Chapter 152: Fooling the Flat-Top

Between Jishuitan and Tieshizifen in old Beiping, there is a "Little Western Heaven."

There is a China Film Archive here, jokingly called the holy land for Beiping movie fans.

Little Western Heaven is also the location of the China Film Group.

March 5, 2003, industry giants with distribution businesses such as China Film, Shanghai Film, and Poly Bona gathered here to attend the screening of *Shoplifters* and *Crazy Stone*.

It stands to reason that as the producers of the two films, such a screening should be held at a neutral venue like Inquiry Realm or Beidian.

But the "Flat-Top" (Han Sanping) relied on China Film's 30% investment share in *Shoplifters* and insisted on setting the screening location here.

Yu Dong and Zhu Zhaoxing, the distribution department manager sent by Shanghai Film, were helpless and could only follow his lead.

In the screening room, the dragon mark flashed by, and *Shoplifters* opened.

Feng Yuanzheng took his son Zhang Yishan to steal in the supermarket and met the crying Xiao Tong on the way home, bringing her back home.

A plain and boring opening.

Han Sanping frowned; this was not the rhythm he expected.

Although *Whiplash* was also a film with a musical art style, it had many plot points from beginning to end, which could grab the audience's eyes.

This was also the "no urine points" claimed by Seeing Lu Kuan during the roadshow.

But this *Shoplifters* looked like plain water, full of trivial family matters.

However, Tian Zhuangzhuang didn't think so. From the film's blank space and exposure techniques in the first ten minutes, one could see that this was a director's unique arrangement.

A sun overexposure of about 2 seconds at the beginning not only flashed the eyes of the audience in front of the screen but also conveyed a message to the viewers—

This is a scorched family, these are several miserable people abandoned during the economic downturn in Taiwan.

Is Seeing Lu Kuan trying to shoot bitterness or warmth? Only by continuing to watch can one know.

Besides Han Sanping, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Yu Dong, and Zhu Zhaoxing, there were also Gao Chengsheng and Xie Xiaojin, the director department head of Beidian, present today.

On one side is the administrative faction, on the other is the academic faction.

The administrative faction looks at box office potential; they are accustomed to substituting the perspective of ordinary audiences to structure and evaluate.

The academic faction has to analyze it, to evaluate the exploration of this Beidian student in film techniques and audiovisual language.

Seeing Lu Kuan and Ning Hao sat in the back row, having already studied in advance, and were whispering to Boss Lu.

"Director Lu, why not organize the screening after returning from Cannes?"

Ning Hao's implication was that with Seeing Lu Kuan's directorial level and operational ability, he could completely try to compete for awards in Cannes first.

After returning to the country with the award, talking about the split would be much more certain, which could maximize the guarantee of his own income.

"The situation of the boiling point is unclear now, let's settle it early, so as not to have long nights and many dreams."

This is one reason, but not the main reason.

Ning Hao could think of winning the award first and then demanding a reduction in the distribution ratio, and Seeing Lu Kuan had naturally considered it long ago.

"Considering defeat before victory," Boss Lu was not very confident about the award prospects of *Shoplifters* in Cannes this time.

In Venice, he occupied the right time, place, and people.

The film's tone was exactly what the Venice chairman liked, and the head of the jury was compatriot Gong Li.

It also happened that the Hollywood-style film fit the slogan of "accepting diversity" of the Venice Film Festival that year.

But in Cannes in May, the situation would be much more confusing.

Even if this *Shoplifters* won the Palme d'Or in 2018 in later generations, "times change," and it's really hard to say about this year's situation.

Therefore, Seeing Lu Kuan also cunningly summoned the screening and distribution talk in advance to prevent Waterloo in Cannes.

Ning Hao didn't take it seriously, or rather, no one expected that this infectious disease would develop to such a serious extent without having experienced the large-scale mask incident in later generations.

"Let's set the distribution for *Stone* together today, but I suggest delaying the release until after July."

In later generations, the boiling point raged in 2003, and all cinemas in Beiping were closed from the end of April until June 11th.

But even after the lifting of the ban, it was still sold with alternating rows and seats, opening only half the seats.

Affected by the boiling point, all films postponed their release.

This caused the second half of 2003 to be extremely tragic, with blockbusters like Xiangjiang's *Infernal Affairs III* and *The Medallion*, and Hollywood's *Terminator 3* and *The Matrix Reloaded* crowding and fighting.

For ordinary producers, they had invested huge amounts of money in the early stage, and there was no lack of loans to make films. Naturally, they wanted to release the film early to recover costs after filming.

But for Seeing Lu Kuan and Inquiry Realm, the total investment of *Shoplifters* and *Stone* was only about 13 million, and the company had no financing costs.

If he could predict and guarantee the distribution effect, Boss Lu didn't mind delaying it to the fourth quarter.

Or even putting *Shoplifters* into the Spring Festival slot.

The viewers in the front row began to whisper. Boss Lu looked up and saw that the plot point had arrived.

The warm veil of the family was torn off, letting the audience see the cruel truth.

It turned out that this family was built on the contract spirit of the "mutual benefit" principle.

The couple adopting the abandoned baby was out of compensation for having no children, and supporting the grandmother was coveting her pension.

The girl played by Fan Bingbing's attachment to the family, especially the grandmother, stemmed from her resentment toward her biological father, and the grandmother gathering everyone was because she was worried about dying alone and miserably.

Everyone had precise calculations for their own efforts, only seeking returns.

Han Sanping and other viewers were shocked to realize that they had fallen into Seeing Lu Kuan's trap unknowingly. The silent warmth of the first thirty minutes was suddenly shattered, and the "meat of the matter" part was about to begin.

Another anti-chicken-soup narrative reversal.

The film entered the 70th minute. As the couple Zhou Xun and Feng Yuanzheng were arrested and confessed their crimes at the police station, the true climax of the film arrived.

The opening was the warmth of family and love, the middle was the revelation of selfishness, and here, Seeing Lu Kuan used extremely strong narrative techniques again to start tearing up.

The whole film ended.

Tian Zhuangzhuang smiled and shook his head, clapping. Shaking his head was another surprise at Seeing Lu Kuan's progress in directorial talent, and clapping was sincere recognition.

He even felt that the Film Academy couldn't teach him anything anymore.

Whether it was *Whiplash* or *Shoplifters*, Seeing Lu Kuan copied the script, but his changes to the narrative rhythm and innovations in lighting and photography were his own intellectual achievements.

This was also to win more box office in the current withered domestic film environment and give them more commercial film value.

There is no director who doesn't want to explore audiovisual language and expression techniques, but Boss Lu knows better than anyone that he must survive first.

This is the bloody lesson from his previous life.

The lights in the screening hall turned on. Han Sanping held Seeing Lu Kuan's hand heavily: "Director Li Xiaolu, the work is excellent. I am very glad that China Film participated in the investment and production."

Gao Chengsheng on the side adjusted his glasses and didn't speak, just thinking about how to eat this cake of distribution.

He glanced at Yu Dong on the side, looking at his unclear and dark expression, obviously realizing the fierce competition.

Xie Xiaojin laughed: "Seeing Lu Kuan, I think this film has great hope of winning the Palme d'Or in Cannes!"

Talking about distribution naturally had nothing to do with him and Tian Zhuangzhuang, but it didn't prevent him from standing up for *Shoplifters* and saying good things, striving for a bit of initiative for Seeing Lu Kuan.

The only Palme d'Or winner in the country so far is Chen Kaige's *Farewell My Concubine*, who is also a Beidian graduate.

Director department head Xie Xiaojin was gilding his student's face at this time, and of course, he also hoped that another Beidian-affiliated director would win the Palme d'Or at Cannes in May, gilding the school and the director department.

This is also "governing the department well"!

"Then I'll thank Director Xie for your golden words first. If I really win the award, our Inquiry Realm will pay for the school's banner!"

"Hey, this kid!"

Everyone laughed.

Seeing Lu Kuan's true mentor, Tian Zhuangzhuang, didn't speak. He knew that with Seeing Lu Kuan's intelligence, it was difficult for others to take advantage of him.

At the beginning, China Film didn't leave any room and offered the top-tier distribution fee. This kid turned around and found Bona, and finally won a big victory.

Industry status and Jianghu momentum are all fought for, not begged for.

Not to mention the long term, this time talking about distribution again, it became a seller's market.

Maybe saying he "handled" the three major distribution companies like China Film is a bit much, but waiting for the price and striving for maximum benefit for himself is unavoidable.

Han Sanping still had the demeanor of a sect leader: "Li Xiaolu, come to my office, I got some good tea recently."

Seeing Lu Kuan smiled, greeted everyone, and followed Gao Chengsheng to the office.

Yu Dong and Zhu Zhaoxing looked at each other. San Ye is going to strike first!

Damn, so overbearing!

Han Sanping asked Gao Chengsheng to make tea, but didn't get straight to the point about distribution.

"Li Xiaolu, you told me about sci-fi films and the special effects industry last time. I was very touched after listening."

"The bureau held a meeting last week, and I made a proposal report about the current digital industry development of China Film."

Boss Lu was stunned. What kind of routine is this?

"Leader, instructions."

"First, I require the bureau to strengthen the technical upgrade of Hualong Digital and accelerate the construction of a film and television platform under a high-tech background."

"Second, I require accelerating the construction of digital cinema projects for China Film's cinema chains, with a preliminary plan to add 100 digital cinemas within the year!"

"Good, leader! Far-sighted! High-level!"

Han Sanping waved his hand: "Haha, don't rush to flatter me, I want to hear your opinion."

Boss Lu's flattery is flattery, but China Film having such actions, and the investment being so large and the efficiency so high, was indeed something he didn't expect.

Of course, investing in the construction of digital cinemas is not because of Han Sanping's advice, as he said; this itself is a long-term plan of the China Film Group under the leadership of the Film Bureau.

To some extent, it can also be said that Seeing Lu Kuan used his personal influence on Han Sanping to influence the progress of this industry.

The butterfly wings flapped again.

Boss Lu deliberated: "General Han Zong, China Film Group invested in the filming of more than 30 films in 2002, occupying half of the country's domestic films, but the annual output value was less than 150 million."

"Everyone saw the performance of *Hero* at the end of the year. It can be said that from this year on, it is the beginning of the rapid advancement of commercial blockbusters."

"But the superstructure reacts on the economic base. With sci-fi, historical, and martial arts blockbusters, the audience's demand for screening sessions is also higher."

"It is clear that starting to invest in the construction of digital cinemas, including high-quality cinemas like Anle Film's Xindongan Cinema, will be the future development trend!"

One of the most direct benefits of digital cinemas is saving a copy cost of about 10,000 yuan. In the past, they were all low-cost, low-box-office films, and not many copies could be washed.

When domestic film box office develops to the unit of 100 million, the money spent on copies for any film will be tens of millions, which is too uneconomical.

Han Sanping nodded with satisfaction. Great minds think alike!

He gave Gao Chengsheng a wink, and the latter also understood the meaning.

"Director Lu, China Film will unconditionally support your next sci-fi film, from talent provision to investment and policy relaxation."

"Look at this *Shoplifters*..."

The map of Yan was revealed.

The map of Yan was very long. Han Sanping took 5 minutes to unfold the map, and Gao Chengsheng only needed 1 second to pull out the dagger.

Boss Lu is naturally not someone who will just submit.

"General Han Zong, Director Gao, hasn't *Stone* been watched yet? I don't know if China Film has any plans to distribute the two together?"

Han Sanping was stunned. He hadn't even considered *Crazy Stone*; he just wanted to catch the slippery Seeing Lu Kuan quickly, so as not to repeat the same mistakes as last time.

Gao Chengsheng was also caught off guard: "Director Lu, I don't know what your company has to say?"

"Oh, it's like this. To tell you the truth, *Crazy Stone* was shot by our company's Xiao Ning. He's a new director, and everyone's confidence is not very sufficient."

"I won't be afraid of showing my incompetence. Inquiry Realm wants to bundle the two films for distribution, so we will give the distributor a little more on the distribution points, and we won't let our peers suffer."

Gao Chengsheng twisted his eyebrows.

"What type of film is *Stone*?"

"Humorous and funny, with more dialects, the cost is about 4 million, and they are all new actors, including several we just signed."

This guy is so damaging!

In order not to let Han Sanping be interested in *Stone*, he specifically picked unfavorable factors to say, but they were all the damn truth!

Han Sanping couldn't find a way to settle the account even if he wanted to.

Han Sanping made a prompt decision: "Li Xiaolu, although China Film is the industry hegemon, it also needs to pay attention to its eating manners. I think *Stone* should be handed over to Yu Dong and the others."

What kind of messy film, and still want to cheat our China Film into bundling distribution?

Ugly refusal!

Seeing Lu Kuan's face fell: "Sigh, alright, but General Han Zong, in this case, the distribution fee for *Shoplifters*..."

"You don't need to let it go. Let's do this. We have never bargained with others."

"This is the first cooperation, so let's set it at 12 points. If Inquiry Realm's funds can't turn around, we can advance it for you."

Han Sanping didn't deliberately let the water go, but China Film was also a producer of *Shoplifters*, and the money they shared was much more than just doing distribution.

This was already a very favorable price. The last time it was "eating from both ends" that tricked Yu Dong into offering a 10% ratio.

Not to mention that China Film is a master who acts as both an athlete and a referee at this time. Han Sanping holds the distribution quota and scheduling of foreign blockbusters, and all cinema chains and film companies have to give him face.

Boss Lu "reluctantly" agreed and said goodbye.

(End of this chapter) ===== CHAPTER 153 =====

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