1980 My literary era

Romain Gallion's concession was not due to Lin Weimin's "domineering spirit", but to the pressure from France.

"Lover" has been released in Western European countries over the past few months, and the response has been very good.

Recently, the film distributors in France are negotiating with Jade Bird Company about distribution and distribution issues. To put it bluntly, they want Jade Bird Company to hand over some of the unsold overseas distribution rights of "Lover" to them. They are acting like second-rate dealers. Some countries release the film for release.

It's a win-win for both Bluebird and the French publisher.

The countries and regions that these French film distributors can influence all have a considerable French-speaking population. Not only do film distributors have channels here, but Gallimard Publishing also has distribution channels here.

Once a movie becomes popular and has a certain influence, it will also increase book sales.

The 12% royalty rate is a bit high, but it is worthy of Lin Weimin's influence.

It's just that he is used to picking up the wool of writers, so Roman Galyan is still a little uncomfortable.

In the car before leaving, he complained to Lin Weimin.

Comrade Liang was speechless. Didn't you two still cherish each other after signing the contract? Why did it change so quickly?

Teacher Lin is right, the Gallic chicken never loses in the mouth and never wins in the hand.

The publishing contract for "Lover" states that the publishing area includes not only France, but also many French-speaking countries and regions. Lin Weimin is certainly happy to see this happen.

The more books he sells, the more he makes.

It's a pity that Gallimard Publishing House is too stingy. It took a long time to get 12% of the royalties. In comparison, the old Americans still have more money.

No, Teacher Lin has just received the last quarter's copy of "The Intouchables". Counting from the end of 1984, "The Intouchables" has been in theaters for two years, and the box office share has inevitably declined.

Lin Weimin's box office share has also dropped from more than 400,000 to more than 300,000, and is expected to decline next quarter.

This situation was also expected by Lin Weimin. He and Arthur Miller had discussed this issue long ago.

As box office revenue continues to decline, "The Intouchables" will start a tour in the near future. After making a round of money, it will return to Broadway for a tour, and then it will temporarily enter a dormant period.

Whether it will be re-released in the future depends on whether the audience misses it.

On this day, Lin Weimin was at work. Zhang Yimou suddenly ran to the editorial department and excitedly told him the good news.

It is said that "Red Sorghum" may participate in the Berlin International Film Festival.

Lin Weimin was not surprised by this. Later "Red Sorghum" won the Golden Bear Award precisely because of its participation in the Berlin International Film Festival. It not only won Zhang Yimou, an international director, but also made the two male and female protagonists in the movie Gong Li and Jiang Wen .

Before Lin Weimin could ask, the excited Zhang Yimou told the story exactly as if he were pouring beans through a bamboo tube.

It turned out that "Red Sorghum" was in post-production a few days ago and was coming to an end. Assistant director Yang Fengliang suddenly came to ask Zhang Yimou if he wanted to send the film to the Berlin International Film Festival before it was released.

Zhang Yimou was born in Yanying. When he was in school, he often heard teachers and classmates talk about the numerous film festivals in the world. Among them, the most well-known are the Cannes Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival and Venice Film Festival in France. The three are collectively known as The three major European film festivals all enjoy high prestige around the world.

As a film maker, who wouldn’t want to participate in a film festival like this?

But for most domestic film directors in this era, participating in these three film festivals is a rare thing.

Not only does the quality of your film need to pass the test, but it also requires some connections and luck.

This time, Zhang Yimou was hit by a pie falling from the sky.

This year, Cheng Kaige made his ambitious work "The King of Children", which is a movie adapted from Acheng's novel "The King of Children". Through the operation of Yu Yuxi in the Shanghai film circle, "The King of Children" was sent to a huge film studio in Germany in advance. Hader, the influential film critic.

After watching the sample film of "The King of Children", Hader greatly praised the film and hinted that if the film can participate in the competition, he will definitely help and recommend it, and Cheng Kaige also readily agreed.

But what Hader and the Berlin Film Festival didn't expect was that Cheng Kaige suddenly changed his mind when it was time to deliver the film.

It was temporarily decided to send "The King of Children" to the Cannes Film Festival in France to compete for the Palme d'Or.

According to what Zhang Yimou heard, there were two reasons that prompted Cheng Kaige to do this.

First, Cheng Kaige heard from a friend in private that in terms of the international influence of movies, Cannes, France, is stronger than Berlin, Germany.

Second, "Lover" won two awards at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Although "Lover" was presented in the name of the Hong Kong region, it is still a Chinese film after all. Cheng Kaige believes that domestic films may be more in line with the taste of the Cannes Film Festival.

Lin Weimin scratched his head after listening to Zhang Yimou's narration. The fact that Kaizi temporarily withdrew from the film festival and gave Zhang Yimou a chance has always been a hot topic among domestic film enthusiasts.

But he didn't expect that this matter would actually have something to do with him?

Kaizi actually chose to send "The King of Children" to Cannes because of the award-winning "Lover"!

"So, "Red Sorghum" will soon participate in the Berlin Film Festival?"

"Not necessarily. The film hasn't been submitted for review yet, and participating in the film festival requires approval from the film bureau leaders. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it in time." When Zhang Yimou said this, a look of worry inevitably appeared on his face.

"Why is it too late?" Lin Weimin asked.

Zhang Yimou explained to Lin Weimin that the Berlin Film Festival is held in February every year, but the registration time for participating films is until the end of November of the previous year.

In other words, the registration time for the film festival has now passed.

But Yu Yuxi promised Zhang Yimou that as long as the film's production, submission and approval were completed before January, he could go through a special channel to be added to the entry list.

"What other problems can there be with the film bureau? For domestic films to participate in famous film festivals like the Berlin Film Festival, it is also a work achievement for them, right?"

Zhang Yimou shook his head, "Feng Liang told me about the twists and turns. The Berlin Film Festival's exhibition quota was originally for "The King of Children", but now Kaige has decided not to participate. It's true that Sister Yu contacted me, but To participate in the competition, I have to get the nod from the film bureau, so this spot may not be given to me!"

Lin Weimin understood immediately upon hearing this that this was another piece of Tang Monk meat, and also understood the purpose of Zhang Yimou's visit today.

Zhang Yimou looked at Lin Weimin with a somewhat embarrassed look.

Lin Weimin smiled and said nothing.

Instead, he directly picked up the phone on his desk and dialed.

"Hey, Director Teng, I have something to ask you."

"I heard that Cheng Kaige's "King of Children" was originally scheduled to participate in the Berlin Film Festival, but it changed temporarily?"

"It's okay, I'm just asking. Zhang Yimou from Guangxi Film Studio told me that Yu Yuxi plans to recommend the film "Red Sorghum" he just finished filming to participate in the film festival."

"Yes, I built the bridge. I also had my name on the script, and Xiying Film Studio invested in it."

"A good spot cannot be wasted like this! I have seen the finished film of "Red Sorghum" and there is absolutely no problem with the quality."

"In this case, when you are free, I will ask Yimou and the others to take the film to the film bureau for a screening. Seeing is believing."

"Okay, okay, that's it."

Lin Weimin hung up the phone and looked at Zhang Yimou, his face full of excitement.

"Don't be stunned. Is the film ready? I promised you!"

"It's done, it's done! Sister Yu said she would recommend us to participate in the film festival, so we worked overtime and finished the movie."

Lin Weimin nodded, confident.

"Then you go back and pick up the film. You and I will take it to the film bureau tomorrow, so it can be reviewed by their leaders!"

Zhang Yimou was overjoyed, "Thank you, Teacher Lin, thank you, Teacher Lin!"

The next day, Lin Weimin took a leave and accompanied Zhang Yimou to the film bureau to deliver the film.

In the small screening room of the film bureau, Director Teng took the lead, and there were several staff responsible for review.

Lin Weimin sat next to Teng Ju. The two looked relaxed and talked quietly.

Zhang Yimou sat next to Lin Weimin, looking nervous.

The projector was ready over there. After saying hello, Lin Weimin and Teng Ju stopped talking.

The movie was about to start screening. Zhang Yimou's nervous face was stiff and his eyes were staring at the curtain.

"Relax, don't be so nervous, it'll be okay!" Lin Weimin comforted.

Zhang Yimou nodded with his neck stiff.

Lin Weimin smiled helplessly. It was the first time for a young man to be nervous.

The beam of light hit the curtain, the dust in the air was clearly visible, and the movie officially began to show.

Gongs and drummers played cheerful music, and the bearers twisted their steps and bodies to swing the sedan from left to right, creating a joyful atmosphere.

The background is yellow earth, with wind blowing and dust flying.

On the red sedan chair, on the yellow soil, the men were shirtless, shouting: The guests have not left, the feast has not been dispersed, the groom is nowhere to be found, and he is nowhere to be found...

In Huajiao, Jiu'er, played by Gong Li, is up and down as her body is bumped by the bearers, her lips are slightly pursed, and the camera is filled with red. She has done nothing, but it makes people feel strong tension and a kind of suppressed sexiness.

Lin Weimin nodded when he saw this, it was the same as the opening of the movie in his memory.

The opening of "Red Sorghum" also immediately attracted the attention of everyone present. As the plot of the movie continued to advance, everyone watched more and more seriously.

The one-and-a-half-hour movie ended quickly, and the atmosphere in the screening room was quiet.

Zhang Yimou was completely immersed in the movie world he had woven just now, completely forgetting to be nervous. Now that the movie was over, the tension surrounded him again. He couldn't help but look at Lin Weimin, trying to find some comfort.

It's a pity that Lin Weimin didn't look at him, but asked Teng Jinxian with a smile.

"Teng Ju, what do you think?"

Teng Jinxian did not answer him immediately, but turned to look at the colleagues next to him. They all shook their heads gently, and then he said: "The film is good!"

Lin Weimin praised: "Yimou has ideas, talent, and is a good director!"

Teng Jinxian also looked at Zhang Yimou next door. Seeing his uneasiness, he said with a smile: "Comrade Yimou's movie is really good, thank you for your hard work!"

Zhang Yimou was so flattered that he didn't know how to answer.

Lin Weimin laughed and said, "He is a clumsy-tongued person."

Teng Jinxian's eyes flashed with appreciation, "It's better this way. The director doesn't need to be able to speak."

Zhang Yimou glanced at Lin Weimin gratefully.

After chatting for a few more words, everyone left the screening room and everyone else returned to their offices.

Lin Weimin asked Zhang Yimou to wait for him, and he and Teng Jinxian entered the office.

"How's it going? Teng Bureau, is it okay?" Lin Weimin asked.

"No problem, I'll settle on "Red Sorghum."

Lin Weimin said happily: "Yimou will be extremely happy when he knows it!"

After the two chatted for a while, Lin Weimin came out of the office and told Zhang Yimou the good news.

Zhang Yimou jumped up excitedly, speaking incoherently with joy.

After a long time, Lin Weimin patted him on the shoulder and said, "Okay, don't get excited. Go back and tell everyone the news. This is a great thing!"

"Yes Yes Yes!"

Zhang Yimou nodded in response, looking at Lin Weimin with his eyes full of gratitude. He wanted to say something, but didn't know how to say it.

Teacher Lin is right, except when talking about movies, his mouth is really stupid.

The most important thing is that he feels that no words can repay Teacher Lin's help to him.

At first, I just had an idea, and it was Teacher Lin who encouraged me to try it.

The script was written by Teacher Lin after contacting Mo Yan.

The investment was brought in by Teacher Lin by contacting Xiying Film Studio.

Nowadays, Mr. Lin also goes to the director of the film bureau to get a movie approved.

Zhang Yimou thought about all that had happened over the past year and had no other thoughts in his heart except gratitude and gratitude.

Lin Weimin drove Zhang Yimou to Yan Film Studio, where the later stages of the film "Red Sorghum" were produced.

At this time, deputy director Yang Fengliang, cinematographers Gu Changwei, Gong Li and Han Zhuangzhuang are all waiting here.

When Zhang Yimou saw everyone, his face was calm. When everyone saw his expression, they were worried, not knowing whether the movie would work or not.

"I'm sorry everyone..."

As soon as Zhang Yimou said something, everyone's faces suddenly fell, and their eyes were filled with disappointment.

Lin Weimin looked at him funny, never expecting that Ah Mou, who had always been sincere, could be so naughty.

“We have limited funds to participate in the film festival this time, so we can’t all go!”

Everyone was stunned, and then looked ecstatic.

Gu Changwei and Zhang Yimou were classmates, and they always had the best relationship. He was the first one to rush over and hug Zhang Yimou.

"Damn it! You kid scared me!"

Yang Fengliang also rushed over to join in, and Han Zhuangzhuang was last, knocking the three of them off their feet.

The four people hugged each other and laughed loudly.

Only Gong Li, a girl who had not yet left school, stood there and smiled at the childish happiness of several people.