Chapter 313: Turncoat, It Won't Change After This

"Impressive! True and false, all is fair in war; is this playing *The Art of War*?"

There isn't only one person in the circle with such exclamation.

The film and television circle, the media, and even the vast number of netizens and movie fans, the vast majority are feeling a bit excited and stimulated.

First, the five China Film companies announced the *Notice on the Progress of Box Office Revenue Sharing Ratio Negotiations* to the outside world.

They stated bluntly that 28 cinema chains, including China Film StarMe, China Film Southern New Trunk Line, Poly, Liaobei, and Hengdian, have signed new distribution and screening contracts.

Another hundred cinemas bypassed their cinema chains and contacted the distributors, expressing their willingness to accept the new revenue sharing ratio.

In the notice from the five China Film parties, it was clearly written that the market share occupied by these cinema chains and cinemas has exceeded 70%; the general trend is set!

Just when everyone thought that this time it was really the distributors who won.

27 cinema chain giants, including Wanda, Jinyi, New Film Union, Shanghai United Cinema Chain, and Dadi Cinema Chain, held a press conference in the capital and announced the paper version of the *Joint Declaration* stamped with official seals:

"Absolutely do not accept the distributors' tough and unreasonable 'price increase' demands. 27 mainstream cinema chains refuse to be coerced and will absolutely not screen those 9 New Year slot domestic films."

The reason why everyone feels excited and stimulated is precisely because of this, because the market share occupied by these 27 cinema chain giants is greater than 80%.

The film and television circle, entertainment circle, media, and online are all discussing it.

"One side says they have taken down 70% of the cinemas, and the other side is a joint boycott by 27 cinema chain giants and 80% of the cinemas! What the hell?"

"Is the distributor bluffing? Or are there many fence-sitters and turncoats in the cinema chain alliance? Or do both sides have problems?"

Both sides firmly hold their own views, and the increasingly tough posture makes the entire industry feel a bit fearful.

"The Film Special Fund Office has issued a notice. This year, all cinema chains, as long as the revenue ratio of domestic films is greater than 45%.

They are eligible to take back the film special fund submitted by the cinema chain this year as a subsidy, at least 80% starting."

"Killing two birds with one stone? Both supporting domestic films and subsidizing cinema chains.

Want to use this bit of temptation to let the cinema chain side take a step back and accept the distributors' demand to increase revenue sharing, and screen domestic films in the New Year slot?

However, isn't this a bit too wishful thinking, like a joke!"

Lin Nan complained mercilessly.

It would be better not to issue this notice; it's purely insulting everyone's intelligence.

Cinema chain domestic film revenue greater than 45%? What an international joke!

In the total market, the total domestic film box office accounts for less than 33%; this 45% pie is drawn a bit too empty.

"It is indeed a joke. So the cinema chain side simply ignores the leaders above, hahahaha..."

After Yue Jun chatted with Lin Nan for a while, he went out.

He has been frequently called to meetings these two days, representing Lin Nan Film.

Because of the domestic film revenue sharing matter, people in the industry are panicking and chaotic.

If the authorities don't issue a document to set the tone, it definitely won't be suppressed.

But for such a major event involving industry reform, documents aren't something that can be issued just by saying so, especially in this domestic environment.

So the Film Bureau can only constantly find people to hold meetings, urging both sides to negotiate and handle it.

But this time, for their respective interests, obviously no one listened.

Under these circumstances, imported films are very comfortable.

As long as both sides remain firmly in this stalemate, in the end, whether it's overseas imported films or Hong Kong imported films, or domestic companies that bought the films, they will all lie down and win.

Five days, 110 million box office.

*Cold War*, relying on high screening rates and good reputation, has become the most dazzling film in November.

A crowd of mainland films have all become foils and background boards.

Among them, *Tai Chi 2* is actually the one with the highest box office among the background boards. Released for half a month, the box office is 68.1 million, which is really a bit miserable!

The five companies, including China Film and StarMe, are still full of confidence, firmly believing that the cinema chain side will actively soften before the last moment arrives.

Everyone unanimously believes that even Zhang Weiping could force the cinema chains to retreat, so the more aggressive distributors have even less reason to lose!

Therefore, the promotion of several films has not fallen behind at all.

Lu Chuan's *The Last Supper* is a bit showy, releasing a "final trailer," quite capable of acting cool.

"Preparation, filming, post-production, release. After two and a half years of cooking, I hope everyone can like this 'feast' prepared by 'Chef Lu'!"

The press release for *Back to 1942* wasn't that fancy; Feng Xiaogang rarely only said a small paragraph:

"This is the movie I've put the most effort into in the first half of my life; I think it must get at least 1 billion in box office to be considered qualified!"

There is a "New Year Slot Cinema Chain Screening Seminar" every year in the circle.

Those attending are representatives of major cinema chains and a crowd of producers of New Year slot films.

However, this "seminar" might change its nature this year and become a negotiation assembly.

Lin Nan Film has a movie entering the New Year slot for the first time, and it is also the first time receiving an invitation to this "seminar."

Reading the invitation in his hand over and over again, Lin Nan's expression was slightly playful.

"Let Director Jiang go; it just so happens that she was responsible for *Lost in Thailand* back then."

Lin Nan felt that this "seminar" was very likely to be a place of right and wrong, and it was best he didn't go.

The assistant responded and went to contact Jiang Xuerou. In less than ten minutes, the latter's phone call came through.

"In previous years, this activity lasted for two to three days, and during the period, there were many banquets and parties under different names, and the atmosphere would be very good. But this year, it's really hard to say..."

Jiang Xuerou knows more than Lin Nan, and at this moment, she is popularizing it for him.

"As long as they don't fight, what could be bad to say." Lin Nan teased.

Perhaps the cinema chain side really wants to hit people, but the surface work should be done well.

Lin Nan knows a thing or two.

The China Film distribution company directly bypassed the cinema chains and pressured the cinemas under the cinema chains, which is how the 70% figure came about.

This is equivalent to an outsider bypassing Lin Nan Film and directly letting Shanhai Media and Tiangong Color mix with him.

Moreover, many state-owned cinema chains are now boycotting the distributors led by China Film!

"However, it's hard to say; this 'seminar' might really have something happen."

Lin Nan changed the subject and added.

Counting the time, there are only three months left.

Xue Xiaolu took the initiative to call, *Sleepless in Seattle* can be scheduled.

Originally, Lin Nan was prepared to arrange someone casually to go to China Film.

Finally, after thinking about it, he decided to go himself and ask about the specific situation now; Han Sanping is the leader of the distributors.

Driving all the way to China Film, Lin Nan saw Han Jia, and beside her was Huo Wenxi, chatting and laughing.

"Lin Dao."

"Brother Lin, how come you have time to come over, looking for Old Han?"

Worthy of being an only daughter, who else would dare to call like this.

"Come to talk about the slot for *Sleepless in Seattle*. Director Huo, what about you?"

Lin Nan answered Han Jia's question first, then asked Huo Wenxi.

"Has Lin Dao forgotten? Emperor invested more than half in *The Last Supper*."

Hearing this answer, Lin Nan reacted. Too much time has passed, he had forgotten about this.

"Then wish Emperor a big box office success this time."

"Thank you, Lin Dao, you are busy, I will go back to the company first." Huo Wenxi said with a smile, then walked towards the parking place.

Glancing at Huo Wenxi's back, Lin Nan suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for Old Yang.

Hong Kong directors can't film historical movies well; changing to a mainland director is indeed more reliable.

But it just so happened that the investment was given to Lu Chuan; this has to be said, perhaps it's fate?

"Brother Lin, let's go, Old Han is alone in the office right now." Han Jia urged.

"By the way, are you coming from school or from the film crew?"

"Don't mention it, Old Han said he would find me a movie to practice with, and I have a headache."

If those directors who have no way to invest heard Han Jia's tone of complaining, their spit could drown her!

"Cherish it, eldest miss. Many people can't get it even if they beg."

Lin Nan teased with a smile.

When arriving at Han Sanping's office, the other party was on the phone, pointing at the sofa for Lin Nan to sit.

"Brother Lin, sit, my dad has tea someone else just sent, want to try?"

Lin Nan nodded with a smile, not caring about Han Sanping's dark face for that moment.

Listening to the content of Han Sanping's call, it should be Tan Hong he is talking to.

"Valentine's Day? Choosing this time, seems like you have some ideas. How much confidence do you have in the box office?" Han Sanping likes to care about these.

"I think this movie of Xue Dao's shouldn't be worse than *Love is Not Blind*."

"Doesn't that mean it's another money-making one?"

Han Sanping looked regretful, because this movie has nothing to do with China Film.

"Han Dong, what is the situation now? Time is running out, I have to go to Golden Horse in two days, no time to manage *Lost in Thailand*."

"Of course, the advantage is with us!"

"Without movies, what will they play? Play old movies? We also have some cinemas in our hands!"

Hearing the four words "advantage is with us," Lin Nan understood Han Sanping's mentality at this moment; it was definitely the kind of confidence to the extreme.

"That's good."

What can Lin Nan say at this moment? Can only say this.

No need to wait for China Film to publicize the film screening information.

At noon, Lin Nan Film directly announced the slot to the outside world.

"Produced by Lin Nan Film, written and directed by Xue Dao Xiaolu, starring Yang Mi and Yu Hewei, the romance film *Sleepless in Seattle* is scheduled for Valentine's Day after the New Year..."

Less than half an hour after the news was sent out, it spread in the circle and online.

The creative team forwarded Weibo one after another and @ each other.

"It really is Valentine's Day?"

During the film crew's break, Yang Mi looked at Ceng Jia with surprise.

"Can that be fake? I asked from Director Yue; it's just one month before your contract expires!"

Ceng Jia's eyes shone, saying with some expectation.

"The box office will likely not lose to *Love is Not Blind*, and you are the lead actress.

Taking advantage of this wind, we announce that the contract won't be renewed, you will definitely become the focus of attention in the industry, and you can get the studio on the right track in a short time..."

Yang Mi couldn't help but nod; what Ceng Jia said made a lot of sense, and there was no way to refute it.

"Okay, let's do it!"

She decided decisively.

Jiang Xuerou came back after attending the "seminar."

"Lin Dao, seems a bit wrong."

"What happened?" Lin Nan asked.

He didn't believe that attending an activity similar to a banquet party could cause any trouble. Although this activity lasted for two or three days.

Only to see Jiang Xuerou's expression was a bit serious.

"Different from the production parties of other films, the boss of Sil-Metropole Organization had a very friendly attitude when speaking, bluntly saying he understood the difficulties of the cinema chain side."

"Sil-Metropole Organization, *The Grandmaster*?" Lin Nan said subconsciously.

"Yes. The cinema chain side's tone was excited and emotional. They directly scolded the distributors for bypassing the cinema chains to contact cinemas, violating Treaty 1519, and would complain to the General Administration if necessary.

Today, as the producer of *The Grandmaster*, Sil-Metropole Organization's attitude became very soft when speaking. Many people feel that Sil-Metropole Organization might withdraw..."

Just as Jiang Xuerou finished speaking, Lin Nan's phone rang; he signaled Jiang Xuerou to wait a moment.

"Who is this?"

"Is this Lin Dao? I am the person in charge of New Film Union."

"It's me, is there anything?"

"Lin Dao, the cinema chain side is holding a small party and would like to invite you to attend, tonight. In addition, President Wang from Huayi, President Tan from StarMe, and others are all invited."

"I am not a distributor..."

"This time, production companies are invited, production companies of New Year slot films."

Hearing this, Lin Nan understood.

"Might have to say sorry, I already have an appointment tonight. In addition, I have already agreed with Ye Ning, you can go ask him."

The other side of the phone was quiet for a moment, then a hearty laugh came, "That's really a pity, next time there is a chance, Lin Dao must come to show support..."

"Will do, thank you."

Hanging up the phone, the smile on Lin Nan's face disappeared instantly, and he muttered softly: "It's really going to be wrong..."

"What does Lin Dao mean?"

"Huayi and StarMe are two of the five major distributors this time; the cinema chains invited them to the party, and it was as production companies.

Isn't this typical of winning over a few, isolating a few, and breaking them one by one?"

Lin Nan had a headache, simply stopped thinking about it; after today, there should be substantial progress.

"Lin Dao, we don't go, no problem?"

"No problem, I already talked to Ye Ning once before. I also don't find it easy to express my stance, so be it. Pay attention to tomorrow's news..."

Jiang Xuerou was stunned for a moment, "Hmm? Okay."

The promotion of several films has reached a white-hot stage.

*Lost in Thailand* focuses on comedy, *Back to 1942* claims to be an epic.

Lu Chuan is a bit pretentious, "*The Last Supper* made me re-recognize the profession of director, re-learned once; it experienced more suffering than *Nanjing*, and it must be greater than *Nanjing*..."

These words almost disgusted a group of people in the circle. Under Weibo, there were quite a few netizens scolding him, and in the end, this guy closed the comment function.

Li An's *Life of Pi* didn't do much promotion. But as a pure IMAX 3D blockbuster, plus the title of Oscar Best Director, it is enough to match all promotional means.

"We went to see that *Cold War*, very exciting."

Liu Qianqian and Watching Shu Chang, after finally dealing with the brand parties these days, started playing wildly.

"Before going to Golden Horse, nothing to do?"

"Hmm, Xixi and I are preparing to play well for a few days; after attending the film festival, I will have to start getting busy again."

Watching Shu Chang answered quite quickly; looking at this, it seems she is prepared to stay at Liu Qianqian's place until going to Golden Horse.

Miss Liu squeezed inside, patted the sofa beside her, and looked at Lin Nan with a smile.

"Come and see, I bought quite a lot of things."

"All food, you two are really something, can you finish it?"

Lin Nan smiled softly; he wasn't blind to that big table of snacks.

"Can, with you." Liu Qianqian replied playfully.

"How can you blame the victim? When I was filming *The Deer and the Cauldron* back then, beside Brother Xiaoming, it wasn't this one."

Just after putting a few broad beans into his mouth, Lin Nan heard Watching Shu Chang muttering there; she was flipping through entertainment news on her phone.

Yang Ying is indeed impressive; in the media reports now, Li Fei'er is already the third party who snatched the Huang Sect Leader from her back then.

On this point, the Sect Leader is a bit irresponsible, and haven't seen him publicly correct it in front of the media.

Back then, he even brought people to greet Lin Nan, Ning Hao, Xing Ai, and others.

"Then next time you see him, mention it."

Lin Nan teased Watching Shu Chang, and the latter really tilted her head and considered it.

"Don't tease her, this kind of thing, don't meddle blindly."

Liu Qianqian rolled her eyes at Lin Nan and knocked on Watching Shu Chang's head again; the next second, they started playing around.

Sure enough, something happened.

Sil-Metropole Organization, the next morning, officially announced on the official website:

"As the production side, we understand the difficulties of the cinema chain side; *The Grandmaster* is willing to maintain the 43%: 57% revenue sharing ratio. From now on, no longer responding to Bona..."

A thousand-mile embankment collapses in an ant nest!

The first New Year slot film to withdraw from the box office revenue sharing dispute appeared.

The alliance of 27 cinema chains led by Wanda responded quickly:

"The cinema chains will give key inclination and guarantee to the screening sessions of *The Grandmaster*, making the cooperation a win-win.

In addition, Wanda and other 27 cinema chains and their cinemas will not receive any activities for *Back to 1942* and *The Last Supper* from today."

The circle was in an uproar; the cinema chain side expressed its tough stance again, one soft and one hard, with relaxation and tension, forming a sharp contrast.

"What the hell? Tan Hong and Wang Zhonglei didn't go to the party, or did they go and argue? Why were they singled out?"

There should be quite a few people in the circle as confused as Lin Nan.

Lin Nan didn't go to the party because he had already agreed with Ye Ning, and he didn't want to meddle.

He is just curious now about what the situation is with Huayi and StarMe.

"President Tan from StarMe seems to have directly refused, with a tough attitude, demanding an increase in revenue sharing, saying there is nothing to talk about.

However, Wang Zhonglei from Huayi seems to have gone to the party, so thinking about it, it should be that something went wrong at the party..."

When a benefit alliance has the first crack, it means the alliance relationship is no longer solid.

On the other hand, the five major distributors are not only an alliance but also competitors in the industry. Relatively speaking, the cinema chain camp this time is more closely united. As one falls, another rises...

"At yesterday's party, Ye Ning and the others promised that if Huayi withdraws from the five major distributor alliance.

They will return the favor and give us a movie, settled in a tiered revenue sharing mode; the specific tiers and ratios can be discussed again.

I thought about it and didn't agree immediately. Who knew they would be so decisive today!"

Wang Zhonglei sat opposite Wang Zhongjun, his face not looking very good.

"Withdraw?"

Wang Zhongjun muttered to himself.

"Big brother, you don't want to?"

"Not many days left, should we hold the premiere? They are determined not to retreat this time; are we not as good as Zhang Weiping?"

Wang Zhongjun's tone was gloomy, vaguely resolute.

"Big brother?"

Glancing at Wang Zhonglei, Wang Zhongjun sneered:

"Then learn from Zhang Dapao, so what? Eating the benefits into your mouth is what's yours."

"Does big brother mean for me to go agree to them?"

"Yes, you go find Ye Ning and agree to them."

"Then which movie to choose?"

"Xiaogang's *Back to 1942*, he is the one from Huayi..."

"Okay, I'll go do it,"

"Bring Xiaogang."

Lin Nan felt that Han Sanping should have exploded; he was backstabbed by his subordinates!

The person in charge of Southern New Trunk Line under China Film slapped Han Sanping in the face in front of the media.

Directly scolding Han Sanping for privately negotiating agreements with cinema chains without convening a board of directors, and arbitrarily deciding to give 2% of the benefits of the New Trunk Line to the five major distribution companies...

State-owned film and television groups are relatively large, but there is also a competitive relationship between subsidiaries.

For example, the China Film distribution company and China Film's cinema chain companies are fighting this time!

And Han Sanping is on the side of the China Film distribution company, so China Film's cinema chain companies rebelled!

"This time, Han Dong is famous; I guess he will be laughed at by peers like Shanghai Film and Xi'an Film, hahah..."

Lin Nan remembered Han Sanping telling him a few days ago: the advantage is with us. As a result, today, his subordinates rebelled; it's simply hilarious.

Misfortunes never come singly.

Very abruptly, a piece of news woke up the entire film circle.

Huayi became a turncoat!

30 cinema chains, including Wanda, New Film Union, Shanghai United, and Dadi Cinema Chain, as well as 3 under China Film that just defected, jointly issued an announcement to the outside world:

"After equal consultation between the representatives of the 30 cinema chains and Huayi, Huayi withdraws from the distributor alliance, its films will be screened normally, and *Back to 1942* will enjoy a three-stage revenue sharing mode..."

Huayi's official website issued an announcement at the same time:

"Appropriate compromise is for the healthy development of the industry. Congratulations to Director Feng Xiaogang's *Back to 1942* for signing a tiered incremental revenue sharing agreement..."

"Within 300 million box office, Huayi takes 43%; the part exceeding 300 million and less than 800 million, Huayi takes 45%; the part exceeding 800 million, Huayi takes 47%."

The first company to withdraw from the distributor alliance appeared.

Up to this point, the five major distributor alliance completely disintegrated.

The entire film circle didn't expect this result; the Wang brothers became turncoats and traitors.

For the production industry, this scene is familiar; didn't Zhang Weiping do the same last year?

The production industry is full of scolding for Huayi; online, they are also mocking Huayi for forgetting righteousness for profit...

China Film is holding a meeting, and Han Sanping is rectifying the internal affairs.

"This revenue sharing mode, only this one copy?"

StarMe is also very angry and wants to flip the table!

"Then let's not play at all..."

Tan Hong looked at the vice president and said:

"Go contact Ye Ning and the others; *The Last Supper* wants a decreasing revenue sharing mode.

43% for the first week, 41% for the second week, 39% for the third week, until it finishes screening. My only requirement is to increase the screening volume."

"Okay, Chairman Tan."

Lin Nan is on the phone with Wang Changtian.

"Those two grandsons surnamed Wang are simply not things; people like them, if placed in the revolutionary era, would have to be shot..."

Lin Nan just listened to Wang Changtian scolding people and couldn't help but remind: "Chairman Wang, your surname is also Wang."

"I, I, I f*** his mother..."

After scolding for a few more minutes, Wang Changtian calmed down.

"The revenue sharing ratio of *Back to 1942* is obviously aimed at the later stage. Although it can't compare to your *Bad Genius* total box office gambling mode, it is also a rare revenue sharing mode at present.

*The Last Supper* goes the opposite way, giving up revenue sharing points in exchange for more screening sessions. As for *Lost in Thailand*, brother, I'm sorry for you."

Lin Nan chuckled, "Nothing to be sorry about, isn't it still 43% revenue sharing.

The director is Xu Zheng, not me; Ye Ning and the others won't change the revenue sharing mode. But this is a movie produced by my company, the screening volume shouldn't have problems."

"That's good, that's good."

Lin Nan originally thought Wang Changtian had nothing else, but just as he was about to hang up, a few more sentences popped out.

"That *Sleepless in Seattle*?"

"Chairman Wang, I am also convinced by you, haha..."

Lin Nan couldn't help but complain, but finally nodded.

"Distribution is still given to Enlight, sign the contract as soon as possible, otherwise when Han Dong reacts, he will probably ask too, after all, Xue Dao is also a 300 million box office director."

"Okay, I will send someone to your place later."

Returning to the villa, seeing Liu Qianqian and Watching Shu Chang walking the dog, Lin Nan's spirit instantly relaxed a lot.

"With this, the few of us will just wait to go to Golden Horse."

"The revenue sharing ratio matter outside, is it settled?"

Liu Qianqian is a producer and occasionally pays attention to these things.

"Settled, it's all settled from now on." Lin Nan sighed.

"All settled from now on?"

"Yes. This time the momentum was huge, and it didn't succeed; I guess there won't be a chance in the future.

Revenue sharing modes, it's highly likely there will only be these three; it won't change after this."

"Which three?" Watching Shu Chang asked curiously.

"The existing 43%: 57%, tiered revenue sharing, and my total box office gambling, just these three!"

Lin Nan explained. He also contributed a revenue sharing mode.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 314 =====