Chapter 475: First-Day Box Office Difference

In the afternoon, reviews for the two films appeared one after another online.

Subsequently, a large number of viewers and movie fans participated.

"Still that Zhang Yimou, still that Teacher Gong Li, 'Coming Home' after many years is still so moving."

"When it comes to tear-jerkers, it has to be Director Zhang. Just like 'To Live' back then, helpless, repressed, desperate..."

"Teacher Gong Li's acting is impeccable, she can make people cry inadvertently, worthy of being the Gong Emperor!"

"Not seeing the end, you don't know who the villain is at all. Lin Dao used the double-edged nature of lies to the extreme."

"'The Invisible Guest' is awesome, reversal after reversal, layer upon layer of reversal, layer upon layer of progression. It's simply a Rashomon-style self-justification."

"The plot is invincible, the film's progress is a constant repetition and deduction of the case, the details are meticulous to the extreme, a peak showdown of IQ!"

"The whole film peels away the darkness deep in human nature, making people nervous and scalp-numbing..."

"The two films have different focuses, it is recommended not to miss either... I have to go back and savor 'The Invisible Guest' again, too brain-burning, headache!"

"Facts prove that Lin Dao winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay is deserved, well-deserved!"

Two top great directors in the country, rarely fighting head-on, made a group of film critics incomparably excited.

Because their rare opportunity to show their faces had come.

In short, it's the same old routine, no good words, all picking on flaws. The greater the director, the more they want to nitpick and belittle.

First, they accused Zhang Yimou of running out of talent, unable to jump out of his comfort zone.

Then they criticized Lin Nan, saying "The Invisible Guest" lacked positive significance, with too many dark sides of human nature.

The viewers and movie fans online didn't care what kind of film critic you were, nor did they care which government agency you worked for; they just scolded you when they caught you.

Some even gave the most "vicious" advice:

Suggesting these film critics watch more Spring Festival Galas, receive more "positive" education, and not just know how to sing against the masses all day.

Liu Yifei was always tirelessly concerned about Lin Nan's films; she hadn't been this attentive or concerned about her own films.

Whenever she saw someone praising "The Invisible Guest" on Weibo, she would always show a smile and share it with Lin Nan, then give a like.

Just like this, Miss Liu leaned against Lin Nan, doing the same thing all afternoon.

That silly, naive look was truly intoxicating; anyway, Lin Nan was quite dazed, and he became lazy, infected by Liu Yifei.

The competition between "Coming Home" and "The Invisible Guest" in the same release slot was the headline of today's film and entertainment information.

And the film industry was also looking forward to the first-day box office data coming out tomorrow, to witness the victory or defeat of the first battle between two generations of great directors.

Around five o'clock in the evening, Yue Jun called:

"Lin Dao, this afternoon the company received a meeting notice from above, signed by the Copyright Bureau, Cyberspace Administration, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security..."

Hearing this series of department names, Lin Nan was immediately startled.

"What's the situation?"

"It didn't say specifically, just asked to attend the meeting in the latter half of this month. I inquired, it's not just us, major companies in the industry have received it."

"Listening to this, it's a matter for the entire film and television industry?"

Lin Nan muttered, suddenly realizing something.

"What about the Internet industry?"

"They received it too."

Alright, now Lin Nan could probably guess what it was about. Kuaibo was just shut down two days ago, it should be related to this matter.

"Fine, I know. Adjust your schedule, and represent the company to attend when the time comes."

"I'll attend? Is it okay?"

"Since it was sent to the company and didn't name me to go, of course it's fine for you to attend."

"Also true, then it'll be me."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Nan asked Enlight and Tudou, and sure enough, they all had a share.

He hesitated and called Han Sanping, who currently held a nominal position above, but his news was absolutely well-informed.

"You were there when the big meeting was held last year, didn't they say it? Within a year, come up with a way to solve the stubborn disease of domestic piracy, this is it!"

Putting down the phone, Han Sanping's voice still echoed in Lin Nan's mind.

"The film and television industry, the era of demons dancing with capital, is truly coming. Fortunately, I am also capital!"

A night passed, and many people in the circle were a bit excited.

Originally a cold mid-May, it was forced into a hot release slot by Lin Nan and Zhang Yimou.

Early in the morning, the film circle couldn't wait to care about the results of the battle between the two films yesterday.

The headlines of major portal websites and Weibo were all consistent.

"Directed by Director Zhang Yimou, starring Teacher Gong Li, Chen Daoming, Zhang Huiwen, the film 'Coming Home' grossed 21.19 million on its first day, with rave reviews."

"Lin Dao Nan's work, Oscar-winning film 'The Invisible Guest' grossed 28.85 million on its first day, unfortunately without a Mandarin version."

"Theater chains predict that the overall box office of the two films will rise today."

"The battle between the two great directors, 'Coming Home' lost by a margin of 7.66 million on its first day."

It's out! First-day box office, Lin Nan leads Zhang Yimou by 7.66 million!

Many filmmakers in the circle had a feeling that this result was unexpected but reasonable.

Originally everyone thought Zhang Yimou would hold his position in the field of art films and realistic films.

After all, he won so many awards, two Golden Lions, one Golden Bear, countless awards from international A-list film festivals, more than ten Best Film and Best Director awards from Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers...

But Lin Nan is ultimately the youngest great director, possessing unique box office appeal, the domestic film box office record holder, the only great director in the mainland market with 200 million USD box office...

Not only that, insiders noticed a problem for the first time:

Previously, Lin Nan and Zhang Yimou had never been compared together, because they were a generation apart.

But this time, when put together, everyone realized that among the many great directors in the country, Lin Nan's number of overseas awards seems to be second only to Zhang Yimou?

That's right, it's second only! This is not meant to belittle; you have to know that there is a 34-year age gap between the two!

Although only the first-day box office data for two films came out, the Internet and the film circle were extremely lively.

From the morning, many people called and sent messages to congratulate and tease Lin Nan.

"You are incredible now; in terms of award-chasing films, you can already crush Director Zhang Yimou head-on.

The Film Association, Directors Association, Screenwriters Association... these departments are getting more and more stifled.

The youngest great director is not in any association, it's too ironic! Haha..."

Listening to Ning Hao's unbridled teasing, Lin Nan was also happy.

Because what Ning Hao said was the truth, Lin Nan really hadn't joined any of the film industry associations, drifting outside.

But don't say, without so many broken things, this feeling is very good, very comfortable.

At noon, Miss Liu reminded Lin Nan to look at the news.

I don't know if these media reporters had nothing to do, but they actually ran to interview other directors.

Asking them how they view the box office of Zhang Yimou's "Coming Home" falling short of Lin Nan's "The Invisible Guest."

Good guy, isn't this inviting hatred?

But don't say, there were really several directors who accepted interviews and even said quite a few things.

Jia Zhangke, Feng Xiaogang, Gu Changwei, and others all congratulated, while Jiang Wen seemed to be drunk, directly saying "It should have been like this!"

And finally, Chen Kaige, the great Director Chen, while finishing the filming of "Monk Comes Down the Mountain," put together a long speech.

"Overall, Lin Nan is still not as experienced or deep as Yimou in art films. One box office lead doesn't mean anything; the road he has to walk is still long, and he needs to learn.

However, as a senior, if there is a chance, I am very interested in bumping into his films. In the field of genre films, I consider myself experienced..."

Lin Nan looked at the news online, speechless to the extreme.

"This tone of Great Director Chen, is he treating Director Zhang and me as juniors? Bumping into? Translate it, it means pointing out?"

Lin Nan muttered with a smile, and Lu Yang's words suddenly flashed in his mind.

Before "Brotherhood of Blades 2" started filming, Lu Yang had the idea of setting the film's release date on the same day as "Monk Comes Down the Mountain," and even thought about using Chen Kaige as a background board for the box office!

"Sigh, 'Brotherhood of Blades 2' vs 'Monk Comes Down the Mountain'? Why do I feel his idea is good right now? Hmm, can try..."

May has reached the middle of the month.

The "X-Men: Days of Future Past" in the latter half and "Overheard 3" at the end of the month were both looking like they were eyeing the prize.

The promotion of the two films had also reached the most critical moment.

The former film held its mainland premiere ceremony in Beijing on the day "The Invisible Guest" was released.

Although Lin Nan didn't go, I heard Fan Bingbing played a bit part in it again.

Speaking of which, it's quite miserable; in terms of Hollywood films, Fan Bingbing is ultimately not as good as Li Bingbing, at least the latter still has major supporting roles.

"Lin Dao, Huo Wenxi called, the promotion for 'Ip Man 3' is about to start, 40 days in advance."

"Then start the promotion. This summer release slot is too difficult."

Lin Nan complained with a smile; the pressure on his own company this time was also not small.

China Film didn't hold up in the front, "Transformers 4" was put into the summer release slot, with global simultaneous release.

And it was released on the same day as "Ip Man 3" and "The Breakup Guru."

Besides that, there were three Hollywood blockbusters in June, "Edge of Tomorrow," "Godzilla," and "Maleficent"!

These four films sounded scary, making many domestic film producers tremble with fear.

Originally there was a tacit understanding in the circle, and domestic films were ready to start paying back debts in the second half of the year.

But who knew that within just one week, two imported blockbusters would drop from the sky, and the debt repayment time was directly advanced to June.

By now, many film companies were complaining, missing the time when Han Sanping was still there.

If the "Vulture of the Mountain" was still there, it would likely put several Hollywood blockbusters on the same day, letting them play slowly, play by themselves.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 476 =====