Who said this top flow is crazy! This top flow is awesome!

Chapter 267 The Merchant Sister Who Never Disappoints

The Kiwi Fruit Company, Sheng Ning's office.

"Sis, 'Flu' can't be released in mainland China, what are we going to do?"

The assistant looked at Sheng Ning, who was engrossed in reading the new script, and said worriedly, "How can it be that it can't be released just like that... Didn't they say it would pass muster when we were filming it?"

“Now our entire year-long hiatus has been wasted, Sister Ning…”

"okay."

Before the assistant could speak, Sheng Ning put down the script in her hand, glanced up at her, and said, "If we can't go, we can't go. Didn't we apply to Cannes?"

The assistant looked at her: "...Will this pass?"

Sheng Ning paused for a moment before saying, "I don't know."

assistant:"……"

"Go out and pick through the scripts that were previously held back; there aren't any good ones in this batch."

Sheng Ning rubbed her temples, picked up the cigarette case on the table, took out a slim cigarette, and added, "Also... take a look at those movie scripts."

"Huh? Wasn't that a low-budget film you turned down before...? That cast and lineup didn't really suit you, Sister Ning."

"Just go when I tell you to, stop talking nonsense."

Sheng Ning was getting a little impatient: "Why are you talking so much now?"

"...Okay, I understand, Sister Ning."

The assistant didn't dare say anything more and walked out of the office with his head down.

Sheng Ning relaxed when she saw that no one was around. She picked up the script she had thrown away and glanced at it again, but found herself feeling irritable and unable to concentrate. She put the script down again and looked out the window at the bustling traffic, her brows furrowed with weariness.

Yes, what should she do now?
It would be great if Cannes was selected, but even if it is selected, what will happen to the box office of "Flu" if it loses the mainland market?
Mainland China is the world's second-largest box office market. Without it, relying solely on overseas box office revenue, "Flu" might not even break even.

Her film career may also be declared bankrupt with this "alliance" with Ikeno.

She is now wondering if she and Ikeno are really incompatible.

Not only were the "lovers" turned into siblings by her, but after so many years of working together on a project, they've now encountered this situation.

Should we really find a master to take a look?

She thought about this and fell into deep thought.

……

The news about "Flu" being "withdrawn" from the Spring Festival film season dominated the headlines for a full day before the hype gradually subsided.

With the temporary withdrawal from "Flu", Ikeno's "progressive" career path, which has been maintained since "Loop", seems to have encountered a bottleneck.

Because if "Flu" cannot be released during the Spring Festival, then considering what he currently has in stock... he doesn't have any stock at all.

"Goblin" will wrap up filming at the end of the year. Because the post-production is more sophisticated than that of "My Love from the Star", the filming time is longer. It will not be able to air until the second half of next year at the earliest, and under normal circumstances, it may not be until the end of the year.

As a result, Ikeno will face a "gap period" of almost a year, disappearing from the public eye.

If he were to pursue a purely acting career, this long hiatus wouldn't have a significant impact on his career. But the problem is... he's not just a simple actor.

He remains a top star, the only undisputed top star in the Chinese entertainment industry to date.

If a popular celebrity disappears for a year, it might not seem like much on the surface, but only the person involved truly knows how much they will lose, both inside and outside the industry... If all else fails, just release a song.

This is Chi Ye's current situation. He knows it, the Beijing film circle and the film circle know it, and the theater circle knows it even more.

Unlike them, Ikeno wasn't as "anxious" as outsiders imagined.

three days later.

Saturday night.

As usual, the 79th Cannes Film Festival announced the films selected for each section of this year's festival, targeting film fans, partners, and the film industry worldwide.

Among them, Zhang Ziyi, whose film "Rock Solid" was released during the National Day holiday this year and received somewhat controversial reviews, was selected for the main competition unit because of an art film. Apart from that, no other big names in the Chinese entertainment industry this year are "qualified" to be shortlisted for Cannes.

The film and television industry has just passed a downturn, which is one aspect. Another aspect is that the domestic entertainment industry now generally favors commercial films, prioritizing box office success. The fervor for award-winning films has faded. While Cannes is a top-tier film festival most welcoming to commercial films,…

It is friendly to all commercial films worldwide.

In the past two years, it's clear that neither the production companies, investors, directors, nor actors have the confidence to compete in the domestic commercial film industry.

It was under these circumstances, with one film standing out, that Ms. Zhang's team began to write extensively about it. After seeing the confirmed film title, her team even knew that the negative impact that "Rock" would have on Ms. Zhang was no longer a concern.

After being selected, Ms. Zhang remained the internationally recognized "International Zhang," a mainstay in the Chinese film industry.

Ok…

and many more.

"Sister Zhang, there's another mainland Chinese film nominated for Cannes this year."

Inside the lounge of an international event.

The assistant was very happy after confirming that Teacher Zhang had been selected for Cannes this year, but when she scrolled down the list, she saw a familiar yet unfamiliar film title.

Midnight Screenings Section:

Title: Flu.

Genre: Zombie/Apocalypse/Disaster.

Region: Mainland China.

"Is there another one? Which director is it? Is it an art film?"

Teacher Zhang, who was also in a good mood because of being selected, looked up curiously when she heard the sound.

"It's... Flu, the film by Ikeno that got stuck. They've been selected for the Midnight Screenings section this time."

The assistant suddenly remembered and said in surprise, "The competition for commercial films this time was quite fierce, and they actually made it... which means the film is of good quality."

""influenza"……"

Teacher Zhang paused for a moment, then smiled: "With the film and television industry's downturn over and the domestic box office so hot, Cannes will definitely give them some preferential treatment... But are they planning to go for a world premiere this time...?"

If "Flu" is not selected for Cannes and has "given up" this year's Spring Festival release, the project will most likely be shelved indefinitely.

Now that it has been shortlisted, and the Cannes Film Festival is also held very early this year, it seems that "Flu" should go for its world premiere at Cannes. But... is that feasible?

Even the selected and award-winning works of top-tier Chinese film stars with outstanding past achievements have actually performed extremely poorly at the overseas box office.

The so-called application to Cannes is just for the name and to add prestige; really hoping for good overseas box office results... that's just wishful thinking.

But given the current situation of "Flu", especially after being selected for Cannes, it will definitely have its premiere there. Even if they are unwilling, there is nothing they can do... unless it withdraws from the competition now.

"After this kind of overseas exposure... and it's a film starring mainland Chinese filmmakers... the box office might be completely ruined." Thinking about this, Teacher Zhang felt exhausted for Chi Ye. "Flu" seems to have become a "burden" on Chi Ye's shoulders.

That's where the awkwardness started.

"What about winning an award?"

The assistant asked, somewhat confused.

Teacher Zhang rolled her eyes at her: "Midnight screenings aren't a competition section, so where do the awards come from? This is a place where global commercial films compete, but the competition isn't for awards, it's for copyrights and box office revenue."

The assistant stammered awkwardly, "Ah...I...I'm sorry, Sister Zhang, I'll definitely do more research later..."

Teacher Zhang didn't make things difficult for the new assistant who had only been there for half a year. He just pursed his lips and shook his head: "Regardless of the success or failure of 'Flu,' the main problem is that if 'Flu' doesn't break even at the box office, how will he recoup the costs of his next few big-budget sci-fi movies?"

"One wrong step leads to another."

The assistant was stunned, looking at Sister Zhang with a mixture of understanding and confusion, thinking that Sister Zhang was really too charming now—the charm of a strong woman.

……

Teacher Zhang watched several science fiction films by Ikeno after Ikeno, because she is one of the few people in the Chinese entertainment industry who understands the ins and outs of international film festivals. So when she saw that "Flu" was successfully selected for this year's Cannes Film Festival, and considering Ikeno's situation at the time, she had already pronounced a death sentence on "Flu"'s box office performance.

That's how you "look to the future".

But others are not from her perspective.

—The Flu film was not scheduled for the Spring Festival release, but it was selected for this year's Cannes Film Festival and will have its world premiere around the Spring Festival this year.

The news was released by the official Cannes mainland account, and it immediately caused a huge uproar.

The buzz surrounding the "technical adjustments" to the influenza vaccine had just died down, and there was still a lot of discussion about it among netizens a few days ago, so when people suddenly saw this news, their first reaction was bewilderment.

Then the moviegoers were left wondering whether to be happy or sad.

"Selected? In the Midnight Screenings section, right?"

"The only two films selected for Cannes this year that are considered high-quality are both commercial films."

"Wow, this year's commercial films are really fierce, it's full of top-tier popcorn blockbusters from the US, Europe, Japan and South Korea... How did 'Flu' manage to break through?"

"To clarify something, the Midnight Screenings are different from Mr. Zhang's main competition. The latter is for competing for awards, and only art films have a chance. Commercial films that are selected are just being sent to the competition. The Midnight Screenings are the Cannes commercial film 'grand finale'."

"I just glanced at this year's list, and wow, it's all big IPs and big productions, top-notch industrialization... Judging by this, 'Flu' looks pretty good!"

"I had almost given up hope, but seeing this... I'm suddenly even more excited for 'Flu.' What is it about?"

"Oh no, is 'Flu' going to premiere at Cannes? How can I see it?!"

"There's no chance anymore. They won't let you pass through in China. If you want to see it, you'll have to buy a plane ticket and go abroad yourself."

"..."

The film *Flu* will not be released in China for the time being, but it will premiere in Cannes. This has caused heartache among fans who were eagerly anticipating Ikeno's first big-budget production, and has made Ikeno's fans even more anxious.

Few people travel abroad to watch a movie; it's inconvenient not being able to watch it domestically!

In addition, "Flu" was selected for the Midnight Screenings section, which is quite different from art films. Everyone appreciates art films, but aesthetics vary. What you see as a defense might be a delicacy in someone else's eyes.

But with commercial films, the more mainstream and resonant they are, the better they sell.

In other words, the fact that "Flu" was selected for this year's Cannes Film Festival, and even "stood out" among a host of top global blockbusters, proves that the film must be "good".

Such a great movie, and a rare big-budget industrial production in China... and you didn't approve it?
And they even made them go to Cannes for the premiere during the Chinese New Year...

"Is the horse that was supposed to be approved gone?"

"With this dilapidated environment, what good works can you expect to produce? From now on, just make films about Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and Bald Qiang. And don't film anything below the neck, otherwise it's considered inciting pornography!"

"Yesterday I saw a post on a marketing account saying that Chi Ye was being targeted by the Beijing entertainment circle. If that's true, then the Beijing entertainment circle has no secrets."

"Isn't this something everyone already knew? Does it need further explanation?"

"I'm begging for a bootleg version, hopefully it'll be clear. I'm willing to pay for it..."

"..."

The popularity of "Flu" has reached another "climax", and it has topped the Weibo hot search. People in the industry were also surprised that "Flu" was selected for this year's Cannes Midnight Screening, but after the surprise, they didn't pay much attention to it.

Like Mr. Zhang, everyone in the film industry knows what a mess their films are doing overseas. Don't even think about the box office. What ordinary people see is that "Flu" was selected for Cannes and broke through among a group of top commercial blockbusters, which is very "inspiring".

But what they are looking at is profit, box office revenue, and losses.

With this list released, there's basically no hope for "Flu" at the box office. Let Ikeno go out there and lose money; the entire Lunar New Year box office belongs to them.

……

Late December, backstage at Hunan TV's New Year's Eve concert.

Chi Ye sat in a chair, flipping through several scripts. Beside him, Shi Jin glanced at him furtively a few times, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

Chino had noticed her unusual behavior long ago. Seeing that she was tempted again but didn't speak, he couldn't help but feel displeased: "If you want to mock me, just say so. Stop stammering. You're not coy at all."

Shi Jinwei: “?!”

Who said I was going to mock you... Well, fine, I'll mock you then.

While thinking this to herself, Sister Pliers quickly changed the subject, asking instead, "There's a new variety show next year that invited Sister Shang and me, you…"

Ikeno asked in surprise, "You want to invite me?"

Shi Jin paused slightly, then changed the meaning of her words: "Of course not, I... I just wanted to ask if Jin Xia is available, I'd like her to come and have some fun too..."

Chiye: "?"

He asked suspiciously, "You guys invited Xiaxia to go on the show?"

Shi Jin remained expressionless: "Otherwise what?"

Chi Ye looked at her for a while before nodding: "Okay, you know, Xia Xia will be on vacation next year and will have time."

"..."

Sister Pliers gritted her teeth, hesitated for a long time, but still couldn't bring herself to "clarify." She turned around and silently returned to her seat, taking out her phone to send a WeChat message to Shang Youshu: [Sister, check back later to see if Chi Ye is also evading taxes. He probably evaded a lot of taxes; he's about to collapse.]

【Huh? What's wrong now? Didn't you tell Ikeno about the variety show?】

On the other end, after replying to Shi Jinwei, Sister Shang added: 【Also, don't make inappropriate jokes. Chi Ye is a man; it's impossible.】

Shi Jinwei: [?]

Shang Youshu reminds readers: [There are many ways to avoid taxes.]

Shi Jinwei didn't understand: [Huh? What's wrong? So what if you're doing a lot of tax avoidance? What does that have to do with driving... Ah! Sis, what are you talking about with me? Aren't you...aren't you afraid someone will see our chat history someday?]

(End of this chapter)