Who says Beijing Film Academy has no great directors? (2002)

Chen Yan sat on the flower bed by the entrance of Beijing Film Academy and replied directly.

"What's wrong? Are you scared?"

"How could I not be scared! He was the king of the Lunar New Year films before." Ning Hao pursed his lips and replied.

He was just a lowly Karami, which was no less than encountering a top-tier boss right after leaving the beginner village. How could he not panic? He wasn't Chen Yan.

"What's the panic? I'm not panicking even if I'm fully funded," Chen Yan laughed.

"Well, I'm panicking too. This is my first time on the big screen. If I mess up my first attempt, how am I supposed to make a living?"

Not to mention that Chen Yan and Feng Xiaogang are now locked in a fierce battle. If I perform poorly, how will I attract investment in the future?

Being a director isn't easy. If two shows flop during your unknown period, you can forget about getting any more investment from them.

Chen Yan pondered Ning Hao's meaning for a moment and understood.

"It's okay. We've risen to fame by riding on the coattails of 'Cellphone,' haven't we? Otherwise, with only me as the nominal producer and you as the unknown director, and a cast of fourth or fifth-tier actors, how could this show have become a hit?"

"Isn't this also an opportunity? Don't be afraid. Although the two films have similar themes, the Lunar New Year film season has such a huge audience. Can Feng Xiaogang take it all by himself? He'll leave enough for 'Stone' to digest. Don't worry."

Even though Chen Yan said that, Ning Hao still felt his heart pounding.

"Old Chen! Don't you dare mess with me! I'm almost done filming this movie, 'Incense,' so wait for me to come back." Ning Hao is the director of "Stone," and he'll definitely have to come back in person to promote it.

He no longer counted on Chen Yan; these days, Chen Yan's projects could easily be worth hundreds of millions, so he dared not trouble him.

Chen Yan chuckled: "Alright, don't worry. You know perfectly well what the quality of the script I wrote and the movie you directed is, don't worry about it. Bye."

Upon hearing Ning Hao's reply, Chen Yan hung up the phone.

Afterwards, Chen Yan returned to the Beijing Film Academy and saw those posts and reports online. These reporters really left no room for maneuver. In their writings, Chen Yan and Feng Xiaogang were about to never see each other again and would never speak to each other again.

However, some netizens were completely confused and came out to speak up for Chen Yan.

"No? Where does Feng Xiaogang get the confidence to refuse to meet with the three Cannes Film Festival Best Directors?"

"Exactly! Is Feng Xiaogang trying to ride on Chen Yan's coattails? If you ask me, Chen Yan is clueless too. Why is he going to fawn over Feng Xiaogang? Can't this Cannes three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director be a little more profound? He's embarrassing us film fans!"

"No, upstairs, Feng Xiaogang is a veteran director, Chen Yan is his junior, okay?"

Then the two groups started fighting. Chen Yan's fans said that Chen Yan's achievements were amazing, while Feng Xiaogang's fans used their seniority and experience to intimidate him.

Neither side was willing to give in.

Chen Yan chuckled. He had simply thought that Miss Liu was too tired from studying the script at home and wanted to take her out for some fun; he hadn't thought much more about it.

However, he also learned his lesson and said he would never do such obviously sycophantic work again. He had no relation to Feng Xiaogang, but if you had to say, he was now a bit of a grudge.

This online farce involving Chen and Feng finally subsided somewhat after the box office results for "Cellphone" were released on its opening day.

The film "Cellphone" grossed 231 million yuan on its opening day.

It can be considered a successful first battle, but it was heavily criticized by Chen Yan's fans. Both of Chen Yan's dramas grossed over 500 million yuan on their opening day.

"Now you're speechless, aren't you! What does 'Cellphone' have to compete with? It can't even beat Director Chen's art films, yet it wants to crush 'Heartbreak'?"

"Exactly, Feng Xiaogang is a thing of the past, he's finished! Those who praise him should stop spouting nonsense online."

Feng Xiaogang was furious and his face turned ashen at Huayi's headquarters.

Wang Zhonglei of Huayi could only keep comforting him, "Xiaogang, look at the box office on the first day, it's not bad, it's surpassed the previous 'The Dream Factory', and the momentum is very good. I've already found someone to contact the theaters and ask them to give 'Cell Phone' more screenings."

Wang Zhonglei was actually satisfied, but unfortunately Feng Xiaogang was now focused on competing with Chen Yan, so he unconsciously started comparing his own drama with Chen Yan's.

In Wang Zhonglei's view, there was no need for comparison at all; the two were far too different, and Chen Yan was almost becoming a top-tier director in China.

Calling him an internationally renowned director wouldn't be an exaggeration. What does Feng Xiaogang have to compare with? He's always arguing with netizens online, which only fuels Chen Yan's dissatisfaction.

The movie "Cell Phone" was still in its important promotional and release period, so Wang Zhonglei had to give Feng Xiaogang a strict order, forbidding him from cursing netizens and from posting any comments online.

"Mr. Wang, how far do you think 'Cell Phone' will go? Will it break 100 million?" Feng Xiaogang frowned; he desperately wanted to join the club of directors in China with films grossing over 100 million yuan.

He doesn't have the confidence to argue with netizens now. They just say, "Chen Yan's two movies have both grossed over 100 million yuan." What can he say to support that?

"Xiaogang, I think we're not in a rush. We have to take things one step at a time," Wang Zhonglei reminded him, warning him not to take too big a step and risk tearing his balls.

Feng Xiaogang sighed deeply, "Then I'll go back. Call me again if you need any publicity."

Wang Zhonglei laughed: "Okay, Xiaogang, you should get some rest. Huayi still needs you. We'll definitely break 100 million for the next movie."

"Yes!" Feng Xiaogang mentioned his next movie and regained his confidence. He wasn't exaggerating, but this script was definitely twice as good as "Cellphone".

Despite the online arguments and uproar, "Cell Phone" performed quite well at the box office and received positive reviews. This comedic story, coupled with the talents of Ge You and Zhang Guoli, still has considerable box office appeal in China.

In less than half a month, the box office of "Cellphone" has exceeded 3 million.

Huayi Brothers immediately began to promote the film in a high-profile manner, and many cinemas have announced that "Cell Phone" will be pulled from theaters for an extended period.

The scene Chen Yan least wanted to see finally happened: in some cinemas, "Cellphone" still clashed with "Crazy Stone".

On January 22, "Crazy Stone" did not hold a press conference, but instead quietly premiered in various cinemas.

Meanwhile, even before the first day's box office figures were released, the internet was already flooded with another piece of news.

Director Chen Yan's film "Buried Alive" has been selected for the main competition at the 54th Berlin International Film Festival.

The internet is in an uproar again.

Chen Yan's phone was then bombarded with calls.

The first to be affected is naturally Han Sanping of China Film Group.

As soon as Chen Yan answered the phone, Han Sanping's loud voice burst out: "Good heavens, when did you submit this? I didn't even know!"

Chen Yan moved his phone further away and waited until Han Sanping finished his speech before bringing it closer to answer.

He replied, "When we were casting for 'Alice in Wonderland,' there was one actor who couldn't be cast for a long time. This movie was made specifically to cast that actor."

"Who is it?" Han Sanping asked casually.

Chen Yan replied, "Johnny Depp."

Han Sanping exclaimed in sudden realization, "Ah! So it was him!"