Chapter 175: Even Director Jiang's film is incomprehensible?

What Jiang Heng never expected was that Zhou Xingxing actually cameoed as a minor demon.

He had a few lines of dialogue, and after talking with Sun Wukong he was beaten to death with a stick.

Zhou Xingxing asked, "Can he block it once before dying?"

Jiang Heng said no, you're just playing a minor demon—not even the Great Sage's golden hoop rod, you couldn't even withstand a sneeze.

Zhou Xingxing nodded thoughtfully, his expression a little forlorn, and after filming he left on his own.

Jing Tian watched Zhou Xingxing's back, wondering, "He looks really weird!"

Yuan De didn't care, "He's always weird, gets along with nobody, no need to pay him any mind!"

Jing Tian gave an oh, then returned to Jiang Heng's side.

The few beauties of the Da Feng crew all went back, except for Jing Tian.

First, she hasn't had many scenes to film lately; second, this girl is very interested in "blockbusters" and wants to stay in the crew to see how Jiang Heng shoots movies.

If he could take a big tumble, it would still better satisfy people's gossip cravings.

They felt Jiang Heng's Inception would most likely flop.

The production level of commercial blockbusters is on par with Spielberg, James Cameron, and the like.

Jiang Heng couldn't be bothered with her, letting this girl sneak around to 'steal lessons' however she pleased.

In the blink of an eye it was May, and all the special-effects shots for Inception were finished.

Ironically, Jiang Heng's new film became linked with the keyword 'incomprehensible,' making people instantly think of Wuji.

In the late month he took the film to be reviewed, and quickly obtained the Dragon Standard.

The headline read "Jiang Heng retraces Wuji's path, reportedly the review board couldn't understand his new film," and as soon as this report came out newspapers sold out instantly.

The reason is also simple: Director Jiang this time wants to win an award, aiming for the Oscars.

In her words, school teachers are all 'armchair strategists,' while Jiang Heng here represents the highest standard of Chinese-language commercial cinema.

Ignoring awards and focusing only on box office, Jiang Heng is invincible.

Not studying here but going to school to waste time is totally putting the cart before the horse!

Then she would show up at the crew every few days, generously buying milk tea for everyone, quickly winning everyone's affection.

For a while, many couldn't help wondering, "Is Jiang Heng's new film going to be a flop?"

Especially on online forums, some people analyzed it with great thoroughness.

Jiang Heng has been too smooth and too successful these years; box-office hits and stellar reputations are no longer news.

For example, standing in a high place, one can't help but feel the urge to jump.

But not long after passing review, a rumor suddenly spread, saying Jiang Heng's film this time is somewhat incomprehensible.

People, deep down, somewhat harbor a destructive urge!

Seeing someone too fortunate and glamorous, one secretly hopes they'll meet misfortune.

The news first spread in a small circle, but somehow got reported by an entertainment media outlet.

Especially after the 'Steamed Bun Case' spread widely, 'incomprehensible' became a typical negative label.

Jiang Heng found time to edit the film, and also did subtitles, scoring, dubbing, and other post-production work.

But shooting a film with extremely high artistry is another matter.

First, Jiang Heng has no experience shooting art films.

Second, the combination of art and commercial blockbusters, with Zhang Yimou and Thus output: Chen Kaige as examples, Jiang Heng is likely to produce something neither fish nor fowl.

Maybe it's even worse than Wuji!

Some netizens rebutted, claiming The Matrix has high artistic merit.

Then they were rebutted, saying The Matrix is just a slick setting with over‑advanced imagination, not truly artistic.

Online the argument raged without end, and in the entertainment world it also spread like wildfire.

Naturally the most pleased was Director Thus output: Chen Kaige, who after the disastrous Wuji saw the originally planned investment in the Legend of Sun Wukong also vanish.

His earlier film Lu Bu and Diao Chan still required revisions, and Director Chen was fuming about it.

Thinking back to the boastful statements released before Wuji's premiere only made him feel more humiliated.

If at this time a fellow A‑list director also flopped, then he wouldn't be the worst off!

"Haha, I thought Jiang Heng would stay glorious for another two years, but who knew his talent would run out so soon!"

Chen Hong wondered, "Is it really as the outside rumors say?"

Thus output: Chen Kaige said, "Absolutely sure—I asked several people; the plot is a chaotic mess, all those dream‑within‑a‑dream, deep‑layer dreams are just pretentious mystification!"

Chen Hong laughed, "If you put it that way, he really is in danger this time!"

Thus output: Chen Kaige tsked, "That said, the special‑effect scenes are still really shocking!"

"Our special—!?"

Chen Hong originally wanted to say, "Our special effects are also shocking, and we haven't lost!"

But halfway through her sentence, Thus output: Chen Kaige sank his face, frightening Chen Hong into silence.

Thus output: Chen Kaige paced a few steps to the window, looked outside, then suddenly turned and asked, "What do you think I should film now?"

Chen Hong thought, "I think people should just do what they're best at; how about making another film about Peking opera?"

Thus output: Chen Kaige nodded slightly; the failure of Wuji left him now desperately needing to prove himself.

Filming something related to Peking opera would indeed be more suitable.

As for the most famous Peking opera master in the country, that would have to be Mei Lanfang.

……

Xinhuamian Company, Zhang Yimou hearing the news that Jiang Heng's film was rumored to be 'incomprehensible,' merely froze for a moment, then went back to busy preparations for Man Cheng Jin Jia.

First, he didn't believe Jiang Heng would repeat Wuji's mistake; second, the preparations were simply too busy, leaving no time to think about anything else.

Especially the invited male lead Zhou Runfa, he's not exactly easy to handle.

Not to mention his high salary, the main problem is he keeps raising various demands and even wants to change the script, which makes him somewhat annoyed.

Zhang Weiping somewhat takes pleasure in Jiang Heng's misfortune; although their surface relationship is fine, he is very envious of Jiang Heng's achievements and box office earnings.

He also hoped Zhang Yimou's film would become a global blockbuster, sell like crazy, but unfortunately he never managed to achieve that.

After great difficulty raising funds for this big production, he ended up casting Zhou Runfa, such a troublesome person, making him so angry his liver hurts.

Whether Jiang Heng succeeds this time or not, he doesn't care anymore!

The one who truly cares is Han Sanping, Chairman Han!

After all, they've been cooperating for many years, and they're still cooperating now, so naturally he hopes Jiang Heng's films will all be big hits!

Upon hearing the bad rumors, he immediately called to ask Jiang Heng what was going on.

"It's fine, Chairman Han, don't worry!" Jiang Heng said lightly.

Han Sanping, however, was somewhat doubtful: "How come everyone's saying your new film is hard to understand?"

Jiang Heng said: "Perhaps someone is deliberately hyping it; this film does seem a bit brain‑burning, but if you pay a little attention to the plot you can fully understand it. You know I always put box office first—how could I possibly do something that shuts the audience out?"

Han Sanping thought about it and agreed, saying: "All right, all right, I believe the rumors will collapse on their own at the premiere!"

(End of chapter)