Chapter 691: Language is an art; *Operation Red Sea*

"No wonder every first-line actor who went to test and ask for a role was rejected very simply, and there has been no movement in casting for so long...

It turns out Lin Dao prepared it for Yifei and himself, and even the second heroine is Zhou Xun, who was decided internally. She really got the moon first near the water, and took a lot of advantage!"

Zhang Ziyi muttered with a rather complex mood.

To tell the truth, she was quite "envious" of Zhou Xun, who could always get along with some big directors and big producers, and became good friends.

In Hong Kong, Zhou Xun had a relatively good relationship with Shi Nansheng, Tsui Hark, Peter Chan, and others; it was even more so in the mainland, having been very close to Lin Nan and Liu Yifei for a long time.

And the film resources of Lin Nan Film, undoubtedly, Zhou Xun ate quite a lot.

Just the films directed by the big Lin Dao himself, the *Marriage Story* in front of her was already the third one Zhou Xun participated in.

"Lin Dao likes to use acquaintances. It is estimated that he will only cooperate with these three actors."

Cheng Er's casual joke directly stimulated Zhang Ziyi. For a top first-line actress like her, this was not a good thing.

Because the higher a female actress stands, the fewer resources are suitable, and only big directors' films are the universal "panacea" that can "save lives" at any time!

"Director Feng?"

Suddenly, Zhang Ziyi caught a glimpse of Feng Xiaogang in the distance. It seemed there was news that the latter was preparing a new film?

After only one second of thinking, "International Zhang" went online; she held a wine glass with a smile and walked straight over.

At this moment, Feng Xiaogang was grinning and laughing, accepting the flattery of several small capitalists in the circle and the toasts of young female artists on the side.

Perhaps it was because he noticed that Zhang Ziyi had something to do, and the people around him gave face and left.

"Director Feng, toast to you, wish your film a victory at the San Sebastian International Film Festival."

"Haha, then borrow your auspicious words, cheers."

Feng Xiaogang was in a good mood and drank half a glass of red wine in one gulp. He was a veteran at the wine table, red wine was nothing, and he could drink a lot of white wine.

"Director Feng, I heard that you are preparing a new film recently?"

Before Zhang Ziyi finished speaking, the smile on Feng Xiaogang's face faded; he naturally guessed what the other party was planning and what thoughts she had.

Putting down the wine glass, Feng Xiaogang looked Zhang Ziyi up and down, and then shook his head without avoiding it.

"Director Feng?"

"I know you are seeking a comeback, but I really don't have an opportunity for you here."

"Director Feng, is there really no chance at all?"

Zhang Ziyi's expression stiffened, and then instantly returned to normal; she no longer hid it, but asked persistently.

"The historical background of *Youth* is the military art troupe in the 1970s. It is a story about a group of young literary and artistic soldiers in their prime. You, you are not suitable."

Feng Xiaogang said bluntly, shattering Zhang Ziyi's hope again.

What is not suitable? Age, appearance, figure, temperament, all are not suitable!

Today's Zhang Ziyi is long different from when she first debuted;

Not to mention the changes in her external conditions, just her temperament, she simply couldn't "act" out the vitality, purity, and sunshine of young people.

Whoever sees Zhang Ziyi, wouldn't they say in their hearts that this is a woman full of ambition? These things are hanging on her face, growing on her.

"*Youth*?

I understand, then, thank you Director Feng, I won't disturb you."

Zhang Ziyi pretended to be indifferent and said goodbye to Feng Xiaogang; but she was completely frustrated and aggrieved in her heart, unconvinced. Feng Xiaogang was saying she was old, looked average...

Looking at the figure walking away, Feng Xiaogang snorted lightly. Even if she was suitable, he wouldn't use Zhang Ziyi.

Because he was in the gambling agreement period, the film naturally had to control costs, especially actor costs.

Not only that, he also planned to balance the role suitability and interests of the actors while casting, and turn casting into a business!

Lin Nan hung up the n-th phone call speechlessly. He hadn't stopped all morning and was teased by many acquaintances in the industry.

They all said that since he transferred to the directing department, he had only appeared in two films, one was *Inception* and one was *The Fault in Our Stars*;

Today's *Marriage Story* is the third one. And the common feature of these three films is: they all have Liu Yifei, and they are all to match Liu Yifei.

So a conclusion was drawn: if you want to make Lin Nan, this top big director, act in a play for the first time, then you can think of a way from Liu Yifei's side and persuade her!

"Actually, I really want to tell them that the next film will still be a partner of the two of us."

Lin Nan looked at the Liu girl who was chatting with a tablet computer, and couldn't help but joke. On the tablet, the sound of fair fingers tapping on the virtual keyboard was quite crisp and pleasant.

"Low-key, low-key. Give them a surprise when the time comes. Look, they are all chattering and asking questions in the group."

Liu Yifei picked up the tablet and shook the page at Lin Nan. It was the group of classmates in the acting department.

I don't know when it happened, but Jiang Yiyan, who had retired from the group for a long time, was pulled in again.

However, in the past few years, she seemed to be doing really poorly, almost no good resources, and there were indeed not many acting contracts.

On the one hand, after the incident with Deng Chao was exposed, she enjoyed the "treatment" of being hated by people and dogs in the industry;

On the other hand, she almost succeeded with a certain cake brand boss, which gave her a retreat, and then she relaxed her "enterprising spirit" in her career.

I don't know when it happened, but that Jiang Yiyan, who had long since left the group, was pulled back in again.

At this moment, after both career and love failed, she had to shift her focus back to the circle and career, thinking of working hard, but she was obviously falling behind too much.

I don't know if it was the idea given by the agency, but personas like "teaching support" and "cross-industry learning" were hyped up, but it looked like the effect was minimal.

"Don't pay attention to them, Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin are just making trouble in the group."

"Got it. Mm? Forget it."

"What's wrong?" Lin Nan asked curiously,

"Jiang Yiyan wants to invite me for coffee. I told her I was very busy and couldn't get away, I had to prepare for joining the crew..." Liu Yifei looked up, her expression quite speechless.

"She is reaping what she sowed, don't worry about it."

The mainland film and television circle could be said to have gossiped about *Marriage Story* all day.

After one night, it was the next morning.

The film and television entertainment headlines on the whole internet, just as all industry insiders expected, were completely dominated and swiped by *Captain America 3*, suppressing a group of domestic film information.

"Produced by Marvel Studios under Disney, the Hollywood imported sci-fi blockbuster *Captain America: Civil War* officially landed in national cinemas;

According to data from cinema chains, on the first day of *Captain America 3*'s release, the comprehensive screening rate was as high as 53.6%, dominating the same period..."

"The posthumous work of the former Xi'an Film Studio director, famous director Master Wu Tianming, the film *Song of the Phoenix* was officially released early today. The film's first-day comprehensive screening rate was only 1.9%, which is regrettable!"

"Released for 7 days, Director Xue Xiaolu's film work *Finding Mr. Right 2* took 750 million box office, the 1 billion mark is within reach... Today's screening rate has been significantly reduced..."

"*Xuanzang* released for 7 days, the total box office barely reached 30 million, and the daily box office fell to 490,000..."

For the capital layer of the entire film and television industry, the news of several films is not important, because there is more important information to attract attention.

"China Film Group issued an announcement that the group's subsidiary China Film Co., Ltd. officially submitted an IPO to the Shanghai Stock Exchange this morning... The first round of roadshows will be in the middle of the month..."

"Shanghai Film issued a public statement that the IPO process of Shanghai Film Co., Ltd. has officially started, and the first round of roadshows is scheduled for the morning of the 12th of this month, which will be in Shanghai..."

"At eight o'clock in the morning, Tudou. com released the second round of financing information, and the group is scheduled to hold the second round of financing banquet on the evening of June 6th; at that time, it will send banquet invitations to capital in film and television, finance, internet, and other industries..."

Two state-owned giants in the film and television industry are IPOing, indirectly listed; a giant that takes into account both the internet and film and television industries is doing the second round of financing...

Film and television companies and capital in the industry are all restless, three giant ships are about to set sail!

Even if you can't get Tudou's luxury boat ticket for the second round, it's not impossible to get a standing ticket for China Film and Shanghai Film. Anyway, it's definitely not a loss.

"Tudou's sponsor is ICBC, and the subsequent IPO process will definitely not have any problems."

Wang Changtian's tone revealed a determination, quite confident. The facts are indeed the same, Tudou is very high-quality, and the market share is very high.

"On the evening of the 6th of next month, let's be the same as last year. I am in the crew and can't get away!" Lin Nan nodded and said.

It is said to be a financing banquet, but in fact, more focus is on publicity, on a sense of atmosphere and formality. It is mainly to face the capital circle and the outside world, announcing the second round of financing of Tudou.

"Okay, you film your play, we will attend when the time comes."

After Wang Changtian finished speaking, he suddenly remembered a funny thing:

"I'll tell you something. Some time ago, Chen Hong ran to me to ask for a favor, wanting a male lead for her younger son's film.

Yesterday at the banquet, I saw Chen Hong and Chen Kaige's son. Good grief, he is carved from the same mold as the big Director Chen, that eyebrow, that mouth shape..."

"Haha, I saw it a long time ago, at the Beijing Film Academy." Lin Nan was happy.

"Don't interrupt, the point I'm talking about is not the appearance. It's that the kid is not very spiritual, giving me a dull feeling... I'm afraid he won't go far on the road of acting? He didn't inherit his parents' talent at all..."

"Wang Dong, you really know how to worry. Others have plenty of resources to feed behind their biological parents. You just earn your favors, and care about these things every day."

Lin Nan was really speechless and complained. He looked at the time, he had been in Enlight Media for a while.

"Wang Dong, I'll withdraw first. Let's settle the matter of *I Belonged to You* wrapping up this month. I won't go to the wrap-up ceremony scene."

"This... I wanted to chat with you for a while. Okay, I won't send you off."

"Mm, see you later. I am also very busy, just passing by you."

Sometimes, the excitement of the film and television circle can always be gathered together by coincidence.

Near noon, the Air Force-controlled, highly anticipated mainstream commercial film *Sky Hunter* officially announced the heroine candidate—Fan Bingbing!

In the eyes of the whole internet and the film and television circle, it is absolutely impossible to say that there is no trickery or private affair in this casting result.

But this result seems reasonable and everyone is happy.

Because it is the boyfriend's directorial debut, and he is self-directed and self-acted, it seems very reasonable for the woman to be the heroine, and it is quite a gimmick.

Look, *Marriage Story*, which was just officially announced, is a typical big director, big producer, male and female lead couple file!

Although *Sky Hunter* cannot be said to be a couple file yet, it is barely justifiable to say that it is a quasi-couple file.

Just half an hour later, Fan Bingbing's Weibo was updated, updated for *Sky Hunter* and Li Chen:

"First of all, I am very grateful to Director Li Chen for choosing me as the heroine of *Sky Hunter*. Here, I want to make a special statement that I am performing for zero salary!

The reason for performing for zero salary is my support and encouragement for my fiancé Li Chen, and this is also my original intention to participate in this film.

Although according to the requirements, I need to pay a lot for the role I play, including losing twenty or thirty pounds, but I think it is worth it because I saw Li Chen's efforts and dedication in his directorial debut..."

When Lin Nan returned to the company, the internet was already lively and unlike anything else.

In the variety of entertainment information, what netizens love to see most is undoubtedly this kind of sugar-spreading link!

Furthermore, Fan Bingbing is a well-deserved top-tier flower, a traffic queen, with countless fans. Therefore, her zero-salary support for Li Chen could not fail to cause a sensation.

"Listen, others are shouting to benchmark your and Yifei's couple file *Marriage Story*. Damn it... La Peikang is really not a good thing..."

On the other end of the phone, Ren Zhonglun's tone carried obvious anger, feeling like he was about to explode at any time.

"Director Ren, I know Shanghai Film was squeezed out of this *Sky Hunter* by Director La, but you don't have to call me to complain, right? I can't control this matter."

Lin Nan was puzzled. Fan Bingbing just made a joke about benchmarking *Marriage Story*, and it was in the name of "lover file" benchmarking "couple file." There was no malice;

He didn't feel offended at all, so why did Ren Zhonglun call to stand up for him? Especially as he talked, he even scolded the one from China Film?

"*Sky Hunter* just added a joint producer." Ren Zhonglun said coldly.

"Which one?"

Lin Nan guessed it subconsciously. It was definitely not Shanghai Film. Ren Zhonglun was just using the excuse to vent his emotions to him.

"Fan Bingbing's wholly-owned company... Aimeishen Film and Television Culture..."

Hearing this, Lin Nan was stunned.

Good grief, really good grief! A state-owned enterprise like Shanghai Film was squeezed out of the investment side of the Air Force mainstream film, but Fan Bingbing's wholly-owned company got a share?

Although this share might be very small, this matter was really ironic and slapped in the face, slapping Shanghai Film and Ren Zhonglun in the face!

Lin Nan was speechless, not knowing how to "comfort" Ren Zhonglun. The hatred between these two people could be considered settled.

Han Sanping only squeezed out Shanghai Film at the beginning, but when it came to La Peikang... maybe La Peikang himself didn't expect that after he squeezed out Shanghai Film, Fan Bingbing's company squeezed in!

"That, I can't interfere in this matter, you can digest it yourself. By the way, I have an appointment, so I won't talk to you much. See you at the Shanghai International Film Festival."

"You..."

Lin Nan hurriedly hung up the phone, there must be a good show to watch later; these two chairmen of state-owned enterprises are both people who hold grudges.

Out of the office door, Lin Nan went directly to the floor of the screenwriting department.

The script of *The Wandering Earth* is currently in the stage of novel splitting. A few days ago, the original author Liu Electrician had already come once, and he had no objections to the script adaptation plan. He could endorse it, which gave the screenwriting team great confidence and confidence.

"Lin Dao, the airline side has already set it, the takeoff time for the chartered plane is the morning of the 12th."

"Mm, then notify Enlight and Xi'an Film. Give our company's people two days off. This trip will take several months."

Lin Nan earnestly exhorted Yue Jun. On the side of Warner and Lionsgate, the preparation work for *Pacific Rim 2* has already begun.

"I will notify in the afternoon. In addition, Lin Dao, the filming team is also ready, and we can start filming normally on the 15th."

Lin Nan paused, today is the 6th, there is still a week to be lazy.

"I know, Yifei and I will also be ready."

"Then what about the announcement of the Chinese actor list for *Pacific Rim 2*?"

"Wait a little longer, the end of the month or the end of the month."

The first-day box office was 180 million, the daily box office accounted for 85.1%, and *Captain America 3* began to dominate the domestic film market in name and reality.

And *Finding Mr. Right 2*, which was cut to a daily box office of more than 30 million, was enough to show the strength of the opponent.

*Xuanzang* is completely dead, with a daily income of only more than 2,000 yuan, and the total box office is fixed at 30.98 million;

And that *Dream Partners* is also the same, stopping at 60.84 million.

These two films are undoubtedly bloody losses.

But what makes the industry feel the most ridiculous and ironic is that the 9 cinema chains including China Film, China Film South Cinema New Trunk Line, Bona, Huayi, New Film Union, Edko, UME, etc., which promised to "strongly support" the screening of *Song of the Phoenix* on the 3rd, were really stingy when they "strongly supported" it.

*Song of the Phoenix*, first-day box office 276,000! This slapping sound of slap, slap, slap, seemed to be in the ear,

"You still have consciousness. That sentence at the premiere: 'Language is an art! And cinema chains are commercial attributes,' is really appropriate now."

At eight o'clock in the morning, when Ning Hao called to complain, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were eating breakfast.

" 'Strongly support' screening, how 'strong', what degree is considered 'strong', isn't this all decided by the cinema chains themselves?"

Lin Nan bit into a small steamed bun and joked with a smile. He just posted a Weibo, advertising for *Song of the Phoenix*. Many directors and filmmakers posted promotional Weibo.

"It's really fooling people, it's really not authentic.

By the way, you have to give me a rough wrap-up time, so I can prepare for the start of *Double World* and arrange the schedule."

"Hard to say, although I want to get it done in a month seriously, there are too many activities next month. First is the Shanghai International Film Festival, then Huabiao. You just tentatively set it for the end of June or early July."

"Okay, just have a rough time. Today, the number of filmmakers and crews flying to Cannes in the circle has increased several times, your company didn't go?"

"Our mainstream is not suitable for going abroad, who to sell to? Going to Shanghai is enough." Lin Nan was amused by Ning Hao.

"Also, okay. I won't disturb you two eating breakfast. By the way, your time, a bit late, right?"

"Hey, you..."

Lin Nan looked at the phone that was hung up, and was speechless for a while.

He looked at Liu Yifei, who stopped chewing immediately, her cheeks were bulging, and she returned a fierce look, as if saying: filming hasn't started yet, isn't this getting up early to eat breakfast?

Film Bureau.

"Director Zhang, if the directors on the list are finally determined, does the Film Bureau have the confidence to help us negotiate? Forcing people to do things is not the style of soldiers."

"You said this, as if our Film Bureau would do things that force people?"

"Hehe..."

A light laugh, as if it were a silent answer, made Zhang Hongsen feel embarrassed.

"Dare not say absolute, but the grasp is definitely quite large."

Zhang Hongsen would definitely not say absolute words, but his tone still revealed confidence.

Because basically no one can refuse the Film Bureau and the Naval Political Department. This has a powerful unit to bottom out. Film directors do not need to have any burden, they only need to let go of their hands and feet; this is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and platform to show their skills.

"Okay, just have Director Zhang's words.

We can give the Film Bureau a bottom line first. This mainstream story is indeed adapted from real events, benchmarking the Ministry of Public Security's 'Mekong River Case', taken from the Yemen... evacuation... at the end of March to early April last year..."

Zhang Hongsen listened quietly, his eyes narrowed unconsciously. The Naval Political Department is really a big deal, actually choosing this matter directly! This matter really showed the international influence of the Navy...

"... The script is not done yet, but the film already has a name, tentative name *Operation Red Sea*! In addition, the chief approved, can call warships, real-life filming at sea, professional soldiers participate..."

"Okay, the Film Bureau will definitely cooperate fully."

Zhang Hongsen couldn't help swallowing, this is much more grand than the Air Force's *Sky Hunter*.

Tang Ren's *Chinese Paladin 5*, which is *Chinese Paladin 5: Cloud of the Wind*, collided with Jaywalk's *The Interpreter*.

Not only was the broadcast time only one day apart, but the premiere platform was also consistent, Mango TV!

It's just that the former relied on being the "Chinese Paladin series," so it won the Mango Diamond Exclusive Theater on the 23rd, while the latter could only be the prime time on the 24th.

Therefore, in the morning, the premiere press conferences held by the two TV dramas in Beijing at the same time had a feeling of needle-point against wheat-mang.

However, Tang Ren was finally a bit better, winning the public opinion point. I don't know what method Cai Yinong used, but finally invited her own sister to the scene.

And Liu Shishi's vague "peaceful breakup" and "growing up separately" directly ignited all the media at the scene, and even the whole internet. Sure enough, this sister is going to leave?

... ===== CHAPTER 692 =====

Therefore, in the morning, the launch press conferences for the two TV series held simultaneously in Beijing vaguely felt like the tip of a needle against the point of a wheat stalk.

However, Tang Ren was ultimately a cut above, capturing the boiling point of public opinion. I don't know what method Cai Yinong used, but she finally managed to invite their own "First Sister" to the scene.

And Liu Shishi's ambiguous words of "peaceful breakup" and "growing separately" directly ignited all the media on the scene, and even the entire internet. Sure enough, this First Sister is leaving?

…………