I'm not just a director

The day before the screening of "Inception", Lao Mouzi's "Hero" ended its screening and was officially released.

"Hero" was released, and the audience's enthusiasm for watching the movie was unprecedentedly high.

Not to mention anything else, this lineup alone is definitely unique in the mainland.

And its generous investment has made countless people excited.

In this era when an investment of 6000 to [-] million is considered a masterpiece, Lao Mouzi waved his hand and more than [-] million went out.

At the same time, judging from the selection of materials, it is actually no longer new. After all, there was "Jing Ke Assassins the King of Qin" directed by Chen Da.

Therefore, the focus of the promotion of "Hero" is on the cast, production team and the colorful pictures that he is best at.

After the promotional video was released, in the words of later generations, any part of it could be used as wallpaper.

Sure enough, on the first day of the release of "Hero", all cities achieved impressive results.

For example, in Jin City, which is the closest to the capital, more than a dozen movie theaters screened "Hero".

This kind of packed-out scene is rare in Tianjin Film Market.

According to statistics from Tianjin Film Company, "Hero" achieved a box office "miracle" of 20 yuan that day.

The box office of Guangming Cinema alone exceeded 6 yuan on the first day.

Moreover, the box office of "Hero" does not rely on group ticket purchases, but more from retail sales.

Many industry insiders believe that the popularity of "Hero" at the box office is related to Lao Mouzi's strong promotion of "Hero".

In the coming days, all cinemas across the country should give the highest priority to preventing piracy.

Many theaters have stepped up patrols during screenings to prevent pirated copies of "Hero" from appearing in the market.

Not long after "Heroes" was released, it was nominated for the American "Golden Globe" for Best Foreign Language Film, known as the "Oscar barometer."

And this undoubtedly adds to the possibility of "Hero" entering the Oscars.

Many people commented that Lao Mouzi's "Hero" is a fire in winter, and the movie market is burning warmly.

"I watched "Hero", and I have to say that it was Lao Mouzi who made the movie. The pictures are exquisite, and the casting is very suitable for the characters. It's awesome!"

"I watched the movie, but to be honest I didn't understand it. I went to assassinate the King of Qin for the sake of the world.

Seeing that he was about to succeed, but suddenly said that he gave up the assassination for the sake of the world, so everyone sacrificed in vain before?I don’t understand Lao Mouzi’s brain circuit. "

"A bad movie, a complete bad movie. To me, it's a piece of shit covered in butter. It cost me my movie ticket."

“To be honest, the visuals are amazing. Director Zhang’s control over the visuals has never been surpassed by any domestic film director, but the plot is really psychedelic.

I have been looking forward to it for a whole year, and now this is what happened to me?I'd better watch Director Jiang's "Inception". "

Some people praised "Hero", but many others criticized it.

Lao Mouzi's filming of "Hero" was a gamble, and it was also his first transformation.

Before, Lao Mouzi's films were mostly literary films, but this time, he made a breakthrough for the first time and chose the mode of commercial blockbusters.

From the perspective of later generations, it can be said that "Hero" saved the entire sluggish Chinese film market at the time and opened the door to the commercial blockbuster model.

It allows investors to see the power of Chinese audiences, and even huge investments can be recouped.

But what did Zhang Yimou gain?
Compared with previous praises, "Hero" was criticized by countless film critics in China.

They believe that "Hero" lacks the core and is too hollow compared to Lao Mouzi's previous works.

It has beautiful appearance but no content at all.

It was not until later that the Douban score of "Hero" climbed hard to 7.4 points.

……

Despite the criticism, the box office of "Hero" has been rising like a rocket.

Looking back at Jiang Pei'an's "Inception", the audience who watched the screening were immediately confused.

"I admit that he is very strong, and even the big scenes in the film cannot be compared to Hollywood blockbusters, but I didn't understand it!"

"Brain-burning, it's really brain-burning. I don't think this can be considered a science fiction movie, but a brain-burning suspense science fiction movie!"

"Brothers, can anyone tell me how many layers of dreams there are? I feel confused just looking at them!"

“I watched ‘Heroes’ and I also watched ‘Inception’.

I originally thought that I couldn't understand ancient costume movies, and the compassion of the ancients.

But after watching "Inception", I realized that I couldn't even understand modern movies anymore. I felt like my IQ was being rubbed against the ground! "

One of the audience’s comments was the most interesting:
"I have watched two popular movies this year, and I found that it's not that the directors are playing tricks, but that the threshold for watching movies is too high.

The styles of Directors Jiang and Zhang are vividly reflected in these two films, although the styles and themes are completely different.

But I have a hunch that after "Inception" and "Hero", the Chinese people's film viewing aesthetics have been improved by these two directors single-handedly.

This is not entirely a bad thing. I believe that if the next movie directors continue to use the previous level to fool the audience, their movies will definitely flop! "

After this comment was posted, it immediately attracted the recognition of many people, and there was a heated discussion around the threshold for movie viewing.

Jiang Pei'an has also seen this comment, and he thinks it is a bit too exaggerated to "improve the public's movie viewing aesthetics by his own efforts".

The audience's aesthetic appreciation is passive and requires a good viewing experience and long-term accumulation to gradually improve.

There are too many uncertain factors in this process, and it cannot be easily achieved in one or two movies.

Regarding the comments from many viewers who said they could not understand "Inception", Jiang Pei'an just smiled lightly.

Some movies may only leave you with an impression after watching them once. Many details may require a second or third viewing before you can understand them.

If he were just a new director, making this movie would be like an old lady drinking arsenic.

But now that he is making this movie, the audience will only feel that they cannot understand it, instead of blaming the director for being mysterious.

What's more, "Inception" has its own attraction for the audience.

Everyone sleeps and dreams, and what happens in the dream world has always been something that many people want to understand.

Dreams are inherently illusory and illusory. Nowadays, it is really rare to have a movie with scientific support, and it is made into a science fiction movie, and it also expresses everything in dreams so realistically and coolly.

Just for those cool and unheard-of images, this movie is worth watching!
"Boss, do you need me to urge the theater to pay for the box office?"

Sister Su Yu walked in wearing high heels.

Jiang Pei'an shook his head and said:
"Every venue is full, so there is no reference value, so it serves as an advance publicity."

"Ok."

"By the way, have you published all the articles I asked you to publish online and in magazines and newspapers?"

"Everything has been arranged. Except for some things related to plot analysis, which will not be released until the movie is officially released, the rest will probably be launched today."

Jiang Pei'an nodded.

Didn’t the audience all report that they couldn’t understand the movie?Take it upon yourself to do some groundwork and popular science.

For example, Freud's research on dreams was applied in "Inception".

For example, use psychoanalysis to explain a certain phenomenon in the movie, and give a detailed interpretation of the places that people don't understand.

These are not so much popular science about the movie's settings as they are disguised promotions for the movie "Inception."This is a bit like how science magazines interpreted the concept of parallel time and space when "Source Code" was released.

It's still the same routine, but after the science magazine, Jiang Peian chose to do it more securely.

To avoid causing controversy like last time.

……

Ten days after its release, "Hero" has already exceeded [-] million box office. Although everyone scolded it fiercely, it is still hard to stop the public's expectations for the blockbuster.

Half a month after "Hero" was released, Jiang Pei'an's "Inception" was finally officially released.

On December 12, "Inception" was officially released.

The college student named Li Lu that Jiang Pei'an kept his promise invited to the movie screening site.

"Classmate Li Lu, may I ask if you are invited to attend the premiere of "Inception" this time? What do you want to say?"

Different from the last screening, this time the premiere lineup was more luxurious, and a press conference was held directly in a hotel in Beijing.

As the producer of "Inception", Han Shanping also came to the scene in person.

“I am very excited and thank Director Jiang for giving me this opportunity.

To be honest, this was my first time attending a movie premiere and being on the same stage with so many stars. "

Li Lu, who was surrounded by reporters, was very excited, and his eyes became red.

The cameras present captured this detail keenly.

"Then what do you want to say to Director Jiang who invited you here this time?"

Another reporter asked.

"I, I am very grateful to Director Jiang. There has never been a director who can treat the fans like him.

I like his movies very much and hope he can become the most powerful director in China... No, he already is! "

Li Lu faced the camera and said excitedly.

Jiang Pei'an is wearing a suit and is also being interviewed.

Many people were present at the scene, including Cheng Long and Jet Li, the main creators of the show, as well as actors who Jiang Pei'an had worked with before.

For example, Yu Rongguang, Hu Jun, Yu Feihong and others, and others such as Feng Xiaogang, Ning Hao, Ge You, Zhang Guoli and others were also present.

The star lineup is stronger than when it was screened. There are thirty or forty stars present.

Among them are Jiang Pei'an's own friends in the industry, but there are also people who come to China Film Group Han Shanping.

Now everyone knows that China Film Group's "Inception" and the new-screen "Heroes" are competing in the arena, so of course everyone has to show their support by showing up.

"Thank you for coming to the premiere of "Inception" this time."

Jiang Pei'an walked up to the stage in a suit and spoke to the crowd with a microphone.

Hearing this familiar voice, everyone present couldn't help but smile.

This is not the first time Jiang Pei'an has done this as a host at his own movie conference, but there is absolutely no director in the entertainment industry who has done this.

"Last week, less than half a month ago, we did several screenings of "Inception" in Shanghai.

After the screening, some movie fans and journalist friends came to me and said they couldn’t understand.

Although the pictures and the acting skills of the actors are very good, it is so good that they feel that this is not like a Chinese movie..."

When he said this, Jiang Peian paused, and the audience immediately burst into warm applause.

"This kid, it's a pity not to be those entrepreneurial mentors."

Feng Xiaogang clapped his hands and smiled and said to Ge You next to him.

Ge You leaned back in the chair and said with a smile:
"Which entrepreneurial mentor can make so much money? I will be one too."

"Hey, that's not true."

Everyone in the audience was amused by Jiang Pei'an's request for applause.

I saw Jiang Pei'an on the stage continuing:

“So, I’m here to get some input from you guys.

After watching the movie, you can post some of the details online so that more viewers can understand the plot. This is my request.

Everyone saw it, and our classmate Li Lu also came to the scene..."

Li Lu, who was sitting in his seat, was suddenly cueed. He quickly stood up and bowed to everyone present.

"Hehe, Li Lu, don't be too polite, everyone should know why Li Lu came here.

He probably wrote an article about his review of the "Inception" documentary and posted it online. I thought it was pretty good, so I invited him to attend the premiere of the film.

Here I also assure everyone that if I see the appropriate interpretation of "Inception".

I will also invite him to the premiere of my next movie just like I invited Li Lu. The number of places is twenty. "

After hearing Jiang Pei'an's words, the audience immediately became restless.

Is this an official event to collect prizes?
"Director Jiang, do you keep your word?"

"You must keep talking, my son!"

Hearing Jiang Peian speak this Sichuan dialect, Zhang Guoli and Han Shanping looked at each other.

Isn't this exactly what Zhang Guoli said at the "Source Code" press conference, imitating Han Shanping?

"This stinky boy."

Han Shanping laughed and cursed.

"Then I won't disturb everyone watching the movie. Haha, I hope everyone will pay more attention to this prize collection."

After Jiang Peian finished speaking, he walked off the stage. The lights in the theater gradually went out, and everyone focused their attention on the big screen.

At the beginning of the movie, the waves crashed on the rocks and Jiang Peian woke up from the beach, which immediately attracted the attention of all viewers.

For any movie, the opening shot is like the key to the world of light and shadow, leading the audience on a cinematic journey.

It can be said that whether a movie can catch the audience's attention in an instant and create a good chemical reaction with the audience.

The opening scene of Inception is a bit overwhelming.

If the foreshadowing above is confusing.

So when he, Jiang Pei'an, walked indoors to have dinner with the elderly Zhang Hanyu, and then the camera turned around and both of them returned to their youthful appearance, it made the audience crazy.

"Oh my God, what's going on? Why are both of you getting younger?"

"A flashback? It's interesting."

"It doesn't feel that simple, keep reading."

... (end of this chapter)