Chapter 785: Promotion

In the capital, at midnight on the 9th, countless practitioners in the domestic media industry were wide awake, all in a state of high-octane excitement as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

By around 2:30 AM, news from the Associated Press finally swept across the globe like a hurricane—1600 Pennsylvania Avenue had welcomed a new master!

In just a few short hours, the internet seemed to have undergone a world-shaking transformation. Domestic media was particularly restless, simply because that person had emphasized one thing: setting up and increasing trade restrictions and sanctions.

……

"Daniel Wu posted his voting photo on a social media platform and wrote with emotion:

'I am surprised to see so many Chinese and ethnic Chinese fans of Donald. I voted for the other candidate; because the former hates China from the inside out, and he is the type who doesn't pretend, unlike the duplicity of politicians.'"

"Jointly produced by Crystal Pictures, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Western Film Group, Enlight Media, and Wanda, with Chinese actors Dilraba and others participating in starring roles;

With an investment of 165 million USD, the China-US co-produced sci-fi blockbuster *Pacific Rim 2* held a high-profile opening ceremony and media press conference this morning at Oriental Movie Metropolis……"

A rare phenomenon occurred online where current affairs news dominated major portals and Weibo trending topics. Massive numbers of netizens transformed into "keyboard warriors" pointing out the direction of the country and writing impassioned words, cursing across the ocean.

Of course, there was never a shortage of people with weak knees who undermined their own morale. The voices of the "appeasement faction" were equally loud, and the vast majority of them even possessed a certain social status and influence.

This type of person shared a common identity characteristic: they were all "public intellectuals"!

After hanging up the phone with a worried Tang Mu, Lin Nan continued to browse news related to the *Pacific Rim 2* opening press conference;

There were constantly refreshing text reports and short videos from the scene. Both Jing Tian and Dilraba's mental outlooks were excellent; at a glance, they were the two most eye-catching and pleasing to the eye in the crowd.

Additionally, although Lin Nan did not go to the scene, his name was not absent. Representatives from several production companies mentioned him, and when Jing Tian and Dilraba were interviewed, they also brought up Lin Nan the moment they opened their mouths.

"Director Zhang's new film has already started auditions, but it seems there won't be a new 'Zhang Girl' born this time."

Liu Qianqian walked down from upstairs wearing cotton pajamas with a pink pattern. Her phone had changed into a new outfit again; the back of the girlish phone case even had an Elsa pendant from *Frozen* stuck to it.

"You're still paying attention to these things while lying in bed?" Lin Nan moved the things beside him onto the coffee table. Miss Liu was going to get on the sofa after getting out of bed. Hmm, and she had to lean on him.

"You said last time that it's very difficult for outsiders to get a role in this movie. But Tang Yan is still unwilling to give up and is waiting for an audition right now. Hey, has the storyboard for *Dying to Survive* been completed?"

Glancing at the stack of sketches Lin Nan had just placed on the coffee table, Liu Qianqian asked with pleasant surprise.

"Hmm, working overtime and getting up early, it was finally completed an hour ago."

Regarding Tang Yan going to audition for Zhang Yimou's film, Lin Nan did not express any opinion.

At this moment, the great Director Zhang would only consider actors with superior acting skills for the main roles; he would not choose someone like Tang Yan.

Because he certainly wouldn't be in the mood, and in all likelihood wouldn't be willing to spend too much time and energy coaching actors; the LeEco situation had left him in a state of frustration and stifled anger—it was impossible for his mindset not to be affected.

Look, the shooting schedule for *Shadow* was only four months, and this wasn't the type of shooting where Lin Nan required actors to stay on set;

This was considered the shortest planned film among Zhang Yimou's costume dramas; after all, *A Simple Noodle Story* took six months to shoot!

……

Outside, for an entire day, the internet never settled down.

The eyes of the whole world were likely focused on the new president who would officially take office in two months. This was the first time in how many years across the ocean that someone had ascended to the position purely as a businessman!

However, for the vast majority of netizens, as the "keyboard warrior" enthusiasm faded, "Eldest Princess" Ivanka gradually became the object of heated discussion across the entire internet.

After all, her figure, education, appearance, IQ, eloquence... none were not top-tier; she could be called charm-maxed, killing both men and women.

On the 10th, *Pacific Rim 2* officially started filming in a low-profile manner;

On the 11th, *Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk* was also high-profile released under "public expectation."

But by the 12th, the entire film circle seemed to fall into an awkward situation in an instant, slapped in the face to the extreme. Fortunately, everyone's basic skills were solid—they could swallow their own spit!

Film critics had been praising *Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk* for several days, and the industry had even pushed this film and Ang Lee to the pinnacle, especially Feng Xiaogang.

But what was the result? The film reviews and box office that came out today left everyone in the circle silent, leaving only mockery and complaints online……

China Film Group.

"30% screen share, first-day box office only 26.39 million? The daily comprehensive share of the total market is only 23.3%? Inverted!"

Looking at the detailed data brought by the secretary, La Peikang felt as if his chest was blocked, unable to breathe, feeling suffocated.

His complexion was ugly to the extreme, and there was even a hint of ferocity in his eyes.

This film had been written into the group's key projects for this year early on and reported to the Film Bureau; this was China Film Group's "key film project" second only to *The Great Wall* and *The Founding of an Army*!

"Are there any leaks?" La Peikang looked up, looking at the secretary with an expressionless face.

How could the latter not see the leader's thoughts, but this data was really……

"Chairman La, this is what was handed to me after being summarized by the distribution side of China Film Group. They said there were no mistakes."

At this moment, La Peikang's heart went completely cold and hopeless; the box office of the film market would likely not fluctuate. With film reviews and word-of-mouth not particularly outstanding, how could the box office rise? Impossible!

"Chairman La, this is not a pure commercial film, plus many audiences are completely unaccustomed to this subversive viewing mode, first-person camera perspective, too much narration…… so, it's a bit off-putting."

The secretary couldn't help but comfort him with a few extra words; Ang Lee's films might be more suitable for chasing awards and selling copyrights.

Hearing this, La Peikang's cold expression couldn't help but soften a little. Yes, what Ang Lee was good at was never the box office of the film market, but awards.

*Life of Pi* could sell over 600 million USD at the global box office; it was truly something even Ang Lee hadn't expected and dared not imagine.

"Where is Ang Lee?"

"He has already returned to Baodao. The Golden Horse Exhibition has opened in the last two days, and the end of the month is the Golden Horse Awards ceremony."

"Go contact him. Regarding the Oscar PR, China Film Group can cooperate with him and Sony……"

Speaking of this, La Peikang fell silent for a moment, then looked directly at the secretary again, instructing with unusual seriousness:

"Tell them, don't talk about winning, but at least there must be a nomination. Don't those people in Hollywood love this kind of 'rebellious' politically correct subject matter the most?"

"Okay, okay, Chairman La. I'll go right now."

The secretary subconsciously swallowed his saliva. As a secretary, he naturally understood what "cooperate" meant in the Chairman's mouth—it meant they could provide some "promotion" costs.

A few minutes later, only La Peikang was left in the office. To be honest, compared to the box office, he valued the overseas influence of *Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk* more; for China Film Group and himself, this was the plus point.

"Next, it depends on the box office of *The Great Wall*. This is the commercial blockbuster that is the main attack on the box office market!"

A murmur sounded; La Peikang was still somewhat unwilling; with *Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk* in this box office situation, some people would inevitably mock him behind his back or even to his face!

……

"I really have to thank him, La Peikang, so much, hahaha……

Back then, Ang Lee came to pull investment, and he was hesitant and wouldn't give a clear answer. But once I had finished talking with Ang Lee and was about to sign the contract, he relied on China Film Group's power to import foreign films, used this as a threat, and forcibly snatched the project away.

And then? For so long, he has often used this film to show off and be smug. Is he dumbfounded today? A 24 million USD unilateral investment, just look at this first-day box office; if the film can break even, I'll take his surname. He deserves to lose……"

Watching Ren Zhonglun's yin-yang-weird and undisguised mocking face, Lin Nan was a little worried for La Peikang. If these two met, the former would probably "humiliate" him with words to his face, right?!

"Chairman Ren, are we still going to talk about business? You've been spraying Chairman La non-stop since you walked in the door; we can't get a word in at all."

Lin Nan leaned on his chair, looking at Ren Zhonglun opposite him, complaining speechlessly. Han Sanping and Han Jia beside him were in a state of watching the fun.

"What are you laughing at? When *The Crossing (Part 1)* was first released, your appearance of having lost your integrity and having no face to see people was even more miserable than La Peikang's."

As Ren Zhonglun turned the spearhead, Han Sanping immediately lost his smile, his complexion like he had eaten two pounds of gunpowder.

Only Han Jia couldn't help but laugh heartlessly, and even laughed out loud: "Hehe…… hehe…… My dad has never been as much of a homebody as he was during that period in his whole life, haha……"

"Hurry up and talk about business; we'll disperse once we're done." Han Sanping urged impatiently. Although he came by the way and had free time, he didn't plan on staying long.

"The script will be publicized for review on the 15th, and then the casting notice will be released immediately; on the morning of the 21st, the investment share for *The Wandering Earth* will be determined, and the afternoon is for *Dying to Survive*; on the 22nd, auditions will officially begin. This time it's quite urgent, but we can take it slow. Because my start date has already been planned for March next year……

Chairman Ren and Chairman Han, you two are not only the joint producers of *Dying to Survive* this time, but you also have to cameo in the film for me. Hmm, I've found some grounded, more surprising small roles for you…… The same goes for Chairman Wang of Western Film Group……"

Looking at the smile on Lin Nan's face and listening to his glib talk (bluffing), Han Sanping had some stress reactions. This scene was really fucking familiar……

"Cameo? No problem, I actually quite envy Old Han. Back then, as 'Mountain Vulture', good guy, he even won an award!"

Ren Zhonglun seemed quite interested, joking with a smile. He wasn't teasing Han Sanping, but speaking from the heart.

"Heh, when you get the role you're going to cameo in, I hope you can still laugh. Based on my understanding of Lin Nan, this dog thing doesn't necessarily know what kind of bad intentions he's hiding."

Han Sanping kept a cold face, first looking at Ren Zhonglun with disdain, then staring at Lin Nan with unkind eyes.

Lin Nan originally wanted to laugh, but being stared at like this, he instantly felt guilty and became serious.

"Senior Brother Lin, which roles do you want my dad, Uncle Ren, and Uncle Wang to cameo in?" Han Jia asked curiously. Although she was a screenwriter, she couldn't guess Lin Nan's thoughts.

"We'll talk after filming starts. I might even pull you in to cameo. Hmm, including me and Qianqian, it's not impossible!" Lin Nan played a riddle, his smile treacherous.

"Fine, I'll prepare my retirement money for you when I go back later."

Han Sanping said this to Lin Nan, but his eyes glanced at Han Jia. Facing her biological father's loving gaze, the latter still laughed heartlessly, but was much, much more ladylike than just now.

……

A little past 11 o'clock, when Lin Nan returned home, Liu Qianqian was actually watching that drama *The Princess Weiyoung* starring Tang Yan and Luo Jin.

To be honest, watching a pair of good friends and lovers in real life acting opposite each other in a costume drama, that feeling was really wonderful.

Tang Yan and Luo Jin were clearly acting out a very serious scene and shot, but seeing it on the screen right now, Liu Qianqian couldn't help but want to laugh. Of course, Lin Nan was also infected.

"Oh right, the invitation to the Berlin Film Festival, here."

Liu Qianqian, without any makeup, finally remembered the thing that was sent today, and immediately fished out a letter from under the cushion.

Lin Nan was too lazy to look at it; he would send an email to explain it there in the afternoon. He couldn't go; he had to prepare for the new film.

"Speaking of invitation letters, I want to laugh.

"Perhaps it was because of the last time we spoke so bluntly about justice that it irritated Huayi and Director Feng. This time, they didn't even bother with the facade of politeness. They didn't invite either of us to the premiere of *I Am Not Madame Bovary* at all. Heh..."

Putting down the Berlin Film Festival letter, Lin Nan joked with Liu Qianqian.

"I bet you must be thinking: 'This actually saves trouble; I don't need to pretend anymore in the future,' right?" Liu Qianqian raised her eyebrows and looked at Lin Nan.

"Well said, no need to pretend anymore in the future. I'm also not the type of person who likes to deal with that side, am I?"

Not long after, Lin Nan and Liu Qianqian went out and returned to the neighboring maternal home together. Liu Mu was stewing soup; it should be ready soon.

……

Film Bureau.

"Has *Dying to Survive* already been added?"

"Director Tong, it has already been added. The morning after tomorrow, it will be directly publicized."

After answering, the secretary remembered another interesting thing, "Director Zhang Yimou's *Shadow* seems to also be on the list of special care, arranged in the batch at the end of the month."

Hearing this, Tong Gang paused, then nodded: "Hmm, he has the qualification to be specially cared for. But speaking of which, he is also too greedy, trapped, right?"

……

(End of chapter)