I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 387, the timing was indeed not very good.

"This Lunar New Year film season is still worth watching. 'Avatar,' directed by Cameron, the world's greatest director."

"You're probably the only one in China who can have a business relationship with Avatar."

"After all, I am part of the China Film Group."

Han Ping could not deny Jiang Wen's words; foreign films had to pay a fee to China Film Group to enter the Chinese market.

"According to the algorithm, we should be able to get five percent of the box office revenue, plus a share from the theaters."

"That's great. So many people want to kneel before Cameron but can't even get a chance. I heard that Huayi Brothers stood outside his company with gifts, enduring a night of freezing wind, but couldn't even get into his meeting room. Only our China Film Group, as the Chinese importer, can get involved." Jiang Wen chuckled slightly beside him, "Our group has certainly knelt in a proper way."

Han Ping could certainly hear the barbed words in Jiang Wen's mouth, but they weren't really directed at him.

With a sigh, I must say that it's aimed at the domestic market.

Huayi Brothers, one of the largest capital groups in China, was once the backing of Ma Xiaogang and Zhang Yimou. Now, both Zhang Yimou and Ma Xiaogang seem to have drifted apart from this Beijing-based entertainment circle.
It was not, and still is, a very successful capital group.

They remain a giant in China, but when they go abroad, even if it's a promising project that they clearly believe in, they simply won't invest in it. They won't even give you the qualification to participate, and there's nothing you can do about it.

People like Guangying Media even mocked Huayi Brothers' "overestimation of their abilities" by speaking out in private drinking parties.

Cui Hongfei, the chairman of Guangying Media and a powerful figure in Beijing's cultural circles, said this while drunk.

Some people, if they don't look in the mirror, they really won't know their own limitations, and they overestimate themselves by trying to climb too high.
He didn't say anything else, but what he said without thinking was taken to heart by the listener.

It turns out that for domestic companies to invest in foreign films is considered "reaching too high."

Even some of the top film groups in the country think this way, considering it an honorable and unwarranted move.

"Ugh"

Han Ping felt a bit annoyed; it was true that his strength was inferior.
It's true that we're not as strong.

But it was this submissive attitude from the bottom of his heart that infuriated Han Ping the most.

"Some people, after kneeling for so long, actually believe that standing up is wrong." Jiang Wen exhaled a smoke ring, his expression obscured by the swirling smoke.

"Avatar is an industry, a technology, something that was built with real money. We can't compare to it, so we have to accept that."

"But now? They're not even worthy of carrying my shoes anymore; they've become 'climbing up' to me."

Jiang Wen stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, making a soft hissing sound.

"The most ridiculous thing is that the one who said this was one of our own people."

Han Ping rubbed his throbbing temples, unable to utter a single word.

Yes, that's the most ridiculous thing.

How outsiders look down on you is their business.

If your own people look down on you, then you're truly beyond saving.

"So, sometimes I actually find Li Xuan quite interesting," Jiang Wen said, changing the subject.

"How much did he invest in that 'Source Code' project? At most, it's less than a fraction of what he invested in 'Avatar'."

"Everyone else is scrambling to throw money into Hollywood, and even being a nominal producer feels like a great honor."

"He's quite something, shutting himself in and tinkering with his own little gadgets."

Jiang Wen grinned, a smile that carried an indescribable meaning.

"Everyone thinks he's throwing eggs against rocks, but I think he's at least standing up to try."

They bumped into each other while standing.
When he initially entrusted the science fiction film project to Li Xuan, it was indeed intended to let him "test the waters," to see if this young man could create something that addressed the shortcomings of Chinese cinema. Of course, the main reason was for the sake of "The Age of Awakening."
However, the timing that Li Xuan chose was indeed quite unexpected.

When the colossal interstellar carrier from Avatar actually arrived at his doorstep, he realized that what he had given Li Xuan might not even qualify as a small boat. Others with relatively powerful ships and cannons simply retreated and avoided meeting the deadline.

It was a vast ocean, and Li Xuan only had a wooden plank in his hand.

This made Han Ping feel a little guilty.

Was I too hasty? Did I place too much burden on him? Perhaps I should have invested more initially and provided Li Xuan with more support.

Although he keeps saying no, no, is it a bit much if I really don't give it to him?
I feel guilty, but I admire him. Right now, there's no one in the entire entertainment industry with more backbone than Li Xuan.

But what good is having backbone?
"Alright, stop looking like you're at a funeral." Jiang Wen glanced at him. "That kid isn't as fragile as you think. Besides, it hasn't even been released yet."

That's what he said, but Han Ping paused and said...

"Do you think I should advise him to withdraw the release date and change it? If he is confident in his work, then changing the release date is not a bad idea."

"I don't think Li Xuan will change the release date. He didn't change the release date for 'Buried' either. In other words, as someone who dares to release a sci-fi film of the same type under Cameron's direction, that's actually a kind of 'going against the grain'."

"Unfortunately, my film 'Let the Bullets Fly' was also originally scheduled for release during this period."

Jiang Wen actually felt somewhat regretful.

He originally wanted "Let the Bullets Fly" to take off during this release window.

As someone who considers himself to share the same soul as Li Xuan, Jiang Wen is not afraid of films like "Avatar." However, "Let the Bullets Fly" is still being polished. Rather than challenging the authority of the strong, Jiang Wen actually prefers to refine his own works.

To elevate one's work to a superior level.
We value quality more than challenges.

It was also Li Xuan's influence that led Jiang Wen to have this idea—first of all, these things are about being responsible to the audience, so "Let the Bullets Fly" is in fact an escape.

It also falls within the scope of being ridiculed.

But Jiang Wen didn't think there was anything wrong with it. He only felt that presenting the best work was the best way to be 'responsible'.

Han Ping paused for a moment before speaking.

"It's a domestic science fiction film. I just don't know what kind of effect it will have on the audience. I want to watch Avatar first and then Source Code."

Jiang Wen also smiled.

"Then let's go together."

In the capital city, a private club not open to the public is filled with smoke.

Wang Su swirled the wine glass in his hand, looking at the amber liquid inside, and lazily opened his mouth.

"Everyone's hiding. This year's Lunar New Year film season is like an early Qingming Festival; everyone's gone to burn paper money to avoid misfortune."

Across from him, Zheng Long was leisurely brewing tea, and upon hearing this, he chuckled.

"Cameron, isn't it normal for you to hide? It would be strange if you didn't."

After he finished speaking, the two of them remained silent for a moment, understanding each other perfectly.

Wang Su glanced at it.

Those who didn't dodge.

Aside from those low-budget works that are simply trying to ride the wave of popularity, no one would categorize Li Xuan's work as low-budget or trivial.
If you truly consider Li Xuan a 'small fry' and insult him, then you will only be the one who suffers humiliation.

After all, this 'small fry' had actually beaten up both the sixth and the designated seventh generation leaders.
Li Xuan is a young man, an amazing young man with talent but no background or resources.

He possesses incredibly amazing talent. He has reached his current position solely through his talent.

“Source Code…a low-budget sci-fi film produced by Li Xuan.” Wang Su put down his wine glass, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. “I heard the investment was less than a fraction of what others make.”

“It’s more than just a fraction of the cost,” Zheng Long pushed a cup of tea toward Wang Shuo. “From what I’ve heard, the total cost wouldn’t even be enough for Cameron to buy a camera lens.”

Wang Shuo picked up the teacup, but didn't drink it; he just smelled the aroma of the tea.
"To this day, I still don't think that science fiction films can be described as 'low-budget.' Do you think it's like the era of garbage special effects in 'Thunderbolt Baby'? Today's audiences don't have much tolerance. I heard that Han Ping's attitude towards him was quite good, saying that he accepted the challenge 'standing up.'"

“Standing?” Zheng Long curled his lip. “Having backbone is a good thing, but backbone without brains is just arrogance.”

Wang Su remained silent.

Now, it seems that everyone in the industry follows a certain rule.

An instinctive rule.

What are rules?

The rule is that when a powerful person comes, you either kneel down or go around them.

Huayi Brothers wanted to kneel, but they couldn't find a way to do so.

Guangying Media mocked Huayi, and moved its own schedule far away long ago.

Everyone follows this default rule because it's the way to survive.

Everything is for the maximization of survival interests
But Li Xuan refused.
Not only did he not avoid it, he insisted on using a similar sci-fi film to force his way into that release window.

This completely contradicts the strategy called 'survival'.

If the film "Buried" back then was a case of a naive newcomer unafraid of tigers.

This low-budget science fiction film represents one thing.

He did it on purpose.

"This kid...he's a bit like us when we were young," Wang Shuo suddenly remarked, a hint of wistfulness in his eyes.
“That was when we were young. Who wasn’t like that when they were young?” Zheng Long interrupted him directly. “Now we understand that just having a stubborn streak is useless. Only those who survive are kings. Over the years, Zhang Yimou survived, Ma Xiaogang survived. What about the others? Chen Kaizi? Can he be considered to have survived now? Only those who survive are kings.”

Wang Su narrowed his eyes and remained silent.

He understood what Zheng Long meant.

Li Xuan's actions were brave, but they also angered many people. It was like being the only person standing upright in a room where everyone else was lying down.

His standing position made all the people lying down look particularly ugly.

This counts as a point.
Another point is that...
"His 'Buried' exploited a loophole; it was a clever trick," Zheng Long continued. "But science fiction is different; it's a head-to-head battle of industrial strength. If he tries to compete with something from a small workshop and loses, he'll lose face for the entire Chinese science fiction industry. And what if... I mean, what if he manages to win some critical acclaim? What would that make us 'avoiding the battle'?"

Wang Su finally spoke: "So?"

“So, he needs to understand the meaning of his youth,” Zheng Long said calmly, as if stating a matter of course. “He can’t be allowed to stand so comfortably. Although, in truth, he wouldn’t be too comfortable standing.”

“No need to lift a finger.” Zheng Long laughed, revealing his gleaming white teeth: “The audience’s saliva and the media’s pens are more useful than anything else. If we use the final box office results well, they might help him win the next awards.”

He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

The call was quickly answered.

"Old Ma, it's me, Zheng Long."

A respectful yet slightly obsequious voice came from the other end of the phone: "Mr. Zheng, what are your instructions?"

"There's something I need you to arrange."

"It's that 'Source Code,' the sci-fi film by Li Xuan."

Old Ma on the other end of the phone immediately understood and said solicitously, "Understood! Don't worry, Mr. Zheng, I will immediately organize a team to thoroughly investigate everything from the script to the special effects, so that his low-budget stuff will have nowhere to hide in front of Avatar. I will do the black articles."

"Do not."

"Old Ma, your methods are too old-fashioned and too low-level."

“In this day and age, writing smear articles is a low-down tactic. It’s easy for people to find fault with us, and it makes us look like we lack class.” Zheng Long picked up the teacup on the table and slowly blew away the foam. “To deal with a smart guy like Li Xuan who has audience appeal, you have to use a different approach.”

He paused, his smile deepening.

"We'll just praise him to death."

"To praise someone to death?" Old Ma was somewhat puzzled.

“Yes, it’s all about flattery to the point of destruction.” Zheng Long pondered for a moment and said, “Find a group of 'film critics' with strong writing skills, and contact some influential Weibo accounts. The theme should be the same: Source Code is the beacon of hope for Chinese science fiction! Li Xuan is a lone hero challenging Hollywood’s hegemony!”

"Huh? This... Mr. Zheng, isn't this just creating momentum for him?"

"Create hype? Hah." Zheng Long sneered. "Do you even know what 'to destroy someone, first make them mad' means?"

"Think about it, what is Cameron's Avatar? It's a visual spectacle created with a budget of 500 million US dollars, the pinnacle of the film industry. And what about theirs? A low-budget film with an investment that's less than a fraction of Cameron's."

"What we need to do now is put Li Xuan in the spotlight. We need to hype up 'Source Code' as a box office savior that can rival 'Avatar,' and raise audience expectations to the highest possible level! The higher the better, ideally to hailed it as a 'milestone in Chinese science fiction' and a 'backbone of Chinese cinema.'"

"When the time comes, audiences will go to the cinema expecting a 'savior,' but what will happen if the movie doesn't live up to their expectations?"

The higher you're lifted up, the harder you'll fall!
He put down his teacup with a soft sound.

If he wants to go against the current, then let him go.

"Everyone in the industry has learned their lesson and knows to avoid Cameron when they see him. But Li Xuan insists on standing up and being the troublemaker."

"Since he wants to be a hero, let's give him a hand and let him be one to his heart's content."

Zheng Long hung up the phone, stood up, and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

"Hum..."

Looking down at the city lights, he seemed to see the overwhelming criticism and condemnation that would follow the release of "Source Code".

I want to see if you can still stand up when you're drowning in the criticism of the entire nation.

"You're quite the expert at these promotional materials, aren't you? You've really kept up with the internet age."

Wang Su listened to Zheng Long's suggestion.

My feelings are still a bit complicated.

Indeed, as an individual, I do admire Li Xuan to some extent.

—This young man is terrifying, with talent and courage, except for a lack of resources. In fact, China Film Group could provide some support in those areas.

However, his choice of background and stance has always been problematic.

Let's take another look and appreciate it.
But a matter of stance is a matter of stance.
Admiring you doesn't mean I can't destroy you.

(End of this chapter)