Chapter 689: May, Filing

As a well-known female film director, big screenwriter, and professor at the Beijing Film Academy in the Chinese film circle;

Xue Xiaolu's bold words of "wanting to be the first 1 billion box office female director" spread throughout the entire industry and the whole internet for the first time.

The heat, discussion, and topic volume related to *Finding Mr. Right 2* also achieved a qualitative leap and explosive growth within a morning, and the promotional effect could be called explosive.

After all, those resumes and titles of Xue Xiaolu, when shouted out, were very "credible" in the eyes of countless ordinary audiences, fans, and netizens;

Coupled with the endorsement of the good reputation and box office of the previous work *Finding Mr. Right*, it made the second part of the series film even more anticipated and haloed.

1 billion box office, it seems it's really not a difficult thing!

After the premiere ended, it was lunch time;

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were the proper hosts, so both of them participated throughout the whole process and did not leave early.

It wasn't until after 2:00 PM that the banquet officially ended, and everyone waved goodbye and got into cars while talking and laughing, returning to their homes.

Thus, *Finding Mr. Right 2* only had to wait for the 29th, which was the day after the day after tomorrow, when several films were released simultaneously, to see the box office and market outcome.

Returning home, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei, who originally thought they were light and free, hadn't rested for a few minutes before a headache-inducing problem was thrown at them again.

"*Song of the Phoenix* and *Captain America 3*? I just can't figure it out. Are the producers and producers of *Song of the Phoenix* really brain-damaged?

Not only are they not changing the release date, they are determined to go head-to-head with *Captain America: Civil War*. Now, they are even crashing the premiere dates together! Are they tired of living, or just not being decisive enough?"

Lin Nan was almost laughed at by anger. What kind of idiotic operation is this?!

That's right, Red Star Pictures and Lin Nan Film both received invitations to the premieres of the two films, and their time was on the 3rd of next month.

You know, *Captain America 3* has already made it clear that Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, and a group of other leads, at least seven or eight superheroes, will arrive in Beijing to attend the premiere event.

Just ask, what does *Song of the Phoenix* have to compare with them?

Needless to say, the vast majority of first and second-line stars in the domestic film and television entertainment circle will definitely choose the premiere of *Captain America 3* to support!

"This is indeed a bit careless."

Liu Yifei flipped through the two invitations sent by Red Star Pictures and couldn't help but frown. She cast her gaze at Lin Nan and asked: "Then, how should we choose?"

Which side not to go to? That's definitely not possible.

Because one side is Disney and Marvel, and the other side is the leader of the fourth-generation directors, who has supported many fifth-generation big directors, and the posthumous work of the former Xi'an Film Studio director. At least Lin Nan has to go to *Song of the Phoenix*.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Nan made a decision; he faced Liu Yifei's dark eyes, smiled, and arranged:

"Xixi, you go to the premiere of *Captain America 3* at that time. It will definitely be lively, full of stars; as for *Song of the Phoenix*, I'll go.

As a sixth-generation director from the academy, no matter what, I shouldn't be absent here, and there's also the face of Xi'an Film Studio."

Lin Nan estimated that he would meet a large group of fifth-generation big directors like Tian Zhuangzhuang and Zhang Yimou;

All the old-generation directors and filmmakers who came out of Xi'an Film Studio, as long as their health allowed and they could spare time, should all go to the premiere of *Song of the Phoenix*;

After all, this is the last trace of incense left. The other few state-owned enterprises and film studios should also have people present, right?

"Mm, then, I'll listen to you."

Liu Yifei leaned on Lin Nan's shoulder and nodded very seriously; she knew that Lin Nan arranged this for her own good.

More and more people in the film, television, and performing arts circles appeared one after another at the Capital Peking Opera Theater.

Even from Hong Kong, many big names flew over, among whom Leon Lai was the most eye-catching.

Because he really learned opera from Master Mei when filming *Forever Enthralled*.

And the next morning, the news that Chen Kaige led many main creators of the two crews of *Farewell My Concubine* and *Forever Enthralled* to appear at the mourning hall was also reported in real-time on the internet.

It has to be said that this really touched the entire film and television industry, and the internet was full of memories.

The former is a Palme d'Or film, and the latter was shortlisted for the main competition unit of the Berlin International Film Festival. Both are films related to Peking Opera, and both are works that Master Mei strongly supported.

Lin Nan hesitated again and again, and finally followed Tian Zhuangzhuang, Zhang Yimou, and others to have someone send a pair of elegiac couplets; mixing in the film, television, and literary circles, one must respect the seniors, especially the truly master-level seniors.

"Director Lin, according to the role requirements, all the supporting roles for *Marriage Story*, including the little actors needed for the film, have all been found."

"Mm, then according to the plan, file the film at the beginning of next month and start filming in the middle of the month."

Lin Nan replied to Yue Jun without raising his head, and suddenly, he remembered another thing.

"What are Guo Fan and Lu Yang doing recently?"

"Hey, these two people know how to enjoy themselves. They took their whole families on vacation and travel. I even saw Guo Fan's Moments yesterday." Yue Jun teased with a smile.

"Remind them to attend the Huabiao Awards. They can also go to the Shanghai International Film Festival for a stroll."

Originally, he wanted to ask one of them to come back to be his assistant director, but after thinking about it, Lin Nan didn't say it. This time, he didn't need an assistant director.

"I just told them in the morning. Both of their films have been registered, and the probability of being nominated is not small..."

While Lin Nan and Yue Jun were chatting about the filming matters and the Huabiao Awards, the Film Bureau was also talking about the Huabiao Awards.

"This year's Huabiao Awards are special. In the past 10 years, they were held every two years, but this time it has been 3 years;

The Ministry of Propaganda has already sent a reply, and the nomination list has been basically decided. It will be announced on June 3rd..."

On the podium, Zhang Hongsen, as the director, was speaking.

This official film commendation conference, according to the regulations above, although funded by the government and hosted by the Film Bureau, for the sake of fairness, the organizer has always been the Ministry of Propaganda;

It has to be said that the principle of separating the host and the organizer is indeed very "scientific"!

Because even as the host, the Film Bureau cannot intervene in the evaluation and attribution of the film awards at all; who let the Ministry of Propaganda, as the organizer, ignore the Film Bureau at all!

And the only intersection between the two departments is that the Ministry of Propaganda asks the Film Bureau for money, for the special funds for the Huabiao Awards approved above.

"Tsk tsk tsk, the Ministry of Propaganda is different from the association. As long as it is a good film, there will be awards, especially *The Taking of Tiger Mountain*, which is the first mainstream commercial blockbuster;

It has been 3 years since the last session. Among the films in this period, it is the most eye-catching, the most correct, and the most representative. It is impossible not to give Lin Nan a big award!"

Ren Zhonglun muttered intentionally or unintentionally, and La Peikang was beside him;

In a few days, at most about a week, the film joint-stock companies under Shanghai Film and China Film will officially start their IPO journey, making state-owned enterprise groups indirectly linked to the financial market;

In other words, the two companies are also competing and striving. After all, they are the same business, IPO at the same time, listed at the same time, and the same destination—Shanghai Stock Exchange!

"If you have nothing to say, don't open your mouth. By the way, when is Shanghai Film's film going to be officially scheduled? Will it collide with *The Great Wall*?"

La Peikang looked ahead, his tone cold.

Ren Zhonglun was silent for a few seconds after hearing this, "Soon... it will!"

After the words fell, the two were silent for a long time.

"Xi'an Film and Ningxia Film, they chatted very happily today?"

"Both have big projects."

Ren Zhonglun glanced at Wang Yong's side. It was impossible not to be "eyesore." Those two people were really a bit eyesore. Isn't it just *Pacific Rim 2* and a film called *Asura*?

Near noon, the Film Bureau meeting ended.

In Tong Gang's office, Ren Zhonglun heard about the Air Force mainstream film project for the first time, but unfortunately, it had nothing to do with Shanghai Film.

"Okay, the Naval Political Department has already received the list. Before the final decision is made, we don't need to worry about it anymore. Let's get busy with our own things. IPO matters, and *The Founding of an Army*..."

The last five days of April seemed to pass quite quickly. On the 27th and 28th, for two consecutive days, Lin Nan stayed at home.

And on the morning of the 29th, the domestic film market, which had been silent for more than a month, finally ushered in another "excitement."

"Exclusively produced by Lin Nan Film, written and directed by Xue Xiaolu, starring Yang Mi, Yu Hewei, Qin Pei, Kara Wai, Zu Feng, Lu Yi, Wang Zhiwen, and others;

The romance comedy film *Finding Mr. Right 2* was officially released early this morning. The film's first-day screening rate reached 33.7%, and it is unanimously favored and anticipated by major cinema chains!"

"Controlled and produced by China Film Group, starring Huang Xiaoming, Xu Zheng, Luo Jin, Pu Bajia, and others, the China-India friendship film *Xuanzang* was released on the first day, with a screening rate of only 11%, and insufficient market appeal..."

"Directed by South Korean director Zhang Tai-yoo, starring Yao Chen, Tang Yan, Hao Lei, Aaron Kwok, Li Chen, and others, the youth inspirational film *Dream Partners* has a screening rate of 21% today..."

Within one day, 5 Chinese films were released simultaneously; the curtain of the May Day slot was officially opened!

After a few days, some roles in *Marriage Story* that Lin Nan had deliberately left behind were also arranged by him.

Thus, all preparations before the film started filming were in place.

"Don't say, next month, not only is the film market full of blockbusters, but the TV drama market's promotion is also very flashy.

Tang Ren's *Chinese Paladin 5*, LeTV, Huace, and Jaywalk's *The Interpreter*... *To Be a Better Man*..."

Lin Nan looked at the film and television information and couldn't help but tease.

He remembered what Yue Jun said about Tang Ren coming to Tiangong Color to talk about special effects production;

Cai Yinong was "scared" away by the quote, but that price was clearly a case of getting what you pay for!

"After filming starts, will the actors join one after another?"

Liu Yifei took a shower and wiped her long hair while coming downstairs.

The villa on Liu Xiaoli's side had very perfect training rooms and sports facilities, which were specially opened for Liu Yifei a long time ago, so every time the Liu girl exercised here.

"Mm, yes. On the day of the start, not everyone needs to be present, let's start filming low-key."

While Lin Nan was talking, he had already picked up the hair dryer on the table. Liu Yifei sat in front of him very naturally, and her fair and delicate back of the neck came into view, like mutton-fat jade.

*Marriage Story* is about to start filming. During this time, while practicing normally, Liu Yifei has also been adjusting her biological clock;

At least after joining the crew, she can't sleep in anymore, and she must become the professional actor Liu Yifei again as soon as possible!

"How is the attendance rate, Jiajia?"

Yang Mi, who had just finished the promotional activities for *The Interpreter*, asked Ceng Jia about the film's attendance rate as soon as she returned to the backstage dressing room.

"Very high, really high, Mimi! Sure enough, you still have to be in a big director's film, haha..."

Ceng Jia heard the sound, immediately put down the phone in her hand, and said excitedly.

Yang Mi took her phone and quickly flipped through the film information on the internet. 33.7% screening rate, 89% attendance rate...

"The first-day box office should be over 100 million!"

At this moment, there was a trace of excitement in Yang Mi's eyes, and there were many more people praising her on the internet, but... these words of praise were not very pleasant to hear

They were all things like: "It shouldn't be a film made by rushing through plays," "The last bit of acting skills were all taken out," "She doesn't dare to rush through Lin Nan Film and Director Xue Xiaolu's plays"...

"Okay, Jiajia, let's get ready to go back."

Yang Mi restrained her emotions slightly and said. She just wanted to wait now, waiting for the final box office result.

"Okay, let's go."

Just as Xue Xiaolu, Yang Mi, and others expected, the May Day slot started, and *Finding Mr. Right 2* was far ahead.

On the first day of release on the 29th, it won 110 million box office; on the second day of release on the 30th, it strongly reported 122 million.

Time went straight into May. On the first day of the small long holiday, *Finding Mr. Right 2* cut another 130 million box office.

Thus, in the first three days of the weekend release, *Finding Mr. Right 2* alone took more than 60% of the film market, reporting 362 million!

As a commercial film focusing on romance, this is already a very rare and good result.

And those other films were really a bit miserable. *Xuanzang* was released for three days, with only 17 million; *Dream Partners* cut 40 million.

But the remaining market share was supporting nearly ten films... all were leftovers.

On the morning of the 2nd, Lin Nan Film.

Yue Jun handed a document to his assistant and ordered: "Go to the Film Bureau now and file it."

The assistant looked at the very "simple" but unusually "powerful" main creator lineup on the data, and was a bit stunned for a while.

"Okay, okay, Director Yue."

After coming back to his senses, the assistant hurriedly responded and then went out.

"Director Yue, Teacher Liu is here." An administrator knocked on Yue Jun's office door and reported.

"Please go to the third floor first... no, please go to the screenwriting department, I'll be there soon."

Yue Jun looked up and reacted immediately.

... ===== CHAPTER 690 =====