Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 147 I want one too, a billion pre-order
"No matter how bad my filming is, it's still better than those old guys' films." Chen Shou had his own pride; he was standing on the shoulders of giants, and no matter what, he couldn't be worse than those people.

Upon hearing Chen Shou's words, many onlookers silently took two steps back.

Even Director Zhang Hongsheng felt it was a headache.

In the entire film and television industry, apart from Zhang Dapao, who was in charge of the national advisor back then, Chen Shouzhe should be the second person who dares to speak out.

But Zhang Dapao only called Han Sanping a bandit leader; he didn't dare to call the reviewers old fogies.

There are quite a few people who criticize the censorship process, especially Feng Xiaogang, who criticizes it very harshly. But given the opportunity, certain awards still manage to manipulate him.

Chen Shouzhe doesn't care about those awards; he wouldn't even take them if you gave them to him.

A poem of dead water is dedicated to them, to nail them to the pillar of shame.

Other directors can't afford to offend the censors, but Chen Shou is completely fearless. Even if he has a film under review now, he's not afraid at all. He'll see where the problem lies and what issues there are.

If even animated films can get into trouble, then there's no hope for them. And indeed, animated films have had quite a few incidents.

Foreign cartoons can feature all sorts of guns and ammunition, while in China, even something as simple as burning a sheep can be banned. It's just too surreal.

If you haven't taught your child well, don't buy a TV.

Anyway, Chen Shou doesn't indulge them, and seniority doesn't work on him.

No one dared to respond to Chen Shouzhe's words, and Zhang Hongsheng didn't know what to say either.

The main theme was indeed filmed by a group of old men, or if not by them, then by their descendants.

One thing worth mentioning is that mainstream themes tend to win awards, especially certain domestic ones.

It's really easy to win an award.

The movie was about to start, and quite a few people had arrived. Chen Shou sat next to Jiang Wen, and his master Yu Qian sat on the other side.

As the producers, Mr. and Mrs. Guo Yu were also present. Mr. Guo sat next to Feng Xiaogang. The two are close friends and have a good relationship. They even co-hosted a program this year.

The film begins with a flashback, moving from the modern era to the war-torn past.

As the movie played, many people's eyes lit up. Jiang Wen was also seeing the finished film for the first time. When he saw himself arriving at Tiger Mountain and speaking in slang with a group of bandits, Jiang Wen whispered, "Damn, I'm so fucking cool."

Chen Shou glanced at him and said, "Stop thinking about your movie and come make a mainstream commercial film with me."

“It’s boring,” Jiang Wen said.

Chen Shouzhe didn't force him; he could play however he wanted, and if he went too far, that was his problem.

This is a patriotic film unlike any I've ever seen before. It's fast-paced and completely devoid of any educational elements. It simply portrays the War of Resistance against Japan in an exciting way, with large-scale scenes, explosions, and even very realistic special effects.

Director Huang from the August First Film Studio was also there. After watching it, he was the first to stand up and applaud. Even though he had already seen it once, watching it again still made him feel excited.

This was the main theme he wanted, and he even brought a few young people to see it the first time.

Young people today don't like being forced into education. They used to be bored watching patriotic movies, but they were very excited watching "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy," and many even expressed their desire to join the army.

Who wouldn't want their own dedicated page in the county annals?

Who wouldn't want to be in the ancestral hall?

Using blockbuster movies to promote the main theme actually aligns with the mentality of today's young people.

The more you teach me, the less I want to do it. But if I like it, I'm willing to try it, and I even feel honored and proud.

Mainstream commercial films, to be precise, use commercial film methods to promote mainstream values ​​and national sentiments.

It's not about exploiting national sentiment; besides, not all movies can achieve that.

Judging from the applause at the scene, the movie was at least a success.

Jiang Wen led a group of people onto the stage, and at that moment it seemed as if Jiang Wen was the director of this movie.

"I say, are you, an actor, trying to rebel?" Chen Shou asked, looking at Jiang Wen standing in the middle.

“Do we still need to divide things up? Wait for my next movie, and you'll be the lead,” Jiang Wen said.

"Forget it, I don't have your acting skills," Chen Shou said, waving his hand.

The audience chuckled, and many reporters began snapping photos.

"Ask away any questions you have. The movie is really good. It's a mainstream commercial film that has opened up another path for the domestic film market. Future mainstream films can follow this template," Jiang Wen said.

Chen Shou shrugged at Jiang Wen's overshadowing of him, saying it was fine for him to steal the spotlight, since he was the main character.

"I'd like to ask Director Jiang Wen, is it true that you had a conflict with Director Chen Shouzhe during the filming of the movie?" a reporter asked.

The first question silenced the entire room.

The main cast members on stage all knew about this. During the filming, it was Chen Shouzhe who discovered that Zhang Mo was going to star in Let the Bullets Fly. During that time, Chen Shouzhe and Jiang Wen barely spoke to each other. If Jiang Wen didn't act well, Chen Shouzhe would directly scold her.

After their relationship improved, Zhou Yun even invited Yang Mi to the film set and hired a chef from Northwest China to cook for Chen Shou.

Unexpectedly, this internal matter was leaked, which means someone in the production crew must have leaked it, otherwise no one would have known.

It was a bit far away, and Chen Shou couldn't make out which media outlet it was.

Jiang Wen picked up the microphone and said, "This issue has nothing to do with the movie, but what I want to say is that it's normal to have disagreements about movies. I'm also a director, and I've had arguments with Director Chen about movie issues, but it's not a real conflict. Besides, we were drinking and sleeping together not long ago, how could our relationship not be good?" "Sleeping together?"

A big question mark popped into everyone's mind.

"Don't talk nonsense. He came to my house to drink and slept there," Chen Shou said, picking up the microphone.

"I'd like to ask Director Chen, why did you want to make a patriotic film?" a reporter asked.

"This all started with Director Huang. I mentioned before that I wanted to make a patriotic film, and Director Huang gave me his greatest support, which made this film possible. I would like to thank Director Huang here." Chen Shou said to Director Huang in the audience.

After asking a few more questions, when asked about the box office, Chen Shou shook his head and said, "I don't know either. I hope that when audiences go to the cinema, they won't have any prejudice against the patriotic theme. I hope we can change everyone's views on the patriotic theme."

After the premiere, Chen Shouzhe invited the main cast and crew, along with the production company, to have dinner. Lao Guo tried to slip away but Chen Shouzhe kept him there.

There were seventy or eighty people in total. They booked a large hall, had a meal together at the hotel, and then went home.

"What are you..."

Chen Shouzhe looked at the two people in the car, not knowing what to say. They were both sitting in the back, while Chen Shouzhe was driving in the front.

"What's wrong? Can't you take a car?" Yang Mi asked.

"Okay, I'll sleep alone tonight?" Chen Shou asked.

"Why alone?" Yan Danchen asked.

"Can you all come together?" Chen Shou asked.

“I have no problem with that,” Yan Danchen said with a smile.

"Is the child at the villa now?" Yang Mi asked.

“Over at the horse farm,” Chen Shou said.

Upon hearing this, Yan Danchen glared at Chen Shouzhe. She was almost forty and also wanted a child.

They drove back to the villa, where the two women each had their own rooms, which were filled with many things, including clothes and luxury items. Chen Shou would also spend money to buy them gifts.

Jewelry alone is a huge expense.

Chen Shou was exhausted. He woke up in the morning yawning and asked his assistant to drive him and Yan Danchen to catch their flight.

He only stayed for one day before having to rush back the next day. Jiang Wen was going to lead a group to promote the movie, which was something he had to do as the lead actor. Besides, it was a patriotic film, which would boost his career and allow him to be listed in the credits.

So let Jiang Wen handle the publicity, and Chen Shou can continue making his movies.

"You're not trying to get pregnant, are you?" Back on set, they had to film that night. It was a horror movie, and they would be filming even more at night.

He had just returned to the hotel when Yan Danchen came to find him.

“I’m almost forty, and I’ll only be able to play mother-in-law roles in the future. While I’m still in good health, I want to have one too,” Yan Danchen said.

"Let's wait until the series is finished filming," Chen Shou said.

"When will filming be finished?" Yan Danchen asked, staring at Chen Shou.

"Filming will be completed before April next year," Chen Shouzhe nodded.

"Okay, you said it." Yan Danchen is not young anymore, and she also wants to get married. Although there is a big age gap, she just can't accept it. If only she could have met Chen Shouzhe sooner.

Yesterday, Yang Mi made her envious by deliberately showing her videos and photos of children. The older she gets, the more she longs to have her own children.

So I've been a bit crazy these past few days, but getting pregnant is a matter of probability; it's not something you can just decide to do.

The movie "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" was released on September 26th. Chen Shouzhe did not return. The movie had already been screened several times and received high praise online. This left some viewers who had not seen the movie but were familiar with patriotic films confused, wondering if it was really that good.

On the 27th, the first day's box office figures came out: 8864 million yuan, which means the movie is destined to break one billion yuan.

For a patriotic film to gross over a billion yuan is a historic achievement in film history.

Previously, they could barely make a little money by booking out entire theaters, and the actors didn't receive much in salary.

Look at the tribute films prepared by China Film Group, with a star-studded cast, which one of them received money?

If you factor in all the actors' salaries, the box office revenue alone wouldn't be enough to cover the losses.

The Taking of Tiger Mountain was different; the actors were still paid, and the box office revenue was split among several parties.

Ren Zhonglun immediately called Chen Shouzhe.

"Director Chen, thank you so much! I never expected this to be such a wonderful gift," Ren Zhonglun said excitedly on the other end of the phone.

"I told you I wouldn't let you down, I'm just glad you're satisfied," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"Director Chen, a company under Shanghai Film Group is going public. Are you sure you don't want to go?" Ren Zhonglun wanted to form a deep partnership with Chen Shou and wanted to take a company public. He had invited Chen Shou once before at the Shanghai International Film Festival, and now he was extending another invitation.

"Forget it, I'm not interested in film investment. I just want to make my own good movies," Chen Shou said.

"Alright then, just let me know if you need anything. Shanghai Film Group has everything you need."

(End of this chapter)