Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 395: The Reverse Offense Against the Koreans, Part 1

On the first day of the new year, Mr. Lu asked for leave in advance from Mr. Liu, the leader of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.

On January 3rd, the cast and crew of "The Sky of History" will travel to North America for Oscar campaigning, but he will not be joining them immediately.

Liu Yifei is somewhat famous in North America, with both Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and actress Moore having a considerable fan base, plus allies Lionsgate and Disney, and especially Harvey's involvement in the arrangements.

He doesn't need to keep a close eye on the progress; he can simply appear at crucial moments.

After the preview screenings of "The Sky of History" in North America, I'll first go to the Berlin Film Festival in early February, and then the Academy Awards ceremony on February 24th.

If I get nominated, I will definitely go to the event in person to promote and sell the film.

While it's called selling films, the main market is actually Europe and other markets.

Even the European market will most likely be handed over to MK2 or Luc Besson, as they have established long-standing relationships and are very familiar with the business.

On the evening of New Year's Day, the premiere of "Detective Chinatown 2," the first film in the Wenjie New Year's film season, was held at the Wenjie Jiahe Cinema in Beijing's Guomao area.

Due to an unexpected matter at the Olympic Building, Mr. Lu and Xiao Liu were delayed by half an hour. By the time they arrived at the scene, it was almost time for the event to start.

After a symbolic walk across the red carpet, the two were instantly surrounded by reporters, with cameras and microphones raining down on them.

Movie Channel reporter: Mr. Lu, what are your marketing considerations for the distribution and release schedule of Director Ning's film? Are you confident given the strong competition this year?

Mr. Lu laughed and said, "You're trying to pry into business secrets! But since the movie has already premiered, let's just have a brief chat."

"A major trend in this year's Lunar New Year film season is that domestic films account for more than 80% of the total, and the few foreign films are mostly Disney films distributed by us at Wenjie."

This was an agreement reached between Lu Kuan and Disney's Iger before Liu Yifei's live broadcast on Fox, in an effort to salvage the situation.

"Of the four blockbusters that have already been released, each one is a formidable force, leaving us with limited options in terms of film genres."

"The main reason for choosing to release the film on New Year's Day is to avoid the impact of the opening week of major films, to differentiate ourselves from war-themed films like 'Assembly' and political epics like 'The Warlords' in terms of genre, and to attract fans of dark humor and suspense."

The reporter laughed and said, "Mr. Lu is very sincere. Unlike other film companies that make grand pronouncements and act fearless during roadshows, he doesn't."

"Movie marketing can't rely on words alone. Everyone knows Ning Hao's reputation over the years. I hope that his fans will give him more support!"

Next, a reporter from China Film Report asked: Director Lu, it's been two years since you've had a film competing in the Lunar New Year film season. Aren't you a little disappointed?
"Yes, but I always keep an eye on the box office of the Lunar New Year season and the overall domestic film market. I can't be out of touch with the market for too long."

"After the Olympics end next year, it should return to this time slot. After all, it is still the time slot with the largest audience in mainland China, and every director has to compete for it."

Reporter from Bigstar Magazine: Yifei, I've been seeing a lot of outdoor photos of you on Weibo lately. Do you go out and travel a lot lately? Have you thought about your next work plans?
Xiao Liu didn't know what to say.

The outdoor photos that the entertainment reporter mentioned were actually the beautiful scenery of various places in Wenyu River Prefecture. Of course, he couldn't say this to show off his wealth, as it would have a bad influence.

"Yes, I've been taking a break and relaxing near Beiping recently, after all, I've been working here for a year."

"The next step is to participate in the Beijing People's Art Theatre's actor recruitment, which will be the day after tomorrow."

The reporters who were about to ask other questions, as well as the surrounding guests, all looked at her with surprise and uncertainty.

An atypical actress, what unconventional path are you going to take this time?

It is clearly visible that after "The Sky of History," this mainland actress, who already holds endorsements from Pepsi and Disney, will further increase her popularity in North America and Europe.

Under the management of a giant like Wenjie in the Chinese entertainment industry, this level of fame will undoubtedly translate into more lucrative film and television fees, appearances, commercial performance deals, and even high-end endorsements from top-tier and second-tier companies.

Even though her age is a disadvantage, her fan base is relatively young and she is not yet the main consumer group for luxury goods.

But what's with going to the Beijing People's Art Theatre to perform in a play now?

Boss Lu was instantly ignored, while the media reporters still "favored" the topic-generating machine, Xiao Liu: "Yi Fei, please tell us in detail!"

"Did Mr. Lu and Wenjie have any special plans or arrangements for your career path?"

Liu Yifei smiled and waved her hand: "It's not as complicated as you think. I just feel that I still need to hone my skills and improve my acting."

"The Beijing People's Art Theatre is a benchmark hall of Chinese drama art. We often went to watch and learn from the classic plays such as 'Thunderstorm' and 'Teahouse' when we were studying at the Beijing Film Academy."

"The main reason is that in recent years, the only role I have been able to break free from my own artistic image and fixed character type is the role of Ms. Iris Chang."

"So I still want to seize this moment of inspiration and further my studies and improvement. Thank you."

The question asked by the reporter from Film News was quite professional: Director Lu, what are your thoughts on the overall performance of mainland Chinese films this year?
Just then, Old Han with the crew cut entered the cinema lobby, and Boss Lu waved to him: "Mr. Han, I've invited you to give everyone a lesson."

Han Shanping had just returned from a meeting at the bureau, and judging from his beaming face, he must have been praised by his superiors.

He understood the reporter's question and smiled modestly, saying, "They're asking you, how can I interrupt?"

Everyone watched and listened to the conversation between the two with tacit understanding. It was clear that Lao Han, the unsung leader of mainland cinema, was treating the other party as an equal.

"Shall I explain?"

Boss Lu laughed: "I'm all ears, everyone give me a round of applause!"

Dong Shuangqiang, Ning Hao, and others gathered around, egging on the leaders and creating a lively atmosphere.

"The Lunar New Year film season has been underway for more than half a month now, and we are pleased to see that 'Assembly,' 'The Warlords,' and the upcoming 'CJ7' and 'Detective Chinatown 2' will all be the mainstays."

These four films are the absolute stars of the Lunar New Year film season, but due to their different release dates, their box office progress is currently uneven.

"Among them, domestic films currently account for as much as 87% of the box office, achieving a win-win situation in both box office and word-of-mouth for the first time. The diversity of genres, including war, comedy, and science fiction, has broken the monopoly of imported films."

"Let me share a few more data points with you—"

"Last year, the number of new movie screens in China increased by an average of 1.56 per day, bringing the total number to 3900!"

The professional media and filmmakers present couldn't help but exclaim and discuss it heatedly, as the number was truly astonishing.

The number of domestic movie screens didn't surpass 4000 until mid-2008. This time, it's clear that a butterfly effect, which has had a huge impact on the industry, film criticism system, and director training, has accelerated this process.

Even without discussing the differences between the heroic view of history and the people's view of history, Lu Kuan in this life has indeed played a role similar to that of Lao Han, the rule-maker and decision-maker in the industry.

Old Han boasted at length about his achievements last year before handing the microphone back to Lu Kuan, feigning embarrassment: "I've overstepped my bounds, Director Lu, please don't be offended."

"Oh? Don't mention it, we were really excited listening to this!"

"Under Director Tong and your leadership, the Chinese film industry is growing bigger and bigger, and we practitioners are proud of it!"

The crowd applauded and laughed, and the reporters temporarily spared the important figures to continue gathering other news material.

There are many guests here today—

Jay Chou, who is preparing for the Valentine's Day release of "Secret," naturally had to invite artists from all walks of life to support him, as well as some big-name celebrities with whom he has good relationships in the industry.

Mr. Lu looked around and didn't notice that one of his regular customers was absent today.

Although they are not specifically invited each time, they usually rush to show their faces and curry favor.

Pauline Bernard's Yu Dong.

The young couple walked side by side, and Liu Yifei turned her head and whispered, "These people must have come for you today."

It's indeed quite difficult to schedule a meeting with Boss Lu these days.

Phone calls were often unanswered, and one dared not linger at the entrance of the Olympic Building. Even finding someone to act as an intermediary depended on the closeness of the relationship.

"Even the wealthiest people have distant relatives. I'm here today just to socialize and make friends, so people won't say I'm too arrogant or out of touch with reality."

As they were chatting and laughing, Lu Kuan was blocked in his way by a short Hong Kong businessman, followed by a reserved-looking actress.

Jiang Zhiqiang reached out and grabbed his arm: "I've been waiting for you for so long, Lu Sheng!"

He then nodded and smiled at Liu Yifei, saying, "Miss Liu, hello. May I have a word with Mr. Lu?"

“Of course, Mr. Jiang, please go ahead.” Liu Yifei smiled, and then exchanged a fleeting glance with Tang Wei behind him. The two nodded to each other as a greeting.

She had naturally heard about the Central Academy of Drama actress who was rumored to have been blacklisted because of her explicit scenes in "Lust, Caution".

Now, seeing how Jiang Zhiqiang hurriedly found Lu Kuan, it's probably for this reason.

Boss Lu then slapped his forehead: "Boss Jiang, I'm so sorry! I promised to come early to talk to you about something."

"The Organizing Committee issued a last-minute notice that the Bird's Nest would be under maintenance and rehearsals would not be possible tomorrow, so we quickly called the performers together for a meeting."

"It's alright, it's alright, the Olympic Games come first."

Jiang Zhiqiang chuckled and ushered Tang Wei in front of him: "Lu Sheng, let me introduce you to Ms. Tang Wei from the mainland. She's your number one fan!"

Tang Wei is tall, 2 centimeters taller than Liu Yifei, and looks almost as tall as Lu Kuan when she wears high heels.

Her face was delicate, with a hint of melancholy in her eyes, and her skin was as white as porcelain, gleaming softly under the light.

She bowed slightly, her voice trembling with excitement: "Hello, Director Lu. I've been watching your movies since 'Whiplash,' without missing a single one."

Boss Lu casually replied, "Thank you, your performance was also very good."

Seeing that she was a little excited, Jiang Zhiqiang was afraid that she was too eager to succeed, so he said softly, "Tang Wei, could you please get us a few glasses of champagne?"

"Okay, Mr. Jiang."

Tang Wei knew that the president of Edko Films was doing this for her own good, and that he had specially flown from Hong Kong to help her find connections, so of course she would listen to his advice without question.

Who could understand the bitterness and fear she felt at that moment?

Jiang Zhiqiang, Lu Kuan, and Liu Yifei moved to a corner, knowing he was busy with important matters today, and quickly got to the point:
"Director Lu, we've known each other for quite a while now, and we've always had a pleasant working relationship. This time, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

He glanced in the direction Tang Wei had left: "Tang Wei sacrificed a lot for the role of Wang Jiazhi. Not only did she break up with her boyfriend Xiao Tian, ​​but now there are rumors that she's been blacklisted. Given your relationship with those leaders, Director Lu, I don't know..."

"Lust, Caution" premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September and was originally scheduled to be released simultaneously in China and North America on September 28.

However, the original film was delayed in passing censorship in mainland China. In the end, Ang Lee, Jiang Zhiqiang, and others had no choice but to compromise and delete three sex scenes and one violent scene featuring Wang Leehom.

After its run ended at the end of December, the film grossed 120 million yuan at the mainland box office, but the bigger controversy was undoubtedly Tang Wei's alleged affair with a man.

Numerous uncut videos from overseas have already flooded into China through various video websites, including Wenjie Video, Sohu Video, Tudou, and LeTV, as well as pirate websites such as Shengcheng Jiayuan and Movie Paradise.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television is furious!
Lu Kuan scratched his head; in truth, he had no interest in such trivial matters.

To put it more realistically, Jiang Zhiqiang is a pioneer and navigator in the overseas distribution of Chinese-language films, but Wenjie has better overseas distribution resources.

His influence in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia is something that Golden Harvest and Eagle Group can also fully leverage.

The two sides currently have no resources of equal value to exchange!

“If it’s a decision made by the General Administration of Sport, I think it will be difficult to handle.” Boss Lu frowned and said, “Next year is the Olympics, and we can’t afford to have any problems with the ideology and direction of the country.”

"The artistic deconstruction of the plot in the film about a revolutionary falling in love with a traitor is too far removed from patriotism and universal values, which is the most fatal flaw."

Jiang Zhiqiang nodded helplessly, and when he saw Tang Wei walking over, he stopped talking for the time being.

"Director Lu, Yifei, your champagne."

Mr. Lu took the wine glass and, seeing her somewhat wooden and reserved demeanor, realized she was indeed innocent.

Ang Lee communicated with him during last year's Oscars, and he had clearly warned him about the sensitivity of this subject matter.

Now that problems have arisen, director Ang Lee is fine, investor Jiang Zhiqiang is fine, the film has been edited and revised but still released, and even won the box office champion among art films.

It's ironic that she was the only one who became a sacrifice.

"Tang Wei, President Jiang just told me the whole story, and it's probably not going well. What are your plans?"

Tang Wei stared at him blankly, her face pale as she stammered, "I..."

"General Manager Jiang said he could help me get some time to study in the UK, which would also help me avoid the limelight."

"Where in Britain?"

Jiang Zhiqiang picked up the conversation: "The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in the UK."

Mr. Lu shook his head: "The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in the UK is for studying Shakespearean plays. Shakespearean plays have their own performance system, which is different from the big screen or ordinary theatrical stages. It is similar to Peking Opera in our country."

"Tang Wei, it's not that you're bad at acting or not smart, but most actors who have received Shakespearean acting training find it very difficult to adapt to film and television works, unless they want to become Shakespearean actors."

Tang Wei remains bewildered; she was in a state of complete confusion throughout the day.

In fact, she studied directing at the Central Academy of Drama, and becoming an actress was just a coincidence, which resulted in her having a very weak foundation in acting.

Just like Liu Cixin's previous roles in the underage trilogy, his ability to star in "Lust, Caution" was also due to the suitability of the characters.

Tang Wei and Jiang Zhiqiang both have enough faith in his ability to train actors, especially the young actress with big, blinking eyes next to him, who is the best proof of this.

"Director Lu, please show me a way. If there's really no other way, I'm willing to improve myself. I'm not afraid of hardship."

Lu Kuan pondered for two seconds: "You can forget about showing your face in mainland China for the next two years. Going abroad to study for a while is the right thing to do, your foundation is too weak."

Tang Wei turned pale upon hearing this, and involuntarily glanced at Liu Yifei beside him, feeling even more heartbroken.

Comparing yourself to others will only make you more resentful, and even make you feel bitter.

“Go to the Strathberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. There’s no better place for a method actor on the big screen.”

The Stanislavski method school, a branch of the Stanislavski system, emphasizes emotional memory and improvisation. A key figure in its development and popularization is the actor from the New York Actors Studio.

Listrasberg

Seeing that the three, including Liu Yifei, didn't know much about it, Boss Lu could only bring up celebrities as a selling point: "Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro are all actors who came from this studio."

"I can help you make connections, but it's useless to waste time if you don't put in the effort yourself."

Tang Wei's face lit up with excitement, and she blurted out, "I'm willing! I'll definitely try my best!"

She seemed to have just come to her senses, then looked back at Jiang Zhiqiang, who gave her a reassuring look and smiled at Lu Kuan, "Lu Sheng, is there anything else you need?"

Liu Yifei thought to herself that Jiang Zhiqiang was a sensible man; there's no such thing as a free lunch.

However, she didn't know Lu Kuan's intentions. Could it be that he had relapsed into his old addiction and wanted to get rid of Tang Wei?

Are you tired of living?
Let's not beat around the bush. Mr. Lu smiled and said, "The competition in the mainland is fierce, and it may not be suitable for Tang Wei. I have familiar directors and film companies in South Korea."

He paused, looking at the tall, pitiful-looking actress: "Would you be willing to develop your career in South Korea?"

"this..."

Tang Wei couldn't understand the thought process of the richest man in mainland China, and even Jiang Zhiqiang couldn't understand what he meant.

Boss Lu's idea is simple: in recent years, the Korean wave has become increasingly fierce, and even this year's charity Bazaar featured Super Junior-M.

There's also Girls' Generation, formed in 2007, who became a sensation across Asia with their song "Gee".

Although she cannot directly compete with the overwhelming Korean wave, Tang Wei is a female celebrity in the Chinese entertainment industry who can be exported to South Korea, and her economic value is enormous.

How popular was she in South Korea in later generations?
The "broken" look of her appearing without makeup in "Late Autumn" and the cold and glamorous femme fatale image in "The Decision to Break Up" were both described by the Korean media as "textbook-level performances".

Tang Wei's image as an "artistic goddess" resonated deeply with South Korean audiences' aesthetic appreciation of elegant women. After marrying Kim Tae-yong in 2014, she became the "ideal daughter-in-law" in the eyes of the South Korean public.

South Korean media even described Kim Tae-yong's good fortune as "Cinderella marrying into a wealthy family" and called Tang Wei "the pride of South Korea".

She has won the Blue Dragon Award for Best Actress twice and the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actress once. She is also a spokesperson for international brands such as SK-II and Chopard jewelry.

Before Boss Lu traveled through time, she became AliExpress's South Korean spokesperson in 2024, promoting the Ali-themed e-commerce platform with Ma Dong-seok.

Jiang Zhiqiang himself does not run an artist management business; he was merely entrusted by Ang Lee to find a way out for the actress who sacrificed herself for "Lust, Caution".

Now it seems that the young director has taken a liking to it, and he is naturally willing to help others achieve their goals.

The owner of Edko Films patted Tang Wei's forearm: "Let's listen to Director Lu's arrangements. Looking at the domestic film industry, I have never seen an industry leader more professional than him."

"Mr. Jiang, you're too kind." Boss Lu said with a smile, "Tang Wei will come to the company tomorrow; someone will discuss specific cooperation with you."

"From now on, you'll be an artist in the entertainment industry, is that alright?"

Tang Wei had only asked him for help with a "let's give it a try" attitude, but now she was shocked by one piece of news after another, her pupils dilated, and she gripped the champagne glass tightly with both hands until her knuckles turned white.

Liu Yifei watched as she subconsciously took a small step forward, seemingly wanting to get closer to Lu Kuan. But realizing her lapse in decorum, she quickly stopped, merely leaning slightly forward, her hands clasped in front of her, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing together: "Mr. Lu, I don't know how to thank you..."

Even though she didn't know the other party's purpose in arranging for her to develop her career in South Korea, she was able to first study at a world-class method acting training class and also sign with the industry.

Tang Wei could only sigh that what seems like a loss may actually be a blessing in disguise.

"I can't say thank you. You're a resilient actress, and don't think of going to South Korea as being exiled."

"South Korea is currently more advanced than mainland China in learning from Hollywood's film industrialization, and its film market is developing rapidly. Your image and temperament are very suitable for Korean aesthetics."

"As long as your own skills are strong enough, plus the development strategy planned for you by the company, I think there will be no problem."

Tang Wei, who had narrowly escaped death, had an excited gleam in her eyes, and her whole being was enveloped in an irrepressible joy.

She hadn't considered the terms of the contract, or whether this powerful figure had any ulterior motives; surviving was the most important thing right now.

Xiao Liu watched all this silently, then accompanied him as he greeted Jiang Zhiqiang and left.

The washing machine chuckled and teased his girlfriend, "You didn't think too much about it, did you?"

"No, I'm not stupid."

Boss Lu joked, "Did I say what you were thinking? Or did you implicitly agree to something?"

"What kind of riddles are you playing? How boring!" Liu Yifei gave him a charming glare. "Is Tang Wei of any use to you?"

"It's awful! Absolutely awful!"

Lu Kuan looked dissatisfied: "What do you mean by 'exploiting'? Wenjie has never appeared in the Chinese entertainment industry as a capitalist. We have a sustainable development partnership with every artist."

That makes sense. Last night, the boss personally took charge and has been developing the "Queen of Questions" project for a long time.

Xiao Liu chuckled and scoffed, "Is Tang Wei really suited to developing her career in South Korea? I don't see it that way."

Of course you can't tell. If it weren't for cheating, who the hell could tell?

"Her? That brings us back to the topic of aesthetic appreciation." The washing machine started rambling again.

"Tang Wei's figure and appearance combine the charm of classical Eastern culture with the cool temperament of Scandinavia."

"This tall and slender frame, coupled with her slightly aloof facial features, makes her a favorite of art-house film directors, just like Ang Lee chose her to play Wang Jiazhi."

Mr. Lu lectured his young girlfriend: "South Korea currently has a shortage of actresses on the big screen, and the types are relatively limited. They are all delicate idols like Song Hye-kyo and Jun Ji-hyun."

"Tang Wei's cool and aloof temperament, combined with her classical charm, can fill the aesthetic gap in the Korean film market."

"Given that she has gained some fame throughout East Asia because of 'Lust, Caution,' I think directors like Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho will give her suitable roles."

Since the "New Cinema Movement" began in 1987, South Korean cinema has been at the forefront of exploring genre films among the three East Asian countries. Tang Wei's temperament and image make it easy to find a precise niche, and there are not many substitutes for her in South Korea.

Few surgically enhanced faces have such a round and natural look as hers.

Liu Yifei laughed and said, "I knew it! You're so enthusiastic, even recommending an actor's studio in New York to her."

Boss Lu nodded: "Tang Wei's foundation is too weak and she has no talent. She can only be taught in a formulaic way through the method school. Moreover, she has a fatal flaw."

"what?"

"Tang Wei failed the entrance exam for the Central Academy of Drama three times, just like Zhou Xun who didn't have much of a foundation. Actors like this tend to prefer immersive performances."

“I heard from Jiang Zhiqiang that she tormented Ang Lee a lot in ‘Lust, Caution’, and all the scenes and sets had to be as realistic as possible, otherwise she wouldn’t be able to get into character.”

"When you slap someone, you have to really slap them hard; when you explode someone, you have to really create a shocking effect, including..."

He smiled at Xiao Liu, then didn't continue.

But Liu Yifei, who was already "experienced," immediately understood and said incredulously, "That bed scene won't..."

"Yes."

"Huh..." The virtuous and gentle girlfriend felt a chill run down her spine: "This sacrifice is indeed too great, no wonder President Jiang still wants to help her out."

Lu Kuan joked, "You should also be careful. You need to read the scripts carefully when you accept them from outside. You can't film a single kissing scene unless it's with me."

Liu Yifei pouted: "Then why don't you talk about your bed scenes with Fan Bingbing and Zhang Manyu in 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'?"

The young director looked at his actress seriously: "Can a director's job be called a sex scene? That's an exploration of cinematic language!"

"It's all art, you wouldn't understand."

"Besides, it's all fake. I'm not Tang Wei, so why would I need to turn a fake relationship into a real one?"

Xiao Liu glared at the hypocrite through gritted teeth, deciding to give him some face in public and refraining from directly attacking him.

Jiang Zhiqiang chatted with Boss Lu for a long time, and then Tang Wei, who has been embroiled in controversy recently, cried and laughed and bowed to him, which made everyone curious.

After Jiang Zhiqiang left satisfied, all sorts of entertainment industry figures who had come to see him suddenly approached him to chat.

"Go ahead and get busy, I'll talk to Su Chang and the others." Liu Yifei whispered in his ear, "I saw Yang Mi and her boyfriend standing in the second row, if you have time, you can meet up with her."

"Well, I see."

Mr. Lu was busy with social engagements and was only able to leave when the premiere began.

After interviews and speeches by the main cast members, including Ning Hao, Wang Baoqiang (Tang Ren), Tong Liya (Kiko), Zhu Yawen (Qin Feng), and Zhang Yi (Song Yi), the film officially began.

The first installment of the "Detective Chinatown" series grossed 2.1 million yuan last year, second only to "Curse of the Golden Flower," which was improved with the help of Boss Lu and grossed 3.1 million yuan.

Ning Hao is a perfect match for this suspenseful and humorous style of film.

At least in Lu Kuan's opinion from the audience, the actors in the second part have grown very quickly, especially the artists directly under the Wenjie Group, as well as Zhang Yi in the hit drama "Soldiers Sortie" on Travel Channel.

The adapted script, with its well-balanced blend of dark humor and suspense, is well-suited to the lighthearted and entertaining tone of the Lunar New Year film season.

This can be seen from the intermittent laughter of the audience at the scene today.

As the credits rolled, Han Shanping and other leaders from China Film Group, along with artists and staff from various companies, stood up and applauded, cheering for Ning Hao, a leading director of commercial films in mainland China.

In Lao Han's mind now, Ning Hao is even more important than Chen Kaige in terms of the current market situation of mainland films.

In particular, Guo Fan, Lu Yang, and others who had been trained by the Pan-Asia Film Academy for more than two years were people on whom he placed high hopes.

The core achievement of the Film Bureau and China Film Group Corporation is the rapid and sound development of the domestic film market. Development requires funding, and funding requires confidence.

If all films were like the flop "The Promise," where would our confidence come from?

In contrast, the directors of the "Questioning World" series, starting with Lu Kuan, have always adhered to the principles of respecting the market and film fans in their filming and scriptwriting, and have not considered themselves as artists who seek fame and fortune or are aloof from the world.

Mr. Lu was invited to the stage to speak amidst applause, which served as a fitting conclusion to today's premiere, which can be described as a success.

"I won't go into the excellence of the film. During the screening, I sat and observed everyone's expressions and body language. I am honored to bring you joy during the Lunar New Year season."

"Let me briefly share my thoughts on the film's greatest cultural highlight—"

"I think what's particularly outstanding is the core theme of combining Chinese Taoist culture with Western criminal psychology, with the 'Five Elements Murder' mystery as its core."

"And the investigation unfolds through multiple narratives. In terms of pacing, the first half is mainly comedic, with a dense barrage of jokes and chase scenes on the streets of New York quickly stirring up the audience's emotions."

"The second half then shifts to the suspenseful main plot, advancing the case through Qin Feng's memory palace and the detective team's cooperation, and finally ending with a twist of murder in a ride-sharing situation."

Lu Kuan concluded, "Director Ning Hao fully demonstrated his excellent control over the pacing and tension of the plot in this film. Thank you Ning Hao, and thank you to all the cast and crew!"

A round of applause erupted, and the reporters swarmed forward again.

It's obvious that this series, which is the most successful in the industry, will once again grab a considerable amount of box office revenue during the Lunar New Year season, maintaining its consistent performance.

Many of Jin and his girlfriend Yang Mi, who were in the audience, also stood up and eagerly walked to the side of the road.

"Director Lu? May I bother you for a few minutes?"

"Oh! Xiao Yang, Xiao Xu, hello."

Xu Duojin smiled warmly: "Director Lu, I've been wanting to learn from you for a long time, but I haven't had the chance. Let me introduce myself."

"My name is Xu Duojin. I am currently a sophomore majoring in directing at Beijing Film Academy, studying under Professor Jiang Wei."

With a cheerful smile, Boss Lu said in a friendly manner, "Teacher Jiang is a contract director at Wenjie, a very good teacher. You are very lucky."

"Yes! Yes!" Xiao Xu smiled ingratiatingly, eager to seize the opportunity tonight to have a deeper conversation with this richest man in mainland China.
"Director Lu, if you're free later, I'd like to invite you for a cup of tea. There are some things I'd like to ask you."

Da Mimi seized the opportunity and said, "Yes, Director Lu, let's invite Qianqian to sit together for a while. It won't take long."

"Okay, find a place, I'll go there after I drop the person off."

There is a Tianfu Tea House near the Guomao business district. It was originally a storefront taken over by tea merchants from Sichuan Province.

Unexpectedly, the tea business didn't grow much, but the chess and card game business was booming. So they converted it into a tea and coffee shop to provide entertainment, business meetings, and light meals for business people.

Knowing that the other party was busy, Xu Jin directly stated his purpose: "Director Lu, I have carefully studied and observed your lectures at Beijing Film Academy and USC."

"What impressed me most was your analysis of the mainland entertainment industry and the overall film market."

"To be honest, my family has some surplus funds, but the coal business is very difficult right now, so my father is thinking of finding some other investment channels."

"Look over here at the boundary..."

Boss Lu laughed bluntly, "Wenjie is not short of money. Even if it were, there are plenty of venture capitalists outside with cash in hand, eyeing it covetously."

"Xiao Xu, since you're the one talking business with me, I won't hold back anymore."

"If we want to have a business partnership with Wenjie, cash is not the most important thing. The key is what resources you can bring us."

"Whether it's the local government, industry management departments, or unique competitive advantages."

Many Jin was a little stunned by the question. "My family is so poor that all we have left is money. Who can compare to Wenjie in terms of what you're talking about?"
Liu Yifei sipped her tea, looking at the embarrassed negotiator opposite her with a hint of sympathy.

I'm not embarrassed that he was rejected.

Instead, they felt regretful about his potential capture and being caught in a trap.

She knew very well that, just like Tang Wei in the movie "The Golden Harvest Cinema," there was no benefit to be gained; the washing machine would be eager to take her home.

Who has time to come and have a couple of sips of tea with you in the middle of the night?

Xu Duojin's expression turned serious: "Mr. Lu, our family has some connections in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. If you're asking about Jie Jiahe's cinemas..."

"Hehe, Xiao Xu." Boss Lu interrupted him impatiently, "Our layout in these two provinces is basically in place. Tell me about the others."

"I'm not afraid to reveal trade secrets to you; our biggest competitor right now is Wanda—"

“The competition is fiercest in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions. When it comes to vying for prime locations, people don’t have much of an advantage in terms of public relations or customer relationships with local government units.”

“If your father has the resources in this area, our cooperation will be a natural fit.”

This statement is indeed true; Liu Yifei knew that Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces had exchanged resources with Jing Tian.

During this period, Jing Tian did not participate in any gatherings or activities. Instead, she was busy receiving acting training for "Meteor Shower" and trying on custom-made costumes from Wang Daren's studio.

This is a crucial part of live-streaming e-commerce.

Xu Duojin blushed but couldn't say anything coherent. To his girlfriend, the honest expression of the second-generation Shanxi native was nothing short of clumsy.

Especially compared to Boss Lu, who was so carefree and had the upper hand in every way.

He's also my best friend's boyfriend.

This is what annoys her the most.

Seeing that the time was ripe, just as Boss Lu was about to throw out his unequal treaty, Yang Mi had already picked up her teacup with a smile: "Director Lu, I'm so sorry, it was Xiao Xu who was being presumptuous."

"He'll go back and discuss it with Old Man Xu again. If there's anything he can do for Wenjie, we'll trouble you again!"

Lu Kuan paused for a rare moment, then smiled, shook hands with the two men, and left.

As the two walked away, Xu Jin, who was in the private room, finally couldn't help but wonder, "Honey, I was just about to go all out when you chickened out first!"

"What do you mean by 'no resources'? Can't we exchange money for resources? How about investing 73 and getting a 37% return?"

Many Jin was quite unhappy with his girlfriend's interruption of his spellcasting: "You saw the quality of 'Detective Chinatown 2' today. I'm also a directing major. How could a project like this risk losing money?"

"Alright!" Yang Mi looked at her boyfriend speechlessly. If she hadn't "cut her losses in time," this idiot would have fallen for an even bigger scam!
Although she wasn't sure what kind of job it would be, she knew by looking at the fate of her competitors in the industry.

Negotiations under these circumstances absolutely cannot continue.

"Could you arrange for your uncle to come to Beijing? I'd like to have a chat with him."

Many Jin sat motionless, his face gloomy, seemingly feeling a blow to his chauvinistic pride.

"Did you hear that! I'm doing this for your own good!" Yang Mi tugged at her boyfriend's arm and shook it, making him a little distracted.

Xu Duojin said helplessly in a muffled voice, "I understand."

"But as I said, we coal miners are too honest and can't outsmart those who talk a good game."

"We are not afraid to invest money, but we still need to cooperate with reliable partners. If we can't invest in Wenjie, then we will invest in Huayi."

Xiao Xu casually remarked, "Don't you also own shares in Huayi? Why don't you ask President Wang and the others for help?"

When her boyfriend first mentioned Huayi's shares, her eyelids suddenly twitched!
It wasn't just her who saw Huayi's future listing prospects; not many people at that time could see them either.

After all, with the masterpieces of Wenjie preceding them, Huayi is still in the second tier.

Rather, it was because Liu Yifei had previously been interested in these overpriced, worthless shares and asked him to hold them on her behalf.

Why is my boyfriend getting involved in this too?

She replied calmly, "Oh, okay. Huayi is also developing cinema chains now, so they're probably short of money, right?"

Although Da Mi Mi is cunning, she is indeed very clever.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to play both sides between Bingbing and Xiao Liu, reaping benefits from both.

Even though her intentions may have been seen through, she still benefited in the end.

This point was also acknowledged by Director Liu, who had been quietly observing the situation.

"Yang Mi reacted quickly just now? Much more astute than Xiao Xu."

Boss Lu laughed and said, "If she puts her heart into acting, her results won't be much worse than yours, especially with Huayi as a good platform."

He hesitated for two seconds: "But you've misjudged her. Her boyfriend isn't stupid either; he's very good at hiding his true abilities."

"Huh? Why?"

Boss Lu slowly shook his head, recalling Xu Duojin's gaze:

"I can't quite explain it, it's just a feeling."

. . .

As the only film in the Lunar New Year film season, "Detective Chinatown 2" received excellent word-of-mouth in the first three days of its premiere.

China Movie Report summarizes: The film uses a transnational detective competition as a starting point to connect a series of murders in New York's Chinatown. The director seamlessly integrates comedic elements with crime reasoning through a nested "plot within a plot," making it another classic "borderline commercial film" that perfectly conforms to the script pacing design of the Hollywood film industry.

The Movie Channel's review focused on the director's technique: the director's use of New York City space is superb. The Times Square chase scene, presented with rapid editing and wide-angle shots, blends the slapstick humor of comedy with the tension of an action film.

The film grossed over 5000 million yuan in its first three days of release!
Compared to the 9000 million+ box office of "Red Cliff" at the same time, there is a significant gap, but the difference in the cost of the two films is even greater!
In addition, with the earlier releases of "The Warlords" and "Assembly" becoming huge hits, Han Shanping revealed data on the number of screens and the share of domestic films in an interview.

Whether it's industry players like Wenjie, Chengtian, and Huayi, or the hot money eyeing the market from the sidelines, they're all secretly alarmed—

The golden age of Chinese cinema may be just around the corner.

On January 3rd, Boss Lu remained in Beiping to handle Olympic affairs, while Liu Yifei and the film crew flew to North America first to begin public relations and preview screenings before the Oscars.

(End of this chapter)