Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 433 North American Release
The global promotion of "The Martian," especially in major box office markets, has entered the pre-release blitz phase. Film critics, media, and audiences have already generated overwhelming anticipation through online and global promotional efforts.

Although the film will be released in Japan and South Korea two days later than in North America, several Korean posters for "The Martian" are displayed on the glass wall outside a movie theater in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.

Korean-language trailers for "The Martian" were being played on subway station advertisements and LED scrolling screens outside department stores.

South Korean media reports have been constant, interspersed with a touch of restrained admiration.

Discussions on Korean online forums are even more complex.

On several mainstream forums, including Naver and DC Inside, numerous posts were trending:
"Wu Chen is undoubtedly the best director in China."

"In any case, I can no longer look at our country's directors the same way."

"I'm just not quite satisfied. If only this kind of movie were made in South Korea."

"."

For South Korea, a country that idolizes strength, the presence of an internationally renowned director like Wu Chen in a blockbuster film is a devastating blow.
While I admire him, I also feel a little sour, because Wu Chen is Chinese, not a Korean director.

The promotional efforts in Japan are also in full swing.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, in front of the Chinese Theatre.

A black Lincoln dispatched by Universal Pictures smoothly drove into the cordon surrounding the theater, with flashing camera lights already on. Several film critics and photographers in formal attire were already in place in the center of the red carpet.

Inside the car, Wu Chen sat on the right, next to Liu Yifei, who was dressed in a black dress and had her hair neatly styled; Jiang Wen sat in the back, and Jason Blum sat in the front passenger seat.

Outside the car, the sun was setting, and the oak trees along Hollywood Boulevard were gilded with gold, while the neon signs were lit up.

Jiang Wen looked out the car window and suddenly spoke:
"Jason, do you think we could go to the other side of the city? Last time I came, I was advised against it."

Wu Chen and Liu Yifei exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with barely suppressed laughter.

Jiang Wen—always makes some unexpected requests.

"Jiang, I'm afraid it's not safe for me to sit in the car, let's forget about it."

Jason Blum hesitated for a moment, then quickly tried to dissuade him. He didn't want to go to that other side of the city that had been abandoned by the city. It wasn't exactly hell on earth, but it was pretty much the same.

It is the other side of the city's prosperity.

Jiang Wenyi shrugged: "That's a real shame."

"What, you want to film the story over there?" Wu Chen asked with a light laugh.

Jiang Wen quickly waved his hand: "No way, I have no such thought. What if I'm gone after filming and can't even leave Los Angeles?"

Everyone in the car laughed.

The Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles may not be as grand as the CPPCC Auditorium, but the premiere was still quite remarkable.

Many Black friends also held up signs to welcome them.

David Lyndon breathed a sigh of relief after the box office results in China came out, but whether he can truly relax depends on the reactions of the media, critics, and audiences tonight.

Quiet discussions broke out several times in the room.

"Wow, the movie feels very fresh, and the actor playing the male lead doesn't feel out of place at all."

"This sci-fi movie is really good."

"As expected of Wu's new movie, it's fantastic!"

"."

The audience members whispered among themselves. After the screening, Wu Chen and others gave media interviews arranged by Universal Music, while outside in the media area, reporters stopped several audience members for brief interviews.
What do you think is the most special thing about this film?

A blond man thought for a moment and said, "I rarely see space-themed films made like this."

I didn't have high hopes for the movie, considering it's over two hours long and the main characters will be stuck on Mars for most of the time.

These kinds of movies are usually boring, and few screenwriters can come up with something like this. But this movie is really good, and I would recommend it to my friends. Wu did not disappoint us.”

"If the main character were Asian, would you feel a sense of identification with the character?"

He shrugged: "I think it's mainly a matter of character fit. The lead actor's performance made me believe that he really spent hundreds of days on Mars. His physique and appearance are very charming, not the kind of weakling you'd expect."

There were many interviews like these, and film reviews and media reports came exceptionally quickly.

[Wu Chen's Mars rescue story made American audiences realize that loneliness is a universal human experience.]

As a Sino-US co-production, *The Martian* is clearly an exceptional collaboration—a perfect blend of industrial systems and Eastern narrative. *The Martian* surpasses most science fiction films with its top-notch soundtrack, beautiful visuals, charismatic protagonist, and realistic science and technology.

【.】

The following day, The Martian was officially released in North America.

Despite the time difference separating Asia and America, on this day, every screening and the attendance rate of every cinema in Los Angeles were on everyone's mind.

Universal Pictures' internal statistics department had already started the data collection process overnight, and even sent staff to major chain cinemas such as AMC, Regal, and Arclight to see the audience's reaction to the night screenings.

Meanwhile, entertainment reporters in mainland China gathered in their respective editorial offices and portal office areas, anxiously refreshing the pages while monitoring the data update frequency of Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb.

"Box office figures aren't available that quickly; real-time North American sales data isn't published on this website."

"However, shouldn't the audience ratings be out by now?"

Someone was staring at Rotten Tomatoes' website, "Hey—it's out, 93% freshness!"

"IMDB has also been updated, it's now 8.5 points!"

In an instant, a gasp rippled through the office area.

The novelty and rating are quite high.

"It might explode, but we'll see how much explodes."

"What was the opening date of Iron Man last year?"

"."

As everyone was expressing their opinions, Wu Chen and others, who were far away in New York, had just finished a full day of promotional activities.

Night fell, a light drizzle fell, and a somber cloud curtain hung over the city.

Jiang Wen has already returned to the hotel to rest.

Wu Chen and Liu Yifei changed their clothes and strolled side by side on the Fifth Avenue sidewalk.

The spring night in New York was still a little chilly, but Wu Chen's black folding umbrella was held open steadily, just enough to cover the unhurried pace between the two.

Liu Yifei wore a beige woolen short coat, with a matching turtleneck sweater and pleated skirt underneath, and light brown knee-high boots on her legs.

The hem of her dress was slightly damp from the rain, clinging to her legs, which gave it a casual and feminine feel.

Her cheeks were flushed from the night rain and her days of travel. Her hair wasn't fully tied up; it was just hastily tied into a low ponytail with a white hair tie, with a few strands of wet hair falling beside her ears, highlighting her shimmering eyes.

“I was reminded of when I came to see you in New York last fall,” she said with a smile as she strolled along, her soft, delicate hands gently caressing Wu Chen’s hand holding the umbrella.

Wu Chen chuckled and tilted the umbrella slightly towards her: "Don't be silly, you'll get wet."

"That won't do!" Liu Yifei giggled, her eyes curving like a crescent moon.

The two walked past the street corner, where a small puddle reflected the neon lights, its surface shimmering.

Liu Yifei's eyes lit up, and she stopped in her tracks.

"Ok?"

"Actually, when I was little, I always wanted to step in these little puddles, but my mom usually wouldn't let me because it would get my shoes dirty."

After saying that, she raised her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, and looked at Wu Chen expectantly.

Actually, she didn't finish what she was saying.

She only has these childlike and innocent thoughts because she has someone she relies on very much by her side.
Wu Chen nodded with a smile.

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Yifei chuckled softly. The hem of her thin white coat fluttered slightly, her black leather boots stepped into the puddle, and she spread her arms slightly, swirling in the water. Finally, she stopped and bowed slightly to Wu Chen.

It looks a bit like the end of a ballet performance.

Her white wool coat was slightly damp in the rain, and a few raindrops clung to the edge of her skirt. The light shone through the fine rain curtain, blurring her silhouette and making it appear soft and gentle.

Wu Chen was stunned for a moment, feeling that this scene was somewhat beautiful, and it brought back memories of when he first met Liu Yifei. He was still savoring the memory when her soft, delicate hand emerged, smiling playfully:

"Junior brother, aren't you going to hold my hand?"

(End of this chapter)