The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

"Director Tian, ​​Teacher Xu, please come inside."

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Brother Xiaoming."

On February 28th, at the entrance of Wanda Hotel in Zhaoyang District, Gu Ning and Han Sanpin greeted guests.

The movie "Lost in Thailand" finished its run on February 25th and officially ended its theatrical run.

The final box office reached 74.36 million, which was much higher than Gu Ning's expectations.

China Film Group proposed to hold a celebration banquet. Gu Ning originally didn't want to go through all that trouble, but Han Sanpin said that this was the time for him to officially enter the industry and make connections.

This also serves as excellent publicity for the new movie.

Gu Ning then agreed.

Apart from some teachers from the Beijing Film Academy, the other guests were all invited by China Film Group, so there were a lot of guests attending.

Not only some popular celebrities from mainland China, but also many companies in the industry sent people to participate.

Led by Han Sanpin, Gu Ning introduced him to the guests, his face almost frozen with a smile.

"Director Ning, Brother Bo!"

Gu Ning saw Ning Hao and Huang Bo get out of the car and walk over, and greeted them with a smile.

"Director Gu, you flatter me too much."

Huang Bo quickly extended both hands and shook hands with Gu Ning, his attitude very enthusiastic.

"Director Gu, you didn't come to my celebration party last time, you'll have to drink a few glasses as punishment later." Ning Hao smiled and extended his hand.

"Definitely, definitely."

Gu Ning smiled and said, "Because I was busy with film promotion and attending film festivals abroad, I didn't go home for the Chinese New Year. I was going home to spend time with my parents, which is why I was delayed. I'll punish myself by drinking three cups to apologize to Director Ning later."

"Just kidding, Director Gu, you go ahead with your work, we're going in."

Ning Hao smiled and shook hands with Han Sanpin to greet him, then led Huang Bo into the hotel.

The smile on his face disappeared as soon as he entered.

Affected by the news of Gu Ning winning the award, "Crazy Racer" ultimately failed to break the 100 million mark.

If the difference were much greater, it wouldn't be so bad, but in the end, the box office difference was only a little over a million.

Ning Hao had considered using some underhanded tactics, but when the news came back, there were only a few days left before the movie was taken off the screens.

With screenings being cut again, using underhanded tactics at that time would have been too easy to be discovered.

Once it's exposed, it will be a huge loss.

He knew it wasn't Gu Ning's fault, but it was indeed because of Gu Ning's influence that he almost became a director with a box office of 100 million yuan.

How could I not be angry?

Gu Ning did not attend his victory celebration banquet, even though he could have easily chosen not to come.

However, there were some media reports about the time he blocked Xu Zheng.

Although it didn't cause a big uproar, if he were to miss the celebration banquet again, someone might bring up the old issue again.

He didn't think he had done anything wrong, after all, they were competitors.

But in the eyes of outsiders, what he did was indeed unethical. Now that the movie has been taken off the screens, he doesn't want to be brought up again because of this.

He hadn't felt this stifling feeling for a long time—a feeling he didn't want to come, yet had no choice but to.

However, he suffered the same fate twice with Gu Ning, and one can imagine how distressed he must have felt.

Gu Ning was unaware of all this. After Ning Hao went in, more people arrived one after another.

As he was exchanging pleasantries with the guests, a Bentley and a Mercedes pulled up in front of the hotel.

The doorman stepped forward and opened the back door of the Bentley. Two middle-aged men in suits stepped out; they were none other than the two CEOs of Huayi.

Two women in evening gowns got out of the Mercedes behind them: Li Bingbing, one of the "Four Dan and Two Bing" actresses, and Huo Siyan, known as the "Socialite of Huayi."

Li Bingbing and Huo Siyan stepped forward and each took the arm of the two CEOs, Mr. and Mrs. Wang, and walked over.

"Mr. Wang!"

Han Sanpin smiled and extended his hand, saying, "Welcome!"

"Hello, Mr. Han."

In recent years, Huayi has become a leading private company in the industry. Last year, the company passed the review and is about to go public. The two CEOs can be said to be riding high.

However, they were very humble in front of Han Sanpin.

Han Sanpin exchanged a few pleasantries with them, then turned to introduce them: "Let me introduce you two, Mr. Wang. This is Director Gu Ning."

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Wang."

Gu Ning smiled and shook hands with the two CEOs, then nodded to Li Bingbing and Huo Siyan.

"Director Gu is young and promising. Would you do me the honor of having a private chat with me later?" Boss Wang said with a smile.

"I will certainly do you the honor of accepting Mr. Wang's invitation. I will go and toast Mr. Wang in a bit," Gu Ning replied with a smile.

"Then I'll wait for Director Gu."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mr. Wang led his people inside.

"Recently, Huayi has been making numerous invitations to well-known directors. He probably wants to invite you to join Huayi. You should be prepared," Han Sanpin reminded him.

"Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Han. I understand." Gu Ning nodded slightly.

Joining Huayi Brothers is impossible, but if Huayi Brothers wants to invest in his movies, it's not impossible to negotiate if Huayi Brothers can sell him some original shares.

However, this possibility is extremely slim. As the first listed entertainment company, Huayi's listing is highly anticipated and viewed favorably by many.

If he were willing to join, he could definitely get some initial shares, but cooperation is almost impossible.

Not long after Huayi's people went inside, a Maybach drove up, and a thin, unremarkable man in his early thirties got out.

When Gu Ning saw Jing Tian getting off the car on the other side, she guessed the man's identity.

Lu Zheng led Jing Tian forward, smiling and extending his hand, saying, "President Han, Director Gu!"

"President Lu." Han Sanpin nodded.

Gu Ning said politely, "Thank you for the honor of Mr. Lu's presence."

"President Han, this is Jing Tian. I'll have to trouble you to take care of her from now on," Lu Zheng said with a smile.

"Hello, Mr. Han. Hello, Senior Brother Gu."

Jing Tian greeted him with a smile and a graceful demeanor.

"Haha, she doesn't need me to take care of her," Han Sanpin laughed.

"Mr. Han is joking. There are too many shady characters in this industry, and there are always some who don't know their place. Only you can keep them in check."

"I will help if I can. Please come in, Mr. Lu, and we can talk later."

"Then I won't keep you any longer, Mr. Han."

Lu Zheng nodded slightly and looked at Director Gu Ning: "I'd like to discuss a collaboration with Director Gu. When would be a convenient time for you, Director Gu?"

"After the banquet, or at a time that Mr. Lu can suggest, I'm available," Gu Ning said.

Lu Zheng said, "Then let's do it tomorrow. I heard that President Gu has started a company. I'll go to President Gu's company to talk tomorrow morning."

Gu Ning nodded: "Then I'll wait for President Lu at the company tomorrow."

Lu Zheng nodded and led Jing Tian into the hotel.

More guests arrived one after another, and once everyone was there, Gu Ning and Han Sanpin entered the hotel.

8:30 p.m.

With all the guests present, Gu Ning led Wang Baoqiang and Xu Zheng onto the stage with Han Sanpin.

A huge poster for "Lost in Thailand" was displayed behind the stage, and on the table on the stage was an ice sculpture with the box office figures for "Lost in Thailand" carved on it.

Speaking of which, the ice sculpture smashing segment at the movie's wrap party was actually organized by Mr. Wang, the CEO of Huayi Brothers.

People in the industry felt that this was not only impressive but also full of symbolism, and many followed suit.

It has now become a tradition.

Although the celebration banquet was hosted by China Film Group, Gu Ning was the main character today, and the host handed the microphone to Gu Ning.

"First of all, I would like to thank all the guests for taking the time to attend."

Gu Ning bowed to express his gratitude, and then said some polite words, nothing more than how difficult the creation was and how happy he was to achieve this result.

He said he would continue to create more high-quality films and contribute to the development of China's film industry.

Han Sanpin, Xu Zheng, and Wang Baoqiang also exchanged a few words. Then, amidst applause, Gu Ning and Han Sanpin together raised their hammers and smashed the ice sculpture.

The reporter who was invited to take the picture quickly pressed the shutter to capture the moment.

"Everyone!"

After smashing the ice sculpture, Han Sanpin took the microphone and said, "The fantasy romantic comedy film 'Back to 20,' written and directed by Gu Ning and co-invested by China Film Group, has been officially approved. Casting will be held soon, and those interested in participating can keep an eye out."

Everyone present was shocked by the news; they hadn't expected Gu Ning's second film to be approved so quickly.

Most of the actors who came looked at Gu Ning with eager eyes.

Ning Hao's first film grossed over 20 million yuan, and his second film almost broke 100 million yuan.

Gu Ning's first film grossed over 70 million yuan. If his next film can maintain the same level of success, breaking 100 million yuan is a certainty.

After all, with China Film Group participating in the investment, the publicity level is on a completely different level.

For those artists, being able to participate in such a performance is a rare opportunity.