Full-time actor

Chapter 529 [94] Opportunity to get a direct PhD from the Central Academy of Drama!

"Hi, Chan, congratulations on "Departures" winning the Golden Lion!"

The familiar loud voice of Harvey Weinstein came from the other end of the phone. Although Chen Yu despised this pervert, he still smiled and said, "Wayne, thank you!"

"How about it, are you interested in working with me?"

"What cooperation?"

Chen Yu asked the question even though he knew the answer.

"Hahaha, I want to buy out the European and American distribution rights for "Departures"!"

Weinstein told Chen Yu the purpose of his call. Chen Yu had obviously guessed it long ago: "Of course, no problem. Should I let my company's representative talk to you, or should I talk directly to the Miramax representative?"

Chen Yu knew the company this guy ran.

Miramax is an independent film company founded by Weinstein in 1970. It is currently the largest independent film company in Hollywood, responsible for distributing niche films with high artistic value or less popular ones.

After being acquired by Disney, the largest of the Big Eight film studios, in 93, it immediately became the leader of Hollywood independent production; however, its performance is getting worse year by year. However, in Asia, this guy has focused on this area in recent years, and he is doing very well with the title of Hollywood's first independent producer.

Especially a number of Chinese directors and film producers were fooled by him.

Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou have always worked with him.

His main competitors in Europe and the United States are Fox Searchlight and several leading European companies, such as Europa and MK2, which have been relatively strong in recent years, while Miramax has become increasingly weak.

"No, no, no!"

Weinstein yelled over the phone, “I’m no longer at Miramax!”

"Oh?"

This guy left the company he founded?

Is this a fallout with Disney executives?
"I have opened a new company under my own name, and your film will be the first foreign-language film produced by my new company!"

This pie is really big.

Chen Yu smiled and said, "But as far as I know, haven't you signed an internal distribution agreement with Chen Kaige's The Promise?"

This is no longer a secret.

Although "The Promise" has not yet been released, Weinstein disclosed this matter to the media at Cannes in May; Chen Kaige also agreed.

"Of course, but Departures will come first, I promise!"

"The Promise" should still be in the post-production stage, so what Weinstein said was not wrong; but Chen Yu would not believe this guy's nonsense. What he has always done is to ask for a high price first, scare off a bunch of film producers who want to buy it, and then find fault with you to lower the price.

For example, it was claimed that it had bought out the European and American distribution of "The Promise" for 3000 million US dollars, which was the highest price paid by a foreign distribution agency for a Chinese film before 05. But in fact, Chen Kaige was bleeding profusely and did not even get 2000 million in the end.

Moreover, Weinstein ultimately did not help distribute "The Promise", but sold it to an independent company under Warner.

Weinstein even had a hand in this.

He deliberately picked on Chen Kaige, saying that Chen Kaige's 121-minute version was not the one he wanted; in the end, Weinstein submitted "The Promise" for the Golden Globe Award, and it was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film, and the version was 101 minutes.

The version edited by Weinstein without his permission was successfully shortlisted and then transferred at a high price.

In the end, the 102-minute version released in North America was edited beyond recognition, and Warner also changed the beginning and the ending... In short, the movie was bad to begin with, and the North American version was the worst, which led to Arthur's popularity in North America completely disappearing, and he was scolded by the audience to the point of becoming autistic.

If someone insults him at home, he will sue him until he loses everything; but if someone insults him abroad, he just pretends he didn't hear it.

"3000 million for the European and American distribution rights. How about a collaboration, Chan?"

Weinstein is quite optimistic about "Departures", not because it won the Golden Lion; there are many movies that have won the Golden Lion award, but few have sold for as high as 3000 million US dollars. Instead, in his opinion, this film can compete for an Oscar.

The Golden Globe is no longer a problem, Weinstein is confident about it; once the Oscar is won and the film is released in North America, with such influence and marketing, even if it is just an art film, Weinstein thinks it can gross over 100 million!

At least, one of the leading actors, Chen Yu, has already had some influence in North America.

What's more, he is one of the only two Grand Slam actor in the world.

Many marketing plans flashed through Weinstein's mind one by one; this movie is not only of high quality, but also has diverse publicity and promotion.

"I can assure you that before this movie is released, you will definitely be the most popular Chinese superstar in the United States!"

"Wayne, thank you for thinking so highly of me. I'll discuss this with my company and then give you an answer, okay?"

Of course Chen Yu didn't refuse.

Because although this old guy is cunning, Hollywood is indeed all-powerful; if his 3000 million US dollars is real and can be paid directly, Chen Yu would be happy to facilitate this cooperation with him.

I'm afraid that this kid will make a false move, and if nothing unexpected happens, he will definitely spread the news to the outside world today.

He spent 3000 million US dollars to secure the European and American distribution of "Departures".

Many small publishing companies were simply scared away.

Fox Searchlight and other film studios probably can't come up with so much money; this is not like "House of Flying Daggers", martial arts films still have a strong box office appeal in North America.

Plus the award, he could sell it for 8000 million.

"Departures" is just an art film; even though it won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in its previous life, its final global box office was only 7800 million US dollars, of which Asia contributed 7200 million US dollars.

There are only 150 million in North America, and all the people in Europe combined are less than 500 million.

Therefore, the price of 3000 million US dollars is indeed a very high price, entirely considering the Golden Lion Award and Chen Yu.

But Chen Yu felt that Weinstein might not be able to do it; because it is actually very difficult for Westerners to understand the East Asian death customs. Only China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and a few other countries can empathize with this.

There is definitely a limit to the box office.

"Well, I look forward to working with you!"

"In my opinion, this movie is definitely worthy of winning Golden Globe and Oscar awards. I have the confidence!"

"I see!"

This guy is making empty promises again. I guess Zhang Yimou and Kaizi were confused by his promises at the beginning; but Chen Yu was not moved at all.

At least he still has CAA, which can help him publicize the corresponding awards. It's not just you, Weinstein, who can do that.

"Kung Fu", invested by Columbia, will also be nominated for the Golden Globe next year, thanks to Sony.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yu quickly sent a text message to Yu Xin's overseas distribution department: "Send me the latest quotes for "Departures" from several distributors!"

Soon, Chen Yu received the corresponding quotation on his mobile phone.

"what happened?"

Seeing Chen Yu sitting at the desk with a serious face, calculating something, Liu Yifei walked over.

She subconsciously hugged Chen Yu's neck from behind, leaned on his shoulders, and looked at the various numbers written in front of Chen Yu.

"I met the old rogue!"

Chen Yu smiled, but didn't actually take it to heart.

You have a plan, but I have a ladder.

"What kind of hooligan method is this?"

Liu Yifei didn't quite understand, but she did hear the conversation between Chen Yu and Weinstein and knew it was probably about the sale of movies.

"There was a villain who wanted to buy "Departures" for 3000 million. He claimed that the price was this high, and everyone was scared off by him!"

"Will the other villains believe it?"

"Yes, he will give a deposit!"

"and then?"

Liu Yifei seemed to understand this story a little.

"Then the deposit will be taken away, and you won't be able to sell the film!"

"No way?"

Liu Yifei thought about it and realized that the Americans were indeed capable of doing such shameless things: "But is there no way to restrain him?"

"Yes, I have!"

"Repay the other person with his own way!"

"Blackmailed the other party over the price?"

Liu Yifei suddenly held her chin, leaned into Chen Yu's arms and said, "If it's a deposit, the contract must have been signed!"

"If I don't sell it, will I offend this guy?"

"It will indeed offend, but we can take a roundabout way!" Chen Yu took a look at the quotes. Fox Searchlight offered the highest price, 2000 million US dollars.

This guy Weinstein earned 1000 million more than the other party.

Chen Yu estimated that Fox Searchlight would only offer a premium of 100-200 million at most; 3000 million would be absolutely impossible. It seemed that Weinstein was really awesome, and he knew that no other company could offer that price.

This has been his method of defrauding people over the years; this old guy is very clear about the quotes from other companies.

He still has this strength.

“We can find a publisher!”

Liu Yifei suddenly raised her head, and she thought of a way: "Why don't you ask Richard? Even if you just pretend, I think this old rogue will be fooled, right?"

"Smart, how come you think of the same thing as me?"

This wife is smart!

People say that women in love become stupid, but Liu Yifei's IQ is still high.

"It's definitely not okay to rob a thief. The deposit has been taken, but he doesn't want it. If someone else wants it, it will be troublesome!"

"So just intercept it!"

Chen Yu took out his cell phone and called Richard from CAA; this guy had actually sent him a message of congratulations the very first time last night; this was great news, as he won the Venice Film Festival Best Actor Award, Chen Yu's endorsement fees, his value, etc. would all go up, and he was grinning from ear to ear.

"Chan, are you awake?"

Richard laughed, but Chen Yu pretended to be distressed and said, "Charlie, there is something that bothers me!"

“Too many awards?”

"Of course not, I'm not kidding, Weinstein is targeting me now!"

“Weinstein?”

"That's a very troublesome guy!"

Richard frowned: "What's the matter, he wants to buy the distribution rights of "The Undertaker"? "

"Yes, but many of my Chinese friends told me that this guy is a liar!"

"Hahaha!"

Richard obviously knew about Weinstein's reputation, but there was no need to be so nervous when working in the same circle. Besides, Disney was behind Weinstein, and Richard didn't want to make enemies with them.

So many Americans turn a blind eye to it. After all, everyone’s butt is dirty.

Scandals will only be exposed if they involve the interests of many people or offend higher-level people.

Richard is a guy who only has Chen Yu to help him make money. They seem to have a good relationship, but in private, he is not a good person either.

The United States is a realistic and ridiculous country, and the elites are actually very united.

"So you don't want to make this deal with him!"

"Of course, I'm afraid I've been fooled by him too!"

"Indeed, we all know the tricks of Weinstein, but many people can't do anything to him. What do you think now? Do you want me to help you resell it?"

Of course, CAA is responsible for selling the distribution rights of films, and they do whatever work that can make money.

But if CAA does this, it will offend Weinstein, and Richard will definitely have to consider the pros and cons.

Of course Chen Yu would not let him do that, as it would make it difficult for Richard.

"No, I need you to spread the word that a publisher has offered to buy "Departures" at a high price..."

“Isn’t that Weinstein?”

“No need to say who, but the price must be higher than his!”

"Hahaha, I understand!"

It was fake news, but it made Weinstein hesitate; he might have some doubts, but Chen Yu could also use this excuse... In the end, even if the deal failed, he wouldn't be embarrassed.

"Okay, I'll report to the relevant media right away!"

"Send me the specific cost when the time comes!"

We must not let CAA work in vain.

"No need, just consider it a gift for you to get the Volpi Cup in Venice!"

"But to be honest, I'm curious what price Wayne offered?"

"3000 million!"

Chen Yu did not hide it. Richard shrugged and said, "This is indeed a number that is hard to refuse, but I think he only wants 500 million to get the film "Departures"!"

"So, I can only use smokescreens. Either I force Wayne to quote the actual price, or I sell it to Fox Searchlight!"

"I'll also ask a few independent distributors for you. They should be interested in your film... Sony and Warner still value Asian films very much!"

"Okay, but forget it if it's less than 2000 million!"

"..."

The two chatted for a while, and then Chen Yu hung up the phone.

Next, all we have to do is wait for the outside world to react; Chen Yu doesn’t need to stay in Venice, as someone will handle the relevant film sales.

He and Liu Yifei will fly back to China tomorrow.

Next, "Mission Impossible 3" will conduct the final filming in China.

Ding!
A text message popped up on Chen Yu's personal cell phone.

One morning, Chen Yu actually received many messages of congratulations from people, but he had no time to reply. But after seeing the sender's name, Chen Yu immediately opened his phone, because the text message was from his teacher Chang Li.

"Congratulations, Chen Yu, you won the Best Actor Grand Slam at all three major film festivals!"

"Thank you, Teacher Chang!"

Chen Yu replied quickly.

"A new semester has started, did you know?"

Although it was understandable that Chen Yu and Liu Yifei were absent from the school because they were attending the Venice Film Festival, Chen Yu was still embarrassed when the teacher asked him this: "I know, I will come to the school to register after I return home!"

"I'm not rushing you about this!"

"You are a senior now and will graduate soon. It doesn't matter whether you come to school or not. You have to think about your graduation drama!"

"Do you have any plans to take the postgraduate entrance examination?"

"..."

Chen Yu turned his head and glanced at Liu Yifei. In fact, Liu Yifei was also reading the text messages on Chen Yu's phone. It was he who asked her to read them.

Although Liu Yifei had actually been peeking for a long time.

"Postgraduate entrance examination?"

"Is this necessary?"

Liu Yifei obviously hadn't thought about this.

"Have!"

"necessary!"

Chen Yu had actually thought about it, but he didn’t want to apply for a graduate degree in acting, but rather in directing.

"Apply for the postgraduate entrance exam for the directing department of Beijing Film Academy?"

Liu Yifei knew that Chen Yu's goal had always been to become a director.

"Test?"

"Does your husband still need to take the test now?"

Chen Yu smiled and said that this was not bragging.

With his current Grand Slam resume, he can go straight to a Ph.D. without taking an entrance exam at either the Central Academy of Drama or the Beijing Film Academy. It just depends on whether he wants it or not.

(End of this chapter)