Chapter 159: Stock Dividends, Berlin? Cannes!

"Sacrifice" was released.

Although Director Chen had stumbled badly several times before, the audience still chose to believe in him.

The first-day box office was 27 million! This data was already very good.

A large number of actors and stars expressed their positions one after another, and the praise was endless.

"If this data holds steady, a guaranteed 300 million is no problem, 400 million has a high probability, 500 million is hopeful..."

"Director Chen is worthy of being Director Chen; when a great director makes a move, it's just this strong!"

……

The results of "Just Call Me Nobody", which was released a day earlier, were also not bad, with 22 million on the first day.

But compared to Chen Kaige's side, Zhao Benshan was much more low-key.

"We don't have big ambitions; we'll be satisfied if the total box office can reach 150 million."

The evaluations from ordinary audiences online were quite interesting.

"I think 'Just Call Me Nobody' is better looking than 'Sacrifice'..."

"Director Chen has started high and ended low again; the second half of the film is like it changed directors; it's too chaotic..."

"Huang Xiaoming and Ge You acted out a sense of 'Brokeback Mountain'..."

"When will he be able to return to the level of 'Farewell My Concubine'?"

"To summarize, Chen Kaige has painstakingly filmed another bad movie!"

……

Unlike the box office increase on the second day for Zhao Benshan's side, the data for "Sacrifice" on the second day, Sunday, fell directly by 4 million.

But fortunately, in two days, the box office still stumbled and climbed to the shore of 50 million.

Lin Nan saw the news of Chen Kaige and his wife accepting media interviews.

"For this film, the audience needs to watch it a few more times to understand the deep meaning within.

I made subversive modifications and additions to the original story; the loyalty, humanity, and virtues inside..."

Sometimes, one has to admire Chen Kaige; he always firmly believes that he is right.

The praise from the stars in the circle also slowly died down...

…………

"Lin Dao, the special effects for 'Painted Skin 2' are expected to be completed in late December."

Lin Nan nodded; taking five months, the efficiency was already considered quite good.

"What about the other two?"

"'Mural' has a small volume and will be about done by the end of this month; 'The Warring States' has a large workload and won't be completed until after the New Year."

"I know."

After the Tiangong Color employee finished reporting, they left the office.

Lin Nan looked at the annual meeting invitation letter that Huayi had sent over several days ago on the table, his expression somewhat playful.

"This is the first time attending another company's annual meeting..."

But Lin Nan also really wanted to know how much stock Huayi would give him as dividends this time.

The next morning.

Liu Yifei and Lin Nan both got up very early.

One had to go record an interview program, and the other had to attend the Huayi annual meeting.

"My god! Can you change this outfit?"

Lin Nan said speechlessly.

"I don't want to change; I think it looks very good, the pink stockings."

Liu Yifei smiled and refused; she had chosen this outfit for a long time before deciding on it.

"Really not changing?"

"Resolutely not changing!"

……

With no result from the persuasion, Lin Nan could only give up. He lowered his head to eat, out of sight, out of mind.

Just like that, Liu Yifei still intentionally or unintentionally dangled in front of him, very provocative.

After nine o'clock, two cars drove out of the villa area at the same time.

…………

The annual meeting of a listed company was permeated with pomp and extravagance everywhere.

Lin Nan was an outsider; today he only cared about the shareholder dividends.

Including Zhou Xun, Huang Xiaoming, Li Bingbing, and other actors who had left Huayi, they were all here for the stock.

"I plan to sell them all in a few days."

Zhou Xun leaned against Lin Nan and whispered.

"Made up your mind? Not planning to wait for a higher price?"

Zhou Xun shook her head. "No, I was never interested in these things anyway; being able to earn so much, I still have to thank you."

"You're too polite."

Lin Nan thought about it; he couldn't be bothered to have designs on Zhou Xun's little bit of stock.

Huang Xiaoming and Li Bingbing were different from Zhou Xun; even though they had left, their relationship with Huayi was still very good.

At this moment, the two were mingling around Wang Zhonglei and the others, talking and laughing.

From time to time, actors ran over to Lin Nan to greet him, Wang Baoqiang, Zhang Hanyu...

Lin Nan saw many familiar faces.

Huayi truly had too many artists, encompassing the mainland and Hong Kong/Taiwan, even Feng Yuanzheng and others were included.

Huayi at this moment could be described as being at its peak. The lucky draw session for artists was all in cash, ranging from hundreds of thousands to thousands.

Finally, there was a large group of artists who got nothing, and Wang Zhongjun went up to distribute 1,000-yuan consolation prizes one by one.

"Lin Dao, look, are those who got small prizes or nothing at all almost all small artists?"

Zhou Xun said unobtrusively.

Lin Nan glanced at it, and it really was; the leader was a girl with a small bun face, Zhao Liying.

After the internal artist matters of Huayi were finished, the next part was the highlight of today: stock increases and dividends.

Wang Zhongjun drew a big pie for his own artists above, "In the future, the company will continue to distribute shares to everyone..."

……

One star shareholder after another was named to have their stock increased.

Li Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming, Zhang Jizhong, Feng Xiaogang...

Zhou Xun's 1 million shares became 1.15 million.

Lin Nan's 8 million became 9.2 million...

Many small artists below were looking at the front with envy; those who were distributed shares were all big names in the circle.

Quite a few people whose contracts were about to expire noticed Lin Nan...

"Perhaps, when the contract expires, I can go to Shanhai Media to try my luck?"

…………

As soon as the Huayi annual meeting ended, the news spread to the outside world.

The news of how many shares Lin Nan and others held and how much money they were currently worth was all reported at once.

"Just the stock is worth nearly 300 million?"

"Really rich..."

Ceng Jia and Yang Mi looked at each other; it was the first time they had so intuitively felt the gap, the gap in status and wealth.

"When I'm an actor, I don't know when I'll be able to have so much money; and this is just the tip of the iceberg for Lin Dao..."

Yang Mi said with emotion.

She thought of Liu Yifei again; the latter was one of the producers of "Brotherhood of Blades" and "The Fault in Our Stars".

Unknowingly, they were already in two different classes.

"Why think about so much? Let's take it slow. Let's look at this song first; it needs to be recorded in a few days."

Ceng Jia interrupted Yang Mi's thoughts; in her view, if Yang Mi thought too much, it would instead affect her mood.

"What song?"

"A song sent by the crew, preparing to let you, the female lead, sing the theme song, one version for male and female each, placed crosswise in every episode."

Yang Mi took the few pages of paper handed over by Ceng Jia.

"'Love's Offering'?"

"Yes, the lyrics are quite catchy."

Looking at the lyrics on the staff, Yang Mi nodded and read them out:

"Holding you in my hands, devoutly burning incense, cutting off a section of candlelight to light up the scriptures..."

Although she knew her singing wasn't great, Yang Mi would absolutely not let go of a theme song that had come to her.

…………

When Liu Yifei got off the car wearing pink stockings, a knee-length printed skirt, a small suit jacket, and black high heels, Lin Nan was a bit dumbfounded.

If this were on any other girl, it would definitely be unfashionably rustic, but Liu Yifei managed to wear something different.

"They all said my outfit looks good; only you have an opinion."

Not seeing him for a day, the first thing Miss Liu said upon seeing Lin Nan was actually this! Sure enough, girls have a really good memory in this regard; they hold grudges!

"I just realized now, it really looks quite good."

Lin Nan nodded and said with a serious face.

"Hmph, the way you say things you don't mean is too fake!"

Liu Yifei rolled her eyes and then burst into laughter.

"However, I choose to believe you..."

……

The box office trend of "Sacrifice" was even more miserable than "The Promise" back then.

After 27 million on the first day, it went all the way down without looking back at all.

On the third day, it dropped directly below 20 million, the fourth day 15 million, 12 million, 10 million...

No matter how Chen Kaige and the others promoted it, they couldn't stop this downward trend.

Misfortunes never come singly; "Sacrifice" was exposed for stealing box office, and videos of cinemas stealing box office were posted online.

The money spent was for "Just Call Me Nobody", but the ticket given was for "Sacrifice".

The original words of the cinema staff: It's all the same; it doesn't affect you watching the movie.

The audience didn't care who did this, whether it was true or false; they only recognized Chen Kaige, and the latter instantly fell into the center of public opinion.

Coupled with the gossip flying all over the sky about Fan Bingbing and Wang Xueqi, the topic of this film firmly occupied the headlines.

The public relations level of Fan Bingbing's studio was truly first-class.

Lin Nan noticed the name of that promotion director, the woman behind Fan Bingbing, Yang Tianzhen!

……

"If You Are the One 2" and "Let the Bullets Fly" began their last promotion before release.

Jiang Wen's operation was quite flashy; in the last promotional trailer, it was all solid content.

A large number of filthy words, bloody, violent, and nude shots.

This made many people a bit curious: how did it pass censorship? It actually wasn't required to be rectified!

"Director Kaige's film is probably hopeless; you must arrive on time for my premiere, remember to bring Yifei along."

"Only you have this tone when asking people to show support; Director Chen at least sent me an invitation letter." Lin Nan teased.

"Who are we to each other? No need to be so polite; it's settled then.

It's just a pity Zhang Yi doesn't have time; otherwise, should I let him ask for leave from the 'Pacific Rim' crew to come back?"

Jiang Wen's thinking was quite beautiful!

Just after hanging up the phone, Tang Ren's side also called in.

Lin Nan guessed what it was about in an instant.

"Hello, President Cai?"

"Lin Dao, our 'Scarlet Heart' is preparing to start shooting in the next two days; you can send a producer from your side..."

"Alright, I will have someone arrange it."

"I don't know if Lin Dao has time this time, like last time for 'Chinese Paladin 3', to come and visit the crew?"

Cai Yinong asked expectantly. If Lin Nan could come, the promotion of this TV series would be twice the result with half the effort.

"Not this time; the post-production of my film here will take a long time, and there are many things afterward. I will have Yue Jun represent the company and me to visit the crew."

Lin Nan refused very decisively; last time visiting the "Chinese Paladin 3" crew, there were at least acquaintances like Hu Ge. This time, he had no intention of getting to know the actors.

Hearing Lin Nan be so decisive, Cai Yinong didn't force it, but still felt it was a pity in her heart.

Reports of film and television news soon came out.

So far, in the TV circle, Tang Ren's reputation was still very good.

"'Scarlet Heart', a Qing dynasty time-travel drama jointly produced by Tang Ren Film and Lin Nan Film, will start shooting in Hengdian in the near future."

"Starring: Liu Shishi, Wu Qilong..."

The media was like a cat that smelled fishy.

"Scarlet Heart" and "Palace", wasn't this material for a head-on confrontation?

For a time, all kinds of news drafts came out, including the past grievances between Yang Mi and Tang Ren...

……

After the stock was lifted, Huayi appeared for the first time with a large order transaction.

Zhou Xun sold all her shares at once and cashed out.

Immediately after, Huang Xiaoming sold 2 million shares...

When accepting an interview, Zhou Xun spoke bluntly, saying she didn't have much concept of stocks and just wanted to sell them so she wouldn't have to worry about them.

Huang Xiaoming was also very direct, saying he wanted to open a studio, sign artists, and do film and television investment, needing funds for turnover.

He added that even if he sold part of the stock, it wouldn't affect his relationship with Huayi. His emotional intelligence was online anytime, anywhere!

……

"Lin Nan, does your company really have no plans to go public in the future?"

After a long time, Han Sanping called again to ask about this matter.

Bona had successfully listed on NASDAQ; this was the first film and television company in the country to be listed in the United States. The news spread back and stimulated the entire film and television circle.

Everyone looked at a group of peers and finally locked onto Lin Nan Film.

Looking at all the production companies, the most outstanding performance wasn't Bona, but Lin Nan Film; no one in the industry questioned this point.

The box office of the 4 films this year added together was truly frightening!

"This call of yours is already the fifth one I've received today," Lin Nan teased.

"Just tell me, do you have this idea or not? If you do, say the word; the higher-ups are very supportive of private film companies going public!"

"No. I make the decisions for my own company, why would I want to bring others in?

I'm not short on that bit of money, and things are quite good right now."

Lin Nan answered very decisively. It was impossible for him to let Lin Nan Film go down the path of going public.

"Alright, I understand.

Only you would have such nerve; look at the other companies, which one isn't eagerly rushing to go public?"

After hearing Lin Nan's clear stance, Han Sanping didn't say much more.

Over the course of two days, not just the film industry, but even the financial sector knew that Lin Nan Film was a character that couldn't be swayed.

When other companies heard the words "going public," which one didn't offer a warm welcome? Only here at Lin Nan's was it different.

……

Tiangong Color.

Liu Yifei sat in a separate seat, watching the complete, uncut version of "The Fault in Our Stars," occasionally moved by herself, wiping away a couple of tears.

"This version is very good; I can take it back and watch it with Mom, or call Changchang to watch together."

"Berlin has invited me to bring this film over; what do you think?"

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Liu Yifei sat up instantly, "Really?"

It was clear that the girl was very excited.

Lin Nan nodded, "Mm, really."

The situation he had anticipated didn't happen; Liu Yifei didn't urge him to agree, but instead sat back down after the excitement passed.

Liu Yifei pondered for a few seconds, then looked up at Lin Nan and asked very seriously:

"I've heard that the films the Berlin Film Festival favors are never these kinds of art-house films, but rather realistic subjects, right?"

"Yes, you're not wrong," Lin Nan nodded, giving a definitive answer.

"Then let's not go to Berlin; shall we try Cannes instead?"

Liu Yifei looked at Lin Nan with a pair of dark, black eyes, carrying a trace of anticipation.

"That is the most competitive place among the three major film festivals.

However, we can try; let's just treat it as a vacation..."

Lin Nan looked at Liu Yifei and said softly.

"Okay."

Miss Liu's spirits instantly lifted, and she shouted happily, a brilliant smile blooming on her face...

Still one chapter today.

It feels even more severe than yesterday, but I think it should be passing soon.

Once I'm a bit better in these two days, I'll resume...