Chapter 301

In China, there were once two phenomenally successful films.

One was Shaolin Temple, which, at a ticket price of one mao, grossed 1.6 billion yuan, i. e., reaching an attendance of 1.6 billion viewings.

Converted to today's box office standards, it's simply unimaginable.

Its impact on society was also enormous; who knows how many children, after watching the film, developed the desire to practice martial arts.

And another film that can be called phenomenally successful is Avatar.

At that time, the queuing scenes at some theaters even reached kilometer-long lines, just to snag a movie ticket.

Upon its release, it consecutively won the box office championship for eleven weeks, i. e., nearly three months.

Later, those phenomenal films, such as Wolf Warrior 2, Nezha, and Hi, Mom, etc., held the box office crown for no more than a month.

Of course, this is also related to the increasingly fierce competition in the later film market.

Yet it also shows that Avatar, which entered the Chinese film market ten years ago, truly dominated in an overwhelming manner.

How many mainland filmmakers, after watching Avatar, walked out of the theater silent and speechless, not knowing what to say.

Just as when watching the film and gazing at the floating divine mountains in the clouds, one's heart is filled only with profound awe.

As the famous screenwriter Ning Caishen put it in his own words, several directors and producers who went to see the film with him were left stunned.

Director Lu Qian said that after watching it, his feeling was despair.

At the time, the media wrote: "Avatar burst onto the scene; domestic filmmakers probably would never again dare mention catching up with Hollywood—whoever brings it up is destined to become a laughingstock." Thinking of this, one cannot but express deep sympathy for domestic directors.

One can see how great a shock this technology caused to the people of that time.

But these people didn't expect that the speed of technological development and popularization would be so rapid as to be dazzling; in just a few years, 3D films became rampant to the point of disaster.

Some films had no need for 3D at all, yet they released 3D versions just to make a bit more money. Coupled with the unusually low xenon lamp brightness adjusted in domestic theaters, the viewing effect was terribly poor; after just a few years, audiences grew thoroughly sick of it.

But in 2008, 3D film was absolutely representative of advanced technology.

Not only did film fans look forward to it, but industry peers and the leaders of the Film Bureau also awaited the release of the 3D version of The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven.

This time, the premiere tickets were scalped to astronomical prices, and the number of guests hoping to attend the screening reached as high as over a hundred.

From the mainland, renowned directors such as Zhang Yimou, Feng Xiaogang, Jiang Wen, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Jia Zhangke, Lu Qian, Zhang Zhongzhong, etc., and noted actors including Chen Daoming, Li Lianjie, Huang Xiaoming, Zhang Guoli, Ge You, Gao Yuanyuan, Zhang Jingchu, Xu Qing, etc., all attended this premiere event.

From Xianggang came many as well, including Hung Jinbao, Cheng Long, Liu Dehua, Zhang Xueyou, Zhou Xingxing, and numerous other big-name stars.

One could say the event venue was packed with stars, resembling a film festival.

Jiang Heng arrived early at the event venue and warmly greeted every guest who came.

"Congratulations! Seeing how lively the scene is, your film is sure to be a hit—probably another epoch-making work!" Hung Jinbao laughed heartily.

He hasn't collaborated much with Jiang Heng these past two years, mainly because he cannot tolerate staying depressed and subordinate for long.

Although his income as an action director is still decent, it's far less than his peak, so naturally he wants to make his own film.

Seeing this, Jiang Heng didn't try to keep him; occasionally, if his script was acceptable, he would still invest a little money, so their relationship has remained good.

"Not bad, not bad, big brother is getting more energetic!"

"Of course, eating three bowls of rice a meal and throwing a few punches when idle keeps one very spirited!"

Cheng Long stepped forward from beside, hugged Jiang Heng, patted his back, and said: "You really are getting more and more prosperous!"

Last year he co-directed with Li Lianjie a film called The Kung Fu King, which actually also told the story of Sun Wukong, though its special-effects scenes were indeed somewhat lacking.

Perhaps he's gotten old and can't move as well.

The Cheng Long of 2008 seemed to have the idea of transforming.

In May, at the Bird's Nest, they held a concert titled "Cheng Long and His Friends," and Jiang Heng once went on stage to sing together.

Also that year, Cheng Long starred in The Shinjuku Incident; unfortunately, it wasn't approved for release in the mainland, and Xianggang didn't buy it.

A Cheng Long who can't fight is obviously not accepted by the market, regardless of whether his acting is good or bad.

Precisely for this reason, Cheng Long continues to make action films even in his old age.

"Hey, are you interested in making an action film for fun?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Cheng Long laughed and said.

"Me?"

"Yes, your kung fu is so good; it would be a shame not to make some action films!"

Jiang Heng laughed, mainly because he felt action movies are somewhat outdated and his interest really isn't that big.

"Let's talk about it again if we find a suitable script!" Jiang Heng said offhandedly.

Cheng Long said: "I think you could completely make a film similar to Mission: Impossible, with Chinese agents overseas; you're good at kung fu and skilled at big productions, so it would surely turn out splendid!"

Beside them, Han Sanping suddenly said: "The spy identity might be hard to get past the censors, but the idea is good; we can look into it later!"

Upon hearing that, Cheng Long's eyes lit up and he laughed: "Still Chairman Han, with vision like a torch!"

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, then went aside to chat.

At this moment, many more leaders entered the venue; Jiang Heng warmly greeted them, busy to the point of being unable to cope.

Because the chosen venue this time was a theater, the space was limited.

Therefore, the guests and audience walked directly into the largest IMAX auditorium, while Jiang Heng, together with the main creators, went to the temporary stage set up in the plaza to accept media interviews, then entered the auditorium to watch the film together.

After a while, Jiang Heng, accompanied by the main creators, arrived at the press conference site.

Looking at the dense crowd, Wu Jing exclaimed, "There really are a lot of people!"

Actually, what he really wanted to remark on was that the 3D version of The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven had the largest investment among Jiang Heng's works and the best box-office prospects.

But because of viewing issues, this premiere venue turned out to be the most cramped.

The main reason is that too many media reporters came; if it were just a few cats, the theater hall or mall could easily be set up!

When the ceremony time arrived, the beautiful hostess Liu Yan took the stage; seeing her in a cool outfit, she instantly attracted the attention and cameras of all the media.

"I am honored to host the premiere ceremony of director Jiang Heng's domestically first 3D mythological epic, The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven. To be frank, even at this moment, I still don't really understand what 3D is, nor exactly what kind of shocking audiovisual effect it can bring us."

"I believe everyone feels the same doubt."

Well, now please welcome the famous director Jiang Heng, to come and answer our questions—let's give him a round of applause!

As Liu Yan's words fell, the venue instantly erupted with earth-shaking cheers, and Jiang Heng walked onto the stage amidst the loud cheers.

Thank you very much for your support, everyone; 3D film is not some new technology!

When future smartphones and car new products are launched, they often popularize to the audience how awesome the technology is.

Jiang Heng's lecture approach is similar, mainly from the angle of technological innovation, discussing 3D stereoscopic photography technology, auto-focus lenses, polarized 3D glasses, etc., telling everyone how good the visual effects of this film will be.

(End of chapter)