Chapter 929: Ideals and Reality; The Hollywood Itinerary!

"You're saying Lei Lei Jiayin has joined the cast of Youku's original series?" The moment he heard this news, Lin Nan was still a bit stunned, and he very seriously confirmed with Jiang Jiang Xuerou.

"Yes, it's a Youku original, a period suspense type, called something like 'The Longest Day in Chang'an.'

I remember earlier Director Yue even complained to me, saying Youku snatched the rights from him at a high price, and joked with him that they could collaborate in the future…

After all that fuss, turns out this is what he meant by collaborating! And I heard their drama seems to be promoting some young guy, oh right, it's one of those three kids from TFBoys. He's seventeen or eighteen now, and you can tell he's the one with the most background and resources among the group members…"

Jiang Jiang Xuerou chattered on, reporting to Lin Nan, and Lin Dao Da also figured out who she was talking about — that Yi Yi Yangqianxi.

"Since he's already joined the cast, forget it. I was originally thinking of having him run a bit part in 'The Father Trapped in Time,' but looks like he just doesn't have that fate." Lin Nan smacked his lips and tossed out a quip.

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Xuerou also wore a look of regret: "Lin Dao, is there really no role in this film suited for someone else?"

Lin Nan smiled, shook his head, then nodded, and finally, under Jiang Jiang Xuerou's puzzled gaze, explained:

"There are really too few roles to slot people into in this film — almost only one role can be a perfect fit for one of our own. It's a young female caretaker role in the film, basically the second female lead."

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Xuerou instantly saw the light. The two from Shanhai Media definitely weren't suitable, because their acting wasn't good enough. "I think I can already guess who you, Lin Dao, are saving this role for."

Faced with Jiang Jiang Xuerou's teasing, Lin Nan just smiled without a word.

At the same time, over at Bad Monkey Pictures, Liu Liu Yifei and Xing Aina had just finished auditioning a familiar actress.

"Na-Zhou Jie, Producer Liu, why are you two still hesitating? Go look outside — among actresses of this age range, which one can compare to me?"

Although she knew the two across from her were just teasing her, Watching Shu Chang still couldn't help but voice her opinion, very indignant that they would question her acting!

"Alright, alright, congratulations on getting the second female lead — also the only young role in this film. She looks just like the little daughter who died decades ago, deep in the male lead's memory. She is also the figure trapped in a distant timeline, deep in the male lead's mind."

Xing Aina said with a smile to Watching Shu Chang, and this also counted as formally extending her an invitation.

"Dumbstruck? Aren't you going to thank Na-Zhou Jie and me?" Liu Liu Yifei raised an eyebrow and continued to tease Watching Shu Chang.

"Hehe, thanks, Na-Zhou Jie." Watching Shu Chang grinned and cupped her fists in a salute.

"You're welcome."

"What about me?" Miss Liu pulled a face and urged.

"You? I don't know you. Hey hey hey, don't come over here, be careful or I'll tell my godmother you hit me… ah, you tigress, I'll fight you with… ow, I was wrong…"

……

October was ending, and the time officially entered its final week. And the first Pingyao International Film Festival had, as a matter of course, become the focus of attention for the entire industry.

After all, in terms of status, it was on par with the Capital International Film Festival, and a large number of filmmakers from Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America would be attending.

In fact, given Jia Jia Zhangke's influence in the international film scene, the scale of the first Pingyao International Film Festival was very likely to be even more solemn than that of the first Capital International Film Festival!

But at this critical moment, the film 'Where Has Time Gone,' in which Jia Jia Zhangke had invested and served as both producer and one of the directors, was really rather underwhelming and an eyesore — nothing short of an embarrassment.

It was pulled from theaters after only 5 days of release, with total box office stopping at 8.54 million.

No matter how you looked at it, this figure seemed very strange. Because the opening-day box office was 493,900, then over the next four days an extra 8 million appeared, and then the daily intake abruptly stopped… anyone who saw it would say something fishy was going on!

Certainly, this total box office was indeed fishy, and the padding was huge!

Because the film's other producer, Huanxi, had spent its own money to buy several million in box office, all just so the group's face could look a bit better — after all, it was a Shangshi Company.

"This is the group's first film cooperating with Xihe Xinghui, and we've truly seen how incompatible Director Jia Jia Zhangke is with the box office market. To put it bluntly, the two sides are practically mutually exclusive."

Ning Hao didn't bother with Xu Zheng's joking remarks, but instead flipped through the storyboard on his own, preparing the afternoon's shooting plan.

Hearing that Ning Hao wasn't responding on the phone, Xu Zheng decided not to bother with those roundabout opening lines, and went straight to the point:

"Can't you really spare two days to go to the Pingyao International Film Festival together? That's your hometown, and Director Jia is also our partner…"

"In the past, I would have gone back. But not this time — the film comes first."

Having clearly figured out the purpose of the call, Ning Hao flatly refused. He had guessed it was about this, because the whole industry was heading that way.

"You've really become impossible to deal with lately — not a shred of decency!" Xu Zheng was speechless for a moment, and his tone unconsciously grew heavier.

"That's because you don't really have a sense of belonging in the field of film directing. Your initial pivot was just for your career — that is, to become capital.

You're not the same as us directors who started out doing this from the very beginning, so you can't understand how I feel right now.

For people like us, our original intention was always honor first, and this time, I have a very good script, and also the chance…"

Ning Hao's few words left Xu Zheng completely tongue-tied. At this moment, it was as if noble ideals were mocking reality's compromises and pettiness, leaving Xu Zheng with no way to argue back.

"Fine, if you won't go, then don't go."

A few seconds later, Xu Zheng hung up first, because he had nothing more to say to Ning Hao.

Over at Oriental Movie Metropolis, Ning Hao smacked his lips and gently shook his head. He felt Xu Zheng had really changed a lot over the past two years — everything was about interests, about gains and losses, about capital, about building networks…

The Xu Zheng from back then, from their first collaboration, was completely gone. Back then, the man still had dreams, was very humble in front of him, the director of 'Crazy Stone,' and quite sincere.

"I've really been hanging around Lin Nan too long — I've actually become this stubborn too? Hmm, but it's not bad, the feeling and state from many years ago seem to have come back. Back then, I was indeed pretty stubborn and thick-headed!"

In the capital, Xu Zheng was also complaining to Dong Ping about Ning Hao:

"I think he's gone crazy making films — everything has to give way to his movies. It gives me the feeling that he's suddenly become so childish."

"He's a traditional academic-school director, it's normal for him to have his own pursuits. Just like you — can you refuse a major acting award?" Dong Ping, on the other hand, laughed and tried to smooth things over.

"I wouldn't refuse, and I still value them highly now, but I wouldn't go 'crazy' like Ning Hao." Xu Zheng said with considerable certainty.

"That's the difference between you and him. He's been subtly influenced by Lin Dao quite a bit over the years, but that's a good thing.

Also, I've been thinking — going forward, in the group's operations and film business, you'll need to put in more effort.

As for Ning Hao, let him be — his main focus was never on the group to begin with, but on his own Bad Monkey Pictures."

Dong Ping shifted the topic and suddenly piled more responsibility onto Xu Zheng. Because he was well aware that Xu Zheng's temperament and mindset fit the identity of a film-and-TV capital much better, and the two of them could fully stand together!

Xu Zheng's eyes were already gleaming, his expression one of open delight: "Deal."

……

On the 23rd, the crew of 'Hello, Li Cha's Mother' flew to Malaysia. On the 25th, the filming team for 'She Kill' also began to assemble one after another; the capital segments would be shot first after the start of production and wrapped first.

If one were to ask which film's crew was attracting the most industry attention, it would undoubtedly be Crown Prince's 'Capital Nine to Five.'

On the morning of the 27th, Crown Prince "made a high-profile appearance" with the entire crew in the capital, treating everyone to a banquet.

And according to industry rumors, the start date for this film was also set for the 1st of next month — that is, five days later, the same day 'She Kill' would start shooting!

A little past ten in the morning, while Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei were chatting about Marriage Story's official theatrical release the next morning, the call from Hollywood finally came through—Disney's call, along with two emails.

As the head of the household, Lin Nan's… wife Liu Liu Yifei naturally took the call, since it was ringing on her phone.

At that very moment, Lin Dao Da once again felt the urge to kill Tom—that bastard was dragging his boss's name through the mud!

"Los Angeles time, the 30th of next month? Holding the press conference in Hollywood…" Even though the phone was on speaker, Liu Liu Yifei still looked at her own director as she paraphrased and relayed the other party's words.

"Mm, the 30th it is. We can head out early." Lin Nan nodded.

"No problem, we'll arrive three days ahead of schedule…" Liu Liu Yifei's clear, crisp voice rang out, giving the other party an affirmative answer.

The call, just over ten minutes long, ended quickly. Liu Liu Yifei looked relaxed and cheerful, but the same could not be said for Lin Nan.

The arrival of the Hua Mulan global launch press conference also meant that his workload was about to be maxed out, and would stay that way for a very long time—perhaps as long as a year, or even a year and a half.

"What's wrong?" Watching Lin Nan frown in thought, Liu Liu Yifei asked with concern.

"I'm mulling over which film studios, which universities, which units… to invite to help me out. What a headache. Forget it—let's wait until the two of us get back from Hollywood."

Lin Nan looked at Liu Liu Yifei and explained with a smile.

"Let me guess—you're definitely going to invite Xi'an Film Studio?" Liu Liu Yifei's smile was a touch sweet, full of confident certainty.

"Of course."

……