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

Chapter 425: The Great Wall, Fully Backed by Hollywood, vs. Interstellar

"Big Butt wants to have tea? No way, I'm too busy."

"Then I understand your stance."

At that moment, Zhang Mouzi hung up the phone.

Ma Xiaogang's refusal was not particularly surprising.

"It seems that it's just the two of us who have come to the appointment today."

"Ah."

At this moment, Chen Kaige, who was standing next to Zhang Mouzi, also nodded slightly.

Upon arriving at the five-star hotel, they found that representatives of the Western entertainment industry were already waiting there.

"Please have a seat, gentlemen."

Liu Meizhen, dressed in a kimono, stood up and offered tea to the two directors.

"It's a very Japanese-style place, I like it." Chen Kaige was quite satisfied with the place, and skillfully knelt down on the futon.

Zhang Mouzi wasn't so used to following 'etiquette' and instead plopped down in a very casual manner.

"It's quite soft; it's still more comfortable to sit properly."

Liu Meizhen looked at this top director in China. Although his works have declined year by year, his influence and lingering power still exist in the Chinese entertainment industry.

The director, whose authority remains undiminished.

After all, the influence of "Farewell My Concubine" back then was simply too strong.
Winning the Palme d'Or, the highest honor at the 46th Cannes Film Festival, the film became the first Chinese film to receive this honor. In addition, it won numerous other international awards, including the Best Foreign Language Film at the 51st Golden Globe Awards and the FIPRESCI Prize. It is the only Chinese-language film to have won both the Palme d'Or at Cannes and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In 2005, the film was selected as one of Time magazine's "100 Greatest Films of All Time."

One movie after another.
Chen Kaige is an 'international star,' a director on par with Li An.

"Mr. Chen, you are as charming as ever."

"I'm getting old. Where's the charm now?" Chen Kai said softly. "It's all about the young people now."

The four great directors of Chinese-language films.

Zhang Mouzi, Ma Xiaogang, Jiang Wen, and Li Xuan.

Now Chen Kaige is all about being "old".

It only occupies one spot: 'old'.

Zhang Yimou looked at Chen Kaige. Actually, after "The Promise," he also made "Sacrifice," which was not bad and he made a comeback. But while you were making "Sacrifice," Li Xuan had already released "Dying to Survive" and "Source Code," and Jiang Wen had even released "Let the Bullets Fly."

It's incomparable, fundamentally incomparable.
"Indeed, if the era really falls into the hands of others, it will be a loss for you and for the audience."

"Sigh, but that's how it is now, what can we do?"

Zhang Mouzi just drank tea nearby and didn't interrupt.

When a smart person speaks, those who know, understand.

"Let's get straight to the point, Ms. Liu. What kind of help can you offer us?"

Liu Meizhen paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Director Zhang is very direct. Indeed, I can provide you with help and support. Whether it's the special effects technology you need or the cooperation resources, we can get you the best."

Hollywood's technology, support
These are things that people dream of.

However, at this moment, Zhang Mouzi said calmly.

"My status in the country's film and television industry is top-tier."

Although his tone was calm, his aura was extraordinary.
Even Liu Meizhen, who was used to seeing important people, felt a little suffocated.

This feeling.

It felt similar to when she tried to seduce Li Xuan before, when she used the lure of a green card and the promise of Hollywood technology to tempt him.

They all have their reasons for maintaining their pride.

If Li Xuan rejects my reasoning, it's because he's confident in his abilities.

So Zhang Mouzi's reason for refusing was probably also a matter of respecting the authority of his position.

Number one in China.

This name.

This long-standing status gave him pride.

This makes him feel that it's unnecessary.

Go and compromise.

“Mr. Zhang, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not trying to make a deal with you.” Liu Meizhen quickly stood up and explained, “The support we’re talking about is entirely for artistic expression, entirely out of love for art itself.”

“Yeah, don’t overcomplicate things for that young girl, okay?” Chen Kaige chimed in from the side.

Zhang Mouzi merely gave a half-smile in response.

If you say so, then so be it.

The specific support measures are actually quite simple.

Hollywood's special effects teams and subject matter selection.

This includes some Hollywood selections that are likely to be nominated for awards.

"International Influence"

No matter what.

Regardless of the era.

He is a major standard for measuring influence.

Even if Chen Kaige has become mediocre now.

But his influence still exists.

It is because of his incredibly powerful international influence.

Liu Meizhen heard that even now, a large number of people still remember Zhang Guorong fondly.

He is undoubtedly an excellent actor and a great star.

However, it is also inseparable from the overseas influence brought about by the influence of "Farewell My Concubine".

The world is a sphere.

But China is just a piece of land.

From a global perspective, it is nothing more than a small, isolated place.

Zhang Mouzi neither confirmed nor denied this.

That's why he did it.

Even after Jiang Wen and Li Xuan gained power, they maintained their existing composure.

Even though these two always give people a sense of surprise.

However, it is still generally within our control.

They haven't achieved much international influence.

As long as its international influence remains.

He's still number one.

A position that even Ma Xiaogang couldn't challenge.

After all, Ma Xiaogang's international influence is not as great as mine.

He even knew that this was a point that could not be surpassed.

Therefore, I never talk about competing for first place.

That's why the two of them could remain friends despite their competitive relationship.
Li An, Jia Zhangke.

Both of these individuals are also figures with international influence within China.

But their approach is too extreme, completely disregarding the feelings of domestic audiences.

It's actually due to a combination of international and domestic influence.

That's why Zhang Mouzi was able to maintain his number one position.

Unparalleled first place.

Zhang Mouzi was not afraid.

Their own status will be truly affected.

Absolutely not.

But if you insist on saying that you're being arrogant and refusing to help, that's just a way of putting it.

Zhang Mouzi wouldn't do something so foolish.

Why not take advantage of someone who can offer help? It's essentially about support from international awards and technical assistance.

For Zhang Yimou, who had long wanted to make a special effects blockbuster, there was really no reason to refuse.

"We wanted to use the Great Wall as a theme. Didn't you mention wanting to make a film about the Flowers of War? We also have the resources to provide that."

"That would be perfect."

After seeing Zhang Mouzi and Chen Kaige off, Liu Meizhen did not leave immediately, but instead skillfully brewed some Japanese-style tea to drink.

"try it?"

"I still prefer coffee," the blonde assistant waved her hand and said, "Tea is too bitter."

"Actually, coffee is quite bitter even without sugar. You guys really prefer sugary coffee drinks."

At this moment, Liu Meizhen said calmly.

The assistant muttered to himself.

"I have a feeling you're implying something in your words."

"Didn't you have a question before about why I was willing to actively reach out to Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, who are already famous, and why I took the initiative to give up resources to support them when they already had the highest status in the industry? To use an old Chinese saying, you might think I'm worrying unnecessarily."

Is Li Xuan really that scary?

"Absolutely, and it's terrifying. Do you know what the difference is between the movies China exports to the world and the movies Hollywood exports to China?"

"Do we have better special effects technology? A better culture?"

"Sigh," Liu Meizhen was speechless. She loved sweets so much, but why didn't all that sugar go into her brain? It all went into that...thing.

"The difference is that the films exported abroad, including those by Zhang Yimou and others, are all sweetened up and adapted to our tastes, while the films and TV series we export to China are all tailored to our own tastes. That's the difference."

"But what's scary about Li Xuan is that what he presents to you, the audience, is entirely his own taste."

“And if you accept it, and I accept it, it will be very scary if this continues.” Zhang Mouzi also knew that although Li Xuan, this young man, could not threaten his position for the time being, as a producer who had won over a new generation of young people, it was only a matter of time before he became a threat.

They share a common enemy.

Many things are naturally understood without being spoken of.
The day after Li Xuan took over Huayi Brothers, the chairman's office was quiet.

The transfer of shares and equity, and the takeover of the team.

These are all things that are currently being done, and they've been handed over to my uncle, who has recovered his health. He also accumulated a lot of talent while running the old company.

There are still changes in the workplace.

There are still some people who don't trust Li Xuan, this 'peasant' who has risen to a high position.

Some people trusted it and stayed—like Wang Haiyang.
Wei Ming had the air freshened with lemon-scented diffuser, and a faint, pleasant fragrance filled the air.

Li Xuan didn't sit behind his desk; he stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the vehicles and pedestrians moving below.

Instead of thinking about company integration or personnel arrangements, his mind was filled with specific images: a dark universe, a rotating man-made space station, light being stretched as it passed through a tunnel, and an endless rice paddy.
Let those who are good at what they are good at do it; let the CEO be handled by a professional operations company; and the chairman should still retain the power of decision-making/veto.
This can be discussed further.

Meanwhile, I was thinking about the plan.

As a director.

Creator.

That is my duty and what I should pursue.

Wei Ming pushed open the door and came in, carrying a steaming cup of tea.

"What are you thinking about?" He placed the teacup on the windowsill.

"Thinking about my next film." Li Xuan snapped out of his reverie, picked up his teacup, and felt the heat spreading from his fingertips.

"So fast?" Wei Ming asked.

"Hmm." Li Xuan took a sip of hot tea, a warm sensation flowing down his throat. "It's time to announce the first project."

He put down his tea cup.

"Notify all senior management and core project team leaders to hold a meeting." Li Xuan's voice was not loud, but very clear: "Next, we're going to the area for [conquering territory]."

The president's office at Beijing Film Academy.

The afternoon sun shone on the bookshelf, turning the spines of the books yellow.

The air smelled of old paper and jasmine tea.

Principal Wang Fengsheng, wearing reading glasses, looked at the "China Film and Television Newspaper" spread out on the table.

The headline on the front page, in bold font, read: "Huayi's first major move since its change of ownership! Li Xuan announces the launch of the sci-fi epic 'Interstellar,' with an investment of 150 million Chinese yuan!"

On the sofa opposite him, Han Ping was also looking at that line of text.

150 million.

What they cared about about this number wasn't the money, but the word "science fiction".

Domestic film companies have tried this subject matter, but none of them have truly succeeded.

It requires a high level of technical expertise and carries a significant risk of losing money.

Moreover, the audience is also very discerning.
But no matter what, science fiction is the genre most likely to break out of its niche and transcend the domestic cultural sphere.

“I knew he would do this.” Han Ping put down his teacup, the bottom of which hit the table with a soft “tap”: “After Source Code, many people called him the ‘Godfather of Chinese Science Fiction,’ but he himself knew that the film relied on the script, not the film industry technology.”

Wang Fengsheng nodded, took off his glasses, and slowly wiped the lenses with a cloth: "Now that he has access to Huayi's technical department, he can use it to make a big splash."

“Yes,” Han Ping said, with a hint of a smile in his voice, “he still chose the most difficult path.”

He knew that many people had failed on this path, but he still wanted to take it.

This determination was more important to Han Ping than the 150 million yuan investment.

It's a huge investment.

Just then, the red telephone on Wang Fengsheng's desk rang urgently.

Wang Fengsheng picked up the receiver, said "Hello," and his expression changed.

His eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly.

"...How much?" he pressed, his voice a little tense.

A few more words were spoken on the other end of the phone.

Wang Fengsheng leaned back in his chair, which creaked softly. He hung up the phone, looked at Han Ping, his throat bobbing before he spoke.

"Old Han... Zhang Mouzi, announced a new project."

Han Ping's eyebrows twitched.

“It’s called ‘The Great Wall’,” Wang Fengsheng said in a dry voice. “The investment… is two hundred million.”

Han Ping stopped halfway through holding the teacup.

Wang Fengsheng swallowed hard and uttered the last two words.

“…US dollars.”

Suddenly, no one spoke in the office.

The air seemed to stand still, with only the sound of cars coming from afar outside the window.

Two hundred million US dollars.

More than 1.5 billion Chinese yuan.

It's ten times Li Xuan's "150 million".

This number left Han Ping somewhat bewildered.

He slowly put down his teacup, only snapping out of his daze when his fingers touched the cold tabletop.

"Special effects team..." Han Ping's voice was a little hoarse.

“They’re all from Hollywood, and I heard Industrial Light & Magic is one of them,” Wang Fengsheng said.

Han Ping fell silent.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside.

When Li Xuangang said he was going to do something that no one had ever done before, everyone thought he was very courageous.

As a result, Zhang Yimou immediately announced a similar project ten times larger in scale.

This is not a simple competition.

This is using the most direct funds and resources to tell everyone who has absolute control in this industry.

Big production VS Big production!
After a long while, Han Ping slowly exhaled.

His initial shock transformed into a highly focused gaze.

He whispered.

"There are masters too!"

(End of this chapter)