Chapter 1093

After eight o'clock in the morning, Ning Hao and Lin Nan walked out of a breakfast shop not far from the Film Bureau.

The two of them walked toward the Film Bureau while eating hot steamed buns from paper bags.

"How come you don't look worried at all? We were called here today to attend a 'mobilization meeting,' and the main targets of this mobilization are people like us.

Just tell me, how many years has it been since either of us attended the Golden Rooster Awards ceremony? Is it really going to be like this this time? I'm so unwilling to accept this, it's too easy on that bunch of old..."

Ning Hao grumbled while wolfing down his food. He was quite cheeky, reaching out to swipe a beef bun from Lin Nan.

"Worried? Worried about what? According to the news I got from Han Dong, the Bureau's intention is just to make us choose one of two options: you either go over there, or you come over here." Lin Nan smiled playfully.

"You've already been told to choose one of two, and you're still not worried? Do you want to be stubborn and act like a sycophant, or do you want to be spineless and kneel to the Golden Rooster?" Ning Hao retorted subconsciously, his eyes widening.

"Listen carefully, it's 'either go over there, or come over here'! But just because we come to the Golden Rooster side, does it mean we must attend the Golden Rooster Awards ceremony?" Lin Nan's one sentence left Ning Hao completely bewildered.

"What do you mean? Since we're already here, are we only coming for half?"

"For the red carpet that evening, I will arrive in the afternoon. After walking the red carpet, I will turn around and leave. On the red carpet, I will not accept any interviews regarding the Golden Rooster Awards that night.

By showing my face on the red carpet and in front of the media, it shows that I firmly support the Bureau's intention and represents my stance: I didn't go over there, I'm not sitting on the fence, and I'm certainly not playing dead.

But I won't enter the Golden Rooster Awards ceremony hall, and I won't attend the ceremony—this is also my attitude toward the Golden Rooster!"

Lin Nan said righteously; this was his itinerary plan, which he had figured out with Liu Yifei last night.

"How come I didn't think of that? It can be done this way?" Ning Hao suddenly realized, nodding in amazement.

"It probably won't be in the capital this year. Let me know when you book your flight or high-speed rail ticket, and we'll go together!"

"No problem." Lin Nan nodded and stuffed the last bite of the bun into his mouth. Then he took out two wet wipes, handed them to Ning Hao, and they both wiped the corners of their mouths.

"But honestly, it's really rotten, rotten to the core." Ning Hao threw the tissue into a trash can by the side of the road and cursed casually.

"What's wrong?"

"Do you know what the new identity of that doctor's mentor is now? This was only decided a few days ago."

"What identity?" Lin Nan truly didn't know; he had no spare time to care about these messy things.

"Director of the Film Association, Director of the Capital Artists Association, Honorary Chairman of the TV Actors Working Committee...

You

know, the ones who truly have the final say have always been the directors, not the chairmen and vice-chairmen who are ostensibly held by actors, directors, producers, and state-owned enterprise chairmen...

They can directly decide the attribution of awards, so you tell me, are our awards rotten or not? What kind of people are running this..."

"We're here, be quiet." Lin Nan interrupted Ning Hao.

They saw Jia Zhangke, Wang Xiaoshuai, and others queuing up for registration at the gate five or six meters ahead.

At such close range, it was truly inappropriate to vent such negative complaints.

Hmm? Come to think of it, Jia Zhangke and Wang Xiaoshuai also seemed to be targets for key mobilization.

But the situation for these two was completely different from Lin Nan and Ning Hao's; Lin Nan and Ning Hao were at odds with the Golden Rooster, while these two liked to support the Golden Horse.

"Lin Dao, Director Ning."

As the greetings from the group rang out, Lin Nan and Ning Hao immediately put on smiles. "You all arrived really early."

"We're not early; Director Kaige and the others are ahead, they've already been inside for quite a while."

The group chatted and laughed as they walked toward the designated conference hall.

A few minutes later, when Lin Nan entered the conference venue with the crowd, he truly realized the meaning of Yue Jun's words: "There shouldn't be many people from the industry attending, but it won't be too few either."

It really wasn't many; those with slightly lower status and achievements in the film circle weren't called over. Everyone present was a big director, a big producer, or an actor with representative influence.

"Guo Fan and Lu Yang didn't come?" Ning Hao asked suspiciously.

"Wasn't Xu Zheng also not invited? Besides, there was no need for Guo Fan and Lu Yang to come; their film 'Operation Red Sea' is destined to go to the Golden Rooster."

Lin Nan whispered to Ning Hao while responding to the nods and greetings from Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, Jiang Wen, and others.

It wasn't just those three; people like Lou Ye, Guan Hu, Lu Chuan... Xue Xiaolu, and Cao Baoping didn't come either;

No, to be precise, these people probably weren't even given a heads-up, because they were basically directors whose influence was at the second tier or below.

"Xu Zheng is working overtime to film 'Lost in Russia' and won't be back until tomorrow.

As for those two on your side, they aren't just destined to go to the Golden Rooster, they are destined to win awards, right? Otherwise, the Navy would have to execute that bunch of people!" Ning Hao complained with disdain.

"Anyway, it has nothing to do with us." As he spoke, Lin Nan found his nameplate and sat in the second row, with Ning Hao beside him.

"Hey? Did you notice, there don't seem to be any people from the Hong Kong circle today?"

"Isn't that obvious."

"You two, stop whispering, why do you have so much to say?" Han Sanping turned his head and gave a warning.

Well

?? Seeing this, Lin Nan and Ning Hao immediately gave an awkward smile and fell silent.

Many people around were glancing over here with smiles. Come to think of it, Lin Nan and Ning Hao were the two youngest among all the industry insiders present; everyone else was at least 45 or older. Hmm, young people really do talk too much!

Half an hour later, the leaders entered the venue. As soon as he stepped onto the podium, the leader in the center seat joked:

"This year is the 70th anniversary, and everyone should be able to witness the birth of the first domestic film with 7 billion yuan at the box office! Am I right, Lin Dao Nan?"

When the leader asked this, Lin Nan was instantly stunned. Looking at the scene, there was already a round of applause, mixed with shouts—it was Jiang Wen.

"Yes, we will definitely be able to see it!"

After being reminded by Ning Hao's elbow, Lin Nan immediately put on a smile and nodded repeatedly. At this moment, there was only one answer, and it could only be this one.

Even if it didn't reach 7 billion in the end and was still a bit short, it would have to be supplemented to 7 billion, because "The Wandering Earth" was now designated as a tribute film!

Sure enough, the leader wouldn't mention the 70th anniversary for no reason.

Starting from the topic of the 70th anniversary, the leader very naturally switched to the Golden Rooster.

He stated bluntly that the Golden Rooster Awards ceremony would revolve around the theme of the 70th anniversary, and there would be no shortage of performances and celebration ceremonies; he also hoped that all the filmmakers present would show up at that time, at least appearing in front of the media lenses...

After more than two hours, as Lin Nan expected, the leaders talked about the Golden Rooster, tribute films, and the filmmakers' patriotism and stance... but they didn't mention the other award at all throughout the whole process!

Although they didn't mention it, the implication in their words was solid.

As for whether everyone present could understand and was willing to understand, that depended on their personal will. In short, the leader only looked at the results!

A small, important meeting with an unclear theme didn't cause any ripples in the film and television circle, and not many people even noticed it.

In Han Sanping's words, now they just needed to wait for one thing, and that was the media press conference and launch ceremony of the Golden Horse Committee.

Once the Golden Horse held its launch ceremony, the Golden Rooster side would immediately follow up and hold a press conference... For the first time in so many years, a "head-on collision"!

On the morning of the 22nd, the mainstream film "The Bravest," co-produced by Bona and Alibaba and starring Huang Xiaoming, Tan Zhuo, Du Jiang, Yang Zi, and Ou Hao, was high-profile scheduled for the summer slot.

"She Killed" thus had its first direct competitor in the slot, because the release dates of the two films happened to coincide, both on August 1st.

At the same time, Enlight also put the promotion of the two films "Ne Zha" and "The Father" on the agenda.

Undoubtedly,

they could now sharpen their swords and prepare for the summer slot.

On the other hand, after 8 days of the "Sci-Fi Feedback Tour," the daily box office of "The Wandering Earth" on the 9th day, the 23rd, finally turned around again;

On the morning of the 24th, the reported box office for the 23rd dropped by millions compared to the 22nd.

Obviously, at this point, there was no need to force "The Wandering Earth" to stabilize its daily revenue.

Because the audience who could enter the cinema had basically already done so, and many had even watched it twice or three times.

In these last 12 days, "The Wandering Earth" could be allowed to naturally decline and follow the market.

Just looking at the trend of the daily box office, the probability of final success was clearly over 70-80%, and adding more "investment" at this time would no longer yield any positive returns.

"As of last night, the total box office was 6.66 billion. Are you sure the last 12 days will work?

You have to know that the daily box office decline in these 12 days will definitely be greater than before, falling faster and being even more unpredictable."

"It should be fine. Many viewers are no longer watching the movie just for a second, third, or fourth time; there is clearly an extra sense of blind obedience and passion in their hearts, which is to send 'The Wandering Earth' to 7 billion.

And in doing so, let the Chinese film market, this single market, give birth to a film with a box office of $1 billion+, creating a miracle and a record!"

"The exchange rate today seems to be only 6.7097, right?" Wang Changtian muttered thoughtfully. "$1 billion converted is not even 7 billion!"

"Hmm, that's the exchange rate. The overall exchange rate has been rising for the past two months. ICBC even called me, saying the 5.7 billion dollars I have deposited with them is constantly appreciating against the RMB..."

"We are talking about the movie, don't keep mentioning your 5.7 billion dollars, just to show off that you have so much cash, right?" On the phone, Wang Changtian couldn't help but retort.

"Chairman Wang, you're being unreasonable now. You were the one who brought up the exchange rate, hahaha..."

"Alright, alright, let's talk business. Since you think we can let 'The Wandering Earth' naturally change with the film market in the last 12 days, then I won't say anything more. I look forward to it reaching 7 billion, or even higher.

By the way, about the celebration banquet, as the first film with 6 billion at the box office, and even the first with 7 billion, the celebration banquet for 'The Wandering Earth' cannot be avoided. The entire industry, and perhaps even the authorities, hope we will hold it in a grand manner!"

"Then let's choose the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People, and set the date for April 9th.

Also, please help me arrange a speaking session at that time; I have some things to say, formally and publicly to the entire industry."

"Hmm?" Wang Changtian heard

this and was stunned, but he didn't ask for details and immediately agreed: "Okay, I will have my people arrange it."

"Mainly controlled by China Film, and co-produced by more than a dozen industry giants including Alibaba Pictures, Huanxi, Shanghai Sanyuan Pictures, Bona, Zhenledao, Bad Monkey, Enlight, Wanda... Emperor Motion Pictures, Edko, etc., the mainstream tribute blockbuster 'My People, My Country' for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the country officially started filming high-profile this morning.

This film is the first tribute feature film to adopt a unit model, co-directed by seven directors including Chen Kaige, Ning Hao, Xu Zheng, Zhang Yibai, Xue Xiaolu, Han Jia'nu, and Li Yang;

Including the leads and all guest actors, 'My People, My Country' will have nearly 200 actors and stars participating, with over 3,000 extras... Because all actors and directors in the film and television industry are working for zero pay, the investment cost of the film is only 120 million."

On the 25th, the tribute blockbuster "My People, My Country," which had been in preparation for nearly a year, finally started filming high-profile.

This also meant that the most important mainstream blockbuster for the National Day slot had officially entered the production process as of today.

And as the actors sent over by Lin Nan's film system, Shu Chang followed Xu Zheng's unit group to Shanghai, while Jing Tian followed Han Jia'nu's group to the base of the August 1st Aerobatics Team...

"It seems they said the 7 unit crews must all finish filming within two months, so as to leave enough buffer time for post-production, review, and promotion."

"For one-seventh of a film, two months is definitely enough. Doesn't our film 'Sheep Without a Shepherd' also have a two-month filming cycle?

By the way, how are the preparations?" Lin Nan was busy with post-production editing and asked Yue Jun, who was pouring tea for Lu Yang, without turning his head.

"It has already been coordinated with Thailand, and we can definitely start filming on time on the 10th of next month. Also, Xiao Yang will take the filming team over there in advance at the end of this month."

"There are really quite a few movies starting filming next month. Our company's 'Sheep Without a Shepherd,' Director Zhang's 'Under the Light,' Peter Chan's 'Leap'..."

"Especially this 'Leap,' I heard gossip in the circle that the investment cost is high enough to scare people to death?" Lu Yang also chimed in, curious.

"Didn't you just say it? It's Peter Chan's 'Leap'! Although Gong Li's salary is expensive, it's not 500 million expensive, right? Hahaha..."

Lin Nan couldn't help but emphasize the name "Peter Chan," but he couldn't deny that the industry generally looked favorably on Peter Chan's biographical commercial films.

"It's a miracle that he can continue to mix in the mainland. Of course, he does have some skills." Yue Jun was also amused.

"Lin Dao, your phone." Suddenly, Lu Yang reminded him.

"Sister Xue?" Lin Nan hurriedly answered Xue Xiaolu's call; the latter calling him could only

be for serious business.

"Lin Nan, I've finished the re-editing of 'The Whistleblower,' do you want to come and see it? Or should I bring it to your company?"

"Sister Xue, are you sure you edited it according to what we discussed last time?"

"Hmm, not a single cut changed. After editing, I feel awkward looking at it myself; I'm afraid this time I'll be scolded by the audience."

"Then there's no need to look, just send it for review."

"Are you serious?"

"Send it directly to the Bureau, that's all we can do now. Being able to release it is better than having it stuck in our hands.

I guess Director Zhang has an even bigger headache, which is why he thought about editing it together with 'Under the Light' at that time."

"Alright then, I'll listen to you and send it up directly."

After hanging up the phone, the smile on Lin Nan's face instantly disappeared. He sighed and lamented:

"This is the first film we produced that was sent back for review. A perfectly good film can only be edited into a rotten movie with incoherent plots and all the highlights cut out!"

"Lin Dao, is the Bureau really reviewing that strictly now?" Lu Yang's expression became uneasy upon hearing this.

"You don't need to worry, you don't film realistic-themed movies anyway." Lin Nan smiled and teased Lu Yang.

Because only realistic-themed films had the risk of being directly sent back, especially those that touched on sensitive materials, which were almost 100% likely to be killed.

The last week of March felt like someone was chasing behind with a whip.

And "The Wandering Earth" was the same, its daily box office falling sharply, as if it were being kicked down by the film market with disdain.

Of course, its total box office was also constantly advancing, approaching that dazzling number. It was within reach, just within reach!

Huayi, inside Ye Ning's office.

"Wanda is indeed finished. Now it seems that our decision to jump ship to Huayi back then wasn't a wrong choice; at least we got the cash when we were at Huayi, and we secured our safety early."

"If we hadn't come over back then, who knows what it would look like now. But one thing is certain, it definitely wouldn't be going uphill!"

"Isn't this obviously a downhill road? And a steep one at that! Being cut off by all the banks, even if they don't die, they'll lose half their lives..."

"That's true. It's clear that many capitalists are kicking them while they're down. Otherwise, they wouldn't have moved against the younger Wang's live-streaming platform. Our Chairman Wang clearly can no longer support his son, because the group is even more short of funds! Hahaha..."

"Chairman Ye, you're frowning, what are you thinking about?" One of Ye Ning's direct subordinates asked jokingly.

"I've been with Chairman Wang since the millennium, and I can definitely be considered a veteran member of Wanda. I know him, he

has been too arrogant, too arrogant all these years; don't look at how old he is now, he will only be more arrogant.

And for this problem, he will definitely not reflect on himself, he will only continue to fight, continue to gamble... upholding his business philosophy of 'being bold'!" Ye Ning muttered with a frown.

"Chairman Ye, what do you mean by that?"

"I think Wanda has already embarked on a single road of no return. That is to constantly sell assets to fill the holes of the banks, including the industries in the film and entertainment sector, which are definitely on the list to be abandoned, just perhaps a bit later."

"You don't mean the cinema chain, do you? This should be the only valuable heavy asset Wanda has in the film industry!" Someone guessed boldly.

"Isn't the AMC cinema chain already being sold?" Ye Ning looked up and answered with a question.

"Chairman Ye, but what does this have to do with us? Even if they want to sell, can Huayi even afford to make an offer?"

"Huayi is no longer a big ship, and I don't know how far it can go. If we want a better platform, we have to think about our future path, to be prepared for danger in times of peace.

We definitely can't go back to Wanda, they can't even save themselves, and other big cinema chains have their own camps and people...

If someone can take over the Wanda cinema chain later, then we can try." Ye Ning expressed his thoughts bluntly.

"This idea is very good, but the circle is only so big. Even if Wanda really sells the cinema chain, will others necessarily accept us?

Chairman Ye, you have to be clear about one thing, and that is that we have jumped ship, and a large group of us jumped together! Unless the capital taking over doesn't mind this..."