It's reasonable for me, a stuntman, to live a crazy life, right?

Chapter 1384 At the beginning of the Spring Festival, the situation of rivalry has been established!
"The premiere of 'Bureau 749' cannot be held."

In the project team, looking at the trending topics that were causing a stir outside, Lu Chuan said something to the head of Tencent Pictures' publicity department, which completely stunned the latter.

"why?"

The publicity manager's pen clattered onto the table, his face full of disbelief: "Director Lu, our film has been in preparation for so long, and the cast and special effects are all top-notch."

Now that "The Wandering Earth 2" has generated so much buzz with its 'sci-fi' hype, it's the perfect time to hold a premiere and leverage that momentum for promotion!

Lu Chuan leaned back in her chair, her fingertips lightly tapping the table. Her tone was calm but carried an undeniable certainty: "It's precisely because it's so 'top-of-the-line' that we can't play by the rules."

He looked up at the head of the publicity department across from him, a sly glint in his eyes: "Think about it, audiences are already tired of premieres. Red carpet, interviews, trailers, it's all the same old routine."

But our show, *Bureau 749*, tells a story of mysterious events in the unknown, so it should inherently have a "keep away" vibe.

“But…” The supervisor wanted to argue, but Lu Chuan interrupted him.

"Maintaining mystery is the only way to whet the audience's appetite." Lu Chuan stood up, walked to the window and looked at the bustling traffic outside. "No premiere, no trailers, not even any details about the plot, let the audience guess."

Is it a disaster movie? A sci-fi movie? Or a thriller? The more they couldn't figure it out, the more they wanted to know the answer.

He turned around, a smile playing on his lips: "We're going to be different. Everyone else is shouting 'Come see me!' but we'll say 'Don't rush, we'll surprise you later.'"

This contrast itself is the best form of suspense! On release day, having audiences enter the theater with a belly full of curiosity is more effective than any premiere hype.

The supervisor stood there, stunned, and began to ponder the logic behind those words.

What Lu Chuan said did make sense.

In recent years, the promotion of film and television has become increasingly homogenized. If "749 Bureau" can really break through the encirclement by "subverting the norm", it may be able to create a different kind of popularity.

"But..." he still hesitated, "Wouldn't the risk be too great to do this?"

“Risk?” Lu Chuan raised an eyebrow. “What filmmaking project is risk-free? But rather than following in someone else’s footsteps, I’d rather take a gamble.”

Remember, audiences are always curious about the unknown; what we need to do is preserve that curiosity until the very end.

After saying that, he picked up the project proposal on the table and tapped the words "Bureau 749" heavily: "It's settled then. The publicity plan will be revised, focusing on the word 'mystery'."

Seeing Lu Chuan's determined gaze, the supervisor finally nodded.

His superiors had instructed him to obey Lu Chuan's orders completely.

Although I don't know why, since my boss has given such an order, I might as well obey and do as he says.

Moreover, Lu Chuan's suggestion does make some sense, and it might have some effect?

……

With the Spring Festival approaching, premieres of major films are being held one after another, with stars shining on the red carpet and creating a lively atmosphere.

But after reviewing his schedule, Chen Fei ultimately only confirmed one film, "The Wandering Earth 2".

After all, it was a key project co-produced by Feiyue Films, and as the representative of the production company, he had to be present in person to show his support.

Before setting off, Liu Yifei jokingly said, "This year's Spring Festival film season is so lively, the premiere invitations for films like 'Man Jiang Hong' and 'Nameless' are piling up, are you really not going to go and see them?"

Chen Fei, wearing a tie, replied without looking up, "There's no need. Those films are either competitors or the style doesn't suit me. Going there would just be socializing, which is pointless."

In his view, it's better to focus one's energy on one's own projects than to waste time on irrelevant occasions.

When another movie was mentioned, his eyes showed more anticipation: "Speaking of which, I really want to see 'Boonie Bears: The Big Adventure'."

That was also an animation that Feiyue Films invested in. The series had consistently high box office returns in the past few years, and its reputation was impeccable.

My son, Xiaoshitou, is a die-hard fan of Boonie Bears, and he talks about wanting to watch Bald Qiang and the two bears every day.

"Then why didn't you go to the premiere?" Liu Yifei asked curiously.

“Fantawild has never done this kind of thing.” Chen Fei shrugged helplessly. “They’ve always been low-key when making animations, with small-scale publicity, and they’ve never had a premiere. They rely entirely on word-of-mouth from previous years, with audiences spreading the word.”

This "good wine needs no bush" approach, though seemingly laid-back, manages to carve out a share of the market every year during the Spring Festival, making it quite unique.

"Then we'll just have to wait until it's released. We'll take Xiao Shitou to see it then." Liu Yifei picked up her coat and handed it to him.

"Okay, sure." Chen Fei took the coat, took her hand and walked outside. "Let's go to the 'The Wandering Earth 2' venue first and see if our space elevator can blow up the screen again."

……

The capital city, Pan-Asia flagship cinema.

The red carpet at the premiere of "The Wandering Earth 2" was already packed with media and movie fans.

As soon as Chen Fei and Liu Yifei appeared, the flashbulbs went off one after another, and the cheers almost shook the scene to its core!
After all, this "husband and wife team" rarely appear together, let alone at the premiere of such a major sci-fi blockbuster.

"Director Chen! Yifei! Look this way!"

"Go for The Wandering Earth 2!"

"Wife..."

Amidst the cheers and shouts, the two smiled and waved as they walked side by side into the venue.

As soon as she entered, Liu Yifei was pulled away by Xie Nan and Liu Yan who came to greet her.

The three of them huddled together and chatted about topics that women usually talk about, with soft laughter occasionally drifting through the air.

Chen Fei then went to Wu Jing and the others.

"Director Chen, it's great to see you again! It's been so long!" Wu Jing shouted excitedly, his voice still loud and clear.

Guo Fan, Liu Dehua, and Li Xuejian gathered around.

"Director Guo's second film is much more ambitious than the first one," Liu Dehua laughed as he looked at Chen Fei, unable to hide his admiration. "The concept of the space elevator alone is enough to make us applaud."

Li Xuejian said in a gentle voice, "It is my honor to participate in such a project. Our own science fiction should be filmed like this."

Chen Fei's gaze lingered on Liu Dehua for a moment.

It's actually quite interesting to think about.

The duo of Lau Kin-ming and Chan Wing-yan in the original "Infernal Affairs" were incredibly popular.

But now, Liu Dehua has become one of the main actors in "The Wandering Earth 2" as "Tu Hengyu", while Tony Leung can only partner with popular actors like Wang Yibo.

This shows that the saying "your position determines your perspective" is absolutely true.

During their casual conversation, Wu Jing suddenly remembered something and leaned closer to Chen Fei, saying, "By the way, the Film and Television Association just had a leadership change, and Teacher Chen Daoming became the new president. I was promoted to vice president. You... are you really not considering coming back? A lot of people are looking forward to seeing you."

Chen Fei smiled and shook his head: "Forget it, I can't stand those rules and regulations. It's more reliable to focus on my project. You guys do a good job, I'll fully support you."

He had no interest in getting involved in the association's trivial matters; he preferred staying on set or in the editing room to attending meetings and giving speeches.

Moreover, although many "old things" have retired, there are inevitably some who are "dead but not dead," and he has no interest in being restrained by others.

Upon hearing this, Wu Jing didn't bring it up again, and laughed it off.

Not long after, the lights in the venue dimmed and the screen lit up.

When the massive space elevator pierced through the clouds, carrying Earth's hopes directly to the space station, the first wave of gasps of amazement erupted from the audience.

When the ethical dilemmas between digital life and the real world unfolded, and Professor Li Xuejian uttered the line "Moving mountains and filling seas for future generations," the theater fell silent, with only suppressed breathing sounds.

The shocking scene of the moon exploding at the end made many people clench their fists, their heartbeats seemingly drowning out the sound system!
Sitting at the table, Chen Fei looked at the expressions of amazement and emotion on the faces of those around him, and he knew very well that Guo Fan's hard work over the past few years had not been in vain.

From the first installment's "crossing the river by feeling the stones" to the second installment's "building a science fiction universe," Chinese science fiction is on a steady upward trajectory.

When the end credits rolled, the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for a long time.

Guo Fan stood on the stage, his eyes reddening: "Thank you everyone. Please believe me, this is just the beginning. Our journey is to the stars and the sea!"

Chen Fei clapped along, a smile playing on his lips.

This Spring Festival film season features hard science fiction like "The Wandering Earth 2", which is sure to bring a huge shock to the film industry!
Meanwhile, the premiere of "Man Jiang Hong" also kicked off at another cinema.

Laughter and cheers filled the theater; Shen Teng's comedic lines drew laughter from the entire audience.

Yi Yangqianxi's portrayal of Sun Jun is sharp-eyed, and his scenes with other actors have made the audience applaud.

Sitting in the front row, Dong Ping watched the intense plot and enthusiastic audience reaction on the screen, unable to hide his smile, and tapped his fingers lightly on his knees to keep time.

As soon as the premiere ended, he immediately called the head of the publicity department into the corridor: "From now on, bring up all the publicity surrounding Yi Yangqianxi."

The person in charge paused for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "President Dong, this... won't there be any problems? Although the previous incident didn't escalate to the point of a ban, netizens seem to be quite sensitive about it."

"What's so sensitive about it?" Dong Ping waved his hand, his tone certain. "The civil service exam thing happened almost half a year ago, the rumors have long since died down. Haven't you noticed how much quieter the comments section is when he attends events recently? The internet doesn't have that long a memory."

He paused, a calculating glint in his eyes: "Besides, he has a significant role in the movie, and his performance is indeed quite good. It would be a shame not to promote him."

Focus on aspects like "Yi Yangqianxi's transformative work" and "his first period drama/suspense role," releasing more behind-the-scenes footage of him practicing martial arts on set to cultivate an image of "hardworking and dedicated."

The person in charge still had some concerns: "What if someone brings up old grievances..."

“I’m not afraid of bringing up old grievances.” Dong Ping interrupted him. “The box office figures are right here. The audience is happy. Who’s going to hold onto the past?”

If any haters really start causing trouble, have the PR team suppress them. If that doesn't work, buy some articles that say "the general public thinks it's okay" to dilute the situation.

He patted the person in charge on the shoulder, his tone firm and unquestionable: "Listen to me, get things arranged quickly. Whether this film can break through during the Spring Festival depends on this. We absolutely cannot skimp on viewership. Once the box office explodes, everything else will be easier to discuss."

The person in charge nodded and immediately turned to arrange the work.

As Dong Ping watched the audience gradually leave the theater, his smile grew increasingly smug.

In his view, the internet's memory is like footprints on the beach; a wave comes and they disappear without a trace.

As long as the movie makes money, this risk is nothing to worry about.

Meanwhile, following the premieres of "The Wandering Earth 2" and "Man Jiang Hong," multiple media outlets immediately began releasing press releases:

"The premiere of the sci-fi blockbuster 'The Wandering Earth 2' has come to a spectacular close, with the iconic space elevator scene going viral online, setting a new standard for domestic sci-fi!"

"Details of 'The Wandering Earth 2' are being meticulously researched! Netizens have uncovered the prototype of the 'door frame robot,' and Li Xuejian's lines contain hidden meanings."

"Warmest congratulations on the pre-sales of 'The Wandering Earth 2' exceeding 200 million yuan. Wu Jing and Guo Fan said: This is not the end, but a new beginning."

"The premiere of 'Man Jiang Hong' was a mix of laughter and tears; I was laughing and then I started crying."

"The biggest highlight of 'Man Jiang Hong' is the 'reversal'; Yi Yangqianxi's action scenes are praised, and his transformation work is a pleasant surprise."

"Pre-sales for 'Man Jiang Hong' are close to those for 'The Wandering Earth 2.' Zhang Yimou said: 'I want to tell a passionate story through comedy.'"

……

As the popularity of "The Wandering Earth 2" and "Man Jiang Hong" continues to soar, other films in the Spring Festival season have also accelerated their marketing efforts.

Lu Chuan's "Bureau 749" continues the mystery route.

The official Weibo account only released a poster of a "mechanical arm extending from the ruins" with the caption "January 22nd, don't look back," which whetted the audience's appetite.

Looking around, the comments section is full of speculation about whether it's science fiction or horror.

Cheng Er's "Nameless" gained popularity for its "duel between two heroes" scene featuring Tony Leung and Wang Yibo. The gloomy color tone and intense dialogue made spy drama fans exclaim, "It has the right feel!"

As for the animated film "Deep Sea," a "particle ink painting" special feature was released, with its vibrant colors and fantastical deep-sea world going viral on social media, and it was predicted to be "the most suitable animation to watch with children during the Spring Festival."

"Swap Lives" is geared towards "family entertainment." The comedic scenes of Lei Jiayin and Zhang Xiaofei swapping lives have garnered millions of likes on short video platforms and have become a "selection list" for many families.

Just as all the films were busy with their pre-release promotions, an even bigger bombshell dropped!
"The Return of the South China Sea," which has been in theaters for more than half a month, has officially surpassed 30 billion yuan at the box office!
This figure not only secured its position as the top-grossing film of 2022, but also set a new box office record for domestic fantasy films.

The news sent the film industry into a frenzy!

Ning Hao's social media accounts were flooded with "congratulations," as the stock prices of the listed companies that were fortunate enough to participate in the production rose by 5% in a single day. The filming locations, such as Shanhe Film and Television City and IP amusement park, also became popular tourist destinations.

A cinema manager remarked in an industry group: "From the first to the final installment of the 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' series, the box office has increased tenfold in five years. This is the right way to cultivate an IP!"

What's even more encouraging is that nearly 40% of the 30 billion yuan box office came from third- and fourth-tier cities, which means that the audience for domestic blockbusters has long since broken through geographical limitations.

One film critic immediately wrote: "The success of 'The Return of the South China Sea' proves one thing: as long as the story is solid and the production is meticulous, domestic fantasy can absolutely compete with Hollywood!"

...

Before you know it, New Year's Eve is here.

While families across the country are celebrating this time of reunion, major film and television companies are all turning their attention to the Spring Festival film season.

At this time of year, the Spring Festival film season was dominated by films like "The Wandering Earth 2" and "Man Jiang Hong," with a host of new releases following behind. Coupled with the box office success of "The Return of the South China Sea," the entire film market seemed to have been injected with a powerful boost.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating what new records this Spring Festival film season will set.

(End of this chapter)