Chapter 50

In the blink of an eye, it's summer vacation again.

For art schools, it makes no difference whether it's vacation or not; students still run to film crews, go to auditions, and travel back and forth between various film and television bases.

Lin Nan felt a bit emotional; the Class of '01 is leaving, and he can now be considered a senior.

"Time is passing a bit too fast; in the blink of an eye, I'm a senior."

Lin Nan looked at the group of people taking graduation photos and sighed.

He looked at Zhu Yawen beside him, "How come you have time to come back today? Aren't you busy?"

Ever since Zhu Yawen signed with Wang Jinghua, his career has been developing quite well; he has plenty of TV scripts, as well as some commercial endorsements and magazine work.

"Recently, Sister Hua and the company have talked several times, but there's been no result. The company has also taken back some resources. It looks like parting ways is really close."

Zhu Yawen said, looking at the Class of '01 in the distance.

Zhu Yawen never hid anything from Lin Nan regarding Wang Jinghua and Huayi.

"Wang Jinghua is too aggressive. She considers herself a partner, but the two Boss Wangs only see her as an employee. A falling out is inevitable."

Zhu Yawen nodded, not responding.

"Look, it's good to be famous. So many people are taking group photos, and Huang Shengyi is in the center position. Everyone is all smiles with her. It's so realistic."

Zhu Yawen suddenly remarked.

Lin Nan looked over, and it was true. Huang Shengyi, wearing her graduation gown, was invited to the center position and took several photos in a row. After the group photo was finished, many people also invited her to take photos for keepsakes.

"Why are you suddenly so sentimental? Isn't our industry just like this?"

Lin Nan asked Zhu Yawen with a smile.

"Sigh, it's just because of Sister Hua's recent situation. The big stars can keep their cool, but you don't know about the newcomers under Sister Hua—they are all terrified, afraid that their careers will end before they even begin."

"Lin Nan, Zhu Yawen, come over and take a photo."

In the distance, Wang Luodan shouted. Her voice was quite loud, not ladylike at all.

"Should we go over? I reckon they mainly want to call you; I'm just an afterthought."

Zhu Yawen joked.

"Let's go. That person is waving over there; it would be too hurtful to her face if we didn't go."

The Class of '01 acting major group watched as Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen walked over, and the group became a bit excited in an instant.

As a prominent big director, Lin Nan doesn't have many friends usually. In the Class of '01, only the carefree Wang Luodan can chat with him for a bit. With others in school, it's at most a nodding acquaintance, even for the very famous Huang Shengyi. This is a good chance to take advantage of the photo session to build some rapport.

"I'm telling you, can you have a bit of a girl's demeanor? You're shouting from so far away."

Zhu Yawen was the first to speak up and tease.

"What are you worrying about? Hurry up and stand over here; let's take a group photo." Wang Luodan urged.

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen stood on either side of Wang Luodan, and another student quickly pressed the shutter.

"Come, let me see."

Wang Luodan snatched the camera and checked it.

"Hmm, not bad."

Once they started, they couldn't stop; the two also took group photos with several others.

"Director Lin, long time no see."

"Senior Sister Huang is quite busy too, haven't been back to school for a long time. Has 'Dragon Squad' wrapped up filming?"

"It's wrapped."

Huang Shengyi came over to greet him, and Lin Nan exchanged a few pleasantries.

After the Class of '01 acting majors finished their photos, it was time for other majors.

"Wow, luxury car..."

Amidst bursts of exclamation, Huang Shengyi got into a car. Besides the driver, there was a man in sunglasses sitting in the back. His appearance was somewhat mature, but his age shouldn't be too old.

"Looks a bit familiar, doesn't it?"

Zhu Yawen muttered.

Lin Nan shook his head, "Didn't you watch a movie in April? The one Li Ruotong starred in."

If we're talking about 'The Return of the Condor Heroes', you can't avoid the Li Ruotong version. At the time, Zhu Yawen went to watch the movie specifically for Li Ruotong.

"'Blue Flower'! I remember now. This person played three roles."

Zhu Yawen suddenly realized, and then said in shock, "What's the relationship?"

"Just the kind of relationship you're thinking of."

Lin Nan replied and walked away.

"He's really daring, and she's at the peak of her popularity right now." Zhu Yawen caught up in two or three steps.

"Seems like his family runs a company."

Nowadays, actors' salaries haven't skyrocketed yet, and many beautiful female stars and actresses still have dreams of marrying into a wealthy family.

Lin Nan said this, and Zhu Yawen understood.

"Runs a company? Don't you run a company too? Has any senior or junior sister harassed you?"

Zhu Yawen teased.

"I have always been open and aboveboard in my conduct. Even if there were any, I would refuse them, not to mention there aren't any..."

Lin Nan said it with conviction.

"No way?"

"Believe it or not." Lin Nan walked away feeling guilty.

The 8th Shanghai International Film Festival opened smoothly. Lin Nan didn't pay much attention to it, but Ning Hao excitedly called back; 'Crazy Stone' was nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay.

"Lin Nan, I think there's a great hope. Everyone recognizes 'Crazy Stone' very much..."

"Then keep it up, I'll wait for your good news."

Lin Nan took the opportunity to cheer Ning Hao on; everything will have to wait until the closing ceremony to have a result.

Director Chen Kexin is someone who knows how to make money. In the past few days, he brought the three supporting actresses of 'Perhaps Love' to the mainland for an auction, and a large wave of actors flocked to it.

In order to cooperate with a big director and act alongside Jin Chengwu and Zhou Xun, they didn't blink when throwing money around. The final winner is definitely someone backed by a wealthy patron.

No matter how the internet mocks Chen Kexin for this operation, a big director is still a big director. Lin Nan feels he is not as good as him in the ability to swallow insults.

Feng Xiaogang rarely went to the Shanghai International Film Festival, which puzzled Lin Nan. Usually, even if he had works, he wouldn't go there to join in the fun. Now it seems he doesn't have a film, so what is he doing there?

It wasn't until he saw the news on the portal website that Lin Nan reacted; Feng Xiaogang was taking the opportunity to promote his new film that was about to start shooting.

It is said that the cast has already been confirmed, inviting back Zhang Ziyi, who has been infinitely glorious in the past two years, to partner with Ge You, Zhou Xun, Wu Yanzu, Huang Xiaoming, etc., with plans to start filming in September.

In front of the camera, Director Feng was sharp-tongued, only saying it was a costume drama. When reporters asked if it was a domestic version of Hamlet, he gave no answer to three questions.

Boss Wang was much more direct, stating bluntly that this is a big production with a production cost of at least 15 million US dollars, with no upper limit, vowing to create a blockbuster drama.

Ginger is still old and spicy. Lin Nan didn't even think that the Shanghai Film Festival is still a promotional platform.

Ning Hao is very heartwarming. When accepting an interview, he said that Lin Nan is busy preparing for the release of 'Apart Together', so he didn't come, and took the opportunity to promote 'Apart Together' for Lin Nan.

"Don't say, I was quite moved when I watched the video you helped me promote."

Lin Nan chatted with Ning Hao on the phone and joked with a smile.

"Haha, I was also inspired by that group of people from Huayi. They are really ruthless. I heard they weren't going to come originally, but in the end, they came and even did a promotion, the kind that doesn't cost money."

"We are still too concerned about our reputation."

Lin Nan had to admit this point.

"Yes, that sister of yours often says I'm too concerned about face and suffer for it. We still have to learn from these people, hehe."

With the news of 'The Banquet' spreading, Huang Xiaoming has successfully upgraded and entered the big screen.

Little Liu seems to have heard this news too, wandering around in front of Lin Nan several times, just not speaking. Those who don't know would think the latter had done something bad.

The box office growth of 'Shanghai Dreams' is really slow, currently still crawling towards 3 million.

The 'Shanghai Dreams' crew had to think of ways to hype it up, planning to auction off multiple souvenirs.

Gao Yuanyuan generously provided four gowns she wore to the Cannes Film Festival, including the one she wore on the red carpet. The proceeds will be used to build a Shanghai Dreams primary school.

Time came to the middle of the month, and the posters for 'Apart Together' have begun to appear in the promotional columns of various cinemas, although the main event is still 'Initial D'.

Lin Nan won the Silver Bear for Best Director for this film. This is an individual award, different in nature from the Jury Grand Prix. He also hopes that the box office will not be affected by 'Peacock' and 'Shanghai Dreams'. Even if it's not high, don't let it flop too badly.

…………

Facts have proven that Lin Nan was right to tell Ning Hao; the style of the Shanghai International Film Festival hasn't changed at all. Being able to give you a nomination is the greatest kindness.

On the 19th, the box office of 'Shanghai Dreams' was finally nailed at over 3 million, looking like nearly 4 million.

'Initial D' was released, and the power of fans was terrifying. The first-day box office was nearly 7 million, twice the box office of 'Shanghai Dreams' for half a month.

On the same day, the Shanghai International Film Festival closed and held an awards ceremony. Only one domestic film, 'Please Praise Me', won the Jury Special Award and Best Screenplay.

Zhao Wei won Best Actress for 'A Time to Love'. All other awards were foreign films. The biggest winner was the Japanese film 'Village Photo Album'.

"You were absolutely right."

Ning Hao flew back that night.

"They still prefer drama films, suffering and struggle, redemption and irony. The most ridiculous thing is that they even gave some Outstanding Contribution Award to Jackie Chan and Zhang Yimou, purely wanting to borrow other people's fame."

Ning Hao was a bit stifled and angry.

Lin Nan just listened to Ning Hao nagging for a long time. He looked at the data released by the film festival.

"503 films entered the competition, and the transaction volume was less than 1 billion. The data is indeed a bit ugly. It doesn't look like a serious A-list international film festival at all."

"Like this, if it doesn't change, it will only be more rubbish in the future." Ning Hao said indignantly.

"Hehe, don't be angry, just wait slowly."

Ning Hao slowed down, then remembered something.

"By the way, looking at the box office of 'Initial D' rising very rapidly, are you really not worried about affecting 'Apart Together'?"

"It would be a lie to say I'm not worried, but its main audience is students, so to some extent, the impact won't be too obvious."

Theoretically, this is the case, and Lin Nan also hopes that there will be no accidents in reality.

Given the subject matter of 'Apart Together', it cannot be promoted like 'Crazy Stone'. At most, it can accept an interview program, mainly serious.

In Enlight Media's original business, film distribution accounted for a very low proportion, not as good as Bona, which was the first batch of companies to obtain domestic film distribution rights, but 'Crazy Stone' brought vitality to this business of Enlight.

In terms of interpersonal relationships, those who do business are more proficient. For the promotion of 'Apart Together', Enlight also helped through its own promotional channels, which made Lin Nan very grateful.

Industry insiders realized for the first time the help of idols to the film box office, as well as the power of fans.

'Initial D' box office increased by millions every day.

According to news obtained by media interviews with several cinemas, nearly 90% of the audience are students, and in some screening halls, there are even situations where a whole class of students are there.