Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 383 "Cellphone" - No prize, karma is swift! The reboot plan is a resounding success! Two films are making waves in China.
"Old Zhang, what happened this time?"

"Oh dear, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Has something happened?"

"This unexpected turn of events...don't you yourselves know about it?"

"Huh? What do we know?"

"Well, I have something to do here. See you later."

The Wang brothers were nearly driven mad; they had consulted countless people beforehand.

When they agreed, they all patted their chests and said, "Just you wait and see!"
And now... is this the result?
Grass!
In fact, making another phone call after that was already beneath him.

According to the rules of the Beijing social circle, if this matter is not resolved, it means that either the other party is incompetent or something else has happened.

In short, calling them again would be somewhat disrespectful.

Will you keep in touch afterward?

Will I need their help again later?
So, generally speaking, if it can't be done, it's no big deal. Just let it go for now and talk about it again later.

The fact that the Wang brothers called so urgently to question the other party clearly made the other party very uncomfortable.

They were clearly not concerned about saving face; they were truly at a loss this time.

After making all those calls, they had lost face with many people.

But the key question is... why is that?
These two can't figure it out themselves, and after making so many phone calls, no one has been able to explain it to them.

Fortunately, this round of phone calls didn't just offend people; finally, I found someone to tell them the truth.

Wang Zhiwen, he didn't try to hide it.

"It's that simple! The movie 'Cellphone' is currently involved in a case, and the case is so well-known that of everyone, so of course it can't win any awards."

"Huh? Just because of this? But you didn't mention it before."

"Yes, I didn't say it before, but there are many things that weren't said before."

"This……"

I understand now, I finally understand.

A lot of things in this industry are unspoken rules.

It's just that they don't say it outright, and this time with "Cellphone" it's the same.

The College Student Film Festival did indeed shortlist this film, and it was even screened. Many college students watched it and expressed their liking for it.

However, the film is currently highly controversial, and there are also related legal cases.

We're not giving out the prize!
The Wang brothers have now truly figured out the whole reason.

But... what's the use?

Useless!

This loss is something we can only swallow in silence!

……

The awards ceremony for the College Student Film Festival has concluded.

This marks the official start of the 'reboot plan' for the Chinese film market!
During the awards ceremony, the host also emphasized the word "restart".

Moreover, the awards ceremony mainly consisted of showing many trailers.

Although some movie trailers are not for the summer season, the vast majority are for the summer season.

In fact, this trailer even features several Hollywood blockbusters.

Needless to say, the fact that these Hollywood blockbusters are appearing here means they must have bribed Ma Xun.

We don't ask for much. For a movie, either 100,000 yuan or 1% of the box office revenue.

If you convert it, it's actually about the same.

Consider this a form of advertising.

When a movie is released, there has to be some publicity and promotion, right? You guys have to spend money, after all.

Ma Xun is definitely not trying to extort money from others.

On the contrary, many film companies came happily to give away money.

Of course, Ma Xun didn't pocket all of it; he kept a portion to prepare for the next College Student Film Festival.

His methods are indeed very popular.

Especially Han Sanping.

Because the film market is so sluggish this year, there are indeed many places that need money.

Ma Xun is so good at making money, very good indeed.

And next, the movie will be released.

In July, the pandemic was almost over.

The cinemas, which had been struggling financially, are now ready to make a big splash.

We welcome the arrival of summer vacation and the students who were previously confined to school.

In short, this is a win-win situation.

But in this situation, someone came looking for Ma Xun.

"I have to thank you for this award."

"You know, this means nothing to me."

Gong Li still exudes such charisma, especially after winning another Best Actress award this time.

Although this Best Actress award is nothing to her, it proves that she is still a very popular Chinese movie star.

This would make it easier for her to get roles in Hollywood.

Ma Xun understood these things. He was actually doing it for his child's sake, and also because of the information provided by Gong Li.

And now...

"This place is really nice."

"It's a temporary office."

Although Gong Li has a strong presence, the urban professional woman's outfit does suit her well.

But now that she's in Ma Xun's office, she feels quite like she's in charge of everything.

Unexpectedly, this was only his temporary office.

"So how big of an office do you want?"

Actually, this office is not small, probably around 40 or 50 square meters.

This wasn't extravagance on Ma Xun's part. In fact, a film and television company doesn't need a large space at all, and the reason he made such a big office was simply to establish his authority.

Anyone who has worked in a large company knows that the higher the level, the bigger the office.

Later figures like Ma, Dongzi, and Lei were all like that.

It's big, but it's not used; it's just empty, with only simple furnishings like a sofa and a desk.

But this is the simplest and most direct way to demonstrate power and wealth.

Because large companies are located in prime real estate, such large offices are very expensive.

So what if every inch of land is worth its weight in gold?
I'll just leave it empty!

Ma Xun is merely imitating, yet he has already given Gong Li quite a shock, especially since it's only temporary.

"Where will that future office, which isn't exactly 'temporary', be located?"

Gong Li's question made Ma Xun laugh.

"That day, that place."

Gong Li immediately realized what was going on.

"You acquired that piece of land?"

"Is it weird?"

"You... I never expected you to be so strong."

"I am indeed quite pleased to receive such praise from an international film queen."

What Ma Xun said was really infuriating.

Gong Li couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, but in reality, she was very happy.

Who wouldn't be happy to have such an amazing father to their child?

Although Gong Li has always said that she will raise the child herself, it's always good to have a good father.

So she simply walked up to Ma Xun and sat down on the desk.

This move is really bold.

The international film queen wore black stockings today, and the sheer fabric looked just right.

"Tempt me?"

"Hmph! I have another question."

"Excuse me."

"Aren't you going a bit too far by attacking the Wang brothers like this?"

Gong Li then steered the conversation towards the movie "Cellphone" and the Wang brothers.

That's right, this awards ceremony really surprised everyone in the industry.

The main point is that Ma Xun is now in a superior position, meaning he is the truly dominant party.

But this time their performance was far too dominant.

The movie "Cell Phone" does have its problems, but from a cinematic perspective, it's very well made, and college students generally like it.

The fact that he didn't win a single award was indeed... even a little frightening to Ma Xun. But then Ma Xun laughed, "Excessive? What's excessive about it? Besides, do you believe me?"

"Believe in what?"

Gong Li frowned, because what he said was really strange.

Ma Xun then said, "The cycle of nature!"

Ah this...

Gong Li stared in surprise, her mouth slightly agape.

Upon closer inspection, yes!

Isn't that just the cycle of nature?
You guys are really trying to mess with Cui Yongyuan in the movie "Cellphone".

Xiao Cui didn't do anything wrong, but you guys just had to use this movie to slander him.

Yan Shouyi and his show—who wouldn't immediately think of Cui Yongyuan and "Tell It Like It Is" when they see them?
Then, the Wang brothers, Feng Xiaogang, and others made money from this movie!

Now comes retribution!

It didn't win any awards, and the box office wasn't great either.

If this case is decided in the future, it will be detrimental to Huayi.

That's truly karma coming to pass!
Ma Xun continued, "I didn't do much, I just reminded them that this movie is involved in a case."

That's enough.

Gong Li laughed, "You're a bad guy, but you're kind of good too."

This description is quite interesting.

Ma Xun accepted, but at the same time, his hand wasn't behaving itself; it followed the black stockings...

hmm~
The international film queen lightly bit her red lips, and her face flushed.

"I'm also going to Hollywood."

"If he takes my child out, who can find out?"

Goodness, that's what you're saying.

However, although Gong Li was angry, she was even more furious.

Ma Xun simply pinned the international film star down on the desk...

……

The cycle of heaven, the retribution is unhappy.

In a way, the movie "Cellphone" deserved its fate.

After that, Ma Xun couldn't care less about the movie anymore; he poured all his resources into the 'Reboot Project'.

The 2003 summer movie season arrived as scheduled.

And a major positive development is also on the horizon.

SAS is over!
We have finally achieved a complete victory, so everyone can finally come out and have fun.

Watch the movie!

Several excellent movies were prepared in advance, including Hollywood blockbusters, "Infernal Affairs," and some good films from mainland China.

In addition, some older movies are also being shown.

Ma Xun's defensive plan is still in progress.

Of course, it depends on the choice of cinema.

Although the reform of the cinema chain system has been done well, some cinemas are still operating independently.

After all, it can't be that fast.

Regardless, there is a 'restart plan' in place.

In other words, we made ample preparations and carried out thorough publicity.

The effect is... amazing!

Throughout August, our domestic film market recovered very quickly!

This, of course, also includes Hong Kong.

But when the accounts are settled at the end of the month...

Ma Xun naturally received a call from Han Sanping.

"Little horse, hahaha..."

"Boss, judging from your laughter... what's going on? Did you arrange for your children to become in-laws?"

Ma Xun really dared to make that joke.

Han Sanping, however, didn't mind at all. "Oh! What do you mean by in-laws! I have some good news for you. The film market in August is showing a strong recovery! It's estimated to be twice as big as last month! And compared to the same period last year, it's also up by more than 3%!"

Good guy, really good guy!

Actually, things were already pretty good in July; the restart plan actually started in July.

Now, looking at the situation... everything looks great!
Han Sanping was overjoyed... needless to say, he must have received praise from his superiors.

Ma Xun also knew that he was now more secure.

As for making money... need I say more?

"Infernal Affairs" has far exceeded expectations and has already grossed over 2000 million yuan at the box office.

Although the film's box office momentum is almost over, this box office revenue share is pure profit!
Ma Xun had already sold "Infernal Affairs" to Harvey, the old man, in order to find a good filming location for "Kill Bill".

And this, coupled with the profits brought about by the market recovery at Jiahe...

Ma Xun not only didn't lose money this time, but actually made a lot of money!

In addition, Ma Xun now has a relationship with the Wang brothers.

In reality, they are already in a position of advantage.

He is the more powerful one.

No doubt about it, the next move will be even more ruthless!

just now……

"Everything is fine, but we're probably going to have a blank screening this National Day holiday."

"Boss, that's not necessarily true."

"Really? You have another way?"

"But the film I'm making isn't a tribute film."

"I understand that, but if there's a film that can fill in, that would be great."

"Okay! As long as the leader trusts me..."

"What are you talking about? If I don't trust you, who should I trust?"

"I understand! I'll go work on the film right away."

"Haha...it's up to you now!"

Han Sanping hung up the phone, overjoyed.

Ma Xun had a big smile on his face.

And his filmmaking... is very simple.

Call up!
"Hey, how's the filming going over there?"

"Boss, it's almost done."

"Don't say 'almost,' hurry up and finish filming!"

"What... happened?"

"If the filming is done quickly, there will be a good release date, like National Day."

"This, this is wonderful!"

The person on the other end of the phone was Ning Hao.

Their production of "Incense" went much more smoothly than expected.

Ning Hao led his men back to his hometown and then started filming.

The story was originally not complicated; we just added a lot of details.

Filming has been going on for over two months now, so it should be finished by now.

Therefore, "Incense" is very likely to be released during the National Day holiday!
Meanwhile, Ma Xun made another phone call.

"Hey Lao Wang, can you hurry up a bit?"

"Boss, I always take my time and do things meticulously."

"Bullshit! Hurry up!"

The filming of "The Terror Live" actually started earlier.

Wang Xiaoshuai is just really slow.

Ma Xun didn't have any special tricks; he just told him directly that if they were fast enough, they might be able to catch the National Day release.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaoshuai realized that this guy was even better at talking.

"The Lunar New Year film season is so great!"

"You've got quite the ambition! Forget about the schedule, just hurry up and film it!"

"Understood, boss!"

After hanging up the phone, Ma Xun couldn't help but sigh.

Being the boss isn't easy for me!

(End of this chapter)