Chapter 235: The Big Play Begins, Departure

An incredible piece of news came back from across the ocean.

Zhang Yimou's *The Flowers of War* was shortlisted for the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

As the weather vane for the Oscars every year, the importance of the Golden Globe nomination is evident.

Don't know how the public opinion is over in Hollywood, anyway, the domestic film and television circle and entertainment circle were completely boiling.

The media even did a count, counting Chinese directors, only Chen Kaige and Ang Lee had won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film; except for these two, there was no one else.

This news made *The Flowers of War*, which was about to be released, instantly become a hot topic on the whole network.

It also played an incomparable role in the film's promotion, crushing *Flying Swords of Longmen* without suspense.

Looking at the gratitude words written in pure English by Zhang Yimou, Zhang Weiping, and others to the Golden Globe judges published online, Lin Nan felt awkward no matter how he looked at it.

It's just a nomination, not to the point of being so humble, right?

Immediately after, he saw all the actors who participated in *The Flowers of War* forwarding the nomination matter, as well as the gratitude words to the Golden Globe Awards.

Those who know, know it's a nomination; those who don't know would think it had already won the award.

A large number of film people and actors in the industry sent congratulations to Zhang Yimou on Weibo.

Even Chen Kaige, who had just wrapped up *Caught in the Web*, was no exception: wishing *The Flowers of War* a smooth win at the Golden Globes.

Thinking about it, Lin Nan also followed the director team and followed the crowd once, expressing blessings.

He could see that the domestic film circle's obsession with the Oscars was really too deep.

Now it's just shortlisted for a Golden Globe, and it has moved everyone's heartstrings, and even the Film Bureau sent congratulatory messages!

Then if any mainland director really wins the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in the future, wouldn't it be directly casting a golden body?

"Lin Dao, the crew members are completely ready, shall we set off first?"

Jiang Xuerou had short hair, looking energetic and capable; this time the producer of *Bad Genius* was her.

"Then I'll trouble Director Jiang; you take people there first, we'll arrive in two days."

Some positioning and setting up of machines need the crew's logistics to step on the spot in advance, so that it won't be chaotic when filming starts.

"Alright, Lin Dao."

Lin Nan Film Industry's main force left the capital for Hong Kong; this couldn't be hidden from the media.

That afternoon, the news came out.

"Led by Jiang Xuerou of Lin Nan Film Industry, *Bad Genius* crew staff have set off for Hong Kong."

"It is expected that the film *Bad Genius* will officially start filming this month."

"Emperor posted: Welcome *Bad Genius* to Hong Kong for filming; by then, the group will host a banquet to welcome Lin Dao and his party..."

*White Vengeance* was really miserable.

With two days left before *The Flowers of War* and *Flying Swords of Longmen* were released, the theater chain cut *White Vengeance*'s screening rate to below 5%, just because its daily box office had already dropped below one million.

Released for a full half month, *White Vengeance* reported 140 million, which was indeed unable to move.

In the eyes of a group of production companies, this historical blockbuster with an investment of 200 million was considered a loss to the grandmother's house.

Lin Nan notified Shu Chang, Zhu Yawen, and Luo Jin one after another, telling them to prepare and set off together in two days.

For some other supporting roles, Yue Jun also notified the start time on his behalf, and must enter the crew on time.

"Dad, on New Year's Day, I'll go back to see you."

"See me? What's good to see about me? Eating well and dressing well, and can run two miles every morning."

Lin Nan listened to Old Lin's full-spirited voice and felt very at ease.

"I'm going to Hong Kong to film in two days, and this year's New Year's Eve will probably have to be spent in the crew over there, so I'll go back in advance. I, I haven't been back for a long time..."

The phone was quiet, and until Lin Nan finished speaking, it was still very quiet.

"Dad, are you listening?"

"Hmm? Hmm, listening, listening. Won't it delay your work? My restaurant is also very busy every day, and you are a star..."

Old Lin muttered, this time the voice was not as loud as just now.

His tone was a bit soft, as if he was telling something, or as if he was asking for something...

Unknowingly, Lin Nan's eyes were a bit blurry.

From childhood to adulthood, it was just the two of them, father and son; the education method Old Lin upheld was hitting; every problem was solved by this one method...

"Won't delay, national statutory holidays, I also have to give the crew a holiday."

Lin Nan said softly; this reason was very legitimate, although the crew never had a holiday to speak of.

"If the restaurant is too busy, close it for a day or two, it's not missing that bit of money."

"That, okay, I'll close it for two days; remember to give me a call when you come back."

"Hmm, I know, I'll call before coming back."

Finally, he didn't twist Old Lin; it was Lin Nan who hung up the phone first; maybe every parent is like this!

Deciding to go back this year was a decision Lin Nan made for a long time.

After finishing this call today, Lin Nan realized that he should have gone back a long time ago. Old Lin actually wanted him to go back and see, just didn't say it, didn't want to trouble him...

Waiting for a whole year, the last big play at the end of this year, and also the one that attracts the most audience, began.

On the 1st, *The Flowers of War* and *Flying Swords of Longmen* were released at the same time.

This should be a scene rarely seen in the domestic film market; the investment of the two domestic films added up to 900 million!

Major theater chains could be described as overcrowded; more than 80% of the screening rate was arranged for these two films.

"I want to watch *The Flowers of War*."

"I want to go see *Flying Swords of Longmen*.

Mainly to see Tsui Hark's application of 3D technology. You know, I'm also a director, and later I will definitely involve 3D film filming."

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei had a disagreement.

"How about, you go watch *The Flowers of War*, and I go watch *Flying Swords of Longmen*?" Lin Nan joked.

Then he saw Liu Yifei crossing her arms and staring at Lin Nan, still a bit cute.

"Fine, fine, go see *The Flowers of War* first, then go to *Flying Swords of Longmen*."

"Hmm hmm, then let's go quickly."

Liu Yifei's face immediately bloomed with a smile; women, changing faces is really fast!

The two didn't need to queue; Lin Nan directly called Ye Ning, and staff were waiting for the two.

The cinema was crowded, only describable as bursting.

*The Flowers of War*'s ticket price was very high, but because of this, it lost part of the theater chain.

*Flying Swords of Longmen* although the ticket price was low, it was released in the whole theater chain, but restricted by the number of 3D screens, the box office would also have great limitations and impact.

Following Liu Yifei, Lin Nan watched *The Flowers of War* first.

Have to say, Zhang Yimou is really amazing; filming a war film for the first time, he could film it like this, and the plot is also very thick.

It's just that the 600 million investment, in Lin Nan's view, was completely unnecessary; it had already exceeded the risk threshold of domestic film investment, and the domestic market couldn't support such a large investment domestic film.

And heard that a piece of glass cost 10 million, really don't know how they played?! Purely increasing the burden of recouping costs.

This kind of theme, watching it, will affect the mood.

Fortunately, Lin Nan had tissues in his pocket; every time he came out with Liu Yifei to watch this kind of sad film, the matter of carrying tissues was done by him, but the one using tissues was never him.

Wanda's IMAX giant screen theater was hard to get a ticket, after all, there were only twenty or thirty in the whole country.

"Is this the film you want to watch? Now that I've finished watching, I have no impression of the plot..."

This was the first time Lin Nan was teased by Liu Yifei because of a film.

But he couldn't refute; Tsui Hark's *Flying Swords of Longmen* 3D effect was great, but he only paid attention to the technology; the film's plot was too terrible; as a director, he put the cart before the horse!

"Let's go, let's go; this martial arts film can be considered a breakthrough; the selling point is 3D technology."

Lin Nan held Liu Yifei's hand, and the two left the cinema.

Major theater chains were full on the first day, and Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were inevitably discovered.

A few hours later, the news that the two appeared in the cinema spread online.

"Lin Dao Nan and Liu Yifei watched *The Flowers of War*, the latter's eyes were slightly red..."

"Lin Dao, Liu Yifei appeared in *Flying Swords of Longmen* cinema!"

Many people asked Lin Nan for his evaluation of these two films under Weibo.

This kind of offending thing, only a fool would answer.

The next day, production companies and film people in the industry were all paying attention to the first-day box office of the two films.

"*Flying Swords of Longmen* first-day box office, reported 30 million!"

"*The Flowers of War* first-day box office won the championship, daily revenue 34 million!"

Seeing such data, the film circle finally breathed a sigh of relief; this is the box office data that the New Year's slot should have!

The second day, *Flying Swords of Longmen* 34 million, *The Flowers of War* 34 million,

The third day, one 33.6 million, one 30 million.

Lin Nan felt interesting looking at it; *The Flowers of War* had been pressing on *Flying Swords of Longmen*'s head like this.

He could imagine how ugly Yu Dong's face was; clearly lowered the ticket price, got more screening rates, but was still pressed by Zhang Weiping.

To be precise, it was Zhang Yimou's influence far exceeding Tsui Hark, and the film quality.

Early in the morning, several cars gathered at the Capital Airport.

Zhu Yawen was in denim, wearing black sunglasses, with a soft and glutinous girl beside him, looking very smelly.

Luo Jin's assistant was a man, and the agent sent him over personally, also enthusiastically greeting Lin Nan.

Liu Yifei and Shu Chang wore sister outfits, both were trench coats, white shoes, wide-leg jeans, even the sunglasses were the same style.

The two girls stood together, holding hands, just like going on a trip, chattering non-stop.

A large group of people, pulling several suitcases, walked into the departure hall surrounded by assistants.

The cameras in the reporters' hands never stopped; finally caught a big fish!

Not long after, news drafts and airport photos appeared on major portal websites.

"Lin Dao Nan, Liu Yifei, Shu Chang, Zhu Yawen, Luo Jin, etc., gathered at the airport, set off for Hong Kong..."

"Film *Bad Genius*, about to start filming!"

End of chapter ===== CHAPTER 236 =====