Chapter 292: You Decide

Sunday, the fifth day.

The domestic film single-day box office record was born: 78.05 million.

With this, the first weekend ended; *Bad Genius* had been released for five days and closed at 367 million.

The film circle was very lively; it had really been a long time since such a fierce domestic film had been seen.

When was the last time?

It seemed to still be Lin Nan's film, *The Thieves*!

If *The Four* only warmed up the domestic film market, then now, the domestic film market could be considered to have been completely driven.

Quite a few filmmakers joked: "The box office that domestic films lacked in the first half of the year, I'm afraid it was all taken by Lin Nan, right?"

The media and netizens joined in the fun, even more unscrupulously:

"Lin Dao Nan and Liu Yifei's film is a bit too unreasonable."

"Three days to finish off a *The Four*, five days of box office more than 50 million more than two *Caught in the Web*... what do these directors think?"

Quite a few film crews, taking advantage of the hot market, started running promotions in advance.

Fan Bingbing even said bluntly when promoting *Double Xposure* that the promotion for *Tai Chi 0* wasn't done well; she hadn't even heard of this film.

And she stated affirmatively that Feng Shaofeng's acting in *Double Xposure* was definitely better than in *Tai Chi 0*!

This was already starting to secretly apply eye drops to films released on the same day.

In August, almost all film companies in the mainland avoided it.

Because everyone knew that this time period was too difficult.

In front was Lin Nan and Liu Yifei's *Bad Genius*, and at the end of the month were *The Dark Knight Rises* and *The Amazing Spider-Man*. Entering the field rashly, 99% would become cannon fodder.

But even so, there was never a lack of stubborn people.

Two films with Hong Kong backgrounds, which had previously set their release dates in August with great confidence.

*The Silent War* chose to collide head-on with *Bad Genius* at the beginning of the month;

*All's Well, Ends Well 2012* was late in the middle of the month, wanting to survive in the cracks and pick up scraps!

Seeing *Bad Genius* so fierce, the producers of the two films wanted to regret it, but it was already too late.

Quite a few film companies in the mainland were gloating and waiting to see a joke.

…………

"Can I consider this as fighting myself?"

At Enlight Media's celebration banquet, Zhou Xun held a wine glass and mocked herself in front of Lin Nan and Liu Yifei.

"To be precise, it should be that the film you starred in is being beaten by the one you guest-starred in."

Liu Yifei didn't hold back, teasing Zhou Xun.

"Yo, the tone of a producer is really different, tsk tsk tsk..."

……

The two women were bickering, Lin Nan didn't get involved, and walked to the side with a smile.

Today, the *The Four* crew specifically returned from Hengdian to attend the celebration banquet.

But this standing position was quite interesting.

Between Deng Chao and Jiang Yiyan, whether it was taking photos or socializing with guests, from beginning to end, the two kept a distance of at least three meters.

Lin Nan glanced at a corner in the distance, and then suddenly realized. Amazing, it turns out the family members followed!

It has to be the entertainment industry; everyone is used to it, as if everyone didn't know the gossip that happened a few days ago.

It's just that looking at the crowd constantly greeting and laughing around Sun Li, and then looking at the few industry insiders beside Jiang Yiyan on the other side.

As long as you aren't a fool, you can see: everyone knows about Deng Chao and Jiang Yiyan's affair a few days ago.

"Lin Dao, toast to you, you please yourself."

"Mm."

"Lin Dao..."

……

Lin Nan raised his glass frequently. He and Liu Yifei were also the focus of the scene today, not losing to Wang Changtian.

After all, at this moment, *Bad Genius* was sweeping the film market, basically achieving no match.

That *Ice Age 4* was also very good, but the two were not on the same track, and there was no competition.

"Today is clearly the celebration banquet for *The Four*, but you two have become the focus of the whole scene. But I have to say, your box office makes me envious."

Wang Changtian walked over slowly and mocked himself.

"I was just lucky to be a few steps ahead; there will be more and more high-box-office films in the future."

"That's true; the market is getting better and better, and you can even cheat some box office. Hehe..."

This sentence was really hard to answer; this kind of behavior is very damaging to one's reputation.

Once a filmmaker is labeled, it's too hard to wash it off.

…………

July ended.

The extension notice from the Film Bureau was also announced.

The media reacted quickly.

"*Bad Genius* first-week box office, totaling 521 million, refreshing the domestic film single-week box office record."

"The film *Bad Genius* has been approved by the Film Bureau and obtained the extension key; the screening time is extended to August 31st."

……

The news spread, instantly causing quite a bit of discussion among production companies in the industry.

"Extension again? Is this thing so easy to apply for now?"

Extension keys used to be easily obtained by some tribute films or films with tasks. Like *Beginning of the Great Revival*, *Aftershock*, etc.

"It's like this now; as long as the box office feedback is strong, it's that simple."

"But fortunately, it's not a one-month extension, otherwise it would really have connected to *Passengers*!"

Wang Zhonglei said with lingering fear.

Quite a few people in the circle had this mentality; after all, from September, the number of domestic films would be increasing.

If it really were extended for a month, then with the momentum of *Bad Genius*, *Passengers* would definitely be able to exert 120% of its box office potential!

Then other films would have no way to survive; I guess the higher-ups also considered this reason, so they only gave one week.

…………

Entering August, the daily box office of *Bad Genius* didn't seem to have decreased much.

On the 1st, it closed at 74.34 million; on the 2nd, it collected another 70.1 million...

By this time, the theater chain side no longer thought about the terms and conditions in the betting agreement; they just wanted *Bad Genius* to get 46%.

This meant that the theater chain would earn more. And now it seems that *Bad Genius* has a great chance of getting a 46% revenue-sharing ratio!

The Film Bureau stands from the industry's perspective, thinking about letting production companies share the rain and dew, but the theater chain wouldn't think so.

Icing on the cake and sending charcoal in the snow, they would only choose the former; why not favor a film that clearly makes money?

"Screening rate increased again?"

"Yes, it's reached 34.4%, an increase of three points. Quite a few film crews are complaining to the bureau..."

Hearing this news, Lin Nan really didn't know what to say; increasing the screening rate in the second week, this almost never happened.

"Spontaneous behavior of the theater chain, it has nothing to do with us; we don't know anything."

Lin Nan thought for a while and instructed Yue Jun; just keep quiet.

"Understood."

Yue Jun nodded with a smile, turned and left, preparing to deal with reporters.

…………

Some media spread news from the Golden Horse Awards.

"Jury President Andy Lau, and Director Ang Lee, intend to invite *Bad Genius* to participate in this year's Golden Horse Awards..."

"It is reported that as early as the Cannes Film Festival this year, Director Ang Lee and Andy Lau had issued an invitation to Lin Dao Nan."

……

The news was spread from Taiwan media, then Hong Kong media, and finally the mainland.

Whether it was the mainland media or the mainland film and television circle, everyone was a bit inexplicably excited at this moment.

Since 2003, Lin Nan hadn't been to the Golden Horse Awards again.

After 2005, Lin Nan no longer participated in the evaluation of awards like Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers.

The Chinese film festival awards during this period were either the Screenplay Award for *Crazy Stone* at the Student Film Festival, or the Contribution Award of the Huabiao Awards, all received passively.

Quite a few industry acquaintances called Lin Nan.

"Did you really receive an invitation?" Ning Hao asked excitedly.

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"You still ask what's wrong? The circle is very lively, everyone is betting on whether you will go!"

"What's there to bet on?"

Lin Nan could roughly guess something, but still asked casually.

He hadn't participated in the evaluation of Chinese film festivals for 7 years; some people should be very anxious to know his decision.

"Anyway, whether you go or not now, Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers won't look good, especially Golden Rooster. Haha..."

Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers, Lin Nan had only received the Hundred Flowers Outstanding Feature Film Award once; after all, this is an audience award.

As for Golden Rooster? That's not easy to get!

Relationships are more important than seniority, and films are secondary. This unspoken rule has stumped how many big directors!

……

After hanging up Ning Hao's phone, Lin Nan received calls from Jiang Wen, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Han Sanping, and others one after another, all very gossipy.

"If Lin Dao wants to go to the Hundred Flowers Awards, Wanda Theater Chain can select *Bad Genius*, and I believe other theater chains will also be happy to follow suit."

"I know, I still have to consider it, thank you."

Lin Nan accepted Ye Ning's kindness.

"You're welcome, Lin Dao."

……

Busy at the company for a day, Lin Nan returned to the villa.

Liu Yifei seemed to have been waiting for him for a long time.

Her watery eyes stared at him, the tangled look of wanting to say something but holding back, making Lin Nan want to laugh.

"Xixi, you want to go to the film festival, right?"

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment, then revealed a sweet smile, nodding heavily:

"Mm, I do have some thoughts, but I listen to you."

Lin Nan sat down and hugged Liu Yifei. The latter leaned on his shoulder and said:

"However, Brother Hua invited you, so you must give a clear answer as soon as possible; the deadline over there is in the middle of the month..."

Lin Nan didn't pick up this topic, but talked about other things.

"Hundred Flowers is an audience award, and its gold content in the industry is not high, so with the popularity of *Bad Genius*, the probability is very high."

"Golden Horse is currently the highest gold content in the Chinese film festival, but it will also take care of their own films, and some important awards must be left to their own people..."

Liu Yifei nodded; she knew these things, looked up and rubbed against Lin Nan's cheek, "And then?"

"Xixi, where do you want to go?"

Lin Nan leaned against Liu Yifei and asked softly. The scent on her body was very soothing.

Lin Nan knew how strong Liu Yifei's desire for awards was.

"Asking me?"

"Yes, you decide."

"I, can I consider it?"

Lin Nan smiled, "Just urged me to give Brother Hua an answer, and now you want to consider it too?"

Liu Yifei smiled and didn't speak, rolling her eyes at Lin Nan, "I'm going back to my room to consider it carefully!"

As she spoke, she got up and walked out, going back to the villa next door.

"Don't think about it and fall asleep, haha."

"Nonsense, I won't!"

…………

Guo Fan's efficiency was quite high; in just a few days, the script was decided.

"Lin Dao, I've chosen the script."

"Mm, then we'll meet at the company tomorrow, and then you can tell me in detail about the shooting plan this time."

The script Lin Nan gave this time was a first draft, which he wrote a long time ago.

Later, Guo Fan still needed to perfect the script again before it could be used.

"Okay, Lin Dao, then see you at the company tomorrow."

…………

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 293 =====