Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 454 A White-Haired Man Seeks a Child! The Director Made a Great Movie When He Was Impoverished! (Two-in-One)

"Will we be able to overtake them after leveling the playing field?"

"It's not that simple. To be fair, 'A World Without Thieves' is also a good movie."

"Indeed, at most the two films are evenly matched. The only difference is that we prefer the ordinary character Ning Hao and dislike the famous director Feng Xiaogang."

"That's right! In the end, it all comes down to the quality of the movie."

"Reality is reality, but sometimes it's not so bad to act impulsively."

Indeed, after New Year's Day, "Crazy Stone" really caught up with "A World Without Thieves".

Logically speaking, shouldn't they have reversed the situation and staged a comeback?
But in reality, it's never that easy.

Huayi Brothers is no pushover either, and Feng Xiaogang is the king of the Lunar New Year film season.

Crucially, "A World Without Thieves" is also an excellent film!
It's not a bad movie to begin with.

So, after the moviegoers' passion subsided, and the resonance they felt with Ning Hao, an ordinary person, faded away...

The two films are now neck and neck at the box office.

Moreover, "A World Without Thieves" is even better.

This situation has indeed left many people feeling disappointed, and many netizens couldn't help but leave comments to express their dissatisfaction.

However, after this incident, both films reached a critical juncture in January 2005, when they were halfway through their run.

Breaking 100 million!

……

"Thank you everyone! Thank you so much!"

"Without everyone's support, our play wouldn't have been a success!"

"Good movies deserve our support!"

"You guys are fantastic!"

At the Red Mansion Cinema in Beijing, the film "Crazy Stone" held a special event by booking the entire venue.

In other words, they not only booked the entire venue but also conducted on-the-ground promotion.

It's like inviting movie fans to a movie screening. Of course, as long as movie fans sign up on Douban, they will be randomly selected to attend.

What makes movie fans happiest is that the travel expenses will be reimbursed!

All you need is your train or plane ticket stub and your ID card.

Of course, food, drinks, and accommodation will not be reimbursed, since there is no limit to how much that can be covered.

This is considered a benefit for movie fans, and registration is extremely popular.

Some people also realized that this was a form of publicity.

Because the event itself was already popular online, and sure enough, many websites reported on it after it was launched.

That would have a positive impact on box office revenue.

Anyway, the event is pretty good so far.

Ning Hao, along with the main cast and crew of "Crazy Stone," interacted with fans, and there were also many media reporters present.

Then he cried.

That was so touching.

The movie fans were also very moved.

In short, it was a great success.

As for that over 100 million...

Of course!
We only started this event because we were 100% sure.

So, at the end of the event, our production team made a high-profile announcement.

"Everyone! Enlight Media has partnered with hundreds of cinema chains across the country to launch the latest real-time movie box office query function. You can quickly check the changes in movie box office on Douban!"

It's still located in a prominent position on the webpage, so it's easy to find.

The emcee did a great job!
It's really great to announce a new feature on a website at such an event.

Douban is doing very well. As the only website under Enlight Media, this once inconspicuous movie-related website has now become quite successful!

It has truly taken off, although it cannot yet compare with the four major portals, but currently, its potential is very strong.

By the way, the four major portals are currently 163, Sogou, Xinglang, and Tom.

Those who frequently travel through time will definitely know this detail: there is no Tencent involved now.

The website Tom was created by the second son of the Li family, but in reality... the website is really bad.

Forget about the content; there's a lot of information about gambling here, and of course, a lot more about sports matches.

To be honest, it's not as popular as the other three in mainland China, but it does have real strength and is now one of the four major portals.

Returning to the website Douban, in addition to movies, it now also has dedicated sections for novels and music.

Especially with music, we actively market our copyrights, particularly for Jay Chou, who is currently very popular!
Yes, Jay Chou is currently very popular.

But it can't be said to be extremely popular.

Well...actually, true Jay Chou fans would feel rather helpless. Before 2010, Jay Chou had an unpleasant nickname: "eternal runner-up".

As the saying goes, champions come and go, but Jay Chou remains a constant.

There's nothing we can do about it; it's just that some people's singles always take the top spot, while his singles always come in second.

However, this also proves Jay Chou's immense popularity.

The first place always changes, but he's always in second place. The key is that he has more than one hit single a year.

Right? So, although he always came in second on the singles chart, he was actually number one.

In this way, Jay Chou's songs were directly connected to Douban. Although piracy is rampant now, Douban is still able to make a profit from music.

That's really amazing!

Of course, we're not just talking about Jay Chou alone; we also have Phoenix Legend, currently the most popular duo in mainland China!
Their songs are so popular now that there's no need to look at sales figures.

All you have to do is go downstairs and see what songs the elderly folks in the square are playing, and you'll know for sure.

All of this, especially regarding the music aspect of the website, is managed by Yang Yuying, the "Queen of Sweet Songs."

She's doing incredibly well now, a hundred times better off than when she was in such a sorry state after that big case.

Okay, let's get back to the event for "Crazy Stone".

Our Douban website is very successful now, but that shouldn't overshadow the main character.

The emcee rambled on for a while, but still managed to give a proper introduction to the new features of Douban.com, which was a commendable performance.

So next...

The computer displayed the image, which was then projected directly onto the big screen!
The entire audience held their breath, because the box office numbers on the big screen were constantly changing!
coming!

finally come!

When the number in the card moved forward by one digit, everything after it instantly turned to zero!

So many zeros!

"Breaking 100 million!"

"Oh oh oh!"

"Success! We did it!"

The scene erupted in cheers!
Many fans excitedly hugged the creative team, and there were various autographs and other interactive activities.

The media also got busy, snapping photos everywhere.

Everything... is perfect!
Ma Xun was also sitting in the audience, and he even gave a round of applause.

But then Ning Hao looked over... and this new 'great director' seemed to understand.

……

"Alright! Everyone, have a good time!"

"Thank you boss!"

"Boss! Awesome!"

After the ground promotion activities that generated over 100 million yuan in revenue, Ma Xun generously hosted a small celebration party for our main creative team.

The celebration party was held in a rented space in 798 Art Zone, which was decorated as a buffet with some entertainment.

It's a bit like a party venue, but we're all artists, and many of us have talents.

Let's make a scene.

Huang Bo was originally a singer, so he immediately showed off his singing voice.

The applause was deafening.

However, Ma Xun and Ning Hao quickly left the noisy place.

The two of them, each carrying a can of beer, went up to the rooftop terrace.

798 used to be a large area, but later someone started holding art exhibitions in this area.

The exhibitions and such kept increasing, and later on, many people started playing rock music.

The reason is actually very simple: compared to the area within the Third Ring Road of Beijing, this place is definitely a representative of low rent.

The low cost of living attracts a bunch of poor artists.

Later, many underground rock bands started operating here.

In addition, there's some performance art in the arts. Ma Xun has heard of it. There's this old man named Bi Deng who claims to be a performance art master. He found an old woman and put on some kind of exhibition here.

They were having sex, and a bunch of media reporters were watching.

It's not that crazy here yet, and there are a lot of young people here.

The TV series "Struggle" also filmed a segment here.

Putting all that aside, Ma Xun clearly had something to say to Ning Hao.

“Boss, um…” Ning Hao knew how to handle things and knew he had to speak first.

Ma Xun laughed, and he and Ning Hao first clinked beer cans together. They took a sip and then looked at the flashing lights in the distance.

There might be a small rock concert going on there.

But that doesn't matter.

"I have some bad news to tell you first."

"This... we still can't win?"

"Yes."

"Well... that's fine too."

Don't you want to know the reason?

Ma Xun's question is quite interesting. Ning Hao has already admitted it, yet he still asks this question.

Ning Hao nodded. "Boss, you'd better have a good talk with me."

There must be an important reason.

Ma Xun laughed directly, "Someone used a rather underhanded tactic, namely, that 'A World Without Thieves' obtained permission to extend its screening period."

"This……"

Ning Hao understood immediately: if the other side got the extended screening, then our only advantage in overtaking them would be gone!

But who exactly is it?
Ma Xun didn't hide it: "He's from Taiwan, and he used this identity."

understood!

Chen Guofu!

That guy is cunning; he actually used such methods.

Actually, Ma Xun did have a face-to-face talk with Han Sanping, the head of China Film Group, who was quite helpless at the time.

Logically speaking, we should be able to obtain permission to extend the screening period; this is almost certain.

However, the above just caused a brief pause, making the attitude very clear.

Han Sanping's meeting with Ma Xun was mainly to persuade him.

"The result is already very good. In fact, no one has won or lost. Even a well-made blockbuster couldn't beat your small production. Isn't that amazing?"

Give them some face. Look at Feng Xiaogang before, he was also pushed to the limit.

The higher-ups are quite satisfied with Chen Guofu's actions this time. If they can win him over, he can serve as a role model for the cultural circles of Taiwan Province..."

Ma Xun understood this whole rambling explanation perfectly from the start.

Actually, it was Chen Guofu who used underhanded tactics; he and so-and-so all had some kind of value.

Now the higher-ups really like this kind of value.

Moreover, we are all clear about the current wind direction.

Ma Xun also knew he couldn't make any more demands, because he couldn't change the current situation.

He immediately expressed his support for the decision.

Han Sanping was very pleased with this attitude and immediately made some promises.

In the future, the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, or the College Student Film Festival, or perhaps Han Sanping's plan is to create the Shanghai Golden Goblet Awards.

These major awards and such are all worth studying.

Ma Xun didn't say much more, just nodded to express his gratitude.

Everyone had a very pleasant conversation; it was a very harmonious one.

From all perspectives, this is truly the best we can do.

After all, the opponent has already gone so far as to be shameless as Chengdu.

As for why Ma Xun didn't expose the true colors of those two-faced people to Han Sanping... it's useless.

What Ma Xun said would be of no use, and besides, there's a saying that goes something like this.

Things teach us a lesson...right?

No matter how much I complain now, it's useless. Let's wait for the future. Let those babbling babblers on the other side teach you guys. That's more effective than anything else.

Moreover, Ma Xun also obtained sufficient benefits.

And so, this is the situation we're in now.

Our film "Crazy Stone" has successfully surpassed 100 million yuan in box office revenue!
However, in the future, we no longer have the chance to win this Lunar New Year film battle. "I actually believe we've won," Ma Xun said, and that was quite insightful.

Ning Hao was naturally very pleased. "Boss, you don't need to comfort me."

There's nothing wrong with him saying that.

Ma Xun then said, "I'm not just trying to comfort you, I genuinely believe that the success our film has achieved is a miracle in itself, while 'A World Without Thieves' deserves to achieve the same success; theirs is no miracle."

So, if "miracle" is paired with "should," then doesn't that mean the miracle wins?

Ma Xun's words stirred a surge of passion within Ning Hao.

"Boss! Thank you..."

As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes again.

Ma Xun patted him on the shoulder, "I know your performance this time was actually quite difficult."

That's right, Ning Hao actually did the performances that Ma Xun arranged.

Directors are a rather eccentric group at times.

They have strong personalities, and they may not always be obedient.

Some directors would never do something like Ma Xun's arrangement.

Ning Hao listened, which is quite an achievement.

Of course, Ma Xun was also confident. Judging from Ning Hao's current attitude towards Ma Xun, he was just a lackey.

Ma Xun naturally arranged things that way for him.

So far, the results have exceeded expectations!
However, there are a few things I need to mention.

"Have you ever wondered why this was so successful?"

"Well...aren't our movies pretty good?"

"But why is the movie so good?"

"This...is rather amusing?"

Why is it so funny?

"This... is probably..."

Ning Hao's mind went blank when he was asked these strange questions.

It's like a math whiz who understands advanced mathematics, but one day he's suddenly asked why 1 plus 1 equals 2.
It's difficult to answer that right now.

Ma Xun gave Ning Hao an answer.

"Don't forget your apology."

What, what is this answer?
Ning Hao probably understood, but he might not have.

……

The celebration party is still going on.

But Xiao Ran didn't want to continue playing around with everyone.

It's not that it's uninteresting, but rather that she'd rather... Brother Ma?
I saw that Ma Xun and Ning Hao had returned.

Xiaoran's eyes lit up.

However, Ma Xun did not participate in the party afterwards, saying that he was tired and needed to go back to rest.

Have fun, everyone!

So……

When Ma Xun returned to his car, Xiao Ran also came in.

The driver was a little stunned, but Ma Xun immediately nodded.

The car started.

Xiao Ran's appearance was not unexpected to Ma Xun.

Why don't you continue playing with them?

"Has something serious happened?"

Ma Xun didn't hide anything from Xiao Ran because he was certain that Li Dabai was loyal to him.

So he simply repeated what he had said to Ning Hao.

Xiao Ran was shocked upon hearing this. "This, this... we actually lost like this?"

Ma Xun shook his head after hearing this, "Who said we would lose?"

Yes, it doesn't necessarily mean we'll lose!
but……

"Brother Ma, I'm really curious."

"What are you curious about?"

"That's it, that's the reason for Ning Hao's success. But what is it?"

Ma Xun smiled but remained silent. Xiao Ran didn't dare to ask any more questions and could only suppress her curiosity.

Until the car drove into the alley.

Ma Xun and Xiao Ran got out of the car, and then the driver went back.

The two of them were walking in the alley.

"Actually, it's not just Ning Hao."

"what?"

"It also includes Feng Xiaogang."

"This……"

"The reason for their success is actually very simple: their films resonate with ordinary people at least in the present day, which means they are down-to-earth."

Does it resonate with ordinary people?
Yes! That's exactly the reason.

Moreover, the words Ma Xun said to Ning Hao were referring to this.

When Ning Hao apologized, it was very down-to-earth and resonated with many people.

Countless netizens felt that Ning Hao was just an ordinary person, much like everyone else.

But what about the reverse?
Xiaoran thought of a question, but couldn't quite figure it out until...

The two of them entered Ma Xun's courtyard.

"Brother Ma, what if Ning Hao... in the future..."

Yes, Xiaoran had figured it out at that moment.

This isn't even a problem for her.

Ma Xun smiled and went straight into the house.

"People change. Take Feng Xiaogang, for example. He has changed. And with this film, their original promotional focus was on Andy Lau, Ge You, and the two leading actresses."

But the one who truly stood out was Shagen'er.

There are also teachers Fan and Feng, who have very few scenes.

understand? "

"Do you understand?" This question stunned Li Xiaoran.

"Then, when will Ning Hao change?"

Ma Xun gave her the answer directly: "When you have money, or more precisely, when Ning Hao no longer has the anxiety of 'if this movie doesn't succeed, I'll lose my job'."

These words startled Li Xiaoran once again.

But then Ma Xun uttered a vulgar remark.

"Many directors are like this. When they're broke, the movies they make are incredibly awesome, but once they have money, they make absolutely garbage!"

Xiao Ran chuckled.

However, Ma Xun was not lying.

Ning Hao is like that. His later movies were criticized by many people because he no longer had to worry about making a living.

Just like that movie, "Mr. Red Carpet".

It was extremely perfunctory and a very awkward copy of a European film.

In fact, there are many ways in which Ning Hao can return to the style of his previous films in "Mr. Red Carpet".

For example, the pig, and Andy Lau's experience of rural life, etc.

But Ning Hao failed to seize any of these opportunities.

There was no development at all.

If these scenes from "Mr. Red Carpet" were in the hands of Ning Hao, the creator of "Crazy Stone," he would probably copy them too, but he would definitely copy them in a more brilliant way and create even more laughs.

As for Feng Xiaogang, that's even more true.

In fact, Feng Xiaogang has become arrogant, as evidenced by his decision to make "The Banquet".

He used to be involved in street culture and hung out with Wang Shuo.

The Banquet is quite something, it directly targets Shakespeare.

This is all about going for the high end.

How many ordinary people have actually read Shakespeare's works?

Most people just think it's impressive because they've heard of its name.

To put it bluntly, Feng Xiaogang is cutting ties with his former fans.

You poor folks, you're not up to the task!

Ma Xun isn't wronging him. Look at Feng Xiaogang after "The Banquet," which wasn't very successful. And afterwards, Feng Xiaogang went down a dark path.

"If You Are the One," right? That's just a pretentious work by urban petit bourgeoisie.

It has a distinctly urban elite vibe.

But he really did catch this film at the right time, because in terms of timing, it was precisely the period when the middle class in our country was rising.

In other words, this shipment is quite lucky; it just so happens to have arrived at a time when the number of urban elites is expanding and they urgently need to show off.

But later this guy got more and more arrogant.

The things he films are becoming increasingly detached from reality, and he even takes a liking to values ​​and reasoning, giving off a strong paternalistic vibe.

The key point is that all the logic this bastard is spouting is completely twisted.

It's like the movie "Assembly". At first glance, it looks good, but upon closer inspection... damn!

Where did your butt go?!
Forget it, let's not talk about them anymore.

That's for sure, since Xiaoran had already taken off her coat.

She wore a coat over her clothes today, and underneath she wore a black turtleneck sweater.

Knowing the situation, she said shyly, "I'm going to take a shower."

After all, they had been drinking.

Ma Xun simply pulled the beauty into his arms, saying, "There's no need."

"I...I'm sweaty."

"Sweat? What's there to be afraid of?"

"Yes, it will be a bit provocative."

"I love this pungent smell."

Xiao Ran had actually thought about what Ma Xun said a long time ago; she had only half-heartedly agreed to it just now.

However, she was somewhat distressed, "So far, there's still no sign of anything happening here."

What are you talking about?
Ma Xun smiled and said, "Then I'll do my part again."

Clearly, more injection is needed.

Xiao Ran was so happy that she started kissing Ma Xun.

Slowly downwards, downwards...

Ma Xun had also been drinking, and naturally smelled of alcohol on him, a smell mixed with the scent of hormones.

Xiao Ran's face flushed red.

……

Looking at the overall situation...

Both sides have pulled out all the stops in this Lunar New Year film battle!

However, after "A World Without Thieves" announced that it had obtained permission to extend its screening period.

However, "Crazy Stone" has yet to announce this news.

Many netizens are getting anxious.

"What's happening here?"

"It shouldn't be!"

"Rumor has it! Actually, 'Crazy Stone' did not receive an extended license!"

"what?"

Wow, once this news came out, netizens acted immediately.

Logically speaking, "A World Without Thieves" should be the ultimate winner.

But when the time came before the Spring Festival, which was when the Spring Festival film season was finally coming to an end.

Data released!

"A World Without Thieves" grossed over 4 million yuan at the box office!
Crazy Stone grossed over 4 million yuan at the box office!
???

This data has sparked another wave of heated discussion online!
A draw?!
It's a draw?!

At least on Douban's latest feature, which is the real-time box office tracking.

This is true.

These two movies are really very, very similar!

So, although it's a draw, what's the reality?
Crazy Stone can be considered a winner!

(End of this chapter)