Chapter 362: Premiere of The Legend of the Little Soldier

In Jingcheng, inside a luxurious siheyuan mansion, Thus output: Chen Kaige held the guest invitation in his hand, his expression hesitant.

This was sent by Broad Sodium Film Industry, inviting him and his wife to attend the global premiere of The Legend of the Little Soldier.

His relationship with Jiang Heng was not harmonious, so he naturally did not really want to go.

But this premiere was too grand; reportedly, prominent figures from the mainland and Hong Kong/Taiwan entertainment circles all received invitations, and official leaders would attend as well.

Thus output: Chen Kaige considered himself among the top directors in the Chinese-language film world; not going would seem a bit timid. He had always regarded himself as the top director, but now he dare not say so.

Moreover, the total investment of 500 million USD in The Legend of the Little Soldier can be seen as the pinnacle of the Chinese-language film industry; even if the News Broadcast doesn't report it, CCTV News will.

Missing such a grand event always feels somewhat improper.

Seeing his troubled expression, Chen Hong couldn't help but say: "Han Xin commanding troops—more is better, but if ordinary people were to command a large army, perhaps it would fall into chaos. Greater investment doesn't necessarily mean a better film; it might even fail!"

Hearing this, Thus output: Chen Kaige was delighted; he had wanted to hear exactly that. "Not bad, maybe I'll go just to see a joke, let's go!"

Thinking of this, Thus output: Chen Kaige became ever happier, and he and Chen Hong eagerly discussed what to wear that day.

In the blink of an eye it was July 3; Thus output: Chen Kaige wore a suit, Chen Hong an evening gown, and together they appeared on the red carpet of the premiere of The Legend of the Little Soldier.

"There are really a lot of people!"

Chen Hong said softly, because the whole event venue was like a film festival, with brilliant stars, and many people who hadn't shown up in a long time appeared.

Thus output: Chen Kaige nodded slightly, feeling that coming this time was the right choice; otherwise, if people later talked about it and said he hadn't come, it would be somewhat awkward.

"The scene is indeed grand; I hope his film won't be too disappointing!"

After taking photos on the red carpet and briefly answering a few interview questions, the two entered the venue, then proceeded to the segment of greeting familiar people.

"Congratulations, Director Jiang, arranging such a grand scale; I believe the film later will be even more splendid!" Thus output: Chen Kaige said while shaking hands with Jiang Heng.

Although their private relationship was not harmonious, on the surface they remained amicable.

Jiang Heng also laughed happily, looking like he hadn't seen an old friend in a long time: "All right, although filming was fraught with difficulties, we at least met expectations. I just hope the audience can enjoy it."

He almost said he hoped the audience could understand it, but he guessed that would probably anger Director Chen as well.

Since everyone had come to show support, Jiang Heng also ought to show some grace.

There were simply too many guests at the scene; if each said a few words, it would take a long time, so Jiang Heng left quickly.

Thus output: Chen Kaige's expression darkened; he truly liked this atmosphere, but unfortunately the protagonist was not himself.

One still has to make big-budget films! Speaking of which, the box office of his previous film Orphan of Zhao was not bad, and investors seeking him have been increasing.

Old Chen wanted to make a big film; he had taken a liking to the novel Sand Gate Konghai's Tang Dynasty Ghost Banquet, set in the Tang Dynasty, and naturally the film should feature a splendid, magnificent Tang city.

The investors' meaning was, could they use special effects? Thus output: Chen Kaige immediately refused, saying that when making films he of course had to build the real thing! When he filmed Jing Ke's Assassination of the Qin King, he built the Qin palace at Hengdian; when he filmed Orphan of Zhao, he built an "Orphan of Zhao" city at Xiangshan.

Not building a Tang city for a Tang story would mean he wasn't Thus output: Chen Kaige! But it would take too much time and money, fearing he'd have to wait several more years to finish and hold a grand premiere.

Thinking of this, he also couldn't help but feel hesitant.

It's just that after years of work habit, and he truly doesn't understand special effects, he has no choice!

"In a few years, we'll also hold a lively event!"

"Certainly, no matter how good the special effects, they can't compare to the texture of on-location shooting!" Chen Hong has always been very confident in her husband.

Not long after they were seated, the event began.

The beautiful host from CCTV Channel 6 took the stage, first inviting leaders to speak, then Jiang Heng went up to give a brief speech.

After all, everyone came to the venue wanting to see what the so-called 500-million-USD special-effects blockbuster really looked like; thus they quickly moved to the screening segment, the venue lights dimmed, and the big screen lit up.

After the dragon logo and the opening animation of Outstanding Rising Film Company, the first thing to appear before the audience's eyes was the vast, deep universe, with two massive space fleets bombarding each other in the void.

One side's commander was human, while the other side's was actually a robot.

Then came the destruction of the fleet commanded and operated by robots, with large numbers of intelligent robots being physically obliterated.

Because the editing and cuts are very fast, viewers familiar with Jiang Heng's film style know this segment is likely a dream or flashback.

Indeed, as the view shifted, a recruitment office with a slightly sci-fi architectural style appeared, where two officers smoked and chatted.

"Back then, how many robot soldiers served in the federal army—why would we need to conscript like this?"

"No way—who let those things suddenly gain intelligence?"

"The change was too sudden!"

"Who says no? Infantry has existed for how many years, and suddenly one day warfare turned into space warships bombarding each other, making infantry instantly obsolete!"

"Still, some switched to become space warriors!"

"Not the same!"

While the two chatted, the film used editing techniques to simultaneously show the male protagonist Tang Long's enlistment experience.

But we see Zhang Ruoyun (actor) playing Tang Long inserting his enlistment certificate into a machine, and the machine screen displayed Tang Long's basic information.

A close-up clearly displayed the branch Tang Long chose: infantry.

Many who hadn't read the original novel were astonished, while others chuckled lightly.

"The male lead has chosen a branch that has already been abolished!"

"What awaits him won't be a robot officer, will it?"

"According to the movie's logic, certainly yes!"

On the big screen, new recruit Tang Long was about to report to the 504th Recruit Battalion; glancing at the long line awaiting testing like a dragon, he chuckled and said, 'Just being a soldier—why go through all this trouble? Infantry is fine; enlist upon adulthood, no testing needed.'

He then picked up his bundle and wandered back and forth in the vast deployment hall filled with people, searching for the entrance to the 504th Recruit Battalion.

After going back and forth for a while, he finally found the entrance and went in.

Inside the dark passage, the moving floor slowly advanced; Tang Long 'moved' for a long time without seeing a comrade, murmuring, 'As an infantryman, are there really so few?'

After much effort he reached the exit, where he still had to swipe his card; the computer assigned him, and following orders Tang Long went to boarding gate 23 to take a spaceship.

It turned out to be a small spaceship with a crew of ten, and he was its sole passenger.

By now the male lead was somewhat dazed, saying, 'No way, am I really the only one going there?'

At that moment, the spaceship's speaker reminded him to fasten his seat belt.

Tang Long looked through the cabin window and saw a super huge spaceship taking off beside him; his expression instantly turned astonished.

Soon, his spaceship also took off, soaring over the Recruitment Department.

The two people chatting at the door saw this scene, and both looked somewhat surprised.

One of them said, "Um, the direction of that small spaceship seems a bit off."

(End of chapter)