All eyes instantly turned to Ronan, and Robert felt a bit anxious. If this wasn't handled well, it would definitely affect the financing plan.
Fang Dan stared intently at Ronan, the young Hollywood producer. Could he match his understanding of film art?
If he refuted it, it would only leave a bad impression of being contentious. And what would he refute with, Hollywood commercial tactics? Mansour and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority were not short of money!
In Fang Dan's eyes, Ronan Anderson had already been squeezed into an inescapable corner.
Fang Dan waited for Ronan's rebuttal.
Ronan seemed to not have heard Fang Dan's words just now. He picked up a script in front of him and said, "Mr. Fang Dan, this is your script, 'Life in Arabia.' I've spent a few days carefully reading it. Do you intend to shoot this script in a realistic style?"
This question was suggestive, but between the lines of the script, there were indications of realism. Moreover, Fang Dan's criticism of "Kingsman" just now revealed a bit of his own style.
Fang Dan also thought the same. He replied, "Yes, an excellent film must truthfully reflect social issues." Then he asked, "How did my script end up with you?"
Ronan smiled and looked at Mansour. Mansour said, "I want Mr. Anderson to give some advice."
"Him?" Fang Dan's dissatisfaction was written all over his face, but considering Mansour's status as the financier, he held back his questioning words.
Then he found an explanation for himself: Mansour was not from the film industry; some things might not be handled delicately.
Ronan pursued, "Does the film truly reflect the content of the script?"
"Of course," Fang Dan thought to himself, "Why would you write it this way if you didn't intend to shoot it like this?"
Ronan said lightly, "The fifth scene, the ninth scene, scenes eleven through fifteen, and the final ending—all the plots involving the female lead as an ordinary civilian depict the unfairness of society, the hardships of ordinary life, and even the misfortunes caused by faith and social issues."
Intentionally, he asked, "Is that so, Director Fang Dan?"
With a hint of pride, Fang Dan said, "I'm shooting a realistic film. It must truthfully reflect current social issues."
Ronan asked again, "Is the background of the female lead in Abu Dhabi?"
Fang Dan was a bit impatient. Did this person understand anything about movies? He answered patiently, "Yes, in Abu Dhabi."
Everyone was a bit confused, not understanding Ronan's intentions.
Ronan continued, "Are you planning to take this film to international film festivals?"
"The plan is Cannes Film Festival, with possibilities for Berlin and Venice," Fang Dan said, this time truly annoyed. "I fail to see the significance of your questions."
Ronan didn't address Fang Dan's words but looked at Mansour and said seriously, "Mr. Minister, this Director Fang Dan claims to be a brother of the Arabs, but in reality, he's no different from those Western filmmakers who smear Arabs. Oh, there's a slight difference; he does it more subtly."
Fang Dan widened his eyes, looking incredulously at Ronan. "How dare you slander people like this?"
"What are you saying?" Mansour was also surprised. "I've read the script, and I didn't see anything like that."
"You're smearing the director and the art of filmmaking," Fang Dan retorted.
Mansour glanced at him, and Fang Dan fell silent.
"I need an explanation," Mansour said.
Robert looked worriedly at Ronan. How could he say such things casually?
"If Director Fang Dan can excellently complete this film and participate in the competitions of the three major film festivals," Ronan said calmly, "I have no doubt that the film can win awards."
"Erm..." Fang Dan was completely confused.
Was he praising himself in circles?
Ronan continued calmly, "Every country has its good and bad sides. The United States, the United Kingdom, the Arab world—all the same. Even the affluent welfare systems of the Nordic countries have their downsides."
This was a simple truth that even middle schoolers understood, and nobody denied it.
"Western society has always looked at the Far East and the Middle East through colored glasses," Ronan continued. "They ignore the good aspects of most countries in these regions but desperately exploit and propagate the relatively negative aspects, regardless of whether their own hands are clean."
Mansour was a politician, and these words struck a chord with him. "You're right, please continue."
Ronan smiled modestly and said, "This situation is particularly evident in the cultural field. I don't know if Mr. Minister has noticed, but many deliberately depict their own countries in a negative light in films. They always seem to win awards at Western-dominated film festivals because Westerners enjoy seeing what they consider ignorant and foolish people from their countries portrayed in a negative light in front of a global audience."
Mansour seemed to understand what Ronan was saying. He wasn't ignorant about films; he just lacked a specific understanding. Moreover, over the years, he had experienced Western prejudices against Arab countries, even slander.
Ronan picked up the script again and said, "Why does Director Fang Dan choose to shoot in a realistic style? Why go to film festivals and confidently expect awards?"
Before the French director could speak, he answered his own question, "It's obvious. This film relies on selling the tears of Arabs to gain sympathy from Westerners. Westerners also love watching these kinds of films because they need a poorly portrayed Arab to brighten up their democratic lives."
Ronan raised his voice suddenly, "Such a film has a very good chance of winning awards!"
Fang Dan protested, "My film is realistic! It has nothing to do with what you're saying!"
Ronan ignored him completely. "Every country has good and bad sides. As far as I know, Abu Dhabi has been working hard to solve problems. Why do some people keep focusing on the negative side? And then spread it through movies? When there are problems at home, why deliberately spread them outside? What's the purpose?"
Mansour suddenly realized. He had thought Fang Dan's script had some issues before, but he couldn't pinpoint them. After all, what Fang Dan wrote was also part of Arab society, not fabricated out of thin air.
Now, hearing Ronan's words, he suddenly understood. This was about revealing the scars of Arab society for those so-called advocates of freedom and democracy to see.
Fang Dan was anxious, and in his haste, he began to speak in his native language, blurting out a long string of habitual French.
Unfortunately, no one understood French in the room.
Ronan's words were even more incisive than Fang Dan's: "To please the mainstream Western cultural circles and win awards?" He said coldly, "By exaggerating and portraying the ugliest aspects of Arabs, you cater to the Westerners' desire to see Arabs in a negative light, and that's why you win awards..."
As he said this, he felt a sense of disdain for himself, but for the sake of financing, he suppressed it instantly.
If he couldn't even lie with his eyes open, how could he expect to be a successful film producer?
Ronan continued, "Why focus on the dark side of society, the marginalized groups, instead of showcasing the prosperity and goodness of Abu Dhabi and the Arab people? Director Fang Dan, in order to cater to the distorted psyche of some Westerners, deliberately shoots the backwardness of the country in a gloomy manner. He only knows how to show the ugliness of human nature and the backwardness of the country, but never suggests any improvements or sees the efforts and sweat of the country. This is not only meaningless to the Arab people but also tarnishes the image of the country and its compatriots internationally."
"Well said!" Saleh agreed. "These people all have ill intentions!"
Robert suddenly chuckled. Ronan's move was truly ingenious. He had also read that script, which clearly depicted the hardships of ordinary life, yet he managed to twist the concept...
But upon careful consideration, Ronan's words made a lot of sense. Whether it was the European Big Three or the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, they often did what Ronan described.