Chapter 65: Public Opinion Pressure

Three days have passed since the conflict on the film set.

With one week left until the first group stage match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup on May 31st—France versus Senegal—there have been no other major events in the entertainment industry.

Consequently, the keywords "Lu Kuan," "Xie Tingfeng," "Chen Guanxi," and "Whiplash" have appeared frequently in media publications and online forums, becoming the hottest topics of the past two weeks.

Aside from Zhang Ruoyun, countless entertainment gossip-mongers are also sharing in this feast.

Reporters have fully exercised their subjective initiative, digging up almost everything about Lu Kuan’s past and present—a man who is only half-famous—conducting carpet-search-style bombardments and interviews starting from his very first film crew.

First came the media bombardment from the Xiangjiang side, which held the upper hand.

[East Weekly]: Lu Kuan lacks the talent and virtue for his position; Xiangjiang actors escape the sea of misery.

[Apple Daily]: The mainland film market is highly irregular, and film sets are rife with chaos; Xiangjiang filmmakers must brace themselves to cope.

The biased media [Southern Metropolis Daily]: Why are there so many mishaps in film collaborations between the two shores and three regions? Mainland filmmakers need to reflect.

Reflect on what, damn it? The boiling point wants us to reflect, the US 9/11 wants us to reflect; it seems like if a citizen eats two extra mouthfuls of rice, they have to reflect. Screw you!

Naturally, some of the Xiangjiang actors involved in the incident took the opportunity to lash out at Lu Kuan in interviews.

[Chen Guanxi]: The director is violent and eccentric; the film set is just like a fascist regime. Only what he says goes; he doesn't allow actors to have their own thoughts or attitudes. It’s too much!

[Yu Wenle]: This was a rather unpleasant collaboration. It made me very disappointed in this young mainland director. I hope he can show better improvement in the future.

Yu Wenle’s family circumstances are decent, but he nearly went bankrupt during the 1997 financial crisis and is currently a workhorse in the entertainment industry, so he always has to leave himself some room to maneuver when he speaks.

[Xie Tingfeng]: Lu Kuan is a young director, but it is a pity that his level is not yet sufficient to handle such a production and so many excellent actors. I feel regret over the failure of this collaboration and hope he can improve his character flaws and enhance his communication skills.

This was likely because he and Huo Wenxi were considering the reaction from Mei Yanfang, which is why his words were not as sharp.

[Zhang Jianting]: There are many classic co-productions between the two regions, and the mainland has many excellent directors, but this Lu Kuan is clearly not among them. I don't even know if I should call him a director, because from the feedback of our artists, I cannot see a shred of professional competence in him. This is simply ridiculous. I hope no one like this will ever deceive the audience or harm investors again!

Other artists under the same agency, such as Twins, Zheng Xiyi, Chen Yixun, and others, although they did not directly attack Lu Kuan, expressed their support for Xie Tingfeng to varying degrees.

The fans of the three naturally launched a frenzy of abuse against Lu Kuan, blaming the mainland film crew entirely.

Relatively speaking, Lu Kuan’s supporters are far fewer; even with a few sporadic ones like Zhang Ruoyun, they cannot stir up any waves, and the situation on online forums is completely one-sided.

Senior fellow student Zhuang Xu called: "Xiao Lu, have you seen Xinlang Entertainment?"

"I'm looking at it now. What's wrong?"

Lu Kuan had just opened Xinlang Entertainment; at this point in time, Xinlang Entertainment is the undisputed hegemon of domestic entertainment portals.

Starting with the hit broadcast of *Meteor Garden*, they were the first to establish the mode of special topic reporting.

In December 2002, they also pioneered video reporting by live-streaming the premiere of *Hero* at the Great Hall of the People.

"Your previous decision was correct. The demand from internet users for the Web 2.0 model is growing stronger, and Wang Xing’s side is also just about ready. Can we launch the blog?"

After this storm, Zhuang Xu understands even more the significance of what Lu Kuan said about building a public opinion front; at the very least, when something like this happens, there is a channel to make one's voice heard.

This is the eternal pain in the heart of Boss Lu, who in his past life was a director by training but could never realize his ideals.

Under the jungle law of the entertainment industry, if you want to be a successful actor, you must at least have the strength of a director;

If you want to be a successful director, you must at least have the strength of a producer and investor;

And if you want to be a qualified producer and financier, you must have the strength to endure nine losses out of ten battles.

Because the risks in this line of work are truly too great. Which famous director hasn't flopped? Why did the Hollywood Big Eight become the Big Six?

"Tell Wang Xing to get ready. Internal testing first. I will give him the specific plan, and we will win a resounding opening victory!"

Lu Kuan hung up the phone and looked at the event interviews on Xinlang Entertainment. They were categorized and bizarre, making him feel dazed, as if he were watching someone else’s life.

Special Topic: Lu Kuan in your eyes and this film set conflict.

[Zhang Jizhong]: Lu Kuan is a young man with natural intelligence and great foresight. No matter what others say, I have always been optimistic about him. I will also send him an audition invitation for *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils*. I welcome everyone to continue following our crew’s casting progress. Thank you!

That damn bearded man, seizing every opportunity to build hype for his crew—a true marketing genius.

[Zhou Xun]: I met Lu Kuan when I was filming *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* in Wuxi. He was only 19 then, but in this short half-year, he passed the secondary exam for the Beijing Film Academy’s directing department with the top score and improvised the passionate song *Chasing Dreams with a Red Heart*. I think even the harshest standards cannot call this a mediocre talent. Therefore, I believe the evaluations of him by several Xiangjiang actors are biased. I will continue to support Lu Kuan.

Sister Xun is still one who dares to love and hate. She has no plans to work in the Xiangjiang circle now and doesn't care what that group thinks.

[Jiang Qinqin]: I am not familiar with Lu Kuan (serious face), but based on our experience working together on the *Legend of the Condor Heroes* set, I don't think he is a person with a perverse personality. Actually, he is a... um, that’s all. The director is calling for the scene, thank you.

Sister Jiang is still so gentle, but when she said she wasn't familiar with him, Boss Lu admitted there was a tiny, tiny, tiny bit of pain in his heart...

[Dong Jie]: Lu Kuan? Um, to be honest, we had very little contact. We didn't have many scenes together on set; it was basically just some interaction while filming.

Reporter: I heard you were quite close to him and have often visited his film set recently.

[Dong Jie]: That’s just a rumor. We really aren't that familiar, so I can't comment recklessly. However, I do admire the professional competence and dedication of Xiangjiang filmmakers. I hope there will be an opportunity to collaborate. Um, that’s all.

(End of chapter)