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

Chapter 277 The Storm Is Brewing: Aunt, Why Are You Trying to Harm Us?!

In the conference room.

Hearing the sound of Ikeno "leader" slamming his fist on the table, everyone present fell silent.

Several middle-aged men sitting at the head of the table frowned.

"Don't get agitated. Isn't this the very thing we're discussing right now? Xiaohai, we know you're upset, but rules are rules. Just because someone has a bit of influence doesn't mean they can lead the way in breaking them, right?"

“Our cultural propaganda system needs a long-term propaganda strategy, not something that works today and doesn’t work tomorrow… Your performance this time was not very mature.”

Xiao Hai paused, speechless, and looked at the person at the head of the table with a wry smile: "Leader, then you speak, and so do you."

Everyone: "..."

The people at the head of the table exchanged glances, secretly feeling just as utterly disgusted.

They never imagined that a domestically produced film could cause such a huge stir and reaction internationally... Although they said that just now, when it comes to the label of "156 countries", who dares to "act arbitrarily"?
To put it bluntly, this film is different from the previous ones, "The Boss" and "Girl". Because of Ikeno's move, "Flu" has now become a hot commodity in the international film industry.

Just like what Ikeno's "old leader" said, influence, influence, influence is very important.

We just got stuck with "Flu" because of content issues, and then it suddenly became a global premiere in 156 countries. This makes the higher-ups feel like they're just asking for trouble.
To be honest, many people now regret agreeing to do this "small favor" for Ke Ying just to please him.

Looking back now, this was no small favor; it was downright troublesome.

"Next, let's continue our discussion on the content review issue of this 'Flu' magazine... Well, everyone, please speak freely and don't let various external opinions affect your judgment."

The leader made the final decision, but what he was thinking about was the phone call he had received from Shanghai not long ago.

Hey…

If "Flu" hadn't become a hit at Cannes, things would have been fine. With this phone call, there wouldn't have been any problem with "Flu" getting released. But... the current situation with "Flu" has made things difficult for many people.

If they were to easily "change their flag and flag," wouldn't that be admitting they were wrong before and getting a severe slap in the face?

One person was allowed passage through "personal connections," while the other was forced to change their mind after being humiliated and out of fear.

Although the two outcomes may seem the same, they are completely different for many people.

……

"156 countries worldwide... NEON is handling North American distribution, Contents Panda has secured international distributors to help boost sales, and agreements have been reached with distributors in various other countries, including top-tier distributors in Taiwan and Hong Kong..."

"The flu has become a huge hit this time."

The sixth day in Cannes.

Inside the hotel, the group from the Northwest Circle were not in high spirits.

Today is the day that Teacher Zhang's work in the main competition section is being screened.

As one of only two mainland Chinese works selected this year, and even more prestigious than "Flu," this film is in the main competition, and features an internationally renowned actress like Zhang Ziyi as the female lead.

This work should have received a lot of media attention.

But the truth is quite the opposite.

Because of the popularity of "Flu", the midnight screening section has once again become a hot topic, making the main competition section, which is not as popular as commercial films, very "awkward".

The art film that Teacher Zhang and the Northwest Circle were selected for this year is clearly unable to compete with the other top-tier art films in terms of content quality.

—They themselves came to Cannes to participate in the main competition and never thought they could win an award.

only…

Unexpectedly, the film's lukewarm reception, coupled with the stark contrast to the neighboring film "Flu," has left many feeling uneasy and even causing some to lose their temper.

Ms. Zhang's team has learned that since this morning, many domestic media outlets have been eager to compare her selected work with that of Ikeno...

Isn't this insane?!
One is an art film, the other a commercial film, what the hell are you talking about!

"Sister Ziyi, don't be angry. That's how the media and marketing accounts are these days. They'd love for us to fight every day so they can have material to make money off of other people's misfortunes."

Li Qian, who had just rushed over from another venue, walked up to Teacher Zhang and took her hand.

"Well, I'm not angry, I just feel... this Cannes Film Festival was a bit of a failure for us."

Teacher Zhang shook her head, saying things that even she herself didn't believe—everyone in the industry knows that Teacher Zhang has a competitive personality, which hasn't changed since the days of the Four Little Actresses, and it's only gotten stronger now.

She wants to win an award... even if she doesn't win, she just wants to gain a "high-class" label.

As a result of "The Flu," no one paid any attention to her; all that was noticed was the comparisons made by various parties, which made her feel like she was being ridden and "whipped" by a junior.

"Sister, relax. We weren't even aiming for an award this time. As long as the box office for our art film is decent, that's fine."

Li Qian offered another word of comfort to Teacher Zhang, but a complex expression appeared on her slightly chubby face.

Chiye, Chiye again.

I remember the first time I met him was on that acting variety show. At that time, Ikeno had just officially gained a name in the Chinese entertainment industry because of "Loop". He seemed to have made a name for himself and was showing signs of becoming a rising star in the Chinese entertainment industry.

But... it's just a source of traffic, new traffic, second-tier or higher, but not first-tier.

At that time, she and Chi Ye were both guests on the show, but she was much more famous than Chi Ye. Chi Ye even had a public falling out with Sheng Ning on that show... Ji Heming's career collapsed around that time.

She never imagined that Ikeno would get to where he is today, and at such a rapid pace.

Have you ever had feelings for someone before?
She is an optimist who loves to laugh, but has a very low threshold for laughter. So she did have a slight, very shallow, and minor crush on Chi Ye, but she did have it occasionally during the time she broke up with Ji Heming.

Um... there was no "then" or "follow-up".

It was as if a gap had appeared in the middle, a leap, and the figures of Ikeno and the creators of "Flu" walking on the Cannes red carpet overlapped with their figures on "Actors, Please Take Your Seats".

Even Ziyi was completely silenced...

He withstood so much targeting from the film industry for so long... Did he really get away with it all?

"...What surprised me the most was that NEON actually reached a cooperation agreement with them. That's a bit too exaggerated, to be honest, it's a bit unreal."

Uncle Li Qian was also sitting to the side, and he was focused on NEON, the Western copyright distributor of "Flu".

—This is also a focus of attention for many people in the industry.

Oh, NEON. Historically, they've never shown any interest in Asian films, but this time they've actually partnered with "Flu".

With 156 countries taking the lead, if the current trend continues, will the box office performance of "Flu" really be as bad as they predicted?
"It's estimated that discussions are already underway on the mainland regarding whether 'Flu' can make it to the Spring Festival release window. There might still be a chance."

Zhang Guoshi, who had remained silent until now, smiled and commented, "The younger generation is truly formidable."

……

"Damn it, China Film Group is really shameless. What do they mean by 'leading the production' of a domestic disaster blockbuster? They were the ones who shouted the loudest before, and now they're the ones leading the production, huh?!"

the other side.

The group from the Beijing circle has been driven to the brink of mental collapse by the constant stream of news over the past few days.

Director Lu was "the first to bear the brunt"... He was indeed numb. On the day of the premiere of "Flu," after the descriptions of the sisters Ling Bingbing and Ling Han, he had a familiar, bad feeling.

But he still didn't expect that "Flu" could have a "lineup" of 156 countries, and that China Film Group could be so shameless... Seeing that things were not going well, they turned around and became the "lead producer".

Yes, on China Film Group's side, it was because of Ikeno's "old boss" that he was given a nominal role in getting the script of "Flu" approved and approved, but in fact, China Film Group's investment was almost zero... How did he end up as the lead actor?!
Answer me, how did you take the lead?!

Is it true that the "flu" is the leading document in the final review?

"It's normal practice. Everyone could see that 'Flu' was going to be a hit, so who could resist?"

Someone persuaded me.

"No, I suspect that Chi Ye is deliberately targeting me. Why does he always make a fuss about me every time I'm going to be in a movie?"

Director Lu wiped his eyes, looking somewhat aggrieved.

Dude, I'm just a "big director" who likes to brag a little... Tell me, you said it was a world premiere, how did it actually become a world premiere?
A global premiere is one thing, but you're also marketing it domestically... We spent so much on marketing and promotion for "749 Bureau," and it all went down the drain. And you're saying you're not deliberately targeting me?!
"That's not what we're thinking about right now. What we need to consider now is whether 'Flu' will be 'revived' during the Spring Festival season because of this incident?"

Director Feng smacked his lips: "Damn it, you think he can bring this back to life? Doesn't that mean we've been slapped in the face?"

Everyone paused for a moment.

Peng Chen blinked, hesitating, "It shouldn't be... How can things change so easily..."

Ling Bingbing glanced at him but didn't say anything.

“Hey, what are you saying? This isn’t some kind of ‘ironclad rule.’ We asked our older brother for help with this in the first place… but he hasn’t answered my calls all day.”

Director Feng put on a bitter and resentful expression: "This time, you can't say I don't care about our industry anymore, okay? I've done my best!"

Everyone: "..."

……

Director Feng did his best.

Ke Ying did not answer the phone today.

Based on this information, various theaters and film distributors who had been watching closely, or rather, who had been eager to act ever since the news of "Flu" being released in 156 countries worldwide reached China, have become somewhat restless.

The Beijing entertainment circle actually understands these "businessmen" in China very well, because when they're out there, all they're after is profit. And clearly, given the current reputation and momentum of "Flu," even if it delays its thesis defense, as long as it can be released in mainland China, it's a money-making machine.

More importantly… the China Film Times took the lead in reprinting this news, personally igniting this “storm”…

Does this mean that the higher-ups really want to "change the flag"? At the very least, "Flu" will definitely be released, even if it's cut.

So, from that day on, China Film Group, Wanda Cinemas, and many other cinema chains that had previously responded to the call and "regretfully" withdrew "Flu" from theaters were all "resurrected" again.

"Hello? Mr. Chi... Ah, no, it's nothing. Is this Chi Ye Studio? Oh, Mr. Ke, I'm from the distribution team at Wanda XX Cinema in the capital... Hmm, okay, I'll create a group chat now, you can find someone to liaise with me..."

"Hey, is Mr. Chi there? It's me, Lao Zhang. We just had dinner last month... Oh, it's okay. Whether or not 'Flu' can be released in mainland China doesn't matter. We can sign an agreement first, and we'll give you screenings if it's released... We can discuss the specific number. I can't guarantee other theater chains, but I'll definitely give you the highest number of screenings."

"...Ikeno? I'm XX from the Central Motion Picture Corporation... Ah, he's not here. It's okay, I'll call another one later."

The landline of Chiye Studio, Chiye's work number, personal number, Coco's mobile phone number... even the phone numbers of Jin Xia and Shang Youshu, Shi Jinwei, Sheng Ning, and many other main creators of "Flu" were all bombarded with calls.

Among them, cinema chains like Wanda are relatively easy to deal with, since they are purely commercial entities, but the people from China Film Group are actually a bit reluctant to lower themselves.

Later, they finally got a call from a lower-ranking underling, only to learn that Ikeno was not there.

The younger brother also has his own temper. Seeing this, he didn't exchange pleasantries, but simply said curtly, "I'll call him again myself later," and hung up the phone.

That day, a senior figure within China Film Group made a comment about Ikeno: "He's carried away by his success."

Ok…

Ikeno did not intentionally "neglect" groups like China Film Group, which had previously targeted him.

But he has been too busy lately to have time to discuss things in detail with the cinema chains in China—because in addition to China, there are also collaborations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and even Vietnam that he needs to reach out to.

For example, in Taiwan, where "Flu" was filmed, the major companies that signed the contract with Ikeno Takara Music have gone crazy, as have the many bigwigs who helped give "Flu" a green light to filming. They are all clamoring to increase the number of screenings and add as many as possible.

—Although it's not very useful, considering the future, the various "sensitive" films that might be made, and the further cooperation with various parts of Southeast Asia, Ikeno really needs to go all out.

"Did China Film Group call? Answer it for me... I'll hang up now, we'll talk later... Wait, another call is coming in, just a moment."

While Ikeno was talking to his team members, his phone received another call.

— Hong Kong number.

Chi Ye laughed when she saw the note: "Hello? Auntie, have we arrived yet?"

"...Your voice is so sweet."

On the other end, at the airport.

This year, she was wearing a trench coat, with her assistant dragging a suitcase behind her. Holding the phone, she said to Chi Ye, "Get ready to pick me up, we'll be there soon."

"it is good."

"correct."

Jin Sui paused, glanced at Jin Ming beside her who was standing ramrod straight but secretly eavesdropping, and smiled: "I brought an old acquaintance with me this time... Hmm... Alright, let's talk when we meet, the old acquaintance is in a hurry."

As she spoke, she hung up the phone and looked at her brother: "Is your eye twitching? What's with all the twitching?"

(End of this chapter)