Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 185 Public Relations
[Shouzhe Pictures announced that the Ghost Blows Out the Light film, Mojin: The Lost Legend, will be released during the Lunar New Year holiday season on December 23. The film is based on the latter half of the novel Ghost Blows Out the Light and is directed by Wuershan.]

Finally, the big IP "Ghost Blows Out the Light" is making its move. Many people know that it's not coming with good intentions. We'll find out on the 23rd of next month.

Chen Shou was on his way to Hollywood to attend a public relations party.

He could skip Warner Bros.' event, but he couldn't skip Blue Star's. "The Pursuit of Happyness" was a movie produced by his own company, which grossed $400 million worldwide.

They made a fortune, so they paid even more attention to the Oscars, and Chen Shou had to handle the public relations himself.

Feng Xiaogang finally won the Golden Horse Award for Best Director, which he had been hoping for. Huayi Brothers is still working hard to win more domestic awards next year, since their company can only rely on Feng Xiaogang now.

As the name suggests, the PR party is an invitation for members of the academy to come and have a gathering. As for the movie, they have already seen it and it has already been released.

If it's to be released next year, then it needs to premiere before July.

Luxembourg and Will are both ready, after all, it concerns their future income and net worth.

When Chen Shou arrived, he started public relations the next day, inviting many members of the academy, including Zhang Ziyi. She was able to suppress big actresses like Zhou Xun precisely because of her status as an Oscar judge.

However, with the sinking of the Taiping ship, she completely lost her commercial popularity, making it difficult for her to make movies in the future. Becoming a mentor on variety shows is more suitable for her.

"Director Chen, I didn't expect it to really be you. I was stunned for a moment when I received the invitation," Zhang Ziyi said, holding a wine glass.

"Haha, the movie has a budget prepared in advance, just in time to try and win an Oscar. Warner Bros. is also having a party tomorrow, you should come too," Chen Shou said.

"Tomorrow?" Zhang Ziyi was stunned. She hadn't received an invitation, and besides, a film studio should only be able to invite alumni once.

"It's Warner Music; Gravity is also aiming for an Oscar." Chen Shouzhe noticed her confusion and quickly explained.

"Huh? Both of your movies are going to be nominated for Oscars?" Zhang Ziyi looked at Chen Shouzhe in shock. This ridiculously young man, who was even supposed to call her aunt, had actually achieved this.

After six years in the industry without winning a single award, he's now aiming for the Oscars.

"Haha, it's not just the Oscars, Warner Bros. has also submitted the Golden Globes. Gravity will not only be involved in the Oscars, but also in the Golden Globes' PR," Chen Shou said.

"That's amazing! I'll definitely vote for you. I hope you can win the first Oscar for mainland China," Zhang Ziyi said, taking a deep breath.

"I hope so." Chen Shou smiled, took a photo with Zhang Ziyi, and then began to deal with the other academy members.

After the first public relations effort ended, Chen Shou fell asleep from exhaustion, while the country was abuzz with excitement because of a single photograph.

[The annual Oscars PR reception has begun. It's a pleasure to see a great director from our country in a foreign land. I hope Director Chen can achieve his dream and win the first Oscar for mainland China.]

Zhang Ziyi's statement, once released, immediately caused an uproar.

The film and television industry has turned its attention to this, especially the directors, who are completely stunned.

"Is this the start of their Oscar bid?"

“He doesn’t participate in any domestic awards, and even the Huabiao ceremony is accepted by someone else on his behalf. Yet he actually went to the United States to attend the Oscars.”

"Is it his movie, The Pursuit of Happyness?"

"If he succeeds, he will be the next Chen Kaige."

"Why was there no news at all before?"

The directing community was stunned, while the acting community was even more excited. There are many directors with international influence, but very few who can truly introduce their actors to a wider international audience. Take, for example, director Zhang Yimou, who launched the careers of Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi. That's in terms of awards. Chen Shouzhen, on the other hand, focuses on film recognition; his films enhance commercial value.

Why do celebrities in the entertainment industry want to befriend Chen Shouzhe? Because they know that Chen Shouzhe has a large ship that can travel overseas, something that others don't have.

Many people called or texted Chen Shouzhe, but when they couldn't reach him, they went directly to the horse farm.

Feng Xiaogang, who was overjoyed after winning the Golden Horse Award, never expected that Chen Shouzhe would steal the spotlight from him.

Compared to the Oscars, the Golden Horse Awards are nothing, not to mention that they tricked Gong Li last year. Many people speculate that Feng Xiaogang won the award not because of his ability, but because the other side gave in, which is why he was given the award.

Feng Xiaogang, who had only been happy for a few days, found the Golden Horse Award in his hands rather dull. Compared to the Golden Horse, he actually wanted the Big Three and the Oscars more.

"That's when he started aiming for the Golden Horse Awards. Before, when he went to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Film Awards, he won the Best Screenplay award, but he didn't go up to accept it. Instead, he went to Venice and won an award. I never expected that his goal would be the Oscars." Inside the Huayi Building, Feng Xiaogang sat in his office drinking tea and sighed.

"An Oscar isn't something he can just win at will. He's an outsider; he's probably just talking the talk," Wang Zonglei sneered.

“Indeed, they’re very xenophobic over there.” Feng Xiaogang nodded, holding his coffee, which wasn’t bitter at all, but rather very sour.

If you can't find Chen Shouzhe, leave a message on his Weibo.

They're all acquaintances, all friends.

"You're going to the Oscars soon, aren't you taking your aunt with you?"

"Wishing Director Chen a resounding success."

"Go Oscars, boss!"

"When is Director Chen coming back? The Oscars aren't until February next year."

Celebrities in the entertainment industry naturally sent their blessings one by one, and those who were close to them even joked around with each other.

Chen Shouzhe, who was in the United States, ignored all of this and participated in the public relations event for Gravity the next day.

He spent more than half a month on public relations. Fortunately, he could hold his liquor and got to know a lot of people in Hollywood.

As of December 12th, the domestic film and television industry has already begun preparing for the Lunar New Year film season.

The premiere of Mojin: The Lost Legend is on the 17th, and Chen Shouzhe's public relations work is almost over. Today is the day the Golden Globe nominations will be announced.

At this moment, he has already boarded a plane back to China to prepare for the premiere of "Mojin: The Lost Legend." The Golden Globe Awards announcement will be made after he lands on the plane.

Anyway, I've done everything I can. These past few days I've been drinking with people, explaining the core of the film, and learning about the hobbies of the academy members.

Gravity doesn't need him, and the hope of happiness knocking on the door isn't great either; it's all up to us.

Even just getting a nomination is a huge benefit to a film, at least it can help sell a decent distribution rights at an international film festival.

"Boss, we'll see the results as soon as the plane lands. We didn't budget too much for the Golden Globe Awards, so don't have too high hopes," Lu Sen comforted Chen Shou before he boarded the plane.

"Then let's hope Warner will make some progress. I'm leaving now, see you next month," Chen Shou said.

"See you next month, boss."

　Still taking care of her at the hospital
　　
　
(End of this chapter)