Chapter 195: The Message

"The Message" is an anti-Japanese spy thriller.

From beginning to end, this film has no intention of beautifying the Japanese invaders, and the final fate of Takeda and the others is a dead end.

Although it doesn't mindlessly demonize them like many "divine dramas," it definitely exposes the ugly faces of the invaders from a logical and deeper level.

So, which Japanese hero exactly wants to get this film screened at the headquarters of the Japanese invaders?

Before this, Chen Nuo had only thought about utilizing the influence of Jeon Do-yeon and Choi Min-sik to see if it could be sold to South Korea.

As for Japan?

He truly hadn't even thought about it.

On October 8, 2007, Chen Nuo and his two companions secretly arrived at Tokyo Narita Airport.

A car sent by Takeshi Kitano's company picked them up at Narita Airport, and accompanying the car was a Japanese girl in her 20s.

She had long hair, an oval face, beautiful features, and looked very familiar.

Upon asking, he found out that, good heavens, she was the younger sister of Rie Miyazawa, named Gongze Huili Miyazawa, a top student at the University of Tokyo who minored in Chinese literature and language at university; Takeshi Kitano had specifically found her to be their translator.

Rie Miyazawa, Noriko Sakai, plus Joey Wong and Vivian Chow—in the 90s, before the rise of the Korean Wave, they could be called the "four wallflowers" in the bedrooms of mainland teenagers. Who hadn't pasted their posters in their bedroom and drooled while looking at them?

Hearing the other party's background, Chen Nuo couldn't help but feel a sense of respect.

This made Gongze Huili feel very embarrassed; inside the cramped car, she bowed repeatedly, "Sister Rie is 10 years older than me. I am the youngest daughter of my parents. Being able to come and translate for Chen Jun this time is also because I begged my sister and asked Mr. Kitano for the favor. I like the Joker character played by Chen Jun very, very, very much. I am a loyal fan of Chen Jun. I have liked Chinese culture since I was a child, so I studied the Chinese language myself during school, but I still speak it poorly. If there is any rudeness, please forgive me, Chen Jun!"

Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Not at all, you already speak very well. It feels even better than I do. I am the one who should ask for your indulgence, and I hope this meeting hasn't made you disappointed in the Joker."

"Not at all, not at all!" Gongze Huili Miyazawa's pretty face flushed slightly, and finally, she gathered her courage and said, "I have also seen Chen Jun's statements at the press conference before. I think Chen Jun is even more handsome in person than in the movie. I am very much looking forward to the day when I can see a movie on the big screen in Japan where Chen Jun appears with his true face. I believe it will definitely leave everyone stunned."

When Gongze Huili Miyazawa said this, Chen Nuo first smiled dismissively.

However, immediately after, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

Speaking of which, if this trip really succeeds and "The Message" is actually screened in Japan,

the Takeda he played in "The Message" is a Japanese person!

And under his interpretation, he is a young Japanese military officer with an aristocratic temperament.

Back then, in order to create a contrast between an inner beast and an outer human, Ning Hao and he put a lot of effort into his appearance during filming, and the Mexican gay guy was also filmed a bit excessively.

So much so that the final effect presented made even him feel that it surpassed his image in other movies and television shows.

Then, when the time comes, as one of the "invaders" himself, what kind of effect will it have when seen on the big screen by a local Japanese girl like Gongze Huili Miyazawa?

Then again, if he could really rely on selling his face to sell movie tickets, he would have no choice but to "feed the tiger with his body."

However, these were just wild thoughts in his head, and they even inevitably carried a bit of narcissism.

What will it actually be like?

He still has to meet with the film company seeking cooperation to find out.

This time, Takeshi Kitano hosted a banquet,

still at that same geisha house from back then.

Come to think of it, he actually had a really comfortable time here that night.

That pair of twins were both named Ayaka.

At the time, to tell them apart, he had very crudely named them No. 1 and No. 2.

Call out "Ayaka 1," then point to the tatami mat, and the one with a red mole on her chest would obediently lie down.

Call out "Ayaka 2," point to his own back, and the other one would come over to rub his back.

In short, it was an endless aftertaste.

Later, when he returned to the country, he looked it up and found out that if translated into Chinese, the names of these two twin girls should be one called Colorful Flower and the other called Colorful Clouds.

But, it is daytime now, not the time to think about these things.

The film company from the Japanese side sent two people this time.

At the beginning of the meeting, Takeshi Kitano introduced that the middle-aged man leading them was named Yuki Nakamura, and the younger one was named Shota Nakamura; they were a father and son.

The Nakamura family had been in the film distribution business since the 70s, that is, since the generation of Yuki Nakamura's father, and they specialized in niche films.

How niche were they?

One can get a glimpse from the name of their film company.

Dongfanghong Film Co., Ltd.

When he heard this name from Gongze Huili Miyazawa's mouth, Chen Nuo almost spat out the tea in his mouth.

This name... it feels a bit dangerous.

Gongze Huili Miyazawa continued to translate, "... At the birth of the company, my late father was dedicated to the screening of mainland red films. Recently, I heard that Mr. Kitano went to the mainland to participate in the filming of your movie, which made me suddenly recall my late father's dying instructions, and for a moment..."

Gongze Huili Miyazawa paused, seemingly pondering her wording, and finally, she actually blurted out an idiom—truly worthy of a University of Tokyo student.

"... I was drenched in sweat. Therefore, I specifically asked Mr. Kitano to invite Chen Jun to come and discuss. We very much want to obtain Chen Jun's authorization to let our side operate the screening of your film in Japan."

As soon as Eri Miyazawa finished speaking, the two men kneeling opposite Chen Nuo suddenly bowed down and said in unison, "Please."

Gongze Huili Miyazawa translated, "Please."

During Gongze Huili Miyazawa's translation, Chen Nuo had been exchanging eye contact with Qi Yuntian.

Although they were mentally prepared before coming and understood that it couldn't be some Toho or Toei coming to them to buy "The Message,"

they didn't expect it to be this kind of extreme left-wing film company.

How many theaters could this damn thing have?

And how much money could they offer to buy it?

Under Chen Nuo's signal, Qi Yuntian began to chat with the father and son.

Chen Nuo just listened silently on the side.

"In the four islands of Japan, we have a total of 39 movie theaters that we cooperate with regularly. We know that compared to Chen Jun's fame in the world, this number is insignificant."

"However, our Nakamura family is willing to give everything. We ask Chen Jun and Qi Jun to propose conditions, and we will definitely do our best to satisfy your side."

Before coming to Japan, Chen Nuo and Qi Yuntian had conducted a basic market survey and knew that as the second-largest single market in the world, Japan actually only had about 500 movie theaters, and the number of films screened each year reached more than 2,000.

The number of theaters is small, but the box office is so high because Japan's crackdown on piracy is very severe; once caught, it's the kind that leads to jail time.

Therefore, there is no piracy on the market, and ordinary people have always had the habit of paying to walk into movie theaters.

In a place like Japan, whether it can reach 100-theater screening is the baseline for judging whether a film is a large-scale release.

And on this point alone, very few foreign films can achieve it.

Because they are not interested in the outside world.

Among the top 10 in the Japanese market box office rankings, a total of 6 are Japanese animated films.

Unless it's at the level of "The Dark Knight," with large investments, big casts, and Hollywood, it's only possible to be screened in all 500 movie theaters in Japan,

and finally, on this tiny piece of land, it raked in 21.2 billion yen, becoming the fifth film in Japanese film history to break through 20 billion yen.

On the day it was pulled from theaters, "The Dark Knight" finally ranked ahead of the 20.3 billion yen of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," ranking fourth on the Japanese film history box office chart.

Even with this knowledge, the 39 theaters mentioned by Yuki Nakamura still made people want to laugh a little.

Yuki Nakamura also felt that the number he mentioned was indeed a bit small, so he added, "If the test screening effect is good, we can also achieve more than 100 theaters."

Believe your crap.

Chen Nuo looked at his appearance and knew he was bragging.

What is a mosquito leg? This is a mosquito leg.

However, as long as they are willing to buy out the film, how many theaters there are has nothing to do with them. This was also communicated on the phone before coming. Kitano also said the other party agreed.

Qi Yuntian then directly quoted, "How about 5 million then?"

When they first thought it was yen, the Nakamura father and son seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but as soon as they heard it was RMB, their faces immediately turned into bitter melons.

They babbled a lot, and Gongze Huili Miyazawa translated, "Your side may not know, but currently, the audience watching our films is getting fewer and fewer, because in recent years, we haven't found suitable new films, basically only playing old movies, and the attendance rate is very low."

"So much so that in the last ten years, the number of theaters willing to play our films has also become fewer and fewer."

"We want to introduce your film, on one hand, to use Chen Jun's fame to let more Japanese people walk into movie theaters to watch our films. On the other hand, it is also to try to change the trend that left-wing films are becoming increasingly declining in Japan."

"Although 100 million yen is not high for Chen Jun's fame and status, we really can't take it out now." Qi Yuntian glanced at Chen Nuo and said again, "What about 4 million?"

"... 3 million?"

"2 million?"

"1 million?"

It seems 1 million still couldn't be taken out.

This couldn't be negotiated; below 1 million, it would be better to give it away for free.

At this time, the two Japanese father and son suddenly took out a stack of things that looked like land deeds from their briefcase.

Gongze Huili Miyazawa explained, "Mr. Nakamura said that 2 million is no problem. This is their ancestral property in the countryside of Kyoto, worth 40 million yen, which can be mortgaged to your side first..."

Chen Nuo couldn't listen anymore.

When the two sides were talking, Takeshi Kitano had been sitting on the side watching the geisha performance on the stage, not saying a word from beginning to end.

Chen Nuo said to Gongze Huili Miyazawa, "Tell them to take a break, I'll talk to Director Kitano first."

That's right, Chen Nuo's suspicious personality came up again.

In his view, this father and son were selling misery from beginning to end,

and in a situation where he didn't know if it was true or false, this business really couldn't be discussed further.

You talk to him about money, he plays the human card to win sympathy; how can this be discussed?

However, after asking Takeshi Kitano, he realized that this father and son were really not selling misery; they were just that miserable.

The old man of the Nakamura family who had already passed away was an old friend of Takeshi Kitano.

He was 20 years older than Takeshi Kitano, and when he was in his teens, he was caught in the army, but as a result, a few days after landing, Japan was defeated, and he became a prisoner. After ideological education by our side, he was released back to Japan in 1946.

After that, he was a firm proletarian fighter for his whole life, and during that period in the 70s, he was very active and was even caught and jailed.

After being released, he decided to learn from Lu Xun and engage in national education.

But the result was that he didn't have the ability to write with a flourish.

In the end, he had to abandon the pen for the film, finding some movies from China to play in Japan, such as "Tunnel Warfare," "Mine Warfare," and "Little Soldier Zhang Ga," in short, all anti-war films.

Yuki Nakamura was the late-born son of old Nakamura, with only two older sisters, and finally, after old Nakamura passed away in 1999, he inherited the Nakamura family's business.

That is, this Dongfanghong Film Co., Ltd.

When old Nakamura was alive, this company could barely maintain itself. But from the late 90s to now, on one hand, the relationship between China and Japan is far worse than before,

on the other hand, anti-Japanese "divine dramas" are emerging one after another in the mainland, but there are no normal anti-war films suitable for screening in the Japanese market.

As a result, Yuki Nakamura and the others are naturally getting more and more miserable, and now the film company is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Takeshi Kitano finally admitted that it wasn't Yuki Nakamura who came to him, but he who went to Yuki Nakamura.

Because he went to Hengdian for a cameo, read the script of "The Message," and knew that the description of that war in it was objective and true.

There was no malicious demonization of the Japanese in it, and at the same time, the cast of the film was quite luxurious, almost a grand union of China, Japan, and South Korea.

Screening it in that left-wing cinema chain that the Nakamura family cooperates with might be able to get some box office results and help the children of old Nakamura.

Finally, Takeshi Kitano said, "In my heart, the screening of 'The Message' in Japan is like the screening of 'Schindler's List' in Germany back then; the significance of it might be immensely important."

"But I also know that business is business. If you are not satisfied with the price, Chen Jun, you can refuse them. You don't have to have any scruples because of me."

Chen Nuo felt that this old guy Takeshi Kitano had been pretending to watch the geishas, and he probably was just waiting for him to come over and ask.

He didn't believe Takeshi Kitano didn't understand the sensitive points of the Chinese.

He even brought out "Schindler's List" to compare with "The Message," plus the things implied in his words, the height he raised it to might have broken through the clouds,

so how could he respond?

How could he still treat it as a business negotiation?

However, "The Message" is not his movie alone; China Film Group also holds a 20% stake in it. How to operate it, no matter what, he has to ask for Han Zong's opinion.

Chen Nuo didn't delay, made an excuse to go to the bathroom, and directly made a call to Han Zong's private mobile phone.

Anyway, the time difference between Japan and China is only one hour; looking at the time, there are still two hours before work ends in China.

As for whether Han Zong is actually working?

Regardless of what others think, Chen Nuo believes he definitely is.

Sure enough, when Han Zong answered the phone, the receiver was quiet, and it sounded very much like a working atmosphere.

The voice was also very cheerful, "Haha, Xiao Chen, what's up? Are you back in Jingcheng, wanting to come find me for tea?"

Ever since "The Dark Knight" was pulled from theaters with a global box office of 1.338 billion USD, the second highest in history, Han Zong's attitude had always been so amiable to him.

And in the second week after "The Dark Knight" was pulled, old Han even made a special trip to Hengdian to sign an intention agreement with him regarding that super blockbuster.

So, Chen Nuo and Han Zong could be considered familiar after the first time.

He didn't use much courtesy, and in a few words, he made the matter clear on the phone.

Then, Han Zong didn't know what he was doing, and seemed to vaguely say the word "get lost."

Maybe he's old, his hand was shaking a bit, and the receiver wasn't covered tightly, letting Chen Nuo hear it.

Hey, as a leading cadre, he's really fierce enough.

It seemed to almost scare the little girl to tears, and she said very aggrievedly, "Okay then."

Then, Han Zong, who was still at work, said very seriously, "Xiao Chen, what is the name of that company? Repeat the name to me completely again."

After Chen Nuo said it, Han Zong said again, "Xiao Chen, wait five minutes for me." After saying that, he hung up the phone.

Although the Japanese-style garden design originated from China, it must be admitted that after one or two thousand years of evolution, it already has its own characteristics.

The backyard of this geisha house should have been through the hands of a master. The dry landscape in the center of the courtyard has a special Zen, and the gravel is raked into delicate ripples, as if they were ripples on a lake.

The twins, Colorful Flower and Colorful Clouds, were wearing light red and light blue kimonos and walked around from behind the dry landscape.

When they saw Chen Nuo sitting under the courtyard corridor, they seemed startled.

The two girls hurriedly bowed, Chen Nuo also froze for a moment, then smiled and waved at them.

The two stood in place, whispering something.

The one in the red kimono seemed to want to come over, while the one in the blue kimono was stopping her.

The two tugged for a while, and suddenly a female voice in Japanese came from behind the rockery. The two girls hurriedly returned the way they came.

Before leaving, the one in the red kimono smiled at him, while the one in the blue one looked at him expressionlessly. It was as if she had some deep hatred for him.

Damn, who is this blue-clothed one, No. 1 or No. 2?

After another few minutes, Han Zong's call came through, "Xiao Chen, I've inquired about it; there is indeed a film company with this name there, and they bought quite a few movies from our factory many years ago. So, um, what is your intention, Xiao Chen?"

Chen Nuo wasn't that stupid; at this time, the person who should be dealing with the situation should be him, so he said, "I'll listen to your instructions, Han Zong; whatever you want me to do is fine."

Han Zong seemed quite satisfied with this attitude of his, laughed twice, and said, "My opinion is that this matter should be negotiated as much as possible. As for the money, our China Film Group will not take a penny in this matter. Even if needed, we can take out some money to do this. How about that?"

Chen Nuo immediately understood and said, "Our Huanxin Company will definitely advance and retreat with you, President Han. However, in this matter, I think we still can't retreat too aggressively. After all, things obtained too easily are generally not cherished. If they don't fight with their lives, the effect we want in the end might not be achieved, right? President Han."

Han Zong let out a cackling laugh like an eagle, "That's the logic..."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Nuo sat for a while longer, appreciating the dry landscape for a few minutes, before returning to the private room.

He asked nonchalantly, "Mr. Nakamura, our film hasn't been finished yet, and you are willing to mortgage your family's land deed; isn't that too reckless?"

Yuki Nakamura said, "We trust Director Kitano's vision and also know Mr. Chen's reputation in the world. And our Dongfanghong Film Co., Ltd. is now in jeopardy; if we don't fight to the death, in the end, we will only let the industry left by my father go bankrupt."

"I thought about it, and only by letting Chen Jun see our sincerity can there be a glimmer of opportunity. If the film had already been produced, we probably wouldn't have gotten anything. So, we bet everything; we believe Director Kitano and Chen Jun will definitely shoot a masterpiece!"

Regardless of whether it was negotiation strategy,

but Yuki Nakamura's way of speaking the truth made Chen Nuo feel a sense of favor, and besides, this flattery was just right and not too repulsive.

He rubbed his nose, showed a somewhat troubled look, and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Nakamura, but I just discussed it with my partner... Hey, in short, I'm very sorry, it seems we can only cooperate next time."

(End of chapter)