Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 147 Asking for Trouble

The plane slowly landed on the runway of Beijing Airport. Outside the cabin, the winter sun shone through the thin clouds, bringing a hint of coolness.

Wu Chen stepped out of the cabin door, took a deep breath of the cold air, and suddenly a familiar feeling of warmth surged in his heart.

Outside the airport lobby, Xiang Zhuo and Chen Guowei had been waiting for a long time. When they saw Wu Chen approaching, they hurried to greet him.

The three of them walked all the way to the parking lot. As soon as the car door was closed, the heater quickly dispelled the chill from Wu Chen's body.

Xiang Zhuo started the car and couldn't help but start chattering about the recent events in the film and television industry.

"To be honest, Director Chen is a bit stingy. He asked a trivial question, but he was so relentless in pursuing a small host." Xiang Zhuo was not shy at all. After all, everyone in the car was his friend.

Wu Chen smiled upon hearing this and looked at the two of them: "Have you read The Promise?"

"I saw it. I got an invitation from China Film Group and went to the premiere. Wow, that scene..." Xiang Zhuo grinned and added:

"Even Wei Ge and I were completely confused by it. I think it's not as good as 'A Solo Journey', but on the day of the premiere the media and critics kept praising it!"

Wu Chen was about to retort when the cell phone in his pocket rang. The ringtone was particularly clear in the quiet car.

He took out his cell phone and saw that it was Gao Chengsheng's number. He was stunned for a moment and then pressed the answer button.

"Hello, Brother Gao?"

Gao Chengsheng's slightly hurried voice came from the other end of the phone: "Director Wu, please wait a moment, President Han wants to see you."

Before he finished speaking, there was a sound of hurried footsteps on the other end of the line. It seemed that Gao Chengsheng had hurried into the office, followed by a vague conversation: "Mr. Han, Director Wu is on the phone."

"Oh, give it to me." Han Sanping's voice gradually became clearer, "Wu Chen."

"I just got off the plane, Mr. Han. You are in such a hurry to find me. Are you going to hold a celebration party for "Stone"? " Wu Chen chuckled and teased.

Han Sanping, who was on the other end of the phone, heard Wu Chen talking about "Stone" and a smile appeared on his gloomy face:
"The success of 'Stone' should have been celebrated long ago. I was planning not to wait for you, but Ning Hao insisted on waiting a little longer, so it's been delayed until now."

Wu Chen laughed when he heard this. He knew that this was half true and half false, just a joke.

"A troublesome thing has happened now." Han Sanping changed the subject.

"Ok?"

"There are some problems with the North American distribution of The Promise. The Weinstein Company has terminated the North American distribution agreement."

"Did they say why?"

Wu Chen's reaction speed didn't seem surprising. Han Sanping was also taken aback, then said:

"The reason given is that the resources for the Olympic Games are limited and they already have more suitable candidates."

Wu Chen chuckled when he heard this and said, "The Weinstein Company is being quite subtle."

Han Sanping's heart suddenly sank: "What do you mean?"

"My information is that after watching the film internally, Weinstein Company felt that The Promise did not have what it takes to compete for an Oscar, and their internal staff also had no idea what the director was trying to say.

Mr. Han, how about this? I just came back from North America, so I need a day to catch my breath. Can we talk tomorrow afternoon? "

"Okay." Han Sanping hung up the phone worriedly.

If Weinstein Company really has limited resources for Oscar competition, then it might be good news for "The Promise", at least proving that it still has a chance. But if Wu Chen is brought in, it is obvious that Weinstein has directly given up on "The Promise".

In the car, Xiang Zhuo and Chen Guowei's eyes lit up when they heard Wu Chen's response.

"Brother Chen, the foreigners don't understand it either?"

"You all don't understand. Do you think they can understand this film, which blends Eastern and Western cultures?" Wu Chen couldn't help but laugh. "That's it. President Han has dug himself into a big hole. Just a few days ago, he, the Deputy Director of the Film Bureau, Brother Chen Kai, and Chen Hong were hyping up The Promise's Oscar-winning prospects at the 'Oscar Forum'."

At this point, the matter has become a matter of face. You can't just say something and then be kicked out and told that you failed to win the Olympic medal.

Wu Chen thought about it and decided to call Jason Blum first.

The latter frowned slightly upon hearing this: "Wu, as far as I know, other North American distributors may not be very interested in the films rejected by the Weinstein Company, especially when they are competing for an Oscar.

Basically, you don't need to think about the Big Seven in Hollywood. Perhaps you can consider the independent production companies under the Big Seven. Some of them specialize in distributing art films and foreign language films. If you and Han need any help, I can help inquire about them."

Wu Chen nodded: "Let's ask around first."

On the other side, in an old courtyard in the capital, the warm winter sun shines through the wooden window lattices and falls on the blue brick floor, appearing peaceful and tranquil.

The atmosphere inside the house was completely different.

Chen Hong sat aside, looking at Brother Chen Kai anxiously. He had a frown on his face, a gloomy look in his eyes, and the newspaper in his hand was almost crumpled.

The page layout of the newspaper was very eye-catching, with several huge headlines printed on it:
"Zhang Yimou returns with his masterpiece, 'A Solo Journey', showcasing his masterful style!"

"A Solo Journey: A Fresh Spring in the Film Market, Master Zhang Yimou Returns!"

On the other hand, the title of "The Promise" on another page is completely opposite:
"The Promise's reputation has collapsed, revealing a hollow core beneath its glamorous exterior!"

"Is 'The Promise' extremely boring, uninteresting, and uninspiring? It's the pinnacle of pomp and pretense."

Brother Chen Kai's face turned pale, the veins on his hands bulged slightly, and his lips were pressed into a straight line.

"That's unreasonable!"

Finally, Brother Chen Kai couldn't bear it any longer, threw the newspaper on the coffee table, and roared in anger:
"How can these ordinary audiences possibly understand my film? I spent three years and put so much effort into it, and they actually say my film is empty, pretentious, and illogical.
Do they know what art is?! "

Chen Hong was startled by his sudden rage. Just when she didn't know how to comfort him, her cell phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID and felt relieved. She quickly answered the phone and said in a calm tone, "Mr. Han."

Brother Chen Kai was slightly stunned, his face still ugly, but his eyes still fell on Chen Hong.

Chen Hong listened to the phone, her expression gradually relaxed, and she nodded frequently: "Okay, Mr. Han, no problem, we will be there on time."

After hanging up the phone, Brother Chen Kai couldn't help but immediately ask, "What did Han Sanping say?"

Chen Hong replied cautiously, "Boss Han said that Wu Chen just returned from the United States and won't be free until tomorrow afternoon. He asked us to go over and discuss the details of the North American release."

Hearing the word "Wu Chen", Brother Chen Kai's expression suddenly became more complicated. Beneath his original anger, there was a hint of indescribable discomfort and depression.

Brother Chen Kai, a Palme d'Or-winning director, actually had to ask a junior for help. This was not a pleasant feeling.

Chen Hong naturally knew what Brother Chen Kai was thinking. Brother Chen Kai was already very embarrassed that Weinstein Company gave up on the North American distribution. Now he had to ask for help from a junior. How could the proud Brother Chen Kai tolerate this?

Seeing Brother Chen Kai remained silent, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter, Chen Hong quickly added:
"Brother Kai, with Wu Chen's help, the chances of The Promise winning an Oscar will be much higher."

After hearing this, the wrinkles between Brother Chen Kai's brows finally relaxed a little.

He looked up at Chen Hong, and instead of getting angry, he snorted, then silently picked up the newspaper he had just dropped and continued reading.

Seeing this, Chen Hong felt relieved. But the next second, she glanced at the newspaper in Chen Kai's hand, and her eyelids couldn't help but twitch.

This newspaper page happened to be a review of the film "A Solo Journey".

Isn’t this asking for trouble?
(End of this chapter)