I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

In the lecture hall of Yannan Media University, Lu Ban is attending an academic salon, a program where the host chats with directors. During the student film festival, they have a dialogue with a different director every day to discuss issues such as the development of film.

The show had many college students as audience members, and it was also broadcast live online. Because of Lu Ban's presence, the number of viewers was several times higher than usual.

"...We are honored to have Director Lu Ban as our guest on the first day."

The host's name is Cao Song, a formal host at Yannan TV. He returned to his alma mater to host this program, which can be seen as a way of repaying the students who nurtured him.

"Director Lu Ban, your film 'The Tide of Magic' has attracted a lot of attention. It is the only Chinese-language film to be released simultaneously worldwide in recent years. What would you like to say to the audience who are looking forward to this film?"

Upon hearing the host's question, Lu Ban picked up the microphone.

"This movie is really good. I hope everyone can go to the cinema to see it, and it would be best if you could go several times to boost the box office."

The audience below the stage responded with good-natured laughter.

"So, Director Lu, you're very confident about this film's box office performance?"

The host then followed up on Lu Ban's answer and asked another question.

"Not entirely. I think it would be a success if 'The Tide of Magic' could gross 13 billion worldwide."

Lu Ban spoke the truth.

"That's an impressive goal, 13 billion votes... wait, 13 billion???"

The host belatedly realized what was happening and checked the numbers.

It's not 1.3 billion, but 13 billion.

"Director Lu, are you joking? 13 billion is no small number. You know, our previous domestic box office champion was 5.6 billion. 13 billion is more than double that. This is no small goal."

The host, Cao Song, was somewhat taken aback.

If Lu Ban says his goal is to surpass his previous films, then that truly reflects his pursuit of excellence.

To directly quote a figure of 13 billion, which is utterly absurd, is truly hard to comprehend.

"We've done so much pre-release publicity and promotion for this simultaneous global release, hoping to achieve a breakthrough at the box office."

Lu Tan replied immediately.

"Speaking of which, 'Gone with the Wind' has been postponed to the Christmas season, going head-to-head with 'The Tide of Deception'. Some say that the box office performance of these two films will represent the production level of the new generation of films from both countries. What are your thoughts on this?"

When the host saw that Lu Ban seemed to have no intention of explaining the 13 billion yuan box office figure, he changed the subject.

There's no point in arguing at times like this; it's better to stick to the topic and let the conversation continue.

"I'm also really looking forward to 'Fast & Furious 11,' which is the final installment in the series and should give it a good ending."

Lu Ban replied.

"We respect these predecessors who created wonderful films, but now it's our time."

"Director Lu, you sound very confident. Do you think 'The Tide of Deception' can surpass 'Gone with the Wind' at the box office?"

Host Cao Song pressed for an answer.

"It's not a question of whether it can surpass others. I believe that box office revenue is not the only standard for determining the quality of a film. Some commercial films with a wide audience will certainly have higher box office revenue than niche art films or films with a specific subject matter, but can we say that these commercial films are better than other films in every aspect?"

Lu Ban countered with a question.

"Does Director Lu believe that even if 'The Tide of Deception' doesn't perform as well at the box office as 'Gone with the Wind', the underlying message of 'The Tide of Deception' is more valuable than that of 'Gone with the Wind'?"

Cao Song smiled.

Although what Lu Ban said was indeed true, mentioning it at this time inevitably gave the impression that he was preparing for the worst in case his own box office performance couldn't beat the other side.

"No, what I mean is, even if 'Gone with the Wind' doesn't do as well as 'The Tide' at the box office, it doesn't mean it's a worthless movie."

Lu Ban corrected him.

"?"

This guy is a bit arrogant.

Cao Song had previously heard that Lu Ban was a very easy-going and kind person, but now it seems that although he does not have the airs of a big director, he is actually quite arrogant at heart.

Directors like this usually face one of two fates: either their work is actually thoroughly criticized and they become a laughing stock.

Or he might actually accomplish what he said, successfully showing off, and leave people in awe, saying, "He succeeded in showing off again."

If it were any other target, Cao Song might think it was possible for Lu Ban to get it, but this target of 13 billion is the last one to surpass a classic work of more than ten years, so it seems impossible.

"Director Lu, it seems you have high expectations for the box office and critical reception of 'The Tide of Magic'. I'd like to know what kind of impact you think 'The Tide of Magic' will have on the domestic film industry?"

The host remarked with emotion.

"This is not an expectation, but a goal. I have always been a down-to-earth person and I will not do things that I cannot do or that I am not sure about."

Lu Ban replied again.

"As for the impact of 'The Tide of Magic' on the development of the domestic film industry, I think that the release of 'The Tide of Magic' means that this type of film will no longer be the exclusive domain of Europe and America. Domestic companies can also produce such epic blockbusters. That's probably the impact on our domestic counterparts."

Chapter 316 Our Duty Is Inescapable

"It seems that you, Director Lu, have a lot of confidence in our domestic film market."

Host Cao Song felt that Lu Ban should be able to offer many insights on industry topics, which was also the purpose of this interview. Since the audience consisted of students from Yannan Media University, it was important for these young people who had not yet entered the workforce to have a direct understanding of the industry.

As a newcomer who graduated less than two years ago, Lu Ban's understanding of the industry should be similar to, yet different from, those of these college students, and he can provide valuable reference opinions.

"If 'The Tide of Magic' can reach our box office target, it will be the highest-grossing film of the year, which would mean that we are the number one film power."

Lu Ban spoke without hesitation.

"???"

The host, Cao Song, was taken aback.

Is it possible to be this arrogant?

"Wait, Director Lu, even if 'The Tide of Magic' can reach 13 billion yuan at the box office and become this year's box office champion, it doesn't mean that our country's film strength can rival that of Europe and America, does it?"

The college students present also agreed with Cao Song's statement.

The fact that one or two movies became wildly popular and achieved high box office numbers is just an isolated case. Just like in the past, some domestic films have earned four or five billion yuan at the box office, but many people say that these films are only meant to please the Chinese people and have no international influence. They believe that domestic films are still stuck in a backward era.

"So what would it take to be on par with Europe and America?"

Lu Ban countered with a question.

"Although we are already the world's largest film market, although we have developed our own film genres, although our box office has reached billions, and although our own films are no less competitive than foreign films in the face of direct box office competition in China, we are still not on par with Europe and the United States."

His words silenced everyone present.

Indeed, that's the general perception.

When it comes to movies, it's definitely the Oscars, the Palme d'Or, the Golden Bear, etc. If a movie doesn't win these awards, then it's just Chinese people entertaining themselves.

On some movie websites, foreign films generally receive high scores while domestic films generally receive low scores. Foreigners change the original female lead to a black woman for political correctness, which is considered racial equality, but reasonable adaptations of the background in China are seen as fabrications. The same plot is considered a brilliant plot twist when made by foreign directors, but plagiarism and borrowing when made in China.

Ultimately, many people, whether ordinary viewers or film and television professionals, inherently feel inferior.

Even if films from other countries portray Chinese people negatively, there will be people who defend them, because for them, foreign things are always good and correct.

"When our films are box office hits, some people say that only winning major awards at international film festivals proves that a film is well-made. They say that high box office is just a commercial film and that the audience has low aesthetic standards. But when our films win awards internationally, some people say that they are purely art films, made specifically for the judges and have no commercial value."

Lu Ban paused, then looked at the others.

"So, can we make a movie that wins major awards at international film festivals and is also a box office hit, so we can make money without even having to stand up?"

The crowd was silent.

No normal person would dare to say something like that.

Only a madman would think he can do it.

We lag behind others in technology, talent, funding, and all other conditions. Most importantly, the power to make relevant evaluations is still in the hands of others.

Only films that portray their country as backward, ignorant, and feudal, and only those that depict idyllic, simple, and conservative life, can win the favor of judges and audiences.

But Lu Ban didn't think so. Having seen countless movies in both worlds, he believed that the domestic films in this world had already developed quite well. Even without him, he was certain that one day in the future, they would be able to produce works that were in no way inferior to those of any other country.

"I will protect everything related to domestic films."

Lu Ban clenched his fist in front of the audience.

Of course, he wasn't acting rashly.

If "The Tide of Magic" becomes a huge hit both domestically and internationally, the enthusiasm of ordinary people for watching movies will definitely increase significantly. His movies will surely set even higher box office records in the future. Who knows what conditions will be required for his future career development tasks? If it reaches a box office of five billion US dollars, then Lu Ban will have no choice but to point a gun at the heads of these audience members and make them buy tickets to watch it one by one.

Furthermore, if "The Tide of Magic" doesn't gross 5 billion at the box office, Lu Ban might have to ask Song Yunyan for help to make ends meet.

Song Yunyan, who doesn't even blink an eye at transactions worth billions, shouldn't have any problem supporting me with a few billion!

I'm not just making a movie, I'm saving the world!

Lu Ban's argument was well-founded.

Seeing Lu Ban's confident demeanor and determination to overturn the past, the students of Yannan Media University were also infected and excited, clenching their fists and eager to try.

Young people are the most easily excited. Moreover, many of them did not experience the era when domestic films and TV series were completely outclassed, and they do not have that kind of deeply ingrained worship of foreign things. Therefore, they were even more excited when they heard Lu Ban's words.

"Therefore, the release of 'The Tide of Magic' is not just a movie, but a challenge from Chinese films to foreign films. Perhaps in the past, Chinese films have always been inferior to foreign films, but now we have the opportunity to fight them. Fellow students, it is our duty to defend the glory of Chinese films."

Lu Ban even stood up and issued a call to action.

The host, Cao Song, was momentarily at a loss for words.

Isn't this supposed to be a lighthearted and enjoyable talk show? How did it suddenly veer into a comparison between domestic and international films?

However, Cao Song also felt that Lu Ban was right. They needed some works to boost young people's confidence so that more people would devote themselves to the film and television industry.

Although the process was somewhat roundabout, unexpectedly, Lu Ban's words allowed the program to take a shortcut to its destination.

Lu Ban's interview was quickly recorded and then edited in various ways before circulating online.

Some versions highlight key points, showcasing Lu Ban's expectations for the new film and his views on the development of domestic films; others cut short, portraying Lu Ban as an arrogant and conceited director.

For example, in many forums and chat groups, screenshots of Lu Ban's live stream were combined with his words to create a long image.

Lines such as "This means we are the number one film powerhouse," "I will protect everything about domestic films," and "Defending the glory of domestic films is our inescapable duty" are all on it. The last line, "Getting 13 billion is a success," really makes Lu Ban seem extremely arrogant.

Soon, Lu Ban gained another nickname online.

Crazy Little Lu!