Chapter 751: Ren Zhonglun's Words; Share Division

Ren Zhonglun, with his secretary and assistants, rushed to Han Sanping's place as soon as he got off the plane.

Coming to the capital this time, although the main work was to talk about the investment share of *Operation Red Sea*; in his heart, *Dying to Survive* was also a top priority, and its status was even vaguely higher than the former.

Because *Operation Red Sea* is just a mainstream commercial blockbuster of the Navy, but *Dying to Survive* is different:

Its unparalleled realistic significance, the bold breakthrough of the first film of this kind, the universality and empathy destined to be focused on and concerned by the whole people...

Once successfully approved and filmed, it will inevitably go down in history, and its cast and producers will forever remain in film history, remembered!

"*Operation Red Sea* can indeed make Shanghai Film Group have one more film with political achievements, but there is nothing to be publicized extensively; after all, *The Taking of Tiger Mountain* is the first mainstream commercial film to eat crab;"

"But *Dying to Survive* is not; as the first genre film to 'open up the world' in Chinese cinema, the original event even promoted the change and modification of relevant legal provisions, benefiting everyone in the country;"

"It can make Shanghai Film Group eat until it's full, eat until it dies, and let me finish the last few years of my term brilliantly; even if I retire, I will still have endless flowers and applause..."

Sitting in the living room of Mountain-Seizing Eagle's house, Ren Zhonglun talked endlessly, his tone excited and agitated.

This scene made Han Jia roll her eyes; you should talk about business!

Compared to the somewhat impatient young Han, old Han had a smile on his face, happy to watch Ren Zhonglun "perform."

"So, what did Shanghai say? Did they agree to help?" A moment later, taking advantage of Ren Zhonglun picking up the teacup to moisten his throat, Han Sanping asked.

"Yes, Uncle Ren, did that side agree? You hurry up and say it!"

Listening to Han Sanping's slightly concerned inquiry, and looking at Han Jia's eager expression. At this moment, Ren Zhonglun didn't know how sour and refreshing he felt in his heart.

"Old Han, for Jia's film, I ran for two and a half days in a row; I even saw the leader yesterday afternoon, but only for ten minutes."

Speaking of this, Ren Zhonglun intentionally stopped, and picked up the teacup to moisten his throat again.

"Uncle Ren, come, I'll add some for you." Han Jia thought she was very "sensible" and picked up the teapot, while Ren Zhonglun nodded with a full smile and handed it over.

I saw Han Sanping shake his head speechlessly and teased: "Jia, if that side didn't agree, do you think your Uncle Ren could have the leisure to put on airs here?"

"Ah?" Han Jia turned to look at her father suddenly.

"Hahaha, I knew I couldn't hide it from you, Mountain-Seizing Eagle. I put in so much effort, can't I let Jia add a cup of water for me?"

Not paying attention to the excited young Han who realized it later, Ren Zhonglun continued to sigh, his tone quite serious and solemn:

"Old Han, I don't know how you ran the relationship here, but in Shanghai, I owe a huge favor.

To be more precise, I don't even have such a big favor and face to owe; I am begging the higher-ups to help. If there are any instructions from that side later, we can't hide."

Ren Zhonglun's words came out, and even the usually carefree Han Jia was silent. She knew very well how heavy the weight of the subtext contained in these few sentences was—very heavy, very heavy!

"Mm, I know, I understand what you mean." Han Sanping nodded heavily again.

"Mm, as long as you have a count in your heart."

The living room quieted down, only the sound of adding tea and pouring water was intermittent, and the topic drifted away.

After a long while, Ren Zhonglun looked at the time and was about to get up and leave; he still had other things to do.

When the father and daughter sent him out of the villa, Ren Zhonglun hesitated when one foot stepped into the car, stepped out, and then whispered to Han Sanping in a low voice:

"When I left the municipal government yesterday, the person in the propaganda department seemed to say to me very casually: if the film successfully obtains the filming permit, I hope Director Lin Nan can do his best to shoot it to the best."

Until the sedan drove out of sight, Han Sanping looked at Han Jia as if nothing had happened; the latter was happily sending messages with her phone.

"Jia, this time your Uncle Ren and I will co-produce, you go and be the assistant director for Lin Nan again, screenwriter and assistant director."

After being busy at Tiangong Color for a morning, Lin Nan didn't go to the company in the afternoon, but went to Enlighten.

Wang Baoqiang tried his best to invite him to watch the post-production of *Buddies in India*; the meaning in his words was very clear, that his private affairs would never affect work.

Lin Nan was embarrassed to refuse with polite words, and secondly, he also had sympathy, so he agreed.

However, to tell the truth, from the perspective of a professional director, Lin Nan didn't look favorably on *Buddies in India*, which was also the reason why he invested in the name of Shanhai Media at the beginning.

Similarly, the post-production editing of the small clips of *Buddies in India* completed at this moment, the great Director Lin still didn't look favorably on; hmm, didn't look favorably on Wang Baoqiang, because the script that was the foundation of the film was very rotten from the beginning.

But, just treat it as a comedy film similar to *Breakup Buddies* or *Badges of Fury*. After all, Lin Nan was originally just to invest in Wang Baoqiang, not *Buddies in India*.

"That woman hid both children, and school has already started now, but the children didn't sign up at all. He ran to the court this morning, hoping to use the power of the judiciary to let that side 'hand over people' and let the children go to school."

Wang Changtian smacked his lips and sighed softly. As for Wang Baoqiang, he had already thrown himself into the post-production editing work again.

"Fits his personality; he didn't read much books himself, so he attaches special importance to his children."

Lin Nan smiled and said affirmatively. As a very traditional person from the countryside, Wang Baoqiang was held by his soft rib, which was the children!

"You might not have understood my meaning; I mean he is really amazing, and his pressure resistance is terrifyingly strong."

"Mm?" Lin Nan was a bit puzzled.

"His mother seems to have been diagnosed with a bad illness in these two days..."

Wang Changtian glanced at Lin Nan and stopped at the point. This topic was indeed a bit heavy, and neither of them wanted to continue to expand.

"Let's talk about the distribution; there are only three weeks left before the release of *Cock and Bull*." Lin Nan changed the topic.

"Rest assured, Enlighten has given the greatest distribution strength. But you have to be mentally prepared; after all, this film by Cao Baoping is not a commercial film in the traditional sense..."

Lin Nan nodded; he understood the meaning in these words. That is, don't have too high expectations for the box office.

"*Operation Red Sea* is decided?" Wang Changtian still didn't give up.

"Determined tomorrow morning. If you have nothing else here, I'm going back?" Speaking, Lin Nan sat up.

"You are afraid that I will open my mouth again, right?" Old Wang immediately didn't have a good face.

"It is a bit afraid, you don't miss it. How much share my company can get this time is hard to say."

Lin Nan didn't mean to lie to Wang Changtian; the investment amount of *Operation Red Sea* would be very high, especially in the loss of military equipment; as for how the share is specifically distributed, it depends on what the Navy Political Department says tomorrow morning.

Outside, films to be released in September were all making the final sprint of promotion.

In the first ten days, there was *Art of the Night*, which just won the "Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution" in Berlin this year;

In the middle ten days, there were films like *A Chinese Odyssey Part Three*, *Soul Mate*, *Line Walker 2*, China Film Group's *My War*, and *Cock and Bull*;

And in the last ten days, it was the few commercial films clearly aiming for the National Day schedule, namely: *I Belonged to You*, *L. O. R. D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties*...

At a glance, the domestic film market in September seemed quite "worth watching," but what it was actually like was a later story. In short, Lin Nan Pictures had one and a half films to be released.

"Lin Nan, hurry up. Director Guo and Director Lu have been waiting for you for a long time."

Hearing this, Lin Nan looked at the small meat bun in his hand, and then looked up at Liu Yifei, who had a "nothing to do with me" look and kept urging him. He just wanted to ask one sentence in his heart: "How are you embarrassed to urge me?"

"Haha, don't worry, don't worry, you two eat slowly, it's only just nine o'clock now."

Lu Yang sat there laughing and teasing, while Guo Fan lowered his head, holding back from laughing out loud.

The two of them were named by the Navy Political Department to go to the Film Bureau with Lin Nan today, so they ran over excitedly early in the morning to join Lin Nan; but the reality was that the two of them found they came early.

As for how early? When they arrived at 8:30, the great Director Lin was still sleeping, hmm, including Producer Liu!

Then, Liu Xiaoli arranged for the two to eat another breakfast quite embarrassedly, while she turned and entered the villa... to "smash" the door.

"It's not urgent anyway; for this kind of occasion, business is only talked about after 11 o'clock. At least it will be dragged to lunch time, and then finalized at the dinner table. Mm, this is the hidden rule of entertaining other units in the system... entertaining the Navy Political Department is naturally the same!"

Lin Nan said quite affirmatively; for this point, he was experienced, because he didn't know how many times he had eaten in the Bureau.

Not long after, Lin Nan set off with Guo Fan and Lu Yang. After watching several cars leave, Liu Yifei turned and entered the courtyard.

"Xixi, the company assistant's phone, it's about Bazaar again..."

The news of the official opening of the Venice International Film Festival also spread back to the country when Lin Nan and the others arrived at the Film Bureau, appearing on the internet.

It was still the same; there was no Chinese film in the main competition unit, and other units only had two inconspicuous Chinese films, *Where Are You* and *Bitter Money*, entered into the exhibition unit and Orizzonti unit.

In general, in this Venice International Film Festival, Chinese films had almost no participation.

But for a large number of domestic actors and stars, it didn't matter; although there were no works, it didn't affect them competing for beauty, taking photos, shooting videos, and sending press releases there...

When brought to the conference room, the three of Lin Nan heard Zhang Hongsen complaining about this matter inside:

Saying that these domestic actors and stars who had no film works shortlisted were now having an increasingly bad reputation at major film festivals abroad;

Even foreign media were reporting that there was a business specifically aimed at Chinese stars, namely selling "red carpet tickets"—buying tickets to walk the red carpet!

For this reason, during the film festival, there were professional teams abroad operating this business, including but not limited to: acting as media personnel to conduct interviews, acting as foreign fans and movie fans to set off the atmosphere, acting as...

In short, it was a full set of services, allowing these Chinese stars to send enough press releases to fool domestic fans and netizens!

"Lin Nan, the three of you finally arrived." Tong Gang greeted with a smile.

"Hello, leaders. It shouldn't be late now, it's not 11 o'clock yet." Lin Nan responded happily.

The conference room still had the same people as 5 days ago, namely: Tong Gang, Zhang Hongsen, the three from the Navy Political Department, as well as Han Sanping, Ren Zhonglun, and La Peikang.

"Director Lin Nan, Director Guo Fan, Director Lu Yang, sit down quickly. Rest for a while, and we will start talking about business."

The chief of the Navy Political Department nodded with a smile and pointed to the position on the side.

After ten minutes of brief small talk, everyone sat around the conference table.

I saw the deputy on the left hand of the chief of the Navy Political Department open the file bag in front of him and distribute the materials to everyone present; the focus was on Lin Nan, La Peikang, and Ren Zhonglun, because the three companies were the joint producers of *Operation Red Sea*.

"The Navy Political Department has a special team that has made a budget, and the Navy has also provided help, which is what everyone sees now:"

"The military equipment cost budget involved in *Operation Red Sea* is around 200 million, which is already the lowest cost within the budget."

"This expenditure, the Navy side cannot wave its hand and make it free, because every account in the troops must be clear; and this *Operation Red Sea* not only needs to dispatch a large number of Navy officers and soldiers, time-consuming and laborious, but also needs to dispatch a formation centered on the Type 054A guided-missile frigate, namely Lin Yi, in addition to shell loss... military expenditure cannot be a child's play!"

"In addition, all filming and post-production costs, as well as actor salaries, director, producer, producer salaries, etc., plus the expenses of the crew abroad for more than half a year, are tentatively set at 300 million."

"Finally added up, the total budget of *Operation Red Sea* is tentatively set at 500 million! Everyone take a look, there should be no objection, right?"

With such a big formation, even the guided-missile frigate formation came out; who could say 500 million was expensive? It's really not expensive, it's too cheap!

"This 500 million budget completely gives people a feeling of value for money, and it should be like this!"

"Unlike some films, the cost is very high, what 400 million investment in *See You Tomorrow*, 500 million investment in *League of Gods*... one day another film with 1 billion investment pops up, but to compare sincerely, are they really worth so much money? Compared with this lineup and budget of *Operation Red Sea*, don't they feel like they are all selling stolen goods? Haha..."

Lin Nan joked unscrupulously, and everyone couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's okay to joke privately, don't say it outside. Your identity saying this has too much influence." Tong Gang pointed at Lin Nan and scolded with a smile.

"Director Tong is right, but what Director Lin Nan said is not unreasonable. Now the film and television industry really has some big tricks in production costs, moving is how many hundreds of millions, but in fact, there is not much stuff!"

The chief of the Navy Political Department said ambiguously; after all, the Navy Political Department is responsible for the Navy's propaganda and construction work, and has its own film and television work, which can be regarded as a unit in the film and television industry more or less.

"Okay, let's not talk about digressions, now let's discuss the specific share division. The military equipment cost part will be borne by the Navy Political Department."

"In addition, all procedures abroad, as well as communication with relevant parties, will be done by the Navy; the Navy Political Department only keeps 40%, and the remaining 60% will be divided by your three companies."

Just after the chief of the Navy Political Department finished speaking, Lin Nan, Ren Zhonglun, and La Peikang looked at each other subconsciously; the Navy Political Department was very generous, taking shooting *Operation Red Sea* well as the first purpose, not making money, the former giving up profit to Lin Nan's three parties to a great extent!

"Then divide it equally? Lin Nan, Chairman La?"

Ren Zhonglun spoke first, which could be considered setting the tone. Because La Peikang was snatched first, this meant he had no objection, and couldn't eat or occupy too much.

"I have no opinion, 20% is quite good." Lin Nan nodded immediately, while Guo Fan and Lu Yang listened on the side while reading the documents.

"China Film Group also has no opinion." La Peikang followed closely and responded.

In just a few minutes, the specific investment share of the four major producers of *Operation Red Sea* with a budget of up to 500 million was determined.

"Director Zhang, is the script determined to be announced tomorrow?" The chief of the Navy Political Department asked Zhang Hongsen.

"No problem, I'm watching it myself."

"That's good, after the script is announced tomorrow, we will immediately open casting to the entire industry. Trouble the two directors Guo Fan and Lu Yang, let's start auditioning from the 10th at the latest."

"Also hope Director Lin Nan can watch it on the side at that time; we know Director Lin is busy with film post-production recently, but it's close, so he should be able to take care of it. In addition, the Navy Political Department will also send people over, hope Lin Nan Pictures can arrange it..."

"Auditioning on the 10th is no problem; tomorrow we will issue the joint announcement first, I imagine the industry will be sensational."

"This producer lineup, this behind-the-scenes production lineup, this investment scale of *Operation Red Sea*, how could the circle not be sensational? Absolutely lively..."

"Then it will be held in the large conference room on the third floor of Lin Nan Pictures, because this time it can be completely imagined that the actors running to audition in the industry will definitely be too many to fit, haha..."

Lin Nan followed Guo Fan, Lu Yang, Han Sanping, and others, nodding and echoing with a smile.

As expected, everyone was kept by the Film Bureau for a lunch banquet at noon.

At the dinner table, the chief of the Navy Political Department once again talked about the "rhythm" problem of *Operation Red Sea*;

That is, after the audition and role determination are completed, rest for a few days, at most one week, and then all the main creators of the crew must follow the Navy to the outside to officially start militarized training, including the sea part and the land part.

... ===== CHAPTER 752 =====