Actor: Thank you.

A day or two later, Zhang Yuan hosted guests at the large courtyard house.

I tidied up the small screening room and plan to watch a movie.

Brother Qian was the first to arrive because Zhang Yuan told him that there was a "great show" in today's movie.

Yu Qian ate a quick bowl of leftover noodles for lunch and came over, unable to wait any longer.

He also summoned the music scene in Beijing, including Na Ying and Yang Kun.

I've been going to see movies with them almost every month lately.

In addition to these people, Jiang Zhiqiang, who was in the capital on business, and Lao Han were also invited over.

The movie we're watching today is called "No Man's Land".

Ning Hao, the creator, was naturally present as well.

He wasn't just making things up with Brother Qian; it's a really great show.

Besides these people, there's another person who's quite impressive in person.

Xu Qing, who hadn't made an appointment a few days ago, was also invited by him.

In the theater, when the movie played the part where Yu Nan was dancing, Zhang Yuan glanced at Xu Qing not far away out of the corner of his eye.

Do you think it would be better if she played this role?

At least it looks better when it's twisted.

Yu Nan's distinctive feature is her large, full lips, similar to Angelina Jolie's, coupled with a wild yet alluring charm.

But this woman's figure is really average, especially her chest, which is quite flat.

They belong to the type who, based on looks, feel they should at least be paired with C or D, but can't actually afford to be paired with A.

If Xu Qing were in charge, the show would definitely be even more exciting.

But this film is also a story about humanity and wildness, and Xu Qing is not wild enough.

The film is Ning Hao's director's cut, and it's quite comprehensive, lasting about two hours.

It's too long for a theatrical release; it's more suitable for selling DVDs.

That's how movies are; the theatrical release is ultimately a product of compromise. Many good films have completely different theatrical and edited versions.

After the movie ended, as he left the theater, Brother Qian looked at him with a slightly resentful gaze.

"Is it exciting?" Zhang Yuan asked.

"Not bad." Brother Qian took a drag of his cigarette, letting his worries drift away with the smoke.

We sat down in the large tea room to drink tea and chat, while the kitchen prepared a delicious meal in a little while.

Zhang Yuan started the conversation by talking about the movie they had just watched.

The purpose of inviting Lao Han and Jiang Zhiqiang here today is for this play.

"I think the quality of Ning Hao's film itself is not a problem."

"Furthermore, in terms of conflict setting, camera work, post-production, and content depth, it surpasses both 'Crazy Stone' and 'Crazy Racer'."

"If there's one drawback to comparing these two dramas, it might be the change in style."

"It's no longer a comedy, which may go against the expectations of some longtime viewers."

"But I still think that the overall quality of 'No Man's Land' is very good. At least among the movies I've seen in recent years, it ranks among the top."

These people in the music industry are all laymen; they can't really explain anything.

But I also thought it was a good watch; at least it wasn't a bad movie.

Moreover, this wild style is quite appealing to these people.

So he nodded repeatedly after hearing what Zhang Yuan said.

"I agree. This film is quite profound; it's a rather unique film noir," Jiang Zhiqiang said, offering a more professional assessment.

As a seasoned veteran and professional in the industry, this guy knows what he's doing.

Film noir is not a film genre, such as comedy, tragedy, or science fiction.

He was referring to a film style, especially the style of the core story.

It generally refers to a special category within crime films.

Similar to the nonsensical humor in comedies.

It all started with an old movie called "The Maltese Falcon".

Film noir is characterized by its dark style, its sense of grief and indignation, and its reflection of the distortion and corruption of human nature.

To give examples, especially domestic ones, films like "Infernal Affairs," Jiang Wen's "The Missing Gun," and Baoqiang's "Blind Shaft" are all considered film noir.

The film is filled with the distortion and darkness of human nature.

In particular, it involves the struggle between a person and their own subconscious and desires, and the entanglement with human nature and morality.

The film "No Man's Land" is a noir film that uses the theme of poaching on the Chinese border as its premise.

The story begins with a fable about two monkeys.

For a monkey to pick fruit, it must be two monkeys helping each other.

One climbed the tree, while the other kept watch below.

This is the only way to ensure that you won't be eaten by your natural enemies.

The monkey that picks the fruit must leave some for the lookout monkey as agreed, and cannot eat it all by itself, otherwise no one will look after it in the future.

The analogy of two monkeys is used to explain the relationship between people.

After Jiang Zhiqiang spoke, Zhang Yuan followed up on his words and specifically brought up this story.

"What did he say?" the eagle asked, not understanding.

The others around her nudged her and whispered words of advice in her ear.

"Huayi".

"Oh……"

The trust between monkeys cannot be broken, and the same applies to the trust between people.

In terms of casting for "Qian Xuesen", Hua Yi is like the monkey picking fruit, but he ate all the fruit and left none for the monkey keeping watch.

Old Han understood what he meant and cleared his throat.

"I also think there's nothing wrong with this show."

"But it ultimately failed the review."

"One of the reasons is that it's too black," Old Han said helplessly, leaning back in his chair.

Xiao Wang has approached him several times about this matter.

Now this kid is coming looking for me too, but unfortunately, there's nothing I can do to help.

Old Han also felt embarrassed, thinking that even he couldn't do it.

Zhang Yuan understood that the story itself wasn't the problem; the main issue was the facts.

The protagonist, Xu Zheng, is a lawyer, and a very stereotypical one at that—a ruthless lawyer who only cares about making money, ignores right and wrong, and manipulates the law for his own benefit.

They successfully defended Huang Bo, the poacher.

They swapped looks in this film.

In real life, Huang Bo has long hair, while Xu Zheng is bald.

In this play, Xu Zheng has medium-length hair, which is slightly longer than short hair, while Huang Bo is bald.

The hair was transferred from Bo Ge's head to Xu Zheng's.

The poacher gang leader made a deal with Xu Zheng. Although the film doesn't explicitly state it, these people are likely falcons, which they sell abroad, especially to the Middle East.

Because Middle Eastern men love playing with birds the most.

In fact, the entire Middle East and the Persian Gulf region are the world's underground trading hubs.

It has been proven that when people are too rich, and when the money comes too easily, coupled with unchecked and unrestrained power, the dark side of human nature and desires will be unleashed without any concealment.

The same applies to border areas where no-man's-lands are located; they are no-man's-land. It's not that we don't want to manage them, but rather that they are too vast and sparsely populated to manage.

If you kill someone, you can bury them on the spot, and no one will know.

This question is similar to why the Chinese nation has been fighting against the northern nomadic peoples for thousands of years, constantly engaging in wars, annihilation, counterattacks, more wars, annihilation, and counterattacks.

Why not teach them Confucianism and Mencius' teachings, and Chinese etiquette to transform them?

Because they lack the conditions for the birth and spread of "civilization".

The teachings of Confucius and Mencius, etiquette, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness—those could only be implemented by a unified dynasty.

A top-down theoretical and spiritual consensus needs to be formed.

If you do not uphold benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, you will face social and even physical death, and be condemned by all under heaven.

Just like the eighteen warlords who joined forces to attack Dong Zhuo, they had their reasons and carried the banner of morality.

That's not the case on the grasslands; it's a simple jungle law, an ultimate indulgence. I kill someone and run, go ahead and condemn me, come and catch me if you dare.

If you can't catch me, I'll come back to your house with my car in a while and play the slaughter game.

Anyone with this kind of mentality will never become civilized.

That's where the problem with this film lies.

Times have changed. Nomadic peoples are now our compatriots, and only a small number of criminals living in remote, uncivilized areas act this way.

Ning Hao, however, gave a grand ending where all the main characters were wiped out, while the villains ultimately survived.

Who could stand this? Viewers would be depressed after watching it.

"My suggestion is that the ending needs to be changed, or some parts need to be reshot."

"There must be hope, and the law of karma must be followed, and good people will have a tomorrow."

“You might think it’s cliché, but at least it can be broadcast.” Zhang Yuan looked at Ning Hao.

“But even if it’s changed, it’ll probably be difficult to get it going in the short term, right, Mr. Han?” Zhang Yuan looked at Lao Han again.

"I guess so, but we'll have to see how things develop."

“Then take your time to change it, no rush.” Zhang Yuan looked at Ning Hao again.

“I think it would be better if you came up with a new story first, and then revise this one while filming the new movie.”

"This way you can make money and the audience won't forget you, so you can do both at the same time."

"As for funding, I'll support you."

"Okay!" Big Head nodded; this was the best solution.

"That's good... wait a minute!" Old Han realized something was wrong as he listened.

“You provide him with financial support.”

“That’s right.” Zhang Yuan stood up and clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

"I am making this official announcement to everyone today."

"Ning Hao is home!"

Upon hearing the words "going home," Big Head felt a lump in his throat and twitched.

"Going forward, we will continue to cooperate as before."

"Wait a minute." Old Han stopped him. "Have you sorted things out with Huayi?"

"Yes, after negotiations, I will buy all the copyrights and distribution rights of 'No Man's Land' for 5000 million."

"Hua Yi's contract with Ning Hao is hereby terminated."

"We will continue to cooperate in the future."

"Everyone should applaud and congratulate Director Ning on escaping his misery."

clap clap clap...

"They really agreed?" Old Han asked after patting the table a few times in a daze.

"Of course, we negotiated."

"By the way, Mr. Jiang, my idea is that this money should be provided by Cross-Strait Film Industry, and Ning Hao should become a contracted director of the company. What do you think?"

Jiang Zhiqiang only then realized what was happening.

Good guy!
Quietly accomplish great things!
When did you manage to win over Huayi?
I understand!
Jiang Zhiqiang, being a seasoned veteran, immediately understood why Zhang Yuan had invited so many people to the movie and announced it in public.

This is called making it widely known!
Wealth and honor do not return to their hometown, just like walking in fine clothes at night.

I won, so of course I have to let everyone know!

First came the Hundred Flowers Awards.

It's not just about winning the Best Actor award; it's about winning it despite facing immense difficulties and being blocked by the other side.

This is a victory.

Now Ning Hao has been "rescued" from the other side.

Doesn't this show affection?
Moreover, the more money spent, the more affection is shown.

They definitely gained face, and a lot of it.

With the publicity from these people at the scene, the entire entertainment circle will know about this in a few days.

Let alone bringing it up later, we're talking about these things right now.

"Well done."

"So spirited!"

"Generous."

"This was handled very well."

Jiang Zhiqiang glanced at it and realized that Zhang Yuan was essentially using Hua Yi to highlight his own character.

It's not just about character, but also ability.

They made such sarcastic remarks about each other at an awards ceremony just a few days ago, but then they actually completed this impossible deal.

What will outsiders think?

Rescuing Ning Hao can be considered a second victory.

He won twice in a short period of time.

This is what is known as a win-win situation.

but……

Mr. Jiang hesitated.

“5000 million is a very high price, which should far exceed the production cost of ‘No Man’s Land’.”

"If we buy the film at this price, we would need at least 1.3 million to 1.5 million yuan to make a profit based solely on box office revenue."

"If we ask the company to pay for it, I think it will be difficult; people may not agree."

Actually, he didn't quite agree; the cost was too high.

"We'll discuss this in more detail later. There's no rush. Let's settle on the general outline first," Zhang Yuan said, having already made his decision.

Ning Hao's value as a person, whether in terms of his subsequent works or his public appeal, far exceeds 5000 million!
Talent is the most valuable asset.

Zhang Yuan essentially forced Hua Yi to hand over this talent, whom she had only recently acquired, and obediently put him in her hands.

Not only did he pay, he also had to thank us.

After all, I helped him improve his financial situation and ease the conflict with the board of directors.

But his initial offer was 2000 million, so why did it eventually become 5000 million?

First, they ask for an exorbitant price, then they try to negotiate a more reasonable one.

Huayi's board of directors isn't stupid either. Although they are short-sighted and want to make a quick buck, they won't sell it off cheaply.

We'll definitely try to make as much money as we can.

The price of 5000 million looks very good on paper. The film "No Man's Land" will more than double its profit!
Just hold a press conference, announce that the copyright has been sold, and then post the financial report; the stock price will go up.

Zhang Yuan was willing to cooperate and pay the bill, but he wasn't stupid.

I can't let all that money go to waste.

Therefore, when he sent Yang Siwei to negotiate, he added conditions.

First, he needs Alibaba, as a shareholder, to do him a favor.

That is, to ensure that Fan Bingbing's cosmetics brand can catch the last train of this year's Double 11.

Previously, because the brand was too new, it didn't even have any stores and had few sales records, so Alibaba's online business department failed to approve it several times.

In principle, the requirements for Double 11 at this time are very high.

But now that the person in question has agreed in principle, Jack Ma has spoken to the company.

After receiving his call, Fan Bingbing finally understood why Zhang Yuan had asked her to continue preparing for Double 11.

We need to prepare in advance, otherwise we won't even have time to stock up on goods.

Zhang Yuan accomplished what he thought he could never achieve no matter how hard he tried.

This brand and company really can't function without him.

This was just a small condition, something Zhang Yuan did incidentally.

Alibaba is doing us a favor, so it doesn't matter.

His main condition is another one.

He demanded that Hua Yi relinquish her right to compete with him for control of Stephen Chow's next film. (End of Chapter)