Millennium director

Your Name premiered very successfully.

The movie itself is indeed very beautiful, and everyone was generous with their applause and flowers.

For people in 2004, the movie "Your Name" was simply too novel!

Whether it is the setting of the male and female protagonists exchanging bodies in a dream, or the fusion of the fictional scene with reality, or the use of parallel time and space, it is a dimensionality reduction blow to current mainland movies!

Although this is a romance film, it is definitely a romance film that mainland audiences have never seen before!

Wu Yuan used editing techniques to tell a "Nolan-style" complex and exciting story.

He uses a double-line narrative technique, combined with flashbacks and interjections to supplement the narration, to weave the small fragments into an intricate web of stories.

The plot of the story is very tight and not procrastinating. In the process of constantly creating suspense, it constantly lays the groundwork and then unravels and responds to it one by one. It is also interspersed with various small humors.

Whether it was the day when the heroine "disappeared" in the past, or her trip to the capital later, through interspersing and supplementary narration techniques, a story that might be ordinary if told directly was made very suspenseful, and the story was The audience's emotions were well aroused.

Wu Yuan is like a conductor holding a baton in his hand. Through editing techniques, he makes the audience's mood dance with the baton in his hand.

It was not until the end of the movie that the two finally met, and the warm tears that the moviegoers had been holding back all the way finally poured out slowly along with the ending song.

Delicate and delicate pictures, the beauty of flowing light and shadow, gripping plot, well-detailed narrative, exciting rhythm, unique characters...

When a movie has the above advantages, it will definitely be a successful movie.

Even several theme songs of this movie were deeply remembered by moviegoers.

Whether it's "Previous Life", which is full of pop rock flavor at the beginning, or "Good", which often appears in the background of the heroine in the middle, or "Want to See You" at the end.

The excellent soundtrack that fits the plot of the movie creates the finishing touch for this movie.

Many female guests couldn't help but have tears in their eyes when they heard the last song of "I want to see you, I just want to see you, the future is over, I just want to see you".

You know, most of these female guests are actors in the industry, or people working in the film industry. They have watched too many movies, and their tear threshold is not low at all. They are still moved to tears by the soundtrack and the plot.

It is conceivable that when it is subsequently released nationwide, how many emotional audiences will shed tears in the theater.

When the screen dimmed and the credits began to roll, the applause in the auditorium resounded and could not subside for a long time.

Wu Yuan also led the creators and bowed to the audience repeatedly.

For a director or actor, it is the most proud thing for his work to receive flowers and applause.

Hu Ge and Liu Yifei were just like the scene at the end of the movie, with tears flowing out but their smiles particularly bright.

The pressure on them is really great.

Other actors hugged each other and cried.

For a great director like Wu Yuan to cast a group of new actors like them, in the eyes of outsiders, they are definitely extremely lucky.

But for them, in addition to being extremely excited when they first confirmed their roles, every day after joining the team was filled with increasing anxiety and pressure.

They were deeply afraid that they would ruin such a good movie by not acting well, and they were also afraid that Wu Yuan's brand would be ruined because of their delay.

Fortunately, all the pressure and anxiety disappeared under the applause.

Wu Yuan shook his head in amusement, and motioned to several staff members to take the creatives backstage to touch up their makeup.

As for himself, he was surrounded by some guests.

"Director Wu, this movie was well made!"

"This ending, as well as the plot of Sanye coming to the capital to meet Lin Wenjie three years ago, are very well arranged."

Zhang Yimou said with emotion: "I understand your thoughts. Your movie actually wants to convey a meaning to the audience."

"People who truly love each other, even if they don't know each other anymore, will still fall in love with each other without hesitation when they meet again."

"That was true three years ago, and it will be true eight years later."

"I thought it was a marriage from the previous life, but I didn't know it was a confusion of time and space."

Wu Yuan smiled and nodded: "Director Yimou is right."

His adapted version of "Your Name" removed a lot of the so-called "spirit-inducing" plots, and the temple line was basically chopped off.

So how can the fact that the male and female protagonists swap bodies and risk their own lives to save each other be made reasonable in a non-theological or metaphysical way?

Wu Yuan thought of the four words "destined".

The "parallel time and space" of the entire story is a cycle, and the key to this cycle is the red headband that travels through time and space.

This headband was given to Lin Wenjie by Sanye at the subway station in Beijing three years ago.

Three years later, it took Lin Wenjie back to Sanye's body three years ago to save her.

In the end, when the two people traveled through time and space and met on the top of the mountain, the head rope was returned to Sanye three years ago. The whole thing of exchanging bodies came to an end, the cycle ended, and the two people forgot about each other.

In other words, the beginning and end of all these stories originate from this red headband.

And this red headband represents the destined encounter between the two.

As for why this headband allows the two people to swap bodies, it can be attributed to the meteor shower that occurs once in 1,200 years, or it can be attributed to the destined love between the two.

How to interpret it is left to the audience.

This is also a processing technique used by most movies involving parallel worlds and time travel.

Just like the spinning top at the end of "Inception", it leaves the audience with a space for deep thought.

When Wu Yuan changed "Your Name", he still referred to Nolan to some extent, and it has a very obvious "Nolan-esque" style.

However, Nolan has not yet filmed "Inception" and "Interstellar", so this is his own ingenuity.

"This red headband is interesting." Jiang Wen also smashed it and said, "You gave this red rope too many close-ups in the movie, as if you were afraid that the audience wouldn't understand it."

"When the hero and heroine recognize each other at the end, you have to give a close-up of the red string tied behind her head."

"It's so literal."

Wu Yuan rolled his eyes.

Yes, yes, "The Sun Also Rises" is not straightforward, but how many viewers can understand it?

"Director Jiang, after all, movies still serve the public." Wu Yuan sighed: "Most of the audience are not senior movie fans. Sometimes it is better to be more direct."

There was still half a sentence he didn't say.

Never overestimate the reading comprehension ability of the audience. It is best to treat them as eight-year-old children.

As long as the plot is more complicated and reaches a level that can only be understood by a 10-year-old child, it will affect the box office market.

"Wolf Warrior", "Charlotte", "Hello, Li Huanying" and other movies with a box office of billions have proven this.

"Anyway, I don't like it." Jiang Wen curled his lips. He always said whatever he wanted. If he didn't like it, he just didn't like it.

Chen Kaige glanced at Jiang Wen. Although he couldn't stand him, Director Kaige also agreed with Jiang Wen's idea.

He also didn't like such a straightforward shooting technique. He wanted to put the camera on the red rope and tell the audience that this thing was the key.

But he is much smoother than Jiang Wen.

"Director Wu, this time "Your Name" has put more effort into the screen than "The Embalmer"."

In the movie "Your Name", the presentation of the mountain village scenery and urban style is particularly good, especially the forests, lakes, comets, the comet passing through the clouds at the beginning, and the overlooking of the male and female protagonists on the mountain top at the end, etc. are all super beautiful. .

It can be seen that Wu Yuan has indeed grown in terms of lens aesthetics.

"Thanks to Director Kege for his generous teachings." Wu Yuan thanked with a smile.

The shots of "Your Name" this time are much more beautiful. I can't say that they are comparable to the animation-like rendering, but it does capture a lot of "wallpaper"-level beautiful scenery.

This is thanks to the previous exchanges between Wu Yuan and Chen Kaige. He did learn a lot of photography knowledge from Director Kaige and used it flexibly.

Director Kege is an arrogant person, but he is indeed willing to teach. In other words, most fifth-generation directors are not self-conscious.

Of course, the premise is that people like you and are willing to teach you.

"Director Wu, what a sharp movie!" Cheng Long also came over, gave a thumbs up and said: "This movie is so well made, I almost cried while watching it."

"I didn't expect you to be so good at making romantic movies."

"I'm even more looking forward to our Rush Hour 3 now."

A thunderous thunder exploded on the ground.

Several senior directors, as well as Han Dong, Gong Huang and others who came around, looked at Wu Yuan and Cheng Long in surprise.

Wu Yuan to direct "Rush Hour 3"?

This is big news!

But obviously Wu Yuan didn't want to talk about this on this occasion.

He smiled coquettishly and changed the subject: "Everyone, a press conference has been prepared in the next room, so I will go there first."

"There will be a dinner party planned for later in the evening. If you have time, you can attend."

After saying that, he apologized and squeezed out of the circle and walked to the next hall.

The others had no choice but to surround Cheng Long and began to ask questions.

The next day.

Various domestic entertainment newspapers are covering the premiere of "My Name" and the interviews conducted by the invited guests.

In this era of print media, occupying the headlines of newspapers, its influence is equivalent to being the top trending search on Weibo!

"Your Name", which has been widely promoted online and offline in China and has become well-known among young people, has received the last big tonic.

Reports written by various reporters almost all praised this movie.

"A movie that makes you cry and laugh at the same time!"

"From the storyline to the graphics to the performances of the male and female protagonists and the soundtrack, everything is perfect!"

“One of the most worth watching movies this year!”

"Gong Li was in tears at the premiere, International Zhang's eyes were red, and the two of them praised "Your Name"!"

Perhaps due to instructions from superiors, the major newspapers did not introduce the film as "romance" or "romantic film", but rather praised the movie itself.

And because there is only one day until the nationwide release, they have a tacit agreement not to discuss the details of the movie's plot.

But the more this happens, the more curious fans become.

Originally, some movie fans were worried that this movie would not be good to watch. After all, not even Zhang Yimou can make every movie well.

A movie ticket costs 30 yuan, so you have to be careful about how much you pay.

However, from the media to actors, filmmakers, and industry insiders who attended the premiere, they all stood up to praise the film, and fans put aside their last worries.

March 1st.

With high praise from various media, "Your Name" was released simultaneously in the Mainland and Hong Kong Island!

Countless young people who have prepared money for a long time, come to the cinema with their friends or with the person they like.

Cinemas across the country, which have been deserted since a few years ago, are once again experiencing a wave of movie-going craze!

"Two tickets to the movie "Your Name"!"

"I want the latest one!"

"Do you still have tickets for eight o'clock in the evening? Take three!"

"Can you get me two tickets for this afternoon and two tickets for the evening? I want "Your Name"!"

The waiters at major movie theaters happily collected money and took orders.

Even if some customers came alone and wanted to buy two or even three "Your Name" double tickets, they happily billed them.

It doesn't matter if he wants to watch this movie with a few girls at once, as long as he can make money.

On the opening day of its premiere, "Your Name" sold 400,000 movie tickets in the mainland!

Some of them are on March 1st, and some are on March 2nd.

In almost every theater that scheduled "Your Name", the movie tickets were sold out!

In this era, there was no way to measure attendance, and China Film Group, which was responsible for the distribution, did not know what the attendance was on the final day of the premiere.

But the achievement of 400,000 movie tickets shocked everyone at China Film.

After "Hero", no other movie has sold so many movie tickets on its opening day!

Don't look at the number of 400,000, which is very inconspicuous given China's population of 1.2 billion.

But a movie ticket for "Your Name" costs 30 yuan!

400,000 movie tickets are equivalent to a daily box office of 12 million!

When Wu Yuan received a phone call from Director Han personally and learned the news, even though it had sold over 700 million US dollars in box office, he still clenched his fist in excitement!

This is a perfect start!

"Roadshow, roadshow must be started!"

Wu Yuan said to Director Han on the other end of the phone: "Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, plus Shudu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, these nine cities will have road shows!"

"I will personally lead the team and take the film's creators with me to the local area!"

Roadshow!

This is a word that is somewhat unfamiliar to most mainland movie fans and filmmakers.

Nowadays, when movies are released, they rarely go on roadshows.

The first mainland movie to run a road show during its release was the Hong Kong movie "Infernal Affairs 3" released last year.

At that time, Bona learned from the experience of Hong Kong Island Film Company and began to arrange star meeting activities in a planned way before the film was released.

The joint meeting in five cities from Hong Kong Island, Taiwan Island, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand to the Mainland, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen is considered the earliest road show event.

But the road shows at this time are very primitive. They say they are road shows, but in fact they are more of fan meetings.

The "breaking leg" type of large-scale roadshow activities really started after 2011. Fan Xiaopang's "Guanyin Mountain" held a total of 79 promotional activities across the country. Fan Xiaopang basically followed the roadshow activities throughout the whole process. After being tired, Halfway through, I couldn’t even hold the flowers.

But the effect was indeed very good. The lead actor personally went on road shows across the country, which greatly stimulated the desire of movie fans everywhere to watch the movie. One-third of the box office of "Guanyin Mountain" was attributed to road shows.

At this point, after the release of mainland movies, intensive roadshow schedules have become the default publicity work. During the one-month release period, as few as 20 or 30 shows will be performed, and as many as 70 or 80 shows!

Of course Wu Yuan won't be so desperate. The current mainland film market is not yet mature enough. He only plans to do some roadshows in several major domestic ticket offices.

"No problem!" Director Han was of course happy to see Wu Yuan taking the creators to hold events in major ticket-rich cities.

This is a good thing to boost box office growth!

The better "Your Name" sells at the box office, the more the distributor China Film Group will make!

"I'll make arrangements immediately!" Director Han said neatly, and then hung up the phone.

Wu Yuan also called the company to make preparations and informed the film's creators that no matter what they are doing now, they should all stop what they are doing and cooperate with the release promotion!

Three days later, Wu Yuan led the cast and crew to the first promotional stop!

Magic City!