Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 199 Everyone in the bureau was a little scared

The box office for "Get Out" continued its normal decline on weekdays, with a 45% drop on Monday compared to Sunday. Tuesday saw a slight rebound, with an 8% increase compared to Monday.

Don't be fooled by the seemingly low box office figures of only around 600 million on Monday and Tuesday. It's important to understand that even Hollywood blockbusters often see their box office revenue halved on weekdays, which is a characteristic of the North American market.

"This is beyond my expectations." Jason Blum was speechless for a moment after seeing the report. He glanced at Wu Chen, then looked at the slogan in the report:
“Say it out loud – We are Black, and we are proud.”

Wu Chen pointed to the slogan in the report and asked, "What is this slogan?"

"A slogan that is highly representative of the American Black rights movement originated from a famous song by James Brown in 1968, and that's the name."

"."

Wu Chen was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Even last year's 'Crash' didn't generate this much buzz," Jason Blum said, half-laughing, half-crying. "Maybe Hurricane Katrina exposed too many things."

The news spread, leaving even Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping, who were in Hollywood promoting their film, completely bewildered.

Today marks the opening of the 20th American Film Institute Film Festival's Arc Theater for "Curse of the Golden Flower," which is also its world premiere.

Although it was only one event, it was of great significance because, according to Sony Pictures executives, many Oscar judges would be involved, which would be very beneficial for "Curse of the Golden Flower" in its bid for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar next year.

However, both Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping saw that the black crowd on the side of the red carpet was holding up signs for "Get Out." The content on the signs was a bit illegible, but it was obvious that the movie had supporters.

Zhang Weiping looked on with envy.

If "Curse of the Golden Flower" had such a dedicated fan base, it would have no trouble winning the Best Foreign Language Film award.

Chow Yun-fat's eyes also held complex emotions. He had struggled in Hollywood for many years but remained relatively unknown, even somewhat obscure.

It turns out that the young director who visited the set of "Curse of the Golden Flower" a few months ago actually has such a loyal fan base in Hollywood.

Meanwhile, even before the applause in Los Angeles had subsided, the internet and public opinion in China were already in an uproar.

The same topic was featured on Weibo, Tianya, and the headlines of major portal websites:
"Chinese director Wu Chen sparks huge controversy in the United States?" and "Why did the Black community in Hollywood rally in support of him?"

"What's going on with Wu Chen? Why are all the Black people holding up signs in support of him?"

"To be honest, I feel a little proud. Our director went to their territory to film, and we even made them reflect on their own actions."

"Don't get involved in any messy or shady activities."

"."

Some people in China were thrilled by what they saw, while others were still completely confused, asking questions here and there, trying to find out the ins and outs of the matter.

Beijing, State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

On a clear autumn morning, sunlight slanted into the office of the director of the Film Bureau.

Tong Gang's secretary stood aside, reporting on the matter while holding the received faxes and newspapers.

"Was Wu Chen doing anything else?"

Tong Gang was stunned when he heard this, fearing that Wu Chen had done something he shouldn't have done in Hollywood.

"No, no!" The secretary quickly shook her head. "Director Wu himself didn't do anything. This was all feedback from the film itself. There were no on-site speeches or marches. It was all spontaneous behavior from the fans."

"That's good!" Tong Gang breathed a sigh of relief, but still frowned and said, "You should still make a call and ask, just to be on the safe side. If Wu Chen doesn't have anything else to do in Hollywood, he should come back as soon as possible."

He was a little scared. The public opinion it had caused was so great, and it had even stirred up the black community. He was really afraid that if Wu Chen went down and shouted a few more times, the bureau would be in a passive position.

"Understood, I'll make arrangements right away."

Wu Chen had just come out of the office at Global Times and hadn't even had a chance to breathe a sigh of relief when the phone rang.

Upon seeing the incoming call, Wu Chen's lips twitched, and he pressed the answer button.

"Director Wu, how have you been lately?" It was the secretary from the Film Bureau, her polite tone tinged with a hint of probing.

Wu Chen was completely confused: "Everything's fine, what's wrong?" "Uh, the bureau is worried that you might have participated in some activities you shouldn't have, and Director Tong asked me to check!"

Wu Chen was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this: "That's not true. Don't worry, Director Tong. Besides, I'll be back soon after I finish my business."

"That's good, that's good. You're busy, then we won't bother you any longer."

Not long after I hung up the phone, Han Sanping called again.

"Did you receive a call from the bureau?"

"Uh, I just received it. Mr. Han, you're incredibly well-informed," Wu Chen said with a smile.

"It's not that I'm particularly insightful, but I guessed the bureau was a bit uneasy. That's understandable, considering you pulled off this stunt quietly on someone else's turf." Han Sanping said with a hint of mockery, "Indeed, nobody expected it."

"Mr. Han, I'm a law-abiding citizen." Wu Chen shrugged. "To be honest, I didn't expect this either."

"You have a huge fan base in North America. Michael just told me that it's a real shame you're not directing 'Now You See Me 2' yourself."

Han Sanping said with a rather emotional tone.

Wu Chen was taken aback, then realized that Michael Burns was clearly trying to persuade him through Han Sanping.

Because he was going to meet with James Wan at Lionsgate later, but Michael Burns brought this up with Han Sanping, the purpose of which was obvious.

Wu Chen smiled but did not respond to the topic.

Meanwhile, Universal Pictures, which had just finished discussing matters with Wu Chen, had already put several departments into operational mode.

In the conference room at Universal Studios headquarters, a huge whiteboard is already filled with the lists and schedules of the various Oscar departments.

The public relations department, media publicity team, and college liaison officers each perform their respective duties.
“Prepare for a tough battle with Warner Bros.,” Mary Parent said, looking at the awards she was vying for on the panel, and couldn’t help but think of Warner Bros.’ “The Departed,” which had already been released in September.

Although Get Out had the upper hand in public opinion at this time, it was definitely going to be a tough battle.

From Universal to Lionsgate, Michael Burns made no mention of Now You See Me 2, even though he really wanted Wu Chen to take the helm.

After all, Wu Chen has more and more fans in North America, which is a great guarantee for some blockbusters. At least the director alone can attract a lot of people to watch the movie.

This is why big productions need big stars and famous directors, because it can reduce the risk.

Wu Chen now possesses such conditions.

In another conference room at Lionsgate, Wu Chen was sitting face to face with James Wan.

The Chinese-American director, who made his name with "Saw," remained as low-key and restrained as ever.

Wu Chen didn't beat around the bush and directly stated that he wanted to invite James Wan to help him film a horror movie.

James Wan pondered for a moment: "Director Wu, I've recently been planning a new horror film series, but if the timeframe is shorter, that's not out of the question."

"Horror movies don't take too much time to film. I remember 'Saw' was filmed in just twenty or thirty days," Wu Chen said with a smile.

“Then I need to see the script.” After thinking it over, James Wan did not refuse.

He was well aware of the weight this man carried in the North American film and television industry, which far surpassed his own as a director specializing solely in horror films.

The script from the other party should be pretty good, and it's also great to build a good relationship with them. Anyway, it doesn't matter who I help make the film.

"Of course, I'll write the script for the horror movie, and I can offer you more profit sharing than Twisted Pictures. You won't be at a disadvantage."

James Wan's approach to horror films differs from other directors because he possesses an understanding of Asian horror films and is one of the few directors in the field who combines East Asian psychological horror techniques with Western horror narrative rhythms.

This is why James Wan's horror films are so popular in this independent genre.

After all, Western horror is simply about gore and violence, but Asian horror films send chills straight to the bone.
"let me consider it."

"Of course, I understand."

(End of this chapter)