1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

"Yes! Old friend! We are old friends!"

Brian held Cheng Xuemin's hand tightly, his eyes reddening with emotion.

The frustration he felt from being abandoned by the whole world was largely dispelled by this greeting of "old friend" and Cheng Xuemin's gentle smile!
He recalled how, when Cheng Xuemin was still unknown, he had the foresight to acquire the overseas distribution rights for "Tai Chi".

Thinking of the profits and fame that "Shaolin Temple" brought him during the kung fu craze in North America, a warm current of mixed joy and pride welled up in my heart!

Yes, Brian has good taste!
He bet on the right person!
This old friendship seems so precious at this moment.

Cheng Xuemin gestured for him to sit down and then personally poured him a glass of water.

Brian quickly took the water and thanked him profusely. The cool water slid down his throat, calming his turbulent emotions slightly.

He put down his cup, eagerly pulled a fine leather folder from the inside pocket of his suit, and handed it to Cheng Xuemin with trembling hands.

"Cheng, my old friend, I know that the conditions offered by those people outside were very...competitive!"

Brian swallowed hard, trying to make his voice sound steady and sincere, and said, "But please believe me, MGM's sincerity is no less than theirs!"

"This is our latest offer: forty million US dollars, including global screening revenue sharing rights! This is the maximum scope and amount we can offer!"

"MGM headquarters attaches great importance to 'Redemption' and has high expectations for your future cooperation! We..."

“Brian!” Cheng Xuemin raised his hand, gently but firmly interrupting his rambling confession.

He didn't take the folder, or even glance at it, but simply smiled and looked into Brian's eyes. "Let's put the offer on hold for now!"

"Put...put it down for a moment?" Brian's hand, holding the folder, froze in mid-air, his excitement and anticipation instantly freezing.

Instead, there was a deeper sense of confusion and unease!
No...no price negotiation?
Why call him in?
Reminiscing? In the midst of these negotiations where millions or tens of millions of dollars are being spent every minute?
"Yes, let's put it aside for a while!" Cheng Xuemin leaned back slightly, resting on the comfortable sofa back, his hands casually clasped together on his knees, his posture relaxed.

But his eyes held a penetrating insight as he said, "More than a price quote, I'd like to hear your opinion, from the perspective of an old friend and a professional publisher!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Gu Qiuna, Feng Jiazhao, and Huang Jianzhong, who were also listening intently, before finally settling back on Brian's face:
"You heard Mr. Carrick from Fox, Mr. Michael Chen from Warner, and Mr. Rosenthal from Columbia's offers and terms just outside. What do you think?"

Brian's heart sank!
What does he think?
What does he think?
He felt immense pressure! He felt hopeless!

Compared to other people's offers of 25 million for just buying a North American region, plus various bundled conditions, my 40 million seems like a pathetic joke!

He opened his mouth, but his throat was dry. All the prepared arguments and words to highlight his competitive pricing were stuck in his throat!
Under Cheng Xuemin's calm yet all-seeing gaze, his words seemed so pale and powerless!

“I…” Brian licked his slightly chapped lips, his voice unconsciously lowering, filled with undisguised bitterness and self-mockery, “Cheng, to be honest, I feel… a lot of pressure!”

"Fox, Warner, Columbia, they are all giants. Their resources, channels, and funds are far beyond what MGM and I can compare to right now."

"Their offer... was very aggressive. My offer, numerically speaking, really... wasn't competitive!"

He finally managed to utter the words "no advantage" with great difficulty, as if he had used up all his strength, his shoulders slumping slightly.

Faced with an absolute disparity in strength, any attempt to embellish is laughable!

Cheng Xuemin looked at him quietly, offering no words of comfort or expression, simply waiting for him to continue.

Brian took a deep breath. Now that he had started, he might as well pour out his heart. Maybe his old friend really just wanted to hear his opinion?
He adjusted his posture and tried to analyze in a professional tone: "Carrick's Fox has a guaranteed $25 million in North America, a 42% revenue share, and they also want to tie it to Western Europe!"

"Their advantage lies in their strong networks in North America and Europe, especially in European art-house cinemas and awards season public relations, where they are a long-established powerhouse!"

However, they seem to have some cash flow problems recently, and this offer may already be the limit they can afford. The reason for tying it up to Western Europe is to use the higher prices in North America to spread out the overall costs!

Or rather, their attempt to lock in European priority with North American orders is shrewd, but it also exposes their financial strain!

"Michael Chen's Warner Bros., with a guaranteed $25.5 million in North America and a 43.5% cut, seems a little more than Fox, but their bundled Asian co-release and five-year priority partnership make them more ambitious."

They're not just interested in the movie "Redemption," they're interested in you as a person and your future!
That box office bet sounds tempting, but the terms are likely extremely harsh and could very well be a trap, or at least an excuse for sharing the risk.

Warner's strength in Asia is relatively weak, so partnering with Golden Harvest is an attempt to fill that gap. Their plan focuses more on a long-term partnership!

"Rosenthal's offer to Columbia is the most direct: $25 million in North America in exchange for a 35% equity swap. This is real money plus future profit sharing—it shows great ambition! It demonstrates that Columbia's top management is determined to acquire you!"

However, their problem is that, apart from North America and Latin America, their influence in other markets, especially Europe and Asia, is not as strong as the other two companies.

They want to use money and equity to break into the market, but their subsequent issuance capabilities, especially in the European market where careful management is required, are questionable.

Brian spoke more and more fluently, seemingly regaining some of the confidence of a professional publisher!

But as he finished his analysis, his tone involuntarily lowered: "So, Cheng, it's not that I'm belittling myself!"

"If we only consider strength and bidding, my 40 million global copyright is comparable to their regional high-price guaranteed minimum plus revenue sharing model!"
Whether in terms of the potential for total revenue or the subsequent profit sharing, it lacks competitiveness.

If any of them were determined to seize a region, they could offer terms I couldn't match!

He shook his head with a wry smile, the carefully prepared folder unconsciously crumpling in his hand.
"I originally thought forty million was an astronomical figure, enough to express the utmost sincerity. But now it seems... I underestimated the value of 'Redemption,' and also underestimated the determination of those people!"

The lounge was quiet, with only Brian's slightly hoarse voice echoing through it.

Gu Qiuna and the others listened intently. Although they knew that the three people outside were powerful figures, Brian, an industry insider, gave them a deeper understanding of the feeling of being surrounded by giants and under immense pressure.

At the same time, I sincerely admire Cheng Xuemin for remaining calm and composed in such a situation!

Cheng Xuemin listened quietly, tapping his fingers lightly on his knees, until Brian finished speaking. Then he nodded slightly, a knowing look on his face.

Then he asked the second question, saying, "So, Brian, give us an estimate from your professional perspective!"

"If they, or even just two of them, follow their previous approach and take over different areas!"

For example, Fox won North America and Western Europe, Warner Bros. won Asia, and Columbia Pictures won Latin America and other regions. Adding in revenue sharing, what do you think the total global revenue of *The Redemption* would reach?

This problem, like a precise scalpel, cuts straight to the heart of the matter.

Brian's body tensed slightly, and the little confidence he had just regained began to waver again.

He knew he had to answer this question, and he had to answer it accurately, otherwise his last bit of professional value in Cheng Xuemin's eyes might vanish. He closed his eyes, his mind racing at an unprecedented speed, mentally calculating various numbers.

With a guaranteed minimum of around 2500 million in North America, plus revenue sharing, the production company will likely receive between 3500 million and 4000 million in the end.
Western Europe: Guaranteed minimum plus profit sharing, 1000 million to 1500 million?
Guaranteed minimum plus revenue sharing in Asia (excluding mainland China), 800 million to 1200 million?
In other parts of Latin America and Canada, is the figure between 500 million and 800 million?
There were also televisions, videotapes...

A few seconds later, he opened his eyes, looked at Cheng Xuemin, his throat tightened, and slowly uttered a number:
"If everything goes smoothly, the distribution is handled properly, and the box office meets expectations... the total global revenue, including the guaranteed minimum plus a share, will ultimately reach the production company, which may... may approach, or even exceed, sixty million US dollars."

And this doesn't even include subsequent revenue from long-term television broadcasting rights and videotape rentals!

“Sixty million dollars…” Brian repeated the number, feeling his mouth go dry and even a sense of unreality.

When he first saw "Redemption" in Cannes, he was amazed and optimistic, but his boldest prediction was that it would only sell for a maximum of 20 million US dollars worldwide!

Who would have thought that a Palme d'Or, plus that globally sensational $400 million bet, would cause the value of this film to skyrocket to this level!

"Sixty million..." Feng Jiazhao, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, his hands trembling slightly.

Huang Jianzhong's pupils also contracted; despite being mentally prepared, the number still exceeded his expectations.

Gu Qiuna covered her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise!

Cheng Xuemin showed no surprise, as if this number was within his expectations.

He even nodded slightly, indicating his agreement with Brian's estimate. "So you see, Brian!"

Cheng Xuemin's voice was calm and even, yet it carried a strange persuasive power: "Your forty million for my global screening rights seems like a huge, certain sum of cash!"

"But in reality, it could cost me at least 20 million dollars, or even more in potential profits."

Brian opened his mouth, wanting to argue that the 40 million global copyright would allow Cheng Xuemin to quickly recoup funds and transfer risks, etc.!
But faced with the stark reality of at least twenty million dollars in potential losses, any explanation seems utterly inadequate!
He could only lower his head in despair, knowing that his plan had been completely condemned by Cheng Xuemin.

A tremendous sense of loss and despair gripped him once again.

Is he really destined to watch helplessly as this enormous cake is divided up by the three giants, leaving him with not even a crumb?

Just then, Cheng Xuemin's voice rang out again!
Not high!

But it clearly penetrated Brian's ears, like a thunderclap, making him suddenly raise his head!

“But Brian, I invited you in not to tell you your plan won’t work!” Cheng Xuemin looked at him, his gaze deep. “I want to give you, and ourselves, another option!”

“Another…option?” Brian murmured, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

“Yes, another option!” Cheng Xuemin leaned forward slightly, placing his hands on his knees—a posture that exuded both pressure and persuasiveness—as he spoke.

"An option that doesn't require you to put up forty million dollars, and could even earn you more than that forty million plan, while making your name, Brian, a household name in Hollywood!"

Brian's breathing quickened instantly, his eyes fixed on Cheng Xuemin, afraid of missing any subtle expression on his face.

"Cheng, tell me! What choice? As long as I can do it, I will definitely..."

Cheng Xuemin raised his hand, signaling him to calm down, and then slowly explained his plan.

"I will not sell the global rights to 'Redemption' in parts, nor will I sell it as a package to any one company!"

Cheng Xuemin's voice was steady and strong as he continued, "I plan to establish a global distribution alliance to operate this film."

“A distribution consortium?” Brian was taken aback. The concept wasn't new, but it was usually something big studios did to spread risk. Cheng Xuemin was just an independent producer…

“That’s right, a publishing alliance!” Cheng Xuemin nodded. “And I hope you, Brian, will lead this alliance, which is the core of coordination in North America and even globally!”

“Me?!” Brian pointed to his nose, his voice trembling with disbelief.

Should we let him take the lead?

To form an alliance with giants like Fox, Warner, and Columbia?
How can this be?

Who among them will listen to him?
"Don't rush, let me finish!" Cheng Xuemin revealed a mysterious smile. "I will grant you, Brian Spike, full authority over the global distribution rights of 'Redemption,' and..."

He paused, then turned his gaze to Gu Qiuna, who was listening intently, "and my aunt, Ms. Gu Qiuna, who is about to establish Phoenix Film Distribution Company in North America!"

"Both of your companies will serve as my joint representatives in North America and will be responsible for the global distribution of 'Redemption'!"

"What?" This time, not only Brian but also Gu Qiuna exclaimed in surprise, her beautiful eyes wide open, completely unexpected that Cheng Xuemin would suddenly mention her.

And he's acting as a joint representative with Brian?
She subconsciously looked at Feng Jiazhao, who also looked shocked, clearly unaware of the situation beforehand!

Cheng Xuemin gave Gu Qiuna a reassuring look and continued speaking to the stunned Brian:

"Of course, the licensing isn't free. My conditions are: a minimum guarantee of $50 million, plus 40% of the net global box office revenue!"

Guaranteed minimum of 50 million! 40% commission!
This offer is higher than Brian's 40 million, but seems lower than the buyout price of 60 million in total revenue that Brian estimated.

But they added a whopping 40% cut!

If the box office really explodes, Cheng Xuemin will earn far more than 60 million!

Moreover, he retained a huge share of the profits!

But that wasn't the most shocking thing for Brian.

What made his head spin the most was the second half of the sentence: "You two families will serve as my joint representatives in North America and will be jointly responsible for the global distribution of 'Redemption'!"

what does this mean?
This means that Cheng Xuemin is handing over the trump card of "Redemption" to Brian and a newly established, little-known Phoenix Pictures!

Let them take the lead in global distribution!

Instead of selling to any of those three giants!
……

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