I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 325 A basketball movie that's absolutely insane!
The idea for the movie "Kung Fu Basketball" can be traced back to the time of "Love Ferris Wheel".

There was a scene in the movie where the male lead suddenly flew up while playing basketball, which drew a lot of criticism from viewers.

At the beginning of this year, Zhou Yang casually mentioned in a chat: "We could combine youth films with kung fu elements to make a movie about basketball or football."

This idea made everyone burst into laughter, but Ding Rong overheard it...

Seeing his peers who started at the same time achieve success one by one, Ding Rong couldn't suppress his desire to try directing a movie.

Without hesitation, he immediately began writing an innovative script that combined kung fu with basketball and submitted it to Zhou Yang for review.

After reading the script, Zhou Yang revised it and then approved an investment budget of about 1000 million yuan without saying a word. Ding Rong then excitedly took the script and started making the film.

……

On July 22, Yanjing was hit by torrential rain.

Dong Qichang stood under the umbrella downstairs at the headquarters of [Xuanshi Entertainment], rainwater streaming down the ribs.

He looked up at the towering glass curtain wall, where the reflection of more than a dozen luxury cars behind him was visible. Representatives from the three major cinema chains were crammed into the cars in suits, looking like a group of drowning people clutching at a straw.

"President Zhou said he's having a meeting about 'The Demon Knight'... Filming is about to start, and they're currently preparing for many things..."

The receptionist nervously handed over a towel: "Why don't you wipe yourself down first, and wait a bit?"

"Tell President Zhou! There's an urgent matter!"

"Can……"

"Forget it, I'll go find President Zhou myself!"

Five minutes later, Zhou Yang's office door was suddenly pushed open.

"Old Dong, what's going on..." Zhou Yang seemed a little surprised to see Dong Qichang barge in. He then stood up, waved to everyone, and silently followed Dong Qichang out.

"Mr. Zhou... the situation is terrible. 'The Last Supper' has had its screenings cut to 10%! 'Summer Love Song' isn't even covering its electricity bill with daily box office revenue! The entire July film season is like a bombed-out, abandoned building... The summer season is the most profitable month... Our twelve cinema chains can't really rely on 'The Last Supper'..." Dong Qichang, with a complicated expression, followed Zhou Yang to the window, looking at the drizzling rain: "Liang Xiaogang, we can't hold on any longer. Our own film has to be released! We can't rely on 'Chrysanthemum Terrace' anymore..."

Zhou Yang took the box office data handed over by Dong Qichang and was "surprised" to see the appalling screening data and attendance rate of "The Last Supper". He shook his head and looked troubled.

"Old Dong, you should know about the verbal agreement I made with the relevant departments, right?"

"I know……"

"We cannot interfere with the [Domestic Film Protection Month]..."

“But, given the current situation…” Dong Qichang looked at the troubled Zhou Yang and took a deep breath: “President Zhou, now, looking at the entire Chinese film industry, you have the final say. Whether a film is released or not is just a matter of our word, isn’t it?”

“This is against the rules…” He saw Zhou Yang turn around, his expression of embarrassment deepening. What even made Dong Qichang's lips twitch was that this guy also seemed somewhat heartbroken: “The domestic film protection month is a red line! If I use ‘Kung Fu Basketball’ to fill the release window, what about Director Li’s ‘Chrysanthemum Terrace’? What will Director Liang think? Director Liang might even think I’m deliberately trying to trip him up…”

"..."

“Old Dong, you know that although I have integrated some cinema chains now, it is precisely at times like these that we must abide by the promises of relevant departments and units and not overstep the bounds. You know, in ancient times, many generals were killed because their achievements overshadowed their lords…” Zhou Yang took a deep breath, subconsciously pushed his glasses up, and after realizing that he was not wearing them, he finally touched his hair instead.

Dong Qichang's lips twitched slightly: "President Zhou, I believe that no one else has any objections to this market..."

Nima!

In the past, when facing these directors, you wanted nothing more than to stand up, slap them, and shit on their heads!

Now, you fucking...

Still pretending to be a gentleman?
When you used to point your finger at Liang Xiaogang and berate him, why didn't you say you were in a difficult position?
“Old Dong, there are some things we can’t do like this. There are only 12 days left until the release of ‘Chrysanthemum Terrace’… It doesn’t matter if we earn a little less money in these 12 days…”

"Can……"

The office suddenly fell silent.

Dong Qichang stared at Zhou Yang's feigned troubled expression, and suddenly a brilliant idea struck him.

“Mr. Zhou, I know the rules! We absolutely cannot make things difficult for you. Here’s what we’ll do: all twelve cinema chains will jointly write a petition and submit it to the relevant departments, saying it’s an emergency self-rescue effort by the market…”

As he spoke, he pulled out his phone: "I'll create a group chat right now and have everyone sign off on the process, making sure it goes smoothly!"

Zhou Yang frowned upon hearing this: "Old Dong, are you trying to put me on the hot seat?"

"How could that be!" Dong Qichang said in a low voice, "Kung Fu Basketball is a domestic film, and it doesn't violate the spirit of the protection month. Besides, Li Zhengtao himself refused to release it early, so we can't just watch the cinemas across the country starve, can we?" He suddenly leaned closer: "If you really feel bad about it, we'll reduce the screening rate to below 35%, definitely not exceeding the treatment given to Chrysanthemum Terrace!"

The corridor ceiling lights cast dappled shadows on Zhou Yang's face.

He remained silent for a long time, then suddenly chuckled softly: "Old Dong, we must respect the market's choice. If the market thinks it's okay, then we can..."

Before he could finish speaking, Dong Qichang's phone rang with a series of notification sounds, and then his secretary hurriedly brought over a set of data.

"The official documents stamped by Huaying, Tianxing, and Fengyu have arrived!" Dong Qichang held up the latest news to Zhou Yang's eyes: "Look at the wording—'Given the current special market situation,' 'To ensure the healthy development of domestic films,' every sentence makes sense!"

Zhou Yang's gaze lingered on Zhang Zhonglei's signature for a moment, then he suddenly sighed, "You've really put me in a terrible situation!"

He took the data and sighed again, "Old Dong, it's not that I'm being hypocritical, but the stance on this matter is a bit off. Everyone knows we're all in cahoots, and we're the juniors, so we should respect the seniors of the three major cinema chains. Isn't it overstepping your bounds to take charge?"

"I understand, I understand! These petitions should be spearheaded by the veterans of the three major cinema chains! We only agreed out of necessity, for market reasons and to consider the bigger picture." "Let Tianyu Media sign an agreement too... otherwise, it won't be legitimate enough..."

"understand!"

........................

night.

It's getting deep!

Deng Baichuan stared intently at the petition in his hand, his knuckles turning white from gripping it so tightly.

The torrential rain pounded against the glass outside the window, much like the raging anger surging in his chest.

This document, stamped with the red seals of twelve cinema chains, is utterly absurd—the three major cinema chains have jointly pleaded with their arch-rival Zhou Yang to save the film industry!

Fuck!
"Mr. Deng, please sign it. The theater chains all agree. Besides, just now, all four major film companies in China signed a co-production agreement for 'Kung Fu Basketball.' If we sign it, we can also co-produce it and get some box office revenue..."

When his secretary handed him a pen, he slammed the document on the table.

His face was ashen...

The phone rang suddenly, and Li Minghao from [Huaying International] spoke in a hoarse voice: "Old Deng, sign it."

"Chrysanthemum Terrace is our last trump card; we can't afford to squander the audience's enthusiasm now. Besides, the stock market situation isn't optimistic... We need to appease the capital!"

Deng Baichuan looked at the poster of "Chrysanthemum Terrace" on the wall, and Li Zhengtao's refined smile seemed to be mocking him at that moment.

He closed his eyes.

He doesn't want to sign!

but……

In the end, he opened his eyes and signed the petition!

As he finished the last stroke, he suddenly shook his head.

Before the battle even began, these old-fashioned heroes had already been reduced to relying on their enemies' supplies to survive.

Fuck!
Have all other domestically produced films died out?
....................................

The office phone rang suddenly late at night, and Zhou Yang looked at the caller ID "Zhang Changlong" on the screen.

"Boss, it's so late." Zhou Yang's voice suddenly sounded tired and sleepy...

"Alright, Xiao Zhou!" Zhang Changlong's voice, both amused and exasperated, came from the other end of the phone: "The joint document from thirty cinema chains is piled up on my desk, and even Lao Li from the three major cinema chains called personally to plead for leniency." The rustling sound of papers turning came through the receiver: "You've put on such a show that Li Zhengtao handed me a 'Statement Supporting Market Self-Rescue' this morning."

Zhou Yang touched the bridge of his nose where he wasn't wearing glasses: "Boss, I'm really in a bind. I'm just following the rules... but, isn't there a procedure to follow, so I..."

"Alright, alright! I've approved it! Stop with this charade..." Zhang Changlong interrupted with a laugh and a scolding tone, "Let's release 'Kung Fu Basketball' tomorrow, but try to minimize the media hype during the transition period, to give 'The Feast' some face. Liang Xiaogang is, after all, a representative of the fifth generation of directors, and he's talented. If you two have the opportunity to collaborate, that would be even better. I'm willing to mediate. Also..." He suddenly lowered his voice, "When Li Zhengtao's movie is released in August, you should help him out... Director Li is a representative of Chinese cinema; this banner cannot fall!"

“Okay, boss. Actually, I really respect those senior colleagues. What I did before was out of necessity. And this time, I didn't mean anything by it, it's just…”

"Alright, Xiao Zhou, you don't need to test our attitude. Our principle is very clear—as long as domestic films can develop healthily and filmmakers abide by the law and operate in compliance with regulations, we will fully support them. It doesn't matter if it's a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat..."

"Ah good!"

"besides……"

"You say……"

"Don't try to play these tricks on me again. Just say what you want to say directly. Otherwise, I'll slap you!"

"Cough, cough..."

The tone on the other end of the phone suddenly changed, catching Zhou Yang off guard and causing him to choke and cough uncontrollably.

........................

Eight o'clock in the morning.

At eight o'clock in the morning, director Li Zhengtao was drinking coffee to perk himself up when he casually clicked on the trailer for "Kung Fu Basketball".

The scene starts off quite normally—a sunny basketball court, with several young people dribbling and shooting, sweating profusely, giving off the feel of a typical youth sports movie.

Li Zhengtao nodded, thinking to himself, "Hmm, Zhou Yang has finally filmed a serious subject this time..."

But the next second—

"Swish!" On the basketball court, a player suddenly leaped into the air, spun 720 degrees in the air, and then slammed the ball into the basket with a "boom," shattering the basket frame!

Li Zhengtao sprayed a mouthful of coffee onto the screen.

"???"

(End of this chapter)