Chapter 224: Opposition, No Follow

Hmm, it seems treasure-hunting action films are all the rage lately!

Ever since Yang Mi was "forced to leave" the production of "Search," she has focused on filming several other projects.

It was only today, upon seeing the news about the film's commencement, that Lin Nan noticed this new film starring Yang Mi as the lead.

"The Great Wu Dang: The Code of Heaven and Earth"!

To be honest, Lin Nan has no real impression of this film.

However, the combination of Yuan Kui, Zhao Zhao Wenzhuo, and Fan Shaohuang indeed gives the audience an expectation of an action film.

Especially the former two; their last collaboration was twenty years ago in "Fong Sai-yuk," full of nostalgia.

On the other side, although Lin Nan promoted "Hello! Mr. Tree" on Weibo, it still didn't help much.

A first-day box office of one million yuan didn't stir up much of a wave in the film market, but the response and reviews were truly excellent.

Even the Movie Channel gave it a super high rating, calling it original and a down-to-earth, heavy-flavor art film.

Lin Nan estimates that the film's final total box office will most likely not reach ten million, after all, the audience is too small, which is a pity.

…………

Entering November, the atmosphere of the film market suddenly became more grim, and the smoke of war began to fill the air.

A wave of low-to-mid-budget Hong Kong films chose to enter early to avoid those domestic blockbusters as much as possible.

Films like "The East Is Red 2011" and "Magic to Win" have already started their promotions.

They are all cold rice and old tricks; the audience's feedback is very average, with little interest.

As the first major production film of the New Year's period, "The Battle of Red Cliffs" at the end of the month received very high attention!

After all, Li Ming, Feng Feng Shaofeng, Yang Mi, and others are all hot topics. The promotional effect right now is very good.

Fans are all waiting for the release of this film.

Because of the opposing relationship between "Palace" and "Scarlet Heart," and the reason Tang Ren stepped on Yang Mi to hype up Liu Liu Shishi.

Many "Bees" once again ran to the Weibo pages of Tang Ren, Cai Yinnong, and Liu Liu Shishi, starting a large-scale campaign of cold mockery and sarcasm: unworthy, blank-faced, riding on the coattails of popularity...

The key is that the other side couldn't refute, after all, Tang Ren truly had no film resources to give their own artists, so they could only post:

"Hope someone manages their fans properly, have some quality, and don't sting people everywhere..."

When Tang Ren's Weibo post came out, the effect was somewhat counterproductive; there were even more "Bees" and netizens making jokes and mocking.

"Throwing the blame back?"

"Pretending to be innocent now?"

"You've ridden on so many actresses, and you still have the face to talk about others..."

"Can't link to Liu Liu Yifei, so you switched to riding Yang Mi; who is the next target?"

……

…………

Looking at the dozen or so invitations the assistant brought in, Lin Nan smiled somewhat speechless.

For a long time, whether familiar or not, any production company in the circle would send an invitation if there was a film premiere or similar event.

Especially during the New Year's period and the Spring Festival period, it starts with at least thirty or forty.

The vast majority of production companies know full well that Lin Nan basically won't go, but the invitations never decrease!

Of course, this also represents the status of Lin Nan Films in the circle!

Lin Nan casually looked through these invitations. He found that Hong Kong films were obviously more numerous in them.

"Interesting, let Director Yue handle it."

"Mm, okay, Lin Dao."

Ever since "Ip Man 2," when Lin Nan decided to shelve the project, Wong Jing would occasionally come to hint at it indirectly.

Just now, Yang Yang Shoucheng even made a phone call, mentioning their investment of two hundred million yuan for "Warriors" to be released during the New Year's period.

However, inside and outside the words, there was mention of the "Ip Man" series; the purpose was very clear, asking Lin Nan when he could restart this series.

"Restarting is definitely going to happen. However, the timing is uncertain."

After attending the premiere of "Mr. Tree" that day, Lin Nan remembered some things.

After returning, he specifically spent a few days making a script outline; it was also an action film, a crime genre.

…………

After waiting so many days, Zhang Zhang Weiping finally took action.

Major news websites, film and television circle information, and industry focal points were all news from the media and theater screening session of "The Flowers of War."

Zhang Zhang Weiping forcefully demanded that national theaters increase the revenue-sharing ratio for "The Flowers of War" from 43% to 45%, and raise the minimum ticket price by 5 yuan.

"Production companies are always the vulnerable group; why should we, who put up the money to invest in films, bear the risks while the theaters take the bulk of the profits?

In Europe and America, the bigger the blockbuster, the more the production company gets; why in China do we deserve to suffer..."

In front of a crowd of media, Zhang Zhang Weiping, with great passion, denounced the theater side and applied pressure with dominance.

Most theater representatives, led by the eight major theaters, opposed it on the spot and left the scene to protest directly.

In just a few hours, the entire film industry exploded.

This matter is not just about New Picture; it concerns the interests of all filmmakers.

"Lin Dao, should we take a stance now?"

"Mm, go ahead; we are the production side. People most detest having no position."

Soon, Lin Nan Films' Weibo was updated:

"Lin Nan Films supports Producer Zhang; the box office distribution ratio for production companies is indeed too low; the investment risk for major production films is almost entirely on the production side..."

Immediately following, major production companies took their stances one after another.

Huayi, Enlight, Orange Sky, Fox Spirit, Bona, Wong Jing... and various small and medium-sized production companies.

Perhaps a few companies own a handful of cinemas, but that falls far short of being a circuit, and film production remains their core business.

After a large number of production companies spoke out, it was the directors and filmmakers within the industry who followed.

Feng Feng Xiaogang was the first to call out on his personal Weibo:

"Support New Picture and Producer Zhang; the current distribution ratio is too unfriendly to us producers and must change..."

Whether willing or unwilling, this time the great directors were "forced" to stand on the same united front.

Chen Chen Kaige, Zhang Zhang Yimou, Jiang Wen, Gu Gu Changwei... Wu Yisen, Chen Chen Kexin, Ning Hao, Ye Ye Weixin...

Filmmakers from Hong Kong Island and the mainland supported one person and one cause so uniformly for the first time.

For the industry, this was an earthquake.

Actors and artists could only watch from the sidelines, having no say whatsoever.

Previously, the cinema circuits fought each battle on their own; this time they too united.

The eight major circuits summoned representatives from circuits nationwide to the capital for a meeting, to sign a joint statement and jointly boycott Zhang Zhang Weiping and New Picture.

They even threatened that if Zhang Zhang Weiping insisted on raising the revenue share and ticket prices, they would refuse to screen Thirteen Women.

Zhang Zhang Weiping was not intimidated, because he knew the circuits wanted to make money with minimal effort and needed Thirteen Women even more.

"Which circuit disagrees with my demands, then Thirteen Women will not be screened for them!"

Both sides were clashing head-on, with no retreat.

"Vrrrrr..."

"The phone keeps vibrating."

Liu Liu Feiren picked up the phone, glanced at the caller ID, and shouted to Lin Nan nearby.

"Don't worry about it; it will probably last another half month."

"It's Ye Ning."

Liu Liu Feiren walked over to Lin Nan, who was sleeping on a recliner.

"These people, really."

Taking the phone, Lin Nan pressed answer.

"Lin Dao, we are partners; you suddenly did this too, at least give us a heads-up."

"Cooperation is cooperation, but that doesn't stop me from supporting Zhang Zhang Weiping. I should be the one supporting him most; think about it, does that make sense?"

Lin Nan's words left Ye Ning on the other end of the line speechless.

Indeed so; Lin Nan Pictures' films have always been rare undefeated generals in the industry, and raising the distribution ratio would benefit them the most.

"Sigh, fine. I'll give you a heads-up; this time we won't indulge Zhang Zhang Weiping, just this matter..."

Lin Nan heard the subtext: the circuits would not bow to the producers.

"As if both sides could truly unite internally; thousands of years of examples are right there; how could hearts be so aligned?"

Lin Nan chuckled and tossed out a remark.

"So, you don't back the circuits."

Liu Liu Feiren couldn't help but ask; she was also a producer and a person and production, so she certainly hoped Zhang Zhang Weiping's side would win.

Lin Nan looked at the somewhat expectant Liu Liu Feiren and shook his head.

"Hm?"

"Hard to say; anyway, it will definitely be spectacular and lively."

"Hmph, that's like saying nothing."

The dispute between Zhang Zhang Weiping and the circuits had turned into a matter between the production industry and the circuits.

Not long after arriving at the company, Yue Jun rushed over to find Lin Nan in a flurry.

"The eight major circuits are leading; some circuits have signed, and the joint statement boycotting Zhang Zhang Weiping and Thirteen Women has been released."

"Mm, and then?"

"New Picture has also issued an invitation, asking major production companies to come over and sign a joint agreement in the same way, advancing and retreating together to pressure the circuits."

Hearing this, Lin Nan put down the pen in his hand.

What a joke; did they really expect to drag the entire industry along?

"Lin Dao, are we joining this time?" Yue Jun asked.

"Join? No. I only promised to support and rally behind him; I never intended to go to the front lines!

Besides, think about it; this is the domestic sphere; when has such a major industry matter ever succeeded in one go? Where does that leave the authorities?"

Yue Jun smiled; that made sense. "Fine, then I'll turn it down."

"Also, regarding this matter, we won't take a proactive stance; doing this much is enough."

Yue Jun did not go to New Picture.

Lin Nan heard that Zhang Zhang Weiping was quite formidable; he really persuaded many production companies to sign his joint agreement and pressure the circuits together.

But there were certainly smart people; not only was Lin Nan Pictures absent, but Huayi and Light also did not go...

The media these days were in pain yet happy; every day brought a flood of news, too many headlines, leaving them somewhat overwhelmed.

On one side were Zhang Zhang Weiping and a large number of film companies; on the other were dozens of circuits, pulling against each other day after day.

Many production companies' films were dragged in, used as bargaining chips in the game between the two sides.

The impact grew larger and larger, becoming somewhat uncontrollable...

Lin Nan even received a call from Tom; this news had spread overseas, with Hollywood reporting on it, showing just how big the matter had become.

"It really has developed to this point!"

"The authorities should intervene soon, right?"

(End of this chapter)