Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 323 Struggle! College Student Film Festival! Goodbye Gong Li
In fact, the Chinese film market had already shown a clear recovery in 2002.

Those in the industry who are observant will definitely be able to see this.

The Wang brothers of Huayi were naturally eager to try as well.

On this day, they gathered several bosses together for a meal to discuss business.

"Everyone, I have confirmed with Han Sanye several times that director Zhang Yimou's new film 'Hero' will be released during the summer season. Although the specific date has not been set yet, it should be in July or August."

The eldest son of the Wang family first explained the situation.

The same old bosses who came today.

Zhang Xinming, Qin Hong, Zhou Zhengyi, Thirteen Young Master... there's just one more familiar stranger.

Sun Donghai.

This guy is finally back, after all, he toasted Ma Xun in Hong Kong.

But right now, why is the eldest son of the Wang family constantly talking about Zhang Yimou's new film?

The business owners present certainly understood what the two brothers meant.

"So, does that mean the movie 'Cellphone' can be released during this year's Lunar New Year holiday?"

The other bosses also agreed with Zhang Xinming's statement.

Isn't that what you Wang brothers meant?

The eldest son of the Wang family laughed, and then the second son appeared.

"That's right, that's exactly it! This banquet is specifically for discussing this matter with all of you bosses."

Everyone nodded in agreement, but it certainly wouldn't be that simple.

The second brother continued, "The original plan was for 'Hero' to be released during the Lunar New Year holiday, but now that they've moved it up, it's naturally our turn. In that case, Mr. Feng's status as the king of the Lunar New Year holiday remains unshakable!"

These were the people who said it. Originally, these two, including Feng Xiaogang, were quite afraid of Zhang Yimou's film "Hero".

As a result, they've now become kings and tyrants again.

The bosses all know what's going on, but there's no need to say anything more.

This is a great thing!

Everyone knows that the best film season in China right now is still the Lunar New Year season.

Although Ma Xun has also boosted the summer movie season in the past two years, the Lunar New Year movie season is still stronger.

The key point is that the summer movie season is much more challenging.

Qin Hong frowned and said, "Why does Ma Xun insist on releasing his film during the summer season? Isn't that strange?"

Sun Donghai then remarked, "What's so strange about that? He's been releasing new films during the summer season, hasn't he?"

He remembers this incident vividly.

Actually, the key point is that Sun Donghai has just returned, and he feels that he has to suppress some people no matter what, and Qin Hong is a good one.

Qin Hong is a younger brother, and he suffered a serious setback in his previous business dealings... so he's definitely easy to bully!

Who would have thought that Qin Hong was also quite capable? "Isn't that surprising? There are so many Hollywood blockbusters this year, releasing during the summer season. Doesn't that mean there are strong competitors everywhere? Ma Xun did win before, but that was Big Brother's film. Rush Hour 2 is clearly not suitable for our local market, and it didn't achieve any success in Hong Kong either."

That's absolutely right.

But... why did you have to bring up the very thing you don't want to talk about?
Wasn't the whole "Rush Hour 2" thing something that happened together in this room?

What you're saying is a slap in everyone's face.
Zhang Xinming laughed, "Brother Qin, you don't need to remind us. Everyone here remembers it."

Upon hearing this, Qin Hong realized how incredibly foolish he had been.

"Oh, that's not what I meant."

That's pointless.

Fortunately, all the bosses present would give his brother face.

Although Qin Hui is not coming back, he still effectively controls three listed companies in Hong Kong, which is quite impressive.

"Alright, alright, Brother Qin, no one here will hold a grudge against you."

After the eldest son of the Wang family said this, everyone simply smiled and said, "Alright, that's the end of it."

Then, someone offered some insightful opinions.

"Actually, we understand what Brother Qin meant. Ma Xun might come up with some strange tricks this time, we can't just sit and watch, can we?"

It was Thirteen Young Master who spoke.

His words gave the Wang brothers an opportunity.

The second brother spoke up, "Of course we can't just stand by and watch! Bosses, we brothers have managed to get some information out of Third Master. It turns out that the movie 'Hero' will be participating in the upcoming Beijing College Student Film Festival!"

Several business owners already understood what this meant.

But Sun Donghai couldn't help but ask, "You finished filming so quickly?"

Yes, you're attending a film festival, so are you bringing a film with you?

The eldest son of the Wang family laughed and said, "Of course it's not finished filming, but several big names from the film will be attending the film festival."

understood!

Publicity means using this film festival to promote ourselves.

This year's College Student Film Festival is scheduled for the end of May, which is right after the summer movie season!
Such extensive pre-launch promotion... In fact, many bosses are secretly admiring Ma Xun at this moment.

Although they are enemies, Ma Xun is a very organized guy.

Some arrangements may seem unreasonable or rash, but in reality they are methodical and full of details.

The Wang brothers and the owners in the house are all successful people, and they are all formidable figures.

However, they didn't gain the upper hand when facing Ma Xun, which wasn't because they were too weak.

Of course, so far, they haven't really lost much, especially since "Big Shot's Funeral" seems to have made hundreds of thousands more than "Nightclub".

Then this time...

"Should we cause him trouble?" Qin Hong was particularly enthusiastic about this.

"Oh dear, how can you call it causing trouble?" Zhang Xinming thought that Brother Qin was too impetuous.

The eldest son of the Wang family laughed heartily, "We also have a film participating in this film festival!"

The second brother chimed in, "Wouldn't it be better if we just stole the limelight?"

Yes, that's the situation!
Moreover, there are some details here that can be utilized.

"Stealing the limelight is..." Qin Hong was still a little confused.

Zhang Xinming laughed and said, "It seems that Ma Xun has two more films nominated."

Sun Donghai understood perfectly, "Yes! '50 First Dates' and 'Nightclub'! These two movies will divert attention from the topic of 'Hero'."

Thirteen Young Master laughed, "If our 'Big Shot' wins a few more awards, all the attention will ultimately be on us!" That's right!

They only have one film, "Big Shot's Funeral," which is actually an advantage for them!
If this movie wins more awards, then no matter how much Ma Xun promotes "Hero," it will be difficult for it to take off.

"50 First Dates" and "Nightclub" will inevitably draw some attention away from each other.

And there's a new movie too!

"We also need to actively promote the new film 'Cellphone'!"

Yes, use this movie to further divert attention!

That's quite a powerful move.

Regardless of how much profit he made, he at least caused trouble for Ma Xun.

The bosses all laughed heartily.

Thus, they enjoyed their meal very much.

……

In fact, the Wang brothers weren't the only ones eyeing this year's College Student Film Festival.

The Beijing entertainment circle has also released some information.

Ma Xun finished his work in Hengdian and then returned to the capital.

Unexpectedly, someone came looking for me as soon as I got back.

"Hey bro, someone's targeting you, you know that?"

The person who came was Jiang Wen, and Ma Xun didn't recognize him at first.

"Oh, Brother Jiang, I thought it was some Black Whirlwind Li Kui from somewhere."

Ma Xun wasn't even joking, because Jiang Wen was indeed quite dark-skinned at that time.

Nothing special, just sunbathing in Sanya.

Ma Xun left Sanya long ago, but Jiang Wen has been vacationing and writing scripts there all along.

He finished writing the script, and his face was tanned dark by the sun.

Jiang Wen wasn't angry at this statement; instead, he laughed and said, "What's wrong with a man being a little dark-skinned!"

That's true, but regarding my matter, Ma Xun...

"Is someone trying to mess with me at the College Student Film Festival?"

Ma Xun's words clearly showed that he had been prepared for this for a long time.

Jiang Wen's eyes lit up. "Not bad. I didn't expect you to have guessed it so early."

"Of course, and I seem to remember that you also have a movie."

"The Search for a Gun".

Jiang Wen immediately signed up, and Ma Xun nodded in agreement.

Actually, this movie is quite good; it even has a stream-of-consciousness feel to it.

In Ma Xun's view... that final scene is Jiang Wen's style, or rather, the 'style' he will immerse himself in in the future.

Brecht!

"The Missing Gun" is actually a Brecht-style film.

Many film fans probably get a headache just hearing Brecht's name, because his system is so difficult to understand.

But actually, it's not difficult at all.

For Brecht's school of thought, we only need to grasp one key point.

'Think for yourself!'
Just like the ending of "The Missing Gun," whether the preceding events were true or false, or whether they happened or not, is up to you to decide.

In fact, Jiang Wen has said this on many occasions, referring to Brecht, and leaving it to the audience to think for themselves.

Therefore, any interpretation is correct.

Or conversely, don't get hung up on right or wrong.

Therefore... it's impossible that Lu Chuan directed "The Missing Gun," because he has never directed a Brechtian film.

"So, you're planning to win an award?"

"No, what I mean is, if you're having some difficulties, I might not even have to attend."

"Brother Jiang, I'm touched by what you said, but it's unnecessary."

"Wow! You were prepared!"

"Of course."

"Then I won't be polite."

"Haha... This film festival isn't about the awards."

Oh? On what?

Jiang Wen was curious, but unfortunately Ma Xun wouldn't tell her.

There's no other way, this is the only option.

Afterwards, they went out for drinks, and of course, Bai Xiaohang was invited along.

After a long, rambling conversation, Jiang Wen also shared some information.

Xu Jinglei is back again, and he has several films from the Beijing film circle.

In fact, this college student film festival is currently the most influential film festival in Beijing's film circle.

After all, it was China Film Group that made it.

But it doesn't matter, Ma Xun already had a plan.

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, they returned to their own courtyard.

Unexpectedly, there was a person standing at the door.

"How did you get so drunk?"

"Oh, it's nothing, is it?"

Ma Xun's feet were indeed a little unsteady, but the question from the person in front of him had a distinctly married woman feel to it.

This doesn't quite fit her style.

Because she is Gong Li, that international film queen.

(End of this chapter)