Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Chapter 84: Filming Wraps Up and Baihua, Huayi's Declaration of War!

August has arrived.

Filming for "Painted Skin" has entered the later stages.

"Dragon Tiger Gate," which was unanimously praised by Hong Kong media, grossed a mere 30 million in its first five days of release across Asia.

Aside from the Hong Kong media continuing their enthusiastic advocacy, the reports from other media outlets were surprisingly consistent: flashy actions, but thin stories.

The producers have remained completely silent about its claims that it surpasses "Fearless" and "Crazy Stone".

On the 10th, filming for "Painted Skin" officially wrapped up in Ningxia Province!

Although Zhao Yanxi did not hold any wrap-up ceremony, this film, which cost 2000 million US dollars, still attracted a lot of media coverage.

[A fantasy epic period drama co-produced by Yanxi Film & Television, China Film Group, Wanda Cinemas, and Ningbo Film Group, with an investment of over 2000 million US dollars]

"Filming so quickly? Wasn't 'The Promise' in three years of preparation but only filmed for a little over a year?"

"Not every film is like 'The Promise'... I still have some expectations for Director Zhao's films."

"For fantasy and magical films like these, the filming time is only a small part; the post-production work accounts for the majority of the time."

Netizens are sensible people too.

Although "Painted Skin" was only filmed for two and a half months, the actual post-production is estimated to take four or five months.

From editing footage to creating special effects, then dubbing, sound effects, theme songs, and so on, especially the special effects, the $8 million special effects fee is not easy to earn.

Ning Ying hosted a wrap party for the film crew in Yinchuan. After the party, the main cast and crew members went their separate ways.

Zhao Yanxi, along with Liu Xiaoli and her daughter Liu Yifei, boarded a plane directly to Beijing.

"XiXi, I heard your new album is going to be released all over Asia?" Zhao Yanxi looked at the news in the magazine and congratulated her with a smile, "There's never been a new singer before whose first album was released all over Asia. Congratulations!"

Zhao Yanxi vaguely remembers that Liu Yifei's album still sold 60 copies in China during this era of fierce competition among top artists.

Whether the song became a hit or not, Zhao Yanxi wasn't quite sure. In his previous life, he hadn't heard Liu Yifei sing much, except for "Heartbeat"...

However, this record sales are definitely among the top in the category of crossover female stars!

"Hehe, I can't fall too far behind you, can I?" Liu Yifei smiled sweetly.

"Then you'd better work hard! I think 'Painted Skin' can get me into the 200 million club!"

"Hmph, then I'm also a leading lady with 200 million yuan in box office revenue!"

Back at the company, there were a few more invitations.

The Hundred Flowers Film Festival.

This year's Hundred Flowers Film Festival will be held at the end of October, by the West Lake.

2004年6月1日至2006年5月31日上映的电影都能报名，《那些年》跟《疯狂的石头》都符合条件。

"What did Director Ning say?"

"Director Ning said he would follow the company's arrangements and it didn't matter whether he went or not, but from what I can tell, he probably wanted to go," Yang Siwei said with a smile.

Zhao Yanxi nodded. Ning Hao does have aspirations for trophies; otherwise, he wouldn't have made so many art films.

Although the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festivals are not as prestigious as the three major European film festivals, they are still top-tier film festivals in China and enjoy high recognition.

"Then let's go! Sign up for both films together!"

Despite knowing that corruption is rampant in domestic film awards, it wouldn't be good for Zhao Yanxi, as a mainland director, to be too unconventional and ignore film festivals such as the Golden Rooster, Hundred Flowers, Huabiao, Golden Horse, and Hong Kong Film Awards.

Rumors are more dangerous than knives, and he didn't want to be branded as a foreign worshipper.

Compared to the three major domestic awards, Zhao Yanxi still has certain expectations for the Hundred Flowers Award.

After all, there's also an online voting segment. With Liu Yifei's popularity and buzz, she might actually win one or two awards!

The news that "You Are the Apple of My Eye" and "Stone" had been submitted to the Hundred Flowers Awards was not kept secret, or rather, the Hundred Flowers Awards organizing committee regarded this as a major highlight of the film festival.

After all, both of these films, which grossed over 100 million yuan, came from the same company and were even written by the same person, who is also the youngest director in China to win the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

This kind of popularity and buzz is exactly what film festivals need.

The Hundred Flowers Film Festival doesn't want to end up like last year's Golden Rooster Awards, which had a clash with the Golden Horse Awards and ended up with only a handful of big names.

This year, we're guaranteed to have at least two directors whose films gross over 100 million yuan each!

Post-production work for "Painted Skin" has begun in full swing, and "First Love" has also officially passed censorship and confirmed its release date as October 1st!

The news immediately shocked people both inside and outside the industry.

Outside the industry, it's not so bad; movie fans are just expressing their high expectations for Yanxi Films' youth film, hoping it will be released as soon as possible.

The reaction within the industry was much more intense.

Huayi Brothers has already monopolized the National Day film market this year, as they have high hopes for "Rob-B-Hood" due to their first collaboration with Chen Musheng and Cheng Long.

Even "The Banquet" made way for "Rob-B-Hood", freeing up the prime National Day Golden Week slot.

While other films in the industry are being withdrawn or postponed, Yanxi Films' "First Love" is actually going against the grain at this time?!

"Director Zhao, what do you mean by this?"

Wang Zhonglei's phone call lacked its usual politeness; his tone was icy. It was unclear whether he had slept with Bingbing too much or had too many frozen fish killed at the market.

"What does Mr. Wang mean?" Zhao Yanxi asked in a similarly unfriendly tone. "Why are you calling me so early in the morning to question me for no reason?"

Wang Zhonglei's voice, almost audible through gritted teeth, came through the phone: "The National Day holiday season is dominated by Huayi Brothers' 'Rob-B-Hood,' and you're deliberately throwing in a youth film to compete with us?"

Zhao Yanxi scoffed, "President Wang, the film market is no one's backyard. How could we possibly give up such a good opportunity as the Golden Week holiday?"

What, is Huayi going to put a seal on the National Day film releases?

"You know perfectly well how important this release date is to us!" Wang Zhonglei's tone grew increasingly gloomy. "Even 'The Banquet' has voluntarily given way, but you insist on walking right into the line of fire."

"The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television did not notify us that the film could not be released during the National Day holiday," Zhao Yanxi said calmly. "My team has been preparing for this period for three months, and we have arranged all the actors' schedules and promotional resources."

After speaking, Zhao Yanxi paused, her voice carrying a hint of nonchalance: "President Wang, the market is so big, everyone should rely on their own abilities. Or is Huayi so confident that it can't even tolerate a low-budget youth film?"

After a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, Wang Zhonglei's icy warning came through: "You'll regret this."

"Let's wait and see."

"What did he say?" Wang Zhongjun leaned back in his chair, a playful smile on his lips.

"Brother, how can you still laugh?" Wang Zhonglei said angrily. "We were so polite to him before, and now that he's got power, his wolfish ambitions are showing!"

"Hehe, what's there to be angry about?" Wang Zhongjun calmly flicked his cigarette ash. "Since the other party has established his own company, it shows his attitude."

"Are we afraid of him? Cheng Long versus Zhu Yawen, Gao Yuanyuan versus Zhou Yang—I think the audience knows how to choose!" Wang Zhongjun said calmly. "This is a challenge, but also an opportunity!"

"The success of 'First Love' and 'Stone' has already given Yanxi Films a strong momentum; let's see 'Rob-B-Hood' completely shatter that momentum!"

"Not every teen romance movie can become 'You Are the Apple of My Eye'; more often, it's 'Love Winner'."

"I understand, brother!"

Wang Zhonglei took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said calmly, "I'll definitely make him pay!"

"By the way, didn't Minkoff think Liu Yifei looked good as Little Dragon Girl?"

Send a message to Liu Xiaoli: "If you can get Liu Yifei signed to our company, we'll fight for this role!"

"Big brother, Liu Yifei and Zhao Yanxi have been getting really close lately. Will Liu Xiaoli approve?"

"On one hand, she has to worry about the impact of scandals; on the other hand, she has top-tier international resources. Liu Xiaoli is a smart woman!"