I was just thinking about taking the arts exam and you said I've been playing supporting roles

Chapter 350 An irresistible collaboration!

Over the next few days, Chen Jin continued to study Weinstein, this sex fiend.

Of course, he didn't go to him immediately.

It's a different concept to take the initiative to come to someone than for someone to come to you.

Although Chen Jin is famous now, she is not famous enough to make Weinstein, who is currently at the height of his power in Hollywood, actively seek her out.

Therefore, the most important thing is to study this guy first.

Moreover, his public relations skills might be useful in Berlin this time.

As it turned out, Chen Jin's idea was correct.

He kept browsing the news about this guy in the system.

Based on the existing information online, we can roughly deduce the "public relations operation" of the founder of this top Hollywood PR firm!
Take Weinstein's breakout film "Pulp Fiction" for example; it's his most well-known work.

At the time, Quentin Tarantino, the director of "Pulp Fiction," wasn't as famous as he is now, but he was certainly talented.

Therefore, in terms of film selection strategy, Miramax mostly chooses high-aesthetic art films that can arouse the interest of general audiences.

This type of film can gain favor at film festivals with its unique visual style, and it can also attract public attention with its spectacular visuals.

1994's Pulp Fiction was a resounding success for Miramax, with Quentin Tarantino's postmodern aesthetic of violence striking a perfect balance between artistic merit and commercial appeal.

This film not only won the Palme d'Or at the 47th Cannes Film Festival, but also became the first independent film to gross over $100 million at the North American box office, making Miramax a household name and a leading figure in the independent film industry.

In helping the film win awards, Harvey Weinstein employed a unique public relations approach.

For example, sending movie DVDs to judges, holding internal screenings and receptions, hiring professional "online trolls" to smear competitors, inviting critics to write various creative film reviews, and buying out multiple entertainment media columns for intensive coverage, are all ways to promote one's own film.

With this meticulous public relations strategy, Miramax embarked on its path to winning an Oscar.

Films produced and distributed by the company have been nominated for Oscars more than 300 times, including "The English Patient," "Shakespeare in Love," "Chicago," "The King's Speech," and "The Artist."

With the backing of an Oscar, these previously niche independent films are able to achieve better returns in the market.

Several prominent directors in China have also collaborated with him.

The North American distribution rights for films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, and The Promise were also purchased by Weinstein.

He highly values ​​film festival awards and is very familiar with their many benefits for independent film distribution companies, such as attracting media attention, generating audience interest to gain access to the mainstream film market, increasing copyright prices, and gaining international market recognition.

Miramax's unique model for independent film distribution and promotion was forged by using film festival awards to promote its films.

"This model is not unreplicable!"

Just like the future Neon Pictures, which was born from Miramax, it will surpass its predecessor.

It did a better job than Miramax.

"The only thing I lack is connections!"

"Americans still have an advantage: Hollywood's status and the huge North American market!"

"The only thing we can utilize domestically is the market..."

Chen Jin pondered the possibility of replicating it, but the past few days had not been without any gains.

After reviewing this guy's information, Chen Jin became much more confident, at least for this trip to Berlin, and for next year's Golden Globe and Oscar.

It's just copying, that's what the Chinese are best at.

Drip!

Suddenly, a phone rang from the cell phone next to me.

It's daytime in China right now, and today is also the screening of "The Flowers of War," which will be held this afternoon in the auditorium of the Beijing Film Academy.

Not only will leaders from the Beijing Film Academy attend, but also representatives from several European film companies and judges, as well as relevant leaders from the Film Bureau and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

However, no media were invited, and everything was done discreetly.

"what happened?"

The call was from Chen Su.

"It seems that Director Zhang invited several film distributors from Southeast Asia and North America to this screening. Leaders from the Shanghai International Film Festival also came. I saw them yesterday when I took Mr. Fran and Mr. Fitt to the hotel!"

Fran was a film buyer appointed by MK2 in China, responsible for exporting Chinese films to Europe.

And Fitt is the vice president of MK2.

Section Chief Jia and he were very close.

"I know about Southeast Asia, Director Zhang told me. But which companies are in North America?"

"It must be someone from Miramax. I only found out by asking around!"

"One?"

"not sure!"

Chen Su immediately said, "I'm going to the hotel to have breakfast with Mr. Fitt and the others right now, I'll ask them while I'm there!"

Damn, it's true what they say, speak of the devil and he appears.

Chen Jin had been studying Miramax and Weinstein for several days, but she never expected that this guy would actually send someone to China to attend Lao Zhang's film screening.

Was it Zhang Yimou who invited them?
"I'll ask Director Zhang about it later!"

"Row!"

Chen Su nodded: "Oh, Brother Jin, there's one more thing, Luc Besson is here too!"

Chen Jin: "..."

If MK2 is the largest distributor of art-house films in Europe, then Luc Besson's EuropaCorp is the largest distributor of commercial films in Europe. The two companies operate in separate spheres, but their competition is fierce.

Because some films balance commercial appeal and artistic merit, like "The Flowers of War," both companies definitely want to acquire them.

Luc Besson is a renowned European director.

"Léon: The Professional" is his directorial debut, and there's also the upcoming "Lucy." He's very famous worldwide, and like Chen Jin, he transitioned from directing to business, becoming a very successful businessman.

After achieving success as a director, he founded a film and television company.

Taken is EuropaCorp's most successful commercial series.

Most importantly, this guy has a very good personal relationship with Zhang Yimou, and he often comes to China. He has close relationships with filmmakers in China, has served as the chairman of the jury at the Shanghai Film Studio, and has also attended many lectures at Chinese universities.

Of course, he has also collaborated with many domestic actors on films, so he can be said to be one of the international actors who is relatively close to the Chinese audience.

"I'll ask about them all!"

"You should first calm things down with MK2..."

Chen Jin had a bit of a headache. This was just a screening of Zhang Yimou's film, yet so many people had come.
Based on his understanding of Zhang Yimou, he is not a person who likes to make a fuss.

Since he didn't tell Chen Jin that he invited Miramax and Europa, he definitely didn't invite them.

Only a handful of people from the Film Bureau and the Beijing Film Academy knew about the screening dates, so how come the whole world knows about it now?
Finally, Chen Jin sent a message to Pang Liwei.

One can only lament that there are bad people among the masses!
It was leaked by the Film Bureau or a teacher from the Beijing Film Academy.

Zhang Yimou's collaboration with Christian Bale in "The Flowers of War," along with a Venice Film Festival Best Actor winner as the second male lead, naturally garnered a lot of attention; most importantly, before Zhang Weiping's scandal broke, news about this film was everywhere.

They've already made a big splash, with talk of a 6 million investment, Bale's salary, and a global impact... Which overseas film company wouldn't be envious?
They all want to make money. Even if there are small fry threatening them from behind, do you think Miramax and Europa are afraid of them?
Weinstein and Luc Besson will certainly not accept threats.

On the contrary, given the nature of these two, the more they act like this, the more profitable it will be for them!

It's possible to suppress the issue price!
However, the person Miramax attended the screening was a buyer they were working with in China. Weinstein's status certainly didn't require him to come to China in person. Apart from attending the Big Three and North American award ceremonies, he rarely appeared abroad.

The arrogance of the Americans, and their high status in the film industry; only Feng Xiaogang, relying on the domestic media, dared to openly criticize them.

"Now we can only wait for feedback after watching the movie!" Chen Jin sighed slightly, glanced at the time, and realized it was already past midnight in the United States. She quickly took a shower and went to bed.

***
The next day, Chen Jin woke up from her sleep.

I turned on my phone immediately.

The chat message Chen Su sent him has already been sent above.

The screening of "The Flowers of War" was a great success. Teachers from the Beijing Film Academy, leaders from the Film Bureau, and several senior directors, including Tian Zhuangzhuang, all gave "The Flowers of War" high praise.

As for the buyers and judges from several film studios, they all gave "Jinling" very high praise.

A powerful and moving historical masterpiece.

The warmth of humanity amidst despair.

"Jin-ge, your highlight clips were so inspiring, and they were also very touching!"

"I didn't even recognize you!"

Chen Jin took Chen Su's two sentences as flattery and replied directly, "Have you talked to MK2?"

In the European market, Chen Jin still prefers to sell to MK2 because they frequently distribute art films and are very familiar with some of the directors and actors in art films.

Just like the seven jury members at this year's Berlin Film Festival, five of them are very familiar with MK2 and have collaborated many times.

In terms of influence, it is certainly useful.

This was confirmed by Chen Su and Fate.

Although Zhang Yimou was also looking for people, Chen Jin directly intervened from the perspective of capital, which is a two-pronged approach and will definitely be more effective.

Just because you know the jury members doesn't mean you don't know the directors or investors of the other nominated films.

They also need to do public relations.

Therefore, it all comes down to connections.

Having more options definitely increases the chances of success.

It was highly unlikely that the vice president of the prestigious French brand MK2 would secretly come to China, but he did anyway because Chen Jin offered a temptation and conditions that MK2 simply couldn't refuse.

In Europe, the MK2 was released at a low price.

Yes, low price.

According to Zhang Weiping's original plan, he sold the film in Cannes to the renowned distributor Film Nation, a globally acclaimed distributor.

Moreover, after negotiating with many companies, they finally sold the distribution rights (excluding North America and China) for $1100 million, but the box office performance was... disastrous.

They really screwed over the film industry.

The fact that Zhang Yimou's overseas market is getting worse and worse in the future is all thanks to him.

Of course, Chen Jin's understanding is also understandable.

Selling at a high price is not shameful; we'll sell to whoever offers the highest price.

In North America, the two companies sold were Wrekin Hilll Entertainment and Row 1 Entertainment, for a price of $1200 million.

Therefore, the movie "Jinling" actually made a lot of money, not as much as he claimed to the outside world.

Based on a domestic box office of 6 million and an investment of 6 million, it would definitely be a loss.

However, the companies that purchased the shares did indeed suffer heavy losses.

Chen Jin is not doing charity work.

He offered a low price because of his motives.

Zhang Weiping was motivated by money, while Chen Jin wanted to make "Jinling" known to a wider global audience.

So it's important to lose a little money to win the necessary awards.

Most importantly, the North American, domestic, and Southeast Asian markets are key.

Chen Jin could afford to give up several million dollars; unlike Zhang Weiping, who was obsessed with money.

Moreover, losses do not mean less profit. If they can win an award in Berlin, the revenue may exceed the original 6 million box office plus 2 million in overseas distribution.

This is why MK2 personally sent its Vice President, Fate, to attend the screening.

He definitely wanted to close this deal.

With Bell, Chen Jin, and Zhang Yimou involved, plus the extra buzz surrounding the deal, even with some minor issues, MK2 was incredibly excited about this transaction.

It's possible that one movie could earn a year's worth of revenue.

"We've talked!"

Chen Su replied quickly: "After the screening, that guy Fate became very interested in the movie!"

"The main reason is that the judge he brought, Dante Ferretti, gave him very high praise!"

"And that film buyer in the Chinese market, he thinks Nanjing will be popular with Europeans!"

Bringing a judge to a film screening is a common practice for many film companies.

Dante Ferretti was the president of the jury at the Venice Film Festival a few years ago. A world-renowned art director, he undoubtedly has a strong foundation in film appreciation.

Asking him to judge whether a film can win an award is basically the mainstream opinion of the three major film and television organizations.

If he says okay, then Fitt will definitely take it.

Moreover, as the vice president of mk2, he also has a strong ability to appreciate movies.

Their purpose in watching movies is, of course, to evaluate them, considering not only their commercial viability but also their chances of winning awards.

Since Dante Ferretti said he could win the award, there's definitely room for negotiation on this deal.

If the other party has doubts about the quality of the film, they might not be willing to release MK2 for free even if Chen Jin did; because the main point of their business deal is winning awards, and it would be meaningless for either party if they couldn't win awards.

And he was also hurt.

Therefore, from now on, Chen Jin and mk2 have the same goal.

MK2 wanted to promote the success of "Jinling" in Berlin and make more money; Chen Jin, of course, wanted the sensation of "Jinling" in Europe, and then to move the whole "world"!
"However, they've contacted me from Europe too!"

"Director Luc is also very keen to secure the European distribution rights for 'The Golden Age'!"

Chen Su smiled wryly.

"Good thing!"

The more partners there are, the more leverage they have, and Chen Jin isn't after money at all.

That makes things much easier to discuss.

"You can decide on the price. Our goal is to help Jinling win as many awards as possible at this year's Berlin Film Festival!"

"We'll sell to whoever can offer the most cards!"

"Price is negotiable!"

"Ok!"

Chen Su was just reporting, but Chen Jin had actually already told him the truth.

It's all about winning awards and going viral!
Now that the movie has no problems, the next step is to do the same thing as Weinstein.

Make up!

(End of this chapter)