Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 529 The "Noah's Ark" of the East

Frank felt a sense of relief upon hearing Liu Yimin's words. George continued eating his meal, oblivious to the conversation between Liu Yimin and Frank; he simply thought that Chinese chicken tasted better than American chicken.

American directors typically own their own film companies, earning not only directing fees but also a share of the film's investment.

Even if they have the ability, they won't fully fund their films; they'll seek out large investors or multiple investors for their films.

On the one hand, it's about sharing the risks; on the other hand, it's about everyone making money together, integrating theater chains and promotional resources to make the film bigger and stronger. In this kind of environment, it's best to avoid hoarding the profits.

Frank also had his own films, but Frank's productions weren't particularly strong. It wasn't until "The Redemption of a Slave" that Frank's film company experienced a significant improvement in its capabilities.

This is why Frank immediately traveled to China to find Liu Yimin after the screening of "The Redemption of a Slave".

Frank wiped his mouth with a tissue: "Liu, let's talk in the study!"

"it is good!"

Entering the study, Frank asked, "Liu, are you interested in investing in a film with me?"

"What? You don't want to?"

"No, no, no, I'd be delighted, Liu. I'm very happy to work with you. I wonder how you'd like to proceed? I suggest we set up a separate film company, with each of us contributing funds. In addition, your screenwriting skills and my directing abilities can be considered as equity."

Frank, having spent years in Hollywood, believed that only shared interests could truly bind two people together. To get a script, profits had to be shared. Otherwise, Liu Yimin's script today could be given to him or another director.

"Frank, no, no, no, we're only talking about funding. The director's fee and the screenwriter's fee are separate. After all, the script is part of the equity, so when we share the profits, it won't be a royalty fee, but operating income, and the income will be subject to personal income tax."

"All the extra money we earned went to taxes," Liu Yimin quickly said.

Frank was a little disappointed when he heard this, but from an algorithmic point of view, it was quite cost-effective.

"Do you want to invest your own money, or set up a company in China and then we can form a joint venture?" Frank asked.

Liu Yimin frowned and said, "I am not very familiar with the specific terms of the Sino-US tax agreement. I need to think about it carefully. The less money left in your country, the better."

Currently, private individuals cannot establish companies, but for Liu Yimin, finding a place to register his business is not difficult.

"Liu, how much money are you prepared to offer?"

“All the profits from this script, Frank, I want to take a controlling stake, but you will handle the operations in the US, while I will oversee the finances. If you mind, this company only needs to film my script,” Liu Yimin said.

Frank had his own interests to consider; if Liu Yimin controlled the company, he would receive less money.

Frank didn't respond, but said, "Liu, you know this is a big deal, a major transaction. I need to think about it carefully."

"Okay, you have plenty of time to think it over, Frank. I believe in your abilities and mine. Together, we can definitely grow bigger and stronger and create new glories!" Liu Yimin nodded, not letting him make a decision immediately, but instead tempting him with the promise of profits.

Frank said, "I'll think about it and give you an answer."

Frank and Liu Yimin returned to the dining table. Frank looked at Zhu Lin and asked, "Zhu, Liu is planning to invest all five million US dollars in the film. Do you agree?"

"Really?" Zhu Lin glanced at Liu Yimin in surprise, then smiled and said, "Teacher Liu is in charge."

"Zhu, aren't you afraid of losing money? This is a huge sum of money; it could buy many, many more courtyards like this in China."

“Teacher Liu is in charge of the money he earns. We can live well even without these five million. Frank, Teacher Liu will make the decisions on the important matters in my family, I will make the decisions on the minor matters, and we'll leave the trivial matters to time.” Zhu Lin held Liu Yimin’s hand and looked up at him.

George slapped his thigh: "Camera, this photo is so beautiful, I have to take it."

“What is a small matter?” Frank asked.

"As the Chinese often say, there are no small matters concerning the nation or its people!"

Frank shrugged and looked at Liu Yimin: "Liu, your family atmosphere is just too good. Because of such a family, you are able to write more heartwarming works. A person's upbringing has a huge impact on their thinking."

Stephen King's impoverished childhood and his father's abandonment provided him with ample material for his horror fiction.

“But his ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ is also good,” Liu Yimin said.

"Actually, it's like a horror story. You're innocent but thrown behind high walls, you don't understand why, you're abused, you're confused, you're helpless."

Frank's words resonated deeply with George, making him feel as if he had fallen into the sea, surrounded by water, unable to find a way out, and filled with helplessness and despair.

The meal lasted nearly two hours, until Liu Yu and Liu Lin had both learned to say "Hello, hello".

After dinner, Liu Yimin drove them back to the Yanjing Hotel. Seeing that George still wanted to say something, Liu Yimin said, "You don't need to say it. I understand. Don't worry, I'll think about it carefully."

Liu Yimin told them to have a good time in Yenching these few days, and if they didn't have a translator, he would introduce them to a student from Yenching University.

"Take a good look at this Yanjing, because in a few years you won't be able to see this scene anymore."

"why?"

"Because China is developing at a rapid pace, the future of cities all share a common direction, which is reinforced concrete and towering buildings. If you want to climb the Great Wall, you can find a good guide."

After Liu Yimin drove away, George said to Frank, "Liu, always so confident."

"This is called national sentiment, but Liu is not a racist. It's rare in developing countries. Even in France, when people hear 'America,' the first things that come to mind are power and following!"

Back at the hotel, the two happily discussed where to go for sightseeing the next day, pointing to the map of Yanjing on the table.

As artists, their first thought was to experience Chinese history and culture, and their choice of destination was remarkably consistent.

Visit the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Old Summer Palace, and other famous restaurants such as Quanjude and Fengzeyuan, which are well-known abroad.

After Liu Yimin introduced them to a translator, he didn't pay any more attention to the two of them. The two of them hired a yellow van and had a great time.

Currently, there are more taxis in Yanjing, but most of them still serve foreigners and people from other places. Ordinary residents will not spend money to take them.

The vehicle was a yellow minivan, which dominated the car rental market in Yanjing for ten years before being phased out in the late 1990s.

At the same time, Frank also notified the company in China to find information for Liu Yimin about the events surrounding Kennedy's assassination, including Kennedy's entire life.

In mid-October, Frank and George visited Liu Yimin's courtyard house again. Liu Yimin was revising the script for "Green Book." Frank saw that the script had been revised a great deal and gave Liu Yimin a thumbs up for his efficiency.

"Liu, everyone says Americans are efficient, but I think you Chinese are more efficient."

“It’s Chinese custom to treat guests like guests, so we can’t let you leave empty-handed. Of course, George, you’ll have to wait a bit; you know a novel can’t be finished in a short time,” Liu Yimin said.

George laughed and said, "I recently learned a new phrase: 'Good food is worth waiting for,' and I'm not afraid of being late!"

Liu Yimin put down his pen and said he would take them somewhere. Liu Yimin drove the two to the August First Film Studio. Frank had nothing to do at the moment, so he might as well let him watch "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" and also exchange ideas with Huang Zumo about film techniques.

Editor Yang Sen played the edited portion first. Frank and the others couldn't understand Chinese; they simply appreciated the film's composition and plot.

After the video finished playing, Frank glanced at Jiao Huang and said, "Liu, this gentleman acted very well. The director's filming technique was acceptable, but of course, some scenes would have been more exaggerated if it had been filmed by an American director."

What do you think of the box office performance in the United States?

Frank thought for a moment: "At least 30 million in box office revenue, that's just an estimate. Liu, you know, this novel is very famous in the United States. Environmental groups tour everywhere, and its influence is almost the same as yours, after all, the environmental protection and tree planting concepts you promote are reflected in it."

Liu Yimin translated the words to Huang Zumo, who was so excited that he jumped up as if he had a spring in his buttocks.

Frank added, "If it were an American, the box office would be even higher. Chinese characters in Hollywood movies are always negative. Liu, you have a great eye for casting. This gentleman looks resolute and kind."

Frank was telling the truth. Liu Yimin patted his leg and said, "Frank, let's work together and hopefully change this bad image."

"Liu, it's been a pleasure working with you."

In the afternoon, Liu Yimin and George went to Yenching University, while Frank and Huang Zumo had an exchange at the August First Film Studio. Liu Peiran found a translator to accompany them and also had many directors participate.

Upon learning Frank's prediction of Hachiko's success in the US, Liu Peiran felt as if the sky had cleared and the sun was shining upon her: "Ah! It's finally my turn, Liu Peiran!"

In class, many students from the Chinese department were discussing the issue of political autonomy in Europe, and then they discussed the two-party system in the United States and the West.

The class was particularly crowded, and Liu Yimin asked George to explain to them how the two major American political parties compete.

"American elections favor well-funded political parties, and the US presidential election favors those who are eloquent. With the rise of television, people pay less attention to presidential election policies and more to their language skills, or even their demeanor and appearance." An economics student wanted to refute this, shouting that it was nonsense, but the moment he stood up, he remembered that this guy was American, and could only sit down dejectedly.

You're a foreigner, you can't possibly know more about America than Americans do!
Previously, some people questioned, "Has Liu Yimin ever been to the United States?" Now, not only has he been, but an American has also been brought in to explain.

George even revealed a lot of inside information, including his private life which he enjoyed talking about: "Reagan, our president, had affairs with countless celebrities."

"Wow!" Hundreds of students were stunned. The few in the front row looked on expectantly, wanting George to continue.

George chuckled and then asked the students to ask questions after he finished speaking.

"Mr. George, what is your opinion on the US strikes against Libya this April?" Kong Qingdong asked, standing up.

Liu Yimin nodded to Kong Qingdong; this kid had actually done something this time.

The United States accused Gaddafi of supporting terrorism, leading to a skirmish between the two countries. Gaddafi shot down three U.S. warplanes, and the United States retaliated in April.

"No ordinary person likes war. It was a decision made by the government, which is regrettable! According to the US government, Gaddafi supported terrorism."

"Do you think the United States is acting out of other interests, such as oil or to break the Soviet sphere of influence?"

"It's possible, but I know that some people in the United States definitely profit. Military companies profit the most in the United States, but I think ordinary people will not gain anything except losing their children."

George admired Hemingway and inherited Hemingway's anti-war sentiments.

The students applauded again, pleased with George's candor.

Liu Yimin said, “You can understand the difference between us from this. I told you back then that the Ansar people are a predatory people. From the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, England, France to America, one after another, they all took turns, but none of them lost their predatory nature.”

Western missiles can automatically identify oil fields; wherever there is oil, there they will be.

"Hahaha!"

As get out of class was about to end, Liu Yimin stopped the Chinese literature students: "These past few classes have all been political classes. For the Chinese literature courses that weren't taught in class, go back and borrow notes from your seniors and review them on your own. In the next class, I will give you a comprehensive review. The pace will be faster, so if you don't review, you won't be able to keep up."

"Understood, Professor Liu." The student quickly left the classroom.

George remarked that Chinese students are more interested in politics than American students, paying closer attention to world politics.

"This is something that comes from the Chinese psyche. If you go to an old man in a hutong to play chess, he can tell you a story about the US-Soviet rivalry. Chinese people say that they care about everything, from family matters to national affairs to world affairs."

Liu Yimin went to the August First Film Studio to pick up Frank and take him back to the courtyard house. Jiao Huang and Huang Zumo also went along.

Just as he arrived home, Liu Peiran and Ding Daming from China Film Group followed closely behind.

They all wanted to hear Frank talk about the operating logic of American movies. When Ximei saw so many people, she scratched her head in a panic, wondering how she was going to cook.
Xi Mei looked at Liu Yimin with pleading eyes. Liu Yimin made a phone call and had a restaurant outside deliver a lot of food.

Ximei cooked some hot dishes herself, which was just enough to eat.

"Ding, Chinese films lack promotion. You need to understand that five dollars in box office revenue comes from one dollar in promotion; marketing is crucial. Marketing can't rely solely on word-of-mouth from the audience; producers have to actively promote the film's selling points. Take the movie 'Hachi: A Dog' for example; with good promotion, its box office revenue could have soared."

Frank carefully explained the key points and then talked about some foreign films imported into China.

Currently, the import of foreign films in China is generally done through buyouts, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of US dollars. At this price, you can usually only buy some outdated films.

Ding Daming of China Film Group invited Frank to give a lecture at China Film Group tomorrow to popularize the concept of film marketing and promotion among the audience.

Liu Peiran patted Ding Daming on the shoulder: "Our movie is finished. How much it makes depends on China Film Group. Don't mess with me, or next time I'll curse you out with Wang Yang."

"Old Liu, shut up. You've cursed me out plenty of times before."

Frank quickly waved his hand. He had come today to discuss cooperation with Liu Yimin, and now his business had been delayed.

"The day after tomorrow, what about the day after tomorrow?" Ding Daming said unwillingly.

Liu Yimin said, "Frank, you can't turn on your phone right now, so let's communicate more in China!"

“Okay then,” Frank said readily.

The following day, George began packing his bags to leave China, leaving Frank behind.

Frank and Liu Yimin discussed the script fee for "Green Book" in detail, which totaled $120,000 plus 0.5% of the box office revenue.

"Liu, are you satisfied with this price?"

"Frank, let's make a bet. If the box office exceeds two hundred million dollars, how about a basic script fee of two hundred thousand dollars?" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

Frank replied without hesitation, "Okay. The better it sells, the happier I am. Liu, if it exceeds 500 million, I can give you 500,000 to be included in the contract."

Frank didn't think it could exceed 500 million, and Liu Yimin also thought it was unlikely.

After discussing the script, Frank agreed to establish a media company controlled by Liu Yimin, with Liu Yimin holding 51% of the shares and Frank contributing 49% of the capital. The company would primarily be used for the filming and operation of Liu Yimin's script.

Liu Yimin agreed that the company's registered capital would be US$900 million, and the two would determine their respective investment amounts based on their respective proportions.

In addition, there is no fixed standard for the revenue sharing of Liu Yimin's scripts; instead, a flexible revenue sharing strategy is adopted, leaving Liu Yimin ample room for negotiation in the future.

"Frank, you will definitely not regret it."

"Liu, I believe in you, and I believe in myself. You're not an ordinary playwright, and I'm not an ordinary director." Frank happily tasted the baijiu in Liu Yimin's house; it was so spicy that he stuck out his tongue.

Neither of them had decided on a name for the media company.

"Liu, the name is yours."

I've thought it through and decided to tell you.

"Here, cheers."

After finishing his drink, Liu Yimin said, "Frank, you have to do me a favor."

"what's up?"

“Help me find someone in the US who was once helped by a Chinese diplomat to escape Europe. He was a witness to this. Don’t you think there’s something worth writing about in this story? The Eastern Noah’s Ark is much more real than the one in the Bible.”

Frank asked excitedly, "Really?"

"Yes, he's in America. I told Miller about it. Humph, those ungrateful Japanese! They didn't even think to look for him. We Chinese believe in repaying kindness. It's a touching story, what a pity! It must be known."

Frank raised his glass and said, "Liu, I can learn your Chinese tradition of gratitude for you."

Damn it, you've really mastered the art of flattery!

“Liu, really, the chances of ‘Redemption of a Slave’ winning an Oscar this year are extremely high, Liu, you know? It’s every director and actor’s dream. Liu, I really want it so badly. If you help me win, then you’re my benefactor.” Frank emptied his glass of wine again.

Huang Zumo said this to Frank's face, and Huang Zumo was referring to Liu Yimin. Frank remembered it well, and saying it now made it seem even more sincere.

"I look forward to your good news," Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"Liu, you can rest assured about my work. It's not easy for a Frenchman like me to make it in Hollywood. Most of the media in America is controlled by the Japanese. The Japanese are truly a strange race; it's unimaginable how they can so easily control money and other resources in any country."

"I heard that the Japanese once chose China as their settlement location," Frank asked curiously.

"That's true."

"If the Japanese came to China, would it be like the Middle East today?"

"No, this land of ours wasn't born this big; it was conquered by our ancestors. If you want it, you'll have to pay the price! If others try to take it, we'll teach them a lesson. Just like Japan, our predecessors fought one after another and eventually drove them out."

You haven't been in China long. If you have time, you can ask some veterans who fought in the war. They'll just say, "NO, go to hell!"

Since 1949, China has belonged to the Chinese people!

What is our answer? Our gun is our answer!

(End of this chapter)