Chapter 81: Release

The first day of the National Day holiday.

A massive number of viewers flooded into the cinemas.

Two years of production, 300 million in costs.

The Olympics, the Shenzhou VII mission, the spacewalk, plus the news from the premiere of *The Martian*.

Moviegoers were filled with anticipation for this film.

Several production companies were keeping a constant watch on news from the cinemas.

China Film Group, Shangying, Wanda, and Enlight had all concluded that this film would be the most profitable investment of the past two years.

People from the aerospace industry even told Lin Nan that if he were to film anything about space or other planets in the future, he could continue to come to them.

"You should be secretly happy that they can give you this promise.

In the future, when you film this type of subject matter, you won't have to worry about any difficulties you encounter..."

Lin Nan understood this logic. It was just that in the short term, he really wouldn't touch this kind of film again.

By the afternoon, reviews for *The Martian* appeared online.

"Damn, I simply can't believe this is a film made domestically."

"I must have had water in my brain back then, scolding Director Lin Nan for being a grandstander."

"Same here..."

"This is what a film with a 300 million cost should look like; those other few must have been greedy for the money..."

The reviews during the first day were overwhelmingly positive, likely because the film critics were still writing their drafts.

Text messages and Penguin messages kept coming in.

"Director Lin, *The Martian* is amazing."

Yan Danchen had been rushing to finish work on a set previously, so she hadn't gone to the premiere, but she went to the cinema to catch a screening just now.

Lin Nan's Penguin account hadn't added new people in a long time; the Class of '02 group was very lively, all chatting about the film.

He silently lurked, simply choosing not to speak.

By evening, as expected, negative reviews appeared online.

"No one could still be entertaining themselves in that kind of environment. The protagonist is just a botanist, not a psychologist."

"The script is slightly uneven; that bit of popular science knowledge is completely insufficient to support his survival..."

In Lin Nan's view, these people weren't having an easy time either; after searching for a long time, the intensity of their criticism was only this much.

What did that mean? It meant they couldn't find any major faults, so they could only nitpick.

Even the few faults they picked were quickly drowned out by the netizens' spitfire.

Within the industry, everyone was watching the opening day box office for *The Martian*; many filmmakers waited until the early hours of the morning.

Someone from the China Film Distribution and Exhibition Company called Han Sanping in the middle of the night, as the latter had requested.

"Chairman Han, the opening day box office is out..."

"How much?"

"36.42 million."

Han Sanping let out a long sigh of relief, "Mm, I know. Thank you for your hard work."

"You're too kind, Chairman Han, it's all for the job. Then I won't disturb your rest."

Early the next morning, Lin Nan's phone wouldn't stop ringing.

"The opening day box office broke the record, go see for yourself."

Lin Nan browsed the news online.

The opening day box office data for *The Martian* was the headline on every portal site.

If it continued according to this data, surpassing *Red Cliff (Part I)* would be absolutely no problem.

As for whether it could reach a new level, it would depend on the audience; after all, domestic piracy was truly too rampant.

On the second day, the box office remained at 32 million.

The third day was 30.4 million.

The fourth day was 28.1 million.

The seven-day National Day holiday ended.

Lin Nan received the aggregated data from China Film Group; *The Martian* grossed 186 million, once again refreshing the opening week box office record.

"*The Martian* will become a milestone for domestic science fiction films; it has already set the benchmark there..."

These words from the Bureau, while praising and complimenting Lin Nan, also put him in a bit of a precarious position.

Tian Zhuangzhuang called and asked Lin Nan to return to the school; the latter had a premonition that it wasn't anything good.

Walking through the Beijing Film Academy, everyone he met congratulated him, whether they were teachers or students.

When he arrived at the Graduate School of the Directing Department, Tian Zhuangzhuang was waiting for him in the office.

"Congratulations, the box office is excellent."

"You're too kind, Teacher. Is there something you called me over for today?" Lin Nan asked after sitting down.

"There is a small matter. You will be graduating in the first half of next year, and the school wanted me to ask for your opinion."

"What opinion?" Lin Nan was very curious.

"Whether you are willing to stay on at the school."

After Tian Zhuangzhuang finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

"Stay on at the school?"

Lin Nan had never thought about this matter and was momentarily at a loss.

"To be honest, I really haven't thought about this. What could I do if I stayed at the school? Be a teaching assistant?"

"How could the school let a Silver Bear-winning director and a major commercial film director be a teaching assistant?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang glanced at Lin Nan and continued in a low voice: "If you are willing to stay, you will become a professor in just a few years. These are the school's exact words."

"Teacher, let's forget it." Lin Nan sighed; he felt a genuine, heartfelt resistance to this kind of thing.

Suddenly, Tian Zhuangzhuang laughed.

"Hahaha, I guessed you would refuse; staying at the school really doesn't suit you.

Then let's talk about another matter.

The school hopes you will participate in this graduate student interview—a serious, formal graduate student, not a Master of Fine Arts."

Lin Nan simply couldn't believe his ears, "Teacher, isn't that against the rules?"

"No, your awards and grades are fully qualified. This was passed by the school leadership in a meeting; I am only responsible for communicating with you."

"But my graduation project hasn't started yet; I might not be able to spare the time."

"Don't tell me you can't even spare two days. After all, your film should be finished by February."

"Haha, two days is doable.

Then you must communicate well with the Acting Department; don't disturb me this year."

Lin Nan stopped declining; it was the last time anyway.

"Mm, all of that is no problem."

When leaving the Beijing Film Academy, Lin Nan still felt a bit emotional; the school really knew how to calculate, rushing to squeeze him for time.

The box office for *The Martian* was still increasing by nearly 20 million per day.

Every film and television company in the industry was watching this side with eager eyes; Wanda and Enlight had been very glorious lately.

"Director Lin, your salary has gone up."

Someone in the company mentioned it, and only then did Lin Nan pay attention to this matter.

Within the industry, his positioning for a director's fee had already reached 20 million, on the same level as Zhang Yimou.

As for whether anyone would actually offer him this price, it was hard to say.

"This feeling is actually quite good."

Yue Jun knocked and entered.

"Director Lin, *Lurk* will be finished filming in about a month; there are already television stations making offers."

"You go handle the coordination."

"Also, this is the latest list of copyright purchases; this time it needs Director Lin's signature."

Lin Nan looked up and took a few pages of A4 paper and a financial statement from Yue Jun's hand.

In an instant, Lin Nan's pupils focused.

Good heavens, they were all big fish, all ones Lin Nan had missed, and of all different types.

"My Director Yue, your year-end bonus this year will have to double."

"Haha, Director Lin, are you not joking?" Yue Jun laughed.

"Not joking, I'll add a seven-figure car for you."

"Then I'd rather have the cash; I feel more secure with it in my account."

Lin Nan shook his head with a smile; Yue Jun's personality was quite traditional, which was very rare.

He signed the financial statement fluently and handed it to Yue Jun.

"Make it quick, don't let any slips happen."

"There won't be any slips. Many of them are very interested once they hear it's our company, especially those science fiction ones..."

"How is Zhou Yi doing?" Lin Nan ignored Yue Jun's flattery.

"Still holding on for dear life. I estimate they can only last another year at most."

"Hmm, keep in contact, and keep an eye on their screenwriting team."

…………

The total box office for *The Martian* is getting higher and higher.

Attentive media noticed that several floors in Lin Nan's company building had been cleared out and new signs had already been hung up.

"Tiangong Color?"

News of Lin Nan establishing a new company spread very quickly; it could already be checked on the official website, with ten million in paid-in capital.

"He really did what he said he would? Tiangong Color Visual Technology Co., Ltd.!"

"Are they accepting investment?"

"People from Director Lin's company said they aren't accepting outside capital. But it looks like there aren't many employees yet."

……

Lin Nan received calls from Han Sanping, Ren Zhonglun, and Wang Changtian one after another.

The meaning was much the same: they were asking if they could invest.

After all, everyone knew that this kind of company would burn through money in the early stages, and they were also holding onto the mentality of currying favor.

"Not needed for now. When I truly can't hold on anymore, I will open my mouth to you all."

Seeing Lin Nan's firm attitude, the few didn't pester him further, only saying to speak up if there was a need.

The film's box office successfully broke through 200 million, then 250 million.

On the 16th of the month, the cumulative box office of *The Martian* exceeded 300 million.

The second director in the domestic 300 million box office club was born.

Moreover, the daily growth of *The Martian*'s box office remained high, still maintaining around 10 million, with plenty of momentum left.

When Feng Xiaogang saw this news on the set of *If You Are the One*, he also felt a bit of emotion.

"I wonder how much box office our film will be able to get when the time comes?"

"This is the type of film Director Feng is best at. Who doesn't know your drawing power during the New Year period?

When the time comes, you will definitely be in the 300 million club." Shu Qi said with a flattering smile.

"Haha, well said. If it passes 300 million, make Director Feng give everyone red envelopes." Ge You joked.

"I'll give them. If it reaches it, I'll definitely give them."

…………

*Ip Man*, which Lin Nan collaborated on with Emperor Group last year, was officially scheduled for mid-December.

Yang Shoucheng wanted to use Lin Nan's fame to promote it; after all, it was the latter's script.

"Director Lin, will it be convenient for you to spare some time to come to the premiere?"

"I can't go. I probably won't even be in the capital by then.

After the business of *The Martian* is concluded, I have to start working on filming my graduation play."

Yang Shoucheng was currently very concerned about the performance of *Ip Man*, as this would determine whether Emperor Group could continue to cooperate with Lin Nan.

Once *The Martian* came out, especially the record of having already earned over 100 million before it was even released, it made Yang Shoucheng very envious; the Hong Kong entertainment circle had been discussing this matter recently.

As long as the cooperation remained, there would be a chance to get a piece of the pie in the future. If the cooperation were broken, then Emperor Group would truly become a joke in the circle.

"Since Director Lin can't spare the time, then forget it. I wish Director Lin's graduation play will be another award-winning film."

"Haha, it's not that easy. But I still have to say thank you, and I'll take your kind words, Chairman Yang."

Lin Nan gave a few perfunctory remarks and then hung up the phone.

The whole circle knew about him filming his graduation play; it was impossible for Yang Shoucheng not to have heard.

As for the purpose of this call, it was very simple: it was just to maintain the relationship.