I'm not mentally ill, I'm a master of a thousand faces!

Chapter 516: One movie triumphed over the entire May Day holiday box office.

The box office reached 1.5 billion.

What does this mean?

If a box office of 1 billion is legendary, then a box office of 1.2 billion is a legend among legends.

1.5 billion yuan at the box office.

Looking at the entire history of Chinese film and television, one can find works with a box office exceeding 1.5 billion yuan.

Very few.

This business performance is absolutely phenomenal!

From a purely business perspective...

There is no one younger than him who is more capable.

Although there was an element of leveraging existing trends.

But who says that leveraging external forces isn't a form of strength? Being able to leverage external forces is itself a manifestation of strength.

I just didn't expect to borrow this wave.

The amount borrowed was far too large, inflating the box office figures to a historical level.

"1.5 billion yuan in box office revenue!"

At this moment, Lü Haishi also murmured.

Looking at the Beijing entertainment circle is not right; looking at the Chinese entertainment and film industry is not right either.

A movie with such box office numbers?

without.

Lu Haishi discovered this: Li Yun's box office breakthrough of 1.5 billion yuan was unprecedented, and no work had ever achieved this result before, even with great effort to extend the release date.

Lu Haishi slumped in his office chair, feeling weak and listless. He couldn't believe that Li Yun could break through to a level that no one else could reach at this moment.

It has been the number one commercial box office in China for the past three years.

This position clearly, clearly should belong to our Beijing circle! It should be our glory!

My glory, my glory!!

"A box office of 7 million yuan is only about half of that of 'Dying to Survive.' The overseas box office is even more laughable. Released simultaneously, it blended into the crowd and flopped. Even with the overseas box office, it only grossed 10 billion yuan, barely breaking even on the investment."

at this time.

Zhang Yimou, who had remained silent the whole time, found it somewhat amusing. Looking at the expected box office performance, second only to "Dying to Survive," he surprisingly felt little emotion, unlike Lü Haishi who seemed to experience a sense of loss and uncertainty.

A loss is a loss.

Despite exhausting all means and talents, I still lost.

That is 'failure'.

If there were even the slightest element that could be used to refute the claim, Zhang Yimou would never use the word "failure" to describe himself or his current situation.

But now there is no denying that he has achieved a 'failure'.

The special effects used Industrial Light & Magic's latest technology. Although it was used as an experiment for Avatar, it was still the most advanced visual technology.

The script was polished by himself and Lü Haishi, with Lü Haishi, one of the "Four Great Talents," personally polishing the script.

The cast consists of elites from Beijing's elite circles, along with top Hollywood stars like Matt Damon and Willem Dafoe.

All these individuals combined, including overseas box office, still lost to "Dying to Survive".

The only fig leaf is probably "foreign exchange".

Due to the sensitive nature of its subject matter, "Dying to Survive" is unlikely to earn much foreign exchange, which is strongly related to domestic policies.

But even if you don't earn foreign exchange, isn't the Chinese Yuan still money?

Isn't it also about money? Preventing money from flowing out is equivalent to earning foreign exchange, isn't it?

At that moment, two foreigners were talking in English outside the door, making no attempt to hide their conversation.

"I knew it, films made in China wouldn't do well at the box office."

"It doesn't seem surprising."

"It may not be a problem for Chinese people to produce good works to fool their own people, but in Hollywood, such works are just mediocre."

"Ah, I really want to go back to the US to make movies."

At this moment, Zhang Yimou's face was ashen. The two Hollywood stars of his film "The Great Wall" assumed that he wouldn't understand them if they communicated in English.

After all, when filming "The Great Wall," Zhang Yimou also relied on translators to communicate with them.

Translation is available.

This doesn't mean that Zhang Yimou, who doesn't understand English, simply listened to the insults from these two foreigners. In their eyes, the overseas box office results were garbage.

"1.5 billion in box office revenue? Do you even know what level you're at in China right now? The combined box office revenue of all the movies during the entire May Day holiday this year can only match the box office revenue of your single film. You alone have dominated the entire May Day holiday!!!"

at this time.

At Li Yun's home, Jiang Wen looked at Li Yun excitedly. As a fellow filmmaker, he knew exactly what this achievement meant.

"legend".

At least in the country, he's a legend.

An investment of just over 100 million yuan generated 1.5 billion yuan in box office revenue. This profit margin is far more impressive than that of drug trafficking.

Of course, this was also part of the official push during the last wave of medical insurance reform – many official accounts on Weibo were promoting the movie "Dying to Survive".

With the back and forth between the fervor surrounding medical insurance reform and the popularity of "Dying to Survive," the film ultimately reached a box office of 1.5 billion yuan.

In fact, in a sense, this film carries a considerable degree of "historical significance".

"Oh, I beat the entire May Day holiday box office! That's impressive. How much was the overseas box office?" Li Yun stroked his chin, taking a moment to ask about the overseas box office.

"It made a few thousand US dollars overseas, breaking even. It's a standard box office for an art film, neither good nor bad."

Jiang Chenggang paused for a moment and then said, "This box office performance also falls into the category of excellent art films."

The film "Dying to Survive" is so unique that its success in China is unrepeatable.

For those overseas, there aren't as many points of empathy; it can be described as a "love letter" unique to China.

Abroad, one can only appreciate the actors' explosive performances, but cannot fully experience the essence of the film.

"People overseas definitely wouldn't understand this kind of movie," Jiang Wen shrugged and said. "If ordinary people in other countries get a serious illness, they don't have the opportunity to take 'Gleevec'."

At that moment, Jiang Chenggang asked a question.

"Isn't healthcare free overseas? How come they don't have the opportunity to take Gleevec?"

"You've clearly never been abroad, Lao Jiang. Their free healthcare means waiting in line until the year after for a cold, then being forced to go to private hospitals. Minor illnesses cost a fortune, major illnesses bankrupt you, and serious illnesses send you home. They don't have the chance to get access to 'Gleevec' through doctors; they just prescribe painkillers and that's it."

Jiang Wen then recounted the story in a rather cruel way.

Jiang Chenggang was dumbfounded. No wonder the overseas box office wasn't good; those doctors couldn't afford to see him, so why would they take any medicine?

Of course, after the box office results were released, some domestic opinions were like this: they are good at domestic box office but bad at international box office. They can inflate domestic box office figures, but they haven't reaped much foreign exchange or captured much market share internationally.

Although for those working in the field.

It's normal for film themes to have regional specificity. Many excellent foreign films don't sell well in China.

At this moment, Li Yun was thinking.

If I were to release my own "Wolf Warrior" movie, wouldn't those people be furious?

However, they are right.

Civil War Expert

A subject matter more familiar with foreign wars

The new year begins, and January brings science fiction themes.

This subject matter can transcend ethnicity and address the broader world.

Next, "Dying to Survive" was submitted to every award it could be submitted to, including the Golden Eagle Award, the Hong Kong Film Award, the Huabiao Award, and the Golden Horse Award.

How many awards can I win, and what kind of awards can I win?

That's something the awarding party should consider.

After the phenomenal success of "Dying to Survive," Li Yun immediately saw an increase in the company's accounts, enough to make him financially independent.

Even if you consider money as dirt, you can't help but be moved and greedy.

It's good to stop here.

To live a carefree life, marry three wives and four concubines, and indulge in a decadent lifestyle, is not necessarily a bad thing.

Living a life of debauchery and decadence can also be a wonderful thing.

Others have also said this.

Jiang Chenggang also said that at the celebration banquet for "Dying to Survive," if it were the old him, he would probably have told Li Yun to go to a small island in the Cayman Islands and enjoy himself for half his life.

He was being subtle. With that much money, you could live comfortably for half a lifetime, or even a whole lifetime.

But Jiang Chenggang also said that he was inspired by Li Yun's pursuit of artistic ideals and realized that money is not the only desire in this world. Moreover, he admired Li Yun even more when he learned that Li Yun was going to invest all of this large sum of money in his next film.

The box office revenue from "Dying to Survive" is just the seed money for the next film.

All in on the funding for "The Wandering Earth"

"Let me be blunt. While I admire your perspective, have you considered what will happen if you fail? If your next project fails, getting back up won't be so easy," Jiang Wen said, drunkenly looking at Li Yun.

If you're just a director, then failure isn't something you can't accept.

But as someone in the industry, if his all-in project fails, it will be very difficult for him to recover.

If he succeeds, Li Yun will benefit from the funding, reputation, and everything else. But if he fails, the one who will bear the responsibility is Li Yun alone, as the head of the circle.

Even so, Li Yun still chose to go all in on "The Wandering Earth".

At this moment, Li Yun paused and then spoke.

"I was afraid at first."

If "The Wandering Earth" fails, the chain reaction will be devastating.

When one loses resources, one's personality loses its foundation and suffers a backlash.

It's a threat to one's own life.

Perhaps there is a more moderate approach than going all in on "The Wandering Earth".

But Li Yun refused.

In order to survive, Li Yun had many options, instead of going all in like in "The Wandering Earth" to reveal all his thoughts and confront Cameron head-on.

But Li Yun refused.

I am unwilling to let go of this opportunity to reach the pinnacle of enlightenment—

I have been here, I have existed, I declare to the whole world.

I have been here before.

At this moment, Jiang Wen asked in confusion.

"Then why aren't you afraid anymore?"

Li Yun remembered that snowy night, the girl beside him, her smile so radiant and beautiful.

Involuntarily, Li Yun's lips curled up into a smile.

What she cares about is 'Li Yun'.

Knowing this is enough.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

At this moment, Li Yun drank the wine in one gulp.

Besides "Dying to Survive," another thing happened this month, and there's also a TV series.

It's called "The Hidden Corner".

Works that have proven Li Quan's ability to promote new talent.

They made an ordinary person named Zhang Yi famous.

For an ordinary person to receive such high praise is truly a meteoric rise to fame.

The true ladder to heaven.

The viewership rating ultimately reached close to 6 points.

This short and concise suspense drama has become a sensation in both critical acclaim and viewership ratings.

This has even led to the concept of "check-in points".

Many people know that Huizhou, this small border town, is surprisingly still a place that looks like it's from the 20s even in the 21st century. This has turned the place into a tourist destination, which shows the influence of an excellent TV series.

Directly leading the trend.

Drama King.

"The Hidden Corner" is the king of dramas this year.

At this moment.

Li Yun watched as his achievements took root and sprouted.

Even if this work was largely made for self-expression, it ultimately had a profit motive.

"Wang Chen, are your special effects team ready for my patronage?"

At this very moment, Li Yun prepared his most expensive suit, dressed smartly, and headed to Huaying's headquarters.

Go find Wang Chen.

The headquarters of Huaying is not a magnificent high-rise building, but rather exudes a simple and unpretentious feel.

In the past, the buildings of those entertainment companies were all flashy and extravagant, but few were as prestigious as Huaying, which occupied the top position.

It doesn't seem to have that much of a feeling.

But the sign hanging at his door, "Huada Film and Television Building," reveals the special nature of this location.

The only company in China qualified to import works.

The only qualified agency.

It represents the largest combination of public and private interests.

The strongest and most powerful existence.

Xie Qingya was already waiting at the door, which was considered the highest level of reception for Li Yun. The entire Huaying Company also gave Li Yun a high-level reception upon his arrival.

"Mr. Xie, this is quite a grand affair." Li Yun remarked, looking at the staff who were receiving and greeting guests.

"Our big star is here, how can we neglect you?" Xie Qingya teased Li Yun at this moment.

Even for Huaying, Li Yun is now a force to be reckoned with.

It can be considered a towering object.

A big shot.

A movie and a TV series.

His position was established purely through his talent.

This time, Li Yun remained noncommittal, only looking around as if searching for someone.

Xie Qingya seemed to understand as well.

"Our CEO, Mr. Wang, has been waiting upstairs for quite some time."

"Then let's not delay, take me to meet this Mr. Wang."

Li Yun and Xie Qingya exchanged a smile.

The two went upstairs together. For Xie Qingya, this was a rare opportunity. In the past, she was always the one who was showing off, but now it was finally her turn to show off.

It was his turn to talk to Wang Chen.

For no other reason than to show off and flaunt their power.

(End of this chapter)