Chapter 669: Guilty Conscience, Cowardly Feng Feng Xiaogang; The Air Force's Main Melody!

For two or three consecutive days, the scene of crowds at China Film Group remained on the hot search and headlines.

The reason was that numerous famous actors from the film and television industry appeared at China Film Group to audition for "The Founding of an Army".

But what drew even more attention and focus from the entire internet were those idol stars on site who were not professionally trained, had debuted through talent shows or as idols, and possessed massive fan bases and traffic.

That's right, "The Founding of an Army" broke the "conservative mindset" of tribute films and opened its arms to the entire film and television entertainment industry and to young idol stars.

"So, you've already been cast?"

In the pavilion, several people sat together for a small gathering, with various snacks and fruits on the table.

"Yeah, that's right. I guess I've managed to get an early ticket to the show; Han Dong and Director Huang Huang Jianxin gave the nod.

Director Liu Liu Weiqiang originally favored that Li Li Yifeng, but he didn't dare to refuse the face of Han Dong and Director Huang, so the role of the Premier was settled on me.

By the way, I look quite decent too; playing the young Premier is absolutely no problem!" Zhu Zhu Yawen boasted shamelessly.

"Heh, as long as you don't show that perverted, cheap, and effeminate smile or posture, you do look like a human most of the time."

Luo Jin didn't spare his feelings; cracking melon seeds, he laughed and roasted him, drawing a round of laughter from everyone, very real!

"Damn it, you're jealous of me, right?"

Since they were all insiders, Zhu Zhu Yawen felt more at ease and immediately retorted.

He said this to Luo Jin because Luo Jin had been eliminated yesterday, losing to a "little fresh meat".

"Sigh, I've figured it out; this Hong Kong director really favors those idol stars with fan bases and traffic markets.

Although Director Huang Huang Jianxin thought I was suitable, Director Liu Liu Weiqiang's attitude was somewhat firm, favoring Zhang Zhang Yixing from "Go Fighting!" more, so that's why I got cut."

Luo Jin sighed repeatedly; Tang Yan beside him hurriedly handed him a piece of dried fruit, and the former instantly broke into a smile.

"I see it now; these people from the Hong Kong circle are smuggling their own agenda and doing business. Hmm, ninety-nine percent of Hong Kong directors would never fail to scam mainland producers or abuse their power for personal gain!

But to be fair, they found a pretty good excuse: to expand the dissemination and influence of tribute films among the younger generation..."

To be honest, Lin Nan was somewhat impressed by Liu Liu Weiqiang; how dare he play it this way with such a highly anticipated tribute film?

The "Founding Trilogy" series, at the very end, this counts as a botched finale, doesn't it? At La La Peikang's hands!

"I heard Jia Nv say that Han Dong has already given up on this movie; once the casting ends, he will completely let go."

Liu Liu Yifei held a cat in one hand and picked up a small dried fish with the other, teasing the calico in her arms.

"Alright, let's stop talking about "The Founding of an Army". Your 'criticism' makes the tribute film I got the role in seem like it dropped a whole level in class."

Zhu Zhu Yawen complained grumpily. Actually, he could also see that judging by this casting style, it was indeed a drop in class compared to the previous two; not to mention the director had changed!

You have to know that the previous two were personally guided and served as chief directors by the Chairman of China Film Group, and even the unit directors were big directors like Chen Chen Kaige and Peter Chan.

The five people chattered and laughed while gossiping in the villa courtyard, planning to go out for a group meal around noon...

Meanwhile, the internet reported a piece of news that made many film and television companies feel "the fox mourns the rabbit's death" and "take it as a warning":

"Media Report: Since mid-December last year, the Beijing No. 3 Intermediate People's Court ruled that LeEco Pictures must fulfill the bet-on contract, repurchasing the shares obtained from CDB Cultural Strategic Investment for 635 million RMB, after which LeEco Pictures was unable to fulfill its obligations.

Three months later, upon application and approval, the judicial authorities carried out compulsory execution and bankruptcy liquidation on LeEco Pictures this morning..."

In less than half an hour, almost all film and television companies in the entire industry were focusing on this heavy-hitting piece of information;

From today on, the former film and television giant LeEco Pictures, its last trace of existence in the industry, will be completely erased, vanishing into thin air...

"Controlled by Happy Happy Mahua and co-produced by Lin Nan Pictures, starring Ren Ren Suxi, Dali, and others, adapted from an original stage play, the same-titled comedy film "Don't Mess with Mr. Donkey" officially wrapped production today at noon at the scenic area in Pinglu District, Shanxi.

Yan Fei, Peng Peng Damo, and others attended the wrap-up ceremony and, on behalf of Happy Happy Mahua, publicly announced: the film "Don't Mess with Mr. Donkey" will be scheduled for October 28 in the second half of the year..."

Afternoon, Huayi Brothers.

Wang Wang Zhongjun glanced at the news about "Don't Mess with Mr. Donkey", with no abnormal expression on his face.

He looked up at the few people in the office and asked: "Feng Xiaogang, have you decided where to go?

We missed the registration deadline for the Cannes International Film Festival, but fortunately, the registration time for the Venice International Film Festival is still in time!"

Hearing Wang Wang Zhongjun's inquiry, Feng Feng Xiaogang fell silent for a rare moment, his expression somewhat serious.

Wang Wang Zhonglei beside him smiled; he could roughly guess Feng Feng Xiaogang's thoughts at this moment...

Awards from International A-Class Film Festivals are the dream of all filmmakers. But even among International A-Class Film Festivals, there are different tiers!

Undoubtedly, the European Big Three Film Festivals are the most authoritative and globally influential A-Class Film Festivals among International A-Class Film Festivals, and naturally, the difficulty is the highest.

Apart from that, there are ordinary A-Class Film Festivals; and to put it bluntly, the one in Shanghai is one of the bottom few among ordinary A-Class Film Festivals.

Feng Feng Xiaogang was obviously very unconfident about going to the European Big Three.

"Feng Xiaogang, actually, besides Venice, are there other choices? I remember several A-Class Film Festivals will start registering one after another recently."

Wang Wang Zhonglei said with a smile, actively offering a way out.

The office was somewhat quiet; after a long while, Feng Feng Xiaogang finally sighed, looked at Wang Wang Zhongjun, Wang Wang Zhonglei, and Liu Liu Zhenyun, and stated decisively:

"Let's go to the San Sebastian International Film Festival; it's around the same time as the Venice International Film Festival, and Spain is a bit closer to home than Italy."

The last sentence sounded like a forced excuse, leaving people speechless.

"San Sebastian?"

Wang Wang Zhongjun muttered. This is a regular A-Class, and a regular International A-Class Film Festival that is quite friendly to Chinese-language films.

Many domestic filmmakers have won awards there; among those who won the Best Director Award are Chen Chen Kaige, Xu Xu Jinglei, Zhang Yang, and others;

Even Lu Chuan won the Best Film Award there, relying on that controversial "Nanjing! Nanjing!".

"Yes, let's go to San Sebastian... I, going there, our chances will be a bit higher..."

Feng Feng Xiaogang ultimately did not hide his true inner thoughts; he felt somewhat guilty and cowardly, so he chose the easiest path.

In terms of chasing awards, he had to admit that he was indeed quite jealous of Lin Nan, Zhang Zhang Yimou... Wang Quan'an and these people, but he could only do this, helpless.

"Alright, I'll listen to you. "I Am Not Madame Bovary" will be registered for the San Sebastian International Film Festival!"

"Gods of Egypt: The Eye of Power" seemed to have a mediocre response; after its release yesterday, the first-day box office of 40.5 million yuan showed none of the momentum and viewing wave expected of an imported blockbuster.

But even so, it still had a considerable impact on "The Mermaid."

Although the latter's total box office reached 3.301 billion, its daily box office dropped below ten million, reporting 9.88 million, and its screening rate was also cut by several percentage points.

In the afternoon, Lin Nan received a call from Yue Jun, who said that China Film had notified them that "The Mermaid" would do a final few rounds of promotion led by Zhou Zhou Xingchi, going all out to boost the daily box office as much as possible…

It was obvious that La La Peikang really wanted "The Mermaid" to break through the 3.5 billion box office threshold… the higher the new record the better, because China Film was still involved.

On the 12th and 13th, Lin Nan stayed home for two consecutive days, mainly working on polishing the script.

Anyway, he planned to take it easy this year; there was plenty of time to take it slow, juggling work and play was fine.

On the morning of the 14th, Lin Nan was urged by Yue Jun to come to the company; the box office share for "Detective Chinatown" had come in.

After winning the bet, the 46% share ratio meant Lin Nan's Pictures, which held a 30% stake, received 378 million in box office share; plus the attached ads, that brought it to 450 million.

Sitting in the office, Lin Nan was signing various documents, mostly financial ones, while Yue Jun chattered away with reports beside him:

"The online broadcast rights were sold to Tudou, settled next quarter; the TV broadcast rights were bought by the Movie Channel, hmm, the price wasn't high, they haven't paid yet…"

"The Movie Channel definitely won't pay much, but besides them there aren't any other good channels for TV broadcast rights, so let it be."

While talking, Lin Nan saw the revenue reports for the four studios from last August all the way to December 31st of that year, five months in total.

Undoubtedly, Dilireba's studio was still the most profitable, nearly double that of second-place Zhao Zhao Liying.

Zhang Yi and Lei Lei Jiayin's two studios — sigh, undoubtedly at the bottom.

After all, those two basically relied entirely on acting fees; compared with the female artists, the gap was like night and day, no comparison!

By the end of the morning, Lin Nan had finally finished all the miscellaneous tasks; the moment he opened his phone, holy smokes, it was all trending searches and gossip about Tang Ren's Number One Sister and Wu Wu Qilong.

This couple, seventeen years apart in age, seemed to be holding their wedding in a week.

At this point, nearly half the entertainment industry was posting their schedules, but overall, the groom's side had more connections — after all, he was a veteran who'd been in the entertainment circle for so many years!

As Lin Nan drove, listening to entertainment gossip on the radio, to pick up Liu Liu Yifei, on the other side Han Han Sanping was in a state of bewilderment.

Han Jianv looked at her own father's expression, very curious about who had called.

"You mean, this afternoon you have to go to the bureau for another meeting? And you won't tell me what meeting it is or who you're meeting?"

A moment later, Han Han Sanping gripped his phone and asked back, his expression gradually turning serious. "Alright, I'll be there before two o'clock."

"Before two o'clock? No need to be so formal, right? You're a retiree of two and a half years, almost sixty-three years old — they won't even let you take a nap?" Seeing Han Han Sanping hang up, Little Han immediately complained in dissatisfaction.

"Based on my experience, if it's not something big, then someone from another unit is coming over, and at a pretty high level! Let's have lunch early, just us two."

Han Han Sanping explained proactively — who asked him to still hold the title of consultant at the bureau? Besides, so what if he was sixty-three? He looked like he was only fifty, full of energy!

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the audition at China Film was about to begin, but La La Peikang was not at the group.

The Film Bureau.

When Han Han Sanping's car drove in as usual, someone immediately came running over.

"Han Dong, Director Tong, Director Zhang and the others are over in the conference hall, you can head straight there."

"Xiao Zhao, I'm just curious — what meeting is it today? The two from China Film and Shanghai Film are both here, right?"

"Han Dong, I really don't know what specific meeting it is, but Director La is here. But because the bureau only received the notice on short notice, Director Ren definitely couldn't make it in time, so we didn't notify that side."

Han Han Sanping nodded: "Alright, I'll head over myself."

A few minutes later, when Han Han Sanping stepped into the conference hall and saw only Tong Gang, Zhang Zhang Hongsen, La La Peikang, and a few senior executives from Huaxia Film, he understood: an even more important person hadn't arrived yet!

"Director Tong, what's the situation today?"

Han Han Sanping sat down beside La La Peikang with a smile; the latter was also very curious, but hadn't had time to ask yet.

Tong Gang showed a rather helpless expression: "The Air Force!"

……

Liu Liu Yifei really called it — as soon as Wu Jing's "Wolf Warrior 2" was announced, his connections came knocking.

Only Hong Kong could claim connections with Wu Jing, after all he'd been working there for many years and had been looked after by quite a few people.

"I asked him if Liu Yan would work, he said no, said no matter how they did her makeup she didn't look like a soldier. After all that fuss, it was Hong Kong calling in favors to get someone in!

And it's an old acquaintance of his — the female lead from the first film he directed, 'Belly of the Spider,' named Celina Jade, hmm, she's a Chinese-American mixed-blood…"

After eating lunch outside, Lin Nan had just gotten home with Liu Liu Yifei and was sprawled on the sofa digesting when he received a call from Wang Wang Changtian to vent.

"Hong Kong has no film resources worth mentioning anymore, so of course they have to do everything they can to come to the mainland for a slice of the pie? In this circle, you can't dodge the favor game, let alone for a male chauvinist like Wu Jing…"

As Lin Nan spoke, his eyes glanced toward Liu Liu Yifei, because she was waving her tablet showing Celina Jade's profile.

"Mm, she's indeed more suitable than Liu Yan, and more suitable than those two from the studio under Shanhai Media. Wang Dong, stop complaining — Liu Yifei and I didn't squeeze anyone in!"

Lin Nan commented with a smile; although Celina Jade was mixed-blood, she was just so-so looking.

"Wang Dong, respect the director's choice. He emptied his own pockets to invest in this film, so he must care more than anyone. The female lead he chose must have been carefully considered — only picked because she was right for the part."

Liu Liu Yifei couldn't help adding a word — she had just heard Xie Nan privately tell her yesterday that to invest in "Wolf Warrior 2," the couple had mortgaged their property.

After all, one of them was a host whose income wasn't as high as an actor's, and the Enlight shares she held were still in the lock-up period, unable to be traded or mortgaged.

The other had lost years of savings with a single "Belly of the Spider," only recouping some blood through "Wolf Warrior" and "SPL 2," and the new house was only bought last year — now mortgaged again.

"Well, since Liu Yifei, the biggest major production, has said this much, naturally I can't keep complaining, hehe…"

……

Leading the team was another conspicuous young general's uniform, just a different color from the Navy uniform last time.

At this moment, the people in the conference hall were all at a bit of a loss for words.

The main melody, the main melody.

Originally it was just the film industry making main-melody films on its own, but now — after seeing the "effects" of main-melody films — first the Navy, now the Air Force, and both are top-down main-melody film projects, this is a mission!

"Actually, the Air Force Political Department and the Navy Political Department received their instructions at roughly the same time, but compared to the Navy side, our mission requirements are definitely different from theirs."

"So what does the Air Force Political Department have in mind?"

Tong Gang asked, and Han Han Sanping and the others, without exception, all focused intently.

"The Air Force Political Department takes the lead in funding and can provide the fighter jets and pilots needed for filming… we want a truly grand spectacle, to promote the spirit of the Air Force… we hope the film sector here will co-produce and provide full support for the film's production…"

"Also, we'll personally oversee the script, supervise it. As for the director, I heard the Navy Political Department's side waits until the script is done before picking a director, but we're different — we already have someone in mind…"

Bringing their own director?

Hearing this, Tong Gang, Zhang Zhang Hongsen, Han Han Sanping, and Beside La La Peikang all felt an ominous premonition in their hearts;

No need for the Film Bureau's help to appoint their own director? What kind of director is this? Where did they find them? Are they reliable? They can't be someone with connections, can they?

After all, although the Air Force Political Department is the Air Force's propaganda arm, it doesn't normally interact much with the film and television industry, let alone have its own director!

Although the few men all had these doubts in their hearts, since the Air Force Political Department's people had said so, it wasn't appropriate to press further.

"Then what's the specific project launch date? And confirming the co-producers, casting, preparation, start of filming — all that?"

Only Tong Gang could speak as an equal; the others couldn't take the initiative to ask questions.

"Let's publicly launch the project next month, and after that we can confirm the qualifications of the co-producers and prepare the casting matters.

The preparation time might be a bit long, because the actors need to familiarize themselves with the 'props,' and the Air Force side will have dedicated personnel to guide and teach them, to help them get familiar;

After all, it's a main-melody piece, it can't be filmed too fake… As for start of filming, I'd estimate once all the work is done, it'll be around the end of the year?"

Good lord, hearing this answer, Han Han Sanping and the others had only one thought in mind: another big project!

Around three in the afternoon, Tong Gang and the others saw the Air Force Political Department's people out of the conference hall.

Watching the receding figures, Han Han Sanping couldn't help but complain:

"Even more high and mighty than the Navy Political Department's people last time — they even appoint their own director! If I'm not mistaken, it's definitely some connected insider from the compound…"

"Heh, alright, alright, the Air Force wants to do its own main-melody piece, so the Film Bureau and China Film just go along with it — the fewer things on our plate the better, saves us worry!"

Tong Gang said with a smile, and Zhang Zhang Hongsen nodded in considerable agreement.

Beside La La Peikang was very pleased at this moment — this political-achievement project couldn't do without China Film's participation. Hmm, Ren Ren Zhonglun didn't come today, so there's even more room to maneuver!

…………

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei were about to die laughing. In the evening, Ning Hao came running over looking thoroughly disgusted.

The guy couldn't dodge the favor-asking from his own mentor at the Cinematography Department, so he'd gone to lend his presence to the screening and seminar for that film "Pure Heart · Chasing the Acting Dream."

"I left school and came straight here without going home. Let me tell you, I've felt like I ate shit all afternoon — disgusting!

You have no idea how disgusting that movie is — an unspoken rule every six or seven minutes, plus eleven storylines, but all the storylines are completely unrelated, no intersection at all!

The editing is also especially chaotic, jumping between scenes and cutting shots willy-nilly, I almost got dizzy watching it! One word: 'trash,' two words: 'very trash,' it's trash to the extreme.

The most crucial thing is, the entire film from start to finish has no substance whatsoever — it's purely filmed for unspoken rules and pandering to the crowd;

All criticism, dark secrets, unspoken rules, negativity, the dark side of society… not a single good thing, and the ending doesn't even have any summary or sublimation or anything like that.

If this movie passes censorship, I'll twist my head off and kick it like a ball!"

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei exchanged glances — good lord, when was the last time Ning Hao got this worked up and irritable?

Oh, right, they remembered — it was when "No Man's Land" was sent back time and again but no decision to reshoot had been made yet.

Although his state today couldn't compare to the "obsessed" look from when "No Man's Land" was killed, it was still one of the rare exceptions over all these years, second only to that time!

"Really that bad?" Liu Liu Yifei asked curiously.

Ning Hao's expression of disdain only deepened: "Director Gu watched with a dark face, and in the second half just closed his eyes to rest; Director Cao Baoping made an excuse and fled midway…

Wang Wang Xiaoshuai, Director Guan Hu, Lu Chuan — not a single one of them had a normal expression! Just a bunch of people from the Performance Academy, making a ruckus for no reason…"

"So, you said that last line too early!" Lin Nan crossed his legs and smiled at Ning Hao.

"Which line?" Ning Hao couldn't react for a moment.

"If it passes censorship, I'll twist my head off and kick it like a ball!"

"Pass censorship? How could that… possibly?"

"The Performance Academy is going all-out supporting him — that Director Bi, right? He's a gold-lettered signboard of the Performance Academy after all. If it really gets censored, wouldn't they find a way to help?

You think this is your 'No Man's Land'? That one happened to run into that thing afterward, so even if you wanted to pull strings, there was no way to."

Hearing Lin Nan say this, Ning Hao was completely speechless — it seemed his words really had been spoken too early!

A little past six, Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei didn't keep Ning Hao for dinner. After watching him drive away, Director Lin Da felt relieved:

"Lucky I didn't agree to Old Jiang's invitation from the Performance Academy — otherwise, ugh… don't even want to think about it."

Liu Liu Yifei heard this, smiled, and hooked her arm through Lin Nan's: "Then you could also learn from Teacher Cao Cao Baoping — flee midway, hehe…"

"Forget it, forget it, let's not think about this anymore. They also said they'd send the script for you to look at — wonder if it can be delivered tomorrow?"

"Should be in the next couple of days, right? Probably waiting until after it passes censorship before sending it over."

Liu Liu Yifei tilted her head and guessed.

A couple of days ago, when she received Chen Hong's call and heard the audition invitation, Liu Liu Yifei immediately showed the attitude a mature actress should have: she demanded to see the complete script first.

She didn't even discuss it with Lin Nan before replying with that line. And Chen Hong, in a very good tone, agreed, saying someone would be sent to deliver a copy in the next few days.

It was only because Liu Liu Yifei spoke up that Chen Hong had such a good temper — swap her for any other young actress in the industry, who would dare demand to see the script first?

"Once it's delivered, I'll help you take a look too. Wonder when Director Chen is planning to start filming — hope it doesn't conflict…" Lin Nan picked up the thread and smiled.

…………