Chapter 88: Two Press Conferences

Lin Nan began frequenting the Beijing Film Academy to work on the post-production editing of *Hunting*.

Many of the academy's teachers, filled with curiosity, would come over from time to time to take a look.

Among all the graduates of the Directing Department, Lin Nan's work was undoubtedly the most closely watched.

Outside, although *Ip Man* had only been in theaters for a few days, its word-of-mouth and box office were truly excellent.

Yang Shoucheng had previously been thinking about promoting themes of patriotism and national sentiment.

Lin Nan suggested he lower his profile and just call it a popcorn-style kung fu film.

Audiences for commercial films don't need you to instill ideologies in them; they have their own ability to discern.

Don't be like those "experts" and "professors" who are always lecturing others on how to do this or that.

……

The entertainment industry is realistic.

Donnie Yen specifically ran over to thank Lin Nan.

He could already clearly feel the benefits this film had brought him.

The quotes for his commercial appearances and endorsements were constantly rising.

His agent team even told him that this film had a high probability of helping him ascend to the A-list.

Moreover, Emperor Motion Pictures had revealed long ago that *Ip Man* could be turned into a film series.

Therefore, the top priority was to build a good relationship with Lin Nan.

Ascending to the A-list doesn't mean you will stay on the A-list forever.

And even among A-list actors and stars, there are differences in status.

"Ip Man" appearing at the Beijing Film Academy certainly attracted quite a few gazes.

Lin Nan felt that before he arrived, he must have drafted his lines many times.

Donnie Yen's face was full of smiles as he thanked Lin Nan for the opportunity to star in *Ip Man*.

But this was clearly a role cast by Emperor Motion Pictures.

"Director Lin, if there are any films later on, just say the word, and I'll be there whenever you call..."

Although he didn't say it explicitly, Lin Nan could hear it. Between the lines, wasn't he talking about a sequel to *Ip Man*?

"Hmm, let's see what fate has in store."

Lin Nan gave a perfunctory reply.

Donnie Yen bypassing Emperor Motion Pictures to come directly to him—this behavior looked smart, but was actually somewhat foolish. How would that make Yang Shoucheng feel?

After the person left, Lin Nan continued with the editing of *Hunting*.

China Film Group announced its most important film project for next year.

Namely, the tribute film, *The Founding of a Republic*.

"This film will be helmed by Chairman Han Sanping himself. It has been in preparation for a long time and involves nearly two hundred celebrity roles."

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that *The Founding of a Republic* possessed an extraordinary, special significance.

Zero salary!

I don't know who started it, but all the actors and stars spontaneously expressed this willingness, just waiting for the casting notice from China Film Group.

In the editing room, Lin Nan received a call from Han Sanping.

"I originally wanted to call you to direct a few small segments, but in the end, I decided against it.

That Zhang Yi from your company can be added to play a role."

Lin Nan even followed up by asking why he "decided against it."

The answer made him feel somewhat amused; some old-timers said he was too young and couldn't handle such a scene...

"Old-timers?"

Lin Nan didn't even need to think to know it was those people from the associations and film festivals; they really were old fossils.

Feng Xiaogang, Chen Kaige, Chen Kexin, and others had already accepted invitations and would join the directing team, led by Han Sanping.

Originally, Zhang Yimou was also on the invitation list.

As it turned out, Zhang Weiping didn't even discuss it with the former and directly rejected China Film Group.

Lin Nan guessed that Zhang Weiping most likely refused point-blank because of the zero-salary issue.

Among the producers in the circle, no one was more stingy or more obsessed with money than him.

*If You Are the One*, perhaps feeling the pressure from the later *Red Cliff II*, actually held its premiere several days early.

Lin Nan and *The Martian* were topics that were inevitably unavoidable.

"Returning to the New Year's slot this time, it's still the comedy I'm good at.

Regarding the box office, I wouldn't dare say I'll surpass Director Lin's *The Martian*, but I'm somewhat confident about following closely behind."

Feng Xiaogang's confident remarks were quickly reported, and the promotional effect improved quite a bit.

…………

"What does he want to do?"

Yang Shoucheng asked with a frosty expression.

*Ip Man* had become a complete hit. The plot didn't drag, the fighting was clean and crisp, and it combined national righteousness with patriotic sentiment.

These were all spontaneous comments from netizens online.

Yang Shoucheng was very glad he listened to Lin Nan and didn't proactively say these things during the promotion.

Now it seemed the effect was even better.

It was just that Donnie Yen's behavior of going to find Lin Nan made him very angry. There was a feeling of being betrayed.

"People from his team only said he went to express his thanks..."

"Thanks? How come I didn't see him come to thank me?

Give them a warning so they know that some things cannot break the rules."

Yang Shoucheng instructed.

Huo Wenxi nodded, then remembered something else.

"Director Jiang Wen says the script needs to be polished for a while longer. This time, he wants to use big-name stars."

"Meaning the cost will be very high?"

Yang Shoucheng asked, then thought for a moment, "Go tell him, anything within 150 million is fine.

Any higher, unless he can help me earn back 380 million."

Hearing this, Huo Wenxi smiled.

She thought to herself that Chairman Yang was still dwelling on *The Martian*. But the profit from that film was indeed terrifying.

……

The Berlin Film Festival announced the first batch of films shortlisted for the main competition section.

*Forever Enthralled* was prominently ranked at the top.

The eyes of the circle instantly focused on Chen Kaige.

Thinking back to his interview a while ago, it seemed the Golden Bear Award was indeed right before his eyes.

"Do you think I'd be good at playing Meng Xiaodong?"

Liu Yifei turned Lin Nan's head, making him answer this question head-on.

"It should be... alright, I guess..."

Lin Nan tried his best to sound sincere.

"You're lying."

"You could tell?"

"You really did lie to me." Liu Yifei glared at Lin Nan; she had just been bluffing.

Lin Nan was speechless. Do all women come with this talent?

"Look at how many awards Zhang Ziyi has won? She trained for half a year to play Meng Xiaodong."

"I can do it too," Liu Yifei said without hesitation.

"Let's hone your skills for a few more years. I'll prepare an art film or a drama for you."

Lin Nan made a bold promise.

"Really?" The girl asked with an excited look on her face.

"Mm, really."

"Muma, a reward for you."

"Haha, wouldn't it be better to dance instead?"

"What dance?" Liu Yifei was a bit confused.

"How about *Girl from India*!"

"Ah? That's something I learned when I was a kid..."

*If You Are the One* was released amidst great anticipation.

On its first day, it snatched 15 million in box office from the hands of the hot *Ip Man* and Chen Kaige's *Forever Enthralled*.

And the daily box office was still constantly rising.

20 million on the second day, 25 million on the third, 22 million on the fourth...

In the first four-day weekend, the box office exceeded 80 million.

The film and television circle seemed to see once again the scenes from those years when Feng-style comedies swept the New Year's slot.

At the same time, "Mei Lanfang" finished its theatrical run, becoming the highest-grossing domestic art-house film with 114 million.

The box office growth of "Ip Man" was also nearly cut in half, struggling toward the 100 million mark; it was just a little bit short.

"The box office of 'If You Are the One' is expected to surpass 'Red Cliff: Part I'."

"'The Martian' continues to hold the opening day record, the opening weekend record..."

Lin Nan saw the reviews for "If You Are the One".

When it comes to product placement, it still has to be Feng Xiaogang.

The netizens' summary was spot on: advertisements + crosstalk + sketches = "If You Are the One".

Not to mention, many people in the industry agreed with this online perspective.

Feng Xiaogang truly grasped the audience's psychology, knowing what they wanted to see.

The editing of "The Hunt" was progressing quickly. Lin Nan felt that finishing the post-production within half a month would be no problem at all.

"Tiantian?"

Outside the editing room, Lin Nan saw Jing Tian.

"Big Brother Lin."

The girl walked over with a smile on her face.

"The acting department had exams today, so I stopped by to see Big Brother Lin."

"Come in."

Lin Nan thought it over and decided to leave the editing room door open; that was better.

"The Legend of Sun Zi" would hold its opening press conference at the end of the month, and Jing Tian had come to invite Lin Nan.

Lu Zheng had helped her send invitations to the leads of "The Martian" previously, but for Lin Nan, she wanted to ask him herself.

"Did they all agree?"

"Yes, Brother Xiaoming and the others said they would all come," Jing Tian replied hurriedly.

Lin Nan nodded.

Come to think of it, Lu Zheng was the boss of Starlight after all; Huang Xiao and the others would definitely give him face.

A film and television company that could invest tens of millions into a TV series—wasn't that just connections?

Lin Nan had a bit of a headache; there was still "Paladin III" waiting for him to set a date.

"Alright, I'll be there when the time comes. How did your exam go today?"

Hearing Lin Nan's affirmative answer, Jing Tian nodded with a beaming smile.

"It went okay, the teachers gave me an 'excellent'."

Lin Nan didn't ask for details; if they could give Jing Tian an 'excellent', it probably wasn't for acting.

After chatting for a while, Lin Nan began to continue his work.

The girl hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke up: "Big Brother Lin, then I'll be going now, goodbye."

"Mm."

Jing Tian looked back every few steps as she walked out, gently pulling the door shut.

After a long while, Lin Nan looked back and sighed.

He took out his phone and dialed a number.

Cai Yinong was in a meeting, having just decided on Liu Shishi as the main actress the company would vigorously promote in the future.

Her phone vibrated abruptly; she had subconsciously wanted to turn it off, but after glancing at the caller ID, Cai Yinong made a 'wait a moment' gesture and took the phone out of the conference room.

"Director Lin, has the time been set?"

"Yes, Manager Cai. You can schedule the wrap-up press conference for the 25th; I have time that day."

"Alright, no problem."

Lin Nan finished the business and hung up.

Cai Yinong clicked her heels as she returned to the office.

"The wrap-up press conference for 'Paladin III' is set for the 25th. Remember not to book any activities for Hu Ge and Shishi those two days.

Additionally, we can announce this to the outside world. Send invitations to all the media, artists, and industry insiders that should be invited.

Director Lin Nan will also be there."

The people present instantly perked up; they had been waiting for this for a while, and now it was finally settled.

They couldn't guarantee that the popularity of "Paladin III" would definitely catch up to "Paladin I", but the former would certainly be a hit.

…………

Less than half an hour later, Yang Mi, Tang Yan, and others received the news.

"Director Lin is coming too?!"

Yang Mi had been thinking about that phone call from last time for a while now.

Although Hu Ge said Lin Nan didn't mind anymore, she felt she still had to take advantage of this wrap-up press conference to build a good relationship with Lin Nan, even if it was for the sake of her future career...