The King of Soft Rice in Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 128 Where did this mouth substitute come from? !
Li Feng said a lot of things, the general meaning of which was that they had worked hard and put a lot of thought into writing the script, and the content was well-connected. There was no need to make major adjustments suddenly, not to mention that they had already started the preliminary preparations.

Angela listened patiently, showing no emotion at all. After Li Feng finished speaking, she waited for a moment and then asked, "Anything else?"

"That's... that's it." Li Feng was unsure of her attitude, and answered after thinking about it.

"Mr. Han, do you have anything to add?" Angela looked at Zuoshandiao.

"No, I'm actually just in charge of logistics." Zuoshandiao laughed.

"Okay, so the first question is, who is this movie made for?" Angela got straight to the point. "Is it the Chinese audience, the American audience, the Chinese critics, the American critics, or the Oscar judges?"

This question was very hurtful. Not only did Lao Mouzi and the others look unhappy, but Zuoshandiao's face also changed slightly.

Several people exchanged glances, and finally Wang Bin coughed and said, "Of course it's the Chinese audience... and the American audience."

"Very good," Angela said calmly. "Then my second question is, can anyone tell me what percentage of Chinese and American audiences have seen Rashomon, and what percentage know Kurosawa Akira?"

Lao Mouzi's old face suddenly turned red. After all, everyone in the Chinese film and television circle knew that Kurosawa Akira was his idol, and he was crazy about wanting to emulate Kurosawa Akira.

"Ms. Lindworth, although we don't know..." A producer named Chen from Zhang Yimou's side wanted to say something.

"So you don't have any data," Angela interrupted him bluntly. "So you're trying to please audiences in both China and the United States without any market research or data to back it up?"

She emphasized, "Gentlemen, I asked you to produce a Chinese-style blockbuster because of the friendship between China and the United States, not to let you use public funds to buy PCs!"

The expressions of Zhang Yimou and the others became more and more ugly. This was almost like pointing at their noses and scolding them, but they didn't dare to refute them. Not only was the other party a financial sponsor, but he was also a foreign guest.

Xu Jiuyang, who had been taking notes seriously, felt particularly relieved at this moment. Where did this mouthpiece come from? The domestic filmmakers should have scolded him long ago.

"Ms. Lindworth, this is a bit too much..." Zuoshandiao finally spoke, but he looked like he was having a hard time holding it in.

After all, he has stopped being a director a long time ago and has been working as the vice chairman of China Film Group for almost three years. Although he is called the vice chairman, he is actually the chairman of the board, mainly in charge of production. Naturally, he will not sit with the director.

He even wished someone would come out and give these directors a good beating.

"Mr. Han, I have seen many Chinese movies, but do you know which one I like best?" Angela asked at this time.

"Since Ms. Lindworth said so, I guess it shouldn't be "Farewell My Concubine" anymore?" Zuoshandiao's mind worked quickly.

"It was made the same year as 'Farewell My Concubine,' called 'Back to Back, Face to Face,'" Angela said calmly. "It's a wonderful movie. Even if I didn't understand some of the details, I still clearly understood what the movie was trying to say. After all, some things are the same even in America."

The conference room was filled with gasps. Everyone present, including Xu Jiuyang, knew about the film. It had been perfectly acceptable back then, but now, even if it were filmed, there was nowhere to show it. "So, third question, what's the greatest common denominator of the film 'Hero'?" Angela asked again. "In other words, what's the point that both Chinese and American audiences can easily understand and appreciate?"

There was silence for a moment before Li Feng asked uncertainly, "Action scenes, right?"

"Very good. The fourth question is, after reaching the greatest common divisor, should you consider the Chinese audience first or the American audience first?" Angela asked immediately.

"We have given it full consideration..." Perhaps because the question just now was affirmed, Li Feng had the courage to defend himself again.

Then he was ruthlessly interrupted: "As an American, after watching The Records of Qin Shi Huang, I found the character in the script shouting "enlightenment" and "peace" ridiculous. What makes you think that Chinese audiences will praise it after watching it, instead of saying: What the hell is this?!"

Li Feng's face turned red, while the others had strange expressions on their faces, filled with surprise, shock, and some indescribable confusion.

Xu Jiuyang understood their feelings very well. An American woman who could speak fluent Chinese, could also read history books and use the historical content to lecture them... Was she really an American?!

"So, is it that hard to just tell a good story, show off some grand scenes, and create some excellent fighting moves?" Angela started to get aggressive and looked at Lao Mouzi. "Mr. Zhang, do you know why I chose to support you in opening a studio instead of Mr. Chen Kaige?"

Lao Mouzi pursed his lips, wanting to say something but not knowing how to. However, Angela didn't embarrass him and continued speaking without hesitation: "Because Mr. Chen should be a poet or essayist, not a film director. Since 'Farewell My Concubine', his works have been getting worse and worse, and his self-righteousness has become more and more obvious.

Mr. Zhang is different. In my opinion, he at least keeps his feet on the ground and keeps trying new themes. This is a good quality for any director.”

At this point, she slowed down her tone again: "I know that directors always have a lot of things they want to express, but they have to make choices. The result of wanting everything will only be a mess."

The expressions of most people present became even stranger and sadder. This American woman not only spoke in a set of idioms, but also used idioms and colloquialisms fluently.

“I know you envy Li An and want to replicate his miracle, but before that, you have to understand that Li An was already studying at the New York University Film School in the early 80s, where he made many connections in the film industry.

At the same time, his wife is a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Illinois and a professor in the research department of New York Medical College, which can help him expand his upper-class social network.

In addition, he frequently traveled between the United States and Taiwan, and was able to fully understand the different customs and environments of the two places. This allowed him to, after more than ten years, produce "Pushing Hands", "Eat Drink Man Woman", "The Wedding Banquet", and now "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

Don't think that Americans like the fighting style in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" just because it's so light. In addition to being curious, American audiences empathize more with the rebellious heroine, and this is the greatest common denominator.

For Chinese audiences, however, what they see is feudal oppression and the heroine's pursuit of freedom, especially the contrast between Li Mubai and Yu Xiulian, and the action scenes are just embellishments.

Angela knocked on the table when she said this: "What I'm saying to you all is that those who learn from me will live, and those who imitate me will die. If you want to surpass me, you can't do it in isolation. First, serve your main goal well, and then talk about further development!"

(End of this chapter)