Chapter 425: Hollywood, Release, and Public Relations

Lin Nan's speech at the Golden Horse Awards spread like wildfire, generating massive public reaction.

Early in the morning, many people called, all with the same message: "Well done!"

"This isn't yet at the level where official statements are needed, but your influence in the film industry is significant—your speaking out in that setting was perfectly appropriate."

Director Tong called specifically this morning and asked me to privately commend you. His position makes it unsuitable for him to make a direct statement, publicly or privately."

Lin Nan listened to Beside La La Peikang's call, smiling, occasionally nodding.

"Beside La La Peikang, isn't this just what should be done? Why praise me, haha."

"Still, it deserves praise—you're the first mainland Chinese filmmaker to stand up and speak out publicly at the Golden Horse Awards. Online public opinion is now in an uproar, even bordering on outrage…"

A few minutes later, Lin Nan ended his call with Beside La La Peikang and continued washing his face and brushing his teeth.

Most mainland and Hong Kong filmmakers who came for the Golden Horse Awards had already left last night; the few remaining departed today.

While having breakfast at the restaurant, Lin Nan saw Li An.

"Sorry, Lin Dao. Some things happened suddenly—I truly couldn't control them."

Putting down his chopsticks, Lin Nan looked at Li An:

"Director Li, you should check today's mainland news and online comments. Also, the media here in Taiwan probably didn't report on me favorably, right?"

This left Li An momentarily speechless; he hesitated before saying, "About half and half."

"I think filmmakers should just focus on making films, not meddling in topics they shouldn't touch. Besides, I dislike dealing with people whose loyalties are skewed—it's disgusting." Lin Nan said seriously.

Li An nodded, said nothing more, and sat down to eat his breakfast.

At nine, Lin Nan declined Li An's offer to drive him to the airport and, with his two assistants, took the hotel's car to the airport.

Sometimes, things are just that coincidental.

At the airport, Lin Nan ran into Zhang Zhang Ziyi; she too was accompanied by an assistant.

But even more coincidental was the fact that they were on the same flight.

Even in first class, only the two of them were seated, while their assistants were all in business class.

"Lin Dao, your speech yesterday was truly ear-splitting—I deeply admire you."

Zhang Zhang Ziyi had just become the second Chinese-language actress to win the Grand Slam, and she now seemed to have regained some of her former drive and ambition.

"Thank you." Lin Nan nodded and smiled.

His main purpose for this trip was to participate in the public relations campaign for "The Invisible Guest," and Zhang Zhang Ziyi's goal was similar.

As a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, she held a precious vote and was a sought-after guest at every awards-season studio event.

"Lin Dao, rest assured—I'll definitely vote for 'The Invisible Guest' during the nomination voting."

Zhang Zhang Ziyi proactively initiated conversation to express her support to Lin Nan.

"Then, thank you very much."

"Lin Dao, you're too polite—we're all one family, supporting each other."

Zhang Zhang Ziyi smiled warmly, speaking with genuine sincerity. To Lin Nan, the scene stirred a quiet reflection.

Indeed, anyone who reaches the status of top leading lady has some strategy. How much or how little depends on who you compare Zhang Zhang Ziyi to.

…

During the nearly 12-hour flight, Lin Nan forced himself to sleep eight hours; he was woken just before landing by Zhang Zhang Ziyi.

The weather today was excellent; his sunglasses blocked the morning's slightly glaring sunlight.

Outside the airport, Tang Mu was shouting from far away; Zhang Zhang Ziyi also had a waiting car.

"Lin Dao, see you at the cocktail party."

"Mm, see you at the cocktail party."

Zhang Zhang Ziyi had intended to walk over and greet Tang Mu, the actual manager of Crystal Pictures, but then thought it might be inappropriate, so she changed her mind.

Yet, once in the car, she immediately posted a Weibo.

It was a photo of her and Lin Nan in first class, with the caption:

"Delighted to be on the same flight as Lin Dao Nan, flying from the Golden Horse Awards to Hollywood. Wishing Lin Dao's 'The Invisible Guest' a huge box office success, a smooth awards season, and an Oscar win!"

Back home, it was already nine p. m.

Zhang Zhang Ziyi's Weibo instantly drew media and netizens' attention, skyrocketing to the top of film and entertainment news.

In the car, Lin Nan listened to Tang Mu's chatter.

"Lin, Lionsgate's promotion is fully in place—we're just waiting for the film's official release. Our first PR cocktail party is scheduled for opening day."

Fifteen million U. S. dollars in PR spending was about to flow like water—and it would be non-refundable, no matter how little was used!

"Leon should be thrilled, right?" Lin Nan teased.

"Haha, of course. He's always full of anticipation and longing for the Oscars—his drive far exceeds his fondness for supermodels."

Tang Mu also joked about Leonardo DiCaprio. Everyone knew Little Zhang Zhang Ziyi loved supermodels, but he loved the Oscar even more.

Over the years, as he kept changing girlfriends, Leonardo had remained "steadfast and loyal" to the Oscars!

"Let's go—first take me back to Beverly Hills, then arrange dinner with them tonight."

"That's perfect—Leon and the others will definitely be free," Tang Mu replied.

…………

Many Oscar-contending films clustered their releases in November and December, making competition extremely fierce.

On his way back to the villa, Lin Nan saw many movie posters lining the streets.

Among them were Disney's "Frozen" and his own "The Invisible Guest," whose release dates were only four days apart.

This city of cinema had already plunged into a 24-hour awards season of nonstop cocktail parties and galas.

Back at the villa, after unpacking, Crystal Pictures staff took Lin Nan's two assistants to arrange their hotel.

Lin Nan, meanwhile, flopped onto the sofa and began contacting the lead actors.

"Lin, have you arrived?"

"Yes, Leon. Let's have dinner tonight."

"Sure. I just came out of Director Martin's place. This awards season, I'll be very busy. Haha..."

Though he spoke of being busy, his tone held not a shred of complaint; instead, it was brimming with excitement.

Lin Nan was dazed for a few seconds before reacting: "Oh, I remember. Your 'The Wolf of Wall Street' is also releasing at the end of December, on Christmas Day!"

"Yes, that's right."

"Then you certainly have your hands full. Looks like I'll have to count heavily on Jessica Chastain and Naomi Watts." Lin Nan joked.

"Don't worry, I'll energetically manage both films well."

At six o'clock in the evening, while the main crew of 'The Invisible Guest' dined together, it was just past nine in the morning back home.

Among the film and television news from major media outlets, several eye-catching headlines appeared.

"Directed by Lin Nan, produced by Liu Liu Yifei, starring Han Han Sanping, Zhang Zhang Hanyu, Huang Huang Xiaoming, Fan Li Bingbing, and others, the film 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy' has smoothly passed review and received the screening permit..."

Many companies in the industry recalled the news from a few days ago that Lin Nan personally delivered the submission to the General Administration, and they muttered curses.

Only six days had passed, yet a film was fully reviewed and even announced separately?!

Even if you took shortcuts, turned on the green light, or gave special treatment, you could at least keep a low profile!

So blatantly, how are we supposed to think?

Is 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy' the biological child, while other films are raised by a stepmother?

The November film market was completely drained by the last two imported films, 'Gravity' and 'The Hunger Games 2'.

However, this situation was anticipated by the industry long ago.

Online, amidst a dazzling array of newly refreshed film and television news, suddenly appeared one particularly conspicuous, even glaring, item.

"Noon Sunlight and Lin Nan Pictures simultaneously announced: Jointly produced by both companies, with Noon Sunlight as producer, the large-scale ancient costume political intrigue drama 'Nirvana in Fire' has officially launched, and casting begins immediately..."

This news immediately attracted the attention of all film and television companies, talent agencies, and actors in the industry.

Noon Sunlight completely evolved from Shan Film, considered a top-tier television drama production team in the industry, and Lin Nan Pictures needs no introduction.

Most importantly, this is an ancient costume political intrigue drama!

Ancient costume dramas make stars; this is an unchanging truth in the industry, let alone a guaranteed high-quality ancient costume drama!

When countless industry insiders received confirmed news from the two companies, they truly lost their composure.

The original work was also dug up by various companies and actors.

Everyone discovered this was not that kind of traditional ancient costume political intrigue.

Instead, it was filled with elements of the Laughing Jianghu, the court, romance, revenge, and other themes, featuring a large number of young characters, making it a highly popular alternate history very suitable for making stars.

Then, casting, auditions, and stuffing people in became the most urgent thoughts in the minds of everyone in the industry.

Companies and actors, on one hand, submitted audition resumes according to Noon Sunlight's notice, and on the other, thought of other ways, such as stuffing people in and pre-arranging roles.

Although Noon Sunlight is responsible for production and casting and is somewhat strict, this is the film and television circle, where human relationships and worldly wisdom matter; there are rarely truly impartial film crews.

Even if Noon Sunlight is hard to communicate with, isn't there Lin Nan Pictures?

No one would think Lin Nan Pictures lacks the power to interfere with casting; absolutely they do!

Lin Nan, everyone definitely cannot contact him, nor do they expect to. After attending the Golden Horse Awards, he boldly confronted people, didn't return, and flew directly to Hollywood.

But Yue Jun and Jiang Jiang Xuerou are still here, aren't they?

Most importantly, Liu Liu Yifei is also in the country. To speak bluntly, she is more influential than the previous two!

Just like that, Producer Liu, who had worked hard on publicity with the crew for two days and was just preparing to sleep in, was woken up by a barrage of phone calls.

"Oh, so annoying..."

Around eleven in the morning, Liu Liu Yifei, half-asleep, hummed and groaned, her resentful voice coming from under the covers.

After a long while, she crawled out of the covers. Her eyes fell on messy long hair and a face that looked like it hadn't slept and was full of grievance, yet it was still absolutely stunning.

She squinted, fumbled to turn off her phone, then instantly pulled the covers over herself, curled up, and went back to sleep...

'Frozen' officially premiered in the North American market.

Invited by Disney, Lin Nan even attended a premiere event.

After returning, he threw himself into the preparations for the 'The Invisible Guest' publicity cocktail party.

"The PR firm has screened Academy voters interested in this type of film, as well as Academy members who can be courted, and has already sent out invitations and gifts.

A single cocktail party won't attract many voters. After all, according to Academy rules, before each voting round, every Academy member can attend at most three publicity cocktail parties, and they will carefully consider where to go."

"So this is the reason a film needs to hold many cocktail parties?" Lin Nan asked with interest.

"Exactly, this is how the awards season publicity cocktail parties work."

Tang Mu answered with a smile. Every awards season, he would linger at parties of various crews, getting intimately close with many actresses; he was experienced!

"Tang Mu, your smile is a bit lecherous?"

"Huh? Is it? No way." Tang Mu shook his head vigorously.

Lin Nan said no more, turned around, and prepared to go to the second floor of Crystal Pictures to record a VCR for Ning Hao.

After all, the domestic market enters December 15 hours ahead of Hollywood, and the premiere ceremony for 'No Man's Land' is on the 1st, with the official release on the 3rd.

Half an hour later, a five-minute short video was sent by Lin Nan via email to Liu Liu Yifei, fulfilling his promise.

Time flew, and it was three days later. The domestic market entered December 1st first.

"The Disney 3D animated blockbuster 'Frozen', featuring voice acting by Liu Liu Yifei, has been released in the North American market for three days, with the opening weekend box office reaching 66.71 million US dollars..."

When Liu Liu Yifei, representing herself and Lin Nan, arrived at the 'No Man's Land' premiere venue, she was congratulated by many actor peers in the industry.

Usually brash and carefree, Ning Hao reddened his eyes—an uncommon sight—as he took the stage with several of the leads to deliver remarks.

No one in the audience laughed at him, because this film really had been far from easy.

One round of censorship review held it up for a full four years; in between, it was revised and cut countless times, and in the end, unable to find another way, they had to reshoot the ending.

"Oh right, Lin Dao sent over a VCR from Hollywood. Liu Yifei just handed it to me—I haven't watched it yet. Shall we all take a look together?"

"Sure."

"Let's see it."

……

When the short video was projected onto the big screen, Ning Hao regretted it.

"I bet Director Ning Hao will cry today, right? If he doesn't cry, he'd really be letting down these four-plus years of torment—and letting down my Tiangong Color's equipment too. We got a free ride for so long, not a single cent paid! Ha-ha…"

The opening of Lin Nan's VCR had the whole room laughing. Even though Liu Liu Yifei had already seen it at home, watching it on the big screen was still a bit funny.

"…Ever seen what a director looks like when he's gone mad? I have now. During that stretch, Ning Hao was like a man possessed—he went head-to-head with the Film Bureau, but as you can plainly see, he got 'thrashed' pretty badly.

I heard from that sister that Ning Hao would often sneak off by himself and quietly wipe his tears. At the time, Huang Bo even specially sent me photos—let me show everyone…"

"Damn it, shut it off, shut it off…"

Amid the heckling of the entire hall, Ning Hao shouted at the top of his lungs, managing to keep the several hundred people present from seeing him at his most embarrassing.

"Liu Yifei, you and Lin Nan are really underhanded."

Turning around, Ning Hao looked toward Liu Liu Yifei in the front row and said, feigning anger.

"It's fine, ha-ha…"

…………

North American time, December 1st.

The film "The Invisible Guest" officially went on general release.

At the same time, Lin Nan, together with Leonardo, Naomi Watts, Jessica Chastain, and the rest of the film's principal creatives,

held the first film party—commonly known as a PR cocktail party—in Hollywood, in the name of three companies: Crystal Pictures, Appian Way, and Lionsgate.

The company in charge of PR business assisted from the side.

The guests on site included Nolan, James Wan, Matt Damon, Ryan Reynolds… friends of Lin Nan's from Lionsgate, Warner, Disney, and others, along with quite a few Hollywood actors and film people… and most importantly, those several dozen Academy members.

At the first PR cocktail party, the total number of guests reached more than two hundred and thirty—not a small scale.

…………

(End of this chapter)