Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 49 Preview
Cao Zhong simply smiled at Han Sanpin's question.

Compared to others, his Eagle is actually a bit timid, not daring to go for a non-grossional version of the "Black Sun" series, and the film content is quite restrained.

But there's nothing we can do about it; we're on different levels.

Cao Zhong was already very satisfied with the filming of "Nanjing Photo Studio," which revealed the hypocritical mask of the Japanese soldiers, showing their disgusting faces by having "developing solution" splashed on their faces in the photo studio.

Cao Zhong believed that the enemy's counterattack would definitely come, and that he would be surrounded by controversy from the test screening until it was taken off the screens, and even for many years afterward.

In his previous life, Wu Jing's film "Wolf Warrior 2" stepped on the tails of many people, making these people ferocious for ten years.

It's understandable that Cao Zhong was criticized when "Nanjing Photo Studio" was released during this period.

During the time that the editing was finished, Cao Zhong also looked at the online reviews of the movie he was going to make.

Cao Zhong found it amusing; what were these people worried about?
Do you really have no faith in the country's strategic resolve and courage?
During the most tragic 160-plus years of modern Chinese history, some knelt down, some died, and the years of utter darkness lasted for more than eight generations. Yet, there were always those who stood up under immense pressure, upholding the backbone of the Chinese nation.
Just making a movie.

I'm really afraid that "City of Life and Death" will never be made!

Cao Zhong couldn't stand it anymore; in his view, he had to personally destroy the foundation of this type of film!

After hanging up the phone with Han Sanpin and the others, Cao Zhong returned to his dormitory, chatted briefly with Qi Jiuzhou and Wang Renjun, and then promptly went to bed to rest.

His mission was not yet complete, and the revolution was not yet successful.

Health is still very important.

He slept for 17 hours straight.

When I woke up again, my phone had been ringing off the hook.

Wang Renjun hurried out to buy food, afraid that Zhong Ge would go hungry.

Wang Renjun used to bring his own meals, but back then he thought it best not to give them to his children or let his son go hungry.

Now Wang Renjun has completely abandoned such thoughts.

Calling him Brother Zhong seems a bit disrespectful.

“Brother Zhong, Teacher Wang Hongwei and Senior Brother Ning Hao came to your dormitory and asked me to tell you that the test screening is scheduled for the afternoon of the day after tomorrow at the Beijing Film Studio.”

Qi Jiuzhou glanced at the date and spoke to Cao Zhong.

"I also called all the lead actors to let them know the schedule. Huang Xiaoming, Zu Feng, and Lu Fangsheng said they could all come to the scene. Xu Zheng is currently filming a movie, but when he heard about the preview screening, he said he was willing to take leave to come. Mei Ting has been busy with other things lately, so I didn't dare to call. Oh, and Hai Qing is filming a TV series and can't come."

"What kind of troubles are you dealing with?" Cao Zhong first gave Xu Zheng a slightly higher opinion of him, and then wondered what was wrong with Mei Ting.

"It seems like they're making a huge fuss about divorce news," Qi Jiuzhou said. "You'll see if you look at the news."

"Give her a call," Cao Zhong said. "Regardless of whether others have other commitments, the main creators still need to be invited."

He then quickly made a phone call to Wang Hongwei.

Wang Hongwei said, "You really can sleep a lot, but let me tell you. Among the people going to the preview screening this time, it's not just you and me, the main creators. There's also General Manager Han from China Film Group, a group from the directing department of Beijing Film Academy, Cui Xinqin and Huang Lei from the acting department, even Principal Zhang Huijun will be there, and Su Mu from the literature department will also be there..."

Cao Zhong's gaze sharpened upon hearing this.

He didn't care about others, but he knew Su Mu. When Xiao Jin was criticized before, Su Mu and Jia Zhangke were on the same side.

“I guess the school is planning to have them praise you, and then let the matter drop. We’re all from the Beijing Film Academy, so what’s there to get over?” Wang Hongwei said. “This is indeed a good opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding.”

Cao Zhong was puzzled: "Where is there a misunderstanding?"

Hearing Cao Zhong's stubborn attitude, Wang Hongwei recalled his own actions and patiently advised, "I don't care if you want to let this go, but you have to give me some face regarding the screening. Don't make things difficult for me. If Principal Zhang hadn't forced me, I wouldn't have bothered going to your dorm to find you."

Cao Zhong knew that Principal Zhang had asked Wang Hongwei to pass on a message to him, and he said, "I understand, I promise I won't bombard them."

Regardless, watching a preview screening of one's own film is a form of support.

Wang Hongwei finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yang Mi also called Cao Zhong; she hadn't seen him in a long time and missed him terribly.

"I want to go see the preview screening too. Let's go together afterwards," Yang Mi said. "Oh, and don't forget our classmates. Everyone wants to see it."

Cao Zhong understood; everything else was just an excuse.

She wanted to do it automatically.

“How can I decide this? You can go, but others can’t. There are too many people; the screening room won’t be able to accommodate everyone,” Cao Zhong said. “There will be a lot of school leaders there.”

Yang Mi said, "Okay, then let me take Shanshan with me?"

Cao Zhong: "Anything is fine!"

After thinking about it, Cao Zhong called Jing Tian. Jing Tian had been admitted to the Beijing Film Academy but hadn't enrolled yet. However, he was in Beijing and, after all, was a shareholder in his film. He had bought into Cao Zhong's potential and helped him a lot.

Cao Zhong couldn't refuse, and he also asked Jing Tian if he wanted Lu Zheng to come.

Jing Tianzhen went to ask, and Lu Zheng, upon hearing that many leaders from Beijing Film Academy and Han Sanpin were present, quickly agreed.

Finally, Cao Zhong called Han Sanpin.

"Hey, Little Eagle's calling."

Han Sanpin said, "Director Wang has already told me about the test screening, so there's no need to notify me. I promise I'll be there."

Cao Zhong knew that Han Sanpin was also unhappy, so he didn't invite him to the opening ceremony.

Serves him right. Han Sanpin has no one to rely on now. Zhang Yimou and he never really clicked. Feng Xiaogang was taken over by Huayi Brothers and is now competing with China Film Group. All that's left is Chen Kaige, who got crushed by a steamed bun.

They can only stay in the small world of Hong Kong and Taiwan directors, being trampled on and taken advantage of at will.

Does he really not know that a straw hat costs six thousand US dollars?
Li Lianjie's film salary is 100 million yuan. Does he really think Han Sanpin doesn't understand?
If you don't let them make money, how can cinemas make money? How can you increase box office revenue? There's not much you can do except turn a blind eye.

In 2006, China Film Group had 3069 screens and its total box office revenue for the year was only 26.2 billion yuan.

Almost half a year has passed, and it has reached 3353 yuan.

However, if these few people weren't brought in to prop up the box office of domestic films, the 22 Hollywood blockbusters that were allowed in would swallow it all up.

This is the predicament Han Sanpin is facing now.

When things are going so badly, I, Cao Zhong, have come to help, and you, the so-called "righteous official," have come to help, yet you still step back and refuse to shield me from the wind and rain, pretending not to see anything.

Are you suggesting we get Jia Zhangke, Tian Zhuangzhuang, or the like to boost your box office?

This old man is really too fragile under pressure!

Cao Zhong was too lazy to correct the other party's form of address and said directly, "President Han, my suggestion is that when you come, you should invite President Wang from Huayi and President Yu from Bona for me."

Han Sanpin frowned: "What do you mean?"

Cao Zhongdao said, "Is the test screening just about watching the movie? Should we discuss the follow-up publicity, distribution, release date, and screening? Should we discuss the next movie? President Han, don't waste your youth and turn your hair white."

Han Sanpin was speechless after being rebuked by Cao Zhong, especially after Cao Zhong recited the poem, which infuriated Lao Deng.

Han Sanpin said, "So you're going to involve Wang Zhongjun and Yu Dong? Are you sure they'll approve?"

Cao Zhongdao said, "Let's give it a try. The main problem is that I hope there will be many copies of my movie, but I'm worried that President Han doesn't have the courage to do so."

"Are you trying to provoke me?" Han Sanpin hesitated for a moment. "Back then, there were nearly five hundred copies of 'The Promise,' and I could afford to make those too. Do you have that many copies? Are you that confident?"

"Young people still need to be down-to-earth."

Cao Zhongdao said, "President Han, my suggestion is that you call your people over first, and we can discuss it after watching the movie. Even if you want to take all the distribution, how many screenings and how much publicity their cinema chains give me, shouldn't I get a good deal?"

After hanging up the phone, Han Sanpin paused for a long time.

The preview screening is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, but Han Sanpin feels that two days is a bit too long; he's already getting impatient.

(End of this chapter)