Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 489 "The Banquet" Suffers a Double Collapse in Box Office and Critical Acclaim! Yuanyuan's New Film, I Just Don't Understand It All.
Is showing off a social need?
This article attracted a lot of attention from netizens as soon as it was published.

At first, people did watch it because it was a movie review; it was posted in the movie review section, so of course it was a movie review.

But once I got into it... wow! This isn't just a movie review, this article is packed with content!

They were indeed discussing the movie "The Banquet," but not much of it.

The article quickly shifted to a larger topic: the changes in our society.

It presents a very novel perspective.

That is, with the continuous development of our economy, and in recent years, especially in the first few years of the 21st century, a group has been growing vigorously.

Middle class!

That's right, our country's middle class is growing rapidly.

Although there is no specific data yet, and no organization is specifically collecting data on this, even the standard for the current middle class income has not been determined.

However, this viewpoint was widely accepted by netizens.

In fact, everyone has a certain feeling in their hearts, that is, it is visible to the naked eye that a group of people have emerged.

Especially in big cities, the latter work for large companies.

They have a relatively high income, have received higher education, and therefore, they want to be fashionable in many ways.

This is the group of people.

However, in terms of income... the current middle class is probably around 3000 yuan per month.

Some people might think this isn't high, but this is for the middle class, and it's 2005, so this line is probably correct.

Therefore, the number of people in this group is not small.

The key point is that there are quite a few middle-class people on Douban now.

I'm usually too tired from working like a beast of burden, so in my spare time I watch movies, read movie reviews, and even write my own reviews, spouting a few particularly professional remarks to make myself seem incredibly awesome.

Cool!
It was really great, and there wasn't really anything wrong with it.

Showing off, huh... Oh right, here it comes!
This article is describing a situation where our current generation of middle class does indeed need to show off.

To put it in a more sophisticated way, this is called spiritual and cultural life.

Saying something is "low" is just showing off.

But what does this have to do with Feng Xiaogang?

Have!
Feng Xiaogang's rise to prominence is actually due to his previous works, which effectively appealed to the itch of the middle class!

From a broader perspective, Feng Xiaogang's previous works have consistently discussed hot social issues of the time.

For example, the craze for going abroad.

His film "Da Sa Ba" was an award-winning work.

The later film "Be There or Be Square" was also based on this theme.

In fact, the social phenomenon of going abroad was... yes! It was one of the hottest topics among the middle class at the time.

This topic has faded considerably in recent years.

So, what's the middle class so interested in?

Film and television, the internet, and tourism.

The corresponding films are "Big Shot's Funeral" and "A World Without Thieves".

Actually, the work "Big Shot's Funeral" was originally written by screenwriter Shi Kang after he saw an online phenomenon.

"A World Without Thieves" is actually a trip, and this trip is to the plateau, a so-called journey to purify the soul.

It's all in the movies, except that while everyone is worshipping, thieves take advantage of the opportunity to snatch phones.

Wow... this article is really something. At this point, it's safe to say that it has completely exposed Feng Xiaogang.

So what about this film, "The Banquet"?

The article is very simple.

Feng Xiaogang is now pursuing highbrow tastes and doesn't want to associate with the middle class anymore!

That's it?

that's enough!
Many Douban users felt enlightened after reading it.

That's exactly right!
Feng Xiaogang's film adaptation of Hamlet.

This thing is just elegant!
But wait a minute!
Who specifically mentioned Hamlet?

Ma Xun!

This guy kindly reminded me during the preview screening.

Now that we look at it, it makes perfect sense!

Ma Xun is right... Oh, so Ma Xun was being sarcastic?

I'm not sure, I'm really not sure.

Honestly, it was only at this point that many netizens understood the meaning behind Ma Xun's words.

But wouldn't that make it even more interesting?
But is that all?

When this rather professional film review went viral online.

The Banquet is finally going to be officially released.

Needless to say, they will definitely get a very high number of screenings.

In particular, Stellar Cinemas specifically stated this time that they will definitely provide the maximum support.

No problem, after all, the movie's advertising campaign was really aggressive before.

A movie like this can't possibly have a low number of screenings!
So, the official release began, which means that more people will be able to see the movie.

Many people are really looking forward to it, and many movie fans are eagerly awaiting it.

Of course, many of these people also enjoy movies and frequently browse Douban.com.

I've read that film review, but... quite a few people think it's utter nonsense.

Feng Xiaogang is, after all, a well-known director.

His movies, no matter what, can't be too bad, right?

Indeed, quite a few people go to the cinema with this in mind.

That's normal, after all, this movie has been promoted so much.

But when everyone walked into the theater and saw this...

The dance, the masks, and Ge You, that evil usurper uncle, and their awkward lines...

"What's going on with 'The Banquet'? How did it turn out like this?"

"You can tell this movie really cost a lot of money; the visual quality is amazing, but... what is this movie even about?!"

"Seriously? Are they serious about these lines? They're neither Chinese nor Western!"

"Damn! I actually thought that movie review was wrong and I was cursing it in the comments, but I was so naive!"

"Is this the kind of movie that Feng Xiaogang could make?"

It wouldn't be accurate to say that the public was in a state of high spirits; rather, it was a constant barrage of criticism.

There's a saying that goes, "The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment."

This is especially true of the film "The Banquet".

The pre-release advertising was excessive, and there was also Feng Xiaogang's reputation and the powerful cast.

Fans are really looking forward to it.

Moreover, just by looking at the visuals, you can tell that this movie was made with a lot of money.

The costumes, props, visuals, and even the stage design are all of a very high standard.

but!

It looks awkward no matter how you look at it!

As that film review said, this movie is simply...

Feng Xiaogang is going to embrace highbrow culture!
And just then, a huge trending topic suddenly emerged online!

The team behind Hu Ge's previous works, "A Bloodbath Caused by a Steamed Bun" and "The Suppression of Bandits in Wulong Mountain," has a new project!

The title of this work has returned to the previous style.

A bloodbath triggered by a mask!
Netizens took a look... and yes, it's still the same flavor!

The key point is that it was indeed a bloody incident!
Moreover, it is indeed related to noodles.

But most importantly, because it's a short video, it naturally includes some edits of "The Banquet".

You'll be able to see many scenes from this movie!
Upon closer inspection... wow!

"Before you, I was not confused, but after you, I am confused..."

"Empress: But that is a fire, a fire in your throat!"

Usurper: Then swallow it! Heartwarming.

Even if everyone else abandons you, I won't, love won't...

"Was it the flames of revenge that carried you across the valley of death... or perhaps it was your melancholy that touched a woman's heart..."

Just listen to this!

There wasn't a single person in this movie speaking normally.

They're all lyrics from operas!

It's practically an English-to-Chinese translation. The key point is that, coming from Uncle Ge You, it's described as: "The flames of revenge..."

Is this scene not immersive enough?
This time, Lao Hu and his team had it easy; all they had to do was cut out these clips.

Everyone will laugh when they see this.

Seriously, all the laughs are in this movie.

Who wouldn't laugh at that?
Many people initially felt that the film review was excessive, and some even wondered if it was written by Ma Xun.

Now everyone sees it... it's not excessive at all! Absolutely not excessive!

Who would have thought that "The Banquet," which was highly anticipated by hundreds of millions of people, would turn out like this?

So embarrassing!

As a result, the box office performance of "The Banquet" after its release took a very special turn.

smash!
The film's opening week was indeed satisfactory, but that week is over.

It's like being smashed down at a 90-degree angle!

Moreover, it's not just that the box office looks like it's about to collapse.

Their reputation has collapsed!

At first, quite a few people were still praising it, but later they couldn't keep up with the hype.

What the hell is this!
As a result, negative reviews kept coming!
Faced with this situation, Huayi is now playing dead.

Perhaps they simply don't know how to deal with it.

No one expected the market to react this way.

But what was Ma Xun doing at this time?

……

A battle with the three beauties—well, actually, it was a battle that lasted all night.

There's no way around it, who are these three beauties?

Yuanyuan, Bingbing, Yintao... they're too much of a drain on the men.

Even if Ma Xun had an iron body, he would still have to grind an iron rod into a needle.

It's quite impressive that he managed to last one night.

Ahem, let's not talk about that anymore.

Originally, Yuanyuan and Bingbing shouldn't have come, but they just couldn't resist.

There's nothing they can do; Ma Xun has a beautiful woman by his side, so they're bound to overthink things.

However, he did get a lesson from Ma Xun.

After that, everyone went about their own business.

However, Yuanyuan is quite special.

"If 'The Banquet' is like this, then what about our film..."

That's right, Yuanyuan was very worried, so she stayed at Ma Xun's place and wouldn't leave.

At this moment, she was wearing an oversized white shirt and walking back and forth in front of Ma Xun with her legs bare.

Ma Xun could only laugh and say, "What are you worried about? Our movie will be fine."

Yuanyuan didn't believe him. "Didn't you see those movie reviews?"

Yes, our film "Yesterday's Me and Tomorrow's You" also had a preview screening.

Of course, there were film reviews, and quite a few at that.

What's even more... there are actually quite a lot of negative reviews!

Needless to say, many of these posts were definitely sent by promoters from Huayi Brothers.

However, some of these posts were probably made by regular movie fans.

There were also positive reviews.

But now, it's clear that negative reviews are the majority.

Yuanyuan was very worried, so she kept pestering Ma Xun.

"But what if it gets released..."

Ma Xun interrupted her and simply pulled the beautiful woman wearing his shirt into his arms.

"Why are you in such a hurry? I'm not in a hurry at all."

Yes, he's an investor.

Moreover, Ma Xun directed the entire movie and was responsible for almost all of the segments.

That's normal; this movie is really simple.

Yuanyuan disagreed, "But if it's released, I... I'm fine with being criticized, but if it doesn't make you money, well..."

Listen to that, who wouldn't love to hear that?

Helping Ma Xun make money is what Yuanyuan should do.

But Ma Xun laughed it off this time, saying, "I said I'm not in a hurry, I'm not in a hurry to make money or anything like that."

But you, my dear Gao Yuanyuan, now that you're a Cannes Film Festival Best Actress, you should have the mindset of one.

At least, if outsiders criticize you, fine, let them criticize!
That's right, that's it.

Especially this movie, let me tell you, once it's released, you'd better give me a gesture.”

"What posture?" Yuanyuan was extremely curious. The key point was that she blushed because this posture made her think of things like old tree roots, an old man pushing a cart... cough cough.

Oh dear, what are you thinking about!

Ma Xun, however, became serious and said, "This attitude means: If you don't understand my movie, that's your problem!"

ah? this……

Indeed, big directors, big stars, and award-winning actresses really need to have this kind of presence.

Yuanyuan is indeed not very good at this.

And now...

"What if they can't do it?"

"Make it for me."

"But it's really impossible."

"you can……"

The two then kissed.

Anyway, you, Gao Yuanyuan, can't fail to do it!
……

In fact, Ma Xun never expected to make money with "Yesterday's Me and Tomorrow's You".

He had a backup plan all along.

And don't forget, there's also the copy of "Cloverfield" that he's been keeping hidden away.

Now I'm not in a hurry anymore.

Because the film "The Banquet" was a disaster, and it even happened sooner than expected.

If Ma Xun remembers correctly, this movie's box office revenue in the original timeline was just over 100 million.

In other words, in the original timeline, the Wang brothers suffered a huge loss.

Of course, these two won't admit it, they're just making a big deal out of nothing.

"It's true that we advertised so aggressively, but in reality we didn't spend much money; it was all through exchanges."

That's what they said in their interview.

A trade-in isn't about money, is it?

This is just a complete rip-off for laymen!
This time, the film collapsed even earlier.

This exceeded Ma Xun's expectations!
Now, here comes our movie.

So, what's the latest work by Cannes Best Actress winner Yuan Yuan like?
"Yesterday's Me and Tomorrow's You" will be officially released in mid-December!
On the day of the release, Yuan Yuan and Yan Zu naturally attended the event.

Ma Xun didn't go.

He still has things to do.

But after this movie...

"Sister Yuanyuan, I don't quite understand."

"This one……"

"But it feels good."

"Really?"

"There are some parts that I don't understand, but this love story is still very touching."

"That's great."

Yuanyuan was so happy to hear these things while chatting with the fans!

This... seems to be, compared to "The Banquet," our "Yesterday Me and Tomorrow You" is just a film that moviegoers find a little hard to understand.

That's it?

Anyway, it's definitely much better than "The Banquet"!

(End of this chapter)