course, Ruan Xingyu, standing beside him, couldn't help but smile as she listened.

...

After the Q&A session ended, Lin Chuyan, who had been trying to avoid the crowd, had to participate in social activities. His ears were filled with praise and congratulations, and everyone spoke highly of him and la la land.

When he finally managed to get away, news about this world premiere, about la la land, and about him... began to spread rapidly on the internet.

Overwhelming praise instantly swept through the entire film industry.

[Venice falls into a starry sky tonight! la la land uses film to splash the most extreme fantasy of romanticism]

[Textbook-level dream-making: Lin Chuyan & Ruan Xingyu's duet is legendary]

[Venice's choices never miss! la la land redefines romantic comedy]

[Chinese Director Lin Chuyan hands in a perfect answer sheet: Long take choreography makes everyone marvel]

[The best love movie in the last five years? la la land has explosive word-of-mouth]

[17-minute standing ovation breaks records! The longest applause in the history of the Venice Film Festival is born]

[la la land receives applause five minutes into the opening, Venice Film Festival organizers exclaim "Unprecedented"]

[Nuclear-grade tear-jerking weapon: Tonight, Venice belongs to la la land]

Dark horse, favorite to win, textbook-level, legendary, perfect answer sheet, best love movie, longest applause time in history... When these words came from the mouths of foreigners and were transmitted from Venice, everyone in the Chinese Entertainment Industry was stunned.

Wait, la la land... that is la la land, right? We didn't see that wrong, did we?

Film bloggers were desperate to repost relevant news, sparing no effort to hype up Lin Chuyan.

Marketing accounts also hyped him up like crazy, as if they weren't the ones spreading rumors about Lin Chuyan's various scandals a few days ago.

Entertainment Reporter Xiao Ba reposted the film review and wrote the shortest but most pious Weibo post.

[Withstand gossip, produce excellent works. Please choose to believe, rather than doubt.]

Haters were already furious, so much so that they even forgot to use their coupons when ordering takeout: So you bought so many press releases? You haven't even won an award yet, and you've already started celebrating? Won't it be embarrassing if you don't get an award later? Huh? Marketing, keep marketing, sooner or later you'll take a huge fall!

The CP fans of Lin and Ruan automatically ignored the word "tear-jerker": The best love movie, right? It's guaranteed to be sweet, right? Okay, okay, okay, hurry up and start pre-sales, brother!

In addition, the news that the marriage proposal video of Lin and Ruan was placed in the end credits spread rapidly—very good, now everyone has one more reason to buy a ticket!

...

One day later, Lin Chuyan prepared to head to his next destination.

For the Toronto Film Festival, la la land had also been submitted simultaneously, and the organizers had long sent him an invitation.

The "People's Choice Award" at the Toronto Film Festival is announced earlier than the "golden lion award" at the Venice Film Festival, so he must go.

Currently, the promotional momentum for la la land is strong, so he shouldn't stop. The 17-minute standing ovation at the opening gave him confidence; next, he wants to take the lead with the "People's Choice Award" and use the award to pave the way for the film.

Meanwhile, the real promotional press release is about to debut—

The revenge story of "fighting against capital," carefully written by Lin Chuyan's team and disseminated by Emily, is about to unfold.