Chapter 309: Familiar Operations

The issue of high remuneration was brought up again.

The combined remuneration of the three lead actors in "Dangerous Liaisons" reached fifty-one million, making them the target of criticism within the industry.

The current box office of this film isn't even enough to cover the remuneration of any two of the three of them.

And the film has seemingly already begun to lose steam.

Perhaps one can only blame Zhang Zhang Ziyi for having it coming; when she received the twenty-million remuneration back then, she was too high-profile, wishing everyone knew about it.

At this moment, she was the first to be targeted, naturally becoming the focus of the collective fire, and suffering a backlash.

Of course, if she could drive the box office, she certainly wouldn't be scolded like she is now. Having virtue that doesn't match one's position makes trouble very easy to happen. Moreover, she would also be targeted by female actors within the circle.

…………

"To be honest, I'm not really close to him, nor are we on the same path."

Lin Nan took the invitation handed to him by his assistant and said jokingly.

The premiere invitation for Lou Ye's "Fucheng Mystery" had even been delivered to Lin Nan Film.

The two of them were direct competitors for next month's Golden Horse Awards, competing for several major awards including Best Film and Best Director.

"So, what does Lin Dao mean?"

"I won't go. If I go, I'll definitely be surrounded by the media and questioned."

"They'll ask me what I think of 'Fucheng Mystery', and about the two films competing at the Golden Horse Awards."

Lin Nan casually handed the invitation to Yue Jun, "You arrange it."

"Alright, then I'll go take a look. It would feel quite inappropriate to just send a producer from the company."

After Yue Jun went to the "Fucheng Mystery" side, Lin Nan didn't sit idle either.

As one of the producers of "New Police Story 2013", Lin Nan was invited over, to a location within a certain department under the Ministry of Public Security.

For this trip, Lin Nan went willingly.

Putting aside how the script is for now, just speaking of the significance of this film, it is extraordinary.

In terms of classification, "New Police Story 2013" belongs to the category of main melody films.

For main melody films with some special themes, to get a project approved, pass censorship, and start filming, support from certain departments is absolutely indispensable.

Otherwise, the Film Bureau and the General Administration will absolutely not approve it, because the impact is too great.

……

"We hope Big Brother can showcase the image of our mainland police to everyone."

A middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a uniform, shook hands with Jackie Chan, smiling and joking.

"You are too polite, this is what I should do."

Lin Nan and Ding Sheng were chatting idly.

The latter is the director of "New Police Story 2013", and also the director of "Little Big Soldier", and is a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy.

"Currently, basically no big directors or private film companies are willing to voluntarily come and shoot main melody films; it is always China Film that takes the lead, and only then do the big directors participate."

"We know the specific reasons: first, the box office is not guaranteed; second, the censorship is troublesome..."

The middle-aged man in the uniform led Lin Nan and others into a conference room, and after taking their seats, began to speak.

Lin Nan knew these words were spoken to the two directors and three company heads present; Lin Nan had two identities.

"Although Lin Dao is young, he is a top-tier director in the country, a big director of commercial films. Have you thought about shooting some main melody films in the future, actively promoting positive energy..."

If someone else said "actively promoting positive energy" in front of Lin Nan, he would definitely think the other person was joking.

But in this setting, plus the person across from him, this is a very serious topic.

"I have thought about it. In the future, the company will definitely make main melody films, but the censorship is really troublesome; many things, the Bureau won't approve, and we can't shoot them..."

Lin Nan said, forcing himself to speak up.

Beside him, Ding Sheng, Jackie Chan, Ye Ning, Lu Zheng, and others couldn't help but look at Lin Nan, really saying it?

"It doesn't matter. If there are censorship difficulties arising from factors involving police, soldiers, crime, law, etc., you can come find us..."

The other party was still speaking seriously, while Ye Ning and others wore smiles, just listening.

"New Police Story 2013" was something they dared to do only because of Jackie Chan and the "Police Story" series boost.

For future new main melody films, one must be cautious. For this kind of film, it is best if the government books the screenings; only then will everyone have the confidence to do it.

Unlike Ye Ning and others, these words sounded incredibly reassuring to Lin Nan's ears!

At this moment, he thought of the Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology, thought of the Sixth Princess, and of course, the person in front of him and the unit he represents.

These are entities that can ignore the General Administration; indeed, the unit where the person in front of him is located can make the General Administration stand at attention obediently and shout...

"Alright, if there are difficulties in the future, I won't be polite."

Lin Nan nodded decisively and said. What a rare opportunity; isn't this the very purpose of his coming here today?

"You are welcome anytime."

…………

After the group left the Publicity Bureau, Lin Nan had gained two phone numbers and one business card.

One of the two phone numbers belonged to the middle-aged man just now; the other phone number plus the business card came from Jin Dun...

"Lin Dao, does the company really plan to shoot main melody films? Those don't make money. This time, only because of Jackie Chan and the 'Police Story' gimmick did we dare to do it."

Hearing Ye Ning's well-intentioned reminder, Lin Nan smiled, "I'm not shooting it right now. Wait a year or two, and I'll just shoot it as a commercial film, won't I?"

Before Ye Ning could react, Lin Nan got straight into the car, "President Ye, see you later."

Ye Ning instinctively waved his hand, muttering in his mouth: "Can it be done as a commercial film?"

…………

This year, these domestic film companies were either scared by imported films, or, seeing colleagues around them fall, had developed psychological shadows and fears.

As a result, the films for November, December, and even January of next year have already started making preparations for publicity in full swing.

Speaking of which, "The Bund" still has two months before release, yet they're already holding a press conference — looking all geared up and ready to go!

"Two generations of Xu Xu Wenqiang, the Bund reborn…"

"Huang Huang Xiaoming takes Zhou Zhou Runfa as his master, jokes that from now on he has someone 'covering' him!"

"Director Wang Jing stated outright that he's confident of beating '1942,' 'Lost in Thailand,' and 'CZ12' at the box office."

……

Lin Nan returned to the company, saw the buzz around these films, and was a bit speechless.

Compared to previous years, this bunch had clearly jumped the gun this year.

"Give Xu Zheng, Huang Bo, and Wang Wang Baoqiang a heads-up — the promo for 'Lost in Thailand' can start now. Sync up with Enlight."

"Got it, Lin Dao."

The media's news was timely — "Passengers" was the focus of their attention.

"Fierce competition during the National Day holiday — 'Passengers' in its second week of release, box office breaks through to 650 million…"

"'Dangerous Liaisons' total box office settles at 34.4 million, no longer climbing. Compared to its 200 million cost, the producers face a massive loss."

"'Tai Chi 1' breaks 70 million, daily box office has dropped below one million — the ending is already predictable."

"'Double Xposure' reaches 62.1 million, yesterday's box office 1.05 million…"

……

Han Han Sanping and the others were all beaming. At this rate, "Passengers" overtaking "The Lost and Found" was a certainty.

Because there were still 20 days before it came off screens, and the last four days of September didn't add up to a full week, so there was no need to apply for an extension key.

Even if they wanted to apply, the bureau wouldn't approve it at this special time.

…………

Liu Liu Yifei didn't know what got into her — she'd started tinkering with cooking again.

"Hmm, the instant noodles are pretty good — you even added an egg?"

When Lin Nan came back, he saw Liu Liu Yifei eating the noodles she'd cooked herself.

"Want to try some? I just suddenly had a craving, so I made it myself."

Miss Liu slurped up a few strands of noodles, pushed it toward Lin Nan, her dewy eyes full of anticipation.

She probably couldn't forget those few times she'd "poisoned" Lin Nan before.

"I'll try some."

Picking up Liu Liu Yifei's little clay pot, Lin Nan polished off half of it in two or three bites.

"Hmm, not bad. Your best cooking should be this — tastes just like the instant noodles I make. Ha-ha…"

Liu Liu Yifei wasn't stupid. That comment was as good as saying nothing — basically saying she had no talent for cooking.

"Then I'm not letting you eat any more. Hand it over."

"Then you'd better finish it quick. What if the auntie comes back and sees you eating this — she'll scold you again."

"Then I'll say you made it for me." Liu Liu Yifei raised an eyebrow, a little sly.

For a moment, Lin Nan actually didn't know how to argue back.

Miss Liu had all sorts of things her mother had labeled junk food stashed at Lin Nan's place.

After all, no matter how grown-up the daughter, in front of her old mother she could still be easily suppressed.

"I ate half of yours, so you're probably not full. Come on — I'll make you a bowl of hand-rolled noodles."

Lin Nan simply took Liu Liu Yifei's little clay pot, grabbed her hand, and said.

"Mm, okay, okay!"

Lin Nan hadn't cooked in a long time. His food was delicious — Liu Liu Yifei had always known that.

"Uncle said, once we're married, you're in charge of cooking…"

Liu Liu Yifei dropped that line out of nowhere. Lin Nan's legs went weak and he nearly dropped to his knees — dear father?

……

……

The circle was buzzing again.

When they got married back then, they were the golden boy and jade girl, stunning the entire entertainment industry.

Who could've known they'd suddenly turn on each other, fall out completely.

Smoking, drinking, gambling, cheating, domestic violence…

A whole string of labels came crashing down, suddenly and en masse.

Online, posts flooded in overnight, pointing straight at the man.

It wasn't just the man who was dumbfounded — the whole entertainment industry was a bit stunned.

Never heard a whisper of it before?

As the saying goes: strike first and gain the upper hand; strike second and be at others' mercy.

In an extremely short time, the entire internet was swept up — waves of netizens blindly followed the crowd, whipped into a frenzy.

By the time the man caught on, the "charges" had already been established!

From the woman's strike to the man being "convicted" — it took only one evening and half a morning.

"Well, well — they're picking sides again? Are these people eating too well and have nothing better to do?"

Lin Nan couldn't help but grumble.

He'd just arrived at the company when he noticed plenty of employees gossiping.

He opened his computer — media and online, everywhere, all of it was news of Ms. Dong rebuking Mr. Pan, plus a flood of posts and press releases tallying up the man's "misdeeds" and "crimes."

A familiar flavor, a familiar recipe, a familiar routine.

Many industry figures rushed to take the woman's side, denouncing and condemning the man.

As if they had all been parties to it, as if they had personally witnessed the man's "evil deeds" on the scene!

"Honestly, that's just incredible!"

…………

(End of Chapter)