Chapter 206: The Necessity of Cultivating Prestige

【PS: Because many chapters have been repeatedly "crabs" (censored), some comments may disappear if the paragraphs they were attached to were deleted or modified. This is not done by the author; you can still see them in your personal comment history in the background. This is a special note.】

Tian Zhuangzhuang looked at him speechlessly and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.

"As long as you don't point at the leaders' noses and curse, it should be fine."

Lu Kuan chuckled, then listened as Tian Zhuangzhuang continued to entrust him with the task, looking uneasy.

"How did you consider the matter I mentioned to you before?"

He was referring to the matter of arranging for him to hold a post in the Beijing Film Academy or the Beijing Film Studio in the future, putting an official identity over his head.

"It will still take a few years, right? I'm too young right now. At the earliest, I'll have to wait until I graduate and stay on to teach, right?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang knew he had a lazy personality and didn't want to be constrained by the system.

But his own background and personal experiences over these years told him that sometimes, without a shell, everything you have seems as illusory as flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water.

Lu Kuan, with his two lifetimes of experience, naturally understood the twists and turns here. The most direct example was Cheng Jingfei, who was currently in a drowning state.

He was once a wealthy man on the Forbes list, but what about now?

A local tyrant could play him until he was desperate.

"Teacher Tian, why is this time such a big deal? There are reporters interviewing, and they're even keeping meeting minutes. I heard from Han Shanping that they're even going to publish editorials in the official media?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang laughed. "Isn't it because of you!"

"Me?"

"Originally, it was just going to be everyone chatting behind closed doors, but Deputy Director Zhang Hongsen specifically mentioned your name to Director Tong."

"He said that last year you debated with literary critics like Huang Shixian and others at the Beijing Film Academy, proposing to 'come from the masses and go to the masses,' and rejecting the one-sided thinking of denying commercial films."

Tian Zhuangzhuang teased, "You were happy enough debating Confucians with your tongue on stage back then, how could the leaders not remember you?"

"This time, they want you to go and properly lecture these underground directors on how to make films that are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, and how not to walk down a dead end!"

Old Tian didn't mention himself, though he was also a stubborn one who only made obscure and difficult-to-understand films.

Lu Boss smiled bitterly. "This leader's style... isn't this using me as a gun? I'll have to face so many people. The entire criticism circle will curse me in the future!"

"Alright, stop acting like you've gained an advantage while still complaining. I don't believe you can't see the benefits here."

Tian Zhuangzhuang knew this cheap student of his well; he never did anything that would make him suffer a loss.

The Film Bureau was indeed using him as a gun because he was the one who could make this group of underground directors speechless!

Lu Kuan's films had awards when awards were needed, and box office when box office was needed. If he came forward to criticize those directors who only liked to film banned movies, who could say anything back?

But if you asked him if he was willing to be this gun?

Well, Lu Boss wouldn't play hard to get anymore. Weighing the pros and cons, the benefits definitely took the lion's share!

First, this was showing his face in front of the top leader of the Film Bureau. Being in step with the leaders—the implications of this need not be mentioned.

Even a Han Shanping from China Film Group could dominate the domestic entertainment industry like this; what if Lu Boss befriended his top leader?

Second, this involved the issue of "cultivating prestige."

Just like the famous scholars in ancient China who were summoned by the imperial court several times but did not go, or the great Confucian scholars who lived in seclusion in academies and founded academic schools.

He could propose his own banner-like viewpoints on such occasions.

That is, there is no natural superiority or inferiority between commercial films and art films, and what will inevitably save Chinese cinema and make the cake bigger is commercial films, or what are called genre films.

He had already clearly proposed this banner when he first angrily rebuked literary figures like Huang Shixian and Lu Chuan at the Beijing Film Academy.

Planting this banner on his own city wall—in the future, who would be the leader of commercial film directors in the mainland?

Lu Kuan.

In the future, who proposed true insights in the darkness before the dawn of Chinese cinema?

Lu Kuan.

Who carried out an ideological liberation in the mainland film industry, where art films occupied a dominant position in public opinion, promoting industry progress and industrial upgrading?

Lu Kuan.

With such prestige, the Film Bureau would have more scruples when censoring his films in the future, and the various kings of hell and little ghosts within the system would be more polite to him and Wenjie.

With such prestige, the resistance to him holding a title like Deputy Director of the Directing Department at the Beijing Film Academy or a seconded cadre position in the future would be much smaller.

With such prestige, the brand value of Wenjie Culture and Media would also increase due to the hype of his personal IP.

In short, the benefits far outweighed the disadvantages.

On November 3, 2003, in the small auditorium of the Beijing Film Academy, a literary circle symposium that deliberately avoided a formal official atmosphere was quietly held.

The reason it was said to deliberately avoid a formal atmosphere was, first, the location was chosen at the Beijing Film Academy campus, which had a stronger academic atmosphere, and second, it was held in the form of a symposium.

Since it was an industry symposium, it had to invite people from all walks of life to participate and demonstrate the matter from multiple angles.

For example, film and television companies like Huayi Brothers, the newly established New Horizon, Xiaoma Benteng, Forbidden City Film, Shanghai Film, and state-owned factories like Xi'an Film Studio.

For example, larger brokerage companies in the industry like Rongxindai, agent Wang Jinhua, distribution company Poly Bona, and the entertainment media industry's Fiber Media.

Three leaders from the Film Bureau came: Director Tong Gang, and Deputy Directors Jiang Ping and Zhang Hongsen.

Among them, Jiang Ping had just been transferred from the Shanghai Film Group this year, and Zhang Hongsen had been transferred from the Shandong Film Group, having served as an associate professor at the Beijing Film Academy for a period in between.

In addition, there were Han Shanping from China Film Group and Liu Jian from Huaxia Film.

The latter was the former director of the Film Bureau and had just taken office this year for a three-year term.

The school also found volunteers from the Directing and Acting departments to do service work.

Liu Yifei knew Lu Kuan was attending today, so she contacted Tian Zhuangzhuang to bring her in, and she sat in a front position, able to watch the excitement properly.

"Zhu Yawen! Luo Jin!"

She looked at several familiar classmates wearing volunteer armbands doing preparatory work at the scene and lowered her voice to greet them.

"Xixi, you're back in the country?"

"Xixi, how is it following Director Lu to film?"

"Xixi, did you bring me Leonardo's signed photo!"

Liu Yifei was quickly surrounded by a group of classmates from the 02 Acting Class, all brought in by the director of the department, Wang Jingsong.

To broaden their horizons.

The little girl was chattering with her classmates when she saw Lu Kuan, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, walking in from the door.

But before she could find him, Lu Kuan was quickly caught up in busy social interactions.

"Director Lu, nice to meet you!"

Lu Kuan was a bit surprised to see Wang Dajun in front of him; he didn't expect the first person to come and greet him to be him.

Wang Dajun had a completely opposite temperament and air from his younger brother. He got straight to the point: "President Lu, there were some misunderstandings before. Thank you for giving Bingbing the female role in 'Exotic'. Let's have more exchanges between the two companies in the future and make progress together."

Yu Dong, Dong Shuangqiang, and others around were watching the fun, and Lu Kuan also smiled and shook his hand: "Easy to say, easy to say."

Feng Xiaogang walked over carelessly from behind and also grabbed his hand.

"Director Lu, long time no see. There were some small frictions last time, but we're all men, you didn't take it to heart, right?"

This was about him bombarding a certain director on the internet for using underhanded tricks to plot against "Cell Phone."

Now the film had been greatly revised, but it was still in time for the New Year's slot. Seeing that Wang Dajun had declared a truce and sought peace, he didn't need to put on airs.

Of course, it wasn't out of fear; he was just making friends on the surface. He was a very shrewd person.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to mix from a small art designer at the Beijing Film Studio to this point.

Lu Kuan's place seemed to have become a check-in spot, with all kinds of people coming to greet him.

On one hand, Wenjie's momentum had indeed been too strong this year, especially with the recent announcement of acquiring shares in Focus Media—who wouldn't be jealous of this publicity channel?

On the other hand, it was indeed because Lu Kuan didn't attend these official occasions often, and everyone didn't have a good opportunity to get in touch.

They were all big shots in the industry; they wouldn't go to a young man in his twenties to talk about friendship, right?

Today's occasion was quite suitable.

Liu Yifei looked at him surrounded by all kinds of people with frustration, and suddenly had an idea.

"Luo Jin, let me wear your red vest, you sit here and rest!"

Wearing a volunteer's clothes would allow her to go on stage to pour water and walk around, making it easier to get close to him!

But before she could get her wish, Han Shanping killed his way into the crowd and took Lu Kuan away, throwing down a sentence that no one dared to object to.

"Director Tong wants to see you, let's go chat together."

Lu Kuan apologized to everyone and followed Han Shanping to the backstage.

Zhang Huijun accompanied him in the seat of honor, and next to him was Director Tong of the Film Bureau.

"Director Tong, nice to meet you for the first time, I'm Lu Kuan."

"Good, good, good. A hero comes from the youth, Little Lu is very good!"

Zhang Huijun laughed: "This kid can't handle praise. Don't use too much force, Director. If a young man gets proud, he'll make mistakes."

This level of leading cadre wouldn't talk nonsense. This was Zhang Huijun giving Lu Kuan a heads-up in advance not to mind if Lu Kuan really "spoke wildly" later.

Young people, after all, have to be given opportunities to make mistakes.

Lu Kuan was a sophomore in the Directing Department of the Beijing Film Academy. As the principal, Zhang Huijun saying this wasn't inappropriate at all—this was the benefit of having an organization.

"Hehe, no. I see he's someone who can withstand pressure."

Director Tong had words within words: "Director Lu, everyone can speak freely at today's symposium, but your responsibility is very heavy!"

If it weren't for all kinds of intangible benefits, he would have been beaten to death before he would come to be this bird that sticks its head out. It would be better to just make a fortune in silence!

It was just that the noise he was making in the film industry was getting bigger and bigger. This "Exotic" alone had already caused countless high-level officials to cast their scrutinizing eyes on him. Now, his stance was very important.

Do you want to be like some directors of the Sixth Generation, acting like underground rats, or do you want to actively embrace the official side and follow the trend of the times?

Lu Kuan had no choice because his stance was consistent with the official one.

His basic foundation was in the film industry. The bigger the plate of domestic films, the more he would profit.

In 2003, the national box office was only 1 billion. This lifetime, because of Lu Kuan's existence, it was a few tens of millions more, which was very insignificant.

But even with such a small market, he had to stagger the release of his company's "Stone" and "Thief" because the audience was really too small.

For such an industry situation, the more capable and confident people are, the more they will actively promote the integration and expansion of the big plate.

Because they are determined that they can get a share of the pie.

Facing Director Tong's hint, Lu Boss also took the move neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Director Tong, I am also a practitioner in the film industry. Today, I will elaborate on my views from my own perspective. I have always been happy to hear about my faults. Please criticize and correct me later."

Jiang Ping had been observing him since he walked in the door. He had already heard many anecdotes about him from the mouths of Zhao Yanzi, Ren Zhonglun, and others.

Zhang Hongsen laughed: "Director Tong has set the tone for today's symposium, called 'let bygones be bygones, speak freely.' Of course, this also includes you, Director Lu, hehe."

Xie Xiaojin, the director of the Directing Department at the Beijing Film Academy, knocked on the door: "Leaders, it's time to start."

Director Tong put down his teacup: "Let's go!"

Everyone swarmed out.

Director Tong and other leaders took their seats, and applause rang out at the venue.

Because it was in the form of a symposium, the directors who were officially announced to be unbanned were naturally on the list today.

Other important figures in the industry, directors, actors, and industry associations sat in the middle area of the venue, while the outer circle was the listening area.

From the angle Liu Yifei was standing at now, among a group of leaders who were uncles and grandfathers, Lu Kuan, who was excessively young, was indeed quite eye-catching.

It was no wonder Han Shanping suggested he grow a beard to make himself look older so he wouldn't be so abrupt.

She and other volunteers were helping guests pour water, but having been pampered since childhood, she could do martial arts, kicks, and punches, but pouring water...

When she poured water for Lu Boss, she splashed water droplets and scalded him, but she just laughed awkwardly and ran away.

Film Bureau officials opened the meeting first, announcing the unbanning of directors like Jia Kezhang, Wang Xiaohu, and Lu Xuezhang, signaling that these underground directors could walk onto the ground and film publicly.

The discussion in the audience was endless. Even though they were mentally prepared, when they heard this earth-shattering news, they couldn't help but be stunned.

When did you guys also learn to correct your mistakes?

Director Tong cleared his throat: "To make a long story short, today we will leave time for everyone, for the elites and practitioners of the film industry, especially the comrades in the directing ranks."

"Everyone also knows that with the country joining the WTO, the quota for imported films will be increased to 20 per year. Judging from the quality and quantity of our domestic films, it is obvious that we cannot compete."

He looked at the representatives of the Beijing Film Studio and Xi'an Film Studio: "Especially after the state-owned film studios opened up to unified purchasing and sales, they have been struggling to continue due to the impact of marketization."

Hearing this, the leaders of the state-owned factories in attendance all lowered their heads silently, avoiding eye contact with him.

"Today, let's talk behind closed doors. In order to let everyone intuitively feel the gap in quality and quantity I just mentioned, I am not afraid to expose my own shortcomings. Let me provide a set of data for everyone!"

"As of last year, there were about 40 state-owned film studios, more than 30 film distribution and screening companies, 35 theater chains, and more than 300,000 practitioners in the country, but the annual film production was only about 100."

"As a country with 1.3 billion people, our film box office is only 1/4 of South Korea's 47 million population. Among these 100 films, those that can normally enter theaters and make a profit, plus imported films, are less than 40."

"And the box office share of the 20 imported films is almost equal to that of these 100 domestic films!"

Lu Kuan looked at his nose, his nose at his mouth, writing and drawing on paper with a pen.

It's not that the elites in the country are concentrated in the system. What is called "not afraid to expose one's own shortcomings"?

This person who just took office this year after being promoted from a deputy position is reporting the data for 2002...

The director made a final summary: "Comrades, the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which ended last year, clearly proposed that the cultural industry will be explicitly included in the macro-pattern of the national development strategy, and our film industry is undoubtedly a core industrial branch in the first echelon."

"Today, I hope everyone will speak freely and express their opinions, and work together to make suggestions for the brilliance of the domestic film industry and cultural industry. Thank you!"

Warm applause rang out. Lu Boss looked at Old Han with ill intent.

It was the first time seeing him look so fawning, which was quite funny.

Today, the protagonists of the scene were undoubtedly the seven gentlemen who were officially unbanned. Jia Kezhang, Wang Xiaohu, and others looked at each other, and for a time, the atmosphere at the scene was a bit cold.

Han Shanping pointed: "Jia Kezhang, you speak first."

Jia Kezhang was a bit helpless, and his heart was also a bit sad.

"In 1997, economic reform accelerated. This year, Lou Ye began to prepare for 'Suzhou River', Xiaohu launched 'Extreme Cold', Zhang Yuan was preparing for 'Seventeen Years', and Zhang Ming just finished 'Rain Clouds over Wushan'."

"This year, I started filming 'Xiao Wu'. I am honored to be called the Sixth Generation."

"Under heavy pressure, this generation of directors has now split up. They have moved into their respective fields. In this not-too-long film career, each of us has presented our shortcomings in daily life, as well as our weaknesses in film ability."

"But what is gratifying is that most of our films choose to have a relationship with reality, choose to have a relationship with truth. These films, complementing each other, connecting each other, vaguely outline an image line of era change."

His painting style changed, and he suddenly became passionate!

"Back then, I was just a 21-year-old youth from Jin Province. I had read a few novels, had some art foundation, and I was a follower of film art, fighting for it for the rest of my life."

"But one day, when I was treated by the official side as an unimaginable group, a Don Quixote who didn't know the depth, and seen as an untimely era monster!"

"I was at a loss."

Jia Kezhang's words were sincere and earnest. Not only the other six directors but also the directors who were slightly older at the scene felt a bit sad.

Among them were Old Tian and Jiang Wen.

Of course, the latter still maintained a posture of drawing a line with the Sixth Generation; he just felt that such confusion also existed in himself.

The chatterbox was opened. Lu Xuezhang fired the second shot. Regardless of the leader's theme of how to do a good job in domestic films, he vented his grief and indignation with full resentment!

"In 1992, I bought a newspaper at the newsstand at the gate of the Beijing Film Academy. It was opened by Old Li, who lost his leg in Laoshan. I saw him this morning, and the students from the Beijing Film Academy here should all know."

Zhu Yawen, Luo Jin, and others all nodded silently.

"I have a deep impression. On that newspaper, there was a description that I still remember vividly."

"It wrote that Director Xiaohu, in order to film 'Winter Spring Days', climbed onto a coal train to go to the origin, Baoding, to buy cheap Lucky black-and-white film."

"I often imagine myself that today's Xiaohu, who has gained weight, must have been young and agile at that time. On the countless trains passing by in the vast land of Yan and Zhao, it turned out that there was also a young man's film dream!"

"But is this dream a beautiful dream or a nightmare?"

Lu Xuezhang was a sentimental person. As he spoke, he choked up, making everyone feel even more heartbroken.

The original theme was distorted. The leaders' faces were not very good-looking either.

It was just that they had only just untied these guys, so they couldn't just scold them when they were expressing their feelings.

Old Han quietly poked Lu Kuan next to him.

Lu Boss: F*ck!

(End of chapter)