Chapter 950: Film and Television Resources? Progress!

"After one week of public screening, the total box office for the Huayi film *Ex-Files 3* has officially surpassed 800 million, reaching 810 million; it is poised to become Huayi's first self-produced film to enter the 1 billion+ box office club in many years."

"This morning, well-known actors Luo Jin and Tang Yan held a high-profile engagement ceremony in the capital, with a large number of friends from the film and television industry and celebrity actors in attendance to offer their congratulations. Fans gathered outside the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, and media outlets were everywhere..."

"Director Lu Yang has been spotted at a disaster-level accident scene: this morning, during the roadshow promotion for the film *Operation Red Sea* in the Magic City, Director Lu Yang made multiple slips of the tongue, repeatedly misnaming the film as *Detective Chinatown 2*... Director Guo Fan wore an expression of 'despair' and 'helplessness'!"

Inside the State Guesthouse, at the engagement banquet.

After everyone finished congratulating Luo Jin and Tang Yan, they were either busy socializing or immersed in eating; Lin Nan belonged to the latter, eating while scrolling through entertainment news.

He felt a bit of "sympathy" for Lu Yang; this was the result of the exhaustion from shuttling back and forth between the promotional schedules of two films, working non-stop. He hoped the leaders at the Naval Political Department would be understanding.

"Hey, take a look at your producer Liu. She’s stolen half of Tang Yan’s spotlight today. This is her first public appearance since the official announcement of *Mulan*, and the level of dazzle... tsk tsk tsk, the couple Luo Jin and Tang Yan are truly miserable."

"She is already trying her best to set off Tang Yan, and even wore an 'ugly' dress for that purpose."

Lin Nan smiled and pointed to an empty seat beside him for Zhu Yawen, letting him sit down before joking: "You’re filming two TV dramas at the same time, yet you still managed to squeeze out a day of vacation. Impressive!"

"You think it’s easy? I’ve been saving up my scenes for half a month, after all, it’s Old Luo’s engagement. Speaking of which, I have to criticize you and that sister of Liu Yifei’s; she didn't even come." Zhu Yawen was complaining about Shu Chang, who indeed did not come.

"*The Father* is on a very tight schedule, and Ning Hao won't let anyone go. Besides, she gave Tang Yan her gift a week ago and had already sent her regards, so she probably couldn't make it."

Zhu Yawen was just teasing, but seeing Lin Nan explain so earnestly, he instantly lost interest; he then leaned his body slightly, moved closer to Lin Nan, and whispered:

"Use your peripheral vision to look around; how many people today are glancing at you intentionally or unintentionally? *Mulan* is just too tempting. Tell me, do you think I have a chance? Even a small supporting role would do."

Hearing this, Lin Nan first smiled, then decisively turned his head to scan the surroundings; Zhu Yawen was right, many people were indeed subconsciously flashing smiles at Lin Nan—a reaction that only happens when one is constantly paying attention to him.

"I think you’d be good as a small soldier; you could have a one or two-second cameo."

"Hmm, either I leave you a side profile when the long shot sweeps by, or I give you a close-up when you’re hacked to death on the battlefield or trampled by a horse..."

"Screw you, the role I’m currently playing is the Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji!" Although Zhu Yawen knew he was being a little delusional, he still chose to be stubborn.

Lin Nan shook his head with a smile upon hearing this and continued to twist the knife: "Your status is too low, not high-end enough, not in the same league. In my casting plan this time, even for supporting roles, there’s no place for small fry like you."

"Damn, isn't that a bit too heartless of you?"

"You know me, I’ve always liked to speak the truth and never lie."

"How about I call your Yifei over and you say that to her again?" Zhu Yawen rolled his eyes, looking utterly disgusted.

"Doesn't matter, I’ve already tricked her into my hands anyway. Besides, I’m the one who was tricked." Lin Nan joked and bluffed. After all these years of accumulation, his thick-skinned nature was something he could show off.

Old Zhu shut his mouth, shocked by the shamelessness of the great Director Lin.

Furthermore, he could tell that Lin Nan wasn't joking with him and that there really was no opportunity for him; however, he still had to express his disdain: "You really have no shame saying that!"

The lively engagement ceremony and banquet lasted until after two in the afternoon. Most of the actors in the circle didn't have much free time, so they soon left one after another.

Only old classmates or old friends like Lin Nan and Liu Yifei stayed a while longer, even accompanying Luo Jin and Tang Yan back to Luo Jin's "old house" in the capital.

"There’s only a little over half a year left until your official wedding, well, less than a year anyway. We’ll have to be very selective and think carefully when we send gifts next time." Liu Yifei joked with Tang Yan.

"Zhu Yawen and the others are simple—just send whatever is expensive. As for your side, I think just sending some... film and television resources will do." As soon as Luo Jin said this joke, he was met with a chorus of eye-rolls.

"Just send some film and television resources? Good heavens, why didn't I have the nerve to say something like that when I got married? Old Luo, when did you start being so shameless?"

Zhu Yawen teased him, but was interrupted in the next second by Lin Nan’s laughter, "That could actually be considered. Of course, I’m talking about 'if'—if the company has suitable resources."

"Wow!"

"No way?"

"I’m vomiting blood, this is unfair..."

"Director Lin, why don't you say that again so Luo Jin and I can record it? Haha." Tang Yan picked up her phone, eager to try.

The heckling erupted instantly. Facing Tang Yan’s request, Lin Nan smiled, said nothing, and shook his head.

"Tangtang, don't you understand the principle that good words shouldn't be repeated?" Liu Yifei raised an eyebrow, adding fuel to the fire.

The 6th, 7th, 8th...

After Luo Jin and Tang Yan’s engagement ceremony ended, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei once again disappeared from the industry's view.

Meanwhile, the three production companies of *Dying to Survive*—Xiying, Haizheng, and Jindun—all received their release date notifications one after another, to be officially announced at a later date.

On the morning of the 9th, the premiere of *Youth* in the capital was high-profile and high-spec, attracting the attention of the entire internet.

However, the solemn guarantees made by Director Feng on the scene were somewhat ridiculous. He treated everyone inside and outside the circle like fools, and as a result, he was mocked and ridiculed by the entire internet.

The reason for this was that he was hit with a sharp question from the media that got to the key point:

"*Youth* was sent back three times and reviewed four times before it got the public screening permit. During this process, was a lot of content in the final film cut or modified?"

Facing this question, everyone who knows, knows.

He could have just honestly brushed it off, but Director Feng insisted on being different. He retorted sharply to the reporter's question and patted his chest to guarantee to all the media present:

"Right now, the final cut of *Youth* that everyone at the premiere is seeing is the original cut. Four reviews, not a single second of footage has been cut—it’s all here!"

As soon as this statement was reported in real-time, it instantly drew ridicule from the entire internet:

This is either an insult to the intelligence of normal people or a direct provocation to the regulatory authorities! If your film had no problems, why would they block you three times? If there were no problems and they still sent it back three times, does that count as the authorities intentionally targeting you? Does that count as a violation of procedure? And not a single second of footage is missing...

"I think he’s being a bit too jumpy." At the Film Bureau, Lin Nan couldn't help but report to the leader, putting in a bad word for certain people.

He had been forcibly summoned by a phone call today; at this time, he should have been lying at home, pondering what to have for lunch.

"There are so many elderly directors in the industry, yet he’s the only one who speaks without restraint day after day, and has been for decades. He has no idea what it means to keep a low profile while doing high-profile work, especially that face of his..."

Seeing the leader’s disgusted expression, Lin Nan could barely hold back his laughter.

"Alright, let's get down to business. I’m not planning to keep you here for lunch at the Bureau; the sooner we finish, the better." The leader changed his expression as quickly as he changed his tone; he was quite stingy today.

"Director Zhang, please go ahead, I’m listening carefully." Lin Nan immediately straightened his back, his attitude exceptionally proper.

"It’s still about your *Mulan*. I’m sure you’re well aware that we were able to agree to Disney’s request to let them set the filming location there because several 'departments' nodded and approved it, and after that..."

Lin Nan’s expression became increasingly solemn, because what the leader said next was truly official.

There would be a specialized department in the Northwest, mainly the Culture and Tourism Department, to coordinate with Lin Nan and his team, handle all filming matters, and provide all the help the crew needs.

This even includes large-scale war scenes; the Northwest can also provide the necessary "professional personnel," and in large numbers!

Of course, during the production process and in the behind-the-scenes footage, they must try their best to showcase the local landscape and human environment to the whole world... In the film’s closing credits, in the acknowledgments section, the border region must be placed at the top!

Lin Nan is a tenured professor at the Beijing Film Academy, so he is also part of the system. But the leader’s talk this morning was much more "systemic" than his own position.

Just past 11:00 AM, as soon as Lin Nan stepped out of Zhang Hongsen’s office, he was intercepted by Tong Gang’s secretary.

Well, he wouldn't be going back anytime soon.

Fortunately, what Director Tong had to say was much simpler than what Director Zhang had; he was retiring at the end of January and would officially join the CPPCC in early February... so he was catching Lin Nan to get a definitive answer.

How else could he answer? Lin Nan only had the option to nod. Sure enough, after he nodded, Director Tong’s expression looked much better.

"Alright, at least I didn't come away empty-handed; I’ve brought you, this lazy bum, into the fold! You have no idea how glaring it is that you’re drifting outside; it makes it look like many people haven't done their jobs properly. You have no sense of taking the initiative to progress!"

Facing the leader’s "gritted-teeth" style of teasing, Lin Nan could only chuckle and accept it all.