Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

"Director Zhao, I'm so sorry!"

Just as Zhao Yanxi stepped out of Han Sanping's office, she bumped into someone.

"fine."

Upon seeing that the man in front of her was a middle-aged man who was not very tall but had a rather rugged appearance, Zhao Yanxi's eyes lit up.

"Are you Director Kang?"

"Director Zhao knows me?" Kang Honglei was quite surprised.

"I've seen you on TV once before, I remember you somewhat," Zhao Yanxi said with a smile. "Director Kang, are you here to discuss investment as well?"

His gaze swept over the folder in Kang Honglei's hand, and a thought suddenly struck him—according to the timeline, if it was a script, it was very likely the later sensational "Soldiers' Assault".

"Yes," Kang Honglei shook his head helplessly, "We really couldn't find any investors, so we had to ask President Han to 'beg' for funds."

"Director Kang, please make your way." Zhao Yanxi stepped aside to let him pass, and after a moment of feigned hesitation, added sincerely, "Director Kang, if it's inconvenient for President Han here, you're welcome to come and visit my company."

"I greatly admire your previous works and am very interested in your new script!"

"OK!"

Kang Honglei smiled with delight, never expecting such an unexpected surprise during his trip to China Film Group!

……

The journey downstairs was another arduous breakout, and it took Zhao Yanxi quite a bit of effort to finally escape from the crowd's encirclement.

It wasn't until he squeezed out of the stairwell that he understood from the complaints of the people next to him why they were still gathered at China Film Group and refused to leave, even though it was close to the Spring Festival.

It turns out that a meeting held by the group a few days ago revealed that this year's film support funds will be significantly reduced.

For these older generation directors who relied on funding from China Film Group to make films, this was nothing short of a bolt from the blue.

Everyone is afraid of being cut off, so they rushed to seize the last chance before the Lunar New Year was over and the list of those to be supported was finalized.

Zhao Yanxi seemed to be deep in thought—no wonder President Han reacted so strongly when "The Promise" was mentioned earlier.

It seems that the huge losses from that film have indeed affected China Film Group's finances, and now they have to make up for it with subsidies.

However, this probably also implies that Han Sanping was intentionally trying to give these people a warning.

Despite repeated advocacy and encouragement from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and China Film Group Corporation (CFLC) to directors to try their hand at commercial films,

After all, only commercial films can attract audiences to the cinema, thereby driving the development of the cinema chain and related industries—but these old-school directors still cling to those so-called art films that are full of melodramatic whining.

If they can win some awards or sell some copyrights, it won't be a complete loss;

Unfortunately, most of them won no awards and their box office performance was dismal, and a large amount of support funds were wasted. How could Han Sanping not be furious?

......

With the New Year approaching, news about the movie keeps coming out.

With the completion of filming for "The Banquet" and "A Battle of Wits," Zhang Yimou's new film has also secured international superstars Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li. News of Zhao Yanxi leaving China Film Group has also been posted online by media reporters.

Zhao Yanxi spotted at China Film Group, sparking rumors of a new project being revealed!

[Zhao Yanxi holding a folder suggests China Film Group may have decided to invest!]

...

[Director Zhao Yanxi's new film has been confirmed and may officially begin filming in February.]

"Mr. Wang, my script isn't finished yet, so how can we start filming so soon? We'll definitely give you the distribution rights for 'Stone' (the film). Director Ning's post-production is almost finished. Let's discuss the distribution policy again after the New Year!"

"Mr. Yang, don't listen to those reporters' nonsense, it won't be that quick—don't worry, if we need funds, I'll definitely contact you!"

"Haozi, how could you listen to the reporters' nonsense? I'm nowhere near as fast as you!"

"You son of a bitch!"

Zhao Yanxi held her phone far away, looking at the messy news on the portal website with a sense of helplessness.

These reporters are really daring—do they just make up stories when there aren't any?

Just as I hung up on Ning Hao, another call came in.

Zhao Yanxi glanced at the three characters "Wang Zhonglei" on the screen. There was no time difference in China to use as an excuse, so she could only sigh and answer the phone.

"Mr. Wang..."

"Director Zhao, I heard you're preparing a new project..."

"Alright, funding isn't a problem, but Director Zhao, you absolutely must give the actors a chance. Huayi Brothers has plenty of good actors..."

"Okay, okay!"

Wang Zhonglei chuckled in response, but the moment he hung up the phone, his expression instantly changed from sunny to cloudy.

"What? You got rejected?"

"Hmm," Wang Zhonglei nodded unhappily, "Big brother, I have a feeling that Zhao Yanxi seems to have some kind of idea about our Huayi?"

"You're overthinking it," Wang Zhongjun said with a smile. "We haven't offended him."

"Zhang Jizhong, Huang Xiaoming, and other acquaintances of his have all joined us one after another. What reason does he have to have any ill intentions towards us?"

"Could it be Xiaogang's side?" Wang Zhonglei guessed. "I heard from the people below that Xiaogang always says things like 'You Are the Apple of My Eye' is a bad movie and 'Shutter' is a lousy ghost movie, and he seems to look down on Zhao Yanxi."

"Did he find out about what Xiaogang said?"

"That can't be right. Even the paparazzi don't know, how could he possibly know?"

If the paparazzi knew, they would have already started arguing online. Those troublemakers don't care who you are.

They dare to report any news!

"Find an opportunity to ask him in person again. We at Huayi are very willing to be his friend."

......

Yanxi Film & Television has basically stopped production.

The company has settled all wages and bonuses, and all employees have gone home for the holidays. Even Yang Siwei received a generous bonus and went home early for the Chinese New Year.

The company doesn't have any movies to promote or release right now, so her only job is to keep an eye on Liu Yifei's reputation and public opinion online.

These things can be handled at home.

Zhao Yanxi basically stopped going to the company and spent all her time at home joking and chatting with Liu Yifei.

Since filming wrapped on "The Return of the Condor Heroes," the two haven't spent this much time together in such close proximity.

We never tire of looking at each other; only Liu Yifei can do that!

......

At the end of the year, a wave of movies hoping to capitalize on the New Year's popularity are being released in quick succession.

The premiere of "Huo Yuanjia," starring Li Lianjie, was also held in Beijing, where Zhou Jielun performed the theme song live.

Many media outlets and fans went, but few mainland filmmakers did.

Unlike Jackie Chan, who has close ties with the mainland, Li Lianjie has severed all ties with the mainland and has no vested interests with it since he moved from Hong Kong to Hollywood.

The film and television executives and celebrities in mainland China aren't stupid. If you can't bring them benefits, even if you're an international star, they won't fawn over you.

According to the announcement from China Film Distribution Corporation, "Fearless" grossed nearly 800 million yuan on its opening day, which is not a low figure for a film released on Wednesday.

Zhao Yanxi and Liu Yifei also bought two movie tickets. Li Lianjie's action scenes were quite interesting, but the plot... was completely unappealing!

"Yanxi, Mom said my aunt will be back the day after tomorrow, so we're going back to Jiangcheng tomorrow and will come back after the New Year."

"Okay, sure," Zhao Yanxi said, holding Liu Yifei's soft, sweet little hand as they walked along the path between the villas. "I'm going back to my hometown in a couple of days. Once I'm done there, I'll come to Jiangcheng to see you!"

"Okay, then you'd better come early~" Liu Yifei said with a smile, her head held high.

"That depends on whether someone misses me or not," Zhao Yanxi said with a smile. "If they miss me, I'll come earlier."

If you don't miss me, I'll go to Jiangcheng. I'll be all alone during the New Year, how pitiful!

"Hmph, if someone misses me, they'll come earlier; if they don't miss me, they shouldn't come at all!"

Xiao Liu put what she had just learned to use, giving Zhao Yanxi a haughty glance.

That clever little thing made Zhao Yanxi's heart flutter!

"Sissi~"

"Ugh... Ouch—"