Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 257 Xiying's Attraction and Overseas Departure Plan

Huayi Brothers has been having a tough time lately. Their film, Fang Hua, which was originally scheduled for release during the National Day holiday, was forcibly pulled from theaters and had to be rescheduled for release.

The release date was finally set for December 15th, before the start of the Lunar New Year film season.

The early release was naturally to avoid competing with films released during the Lunar New Year holiday. With "Mojin: The Lost Legend" as a foundation, the promotion of "Candle in the Tomb" proceeded smoothly.

The production companies for "Candle in the Tomb" were reduced to two: Shou Zhe Pictures and Wanda Pictures. Even China Film Group was excluded and did not receive a share.

The IP has already been established, so there's no need for anyone to reap the benefits. Even if China Film Group has objections, there's nothing they can do.

The celebration banquet for the operation in northern Myanmar was attended by many people, but it was not as large as the premiere. The premiere had certain significance, and the fact that Wu Jing's film made history combined with the event drew a large number of people to attend.

The celebration banquet is a way for the production company to celebrate the film's great success. It mainly attends the actors and other companies with which the company has a good relationship.

Guo and Yu strolled happily through the crowd, both appearing unusually energetic today.

Others are envious of the two of them. Guo Degang makes a lot of bad movies, but Chen Shou is there to support him. He can make money without having to act.

"Teacher Yu, Teacher Guo."

People kept greeting them, regardless of whether they knew them before or not, just to get acquainted with them.

People kept coming and going to greet them, and the elderly couple beamed with joy.

Chen Shou was the same; he was constantly socializing, and together they broke ice and ate cake.

At the celebration banquet, representatives from Xi'an Film Studio came in person, and representatives from three state-owned enterprises, including Chairman La and Chairman Ren, were also present. A director from Golden Shield also attended.

"What Director Chen said before still holds true. If you're willing, the door to your hometown is open for you. Welcome to join Xi'an Film Studio." The director of Xi'an Film Studio sat next to Chen Shouzhe and said loudly to him.

The surroundings suddenly fell silent. Inviting Chen Shou to join Xi'an Film Studio?

The expressions on the faces of Mr. La and Mr. Ren turned strange; they had never thought of this before.

Chen Shouzhe was a lone wolf; he didn't have his own faction. Although he was considered part of the Beijing elite circle, he wasn't a privileged son of a high-ranking official.

He comes from the Northwest, and if we count by birthplace, he is indeed from the Northwest region.

Joining a state-owned enterprise means being formally employed. If Chen Shouzhe really joins Xi'an Film Studio, then Xi'an Film Studio might actually be able to be revived. After all, Chen Shouzhe has already established his own independent faction. Joining Xi'an Film Studio would give him an additional identity, plus his own resources.

Guo and Yu stopped eating upon hearing this, knowing that Chen Shouzhe would not agree.

Actually, Yu Qian is also employed; he is still an actor in the performing arts troupe, which means he is considered part of the system.

Joining will definitely come with certain limitations, but big directors have fewer restrictions, and as they get older, it's not impossible for them to rise to the top in the future.

For example, Director Tong came from Xi'an Film Studio and worked his way up to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Given Chen Shouzhe's achievements, it's quite possible that he could have a bright future. He has the academic qualifications, a master's degree in directing from the Beijing Film Academy, plus his experience and influence.

Liu Xiaobing and the director of Jin Dun looked at Chen Shouzhe with curiosity. Everyone at the table was from the production companies. Han Sanping put down his chopsticks with great interest and looked at Chen Shouzhe.

"Haha, Director Wu, forget it. There are too many restrictions on entering a state-owned enterprise. I prefer a more free life," Chen Shou said, raising his wine glass.

"Sigh, your age and experience are perfect for joining Xi'an Film Studio. In any case, Xi'an Film Studio welcomes you. You understand film," Director Wu said, raising his glass.

"Alright, Lao Wu, if he really wanted to join a state-owned enterprise, I would have brought him into China Film Group long ago. You wouldn't have had a chance," Han Sanping said, trying to smooth things over.

"Xi'an Film Studio has indeed declined in recent years. Film production has gradually shifted to more and more developed areas. How many stories are left on this yellow earth now?" Director Wu sighed.

The people at the table all understood movies and what Director Wu meant.

Movies have become entertainment-oriented.

The trend of entertainment naturally gravitates towards economically developed regions. The Loess Plateau of Northwest China once boasted many poignant and inspiring stories, but it wasn't as entertainment-oriented then.

With the marketization and entertainment-oriented nature of the film industry, it naturally tends to favor big cities.

It is a tragedy that some films and television dramas are detached from reality and have no understanding of the poverty of ordinary people.

"Say such discouraging things at a victory celebration, no wonder Xi'an Film Studio has declined. A tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives. Why does Xi'an Film Studio insist on clinging to the Loess Plateau? Thirteen dynasties have been established in your area. There are stories everywhere, only incompetent people. Five thousand years of history is vast and magnificent, full of good stories."

Only Han Sanping could say such a thing. Director Wu smiled, picked up his wine glass and said, "You've taken all the benefits. Look at how capable you are. Old Ren, do you think he's arrogant?"

"It doesn't matter. What use are the words of a retired person? Things are not like they used to be. The film market will only get better and better, but it will also become more and more brutal." Ren Dong glanced at Chen Shouzhe while speaking. In the current film market, the winner takes all, and Chen Shouzhe is obviously that winner. If Shanghai Film Group wants to gain more, it must stick to this big guy.

After the celebration banquet ended and everyone had a few drinks, Chen Shou and his master returned to the horse farm together, with the driver and assistant taking them home.

"When are you going to America?" Yu Qian asked on the way.

"The day after tomorrow," Chen Shou replied.

He hasn't been back to the US since returning from the Oscars this year. There are still many things waiting for him to handle there. He needs to go and take care of them, and he might need to film a movie there. He'll probably return to China before the end of the year.

He might not be able to attend the premiere of "The Lost City". He could return in December if things go smoothly, or possibly in January if things go slowly.

"How long will you stay?"

"It could take a month, or two months at the fastest, to shoot a foreign language film," Chen Shouzhe said.

"Is there enough time?"

“Just a crime movie,” Chen Shou said.

"Aiming for the prize?" Yu Qian suddenly thought of something.

"Yeah, maybe we should try for an Oscar again." Chen Shou nodded.

Yu Qian didn't know what to say. Oscar was too far removed from him. In China, only Chen Shou could talk about it so casually. Thinking that the child he had raised had suddenly become more capable than him, he felt gratified, but he couldn't help but sigh that he was getting old.

When the car arrived at the horse farm, it was late at night and all the animals were asleep. However, the sounds of crickets fighting could be heard from the room where they were kept.

"Dad, Grandpa!!!"

It was almost November, and the weather was getting cold. When they opened the door, a little figure jumped out and startled them, instantly sobering them up considerably.

"Ouch!"

"Little girl, why aren't you asleep yet?" Chen Shou was startled and quickly squatted down to hug his daughter, who was wearing pajamas.

"Stinky, no." The little girl rejected Chen Shouzhe's hug after smelling the cigarette and alcohol on him.

Chen Shou reluctantly let go of his hand. Yu Qian sniffed his own body and asked his wife, "I'll go take a shower too. Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"She can't sleep, she's very active, and insists on waiting for her father to come home so they can sleep together," the teacher's wife said helplessly.

"Then I'll go take a shower quickly, and wait for Dad."

"it is good."

"I want to sleep with my eldest brother too," Yu Lao Er shouted.

"No way," the little girl shouted domineeringly, standing in front of him.

(End of this chapter)