Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 639 Wu Chen is indeed cunning!

It was a clear but dry morning in Beijing at the end of April.

Outside the Film Bureau building, the architecture is solemn and dignified.

Han Sanping and Ning Hao walked up the steps one after the other.

Ning Hao couldn't hide his excitement and nervousness; his steps were even a little unsteady. As he walked, he was still enthusiastically discussing the follow-up publicity and distribution matters with Han Sanping, as if the movie would be released tomorrow.

"No rush, let's see how to fix it first," Han Sanping said with a calm smile.

He was more optimistic about the result than Ning Hao, and also more composed.

If there are suggestions for revision, it means that there is room for discussion.
I'm afraid there won't be any.

However, when the two of them officially received the written "Review and Revision Opinions for the Film 'No Man's Land'" in the conference room, Ning Hao's smile gradually froze as his gaze moved downwards.

The revised terms were far more numerous and harsher than he had imagined.

Just as he was going through the list, Tong Gang's secretary knocked on the door and came in, stopping the two of them.

"Chairman Han, Director Ning, Director Tong requests your presence."

The two men exchanged a glance, both still wondering why Tong Gang had contacted them at this crucial moment. Although it was most likely still about "No Man's Land," the uncertainty of the conversation still made Ning Hao quite uneasy.

Tong Gang's office was as simple and quiet as ever.

"Sit down." Tong Gang greeted the two with a gentle smile.

Instead of directly discussing his suggestions for revision, he first poured Han Sanping a cup of tea, and his first words made both of them feel uneasy.

"Old Han, this movie has been shelved in your hands for two years, it hasn't been easy..."

Han Sanping paused slightly in his teacup, thinking to himself, "Here it comes."

Sure enough, Tong Gang turned his gaze to Ning Hao and asked casually, "I remember that Xingchen Pictures was also a major producer of this film, right? Shelving it for two years before resubmitting it for review, was that Wu Chen's idea?"

Han Sanping is having a hard time keeping up.

Goodness, no beating around the bush at all, checkmate right off the bat.

……

It was already noon when Wu Chen received Han Sanping's call.

He had just finished filming a scene and was sitting behind the monitor drinking water.

On the other end of the phone, Han Sanping's voice carried a hint of amusement, and Ning Hao's suppressed excited breathing could be heard nearby.

"Chairman Han, how did it go?" Wu Chen, unaware that the two had been "checkmated" in the office, asked directly.

"What Director Tong means is that the current general direction is one that can be relaxed."

"That's great!" Wu Chen was immediately pleased to hear this, as it went much more smoothly than he had expected.

“But you have to do some work,” Han Sanping continued. “Director Tong means that you, as the producer, need to oversee the process before the review, participate in the revisions, and personally supervise the process.”

"Uh..." Wu Chen was surprised. He was being asked to do the work too?
He thought about it quickly and instantly figured out the key.

"Does Director Tong know?"

"Nonsense, what do you think!" Han Sanping said with a wry smile. "This matter couldn't be kept from him in the first place. It's just that he brought it up directly today, which caught me off guard."

However, Lao Ren and I also need to keep an eye on it. Overall, it's a good result. Indeed, we can start preparing the publicity and distribution plans now.

“It’s probably too late this year,” Wu Chen suggested. “There are too many films piling up right now, and we don’t know when the revisions will be completed. Let’s schedule it for next year.”

He truly hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

Tong Gang's move, seemingly dragging him into the mess, actually gave him a "sword of Damocles" that could directly influence the direction of the revisions.

The good points are obvious, but he needs to think carefully with Ning Hao about how to change them.

The news that "No Man's Land" had been submitted for review could not be kept secret within the industry.

Ning Hao's mysterious film, which he poured his heart and soul into creating, has resurfaced after two years, prompting many production companies and distributors to inquire about its release date.

However, another piece of news quickly spread – "No Man's Land" was rejected by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television due to content issues, and was required to be revised. This immediately attracted widespread media attention.

Ning Hao's masterpiece "No Man's Land" has been rejected.

[Insider reveals: "No Man's Land" has too dark a tone, its release date is indefinitely postponed!]

From "Crazy Stone" to "No Man's Land": Ning Hao's talent and predicament!

The news caused an uproar in the industry, and netizens discussed it extensively.

"Strange, why couldn't it pass the review?"

"I'm a little curious about what they filmed."

"How much longer do we have to wait? We've already waited two years."

On the set of "The Last Supper," director Lu Xun was so happy when he saw the news that he could hardly contain his joy.

Everyone in the crew could feel his gloating.

Many staff members were speechless at the sight of the director who never did anything productive and only cared about other people's gossip.

Lu Xun couldn't wait to call his father, Lu Tianming.

“Dad, ‘No Man’s Land’ really won’t pass censorship…” Before he could finish speaking, he heard Lu Tianming on the other end of the phone let out a meaningful sigh.

"What a clever tactic..."

"Huh? What kind of clever method?" Lu Xun was stunned for a moment, not understanding.

Lu Tianming sighed on the other end of the phone, but still patiently explained:

"No Man's Land has already weathered the most sensitive period."
The fact that you're allowed to make changes means we've passed the most dangerous hurdle. What remains is simply a matter of time and the degree of compromise.

Lu Xun finally came to his senses and couldn't help but curse, "Wu Chen is indeed cunning! He actually tried to pull this trick on us!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Tianming was at a loss for words.

He could only slowly add in the end:

"Alright, stop worrying about these things. Focus on finishing your film! Why is your filming progress so slow lately? Qin Hong from Star Media is already complaining..."

"Dad, I call this striving for perfection and paying attention to quality!" Lu Xun said nonchalantly. "A good movie needs to be polished slowly!"

He spoke with righteous indignation, but after the call ended, the sounds of the crew laughing and joking could be heard not far away, so relaxed that they didn't seem like a crew that was "striving for perfection".

……

Time flies, and it's already early May.

As always, Han Sanping is orchestrating his Hollywood blockbuster war in the domestic film market before the "domestic film protection month".

Four top-tier blockbusters—Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Fast & Furious 5, Kung Fu Panda 2, and Thor—were crammed into a single month for release, along with some other smaller-budget Hollywood films.

Even if the CEOs of the six major Hollywood studios came to see this in person during this release window, they would be heartbroken and shed tears.
Meanwhile, news of the Cannes Film Festival in France was already making headlines.

This year, there were no surprises.

Chinese-language films were absent from the most anticipated main competition section.

For domestic audiences and film fans who have become accustomed to the frequent nominations and even awards of Chinese-language films at the three major film festivals in recent years, this result is somewhat disappointing.

"Sigh, this year is really disappointing. We didn't even get a single game in the main competition."

"Yes, what a pity. Wu Chen's new film is still in production, otherwise, with his fame, Cannes would definitely have invited him."

"It feels like without Wu Chen, it will be difficult for Chinese-language films to be nominated for the Big Three. Relying solely on the directors from Hong Kong is no longer reliable."

"That's right! Look at Peter Chan's 'Wu Xia,' which was shortlisted for a rather insignificant 'Midnight Screening' section, but the Hong Kong media hyped it up as if it had made it into the main competition."

Back when Director Wu won the award, he didn't seem this smug..."

(End of this chapter)