Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Three incompetent generals are better than Zhuge Liang.

After finishing their business, Zhuang Huai'an and Wang Jingsong stayed in Venice for another day.

It's not that I can't afford the plane ticket, but it's more cost-effective to take a flight with China Film Group.

When the old man and the young man came, they couldn't even get enough people to play Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game), so it was incredibly boring.

After another sixteen-hour flight, unlike the quiet departure, the two returned with honors and were caught red-handed by the media who had been lying in wait at the airport.

This was a message that Han Sanping instructed his secretary to leak. In his words, "It's not pleasant to return home in glory without wearing fine clothes at night."

Han Sanping joked, "How's this setup? Does it suit your status as a Golden Lion-winning director?"

"So-so," Zhuang Huai'an said jokingly, "There's only enough to fill one road, and I bet a few people can hang on top of it."

"Hey, you little rascal."

The three walked toward the gate, seemingly having made prior arrangements with the airport. In a specially cleared area, several security personnel had set up a cordon, and various filming equipment had been set up outside the cordon.

"It's Zhuang Huai'an, Director Zhuang is out!"

"And Chairman Han from China Film Group!"

Before he even got there, the flashes were already blinding Zhuang Huai'an. Luckily, he was prepared and quickly pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his inner pocket and put them on.

I don't know how those female celebrities manage to withstand so many flashes of light.

"Please don't rush, everyone. We've already communicated with the airport and managed to get ten minutes. Let's finish the interview quickly and leave as soon as possible."

Han Sanping, acting as the host, first called out a reporter from CCTV.

"Thank you, Chairman Han," the CCTV reporter said, handing over the microphone and asking, "Director Zhuang, as the youngest director in history to win the Golden Lion Award, could you share your thoughts?"

To be honest, this question is not up to CCTV's standards, but Zhuang Huai'an also knows that this is the requirement there; as long as you don't make a mistake, you won't be at fault.

"I don't really have any thoughts," Zhuang Huai'an smiled and replied, "I've already given my acceptance speech on the podium, and my excitement has mostly subsided. I think I should just keep working hard, focus on each film, and strive to achieve something at next year's Berlin Film Festival."

Upon hearing this, the reporters became even more excited. Han Sanping calmly pointed to the reporters from Guangxian.

"Director Zhuang, hello. I'm a reporter from Enlight Media. I heard you mention earlier that you want to participate in next year's Berlin Film Festival. Are you already preparing a new film?"

This question is definitely a shill for Lao Han.

"Yes, I'd like to take this opportunity to announce this to our friends in the media."

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and said, "The new movie is called 'The Vanished Lover'. The budget is 1000 million RMB. It is jointly invested by 91 Company and China Film Group. The crew is ready and will start filming soon. I do intend to submit it to the Berlin Film Festival."

"Are you confident you'll make the cut?" the reporter pressed.

"It's not something I can achieve just because I'm confident, but I think I'll give it a try. Anyway, I'm still young and have a high margin for error."

Han Sanping stopped the reporter from asking further questions and pointed to another reporter.

"Director Zhuang, I'm a reporter from Beijing TV. 'The Hunt' has already grossed over ten million yuan at the box office, and industry insiders predict it should surpass twenty million before it leaves theaters. Will 'Seaside Town' be released next?"

"China Film Group is in charge of the publicity and distribution for the seaside town project, so I think it would be more appropriate for Chairman Han to answer this question."

Zhuang Huai'an handed the microphone to Lao Han, who nodded and said, "The copying is already underway. If all goes well, the film will be released at the end of the month. Next question from a reporter."

"Thank you, Chairman Han. Hello, Director Zhuang. I'm a reporter from CCTV Finance. As someone with some financial background, I'm aware that you sold the overseas distribution rights for the film 'The Hunt' for $400 million. May I ask about the copyright revenue from the film 'The Seaside Town'?"

Well, this is another one of Lao Han's shills.

"There's nothing inconvenient about it; after all, it's good news."

Zhuang Huai'an raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "The film 'Seaside Town' has still been sold to the French company MK2. Those who are interested can look up the company's strength. As for the revenue, it is 1500 million euros."

hiss~

Upon hearing the amount, the reporters gasped, and even the flashes stopped for a few seconds.

Although the euro has only been issued for a short time, its exchange rate is very strong, at approximately 1 to 10 RMB. This means that Zhuang Huai'an earned 1.5 million RMB from one movie!

What is the average salary in Beijing?

How much does a mainland Chinese film gross in a year?

Seeing the shocked expressions on everyone's faces, Zhuang Huai'an sighed inwardly. This news was a double-edged sword for him; the advantage was that it could completely solidify his position in the industry.

The bad news is... there are quite a few people who resent the rich right now...

Fortunately, this behavior can be considered as bringing glory to the country, since it earns foreign exchange.

"Of course, this amount is before tax, and taxes still need to be deducted," Zhuang Huai'an added, putting a serious face on his lips. "Paying taxes properly is the responsibility of every citizen."

Earning money abroad and spending it domestically, making the tax authorities very happy.

Yes, that's quite in line with policy.

"Ahem," Han Sanping gestured for everyone to come back to their senses and said, "Time's almost up. One last question, about that reporter."

"Thank you, Chairman Han. Hello, Director Zhuang, I'm a reporter from Phoenix TV."

A short-haired female reporter asked crisply, "I've watched 'The Hunt' three times and really like it. But I've noticed that in all three of your films, from the short film 'Andhadhun' to the current 'Seaside Town,' the cast and crew seem to be entirely from the Beijing Film Academy. Are you being biased?"

"Damn it!" Old Han cursed under his breath. He'd clicked the wrong thing!

"Girls are indeed more perceptive and can always notice things that others can't see."

Zhuang Huai'an chuckled and teased, saying, "Although I have indeed achieved some success, you seem to have forgotten that I am still a sophomore majoring in directing at the Beijing Film Academy. How many connections and channels can a student possibly have to assemble a film crew?"

It's fair to say that without the help of my alma mater, I wouldn't be where I am today. I once said on the Cannes podium that the Beijing Film Academy is the best art school in my mind, without a doubt.

The female reporter blinked, not fooled by him, and continued to press, "Director Zhuang, your answer is somewhat evasive."

"Okay, then I'll answer you seriously."

"It was precisely because of the initial collaboration on 'The Hunt' that we were able to work on 'Seaside Town' later on. Simply put, it was easy to use."

The reason I always emphasize the excellence of Beijing Film Academy is because I have personally witnessed the abilities of its students.

I'd like to ask this reporter, if you were a tour guide, would you prefer to work with familiar people on a film crew, or would you prefer to start over with unfamiliar people?

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and said, "Controlling costs is something a qualified director should do."