China Entertainment: I have been a director since 05

……

Time flies,
It's already February 4th.

In the afternoon.

Tang Wei suddenly called.

"Director Guan, it's broken."

Guan Ling joked, "Did your water break?"

"I wanted my water to break, but Director Guan wouldn't give me a packet of amniotic fluid."

Tang Wei was almost speechless after Guan Ling's words, but he reacted quickly and immediately retorted with a joke, leaving Guan Ling speechless for a moment.

After seeing that Guan Ling did not react, Tang dared not probe any further.

He simply said softly, "20 billion, that's it."

Guan Ling opened the website, where real-time box office records were now available online. The data from authoritative box office statistics agencies was constantly scrolling, bright red, jumping and climbing like a strong heart beating.

1.88 billion!
When Guan Ling saw that her movie had also surpassed 2 billion, she couldn't help but squint her eyes.

When the astronomical box office figures, which solidified 2013 into a stable year of 20 billion yuan, appeared on everyone's desks, the entire entertainment industry seemed to be put on hold, and everyone fell silent.

For Guan Ling, deafening cheers, screams, and applause seemed all too commonplace.

Comedy films released during the Lunar New Year season are meant to be enjoyed by the whole family. The fact that they broke 2 billion yuan after such a long wait is a testament to Xu Zheng's talent!
It is the power of comedy films.

But for this film, "Hong Kong Trip," it's a different feeling altogether.

Despite being released during a less popular period, being a niche film, and having stars who weren't exactly household names, and being released during the four-day May Day holiday, and even clashing head-on with "Iron Man 3," "Hong Kong Trip" still managed to unleash tremendous power under this pressure!

It's worth noting that "Iron Man 3" was an absolute blockbuster in China, with this Hollywood superhero epic, a collaboration between DMG Entertainment and Marvel Studios, accounting for nearly half of all screenings.

However, the phenomenon of "tickets being hard to come by" still exists.

In its first four days, the box office has already exceeded 3.5 million yuan.

As a film that was temporarily decided to be released during the May Day holiday in April, its popularity could have been used to reshape the film market, completely stir up movie-watching enthusiasm across the country, and achieve a multi-point radiation effect across industries and fields.

However, it still couldn't completely crush "Hong Kong Trip," which also grossed nearly 300 million at the box office.

You don't know until you see it in contrast, and once you do, you'll be shocked.

Everyone knows that Iron Man 3 has now grossed over $600 million worldwide, making it a record-breaking film worldwide.

No matter which movie it is, it would probably be crushed into dust by it.

But "Hong Kong Trip" managed to hold on!
On the filming location in Inner Mongolia, the corks of the champagne popped open that night, and the golden liquid gushed out, soaking the expensive suits and costumes, but no one cared.

"Two billion!!!"

"My God! It's broken two billion!"

"Director Guan! Director Guan is awesome!"

"The greatest film in Chinese cinema history! Unprecedented!!"

"Director Guan, congratulations!"

Zhang Junning, Wu Jing, Huang Bo, and others were speechless at Guan Ling's awesomeness.

Especially Wu Jing, who is the type of person who is reserved but passionate. Although he didn't say much, the veins on the back of his hand were bulging. If the wine glass hadn't been rounded to absorb the force, Wu Jing would have almost crushed it in his excitement.

The other people at the scene were also so excited that they were incoherent.

"During the Lunar New Year film season, Xu Zheng broke the 2 billion mark, and everyone said that Director Guan was weak. But now, Director Guan has shown them what strength and toughness really mean!"

"A real man is never weak, it's just that the timing isn't right!"

"To achieve such results in an unpopular release window, who dares to say anything? We'll tear his mouth apart!"

"It's not just about 2 billion anymore, it's about breaking the box office record in Chinese film history!"

With only one day of holiday left and the box office figures still rising, people suddenly realized...

This first place, which Xu Zheng hasn't even had a chance to enjoy, is about to change hands.

Moreover, it was a highly valuable transfer!
Although "Iron Man 3" ignited the entire film market in mainland China, even its midnight screenings were incredibly successful, frequently breaking new records in mainland film history, such as opening day box office, Wednesday opening day box office, and single-day box office champion.
The venue was packed, and tickets were extremely difficult to obtain.
It is the darling of the global film market, showered with love and affection.

However, "Hong Kong Trip" managed to hold out against the other side for four days as well.

Moreover, it seems there's no concern that its total box office revenue will be surpassed by the competition.

The phrase "at the end of one's rope" doesn't seem to apply here.

It's at its last gasp; it's not enough to break Lu Juan, but it can break Iron Man 3!

Historically, the competitive landscape between domestic and imported films has relied on protection months or even protection seasons to prevent direct clashes with imported films.
After the new film policy in 2012, the probability of domestic films colliding head-on with imported films increased significantly, and domestic films have been desperately trying to escape the "tiger coming" situation.

However, last year's Hollywood was somewhat lackluster, with no particularly high-grossing films, and the few that did exist were still masterpieces by Guan Ling.

But Hollywood Tiger was just taking a nap; he wasn't completely defeated.

Iron Man 3 is definitely a call to arms, with a special Chinese edition created specifically for the Chinese market. It's making a strong comeback, incorporating a multitude of Chinese elements.

Although it objectively triggered frequent criticism from many mainland viewers, it also objectively served as a topic for marketing.

For a film as powerful as "Iron Man 3" to fail to widen the gap with a movie that was already nearing its end and had been in theaters for almost a month, is a huge embarrassment.

"Director Guan has really let the entire entertainment industry know who's who in the Chinese entertainment industry is this time!"

At this moment, on Weibo, various forums, and among film critics, the entertainment industry was also swept up in the discussion.

A commotion ensued!
……

That night, the small celebration within the "Mars Rescue" crew, while not grand, was certainly unrestrained.

In a relatively quiet lounge, Guan Ling was leaning back in a large single sofa.

He was wearing a well-tailored dark casual suit, without a tie, and the collar was casually open.

In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside, there is only soft background music here.

On the coffee table in front of him sat a nearly untouched glass of whiskey, and in his hand he was toying with a brand-new smartphone.
On the screen were a flood of congratulatory messages and news updates about the 2 billion yuan box office, just sent by the assistant.

His face was expressionless, showing neither Zhang Junning's ecstatic joy nor Wu Jing's repressed schadenfreude, nor even the slightest hint of smug satisfaction.

Only deep within his eyes was a trace of profound weariness, and a kind of... indifference that had seen through the hustle and bustle.

Two billion? That's a huge number, enough to go down in history.

But it's more like a heavy shackle, locking away all the expectations the outside world has for him, and also locking away his infinite possibilities for the next step.

He knew that from this moment on, every film he made would be compared to those two billion.

But so what?!

This was exactly what Guan Ling wanted!
After two billion!
The momentum that had been building up before was naturally fueled by a raging inferno!
The clamor of the celebration banquet receded like the tide, leaving only a desolate mess and the lingering aroma of expensive cigars and champagne in Guan Ling's private lounge.

Guan Ling sank into the large office chair, her fingers unconsciously rubbing her throbbing temples. The weight of the 2 billion yuan box office record pressed heavily on her shoulders, draining away all genuine joy.

The door hinges let out a soft sigh as Zhang Junning walked in, gently closing the heavy oak door behind him, completely shutting out the outside world.

Zhang Junning is like a wisp of tranquility precisely cut out from the hustle and bustle.

She was elegant and intellectual, and very quiet, so Guan Ling didn't have many desires for her; he felt more about stability.

Her shoulder-length, jet-black hair wasn't meticulously styled or neat.
A few strands of hair fell unintentionally down her cheeks, making her skin appear as delicate as under a light snowfall in early winter.

It shimmered with a gentle luster under the warm yellow light of the room.

A flowing, dark green off-the-shoulder silk dress cascaded down her back.

It skillfully outlines a smooth and symmetrical curve.

She had a great figure—her shoulders were as graceful and elegant as a ballerina's, her waist was perfectly cinched, and her bare feet on the carpet beneath her skirt revealed her slender ankles, which were breathtakingly white in the shadows of the corner of the lounge, like a frozen ray of moonlight.

"Director with 2 billion, aren't we going to celebrate?" She swirled her wine glass, her hair brushing against the back of his hand, her gaze full of affection.

The single sofa was too small; when she sat down, the hem of her silk skirt brushed against his trousers, and her exposed ankles were dazzlingly white in the shadows.

Guan Ling's fingertips traced the wine stains that still lingered on Zhang Junning's collarbone: "You came without washing it off?"

"Won't we shower together?" Zhang Junning asked back, raising her arm as she tilted her head back and finished the rest of her wine, the lines of her Adam's apple rising and falling with each swallow.

Guan Ling's gaze moved from her swirling wine glass to the silk shoulder strap that had slipped slightly with her movements.
Further down is the collarbone area, which appears even more delicate under warm light.

The deep red wine stain, like a small stamp, was prominently imprinted in the delicate hollow of her left collarbone, creating a striking and breathtaking contrast with her snow-white skin.

Guan Ling seemed bewitched by that mark, a fierce battle raging within him between the meticulous calculations of a director and the primal impulses of a man. A moment of silence followed, like a taut string.

Finally, he reached out, his fingertips slightly calloused and cool from the red wine, and very slowly, with an almost descriptive force, gently traced the slightly concave line of the collarbone where the wine stain was.

Zhang Junning's body trembled almost imperceptibly when his fingertips touched him.
Like ripples spreading when a pebble is thrown into a calm lake.

She looked up at him, her clear eyes now filled with the twinkling lights outside the window, subtle yet radiant.
The undisguised, bold inquiry in his eyes was like a deep pool, drawing people in and making them sink.

That night, the earthquake zone where Inner Mongolia is located surprisingly resonated faintly with the tremors felt inside a certain building…

……

"After the 2 billion, Director Guan was indeed more excited than usual!"

The next morning.

With a satisfied smile, Zhang Junning continued with his filming assignment.

As a result, Director Guan was filming and shooting yesterday, and he got up more than 40 minutes late.

Fortunately, it didn't delay the filming process!

Director Guan couldn't help but criticize himself.

Men should definitely be tough!

But I just can't be too tired! It's not exactly an exaggeration, but as I approach thirty, I always feel sleepy.

I'm still too tired!

...

May 5th,

The news that "Hong Kong Trip" surpassed 2.1 billion yuan to become the highest-grossing domestic film was like a nuclear explosion.
It swept through the entire Chinese-language film industry and even the global film market.

The media reported on it extensively, with headlines that were increasingly sensational:
Guan Ling's "Zombie" Film Devours 2 Billion Yuan, Reshaping the Landscape of Chinese-Language Cinema!

"<Hong Kong Trip>: A Game-Changing Phenomenon!"

Two Billion! Guan Ling Achieves Godhood, Who Can Compete?

At this moment, everyone's expressions were quite a sight to behold.

After learning the news, Zhang Yimou's lips trembled for a long time before he muttered to himself, "What exactly are these spectators watching?"

That night, he locked himself in his study and repeatedly played clips from Guan Ling's new film. He didn't sleep all night, studying Guan Ling's lines word by word until his scalp tingled!
The atmosphere was tense at a private salon gathering in Beijing's elite social circle.

The air was thick with smoke, and the smell was sour and astringent.

Box office figures don't tell the whole story!

Wang Shuo lit a cigarette, his expression indifferent.

"Guan Ling has really made it big."

"It's not just in movies; this guy taught me a real lesson in the television industry as well."

Zheng Xiaolong looked displeased; Guan Ling had thoroughly disgusted him with his previous TV dramas.

"The Legend of Zhen Huan" is often compared to "Go Princess Go".

He was so disgusted that he couldn't sleep well for many days.

Although that TV series has nothing to do with Guan Ling on the surface.

But everyone knows in private that Guan Ling made a lot of money from that TV series.

Zheng Xiaolong was both angry and anxious!
They're still holding a grudge!

"What does the movie 'Hong Kong Trip' offer besides sensory stimulation? It's vulgar! It has no depth whatsoever! The popularity of this kind of film is purely a gimmick!"

Zheng Xiaolong angrily rebuked!
"Isn't what entertainment works all about? If there's enough hype and it keeps people watching, then it's a good work."

Wang Shuo's views are not entirely the same as others.

He now holds Guan Ling in much higher regard.

In the past, Guan Ling was just a director in his eyes.

What say do they have?

Now, as Guan Ling's films achieve higher and higher box office returns and her influence grows, he has indeed been quite affected.

The right to speak!
The other side is not only fighting over it!
And the advantages are significant!
But what can we do?!
Aside from producing better movies, more good scripts, and better TV series, there doesn't seem to be much else that can be said.

Wang Shuo said, "We need to contact those people in the Beijing circle later and come up with a strategy. Everyone has to contribute resources, money, scripts. Otherwise, things will look bad."

Everyone responded enthusiastically.

Let's strive to reach a scale of two billion!

When discussing the fact that the film has now surpassed 2 billion yuan, and is the second one to do so, and both are related to Guan Ling.

Everyone was a little silent.

In fact, everyone can see that the Beijing investment circle is collectively gripped by anxiety. Projects that were initially full of confidence have suddenly become lackluster under the shadow of the 2 billion yuan "Hong Kong Trip".

Most importantly, even some of the young directors who are considered to be part of the Beijing film industry are wavering.

They could clearly see that many young directors were caught in a state of fanatical worship and confusion.

"Director Kwan is amazing! He can do genre films like this?"

"Shouldn't we also consider a more commercial approach?"

Such remarks often appear!

Guan Ling's name has become a new "myth" in their mouths.

This is definitely not a good sign.

When "Hong Kong Trip" officially finished its run, the hashtag "Wu Jing is very tough in the entertainment industry" swept the trending searches.

It's not just Wu Jing who's tough in the movie.

Off-screen, Hong Kong's confrontation with Iron Man is itself a tough act!

Along with related promotional entries, Liu Yan's "Collapse of the Apocalypse" also began to receive massive publicity.

A man should be tough!

Women should be open-minded!
These terms bombarded the trending searches in turn.

It's so confusing that people can't tell the difference.

Many viewers were stunned!

If you keep talking about this, we won't be sleepy anymore!

(End of this chapter)