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

Chapter 334 A Hero's Twilight
9 month 10 day.

The online apology storm is intensifying, with 17 out of the top 20 trending topics related to the "Venice advertising shirt".

From national beverages to niche shampoos, brands competed to raise the "atonement amount" like they were participating in a charity auction, and the total amount of apology statements quickly exceeded 5 million yuan.

One spicy snack brand even posted a photoshopped design of an "advertising space endorsed by Shen Long," accompanied by the hashtag "Although we didn't have time to sponsor it, we voluntarily accept a 500 million yuan fine," leaving people stunned and thinking these brands had gone mad...

The media are on standby 24/7 at the Venice Film Festival, awaiting the final verdict on this farce...

Whether they issue a thunderous ban or swallow their anger and accept an exorbitant "compensation," it will generate tremendous buzz across the entire Chinese internet.

On the third day of the incident, the farce of "apology and compensation" gained even more attention.

Countless unrelated brands flocked to the Venice Film Festival, trying to contact the organizers through various channels. There were even absurd instances of them sending apology letters directly to the festival venue when they couldn't reach them.

Italian Corriere della Sera journalist Rossi tweeted: "My inbox is flooded with apology letters from Chinese brands. Do they have some misunderstanding about 'compensation'?"

Domestic film critics discovered an even more absurd detail: the company corresponding to a certain logo on Shen Long's shirt does not exist at all, suggesting it was a prank photo edited by netizens.

However, the Venice Film Festival organizing committee remained silent until dusk the following day.

They neither accepted the apology, nor did they blacklist Zhou Yang as rumored, nor did they respond to the matter at all; the whole thing seemed like a farce.

This eerie silence only fueled the renewed interest in the incident, with netizens jokingly calling it "the most expensive silence in history."

Some people have done the math: if the Venice International Film Festival can really accept these "compensation payments," it will not only be enough to hold another film festival, but it will also have a considerable surplus.

Within the Chinese film industry, many film critics have expressed strong criticism of this incident, pointing the finger at Shen Long and accusing him of seriously damaging the image of Chinese films and potentially affecting the reputation and evaluation of Chinese filmmakers in the international market.

As public opinion continued to escalate, relevant departments urgently issued the "Code of Conduct for Overseas Filmmakers," which, while not explicitly prohibiting such behavior, clearly stated that it was not encouraged.

The controversy gradually subsided on September 13.

However, according to insiders, despite the public outcry against Shen Long, [Xuanshi Entertainment] carefully selected and signed advertising contracts totaling 15 billion RMB, with partner brands covering various fields such as home appliances, cosmetics, and daily chemicals, mainly domestic brands.

Despite external rumors, [XuanShi Entertainment] has consistently avoided giving a direct response, only stating that while the number of collaborative projects has indeed increased this year, a systematic integration plan for each project is needed...

……

"Chrysanthemum Terrace" officially ended its run on September 15.

This highly anticipated domestic film ultimately grossed 3.7 million RMB. Although it failed to break the expected 4 million RMB ceiling, this achievement still set a new box office record for Chinese domestic films.

Overseas markets remain sluggish...

It only grossed $1000 million, and then gradually faded from theaters in North America and South America.

However, in stark contrast to the overwhelming attention it received upon release, the film was remarkably quiet when it left theaters...

There was no celebratory banquet, nor any grand publicity for this historic breakthrough; it seemed to have quietly disappeared from the screen, leaving no trace behind...

The day after its theatrical run ended, quite a bit of discussion arose in China's online film community...

Countless filmmakers, seeing the dismal overseas box office figures for "Chrysanthemum Terrace," felt a pang of bitterness and expressed their regret online...

While the domestic box office of 3.7 million RMB broke records, the total international box office of only 1000 million USD was a blow, shattering the boast of "cultural export".

This sudden and unexpected blow seems to signal yet another failure in the industrialization of Chinese films.

Faced with the failures of films like *Chrysanthemum Terrace*, *The Last Supper*, and even earlier *Extreme Challenge*, investors have become hesitant to invest in big-budget productions. In September, nearly ten Chinese blockbusters in preparation were forced to halt production. The once-booming "blockbuster era" rhetoric disappeared from the internet, replaced by a chorus of skepticism: "Is spending 300 million yuan just for the Chinese people's self-indulgence?" The three major directors were subsequently dragged out and criticized...

Overnight, the renowned directors suddenly realized that the "industry benchmark" they had painstakingly cultivated had lost market recognition.

The disillusionment with international awards and the disconnect with the domestic market have caused these once-powerful film tycoons to gradually wither away like fallen leaves in the autumn wind, leaving only the desolation of heroes in their twilight years.

Film critics who have witnessed the history of Chinese cinema over the years can't help but sigh:

From Li Zhengtao's "Qin" which ushered in the era of Chinese blockbusters, to his "Chrysanthemum Terrace" which seemed to bring this era to a close, it was as if a sad cycle had been completed.

In this industry environment, countless filmmakers are plunged into deep confusion.

As the older generation of film industry leaders gradually step down from their pedestals, what does the future hold for Chinese cinema?
..............................

9 month 17 day.

As autumn deepens, the once bustling and vibrant Chinese film industry seems to be gradually withering away amidst the desolation of autumn.

After waking up in bed, film critic Liu Jiasheng lit a cigarette and silently watched the falling leaves outside the window.

The failure of "Chrysanthemum Terrace" was within his expectations. The film's plot had few highlights, and the only highlights were its luxurious and expensive visual experience.

For some reason, it seems that ever since someone announced the beginning of the "blockbuster era" in China, the three major directors in the Chinese film industry have suddenly lost their ability to tell stories. After finishing his cigarette, Liu Jiasheng sighed for a while, then silently looked at the movies that would be released in the Chinese film market after September.

Following the "Domestic Film Protection Month," Hollywood films that had been shelved for two months are finally here...

[DV] After the failures of films like *Catwoman*, the franchise eventually returned to the *Batman* IP. In late 2004, Kieran's *Batman: Origins* project was officially launched with a budget of nearly $90 million. The failures of the previous superhero films naturally had a significant impact on market enthusiasm, but the *Batman* IP, which has been popular globally for about 40 years, still retains its foundation and popularity. It's said that the film received very positive reviews during its North American previews and is expected to enter the Chinese film market during the National Day holiday in October…

The "Magic Academy" series, which once grossed 2.8 million yuan at the Chinese box office, has also released its latest installment, "Magic Academy 2," which seems to be performing well at the market...

Besides this movie, another monster movie, Glass 2, will also be released in October...

Liu Jiasheng stared at the three Hollywood blockbusters on the computer screen and sighed silently.

"Batman: Origins," "Magic Academy 2," and "Glass 2"—these three films weigh heavily on the October release schedule like three giant mountains.

He recalled the dismal $1000 million box office performance of "Chrysanthemum Terrace" overseas, and then looked at the hundreds of millions of dollars invested and distributed globally behind these Hollywood IPs, a bitter feeling rising in his throat.

Chinese films have just experienced the disillusionment of the "blockbuster era," and now they have to face these heavily armed industrial monsters.

As autumn leaves twirled and fell outside the window, he suddenly felt that Chinese filmmakers were just like these withered leaves; no matter how proud they were, they could not withstand the cold wind of capital and the system.

He suddenly thought of Zhou Yang...

Almost at the same time he logged onto [XuanShi Entertainment] to watch all the new movies...

He saw a news article.

From September to late October, [XuanShi Entertainment] will be releasing 7 movies in succession...

He looked at the names of these movies.
Then, I was a little confused!
"The Domineering CEO Falls in Love with Me", "Summer of First Love", "Golden Wedding", "My Dear Classmate", "Childhood Sweethearts", "Summer of Love"...

Looking at these movies, and then at their titles...

I was completely dumbfounded!
Especially when he saw "The Domineering President Falls in Love with Me"...

Suddenly confused!

and many more!

Why are there foreign films here?
..............................

July 9th night.

Hollywood [Wyman Pictures]

With the huge success of "The Black Robe Alliance" in Europe and America, Wyman Pictures, which was on the verge of bankruptcy, has seen a turnaround.

As the company's head, Carl not only successfully fulfilled the performance-based agreement, but also gained favor from investors, allowing Wyman Pictures to regain its footing in Hollywood.

Carl, who survived thanks to [Xuan Shi Entertainment], was naturally grateful...

So, in early August, after [Xuan Shi Entertainment] announced its new film plans, even before the script was officially completed, he immediately signed a contract for the film's overseas distribution rights with generous profit-sharing terms...

After signing the contract, Carl was immediately engrossed in a series of busy activities!
From August to September...

This was the busiest month for the entire [Wyman Pictures] company.

The company, which had just been rescued from the ICU, seemed to have stabilized its decline, but its internal management system still needed to be reformed. In addition, as a comic book film production company, they couldn't keep distributing other films; they still needed to make their own movies...

Ultimately, after repeated confirmations and discussions, and following Zhou Yang's advice, they decided to collaborate with [Xuanshi Entertainment] to invest in a film called "Steel Armor Man," which they considered the first film in [Weiman Pictures]'s resurgence...

The movie's plot is quite simple: [Donnie, a genius and wealthy arms dealer, is kidnapped and escapes by building a suit of armor, becoming [Iron Man]. He uses the high-tech armor to fight crime and combat evil forces, transforming from a selfish arms dealer into a superhero who protects the world.]

The filming process was far more complex than the plot itself.

As the first film in Wyman Pictures' comeback, Carl personally oversaw every aspect, from budget preparation and casting to the selection of the director.

He was only able to catch his breath after the start of filming was finally finalized on September 17.

however……

While reviewing the list of upcoming Chinese films, he was somewhat bewildered...

Then, when he saw that the cast and crew of "The President Falls in Love with Me" were all American names, he was stunned.

After carefully reading the plot summary, he suddenly stood up from his chair!

I'm starting to question the meaning of life!
"My God, this movie..."

(End of this chapter)