Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 114 [A sword that went down in martial arts film history]

Beijing Film Studio.

In the editing room, Li Yishu was watching the final edited version of "Sword Rain", which was almost the same as the plot of the movie he had conceived. Except for a few shots that were a bit redundant, there was basically no need for any further modifications.

In terms of special effects, the bullet time was produced perfectly, which is much better than the effect that was temporarily filmed for Aso Taro in Sichuan. But for Li Yishu, who has seen pure special effects blockbusters decades later, it is worse than the 50-cent special effects in online movies.

However, this special effect is considered very good in 1992.

"How is it, Director Li?" After watching it, Xu Suo thought it was pretty good and asked directly, "Is the editing ready now?"

"very nice."

Li Yishu agreed, "Sister Xu, we can contact the film distributor in Europe."

"Okay, I'll contact you later."

Xu Lu's face lit up with joy. Today was also the first time she watched the complete version of "Sword Rain". There was nothing much to say about the plot. It was basically the same story of treasure hunting.

However, the visuals and martial arts scenes are eye-opening and give people a refreshing sense of déjà vu.

Different from the current Hong Kong martial arts film style, it has created a "martial arts world" that belongs to Li Yishu, especially the final battle in the bamboo forest.

Not to mention the graceful feeling when Gong Li and Yu Chenghui chased each other in the bamboo forest using light skills, just on the night of the final battle, it started to rain heavily. Gong Li's face was as cold as ice, and she held a sharp sword in her hand. The sword she stabbed in the rain was truly shocking!
At this moment, the world seemed to be still. The raindrops falling from the sky were frozen in the air. The camera moved from far to near, and a raindrop grew from small to large. Then the tip of the sword pierced the raindrop directly, splitting it into two halves and stabbing towards Yu Chenghui.

Gong Li's sword is enough to go down in the history of martial arts movies!
It’s hard to say for others, but when Xu Lu saw this scene, he was so excited that he couldn’t help it. This is the mood that a martial arts film should have.

One slow, one fast, one determination; one sword, one water, one life!

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. Xu couldn't help but ask, "Director Li, Gong Li's swordplay is so stunning. How did you film it?"

“It was mainly shot through physical means.”

Li Yishu briefly explained the principle, and then said: "In order to capture the scene of the long sword piercing the raindrops, Director Zhao Fei took tens of thousands of photos!"

This final, astonishing sword, to put it simply, is actually a stop-motion animation effect, which is created by rearranging a sequence of photos taken frame by frame and changing the time progress.

To put it simply, it is to take countless photos of long swords piercing water droplets, select the best and most perfect ones, and then piece them together to form a series of long shots.

The heavy rain frozen in the air is a magic trick of suspended rain, and also a kind of visual effect.

"Director Li's imagination is truly unconstrained. No wonder he was able to produce such a brilliant martial arts scene."

Xu Suo couldn't help but admire it. Ordinary directors would never think of these special photographic techniques.

"Haha, Sister Xu, since you are praising me like that, I will accept it with an open mind."

Li Yishu said with a smile: "It shouldn't be a problem for the European film producers to agree to purchase the copyright. When Sister Xu discusses the copyright transaction with them, she can try to package the copyrights for all of Europe, but the price would be preferably 1000 million US dollars!"

"1000 million US dollars?!" Xu Suo was surprised and asked, "Can it be sold for so much?"

Li Yishu said: "It shouldn't be a problem. If it is shared among dozens of European countries, the average price for full copyright in each country is 20 US dollars. These film producers can accept it. But it's hard to say. Anyway, 500 million US dollars is the lowest price."

This is not an art film. After Li Yishu's "That Mountain, That Man, That Dog" won the Golden Lion Award, it sold the European copyright and earned 300 million US dollars.

This price is pretty good.

However, if it is distributed among dozens of European countries, the average cost per country is only 50,000 to 60,000 US dollars.

It’s not too little, but it’s not too high either.

After all, it is a purely Chinese art film with a limited audience. Considering the film cost, $300 million is bound to be a huge profit.

But "Sword Rain" is different. It is a "sci-fi blockbuster". I believe that when the European film producers see these special effects shots, they will definitely exclaim in amazement or even be amazed.

"That Mountain" was basically released via videotapes, but "Sword Rain" can be shown in theaters, and the plot is not too complicated. If it were a science fiction film, there would be no need to explain to Europeans why the Chinese can fly and even control the "freeze-frame of rain."

So showing the film in theaters means additional box office revenue.

In addition, the film’s main creative lineup is also very luxurious, including the Venice Film Festival Golden Lion Award-winning director and the Venice Film Festival’s best actress.

Gong Li is still very famous in Europe. With the popularity she has accumulated over the years, she still has a small number of fans in Europe. Her first "science fiction movie" released in Europe will be able to attract some fans.

If you calculate it this way, $1000 million for the full European copyright is not really that high.

But it's hard to say. It's a buyer's market now. How much to give really depends on the other party. Unless Li Yishu wins one or two more awards, she might be able to attract a group of fans in Europe with her fame. "Okay, I'll try. What about North America? Should we also find a film distributor?"

Xu Suo thought of North America.

The European copyright can be sold for at least 500 million US dollars, so North America, as the world's largest box office, should not be less than that.

After all, the Hollywood film market was once entered by Chinese Kung Fu superstar Bruce Lee and he was successful. The global box office of "Enter the Dragon" is still the number one among Chinese films, and it took in more than 2500 million US dollars in North America.

In the 70s, this was a huge box office hit.

In addition, there are many Chinese and overseas Chinese in North America, and these people have formed a community. As long as this film is shown in a cinema near the Chinese community, the box office will be able to make several million dollars.

Moreover, communities of other ethnic groups can surely attract many people to watch the movies by promoting the gimmick of a science fiction film.

Li Yishu said, “I don’t sell all copyrights in North America.”

"Have you found a distribution company?" Xu Lu's eyes lit up. This movie could make some money if it was released in North America as long as the box office wasn't a terrible success.

After all, how much does it cost to make a movie?
Going to the United States, you can earn US dollars!
Li Yishu nodded and said, "Well, I have already communicated with Sony Columbia. They will arrange for someone to discuss the distribution of this film in North America in the near future. The subsequent distribution of the film will be fully handed over to them. The rest of the film's copyright will also be sold to Sony Columbia."

When in Japan, Li Yishu had a telephone conversation with Sony Columbia President Hisao Morishima. This guy was very sincere and offered very good conditions to invite Li Yishu to Hollywood to produce, almost on par with the conditions for second-tier Hollywood directors.

There is nothing that can be done about it, as Sony has been suffering losses in film and television production in the years since it acquired Columbia.

The loss is several hundred million dollars every year.

If it weren't for the fact that Sony's other industries could leverage the fame of "Hollywood film giant Columbia" to sell some related products, Sony would probably want to sell the film company directly.

Japan has not had a good time in recent years. Sony itself spent a huge amount of money to acquire Columbia, and now it is losing hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Some people at Sony headquarters have long been dissatisfied.

It was only because of their face that they were able to hold back, otherwise they would have sold it out long ago.

Sony Columbia offered such generous treatment, and Li Yishu wanted to try his hand in Hollywood, so he naturally agreed. However, he also put forward a condition, which was naturally to participate in the investment.

Hisao Morishima was a little hesitant at first, but when he thought that this was the first time both parties worked together, and they also had to try out whether Lee Yi-su's directing ability could be successful in Hollywood, he agreed to invest together.

As for the specific details, we will have to wait until next year.

"Director Li!"

At this time, a staff member from the Beijing Film Studio ran in and said breathlessly: "A reporter from Popular Film Magazine came to see you and said that they have an appointment for an interview with you."

"Okay, please take them to the office and wait for me."

Although Li Yishu is not a member of the Beijing Film Studio now, she has an office in the studio's office building because she has collaborated with the studio on two films.

"Okay Director Li."

After the staff member ran away, Xu Su also stood up and said, "Then I won't disturb Director Li from being interviewed. I will contact the European film distributors now and take copies of the negatives to Europe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."

"I'll leave this matter to Sister Xu."

"It's okay, Director Li. I'm the one who got the upper hand."

Xu Suo smiled and said, "I estimate that the total revenue of this movie will be no less than 30 million US dollars worldwide. It is only right that I work harder and do more."

If we calculate the copyright in Europe at $500 million, the box office in North America plus the sale of copyright would have to be around seven or eight million dollars, and Asia can be said to be their base camp.

The box office revenue from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia can definitely contribute at least 2000 million US dollars, not counting the videotape copyright. Although the price of Asian videotape copyright is not high, a small amount is still money.

Especially in the Japanese market, Lee Yi-su has made a name for herself in Japan. The number of viewers for The Mountain was over 1500 million, and the number of viewers for Love Letter was million. (The box office is basically the number of viewers multiplied by movie tickets)

"Sister Xu, you're joking. Didn't I also take advantage of Farewell My Concubine?"

Li Yishu smiled. He was a man of reciprocity. Xu Su asked him to direct "Farewell My Concubine" and Qiu Fusheng helped a lot when he was in Venice. One of them returned the favor with "Sword Rain" and the other returned the favor with "Central Station".

"By the way, Sister Xu, are you going back to Hong Kong?"

"Well, I'm transferring from Hong Kong."

"Then please tell Zhang Manyu to learn Sichuan dialect and Mandarin. She must pass the Mandarin test."

(End of this chapter)