Chapter 186: Hollywood Movie Month, Commercial Films

"《The Fault in Our Stars》has been scheduled for August 6th, which is the Qixi Festival on the lunar calendar!"

Lin Nan had placed the film in the summer slot, which immediately put a lot of pressure on many production companies.

A good release window—everyone keeps an eye on it.

There are quite a few peers with objections.

"《Painted Skin 2》in July, 《The Fault in Our Stars》in August."

"The summer window is only two months, and he's releasing two films in it—how utterly inconsiderate…"

Many people in the industry were reminded of last year. Back then, Lin Nan Pictures had been releasing one film after another.

And every one of them had impressive box office numbers; in the end, 《Thieves》even set an outrageous record for a domestic film's box office!

But compared to last year, although the production companies behind the films sharing the slot with 《Painted Skin 2》and 《The Fault in Our Stars》this year were also under a lot of pressure, relatively speaking, they could still just barely accept it.

Because in their eyes, Lin Nan did not personally direct 《Painted Skin 2》, and 《The Fault in Our Stars》was an art-house subject—neither one's box office ceiling should be all that high, right?!

…………

In Lin Nan's office, Ning Hao was chatting and laughing merrily.

After wrapping 《The Golden Age of Thieves》, Ning Hao had not immediately started post-production; instead, he had gone to serve as a Golden Horse Award juror, and afterwards organized the crew to do some reshoots for 《No Man's Land》.

As a result, the post-production for 《The Great Heist》had been dragged on until today, only just barely completed.

"Tiangong Color's work is really not bad!"

Hearing this, Lin Nan immediately lost his good humor—this guy had gotten plenty for free; did that film even need color grading?

"When are you scheduling the release?"

"I'm planning to set it for the first half of next year, to leave plenty of prep time for promotion."

"Of course, there's another important reason. In the second half of this year, my energy is probably going to be spent entirely on the post-production of the 'new version' of 《No Man's Land》…"

This was a rather sore subject, so Lin Nan did not continue the conversation.

He had invested ten million of his own money; he couldn't really not keep tabs on it at all. Now that he knew the release plan for 《The Great Heist》, that was enough.

…………

Previously, after 《The Warring States》had flopped, Lu Zheng had given a media interview and loudly announced Starlight Splendid's film plans for the second half of the year.

The film circle had originally been skeptical, but today, Starlight Splendid had truly announced its first film to the outside world.

Lin Nan was even a little impressed with Lu Zheng—well played, that fellow really knew how to put on a show!

Starlight Splendid was the sole investor, and both the director and the production crew were South Korean.

The film: 《New Mommy Loves Me Once More》.

Just hearing the name, one could roughly guess the subject and content. Presumably, the production cost shouldn't be too high either.

In casting, Lu Zheng had also put in effort.

He had gotten the popular young actor Lu Yi to play opposite Miss Jing Tian, with the two of them as the male and female leads.

A young couple, and a child…

"The film 《New Mommy Loves Me Once More》will officially begin shooting on June 1st…"

"Lu Yi joins hands with Miss Jing Tian to perform the year's great emotional drama!"

……

No matter how nicely it was promoted, Lin Nan believed this film was ninety-nine percent going to flop.

Miss Jing Tian was still just a student about to graduate, and they wanted her to play the mother of a five-year-old child?

If she could pull that off, that would really be "impressive"…

…………

Lin Nan began to consider his next film. According to his habit, it would naturally be a commercial film.

The May film market had completely collapsed; most domestic films ended their run with box office takings of just one or two million.

Industry peers even jokingly called this month "Hollywood Movie Month."

Films for June and the second half of the year had already consciously begun their promotional activities.

Lin Nan was at home writing a script, and from time to time he would receive invitations to film press conferences.

China Film Group's 《Beginning of the Great Revival》was scheduled for release next month.

Lin Nan estimated that when this film was released, it would absolutely get the same treatment as 《The Founding of a Republic》—group ticket-buyings would be unavoidable…

The crew of 《Snow Flower and the Secret Fan》had sent out premiere invitations nearly a month in advance.

Deng Deng Wendi's status had made many actors and stars in the circle flock to her, eager to curry favor at once and use it to break into Hollywood.

"Here, an invitation."

Liu Liu Yifei came running over with a cat in her arms and an invitation in her hand.

This one had been sent to Red Star Isle; the assistant had just delivered it.

Lin Nan glanced at it—it was the premiere for 《Snow Flower and the Secret Fan》.

The invitation was even handwritten, signed with Deng Deng Wendi's name…

"If I'm not mistaken, I should have received one over there too, heh heh…"

Lin Nan smiled; this industry was just that pragmatic.

Some people found it very hard to break into a certain circle, constantly kept out in the cold; while others were always being actively invited, again and again.

"Meow…"

"Hey, naughty, don't grab my hair…"

Liu Liu Yifei was playing around with the cat in her arms.

"For a film like this, we won't go."

Lin Nan looked at the girl and the cat and said with a smile.

The movie "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" — the screenwriter is American, and there's quite a bit of personal agenda smuggled in.

It's about the friendship and hope between two women, and also "love."

Especially the "love" part — it takes up the lion's share!

Honestly, Lin Nan can hardly figure out how a film like this passed censorship in the mainland.

Liu Liu Yifei heard Lin Nan's words and nodded very casually.

"Mm, then let's not go. They were saying over there that it's a rare art-house film…"

Hearing this, Lin Nan was momentarily speechless.

This kind of special art-house film is indeed perfect for an actress like Liu Liu Yifei, who has a touch of pretentious-artsy syndrome!

Mm, better not to go!

…………

The noise outside flared up again.

These past two years, the Hong Kong circle and the mainland have frequently "opened fire" — from directors to actors, all kinds of pointed clashes.

Looking past the surface to the essence, the root cause is the decline of the Hong Kong film circle and the rise of the mainland. The former's psychological gap is too great; unable to accept it for the moment yet feeling helpless, they can only resort to snide remarks.

Nine years ago, in "Kung Fu Hustle," Fan Li Bingbing played a supporting role to Zhang Zhang Baizhi.

Now, nine years later, the Hong Kong side is still absurdly dreaming of having Fan Li Bingbing continue to play second fiddle to Zhang Zhang Baizhi — how could that possibly happen!

"Kung Fu Hustle 2" is scheduled to start filming in July.

The Hong Kong production team directly announced to the public, "Fan Li Bingbing will join 'Kung Fu Hustle 2,' playing a supporting female role…"

Less than half a day after this news broke, Fan Li Bingbing's studio directly slapped it down.

"We have not received an invitation, nor will we appear in this film. Fan Li Bingbing has her own artistic pursuits!

Since winning Best Actress at the Tokyo International Film Festival last year, she has become even more selective and strict in her choice of scripts…"

Yang Yang Tianzhen's announcement — there's a lot of subtext there!

The core meaning is: Zhang Zhang Baizhi is no longer worthy of being compared with Fan Li Bingbing!

The Hong Kong media, as if insulted, came at her with all kinds of mockery and digs.

They openly recalled how humble Fan Li Bingbing used to be, a mainland girl, completely ignoring that she is now "Sister Fan."

If we're talking about ruthless, it has to be the mainland netizens.

"At least Fan Li Bingbing has been constantly improving, growing all the way, and has won Best Actress at an international film festival!"

"Look at Ms. Zhang — just the other day she was happily taking photos with someone on a plane. Sympathies to Best Actor Xie…"

"The female party denied the photo altogether, but the other party involved then published it. Sigh, my heart goes out to the Best Actor…"

"My heart goes out to him…"

"Envy Teacher Chen!"

……

"Show some decency — if they end up divorcing, you lot will definitely share part of the blame…"

……

From the internet to the industry, things have blown up a bit again.

The Hong Kong production team hurriedly deleted the post and issued a public explanation that it was a communication mishap, but public outrage still could not be quelled.

In this round, the mainland side won a complete victory.

…………

Lin Nan was polishing the script, checking in online for gossip from time to time.

"Beginning of the Great Revival" is the next major domestic film to be released, and its promotional campaign is in full swing.

"Fan Bingbing plays the domineering Empress Dowager Longyu!"

"Liu Liu Dehua devotes himself to the nation, playing General Cai E."

"Newcomer Yang Ying, during filming still has to take on advertising and modeling work on the side — tireless, without a word of complaint…"

"Xiao Xiao Fengxian gets into character, tears flowing from genuine emotion, no tear-inducing products used…"

……

Out of the blue, media reported that this tribute film—led by China Film Group with forty units co-producing—had been blocked from approval by the Film Bureau.

This piece of news spread through the industry like a joke.

In everyone's mind, they could block anyone's film, but never a tribute film from China Film Group!

But this time, China Film Group really did fall silent, and then issued a notice.

"'Beginning of the Great Revival' will strive to pass approval and be released on the original schedule!"

Good lord—at this, the entire film industry was dumbfounded. It really had been blocked from approval?!

What on earth is the reason?

Lin Nan was also very curious. By all rights, a film like this shouldn't have any problems — how dare those guys!

And so, amid heated industry chatter, another two days passed.

China Film Group issued a new announcement to the public: "'Beginning of the Great Revival' will be released on schedule, as normal."

Quite a few people were curious about the specifics — Lin Nan included.

He even made a phone call to ask Han Han Sanping.

"Those people are being far too nitpicky."

"What do you mean?" Lin Nan was a bit confused.

"Originally, Tang Wei played Tao Yi. After the rough cut, she still had three minutes of screen time — now it's all been cut clean out…"

When Han Han Sanping said this, Lin Nan understood.

It really is too nitpicky. Back then it was you who gave the approval, and now at this point you're still holding onto it and not letting go — whose face are you slapping here, exactly?

"Oh right, have you finalized your new film yet?"

Suddenly remembering this matter, Han Han Sanping asked in passing.

"Almost, almost, just a little bit more."

Lin Nan could already guess what Han Han Sanping was about to say next.

"If the investment cost is too high, don't force it. Risk is something better spread out, haha…"

"What you just said is way too bare-faced!"

"I think it's quite subtle, heh heh. Anyway, when the time comes don't forget China Film — future quota matters will all be easy to discuss."

Hearing Han Han Sanping's last sentence, Lin Nan's mood instantly improved a great deal. Quotas were money — they could be resold!

"Oh right, the new film should be a commercial one, right? Action, fantasy, or sci-fi?"

Lin Nan paused for a moment, then said with a smile:

"It is a commercial film. But the specific subject matter — keep it secret for now, you'll know when the time comes."