Chapter 133: Release, Dark Horse

Lin Nan was mentally prepared.

He just hadn't expected Lu Zheng's side to notify the media so quickly.

Only one day had passed, and the internet was already full of talk about the special effects.

"Starlight Brilliant has reached a cooperation intent with Lin Dao Nan."

"Some employees of Tiangong Color have already headed to the 'Warring States' crew…"

"After 'Warring States' wraps, Tiangong Color will take full responsibility for the film's post-production and special effects work…"

"Looking forward to Miss Jing Tian's 'My Beautiful Boss.'"

……

It had to be said, Lu Zheng really did have a few tricks up his sleeve when it came to publicity.

This piece of news pushed the attention on "Warring States" even higher.

Bashang Grassland.

"Now that the special effects matter is settled, just focus on playing your role well.

Once this film is released, we'll plan the next one properly."

Lu Zheng looked at Miss Jing Tian in full makeup and instructed.

"Mm, I'll act well.

Uncle Lu, my 'Beautiful Boss' is having its premiere at the end of next month…"

Lu Zheng understood what the girl before him meant.

"It's still early. When the time comes, we'll adjust the shooting schedule or give the crew a couple of days off, and we'll head back for the premiere."

…………

Feng Feng Xiaogang's firing off at the film festival really did cause Huayi no small amount of trouble.

One had to know that at this stage, the domestic film and television industry 'worshipped' Hollywood, and ordinary viewers took it as a given that Hollywood films were stronger than domestic ones.

After the stock price dropped more than three percentage points, Huayi and Feng Feng Xiaogang came up with an idea.

Announced to the outside: "If You Are the One 2" would begin preparation this month, starring Ge You, Shu Qi, plus Sun Sun Honglei, Yao Chen…

The market is realistic. Once this news came out, the stock price immediately began to turn back up…

In just a few short days, this whole affair was like a farce, giving the industry plenty to laugh at.

"Lin Dao, should 'Lost on Journey' hold a premiere ceremony?"

Regarding Yue Jun's question, Lin Nan thought for a moment, and ultimately said no.

"Forget it, no premiere ceremony. The publicity is already in place. Just hold a press screening."

The release dates of "Lucy" and "Lost on Journey" were only about half a month apart.

If two premieres were held in quick succession, it would be a bit much of a fuss.

No matter what, Lin Nan definitely had to prioritize "Lucy"—this film was very important to Liu Liu Yifei.

……

Yue Jun began to set about preparing the press screening.

The first film Lin Nan Pictures was releasing this year, was about to arrive.

Many production companies were very interested in what kind of box office "Lost on Journey," with its five-million-yuan investment, could achieve.

The "Painted Skin 2" crew was surrounded by a large number of media reporters.

Huang Huang Xiaoming, as a top-tier popular young actor, was photographed on a late-night date with Yang Ying, feeding each other—this was basically rock-solid evidence.

To avoid disrupting the film's normal production, the "Young Master" quietly acknowledged this fact to the media.

"Lin Dao, I'm so sorry for delaying the crew by a whole day…"

Huang Huang Xiaoming specifically called over to tell Lin Nan about the matter.

"Sigh, I called it, didn't I?"

Lin Nan cracked a joke.

Last time he visited the set, he had said not to affect the crew's normal work, and sure enough, it actually did.

"Haha, I promise it won't happen next time…"

……

On the 12th.

"Lost on Journey" held a press screening in the capital.

Only a small number of industry insiders were invited on-site; the majority were media.

As the producer, Lin Nan definitely had to be there; Ning Hao was also a guest.

The two of them were the biggest names at the screening.

"Tell me, when exactly are you going to shoot this 'Big Robbery' of yours?"

"Soon, soon. We'll start cameras by early August at the latest. The actors are getting into the script right now…"

Ning Hao waved his hand—clearly, Lin Nan wasn't the only one who'd asked about this.

Xu Zheng and Wang Wang Baoqiang and other main creators were on stage introducing fun stories from the shoot; the two of them actually had quite good chemistry together.

"First, I want to thank Lin Dao for giving me the chance to direct.

Although this film had a very small budget, when we shot it, we shot it like a blockbuster…"

……

After the several leads had spoken in turn, they immediately got down to the main event: the film screening segment.

To tell the truth, the story of "Lost on Journey" wasn't exactly highbrow.

It was just things that ordinary folks at the bottom could personally relate to, or things that happened around them—what it wanted was a sense of resonance.

The whole film is strung together with comedy, but there are also quite a few parts that make people feel a pang of bitterness and can't laugh.

Lin Nan believes that Xu Zheng's "Lost on Journey" is, on the whole, a top-quality commercial comedy; its only flaw is its small scale, but that's a limitation of the subject matter.

"Not bad, I think it can be compared with Director Ning's 'Stone' back then."

"Still a bit short. 'Stone' had a better, more polished script, and Director Ning back then wasn't someone a newcomer like Xu Zheng could match…"

"I think this film might become a dark horse…"

……

The media reporters began chattering away in discussion.

Regardless, everyone's view of "Lost on Journey" was positive. They're not film critics who have to find some fault.

Xu Zheng was in very good spirits at this moment, a smile on his face — clearly very happy.

The on-site media's feedback, in his view, wasn't perfunctory. He really might be able to use this film to make a name for himself on the path of directing.

That same day, after the screening ended, by afternoon the media's news pieces had already come out.

"A very sincere low-budget comedy, telling the 'awkward' tales of the Spring Festival travel rush."

"Lost on Journey — the absurd comedy on the road…"

……

"Next up is the release in a couple of days."

Lin Nan specially treated Xu Zheng and Wang Wang Baoqiang to a meal.

"I wonder what the final box office will reach."

Xu Zheng thought about this matter, feeling both anxious and expectant.

"With Lin Dao's name attached, it'll definitely be a big hit…" Wang Wang Baoqiang said with a grin.

Lin Nan watched this, smiling and shaking his head.

"Foolish Root" was no fool — he knew how to talk.

………

The Magic City Film Festival was still ongoing.

Wang Wang Xiaoshuai, as one of the jurors, had always been a softie in the past, but this time he couldn't help but open fire as well.

He stated bluntly that the country's good films basically don't come to the Magic City Film Festival to compete, even though it's the only domestic international 'A'-category film festival.

The style of worshipping everything foreign and endless hype is utterly nauseating…

This round of remarks really couldn't be argued with. Because two days earlier, Jiang Wen, Lin Nan, Chen Chen Kaige and others had indeed brought their films to exhibit, they just hadn't entered the competition…

The netizens watching the show had already begun predicting which awards would go where.

Best Film would definitely be a foreign film, and certainly one that wasn't famous even abroad — because the famous ones also looked down on coming to the Magic City International Film Festival.

Sure enough, the results of that evening's awards ceremony didn't disappoint the public, matching the netizens' predictions.

The biggest prize went to an obscure Italian art-house film.

To put gold on the festival's face, the Golden Goblet Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution was given to a famous French director — pity he didn't give them face and didn't come…

"That's a warm cheek pressed against a cold butt."

What Lin Nan least expected was that Jiang Teacher Wenli's directorial debut, that new film of hers, actually won the Best Film award in the Asian Film section!

This really was taking the joke too far.

……

"Palace: The Locked Heart Jade" ultimately released a start-of-production announcement to the outside world before "Scarlet Heart."

"We have confirmed that actress Yang Mi will play the female lead; the TV drama will begin shooting in early July…"

Tang Ren followed closely behind, unwilling to be outdone.

"The TV drama 'Scarlet Heart,' adapted from the novel of the same name, will begin filming before the end of the year."

Mischievous fans had already begun watching the show and stirring trouble.

"Yang Mi versus Liu Liu Shishi — Xue Cui Jian and Long Kui face off head-on."

"For now, Liu Liu Shishi can't be mentioned in the same breath as Yang Mi.

The latter is one of the Four Young Dan Actresses, has filmed 'Brotherhood of Blades,' and is currently shooting the film 'Painted Skin 2'…"

……

Online, the fans of both sides seemed to have already begun "exchanging" blows back and forth.

Lin Nan asked about Director Wu Wu Ershan's progress.

"In a few days, Zhu Zhu Yawen and Yang Mi's scenes can wrap. The whole film won't be finished until the end of July."

"Be strict with the two of them."

"I understand, Lin Dao."

………

On the 15th, "Lost on Journey" officially went on release.

Lin Nan looked at the screening schedule — his competitors were almost all run-of-the-mill.

The few familiar names were Xue Xue Xiaolu's "Ocean Heaven," Sun Sun Honglei's "Showdown in Shama Town," "Love in a Puff," "Shanghai"…

The rest were all realistic-themed films, art-house films, and the like.

This time "Lost on Journey" entered the arena carrying the halo of Lin Nan Pictures.

Among the bunch of films, it appeared to be the most eye-catching.

By morning, the attendance rate was unknown; by afternoon, a flood of reviews had already appeared online.

"A very funny film — Xu Zheng is sharp, Wang Wang Baoqiang is still that silly, haha…"

"That bucket of milk — did he really finish it? Badass!"

"Two men sharing a bed, and one of them sleeps naked — just thinking about it is… disgusting."

……

Lin Nan had read plenty of comments and had a good sense of it — this film was a sure thing.

At the same time, Xu Zheng was also at his computer, constantly refreshing news about "Lost on Journey," nervous and expectant.

The next morning, Lin Nan prepared as usual to go to Liu Liu Yifei's place for breakfast.

The instant his phone turned on, he saw a steady stream of messages flooding in.

Xu Zheng's call also came through.

"Hello."

"Lin Dao, I'm truly so grateful to you, really…"

It must be about the first-day box office, Lin Nan guessed.

"How much on the first day?"

"8.82 million, 8.82 million."

Xu Zheng's voice was trembling as he spoke.

As an actor who had appeared in quite a few films, he knew exactly what this first-day box office meant.

Lin Nan froze for a moment, then laughed and said: "Congratulations — a hundred-million box office isn't impossible."

"I really thank Lin Dao for giving me this chance…"

…………

The industry had already exploded.

Another low-budget hit, another dark horse.

Not one film company in the trade wasn't green with envy.

Han Han Sanping was now deeply regretful — back then he had watched Lin Nan greenlight the film, but he hadn't given it a second glance, and now… his heart ached.

"'Lost on Journey' first-day box office 8.82 million — new director Xu Zheng poised to break into the hundred-million club…"

"Following 'The Stone,' Lin Nan Pictures delivers yet another low-budget hit film!"