Chapter 156: A small goal of 100 million

"Hello, Kaige? Yes, it's me. We are all looking forward to your 'The Emperor and the Assassin.' Is it confirmed that it can be released during the National Day holiday? Good, good, then do the post-production well, waiting for your good news!"

That's right, the first person Han Sanping contacted was Chen Kaizi, who has been crowned the number one director in China these years. After all, his "The Emperor and the Assassin" is a veritable big production, with a production cost reaching over 100 million yuan. Moreover, the story of assassinating the Qin Emperor is basically well-known, and the lineup led by Gong Li, Li Xuejian, Zhang Fengyi, Wang Zhiwen, and others is also incomparably luxurious. Even Zhao Benshan and Pan Changjiang played small supporting roles. "The Emperor and the Assassin" attracted considerable attention from the very beginning.

Therefore, when Han Sanping wanted to boost the morale of Chinese filmmakers, the first thing he thought of was the big production with a big cast, "The Emperor and the Assassin."

But Kaizi just told him on the phone that it would only be premiered during the National Day, and the real large-scale public screening would have to wait until next year after he finished participating in Cannes and winning an award. Well, Kaizi is just that confident, feeling that this trip to Cannes will definitely not return empty-handed!

And this made Han Sanping only able to sigh after hanging up the phone; "The Emperor and the Assassin" cannot be counted on in the short term.

Subsequently, he thought of Wu Yuchen, so he called him again:

"Hello, Wu Dao, how is the filming of 'Mr. Donkey' going?"

"Haha, thanks to Factory Manager Han for your concern. They are all good actors. Now a group of people are in a good state. I estimate that it will be finished soon."

"It's good that it's going smoothly. I still want to see your award-chasing masterpiece early!"

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Brother Han!"

Hearing Zhou Xun's question, the circle of people at the table couldn't help but look at Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen has been to the Berlin Film Festival twice. The first two times he didn't bring many people, after all, he was saving money at the time.

Wu Yuchen smiled after hearing this: "Thanks to Brother Han for looking up to me, I want to ask, how much do you want for this good result you mentioned?"

"Factory Manager Han, what is your idea..." Wu Yuchen also guessed that Han Sanping calling him wouldn't be just complaining; there must be something.

Han Sanping sighed and replied:

"Wu Dao, 'Titanic' has already broken 300 million in box office. It really was as you said, sigh!"

Wu Yuchen nodded, but still added a sentence in a half-joking tone: "Okay, Li Laoshi, I will call your spouse to confirm at that time. If you don't go, don't blame me for arranging it for you myself!"

Therefore, as long as a Chinese-language film can break 100 million again, that is a kind of progress. Although it is still far from "Titanic," it symbolizes that our Chinese-language films still have hope.

Wu Yuchen understood Han Sanping's thoughts after hearing this. To be honest, his goal is not particularly high, and he is still clear about the gap between the enemy and us, relatively pragmatic, knowing to take it step by step.

After Wu Yuchen hung up the phone, he was still pondering the information revealed in Han Sanping's last words. It seems that Old Han's entry into Zhongying should be stable, and he can already mobilize the power of Zhongying.

Wu Yuchen then put down his phone, thinking to himself that he could take advantage of the fact that the actors are all in a good state to speed things up a bit. He would also finish filming as soon as possible and go back to contribute to the promotion of "Classic Again."

Wu Yuchen didn't answer, laughing: "Let's finish the small goal first!"

Han Sanping's confidence increased quite a bit after hearing Wu Yuchen's words: "Okay, I will contact Zhongying immediately. This time, Beiying and Zhongying will go all out to promote 'Classic Again,' striving to achieve this small goal!"

But now there is no need for this at all. Not to mention that he has money now, just after he won the Best Director, the Berlin Film Festival will treat him differently.

After entering the 90s, Chinese cinema saw a significant decline. The last film to break 100 million at the box office was "Mom, Love Me Once Again," which was introduced in 1990. Since then, no Chinese-language film has been able to break 100 million again. The closest to this goal was Cheng Long's "Rumble in the Bronx" in 1995, with a box office of 95 million, but it just missed the 100 million mark.

Wu Yuchen's heart moved, and then he said:

"That's true. But I didn't expect this gap to be so big! If you say it's a difference of a few tens of millions or even 100 million, then we can work hard to catch up. But now that I see they have already reached 300 million, I'm afraid that when the final box office for 'Titanic' comes out, our people here in China will be so scared that they won't even have the heart to catch up! Sigh..." After Han Sanping finished speaking, he sighed again.

Wu Yuchen smiled at the phone. Given his current relationship with Old Han, this is undoubtedly a good thing.

Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this. He had said that to Han Sanping before because the Beiying studio hadn't invested money in "Classic Again."

At this time, Li Xuejian smiled and said: "Wu Dao, I haven't acted in such a satisfying play for a long time. This 'Mr. Donkey' is truly enjoyable!"

The crew stayed in this remote village for two and a half months. Although they didn't go hungry, the conditions of this kind of village in 1998 were much worse than in the city. Before Wu Yuchen and the others came, electricity wasn't even fully connected.

He thought for a moment and said with a smile: "Factory Director Han, I think what you said at the beginning was right. This may not necessarily be a bad thing. Now our domestic filmmakers should know the gap between us and Hollywood's production level, and also know the direction for hard work. If anyone says they only want to make art films in the future, you can just bring up 'Titanic'."

Hearing this, Wu Yuchen was not too surprised. After all, this is something he knew would happen, and it's not just this box office; it's going to reach 360 million.

Li Xuejian couldn't help but laugh when he saw this, and didn't say much, picked up the teacup and touched it with Wu Yuchen, everything is in silence.

It seems that Old Han should be almost settled now, otherwise he wouldn't be able to mobilize the power of Zhongying while nominally still being the factory manager of Beiying Factory.

Han Sanping smiled and echoed, then turned to ask:

"Have you been paying attention to the news about 'Titanic' recently?"

Second, in terms of the plot, "Classic Again" is definitely more exciting than "My Brothers and Sisters." When watching "My Brothers and Sisters," one will be infected by the emotions and brought to tears, but after everyone walks out of the cinema, they basically won't come to watch it a second time. "Classic Again" is different; I guarantee that there will definitely be a portion of people who will watch it a second or even third time!

Han Sanping had also watched the film "Classic Again," but it had no big scenes and no big stars, so Han Sanping didn't dare to hold out too much hope. The last time, "My Brothers and Sisters" had Wang Zuxian, a female lead known to everyone, otherwise it wouldn't have attracted so many people into the cinema.

Han Sanping pondered for a moment and then said: "I won't talk about catching up with the results of 'Titanic.' Let's just break through a threshold that Chinese-language films have had in recent years—box office breaking 100 million. What do you think?"

This made Han Sanping laugh: "100 million is still a small goal! It seems that Wu Dao, you are very confident! Then what is your big goal?"

Wu Yuchen could naturally understand Han Sanping's words. In his past life, that was indeed the situation. A single "Titanic" directly smashed the spirit of many filmmakers, and they no longer held any hope for domestic commercial blockbusters, constantly talking about Hollywood.

To tell the truth, the "Mr. Donkey" crew coming here to film this time has brought a lot of benefits to this village, such as the authorities directly solving the power supply problem and specifically stepping up to pave a road that can accommodate vehicles. It is absolutely a super benefit for this Big River Fort Village!

In Shuozhou, Wu Yuchen took the whole crew to the city to have a good wrap-up banquet.

"That's not the case. Our whole crew has been huddled in the village for two months, basically paying attention to things outside. What's wrong?"

Wu Yuchen frowned, and then said to Li Xuejian seriously and earnestly:

But helplessly, no one had completed this goal for two years. Chen Kaizi's "The Emperor and the Assassin," which was highly anticipated, only took in over 10 million in box office after its domestic release. There was no other way but to bring out the big move, which was administrative intervention, with the authorities issuing documents calling on various units to observe and study "Fatal Decision," and thus pushed the box office of this mainstream film to 120 million in 2000.

Li Xuejian smiled and waved his hand: "Many thanks for Wu Dao's concern. It's a small ailment left over from when I finished filming 'Water Margin' last year. My throat feels a bit uncomfortable when I talk too much, it's nothing~"

It did break 100 million, but everyone knew how the box office for "Fatal Decision" came about. At most, it was just saving face, and it didn't really bring any confidence or hope to Chinese cinema. Can this be replicated? It's simply not an object worthy of study and promotion by other films!

It wasn't until "Hero" came out and took 250 million in box office in one fell swoop that it really gave Chinese-language cinema a shot in the arm and brought a ray of hope.

Subsequently, the atmosphere at the table was also very lively. Zhou Xun asked Wu Yuchen:

"Wu Dao, it was said before that you were going to take our 'Mr. Donkey' to go for awards. Which award are you planning to go for?"

"This is all thanks to the outstanding performance of all the teachers. I also enjoyed filming this time!" Wu Yuchen picked up tea and said to everyone, and everyone was full of smiles.

"Although 'Classic Again' doesn't have Wang Zuxian, my reputation as a director is much more useful than last year. This time, I'll go out for the promotion myself.

And after he won the Jin Xiong this time, when he returned to the same place for the second time in 2012 with "White Deer Plain," he enjoyed almost top-tier treatment: first-class cabins and top-tier hotels were all a matter of course. At that time, the entire "White Deer Plain" crew, plus family members, assistants, and others, came with more than 20 people, and the film festival covered all expenses!

After Wu Yuchen finished saying these points to Han Sanping, he paused and then summarized:

"Factory Manager Han, if you think my appeal is okay now, then try it. Maybe we can complete this small goal of 100 million?"

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen suddenly said to Li Xuejian: "Li Laoshi, when filming before, I saw you coughing and massaging your throat after you went down. Is there any problem?"

"Li Laoshi, health is the capital of revolution. If there's an ailment, we must go to the hospital to see it! I know you are busy filming—'Water Margin,' 'The Emperor and the Assassin,' and 'Mr. Donkey'—this continuous work leaves no time, but you still have to go to the hospital for a check-up. You can't delay your health because of work!"

Third, times are different now. The trend of romance films has been stirred up in China by "Titanic." If I'm not mistaken, audiences now especially want to watch some other romance films, but we don't have them in China! Good romance films are a rare commodity in the current market."

10 days later, after Wu Yuchen's "Cut" and the subsequent "Wrap" shouted out, all the crew members couldn't help but fall into jubilation.

"Wu Dao, didn't you say yourself before that the cast of this film doesn't have any big stars, so it might not have as good results as 'My Brothers and Sisters'?"

Han Sanping hesitated after hearing this, and then asked:

Li Xuejian's acting skills go without saying, and he later contributed many wonderful roles. It's just his hoarse voice that makes many people feel uncomfortable.

In his past life, Wang Quanan won the Jin Xiong in 2007 with "Tuya's Marriage," but he was in economy class the whole time and could only stay in an average hotel.

"I haven't set a big goal yet, let's take it one step at a time!"

Before, he was still hesitating whether to go to the Berlin Film Festival or Venice. But now he has inquired clearly that there are no Chinese in the jury of the Venice Film Festival this September, so forget it. It's better to go to Berlin, where the chance of winning an award is greater. And in this way, his time is not so rushed, and he can have plenty of time to do post-production slowly.

"I want our domestic films to be able to come out and get good results quickly, which can bring some confidence to our Chinese filmmakers. The first one I thought of was you, Brother Wu!"

"Then can we follow?" Zhou Xun opened her big eyes, full of expectation, and this question asked the hearts of many people.

But there is no way. Li Xuejian was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2000, and the surgery caused damage to his vocal cords. To be honest, he was not short of money long ago. Being able to drag his post-operative body and insist on performing shows his love for acting.

Combining the information Wu Yuchen knew in his past life, the above is brewing a big move now, and Han Sanping should also be involved in it, merging eight units such as the old Zhongying, Beiying Factory, China Children's Film Studio, etc., into a behemoth, which is the new Zhongying established early next year, and Han Sanping is the real second-in-command.

Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "If there are no accidents, it should be next year's Berlin Film Festival."

"Then let me suggest one: how about we temporarily set the big goal as 'Titanic'?"

"Haha, personal habit, you guys can do whatever you want~"

Seeing Wu Yuchen attach so much importance to his health, Li Xuejian felt a warmth in his heart, and then smiled and said: "Wu Dao, thank you for the reminder. I will go for an examination after I return to Jingcheng this time."

Gong Li said to Wu Yuchen with a smile: "Wu Dao, this is the first time I've seen a director like you who asks everyone not to toast you!"

That's right, the organizers of major film festivals are all looking at people to serve dishes, and foreigners are not without "snobbish eyes."

Wu Yuchen thought for a while, the goal of breaking 100 million, and then said to Han Sanping:

"Factory Director Han, what do you think about my 'Classic Again' next month?"

Therefore, it is no problem for Wu Yuchen, who is already the Best Director, to bring the main actors this time.

Wu Yuchen waved his hand: "Everyone go when the time comes!"

This immediately brought applause and cheers from the whole table. ===== CHAPTER 157 =====