Chapter 682: Han Jia Nu: I Hope the PLA Air Force Side Goes Blind…

……

"In the afternoon, Weibo official and Sina Entertainment jointly released an announcement:

The Weibo Movie Night, a ceremony honoring Chinese-language films co-hosted by Weibo and Sina Entertainment, has been officially established; the event will be held annually in June.

The inaugural Weibo Movie Night will open grandly during the Magic City International Film Festival on June 14 and has extended sincere invitations to the Chinese-language film and television industry…"

"The film 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk,' co-produced by China Film Group and Sony, directed by Li An, and the first 3D/4K/120fps war drama, has been confirmed for mainland release;

China Film Distribution has published the official import schedule—the film's mainland release date is set for November 11, not synchronized with global releases…"

……

One "Weibo Night" isn't enough—now there's a "Weibo Movie Night" too?!

In the afternoon, after seeing the online entertainment news, netizens erupted in discussion, and the film and television industry was no different.

No one in the industry found it odd; instead, they felt the sector was growing livelier and more prosperous than ever.

The vast majority of insiders agreed on one thing: for the film and entertainment industry, such award ceremonies are undoubtedly a win-win, three-way win, even multi-win "grand event."

Because the film and entertainment industry has long entered the era of traffic; exposure, topics, heat, attention… these are now and will remain the mainstream of industry development.

And Weibo is precisely where traffic converges.

Thus, it's entirely foreseeable: the inaugural Weibo Movie Night—and every subsequent one—will undoubtedly be a scene packed with big names and glittering stars.

Didn't Lin Nan himself already agree with Cao Cao Guowei to attend the first Weibo Movie Night?

To be honest, given his status and position in the film industry, he shouldn't be attending such movie nights—it would be beneath him;

After all, it's just a traffic-driven event, and one can imagine the quality must be low, even poor.

But as a shareholder, he has no choice but to show up; it's his responsibility, his duty!

"Changchang said some actors and supporting cast from 'Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms' have begun wrapping up; several have even taken time to audition for 'The Lone Beauty Who Doesn't Pity Herself.'"

A clear, soft voice interrupted Lin Nan's thoughts; he lifted his gaze from the tablet screen to Liu Liu Yifei, who had just come down the stairs.

Dressed in sportswear, Miss Liu had clearly just finished exercising; strands of hair clung to her forehead and cheeks, her pink, fresh face glistening with sweat.

"She called you? Did the set have another afternoon off today?"

"Yes. Actually, production has been ahead of schedule all along."

As producer, Liu Liu Yifei was clearly very diligent, keeping constant tabs on the set's progress.

Placing her phone before Lin Nan, Liu Liu Yifei wiped her forehead with the towel hanging around her neck, smiling brightly as she sought his opinion:

"I'm going to take a shower first. Uh, shall we go out and have some fun later?"

"Sure, no problem." Lin Nan nodded immediately—it was nothing to do anyway.

"Mm-hmm, wait for me, I'll be quick…"

Watching Liu Liu Yifei turn and sprint back upstairs, Lin Nan smiled and continued scrolling through industry news.

The tablet screen displayed the just-announced "hot" TV news—many actors and entertainers were already fawning over it.

"Huang Lei is cooking—the domestic 'Shenyeshitang' has officially started filming.

…Regardless of age, appearance, or culinary skill… Huang Lei as the lead in 'Shenyeshitang' creates absolutely no sense of 'destroying the classic.'

As he himself said: 'It feels as if my entire life has led me to this role!'"

Lin Nan glanced at the news he hadn't finished reading and swiped past it casually.

'Where Are We Going, Dad? Season 2' and 'Extreme Challenge' had instantly established this Beijing Film Academy teacher Huang as a persona—famous, pretentious.

…………

Casting news for certain actors in 'The Banquet of the Phantom Cat' was the first to leak, drawing widespread attention and heated discussion across the internet;

The mainland film and television industry was stunned, public opinion in an uproar.

Because the casting results completely defied all industry expectations—truly "unthinkable," like something out of a fairy tale.

"According to Taiwan media, Taiwanese young actress Zhang Zhang Rongrong has defeated mainland film queens Zhang Zhang Ziyi, Fan Li Bingbing, Li Li Bingbing, and other top actresses to win the pivotal role of Yang Yang Guifei in Chen Chen Kaige's historical fantasy epic 'The Banquet of the Phantom Cat'!

Mainland actress Zhang Zhang Yuqi, who rose to fame again through 'The Mermaid,' secured the female lead role in 'The Banquet of the Phantom Cat' thanks to her stunning figure and decent acting…"

In the eyes of the mainland film industry, Zhang Zhang Yuqi's figure and appearance were indeed suitable for the female lead of the Tang Dynasty;

And 'The Mermaid's' box office success provided her with unmatched heat. So Chen Chen Kaige choosing her was understandable and acceptable.

But the role of Yang Yang Guifei—far more important than the female lead—being snatched away by an unknown Taiwanese actress, and a Sino-French mixed-race one at that, from Fan Li Bingbing and others, was something the mainland film industry struggled to accept!

Wasn't this clearly stepping on the three top mainland actresses to climb up? This isn't over a decade ago anymore?!

While the mainland film industry was in an uproar, just one night later, another film announcement rapidly matched—and even surpassed—the buzz surrounding the casting news for 'The Banquet of the Phantom Cat,' shocking the industry even further.

"Co-produced by the PLAAF's Political Department, China Film Group, Huaxia Film, China Central Television Media, Beijing Television, and 13 other entities and studios, the PLAAF's main-theme film 'Sky Hunter' has been officially greenlit."

"The main-theme commercial film 'Sky Hunter,' directed by and starring actor Li Chen, is now publicly casting for all roles;

Once the main cast and crew are finalized, they will enter military service for at least six months of study and training to fully prepare for the film's official commencement…"

He didn't know how others in the industry were mocking it, but Lin Nan just treated it as a joke.

"I've figured it out—it's true: everyone and their ghost is becoming a director now!

But Guo Guo Jingming, Han Han—they just make their own works, youth films, fan-service movies; or people like Da Peng, Deng Chao, who started with comedy.

But this guy? He jumps straight into a PLAAF-led production, an Air Force-themed film! They say the budget is two hundred million, but the Air Force's unspoken support—certainly not counted in costs—is massive: training personnel and time, flight crews, fighter jets...

"Don't they even consider what happens if Li Chen actually screws it up?"

Facing Wang Wang Changtian's sarcastic rant, Lin Nan couldn't help laughing:

"In the past two years, nearly every main-theme commercial film has turned a profit—maybe the PLAAF thinks they can pull it off?

After all, 'Sky Hunter' will almost certainly involve real weapons, real equipment. The Air Force, after all, naturally holds a lofty position. Heh…"

"But we can't deny it's a huge cake. I bet right now, actors and agents in the industry are already lining up to approach this new main-theme commercial director!"

Wang Wang Changtian declared with certainty—he was stating an inevitable fact.

In fact, while Lin Nan and Wang Wang Changtian were chatting on the phone, the female lead of 'Sky Hunter' had already been internally decided—it was Fan Li Bingbing, who had just "missed out" on 'The Banquet of the Phantom Cat.'

On the other side, after finishing the online news about "Sky Hunters" and letting out a sigh, Han Han Sanping buried himself back at his desk, listing out a roster of directors.

Although he had the most suitable candidate in mind, and was quite confident — the Naval Political Department would ultimately tap the director he considered the best choice.

But at this moment, the work that needed doing still had to be done: every film director he deemed qualified for the selection list had to be included in the candidate roster.

"First it was the Army's mainstream commercial blockbuster 'Taking Mount Mount Weihu by Strategy,' then the Ministry of Public Security's mainstream commercial blockbuster 'Operation Meigonghe,' and now the Air Force's mainstream 'Sky Hunters' is here too! Good lord, all that's left is the Navy, right?"

A little past ten in the morning, Han Jianü walked into Han Han Sanping's study munching on a youtiao, sighing in astonishment.

"You're not a kid anymore — could you keep a regular schedule? Stop sleeping in, eat your meals on time?" Han Han Sanping looked up and shot his daughter a sour glance.

Han Jianü froze, pouted her lips, and shook her head at her dear old dad: "Nope."

"You—"

"Liu Yifei's just like me, and I don't see Aunt Liu nagging her all day either."

"That's because someone else's already married off!"

"Brother Lin doesn't say anything either."

Han Jianü shot back without hesitation, leaving Han Han Sanping utterly speechless;

He wanted to retort, "Just hurry up and get married, then I won't say a word," but after much hesitation, he still couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Eh, what's this?"

Little Miss Han walked up to her father, looked at the roster on the desk — along with the resumes and recommendation reasons noted under each name — and asked in confusion.

"Weren't you just saying all that's left is the Navy's mainstream film? Here, this is the pre-production work for the Navy's mainstream commercial picture.

The Naval Political Department will ultimately pick the director. And since no one else is qualified to evaluate and recommend film directors, it has to be us old folks, right?"

Han Han Sanping patiently explained to Han Jianü — as long as it was something that could help her in her work, he would almost always answer any question and hold nothing back.

Upon hearing this, Han Jianü's expression instantly grew much more serious, and she pressed, "When's the project being greenlit, prepped, and when does filming start?"

"The earliest would be the second half of the year for greenlighting and prep, and as for filming, it'd have to wait until early next year at the soonest, right? The Naval Political Department is controlling the script themselves — it's very slow.

Why are you asking? Hmm, if you have any ideas, I can put in a word with them and get you in as an assistant director. Director is definitely out of the question — the Naval Political Department isn't as reckless as the Air Force Political Department!"

Han Han Sanping looked up at Han Jianü, waiting for an answer — he was really hoping his daughter would speak up.

But Old Han was destined for disappointment: Han Jianü's expression now grew even more serious, with a hint of worry creeping in.

She shook her head like a rattle-drum, stretched out a slender index finger, pointed at the first line of the roster, and said very seriously: "Cross Brother Lin off."

"Why?" Han Han Sanping asked, puzzled.

"Liu Yifei said Brother Lin's planning to slack off for the next year or two — no more blockbusters, says it's too tiring." Han Jianü tried to convince her father.

"Go on, get out of here, stop causing trouble — what kind of reason is that?" Han Han Sanping pulled a long face and glared at Han Jianü.

Little Miss Han said nothing, turned, and walked off. Now it was Old Han's turn to panic, thinking he'd been too harsh: "Where are you going? I didn't mean to scold you."

"Writing a script!"

Han Jianü's clear, earnest voice rang out — she didn't even look back.

"Didn't you just wake up? Don't be like this, go out for a walk…"

"None of your business."

As she spoke, Han Jianü even broke into a little jog, muttering to herself: "How did I suddenly get a competitor? Hopefully the Naval Political Department side goes blind…"

……

There were only three weeks left until the theatrical release of "Finding Mr. Right 2."

Several same-period competitors, including "The Great Tang Tang Xuanzang," had visibly ramped up their marketing efforts.

While leading the publicity tour, Xue Xue Xiaolu also made sure to call Lin Nan, Liu Liu Yifei, Director Lu Yang, and Guo Fan — they had to start posting on Weibo!

Meanwhile, Lin Nan was waiting for the Film Bureau to approve his script while also timing his thesis defense preparation.

"Starting from the 10th, the senior professional title defense for associate professors across departments will begin one after another. It's just that the list our directing department submitted is scheduled for the 15th."

As the directing department's prized asset, Lin Nan enjoyed the best treatment; that is, Old Jiang, the department's deputy director, called to remind him again a week before the defense.

"Got it, got it — the morning of the 15th, I'll arrive early."

Lin Nan, wearing sunglasses and holding Liu Liu Yifei's hand, strolled through a mall while taking the call. When the two of them had gone out yesterday afternoon, they'd forgotten to buy cat food and dog food.

Liu Liu Yifei tilted her head up slightly; though the large sunglasses covered most of her face, her smile was still visible: "Teacher Jiang sure is chatty…"

"Hey hey, Liu Yifei, I can hear you muttering, you know."

"Oh, then I'll keep it down, hehe."

Miss Liu instinctively touched the other Bluetooth earpiece she was wearing and laughed lightly.

She and Lin Nan had originally been sharing one earpiece each, listening to music as they walked — who knew Deputy Director Jiang would suddenly call? So she simply didn't take it out.

Lin Nan smiled and didn't interject.

After being amused by Liu Liu Yifei's remark, Old Jiang stopped talking about the defense and started gossiping about the performance department instead.

"It's only been a few days, and that 'The Pure Heart Pursues the Dream of Acting Circle' has been sent back for a second time. Tsk tsk tsk, you have no idea how entertaining it is.

A bunch of us from several departments even made a bet — betting on how many times this film would get sent back before passing review, or whether it'd ever pass at all…"

"You guys are really bored."

Lin Nan took the cat food Liu Liu Yifei handed him, put it in the shopping cart, and teased Old Jiang.

"Hey, you better be careful too. You never know — the performance department might come begging at your door. Everyone knows you can now 'handle' the Film Bureau's review department, haha…"

Good lord — Lin Nan felt insulted?!

Over all these years, he'd been going toe-to-toe with the review people, and only after much hard fighting and borrowing leverage had he finally cowed those old-timers — how could he possibly help the performance department with something like that?

What's the difference between that and handing them a handle? Only a fool would do it!

"Then the performance department is overthinking it… What I'm really looking forward to is seeing, in the theater — no, online — the reviews after this film passes review and gets released."

"Hey, you, that's a bit schadenfreude of you. But I guess I'm in the same boat, haha…"

……