Chapter 798: New Year's slot begins, screening rate 56%; ByteDance's right of inquiry

Just as Ning Hao said, behind Ma Sichun is the Northwest circle that has long ceased to exist, and even exists in name only.

But no matter how much of a yesterday's yellow flower it is, it was once the half of the world that was pivotal in the Chinese film world and the cradle, and the invisible thousands of threads of human relationships are still intertwined in the entire film circle.

Therefore, this "Zhang Yimou Girl" Zhou Dongyu is considered wasted; she is not only changing her tune, but also brainlessly and nakedly slapping the entire Northwest circle in the face, floating and forgetting herself.

"It's easy to talk about someone like me, there is no obvious label of which circle on my body. But it's hard to say about someone like you, Lin Nan; accurately speaking, you are also considered a person in the Northwest circle, at least half!"

"How come it's pulled to me while talking? But it's also true, I guess this Zhang Yimou Girl of Director Zhang will probably never get high-quality resources from Northwest circle directors and filmmakers again."

Crossing his legs, Lin Nan commented with interest. He did not deny Ning Hao's words; he was born in the Northwest, and Tian Zhuangzhuang also stayed in the Western Film Studio for many years.

In addition, no one likes to be backstabbed, even if the target of the backstab is a junior in the small circle, but outside, it represents the face of the entire circle and the elders.

"You guys at Huanxi are also lively now. Peter Chan is a shareholder, Director Gu Changwei will also become a shareholder soon, one is Zhou Dongyu's new thigh, one is Ma Sichun's aunt's husband, tsk tsk tsk..."

Huang Bo teased, not minding the drama being big, and Lin Nan couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. Good guy, he actually didn't react to this matter just now? This is too interesting.

Sure enough, Ning Hao looked at Lin Nan and the two with a speechless expression, sighing: "Dong Ping called early this morning to talk about this matter; the group will not take sides on the surface, nor will it take the initiative to mention it.

If Huanxi's future film projects involve these two actors, then Zhou Dongyu can only appear in projects hosted by Peter Chan, and Ma Sichun will not have these constraints."

"Amazing! So decisive, so resolute, worthy of being someone who can steer a listed company in the film and television industry."

"Deserves to be the chairman, while you and Xu Zheng can only be big shareholders." Taking over Lin Nan's words, Huang Bo also sighed and teased Ning Hao.

Well, "personal attack" started again, and Director Ning instantly lost his good face.

"Don't talk about these, after *The Wandering Earth* starts filming, you two find time to come and cameo for me." Lin Nan changed the topic, taking the opportunity to pull some strong men.

"When you were filming *Passengers*, we were pulled by you to lie in the hibernation cabin, and you're coming again this time? Another *Dying to Survive*, following you to cameo in a row?" Ning Hao immediately retorted, but didn't refuse.

"I'll say it in advance, I'm on call." Huang Bo agreed with a smile, and gave Director Ning a provocative look.

Lin Nan smiled without saying a word; in all fairness, if it weren't for Huang Bo's age being wrong, he really wanted Huang Bo to play the role of Huang Mao in *Dying to Survive*.

Of course, this can only be thought about, because Huang Bo's status doesn't allow him to play a supporting role, and his face is too old now, and he has gained some weight, not the time of *Crazy Stone*.

Chatting and drinking tea, the three of them basked in the warm sun in the garden for a whole morning.

Outside, the clamor of the Golden Horse Awards continued, but the sound of the New Year's slot's bowstring tightening completely covered it; only half a day remained before *Operation Meigonghe* officially opened the curtain of the slot.

And this film undoubtedly still won't enter the Emperor Motion Picture theater chain, even if the latter is still making the final struggle.

"According to our market estimation of Lin Nan's mainstream commercial film box office appeal, this film will definitely not be less than 2.5 billion."

"Are you trying to tell me that as soon as the New Year's slot starts, our theater chain cinemas have to close, is that it?"

Albert Yeung looked frosty, coldly staring at several executives.

A year and a half has passed, this is already the second New Year's slot, but Lin Nan Pictures is still biting to death and not loosening up. As the distributor, Enlight is even walking around the Emperor Motion Picture theater chain.

In the conference room, everyone was avoiding Albert Yeung's eyes. Starting tomorrow, what the situation of the 29 cinemas under the Emperor Motion Picture theater chain will be, it goes without saying; it will be as miserable as last year.

"How about, go ask Chairman La to help again?"

"It didn't succeed last year, this year... even more impossible." Albert Yeung looked at the person in charge of the theater chain like a fool.

Others don't know, but he knows that La Peikang has been intentionally alienated by Lin Nan since the first half of last year, until *Pacific Rim 2* was established, and China Film Group was also completely parted ways.

"Then go to the Film Bureau again, as the competent department, the above cannot always be so inactive!"

"Wanda is openly suppressing Huayi's films, did the above manage it?" When Albert Yeung said this, he felt suffocated himself; the above is clearly biased towards Lin Nan Pictures.

"Chairman Yeung, with the barbaric growth of film and television capital in the mainland in recent years, our face is becoming less and less useful in the mainland film circle, and if this continues, we will be completely squeezed out later..."

Another executive raised another thorny problem that made people's heads ache, and Albert Yeung was silent.

Yes, since being forcefully slapped in the face by Lin Nan last year, the influence of Emperor Motion Picture in the mainland has been like a broken dam, pouring out.

"... The extra screenings, at that time, all give to Derek Yee's *Sword Master*, Zhang Yimou's *The Great Wall*, and Wong Kar-wai's *See You Tomorrow*..."

After a long time, Albert Yeung's voice sounded again; the main problems to be discussed and solved in the meeting today seemed to have been completely unimportant, and were ignored by default—because they simply couldn't be solved.

Liu Yifei, who went out to participate in the brand announcement in the morning, flew back in the evening.

During the day, she spent most of her time shopping, eating, drinking, and having fun in Shanghai with her assistant, and for this, a seven-figure salary was credited.

At night, while Lin Nan was unwrapping the gifts Miss Liu brought back, he listened to her talking about what happened during the day.

There were Hong Kong media interviewing her at the event, questioning whether it was appropriate for mainstream films like *Operation Meigonghe* not to enter the Emperor Motion Picture theater chain, which she brushed off by saying she didn't understand film distribution matters.

"Their wording was quite sharp, there were traps everywhere, roughly meaning that mainstream films were used by the company to report personal vendettas, which is very unreasonable."

"Is this an attempt at moral kidnapping?" Lin Nan said, looking at Liu Yifei trying on her newly bought clothes, while expressing his disdain without reservation.

"Almost, I feel like these media were paid? Many reporters today intentionally or unintentionally mentioned this matter in front of me, trying to trap my words." Liu Yifei curled her lips and looked at Lin Nan.

"No need to guess this, no need to pay attention to them."

Lin Nan had just finished speaking when he was "surprised" by Liu Yifei who had changed her clothes, and for a while he was dumbfounded, "When you buy clothes next time, you can video call me, I'll help you pick..."

"What do you mean?" Hearing this, Miss Liu was about to explode.

"Literal meaning, too ugly, haha..."

"You say it again, I..."

After a night of tossing and turning, the entire film industry welcomed the sunrise of the 28th in excitement; the curtain of the New Year's slot was also suddenly opened amidst the sound of gunfire!

"Controlled by Lin Nan Pictures, co-produced by Enlight, Golden Shield, Emperor, China Film Group, and Shanghai Film Group, the mainstream commercial blockbuster *Operation Meigonghe* has landed in national theater chains early this morning..."

"Media learned from China Film Distribution Company that the film *Operation Meigonghe* had a first-day screening rate as high as 56%;

Including the public security system, multiple departments issued viewing initiatives to deeply understand and pay tribute to the anti-drug personnel fighting on the front line."

"Today, the comprehensive screening rate of the film *I Am Not Madame Bovary* plummeted to 3%, and the screening sessions showed a death-like sharp decline..."

"Imported blockbusters *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* and *Moana* have been released for three days, with first-weekend box office reporting 283 million and 85 million respectively, and today's screening rate fell to 20% and 15%."

"Lasting 24 days, the imported film *Doctor Strange* finished its run with a box office of 750 million, stopping before the New Year's slot."

"Early this morning, co-produced by Xinpaixi Culture and Straw Bear Film, starring Liu Shishi, William Chan, Han Xue, and others, the costume fairy-tale drama *Lost Love in Times* officially started filming in Dunhuang. It is reported that this drama is Liu Shishi's first film and television work after marriage..."

"At 9:00 AM sharp, the China Securities Regulatory Commission issued a document approving the acquisition application of Wanjia Culture's controlling equity, and the listed company Wanjia Culture officially suspended trading from today, entering the equity restructuring stage..."

In just one morning, the entire film industry was boiling because of the arrival of the New Year's slot;

The battle of *Operation Meigonghe* undoubtedly brought the New Year's slot into a climax at once, completing the warm-up.

At the same time, the little lions online and countless retail investors were also excited; of course, these two were self-entertainment for specific groups.

Looking at the variety of film and entertainment information online, the super-high screening rate of 56% for *Operation Meigonghe* is definitely the most controversial discussion point in the film circle today.

There are countless people with red-eye disease, and there are countless peers who are cursing and gnashing their teeth, among whom Feng Xiaogang, who just won the Golden Horse Best Director, is the most.

Because by comparison, the difference in treatment between *I Am Not Madame Bovary* and *Operation Meigonghe* in screenings is simply a world of difference!

"As soon as his film is released, my film has to take 10 points out of the only 13% comprehensive screening rate to give to him? *Madame Bovary* has only been released for 10 days!"

Looking at the data of 231 million, Feng Xiaogang couldn't suppress the anger in his heart at all; *Madame Bovary* couldn't even reach 300 million box office, there was no hope at all.

"Don't worry, the box office is not ideal, but there will be awards." Wang Zhonglei didn't know how to calm this person's anger, so he could only comfort him with awards as much as possible.

"Golden Rooster is still early. President Wang, the group should worry more about *The Wasted Times*."

Feng Xiaogang vented his emotions indiscriminately, and sure enough, everyone in the office frowned.

Everyone has this psychological preparation; with the case of *Madame Bovary* in front, *The Wasted Times* will probably not escape Wanda's black hand.

"Take one step at a time, hope its market feedback can be powerful."

In the morning, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei rushed to the company as usual to continue the audition work.

Today is different from the past; when all the actors who came to audition greeted them, they all said "wish the box office a big success," which made Director Lin and Producer Liu a little embarrassed.

"56% screening rate, we are all looking forward to this time tomorrow, just want to know how much the first-day box office is. You two look at the news online, the attendance rate is very high!"

During the break, Han Jia ran to the conference room for *The Wandering Earth* auditions, and as soon as she entered the door, she shouted loudly.

"You think we two aren't looking forward to it? I'm also getting such a high screening rate for the first time. I can't help but think, is the theater chain compensating me? After all, they have set words that they will no longer accept my gambling requirements in the future." Lin Nan teased himself with a smile.

"There should be 200 million+, right? I believe in you." Liu Yifei raised her chin slightly, her smile sweet.

"Borrowing my wife's auspicious words, I hope so."

"You two are really cheesy." Han Jia pretended to have goosebumps, complaining speechlessly.

Not long after, Han Jia was called back, and the auditions started again. I heard that several actors who were going to audition next were all aiming for the female lead of *Dying to Survive*.

"I plan to let Matt Damon come over to 'cameo' as this foreign astronaut who sacrificed at the end of the first film..." Lin Nan told Liu Yifei his thoughts.

As time approached noon, then passed noon, until the afternoon. Film reviews about *Operation Meigonghe* online finally appeared one after another.

"Still the taste of *The Taking of Tiger Mountain*, tense, exciting, satisfying!"

"This censorship is also amazing, such bloody shots weren't cut? Really good!"

"Upstairs, you don't look at which department is standing for this film, do they dare to cut it?"

"Have to say, Li Bingbing is still very capable of fighting, this action scene is really heroic."

"Makes people's blood boil, the demeanor of a great country is vividly displayed..."

Weibo.

"Go and notify all participating shareholders one last time, be sure to come on time before 9:30 AM the day after tomorrow."

Cao Guozhia looked at the secretary and ordered. The ByteDance system is getting more and more excessive, it must be cut quickly, and only after parting ways can we "conflict" head-on.

"Alright, Chairman Cao."

After the secretary left the office, an executive asked.

"Chairman Cao, do you mean to clear all the ByteDance shares held by our Weibo, but who to clear to, who to sell to? Is there a buyer?"

Hearing this question, Cao Guozhia smiled with a complex expression, and said with unwillingness and annoyance:

"Although I am unwilling to admit it, the current status and potential of that side are indeed favored by many capitals. Do you think the shares in our hands will lack a buyer?

Let me say another word that boosts others' ambition, do you believe it? If we release the news now, in less than an hour, the phones outside will call me one after another.

But wanting to transfer it out is not so clean and neat; after all, there was an agreement with ByteDance when investing before... when selling, they have the right of inquiry..."

... ===== CHAPTER 799 =====