Chapter 120

Boss Lu sat in the back seat of the Toyota Land Cruiser LC120, drinking mineral water, thinking of the beauty in bed at the Rose Garden, and felt that his life was already standing on a tripod of stability.

During the day, he would go with Little Liu to look at the floor plans of the courtyard houses, and at night, he would go back to look at the "floor plans" of Fan Bingbing.

What kind of divine life is this!

"Boss! Boss! Your phone is ringing."

"Huh? Oh!"

Hu Zi suspected that the boss had drunk too much, as he hadn't heard the phone ringing for so long.

How could he know that Boss Lu was thinking about Fan Bingbing.

"Hello, how are you."

"Director Lu Kuan, this is Jiang Zhiqiang."

Boss Lu was stunned, then looked at his watch; it was already nearly 10 o'clock.

"Director Lu, do you have time to accompany an old man like me for a late-night snack?"

Previously, when "Whiplash" was being set up, Anita Mui was worried that Lu Kuan was too young and inexperienced, so she recommended Jiang Zhiqiang to be the producer for him, but Lu Kuan politely declined.

For this big boss of Edko Films to seek him out at this time, the purpose should also be for the distribution rights of "Whiplash" in Hong Kong or the entire Asian region.

The two found a snack shop that was open all night, and a big boss and a small boss, both of considerable net worth, started slurping wontons right on the street.

"Boss Jiang is really down-to-earth; are you used to eating at roadside stalls?"

Jiang Zhiqiang was stunned, and it took him a long time to roughly understand what "down-to-earth" meant, so he smiled and waved his hand.

"Why so many formalities? I hate that set of red tape the most."

This was not being pretentious; his net worth and status in the Hong Kong circle were both very high.

Yet he often flew around the world with a backpack on his back, eating whatever was nearby when hungry, without caring about face or pomp.

"Director Lu, your speech on stage today was quite thought-provoking!"

"Not at all, just a personal shallow opinion."

The biggest taboo in chatting is to talk deeply when the acquaintance is shallow. He hadn't figured out Jiang Zhiqiang's bottom line yet, so naturally, he remained reserved in his speech.

He was called a young man because that year, this businessman from Dazhou, who was not yet 27 years old, spent money like water, buying the dance hall for 1.8 million US dollars and carrying out the crazy transformation he had in mind.

"Yes, Boss."

This was the local specialty that Zhang Jizhong had brought back for Lu Kuan after scouting locations in Xinchang, Zhejiang Province, a few days ago.

The bearded man had also made something of himself; he could even send gifts to the Golden Lion Award-winning Director Lu!

The old man and the young man sat on small stools tasting tea; it was as bizarre as it could get.

Jiang Zhiqiang smiled and said: "Presumably you know my purpose for coming this time. Regarding the Asian distribution rights for 'Whiplash', how is Director Lu considering it?"

Boss Lu took a glance at this thin, dry little old man while taking the opportunity to drink tea.

Quite an appetite!

"Chairman Jiang, my name is hanging at Emperor Group, and they are currently calling for all Hong Kong cinemas to boycott me. Are you colluding with the enemy?"

Lu Kuan's "Whiplash" and Emperor Group's "The Soul-Stirring" were scheduled in almost the same release window.

Although Emperor Group lost the first move in film festival honors, they had a full lineup of Hong Kong stars and were determined to snipe Lu Kuan on this one-acre-three-fen plot of land in Hong Kong.

Nicholas Tse, Edison Chen, Shawn Yue, as well as the heroine Charlene Choi and the actor playing the teacher, Simon Yam.

For this reason, Emperor Group and Beijing Vision Entertainment had already started their initial promotional offensive.

Jiang Zhiqiang laughed loudly: "I am a businessman, not a gang member. Why would I join them in boycotting you?"

"Director Lu, I know you have had some unpleasantness with Emperor Group before, but whether doing business or making art, it is best to be calm and peaceful."

Lu Kuan smiled: "I just can't stand the inexplicable sense of superiority of some people, as if they still can't see the collapse of Hong Kong cinema."

Jiang Zhiqiang's expression stiffened, and he smiled bitterly and shook his head.

This young man's words were too sharp, mocking these Hong Kong filmmakers to his face without leaving any room for sentiment.

However, thinking of his impassioned speech on stage today, Jiang Zhiqiang was very willing to chat with him about the current predicament in Hong Kong.

Jiang Zhiqiang acted as if he didn't know: "Director Lu, the total box office in the mainland in 2000 was only 860 million, not even half of the global box office of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. Why do you say Hong Kong cinema is about to collapse?"

Boss Lu watched him pretend to be ignorant while knowing the truth, and didn't expose him.

"To look at the development of things, one must look at the future and expectations."

"Hong Kong cinema is like an old man in his twilight years."

"From 1998 to 2000, the top ten films in Hong Kong film history were all wiped out; not one was a Hong Kong film. If it weren't for Stephen Chow's 'Shaolin Soccer', this embarrassing record would have continued until 2001."

"But mainland cinema is like a growing teenager. On this point, I think Chairman Jiang knows much better than I do."

Jiang Zhiqiang asked slyly: "How so?"

"If you weren't optimistic about the mainland market, would you spend 30 million USD to film 'Hero'? Would you open the New Dong'an Cinema on Wangfujing Street?"

Jiang Zhiqiang was stunned, letting the fragrant tea aroma in the cup mix with the water vapor and hit his face.

It was normal for Lu Kuan to point out "Hero", but to see his layout in cinemas showed a sense of seeing through the fire.

In 2002, the mainland began the reform of cinema chains, and the real estate boom also began to rise; the construction of cinema halls and cinemas gradually accelerated.

New Dong'an Cinema was the transplantation of Hong Kong blockbuster cinemas led by Jiang Zhiqiang after the release of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

Because he had traveled all over Beijing and hadn't found a cinema truly qualified to screen blockbusters.

This was the first cinema designed and renovated according to international standard cinema halls.

The internal sound system was digital stereo equipment, the main speaker was a three-way film reproduction system, and there were high-density surround sound speakers, etc.

It was precisely because New Dong'an Cinema led the trend that it stimulated the opening of the five-star multi-hall cinema—Warner Wanda International Cinema—by Wanda and American Warner Bros. in 2004. Later, Warner withdrew its capital, and the cinema was renamed Wanda Cinema.

A flash of admiration flickered in Jiang Zhiqiang's eyes; this young man's sense of smell was too keen.

"Alright, then I won't beat around the bush."

"Director Lu, for the Asian distribution rights of 'Whiplash', I will guarantee you 35 million RMB. How about it?"

Boss Lu gave a sneer; if it were an ordinary art film director, this figure would be something they couldn't get even if they knelt down to lick.

The cost was 4 million (excluding advertising fees), and Venice had already sold 2.8 million USD. If the Asian market (excluding the mainland) guaranteed another 35 million.

A rough calculation showed that this was already a return far exceeding the industry average.

Unfortunately, Jiang Zhiqiang met a cheater.

He knew the box office value of this film better than anyone, and he also knew Zhou Zhou Jielun's popularity and influence in the Asian region better than anyone.

When he originally found this rookie player to play the drummer Xu Huan, it was with this intention in mind.

This was also the balance of commercial films he made in art films; he wanted both critical acclaim and box office success!

In the top ten Hong Kong film box office in 2002, apart from the hot "Infernal Affairs" and "Hero", the third was "Marry a Rich Man", with a box office of about 21 million Hong Kong dollars.

According to Lu Kuan's estimation, just in Hong Kong and Taiwan alone, he could bring in over 40 million in box office just by relying on the Golden Lion Award gimmick and Zhou Zhou Jielun's popularity!

Not to mention other markets such as Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

Lu Kuan took a sip of tea: "Chairman Jiang, let's distribute it normally. I believe in Edko's ability in Hong Kong."

"If you are willing, I can guarantee the distribution for the Southeast Asian market."

Jiang Zhiqiang was not angry either; talking business is just about give and take.

"It seems Director Lu is very confident?"

Boss Lu said confidently: "Just as I said this morning, this film is an attempt I made in balancing art films and commercial films. I believe in its box office value."

"Good! Then it's a deal. A little later, I will have my subordinates contact your company."

Lu Kuan smiled and clinked cups with him.

Thus, the distribution rights for "Whiplash" in Europe, America, the mainland, and other Asian regions were all settled. Next, a tense and intensive promotional offensive is about to arrive!

(End of chapter)