Chapter 304

The people in the CEO's office wore solemn expressions; the warm sunlight streaming in through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows seemed unable to dispel the chill on the faces of Gao Jun and the others.

"18.33 million—that's truly a bit low."

Lu Kuan pondered for a long time before putting down the data list in his hand.

Making a horizontal comparison, setting aside "Perhaps Love" and "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles," one only needs to look at the biggest competitor, "Zhang Wuji."

On its opening day, "Zhang Wuji" had a screen share of nearly 77% and took in 27.34 million in box office, surpassing "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Harry Potter," and even exceeding the opening day box office of "Foreign Land" from two years ago.

Aside from the overwhelming marketing by the film's producers, the rapid growth in the number of screens in the mainland over the past two years was also one of the reasons.

As of December 23rd, "Zhang Wuji," which had been in theaters for over a week, was already nearing the 100 million mark in box office.

But as the numbers soared, the film's word-of-mouth plummeted rapidly; Chen Kaige and Chen Hong, the husband-and-wife team, were in a state of painful happiness.

"To tell you the truth, I am also going to film a massacre-themed movie, which is a bit of a collision with Lu Kuan's new film."

Boss Lu encouraged his subordinates: "The opening day box office can be called a Waterloo, but it is an indisputable fact that our screen share is nearly 20 points lower than 'Zhang Wuji'."

"Let's continue to monitor the numbers and the trends in online public opinion and word-of-mouth."

"Our preliminary work has been very solid, and I am confident in the results."

Watching the young director calmly blowing on his tea with a nonchalant expression, Gao Jun, Zhong Lifang, Chen Zhixi, and the others felt a sense of relief.

Having a leader in the team with immense authority and prestige is a great way to relieve pressure for everyone.

"That's true. We predicted there would be difficulties from the start, so isn't this just proceeding according to plan?" Gao Jun looked left and right, following Boss Lu's lead.

The reason the people at Inquiry Realm were not in high spirits was mainly because the path they had taken previously had been too smooth, with Lu Kuan arranging everything properly from the perspective of a visionary.

This time, due to special reasons, they chose to go against the current, so naturally, there were obstacles at every turn.

However, human effort is the decisive factor; having planned so much from promotion to release dates, they could only act according to circumstances now.

Boss Lu arranged some plans for cinema promotions and traffic-driving activities, then prepared to leave the company to fly directly to Tokyo, Japan, in the afternoon to attend the premiere at the Imperial Theater.

"President Lu!"

Seeing Gao Jun, Zhong Lifang, and the others push the door and leave, Chen Zhixi called out to him with a strange expression.

"What is it?"

"I have a question I'd like to ask for instructions on."

Seeing him signal for her to continue, Chen Zhixi turned back, took her laptop out of her bag, and opened it.

"President Lu, take a look at this."

A downloaded video, about 20 minutes long, used the film "Zhang Wuji" as its main material, re-edited with performance footage from a Shanghai acrobatics show, photos of Einstein, and his famous formula, embedded with a program from the Society and Law channel...

"The Bloody Case Caused by a Steamed Bun"—why did it come out so early?

Boss Lu had long anticipated this, but in the future, "Steamed Bun" became popular around the new year, after which Chen Kaige angrily denounced and sued over it.

It was mainly because the development of Inquiry Realm Video and Blog Network in this life had deviated from the original timeline, being somewhat ahead in terms of the number of internet users and the cultivation of their habits.

For instance, this Hu Ge, a graduate of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, was attracted by the secondary creation activities on Inquiry Realm Video and had just produced and uploaded this parody work.

However, it had already been blocked and taken down by the sharp-witted Chen Zhixi.

She knew that the first rule of her boss's recent style of conduct was to keep a low profile; it didn't matter if this video was posted elsewhere, but it could not appear on Inquiry Realm Video.

"President Lu, how should this be handled? I've temporarily had the account suspended."

Boss Lu watched with great interest and laughed upon hearing this: "Suspending it is good; don't bring trouble upon yourself."

The poet had a solitary and arrogant personality, considered himself high-minded, and was very petty.

Judging from the feedback from film critics and audiences over the past two days, the word-of-mouth for "Zhang Wuji" was already on the verge of collapse, something that could not be controlled by the various public relations efforts of Chen Hong and the others.

"Steamed Bun" might accelerate this process, but Boss Lu had no need to get involved in this mess himself; if he blocked Hu Ge, he would just go elsewhere to post it.

Chen Zhixi nodded: "Understood, I'll have the review team pay more attention."

——

On the evening of the 24th, the "Aftershock" crew arrived in Tokyo, Japan, and held the premiere at the Imperial Theater.

The several films Lu Kuan had made since "Whiplash" were all well-received in Japan, and "Foreign Land" had also broken the records for box office and attendance for foreign films held by "Hero."

After the phenomenal "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" set off another wave of enthusiasm in Japan, coupled with the establishment of the Pan-Asian Film Academy, this young director had already accumulated considerable popularity in Japan.

However, the age and gender structure of his fans was a bit strange...

On the red carpet in front of the Imperial Theater, Lu Kuan wore a well-tailored high-end suit, the silver brooch on his collar glinting coldly under the camera lights.

He walked inside with steady steps, waving to greet the seemingly crazed "mom fans" and "big sister fans," finding it hard to handle the shouts of "Lu-san kawaii," "Lu-san is so handsome," and "Lu-san's acting power is explosive."

Especially the banner that read "Welcome Director Lu Kuan to Japan," which made people unable to help but laugh.

Song Jia joked to Zhou Xun in a low voice: "President Lu has so many middle-aged and young married women fans here! His popularity is truly high!"

"You'll get used to it." Zhou Xun had already witnessed it during "Shoplifters," though it was nowhere near as crazy as it was now.

Outside the security cordon, a heavily made-up young married woman rushed in and was stopped by security, nearly knocking Boss Lu to the ground.

Zhou Xun and Song Jia followed up, the former teasing: "Are you feeling very regretful?"

Boss Lu was a bit shaken, taking off the brooch on his collar; if that woman's eyes had hit it just now, she would have been blinded.

He raised an eyebrow at Song Jia and the other: "This is the price of being too excellent; you two can't understand it yet."

Zhou Xun curled her lips: "It's a pity they are all housewives over 35."

Song Jia asked in confusion: "Director Lu, why is this? I've seen the crew's promotional strategy in Japan, and it's mostly focused on convenience stores and women's magazines."

"Housewives in Japan are a profession. Although they don't have direct work income, they generally hold the family's economic power and are responsible for the family's income and expenditure distribution."

"Look at these fanatical fans at the scene; they are basically all over 30. Their husbands are working, and their children are in college or working. They have money and leisure, so naturally, they have become the main force for watching movies."

Boss Lu patted Hu Jun on the shoulder beside him: "Old Hu, your 'Lan Yu' also had a very good response in Japan back then; I just saw your male fans."

Hu Jun also joked: "Hey! Then I have to hide a bit; the people here are all a bit perverted."

"But, if you want to talk about who has the most popular look, it has to be Director Lu."

Hu Jun popularized science seriously: "Zhou Xun, Song Jia, have you seen the news from two years ago? Japanese women liked that Bae Yong-joon because they watched 'Winter Sonata,' which boosted the Korean tourism industry."

"If you ask me, Director Lu should have let that person hug and touch him a couple of times just now. You sacrificing your looks would be equivalent to making a contribution to the country!"

The two women laughed out loud, and Boss Lu helplessly pointed at the dark-faced man.

This was referring to the import of "Winter Sonata" into Japan in 2002, where the main consumer force of the film and television industry, housewives, nicknamed Bae Yong-joon "Yonsama."

According to a survey by a Korean economic research institute, the peripheral benefits brought by "Yonsama" to Japanese tourists exceeded 1.5 billion USD, increasing the number of Japanese tourists to Korea by 40% within 10 months.

In terms of cultural output and theft, the Koreans in the early millennium could be called professionals.

The distributor, Toho Co., Ltd., had arranged everything in advance, and the crew participated in the premiere according to plan.

The Imperial Theater was packed today, and the housewives didn't care at all about the high ticket price of 1800 yen (126 yuan).

At the same time, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Yoji Yamada, and old friend Takeshi Kitano also arrived to show their support.

Takeshi Kitano was quite envious of Boss Lu's conversation with Bergman on Faro Island this May, pulling him aside to ask this and that, sighing incessantly.

As the film started, the Japanese film fans in attendance were deeply touched by the catastrophic scenes of the earthquake, and the sentimental housewives and aunties shed tears frequently.

Japan is also a country prone to earthquakes, so such subject matter could obviously resonate with them.

When the film ended, the final post-credits scene completely destroyed the audience who were still struggling to resist their tear ducts collapsing; almost everyone stood up with red eyes and applauded, the response was enthusiastic.

After the creators went on stage to accept the audience's cheers and simple interviews, today's premiere came to an end.

Takeshi Kitano put his arm around Boss Lu's shoulder, inviting him and Yoji Yamada and others to go to an izakaya for a small gathering; just as they walked into the parking lot under the protection of bodyguards, a Crown stopped in front of them.

A middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes got out of the car, and after greeting the others, he shook hands with Lu Kuan alone and respectfully invited him to get in the car.

"Lu-san, please give me five minutes!"

"Let's talk right here."

Boss Lu recognized his voice: Katsuo Kasai.

He also knew the background of these animals, and the dirty private commercial associations behind them that were committed to smearing and denying history.

Seeing Katsuo Kasai's serious expression, Takeshi Kitano and the others were unwilling to cause more trouble and stepped aside first.

"Lu-san, please forgive me! There is indeed something to discuss with you, regarding..."

"Alright, you should be clear about my attitude."

Boss Lu's expression was serious; from the moment he decided to film this movie, he had already estimated these possible resistances.

"The history of the massacre cannot be denied, and this film cannot accept your investment either. Give up."

The young director turned and left after speaking.

"Lu-san!"

Katsuo Kasai looked at A-Fei, who had a cold expression beside him, and didn't dare to reach out to stop him, only dropping a sentence in a deep voice.

"The Yamato people have a proverb: gods that are not touched will not bring disaster."

"A great artist like Lu-san should not get involved in these things that affect peace and hurt the feelings of the Japanese people. Please think twice!"

Katsuo Kasai, who was still habitually bowing at ninety degrees, could only see the taillights of the Chinese youth's car when he looked up again.

The final dissuasion failed, and the little devil's face was as dark as water as he indifferently took out his phone.

The drinking and discussion with Takeshi Kitano and the others didn't last too late; the next day, the crew arrived in Korea, and the public opinion fermentation after yesterday's premiere had already been released.

As one of the two great Chinese directors currently mentioned alongside Zhang Yimou in Japan, Lu Kuan was no stranger to the Japanese film media.

"Sankei Shimbun" took the lead in surrendering, believing that this was a milestone masterpiece of disaster films, and that they should reflect on the Japanese films of these years, which had almost been kidnapped by anime and animation.

"Kinema Junpo" is Japan's most professional film media, and under the public relations of the distributor Toho, it opened a fan column.

In the column, more than 20 professional film critics from across the country and senior members of cinemas under Toho were invited to comment.

"I am from Chuetsu, Niigata Prefecture. Today happens to be the first anniversary of last year's Niigata Chuetsu earthquake. Of course, the intensity of 6.8 was not as tragic as in the movie, but it is still unforgettable, and I miss my mother."

"In the face of natural disasters, human emotions are common. The family ethics of East Asian countries are similar, which makes me empathize with Director Lu Kuan's film. That actor named Zhou Xun is simply too admirable."

"I hope Japanese film directors can realize the gap with Director Lu Kuan, and I hope that in the future, we won't just see those virtual character roles in North America."

"Japan is proud to have a master like Akira Kurosawa, but I think among the younger generation, it is basically impossible to find a director who can compete with Lu-san in film technique. He is simply the Empire's Absolute Fierce Tiger's Destruction Dragon!"

Facing the almost one-sided praise, the "Aftershock" crew, whose domestic box office situation was average, was naturally beaming and preparing for the promotion in Korea with diligence.

But watching the domestic public being conquered by such a masterpiece, Katsuo Kasai and the others became increasingly restless, eager to find ways to defeat his success.

——

Liangmaqiao East Street, Beiping, Zhangfugong Sakura Restaurant.

Wu Sang, who had been invited again, was already somewhat familiar with the road, driving directly from the back street into the courtyard to avoid being noticed.

Katsuo Kasai had brewed tea and was waiting for him patiently.

"Kasai-san, didn't you say you were going back to Osaka? You're back so soon."

"Lu Kuan's film is popular in the country, and the situation is becoming increasingly unfavorable for us. If..."

Wu Kebo interrupted him with an awkward expression: "It's unfavorable for you, not us. I have no grudges with him; it's just normal commercial competition."

"Fine, I'll continue." Katsuo Kasai was noncommittal.

"This time, the response to 'Aftershock' in the country is very good. He is an idol among Japanese audiences, especially those stupid women."

"We absolutely cannot let his film that fabricates history be successfully filmed and released, otherwise my brother and some big shots in the ministry won't be happy."

Indeed, the association spends so much money every year to buy dogs, and there are important people in the business and cultural circles of Tokyo secretly working for them.

It was originally being output well through subtle influence, but suddenly there was a world-class director who wanted to rise up with a heavy stick and sweep away all their deceptive viewpoints.

How unreasonable!

"We have investigated that he also has a film company in North America and holds shares in one of the largest video websites."

Wu Kebo was truly a bit surprised this time: "What? You don't mean Mytube, do you?"

"Yes."

Wu Sang put down the wine glass in his hand with a complex expression; he was truly jealous this time.

His family background was quite wealthy, and he became famous at a young age.

Returning to the country to start a business in his thirties, he immediately poached the corner of the veteran entertainment company Yanda Huayi and set up his own brand in the domestic entertainment industry.

But there happened to be a genius who stood firmly on his head like a big mountain, making people unable to move.

Wanting to poach Liu Yifei, Wang Jinhua told him to look at his face;

After poaching Jiang Yiyan, Wang Jinhua told him that this woman had been targeted by a certain black hand and advised him to be cautious.

Even the bargaining chip that this damn Katsuo Kasai used to tempt him was how to empower Cheng Tian to surpass him!

He had an international vision, so naturally, he knew what level of existence Mytube was; at the very least, the sky-high price of 2 billion USD offered by Google was enough to make him gasp.

This was actually his industry?

But it's estimated that he only holds a little bit of shares; I heard the boss, Chen Shijun, is an American Chinese.

Katsuo Kasai naturally wouldn't care about the sourness in his heart and stated Lu Kuan's threats one by one.

"If he is allowed to reach the position of general director of the Olympic Games, his international reputation will continue to rise, and he will bring such a work that distorts facts to the world stage."

"That is a fatal injury to the feelings of the Japanese people with a conscience. He will mislead countless international people who have good feelings for our Yamato nation! That is simply unforgivable!"

The disgusting words made Wu Kebo unable to listen any longer: "Enough!"

"Stop talking so much, tell me, what are you planning to do?"

Katsuo Kasai pondered: "I have heard of Chen Dadao Kaige from your country, who has considerable connections in the film circle and cultural circles?"

"Yes, his father was a highly respected old director who had some say in the cultural circles during his lifetime."

"'Aftershock' and 'Zhang Wuji' are now the fiercest competitors. Can we stir up their conflict?"

Katsuo Kasai wanted to borrow strength to strike, using underhanded means to make enemies for Lu Kuan.

The poet's family background was not cheap, coming from a film family; domestic old-generation filmmakers and critics watched him grow up.

In the future, in 2012, when Yang Mi was filming his "Caught in the Web," she was expelled from the crew by the poet couple for scheduling conflicts, and Wang Luodan from the Beijing circle replaced her.

The latter eventually won the Best Supporting Actress at the Golden Rooster Awards for the role of Yang Jiaqi, while Da Mimi cut herself off from the circle of big directors from then on; it is said that Chen Hong blocked her in the circle of big directors.

From another angle, the combination of Chen Kaige and his ex-wife Hong Huang, judging from the matching family status, also shows the superiority of his family background.

After all, Hong Huang is the granddaughter of Zhang Shizhao, and her mother, Zhang Hanzhi, was the English teacher of the Great Man, and finally married Minister Qiao, and was personally approved by the Premier to live in Shijia Hutong.

Wu Kebo hesitated: "Chen Dadao? They have never had any grudges, but there is a video on the internet recently, maybe we can make a fuss about it."

That's right, the phenomenal video by Hu Ge has had a significant fermentation trend in the past two days, and many people in the film circle are joking about it.

Such a first-generation parody video in the country is quite creative and can be used as a topic for drinking and dining.

Katsuo Kasai laughed after hearing him finish: "Then I'll leave it to Wu Sang! This should be easy, right! Doesn't he have a video website?"

"I suggest not doing it so obviously."

Wu Kebo rubbed his stubble: "Lu Kuan has always been sharp. Even if a parody short film appears on Inquiry Realm Video, he will just block it."

"The whole internet is full of videos, Chen Kaige's hatred for him won't be too high."

"Why not do this: find someone to find the video creator in the name of Inquiry Realm, find an excuse to give him promotion fees, and finally we will expose the matter."

"Chen Dadao has always been high-minded, and 'Zhang Wuji' is very expensive. This is a powder keg that will explode at a touch."

"By then, even if the truth is clarified, once the dispute between the two sides starts, the rights and wrongs will be unclear."

Katsuo Kasai's eyes lit up when he heard this; as long as the anger on both sides is stirred up, it can cause some trouble for Lu Kuan at this critical moment.

Wu Kebo took a sip of wine and pondered carefully, having to admit that the little devil's move was still quite sharp.

Chen Kaige's father passed away in 1994, and many uncles in the circle are incumbent leaders of the film department, which can cause obstacles at least in the filing and review of the script.

No matter what level of director you are, or the richest man in the country, the power of the system will teach you how to be a person.

In addition, at this time of the Olympic opening and closing ceremony plan bidding and the selection of the general and deputy directors, it is also very beneficial to build Lu Kuan into an image of using despicable means to harm peers.

After all, such a major national event cannot be occupied by anyone who is not virtuous and talented, at least on the surface. Even if this young director finally proves his innocence, the estrangement and farce between him and his industry peers and senior directors will always have some impact, right?

If such a person is made the general director, can he unite all forces to serve the country?

This has to be a big question mark!

Without prestige, losing word-of-mouth and people's hearts, even if Lu Kuan becomes the general director, if his orders don't leave the office, how can he do things?

This is not without precedent in the future.

In Zhang Yimou's Olympic documentary, there was once a plot that was deleted: his assistant took the creative team and Zhang Yimou's own signature and seal to submit the report.

The seven or eight departments that needed to be run were delayed for various strange reasons and refused to stamp, which can be called difficult little devils.

Seeing that the deadline for material procurement was about to be missed, the helpless Old Mouzi went directly to the heavens, and the Premier came forward to make instructions personally, which was then successfully solved.

Wu Kebo was willing to take action, naturally having his own demands.

"I hope NEC or Great East Sea can provide me with some more funds."

"The expansion speed of Inquiry Realm Jiahe's cinema chain in the mainland is not fast, I think Cheng Tian still has some opportunities."

"In addition, Cheng Tian lacks directors, I hope to use huge signing fees to try to poach Inquiry Realm's famous directors."

As Cheng Tian, who appeared as a challenger in the domestic entertainment industry, facing the territory that had basically been divided up, there was actually limited things Wu Kebo could do.

Poaching Wang Jinhua was naturally a pioneering work, enriching the most basic artist resources, but the shortcomings in directors and cinema chains were obvious.

In the future, in 2006, Wu Kebo began to seek the acquisition of Jiahe, and completed the acquisition in 2007.

Subsequently, he established a cinema and real estate investment group, creating a super-large all-digital modern cinema flagship store represented by Orange Sky Jiahe 66.

The supporting facilities of this cinema include five-star boutique hotels, fashion dining, book bars, cultural leisure, top-level audio-visual experience venues, artist studios, and other formats, which is almost the same development idea as Wanda.

Wu Sang's ambition cannot be said to be small.

But in the way of directors, in the future, he only cooperated closely with a few people like Zhang Li and Yan Po, and the rest were hired from outside.

Wu Sang, who was addicted to holding a hoe, obviously took a fancy to Inquiry Realm's Ning Hao, Xue Xiaolu, and maybe even Xu Zheng.

Katsuo Kasai smiled and nodded; he wasn't afraid of you making demands, he was afraid of you holding a disguise of loyalty and patriotism and dying for face.

Cooperating with himself this time, obviously the next time will be a matter of course, just like cheating, there is only once and countless times.

"Speaking of directors, please do me another favor, Wu Sang."

"Go ahead."

"Yanda Huayi has a young director, I heard he was also as famous as Lu Kuan a few years ago, and debuted around the same time, called Lu Chuan?"

"Yes, his first film 'The Missing Gun' participated in the 2002 Cannes Film Festival together with Lu Kuan's 'Whiplash'."

"What does Kasai-san mean?"

Katsuo Kasai pondered: "He seems to be planning to film a movie about the massacre as well. I would like to ask you to contact him."

"If possible, we want to invest in this film."

"Or, how about signing him over in the name of Cheng Tian?"

Katsuo Kasai had investigated this Taro who debuted slightly earlier than Lu Kuan and was once known as a rising star among domestic young directors.

His father is a famous domestic screenwriter with some say in the cultural circles, and the father and son have a bad relationship with Lu Kuan.

The previous "Kekexili" was said to have been blacked out of the Golden Horse Awards by a certain domestic entertainment black hand, and was also hastily taken off the screen from the cinema chain.

Just like seeking direct contact with Boss Lu at the beginning, controlling the content of the film through investment.

Katsuo Kasai naturally also set his sights on Lu Chuan; I wonder if enemies can be turned into friends?

Wu Kebo was moved by his proposal.

Cheng Tian is indeed too lacking in directors. Now the domestic sixth generation, except for Ning Hao who is forced by Lu Kuan to film commercial movies, the rest are all people who are obsessed with art films.

Lu Chuan might really be a good choice; it just depends on how to talk to Yanda Huayi.

The two pushed cups and changed lamps, and conspired for a long time before dispersing.

The news that Boss Lu was going to invest in a massacre film shocked all these cats, dogs, and evil spirits, and they all began to huddle together for warmth.

This dispute in the domestic entertainment industry seems to be already on the string.

——

Actually, just as Boss Lu and the little secretary Chen Zhixi inferred, the collapse of the word-of-mouth of "Zhang Wuji," which had been in theaters for over a week, was an unstoppable trend.

Once the Emperor's New Clothes were pierced, and once the audience saw that the so-called praise from various film critics was the result of buying articles, they naturally began to boycott and not pay for it.

And for the cinema chain, I don't care if you are Zhang Yimou, Lu Kuan, Feng Xiaogang, or Chen Kaige, even if Spielberg comes.

As long as your movie is not popular and doesn't make money, immediately lowering the screen share is the meaning of the question.

The box office of "Aftershock" in the first three days just caught up with Friday and the weekend, and the 25th was Christmas.

But the numbers for the three days were still "dismal," reporting 18.33 million, 22.40 million, and 21.99 million.

Compared to the investment of 280 million yuan, even if the response in overseas and Korean and Japanese ticket warehouses was good recently, due to the film's subject matter, there was little profit in derivatives and product placement.

The pressure for the film to be profitable was still very high, and the domestic market was a basic market that could not be abandoned.

On the afternoon of December 27th, Chen Kaige and his wife Chen Hong were in the backstage of the Beiping Satellite TV studio, continuing to run promotions for the blockbuster that they had spent three years on.

Both of them had some sorrow on their faces.

Half of the release time had passed, and the box office reported 120 million, but the screen share had dropped to less than one-third of the premiere, mainly in the three days since "Aftershock" was released.

Facing such a bad situation, Director Kaige was also helpless, unable to maintain the lightness and lightness on his face.

The program was called "Listening," the only talk show on Beiping Satellite TV. The host, Cao Difei, opened the show according to plan and then began the interview segment.

"Director Kaige, we have some letters from the audience here, mainly some post-viewing feelings about 'Zhang Wuji.' I wonder if it's convenient for you to respond?"

This was a discussed segment and bridge, taking out some negative typical questions to answer, which was equivalent to publicly explaining and refuting rumors, and doing some word-of-mouth public relations.

Chen Kaige smiled: "I like to communicate with film fans who have ideas, please go ahead."

The audience applauded thunderously!

Who said our Director Kaige has a solitary personality? Isn't this very humble?

It was just that Liu Yifei's fate line changed in this life, and she was not sent by the fiber to be a host, otherwise she would teach you how to be a person!

Cao Difei raised some typical questions: "Director Kaige, what do you think about the audience's evaluation that 'Zhang Wuji' doesn't tell a story well?"

"'Zhang Wuji' tells a relatively complex story, but it is narrated clearly enough. Does a film pushed to the market have to explain the cause and effect of every action? That seems to be the style of a soap opera, right? Hehe."

"Hmm, next question: Chen Kaige wants to express too many things! What do you think?"

Director Kaige's thick eyebrows rose and fell, and the words he spoke were very professional: "Why can there only be one core character in a work? Can there only be one ideological core?"

"I think 'Zhang Wuji' pursues the narrative under the grand background like 'The Iliad.' When the background is big to the point of simplicity, what it focuses on is naturally the complex human nature of the stars shining. I hope film fans and friends will think about this."

A round of applause broke out at the scene; those who came today were also film fans who had been watching Chen Dadao since "Farewell My Concubine."

The first two questions were almost the standard rhetoric of negative film reviews, and sure enough, they appeared so vulnerable under Chen Dadao's personal response!

Cao Difei applauded along: "Thank you, Chen Dadao, let's look at the last question."

"The audience reflects that the General of Victory played by Hiroyuki Sanada is too cowardly and doesn't look like a general feared by everyone at all."

"Haha, I have to explain this a bit more."

Director Kaige was somewhat immersed in this output rhythm of sitting and discussing.

"Actually, I am happy to hear everyone say that Hiroyuki Sanada's character is cowardly. Why?"

"A good literary or film work must have complex character personalities and arcs. I'll give two examples and everyone will understand."

"Back then, the film 'The Emperor and the Assassin' was also scolded, and people found it hard to accept the cowardly and cunning Qin King played by Li Xuejian."

"In 'Brothers,' Yu Hua created a character with exceptionally shining human nature, Song Fanping. His explanation for this is: the external environment is already cruel to the point of being terrifyingly bad. If I wrote Song Fanping as a cunning person, I wouldn't be able to write it myself."

"Conversely, the story background of 'Zhang Wuji' is deliberately simplified. If the General of Victory were shaped into a wise and martial image, how thin would this film be?"

Chen Kaige became more confident as he spoke, as if he had found the experience when he was first assigned to the Guangxi factory and talked to Old Mouzi about his ideological core for "Yellow Earth."

"So! Friends, I can say this: if you want to truly understand this movie, without ten years, it is..."

The audience's enthusiastic listening was interrupted, and someone suddenly ran out from the backstage, with an anxious expression and a short tone.

"Director, something happened, come with me to see it first!"

"Nonsense!" Chen Kaige was very unhappy with the assistant's overstepping; didn't he see that he was preaching and solving puzzles?

"We are recording the program!"

"Difei, cut this part, I'll continue talking later."

Chen Hong, however, saw that the situation was extraordinary, otherwise where would this assistant, Xiao Chen, get such courage, and how would Beiping Satellite TV let him into the venue.

"What exactly happened?"

Xiao Chen panted: "There is a video on the internet that puts our..."

Chen Kaige and Chen Hong's expressions changed greatly. Xiao Chen didn't explain clearly in a few words, but a video that could explode on the whole internet would always have a huge influence.

He had to handle it personally.

"Chen Dadao, you go first, the program can be recorded at any time, don't worry."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

It never rains but it pours. Chen Kaige and his wife hurried to the backstage, and Xiao Chen dragged the video progress bar that had just been paused to the very beginning.

"The Bloody Case Caused by a Steamed Bun"

The twenty-minute video hadn't finished playing, and Chen Kaige angrily denounced it as shameless, raising his hand to smash the computer!

Xiao Chen stopped him with quick eyes and hands, and Chen Hong looked at the surrounding satellite TV staff who were watching the fun and also strongly advised: "Kaige, don't be anxious, let's go out and talk."

Chen Kaige's two thick eyebrows rose and fell, seemingly wanting to materialize into a fire-breathing black dragon.

"Go!"

Chen Kaige, who returned to the office, was still in a state of anger.

Three years of painstaking effort, three years of hard work, from Beiping to Shanghai, from Chengdu to Hangzhou, the couple traveled day and night, rushing to venues everywhere.

All areas surrounding this film were developed to the extreme, and even the expensive advertisements on CCTV were not spared.

And this "Steamed Bun" in front of him, which would be an exaggeration to call it crude, just a twenty-minute piece of cultural garbage, would undoubtedly cause strong smearing to "Zhang Wuji"!

This is like giving someone a strange and vulgar nickname; when this nickname is called familiarly, who cares what your real name is?

Chen Hong was relatively calm: "Where was it found?"

"Tianya, Mop, Blog Network almost all have it, and many internet portals also have it."

"Can you find the author?"

"Looking for him, contacting him."

Chen Kaige keenly discovered the point: "Inquiry Realm Video, is it not there?"

Xiao Chen was stunned. There are only Tudou, LeTV, Inquiry Realm, and Sohu video websites in the country now, and Inquiry Realm's influence is undoubtedly the greatest.

Isn't it good that it's not there?

"It seems... not."

Chen Hong had been married to Chen Kaige for almost ten years, and seeing his dark and unclear expression, she knew what he was thinking.

"Kaige, send a lawyer's letter first, let the major websites take down the video, otherwise sue them for infringement."

Chen Kaige shook his head: "What's the use if the root is not removed? I want to see who did it! Report to the police directly, I'll contact someone."

He is a famous director who has won the Palme d'Or, with an extraordinary family background, and his connections in various circles in Beiping are not shallow, so he quickly locked onto the "suspect."

Hu Ge at this time, although not poor, was generally a bit down and out.

After graduation, several jobs were not very satisfactory, and after resigning, he became a freelance musician, mainly engaged in recording and sound effect production for animations.

This "Steamed Bun" was just his entertainment work.

But inexplicably, a few days ago, someone claiming to be from a film company suddenly found him.

The person wrapped 10,000 yuan in letter paper, didn't reveal the source, just told him to re-edit the video and post it more on various websites.

If he had the ability and interest to continue producing, he could sell one to him for 10,000 yuan.

In the future, there was a real case of "Yi Li cross-provincial pursuit."

And the extremely angry, full-fire Chen Dadao, even if he didn't have such energy, it was not a problem to scare this Hutong student enough.

After the local hat uncle in Hubei found him, Hu Ge, who was scared out of his wits, confessed everything and decisively handed over the 10,000 yuan cash wrapped in letter paper.

And the origin of the cash, from the letterhead of the letter paper wrapped, seems to be visible.

A day later, Chen Kaige, who got the news, couldn't be called angry, he was simply furious, breaking two of his beloved cups in a row.

One of them was a souvenir he bought in Paris when he won the Palme d'Or in 1993, which carried very beautiful memories.

"Old Chen, what should we do?"

Chen Hong also couldn't make up her mind.

If it were an ordinary person, that would be it, but this person has debuted for four years, and countless people have fallen into his hands.

From the street ruffian Zhang Tianshuo, to the local official Yanei Liu Zeyu, from the Hong Kong Heavenly King and director, to the children of the ministry compound.

Now he is even more fully fledged, an existence of a hegemon.

Chen Kaige looked at the photo of the letter paper sent from Hubei, which was an internal document paper of Inquiry Realm Holdings that had been cut in half, and understood without doubt.

Chen Kaige, who was in a fit of anger, did not completely lose his mind, and also thought about whether someone was impersonating.

But combined with Inquiry Realm Video's deliberate avoidance of spreading "Steamed Bun" and the "no silver three hundred taels here";

Combined with "Aftershock" and "Zhang Wuji," which are the fiercest competitors in screen share;

Combined with the box office performance of "Aftershock" that is obviously not reaching expectations.

Of course, there is also his consistent prejudice against this rising star.

Director Kaige did not choose to forgive, he chose to face the abyss!

"Go! Find Han Shanping, see what he says!"

Chen Hong looked at her angry husband, took his trench coat and followed quickly.

This matter can be considered to have drilled into the legal vacuum at this time, and it is useless to find trouble with Hu Ge or the website.

In the future, Chen Kaige also sued Hu Ge, and finally it was left unsettled.

Considering Lu Kuan's status and identity, if Chen Kaige wants an explanation, he must first find Han Shanping.

Both films have investment from China Film, and "Zhang Wuji" has even more investment.

Even if you, flat-head, wear the same pair of pants with him again, you must have fairness on the surface, right?

If this bit of face is thrown to the ground, then Chen Dadao can only "carry the coffin and fight to the death."

You little wolf cub debuted for four years, but I have already debuted for thirty years!

China Film Group in Xiaoxitian, Chen Kaige didn't control his emotions and strength when pushing the door, and the door of Old Han's office suffered a little crime today.

"What's wrong with this?"

Chen Hong looked at her husband's iron-blue face, fearing that he would have any dispute with Han Shanping, and immediately grabbed the cause and effect and confessed it.

"No way? Lu Kuan is not such a person, right!"

Old Han's words are still fair. It can be said that his means in other aspects are sharper, but for the domestic film industry, he has never done anything that exceeds the rules and destroys unity.

"Han Zong! You watch the video first, see how our work that spent more than 300 million was ruined."

"Let's talk after watching."

Chen Hong casually opened a website link on Hao123, and Old Han looked suspiciously at the secondary creation masterpiece that had spread all over the internet.

Ten minutes later...

"Han Zong? What do you say?"

Flat-head actually really wanted to finish watching, it's damn interesting...

He sighed: "I'll call him!"

(End of chapter)