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

Chapter 59 The gun is loaded, surrender is not allowed.

"How could that be? That's Rongguang. You little brat, watch your mouth."

Cao Zhong was startled and joked, "I won't allow you to slander me like that."

Yang Mi was dumbfounded.

"Didn't you say that?"

"I did not say."

"You said there was a line just now."

"I did not say!"

"Is that a dog leash?"

"You'd better watch out, or you'll get blacklisted!"

Cao Zhong's gaze was serious. "Be careful with your words and actions."

"Then we can talk about art, right?"

"of course."

"You talk about 'Lover's Grief over the Yellow River' and 'Purple Sun.' I thought they were great when I watched them. Do you have a different opinion?"

“Let me first talk about ‘Yellow River Love’,” Cao Zhongdao said. “In it, a handsome American soldier pilot is used to represent our resistance against Japan. This is a narrative from the perspective of the ‘other’. It is meant for the soldiers to see, to let them see the resistance through the eyes of the soldiers. It makes us seem like we have to let them see it to be the victims. This is a lack of subjectivity.”

"Purple Sun is a good film. It uses the perspective of characters from the Three Kingdoms period, tells a multi-ethnic narrative, and has a wide impact. It seeks a balance between universal human concerns and the War of Resistance against Japan. But I have already discussed this issue in my previous article responding to Mao Yushi: where does the responsibility lie?"

“I’m not saying the film is bad, but the filmmakers were all subtly influenced by it. These influences have nothing to do with modern ships and cannons, or more precisely, they have nothing to do with modern ships and cannons, but they are related to ships and cannons in the 19th century.”

That day, Yang Mi listened to Cao Zhong say a lot, but she didn't fully understand most of it.

However, Yang Mi understood a little bit.

Cao Zhong was really good to her!

Cao Zhong didn't date her because he wanted to protect her!

He looks like he's walking a tightrope!
And then there was Cao Zhong's comment to her earlier, "Don't leave the stage. You're an artist; you'll get hurt."

Even when Yang Mi was going to sleep at night, she was still thinking about how manly he was!

Therefore, Yang Mi didn't complain even when she did it automatically.

……

In April, the war of words escalated.

Cao Zhong did not respond.

In May, the verbal battle continued to escalate, and Cao Zhong still did not respond.

However, Hunan TV's "Super Boy" officially started on May 7th, with the competition between the six regional champions broadcast live every day at 19:30.

Chen Chusheng, from the Xi'an division, received a song from Wang Renjun of the Beijing Film Academy during the competition.

Chen Chusheng was somewhat bewildered when he heard that this was one of the promotional songs for "Nanjing Photo Studio," which had recently caused a great stir online.

He didn't understand why someone in the film industry would approach him.

But after reading the lyrics and the arrangement, Chen Chusheng still accepted the song.

In mid-June, the film "Nanjing Photo Studio" had been screened with Han Sanpin's permission. After the procedures were completed and the film underwent multiple layers of review by higher authorities, it took more than 60 days. With Han Sanpin pulling strings and making several bluffs, the film finally obtained the film's production license.

Han Sanpin bravely stood on Cao Zhong's side this time. He was very supportive, and the final cut was made without any cuts!

Then, China Film Group and Huayi Brothers immediately proceeded with the copying as planned.

The official release date for "Nanjing Photo Studio" has been announced as August 15th.

It will also have extended screenings in Nanjing, Tengchong, Beijing, Jinan and other places starting August 1.

The choice of release date instantly stirred up public opinion again.

Cao Zhong's supporters felt a sense of relief; just one moment in time was enough to make their hair stand on end!
Although Cao Zhong did not respond, he did not back down.

At the same time, a large number of promotional materials were quickly rolled out across various regions. Although the promotional materials in Nanjing, Tengchong and other places were small, the support was substantial.

Therefore, Nagoya City, a sister city of NJ City, requested that the film not be screened.

Nanjing responded: Get out.

Online opinions are growing, and with Aki's extravagant spending, more people are joining in, attempting to put a pause on the release of "Nanjing Photo Studio".

But this is the 70th anniversary of the death of our compatriots, and although these voices have stirred up some waves, they are completely meaningless.

However, some official channels under China Film Group have begun to promote the film from an objective perspective.

Han Sanpin told Cao Zhong, "This is all that China Film Group can do."

Cao Zhong expressed his understanding.

However, it must be said that, inevitably, some netizens were swayed by the prevailing opinion.
Some even made it clear that they would refuse to see the movie.

Topics such as "Be rational, not extreme; be friendly, not promote" also frequently appear.
Huayi, which pays close attention to public opinion, was the first to notice these signs.

As a result, internal strife almost broke out.

……

Huayi.

Wang Zhonglei looked at his older brother with exasperation, "You just let China Film Group release it? When you were choosing the distributor, didn't you think about how crazy these people online would be? Brother, what should I say to you?"

Wang Zhongjun frowned and said, "You didn't go to see the movie, so you don't know how good it is."

"Good content can make money?" Wang Zhonglei scoffed. "What we need are big names. Without big names, who will go to the cinema? Do you really believe his preview screening tactics? What if the internet is full of criticism? We won't even be able to get the first wave of people to the cinema."

"We only have two hundred copies, but China Film Group took five hundred." Wang Zhongjun couldn't refute his younger brother's accusations and could only deceive himself.

"If President Han dares to make a big bet, why shouldn't I? Don't forget, Zhang Liangying's songs under your company haven't been released yet."

"He's not just President Han anymore, he's Chairman Han now." Wang Zhonglei's attitude softened somewhat when he talked about this. "The song is indeed a good song."

"Then let's wait a little longer. We've already spent real money, so we have to go through with the publicity."

"What about the marketing and distribution of 'Blood Brothers'? The movie was originally scheduled for release on August 16th, and it just happened to clash with that date, so it made a killing," Wang Zhonglei asked.

"Since the publicity and distribution have already been done, let's release it earlier. Let's avoid the same release date and let 'Blood Brothers' and 'Flash Point' clash a bit." Wang Zhongjun thought of the quality of "Nanjing Photo Studio," which he felt was much better than "Blood Brothers."

After all, Wang Zhongjun has been involved in filmmaking for ten years, and he trusts his own judgment regarding the quality of films.

Wang Zhonglei sighed, his little secret slipping out.

“If you mess this up, you can take over Huayi Music. I’ll take over as the CEO of Huayi. I still prefer actors to singers.”

Wang Zhongjun rolled his eyes at his brother.

He was well aware of this guy's flaws.

……

At the end of June, Han Sanpin made a phone call to Cao Zhong.

“This time, I, Lao Han, have taken a huge gamble with you. There’s a huge wave of opposition online. Did I make a mistake?”

"Chairman Han should know this very well."

"Tell me, what do you want to do?" Han Sanpin asked. "I know your purpose, it's not that limited, but I guarantee that no matter what the outcome, I can protect you."

"Chairman Han's words today warmed my heart."

"You tricked me first last time, and then you didn't give me any face at all. I'll just assume you're young and impulsive and won't hold it against you. Little Eagle, good luck."

"Chairman Han, could you please stop calling me Little Eagle all the time?"

"Why, it doesn't sound good?"

"Then I'll have to call you Mountain Eagle," Cao Zhong said.

"You brat, is this your dying words?" Han Sanpin was furious.

Then the phone went silent.

After a while, Han Sanpin asked, "You really have nothing to say to me?"

"Chairman Han, no, but I have something to say to those people."

"Let me hear it."

"The gun is loaded. Surrender is not permitted."

Cao Zhong chuckled into the phone, his tone brimming with youthful confidence and a touch of arrogant ignorance.

Han Sanpin felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this.

……

6 month 30 day.

Zhang Liangying, a singer under Huayi Music and former third runner-up of "Super Girl", released the end theme song "Ru Yuan" for the movie "Nanjing Photo Studio" and a music video featuring clips from the movie.

The music video clips don't contain much of the film's content, but they include many textbook photos and scenes of the bustling city of Nanjing today.

"And I will love the world you love
wish your smile
I'm holding your hand hobblingly
please take me to tomorrow
If you have ever been bitter to my sweetness
I want to live your wish

Is it true that I am willing to go forward bravely?

This prosperous era is every day.

The lyrics were slightly melancholic, instantly bringing many people to tears.

The criticisms leveled at Cao Zhong earlier suddenly seemed like hitting cotton, reminding people of the important point: this is the 70th anniversary.

Regardless of one's opinion of Cao Zhong, this song evoked sadness in countless people.

Previously, Cao Zhong's supporters suddenly became evenly matched with the opposition.

……

7 month 20 day.

The finale of "Super Boy" aired.
Chen Chusheng's "Misplaced Time and Space (May Fourth Edition)" sparked heated discussions across the internet. On the same day that Chen Chusheng won the championship, the music video for the promotional song "Misplaced Time and Space" for "Nanjing Photo Studio" was released online.

I long to reach out and hug you tightly.

Tell you everything is settled
The New China You Dreamed of a Hundred Years Ago
How beautiful

Chen Chusheng's ethereal voice seems to transport listeners back to that era.

Moreover, due to the explosive popularity of "Super Boy", "Nanjing Photo Studio" went viral across the entire internet.

Cao Zhong, the balance of power shifted from offense to defense.

(End of this chapter)