Chapter 83: A New Record, Graduation Work

At the end of October, *The Martian* successfully finished its theatrical run.

The heavy stone that had been weighing on the hearts of every company in the film and television industry finally dropped.

Lin Nan had pushed the box office record for domestic films forward by 120 million.

No one knew how long it would take for a new film to catch up to this record, or who would be able to break it.

But the industry unanimously agreed that if a new film did appear that could break this record, it would most likely still be one of those few people.

"Director Lin, the data from Southeast Asia is out; it reported 12 million USD."

"Mm, I see."

Lin Nan saw the film report immediately, and the detailed profits for *The Martian* were announced.

After deducting costs, the pre-tax profit for the producers was roughly around 380 million.

An incredibly magnificent figure, without a single drop of padding.

China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, including Wanda and Enlight Media, all accepted interviews.

"*The Martian* is the most profitable investment our group has made in recent years, and also the most correct one. We very much look forward to our next collaboration with Director Lin."

"Wanda plans to enter the upstream of the film industry and cooperate with all excellent film directors. Director Lin will always be Wanda's best partner..."

To be honest, the money *The Martian* earned for Lin Nan didn't even compare to *Buried*.

But when it came to influence within the country, *The Martian* completely crushed *Buried*; that is the advantage of a commercial film.

Several producers sat together, everyone's face full of smiles.

For the two state-owned enterprises, *The Martian* was enough to be brought out to handle work reports for several years to come.

As for Enlight Media and Wanda, they were simply happy to have made money.

"Director Lin, Enlight Media is joining forces with the television station to launch the 'National Drama Ceremony' brand event. When the time comes, your company's dramas can all be brought over..."

Wang Changtian held his wine glass and said this.

"Mm, no problem."

Hearing the name "National Drama Ceremony," Lin Nan was quite surprised; Enlight Media had gained another good card.

"Don't you think your behavior is very excessive?"

Hu Ge looked at Yang Mi with a gloomy expression.

When he was chatting with Lin Nan about *Butterfly Lovers* that day, the latter said something that made him very embarrassed.

"Although we are friends, if you're going to give out my phone number, you should at least give me a heads-up, right?"

Hu Ge was completely bewildered at the time, but he also understood that Lin Nan wouldn't say such a thing without reason.

But in his memory, he hadn't told anyone Lin Nan's number?

It wasn't until today, when the crew was filming the scene where they "make a call" using a mirror, that he suddenly realized the truth.

Last month, Yang Mi seemed to have borrowed his phone, saying she was making a call, but she returned it in less than two minutes.

"I, what did I do?"

Yang Mi thought of something instantly, but she still asked back.

"I trusted you, that's why I lent you my phone. Do you need me to remind you what you did?"

Hu Ge said coldly.

"I, I just looked at a phone number, that's all..."

As Yang Mi spoke, she even tugged on Hu Ge's sleeve.

"That's all? If it were someone else, I might not have any roles in the future, and you would have already been kicked off the crew by now."

Hu Ge was so angry he laughed.

He had a good impression of Yang Mi, but not to the point of joking with his future.

Yang Mi's face turned pale in an instant.

"I, I'm sorry, I just wanted to go to the premiere...

He wouldn't really blacklist me over a small matter like this, would he?"

With Lin Nan's status and connections...

Yang Mi didn't dare to think about it. If Cai Yinong found out about this, she would probably tear her apart.

Looking at the girl in front of him who was clearly terrified, Hu Ge let out a long sigh.

"This matter ends here. I won't tell anyone else, and you better watch your own mouth. Don't go showing off in front of Tang Yan and Liu Shishi again..."

Having said that, Hu Ge turned and walked toward the crew.

Yang Mi's eyes were slightly red; she stood there for a long time before finally chasing after him.

*Inception* officially announced that filming had wrapped.

Domestic media scrambled to report it.

A 160 million USD sci-fi blockbuster, and another top-tier cast; it was destined to be a hit when it was released.

Liu Yifei was the miserable one, becoming even busier.

Little did she know how many female artists were envious of her.

A large number of endorsement offers were sent to Liu Xiaoli, and the latter and the team began to pick and choose, taking only the most high-end and high-quality ones.

Nolan and Lin Nan spoke on the phone.

"*Inception* will complete nearly half a year of post-production special effects at Warner Bros.

If you are free, you can come over and take a look."

"That probably won't take long."

"I remembered, that film *New Moon* from Crystal Pictures is about to be released."

It wasn't easy for Nolan to remember such a low-level film; it was all for Lin Nan's sake.

"That's also a reason. I won't say more; we'll talk when we meet."

Director Xie Jin had passed away.

That dog surnamed Song just had to pick this time to run out and spray and bite everywhere, insulting and mocking.

The attention and buzz had gone up.

The consequence was that the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television personally stepped in and named him for a ban.

Shanghai Film Group joined forces with China Film Group to push it, major television stations implemented it, Sina banned the account, the film and television industry boycotted...

After a series of operations, not only were those in the industry satisfied, but netizens also felt it was done beautifully.

Because this guy really had no bottom line as a human being; he practically insulted the species of dogs.

"To avoid paying child support, he could even slander his daughter as not being his own. That something like this was only dealt with now is already being too easy on 'it'."

"For film and television works declared by his company, project approval is not allowed, filming permits are prohibited from being issued, and his company's license will be revoked during next year's review..."

Lin Nan heard the specific method of the ban from China Film Group; this time it was absolutely clean and swift.

It was estimated that there were quite a few people in the circle willing to beat a dog that had fallen into the water, and they were all first-tier, second-tier, and many big shots from film and television companies.

Lin Nan remembered that Huayi had been bitten by him for a long time.

News of auditions for *No Man's Land* spread.

Ning Hao still chose an invitation-only audition this time and did not make it public to the circle.

This left many companies and actors helpless.

The result didn't exceed Lin Nan's expectations; the cast list was exactly the same as the audition list.

"Acquaintances are easy to use; I actually learned this from you," Ning Hao joked on the phone.

"Is the time set?"

"Set, filming starts in March."

"Really not planning to change the ending?"

"Hey, I understand your good intentions, but I really don't want to change it. This script right now, it has the right flavor!"

When Ning Hao mentioned *No Man's Land*, Lin Nan could feel that sense of urgency.

He only hoped that when it was submitted for review, there would be a good result.

The industry was waiting for the celebration banquet for *The Martian*, but there was no movement for a long time.

Han Sanping specifically called to ask Lin Nan.

"If you want to hold it, then hold it, but I probably won't be able to attend."

"Why?"

"My flight is already booked; I'm going to Hollywood soon."

"Your graduation masterpiece is a foreign-language film?" Han Sanping was clearly a bit excited.

"Haha, at this point, I won't hide it anymore; it is indeed a foreign-language film."

"Good, then I'll look forward to your new work. We'll arrange the celebration banquet ourselves."

"Mm."

On the last day of October, Yue Jun sent the third batch, totaling 15 people, onto the plane.

Tang Mu would send someone to pick them up.

Liu Yifei was driving the G-Wagon, moving slowly toward the airport, with Lin Nan sitting in the passenger seat.

"Xixi, can you go a bit faster? At this speed, it's highly likely we won't make the flight."

Lin Nan knew what was on Liu Yifei’s mind.

Sure enough, he saw the latter glare at him, and only then did the car speed up a little.

After more than half an hour, the two arrived at the airport.

After getting his documents stamped, Lin Nan shouldered his bag and got out of the car.

"You can't skip our daily calls, you know?" Liu Yifei reminded him.

"I know, I know. Go back now."

The celebration banquet for *The Martian* was still very grand, but Liu Yifei did not attend.

Many people noticed that Lin Nan was nowhere to be seen.

"Brother Xiaoming, have you seen Big Brother Lin Nan?"

Jing Tian asked Huang Xiao with a look of confusion.

"I really don't know about that; I'm puzzled too. Let's wait a bit longer, he's probably stuck in traffic."

A staff member came over to call the leads onto the stage.

Only then did everyone realize something was wrong.

"Director Lin Nan had to catch a flight, so he couldn't make it today..."

Han Sanping was speaking on stage, while Jing Tian and the other leads stood to the side; she was a bit distracted.

Before boarding his flight, Lin Nan even received a call from Hu Ge regarding the fact that Yang Mi had obtained Lin Nan’s phone number from him.

It was true that his status had changed; the friends around him had begun to act cautiously, a feeling that made Lin Nan somewhat uncomfortable.

The media’s reaction speed was not slow either.

The news that Lin Nan had not appeared at the celebration banquet spread quickly.

"*The Martian* celebration banquet, Director Lin Nan nowhere to be seen."

"Director Lin Nan appears at the airport, suspected to be heading abroad."

Almost everyone in the industry knew about Lin Nan’s graduation project. With only half a year left, those with a keen eye could already guess what his trip abroad meant.

"A foreign-language film?"

"If nothing goes wrong, that should be it."

There had never been a rule against shooting a foreign-language film for a graduate project at the Beijing Film Academy’s directing department, but no one had ever done it before.

That was because no other student was a famous director with a reputation already established before graduation like Lin Nan.

The school was flooded with many reporters.

Old Jiang set down his thermos filled with black goji berries; he had been assigned by Tian Zhuangzhuang to meet the media.

"Everyone, quiet down. Regarding what you want to ask, Director Tian asked me to provide an answer.

For any graduate's final project, before it is submitted, even the title must remain confidential.

What I can confirm to you is that Lin Nan’s film is indeed a foreign-language film, and the script was written beforehand."

Lin Nan did not know what the news was like back home.

Here in Hollywood, things were truly a bit miserable.

The subprime mortgage crisis had already spread to the Hollywood film industry.

A large number of small and medium-sized companies had gone bankrupt or were being sold off.

Many film projects were canceled or postponed indefinitely.

Ninety-nine percent of Tang Mu’s net worth had vanished into thin air.

"Lin, I took the opportunity to acquire a lot of top-tier equipment; it’s almost like new, and I only paid second-hand prices..."

"And you also took on a lot of staff?"

"Hehe, that’s right. They are all the top engineers from those bankrupt companies; Crystal Pictures is their best choice. Sigh, damn this financial crisis, my money!"

[Note: The source text has 142 as "Sigh, damn this financial crisis, my money!"]

Upon returning to Crystal Pictures, many people greeted Lin Nan enthusiastically.

Under the subprime mortgage crisis, life in Hollywood was not easy; a stable job gave them a great sense of security, which they cherished all the more.