The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

When Gu Ning saw that she refused, he didn't say anything, but instead gave her a number so that she could contact him if she had this idea.

He recalled that Nazar initially intended to join the Xinjiang Cultural Troupe, but failed due to the restructuring of local arts groups.

Then, persuaded by friends, he took the entrance exam for the Beijing Film Academy and was eventually signed by Sugarman.

Once she learns her true identity, she will naturally contact him when she plans to apply to the Beijing Film Academy.

Even if they don't contact each other, it doesn't matter. Gu Ning only mentioned it when she encountered it, and she didn't really care.

…………

"Old Gu, you can't do this."

When they were leaving after dinner, Liu Sanxi put his arm around Gu Ning's shoulder and said, "You just talk about signing a contract without even introducing yourself."

"Didn't you see how those girls looked at you like you were some kind of monk when I mentioned movie box office numbers while we were eating?"

"I simply wanted to sign a contract; it's not as dirty as you think."

"That girl is so beautiful, a real beauty from Xinjiang, aren't you tempted?"

"She's not even eighteen yet, I don't want to cause trouble."

"No wonder you wanted to sign her."

Liu Sanxi suddenly realized, "So I was planning to sign it and keep it in reserve for now."

"..."

Gu Ning didn't know how to refute it for a moment. To say there was no problem was indeed a bit of a problem.

As one of the three beauties of the Western Regions, and the most beautiful of them all, Gu Ning was quite attracted to her looks.

If it weren't for the fact that she wasn't yet eighteen, Gu Ning would most likely have paid more attention to her.

Don't be disappointed.

Liu Sanxi smiled and said, "I can tell that she's a little interested in you after she found out who you are, but she's too shy to say anything. She'll definitely contact you later."

"Then I'll take your good wishes. Let's go now, I'm sleepy," Gu Ning urged.

…………

The following morning, Gu Ning brought the trophy and Liu Sanxi to the school.

When I arrived at the photography department, I saw a red banner hanging on the teaching building—Congratulations to Gu Ning, a student in the photography department, for winning the Golden Bear for Best Short Film at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival.

"..."

Gu Ning arrived at Xu Bing's office and knocked on the door.

"Enter!"

When Xu Bing saw Gu Ning walk in, he laughed and said, "Oh, our Golden Bear Award-winning director is finally back. Quickly, let me see the trophy."

Gu Ning said helplessly, "Teacher Xu, if you're going to do this, I'm leaving."

"You can leave, but the trophy will stay," Xu Bing said with a smile.

"That won't do."

Gu Ning handed over the trophy and said, "This is my first award, I have to keep it as a souvenir."

Xu Bing took the trophy and examined it for a while.

"Teacher Xu, who allowed that banner to be hung up? It makes me feel so embarrassed. Is it really necessary for a short film award?"

Gu Ning opened the cabinet and made herself a cup of tea.

"If the school hadn't objected, I would have had it hung up at the main gate."

Xu Bing said triumphantly, "My student won an award, so of course I have to publicize it."

"Quite a few people from our photography department have won awards, haven't they?" Gu Ning said.

As the top-ranked film and television academy in China, even its weak acting department has produced a number of award winners.

They have also won awards in other departments that have them.

"If it were a photography award, there wouldn't be much to display. It's only for directing awards, especially the three major ones, that we need to display our awards," Xu Bing said smugly.

Gu Ning shook her head, too lazy to bother with the grudges and feuds of the older generation.

After admiring the trophy, Xu Bing took out his phone and made a few calls. Soon after, the department head, Li Wei, and several teachers from the photography department arrived.

The group took turns playing with the trophy, praising Gu Ning highly and encouraging him to make a feature film and submit it for the three major awards.

Li Wei even said that he would personally be his photographer if he wanted to take pictures.

Gu Ning could only give a perfunctory reply, saying that he would shoot an award-winning film once he had a good script.

Gu Ning stayed at the school for more than half an hour before leaving.

He didn't take the trophy with him when he left. Li Wei told him to leave it at the school for a few days and return it to him later.

Gu Ning knew they wanted to show it off, so she could only agree.

As soon as Gu Ning left the school, he received a call from Director Chen, asking him to go to China Film Group as soon as possible.

Gu Ning then took a taxi to China Film Group.

Upon meeting Director Chen, after exchanging a few pleasantries, Director Chen said, "Director Gu winning an award abroad will greatly boost the box office. Yesterday's box office was 5.41 million, already exceeding the opening day's box office. According to the new forecast, the final box office should be able to break 70 million. Do you think we should take the team to do some more promotional work?"

Gu Ning pondered for a moment and shook his head, saying, "At this point, the benefits of doing publicity are very small. If I win an award, it will translate into box office success, which is based on national pride, not audience curiosity about me personally."

Directors like Zhang Yimou and Feng Xiaogang are famous, but how many audience members actually go to their promotional events specifically to see them?

Their fame is largely reflected in their box office appeal.

If a second-tier celebrity and Zhang Yimou are both holding events in the same city, most people would choose to go see the second-tier celebrity rather than Zhang Yimou.

"How will you know if you don't try?" Director Chen advised.

"never mind."

Gu Ning shook his head and said, "At this point, the box office won't be much higher. I still need to prepare for the next movie."

"The next movie?"

Director Chen became interested upon hearing this and asked, "You've already prepared the script for your next movie? What kind of movie is it?"

"I had some initial ideas. If Director Chen hadn't contacted me, I would have already gone to meet with the screenwriter to discuss the script," Gu Ning said.

Director Chen said, "This matter isn't urgent. I urgently called you over because President Han wants to see you."

"Does President Han want to see me?"

Gu Ning was somewhat surprised to hear this. The only person who could be addressed as President Han by Director Chen was Zuo Shandiao, known in the underworld as Third Master.

However, at this time, "The Flowers of War" had not yet been released, and President Han did not yet have the nickname "Mountain Eagle".

"President Han admires talented new directors the most. Your first film has achieved such high box office results, so naturally President Han would like to meet you," Director Chen said with a smile.

"I have long admired Mr. Han's reputation and respect his contributions to the development of domestic films. It is an honor for me to meet him," Gu Ning said.

Despite the many criticisms leveled against Zuo Shandiao by people in the film industry, he did indeed make significant contributions to the development of the film industry.

"Haha, come with me," Director Chen said, standing up.

Director Chen led Gu Ning in the elevator to the floor where President Han's office was located. They stopped outside the office and knocked on the door.

"Enter!"

After receiving permission, Director Chen pushed open the office door and led Gu Ning inside.

When Gu Ning entered the office, she saw an unremarkable-looking, somewhat overweight man sitting behind his desk.

"President Han, this is Director Gu Ning," Director Chen introduced with a smile.

"If it weren't for Lao Chen's introduction, I really wouldn't have believed that someone with such a good appearance would study photography."

President Han smiled, stood up, stepped forward, and extended his hand, saying, "No wonder Director Gu chose to direct and act in his own film."

"Hello, Mr. Han."

Gu Ning quickly reached out and shook hands with President Han, smiling slightly, "I had no choice but to do that, it was just to save money."

"Ha ha."

President Han laughed and said, "Since Director Gu is short of money, why didn't you think of coming to China Film Group? China Film Group itself also has the responsibility to support the development of the film industry."

"With President Han's words, I'll definitely come to China Film Group next time," Gu Ning said with a smile.

"There's no need for a next time."

Director Chen interjected, "Didn't Director Gu say before that he already had an idea for his next film?"

"Oh?"

Mr. Han's eyes lit up. He pointed to the sofa next to him and said, "Director Gu, sit down and let's talk."

After exchanging a few pleasantries and having his secretary serve tea, President Han finally inquired about Gu Ning's plans for her next film.

"My next project is a romantic comedy film set in the city," Gu Ning said.

"good."

President Han nodded approvingly. Although he liked making big-budget films, Gu Ning, as a newcomer, still needed more time to mature.

He has seen too many directors who, after becoming famous, try other genres and eventually disappear from the public eye.

Although "Lost in Thailand" is a road comedy and quite different from romantic comedies, it is still comedy at its core, which is a type of comedy that Gu Ning excels at.

"Tell me the budget, China Film Group will invest," President Han said with a wave of his hand.