Chapter 313: Let the Bullets Fly Premiere

Zhou Runfa and Jiang Heng could be considered friends, though their relationship was neither close nor distant.

Regarding the early recommendation that he star in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Zhou Runfa was naturally grateful and had even taken the initiative to friend Jiang Heng by making a cameo in his film.

During a drinking gathering and casual chat, he had mentioned the idea of collaborating on a film.

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "Your fee is so high, I can't afford it."

Zhou Runfa said he could lower his fee.

Jiang Heng said that if there were a suitable role, he would certainly consider you.

Zhou Runfa waited several years, but still never got to play the lead in a Jiang Heng work.

Then one day he suddenly realized, "He's not just stringing me along, is he?" Chen Huilian said, "Of course he is stringing you along; if it were sincere cooperation, how could there be no suitable role for you?"

After that, Zhou Runfa developed a grudge and didn't associate much with Jiang Heng.

Of course, given Jiang Heng's current industry status and huge influence, he naturally dared not show dissatisfaction in public.

Every time he saw Jiang Heng, he still acted very enthusiastic, truly like an old friend.

Jiang Heng would also play along, politely saying, "You're not bad; this film was somewhat enjoyable, right?"

Zhou Runfa glanced at Jiang Wen beside him, smiled, and said, "All right, all right; improvising on set is a bit troublesome, but still fairly enjoyable!"

Jiang Wen laughed heartily, "The main thing is the effect of the improvisation; it's indeed not bad!"

The two appeared harmonious on the surface, but during actual filming they caused some unpleasantness.

Zhou Runfa perhaps liked to show off, but when it came to filming, he was still professional.

Before joining the crew, he not only hired a Mandarin teacher to coach his speech, but also memorized the script.

Compared to the later "Number Girl" and "Number Boy," he was far stronger.

Who would have thought that Jiang Wen, when filming, doesn't follow the routine either, often changing lines on set, causing Zhou Runfa's previous efforts to go to waste and making him unhappy for a long time.

That said, on-the-spot improvisation can indeed sometimes create a classic.

Zhou Runfa's line "Master is tall, magistrate is hard" and Ge You's "Old Master Huang is both tall and hard" came from on-the-spot improvisation.

As Jiang Wen said, the effect is indeed not bad.

The main investment for Let the Bullets Fly came from China Film and Yinghuang; since it was the premiere in Shanghai, Han Sanping did not attend, but Yang Shoucheng did.

His mental state is still fine; it seems he is no longer affected by the photo incident at the beginning of the year.

When he saw Jiang Heng, he was very enthusiastic and even called the premiere guests Xie Tingfeng and Cai Zhuoyan over, implying that the young actors in the Hong Kong film scene nowadays are lacking successors, and as a big shot from Hong Kong, Jiang Heng should at least look after the juniors.

Jiang Heng naturally said he would consider it, and thus managed to get past these people.

Afterwards came the viewing segment; the film was naturally very enjoyable, with laughter continuous throughout its 132 minutes.

After it ended, applause thundered in the hall, lasting a long time.

Next came the media interaction segment, with the attending guests taking the stage in turn.

When it was Jiang Heng's turn, the hall again burst into warm applause.

And when asked about his feelings on this film, Jiang Heng naturally did not hold back praise, calling Let the Bullets Fly the best Chinese-language film he had seen in recent years!

The host asked, "Does that include your own works?" Jiang Heng countered, "What do you think?" The beautiful hostess chuckled, "Naturally not, Director Jiang has too many good works!"

Even so, Jiang Heng's trip also contributed a decent "gimmick" to the film's promotion.

At least tomorrow's media will have many people writing that Director Jiang Heng said this is the best Chinese-language film he has seen over the years.

As for whether it includes Jiang Heng's own works, that's a matter of differing opinions.

Because Jiang Heng gave no definite answer, it actually benefits media publicity; after all, controversial things are more likely to trigger a spreading effect.

Just like the ending of Inception, where it's debated whether the top finally fell or kept spinning, and whether the male lead Cobb is still dreaming or has returned to reality, something film fans have argued about for many years.

So Director Jiang knows marketing.

Jiang Wen also beamed with delight, saying Jiang Heng was truly generous, and that if he ever needed help with any role, he should just speak up anytime.

Jiang Heng naturally agreed, but he was thinking about whether in Three Body 2 they should continue using Jiang Wen to play Shi Qiang or replace him with Ma Dongxi.

After the premiere, as usual there was a reception banquet; Jiang Heng showed up, ate a bit, and then left.

This left the many actors who had rushed over feeling rather regretful; Director Jiang's move was a big production, deserving of being called holding the best film and television resources in the Chinese-language entertainment industry.

Cai Zhuoyan and Xie Tingfeng had worked together on The Crazy Saint; their relationship was okay, and he whispered, "You're not unfamiliar with Director Jiang, why don't you chat more?"

Upon hearing that, Xie Tingfeng gave a wry smile, "He's so busy; how could I possibly get close to him!"

Actually, he had nearly been cast as the male lead in Pacific Rim 2 back then, but due to the "violent beating of Wang Bozhao" incident that year, he was boycotted by several big names in the mainland entertainment circle, causing him to lose the role.

Yang Shoucheng later even took him to visit Jiang Heng, but unfortunately it had no effect.

Not mentioning everyone's regret, they said Jiang Heng got in a car, returned to the Hengdian crew, and continued filming A Chinese Ghost Story.

During a break in filming, Liu Yifei asked how the movie was, and Jiang Heng said it was quite good.

"When it's released, take me to see it!"

"Sure!"

Liu Yifei immediately pulled out her phone to show Jiang Heng: "They're saying on Weibo that you said this film is the best Chinese-language movie you've seen in recent years?"

"Right, it's indeed not bad!"

"This post's popularity is huge; it's even hit the hot search list!"

"Really?"

Jiang Heng took a look and found it was the official Weibo of Let the Bullets Fly saying that.

Since its launch this year, because Jiang Heng and many other stars have joined to promote it, Weibo has quickly become one of the domestic internet products with the highest traffic.

Nowadays, when promoting films, an official Weibo is basically opened; the Let the Bullets Fly crew is no exception.

Perhaps fearing other media reports wouldn't be fast enough, the Let the Bullets Fly official Weibo early on took Jiang Heng's remark as a "gimmick" and reported it.

Liu Yifei said, "If you say that, many viewers will be influenced to go watch it."

Jiang Heng laughed, "This film is already quite good!"

Well, aren't you afraid other directors will be unhappy seeing it, like Zhang Yimou, Zhou Xingxing?

Jiang Heng laughed, "Promotion, of course needs to be exaggerated a bit; furthermore, if they think what I said is not true, they can make a better one, and I'll brag about it too!"

Liu Yifei laughed, "You can say that, it seems really good; I'll definitely watch it when I go back!"

Jiang Heng thought, "That's a work applying for heritage status, how could it not be good!" In the blink of an eye, October arrived, all of Jiang Heng's scenes in A Chinese Ghost Story were finished filming, and the film wrapped.

Jiang Heng handed over all follow-up matters to Guo Fan, and took Liu Yifei to Shanghai.

He also has a luxurious residence here, but he doesn't stay there often.

First he rested at home with Liu Yifei for a day, then he took her out to see a movie.

The audience was still very large; quite a few people were murmuring, Director Jiang said, this is the best Chinese-language film he has seen in these years.

Liu Yifei, hearing this, laughed softly and said, "Look, how great your influence is; if the film is no good, it could smash your signboard!"

(End of chapter)