Chapter 154

In a luxurious residence in Jingcheng, Chen Hong lazily leaned on the sofa, advising: "Why go there to be angry, just to watch others' glory? It's just a matter of waiting two months, and in a blink it'll be here!"

Thus output: Chen Kaige's anger wouldn't subside; he snorted and said: "Originally we agreed that the two companies would compete in the summer slot, but it was postponed without a word—those who don't know might think I'm scared of him! The film can't miss the summer slot, yet I can't afford to miss it!"

Actually, what he truly resented wasn't that "having two big films squeezed into the summer slot is bad," but that he actually had to give way to Jiang Heng—that's what's been eating at him, something he can't accept.

Doesn't that mean, in the minds of industry leaders, his standing is inferior to Jiang Heng's?

He has always considered himself a film master, the top director in the country.

What Zhang Yimou, in his eyes, is merely someone who barely studied; the thing he made with Hero is just ridiculous—utterly embarrassing.

As soon as he said that, Thus output: Chen Kaige's face turned green with anger.

On July 12, Thus output: Chen Kaige and Chen Hong rode in an extended-version Cadillac to the Workers' Stadium; the driver wearing white gloves drove the car straight to a stop in front of the red carpet.

Upon entering the venue, walking all the way to the guest seats, they actually saw many old acquaintances.

Jiang Heng laughed, saying, "A laugh knocks ten years off your age—I also like joking. Frankly, even with a lantern I can't spot any rivals; I'm lonely as snow, hahaha!"

Secondly, a pair of male and female thieves have no reason to sacrifice themselves for a total stranger; it simply makes no logical sense.

This time he also prepared a script, a Chinese version of Hamlet, hoping to take advantage of the premiere banquet, have a drink, bring it up to Jiang Heng, and ask him to help review it.

Chen Hong quickly pinched him, after which Thus output: Chen Kaige stopped speaking and sat down in his own seat.

Left with no choice, Feng Xiaogang asked Wang Shuo. The latter added a line: let the female thief become pregnant, go to a temple to burn incense and worship Buddha, and it passed review right away.

Han Sanping even took over the conversation, chatting about something else, so Thus output: Chen Kaige lost his chance to blow up.

First, the protagonists in the script are all villains, which doesn't conform to creative norms.

Thus output: Chen Kaige certainly had his limits, yet he wore an indifferent expression: "What am I afraid of? I'm afraid of nothing!"

Feng Xiaogang naturally wasn't truly idle; he had the idea of shooting a big-budget film.

Thus output: Chen Kaige greeted everyone individually; when he reached Feng Xiaogang, he directly put his arm around his shoulder and said, "How come you're here too?"

Thus output: Chen Kaige is tall and sturdy, while Feng Xiaogang is thin and small, making the scene look somewhat comical.

But if he keeps not making big films, his ranking runs the risk of being overtaken!

When he's being modest, he's still quite able to let go of his dignity.

For talented people, Feng Xiaogang still holds them in high regard; the elder brother put his arm around his shoulder, he also kept a normal expression, quietly advising Thus output: Chen Kaige: Jiang Heng is currently highly regarded by the higher-ups; if things really blow up badly, it would affect him too.

Mainstream media would be even less likely to report it, after all, regardless of whether he wants to admit it, Jiang Heng has already become the face of Chinese-language cinema.

Not long after, Jiang Heng came over, went to the guest seats, and greeted everyone.

Thus output: Chen Kaige smiled; that was exactly what he had been waiting for.

Chen Hong added, "Old Chen is just someone who loves to joke!"

The screenwriters revised the script several times, but it still didn't pass.

Tu Jingwei immediately said, "Director Chen, as a renowned domestic director, what do you think of the Matrix series?"

The directors over in Xianggang merely make eye‑catching, tasteless commercial films—none can compare with him.

"As the saying goes, what's Chinese belongs to the world. Actually I think this series is too Westernized, its content leans a bit toward pandering to the West. Of course, from a commercial standpoint, it's not wrong either—after all it's garnered such high global box office, and now it's even eyeing a push to $2 billion worldwide."

"All right, given the time, thanks for your comments, Director Chen. Let's move inside for now; there will be media interviews later."

Thus output: Chen Kaige increasingly felt that this grand scene ought to have belonged to him.

But as filmmakers, we can't just look at box office; we must promote Chinese culture and resist Hollywood's cultural invasion. Jiang Heng directly……

Otherwise, going to Jiang Heng's side to say a couple of things would simply suffocate a person.

Now his Wuji has been filmed, possessing both artistry and stunning special effects; with both reputation and box office promising a double harvest, it was actually postponed—truly unbearable!

Even more infuriating, the decision came from the producer, China Film Group, which he couldn't possibly stop.

After all, if The Matrix 3 gave way to Wuji, letting him dominate the summer slot, perhaps he could also rake in 7 or 8 hundred million!

After all, seeing Thus output: Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, and others making big films, he's anxious inside!

Tu Jingwei didn't dare to listen, quickly speaking up to interrupt.

Thus output: Chen Kaige then said something, linked arms with Chen Hong, walked onto the red carpet, came before the huge poster, and each signed their name.

Originally, in history, when he filmed A World Without Thieves, the script was rejected during review.

The host on the red carpet remained the beautiful reporter Tu Jingwei from the film channel.

When they reached Thus output: Chen Kaige, they shook hands and said, "Director Chen, thank you, thank you—taking time out of your busy schedule to come support me!"

Feng Xiaogang laughed and said, "Just idling around, came over to take a look!"

Feng Xiaogang also kept pulling his arm, gesturing for him to sit down.

Thus output: Chen Kaige laughed, "It's not that I'm giving much support; I just want to attend the premiere in the summer."

After all, when cultured people argue, they pay attention to "introduction, development, turn, conclusion," and "hidden machinations."

After the two got out of the car, Chen Hong linked arms with Chen Heng, glanced at the bustling crowd, and snorted, "There really are a lot of people!"

Even if he didn't utter the latter part, even if he said Jiang Heng is a "pseudo-army" in the film industry, using wholly Westernized Hollywood-style blockbusters to attack domestic films, it probably wouldn't be allowed to air.

Not long after, the guests, reporters, and audience inside had all gathered; the host went on stage, announced the global premiere of The Matrix 3, declared it officially underway, and invited Jiang Heng onto the stage.

Thus output: Chen Kaige and his wife turned around, faced the reporters openly, and even made a victory gesture.

"When we hold ours, there will definitely be more people than this guy!"

Even though Jiang Heng is touted as the country's box-office number one, in his eyes he's nothing more than an "enhanced version" of Xu Ke.

He had the mind to debate Jiang Heng a bit, but Chen Hong clung tightly to him.

According to his current understanding, he feels that after mainland directors Jiang Heng, Zhang Yimou, and Thus output: Chen Kaige, it ought to be his turn.

As for tabloid media, because they're fabricated so outrageously, basically nobody believes them.

If he doesn't produce a big‑film work to back himself up, his standing in the industry could just keep declining.

Han Sanping, Zhao Huaoyong, Chen Daoming, Jiang Wen, Feng Xiaogang—hey, even a surnamed Feng managed to sneak in.

Thus output: Chen Kaige's expression remained normal; he wasn't angry either, because he had already anticipated this when he came.

After gauging their expressions, he cautiously said, "Director Chen, Ms. Chen Hong, let's face the media and take a few photos first!"

After the publicity talk, they began playing the main feature.

The full plot of The Matrix trilogy finally premiered.

(End of chapter)