How did I become famous?

Leaving aside Wu Kai's secret vow and determination, Zhang Luo started chatting with Fang Bie.

"Xiao Fang, I think you should reconsider?"

Zhang Luo has always been an innovator in Chinese-language cinema.

But he still felt that Fang Bie had taken too big a step.

Having just created a new film genre, they rashly ventured into making art films... Isn't that putting the cart before the horse?

Fang Bie disagreed: "I'm sorry, Director Zhang. My dream is to make an art film; that's what art is in my heart."

That's nonsense.

He prefers watching blockbuster movies.

But there's no way around it, we need to make a living.

To make a living, art films have to be made.

So I can only make it up.

Zhang Luo remained noncommittal: "You young people are just too ambitious. I was just as reckless as you back then... This time, you're nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars with me, so you'll have to broaden your horizons. Let me tell you, the Oscars are mostly for commercial films."

He's really not good-looking, so don't go and make any art films.

This doesn't seem like the behavior of an artistic person!

Fang Bie did agree with some of what he said.

While Oscars are indeed dominated by commercial films, the academic judges actually prefer movies that vene an art-house aesthetic over commercial films.

Why does making a movie have to involve some kind of metaphor?

Fang Bie didn't care anyway; he just felt that as long as a movie was good, that was enough.

"We have to give it a try." Since this conversation wasn't going well, Fang Bie changed the subject. "By the way, Director Zhang, are you confident you can win Best Foreign Language Film this time?"

"There's a 30% chance, but the odds aren't high." When it came to his business, Zhang Luo laughed, "Our cultural style has never been compatible with the Western way of doing things. Unless we deliberately try to cater to them, there's no chance."

He looked pleased with himself when he said this.

More than a decade ago, during his most rebellious period, he deliberately made a film to prove those old fogies wrong, and it actually won Best Foreign Language Film.

It's just that it's not the Oscars, but Cannes.

After that, he never made another film that deliberately touted itself as "artistic" or "avant-garde".

Because he had perfectly achieved his goal—he had successfully slapped those old geezers in the face.

This was also the battle that established his status.

But when he came to the Oscars this time, he wasn't actually as humble as he claimed.

Even if we don't say there's a 70% chance, we're at least 40% certain.

"What a pity." He sighed. "It's a pity that your film doesn't meet the aesthetic standards of those academic judges. Your film will probably only be a runner-up."

He wasn't being sarcastic; he was simply stating a fact.

"I don't think I have a chance," Fang Bie said casually. "That film has too much of a righteous and correct feel to it. My film doesn't meet the standards, so even if it's nominated, it's just a runner-up. Besides, to be honest, my film was carried by other people. I basically did nothing. If that can win Best Foreign Language Film, then the Oscars can be abolished."

Zhang Luo comforted him, "It's okay, it's all about participation. You're still young, you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Fang Bie's film will win an award." Su Mulin, who had been wearing an eye mask and resting with her eyes closed, suddenly sat up and spoke.

She removed her blindfold and said calmly, "Besides Best Foreign Language Film, our film was also nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Music, Best Editing, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup."

Fang Bie was utterly shocked: "So casually? Besides Best Foreign Language Film, are there any other foreign films that can be nominated for the Oscars? And if so many films were nominated, the internet in China would have exploded by now!"

Zhang Luo didn't say anything; he felt terrible.

He was overjoyed when he got nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. But then, his film, Kuang Kuang, was nominated for several other awards.

And then Fang Bie, that kid, still acts all high and mighty!

"Xiao Fang, excessive modesty is just hypocrisy. Don't learn those bad things."

Fang said helplessly, "Director Zhang, why am I being hypocritical? I really just filmed whatever came to mind. Look at these awards yourself, there's no Best Director or Best Screenplay award, which I just happened to do. What they really valued was my team."

Zhang Luo smirked. He thought this kid was being a bit too pretentious: "Then why are you telling me that the 70 million investment is a rumor? To be honest, I feel that with the level of your production team, 70 million is an understatement."

This kid is dishonest; he doesn't seem like a good person.

Fang Bie retorted: "It's really not 70 million. My company keeps a record of all budgets. If I'm lying to you, I'll write 'Fang Bie' backwards."

Zhang Luo looked puzzled: "So what exactly is your cost?"

"Seven million."

"..." Zhang Luo was speechless. "Are you kidding me?! You think you can make something like that movie for seven million?!"

"There's nothing I can do if you don't believe me." Fang Bie was even more speechless than him. "But the cost really was only seven million."

And that was after he had spent more than he should have.

They booked hotels for the employees, provided boxed lunches costing around 20 or 30 yuan, and provided transportation to and from work. They also bought new props and costumes.

If he followed the typical production team's approach, he could save at least half the money.

"So you actors don't get paid?"

"The two lead actors each received 100,000 and 50,000 respectively, while the others received between 10,000 and 30,000. All the extras were introduced by Brother Wu, and even his salary was paid by him."

"Are you saying those explosion scenes and stuff are free?"

"Angkor introduced me to him, and he also paid for it."

"Are the employees paid without working?"

"Yes, Director Zhang, you guessed right. They basically didn't ask for much money."

"What about special effects? The special effects and equipment are all free?"

"The special effects were done by the special effects artist himself, and he didn't ask for any more money. The equipment was all borrowed from Brother Su, and Brother Wu also provided some support."

How much do your employees earn?

"Um... a little over three thousand on average."

"..."

Zhang Luo's mentality collapsed.

The average salary for a top-tier Hollywood production crew is only three thousand?

I hired a second-rate American special effects company to do the post-production and it still cost me tens of millions!

Not to mention the rest.

The total number of actors is eight figures, and the first one isn't even one.

The salaries of the crew members, as well as the cost of props and equipment, are not small sums.

As a result, the movie they made, which cost them 100 million, was still not as good as others in every aspect!

Where can I go to seek justice?!

And that kid Wu Kai too!

No wonder he spent all of his 80 million investment!

So you're a traitor, spending your own money to support someone else's movie! Do you think you deserve a share of the credit for "Captain China"? Why don't you just ask them to put your name in the end credits?

So, you're trying so hard to help someone, why the hell did you hire an online troll army to smear them?

Reverse propaganda?

But your own movie flopped...

Wu Kai, are you an undercover agent sent by Fang Bie to the company?

"Xiao Fang, I need to talk to you about something."

"Director Zhang, please speak."

"Where did you find all these talented people? Get me a few too. Don't worry, I'll definitely offer high salaries; at the very least, they can easily earn over ten thousand a month."

"To be honest, I tried to persuade them. I even discussed it with Speed ​​Shadow and arranged for them to go to their place; they were even allowed to film their own stuff independently. But these guys absolutely refused to leave, insisting on coming with me for three thousand a month! Where can I even complain to them?!"

Fang Bie was disappointed that his son was not living up to his potential.

Zhang Luo glanced at him, his complex expression matching Wu Kai's.

He felt he was about to turn to the dark side.

Where can you go to seek justice?

Where the hell can I go to seek justice?!

P.S.: I'll post it at an irregular time, as soon as I finish writing it.