Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 192 202 [Golden Palm + Chen Hong = Li Yishu]

Hearing this, Long Tai immediately understood and said with a smile, "Since Mr. Zou has already invested, we will not interfere too much. If Director Li has any investment matters in the future, he must think of us Yongsheng. In terms of funds and remuneration, we will definitely follow the American salary standards."

"Okay, there's a chance."

Li Yishu smiled. Even if Long Tai offered him a director's fee of 30 million US dollars, he would not get involved in such money laundering.

Why was it that after so many Hong Kong film companies went bankrupt after making bad movies in the 1990s, not only did this not arouse the vigilance of outsiders, but instead led to the emergence of an endless stream of various copycat bad movies?

To put it bluntly, it is money laundering.

If you invest 100 million to make a movie, and it is released in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia after it is released, even if it is a bad movie, you can still make hundreds of thousands of dollars. It seems like a loss, but the money laundering itself will cause losses.

Even if you wash less, it's at least safe.

Even Liang Kun knew to open a Qiankun Film and Television Company to launder money, let alone them?

At around nine o'clock in the evening, Long Wu and Long Tai said goodbye and left.

Li Yishu and Gong Li also got into Qingxia's car and left the set.

In Long Wu’s car.

Long Wu and Long Tai sat in the back seat. The driver turned a deaf ear to what was happening outside the window and was only focused on driving well.

Long Wu said: "There's no need to please a director like him, right?"

"Lee Ye-seo is not just a director, she is also a very smart businessman."

Long Tai shook his head. "It's only been a few years since Li Yishu became famous for his award-winning movies? Now he's already the world's number one Chinese director, with a total box office of over $7 million, which is much higher than the annual box office of Hong Kong."

"What's more, his own art film company has always been involved in the production of his films. 'Sword Rain' and 'The Sixth Sense' were big hits. As long as we can bring in Li Yishu, our film company will become more and more prosperous. We may even be able to go to the United States to make movies like Zou Wenhuai's Golden Harvest."

Ever since the news of Li Yishu's cooperation with Cheng Long came out, Mrs. Long has been thinking about getting involved. Even if she doesn't make any money, or the bulk of the profits go to Li Yishu, she would be willing to do so.

Because this means that they have secured the support of Li Yishu, a powerful figure that can span the United States.

In the past, Xu Suo's Era Film Company could only survive by buying some art films from Europe to screen in Hong Kong and Taiwan or making videotapes to sell, but after Li Yishu, they collaborated on two films in succession.

Not only did it increase the company's popularity, but Xu Suo also made a fortune.

Who wouldn’t be happy with small investment and big returns?
Long Wu naturally understood what Long Tai said. He pondered and said, "I can see that Li Yishu seems to know our background, so she is not very happy to contact us."

"It's okay. Just because you're not willing to get in touch now doesn't mean you won't be willing in the future."

Long Tai smiled and said, "Didn't Li Lianjie not want to have any contact with us before? Isn't he cooperating with us on Huang Feihong now?"

"That's true."

Long Wu nodded. As long as Li Yishu continued to do business and make movies in Hong Kong, there would be a chance to contact her sooner or later.

the other side.

after an hour.

With a strange look on her face, Qingxia dropped Li Yishu and Gong Li at the doorstep of Li Yishu's mansion in the Mid-Levels. She then politely declined Gong Li's invitation to come in and sit for a while, and drove away.

The two of them entered the house, and Li Yishu asked, "Aren't you afraid that Sister Qingxia will spread rumors?"

"She's not that kind of person."

Gong Li turned around and asked while taking off her clothes: "What's the matter? Are you afraid that others will know, or are you afraid that your girlfriend will be jealous?"

Li Yishu said awkwardly, "I have nothing to be afraid of. I'm just afraid of affecting you."

"It's okay, but I don't often shoot in Hong Kong anyway."

Gong Li shook her head nonchalantly. Qingxia was not a child anymore, so she naturally knew what to say and what not to say.

Moreover, after so many years of contact with each other, I can also feel that Qingxia is not a gossipy person.

Suddenly, Gong Li remembered something and asked with a smile, "By the way, Yishu, do you want to go to the crew to play a cameo role tomorrow?"

"Guest role?"

"Yes!"

Gong Li smiled and nodded: "We are going to shoot the Wuyazi scene tomorrow. Director Qian originally wanted to arrange for anyone to play the role. Anyway, he doesn't need to show his face. If you play Wuyazi, it would be quite good."

“That… never mind.”

Li Yishu was originally quite interested in it. After all, playing Wuyazi is like having Qingxia on the left and Gong Li on the right.

However, when he remembered that the movie was invested by Yongsheng, he lost much interest.

Li Yishu believed that if she really played Wuyazi, Long Wu would definitely publicize it in the newspapers.

He would never do such a thankless task as using his fame to make money for others.

Gong Li said thoughtfully: "Because the investor is Long Wu?"

Li Yishu nodded and said, "I don't like their family very much. If I had known it was Yongsheng Investment, I wouldn't have let you take the job."

"Okay, I'll remember that. Next time I accept a role, I'll ask who the investor is."

Gong Li nodded with understanding. She had been to Hong Kong more than once or twice, so she naturally knew the background of the Long family.

"All right!"

Gong Li suddenly laughed and said, "Now you have to tell me, who has better acting skills, me or Qingxia?"

"this…"

Li Yishu said playfully, "My brain is blocked right now. You have to help me clear my blocked brain before I can tell you."

Hearing this, Gong Li raised her chin and pushed Li Yishu onto the sofa with both hands.

Afterwards, Gong Limai walked over, sat on Li Yishu's thighs, put her hands through his neck, hugged his back, and began to torture and interrogate him severely.

As the earth shook, the living room was soon filled with the scent of spring.

a long time.

Gong Li panted and said, "Now tell me, who has better acting skills?"

"Your acting skills may be better, but..."

Li Yishu grinned and said, "But if you put on the costumes of the crew and perform for me, I can confirm whether your acting is better than Qingxia."

There are not many people who are suitable for white hair style, but Gong Li with white hair is very charming.

Hearing this, Gong Li rolled her eyes and said, "You have a very good plan."

"Just tell me if it's okay."

"Let's talk about it later."

If an actor finishes filming and wants to take a prop he likes, the crew won't say anything.

When filming "Sword Rain" before, Gong Li took away her sword.

This time I asked the crew of "The Childlike Fairy of Tianshan" for the costume and white wig, so that I can play the role of the White-haired Witch later.

The next morning.

After finalizing the contract with Golden Harvest Film Company, Li Yishu also flew to Japan.

The single "I Once Thought About Ending It All" written by Izumi Sakai has been officially released for a month and the sensation it has caused is huge.

In 1993, from the beginning of the year, the aftereffects of the bursting of the Japanese economic bubble became increasingly obvious. The stock market was almost halved, and the real estate market collapsed to a point that ordinary people could not accept.

A house that once cost tens of millions of yen may now be worth only 10 or 20 million yen, almost half of the price has dropped, which is unaffordable for anyone.

What's more, this is not just a local area, but the whole of Japan.

The impact was enormous. After Li Yishu arrived in Japan, she witnessed a scene of people jumping off a tall building.

According to Izumi Sakai, at least several hundred people jump from buildings in Japan every day, with the highest number of people in Tokyo. If you walk on the street and see a crowd of onlookers in front of you, there is no doubt that they are people committing suicide by jumping from a building.

This has also led to Japanese society being in a state of almost despair, and bankruptcy and suicide itself are very likely to cause imitation.

Many people originally had no such thoughts, but after seeing reports of many people committing suicide by jumping off buildings on television, in newspapers, and on the radio, they began to think about it.

Many people feel that life is meaningless.

Television stations and newspapers have also begun to gradually reduce related coverage, but the wave of suicides cannot be stopped.

It was at this time that Izumi Sakai, with the guidance of Li Yishu and the grief and sadness of her own agent Kuroda who committed suicide due to the economic crisis, wrote the song "I Once Thought About Ending It All".

The melody is very different, and Lee Ye-su doesn't quite remember the original lyrics, but the spirit and consciousness of being upbeat and fighting in despair is perfectly displayed in Sakai Izumi's version. And Sakai Izumi's voice, although not as desperate as Nakashima Mika's, can give people a positive feeling.

Therefore, once the song was released, it quickly swept major radio stations in Japan. After the authorities discovered that the song had a unique uplifting effect, they immediately increased their publicity efforts.

For a time, this song resounded throughout Japan.

The single sold over 800 million copies in a very short period of one month. After discussing with her company, Izumi Sakai used her own profits and part of the company's profits to set up a relief association.

As long as the rescuer is confirmed to be bankrupt, the basic expenses for three meals a day will be provided.

"You... Quanshui, you did a great job."

Li Yishu was also amazed by Izumi Sakai's move. He knew that Izumi Sakai really wanted to help those who were financially bankrupt, but Li Yishu thought this move was a great one.

Most Japanese people are actually very concerned about their reputation, and those who go bankrupt are almost always men. Even if money for three meals a day is given out for free, probably no one would take it because it is too embarrassing.

Europeans and Americans can eat subsidies with peace of mind, but people in East Asian countries are almost all influenced by Confucian culture to varying degrees. A gentleman does not eat food that is not given to him.

Even if they are homeless, they are unwilling to accept help.
It can be said that this donation has greatly increased Sakai Izumi's fame in Japan. Coupled with the influence of the song, in the future the Internet may give Sakai Izumi the title of the No. 1 Diva of the Heisei era.

“I just want to do my best.”

Izumi Sakai sighed and said, "Mr. Li, when will the movie you mentioned be released in Japan? I think if they can watch an inspiring movie, I believe they will be more motivated."

"Next June, maybe."

Li Yishu also felt very distressed. He actually wanted to release "Nobody" now, but unfortunately the post-production has just begun, and even if it is completed now, unless he does not want to participate in the Cannes Film Festival next year, he can only wait until the end of the film festival to release it.

Zhang Manyu made such a big sacrifice and even started learning Shancheng dialect half a year in advance. Wasn’t it just for the purpose of participating in the film festival?
If he were to make some money and ruin other people's chances of winning awards at a film festival, even if Zhang Manyu didn't say anything, Li Yishu would feel bad about it.

"Okay, I'll help Mr. Li promote it then."

Izumi Sakai smiled and said, "Actually, during this period, when I was participating in a radio program, I also told the listeners that you had specially made an inspirational movie. Many listeners called and said that they would go to the cinema to watch it."

"This..." Li Yishu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This was not an inspirational movie.

But we can make a special edited version for Japan.

Adapt black humor into an inspirational movie.

The heroine is a person who can hardly move her whole body. Living is worse than death, so she wants to die very much. However, after having love, family, and friendship, the heroine chooses to try hard to live. Later, she even holds a pen in her mouth and writes the book "The Unknown".

Inspiring, so inspiring indeed.

When I get back, I’ll cut a special edition for Japan.

After chatting for a while, Izumi Sakai suddenly hugged Li Yishu and whispered, "Mr. Li, are you going back to China the day after tomorrow?"

"Yes, the movie over there still needs me to go there for post-production."

"Then... can I go to China to find you?"

"Of course."

Li Yishu smiled and said, "Well, if you are free during this period, call me in advance and I will take you to Sichuan to see the giant pandas."

"really?"

Izumi Sakai's eyes brightened. In fact, she had wanted to go to China for a long time, but she was afraid that Li Yishu would be unhappy if she went there.

"Of course it's true. Why, are you afraid that I'm a liar?"

"No, no, I'm just so happy that I can finally see giant pandas."

Izumi Sakai smiled brightly.

the other side.

Hong Kong Art Film Company.

Yongmei came to the company early and began to process the financial statements sent by the American branch.

"The Sixth Sense" has been off the screen for more than half a month, and Columbia Pictures has gradually begun to pay Lee Yi-su's film company in the United States.

According to the normal process, it would take at least half a year.

After all, this was not the era of the Internet, and both the speed of financial review and the speed of remittance were very slow.

Especially for the share of overseas box office, it is even slower, at least three to five months, and at most a year.

However, with Columbia's president Hisao Morishima making arrangements behind the scenes, they began to calculate the finances one week after the film was taken off the screen and transferred the profits to the account of the American Art Film Company.

She had a residence nearby, which Amy had rented for her so that Yongmei could come and go easily.

dong dong——

"Come in."

Yongmei put down the pen in her hand and looked up, only to see an assistant walking in: "Manager Yong, Taiwan writer Qiong Yao is here."

Qiong Yao?

Yongmei was stunned. A girl of her age had naturally read Qiong Yao's novels. She didn't expect the other party to come to the company. Could he be here to see the boss?
She quickly stood up and said, "Quick, please invite Ms. Qiong Yao in."

Qiong Yao has a great influence in mainland China today, and there is even a couplet circulating: "Men read Jin Yong, women read Qiong Yao."

One is the master of martial arts novels, and the other is the queen of romance novels.

Now that the queen of romance novels, Qiong Yao, has come to us, her purpose must be not ordinary. In all likelihood, she wants to cooperate with the boss.

After a while, Qiong Yao walked in with a beautiful woman.

"Hello, Ms. Qiong Yao. I am the general manager of the Art Film Company in the Mainland. My name is Yongmei."

"Hello, Manager Yongmei."

Qiong Yao shook hands with him while sizing him up, then smiled and said:
"There is no intention of struggling for spring, and once everyone is jealous. It will be scattered into mud and crushed into dust, but only the fragrance will remain the same."

"Manager Yongmei's name is well chosen. It really fits the person's name. I wonder who gave Manager Yong this name?"

Hearing this, Yongmei smiled and said, "Ms. Qiong Yao, you are too polite. This is the name my father gave me."

Qiong Yao said: "It seems that your father is also a scholar."

"That's it."

Yongmei was too embarrassed to tell the other party that her name was not taken from Lu You's Ode to the Plum Blossom, but from the poem "When the mountain flowers are in full bloom, she is laughing in the bushes."

After some pleasantries, Qiong Yao introduced the woman behind her: "This is Chen Hong, also an actress from your mainland. I now find that the women from your mainland all have a unique temperament."

“I really didn’t pay much attention to it.”

Yongmei glanced at Chen Hong, who had a pretty face, red lips and white teeth, and a delicate appearance, and extended her hand with a smile: "Hello, Miss Chen."

Chen Hong hurriedly shook hands: "Hello, Manager Yong."

Li Yishu, who was far away in Japan, suddenly received a call from Yongmei.

"Qiong Yao wants to recommend an actress from her company to play in The Reader?"

Li Yishu raised his eyebrows. He knew that many actors in Taiwan were using their connections to get into the crew of "The Reader". Even Qiu Fusheng called him to ask if there were any suitable roles.

Li Yishu naturally refused this offer. He had already repaid Qiu Fusheng for his help in "Central Station".

Now it’s up to the crew of “The Reader” to choose who to act as the actor.

And the actors have basically been finalized.

Now all that’s missing is the male lead, and Lee Yi-su is also considering directing and acting in the film herself if there’s really no suitable candidate.

"Yes, boss. Ms. Qiong Yao came here in person. When she learned that you came to Hong Kong, she rushed to bring Chen Hong here, but you flew to Japan and missed her."

"What's the name of the actress Qiong Yao recommended?"

"Chen Hong is also a mainland actress. I've also seen her performance in The Love of a Dai Woman."

It's Arthur's mother~~
Li Yishu's expression gradually became amused. Now that Director Chen has lost the Palme d'Or, can he still attract Chen Hong, who "only loves the Palme d'Or"?

But then again,

The only actress in China who has won the Palme d'Or and only loves the Palme d'Or,
Palme d'Or + Chen Hong = Li Yishu.

This is a perfect formula.

Li Yishu is the only domestic director to win the Palme d’Or. Does that mean it’s time for Chen Hong to complete her mission and enjoy exclusive packages?
(End of this chapter)