Chapter 406

The film "Houyi Shoots the Suns" not only had astonishing box office, its reputation was also quite good.

On Douban, shortly after the film's release, tens of thousands of netizens flooded in to give it a high score of 8.7.

Although it indeed falls slightly short of Jiang Heng's peak work, as a commercial blockbuster selling on special effects, a rating in the high 8s nearing 9 is already not low.

As for the source of the low scores, to a large extent it is because the love story between Houyi and Chang'e is not tragic enough, and Chang'e's character lacks depth.

Some netizens argue that Houyi and Chang'e could have been given a tragic love akin to "A Chinese Odyssey," but Director Jiang treats Chang'e as a mere tool, with the whole film revolving around conflict and fights stemming from her beauty and the Heavenly Court.

Finally, there's a line: "Teammates sacrifice to heaven, magic boundless," and he shoots down the nine golden crows.

I just want to ask Director Jiang one thing: do you have a grudge against love? Why can't you portray it well and craft a better love story? Love is a story element everyone can understand; special effects plus love really have potential!

The problem is, while some people yearn for love, others despise the love elements in film and TV.

After this post was posted, it immediately drew many netizens' replies.

Some say, "Domestic film and TV already have enough trashy love stories; everything gets tied to love somehow. If you want to see love, go watch something else."

Supporters say: "Exactly, we utterly hate those brainless plots where love outweighs heaven..."

The result is that a bunch of netizens have been arguing fiercely on Douban about Jiang Heng's view of love in his films.

At Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company, in Jiang Heng's office, Da Tian Tian wears a black T-shirt and denim shorts, revealing her glowing white legs, curled up on the sofa scrolling on an iPad.

Jiang Heng is busy with other things behind the boss's desk, occasionally glancing up at Da Tian Tian.

"Hey, are you here to help me work, or to disturb my work?" Jiang Heng couldn't help but say.

Da Tian Tian lifts her head, her eyes showing a hint of innocence and confusion.

"What's up?"

"You say you, and you even took off your shoes— which assistant would dare be this brazen in the big boss's office?"

Jing Tian's eyes curved into crescents as she gave a sweet smile, "Me!"

Jiang Heng heard that and gave a helpless laugh!

Da Tian Tian wore a curious expression, "Hey, I saw on Douban that many netizens are discussing your view of love!"

"My view of love?"

"Um, it should be the film's view of love; they say Chang'e is just a tool used to provoke Houyi's outbreak!"

Jiang Heng is somewhat speechless— do netizens really analyze things this thoroughly? Well, many films have such a character, whose death stimulates the protagonist's potential.

For example, Jiang Liuer in "The Monkey King Returns," the actively self-immolating Tang Seng in "The Lion Camel Ridge," and in this film, the helplessly suicidal Chang'e.

Such characters naturally have their reasons for existing.

As for love, it's not like we're making "A Chinese Ghost Story" or "White Snake"; Jiang Heng feels the love scenes in the film are already quite ample.

"Ignore what's being said online!"

Da Tian Tian puts down the iPad, props both hands on the sofa armrest, and coquettishly says, "Come on, tell me—I'm curious!"

Seeing that, Jiang Heng no longer feels like working; he walks to the sofa and lightly taps Jing Tian's foot, "Stinky feet, get over to the side!"

Da Tian Tian yelps, quickly pulls her foot back, and with a wronged expression says, "They're not smelly!"

Jiang Heng doesn't pick up the thread, just saying, "Lately, don't you find it boring?"

Da Tian Tian pouts, "It's still okay; although sometimes we're busy, being able to stay with you every day makes me very happy!"

"Well, actually my view of love is, if I can't be with the person I like, even if you made me the Jade Emperor I wouldn't be happy!" Jiang Heng gave a helpless laugh, "These are Zixia Fairy's lines— aren't you worried about a bad omen?" Unexpectedly, Jing Tian's eyes suddenly lit up, she leaned over and said, "Brother, how about we reenact 'A Chinese Odyssey'?"

"Which part?"

Da Tian Tian blinked, "What do you mean, which part?"

"If you didn't say reenact, are we doing the part where the Supreme Treasure and Bai Jingjing are on the cliff, or some other segment?"

After thinking a while, Jing Tian recalled the plot, gave Jiang Heng a white-eyed look, and coquettishly said, "How annoying, I was talking about serious matters!"

"Ah, how could you have such an idea?!"

Da Tian Tian wore an expression of longing, "I just want to experience different love stories with you! You're on such good terms with Xingye, you should be able to sell me the rights, right?"

Jiang Heng gave a wry smile, "It's not a matter of rights or not; 'A Chinese Odyssey' has already been canonized— aren't you afraid of being scolded?"

Da Tian Tian shook her head, wearing an ignorant-and-fearless expression, "No fear! Not long ago I even had a dream where I didn't meet you, I filmed many big flops, got scolded online every day, and then I woke up crying."

After waking up, I kept thinking, how could I cry in a dream? Oh, right— it was because you weren't in that dream; whether netizens scold or not doesn't matter!" Da Tian Tian said very flatly.

Jiang Heng, however, felt somewhat moved hearing that, he pulled her into a hug and patted her little head, "Silly girl!"

Da Tian Tian said, however, "You always call me a melon, but I'm not a melon at all— sometimes I'm actually quite clever!"

Jiang Heng heard that and burst out laughing.

"It's just a love movie, after all— I'll accompany you in acting!"

"Zixia?"

"Hmm, let me see— rights are one thing, but most importantly we need a good story; I couldn't bear to watch you get scolded!"

Upon hearing that, Jing Tian was overjoyed and chirped, "Brother, you're so good!"

But after saying that, for a period of time Jiang Heng really did ponder this matter.

Should we remake "A Chinese Odyssey," or write an entirely new story?

If we were to write a new story, we could instead depict the love between Zhu Bajie and the spider spirit.

……

During this period, the box office of "Houyi Shoots the Suns" surged forward, breaking the seven-hundred-million mark in just three days of its opening week.

Such an achievement would have been unthinkable before.

As soon as the media reported it, it immediately sparked heated discussion, and word of mouth brought even more viewers.

After all, the reputation is good, the special effects are superb, and the film features many extraordinarily tall Wu tribe giants, which are extremely popular with children.

Seeing Wu tribesmen and great demons several meters, ten-odd meters, or even tens of meters tall on the big screen, the children were thrilled— happier than watching dinosaurs.

One viewing isn't enough; they even have their parents take them to watch it again.

Some can fulfill wishes, some because of crying and making a fuss happily get a "single" once.

Moreover, besides children who love to watch, there are also many middle-aged and elderly people entering the cinema.

For them, modern, romantic movies are truly incomprehensible, but "Hou Yi" this one can be understood—after all, Pangu opens the sky, Nüwa mends the sky, Kuafu chases the sun, Hou Yi shoots the sun, Jingwei fills the sea, Nezha stirs the sea and other traditional mythological stories, which they have heard since childhood.

Such a story with special effects should have no boring parts.

In the 2011 summer box office, Jiang Heng's new film once again swept the market, directly extinguishing several low-budget films that tried to muddy the waters.

Some directors complained that Jiang Heng is overbearing and monopolistic, but no one paid attention to this anymore! (End of chapter)