Chapter 1151: Shelved for Two Years; A Polite Refusal!

"They hinted to me, telling me not to think about re-editing and resubmitting for review within the next year or two;

telling me to try again in two years, saying the restrictions might loosen a bit by then.

They were even blunt enough to reveal that they had given Zhang Zhang Yimou's 'Under the Light' the same kind of hint; in any case, it's absolutely impossible within the next year or two, no matter how much you struggle or try."

On the morning of the 6th, snow was still falling over the capital, a vast white-grey haze.

And Lin Nan also received news that gave him a splitting headache — 'Across the Furious Sea' had been sent back.

Moreover, the severity of this film's problems was in no way less than Zhang Zhang Yimou's 'Under the Light', perhaps even worse.

Of course, the problems with both were also far beyond what those minor issues with 'One Second' and 'The Whistleblower' amounted to — at least those two, after some trimming, could still be released.

"Let's look at it from another angle — this also proves that this film really did capture some sensitive content, and Director Cao, your premonition seems to have been pretty accurate."

Lin Nan said with a smile, trying to comfort Cao Cao Baoping. The latter had previously said he had very strong worries and unease, worried that 'Across the Furious Sea' would get blocked;

because the examples of Zhang Zhang Yimou and Xue Xue Xiaolu's realistic-themed films running into trouble one after another were right before his eyes, glaringly, jarringly so…

And now Cao Cao Baoping's worry had indeed come true, and at a quite serious level at that.

This couldn't help but make one sigh — to put it bluntly, the authorities above were clearly applying a blanket ban!

"Lin Nan, is it really the only option now? Shelve it for two years and then try again?"

Facing Cao Cao Baoping's unwillingness to accept it, Lin Nan could only helplessly repeat the same words he'd said to Xue Xue Xiaolu before:

"It's not like before anymore — not like when Director Tong and Director Zhang were around. I'm powerless. I only opened my mouth once, and then I was told, 'Don't let this happen again.'

So now we can only wait — wait until this cycle passes and then see how things look. We'll trim it a bit then and resubmit for review."

Hearing this, Cao Cao Baoping could only sigh. "Alright then, we'll just have to shelve it for now. Also, this time I've really dragged you down — I feel a bit bad about it."

"It's nothing, and how can you say you've dragged me down? It's not like they explicitly told us it's banned — it'll pass eventually, it'll get released." Lin Nan said with a cheerful smile, smoothing things over.

A few minutes later, the moment Cao Cao Baoping hung up the phone, the smile on Lin Nan's face also grew strained, and then vanished.

The trend of the film industry withering away was becoming more and more obvious — the only safe bets were main-melody films and comedies. Looking at it, the industry was about to go to the dogs.

He figured that even if there were safe realistic-themed films in the future, they'd most likely be of those rather special types, right?

Like main-melody style realistic themes, bandwagon realistic themes, family-domestic realistic themes… In short, the realistic-theme track was destined to be castrated!

……

In the afternoon, the Directors' Guild had a brain fart and published a list of donation details from a group of big-name directors; presumably the association's original intention was to set an example, establish role models, and spread their names.

But honestly, the numbers really were a bit laughable, and the mockery online naturally far outweighed the praise — it had even gone beyond mockery into a chorus of cursing.

Director Jia and his wife donated 320,000, Director Guan Hu and his wife donated 200,000… a large batch of big-name directors donating small six-figure sums queued up on the list.

Mm, the most generous was Jiang Wen and his wife — a full one million.

Now compare this with the efforts of the artist community over the past month or so — it seemed even third-tier artist groups hadn't donated less than 500,000!

This scene couldn't help but remind one of '08:

Back then, actors' pay was very, very low — most A-listers were donating small six-figure sums, and only Jackie Chan, Andy Lau and those Hong Kong circle big-shots could manage the generosity of millions, close to ten million.

Now, so many years later, the mainland A-listers who once could only donate small six-figure sums had become flush, donating millions, even close to ten million… But what about the mainland's big-name directors?

Back then, Feng Feng Xiaogang and his wife, Chen Chen Kaige and his wife, Jia Jia Zhangke and his wife, Wang Wang Xiaoshuai… they donated 100,000, 120,000, 50,000, 30,000 respectively…

Now, so many years later, the big-name directors were still unmoved — truly, the richer they got, the stingier they became!

Of course, strictly speaking, this sort of thing should only be praised, not criticized — after all, charity is all about the voluntary principle; you can't force people to fork over money.

Because even if others contributed less, they still contributed, and that has to be acknowledged and affirmed.

But ordinary people and the massive wave of netizens online just couldn't get past it — they were absolutely furious!

"The biggest spender among directors is Lin Dao Nan — he and his wife put up ten million.

But at the same time there's another issue, and that's that Lin Dao is neither a member of the Directors' Guild nor a member of any industry association — that's quite the slap in the face for the industry.

Look, online right now they're making spreadsheets of the big-name directors, cursing them for being filthy rich yet almost all of them hiding in the back playing Grand Gripe, stingy as hell — hahahaha…"

There were a great many people on the video conference, and almost everyone was listening to Chairman Fu's quips with smiles on their faces.

"Lin Dao's intentions are good, but this point of his really does make him a bit of a loner — he'll be resented by the other directors." Yu Dong said with a smile, rubbing his chubby face, cheerfully cutting in.

"Resented? When has Lin Dao Nan ever cared about that?" Shanghai Film's Wang Dong asked with a grin.

"Alright, alright, let's get to the main business." Lada's Chairman cut in, putting a stop to the group's idle chatter.

"Then let's begin." Chairman Fu nodded, then began:

"The project's name, as you all can see, is 'The Battle at Lake Changjin' — it's a Korean War theme.

However, in terms of project planning, we've split it into two parts — meaning it'll be made as a prequel and a sequel.

And because we're currently in this special period, in order to maximize efficiency, conserve resources, and protect the health and safety of personnel, we're also planning to invite multiple directors to divide the work and collaborate, even shoot in tandem…"

"The public project launch is set for next month. The preparation period for a series of preparatory work — cast selection, crew organization, props preparation, location scouting, studio construction, and so on — is six months.

In other words, the earliest the film can officially start shooting is October in the second half of the year. The most important thing is still the selection and invitation of directors…" the director of Hu Hu Bayi's factory picked up the thread, adding.

"Anyway, Lin Dao Nan is definitely out of the question — he's publicly said he's going on a film hiatus, and he's not that interested in main-melody films anymore." Yu Dong shook his head, feeling it was a pity.

"Huayi has had a very good collaboration with Director Chen Chen Kaige — I've already invited him. The other candidates can come along slowly." Chairman Fu interjected.

"Then for Lin Nan Pictures, which leader will go invite them?" At this point, Wu Jing also asked with a smile. He was the pre-approved male lead, so naturally he'd also gotten an entry ticket into the producers' camp.

"Chairman Fu will go invite them. If Lin Nan's side agrees, we can give him a share as the main controlling party." Lada's Chairman said with a solemn expression, somewhat hopeful.

"That's Lin Dao Da for you — truly enviable. The rest of us are all co-producers, can't compare, haha."

Someone from Alibaba Pictures said self-deprecatingly, and then saw representatives from Emperor Motion Pictures, Shancheng Film Group, Inner Mongolia Film Group and others all nodding and chiming in with smiles — no one objected.

……

"A daughter?" Liu Liu Yifei said, pleasantly surprised, putting down the sunflower seeds in her hand and asking to confirm.

"She's already been born?" In the distance, Shu Chang, who was walking over carrying a plate of snacks, also exclaimed in shock.

"Mm, she was born two hours ago. I'm in the hospital room right now drinking porridge — I'm so hungry, so tired."

On the other end of the WeChat call, Tang Yan's voice, though tinged with a trace of fatigue, clearly sounded full of vigor and extremely joyful.

"Congratulations, Tang Tang, you've officially leveled up to mom."

"Thanks. And things are different from your time now anyway — the paparazzi and media can't keep tabs on me even if they wanted to. I should be able to keep the whole thing low-key and confidential, all the way home."

"Hey, don't even say it — we really can keep it completely confidential!" Watching Shu Chang thought of the situation over in Magic Capital, where loiterers weren't even allowed on the streets.

"But our family isn't bad either — people outside still don't know to this day that my two kids are dragon-phoenix twins, hehe." Liu Liu Yifei couldn't help herself either, showing off just a little.

"Even though I've delivered now, I'm not exactly relaxed. For the next month, it's not just a simple matter of sitting the month."

"What, is Luo Jin gonna make you do housework at home?" Watching Shu Chang teased with a grin.

"Not that either. The script for *Blossoms Shanghai* was sent over, and I need to rest at home while seriously reading the script.

Shanghai Film has also officially notified us — they'll publicly announce the finalized cast list next month, and around mid-year or maybe a little later, pick a suitable time to start shooting…"

Liu Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang were enjoying the warmth indoors in the living room, chatting casually with Tang Yan; meanwhile, Lin Nan was in the study, staring at Yue Jun's quote, lost in thought.

Yue Jun had really just taken the exact price figure from *Lost in Russia* and used it directly, and that was the bottom-line price; in the actual back-and-forth of negotiations, he'd only ask for more.

"Lin Dao, if it really ends up with a guaranteed distribution, then it has nothing to do with Enlight anymore — they won't get the distribution business.

Because the industry capital that's willing and eager to buy out a film on a guaranteed basis is almost always a giant that has both distribution and theater-chain businesses!" Yue Jun proactively reminded Lin Nan.

"I know, and Enlight doesn't have the strength or the guts to make a move on *The Assassin*. Wang Dong will at most just nag me about it here — no need to pay him any attention." Lin Nan smiled.

But with Yue Jun's reminder, names of industry giants flashed through his mind unbidden… especially the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance — that is, the Jiangsu-Zhejiang film circle — which had just officially announced half a month ago that it would henceforth always "boycott" Xu Zheng and Huanxi.

After a few seconds of silence, Lin Nan spoke the thought in his mind directly: "Focus on the Jiangsu-Zhejiang film circle."

"Lin Dao?" Yue Jun was startled by Lin Dao's words, wondering if his own boss had some special intention.

"Nothing — they have money and they have demand, so we can cast our bait there!"

"Haha, understood."

Not long after, Lin Nan hung up the phone. The moment he looked up, a figure in the doorway immediately came into view.

"Dad, why aren't you coming in?"

"I saw you were busy, so I thought I shouldn't disturb you first." As he spoke, Watching Lao Lin walked into the study. He really liked Lin Nan's study — you could tell at a glance it was a place where a cultured person worked; the feel and the atmosphere were both excellent.

"Is there something you need?" Looking at Watching Lao Lin's expression, Lin Nan hazarded a guess.

"I said years ago that I wouldn't lend money out anymore." Watching Lao Lin's voice dropped considerably.

Hearing that, Lin Nan instantly guessed what his old man meant — and all the things he hadn't said out loud.

"Lend it if you want to lend it — it's your own money anyway."

"Back home, in the village, recently a lot of the elders have passed — all of them a full twelve years or even twenty-plus years older than me.

The younger generation calls me to report the deaths, saying the higher-ups are strict now and don't allow holding 【funerals】…

…They're all sitting at home watching their savings drain away, especially the families still supporting kids in college out of town — even harder…" Watching Lao Lin sat across from Lin Nan, muttering to himself:

"Same thing as always — these matters end with me, they don't reach you. Go put our shop on the market sometime, sell it… no need to go back anymore either. I'll just live in the capital."

A smile unconsciously appeared on Lin Nan's face — because of Watching Lao Lin's last sentence.

But in an instant he reined his expression back in; after all, the last few elders in the village who could still hold a conversation with Watching Lao Lin had passed; as a younger member of the family, Lin Nan ought to be more solemn.

"Alright, I'll find someone to handle it later."

……

The next morning, a call came into China Film, and a video conference officially began half an hour later.

"Get it sent to the bureau as soon as possible — getting the public screening permit early is better. That way, once a suitable release window comes up, we can lock in the release date immediately.

A major release window? Under the current situation, who can guarantee a major release window will definitely be peaceful? And a calm major release window will definitely be packed, crammed with films wanting to screen."

"Chairman La, no time can be guaranteed to be peaceful. Given that, why not just aim for a major release window?

Besides, this is *The Mermaid 2* — so many expectations have been pinned on it. Only a major release window gives the box office a chance to soar…

Even if there are a lot of films then, so what? The possibility of us sweeping them all isn't non-existent — it's very strong!" Wang Wang Zhonglei cut off Chairman La, insisting on the major release window.

"Director Zhou, what do you think?" Chairman La asked Zhou Zhou Xingchi with a solemn face.

The latter barely hesitated or deliberated, and went straight to Wang Wang Zhonglei's side: "Chairman La, I also think we can go for a major release window. We have plenty of time — we're not afraid to wait."

"Chairman La, then let's wait for the major release window. We've already waited so long on this project. Now that the finished film is completely done, the waiting from here on out won't be torment — it'll be gathering momentum…" The Magic Capital New Culture side also spoke up.

Seeing all three parties of one mind, Chairman La could only agree helplessly. And so, this video conference wrapped up directly at a little past 10:40 that morning.

And just a dozen or so minutes later, Chairman Fu called in a great hurry.

"Weren't you supposed to go talk to Lin Nan Pictures about a cooperation invitation this morning? Why are you calling me? Is the talk already done?" Chairman La asked, puzzled.

On the other end of the line, Chairman Fu's tone carried a thick sense of speechlessness and incomprehension:

"I couldn't reach Lin Nan, so I went straight to Yue Jun. But what I didn't expect was — after hearing the project pitch, Yue Jun actually turned me down flat?!"

……