Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Zhang Yimou is gone.

From his back, Zhuang Huai'an could see a variety of emotions, including depression, hesitation, bitterness, vicissitudes, and desolation.

On the evening of the 5th, the premiere of "Liancheng Jue" achieved a viewership rating of over 7, ranking third in the national ratings for its time slot, and the trend is very stable.

First is "Little Soldier Zhang Ga," which came from behind and achieved a viewership rating of over 12. Although it aired on Channel 8, this drama is suitable for all ages and is considered a phenomenal success, making it impossible to compete with.

Zhuang Huai'an also watched two episodes, and it was indeed quite interesting, but the only flaw was that Saito should have shot Xie Mengwei dead in the finale.

"Water Moon Cave" is nearing its finale and continues to gain momentum. It is being broadcast simultaneously on two TV stations in Shanghai and Shenzhen, each achieving a rating of over 6, ranking second in overall viewership.

The successive successes of its self-produced TV dramas have given many TV stations even more confidence in 91 Company. Their purchasing departments have prepared funds and are just waiting for screenings of "The Deer and the Cauldron" and "Happy Seven Fairies".

...

The premiere of "House of Flying Daggers" is scheduled to be held at the Workers' Stadium, and it looks like it will be even more grand than the premiere of "Hero".

Two people stood at the door to greet guests. One was full of vigor and gesturing, while the other was silent, reserved, and forcing a smile.

Zhuang Huai'an was amused; he knew his nails had already had some effect.

The time for closing down is not far off.

After exchanging greetings, we entered the venue. There were still some familiar faces. Kai and Jiang Wen were surrounded by directors, talking animatedly, while Feng Kuzi could only hang out with some actors not far away.

Tsk, level.

"Huai'an is here," Kai waved with a smile.

Although outsiders are saying that Zhuang Huai'an won the Palme d'Or in its entirety, while he only won half, many people commented that this shows the student has surpassed the teacher, and that Zhuang Huai'an is better than Kai Zi Ge.

But Kai didn't mind at all. He still remembered how much Zhuang Huai'an praised him when they first met. Plus, they were both from the directing department of Beijing Film Academy, so he was definitely one of their own.

How could true friends harbor resentment because of rumors and gossip?

He also admitted that Zhuang Huai'an was indeed ahead of all mainland directors. He, Kai Zi Ge, was not that petty. His only nemesis was the traitor Zhang Yimou!

"Hello, Senior Brother Kai, Brother Jiang, everyone."

Zhuang Huai'an stepped forward, too lazy to greet the others, and simply gave them a perfunctory address.

There are only three heroes in the world.

Zhuang Huai'an, Jiang Wen, half a rich guy and half a Zhang Yimou.

As for the others? They'd better clean up their mess first!

"Yes, come sit here."

"OK."

Zhuang Huai'an saw the empty seat between Kai Zi and Jiang Wen and was about to sit down when he caught a glimpse of Tian Zhuangzhuang walking over. He paused, turned around, and smiled, "Teacher Tian, ​​you've arrived."

"I arrived after you and chatted with someone at the entrance for a while."

"I didn't see you either, otherwise we could have come in together." Zhuang Huai'an gestured, "Teacher Tian, ​​please sit here."

"Okay." Tian Zhuangzhuang didn't stand on ceremony and sat down with an air of authority. Zhuang Huai'an brought a stool from next door and sat down next to Jiang Wenzhao.

Kai was increasingly satisfied with the look, almost to the point of saying, "This kid is just like me."

Everyone thought that Zhuang Huai'an had not forgotten his original intention and respected his teacher. Only his good older brother Jiang Wen saw through everything. He elbowed his younger brother on the left twice to attract his attention and then winked at him.

Zhuang Huai'an sat upright and ignored him, but inwardly he was laughing hysterically. He didn't want to sit with Kai Zi at all. It wasn't that Kai Zi was bad, but it was just that he would occasionally throw in some literary phrases, which was too unpleasant.

The appearance of Tian Zhuangzhuang is truly a timely help!

After sitting for a while, seeing that Brother Kai and Tian Zhuangzhuang were already chatting enthusiastically, Zhuang Huai'an gave Jiang Wen a wink, and the two of them sneakily found a corner, lit up some cigarettes, and started smoking.

"You little rascal, you're too cunning."

Jiang Wenshen, the Eagle Brother, pointed at someone with an admiring look on his face, "To be honest, Brother Kai is a pretty good guy, but his arrogance is really annoying. But I really can't beat him. Besides, we've been friends for decades. If Feng Kuzi dared to act like that, I'd fucking call him 'f***er'."

Zhuang Huai'an joked, "Hey bro, can't we have some fucking manners? We're all people who've come here to visit, isn't it a bit too vulgar to keep using fucking language like that?"

The two exchanged a glance, a feeling akin to finding a kindred spirit in humble surroundings.

"You don't need to mention that scumbag Feng Kuzi."

"That's true," Jiang Wen nodded. "In my eyes, that bastard has always been trash. He doesn't even care about his own mother and sister. How can he be compared to us two brothers?"

Jiang Wen was talking about two things, but actually they were one thing.

After the Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony, due to Chong Wai-on's speech, many things could not be written, so the media focused on the two attendees, Chiang Man-ying and Fung Kuk.

Some busybodies compiled a list of the top five directors in mainland China, including Zhang Yimou, Zhuang Huai'an, Kai Ge, Jiang Wen, and Feng Xiaogang. This angered Jiang Wen so much that he couldn't sleep for several days.

A nobody who used to serve me tea and water and wait on me at dinner parties, does he even deserve to be ranked alongside me?

Despite her anger, Jiang Wen knew that the two Wangs from Huayi Brothers had invested in his films back then, and they were all prominent figures in Beijing's elite circles. She couldn't afford to criticize them in front of the media, so she had to keep quiet for now.

Until, in an attempt to capitalize on the trend, Beijing TV dug up an interview clip from several years ago.

Feng Kuzi's mother is paralyzed in bed. His sister, with tears in her eyes and a humble tone, begged if she could be given a job on the film set, even as a cleaner, just to have a stable income.

The scene shifts, and Feng Kuzi is seen sitting with his legs crossed, smoking a cigarette, looking troubled as he refuses the request, saying that it's also difficult for him.

The narration also explained that Feng Kuzi's sister decided to stay home to care for their bedridden mother so as not to affect her younger brother's career. The report concluded with a comparison of photos of Feng Kuzi's luxurious mansion and his mother's dilapidated house.

The news caused an immediate uproar.

Various insults against Feng Xiaogang have emerged, and many people have gone to the set of "A World Without Thieves" to block the entrance and hurl insults.

Feng Kuzi had no words to express his suffering.

The truth is, that news clip was a documentary he directed and starred in himself. He originally wanted to show his face to demonstrate his selflessness, but unexpectedly, someone seized on the opportunity to expose his true colors.

He rejected his older sister in front of the camera, but then arranged for her to work in costume management on set and hired a caregiver for his mother. The reason he still lives in the old house is because it's within the Third Ring Road and close to a good hospital.

But public opinion had already taken hold. Even though Feng Xiaogang held a press conference on set and brought out his sister and other crew members to testify, the public no longer believed him.

Most people believe that Feng Xiaogang fabricated the evidence and that he only brought in his sister to quell public opinion after the news was broadcast.

The criticism grew even louder, adding "unfilial" to the existing accusations of using his own sister as a shield, and being unworthy of being a son or brother.

Feng Kuzi wanted to slap himself dozens of times for being so arrogant!

Jiang Wen naturally knew the inside story of this matter, and he had just blurted it out because he was somewhat indignant.

Zhuang Huai'an, however, felt no sympathy for Feng Kuzi.

Admittedly, in a sense, he is an inspirational role model for people from the bottom to climb up, but he is also an example of the dragon slayer becoming the dragon himself.

Zhuang Huai'an was just joking when he said he forgot his roots, but this old guy really did forget his roots. On the contrary, because of his own miserable experiences, he will bully others even more severely after he gets up.

But these kinds of things are best left unsaid between the two brothers in private. People in the world are often not in control of their own lives. Besides, Feng Kuzi really didn't offend Zhuang Huai'an. Every time they met, Zhuang Huai'an would humbly take the initiative to greet him, and his words were full of admiration and envy for him.

Just as he had expected, Feng Kuzi, who was not far away, watched Kai Zi, Tian Zhuangzhuang and other academics chatting and laughing, while Zhuang Huai'an and Jiang Wen whispered to each other, while he was ignored by everyone and could only mingle in the actor circle. He felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

It was as if he wasn't the powerful director on set anymore, but had returned to the humble art director from over a decade ago, running around and being subservient to Wang Shuo.

Feng Kuzi gritted his teeth inwardly, almost crushing the wine glass in his hand.

So you're all making blockbuster movies, right?

I want to take a picture too!