It's reasonable for me to be a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director and an all-around

Chapter 72 Let the applause ring out!
"Lv, long time no see."

Harvey Weinstein strolled in with his signature fake smile outside the premiere screening room.

In an instant, alarm bells rang in Lü Rui's mind!
Previously at the Venice Film Festival, this guy tried to swindle him out of the distribution rights to "Mystic River," offering many seemingly tempting conditions that were actually full of traps.

Fortunately, Warner Bros. intervened!
Dennis Smith, leveraging his influence within the company, not only secured major awards for the film but also obtained distribution rights at a reasonable price.

Harvey was very frustrated at the time, and before parting, he said that he would definitely try to reach a cooperation agreement when they met again.

Unexpectedly, the two actually bumped into each other at the Cannes Film Festival.

"Mr. Weinstein, welcome to the premiere of my film."

Since he was a guest, Lü Rui naturally couldn't turn him away, but his guard was instantly on high alert!

"I heard from Quentin that your new film is very good, so I came here specifically to see it."

Harvey's smile was superficial, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.

As a renowned "copyright hunter" in the film industry, he has long been famous at major film festivals.

Not only is his eye for acquiring the copyrights of masterpieces worldwide incredibly sharp, but his award-winning public relations skills are even more impressive.

Just like the currently popular film "Fahrenheit 9/11," this film that exposes the secrets of the political arena has almost secured the Palme d'Or at this year's awards thanks to his and Lionsgate's efforts.

Furthermore, given that he was also an "angel investor" of jury chairman Quentin Tarantino, the balance of the competition for the Palme d'Or had already shifted significantly.

"Lv, you probably haven't found a suitable distributor for your movie yet, right? I heard there's another version of the American script? How about we collaborate on making it?"

Harvey stated directly the purpose of his visit.

Warner Bros. bought Mystic River and made a fortune, even winning two Oscars, which made him extremely envious.

As a result, he set his sights on Lü Rui's new work, "When Happiness Knocks on the Door".

The company team has already assessed that this film has extremely high commercial potential!
If we can successfully film it, it will definitely be a profitable deal!

Upon hearing this, Lü Rui smiled in a standard social manner: "Mr. Weinstein, let's talk about this after the premiere. I need to go and greet other friends now."

"Okay."

Harvey stepped aside, but his gaze remained fixed on Lü Rui like asphalt.

He secretly plotted what kind of offer to make to entice Lü Rui and seize the opportunity to acquire the copyright of "The Pursuit of Happyness".

At the other end of the red carpet, domestic filmmakers were filing in.

Lü Rui stepped forward: "Director Xu, Director Zhang, Director Wang, welcome..."

"Haha, Director Lü's movie is really well made."

Xu Ke laughed heartily, but his face looked a bit fierce. At just 54 years old, his hair and beard were already white.

Lu Rui remembered seeing a video before, saying that this person used to be a Boy Scout, and even the kind who had been to the battlefield!
I don't know if it's true or not?

"Haha, Director Xu, you flatter me. Your 'Legend of Zu Mountain' is truly exceptional."

As he spoke, he felt a pang of sadness.

In 2001, with an investment of nearly 100 million yuan, "The Legend of Shushan" was an unprecedented and unparalleled production at the time!

Unfortunately, the box office revenue of over HK$1100 million and over RMB2000 million after its release almost bankrupted the film company and China Star.

At this point, the once-booming Hong Kong film industry began its complete decline.

Coincidentally, the overseas distribution of "The Legend of Zu" was handled by Harvey's Miramax Films.

Hong Kong media reported at the time that Harvey bought the distribution rights to the film for HK$100 million.

But Lü Rui was certain that the news was absolutely false.

If it really sold for 100 million, how could a century-old film company possibly be on the verge of bankruptcy?
As soon as Xu Ke and his two companions entered the venue, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, Liu Dehua, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and others followed.

Perhaps because of the principle of "kings not meeting kings," these individuals maintained a proper distance from each other, waving to the media and fans on both sides of the red carpet as they walked forward.

Among them, Zhang Ziyi is undoubtedly enjoying immense success!

If last year was the year of Zhao Yanzi, then this year is definitely the highlight of Zhang Ziyi's acting career.

With films like "Purple Butterfly," "House of Flying Daggers," and "2046," as well as the officially announced "Memoirs of a Geisha," Zhang Ziyi's momentum is undeniably strong.

However, her "dazzling" presence on the red carpet didn't last long, as Tony Leung and Carina Lau also walked up at that moment.

To everyone's surprise, Tony Leung was accompanied by Maggie Cheung! Even more astonishingly, Maggie Cheung had one arm linked with his and the other with her ex-husband Olivier.

The four people's interlaced positions and physical contact are very similar to the ambiguous and absurd scenes in Wong Kar-wai's films.

This strange relationship really left Lü Rui somewhat baffled.

However, it's worth noting that "Clean," starring Maggie Cheung, is a competitor of "The Pursuit of Happyness."

After exchanging brief greetings, the four of them, with a complex relationship that Lü Rui couldn't understand, walked into the screening room together.

Ten minutes later, Jiang Wen appeared with Zhou Yun, bringing the premiere's red carpet ceremony to a close.

"Did I miss the opening? Haha, I ran into an investor when I left the hotel and we chatted about the new project."

"No, it's still early." Lü Rui accompanied the two of them into the venue, lowering his voice to ask, "Have you secured the rights to 'Velvet'?"

Jiang Wen raised an eyebrow and nodded, his eyes revealing a sharp, eager glint in them.

"Let's officially get started next year!"

His long-term hiatus is about to end, and this trapped beast is ready to unleash its power.

Upon entering the venue, after nodding to the people already seated in the front row, Lü Rui took a seat towards the back. To his dismay, Harvey, like a persistent leech, had somehow managed to stick to him again.

The lights in the theater dimmed, and the credits rolled, but he was still muttering to Lü Rui, "Lv, this time I brought the most professional PR team. We're determined to win the Palme d'Or for 'Fahrenheit 9/11'..."

He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, waiting until he had captured Lu Rui's full attention before continuing, "If you are willing to cooperate with me to jointly develop the copyright of 'The Pursuit of Happyness,' I can arrange for my public relations team to help you get awards."

"What are the specific conditions?" The other party was straightforward, so Lü Rui naturally wouldn't beat around the bush with him.

"I'll handle the distribution in Europe, America, and Australia, a 70/30 split. The script adaptation rights are worth $800,000, and after the release, I'll give you another 20% of the box office profits..."

Lu Rui rolled his eyes as he listened.

This is simply treating him like a fool!
Warner Bros. had previously contacted him, offering $370 million for the European and Australian distribution rights and a whopping $430 million for the Hollywood domestic distribution rights.

If he's willing to sell the adaptation rights, the full copyright deal will undoubtedly exceed ten million US dollars!

Given his current achievements, coupled with the successful adaptation of "Mystic River," this price is not unreasonable at all.

But Harvey is trying to pull off another scheme to get something for nothing!

Are distribution and box office profits split proportionally?

If Harry Potter's accounts could be made to lose money, then the Pursuit of Happyness would be even worse.

Revenue sharing is never a reliable option unless you have your own exclusive distribution channels; otherwise, you're just doing someone else's work for free.

Moreover, they're only offering $80 for the screenplay adaptation rights? That's practically throwing money away!

“Mr. Weinstein, let’s watch the movie first. I don’t have any plans to sell the rights yet. I’ll wait until after the awards ceremony before considering it.”

Harvey was slightly taken aback, and was about to continue his bluffing when Lü Rui had already looked away.

Helpless, he had no choice but to look away, but a surge of anger rose within him.

This wolf cub from the East is much harder to tame than he imagined!

~

The screen is currently showing Wang Zhiwen's difficult life.

Layoffs struck, investments failed, his wife left him, and he was left alone to wander with his young son.

Having finally found an internship opportunity, it takes a hundred, a thousand, even ten thousand times the effort to have any chance of survival!
He and his son endured the torrential rain and slept outdoors.

Under the blazing sun, he rode his bicycle around looking for customers and limited opportunities.

The emperor pays off!
When he finally received the call that he would be officially hired, his suppressed emotions poured out like a flood bursting its banks!

When happiness knocks on his door, he stands at the doorway and welcomes the happiness that belongs to him!

All the pent-up emotions from the beginning were finally released when the applause arrived at the end!
The movie isn't over yet; there are still a few minutes left in the scene where Wang Zhiwen, overjoyed, runs to the school to hug his son.

But at that moment, when he clapped for himself on the screen, thunderous applause also rang out in the premiere venue!
Salute to your hard work!

A salute to courage!

A salute to perseverance!

The 15-minute-long applause was only 5 minutes shorter than the 20 minutes of applause received at the premiere of "Fahrenheit 9/11" yesterday.

The lights were already on, and many people turned to look at Lü Rui, their eyes full of admiration!
Even Wang Jiawei, who was wearing sunglasses, had to admire the wonderful presentation of this work, despite his arrogant personality!

Xu Ke and Zhang Yimou were also cheering at this moment, their eyes filled with undisguised astonishment as they looked at Lü Rui!
Both of them could hardly believe that such a work was actually made by a director who was only in his twenties!
“Lv, I will come to find you again.”

Harvey answered a phone call and left in a hurry.

He never wanted to give up the copyright to this film, and now that he has seen the finished product and the audience response after its screening, he is even more envious.

Lü Rui ignored him.

The public relations award seemed very attractive, but the additional conditions were too outrageous, and Lü Rui simply couldn't accept them.

If you agree to those unreasonable conditions, it might seem like you have a higher chance of winning the award, but in reality, it would just be a waste of Harvey's time.

He is not stupid.

As the applause subsided, many guests began to leave, and Lü Rui also prepared to depart.

But just then, someone he never expected appeared in front of him.

Quentin Tarantino's girlfriend, Sofia Coppola, whom he had just met a few days ago, strode over in her high heels: "Lv, do you have time to chat?"

Lu Rui couldn't hide his surprise: "Is there something you need?"

A friend wants to meet you.

friend?

Lu Rui raised an eyebrow: "Who?"

Sofia smiled and said, "My good friend, Matt Tolmacher, a promising new producer at Sony Columbia."

Lu Rui raised an eyebrow as memories of his past life surged back.

Matt Tolmacher is the producer of several Sony films, including Spider-Man, Venom, and Jumanji.

If nothing unexpected happens, this person is probably after the copyright of "The Pursuit of Happyness".

Lu Rui suddenly became interested.

He decided to meet with this person to see what kind of terms Sony Columbia could offer.

After all, this company is the easiest to make money from in all of Hollywood!
(End of this chapter)