China Entertainment started in 2004

Chapter 636: Making an art film?

After returning to the capital, Wang Shu, as a junior, went to pay New Year's greetings to Han Sanping and gave him two cured chickens brought from his hometown.

We had lunch at Han Sanping's house, and my sister-in-law cooked.

Wang Shu initially had no plans to have dinner at Han Sanping's house, but Han Sanping insisted on pulling him over to have a couple of drinks.

Five dishes and one soup.

My sister-in-law didn't come to the table, so Wang Shu and Han Sanping sat there and had a drink.

As for their daughter, she was not at home.

The two of them first exchanged a few glasses of wine politely, and Han Sanping asked, "How long does it take for the film you are working on with Paramount to be made?"

When Hollywood studios make movies, they usually have a wrap date.

When an ordinary director makes a movie, he needs to finish it before the final date.

If you fail to do it many times, you may not have a job in the future.

In theory, a big director also needs to finish filming before the film is wrapped.

But big directors have no shortage of work, so some of them don’t take these things seriously.

"This movie is mainly based on real shooting, which is quite troublesome to shoot. It will take at least half a year." Wang Shu gave an approximate period.

"Half a year?" Han Sanping thought for a moment, then asked, "What happened after that? Did you return to China or stay in Hollywood?"

"I will probably stay in Hollywood." Wang Shu said his plan, "After the movie I'm working on with Paramount is finished, I plan to make an art film there."

"The production cycle of the two films combined takes at least more than a year."

Han Sanping was a little surprised when he heard this, and couldn't help asking, "Pacific Rim is so successful in China, so you don't plan to make another blockbuster?"

Wang Shuying said: "I have plans, but I also have my own plans."

“I will work with Paramount first this year, and then make an art film in Hollywood.”

"Even if I return to China to make a movie, it will be after the second half of next year."

Han Sanping thought for a moment and said, "If it's just two movies, we can speed up the production cycle."

"How about we try to free up some time in April or May next year, and then come back to China and make another blockbuster?"

"The success of Pacific Rim in China is very satisfying to us and we hope it will continue to be a success."

"But you've also seen that China Film has been working with other directors, and the films they've made are simply not as good as the commercial films you've made."

He wanted to continue working with Wang Shu to produce a commercial blockbuster this year, but he knew that since Wang Shu already had a plan, it would be useless even if he asked for it.

Today, Wang Shu is no longer the young man who just debuted, but an internationally renowned director.

The respect that is due must be given.

Only in this way can everyone have a pleasant chat.

Seeing Wang Shu thinking without saying anything, Han Sanping pointed out, "The people above watched Pacific Rim and praised it."

"If Pacific Rim wasn't a co-production, you would have won the next Huabiao Awards for Outstanding Feature Film, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Screenplay, etc."

“Because it was a co-production, ‘Travel to Taipei’ missed the Huabiao Award.”

This statement has already made it clear that as long as Wang Shu makes a qualified art film in the country, he will be awarded the Huabiao Award.

Seeing that Wang Shu still didn't speak, Han Sanping said, "I know you look down on Huabiao, Golden Rooster, Hundred Flowers, Golden Horse, etc."

"But, after all, you are a Chinese film director, so your roots are here."

"It's one thing to look down on someone, but it's another to have them, right?"

In the past, Wang Shu never participated in the Huabiao, Golden Rooster, or Hundred Flowers Awards because the organizers were concerned that they might turn him, a great international director, into a supporting role.

For example, the movie he made was clearly worthy of winning an award, but the organizers refused to give him the award and instead let him sit in the audience and watch others win the award.

This situation is possible with Huabiao, Golden Rooster, and Hundred Flowers.

That's why he never went, giving the organizers no chance to take advantage of him.

Anyway, he has won international awards, so he is not without honors.

Han Sanping's words now revealed one thing, that is, a big boss must have spoken.

Therefore, as long as the Chinese-language films he shoots in the country are of good quality, he can win the award.

Of course, it needs to be an art film.

Wang Shu nodded and replied, "That's true, but I have plans now. Even if I have an idea, I have to wait until next year."

Han Sanping analyzed: "Next year will be the award ceremony for the Huabiao, Golden Rooster, and Hundred Flowers awards."

"In my opinion, after you finish the film with Paramount, you should return home and make an art film."

"You can compete for the three major European awards, and also participate in the Huabiao, Golden Rooster, and Hundred Flowers awards."

After finishing filming "Interstellar", Wang Shu returned to China to shoot art films. He may not be able to make it to the Berlin Film Festival, but he will be able to make it to the Cannes International Film Festival in May.

After attending Cannes, the next events are the Huabiao, Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards.

Of course, it is difficult to win awards in Cannes. Apart from "Farewell My Concubine" directed by Chen Da, there is no other Chinese film that can win a major award.

Although it is possible to adapt award-winning foreign films, there is no guarantee that they will still win awards after being adapted into Chinese films.

In contrast, there are Chinese-language films at the Berlin International Film Festival that are worthy of winning awards.

For example, "Fireworks in the Daytime".

However, although this film won the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival, it failed to win the Huabiao, Golden Rooster, or Hundred Flowers Awards in China.

There is also a movie called "So Long, My Son", which won the Berlin Film Festival Best Actor and Best Actress awards.

However, this movie also failed to win the Huabiao or Golden Rooster awards.

Although in the original timeline, "So Long, My Son" was nominated for the Golden Rooster Awards and also produced Best Actor and Best Actress.

But that was in 2019, and the Golden Rooster Awards indicated that it needed to change, which is why "So Long, My Son" was nominated.

It is now 2010, and there is a high probability that this movie will not be nominated next year.

In short, few films that win the three major European awards can win awards in the country.

Wang Shu did not deny it directly, and replied: "I'll think about it."

This is something that really needs to be considered.

What Han Sanping meant was that as long as the art films he made were good and in line with domestic political correctness, he would have a chance at the Huabiao, Golden Rooster, and Hundred Flowers awards.

But Wang Shu plans to make another art film immediately after filming "Interstellar" to compete for an Oscar.

2009, 2010, 2011, three consecutive years of competing for Oscars.

If you win a big award for three consecutive years, it is also an achievement.

Comparatively speaking, the Huabiao, Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers in China are not fragrant at all.

Of course, if he plans his time well and rushes to shoot the movie.

It’s not like we can’t catch up with the Huabiao, Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers in the second half of next year.

After finishing filming "Interstellar" this year, he immediately made an art film to compete for an Oscar. In early 2011, he returned to China to make a Chinese art film.

In this way, we caught up.

Of course, Wang Shu could have chosen not to make art films in Hollywood and directly compete for an Oscar with "Interstellar".

However, in the original time, Nolan's "Interstellar" was only nominated.

But now it’s different. Wang Shu may be able to win an award with "Interstellar"!
Thinking of this, Wang Shu suddenly changed his mind.

He will use "Interstellar" to win an Oscar, then return to China to make a Chinese art film! Next year, he will make another art film in Hollywood to win an Oscar.

This means that he has been competing for the Oscar for four consecutive years: 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

"Well, you think about it yourself." Han Sanping responded.

After that, he immediately added, "If you have any ideas, tell me and I'll put my name on it."

“If the investment is not large, China Film will account for 5% of the share.”

"If the investment is large and you need it, China Film can participate in the investment."

This means that he does not want China Film Group to participate in the box office sharing, but for the honor.

As a producer, if the movie wins an award, he will share the honor.

And honor is also a kind of achievement.

Wang Shu didn't take it seriously as it was only a 5% share, not to mention that if he wanted to win an award in China, China Film Group would have some advantages in participating in it, so he said, "Okay."

When Han Sanping heard Wang Shu's agreement, he smiled and raised his glass, saying, "Come on, have a drink."

Wang Shu smiled and clinked his glass with his.

After taking a sip of wine, Han Sanping remembered something else and said, "I almost forgot. Yangshi wanted to ask if you have any ideas for filming a TV series?"

"I want to work with you to create a big drama."

Wang Shu complained, "I'm a film director. I'm doing well in the film industry. Why would I want to make a TV series?"

Han Sanping smiled and said, "Yangshi knew this clearly, so they came to me and wanted me to be their lobbyist."

Wang Shu took a bite of the food and said, "I'm not interested. I can't even make enough movies, so how can I possibly make a TV series?"

"Haha." Han Sanping expected this answer and said with a smile, "Yangshi found me, so I can't refuse."

"Since you have no ideas, I will reject them."

Although China Film Group also invests in TV dramas, Han Sanping is more interested in movies.

He wanted to continue collaborating with Wang Shu on blockbuster films, so why would he be happy to see Wang Shu and Yangshi making TV series?
Although China Film Group can also participate in it, it doesn’t have the same flavor as movies.

It would be better to let Wang Shu and Yang Shi make a movie than a TV series.

So in this matter, he never advised Wang Shu from beginning to end, he just conveyed the message.

"Refuse it, I don't have any idea." Wang Shu responded.

In fact, even if Wang Shu had the idea of ​​making a TV show.

There is no need for a big director like him to cooperate with Yangshi, he can just produce it on his own.

With his reputation as a big director, there is no shortage of TV stations buying his TV series.

But there is no need to make a TV series.

Han Sanping nodded and said, "There is one more thing. Yangshi wants to ask if you are interested in participating in this year's Spring Festival Gala?"

It is now 2010, and this year refers to New Year's Eve of 2010.

"Didn't I reject them?" Wang Shu complained.

Han Sanping smiled and said, "It is precisely because you rejected them that they came to me."

Wang Shu originally wanted to refuse, but suddenly thought of his parents and hesitated for a moment.

He was away from home all year round and only stayed at home for two days during the Chinese New Year.

Although it was because of busy work, it was still wrong.

During the casual chat on the night of the 30th, Wang Shu clearly realized that his parents wanted him to perform on the stage of the Spring Festival Gala.

For him, appearing on the Spring Festival Gala is a bit of a lowering of his status.

But for his parents, if Wang Shu appeared on the Spring Festival Gala, it would become a topic of boasting in the village or among relatives, and it would increase their reputation.

As I said, few people in the village or among relatives would buy tickets to go to the cinema to watch Wang Shu's movies. Even if Tian Yufang and Wang He boasted to others about what kind of movies Wang Shu had made, most people had no idea and it was difficult to find a topic to talk about.

The Spring Festival Gala is different.

Although many people may not watch it from beginning to end, they will take a few glances at it.

Plus, there will be reruns.

Whenever Wang Shu appears on the Spring Festival Gala, he will become a topic of conversation in the village or among relatives.

At this time, Tian Yufang had the opportunity to show off.

"Do you have any ideas?" Han Sanping asked immediately, "If you have any ideas, I'll tell them over there."

Wang Shu sighed, "I didn't have any idea at first, but after a trip back home during the Chinese New Year, I had some ideas."

Han Sanping heard this and jokingly asked, "Did your parents ask?"

Wang Shu nodded without commenting.

Han Sanping laughed and said, "In that case, just participate once. It shouldn't take up much time."

Wang Shu thought about it and said, "Okay."

Han Sanping smiled and said, "Then it's settled."

After that, he immediately asked, "When do you plan to release the movie "Comet"?"

Wang Shu thought for a moment and said, "May Day, there is a holiday there."

Han Sanping replied: "Then it will be in late April, just in time for the May Day holiday."

He said this out of consideration for Wang Shu. The film will be released in late April, and will first reap a wave of box office revenue thanks to Wang Shu's reputation. Then, when the holidays come, it will be able to increase the box office revenue by another wave.

However, Wang Shu did not think so.

He said, "I want it to be released in theaters on April 4th."

"It's Friday, and May Day is Saturday."

Han Sanping saw that Wang Shu had his own ideas and opinions on this matter, so he stopped expressing his opinions and said, "Okay, let's do as you say."

Wang Shu’s Yikeshu Company did not have the ability to distribute the film, so "The Night the Comet Came" was handed over to China Film Group Corporation for distribution, which was managed by Mr. Weng, the person in charge of China Film Group Corporation's distribution.

After that, he smiled and said, "Although Comet is a low-budget production, it should be able to achieve good box office after its release thanks to the success of Pacific Rim."

Wang Shu smiled upon hearing this and generously admitted, "'The Night the Comet Came' is also a science fiction film, although it doesn't have the grand scenes of 'Pacific Rim'."

"But with the reputation of a science fiction film, plus the fact that it was released after Pacific Rim and Avatar, I think it should achieve good box office results."

"How high do you think it can reach?" Han Sanping asked.

"I can't say how much, but it should be around 3 million," Wang Shu replied.

"The Night the Comet Came" is a relatively brain-burning soft science fiction film. This kind of film is bound to be incomprehensible to some people and is bound to not suit some people's appetite.

In addition, there are no big scenes and the potential is limited.

However, with Wang Shu's reputation and the residual heat of the movie "Pacific Rim", there is still a high probability that the box office of 3 million can be achieved.

Even a box office of 400 to 500 million is not impossible.

If the publicity and promotion are done well enough, it is not impossible to achieve higher box office.

In short, compared to the cost of "The Night the Comet Came".

After the movie is released, it will definitely make a lot of money.

(End of this chapter)