Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 542 Little Cannon to Join Ma Xun? Should "Returning to One's Roots" be acquired or not?

"Another film that broke 100 million?"

"Indeed, this year's Lunar New Year film season is really impressive, with all four films grossing over 100 million yuan."

"Ma Xun is really good at this."

"I really didn't expect that he could make it so successful."

When we had that meeting with Han Sanping, probably no one could have predicted that this year's Lunar New Year film season would be so strong.

In previous years, it was considered quite good if a movie could gross over 100 million yuan.

This year, "Curse of the Golden Flower" has already surpassed 300 million yuan.

One film grossed over 300 million, and the remaining three all grossed over 100 million.

That's a really impressive result.

Feng Xiaogang and Chen Guofu were merely spectators in this year's Lunar New Year film season.

However, they can't just watch for nothing. Now that the result is out, the two of them have to think about themselves.

“My dear teacher Feng, it’s actually quite clear now that Ma Xun is the number one figure in the entertainment industry. As for the two of us…”

"But this time, if you calculate it carefully, he didn't make much money."

"Teacher Feng, you're not being honest with yourself."

How strange, why would Chen Guofu say that?
Whether Ma Xun made money or not is actually none of Feng Xiaogang's business. What Feng Xiaogang meant by saying this was that he felt Ma Xun wasn't quite reliable.

Logically speaking, Ma Xun should not only make this Lunar New Year film season a huge success, but he should also make a fortune from it.

However, Chen Guofu directly exposed Feng Xiaogang's lies. Was that considered showing no respect?

But then, this is what Feng Xiaogang said.

“I understand what you mean, but it seems to me that Ma Xun doesn’t have any interest in either of us.”

Only Chen Guofu could probably understand what he was saying.

He replied, "Well, in this kind of situation, he is the boss after all. We can't say that no one wants us now, but it's not the same as before. My dear teacher Feng, now you really only have two choices: Ma Xun or Jia Yueting. It's up to you."

Finally, I've made things clear.

In fact, Feng Xiaogang and Chen Guofu were discussing where their future lay.

They had originally planned to join Ma Xun's side, but the incident with "Assembly" made things worse... They weren't stupid, they could see that.

Ma Xun did not value them.

So, should we choose Jia Yueting?

The problem is that it will probably take some time before Jia Yueting recovers.

Another issue is that Feng Xiaogang and Chen Guofu, through their own channels, heard about Zhang Zhao's "idea".

Zhang Zhao is planning to recruit Zhang Yimou!
That's right, the goal is to recruit this top director in China to Leshi's company.

Not many people know about this plan right now.

But if we consider Jia Yueting's personality, he would definitely give his full support to this.

Although they hadn't known each other for long, Feng Xiaogang and Chen Guofu both understood what kind of person Jia Yueting was.

This guy always wants the best of everything.

In the film and television industry, many directors also like to do this: they use only the best in a film. Some people call it collecting stars, but in fact, it's not just about stars.

Graphic design, costume design, music composition, photography, etc... well, the representative figure in this field is Chen Kaige.

Why was the movie "Farewell My Concubine" so successful back then?
Not just actors, but actually a whole host of artists in this film.

There was no way around it; when those domestic artists heard about the 3000 million investment, their eyes widened in amazement.

Back then, I had never seen so much money!

But later, this kind of stamp collecting became more and more common, and we in the industry got used to it.

Even if you collect many famous figures, it doesn't necessarily mean you can make a good movie.

But Jia Yueting is different.

In Feng Xiaogang and Chen Guofu's view, Jia Yueting was a complete newbie in the film and television industry.

This guy must be thinking that as long as he can find top-notch people, then the resulting film or television series will definitely be top-notch.

This logic... is hard to say is wrong.

However, this is not good news for Feng Xiaogang.

If Le Shi succeeds in getting Zhang Yimou to join them, what will happen to him?
In particular, although we haven't been able to invite Zhang Yimou yet, the matter of Zhang Zhao hasn't been resolved yet.

But if Feng Xiaogang goes, it will be quite awkward!

Because Zhang Zhao will definitely need to invite Zhang Yimou, and once he finally gets Zhang Yimou to come, what will Feng Xiaogang do?
Besides, it's clear that in their hearts, Zhang Yimou is the most important person, and Feng Xiaogang is just another one.

In that case, would it be any better to go there now?
They're just not well-liked!
Moreover, Feng Xiaogang actually intends to maintain the status quo.

That is, the Wang brothers only had a cooperative relationship with him, and neither of them was subordinate to the other.

I am still myself. No matter how awesome you are, Jia Yueting, don't interfere with me.

However, it's clearly different now.

Jia Yueting is definitely not one of the Wang brothers; this guy clearly has more ideas.

How to do?
Chen Guofu's attitude was simple: he wanted Feng Xiaogang to lower his stance even further.

"Although Ma Xun isn't one of the Wang brothers, I think he's much better than Jia Yueting. Besides, isn't he the most awesome person in the entertainment industry right now?"

Chen Guofu has been in mainland China for a long time, and he uses the word "awesome" quite well.

After thinking it over, Feng Xiaogang still couldn't bring himself to do it.

"hold on."

"How long will it take?"

"At least let's see what kind of mess they make of 'Assembly'."

"Ha, that's good too."

Chen Guofu certainly knew what kind of person Feng Xiaogang was, but if we take the movie "Assembly" as the standard... then that's not bad either.

After all, they aren't exactly without work now, and this "Assembly" is also related to them.

Moreover, if Ma Xun makes a really big deal out of this movie.

Then I believe Feng Xiaogang has nothing to be ashamed of.

This person is too concerned about saving face.

Chen Guofu has thoroughly understood Feng Xiaogang.

They had no idea what Ma Xun was doing right now.

……

The Spring Festival of 2007 hasn't arrived yet.

But some things need to be decided first.

Beijing Film Studio.

"Haha... Little Ma, this was absolutely fantastic! I'm even planning to throw you a celebration party!"

"A celebration party? Boss, that's unnecessary."

"We'll do it on a small scale this time. This Lunar New Year season, all four movies have grossed over 100 million yuan. That's really extraordinary. We all know that this is called a profit-making effect, which is what investors like the most."

"Okay, I have nothing to say here."

"Okay! It's settled then. I'll invite the main creators of the other movies over that day so we can celebrate together and have a good chat. This year's Lunar New Year film season has been so successful, so we need to work on building good relationships."

Alright, Ma Xun understood Han Sanping's meaning.

This year's Lunar New Year film season was indeed a resounding success, and even Han Sanping is proud of it.

Of course, this was also a collaboration between China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group from the very beginning, and Shanghai Film Group was naturally very happy with such a good result.

People like Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun are looking at the 'overall data'.

The Lunar New Year film season has become a huge success, which is definitely a great achievement.

Ma Xun played a crucial role in this, and since he made a contribution, we must celebrate his achievement.

Besides... there are only Han Sanping and Ma Xun in this office.

In other words, they can talk about some relatively private topics this time.

"Little Ma, do you have any new ideas this year?"

Clearly, Han Sanping wanted to ask Ma Xun for some 'suggestions' regarding the film scheduling in 2007.

Ma Xun laughed and said, "At present, the most important film for China Film Group should be 'The Warlords'."

Han Sanping nodded, "Of course. By the way, we also need to hurry up with the production of 'Red Cliff'." "Please rest assured, leader. We will do our best for 'Red Cliff'. Hengdian has made full preparations and filming will start soon."

“Very well, I absolutely believe you. As for that ‘The Warlords’…”

"Does the leadership also feel that Hong Kong is coming on strong?"

Ma Xun's question was quite insightful.

"The Warlords" is clearly a film dominated by Hong Kong forces, from the director to the male lead, and the main investors.

Especially this major investor, isn't that Long Wu's family?

Ma Xun was well aware of this; he had not participated in this film.

At the time, Ma Xun had three projects in mind: "Huo Yuanjia", "The Warlords", and "Red Cliff". He showed absolutely no interest in "The Warlords".

It's not that the movie is bad, but that it's difficult for him to get involved.

Even though this movie is somewhat related to Jiang Zhiqiang, in the end, it still belongs to Long Wu's family.

The situation is different now; Long Wu's family has also connected with China Film Group.

The Thirteenth Young Master's years of medical treatment in the capital were truly worthwhile.

At least the two brothers no longer need middlemen like Ma Xun or Sun Donghai.

Ma Xun's question was actually very crucial.

Han Sanping said with a smile, "You must have made a lot of money this Lunar New Year film season."

Didn't answer the question?
Absolutely not!

Ma Xun replied with a smile, "Boss, I'm just here to have some porridge. Isn't the box office champion 'Curse of the Golden Flower'?"

It's perfunctory, very perfunctory, but it has to be perfunctory.

Han Sanping didn't pursue the matter further, and instead smiled and asked, "So, how much more do you plan to earn by the end of this year?"

It's only the beginning of the year, and he's already asking about things at the end of the year?
But this isn't a simple question!
Ma Xun immediately said with a serious expression, "Boss, I understand. 'The Warlords' is definitely going to be released during this year's Lunar New Year season."

Han Sanping nodded.

Ma Xun continued, "The Warlords is a big-budget film with a huge investment, so... we can change the release date of our Assembly."

???

This sounds like it has nothing to do with what happened before.

But actually, Ma Xun's words showed that he had fully understood what the two of them had said before!
Han Sanping was indeed very happy and nodded, but then changed his tone and said, "We have to give Hong Kong compatriots certain preferential treatment, but this New Year's film season is the best time for our mainland film market. If there is only one blockbuster, it will be a bit lacking. We can't let down the booming atmosphere that we have worked so hard to create."

This is something most people would never understand.

Ma Xun replied instantly, saying, "Boss, just save me a spot."

Upon hearing this, Han Sanping burst into laughter, "Alright! It's settled then! Little Ma, I absolutely trust you."

Huh? It's all done?
The two shook hands with smiles, and their grip was quite firm.

In fact, Ma Xun and Han Sanping made a deal.

"The Warlords" is a blockbuster film, with the main investment coming from Lung Wu's family.

It's already been agreed with China Film Group that it will definitely be released at the end of this year, during the best possible Lunar New Year season.

So, if other big-budget films are released during this period, it might not be a good thing.

Right? It's like not giving Hong Kong businessmen preferential treatment.

But if we let them off too easily, we'll feel resentful.

So Han Sanping's meaning was: "Assembly" is a bit too big a blockbuster. Ma Xun, you should try to make a movie that's about the same size, not too big, but not too small either.

After all, we still need to consider the overall box office revenue for our Lunar New Year film season.

Ma Xun fully understood and directly suggested that "Assembly" should simply be released during the summer season.

Leaving him a place... means that Ma Xun now has to go and make a movie.

You can take the photos yourself, or find them somewhere else.

In short, that's the gist of it.

Han Sanping is now under pressure to offer certain preferential treatment to the Hong Kong film industry, but he doesn't want to offer too much.

Ma Xun resolved Han Sanping's dilemma.

So, where can you find these movies?
Fortunately, Ma Xun thought to himself, "If all else fails, I'll just make one myself."

However, the talks with Han Sanping went very well, and they discussed many details of the celebration party later.

As soon as Ma Xun came out, he ran into someone.

This person was in a hurry and was arguing with one of Han Sanping's subordinates.

"No, boss, could you give our film a suitable release date? It's the Lunar New Year, that won't do."

"Why did your film stop working during the Chinese New Year? It was doing just fine."

“Our film also has Hong Kong investment.”

"Investing in Hong Kong? What's so great about Hong Kong!"

"No, that's not what I meant. I just meant that our film is really good. Uncle Benshan, Sister Dandan, and Mr. Wu Ma from Hong Kong, all of them..."

"That's enough! Stop talking!"

what's the situation?
When Ma Xun heard these names, his mind...

When the man looked dejected, Ma Xun went up to him.

Hey buddy, wanna have one?

He simply offered her a cigarette.

With his status, he must smoke cigarettes, and he'll definitely smoke soft ones.

The other person saw it was a good cigarette and naturally accepted it, but what happened next...

"you are……"

"know me?"

"Mr. Ma?"

"Oh, it seems I'm quite famous."

"No, no, it's my problem, my problem... Well, we have met before."

"I know it, it's called 'Spicy Love Soup'."

"Yes, yes! You're so thoughtful, this happened so many years ago."

"Spicy Love Soup"?
That's right, the guy with the full beard in front of you is director Zhang Yang.

However, he is different from back then; he now has a more 'artist' image.

But this artist is clearly in a predicament.

"What's the situation now?"

"It's my new film. Oh dear, it was supposed to be released during the Lunar New Year holiday, but it's not going to happen. They're scheduling it for the Spring Festival period now. Mr. Ma, you know, nobody goes to the movies during the Spring Festival!"

"What movie?"

"It's called 'Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots,' starring Uncle Benshan, it's great..."

Good guy!
So that's the one!
The key point is that Ma Xun realized that the reason this movie wasn't scheduled for the Lunar New Year release was actually because of his appearance.

Yes, they've taken charge of organizing this year's Lunar New Year film season themselves, which has affected many of our domestic films.

If it weren't for Ma Xun, well, Ma Xun remembers that the movie "Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots" from the original timeline was released in January 2007.

Now that we have him, if we manage to squeeze it into February, then it will be released during the Spring Festival season.

However, there is no such thing as a Spring Festival film season nowadays!
This film didn't do very well at the box office, but... its word-of-mouth is really good!
Ma Xun laughed.

"Director Zhang..."

"Oh dear, Mr. Ma, please don't say that. I'd be too ashamed to face anyone if you said that."

"No, no, I still have to put it this way. If this movie can't be arranged, and you're planning to ask for money... I'll just sell myself."

"what?"

"Tell me, how much did it cost in total?"

Ma Xun is incredibly generous.

But then, the person who offered the price was: "Close to 5000 million."

Holy crap...that's expensive!

(End of this chapter)