Chapter 337: The Doubts Director Chen Chen Kaige Cannot Escape, The TV Drama

A post titled "Farewell My Concubine Was Not Directed by Chen Chen Kaige" suddenly became a hot topic on Weibo, sparking an uproar.

At this moment, Director Chen and his wife must be wishing they could kill someone.

Because the content was deeply cutting, stating bluntly:

"The only works Chen Chen Kaige can show off are 'Yellow Earth' and 'Farewell My Concubine'."

"The former was the first collaboration between Chen Chen Kaige and Zhang Zhang Yimou; although Chen Chen Kaige was credited as director, the film bore Zhang Zhang Yimou's heavy style!"

"As for the latter, Chen's father used his energy and influence to assemble the most luxurious production team and cast at the time.

And in his final days, he guided his son step-by-step in filming, helping him through the last stretch... allowing him to take the credit."

Whether true or false, this Weibo post spread completely inside and outside the industry, circulating wildly.

Moreover, over the past decade, Director Chen's films have indeed been on a steady decline, with constant bad reviews and terrible movies, rarely producing any masterpieces.

One can already imagine how the internet is discussing this.

Countless netizens felt that what the post said was, no, absolutely true!

Unlike the chaotic scene online, the film and television industry appeared very quiet.

Since Chen Chen Kaige remained silent, no one dared to jump out as a vanguard; if they failed to flatter him properly, it would cause major problems.

Sure enough, Director Chen's company angrily issued a lawyer's letter, stating that most of the cast of 'Farewell My Concubine' were still alive and could confront each other face-to-face. They warned the other party to immediately delete the post and apologize, or face court.

Not only that, Chen Chen Kaige's side also questioned media official accounts like Tianya that had reposted this hot Weibo post, scolding these media outlets for making things up without investigation and irresponsibly creating trouble.

Only then did actors, celebrities, industry insiders, and the cast of 'Farewell My Concubine' jump out one by one to support and defend Chen Chen Kaige, refuting the "rumors" online.

"I heard many media outlets went to Zhang Zhang Yimou's studio to inquire about 'Yellow Earth'. Unfortunately, they were all shut out; Director Zhang didn't show up at all, and the studio head refused to respond."

Lin Nan listened to Yue Jun gossiping while browsing the comments on Weibo; it was lively.

When netizens are convinced of something, they each transform into Sherlock Holmes, searching for every clue to prove it, along with various sarcastic remarks and irony.

"Given Director Chen's current status, who in the film industry dares or would dare to undermine him? Isn't everyone just following behind waving flags and cheering?"

"They said he guided step-by-step, which means Director Chen did contribute; even if he only directed 1% of the movie, he is still the director, right? No problem!"

"This is why Director Zhang Zhang Yimou has so many awards and box office returns, yet still ranks behind Director Chen? Because he can't compete with his dad!"

"Although the post was deleted, the seed of doubt has been planted and taken root. Director Chen will probably never escape this doubt in his lifetime," Yue Jun sighed with a clicking sound.

"It's simple; just win another Palme d'Or, isn't that enough?"

Lin Nan joked with a smile.

This was the most direct and crude way to break the deadlock; if all else fails, the Golden Lion or Golden Bear would do; it just depends on whether Chen Chen Kaige has the determination.

When 'Cloud Atlas' was released, a press conference was also held in the capital, and Lin Nan strolled over to support Zhou Xun.

In terms of acting, Zhou Xun was impeccable, very good.

But in terms of femininity, she was indeed far behind Zhu Zhu, a co-star in the same production, who was also a resource-heavy actress.

Lin Nan inevitably got to know another post-80s actress, Zhu Zhu.

Time entered February, with only one week left until New Year's Eve.

'Jiang Mo Pian', 'Love in Seattle', 'Village Gala: Getting Better and Better', 'Together'... several movies releasing during the Spring Festival and Valentine's Day would hold their premieres in these few days.

At the same time, the official Weibo account of Lin Nan Pictures officially announced the release date of the second film to be released this year.

"Produced jointly by Lin Nan Pictures and Ying Huang Pictures, directed by Director Lu Yang, starring Wang Wang Baoqiang, Zhao Zhao Wenzhuo, Bai Bing, and others, the action crime blockbuster 'A Man's Kung Fu' is scheduled for April 27!"

For the production industry, this was yet another opponent that had to be taken seriously.

After all, Director Lu Yang's previous film, 'Sword of the Third Brother', was a Wu Xia movie that approached 200 million in box office, and the script for this one was still provided by Lin Nan.

News that two Beijing Film Academy directors would face off head-on during the May Day slot became the industry headline.

"The two movies are not on the same track; although that youth film comes with its own fans and audience, I feel 'A Man's Kung Fu' won't be bad either."

Director Lu Yang said with great confidence.

Lin Nan also nodded; the script had been meticulously refined by him repeatedly and was absolutely not inferior, and the fight scenes within were spectacular enough.

"Hmm, after 'Love in Seattle', you can start leading people on promotions."

As the New Year approached, Lin Nan Pictures, Tiangong Color, and Shanhai Media, except for essential staff, gave everyone an early Spring Festival holiday.

I heard Zhao Zhao Benshan's mountain sketch was rejected again this year; the reason was simple: too entertaining, lacking educational value.

Many veteran sketch performers were also absent from this year's New Year's Eve Spring Festival Gala for the same reason.

The Spring Festival Gala finally reached this point, forcing everything to lean towards preaching, not even sparing the last day of the year...

However, with Zhao Zhao Benshan's sketch being rejected again, the feud between him and Fan Wei was brought up once more.

One was accused of being stingy and exploitative, the other of being ungrateful; in the end, they were not the same kind of people, so parting ways was for the best.

The new Four Little Flowers had already started accepting endorsements under this title.

Evening galas from various provincial satellite TV stations were quoting prices, fighting to snatch the new generation of Four Little Flowers.

"This is Yang Mi's final settlement. Ceng Jia said that after the satellite TV gala, Yang Mi plans to rest for about a month..."

Lin Nan sat in a rocking chair, stroking a cat while continuing his phone call with Yue Jun.

"Rest for about a month? Meaning she won't accept any endorsements before the contract officially expires, right? She has too many tricks up her sleeve; no need to be so euphemistic, hehehe."

Lin Nan couldn't help but mock.

"Tell her it's fine. Also, have the finance department work overtime to handle Yang Mi's taxes and everything; ensure there are no disputes or violations regarding money, and don't drag it out."

"Hmm, I understand, Director Lin."

This New Year, the most miserable person in the industry must be that Dong Dong Bailian; her reputation was ruined and her career interrupted, but she deserved it.

But even under the censure of a thousand pointing fingers, Wang Wang Dazhi, as the third party, didn't seem to have any intention of repenting.

He even posted: "I don't regret what I did, I only feel I've let Dong Zhou Jie and her parents down, that I didn't protect her well. I hope netizens won't go harass and insult Dong Zhou Jie…"

This move left countless people dumbfounded — good lord, so you two really were in true love?!

Sure enough, Chen Kun truly lived up to being Dong Zhou Jie's "good brother" — though late, he didn't miss the show.

"Xiao Zhou Jie knows she's wrong and will own it, but I hope you don't completely write her off. I hope everyone can give her one more chance. After all, she's still young — in this life, who never makes mistakes? Make a mistake, own it, correct it, and that's enough…"

Said so reasonably that a group of industry insiders actually came out in support, yet every single one of them avoided mentioning Pan Yueming, the sole victim.

One has to admit, when it comes to these things, the woman does have the advantage.

Push the child forward, put on a frail look and cry a little, and Pan Yueming is immediately pinned down.

The man said he wouldn't pursue it further — after the divorce, they owed each other nothing, and that was that.

Even though the "ex-husband" wouldn't pursue it, Dong Zhou Jie's career was a no-go in the short term — no one dared to hire her, because netizens were genuinely furious.

On Lin Nan's side, the courtyard was set up with a barbecue grill, all sorts of food, and drinks.

The agreed-upon gathering spot had somehow been changed to his place — Lin Nan was at a loss with this bunch led by Luo Jin.

"The second-round exam is half done; I'll still need to go a few more times after the New Year. And you'd be surprised — these days, the art-exam students don't have much real skill, but they've got plenty of little schemes."

Zhu Zhu Yawen took a bottle of fruit wine from Watching Shu Chang and complained.

Hearing this, Luo Jin couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Would you believe it? A girl actually slipped Zhu a note after the second-round exam — her phone number. Hahaha… I'm dying."

Lin Nan nearly choked on his chicken leg; Liu Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang were also stunned speechless.

"Holy crap! That explosive?"

Zhu Zhu Yawen stroked his own chin, tilted his head up slightly, and said, "Why all the fuss? Sure, I'm not that kind of guy, but I am pretty good-looking, right? Manly enough!"

"Hahaha, stop blowing your own horn. The little girl just saw you're an A-lister with your own studio, and imagined she could take a shortcut like Yang Ying did — don't you go making mistakes now."

"True, Zhu Zhu Yawen is pretty full of himself!"

Liu Liu Yifei and Watching Shu Chang laughed as they piled on behind Luo Jin.

Only Lin Nan, poked by Zhu Zhu Yawen's shameless words, was reminded of something else.

He looked at Zhu Zhu Yawen, still arguing across from him, and said:

"The company has a project. Want to give it a try? The male lead has to be manly, and the acting can't be bad."

All four turned to look at him — even Liu Liu Yifei was a bit confused; she hadn't heard Lin Nan mention any new film in the past couple of days.

"What film?" the four asked in unison.

Lin Nan shook his head. "Not a film — a TV series."

Apart from Liu Liu Yifei, the other three took on both film and TV without discrimination, so now they were even more curious.

"Come on, tell us — what TV series?"

"Let you go head-to-head with Jiang Wen. He's played the male lead in a film — are you interested in trying the TV version of that male lead?"

"Jiang Wen?"

Hearing that name, Zhu Zhu Yawen got even more excited; even Luo Jin opened his mouth, then smiled and shook his head.

He looked at Zhu Zhu Yawen — when it came to the image of a "rough, manly guy," Zhu Zhu Yawen was a better fit than him. Leave a little stubble, and he'd look just right!

"Right, Jiang Wen. The company holds quite a few rights; the screenwriting department has been adapting them, but it's slow.

Some scripts have been finished, but current policy isn't very supportive of filming them, and the exhibition permit is also an issue."

Lin Nan glanced at Zhu Zhu Yawen again and smiled. "But there are definitely scripts that can be shot…"

Before Lin Nan could finish, Luo Jin had already reacted a step ahead.

"Film, Jiang Wen… you don't mean the one directed by Director Zhang, do you? You got the rights?"

Lin Nan looked at Luo Jin. "That's right. It's one of the projects the company has lined up; Jiang Jiang Xuerou will be following up on this TV series after the New Year."

"I'm in!"

Suddenly Zhu Zhu Yawen declared in a ringing voice, eyes bright and focused — he seemed to have figured it out too.

"Then it's settled. When we start prep after the New Year, head straight to the company to sign the contract."

By now, Liu Liu Yifei had also guessed which TV series it was, and was explaining it to the even more clueless Watching Shu Chang.

…………

(End of chapter)