Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 728 Ma Xun's exclusive interview reveals the difference in quality! "Let the Bullets Fly" dominates the National Day box office!

"Teacher Chen, may I ask a somewhat offensive question?"

"Of course."

At the very beginning of the show, Chen Kaige set the tone: "You won't understand my movies!"

Let's put aside whether it's friendly or not. This program belongs to Dong Qing, so it's only right for the host to ask her questions.

Director Chen naturally gave his permission, but Dong Qing's question greatly tugged at the audience's heartstrings.

The reason is simple: Director Chen, from the very beginning, placed himself in a superior position.

This naturally created a bad feeling among the audience; nobody feels comfortable with that.

In this situation, the audience would naturally want the host to stand with them.

If Dong Qing doesn't join the audience, the audience will definitely feel even more uncomfortable.

Dong Qing then asked, "Professor Chen, my question is, since you say that the audience doesn't understand your film, could you explain what your film is trying to express?"

This is a good question. Dong Qing directly puts herself in the audience's shoes, which makes the audience feel comfortable. Moreover, the question is also reasonable.

Since you, Director Chen, have said that others can't understand your movie, then tell me, what exactly is the meaning of your movie?

As a result, Director Chen gave this answer.

"Movies still need to be understood by the audience themselves."

Good heavens! This Director Chen is simply unbeatable!

You say others can't understand your movies, yet you expect them to understand them, and you don't even intend to tell them what your movies mean.

This is a logical fallacy.

However, anyone who knows even a little about Director Chen is certain that this is definitely a flower she could come up with.

However, the audience simply didn't have the patience for such annoyances. As soon as Director Chen made these remarks, a murmur of dismay erupted from the audience.

Dong Qing smiled at the audience, as if to say, "Our show is going to continue."

Should we continue?

Anyway, Director Chen, you're already in an invincible position. According to your logic, no one can argue with you.

As expected, many audience members then engaged in conversations with Director Chen, and quite a few of them intended to debate with him.

As a result, they all suffered crushing defeats and could not win the argument against this famous director.

The host of this program maintained a smile from beginning to end.

……

To be honest, this show has very high ratings. This time, a well-known director appeared on the show. It can't be said that the whole country saw it, but at least tens of millions of people saw it.

Director Chen's performance...

"This guy is way too arrogant!"

"As expected of Director Chen, this is his attitude."

"Isn't this Director Chen's usual style? He's always so stubborn!"

"This isn't just stubbornness; this guy is downright contemptuous!"

"Anyway, he's really been like this for more than just a day or two."

"But he was still smiling and seemed quite kind."

"Being kind my foot! He's acting like he's the most powerful person in the world!"

The internet is buzzing with excitement. Film fans are well aware of Director Chen's performance, while netizens who had only heard of him before are truly amazed.

Anyway, no one will have anything nice to say. Even if there are still many netizens who support Director Chen or are even his fans, it's useless for them to speak out now.

Regardless, the program has already aired, so what positive impact will it have on "The Orphan of Zhao"?
Some people are genuinely worried.

Leshi Headquarters.

"Why is this guy talking like that?"

Mr. Jia really couldn't understand Director Chen's performance on this show.

You should know that we got this opportunity through special channels. To be honest, it's not that there aren't any shows airing; there are plenty of people who want to be on this show.

I never expected that Director Chen would not only fail to seize the opportunity, but also put on such a rude face.

Zhang Zhao also looked worried. "Boss, it's really unexpected. We had communicated with 'Tell It Like It Is' and they even sent us an interview script, but I heard..."

"What have you heard?" How could Boss Jia not be curious?

Zhang Zhao said, "It seems that Teacher Chen has not communicated with the 'Tell It Like It Is' program."

"What?!" Boss Jia was shocked.

In fact, we all know very well that these interviews are all planned out in advance. To put it bluntly, everyone rehearses their lines. What questions I will ask and how you will answer are all scripted, so as to avoid any problems.

Unexpectedly, Director Chen pulled this stunt this time.

Boss Jia was furious!

"Nobody can save this Director Chen!"

This statement essentially signaled that Le Shi was breaking up with Xu Feng and his group.

Zhang Zhao was secretly delighted by this situation.

Actually, this is Zhang Zhao's way of shifting blame. He had expected Director Chen to say that. Anyone who knows this great director's past behavior would have made it easy to predict, especially now that the box office is not doing well.

His previous film, "The Promise," was met with such criticism, and so was his.

In short, Zhang Zhao was absolutely certain that Director Chen would say that; only by saying that could he maintain his image as a great director. And so, what followed…

"Boss, this situation is actually in our favor."

Upon hearing this, Boss Jia's eyes lit up. "What do you mean?"

Zhang Zhao laughed and said, "No matter how the box office of the movie 'The Orphan of Zhao' turns out, the responsibility is no longer with Leshi. We did everything we could, even getting him on high-rated shows like 'Tell the Truth.' He couldn't have controlled it himself!"

Hearing this, Lao Jia was overjoyed.

"That's right! That's exactly the point! We can't skimp on our publicity and marketing budget!"

The two of them burst into laughter when they got to this point.

Zhang Zhao managed to shirk responsibility while also winning the boss's favor; he's definitely got something going for him.

……

On the other hand, "My dear Mr. Ma, did you know from the very beginning that our Director Chen would speak like this?"

Dong Qing really wanted to call Ma Xun as soon as the show ended, but she had a lot of things to do, so she waited until the next day.

The situation on the internet is now very clear: Director Chen brought this upon himself, and it is only right that netizens condemn him.

The key point is that Ma Xun seemed to have predicted this situation long ago, because Dong Qing had naturally talked to Ma Xun before the show.

At that time, Dong Qing was thinking of simply finding a reason not to let Director Chen appear on her show, but she hadn't originally planned to do so.

But Ma Xun immediately said: It's okay, let him do it!

Looking at it now, Ma Xun, you are really amazing!

"That's just how Director Chen is. I knew exactly what he would say."

Ma Xun's response was, in a way, a bit of showing off.

Dong Qing was quite pleased to hear this, since he had acted perfectly well. However, a question still lingered in Dong Qing's mind.

"But isn't he afraid of offending investors by saying that? Haven't several of his movies already failed to make money?"

This is a good question, and most people really can't understand it.

Perfect timing, Ma Xun understands.

He laughed and said, "You still don't understand the true logic behind Director Chen's actions."

Compared to investors making money, Director Chen's own image as a great director and artist is more important.

In other words, what if a movie doesn't make money?

As long as he can maintain this style, he won't have to worry about investors coming to give him money. Of course, many investors will lose money and run away, but there will always be new ones. And, to put it another way...

Director Chen can make a living abroad; his previous films, "The Emperor and the Assassin" and "The Gentle Killer," were both funded by overseas capital.

There are actually quite a few directors like him; their box office returns aren't high, but they still receive continuous investment from overseas funds for more screenings. That's how it is... You're probably thinking of a lot of names right now.

Right!

People like Section Chief Jia and Lou, etc.

After hearing this, Dong Qing suddenly realized that it was so; no wonder Ma Xun had predicted it so early on.

But there's one more thing.

"It seems like Sister Tao went to look for you."

These words carried a distinct hint of jealousy, but Ma Xun simply laughed it off.

"Yes, I will be in her interview."

To admit it directly and openly.

Dong Qing wasn't actually angry, but she still had to be a little sarcastic, "You know, the focus isn't the interview, it's her as a person."

What does this mean?
The host can be quite witty when he wants to be vulgar.

Ma Xun laughed out loud. "Are you really jealous?"

Dong Qing on the other end gave a straightforward reply, and she kissed the phone.
it is more than words.

……

"Mr. Ma, given the current booming domestic film market, we movie fans would love to hear your opinion."

As promised, Ma Xun arrived for the interview with Zou Tao.

However, this time it was an exclusive interview, so there was no live audience.

Ma Xun was only facing Zou Tao, and the questions were definitely different from those on the other side of the "Tell the Truth" forum. Zou Tao would basically not ask about a particular movie, even if "Let the Bullets Fly" was currently showing.

So, couldn't Ma Xun take this opportunity to deliver a few heavy blows to Director Chen?
Of course not!
Ma Xun seems to have said something like this: "Our domestic film market in China has definitely emerged from the trough, and in recent years it has been booming, with total box office revenue continuing to grow."

Our domestic films are constantly breaking box office records, which has generated a very good money-making effect. When this effect occurs, it will attract capital investment.

To put it bluntly, the film industry is mainly about money; only with money can you make more high-quality films.

However, our films are primarily intended for domestic audiences.

Our domestic audience is actually the most discerning audience on the planet, and the main reason for that is piracy—and I'm telling you the absolute truth…”

When Ma Xun got to this point, Zou Tao couldn't help but chuckle.

That's the truth, but it also has a touch of dark humor to it.

Yes, because of piracy, domestic audiences can watch a lot of movies. You know, this is quite difficult to do abroad. Although piracy also exists abroad, it is not as widespread as it is here.

But, is Ma Xun planning to say it's piracy?
He continued, "Faced with such a high-caliber audience, we filmmakers must have the humility to serve them wholeheartedly. We must show our sincerity to our audience; otherwise, our film and television products will not be accepted by the market..."

That's so well said!
But the key point is... this is absolutely the complete opposite of what Director Chen said!

It feels like a tit-for-tat confrontation!

……

"Ma Xun is right! No wonder he's an Oscar winner!"

"Ma Xun is so handsome? I always thought the boss was the kind of fat and greasy guy."

"Ma Xun's words are absolutely a slap in the face to Director Chen!"

"No matter what, the films and TV series that Ma Xun has produced over the years have all been very good!"

"That's right, that's right. Compared to him, Director Chen is no match at all!"

"I support Ma Xun! Besides, 'Let the Bullets Fly' is indeed a good movie!"

"I'm not saying anything more, I'm going to watch 'Let the Bullets Fly'!"

Once Ma Xun's interview aired, the difference in quality was immediately apparent!
It's not fair to say that all netizens are praising him, but it's fair to say that most netizens think Ma Xun is better.

Director Chen's arrogant attitude was really unsettling.

Ma Xun owns an entertainment company and makes money, but he knows who his bread and butter come from!

And then comes National Day, the real National Day box office battle is here, and the outcome is very clear.

"Let the Bullets Fly" has truly taken off, breaking 200 million on the first day of the National Day holiday!
On the morning of the third day of the National Day holiday, it was officially announced that the company had surpassed 300 million!

On the fourth night, they even released a poster announcing that they had surpassed 400 million!

The good news keeps coming, with each company breaking 100 million in sales!

(End of this chapter)