Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 129 The Most Popular Person in Domestic Entertainment
November 2002, 11, was later known as Little Singles' Day.

Of course, there is no such saying now, but there is a golden bachelor in the entertainment industry who has become a hot commodity coveted by major female stars and brokerage companies.

This stick is thick, hard, and shiny...

That is the light of the Golden Lion Award, and also the light of the mainland box office champion as of November!

It will premiere on October 10st during Golden Week and end on October 1st, Halloween in the West.

This directorial debut of Lu Laoban, which he worked so hard on, grossed a total of 4877 million yuan in the mainland box office!
Where is the painstaking effort?
The meticulous adaptation of the original play won the Golden Lion Award, giving the film a golden body that was both exported and sold domestically;
Previously, they had invited the young superstar Jay Chou to join the film. With the latter's "Octave Space" becoming the best-selling film, it boosted the box office and fan economy.

The carefully selected release period to compete with the ragtag group of films such as "Together With You" and "Heartstrings" avoided Hollywood blockbusters such as "Harry Potter" in the first two months, and also avoided the December behemoth "Hero";
Then there was the roadshow and promotional strategy he personally developed for Baoli Bernardo Yudong's team, which has been talked about in the industry and named "deep distribution";
In addition, there are endless soft-article activities and promotions on blogs, such as writing a review to win movie tickets, forwarding posters to get free phone bills, and so on.

One thing after another, together they created the staggering number 4877.

What was this number in 2002?
Referring to the mainland box office in the original time and space, there are only three movies ahead of 4877 million. Except for "Hero", the other two are Hollywood special effects blockbusters.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

At the end of October, Fatty Yu called Lu Kuan several times, "begging" him to agree to apply to the Film Bureau for an extension of the release date, just to raise the 10 million yuan.

Lu Kuan felt that it was unnecessary. It wasn't just this one meal. If you postpone the release of the film and block the release date of the next movie, you will be hated.

The food appearance should not be too ugly.

Besides, the box office growth has been quite sluggish, so there is no need to be obsessive about the integer numbers of the box office.

Of course, the reason for the fatigue in the later period is also the emergence of pirated discs.

To be precise, the pirated discs appeared in mid-to-late October.

Given the official attitude towards intellectual property protection and crackdown on piracy in this era, the official "Drummer" only made a symbolic appeal to the audience to support genuine products.

The DVD copyright of the film was also sold to a cultural company in Guangdong Province for 100 million yuan. Even Boss Lu suspected that they were the biggest pirated manufacturer.

Such pirated manufacturers with "both good and evil" identities are very common in this era. One million is their bribe. I bought your copyright for one million, so don't bother me with how many pirated copies I print.

After the release of "Hero" in late 2002, Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping set aside 400 million yuan to crack down on piracy. The Ministry of Culture and the National Anti-Pornography Office set up a joint team to investigate the matter.

However, pirated discs are still sweeping the country, and the words "China's Pirated Film Production Company assisted in filming" are written provocatively on the opening screen, which is really shocking.

Along with the huge box office, of course, there is also huge word of mouth.

With the blogosphere, countless ordinary audiences and film critics now have a place to speak freely.

[Also a musical art film, Lu Kuan's "Whiplash" taught Chen Kaige a lesson.]

Just like Director Lu Kuan said at the premiere in Beijing, this movie is truly hilarious. Throughout the entire 120-minute film, not a single person in the theater had to go to the bathroom. The pacing, plot, and content are all top-notch! Looking forward to Lu Kuan's next film!

What a shame! I wish I had seen this movie before the Gaokao! It would have given me endless motivation! I love that classic line from Feng Yuanzheng so much!

Boss Lu also instructed internal staff of Blog.com to launch a voting list for the "Top Ten Inspirational Movies in China" on the website, with "The Drummer" ranking first.

Of course, public relations with opinion leaders is also indispensable, such as Han Han, the cultural star of Blog.com.

He wrote on his blog, which has amassed three million followers:

This movie allowed me to reflect on the educational atmosphere in East Asia under the influence of Confucian culture from a more profound perspective. It can be said to be the best movie I have seen in recent years.

From then on, in addition to the special effects blockbusters in Europe and the United States, I had another reason to willingly pay for myself to go to the cinema: the road is wide.

Where there is praise, there is also harm, especially among the "academic cliques" and film critics in the film industry represented by Huang Shixian, Zhu Dake and others.

[Huang Shixian]: Apart from deliberately trying to please and flatter Hollywood-style commercial films, I did not see any traces of exploration in audio-visual language and film techniques by this talented young director, which is particularly regrettable.

[Zhu Dake]: Film is a spiritual art, but Lu Kuan treats it as a marketing commodity. Judging from the overwhelming publicity for "The Drummer" when it was first released and the vulgar promotional slogan "No boring moments", I suggest that this freshman in the directing department of Beijing Film Academy should continue to improve his inner strength.

As soon as these two great critics appeared, countless film critics flocked to the scene, citing the banners of art films and the New Wave.

They severely criticized the movie "The Drummer", which was neither artistic nor commercial, as if Boss Lu's box office revenue was not 4700 million but 470 million.

Criticism is their job, a means for them to gain fame and make money.

People are afraid of being famous just like pigs are afraid of being fat. These disturbances naturally cannot shake Lu Kuan's mind, and he is not in the mood to pay attention to these first-generation Internet trolls for the time being.

With the tools of public opinion in hand, we are not against prohibiting everyone from expressing their opinions as long as it is within a reasonable range.

However, if you cross the line or are noticed by Boss Lu as an organized smear campaign, then don't blame the official water army and power-hungry dogs for the consequences.

On the evening of November 11st, the crew of "Whiplash" held a celebration banquet at the Media Hotel in Beijing for its box office success.

This is a form of hype and also a form of publicity.

In fact, when the box office exceeded 3000 million, Lu Kuan wanted to hold one in Peking. This would not only boost the confidence of the distribution team, but also be an unobtrusive advertisement.

For those of you who haven't seen it, our box office has already exceeded 3000 million, and it's number one in mainland China. Why don't you come and see it?

I just gave up because the roadshow schedule was too tight.

Around six o'clock in the evening, the Media Hotel was bustling with people, the red carpet was rolled out, and there were flowers everywhere, making it look like the red carpet at a film festival.

In addition to the crew members, there were still a lot of big and small celebrities who came to support the show.

Not only were Lu Kuan’s old friends Zhou Xun, Zhang Jizhong, Chen Kun, Gao Yuanyuan and others present, but Zhang Yadong was not there this time.

Of course there are also a group of "new friends".

"Director Lu, long time no see!"

The one who greeted him was Zhao Wei.

Fans have already been screaming for this top star, as she is very popular these days.

Don't hit someone who smiles at you, so Boss Lu naturally greeted him.

Although I still don't know her purpose, the unpleasant scene when I told her fortune last time is still vivid in my mind.

"Director Lu, I miss you so much since we last met in Venice!"

As expected of a rich man living in remote mountains, he has distant relatives. Brothers Wang Xiaolei and Wang Dajun also came together today, not because of Lu Kuan’s invitation.

He glanced at the receptionist Fatty Yu, wondering if it was his work.

Everyone who comes is a guest. Boss Lu had a close exchange with the bosses of senior companies in the industry. The purpose of the visit by the two Wangs was to strengthen their relationship.

Just as Wang Xiaolei thought in his heart when he was in Venice, Huayi cannot rely on just Feng Xiaogang after all.

As for the previous little conflict?
I believe that a smart person like Lu Kuan would not take it to heart.

Now, not only the surrounding actresses, but even Zhao Wei were amazed to see Boss Lu greet and see off guests. Back then, he was just a little-known charlatan, but now he has become a thriving "beautiful tree" in the entertainment industry.

She also secretly thought in her heart that no matter what the purpose was, she still had to maintain a good relationship with Lu Kuan.

As the guests arrived one after another, a heavyweight guest showed up uninvited.

Short crew cut!
Boss Lu stepped forward to greet them, and he understood the sudden visit of the Huayi Wangs.

This is following the pace of leadership!
"Lu Kuan, well done! You have brought glory to Chinese cinema!"

Han Shanping still had a very powerful opening and body language. At the invitation of Boss Lu, he naturally raised the microphone to give a speech.

"Chinese films are in the darkness before dawn. As the Vice Chairman and Deputy General Manager of China Film Group, I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to young director Lu Kuan on behalf of China Film Group!"

Today was the other party's home game, and President Han was very considerate and did not give a long speech. He just had a drink with Lu Kuan, Jiang Zhiqiang and other industry leaders before leaving.

The leadership's status and authority must be maintained.

His coming today was also a temporary arrangement by Gao Chengsheng. In order to make up for the failure of the last cooperation, Han Shanping felt that he had done enough to show respect to the wise.

With his presence and endorsement, the agents and female guests present today probably can’t keep their eyes off Boss Lu.

The only unhappy person is Fatty Yu, he still wants to continue to live with Lu Kuan, but he faces competition from China Film Group...

No, we still have to find a way.

Send... Send a girl?

The staff quickly pushed up a huge ice sculpture of "4888". The box office was still more than 11 away from this number, and it was just for good luck.

Lu Kuan picked up the microphone and thanked the stars who came to support the event. He then called on Tian Zhuangzhuang, Feng Yuanzheng, Liu Yifei, Huang Bo and other crew members. Even Zhang Ruoyun and his son took a leave of absence and came to the scene today.

Only Jay Chou did not fly to Beijing specifically because he was producing a new album.

With a few crisp sounds, the ice sculpture 4888 shattered, and applause broke out at the scene.

The crew members hugged and cheered each other, instantly becoming the focus of the venue.

All the female stars felt jealous when they saw Liu Yifei jumping for joy beside Lu Kuan.

Maybe only Bingbing is better, but she is still thinking about the movie role that Boss Lu promised her.

Li Binbin had recently heard some gossip about Fan Bingbing and Lu Kuan, and was secretly delighted when he saw her unfriendly expression.

Is it useful to have a scandal with Lu Kuan? It seems like he doesn’t want to pay attention to you!

Looking at Liu Yifei, the lovely girl who was dividing the cake beside Boss Lu, she also sighed.

It's great to be young.

Of course, the celebration banquet will still be a buffet, which is to leave room for the guests to socialize.

But throughout the entire dinner, the two original protagonists seemed to have forgotten their main job and had not stopped eating since they picked up their plates.

"Xiao Liu, how come you can still eat so much?"

"I've grown taller again. I'm 5'7" now. I can almost catch up with you when I wear high heels!"

Boss Lu smiled noncommittally: "Wang Yuyan is a fairy sister. If you eat like this and get photographed with a big beard by reporters, won't you be anxious to death?"

Zhang Jizhong’s hype for “Tian Long” never stopped from casting to filming.

With the support of blogs in this life, Liu Yifei's beautiful ancient costume style continues to be popular on the Internet, adding another label to her.

The first generation "street girl", the oriental princess on the red carpet in Venice, and the fairy sister Wang Yuyan.

The means of the Internet age are in the hands of prophets like Boss Lu, and creating a god is that simple.

Although Liu Yifei currently only has one Golden Lion Award-winning movie in which she has a very small role, her endorsements with consumer product companies such as Procter & Gamble and Mars Wrigley have already commanded prices in the millions, comparable to the status of some first- and second-tier actresses in the industry.

But Boss Lu decisively asked Yang Siwei to reject all of them.

One's status needs to be cultivated. With Liu Yifei's current rate of development, she will likely be offered roles as an image ambassador for high-end luxury goods and top magazines, or even a country or region.

That’s a story for another day.

The little girl is only 15 years old and still has a long way to go.

"Lukuan, do you remember the last time we sat like this and had a buffet?"

Perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for a while, Liu Yifei seemed less interested in bickering with Lu Kuan and instead started talking about some sentimental topics.

"do not remember."

The little girl looked at him angrily, feeling that this bastard was pretending.

"Don't you remember that time I spit milk all over your face?!"

Boss Lu was speechless. Just wait, sooner or later I will... come back.

Jiang Zhiqiang walked over with a smile and looked at the young couple with kindness.

"Princess Yi, could you please lend me Director Lu for ten minutes? I have a friend who I'd like to meet."

Boss Lu and Liu Yifei hid here to eat just to avoid drinking. After a month of roadshows, he has been drinking and having too much sex recently.

Last night, he only had a few brief tastes of Bingbing and then declined, which led to the big star provoking him frequently.

Concubine Liu Yi's face suddenly turned red with shame, but she had no ill feelings towards Lu Kuan, so she did not argue too fiercely.

"Mr. Jiang, you guys can chat. I'm going to find my mother."

Jiang Zhiqiang watched the little girl walk away in a hurry, and his friend seemed to be impatient and came uninvited.

"Director Lu, my name is Wu Dun, nice to meet you!"

Boss Lu turned around and looked at the man with the demeanor of a big boss nodding at him. For some reason, he felt that the name sounded familiar.

When he saw Jia Jingwen standing beside Wu Dun and greeting him with a sweet smile, he finally woke up from his dream!
Wu Dun, Jiangnan case, the chief protector of the Bamboo Gang!
He is Shi Xiaolong and Jia Jingwen’s godfather!

Why did he run to the mainland with his "goddaughter"?

Thinking about Gao Yuanyuan whom he had just met during a toast, Boss Lu understood that she had come to accompany her to film "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber".

(End of this chapter)