Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: You're a Director, But You're a Casanova?

Two million US dollars?!

That's equivalent to over 16 million RMB!

Everyone who heard this number went crazy.

It's worth noting that "Infernal Affairs," hailed as a savior of Hong Kong's economy, only grossed US$150 million.

The release of "Hero" at the end of 02 marked the beginning of the commercial film market in mainland China.

Aside from directors like Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, who are at a level capable of securing overseas investment, which other director's script would be noticed by Hollywood? Let alone spending two million US dollars to buy the remake rights...

Thinking of this, Lao Tian involuntarily sat up straight. Although I am not as good as you, Zhang Yi and Chen Kai, I have been teaching students for a year and I am almost better than you two.

But just now, a leading figure in the domestic film and television industry confidently asserted that this was a piece of commercial garbage.

In the blink of an eye, Hollywood executives personally came to see it, spent two million dollars to buy this "trash" and remake it like a treasure.

The slap in the face came too fast, like a tornado. You couldn't handle it; there was nowhere to hide.

Old Lu's face instantly turned from ashen to a deep liver color, and the film association members around him felt like they were sitting on pins and needles, wishing they could disappear into the ground.

They pride themselves on being artistic authorities, but in the face of Hollywood's capital and absolute commercial approval, they've been stripped bare.

"Senior Lu." Liu Yuehua slowly walked up to Old Lu, holding the check for two million US dollars.

"You just said that this script has no logic whatsoever. Coincidentally, those people in Hollywood think the logic is absolutely flawless."

"The media present must have thought you were incredibly courageous to confront Hollywood authority and bravely say no to Hollywood's commercial hegemony."

"Starting tomorrow, the whole country will know that you are the hero who fought against the cultural invasion of Hollywood."

Old Man Lu was so ashamed and indignant that he wanted to die.

It is well known that people in the entertainment industry of this era admire American culture.

His son, Taro, was able to film Nanjing to whitewash the Japanese.

The influence of family education is self-evident...

It's better to just kill someone than to let such a person bear the reputation (or infamy) of boycotting the United States in front of the national media.

The order in the screening room was completely out of control.

Seeing this, the reporters arranged by Zhuzhu seized the opportunity to kick him while he was down, completely disregarding the so-called pomp and circumstance and rules. They took the lead in charging forward, shoving their cameras almost into Old Master Lu's mouth, and the flashes were so bright that everyone could barely open their eyes.

"Mr. Lu, what are your thoughts on Columbia Pictures' purchase of the remake rights for two million US dollars?"

"Mr. Lu, Hollywood giants have highly recognized the film's value and the actors' performances. Was your evaluation just now biased? Are you settling a personal score for your son?"

Hmm? That's a clever question. I glanced over and realized it was a reporter from Phoenix TV.

Is the Beijing film circle deliberately suppressing talented young directors to protect the vested interests of its own clique?

One sharp question after another flew in like snowflakes, all aimed at poking holes in Old Man Lu's lungs.

Old Man Lu has been a tyrant in Beijing's social circles for decades, always treated with deference wherever he goes. When has he ever been besieged by the media like a clown?

He was trembling with rage, his heart pounding, and under the temptation of the demonic seed, he finally couldn't hold back and exploded.

"The operation of capital cannot represent the height of art!"

"Hollywood buys them just to make commercial popcorn movies!"

Old Lu forcibly pitted commerce against art.

"I hold the power in the Chinese film and television industry. If I say no, then no."

"You, Liu Yuehua, dare to offend my son? You are courting death."

"Mr. Lu, what does the film industry talk about if not commercial value? Are we going to invest tens of millions to make a film just to put it in storage and admire it in isolation?" A reporter from Fox Entertainment retorted loudly, firing the first shot.

"And what did you just mean?"

"What do you mean by saying you have the power to speak in the Chinese film and television industry? That you can just say it's not allowed?"

"Is this seniority abuse or industry bullying? Since when did the Chinese film and television industry become controlled by Lu?"

Phoenix reporter deliberately spoke loudly to his colleagues:

"I told you it was to avenge his son, and I blurted it out in my anger."

When Old Man Lu came to his senses, he realized what he had just said.

He slumped into a chair, looking like a piece of mud whose bones had been removed.

His lips moved slightly, but he could no longer utter a single word.

He knew that from this day forward, their group's influence in the film and television industry had completely collapsed.

"Let's go, it's all over."

Liu Yuehua didn't look at the group of old men again.

He has achieved all his goals for today: the old men's faces were slapped, the free publicity exploded, and he has an extra sixteen million in his pocket.

He stepped down from the podium, and led Chen Guanxi, Tang Yan, and others who were still in shock, out of the Beijing Film Academy's screening room, surrounded by a group of reporters.

Lao Tian and Xie Xiaojing exchanged a glance. There were too many people now; it wasn't the right time. They'd wait until later.

In the afternoon, at the studio of Yixin Media.

On the table lay a two million dollar deposit check and the latest national cinema schedule.

Feng Chengcheng looked at the report and smiled so hard that his back teeth were showing.

"Yuehua, you're awesome, you're absolutely amazing."

"With this bombshell revelation of Beijing's old guard being slapped in the face by Hollywood, netizens across the internet have gone crazy."

"The opening day screening rate of 'Initial D' has also increased. It was originally cut to 15%, but now the managers of major theater chains are calling us and raising it to 60%. We can't even get copies."

The way Chen Guanxi looked at Liu Yuehua at that moment was as if he were looking at a god who could turn the world upside down.

Just a few days ago, they were universally reviled as expressionless good-for-nothings, but now the headlines of major media outlets have all become "powerful actors suppressed by the Beijing entertainment circle" and "young actors who support the backbone of Chinese commercial films".

"See? This is the rule of the entertainment industry," Liu Yuehua said calmly.

"Those who were the most critical of you a few days ago, who wanted to crush you to death, will eventually become free publicity promoters for our movie if you know how to use information asymmetry and capital to manipulate them."

Liu Yuehua looked at Edison Chen.

"Remember, in this world of fame and fortune, don't be afraid of controversy, don't be afraid of being criticized."

"Hatred, envy, and insults—these seemingly negative things can all be converted into box office revenue and real money."

The PR fees were embezzled, the remake rights were sold, and the movie was already getting tons of screenings before it was even released.

Finally, I can relax.

Liu Yuehua glanced at Liu Xiaoli, who was looking at him with lustful eyes. Seeing that no one else was paying attention, he quietly pinched Liu Xiaoli's butt.

"Sister Xiaoli, let's book a restaurant. You've worked so hard for so long, it's time to treat yourself."

"Okay~ Director Liu~" Liu Xiaoli rolled her eyes and swayed her hips as she left.

Just as Liu Yuehua was about to call Tong Yao to invite her out for dinner, the phone rang.

The caller ID reads: Tian Zhuangzhuang.

"Hello, Teacher Tian."

"Hmph, you're better, kid. You killed that Lu guy with one blow."

"Hehe, thanks to you, I won a small victory."

"Alright, stop joking around. I have good news and—oh, no good news, let's just get straight to the point, I have bad news for you."

"..."

"You're joking with me at your age?"

"You've gotten yourself into big trouble this time." Old Tian's tone on the other end of the phone was unusually serious.