Huayu Entertainment: Starting with Exorcising Evil from a Film Queen

Chapter 102 13x Profit! Returning to the Film Crew (3K)

"Awake?" Chen Zhixi held a thick stack of documents in her hand and spoke quickly, "The people from Sony Classic and Fox Searchlight are already in the conference room. They're punctual, as if afraid we'll back out."

"As long as the money is there, there's no reason to back out." Zhang Ze straightened his collar, strode towards the elevator, and said, "Let's go collect the money."

The atmosphere in the meeting room was much more relaxed than it had been a few days ago, but also more formal.

The classic Sony icon is still that middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses, but today his attitude is noticeably more respectful.

Seeing Zhang Ze enter, he stood up and extended his hand.

"Congratulations, Director Zhang. Your talent proves our judgment."

"That proves our bet." Zhang Ze shook his hand, then pulled out a chair and sat down.

Chen Zhixi pushed the drafted contract to the center of the table.

"As previously agreed, since 'Like Father, Like Son' won an official Cannes award, the North American rights are priced at three million US dollars." Chen Zhixi's voice was steady, but her fingers holding the pen turned slightly white.

The Sony representative smiled and signed the contract without any objection.

"Furthermore, we will add an extra $500,000 to our marketing budget in an effort to make a mark during the year-end awards season."

This is good news for Zhang Ze, meaning that his sources of reputation points will be more diverse in the future.

Next up was the Fox searchlight.

Although the European rights are not as large as those in North America, with the double endorsement of the Golden Camera Award and the Best Director Award, Fox did not try to lower the price further.

Two million US dollars to buy out the distribution rights for the entire European region.

Without any hesitation, the two parties completed the signing within half an hour.

After seeing off the two groups of people, Chen Zhixi slumped into a chair and let out a long sigh.

"Five million US dollars—and it's in my hands already?"

She stared at the two contracts on the table, feeling like she was dreaming. "Converted to RMB, that's over thirty million. How much did our film even cost?"

"Don't rush to settle accounts, there's still one more company." Zhang Ze glanced at his watch. "The Japanese distributor should be arriving soon."

Said that Cao Cao Cao Cao arrived.

Shinichi Ogawa of GAGA Corporation entered the conference room with two assistants.

Compared to the directness of Europeans and Americans, Japanese people appear more reserved and polite.

Shinichi Ogawa entered the room and bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle, offering a series of congratulatory remarks.

"Mr. Zhang, congratulations on winning this major award! This is not only an honor for you, but also an honor for Asian cinema!"

Zhang Ze gestured for him to sit down.

"Mr. Ogawa, let's skip the formalities."

Zhang Ze leaned back, crossed his hands on the table, and looked calmly at the other person.

Shinichi Ogawa wiped the sweat from his forehead.

The difference between before and after winning the award is completely different.

"Hi! We understand!" Shinichi Ogawa took out a new proposal from his briefcase. "Considering the film's potential in the Japanese market and the immense accolades you've received, GAGA is willing to increase the minimum guarantee to two million US dollars."

Chen Zhixi raised an eyebrow; this price had exceeded her expectations.

But Zhang Ze frowned and looked at Shinichi Ogawa.

"But we agreed on three million before."

Shinichi Ogawa was sweating profusely under his gaze, and gave a wry smile. "Mr. Zhang, three million is far too much for us. We hope you can reduce the amount. We are willing to make concessions in other areas."

Zhang Ze tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.

"I want 35% of the box office revenue!"

Ogawa Shinichi's face stiffened. "Zhang-san, I can't make this decision myself. Please allow me to make a phone call."

Zhang Ze gestured for Zhang Ze to proceed.

Ten minutes later, Shinichi Ogawa ran back again.

"We're willing to offer 35% of the box office revenue! But in terms of cash, please be lenient; two million is the most we can offer, Mr. Zhang! We've never given such treatment to a foreign director, except for works by Master Miyazaki!"

Zhang Ze quickly calculated in his mind.

The Japanese market has a high acceptance of this kind of delicate family drama, especially "Like Father, Like Son," whose core themes resonate with the pain points of Japanese society.

While the two million guarantee isn't as high as in Europe and America, the box office revenue sharing is where the real money comes in.

If managed properly, it's not impossible for the Japanese box office to exceed 100 million RMB.

"Deal." Zhang Ze held out his hand.

Shinichi Ogawa breathed a sigh of relief and quickly grabbed Zhang Ze's hands, shaking them vigorously.

After signing the last contract and seeing the Japanese off, it was already 2 PM.

Chen Zhixi closed the conference room door, turned around and leaned against the door panel, holding a calculator in her hand and pressing the keys rapidly.

"Three million in North America, two million in Europe, and two million in Japan, that's seven and a half million US dollars."

Chen Zhixi's voice began to tremble.

"At the current exchange rate, that's roughly 52 million RMB. Add to that the 5 million RMB guarantee from Bona Film Group in China—and all the miscellaneous minor copyrights—"

A number popped up on the screen.

Chen Zhixi suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide open, staring intently at Zhang Ze.

"Sixty-three million!"

She slammed the calculator on the table, making a crisp "smack" sound.

"Zhang Ze! Do you know what this means? Our film only cost less than five million! Even with marketing and distribution, it'll barely reach six million!"

"Ten times—no, almost thirteen times the profit!" Chen Zhixi felt a little breathless. "This doesn't even include the box office revenue sharing in Japan, or the future DVD sales!"

In this day and age, an art film is already considered lucky if it makes a 50% profit.

Some art films, once made, don't even recoup one-tenth of their production costs when shown on the big screen.

But now, Zhang Ze only has a 1300% return on a single film?

Even robbing someone wouldn't be this fast!

Zhang Ze leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.

"Don't get excited, the money hasn't arrived in your account yet. It's not too late to get excited after you've secured it."

"And don't forget, I get the lion's share of this!"

Chen Zhixi rolled her eyes at Zhang Ze, then took a deep breath and put the calculator down.

"I never imagined that a movie, especially an art film, could make so much money!"

Zhang Ze stood up and walked to the window. The Mediterranean sea breeze blew in through the half-open window, carrying a salty and damp smell.

"What you see is only what we've earned; the film studios have earned far more."

Chen Zhixi quickly tidied up the documents on the table, as if afraid that the contracts might suddenly disappear.

Only then did Chen Zhixi calm down. "What do we do next? Bona Film Group in China is already urging us. Yu Dong called personally and said he wants to see you."

Zhang Ze turned around and his gaze fell on Chen Zhixi's face.

"Tell him we'll talk about it when I get back to China. Let's finish things up here first."

Chen Zhixi nodded and picked up her phone to reply to messages.

Zhang Ze walked out of the conference room, the elevator doors opened, and Liu Hua was standing inside.

"Director Zhang, Li Xiaoran and Hao Lei are waiting downstairs."

Liu Hua's eyes were still bright as she spoke, "They said they wanted to say goodbye to you."

Zhang Ze pressed the elevator button without saying a word.

As the elevator descended, Liu Hua spoke again.

"Director Zhang, this is truly amazing—" He rubbed his hands together, "I still feel like I'm dreaming. The movie I acted in actually won an international award!"

"This is nothing! Brother Hua, with your acting skills, you might even win a Best Actor award someday!" Zhang Ze joked, making up a lot of nonsense.

Liu Hua shook his head with a wry smile.

He knows his own situation best; he's just not cut out for this role. With that face of his, who would cast him as the lead?

Winning Best Supporting Actor would be good enough.

The elevator doors opened, and people came and went in the hotel lobby. Li Xiao and Hao Lei stood in a corner, both of them dressed in casual clothes.

When Li Xiao saw Zhang Ze again, he walked over carrying a small suitcase.

"Our flight is at 3 p.m., so we need to go to the airport now."

Li Xiao took another step forward, lowering his voice even further.

"Come to my house after you finish filming, and I'll cook for you."

After she finished speaking, a faint blush rose to her face, and then she turned around and pulled her suitcase toward the door.

Hao Lei stood to the side, his hands in his trench coat pockets, his gaze lingering on Zhang Ze's face for a few seconds.

"Call me anytime if you miss me." Her voice was soft, but every word was clear.

Hao Lei didn't move. She stared at Zhang Ze, a smile curving her lips.

"Don't keep me waiting too long."

After saying that, she turned and left, the hem of her trench coat drawing an arc in the air.

Zhang Ze watched the two get into the car and leave before returning home.

Back in his room, his phone screen lit up with a message from Chen Zhixi.

"The plane ticket is booked. It's a 2 PM flight tomorrow, a direct flight to Beijing."

Zhang Ze replied.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

The next afternoon, at Cannes Airport.

Zhang Ze, wearing sunglasses and pulling his suitcase, walked into the waiting hall, followed by Chen Zhixi and Liu Hua.

There weren't many people in the waiting hall. The three of them, holding their boarding passes, went straight into the boarding gate.

As the plane took off, the Mediterranean Sea outside the window gradually shrank and finally disappeared into the clouds.

Zhang Ze leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

After returning to China, there will definitely be a lot of media waiting to interview you; just leave those matters to Chen Zhixi.

What he needs to do is return to the film crew as soon as possible and finish filming "The Myth".

The plane landed at Beijing Capital International Airport the next morning.

Zhang Ze stepped out of the cabin. The waiting hall was packed with people, and flashes of light rained down on him.

"Director Zhang, congratulations on winning the award at Cannes!"

"Director Zhang, what are your thoughts on winning this award?"

"Director Zhang, what are your upcoming plans?"

Zhang Ze stopped and glanced at the reporter in front of him.

"Thank you for your concern, but I have to rush back to the film set to shoot now. You can ask my producer for details."

After he finished speaking, he pointed to Chen Zhixi behind him and then walked quickly toward the exit.

Surrounded by reporters, Chen Zhixi took a deep breath and put on a professional smile.

"Everyone, Director Zhang is indeed busy. If you have any questions, you can contact me."

Zhang Ze walked out of the airport, where a black minivan was parked, and the driver was already waiting.

He opened the car door, got into the back seat, and the car started and drove away from the airport.

Outside the car window, the streets of Beijing flashed by, familiar buildings, familiar people.

Zhang Ze took out his phone and dialed Jiang Jiajun's number.

"Director Jiang, I've arrived in Beijing. I'll be back on set soon."