Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 214 [Praise Wu Yusen to Death, Movie Wrap-up Banquet]

He really dislikes Wu Yusen.

When he was young in his previous life, Li Yishu still liked Wu Yusen's violent aesthetics, but as time went by, he saw Wu Yusen's duplicity and two-faced nature.

Ever since the box office flop of Windtalkers directed by Wu Yusen in 2002, which led to the bankruptcy of MGM Studios, this old guy has completely lost his way in Hollywood.

After returning to the mainland in disgrace, he relied on his fame in the United States to gain recognition from Han Sanping, who let him star in the blockbuster "Red Cliff".

Wu Yusen is indeed a man who is used to making gangster movies. He actually turned such an epic war like "Red Cliff" into a fight between two major gangs, letting Sun Shangxiang be a "spy" and letting Xiao Qiao go to sleep with Cao Cao...

If this old guy had just made movies steadily, even if they were a bit bad, at least he could have survived for a few more years and would not have completely wasted the reputation and sentiments he had accumulated over the years in the mainland.

But who knew that this old guy would start talking nonsense before filming even started.

What is the point of bringing the American film industry to the mainland and letting mainland filmmakers learn what a true Hollywood blockbuster is?

He also said that Romance of the Three Kingdoms was a rubbish novel and that he had never read Records of the Three Kingdoms...

This guy is just eating with the bowl in his hand and cursing when he puts the bowl down.

A director wants to make a film about the Three Kingdoms, such as "Red Cliff", but he actually says that he has never read "Records of the Three Kingdoms" and criticizes "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" as a rubbish novel. Then why the hell are you still filming the Three Kingdoms?
Such a rubbish director should not be given the opportunity to become famous.

If Wu Yusen hadn't come to find Li Yishu, he might not have been able to do anything to Wu Yusen. The best that could happen was that he would take "Face/Off" away in advance.

After all, Li Yishu is not so powerful that she can ban Wu Yusen in Hollywood.

But now that Wu Yusen has come to us on his own initiative, we can do something about it.

This time, not only will he be unable to make it in Hollywood, but he will also be unable to make it in Hong Kong.

the next day.

Wu Yusen rushed to the treasure island in a hurry.

Arriving at the crew, after exchanging pleasantries, John Woo got straight to the point: "Director Li, I came to you this time because I hope you can introduce me to Hisao Morishima, the president of Columbia Pictures."

Li Yishu shook her head and said, "This is a bit difficult. Director Wu, you should know that there is no shortage of directors in Hollywood. If you mess up a B-grade movie, it will be very difficult to get another chance."

Wu Yusen frowned and said, "Director Li, we are all family, we should be united. The Ultimate Target is not a failure, and the global box office is more than 7000 million US dollars. Just give me another chance, I will definitely succeed!"

Li Yishu saw that the other party was still acting like a senior and was unwilling to even say the word "you". Even his smile gave people a sense of false politeness. He was even playing moral blackmail!

Those who know you clearly know that you are here to ask me to do something, while those who don’t know may think that you are here to give me a task!

What else can I do?
Then I can only give you the disgrace package.

"Director Wu is right."

Li Yishu pretended to be in deep thought for a while before slowly looking up at the other person: "We are all family, and I should help you, but..."

Wu Yusen quickly asked, "But what?"

"But as I said, Hollywood is very concerned about the failure of your first film as a director."

Lee Yi-su said with a reasonable face: "Director Wu has been in Hollywood for a long time. He should know that directors who fail once rarely get a second chance. You see, my movie "The Sixth Sense" has made a huge box office of 4 million US dollars worldwide, but the reason why I am not in a hurry to continue making movies in the United States is that I cannot fail."

"I understand what Director Li means, but I am confident this time!"

Wu Yusen said confidently: "I have written a new script recently, and I feel it is very suitable for the rhythm of Hollywood commercial action movies. As long as Director Li can help me introduce the president of Columbia, I will be confident to convince him."

Li Yishu shook her head. "It's useless. Although I have a good relationship with President Morishima of Columbia Pictures, I can't make the decision on their investment. Besides, Hollywood has its own formula."

"I was able to direct The Sixth Sense because my previous film, Sword Rain, grossed $1.8 million worldwide. Director Wu, you were able to go to Hollywood and direct a film because you have achieved a lot in Hong Kong. But if you fail once, everything in the past will be reset to zero."

At this point, he pretended to hesitate and said, "If Director Wu wants to be taken seriously by Hollywood film companies again, there is only one way."

"any solution?"

"That is to make a movie and prove your ability."

"But...but now I am..."

Of course, Wu Yusen knew that the best way to prove his ability was to make another box office hit.

But now no film company wants him to make a movie. He has submitted so many resumes on his own initiative, but all of them have fallen into the sea of ​​responses.

"I know Director Wu's current situation..."

Li Yishu raised her lips and said, "But Director Wu has never considered going the independent route?"

"Independent production?"

"That's right. You can raise investment, make your own films, and then seek distribution. Many of my films are produced independently, or with a few partners. Director Wu, you don't have to worry about distribution. I can help you get Columbia Pictures to distribute the films."

At this point, Li Yishu smiled and said, "Not long ago, I reached an agreement with Columbia Pictures on the North American distribution of Farewell My Concubine. It will be released in North America on more than 1000 screens in November. This is just an art film. If it is Director Wu's gunfight action film, I believe it should be able to get no less than 11 screens."

Wu Yusen frowned. He had been in Hollywood for quite some time, so he naturally knew what independent production meant, but where could he get the funding from?
Seeing Wu Yusen like this, Li Yishu continued to persuade him, "If Director Wu has an idea, I can provide a small amount of funds, but the bulk of the money will have to be solved by Director Wu himself. I believe that Director Wu has been directing in Hong Kong for so many years, so it shouldn't be a problem for him to find someone to invest, right?"

Go back to Hong Kong to raise funds?

No, no, if this gets out, how can I promote myself as a big Hollywood director!
and many more!

If I return to Hong Kong as a big Hollywood director, I will pretend to open up the American market for more Hong Kong filmmakers.

In this way, it would not be Wu Yusen who returned to Hong Kong in disgrace to solicit investment, but he would be the pioneer and leader of Hong Kong filmmakers overseas!
Thinking of this, Wu Yusen instantly felt a lot more comfortable.

As for funding, maybe you can look for Golden Harvest Investment?

Wu Yusen knew that Golden Harvest had always wanted to enter the Hollywood market. If he approached them to seek investment, with a global box office of 7000 million US dollars, Golden Harvest would definitely give some investment.

Then find some friends in the circle and investors from Taiwan, and piece together 1 to 2000 million US dollars.

Wu Yusen gritted his teeth and said, "Okay! Then I'll listen to Director Li's advice!"

"Haha, that's right!"

Li Yishu smiled and said, "I've seen Director Wu's previous film, 'Target'. It was well shot, but unfortunately it didn't bring out the violent aesthetics that Director Wu is good at. I think it must be the Hollywood producer system that forced Director Wu to give up a lot, otherwise the box office would definitely have exceeded 100 million!"

"That's right!" Wu Yusen said indignantly, "The American producer-centered system is really a cancer. It interferes with my creation and prevents me from giving full play to my own strengths. This time I raise funds to produce independently, and I will definitely be able to make a blockbuster that will shock America!"

"Who says it's not true? Director Wu's ability is obvious to all. He pioneered the aesthetics of violence. Going the independent production route is an opportunity to prove your ability. As long as this box office is successful, you will definitely have a place in Hollywood in the future."

Li Yishu continued to flatter the other party, praising Wu Yusen as a rare genius in the world, and praised the aesthetics of violence to the sky.

In a nutshell, Wu Yusen is awesome, and Hollywood is full of people who don’t know what’s good!
Persuade Wu Yusen to make a super action blockbuster and shock the whole of America. Leave the theatrical distribution to me. I guarantee that your movie will break the box office record.

Wu Yusen was so excited by these words that he stood up and said, "Director Li, I'm going back to Hong Kong now. I'll trouble you with the distribution."

"Haha, don't worry, we are all family."

Li Yishu smiled, stood up and saw off Wu Yusen, who came and left in a hurry. Looking at the other party's leaving back, he stretched, hoping that after this farewell, he would have the chance to see Wu Yusen again.

It is not that easy to engage in independent production in the United States. Lee Yi-shu, who has so many high-grossing movies in the future, only dares to invest in low-cost films in Hollywood, even if he loses money, it will not be a big deal.

On the other hand, Wu Yusen has not yet fully understood the Hollywood model. If he rashly spends a lot of money to make his own movie, he will most likely lose all his money.

Li Yishu remembers that Wu Yusen spent several years in Hollywood before he made a comeback with "Face/Off". At that time, he had been in Hollywood for several years and had a certain understanding of the shooting mode and market there.

The possibility of making a comeback by producing big productions now is basically zero.

Zhang Aijia walked over and said, "Director Li, was that Director Wu Yusen just now?"

"Well, it's him."

Li Yishu didn't want to talk about this person any more, so she turned to look at Zhang Aijia and said, "Go notify the crew and get ready for filming! Everyone will work overtime these few days, and when we wrap up, I'll treat everyone to a big dinner."

"Director Li, let's make a deal then."

"we have a deal."

Li Yishu nodded.

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

After a month-long filming, the crew finally wrapped up in early November.

Li Yishu also held a wrap-up party at her own expense as promised.

Not only did they call in all the actors who had finished filming, they also specially invited Qiu Fusheng, Qiong Yao and her daughter-in-law He Xiuqiong.

In the banquet hall.

A group of people were eating and drinking, it was so lively.

"Director Li, this movie should have come to me for investment."

At the dinner table, Qiu Fusheng said with a smile: "If I hadn't mentioned Qingxia, I'm afraid this movie wouldn't have existed."

"Haha, Mr. Qiu is right. If I have plans for a new film, I will definitely look for Mr. Qiu."

Li Yishu laughed. The scale of Taiwan's film market is still very large. As a local boss, Qiu Fusheng must be made friends with him.

Qiu Fusheng said quickly, "Don't wait for the new film. Director Li, how about giving the distribution rights of this film in Formosa to our Era Company?"

"No problem. Even if Mr. Qiu doesn't say anything, I will hand over the distribution of this film in Formosa to your company."

Li Yishu readily agreed, and the distribution rights of his films in Formosa were basically handed over to Qiu Fusheng. On the one hand, Qiu Fusheng was a local tyrant, and on the other hand, the number of social groups in Formosa was no less than that in Hong Kong, and many of them had even become members of the Legislative Council.

"Black Gold" is not a movie, but an alternative documentary.

Qiong Yao kept smiling throughout the whole process. Her company currently only has the ability to produce TV series and cannot participate in film distribution at all.

When the two had almost finished chatting, Qiong Yao winked at her daughter-in-law, and then she pulled Qiu Fusheng aside to chat. They were all from Taiwan's film and television industry, and although they had never worked together, they must know each other.

He Xiuqiong immediately understood what he meant, picked up her glass, stood up and walked to Li Yishu, and said, "Director Li, I toast you!"

"Ms. He is so polite."

Li Yishu didn't put on airs, and picked up her glass and stood up, "Sorry to bother you guys at Xinyue Gege."

A few days ago, Yongmei called and reported on her visit to CCTV with Huo Wenxi and the bid winning plan. CCTV has not yet fully agreed to it, but it should be almost there. Secondly, she talked about the TV series she would be working on with Qiong Yao.

Perhaps with Qiong Yao's permission, the crew of "Princess Crescent Moon" was very enthusiastic about the people sent by Yongmei to study.

"No, no, it's a win-win situation. My mother-in-law has always taught me to have a good relationship with my partners. If you give me a peach, I will give you a jade in return!"

He Xiuqiong said this, then changed the subject and sighed, "Speaking of which, the situation in the mainland is still a little too complicated. I almost offended Director Li because of a movie."

Li Yishu was surprised and asked, "Offend me? What movie?"

He Xiuqiong said: "In that faraway place!"

The name sounded so familiar. Li Yishu frowned, thought for a while, and looked at the other person in surprise: "Is the director Teng Wenji?"

"It's him!"

He Xiuqiong nodded: "I didn't know about the conflict between you and Teng Wenji at first. Later, Chen Hong told me about it. I almost let Chen Hong act in that movie. But we have terminated the contract with Teng Wenji."

Gee!

Li Yishu lamented the revision of history, and after many twists and turns, he was actually involved with Teng Wenji.

But Li Yishu is not a fool. The other party must have said that to do him a favor.

You see, because of you, I caused Chen Hong to lose a movie in which she played the leading role, and also offended Teng Wenji, the local tyrant from the mainland.

"Ms. He is thoughtful."

Li Yishu paused and said, "If there are plans for a new film in the future, I wonder if Ms. He would be interested?"

"Yes! Of course I'm interested!"

(End of this chapter)