Huayu: Everyone's been reborn, who's still going to be an actor?

Can The Distinguished Citizen surpass Crazy Stone at the box office?

Cheng Yuan didn't know.

However, the current buzz surrounding "The Distinguished Citizen" is much greater than when "Crazy Stone" was released.

Cheng Yuan at this time also had much greater box office appeal than Ning Hao did back then.

Moreover, the popularity of "The Distinguished Citizen" was much stronger than that of "Crazy Stone" when it was released.

The Berlin Silver Bear still has a significant influence in the country.

The key point is that Cheng Yuan's film, which satirizes the fifth and sixth generation of directors, has generated an astonishing amount of buzz.

The media also dug up the past criticisms of "The Hunt" and hyped it up wildly.

The media has dug up and repeatedly reported on which directors criticized the process and how they criticized the directors.

The Distinguished Citizen is scheduled to premiere on March 2nd.

This release date is rather ordinary, but it has one advantage: the competition from other releases during the same period is negligible.

The film sold its overseas rights to so many movies, and China Film Group didn't skimp on publicity and distribution, but they also didn't hold a premiere.

The film premiered in Berlin, and besides, it's just a low-budget film.

On the day of the movie's release, there were no promotional events, but Hou Hongliang still arranged for Tian Xiaopeng to meet him.

When Cheng Yuan thinks of this person, the first thing that comes to mind is the animated film "Monkey King: Hero Is Back" released in 15.

However, Tian Xiaopeng is now quite well-known in the animation industry.

Tian Xiaopeng was somewhat bewildered when Cheng Yuan invited him.

Although both are directors, there is a significant gap between animation directors and film directors today.

Moreover, Cheng Yuan is extremely famous among film directors.

"Our company will be involved in a big-budget animated film production by DreamWorks. Would you be interested in bringing some people to learn about it?"

Cheng Yuan got straight to the point.

Since we've already invested, shouldn't it be alright to send someone to keep an eye on things?

While they say they're keeping an eye on things, they're actually just going to learn.

This was also negotiated.

What do I need to give in return?

Tian Xiaopeng was tempted, but he also knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

"Remote Films will set up an animation department, and you'll be in charge," Cheng Yuan said. "At first, we might just make some children's animations, but once the market and technology mature, we'll make animated films."

"Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf" has already been released, but animations like "Boonie Bears" and "Super Wings" are still available to watch.

Those animated series are also very profitable.

Like "Boonie Bears," not only the animated series makes money, but the animated films also make money.

Cheng Yuan likes to take advantage of foreign resources, but that doesn't mean he won't take advantage of domestic resources. Didn't he take advantage of resources for "Lost in Thailand" too?

As for plagiarism?

How can something about a reborn person be called plagiarism?

Will Tian Xiaopeng refuse?

will not.

This kind of opportunity is too rare.

Moreover, Cheng Yuan also promised to make an animated film.

He didn't come to Remote Film & Television as a low-level employee; he became the head of a department.

When "The Distinguished Citizen" was released, many movie fans went to the theater immediately. They wanted to see why the film won two Silver Bears at Berlin and why it was rumored that the film satirized the Fifth and Sixth Generation directors.

Because there are few competitors, it still gets a lot of screenings.

The next day, Cheng Yuan took the film's main cast and crew to Shanghai for a promotional event. As soon as they got off the plane, Han Sanping called.

"How many?"

Cheng Yuan could naturally guess the purpose of Han Sanping's call.

"you guess?"

Han Sanping replied with a smile.

"Mr. Han, we're all adults, let's not play those childish guessing games," Cheng Yuan said, half-laughing and half-crying. "So, how much? But judging from your tone, the opening day box office should be pretty good."

"978 million!" Han Sanping said with a smile, "You've really given me a big surprise this time."

More than nine million?

Cheng Yuan was somewhat surprised, although the opening day box office was still far from the single-day box office record.

But the investment in this movie was only a few million.

Few of the foreign award-winning films have reached this level of total box office revenue.

"This is quite a surprise," Cheng Yuan said. "Chairman Han, you need to take the piracy issue seriously."

Piracy is obviously impossible to completely eradicate nowadays, but with China Film Group's resources, it should be possible to delay its appearance.

Cheng Yuan didn't talk much and hung up the phone immediately.

"Are the opening day box office figures out?"

Yan Danchen couldn't help but ask first.

Li Xuejian and the others also looked over, their eyes full of anticipation.

978.

Cheng Yuan said with a smile, and everyone looked surprised when they heard it.

If this box office figure were released more than a decade later, it would be considered a complete flop, but now it would definitely be a high-grossing film.

High box office returns for movies also benefit the actors.

And yesterday was Thursday.

It's Friday today, but there are two new movies being released.

"We Two" is a good art film.

There is also an animated film called "Terracotta Warriors" that Cheng Yuan had never heard of in his previous life.

These two films clearly won't have much impact on "The Distinguished Citizen".

However, a Hollywood blockbuster, The Chronicles of Narnia: The First Chronicle, will be released next week.

This movie had a very high box office worldwide.

Cheng Yuan had no recollection of how the domestic box office performed, but he figured it probably wasn't very good.

The film "The Distinguished Citizen" was released and became a box office and critical hit.

However, the topic became even more explosive.

Those who have seen it understand why there are rumors online that Cheng Yuan's film criticized both the fifth and sixth generation directors.

How could this topic not go viral?

Many media outlets went to interview those fifth and sixth generation directors, trying to stir up trouble.

However, it basically didn't generate any buzz.

Cheng Yuan himself said that if anyone tries to take it personally, there's nothing he can do.

If I criticize Cheng Yuan because of this movie, wouldn't that mean I'm taking it personally?

Isn't that just asking for trouble?

Avoid it if you can; if you can't avoid it, then praise it.

I praised it, so the movie definitely wasn't mocking me.

Getting scolded by the director is nothing to be afraid of; people will probably forget about it after a while.

But if a director makes a movie mocking someone, and that movie wins two Silver Bear Awards, how can they possibly be forgotten?

If this movie is mentioned in the future, won't I be dragged out and whipped for my past mistakes?

This is all destined to be infamous for eternity, why would I even consider myself a victim? That would be stupid.

As Cheng Yuan said, each generation grows up in different environments and has different experiences, so their understanding of art will naturally differ. In addition, their focus, choice of subject matter, and expressive techniques also vary, so there's no need to make a big deal out of it.

Yes, just as Cheng Yuan said, this movie doesn't satirize anyone.

As for those directors who jumped out to criticize Cheng Yuan last time, they were somewhat on guard, and then, provoked by the media, they inevitably launched a verbal attack on Cheng Yuan.

Cheng Yuan is too ruthless; he has absolutely no sense of martial ethics.

If we criticize you, you can just criticize us back, so why are we making a movie to mock you?

You actually said that the inspiration for the movie came from our criticism?

If this movie is brought up in the future to explain how it came about, won't we all be dragged into it again?

Those directors who were wrongly harmed by Cheng Yuan may have grievances against him, but wouldn't they also have grievances against us?

Cheng Yuan has gone too far!

"Did this movie really mock you guys?"

Zhang Weiping looked at Zhang Yimou and couldn't help but ask a question.

Zhang Yimou glanced at him but didn't say anything. His eyes seemed to say: What, you want me to take this personally?

Was it mockery?

It's probably meant as mockery, but who would be foolish enough to take it personally?

Even if you don't respect the monk, you should respect the Buddha. How many directors who graduated from the Beijing Film Academy have you seen jumping out?

This movie was funded by Qingdao Film Studio.

Moreover, the first to be affected are not the fifth-generation directors, but the sixth-generation directors.

They're the real tough guys.

"I have to say, Cheng Yuan's movies always generate a lot of buzz and discussion," Zhang Weiping said. "Otherwise, how could his small-time films possibly achieve such high box office returns!"

Zhang Yimou didn't respond; he could tell that his old partner was a little jealous.