Chapter 399: Premiere at the Foot of the Great Wall

"Holding the premiere at the foot of the Great Wall, Director Jiang this time wants to try something new!" Deputy General Manager Li Delai said, twirling the invitation and smiling.

Wang Changtian said, "Almost every year in Jingcheng it's either the Workers' Stadium or an Olympic venue; even he must be suffering aesthetic fatigue!"

Li Delai nodded slightly, "Who says not? Back then 'The Matrix' shocked everyone, 'Lion Camel Ridge' was praised nationwide, 'Pacific Rim', 'Mighty Troops', 'Three Body', 'Havoc in Heaven', 'Little Soldier Legend'…!"

He originally wanted to mention a few of Jiang Heng's then‑earth‑shaking works, then say the current ones are just so‑so.

He didn't want to cite just any example, since there are several classic flagship titles. To bluntly claim Jiang Heng is on a downhill slope would be insufficiently argued, and the latter part of that blunt statement was swallowed back.

Wang Changtian saw this and chuckled.

He naturally understood Li Delai's thinking and had often wondered when Glamorous Pictures could be like Outstanding Rising and produce a few special‑effects blockbusters.

But it was only a thought, because there's neither sufficient capital nor reliable blockbuster directors.

Honestly, handing hundreds of millions to a director you barely know—if it fails, where will you cry to? So even a "non‑peak" special‑effects blockbuster from Jiang Heng's side is something many film companies can only dream of.

Take the upcoming sequel to "One Person Under"; some fans think, compared with Jiang Heng's other pioneering works, its story falls short by more than a notch, feeling like a step backward in skill.

But if the film were produced by another company and directed by someone else, it could instantly make them legendary!

In other words, at present in the mainland, aside from Jiang Heng, there are only a handful of directors who can be called special‑effects blockbuster makers.

Xu Ke's "Detective Dee and the Empire of the Heavenly Path" and "Dragon Gate Flying Armor" are also considered successes, but his output isn't numerous enough, not stable.

Capital and audiences alike have the impression that any of his films could flop at any moment.

Guo Fan's "A Chinese Ghost Story" is also deemed successful, but it only achieved that under Jiang Heng's support. Without Outstanding Rising, its quality would likely drop by more than half.

Thus, Jiang Heng now remains at the height of his glory, his reputation undiminished!

Wang Changtian said, "Director Jiang is the top mainland director, renowned internationally; no matter how busy you are, you must attend his new film's premiere!"

"What about you?"

"Let Liu Yan accompany me over there!"

Liu Yan has hosted the red‑carpet for Jiang Heng's new film premieres many times, has a good relationship with Outstanding Rising Film Company, and Wang Changtian and Du Huan are actually acquaintances.

……

The premiere venue was finally chosen as Gubei Water Town, located in Simatai Village of Gubeikou Town on the outskirts of Jingcheng, named for its proximity to Gubeikou and its Jiangnan‑style water‑town architecture.

Historically, the site only began contract development in 2010 and opened to the public in 2014.

However, in this timeline, thanks to Outstanding Rising Film Company's abundant funds and its tourism‑park division, it naturally prioritized developing resources near Jingcheng.

Gubei Water Town began operating to the public early this year, and now hosting the premiere of "Primordial: Hou Yi Shoots the Sun" here not only adds hype to the film but serves as powerful advertising for the resort.

On the morning of July 10, many audience members and reporters arrived at Gubei Water Town by coach.

After getting off the bus, they curiously looked at the surrounding scenery.

After all, seeing Jiangnan‑style water‑town architecture on the northern plains was indeed a novelty in 2011.

Even Wang Changtian, the veteran head of Glamorous Media, found it very novel.

Of course, he certainly didn't ride a tourist bus but an Audi A8, accompanied by a driver, an assistant, and his female companion Liu Yan.

The premiere ceremony began at six p. m.; the crowd first wandered around casually, then went to the inn's dining area to eat.

After a short rest and tidying their outfits, everyone took a vehicle to the premiere venue.

In the distance they saw a massive movie screen right at the foot of the Great Wall—truly breathtaking.

Liu Yan couldn't help but lean on the car window, eyes excited, "So stunning—Director Jiang is really pulling out a big budget this time!"

Wang Changtian appeared calm on the surface, but beneath his gold‑rimmed glasses a hint of envy lingered. When will Glamorous produce a special‑effects blockbuster and hold such a grand premiere?

Actually, money isn't the biggest issue; reliable big‑time directors are too few.

After the car stopped, Wang Changtian took Liu Yan's arm and stepped onto the long red carpet.

First they signed beneath the huge poster, then took an interview from the red‑carpet host.

Liu Yan's demeanor was rather animated, because she had previously been a red‑carpet host, though now she has transitioned to acting.

In Glamorous Media's this‑year production, not yet released, "Painted Wall," she plays the celestial maiden Yunmei.

Regarding Jiang Heng's new film, Liu Yan said she's very excited and believes it will be a soul‑shaking work.

She also mentioned her role in "Painted Wall," giving a brief promotion.

Beside her, Wang Changtian smiled, extolling his insight into Jiang Heng, expressing great confidence in "Primordial: Hou Yi Shoots the Sun," and even more optimism for the future of the Chinese‑language film market.

Stepping off the red carpet into the main hall, they indeed saw many old acquaintances.

From China Film, Han Sanping; from Huayi Brothers, Wang Zhonglei and Feng Xiaogang; and Zhang Zhao of the newly founded Le Shi Film Company.

Come to think of it, Zhang Zhao was once Wang Changtian's right‑hand man. He joined Glamorous Media in '03 as Artistic Director. In '06, Zhang Zhao founded Glamorous Pictures and served as President.

Over the next four years, Glamorous Pictures produced and released several commercial films, with Zhang Zhao making great contributions.

By early '11, he left Glamorous again and founded Le Shi Film Company.

Seeing each other now feels a bit awkward.

Of course, they can put on a smooth face.

Besides them, representatives from Shanghai Film Group, Wandda Film Company, and Xinli Media were also present.

It can be said that most top‑ranked mainland film‑TV companies had senior executives in attendance.

Nearly a hundred stars came to support, many of whom weren't invited by Outstanding Rising or Bo Na, but came on their own.

Of course, it wasn't entirely uninvited; they still had to be formally greeted.

Most came hoping to make contact with Jiang Heng, wishing to leave a good impression, so that if a role ever fits them, the opportunity would arise.

Thus, the star‑filled venue at this moment could almost rival a film festival.

"So lively!"

Liu Yan wasn't attending Jiang Heng's new film premiere for the first time, but she was still swept up by the fiery atmosphere.

Wang Changtian, a major film‑TV company boss, appeared calm on the surface but was internally shocked; his mood was essentially the same.

"A true man should be like this!"

While feeling emotional, Jiang Heng had already come over; Wang Changtian hurriedly smiled and shook hands, expressing congratulations.

Jiang Heng wore a gentle smile, thanking Wang Changtian and Liu Yan for coming to show support, and casually asked what new works Bright and Fresh had this year.

Wang Changtian humbly said, there is a mythological-type film《The Painted Wall》, he dare not compete with Director Jiang in the summer season, so he chose to schedule it for September.

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, saying, "Not bad, not bad."

It's unclear whether he was praising the film as good, or saying that Bright and Fresh is savvy.

(End of chapter)