New Age Artists

Chapter 223: Complain to China Film Corporation, Complain to the Film Bureau, Complain to the WTO (33)

Wang Zhongjun has seen many people who say one thing and do another.

There are very few people like Shen Santong who can integrate knowledge and action and hit the mark with his words.

Whether Wang Zhongjun liked Shen Santong or not, he had to admit that he was indeed awesome.

"The Banquet" is still in the copyright sales stage, unlike "The Promise" which had its most precious time was wasted by Harvey.

"Night Banquet" claimed that the total investment amount was 1.2 million yuan. Although the actual amount was not that much, it was still close to million yuan.

This is real money, not just a number.

Wang Zhongjun was very humble, picked up the tea, and said sincerely: "Director Shen, please show us a way!"

Wang Zhongjun needed someone like Shen Santong who was very consistent in his words and could show him a way out.

Give him certainty in uncertainty.

Even if it is bad news, there is still room for maneuver at this time.

Overseas copyrights are really about to be cut off by Hollywood companies. If you make plans early, you can still find ways to recover some of them.

Zhang Ziyi was a little frightened and almost knocked over the teacup.

Others were also moved and felt that Wang Zhongjun was indeed able to take on and let go.

Seeing this, Zhuang Cheng stopped pretending. The Banquet also had their money from Huan Asia: "Director Shen, even if Hong Kong and the mainland have differences, we are still one family. It's better than being bullied by Hollywood."

"Anle and we are not the same. They started out selling Western movies."

Shen Santong pondered for a moment and said, "I've said before that The Promise is definitely bad, and I'm even sure that The Banquet isn't good either."

“Because when the project was first launched, it was not aimed at domestic audiences.”

Feng Xiaogang admitted: "The costume blockbusters are aimed at overseas copyrights. The structure I used is "Thunderstorm" and Shakespeare's "Hamlet", which tells the story of prince's revenge and incestuous love."

Shen Santong understood it clearly. To put it bluntly, this film was similar to the one made by Jia Zhangke, which was to please foreigners.

The domestic promotional point is just the blockbuster, not the plot.

Shen Santong is sure that costume blockbusters will be doomed in the future, at least in the overseas market, but he won't say much.

Shen Sandong said: "I won't hide the fact that The Promise failed. I think there are two possibilities."

“The first point is the subject matter.”

Wang Zhonglei asked: "Is there a problem with the costume blockbuster?"

Shen Santong denied: "It's fantasy."

“The Promise has great visuals, it’s beautiful and lively.”

“There are certain religious elements incorporated into the story, which itself is biased towards the West.”

"But the subject matter is problematic. It's a costume fantasy, and people think that Chinese people are not worthy of fantasy, so they deliberately make it bad."

Everyone looked at each other in disbelief.

This reason is ridiculous.

Full of blatant discrimination.

Yuan Heping took a sip of tea and said slowly: "These foreigners are capable of doing such a thing."

Zhang Ziyi found the right moment to interject: "Discrimination is indeed very serious in the West. I have seen it."

It is definitely not a good idea to speak rashly in this situation. Zhang Ziyi can buy the press release, as she is very popular in the West, but it is not appropriate to put on airs in this situation.

They are all insiders and know a lot about some things.

She definitely has some appeal, but it's not that exaggerated.

Feng Xiaogang said: "The Banquet is not a fantasy, it is a costume palace drama."

Shen Santong nodded and said, "It's very simple to know whether this discrimination is directed specifically at The Promise."

"Just watch Director Zhang's new film Curse of the Golden Flower."

“It may be a coincidence that the copyright of The Banquet could not be sold.”

"Curse of the Golden Flower is trying hard to please Western audiences. Time magazine named the script "Memories of Autumn"."

"Moreover, 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers' have already accumulated a very good commercial foundation in the overseas market."

"Director Zhang's film also has investment from Anle. Jiang Zhiqiang has channels and connections."

Wang Zhongjun simply said, "No need to wait. Curse of the Golden Flower is not selling well either."

Shen Santong said objectively: "There is a second possibility."

“Let’s not consider The Promise for overseas markets, just treat The Promise as it is advertised.”

"It shows that foreign film producers are very arrogant and think that The Promise represents all period costume blockbusters, and from now on they will not consider any other period costume blockbusters."

Wang Zhongjun pleaded, "Director Shen, please stop beating around the bush. This is not accidental. It's aimed at costume blockbusters."

Shen Santong was indeed beating around the bush and didn't want to say some things. The interview was to divert public opinion.

Earning favors from Brother Kaizi is just a side job.

I told Han Sanping that I just didn’t want to waste my money and not get any good results.

Give Hong Kong directors some strength.

Why should I tell you about Huayi and Huanya?
Do you have a big face?
Or do you think he can't keep his words to himself just to show off?
Analysis of the future and accurate judgment are worth real money.

Wang Zhongjun and Zhuang Cheng looked at each other and smiled bitterly.

Shen Santong is too experienced to be a young man. He won't release the eagle until he sees the rabbit.

Wang Zhongjun said: "Huayi and Huanya owe Director Shen a favor for this matter."

Shen Santong: "Public thanks."

Huayi does not have a good reputation in his eyes. The king had some credibility before, but not anymore.

As for Zhuang Cheng, he is just a high-level worker.

Wang Zhongjun smiled bitterly and said, "Okay."

Zhuang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "OK."

Shen Santong then gave some practical advice: "Regarding the period costume blockbusters, I talked about it in the interview."

"It is to interrupt the commercialization attempts of period blockbusters and make it easier for Hollywood companies to gain market share."

“Seizing the market is just one of the motivations, I think.”

“Another reason, I think, is not in the film industry.”

Shen Santong continued: "The pace of our entry into the WTO has been too fierce."

"The accumulation of the first thirty years, plus the 1980s and 1990s, totaled fifty years, which was completely released after entering the WTO."

"Back then, they wanted to let us in so they could dump our products. Now, it's the other way around, we are dumping our products on them."

"Look at the skyscrapers. Aren't they no worse than those in American metropolises?"

"Even the hygiene and stuff are better."

“The image of China they are creating is that of Jia Zhangke’s films and those of his generation of filmmakers.”

"We were not very good before, and we could get out if a costume movie was released. Now it is so fierce, even costume movies are not allowed to be released."

"I'm just afraid that their people will become curious about us after watching the costume movies."

"To think that someone who can produce such a picture and have such artistic skills is definitely not what is advertised."

"Also, we can't just think of Harvey as a film producer."

"He's the face of the Donkey Party in Hollywood. He's also a close friend of the Zippers."

"The small bush of the Elephant Party is only two years of effort. Zipper wife, do you want to run for election?"

“If there is no The Promise, it could be The Promise, The Banquet, a film made by Zhang Yimou.”

"I'll just look for an opportunity to mess with you. With a hammer in hand, everything looks like a nail. There are plenty of reasons."

After listening to Shen Santong's analysis, Feng Xiaogang uttered: "These people are really worthless!"

It turns out that the film he worked so hard to make has nothing to do with his movie, the purpose is to get rid of him.

If Shen Santong wasn't there, he would have to look for the reason himself, smiling like an idiot.

He wanted to fuck those people's ancestors for eighteen generations.

Wang Zhongjun asked the key question: "What should we do?"

Shen Santong said: "Give up the fantasy and fight it."

“Make a fuss and curse, but don’t mention the story behind it in the media. Don’t mention anything about market occupation, elections, or blockades.”

"Talk to the media about discrimination, tell them they have Asian stereotypes, then explain the differences with Wuji, and go along with them."

"We need to use our efforts beyond the media. Hollywood companies are also going to enter our market."

"It's impossible to rely on Huayi, and neither is Huanya, but we have the advantage. We can take the case to China Film, the Film Bureau, and the WTO."

"Isn't Mr. Han in such a mess because of Hollywood? Give him a card."

"If you touch my costume blockbusters, I'll touch your Hollywood blockbusters."

"With such unfair treatment, shouldn't China Film Group stop importing Hollywood films? Or at least arrange for imported blockbuster films to be released on the same day!"

Shen Santong has no illusions about Western narratives, nor will he be manipulated into reflecting on them.

You hit yours, I'll hit mine.

Come on, let’s hurt each other.

(End of this chapter)