Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 126 Taking Advantage of Someone's Kindness? They've really gotten too big for their britches, Chen Kai!
When Zhao Haicheng contacted Tsui Hark, Tsui Hark was at Bona Film Group discussing with Yu Dong the new film he was preparing to direct.

The production cost of "Women Are Not Bad" was approximately 3000 million yuan.

This is Bona Film Group's way of showing respect to Tsui Hark.

It was already quite cold in the capital, but inside Bona's house, it was still warm and cozy.

Yu Dong and Tsui Hark chatted about the recent hot news on the internet, and couldn't help but sigh:
"Old Xu, I'm not trying to be mean, but I've been around for years and I've never seen anyone like Director Cao. He treats the enemy like nothing and is determined to fight these unscrupulous media outlets!"

You might think I was giving Director Cao face by criticizing the media for being unscrupulous, but only I know that it was Director Cao who was genuinely giving me face!
I missed out on "Nanjing Photo Studio" back then, and I thought "The Sun Also Rises" was doomed. I went to see Chairman Han, but my old boss was restricted by China Film Group and couldn't make decisions on my own, so he couldn't help me. If it weren't for Director Cao getting scolded and helping me out, I would definitely be in a terrible situation now.

"I, Bona Film Group, can invest eight million in your film. I'm doing this purely out of consideration for our good relationship, and even more so because of Director Cao's support for me back then. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the money to invest in your new movie."

Although Yu Dong was drinking tea, his face flushed with excitement when he talked about Cao Zhong.

Fortunately, the release and distribution of three films during this period, namely "The Sun Also Rises," "Triangle," and "Brothers in Arms," ​​helped him recover some of his losses. Of course, "The Sun Also Rises" was the biggest contributor to his recovery. During September, he suffered a small loss but made a huge profit.

In this respect, Yu Dong's gratitude towards Cao Zhong was indeed genuine.

“Although I’ve never met Director Cao, he has a great reputation in Hong Kong.” Tsui Hark smiled. “Mr. Jiang is a guest of honor in Hong Kong, and everyone gives him face. Even in Hollywood, he has more influence than Mr. Yang. It’s really rare to see him be completely silenced by Director Cao.”

"Yes." The two chatted about gossip, both quite shocked.

Suddenly, Tsui Hark received a call. He gestured to Yu Dong and then clicked to answer.

Then, his expression suddenly turned serious.

"Did Director Cao contact me?"

"Director Cao wants me to ask you if you have any new film projects coming up," Zhao Haicheng said, "to ask about your situation first."

Tsui Hark glanced at Yu Dong, then hesitated for a moment, "This one can be omitted."

After hanging up the phone, Yu Dong asked in surprise, "What Director Cao?"

"Which Director Cao could it be?" Tsui Hark's expression was strange. "Director Cao Zhong, if you want to know if I have any new film projects, I did hear that you contacted Dante Lam. I really didn't expect that you would call me."

Yu Dong was stunned for a moment, then said excitedly, "We definitely have to seize this opportunity!"

He thought for a moment, "And I suspect that what you're asked to film might be the second movie, with a budget of over 60 million, and this movie actually has a premium."

Tsui Hark's breathing became slightly heavier, and he was somewhat excited.

After "Seven Swords", his directing career entered a watershed moment, which could even be described as a complete collapse of his network and reputation.

After causing investors to lose a huge loss of 100 million RMB, his situation deteriorated even further.

In order to suppress him, the investors specially invited Ringo Lam and Johnnie To to co-direct the film "Triangle," which was just released last month.

He then made another film, "Missing," a suspenseful romance movie. The production company boasted that the investment cost was nearly ten million US dollars, but in reality it was only a little over twenty million.

The film we're going to talk about today, "All About Women," is a romantic comedy film initiated by Ji'an Yongjia. The investment was only 30 million, but Tsui Hark himself had to find other investors to join in. He was only willing to invest 8 million, which meant that Yu Dong had a good relationship with him and was willing to give him a hand.

In fact, Tsui Hark was very resentful.

Nobody believes he can direct a big-budget production himself.

"Do you think I should accept the offer?" Tsui Hark asked.

"Why wouldn't I accept?" Yu Dong said. "Working with Director Cao is like a breath of fresh air! Director Cao is the most talented young man I've ever met!"

"Do you consider me a brother?" Yu Dong's expression was solemn. "Call Zhao Haicheng back. You need to seize this opportunity."

Tsui Hark hummed in agreement, his gaze gradually clearing.

……

The news that Tsui Hark wanted to direct the film quickly reached Cao Zhong's ears.

Since Lu Yang and Shen Ao had previously participated in his project, Cao Zhong thought about it and decided to bring along Mao Weining, the director of the original TV series.

He has always filmed war-themed TV series, but he is most famous for the TV series "Ordinary World" that he filmed in his previous life.

Cao Zhong intends to cultivate him into one of his own, because in the future, films of this kind can't always rely on outside help.

Both Chen Kaige and Tsui Hark are ambitious people. Cao Zhong will likely find it difficult to completely suppress them in a short time, so some groundwork will eventually have to be laid.

These days, many moviegoers follow the reputation of famous directors. Cao Zhong originally intended to have these three co-direct.

After Xu Zheng contacted Mao Weining, Mao Weining, upon hearing of this opportunity, naturally refused to let it slip by.

The fact that a TV drama director can make movies represents a qualitative change at the class level.

The intention was good, but the news did not go as Cao Zhong expected.

When Chen Kaige learned that the two directors he was co-directing with were Tsui Hark and a TV series director, his face turned green.

He is a renowned director who has won the Palme d'Or.

Although he was heavily criticized by a group of viewers who didn't understand art, how could a TV drama director possibly take advantage of that?
Upon receiving the final message, Chen Kaige immediately became anxious.

The call bypassed Han Sanpin and went directly to Cao Zhong.

"Director Cao, isn't this co-directing a bit too much?"

Chen Kaige still respected Cao Zhong and didn't dare to raise his voice, but his tone was very dissatisfied. "Xu Ke can barely follow behind me and get some of my fame, but what kind of monster is Mao Weining? I've never even heard of him."

Cao Zhong narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Director Chen, my original intention was that you could handle the large-scale battle scenes, Tsui Hark could focus on the visual design and pacing of key battle scenes to enhance the tension and dramatic tension, and Mao Weining, after all, is the best director of the Feitian Award. Let him delve into the dramatic scenes, create ensemble dramas, and meticulously showcase the unique political work scenes of our army."

Chen Kai had lost face in front of Han Sanpin and had been holding a grudge ever since.
Upon hearing Cao Zhong's words about the tension and dramatic tension of key battles, as well as his deep exploration of dramatic scenes,
In an instant, the dramatic scenes and narrative structure of "The Promise," which had been the subject of much criticism at the time, suddenly struck him like a blow.

He sensed a strong sense of sarcasm behind those words!

Chen Kai was somewhat dissatisfied, and for some reason, he suddenly lost his temper and immediately turned pale.

"It's fine if you hire Tsui Hark, but aren't my dramatic scenes good enough? Why do you need a TV drama director?" Chen Kaige said. "Let me handle the dramatic scenes too, or I won't film it."

Cao Zhong felt that Chen Kaige was getting a bit too arrogant, and said in a deep voice, "Director Chen, don't you know how badly you filmed your dramatic scenes? How badly was 'The Promise' criticized?"

At that moment, the temperature on the other end of the phone plummeted.

Chen Kaige's face instantly stiffened. Chen Hong was beside him and could sense the anger emanating from him, but he dared not retaliate. His pride and frustration quickly overwhelmed him.

During the phone call, Chen Kaige flew into a rage.

"Director Cao, you're the one who came to me begging to make this movie. Without my reputation, do you dare say this movie could have made 300 million?!"

Chen Kaige exclaimed excitedly, "I never expected you to be someone who doesn't understand art either. Have you seen my film 'The Promise'? If you haven't, then you have no right to comment. If you have, then I'm extremely disappointed in you. I thought you were one of the few future stars of Chinese cinema..."

But if those viewers don't understand it, it's because their cultural background is lacking; it's their problem, not my film's problem.

If you're like them, it means you have absolutely no appreciation for art!

Cao Zhong wanted to hang up the phone, but he still snorted coldly.

"Director Chen, do you know what the most tragic thing in life is?"

Chen Kaige was taken aback. "What is it?"

"It's okay to lie to your buddies, but don't lie to yourself too."

Cao Zhong forced a smile and said in a calm tone,
"If it weren't for giving Chairman Han face and helping you out of the quagmire of 'The Promise,' would you really think that only you could do it? Apart from 'Farewell My Concubine,' which movie of yours was made with your father's help, which movie of yours was good enough?"
Whether the movie "The Promise" is good or not, the people around you, your actors, your wife, and even your business partners may deceive you and coax you.

The online reviews are right there, so you think your art is art?

I do not understand art, and I am indeed giving Mr. Han face by agreeing with you and explaining a few things, but Director Chen, I believe you have artistic taste, but don't take it seriously.

How much did all your movies gross in total? Are you putting on airs with me?

Chen Kaige's face turned ashen in an instant.

Just as he was about to retort, he noticed that Cao Zhong had hung up the phone.

Chen Kaige nearly died of anger, his blood rushing to his head.

……

(End of this chapter)