Chapter 339

When he saw the title, Zhang Yimou was no different from thousands of other readers, with a big question mark remaining in his mind.

Why call it "To Live"?!

But when the book finished, how could Zhang Yimou not understand the original intention of this book?!

This was clearly saying that life has no meaning; living itself is the greatest meaning!

With a mix of emotions, Zhang Yimou couldn't help but read it over and over again.

As he read, Zhang Yimou's aged eyes grew brighter and brighter.

A long-held wish buried deep in his heart suddenly emerged.

You see, Zhang Yimou already stood at the pinnacle of the Chinese director circle.

In other words, he was the current ceiling of Chinese film works!

But Zhang Yimou's goal had long since stopped being confined to these few acres of land at home.

His gaze had long been set on the much broader global stage!

That is, the best honor in the hearts of global filmmakers!

The Oscars!

But the Oscars are so difficult.

Due to numerous rule restrictions, Chinese filmmakers only have one path to take when aiming for the Oscars: the "Best International Feature Film" award.

Plus, due to cultural differences, there is a huge gap between Eastern and Western aesthetics.

This has led to the fact that, to this day, China has never had a work favored by the Oscars.

In order to aim for the Oscars, Zhang Yimou had submitted film works multiple times, only to fail repeatedly.

After multiple failures, Zhang Yimou knew deeply that he had been waiting for an excellent story to appear!

But a good story is something you can only hope for, not seek out.

Now, the sudden appearance of "To Live" faintly allowed Zhang Yimou to see hope!

If this epic story could be brought to the big screen, there would definitely be hope of aiming for the Oscars!

Once the idea emerged, Zhang Yimou's heart became increasingly heated.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yimou booked a flight overnight and boarded a plane to Qianzhou early the next morning.

When Zhang Yimou appeared in front of Ye Xuan, Ye Xuan was still a bit puzzled.

Why did the famous national master come looking for him?!

"Director Zhang, what is this...?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Zhang Yimou smiling so hard that wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes, and he spoke with great excitement.

"Mr. Ye, I really love your 'To Live' too much.

I came to bother you this time for the copyright of 'To Live.'

If this work could be brought to the big screen, it would definitely have a chance to aim for the Oscars..."

Seeing Zhang Yimou's excited appearance, Ye Xuan also showed a look of sudden realization.

Indeed.

In his past life, the old master was a frequent visitor to the Oscars, yet he always missed out on them.

The work "To Live" was also acquired by Zhang Yimou in his past life, and later, in collaboration with Uncle Ge and Gong Li, it won a major award at Cannes in one fell swoop.

If "To Live" could be brought to the big screen, who says it wouldn't have a fighting chance at the Oscars?!

Just as Ye Xuan was thinking, Zhang Yimou, fearing that Ye Xuan wouldn't agree, spoke with even more anxiety and eagerness.

"Mr. Ye, I am willing to pay 20 million to purchase the copyright to your novel, and not only that..."

Halfway through, a look of pain flashed in Zhang Yimou's eyes, but he still said without hesitation.

"If you agree to give me the copyright, I am willing to give you a 10% share of the final box office."

A ten percent box office share?!

Ye Xuan was also taken aback by Zhang Yimou's grand gesture.

This is not a small amount of money!

According to the proportion of Chinese film revenue sharing, 5% is taxed first, and 95% is the distributable box office.

And of the distributable box office, theaters take 50%, cinema chains take 7%, and distributors take 10%.

The final 33% is the producer's box office income.

The 10% share Zhang Yimou is willing to give up now comes from this portion of the producer's box office income.

If you look at the entire box office revenue, that's 3% of the total box office!

That is to say.

If this movie can reach 100 million at the box office, Ye Xuan can get 3 million!

If this movie can reach 1 billion at the box office, Ye Xuan can get 30 million!

Zhang Yimou's sincerity is truly full.

After turning it over in his mind, Ye Xuan didn't intend to refuse and nodded in agreement.

"Director Zhang, happy cooperation."

When Zhang Yimou left Qiong Village, his bag contained a contract signed by Ye Xuan.

The copyright fee for "To Live" was a full 20 million.

Subsequently, 10% of the film's entire theater box office share also belonged to Ye Xuan.

Not long after, Zhang Yimou posted the news on Weibo.

【Zhang Yimou: Thank you to Mr. Ye Xuan for your trust. I will be faithful to the original work 'To Live' and make this work well... @Ye Xuan】

As soon as this news came out, the entertainment industry was in an uproar again.

The other directors who also stood at the pinnacle of the Chinese director circle were full of regret.

This is another masterpiece by Ye Xuan; how did Zhang Yimou get to it first?!

"The old master's actions are so fast; I haven't even reacted yet!"

Director Li An, who is also a director, saw Zhang Yimou's official announcement and could only carry a look of regret, secretly canceling his own flight to Qianzhou.

Another director, Wong Kar-wai, was also furious, regretting that he was a step late.

"I haven't been able to eat or drink for three days, so how did the old master succeed?!"

Just as a group of directors were beating their chests and stamping their feet, when netizens learned the news of "To Live" being adapted for film, they also started to make a fuss one by one.

"'To Live' is actually going to be brought to the big screen?!"

"I'm looking forward to this work, but I'm afraid I won't dare to watch it!"

"I've already lost six pounds from crying; what if I lose another six pounds when the movie comes out?"

"Woooooo, don't dare to watch +1!"

At this time, some netizens were looking forward to the film adaptation of this novel while also fearing that they wouldn't be able to hold back their emotions, and they secretly requested under Zhang Yimou's Weibo.

"Director Zhang, can you please not make these characters so miserable? Okay!"

"Yeah, don't learn from Ye Gouzi! Ye Gouzi is simply a knife-wielder!"

"Can you give my Youqing a way to live?!"

When Zhang Yimou saw these netizen comments, he instead showed a smile.

The netizens' comments all proved how deeply everyone felt about "To Live"!

Since it could make countless netizens tear up, how could it not move those judges?!

There is hope for aiming for the Oscars this time!