Chapter 86: Killing Without Blood

The *Hunt* crew.

Whether it was Lin Nan as the director or Ma Te Damon as the lead, both were extremely dedicated during filming.

Filming efficiency improved significantly without anyone noticing.

Leonardo came to visit the set several times, sighing with regret each time.

He said Lin Nan should have talked to him first; he definitely would have been willing to lower his salary for a film like this.

Every time he said this, Ma Te Damon would always retort with a few jabs.

"Ma Te, you should thank me; this script was originally mine."

"How many scripts and models have those hands of yours touched? You're too greedy."

Ma Te Damon retorted with a laugh.

Taking advantage of a break and preparation time, Lin Nan was reviewing the clips filmed that morning.

Ma Te was indeed putting in a lot of effort during filming.

The shift in the protagonist's mental state was just right.

Lin Nan had hesitated for a long time back then about whether or not to write the character Lu Kasi to his death.

In the end, he decided to let him live.

Even if condemned by all, innocence is still innocence.

The protagonist living is the finishing touch, keeping all the villains in constant fear, like a thorn in their backs.

Domestically, *Hard Man* and *If You Are the One 2* began direct competition, and several New Year films were still in promotion.

News that Lin Nan's new film had started shooting a week ago traveled back, landing directly on the headlines.

"Look at Lin Nan; he's not even in the country, yet the media news is all about him. He's much better than you."

Xing Aina, with her big belly, placed a plate of fruit on Ning Hao's desk and joked.

"I'm not comparing myself to him; he's an animal. By the way, when the baby is born, make him give a big red envelope."

"Go ask him if he can return before the premiere of *Crazy Racer*."

The name of Lin Nan's new film appeared online.

"*Hunt*?"

"I can't guess the content from the name of Director Lin's new film."

"It won't be like *Buried*, where this film is actually about going hunting, right?"

…………

Chen Kaige had certainly put in the effort to deal with piracy.

According to the rules of the Berlin Film Festival, films competing must have their premiere at the festival.

To guard against domestic pirates, the release date of *Forever Enthralled* was moved up by a week, releasing on the 5th.

Lin Nan, while on set, heard about the preferential treatment this film received.

By 6:00 PM on the 4th, *Forever Enthralled* was already fully booked in major mainland cinemas.

The results of these 6 hours up to midnight would also be counted into the opening day box office.

"Is this the treatment for a Palme d'Or-winning director?"

Many film companies, directors, and producers had opinions, but no one dared to say it openly because this matter was decided by Chen Kaige and China Film Group.

Lin Nan sat back behind the monitor.

"Ma Te, let's do that take again. Make the look of inner collapse more restrained. In front of his son, he is always a father; it cannot be seen..."

"OK, you're absolutely right."

Ma Te Damon returned to his original position.

"Action."

In an instant, the facial expressions, hand movements, and the look of disappointment and helplessness were all there.

His spirit seemed to be drained in an instant.

But he still had to pretend to be calm in front of his son.

"Cut." Lin Nan applauded.

If filming continues like this, this movie should be finished very soon.

Zhang Weiping began to bombard *Forever Enthralled*.

"Other people's opening box office is for 24 hours; why does *Forever Enthralled* get 6 extra hours?"

Regardless of Zhang Weiping's usual arrogant and domineering personality, this time he really took the lead.

On the 4th, 6 hours brought in 5.5 million; on the 5th, one day brought in 9.5 million; *Forever Enthralled*'s opening day box office totaled 15 million.

It forcibly created a new record for domestic art films, and it was a biographical art film at that.

Only after Zhang Weiping took the lead in speaking out did the industry's public opinion begin to emerge.

There really aren't many who can butt heads with Chen Kaige.

Unfortunately, Zhang Weiping counts as one, because he has Zhang Yimou.

There were also many directors with opinions; Jia Zhangke and Wang Xiaoshuai were among them.

The total box office of many of their films wasn't as much as *Forever Enthralled*'s 6 hours.

China Film Group did not respond, and Chen Kaige ignored it.

*Forever Enthralled*'s box office dropped to 5 million on the third day...

New Pictures immediately announced to the outside world that Director Zhang Yimou's new script was about to be completed.

Many people realized belatedly: Zhang Weiping had been making a fuss for so long, was he trying to say this?

However, for the industry, this was also major news.

This was Zhang Yimou's first film after the Olympic deification, and the attention it received was definitely international-level.

But for Zhang Yimou's films, the producer is always New Pictures; Zhang Weiping never lets go, and outsiders simply cannot intervene.

But in terms of casting, Zhang Weiping was easy to talk to; he was a pure businessman.

And in recent years, he has intervened in Zhang Yimou's work more and more, and he has succeeded every time.

This gave many artist management companies ideas.

Upon learning that this film was a commercial film, all the actors and stars in the industry became even more excited.

Lin Nan noticed that the same type of opponent for *Ip Man* was actually the action film *Wolf Warrior*, directed by and starring Wu Jing.

This was very interesting.

Emperor Motion Pictures' promotion strategy was correct.

Using Lin Nan's name, both the audience's willingness to buy tickets and the cinema's screening rate were very good, just waiting for the release in a week.

Filming for *Hunt* started in mid-November, and it had been twenty days now.

Ma Te Damon's new makeup looked more decadent and exhausted.

The protagonist is the object of everyone's exclusion and oppression.

The alienation of his girlfriend, the malice of strangers, the distrust of his ex-wife, and even his beloved dog were poisoned to death.

Even though the little girl had already admitted she lied, all the malice and harm did not disappear, and did not even decrease in the slightest.

This made a person who knew he was innocent become increasingly introverted, panicked, and uneasy, surrounded by malice.

"Lin, about how many days until we wrap up?" Ma Te asked.

So far, the entire script had only a little bit left to film.

"Just these two days; I have a bunch of things to be busy with later too," Lin Nan replied.

"That's really fast! But this movie is really good; we are all objects being 'hunted'."

Lin Nan ignored Ma Te's exclamation; he was thinking about whether to take this film back and edit the post-production himself slowly.

On one hand, the on-site recording effect was very good during filming, and on the other hand, there were no special effects.

Thinking carefully, it could really be taken back to the country for post-production.

*Forever Enthralled* was a film released globally, and Lin Nan went to the cinema alone to take a look.

Chen Kaige's aesthetic attainments were really high, displayed vividly in this film.

Wang Xueqi and Sun Honglei, as supporting roles, performed very vividly, and the lines and details were beautiful.

But the plot became more hollow and boring as it went on, and even had a lot of preaching.

After the "Death" part, it was really unwatchable, and the film was so long...

After watching it, Lin Nan really felt it wasn't as well-portrayed as the protagonist in *Farewell My Concubine*; Li Ming lacked a bit of charm.

Domestic news: *Forever Enthralled*'s first weekend of 4 days, including those 6 hours, reached 42 million in box office.

In the eyes of the audience, it was an art film, but this box office result was higher than many commercial films.

An art film with an investment of 100 million, only Chen Kaige could play like this, because his films do not lack copyright buyers.

Of course, this film was also destined to be the highest-grossing art film in the country.

Ning Hao calculated the time difference and called Lin Nan, asking if he could return before the premiere of *Crazy Racer*.

"I'm not shooting a commercial film; how could it take so long? It's wrapping up soon."

Nowadays, domestic film box office records are breaking 200 million and 300 million one after another, and Lin Nan even bombed 400 million.

Ning Hao was a little anxious.

The results achieved by *Crazy Stone* had already fallen out of the first tier.

"By the way, have the red envelope ready; make it big; your nephew is about to be born..."

While hanging up the phone, Ning Hao did not forget another important matter.

"Okay, for this kind of thing, there is give and take," Lin Nan laughed.

*Hunt* began its final scenes.

Lu Kasi, played by Ma Te Damon, after a year of effort, reconciled with his girlfriend.

The rumors also seemed to fade away gradually.

When he accompanied his son to complete the essential hunting part of the coming-of-age ceremony, an accident occurred.

When he separated from his son and searched for animals alone, a bullet grazed his forehead and hit the tree next to him.

The bark exploded and splashed on Lu Kasi's face.

He subconsciously slumped under the tree and looked in the direction of the gunshot.

The sun was shining directly in his face, making it impossible to see clearly; he could only see a blurred figure quickly dodging and disappearing.

In the lens, Lu Kasi, played by Ma Te Damon, struggled to get up, his legs trembling slightly, looking fearful and preoccupied, searching for his son in the sunset...

There was no prey around at all, so why did that familiar figure just fire a shot?

It turned out that he had always been that prey; from the moment the rumor was born, he became the prey.

"Cut."

Ma Te Damon walked back with a smile.

"Lin, why not let the protagonist die? That would stir up the audience's emotions more."

"If Lu Kasi died, then this story would be over, but look at reality, isn't this kind of thing happening all the time? It has never ended."

Lin Nan could understand Ma Te's idea; he had thought so too.

But thinking carefully, if Lu Kasi died, wouldn't the false become true and the right become wrong?

If the protagonist dies, this film can only be an excellent drama; living, the film will be sublimated...

"Thank you all for your efforts over the past month; *Hunt* has officially wrapped."

Without participating in the crew's wrap party, Lin Nan rushed back to Crystal Pictures.

Tom handed over a report.

"Lin, this is the quote for the first batch of equipment; take a look.

If there is no problem, I will place the order. In addition, there is no problem with exporting here, but you have to solve the import matter."

Lin Nan took the report and looked at it seriously; the things were good, but the numbers behind them were too scary.

He had already greeted Han Sanping about the import of machinery and equipment; China Film Group would help him solve the procedural problems.

"No problem, leave the rest to you; I'm going back to the country.

I will also recall the first batch of 11 people in a few months; tell them in advance so they can prepare."

"Okay." ===== CHAPTER 87 =====