Nobody knows movies better than me

As Zhang Jun and Ye Bingcheng previously mentioned, watching movies is now a common part of dating for couples.

The usual process is to meet with excitement and trepidation, then go shopping, eat, watch a movie, and finally go to a hotel.

If a guy wants to make a girl happy and then go to a hotel, the entire process must involve making her happy. Otherwise, if the girl gets upset and just turns around and leaves, the guy will be in a mess.

In this era that emphasizes free love, young people's views on love and consumption have undergone tremendous changes and are no longer the same as those of the older generation.

Couples, especially those in big cities, are quite free-spirited and open-minded, and they also pursue fashion.

Therefore, Zhang Jun specifically emphasized to Ye Xiaoyi: "We should treat going to the cinema to watch 'About Time' as a fashionable activity."

To create a situation where all the couples around you are going, and if you don't go, you're considered out of touch.

Ye Xiaoyi asked, "So, how exactly should we do it?"

"It's very simple."

Zhang Jun snapped his fingers: "Starting with urban couples, our dark restaurant has achieved good results, and we've even launched a special couples' experience package."

According to data from our partners, couples account for almost half of the customers at our dark restaurant, which suggests that couples are more likely to overcome social barriers.

Because you don't have to face strangers, but rather your boyfriend or girlfriend.

Having nothing better to do, Ye Bingcheng came over to see how Ye Xiaoyi and Zhang Jun were doing. Hearing Zhang Jun's scheming words, he felt that he didn't seem like a moviemaker, but rather a businessman.

"I've heard people say that directors always want to talk about artistic topics, about what kind of spirit our film embodies, and what kind of situation it reflects."

"Why does it seem like we're talking about something different now that we're here?" Ye Bingcheng asked.

Zhang Jun smiled and said, "Uncle Ye, as a commercial film director, the first thing I need to consider is how to make a profit."

Topics like dreams and ideals, or criticism, can be discussed in public, but there's no need to be so formal in private. Besides, it's nothing shameful.

"I like hearing that."

Ye Bingcheng, a former soldier, looked down on those intellectuals who spouted morality and righteousness but were actually prostitutes and thieves. Zhang Jun, on the other hand, was more to his liking.

After Zhang Jun met with the distribution department of China Film Group, Ye Bingcheng said to Ye Xiaoyi, "This kid is someone who can achieve great things."

Despite his great success, he remained humble and composed, maintaining an objective and calm attitude.

That kind of composure and self-control alone surpasses that of many people.

"Dad, are you still planning to give him shares?" Ye Xiaoyi asked.

Ye Bingcheng nodded: "Such an outstanding talent can never be made to work as your subordinate for the rest of his life."

Making him one of the bosses and having him work for you is also a way to retain talent.

I've done some research on the film industry, and directors like Zhang Jun are highly sought after. Why would they work for us if we don't offer good compensation?

Ye Xiaoyi said happily, "That's exactly what I think. Senior is really talented and hardworking. It's just that... he has quite a few flaws, he's a bit of a womanizer."

Ye Bingcheng was taken aback by these words, then burst into laughter: "That's perfectly normal. What kind of man wouldn't be attracted to women?"

Ye Xiaoyi pouted, "Dad, you're not that kind of person!"

Ye Bingcheng said solemnly, "That's because your father loves your mother too much and doesn't want you to get hurt. You've grown up and matured, and your mother would be happy for you if she knew from beyond the grave."

Who would have thought that Ye Bingcheng, a powerful figure in the business world, is actually a warrior of pure love? He's quite something!

The father and daughter then talked about how the two of them swindled money from foreigners and ran away during the last Cannes Film Festival.

Ye Bingcheng said, "You two are too bold. My friends overseas say that Pierre has gone crazy and is looking for you two."

Ye Xiaoyi was a little worried: "What if he comes to China? What if he reports us to the relevant authorities, or sends someone when Zhang Jun and I go abroad..."

Ye Xiaoyi didn't finish her sentence, but Ye Bingcheng knew what she meant.

"There's no need to worry about things back home. Pierre's intentions were malicious from the start. He won't expose these shady dealings to the relevant authorities."

Ye Bingcheng laughed and said, "You can't exactly say that I invested a sum of money to have Zhang Jun make a movie that smears China, but not only did he not make it, he also kept the money, can you?"

The fact that the relevant departments even gave him a smile was considered a sign of politeness.

Furthermore, the money wasn't transferred back to China; it remained in an offshore account overseas, which has nothing to do with the relevant authorities.

After a pause, Ye Bingcheng added, "As for the two of you going abroad in case you need to, that's easy to handle. Just find more bodyguards to protect you."

I have some old connections in the military, and I also have a dedicated security company for overseas travel, so you don't need to worry about that.

Ye Bingcheng was quite genuine: "You guys did a good job. You swindled money from them without leaving any evidence against yourselves."

I'll take care of the rest of the cleanup.

If Zhang Jun heard this, he would definitely say, "Uncle Ye, are you looking for a boyfriend?"

He held another meeting with China Film's distribution company to discuss some publicity plans. Cheng Yang, general manager of China Film's distribution company, suggested holding a premiere for the film.

Speaking of premieres, one cannot help but mention Zhang Weiping.

Before "Hero", there was no concept of premiere for mainland Chinese films, and they didn't even do much promotion.

The reason is simple: at that time, most film productions were affiliated with state-owned film studios, and private film companies were not strong in terms of either their concepts or their initiative.

It all began in 2002 with the marketization reform of the film industry and the reform of cinema chains. Zhang Weiping was the first to combine commercial marketing with film, which ultimately led to the brilliant success of "Hero".

Of course, it can be said that "Hero" achieved such high commercial success because it brought together many big-name actors and actresses, plus Zhang Yimou's appeal.

However, it is also a fact that Zhang Weiping's commercial marketing attracted viewers who originally had no intention of watching movies to the cinema.

He also threw an unprecedented premiere for "Hero," which attracted coverage from numerous media outlets and even a live television broadcast.

Since "Hero", every film of any significant scale has held a premiere to gain fame.

Cheng Yang's idea is good. Zhang Jun already has some fame among young people, and the film's main actors, Chen Kun, Gao Yuanyuan, Fan Bingbing, and Fan Bingbing, are also quite popular.

Holding a premiere is sufficient, and it can also be used as an opportunity to promote the film.

After thinking about it, Zhang Jun realized that although "About Time" was not a big-budget commercial film, holding a premiere for promotion was indeed appropriate, so he agreed.

In the last week of July, Zhang Jun, along with Chen Kun, Gao Yuanyuan, Fan Bingbing, Sun Li, and others, attended several preview screenings.

One event worth mentioning is the one held in Shanghai, Guangzhou.

A student from Shanghai Dramatic Arts Academy asked Zhang Jun, "Director Zhang, we know you haven't received systematic professional training."

You went straight into directing after graduating from university. Where did you get all this knowledge and skills about directing from?

Zhang Jun replied, "It comes from interest and experience, and maybe a little bit of talent. I often made short films during my university years, so I have some experience."

After successfully directing a feature film, I felt even more confident, knowing I could go much further in the film industry.