Huayu: Enjoy Yourself

Chapter 64 A Star-Studded Premiere

The three of them also appeared on variety shows in Hong Kong.

However, because there are many superstars here, Zeng Li and Chen Kun are both a little nervous.

Chen An didn't feel anything. After meeting Uncle Ge, no one had stirred his cold heart that had been killing fish at RT-Mart for more than ten years.

They went through the motions of promoting the campaign.

However, Chen An is still much more well-known in Hong Kong than in Taiwan.

One of his films was screened here and did quite well; of course, his Cannes Best Director award, like Wong Kar-wai's, is also a reason.

Some young actors didn't act arrogantly or haughtily when they met him.

However, the two lead actors behind him didn't receive the same treatment. Zeng Li fared a little better, but Chen Kun was practically ignored.

However, these things did not discourage him; they only strengthened his resolve and motivated him to work even harder.

Ultimately, a person can only rely on themselves in this life; the best way is to truly become strong.

"You've tasted the bitterness now, haven't you? I was in the same boat back then, though I was a bit worse off than you. I even had to collect scraps from film crews to make up for my tuition." On the plane back, Chen An made a point of comforting Chen Kun, who was sitting next to him.

Try to comfort me. This is the first time we've met. He's my new leading man in mainland China. Although I don't respect him much, I'll still give him some face.

But in Hong Kong Island, a place teeming with superstars, nobody cares.

He might have some respect for Chen An, but as for Chen Kun, he won't say much.

Chen Kun sat in his seat and smiled helplessly: "What's there to say? It's already lucky to be able to act in my senior's movie, but one day I'll make them look at me differently!"

"Then you need to work harder. Even if you succeed this time and then stop improving, you'll probably never make anyone regret their past actions." Chen An felt relieved to see that the other person didn't take it to heart.

However, I still gave him a reminder: Chen An himself had a stroke of luck. After winning the Best Director award at Cannes, he even filmed training scenes in "Little Forest." He never expected that he would like "Little Life" so much.

It broke the record for the highest-grossing Chinese-language film, surpassing many action films.

"I understand, but I really want to train with the drama troupe." Chen Kun was confident and this was the first time he had made such a request since joining the company.

Chen An smiled and said, "Alright, I'll make arrangements for you to go in and train properly." Even though the other person hadn't graduated yet.

However, Chen An can still help arrange this.

Most programs in mainland China are talk shows, with fewer games, making them quieter.

This one doesn't actually require Chen An's appearance; only two main actors were arranged.

Chen An went to Xiao Ri Ri, since it would be released here, and Sony Pictures was very happy about it.

After all, the last film, "Little Forest," made a lot of money, and the distribution fees were substantial, far exceeding the money collected from domestic distribution.

The reason for choosing Sony Pictures was twofold: firstly, they were more capable, and secondly, they charged less than Toho.

Last time, Toho asked for an exorbitant price for the film, wanting to take 30%. Chen An thought they were crazy. He thought it would be better to buy out the entire film and take a cut.

On the contrary, Sony, one of the Hollywood giants that acquired Columbia Pictures, was willing to accept a more reasonable price.

On the contrary, the publicity in South Korea is a problem. Chen An's fame in South Korea is only so-so, and they praise him instead.

He's practically unknown; he debuted too early and became famous too quickly. He only has three feature films released so far, and none of them have been shown in South Korea.

Aside from a few people who had seen the DVDs, almost no one recognized him.

This is also why Chen An was hesitant about using Hong Kong stars back then, as South Korea used to be like Hong Kong Island's backyard.

Hong Kong's superstars have a very high level of popularity in South Korea, especially Leslie Cheung, who is practically a household name in South Korea.

Both the songs and the movies are very popular in South Korea.

Other Hong Kong stars were slightly less impressive, but still very talented. This is the level of prestige that Hong Kong, once a powerhouse in Asia capable of competing head-to-head with Hollywood, possessed.

Before the Hollywood industrial system was fully established, in the small territory of East Asia, Hollywood was no match for Hong Kong.

That was indeed a brilliant and glorious golden age, although it has now passed.

If we disregard other factors related to the characters in "My Sassy Girl," such as acting skills and image, and simply cast Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong, Chen An believes that breaking South Korean box office records is entirely possible.

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Moreover, this isn't a box office record for Chinese-language films, but rather a box office record for all South Korean films.

Unfortunately, Chen An doesn't plan to use Hong Kong stars, and Hong Kong stars who are still basking in the glory of Hong Kong Island are unlikely to sign with his company.

Chen An wouldn't give away such an opportunity.

Previously, there was no other way; Lin Dajiang made a fortune off the entire budget for "Run Lola Run."

At the time, I was just thinking of giving it a try. Anyway, the film was going to be released soon even if we didn't make the original version. If we kept waiting, the opportunity would be gone.

A director who won Best Short Film—just the Best Short Film director—that was the situation in China at the time.

Even Zhang Yimou has times when he can't attract investment, let alone Chen An, in the eyes of investors.

You, Chen An, the Venice Short Film Golden Lion Award-winning director, are no different from that Chen An who collects junk; at most, one is a junk collector who won an award.

Now that he has gained considerable experience and the ability to invest in and produce his own films, it would be impossible not to sign him, given his obvious and huge success.

A role that can sustain an actor for many years is an extremely rare resource.

Chen An has made many excellent films, but he can't come up with many classic roles as popular and captivating as the female lead in "My Sassy Girl".

Putting aside the film's excellence, the female lead's character is also exceptionally well-developed.

Even if Chen An is stuck with something, he won't use it to promote an outsider.

In the end, South Korea can only rely on media publicity; it's pointless for people to go there. It would be better to strengthen publicity domestically or elsewhere.

Sony Pictures doesn't care either, since it's not a buyout and they get the same cut anyway, plus they rarely use distribution fees.

On the evening of December 30, 1998.

The premiere of "My Sassy Girl" officially began at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

This is also the first time a movie premiere has been held in this location.

The original version should be Chen Kaige's "The Emperor and the Assassin" which will premiere here next year, with a grand scale.

However, Chen An also snatched the opportunity this time. After the success of "Titanic", the authorities also hoped to see a successful domestic film.

Unlike later generations, where many weddings were rented out.

The event was a grand publicity campaign, and almost all the required attendees were present.

Many big-name actors, including Chen Daoming and Zhang Guoli, were present.

Even Gong Li and Chen An were invited to attend. When they arrived, Chen An repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Sister Li, thank you so much for your support. I am extremely grateful this time."

Gong Li, dressed in an evening gown, smiled and said without a care, "If you really want to thank me, then hurry up and finish writing the script."

Chen An scratched his head, repeatedly explaining that it would be soon.

Grandpa Ge didn't say much, as it wasn't the first time. He patted Chen An on the shoulder and went inside.

Jiang Wen rushed over despite his busy schedule, leaving behind his new girlfriend and new movie to support Chen An. Chen An was extremely moved and grinned from ear to ear.

My senior brother Zhang is currently burdened with heavy responsibilities and is busy with filming, so he couldn't come to the event this time.

However, another senior brother arrived. Chen An's fellow senior brother, Chen Kaige, was present. This time, his film "The Emperor and the Assassin" was also produced by Beijing Film Studio.

So Chen An also invited them. As soon as they got out of the car, they waved to the media, smiled casually, and nodded to them.

He walked up to Chen An and spoke first: "Junior brother, I wish you success this time." After saying that, he patted Chen An on the shoulder and entered the venue with a smile.

With the air of a great director, Chen An didn't know how to speak, so he could only go along with him.

Yu Jinghong, who was filming, also took leave to come. She didn't say anything, but just stared at Zeng Li behind Chen An for a while. Finally, she gave Chen An a meaningful smile and walked into the venue.

Chen An, however, acted as if nothing had happened.

During the event, a young man in his twenties whom no one had ever seen before walked in with an invitation, leaving the media bewildered. Who was this?

However, Chen An could tell from the curious look on the other person's face as they walked that they were the online friend he had invited, so he took the lead and sent them in first.

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(End of this chapter)