Chapter 143

Time reached the 5th.

*Aftershock* took only half a month to push the domestic film box office record to 550 million.

By this time, its screen allocation finally returned to normal.

*Brotherhood of Blades* worked hard to maintain the rare good results of a Wu Xia film, with a daily box office of around 12 million, and the word-of-mouth response was also quite good.

Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, and Lu Yang were all very satisfied with this result.

Especially the latter two.

Liu Yifei's reputation as a producer was thoroughly established.

Lu Yang would also inevitably become a 100-million-club director.

Sometimes one has to admit that the potential of romance films is ultimately not as good as other films.

Three days after the release of *My Belle Boss*, the daily box office began to drop twice, and now it hovered around 2 million.

"Without the support of big-name stars, perhaps this is the result it should have had..."

"Even so, reaching the expected goal of 50 million should still be possible."

……

Lin Nan flipped through the film information.

*My Belle Boss* was indeed a bit of a pity.

This film was originally meant for Jing Tian to practice with. If the cast had been bigger, the results would definitely have been better.

"Hong Kong Cinema is Dead," the four-character headline hung on the news page, very conspicuous.

*The Stool Pigeon*, with an investment of 150 million, had a domestic opening day box office of less than 5 million.

*Future X-Cops*, with a production cost of 100 million, had 7 million on its first day.

……

So far, except for *Ip Man 2* in the first half of the year, almost all other released Hong Kong films had been wiped out.

Lin Nan could imagine Yang Shoucheng's mood right now.

The money earned from the two *Ip Man* films had been returned cleanly and neatly.

Hong Kong films invested in by companies like China Film, Enlight, Huayi, and Orange Sky also mostly ended in serious losses.

"No wonder he called several times in the last two days; so that's the reason?!"

Lin Nan realized belatedly.

No wonder Yang Shoucheng had been contacting him so often lately, asking about cooperation.

……

Huayi announced some good news to the outside world.

*Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame*, fully produced by them and directed by Tsui Hark, was shortlisted for the main competition section of Venice.

This was also the only Chinese-language film shortlisted for Venice this year.

"Last year's Golden Lion winner was Director Lin Nan; I hope this year it will still be a director from our country. Director Tsui Hark!"

Nosy media were already reporting it. If Tsui Hark won the Golden Lion, the September release schedule would be interesting.

The head-on collision between the two commercial films *Detective Dee* and *The Thieves* would definitely be very watchable, and the topic level would be absolutely maxed out.

Many people on Weibo asked Lin Nan for his opinion on this matter.

Although they were competitors, at this time, there could only be one answer: Wish Director Tsui success in winning gold in Venice!

On the other side, Ning Hao's *No Man's Land* officially started filming at the Shanghai Film Studio.

There were many media on site, but only half cared about *No Man's Land*, and the other half asked entirely about *No Man's Land*.

"Director Ning, has *No Man's Land* really been sentenced to death?"

"When exactly can it be released?"

"Is the reason for not passing censorship because all the main characters are bad guys?"

……

This time Ning Hao was much more decisive.

"It's pretty much what everyone guessed; it's impossible to pass censorship.

However, I will re-shoot the ending of *No Man's Land* after *No Man's Land* wraps up..."

Now, even if he had thoroughly laid his cards on the table to the circle.

A group of filmmakers used this matter to start talking about the censorship system again, among whom there were many who were fishing in troubled waters...

*Lucy* was an imported film, so Lin Nan hadn't thought about holding a celebration banquet or anything.

However, Han Sanping was very enthusiastic; he invited Lin Nan and Liu Yifei to a meal.

As the distributor, China Film made a fortune this time.

There were only three people at the table.

"This time Yifei's *Lucy* can be considered a success in one battle; what are the plans for future development?"

Liu Yifei, hearing Han Sanping name her, looked at Lin Nan and smiled: "I listen to him."

"Is Han Dong talking about Hollywood?"

"Mm."

Lin Nan had thought about this question a long time ago.

"Let's not delay either side. If she wants to rest, she rests; if she wants to film, she films, and she is also a producer now."

Han Sanping nodded; with Lin Nan around, Liu Yifei indeed had this condition.

"Chatted with you a while ago about the next project. How is it now?"

Sure enough, when Han Sanping treats, the meal isn't that easy to eat.

Previously, Lin Nan had planned to make a lighter film to shoot, such as a romance or art film.

He knew that Han Sanping definitely wasn't talking about these; the latter was fond of big-budget commercial films.

Especially because of *Lucy* this time, many people knew about the relationship between Lin Nan and Crystal Pictures.

They started to covet it.

Hitching a ride to sea, investing in Hollywood films, co-productions, inserting people...

"Still considering."

Lin Nan didn't give a definite answer.

Liu Yifei didn't get involved in the conversation between the two, eating small bites of food on the side.

"How about making a co-production? You don't even need to direct it, just keep an eye on it..."

Han Sanping suggested.

This was indeed a good way to cooperate, and it was currently supported and encouraged by policy.

When Crystal Pictures was founded, it was mainly to borrow a chicken to lay eggs, but it didn't hinder making money from co-productions!

Lin Nan thought for a while, "Let me think about it seriously in the next few days."

"Good, I'll wait for your good news."

Han Sanping wanted exactly this answer.

…………

There was quite a lot of gossip in the circle.

First, Guo Degang's villa occupied public green space, and a reporter from Beijing TV went to interview him and was beaten.

Then Deyun Society and Beijing TV sprayed each other, not admitting it.

The crosstalk segments were full of mockery; neighbors were poor people, reporters were "prostitutes," and Beijing TV, which made him famous, was a "filthy unit"...

He thought there was no evidence, so he wasn't afraid at all.

Who knew that others would throw out the complete recording, and he was instantly slapped in the face.

Now he could only hold his nose and hold a press conference, bow his head to admit his mistake, apologize, and soften up...

In just a few days, his attitude made a 180-degree turn.

Guo Degang, who used to have an honest image, suddenly smashed his signboard; this wave would probably take a long, long time to recover!

……

After *Aftershock* reached 550 million, the market finally seemed normal.

But the audience seemed to be overdrawn; the box office lost by *Aftershock* was not made up by other films.

"How much is *Brotherhood of Blades* now?"

"It has picked up a bit in the last two days; after seven days of release, the box office is 84.4 million."

Yue Jun reported a number.

For a film's revenue, the first half of the month accounts for the bulk.

Lin Nan estimated that *Brotherhood of Blades*' final box office should land around 200 million, either lower or just over the line.

"Very good, you go contact Enlight, add two more promotions, and notify Lu Yang by the way."

Lin Nan instructed. Now everyone in the circle was saying that his decision to sign Guo Fan and Lu Yang was very prescient.

……

The scenes of *The Founding of a Republic* last year were still vivid in his mind.

In the last two days, *Beginning of the Great Revival* started filming again.

However, this time Han Sanping only hung his name, and the actual work was done by Director Huang Jianxin.

Compared to the previous work, the cast of this one was far inferior.

But what surprised Lin Nan was that Lu Chuan had actually mixed into the directing team; it was truly speechless.

"Lin, are you really going to start this project?"

After Tang Mu received the email, he called specifically to confirm.

The script had been done for a long time, but it had been shelved; he didn't expect Lin Nan to actually want to do this project now.

"What's wrong, do you have any suggestions?"

"I don't have any suggestions, it's just that our company definitely can't do it alone, and are you sure you won't handle it yourself?"

Lin Nan hadn't thought about directing such a popcorn-style co-production.

"I won't be the director of this film.

You go communicate with Lionsgate and Warner Bros.; if possible, I want to make it a co-production."

Tang Mu understood what a co-production meant.

This meant that once the film was completed, it could definitely enter the Chinese market.

"Okay, Lin. I believe they won't refuse such a big cake."

"Mm, get it done as soon as possible, and notify me as soon as there is news."

……

Lin Nan had considered several film projects, and finally chose this one.

Because he accidentally saw the stills of *Transformers 3* online...

In terms of time, it was only early August, and he didn't expect the smoke of September to have already begun to spread.

New Pictures first released a 2-minute 36-second trailer for *Under the Hawthorn Tree*.

Don't say it, the response was quite good.

"Right! Girls of that era looked like that, malnourished..."

"The eyes look quite clear!"

"Why does it look a bit silly?"

……

Liu Yifei also paid attention to the trailer for *Under the Hawthorn Tree*.

After all, she had wanted to play this female lead at the beginning.

"Look, even if you put on makeup, wear coarse cloth jackets from the countryside, and put some gray on your face, you wouldn't look as 'inconspicuous' as her..."

Lin Nan joked, and was given a white-eyed look.

"How can you talk like that? Then what do I look like?"

An image instantly popped into Lin Nan's mind, little widow...

Thinking of something bad, Lin Nan instantly shook his head.

"Anyway, the temperament doesn't match; even if you had gone to audition at the beginning, Director Zhang would have most likely rejected you."

"Hmph..."

Although she knew in her heart that this was the truth, Miss Liu was still a bit unconvinced.

"No, I have to let them help me find a script for an art film, or..."

As she spoke, Liu Yifei looked at Lin Nan, her eyes a bit angry.

……

Ten days after *Brotherhood of Blades* was released, it successfully broke 100 million in box office, and the daily box office also dropped to 6 million.

Speaking of which, this was only the second film Lu Yang had directed.

"Director Lu Yang successfully promoted to the 100-million-box-office director club."

"Liu Yifei serves as producer for the first time, film box office over 100 million..."

……

Besides Lu Yang, the happiest person was Yang Mi.

"Jiajia, it really hit 100 million!"

"Congratulations, Mimi. From now on, you are a 100-million-film female lead, haha..."

In Zeng Jia's view, the higher Yang Mi's achievements, the greater the benefit for her as an agent; the two were complementary.

People who add flowers to the brocade are always more numerous than those who send charcoal in the snow.

Whether they were nodding acquaintances or had a good relationship, many stars and artists congratulated Lu Yang on Weibo one after another, and praised *Brotherhood of Blades*.

No one can refuse honor!

Even Feng Xiaogang, who usually said he didn't care about the Oscars, changed his face the moment he learned that *Aftershock* had defeated *Under the Hawthorn Tree* and obtained the "Oscar run" quota.

"Since the superiors have given me this opportunity, I will definitely grasp it well, prepare seriously, and see you at the Oscars then..."

……

Once these words came out, one can imagine how much mockery there would be online.

"I remember when *Curse of the Golden Flower* was running for the Oscars, Director Feng said: He disdains the Oscars! It's a scam..."

"Which time isn't Director Feng like this? He's very shrewd!"

……

Lin Nan couldn't help but laugh when he saw these comments.

Unlike the complaints online, almost everyone in the circle was sending blessings, except for Zhang Weiping.

"It's hypocritical to the extreme; it's a choice of one out of two, why is it *Aftershock*?

Because of the suffering it sells? Or because of that watered-down box office?"

If Feng Xiaogang is a small steel cannon, then Zhang Weiping is Zhang the Big Cannon.

When it comes to spraying people, there is nothing Zhang Weiping dares not say.

This was no longer spraying Huayi and Feng Xiaogang; even the recommending unit for Best Foreign Language Film, the General Administration, was also among those being sprayed...

For a time, the actors and artists in the circle instantly hid far away; the two major director camps opened fire, fearing being caught in the crossfire.

To be honest, Lin Nan couldn't quite understand whether Zhang Weiping was smart or stupid, head-on steeling the General Administration?

I don't know if Zhang Yimou came out to express his position, or if someone else spoke? Zhang the Big Cannon, who was aggressive in the morning, stopped his drums and flags in the afternoon.

Lin Nan watched half the excitement, and it ended inexplicably like this...

…………

Tang Mu's efficiency was quite high.

"Lin, maybe you need to come over."

"Why, is there a problem?" Lin Nan asked.

"Such a big project, and it's a co-production, they want to talk to you in person..."

On this point, Lin Nan could understand.

"Meaning, they agreed?"

"You could say that. According to your wishes, I have already talked to them about it. However, co-productions are relatively troublesome after all, and there are many places that need communication.

They feel it's safer to talk to you face-to-face again..."

Hearing this, Lin Nan understood what it meant.

Co-production procedures are complicated, and they need to be reported and approved in the country. When Huayi did *The Forbidden Kingdom*, just the filing took a long time.

"Alright then. You tell them I'll bring people over in two days."

"Mm, I will notify them, Lin."

……

Lionsgate and Warner Bros. being able to invite Lin Nan to go over in person shows that the cooperation for this film will basically not go wrong.

At that time, it will only be necessary to finalize the investors on both sides.

"Films can't be finished, and in the future, it's highly likely that this will be done often."

Lin Nan was very clear about this situation; one person's energy is limited, and the upper limit of the two companies is also there; any more, and he really can't handle it...

……

Lin Nan took out his phone and made a call.

"Han Dong..."

Han Sanping didn't expect Lin Nan's efficiency to be so high; it was something mentioned just two days ago, and there was a result today!

"Good, listen to you. If you want people, I'll give you people, and I'll handle the procedures myself; it will definitely be faster than Huayi's time...

But the project, are you sure?"

"Sci-fi blockbuster. As long as the special effects can keep up, it's definitely a good project!"

"Good!"

To be honest, I was coerced by some readers, which is not a very good omen.

Today I changed part of the outline, forcibly changed it, so it took a lot of time.

I originally wanted to ask for leave, but I was embarrassed, but there really wasn't enough time, so I can only write 4,000 words.