Huayu Entertainment: Tianxian really wants to improve

Chapter 387 If You Are the One, Xixi, Chapter Head!

Chapter 387 If You Are the One, Sisi, Turn Around!
"Fourteen nominations for La La Land? This... how is this possible?"

Zhang Ziyi was very reluctant, but she still checked the more detailed information in the accompanying picture.

As expected, there were indeed fourteen nominations.

Especially when the seven nominees for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography are lined up in a row.

Even if she desperately wanted Gu Bei to fail,
However, it must be admitted that Gu Bei's chances of winning this time are extremely high.
Because these seven nominations represent the six largest and most powerful unions in Hollywood, their approval means a sufficient number of votes.

At that moment, a pang of regret rose in Zhang Ziyi's heart.

She somewhat regretted what she did last year. She had found a promising young director, but her own ambition and willfulness led to the breakdown of their harmonious working relationship.

What she still couldn't understand was why Gu Bei reacted so strongly.
Even when she was being willful in the past, she didn't get any punishment for something as big as going on stage with Zhang Yimou to accept the Silver Bear Award. Zhang Yimou even collaborated with her on several films afterward.

Gu Bei, however, didn't indulge her at all!
What she didn't know was that,
For a reborn person like Gu Bei, there is no hesitation in sharing benefits, because Gu Bei is very clear that there will be even greater benefits waiting for him in the future.

Gu Bei values certainty most, valuing her as the only leading actress who will remain active on the front lines in the future, without any career setbacks or decline in her professional skills. However, her ambition and willfulness completely destroy this certainty.

……

a few days later.

Wang Zhongjun's home.

"Why did you two come over without saying hello?" Wang Zhongjun looked at Wang Zhonglei and Feng Xiaogang, took a sip of tea, and said with a smile, "I thought you two were enjoying yourselves in some brothel!"

"The Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and my wife and children are coming back from North America. I would never do anything reckless, brother."

Wang Zhonglei understood the implication in Wang Zhongjun's words. After making some assurances, he revealed the purpose of his visit: "Xiaogang dragged me to the cinema to watch Gu Bei's Linlang Entertainment's 'Lost in Thailand' from a couple of days ago."

Wang Zhongjun was also somewhat curious and asked, "How was the movie?"

Feng Xiaogang took a drag of his cigarette: "It's alright, but the lines aren't very interesting."

"You yourself laughed several times!"

Wang Zhonglei directly dismantled Feng Xiaogang's pretentious act, saying, "The dialogue and jokes in it are more in line with the Southern style, while Xu Zheng's style is not the same as Xiaogang's."

But that's not important. What's important is that I noticed there were significantly more people in the movie theater than in previous years.

When I got back and looked at it again,
This low-budget film also grossed 30 million in its opening weekend.
Could it be that Gu Bei and China Film Group's joint venture for this Spring Festival film season is actually going to be a success?

“I also watched that movie. It’s about the Spring Festival travel rush. Right now is the peak time for the Spring Festival travel rush, so it’s not surprising that so many people went to see it.”

Wang Zhongjun shook his head and pointed out the crux of the problem: "Whether the Spring Festival film season can be successful or not depends on La La Land, which will be released on the first day of the Lunar New Year. That's the real Spring Festival film!"

After a pause,

Wang Zhongjun continued, "However, I did receive some news."

Originally, only major cities and eight cinema chains under China Film Group were allowed to remain open during the Spring Festival.
But for some reason, Wanda Pictures also started promoting its "No Closing During Spring Festival" program not long ago, and even put up posters for its Spring Festival film lineup.

Seeing this, leading cinema chains such as Shanghai Film Group and Times Cinema Group followed suit.

Otherwise, China Film Group alone wouldn't be able to influence market choices.

"Does that mean at least half of the cinemas have chosen to stay open during the Spring Festival?"

Wang Zhonglei was somewhat shocked.
This number is much larger than he imagined.

"more than!"

Wang Zhongjun shook his head. "In terms of quantity, it may be half, but in terms of box office revenue, it definitely accounts for more than 80% of the market!"

"That kid Gu Bei is really good at causing trouble. Just for the release of his La La Land, he turned the entire movie theater industry upside down."

Wang Zhonglei said with a hint of sourness, "I want to see if his movie can satisfy the appetite of the cinemas!"

Even Huayi Brothers wouldn't dare cause trouble with the cinema industry.

The last person to dare to single-handedly pressure the entire cinema industry was Zhang Weiping.

However, this time Gu Bei's methods are much more sophisticated than Zhang Weiping's. Zhang Weiping was criticized to death by the cinema industry, but now no one is criticizing Gu Bei. Instead, they are praising Gu Bei's courage in opening up the Spring Festival film season.

"You know, the last film to receive fourteen nominations was Titanic!"

Wang Zhongjun immediately saw that Wang Zhonglei harbored both hatred and jealousy towards Gu Bei, so he said quietly, "This time, La La Land is a romance film, just like Titanic, and it's being released on Valentine's Day!"

"Brother, don't scare me!"

Wang Zhonglei was startled by Wang Zhongjun's words: "I heard he won that damn association award a couple of days ago. This time, Gu Bei might actually win the Best Director Oscar."

Gu Bei was already this arrogant before; if he wins the Best Director Oscar, won't he be even more arrogant and domineering towards us?

"Hasn't he already gotten too big for his britches?" Wang Zhongjun said quietly.

"Dude, why are you saying such discouraging things after your trip to Hollywood?"

Wang Zhonglei looked at his older brother Wang Zhongjun with some dissatisfaction, not understanding why Wang Zhongjun always dampened his spirits and boosted others' morale.
Upon hearing this, Wang Zhongjun sighed.

My dear brother, only after going to Hollywood can you understand that Gu Bei has been kept in check in China!

It was only when he flew to North America this time to discuss cooperation with Lionsgate that he truly understood the significance of Gu Bei's achievements.

at this time,

Feng Xiaogang, who was standing next to him, suddenly spoke up: "Directors Guild Award!"

"What?"

Wang Zhonglei was somewhat puzzled.

"I said that Gu Bei won the Directors Guild Award. Once you win that award, there's a 90% chance you'll win the Oscar for Best Director."

Feng Xiaogang recounted the details with great familiarity.

No, could Feng Xiaogang also have designs on the Oscar?
Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei exchanged a glance.
Feng Xiaogang's attempt to transform his image had already put Huayi in a somewhat awkward position.
The Banquet was a failure, Assembly was a success, and 1942 was another failure.
If Feng Xiaogang continues to covet the Oscar,
I wonder if Huayi can still afford to support him?

Wang Zhonglei received a look from Wang Zhongjun, and then casually asked, "By the way, Xiaogang, do you want any movies for next year's Lunar New Year season?"

"Or, let's make a movie about the Spring Festival travel rush. It'll definitely be better than Gu Bei's 'Lost in Thailand' from Linlang Entertainment!"

"Need not!"

Feng Xiaogang took a deep drag on his cigarette, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "I've almost finished writing the script. Next year, for the Lunar New Year release, I'll get Ge You involved and make a story about a nouveau riche looking for a wife. It'll be called 'If You Are the One'!"

I'm going to make back double the money I lost in 1942 next year!

……

a few days later.

China Film Group.

"Mr. Han has to work on New Year's Eve?"

Gu Bei sat opposite Han Sanpin with a smile, showing no sign of treating himself as a guest.

"If you hadn't said you wanted to come, I would have been making dumplings at home by now!" Han Sanpin waved his hand at Gu Bei in an annoyed tone. "Hurry up and drink your tea. After you're done, let's go back to Hangzhou!"

"Hangzhou?"

Gu Bei shook his head. "I don't plan to go back to Hangzhou!" Han Sanpin stared at Gu Bei for a while, puzzled.

On Lunar New Year's Eve this year, he thought Gu Bei was returning to China to spend the New Year in Hangzhou, but he didn't expect Gu Bei to not return to Hangzhou at all.

However, he quickly thought of the film crew of "The Grandmaster" still in Kyoto: "Sigh, you young people don't like going home now that you've grown up!"

What did your daughter Han Jia do to make you feel so emotional?

Looking at Han Sanpin's sentimental expression, Gu Bei could truly sense that this Third Master was getting on in years.

However, he just smiled and didn't ask any further questions or offer any explanation.

In reality, spring break in North America is too short and doesn't overlap with the Lunar New Year.
Gu Bei has never had the habit of returning to China for the Chinese New Year since he was a child; he always goes back during the summer vacation.

Even after I started working at Tencent, I would still ask my parents to come to Shenzhen or even further south for the Chinese New Year, since winters in Hangzhou aren't much warmer than in Kyoto.

After a pause,

Han Sanpin snapped out of his reverie: "By the way, do you have any hope of breaking the Titanic's award record this year?"

"puff!"

Gu Bei almost spat out his tea.

He felt he should retract his earlier misconception that Han Sanpin had aged.
When others meet Gu Bei, they might ask him what he thinks about receiving fourteen nominations, and casually inquire whether he thinks he has a good chance of winning Best Director or Best Film.

As a result, Han Sanpin broke the Titanic's record of 11 out of 14 attempts right from the start.

As he wiped the tea with a tissue, he said to Han Sanpin speechlessly, "Chairman Han, your dream is much bigger than mine, the person involved!"

"I think it's quite possible!"

Han Sanpin said with a smile, "Every day when I open the newspaper, it's all about your chances of winning various awards. It's been two months since December."

"Even though they are both 14 nominations, the prestige of them is still somewhat different!"

Gu Bei shook his head and explained to Han Sanpin, "All About Eve is a 1950 film. Back then, a film could be nominated for multiple acting awards, so its fourteen nominations included five acting awards: two for Best Actress, one for Best Supporting Actor, and two for Best Supporting Actress."

The Titanic's fourteen nominations were actually fourteen different award nominations!

Even in the La La Land nominations, there were two nominees for Best Original Song, which meant I lost an award beforehand.

Gu Bei wasn't as optimistic as Han Sanpin imagined; his only goal was the Oscar for Best Director that he hadn't yet won.

"That's such a shame!"

Han Sanpin felt it was a bit of a pity.

"Chairman Han, how's the Spring Festival film season going?" Gu Bei asked curiously. He had just passed by the China Film Cinema next to the China Film Group and found that the cinema was closed.

Don't worry!
I don't know about other cinema chains, but those under China Film Group closed at noon today and will gradually reopen tomorrow afternoon.

Han Sanpin said confidently, "Ever since Wanda Cinemas announced its participation in the Spring Festival film season, even Shanghai Cinemas hesitated to join, which basically ensured that 85% of the cinemas in the country that generate box office revenue are open."

Indeed, sometimes it's necessary for private enterprises like yours to join in and bring enough vitality to the market!

Upon hearing this, Gu Bei immediately smiled.

Indeed, the "curl" trait is ingrained in the very marrow of the Chinese people.

He remembered that in his previous life, the express delivery industry would also close during the Spring Festival, and it would sometimes be closed for a month or two before it could resume operations. But once one company started offering to stay open during the Spring Festival, all express delivery companies immediately adopted the same standards.

The same principle clearly applies to the film industry.

Gu Bei stood up and bid farewell to Han Sanpin, saying:
"I won't keep nagging about Chairman Han. See you after the New Year!"

After leaving Han Sanpin's office,
Gu Bei got into the car.

Special assistant Li Wanyun reported to him: "President Gu, I asked, and the crew of The Grandmaster will start their holiday at noon."

Gu Bei nodded: "According to Qianqian's habits, she should be home by now."

Liu Yifei looked like this during the Gravity Era.

Except for a few key scenes, she would choose to stay at the hotel where the film crew lived, completely immersing herself in the role.
After filming every day, she would go home, since her home was nearby anyway.

However, because the entertainment reporters in Kyoto were keeping such a close eye on things...

Gu Bei never dared to go to Liu Yifei's house even once.

It's Chinese New Year now...

Surely there can't be entertainment reporters watching, right?
Seeing Gu Bei's happy expression, Li Wanyun asked in a low voice, "Mr. Gu, should we inform Ms. Liu Yifei in advance? You haven't told her about your return to China yet!"

"No need, how can knowing in advance be a surprise?"

Gu Bei looked out the window at the streets with far fewer cars than usual and smiled.

Li Wanyun couldn't help but smile when she saw Gu Bei's mischievous grin.

Gu Bei only has so many tricks up his sleeve with Liu Yifei. He's usually extremely meticulous in his work, to the point that he practically wants to install surveillance cameras on Linlang Entertainment and the rest of the company.

Soon,

The car then drove into Liu Yifei's residential area.
Gu Bei had been here many times before, so the journey was smooth sailing.

Just as the car drove in, a Volkswagen parked at the entrance suddenly vibrated, and two surprised voices came from inside.

"The license plate of that car that just went in, is it Gu Bei's personal car?"

"It seems so, no, it definitely is. I remember the license plates and car models of all the celebrities in Kyoto very clearly, that's Gu Bei's exclusive car!"

"Got the big one? Did you take a picture?"

"What to shoot?"

"Nima!"

now,

Gu Bei, however, saw inside the residential area.
Two familiar figures were walking slowly side by side.

It was Liu Yifei and Shu Chang.

"parking!"

Gu Bei asked the driver to stop temporarily.

After getting out of the car, he jogged after her while taking out his phone and dialing Liu Yifei's number.

Liu Yifei, seemingly sensing something, was about to turn her head.

"Jingle Bell!"

A cell phone rang, interrupting Liu Yifei's action of turning around.