Chapter 87: Returning to the Country, December

Lin Nan was wrapped so tightly, yet he was still blocked at the airport.

"Lin Dao, has your *Hunt* wrapped up?"

"What do you think of *Forever Enthralled*?"

"Which one are you more optimistic about, *Future X-Cops* or *Cyborg*?"

"The film has already wrapped.

I've been too busy, so I haven't seen Director Chen's film yet.

As for the latter two, I don't know much about them..."

Not long after getting into the car, the news of Lin Nan's return to the country spread throughout the industry.

Emperor Motion Pictures called immediately after.

Today was the premiere of *Ip Man*, and Yang Shoucheng hoped Lin Nan could go to the scene.

"Yang Dong, I won't go; I'll be home in a moment..."

Lin Nan guessed that the premiere had already started the eating, drinking, and socializing part.

It wouldn't be interesting for him to go over.

When he returned to the villa, Lin Nan went to see Liu Yifei, but she wasn't home; she must have gone to attend an event.

"Fine, go check on Bad Monkey."

…………

Thinking carefully, it had been more than a month, almost two months since he last saw Xing Aina; how did this belly get so much bigger?

"Lin Nan is here, sit down." Xing Aina pointed to the sofa with a smile.

"I say, Director Ning, you still let Sister Na come to the company? Don't you hire a nanny to serve her?"

"How can she be so delicate? There are so many people here; I can order them around, haha."

"Hear that? No nanny needed; we are all nannies."

Ning Hao joked, holding the drawn storyboard, and handed it to Lin Nan.

"I really envy Director Chen; do you know what the copy distribution volume of his *Forever Enthralled* is?"

"How much?"

"1400. More than the distribution of *Red Cliff I*. If it weren't for your *The Martian*, this would be a distribution record."

Ning Hao felt that if he gave *Crazy Racer* this distribution volume, he would be confident in guaranteeing 100 million in box office and sprinting for 200 million.

But the production cost and scale of *Crazy Racer* destined that distribution resources would not be too much.

"It is quite exaggerated; after all, Director Chen's status is there.

Isn't China Film Group counting on him to win another Jin Xiong?"

Lin Nan could only say so.

The distribution scale of an art film was only worse than *The Martian*, ranking second in the country; besides this reason, he couldn't think of any other.

"In the end, it's that Golden Palm trophy; it's too weighty," Ning Hao sighed.

At first, he was full of confidence and wanted to choose the New Year slot, and there were many films with the same idea.

The final result was that *Crazy Racer* had to collide head-on with *Red Cliff II*; even if there were a few days in between, it was still a tough battle.

This was also the reason why Ning Hao called to ask if Lin Nan could return to attend the premiere.

Although everyone said *Red Cliff I* was bad, the box office actually exceeded 300 million; there were many audiences who watched it as a comedy.

He believed that with Lin Nan, *Crazy Racer* should be able to compete with *Red Cliff II* for box office.

Speaking of movies, the group talked about the newly released *Wolf Warrior*.

"It's not easy for an actor to transition to a director."

*Wolf Warrior*, with an investment of about 20 million, only had an opening day box office of over 1 million.

While under the pressure of *Forever Enthralled*, there were *Ip Man* and *If You Are the One* behind it.

*Wolf Warrior*'s result was destined to be hopeless.

"I heard Wu Jing invested more than 4 million himself..."

"Practice makes perfect; maybe he'll turn things around next time," Lin Nan smiled.

"However, when actors switch to directors, the films they shoot are usually specific types; the path is too narrow, and it will be very difficult to broaden it.

I guess he might always be this kind of subject matter in the future."

Ning Hao drew a conclusion for Wu Jing.

There were many guests at the premiere of *Ip Man*.

Everyone already knew that this film was a collaboration between Lin Nan and Emperor Motion Pictures, and the former accounted for more than half.

"Yang Dong, is Lin Dao really not coming?"

Huo Wenxi looked at the scene; all the famous artists of Emperor Motion Pictures were here.

If Lin Nan could come, the promotional effect would be better.

"He's already home.

By the way, what did you just say Jiang Wen had going on?"

"Director Jiang just told me that he is working on a script and it is still being perfected; he asked if we want to invest; it's a commercial film."

Yang Shoucheng scanned the scene and didn't see Jiang Wen.

"Where is he?"

"He just left."

"Go tell him that the investment is no problem."

"But the last one lost so much?" Huo Wenxi reminded.

"I understand this person; we are not investing in the movie, we are investing in the person; I am optimistic about him."

Yang Shoucheng said unquestioningly.

"Okay, Yang Dong. I will contact him later."

Lin Nan was thinking about the post-production of *Hunt*.

Previously, he always did post-production editing at China Film Group, but this time he wanted to do it at school.

After the equipment and the first batch of people returned, he wouldn't have to run outside for film post-production.

On the way to the Beijing Film Academy, Liu Yifei called; she was attending a brand event.

Walking on the campus of the Beijing Film Academy, except for some teachers, Lin Nan could hardly see any familiar faces; it felt like things were different from the past.

"Lin Dao is back at school?"

Many undergraduates only dared to watch from afar and discuss a few words.

"Lin Dao will graduate next year; I heard he refused the school's opportunity to stay."

"Are you kidding? Would Lin Dao care about this kind of 'opportunity'?"

"Seems like that's the logic."

Lin Nan was quite emotional; not every student could take the initiative to run up and say hello like Yang Mi.

Old Jiang looked in good spirits.

"How is the effect of black wolfberry?"

Old Jiang's face darkened instantly, and he silently covered his thermos cup.

"What's the matter with coming here today? Don't tell me you're here to submit a work."

"How could it be that fast? I want to apply for an editing room."

"This is really fresh news; how long?"

"Half a month to a month."

Lin Nan knew that there should be many students from the directing department coming back to edit post-production during this time.

After all, it was a graduation work, and he still felt it was better to edit post-production at school.

Old Jiang took out a notebook from the drawer, filled it out, stamped it, tore it off, and handed it to Lin Nan.

"Here, one month, the one with the best equipment. If others ask, I haven't approved it yet."

"That's great, thanks."

The first-week box office of *Forever Enthralled* was announced in the afternoon.

Maybe because the results were very good, China Film Group did this, actively excluding those 6 hours.

The domestic box office of 42 million was already a new record for art films.

But it is very clear that the box office finish line for *Mei Lanfang* is not here.

In the evening, Liu Xiaoli drove back, and just as she parked, her daughter in the back seat opened the car door and ran out.

She knew exactly which direction her daughter had run to with her eyes closed; she had been absent-minded all day.

On the other side.

Liu Yifei wrapped her arms around Lin Nan, and the two embraced.

A few cats and dogs were barking nearby—well, they belonged to Liu Yifei's family.

"You seem to have lost a little weight?"

"How could I have?"

The girl asked back.

The next second, her cheeks turned instantly red, and she jumped down from Lin Nan.

"You're being naughty again." Liu Yifei rubbed her hip and said with a feigned reproach.

"Haha, I was just distracted for a moment, do you believe me..."

"I don't believe you."

After the two had been lovey-dovey for over an hour, Liu Xiaoli came over to call them.

Fortunately, there were no awkward scenes; it was just a few hickeys, which had already faded quite a bit.

*Ip Man* has been released.

As the screenwriter, Lin Nan brought a lot of attention to this film.

Judging from the data fed back by China Film Group, the attendance rate is not bad.

Looking at the other film, Wu Jing's *Legend of the Wolf*, it is quite miserable.

The first day's box office was over a million, close to two million, and on the second day, it dropped directly to 800,000; if this continues, it is highly likely to be abandoned by theater chains within a week.

The opening day box office for *Ip Man* is locked at 14 million.

The line "I want to fight ten" has started appearing online.

Yang Shoucheng specifically called to talk about this matter.

"Lin Dao, this film will not lose money.

Even though *If You Are the One* and *Red Cliff II* are coming later, it still has a very high probability of exceeding 100 million."

Lin Nan understands what Yang Shoucheng means.

According to what was agreed upon before, if this film makes money, Lin Nan will continue to cooperate with Emperor Motion Pictures.

"I understand what Yang Dong means; let's talk about future cooperation after the film finishes its theatrical run."

"Good, then we'll talk about it when the time comes." After receiving Lin Nan's affirmative reply, Yang Shoucheng felt much more at ease.

*If You Are the One* sent an invitation to Lin Nan for its premiere.

He refused without even thinking; he didn't even go to *Ip Man*, which he invested in, so how could he possibly go to support another film?

Wu Jing is truly miserable; on the fourth day, *Legend of the Wolf* was implicitly pulled from theaters.

The mainland box office was only 4.2 million, and adding the Hong Kong box office, it just barely reached 5 million.

And for this film, there is simply no talk of selling copyrights.

With a 20 million investment and only 5 million in box office, Wu Jing, as one of the investors, will probably need several years to recover.

Lin Nan suddenly feels that there is so much going on in December.

*Chinese Paladin 3* over there is also about to wrap up filming.

Cai Yinong is preparing to hold a wrap-up press conference in the capital.

With *Chinese Paladin 1* as a foundation, this drama doesn't have to worry about buyers at all; the press conference is just to build momentum for this *Chinese Paladin 3*.

"Lin Dao, will you be able to come to the press conference site when the time comes? What about Yifei?"

As soon as Cai Yinong opened her mouth, she went straight to the point.

"I'm really not sure if I'll have the time; the post-production editing for the film is about to start."

Lin Nan automatically ignored the second question; not answering is an answer.

"Lin Dao can see which day you are free; the crew's wrap-up press conference can be arranged according to your schedule..."

It is clear that Cai Yinong does not intend to give up.

"Then let's wait until the end of the month; by then, the film's post-production should be about done."

In the end, Lin Nan gave a time, and the other party hung up the phone, tacitly not mentioning anything else.

In the outside world, there are more and more evaluations of *Mei Lanfang*, and the word-of-mouth is quite good.

Most people in the industry believe that Chen Kaige is returning and reaching the level of *Farewell My Concubine* again.

There are voices of rebuttal, but they were quickly drowned out...

Director Chen also accepted several interviews, stating that it is not difficult to be shortlisted for the Berlin competition section, and he has over 50% confidence in the Jin Xiong Award.

No director has ever dared to speak so publicly, but Chen Kaige did it.

*Mei Lanfang* is indeed very good overall, and coupled with the director's halo, it really gave many people a hint.

That is, for the upcoming Berlin Film Festival and the Jin Xiong Award, Chen Kaige is determined to win.