Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 268: Crying and Pleading, Suppressing the Release

"Grass!"

In his office, Feng Xiaogang was trembling with anger after seeing Xiao Wang's Weibo post.

I'm really shaking.

How many screenings did Wanda Cinemas allocate to Fang Hua?

4.44%, less than 5%.

They blatantly reduced the number of screenings for his film, even though Huayi Brothers' cinemas did the same, only giving "The Lost Tomb" 30% of the screenings.

However, Huayi didn't dare to offend Chen Shouzhe so openly. If Chen Shouzhe also interfered with Huayi's cinema chain, would they continue to play this game and rely solely on Huayi's own movies to be released in theaters?

It's definitely not enough. Currently, domestic cinemas basically prioritize films from film studios, because everyone knows that films from film studios are profitable.

Over the years, his reputation among audiences has grown better and better, and audiences are willing to pay money to see his movies.

With such a disparate number of screenings, how could Feng Xiaogang not be anxious?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was trembling with anger, but there was absolutely nothing he could do.

Fang Hua's screenings were already suppressed, and what was expected to break 100 million yuan in a single day ended up losing 40 million yuan.

Moreover, the box office was suppressed even within the rules, so no one can really be blamed for this.

"What should I do? Am I just supposed to watch his movies overshadow me and make me unable to lift my head? The Lunar New Year film season has practically become his box office goldmine for so many years," Feng Xiaogang grumbled.

"You don't mean you're planning to harm them, do you?" Wang Zongjun said irritably.

“If this continues, our movie will lose hundreds of millions in box office revenue. We can’t just stand by and watch the movie go unrewarded,” Feng Xiaogang said.

“He didn’t use any other means; he just followed the rules. Everyone’s competing on publicity. If someone were to attack from behind, he could do the same.” Wang Zongjun shook his head.

"Then we can only compete on publicity. Wanda has too few screenings. Can't we communicate with them?"

"Zong Lei has already made contact. The suppression is too obvious; the higher-ups won't sit idly by."

Feng Xiaogang sat on the sofa, angry, while Wang Zonglei had indeed gone to the Film Bureau to find Zhang Hongsheng.

“Director Zhang, that’s how it is. Wanda’s suppression is too obvious. Just because Wanda produces films doesn’t mean they can give their own films so many screenings while suppressing ours. Our Huayi Cinemas has not suppressed their films’ screenings.” Wang Zonglei said excitedly to Zhang Hongsheng.

“I know you’re in a hurry, but don’t rush. I know about the screening schedule Huayi gave Fang Hua before the release of ‘Candle in the Tomb’. You can handle your own theaters’ affairs. Wanda’s actions are within the rules and haven’t broken any regulations,” Zhang Hongsheng said, waving his hand.

“But…” Wang Zonglei wanted to say something, but faced with Zhang Hongsheng’s threatening gaze, he became obedient.

“Director Zhang, I admit that the cinema chain’s operations are problematic. Wanda went too far this time, directly cutting off our film screenings. How are we supposed to produce films in the future? Let Chen Shou handle everything. Can’t we just hand over the entire domestic market to him?” Wang Zonglei said.

"Chen Shou can make money with movies, but Huayi can't. Did Fang Hua not make any money? Or did Huayi not make any money? Don't you know how well you're doing?" Zhang Hongsheng said irritably.

Everyone in the film and television industry knows how much support Huayi received from above back then, giving them the green light all the way to go public. But what happened to all that money?
It's the stock market investors who suffer.

These two brothers have already eaten their fill; all they're doing now is crying. They've already eaten their fill and cleaned themselves up.

Faced with Zhang Hongsheng's sarcasm, Wang Zonglei knew he was in the wrong and slunk away from the Film Bureau.

"Candle in the Tomb" is still showing in theaters. Monday was Christmas Day, and the box office actually dropped slightly to 2.0132 million yuan. Other films in the Lunar New Year season were also released, starting to compete for box office revenue. "Fang Hua" was further squeezed, unable to gain traction under the strong performance of "Candle in the Tomb."

Wu Ershan has established his status in the film industry with the Ghost Blows Out the Light series, and there is another film coming up, Yunnan Insect Valley. The Ghost Blows Out the Light series has made him a fortune.

Chen Shouzhe didn't have much to do, so he was busy with the post-production of the movie "The Departed" at Xiao Xiaomeng's place.

It's worth mentioning that "Infernal Affairs" is about to be released. Hong Kong is known for its fast pace, and Emperor Entertainment has sped up the production for this film. The film was initially confirmed in May, filming started in July and ended in August, and now they want to release it before the Chinese New Year season.

"Are you in such a hurry to release it?"

Chen Shouzhe seemed somewhat anxious when he received Yang Shoucheng's call.

“There aren’t many movies left in Hong Kong these days. Infernal Affairs has already been completed, and I think it’s ready for release. It would be released right before the Spring Festival, which is about two months before the New Year, a perfect gap. I originally wanted to release it during the Spring Festival, but the Film Bureau disagreed. Stephen Chow’s The Mermaid and Guo Fan’s The Wandering Earth are also going to be released, either in March or before the New Year. March is a bad time slot, and there are also foreign blockbusters, so I decided to release it before the New Year,” Yang Shoucheng said.

"Is there enough time to start publicity?" Chen Shou asked.

"Sure, the publicity is no problem. I've already had Huazai and the others prepare, and they'll cooperate with the film's promotion," Yang Shoucheng said.

“I still think it’s a bit too hasty. How about we wait until next year to release it?” Chen Shou said.

"Next year? Won't that be too late?"

“Another version of Infernal Affairs will also be released next year. Releasing both movies together will create the biggest hype,” Chen Shou said.

"Will this work?" Yang Shoucheng exclaimed in surprise.

“Sure, the two movies will be released at the same time next year, which can be used to generate buzz,” Chen Shou said.

"Okay, I'll listen to you then," Yang Shoucheng readily agreed.

Releasing two Infernal Affairs films simultaneously can indeed bring different results. After all, all four lead actors are talented, and the films are also excellent. Both films can be marketed and promoted to the maximum extent.

He still has several films in the works that he hasn't prepared yet, but he's still hesitant about Journey to the West.

The IP of Journey to the West is not easy to manage if not handled properly, and it would be quite difficult for Chen Shou to make his own film.

As the year draws to a close, there is more and more work to be done, and companies are already calculating their annual revenue.

Some are happy, some are sad, and some have already begun to give up.

Chen Shou didn't even know how much money he earned in a year, but he still gritted his teeth and paid the taxes, even though it hurt him.

"Don't look like that. Compared to what you've earned, this money is nothing," Zhong Lifan said with a smile when she saw Chen Shou's pained expression.

She checked this year's income and was shocked by the numbers; she hadn't expected it to be so high.

Thinking about how her bonus this year has increased by several thousand yuan, she can't help but feel happy.

"Take it away, I really don't want to see it, it hurts my heart," Chen Shou said.

"Actually, you can too..."

"Forget it, I don't need those tricks. Just be honest and upright. As long as I have enough money, that's fine," Chen Shou comforted himself.

(End of this chapter)