Chapter 1154: Director Chen

……

Over the course of a single day, the official announcement of *Mulan* withdrawing from its release slot had become a major event in the film industry.

The sensation it caused within the industry far surpassed the clamor it triggered online, effectively drowning out the noise on the internet.

However, having said that, although the entire cinema exhibition industry felt incredibly aggrieved and found it hard to accept, the production industry and the circle of directors felt a subtle sense of relief.

So, Lin Dao wasn't as invincible and flawless as they thought; he had moments of fear, and moments where he chose to run away.

This phenomenon was actually quite good. After all, if he had been stubborn enough to release a blockbuster at a time like this and still managed to secure a high box office, wouldn't that just make all his peers look like useless trash?

"Choosing to withdraw is indeed the most rational decision. If it were me, I would have done the same."

Director Chen spoke in a tone of deep approval, flipping through the script for *The Battle at Lake Changjin* while commenting on Lin Nan and *Mulan*.

"This time, not only did we fail to secure the status of a production company, but we couldn't even arrange for Feiyu to join the cast..."

Chen Hong was in no mood to care about whether *Mulan* withdrew or not; she only cared about the *The Battle at Lake Changjin* mainstream film series right in front of them.

Faced with this question, Chen Kaige was silent for a rare moment before explaining helplessly: "After all, from the initiation of this project to its confirmation, I was only one of the directors invited by Chairman Fu;

If they gave us a share, wouldn't they have to give shares to the other invited directors as well? 17 production companies are already enough; they wouldn't agree to it.

Furthermore, for this project, there simply isn't a role in the script suitable for Feiyu, and my authority is limited to casting and filming..."

Although Director Chen's last sentence was spoken very subtly, Chen Hong understood the subtext instantly: their great director had no power to touch the script and couldn't change it.

"I just think it's a real pity that such a good project can't feature him in a starring role. You are the director, after all..."

" *My People, My Country* was very successful, so Huanxi directly 'plagiarized' it, even using more than half of the original cast and crew for the director lineup and lead actors.

We can see how *The Battle at Lake Changjin* performs at the box office this time. If it's also a huge success, then I have a similar idea, though I won't do anything as underhanded as stealing.

If the market continues to follow the trend of mainstream films and achieves dazzling box office results, I will go directly to China Film Group, the August First Film Studio, and Chairman Fu to propose my project idea: we can absolutely dig deeper into the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea!

The reason we can dig deeper into this subject is not just because it's mainstream, but because the current atmosphere between the two sides is tense and very fitting... plus, with this special period that no one knows how long will last, it will definitely stimulate the patriotic sentiments of the audience to the extreme...

I have absolute confidence that when the time comes, whether it's the production company quota, creative control, or bringing Feiyu along to star, none of these will be a problem.

We must acknowledge that the mainstream commercial film track is undoubtedly the broadest and most limitless track for domestic films since the marketization began."

Director Chen was speaking incessantly with great excitement; at this moment, he seemed to have become more than ten years younger.

Because after *My People, My Country*, he had become even more determined in his previous idea of transitioning to mainstream films; this track could truly give his film career a second spring!

Meanwhile, Chen Hong, who was listening to her director's words, had a look of obvious anticipation on her face and nodded:

"There's absolutely no problem. After all, no matter how you look at it, the mainstream trend is a long-lasting track, and it's currently on an upward trajectory...

Think about how many years have passed since Lin Dao's *The Taking of Tiger Mountain*? It's already been 6 years.

6 years have passed and it's still on an upward trajectory; this track looks like it can stay hot for another ten years or more, far exceeding what Chairman Fu said at the celebration banquet last year about '8 or 10 years being very possible'."

Chen Kaige was very satisfied with Chen Hong's agreement, a smile lingering on his face. Just then, the two were interrupted by the home telephone ringing.

Glancing at the caller, Director Chen answered, "Chairman Fu?"

"Director Chen, we need to have a video conference at two o'clock this afternoon. The invitations for the other two directors of *The Battle at Lake Changjin* have been finalized, Director Tsui Hark... and the time for the film's public project registration..."

……

Time had already entered March. Lin Nan felt it was passing a bit too quickly; had he really been holed up at home for two full months?

"Lin Dao, this is the box office guarantee distribution agreement signed earlier." Yue Jun walked in wearing a mask and placed a document on the desk.

"Are they spraying alcohol outside again? The smell is quite strong." Lin Nan asked while looking over the contract terms.

"Yes, it's the second time today." Yue Jun nodded in response.

The company planned to carry out disinfection four times a day: once at 6:00 AM, once at 10:00 AM, once at 2:00 PM, and once at 5:00 PM when leaving work.

Of course, because it was a special period, the time to leave work in the afternoon was moved up to 5:00 PM; previously, they didn't leave until 6:00 PM, and Tiangong Color was even more accustomed to working overtime.

"It's like drinking *baijiu* with a lot of people; the smell is really pungent." Lin Nan smiled. He didn't particularly like *baijiu*, but for the past two months, he had been smelling that scent every day.

"Then you'll probably have to endure it for a long, long time, because no one knows when the situation outside will end.

By the way, for the alcohol and the medical protective supplies distributed to employees, the finance department handed me the list this morning. Starting this month, monthly expenses will increase by over 100,000."

"Just let it be, it's not much." Lin Nan stared at the guarantee figure on the contract and replied to Yue Jun without looking up, "700 million, this price is truly not low!"

"Even so, afterwards I felt I wasn't ruthless enough; I was intimidated by them at the time." Yue Jun couldn't help but chuckle, and his tone was faintly tinged with pride.

"Has it been received?" Lin Nan asked tentatively.

"Yes, it just arrived half an hour ago."

Well, Lin Dao's face immediately broke into a smile that said "as expected." Sure enough, the 400 million in profit had arrived; no wonder Yue Jun was feeling a bit smug.

"Don't neglect the after-sales work. Coordinate well with their promotion after the official announcement."

"That goes without saying."

Near noon, Lin Nan decisively ended his office hours for the day.

He had come to the company today just to show his face and stabilize morale; after returning home, he would continue to stay in, never going out unless it was something major, and trying to resolve things via phone or video conference whenever possible.

……

It cannot be denied that this year's art school entrance exams were definitely the most efficient in many years.

Just like that, on the morning of the second day of March, Beijing Film Academy, the Central Academy of Drama, and the Communication University of China posted the final lists of students who passed their respective majors on their official websites.

Undoubtedly, the most eye-catching list was that of the performance major.

Because if there were no surprises, counting from the top of the list downwards until the enrollment quota was reached, these people were basically the final admitted students.

Unless a situation occurred where one person was admitted by several institutions simultaneously, it was impossible for students who failed to make the cut to move up a spot...

Of course, if an institution were shameless enough to kick people out on the grounds of failing a physical examination, then there was truly nothing to be done.

Speaking of the physical examination maneuver, the Beijing Film Academy's School of Performing Arts must be named here; they originally kicked out "Mo Xiaobei," who had passed all the way through, on the grounds of failing the physical exam;

Immediately after, they were slapped in the face by the Shanghai Theatre Academy, which held its exams a few days later, because at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, "Mo Xiaobei's" physical exam was completely qualified, and they accepted this young actor.

"The two most popular post-00s young actresses, the Central Academy of Drama and Beijing Film Academy really each took one?!"

"What? Zhao Jinmai said that when she was filming *The Wandering Earth*, everyone in the crew suggested she apply to the Central Academy of Drama... including Lin Dao?"

"A professor at Beijing Film Academy recommending an excellent underage student to take the Central Academy of Drama exam shows great professional ethics; it's completely fine, where is the problem?"

"PS: Lin Dao at this moment: I didn't, did I say that? Zhao Jinmai, don't talk nonsense!"

"If Lin Dao Nan really suggested Zhao Jinmai apply to the Central Academy of Drama, then he definitely suggested it to Zhang Zifeng as well... because he couldn't possibly favor one over the other for two young girls of the same age who both acted in his films..."

"You guys should just let Lin Dao go. The more you discuss it, the higher the heat gets... How do you expect Lin Dao to explain this to the leaders of the Film Academy? Hahaha..."

"Is there really no one interested in the news from the Berlin International Film Festival? The awards ceremony was just held there early this morning."

"What's there to pay attention to with a result of coming up empty-handed?"

……

Shunyi, inside the manor villa.

Lin Nan looked at the buzzing phone on the table, his expression truly speechless.

"Why aren't you answering?" Liu Yifei nibbled on an apple, teasing him with a giggle.

"Sigh, next time I see Zhao Jinmai, I'm definitely going to knock her!"

After a sigh of frustration, Lin Nan finally answered the phone. But before he could react, the other side spoke first:

"I told you last time to be careful; don't publicly proclaim such things. Didn't you warn that Zhao Jinmai?

Now look, it's made the headlines, and the Central Academy of Drama has directly pinned that interview to the top of their official website and Weibo..." Old Jiang was bitter, scolding Lin Nan in a tone of deep grievance.

"Well, Teacher Jiang, why don't you go tell the school that Lin Nan wants to resign and quit." Liu Yifei decisively laughed, directly cutting off Director Jiang's spittle.

"Yeah, this professor position at Beijing Film Academy is really not easy to hold; they want to control my speech at every turn.

I've truly had enough; do they really think I'm someone who can only eat from the school's bowl?" Lin Nan said "solemnly," further solidifying the power of Liu's previous remark.

"Fine, just pretend I was talking nonsense. But the two of you really have a lot of firepower; I'll definitely pass it on to them later. I believe there are plenty of brother institutions waiting for you to hand in your resignation letter, haha..." Old Jiang changed his face quickly, already gloating again.

"Alright, enough nonsense, let's get to the point. You calling me can't possibly be just because of this small, trivial matter."

Sure enough, Old Jiang instantly became solemn, "I received a piece of gossip: Director Tian's *Bird Song* has been implicitly banned."

Hearing this, Liu Yifei's apple-chewing slowed down, and she looked at Lin Nan with astonishment.

"He doesn't know yet, right?" Lin Nan had anticipated this result long ago, so he didn't have much of a reaction and asked Old Jiang directly.

"I haven't dared to tell him yet. Since that group of people at school is bothering me, I thought I'd reveal it to you first to see if you have any suggestions?"

"My suggestion is to play dumb; just act like you don't know. I warned him repeatedly back on the *Mulan* set, but the old man is stubborn as a mule; what can we do?"

"Are you sure you want me to pretend I don't know?"

"If I may say something disrespectful to a teacher, he's almost seventy years old; he's a thousand-year-old fox... once there's a problem with the film, he'll gradually notice the anomaly himself."

Lin Nan couldn't help but crack a joke, and before long, he dismissed Old Jiang.

However, after hanging up, he couldn't help but sigh; after all, the film had been banned.

"She should be home by now, right?" Looking up, Lin Nan asked Liu Yifei.

"Yeah, she just called; she's home." Liu nodded.

Shu Chang was about to start working; there were many announcements she couldn't turn down. Similarly, Liu Yifei was the same; after all, she had so many major brand endorsements that she couldn't stay home forever.

……

On the 3rd, the script for the 100th-anniversary tribute film *1921* was submitted for review with great fanfare.

Shanghai Film Group even issued a special casting announcement; this film would begin open casting on April 1st, and interested actors could sign up for auditions within the month.

At the same time, *My Homeland and My People* was officially announced to have received its filming permit, meaning the script had passed review;

Of course, the most eye-catching part was the announced cast list... it was worthy of being a sequel, with a high degree of similarity to the cast of *My People, My Country*, and equally exceptionally luxurious.

Over the two days of the 3rd and 4th, the focus of the industry was almost entirely on the two films *1921* and *My Homeland and My People*, with the industry appearing to be doing its utmost to recover.

And by the morning of the 5th, *Assassin in Red* added even more fuel to this sign of recovery, grabbing the attention of the entire Chinese film circle... topping the headlines of the film and entertainment section.

Simply because in such difficult times, a truly large-scale production had finally officially entered the fray. Of course, it also left countless production companies in the industry stunned, especially Huanxi...

"At nine o'clock in the morning, the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance solemnly issued a theatrical film project announcement to the outside world:

Represented by Hengdian Film, the Zhejiang film industry has signed a box office guarantee distribution agreement with Lin Nan Film for the period fantasy special effects blockbuster *Assassin in Red*;

Both parties will use '700 million cash guarantee + normal revenue sharing for total box office exceeding 2.6 billion yuan' as the sole execution criterion for the guaranteed distribution of the film *Assassin in Red*;

If the final total box office of *Assassin in Red* exceeds 2.6 billion yuan, Lin Nan Film will enjoy the normal revenue share of the excess portion;

Conversely, the cooperation agreement between the two parties will terminate at the 700 million guarantee cash, and Lin Nan Film shall not claim any further box office rights..."

"Lin Nan Film's official website and official Weibo forwarded the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance announcement, confirming the fact of the box office guarantee distribution for *Assassin in Red*."

"Director Lu Yang updated his Weibo to explain the specific release plan for *Assassin in Red*:

Lin Nan Film will fully cooperate with the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance to determine the final release date and promotional work for the film, but there is currently no release schedule; subsequently, both parties will determine the release date at any time based on specific external circumstances..."

"Many senior industry practitioners stated: This box office guarantee distribution cooperation between the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance and Lin Nan Film will inevitably remind the entire Chinese film industry of the falling out between the former and Huanxi Film regarding *Lost in Russia* 40 days ago...

There is also no doubt that Lin Nan Film will uphold its 17-year industry reputation and perfectly fulfill this guarantee distribution agreement; this is also the first time since its establishment 17 years ago that it has reached such cooperation with a company in the industry to distribute its own films..."

"Including Wanda, Dadi Cinema, and Pacific Cinema, heads of multiple cinema chains spoke bluntly: In this special period, the cooperation between Lin Nan Film and the Hengdian Film Industry Alliance will set a benchmark for integrity in the industry..."

……

Huanxi, the office was silent, because the focus of public opinion outside and within the industry had gathered here once again.

And in Dong Ping's view, this was purely an unprovoked disaster.

"This cooperation by Lin Nan Film can be said to have directly nailed us to the wall.

From today on, as long as *Assassin in Red* is not released, or even as long as this film is not taken off the screen and not forgotten... then we and *Lost in Russia* will always be at the forefront of public opinion, being criticized by the industry; this matter will never pass!"

"This cannot be blamed on Lin Nan Film at all. The Zhejiang film circle offered a 700 million guarantee; Lin Nan doesn't have a grudge against money.

Of course, he wouldn't be like the two of you, smashing his own brand for a few tens of millions more in revenue... causing me to have no confidence now, and I don't know if I'll be implicated by you two...

I can't compare with Director Zhang; his nearly 40-year career record makes him a representative figure in the Chinese film circle, and he has made a name for himself at the top... The Zhejiang film circle definitely wouldn't dare to look for trouble with him, but I don't have such thick backing!" Ning Hao rolled his eyes, directly slapping Dong Ping and Xu Zheng in the face.

Originally, Dong Ping and Xu Zheng wanted to refute a few words, but after hearing Ning Hao's concerns, both of them immediately fell silent. After all, the Zhejiang film circle had indeed said they would target Huanxi, and Ning Hao was a founding shareholder of Huanxi.

"Alright, alright, let's continue talking about *My Homeland and My People*." Dong Ping took the initiative to speak, wanting to change the subject.

"No, since we're talking about this, I want to make things clear first.

I must state one point again: according to Huanxi's founding shareholder agreement, only film projects initiated by Bad Monkey and directed by me have Huanxi's priority investment rights; other situations are excluded.

From now on, this point must be clearly distinguished; human favors and agreements will be treated separately from now on; because I don't want the projects I invest in later to be interfered with by Huanxi, eventually leading to the projects being implicated and targeted..." Ning Hao's face was stern, and his attitude was not joking at all.

At this moment, Dong Ping and Xu Zheng were completely caught off guard and unprepared, not knowing how to deal with Ning Hao in this state.

Finally, Dong Ping spoke, nodding helplessly: "Okay, I also want to try my best not to let Huanxi affect Bad Monkey.

But at the same time, I must emphasize to you that as of now, you still owe the group one film, a film directed by you alone!"

"Fine, I'll be waiting."

……