Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Chapter 108 The Battle of the Saints, the King of Terror

"The Filmmakers Association, why are you calling a cinematographer?"

"We're not familiar with each other!"

Mu Deyuan hung up the phone speechlessly. Zhao Yanxi was his prized student, an outstanding talent in the undergraduate photography department of Beijing Film Academy—although she hadn't graduated from her associate's degree program yet.

Those old men in the association called me after their disciple was wronged, asking me to persuade Zhao Yanxi to publicly admit her mistake?

They don't understand even the slightest bit of social etiquette, let alone know what the difference between close and distant relationships is.

"Is it about Zhao Yanxi again?" a teacher next to me asked. "He's caused quite a stir this time. I heard the school leaders have received a lot of calls."

"A bunch of ridiculous nonsense," Mu Deyuan said dismissively. "Did you see what the school leaders said to me?"

"Too!"

The man nodded in realization. If it were anything serious, the school leaders would have come looking for him long ago.

Since the phone couldn't be turned off forever, Zhao Yanxi called Han Sanping back the next day.

"Director Zhao, you're something else!" Han Sanping couldn't hide his teasing tone: "You can make such a fuss just by attending a film festival."

"There's nothing we can do," Zhao Yanxi said helplessly, "They're treating the contestants and netizens like idiots!"

"Wherever there are people, there is public relations. This is the same all over the world. But other people's public relations are done in private. How can you do something like the Hundred Flowers Awards, where the voting is still far ahead before the awards ceremony?"

"By the time the lottery results were announced, everything was gone! If this were you, Mr. Han, you'd probably be even angrier than I am!"

"Hehe, indeed," Han Sanping chuckled. "These old guys have always disliked me, feeling that I, as a radical vanguard, am out of place with their group of old-fashioned conservatives."

"Chinese cinema needs young people like you who dare to speak the truth."

"7

Zhao Yanxi was somewhat speechless, quietly listening to Han Sanping's rambling.

He originally thought that Han Sanping came with a mission to appease him, to convince himself to admit his mistake, or to stop dwelling on the matter.

Unexpectedly, Han Sanping showered him with praise and then hung up the phone!

However, through Han Sanping's words, Zhao Yanxi also understood some implications—Comrade Han was not only expressing his own meaning, but also conveying the meaning of the higher-ups.

The leaders are also very dissatisfied with the actions of the association and the film festival in recent years.

However, given their seniority and the different administrative divisions, even leaders of the General Administration couldn't interfere too much.

Zhao Yanxi became the fish in the cargo box, and it was up to him to revitalize the entire industry.

Even if your words and actions are a bit extreme, as long as you don't violate the rules or break the law, you can do it with confidence!

"hehe..."

With some mainstream media outlets falling silent, although some people are still making a fuss, the public opinion storm surrounding Baihua eventually subsided.

Having finished her domestic business, Zhao Yanxi wasted no more time and set off directly for Hollywood.

"Lurking" is about to start filming, and the special effects for "Painted Skin" are in post-production, so Zhao Yanxi needs to come and oversee them.

Zhao Yanxi originally thought that if the public opinion surrounding the Hundred Flowers Awards really took off, she could take Liu Yifei on a business trip to Hollywood to relax.

As a result, the turmoil subsided very quickly.

However, Liu Yifei really didn't have much time to go to Hollywood.

There will be one more nominal final audition for "The Forbidden Kingdom". After the audition, the casting information will be announced. Even if Liu Yifei has already secured the contract, she still has to go through the process.

In addition, as the year draws to a close, female celebrities will be busy with their endorsement deals.

Shooting photos of male celebrities, photo shoots, rushing to announcements, promotions, and various opening events—these are all unavoidable.

Although Halloween hasn't arrived yet, the competition between them has already entered a fierce stage.

Crystal Pictures' "Shutter I" will compete with Lionsgate's "Saw III" at the same time.

The former is scheduled for November 1st, while the latter was released on October 27th.

The Hollywood Daily Report called this "battle" a "duel between an Eastern dragon and a Western lion," asking whether Crystal Pictures or Lionsgate truly deserves the title of king of horror films.

As for the connection between the two, for example, the Saw series was spearheaded by Wen Ziren, and the film "Shutter I" was also directed by Wen Ziren, which was naturally selectively forgotten by the media.

When Zhao Yanxi arrived at Los Angeles Airport, the opening day box office figures for "Shutter I" were already fresh in the air. While in the car where Paul had picked him up, Zhao Yanxi saw the latest Variety report:

Crystal Pictures' "Shutter II: Ghost Rush" grossed $14.6 million on its opening day, surpassing Lionsgate's "Saw III" by $10.8 million!

[Hollywood experts predict that "Shutter II: Ghost" may surpass $5000 million at the box office this week, firmly taking the top spot!]

[Hollywood's BOP predicts that "Shutter I1" may gross over $1.6 million in North America and over $3 million worldwide!]

"Boss, having Wen Ziren direct 'Shutter I' was absolutely the best decision you ever made," Paul complimented with a smile. "I think his directing ability in horror films... is no less than yours!"

"Hehe," Zhao Yanxi chuckled, "Really? I don't think that's what you meant."

"You mean he's a better director than me, right?"

"Hehe...hahaha," Paul laughed without any embarrassment.

Zhao Yanxi said nonchalantly, "I remember a French director once proposed the auteur theory, arguing that the true author of a film is the director, not the screenwriter or producer."

"An outstanding director can transcend the limitations of the commercial and industrial system and continuously and steadily inject his unique worldview, thematic preferences, visual style and narrative techniques into his works, so that even without reading the opening credits, the audience can recognize that this is his work from the style and temperament of the film."

"Director Wen Ziren is an auteur director with unique talent in the horror film genre. Otherwise, why would I need to take a share of the box office revenue to invite him to direct?"

"That shows you have good judgment, boss!"

"Your Chinese has improved quite a bit!"

Domestic websites such as NetEase and Sina also quickly cited numerous reports from Hollywood.

The stunning opening day box office performance of "Shutter I: The Ghost" quickly made headlines on Sina Entertainment.

"Nearly $1500 million, horror movies are really profitable!"

"Yanxi Film & Television has even stronger financial backing now!"

"Sigh, there's nothing I can do..."

Domestic film companies are drooling with envy. Earning US dollars is too easy. The box office in one day is equivalent to the annual box office of 80% of domestic film companies.

"Sissi, your man is getting more and more amazing!"

"That's right," Liu Yifei proudly raised her head, like a proud swan: "Don't you even know whose boyfriend he is?"

"Hehe, shameless~~"

Shu Chang rolled her eyes, then suddenly saw a comment from a netizen, which she relayed: "Qianqian, do you think Director Zhao will be on the Forbes rich list next year?"

"The two 'Shutter' films plus 'Juno' will gross over 600 million in total. Even if we only split it in half, that's 300 million, which is 300 million US dollars. Mr. Chen was on the list a couple of years ago and his assets were only around 200 million."

"How would I know?" Liu Yifei thought for a moment, resting her chin on her hand. "It's better not to go. Being on the list would be too conspicuous and unsafe!"

"I think we should be able to see what you're looking at? A script? You're still preparing for tomorrow's audition!"

Shu Chang asked, puzzled, "Hasn't the contract already been signed? Why are you still working so hard?"

"Oh dear, you don't understand," Liu Yifei said dejectedly, "It's precisely because it's already been decided that I have to work hard so that Lionsgate doesn't think I'm being suspicious."

"6

'

In Hong Kong, "New World" was also released quietly.

The box office reached 800 million on its opening day!

This is considered quite good among Hong Kong films in recent years.

Many Hong Kong media outlets published articles praising the film, but most newspapers and magazines focused on the box office success of "Shutter I: The Ghost Story".

Because Hong Kong Island is different from the mainland, it is permissible to screen "Shutter I" on Hong Kong Island.

Moreover, given that a Hollywood horror masterpiece and a gangster cop film similar to "Infernal Affairs" are both highly anticipated, the media knows which one will generate more buzz.

Yang Shoucheng was somewhat helpless and could only keep quiet and make a lot of money!