A widower's entertainment

Chapter 352 [A Powerful Alliance] (Please Subscribe)
Xinghua Hutong, Beijing.

The film "Atonement" won two awards at the Cannes Film Festival: Best Screenplay and the Jury Prize, which has generated a great deal of buzz in the domestic film industry. Of course, another important thing is that "Atonement" can be shown in domestic cinemas without any ban.

This is undoubtedly very important for the film "Atonement". In addition, "Atonement" will also be submitted for review to compete for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. These are all affirmations of the film "Atonement".

Of course, the most important reason is that when "Atonement" was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, it was recognized by foreign film distributors, who then bought the film distribution rights in overseas countries.

It's fair to say that the film "Atonement" is very popular overseas.

Of course, Lin Youcheng, an Eastern author and screenwriter, is still very popular overseas, especially in Hollywood, the United States. There's no way around it; several of his films have been released in succession, all of which are related to his work and have achieved excellent box office results and critical acclaim. How could this not attract the attention of overseas film companies?

"The Time Traveler's Wife" achieved remarkable box office success, and more importantly, the film received excellent reviews. In addition, the following releases of "The Lake House" and "Every Day," both relatively low-budget romantic films, also created a significant wave of romance in Hollywood. In particular, the unique storyline of "Every Day," along with cameo appearances by a host of Hollywood stars, undoubtedly made the film even more popular.

It's fair to say that several films currently making it to the North American box office are related to the author, Lin Youcheng.

Of course, Lin Youcheng himself did not pay much attention to these news from abroad. At most, he was informed by people from the Times Publishing Company that his movie was released and that it was doing well. Apart from that, Lin Youcheng in Xinghua Hutong was not greatly affected.

Of course, people in the domestic film industry will still hear news of Lin Youcheng's popularity overseas.

However, even without the good news of the film's box office success, many people in China know that Lin Youcheng is popular overseas. After all, if he were not loved by foreign readers and audiences, foreign film companies would never spend money to buy the rights to Lin Youcheng's novels and screenplays.

As for Lin Youcheng himself, he is now thinking more about his film and television company.

Wang Shuo and a group of writers have established a successful film and television studio called Haima Film and Television Studio. Their previous TV series "Aspiration" was very successful. Not long ago, they also wrote the script "Stories from the Editorial Department". For some reason, Zheng Xiaolong had mentioned to Lin Youcheng that one day the script for "Stories from the Editorial Department" suddenly disappeared mysteriously, which made everyone very anxious. Other screenwriters and writers did not plan to write it. At this critical moment, Feng Kuzi stepped in and helped Wang Shuo write the script.

Clearly, the film and television company founded by Lin Youcheng is not just about selling scripts.

The most important thing for a film and television company is naturally the production of film and television dramas. Putting aside movies, the production of TV dramas is definitely sold to local TV stations. This means that it includes not only the script, but also the entire production crew, and even the company's actors and artists.

Lin Youcheng was well aware of this, but it was precisely because he was so aware that he wasn't in a particular hurry.

Because he knew very well that establishing the company was actually simple; what mattered was the subsequent film and television works, or rather, the most important thing was capital.

After all, whether it's filming a movie or a TV series, these all require funding.

Xie Shuhua naturally knew Lin Youcheng's plans and understood why he wasn't in a hurry to set up a company. However, she also asked Lin Youcheng about his thoughts on the company name, asking, "So, have you thought of a name for the company yet?"

Lin Youcheng smiled and asked, "How about Huaying?"

"Huaying?"

Obviously, this name is China Film, or Huaxia Film. Although it is not as direct as "China Film Group", the name is still very clear. In addition, Huaxia Film Distribution Company will not be established until 2002.

Of course, besides Huaying, there are also companies like Enlight Media, or Huaying Shengshi, which are film and television companies that will appear later. It can be said that at this time, no matter what name Lin Youcheng gives the company, there will be no problem, since those companies will not appear for a long time.

Xie Shuhua smiled and said, "Isn't that too blunt? Huayi is, after all, a film art."

When Lin Youcheng heard Xie Shuhua mention the name "Huayi," he thought it was acceptable. However, he worried that it might clash with many other art and media companies in the future, especially Huayi Brothers, which was quite similar. Of course, these were not things that Lin Youcheng cared about.

Capital is still the most important factor.

Actually, the earliest private film and television company in China was Shanghai Xinmin Company, founded in 1913. The company operated under a "contracting" model, jointly established by Asia Bookstore and Zhonghua Bookstore, which provided funds and equipment. The Chinese team was responsible for scriptwriting, actor recruitment, and filming execution. It was a pioneer in the domestic film production industry. In its early days, it mainly produced short films, such as "Difficult Husband and Wife". Its operating model was a Sino-foreign joint venture, with the foreign party providing funds and equipment and the Chinese party responsible for content creation and production. This kind of cooperation was quite common in the early domestic film industry.

Lin Youcheng certainly won't be looking for foreign investment now, so he will naturally pay more attention to capital, that is, the capital accumulation in the early stage.

Lin Youcheng was well aware that even in the future, movies would still require capital investment, otherwise they would just be empty shells. If his daughter Lin Zhaomei really became a director, she would also need funding. If she didn't need other capital support, then naturally the company would need to have strong capital strength and be able to have complete say in the creation of the work.

Lin Youcheng thought for a moment and said, "The company name can be Huayi. It doesn't just refer to film art; it can also include other things. We can call it Huayi Media."

In fact, Lin Youcheng had indeed thought about having several children. After all, he had initially considered that Lin Zhaomei would be making movies in the future, and having his own film and television company would undoubtedly be better. With so many children at home, it wouldn't be as bad as the Calabash Brothers, but it wouldn't be much different either.

The six arts of a gentleman, and coincidentally, he also has six children at home. Huayi is definitely much better than Hulu Film and Television Media, and all the children grew up in Xinghua Hutong.

As for whether Huayi Brothers should change its name, that's not something Lin Youcheng needs to consider.

Although Xie Shuhua didn't quite understand why Lin Youcheng didn't name it Huayi Film and Television Company, but instead named it Huayi Media, she didn't ask further. She would leave it to Lin Youcheng. She only asked, "When does the company plan to be established?"

"Not urgent."

Lin Youcheng wasn't actually in a hurry about the company's affairs. He knew very well that the domestic film and television industry was still in its early stages, and the film market wasn't doing well. The television market would be more popular later on, so there was no need to take big steps in the early stages. He could focus on small, high-quality projects and take it one step at a time. Of course, talent was always the most important thing, and he still needed to cultivate talent for the company. He couldn't really rely on his children growing up. After all, Lin Zhaomei had said she wanted to be a film director, but who knew if she would change her mind like Lin Zhaoqing and not want to be a scientist anymore?

Lin Zhaoqing is indeed no longer thinking about becoming a scientist, since his biggest concern right now is the high school entrance exam.

Lin Youcheng's father was naturally well aware of this.

"By the way, Youcheng, when summer vacation comes, my older brother and the others should come to Beijing too, right?"

Lin Youcheng nodded and said, "Yes, I asked my brother, and he plans to come to Beijing in August. I also asked my brother and sister-in-law for their opinions, and they will stay in the house in the Asian Games Village."

Lin Youcheng certainly wouldn't lack a house. He planned to give the house directly to his elder brother's family, and also buy a shop for them, letting Lin Youcai and his sister-in-law Fang Mei decide what kind of business to do. However, Lin Youcai refused both offers, thinking they could discuss it later when they came to Beijing. As for buying the shop, Lin Youcai didn't want Lin Youcheng to spend any more money, thinking they could rent it first if they wanted to do business.

Although Lin Youcheng verbally agreed with Lin Youcai's idea, he thought he would wait until his elder brother's family came to Beijing before making a decision. Anyway, he wasn't short of money, and buying shops now was just an investment.

Just as Lin Youcheng was chatting with Xie Shuhua, someone else came looking for him at the courtyard.

Song Ma came over and told Lin Youcheng that someone was looking for him. This surprised Lin Youcheng, and what surprised him even more was that it was director Hou Xiaoxian who came.

"Director Hou?"

Lin Youcheng was somewhat surprised, not expecting that Director Hou Xiaoxian would come to the courtyard to find him.

"Youcheng, it's been a long time!"

Hou Xiaoxian had naturally heard about Lin Youcheng's marriage. Bringing gifts from Taiwan, she said with a smile, "I just found out you got married. Congratulations!"

Lin Youcheng led Hou Xiaoxian and the people behind her into the courtyard, while Xie Shuhua helped Song Ma prepare tea and snacks.

Hou Xiaoxian is undoubtedly a master of Chinese cinema today. After all, he won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival two years ago with his adaptation of Lin Youcheng's "The Devotion of Suspect X," and the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival the year before that with "A City of Sadness." He won two of the highest awards at the three major European film festivals, making him an incredibly impressive figure.

Lin Youcheng asked with a smile, "What brings you here to visit me this time?"

"I should have come a long time ago. I was in the crew of Zhang Yimou's 'Raise the Red Lantern' the whole time."

Upon hearing Hou Xiaoxian's words, Lin Youcheng knew that Zhang Yimou was currently filming the movie "Raise the Red Lantern," and that Hou Xiaoxian was the producer of the film. He smiled and said, "It seems that if it weren't for Zhang Yimou's movie, you probably wouldn't have come here."

Hou Xiaoxian knew that Lin Youcheng was joking, so she apologized, "It really was my fault, but it's also wrong of you not to invite me to your wedding."

Clearly, the two had a few jokes and banter, and Hou Xiaoxian also got to know Xie Shuhua.

“I have read your novel ‘Atonement’ and it is very wonderful. Actually, I was interested in making it into a film, but I gave up after hearing that Chen Aige was going to adapt it into a film. I came here today to talk about your novel ‘The Reader’.”

Lin Youcheng raised an eyebrow upon hearing Hou Xiaoxian's words, somewhat surprised that Hou Xiaoxian would want to adapt and film his book, "The Reader."

Lin Youcheng naturally wouldn't mind Hou Xiaoxian adapting his novel. After all, Hou Xiaoxian's previous adaptations were absolutely brilliant. Otherwise, he wouldn't have won the Palme d'Or for his subtle and beautiful handling of "The Devotion of Suspect X," with its calm and restrained emotions and profound interpretations. Moreover, any adaptation of "The Reader" in China would likely have some considerations regarding its content, but Hou Xiaoxian's approach is different.

However, Lin Youcheng did not agree directly, but said, "Jiang Wen also mentioned this novel before, and he also has his thoughts."

Actually, Jiang Wen mentioned his interest in the novel "The Reader" not only when they got married, but Liu Xiaoqing also mentioned it to Lin Youcheng earlier, so naturally Lin Youcheng would also talk to Hou Xiaoxian about it.

Hou Xiaoxian naturally knew the actor Jiang Wen, after all, he was the male lead in Zhang Yimou's film "Red Sorghum". Somewhat surprised, he asked, "He's planning to adapt your novel into a film?"

Lin Youcheng said directly, "He did mention it, but he is currently preparing to shoot another movie."

Lin Youcheng then told Hou Xiaoxian about Jiang Wen's situation. It wasn't that Lin Youcheng was afraid of offending Jiang Wen, but he felt a little embarrassed because the previous films "The Dog" and "Atonement" had been given to other directors instead of Jiang Wen. However, if Jiang Wen didn't plan to film "The Reader," Lin Youcheng could hand it over to Hou Xiaoxian for adaptation and filming.

After listening to Lin Youcheng's words, Hou Xiaoxian understood what Lin Youcheng meant, nodded, and said, "Then I'll ask him later to see if he wants to film your novel."

Lin Youcheng nodded. Naturally, Hou Xiaoxian would discuss this matter with Jiang Wen himself. He knew Hou Xiaoxian's personality and suddenly thought of the story "Love" hidden in "The Reader". If the movie script for "Love" were written, it would be quite suitable for Hou Xiaoxian, the poet-director, to direct and film it.

"Director Hou, there is actually another story in 'The Reader,' I wonder if you would be interested."

Hou Xiaoxian was somewhat surprised to hear Lin Youcheng's words, and her eyes lit up as she waited for Lin Youcheng to continue.

(End of this chapter)