Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 427 The Chinese entertainment industry still depends on Datang Film Industry

The teapot gurgled and steam rose in wisps.

Chen Kaige, known as the "poet" of the entertainment industry, is sitting side by side with his friend Huang Jianxin on an old-fashioned mahogany sofa.

Beside the two sat an elderly man with gray hair, yet he was in good spirits.

He skillfully arranged the tea set, holding the teapot high and letting boiling water pour in to scald and awaken the tea leaves...

After a series of procedures were completed, two cups of brownish tea were served to Chen Kaige and Huang Jianxin.

The old man sat back down and raised his head. A glint of shrewdness flashed in his clear eyes: "Have some tea! Don't tell me you rarely come here; I wouldn't even offer you tea."

"Hey, Lao Han, you're getting younger and younger with your retirement!"

Huang Jianxin pointed at the old man and laughed and scolded him, then turned to Chen Kaige and said, "Look, he can even joke with us now."

"Third Master is still active even after retiring. Look, the TV series he directed caused quite a stir on 'Little Life' not long ago."

Chen Kaige echoed his sentiments, thinking he had accurately described Han Sanping's recent masterpiece.

Unexpectedly, Han Sanping curled her lips in displeasure upon hearing his praise.

"Old Chen, the TV series you're talking about, it wouldn't be 'The Xuanwu Gate Incident,' would it?"

"Yes! A while ago, there was news that this drama was broadcast on NHK, a small TV station, and the highest single-episode rating reached 15.5%. The ratings were also very good in places other than South Korea."

"That's Mr. Chen's drama, what does it have to do with me?"

"Uh...aren't you a producer?"

Seeing Han Sanping's serious expression, Chen Kaige realized that he had used the wrong compliment.

"Cough cough."

Huang Jianxin used a light cough to cover up Chen Kaige's embarrassment and said, "Old Han, I heard you mention this President Chen when we had dinner last time. You mentioned him again this time. You have a very high opinion of him."

"That is!"

Han Sanping's eyes widened, making his already rosy face even more flushed.

"Putting everything else aside, the things he's done are all admirable! Look, conditions have improved in the last ten years, and we thought movies and TV series could finally go global, but what happened? One by one, they've been complacent and have spent half their lives in the film and television industry, yet they're not as good as a recent graduate!"

These pointed remarks left Huang Jianxin unperturbed, but Chen Kaige looked rather embarrassed.

Han Sanping continued, "Don't be fooled by the fact that you asked me to be the producer for 'The Qin King's Battle Song' and 'The Xuanwu Gate Incident.' I actually spent less than two weeks on set in total. President Chen handled all the work. He's not only successful domestically, but he's also going international..."

"..."*2
Chen Kaige and Huang Jianxin exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat awkward.

Their visit today was for a reason, but before they could even discuss the matter, Han Sanping started praising Chen Xiu.

Although what Chen Xiu did was indeed commendable, that wasn't the purpose of their visit!
"Ahem, Lao Han."

Huang Jianxin interrupted Han Sanping's praise and decided to get straight to the point: "Well, we came here today because we have something to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"It's a tribute film for next year. The higher-ups want me and Brother Kai to be in charge, and then we'll find a few private film production companies to work together to make the film. We'd like to ask you for advice..."

"Of course we'll go to Datang Pictures. Do you think you'd go to Huayi Brothers?"

Han Sanping answered quickly, showing a very strong recommendation.

This made Chen Kaige and Huang Jianxin even more embarrassed. They had just spoken with Feng Xiaogang before coming, and he had strongly recommended that Huayi Brothers participate in the film production...

Chen Kaige was a little confused: "Third Master, you used to think highly of Huayi."

"That was true before. Although the two kings had some minor flaws, they were quite conscientious in their work. But in recent years, what they've done—do they even have any humanity left?"

"What about Datang Pictures?"

"Mr. Chen has already achieved great success elsewhere, and his return to the film and television industry to start a new business shows that he truly loves this career! Not to mention, the achievements of Datang Pictures in recent years are unparalleled in the industry!"

After praising Datang Pictures, Han Sanping suddenly leaned over to the two of them and whispered a few words.

"Regarding what happened last month, Datang Pictures took the lead and received widespread support within the industry. Even companies in the Hong Kong film circle followed suit and spoke out."

"Although the higher-ups haven't made a clear statement, they are privately satisfied."

"In my estimation, we'll have to rely on Datang Pictures to take the lead in these matters in the industry in the future!"

Upon hearing these words, Chen Kaige and Huang Jianxin had rather complicated expressions on their faces.

The two fell into deep thought, picked up their teacups, and took small sips.

The tea was almost gone, but Han Sanping didn't refill it. Instead, he said with interest, "Hehe, how about I arrange a time for you two to go to Datang Film Studio in person?"

"Brother Kai, what do you say?"

"I also can."

After exchanging opinions, Huang Jianxin put his teacup on the table and said to Han Sanping, "Then I'll trouble you to help me make an appointment and see what Datang Film Industry's intentions are."

……

"Directors, I'm sorry, Mr. Chen finished his work this morning and left."

Seeing the fleeting look of disappointment in Chen Kaige and Huang Jianxin's eyes, Wei said sarcastically, "If there's anything, you can communicate with me directly."

"Uh... Mr. Wei?" Huang Jianxin looked at Wei Feng with uncertainty, thinking that this deputy general manager of Datang Film Industry was too young, although Chen Xiu was also very young.

Wei Feng didn't take it seriously: "Haven't you asked?"

"The main purpose of our visit is to inquire whether Datang Pictures is interested in participating in the preparation of next year's tribute film."

Huang Jianxin frankly stated that since he was already there, and Han Sanping still highly praised Datang Film Industry, he wouldn't stop talking about things just because he couldn't see Chen Xiu in person.

Upon hearing the words "tribute film," Wei Feng frowned in confusion.

"Director Huang, aren't patriotic films usually handled by China Film Group?"

"The main producer of this tribute film is Huaxia Film Distribution, but in order to promote the development of the industry, Huaxia Film Distribution also invited several film and television companies to participate in the production of the film. Director Chen Kaige and I are the general coordinators of this tribute film."

Chen Kai gave Wei a sarcastic smile, appearing very polite, without any of the pedantic air of someone who constantly spouts poetry online.

Wei Feng smiled and nodded in return, then continued to Huang Jianxin, "If Datang Pictures is involved in the film production, what do we need to do?"

"After two rounds of discussions, we have tentatively decided to present this tribute film in the form of an anthology film. If Datang Pictures is willing to participate in the production, then you need to recommend a director to participate in the tribute film competition and then choose one of the short film stories to shoot."

"You mean piecing together several short films into one movie?"

"A compilation of short clips would be more accurate."

Chen Kaige took the initiative to join the conversation because he was the one who suggested the anthology movie format, and he was quite proud of it.

Wei Feng remained silent for a long time, seemingly considering it seriously.

Huang Jianxin and Chen Kaige didn't want to disturb them, so they just exchanged glances.

The difference was that Huang Jianxin's eyes showed more doubt and confusion, while Chen Kaige's eyes revealed a hint of interest and anticipation.

"Director Huang, Director Chen."

"Huh?"*2
Seeing the two elderly men looking up in confusion, Wei Feng asked, "Can the directors we recommend freely choose the content and actors for the short film?"

“We already have 15 shortlisted events. The director needs to make a selection from this range. As for the actors, that is naturally up to the director.”

"understood."

Having figured out the situation, Wei Feng didn't hesitate any longer.

"I need to discuss this matter with President Chen to see which director we should choose..."

"Mr. Wei, do you mean that Datang Pictures is willing to participate in the film's production?"

Huang Jianxin asked Wei Feng with a serious expression, confirming the information.

He thought that Wei Feng was young and that his trip today would be in vain. He assumed that even if Wei Feng knew about the tribute film, he would only discuss it with Chen Xiu before making a decision.

Unexpectedly, since Wei Feng agreed so readily, the only thing that needed to be discussed was the selection of the director.

Meeting Huang Jianxin's questioning gaze, Wei Feng nodded affirmatively, his smile, learned from someone, quite gentle.

"Directors, you can rest assured. I am mainly in charge of the company's content. For such an important matter, President Chen will definitely be willing to participate. It's just that he is not here today, so he asked me to give his consent on his behalf."

"The director we need to discuss is someone we have worked with, and we have a lot of excellent directors working with Datang Pictures. We really need to have a serious discussion about who to choose from among them."

Upon hearing this, Huang Jianxin's gaze towards Wei Feng changed.

In interpersonal interactions, one's level of understanding can be discerned in just a few words.

Wei Feng's answer just now not only expressed his authority within Datang Film Industry, but also fully protected Chen Xiu's position. Furthermore, by choosing a director, he demonstrated Datang Film Industry's talent pool.

Her language skills were impeccable, and her attitude was so pleasant that it made people feel like they were basking in a spring breeze. It's clear that age and ability are not really related.

After confirming Wei Feng's response, Huang Jianxin discussed with him the preparation and start of filming for the tribute film.

It's already mid-December, and there's not much time left for the movie to be released during next year's National Day holiday.

After the three of them had finished discussing and Wei Feng promised to finalize the director selection within the week, Chen Kai suddenly asked a question.

"Mr. Wei, if there is a suitable role in this tribute film, would Mr. Chen be willing to take it?"

"Ok?"

Wei Feng paused for a moment, looking at Chen Kaige with great uncertainty, trying to confirm whether he had misheard.

Huang Jianxin also gave Chen Kaige a strange look, wondering: Is Old Chen's scholarly spirit getting the better of him again?
Chen Kaige, lost in his own thoughts, paid no attention to the two men's gazes and instead felt deeply that the matter was feasible.

"The story I chose features my youngest son as the second male lead. The male lead hasn't been decided yet, but Mr. Chen is very suitable. He also likes acting."

"Mr. Chen is quite busy lately and can't film."

Once he realized Chen Kaige wasn't joking, Wei Feng refused quite decisively.

Chen Kaige said unwillingly, "I can accommodate Mr. Chen's schedule."

"We can't cooperate. After Mr. Chen finishes his meeting in the morning, he goes to work on that matter at noon. He won't be available until May next year, and he also has other commitments after that."

"What is so important?"

"The company is preparing for an IPO."

Upon hearing this, Chen Kaige stammered and shut his mouth like a quail, secretly thinking that this matter was indeed very important...

(End of this chapter)