Chapter 819

"They managed to hitch a ride on this too."

Chen Ziyan was speechless.

"Chen Pinhe is the lead, so getting this box office isn't much." Seeing Chen Ziyan pouting, Lu Qingzhen couldn't help but smile and comfort her. "Besides, it's not like it broke 100 million on the first day. Relying on the Mid-Autumn holiday, the first-day box office was only over 20 million. The total box office for this film is estimated to be just over 100 million."

"For an art film, isn't that good enough?" Chen Ziyan sighed, pouting. "I want to use some methods."

"What methods?" Lu Qingzhen said. "Mess with him?"

"Mm," Chen Ziyan said. "Since he uses such methods to mess with *Storm Calmer No. 1*, does he think he can stay out of it?"

Lu Qingzhen: "Then how do you plan to mess with him?"

Chen Ziyan said: "Very simple."

—Chen Pinhe acted like a diva on the set of *The Pianist*, with the entire crew revolving around him and serving him alone.

—On set, he frequently changed the script, moving all the highlight moments of many characters onto himself, so *The Pianist* became his one-man show.

—This time, when *The Pianist* won an award in Venice, Chen Pinhe was the most unhappy person. He originally thought he could win Best Actor, but in a situation where the film's reputation was so controversial, it was the film that won the Jury Special Prize.

—The so-called Jury Special Prize is when the jury doesn't want to give an award, but the jury president especially wants to give a certain film an award, so they give such an award.

On the internet, attacks on Chen Pinhe appeared everywhere.

They weren't very substantive attacks, but they were all negative, and they were the kind that were easily "associated" by people.

Lu Qingzhen asked: "Your methods look relatively light? Does this cause any substantive damage to *The Pianist*?"

"Why should I care about *The Pianist*? The quality of this film is right there. Everyone knows it was filmed mediocrely, and getting 100 million at the box office is just a mediocre work." Chen Ziyan said. "I am attacking Chen Pinhe. Since this guy dares to use dirty tricks to deal with *Storm Calmer No. 1*, then he shouldn't pretend to be an artist."

Lu Qingzhen said: "However, it's very normal for artists to have a bad temper."

"It's normal for artists to have a bad temper, but it's not normal for artists to be unable to cooperate well with others, or even delete others' scenes and add their own," Chen Ziyan said. "The director of *The Pianist*, Zheng Ximo, had a very stiff relationship with Chen Pinhe. You didn't know that, right?"

"Ah? I really didn't know. What's going on?"

"Zheng Ximo's script was changed in many places by Chen Pinhe, and on set, Chen Pinhe called all the shots," Chen Ziyan said. "It's just that this film was produced and mainly invested in by Chen Pinhe and Zhang Yuezhen's company, so a lot of news was covered up. This time going to Venice, Zheng Ximo's interviews were all very interesting."

"What did his interview say?"

"He said that being a film director has always been poor. Apart from spiritual freedom, there is no other freedom, including creative freedom." Chen Ziyan winked at Lu Qingzhen. "When I was arranging for people to crusade against Chen Pinhe, I used this interview content. But so long has passed, and no one from Chen Pinhe's side has stood up to clarify this point. At least if Zheng Ximo and Chen Pinhe cooperated happily, they wouldn't be silent, right?"

Lu Qingzhen: "Are you bluffing him?"

Chen Ziyan: "Yeah, anyway, it's just fabricating materials, writing small essays, ambiguous, hesitant, taking things out of context, and stirring up trouble."

Lu Qingzhen said: "But the box office of *The Pianist* has indeed declined."

"That has nothing to do with my handiwork. Art films rely most on reputation. *The Pianist* is too bad. Even if I did nothing, the box office trend wouldn't be good. Otherwise, Zhang Yuezhen wouldn't have arranged for the release so hurriedly." Chen Ziyan said. "Of course, she does have some ability. A low-budget art film was played by her to achieve this effect, winning awards, winning a wave of good reputation for Chen Pinhe's acting, and also using it to hit *Storm Calmer No. 1*."

Lu Qingzhen: "Indeed."

Chen Ziyan said: "However, they pushed away a director who is actually very talented. It's a pity."

"Zheng Ximo?"

"*The Pianist* being able to be shortlisted for the main competition in Venice must have had the operation of Zhang Yuezhen's relationship network behind it, but the film itself must have its merits. Otherwise, no matter how strong the relationship is, it wouldn't be shortlisted." Chen Ziyan said. "Actually, if you look at Zheng Ximo's past resume, you will know that he is a director who insists on filming art films, is not famous, but has a very rich resume at international film festivals, although he hasn't entered the international four major ones before."

Lu Qingzhen: "Are you eyeing him?"

Chen Ziyan smiled.

"Public opinion warfare can only smear for a while. Snatching people over is the long-term plan." Chen Ziyan said. "I have already asked a mutual friend to make an appointment with Zheng Ximo. I don't intend to let Zheng Ximo sign with Linghe. Arctic Light Video is laying out films, and I am preparing to bridge the gap so that Zheng Ximo can cooperate with Arctic Light."

Lu Qingzhen: "Arctic Light is also on Yan He's side."

"That's right." Chen Ziyan nodded. "And the person in charge of the film section of Arctic Light is Yan He's old friend."

Lu Qingzhen was surprised and asked: "Lin Miaomiao?"

"No, it's Lin Miaomiao's boyfriend, Yan He's senior, Wang Xiao." Chen Ziyan said. "When Yan He was studying at Zhenhua, he was a very familiar friend of Wang Xiao."

Lu Qingzhen: "Arctic Light, is this deliberately putting Wang Xiao in this position?"

"Mm," Chen Ziyan nodded. "Lin Miaomiao doesn't intend to inherit her father's business and enter Arctic Light. She is already studying for a doctorate. Lin Desheng probably wants to cultivate Wang Xiao, but Wang Xiao is not Lin Miaomiao. He has no foundation in Arctic Light, and his name is not right. Relying on a marriage certificate to get to the top is easily criticized by others. Therefore, it is estimated that considering this point, Lin Desheng let Wang Xiao be responsible for a new business sector. The old people can't reach this place. When Wang Xiao was in charge of the Youth Association at Zhenhua, he received and met a large number of filmmakers. Coupled with his relationship with Yan He, the foundation for doing this is very good."

Lu Qingzhen: "Then you sent someone to him?"

"Long Yan doesn't understand Liu Bige's value and forced him to this point, so they will inevitably break up in the future." Chen Ziyan said. "However, the significance of a director who can gain fame and win awards internationally to a film company cannot be measured by a few hundred million in box office. That means a stepping stone, a bargaining chip. Really treating film as 100% business will lead to being pecked by an eagle."

Film is such an industry.

It is business, but if you really talk about business purely with it, you will only ever be Wong Jing.

He is a big shot, but your respect for him will always be a few points less.

The industry will not position him as an identifier either.

Once overseas, without the blessing of artistry, business is not bought either.

The box office of *The Pianist* on the second day was only 16.28 million.

Despite this, *The Pianist* still followed suit and stated that it had already started to make a profit.

Something about overseas distribution selling to more than 30 countries and regions, something about Chen Pinhe's performance being praised by dozens of media outlets, something about the North American distributor Neuron believing that Chen Pinhe's performance has the strength to impact the Oscar for Best Actor, and will fully lobby for him during this year's awards season.

Lu Yan He said to Chen Ziyan: He used *Storm Calmer No. 1* to build momentum for *The Pianist*. Can we go the opposite way and use his current momentum to build momentum for Teacher Wen?

Chen Ziyan:?

Lu Yan He: Let a foreign media outlet do an interview on the streets of the United States, asking them what is the most impressive Chinese film this year? Who is the Chinese filmmaker they are most concerned about this year?

Chen Ziyan: You are?

Lu Yan He: The box office of *Storm Calmer No. 1* in North America has exceeded 10 million USD.

Chen Ziyan: I understand. You want to retaliate like this?

Lu Yan He: Not just for retaliation, but to let Teacher Wen truly enter the field of vision of the awards season this year.

Chen Ziyan: Good.

Lu Yan He: Chen Pinhe should have some lobbying activities next. Sister Ziyan, you go and communicate with Darren. I am going to join the crew to film next, but Teacher Wen's time is all cleared up. Let Teacher Wen take over the early lobbying activities in North America, including the film screening activities of Green Valley, D19, and Parameter. If there is an opportunity for exposure, arrange it for Teacher Wen. In the coming time, we must let North America constantly familiarize themselves with Teacher Wen's face and remember him.

Chen Ziyan said okay.

Lu Yan He: In addition, help Teacher Wen contact more film projects in Hollywood. Whether he takes it or not is one thing, but through media reports, create the impression that Teacher Wen is truly breaking into Hollywood through the film *Storm Calmer No. 1* and his recent exposure.

Chen Ziyan: Then why don't you arrange a guest role for Teacher Wen in *Men in Black*? Starting from the film *Men in Black*, this film is now ranked fourth on the Hollywood film expectation list.

Lu Yan He: That's fine, just let the news out like that first.

Chen Ziyan: Okay.

Using the top resources to build momentum for an actor, to what extent can an actor be pushed?

Except for audience affinity, everything can be possessed.

Lu Yan He using such huge resources to push Wen Shengming is something many people dream of but cannot get.

Jiang Yuqian knew that Lu Yan He wanted to build momentum for Wen Shengming to impact the North American awards season this year, so she needed to hold a party to consolidate her power in Hollywood, and the invitation was sent to Wen Shengming's hands at the first time.

This party was held in the gap of filming *Windowsill*.

A Hollywood producer said to Jiang Yuqian: "You Chinese are really united. Not only Lu Yan He, but even you have started to help build momentum for Wen Shengming."

Jiang Yuqian said with a smile: "My dear friend, we Chinese are indeed united, but I held this party not to help build momentum for Wen Shengming. Can't I invite some friends to relax?"

"Many of the people you invited today are Academy members with voting rights."

"Of course." Jiang Yuqian blinked. "I will also impact the Oscars in the future. Can't I have a dream of winning an Oscar?"

She raised her hand and gently patted the other party's shoulder.

"Hollywood is Hollywood after all, not China." Jiang Yuqian's smile was charming. "Don't worry about us Chinese grabbing your territory."

"Now many Hollywood producers are finding their work harder and harder because of Lu Yan He from your country."

"Oh, he is a genius. He is different from us." Jiang Yuqian said. "We can't grab your territory, and as for a genius, he disdains to grab it even more. In fact, we all know very well that his existence has instead reopened the door to the Chinese market for your Hollywood films, hasn't it? *Hurricane* grossed nearly 200 million USD in China."

The other party stopped talking.

Jiang Yuqian: "You guys are really greedy. You clearly need us Chinese actors to help you further open up the Asian market, yet you say it as if we want to grab your territory."

She reached out again and gently pushed the other party's shoulder.

"Will, you made me unhappy today. You must bring a good script to make me happy again." Jiang Yuqian smiled coquettishly. "I am a very greedy actress."

The producer named Will smiled helplessly.

"You are simply a devil. I am being led by the nose by you."

Jiang Yuqian raised her eyebrows.

"Think whatever you want me to be, but remember, I am a very greedy actress and also a very good actress." Jiang Yuqian shrugged her shoulders.

Wen Shengming had seen Lu Yan He's appearance in social occasions, and had seen Jiang Yuqian's appearance in social occasions. On the way back, he was silent for a long time.

When they arrived at the hotel, he said to Chen Keqiu: "These young kids, being able to fight their way out internationally, really, it's not easy."

Chen Keqiu said: "Why say that suddenly?"

Wen Shengming said: "Just now, I saw Jiang Yuqian greeting and talking to different people all night, saying human words to humans and ghost words to ghosts. Not everyone treats her as a friend, and some people speak with thorns. This is still at a party she organized herself, yet she takes everything in stride. In China, among the actors you know, do any of them have such skills?"

"Young artists nowadays are basically protected too well by their teams, like dolls."

"And it's not just young artists. I thought that by being willing to cooperate with the lobbying and promotion work of *Storm Calmer No. 1*, I had already lowered my posture a lot, but looking at Yan He and Yuqian, the two of them are so popular, even at their peak of power, yet what they have paid and achieved is much more than we imagined. Back then, Chen Pinhe probably didn't want to lower his posture like this either."

"Possibly." Chen Keqiu said. "Actually, Chen Ziyan has told me that if you want to have influence internationally, Europe and America are places you can't bypass. And if you want to have influence in North America, the box office and awards season are two paths you can't bypass. If you want to gain something in the awards season, you have to understand their rules, act according to their rules, and stand firm. Here, no one will respect you because you are a very successful actor in China. You must first achieve success by their standards before you can be looked at with higher regard."

"Jiang Yuqian really made me... look sideways today." Wen Shengming said. "I really should let those people in China who think Jiang Yuqian's success is built on Lu Yan He come and see how she grasped the opportunity and truly stood firm on her own."

Unfortunately, Lu Yan He was not here.

Otherwise, after hearing this sentence from Wen Shengming, Lu Yan He would definitely hold Wen Shengming's hand with deep empathy and sigh that finally someone had the same feeling as him.

Chen Keqiu said: "Actually, Zhang Yuezhen came to see me recently."

"Hm?" Wen Shengming was a little surprised and asked, "What did she come to see you for?"

Chen Keqiu: "She said that everyone is a Chinese actor, and this year we are all impacting the North American awards season together. Lobbying resources can be shared, mutually beneficial and win-win. She is willing to introduce a powerful lobbying firm to us."

Wen Shengming showed some surprise.

"Heh? Since when was she so proactive and kind?" (End of chapter)