Rhapsody of Entertainment Rebirth

Zhang Jizhong crossed his legs and flipped through the stacks of newspapers on the table. Unsurprisingly, the discussion between Shanhe and Jin Yong became a hot topic in media reports in the past two days.

"Discussing the present through the past, Jin Yong's speech at Beijing Film Academy, two generations of literati, Shanhe looks to the future!"

"The top masters from Beiying discuss swordsmanship and watch the chaos in the world with a smile!"

"Mr. Jin Yong sold the film and television rights for one yuan, and CCTV's "Dragon Movie" will start filming soon!"

"A great chivalrous person serves the country and the people. Jin Yongshan and Hebei Film and Television Talks, chivalrous spirit stirs up..."

…

One eye-catching report after another passed by Zhang Jizhong's eyes, and he was very proud of his operation.

It was not easy to grab these promotional resources right after "Hero" was released. If Shanhe had not participated, the effect would probably not be one-fifth of what it is now.

It's a pity that it happened to coincide with the release time of "Hero", otherwise, the effect would have been doubled!

Zhang Jizhong looked at the dazzling interviews with "Hero" in the newspaper and couldn't help but sigh. Zhang Weiping is a stud this time. This is the first time for a domestic film to have such publicity!

How far can "Hero" go? Zhang Jizhong was very curious.

He fully agreed with Zhang Weiping's operation. There was no publicity or hype. No matter how good "Hero" was, not many people walked into the cinema to watch it!

At this time, the "Hero" crew was visiting CCTV to participate in the recording of the "Art of Life" hero special episode.

As the release date of "Hero" approaches, Zhang Yi becomes more and more anxious during his busy interview schedule!

After making so many movies, this was the first time he encountered this kind of publicity style.

Not only Zhang Weiping tried his best, China Film also invested a lot of resources. The burden on "Hero" was greater than imagined. Zhang Yimou felt that he was about to be crushed by the mountain of pressure.

Can't fail!

In 1999, Chen Kaige's "Jing Ke Assassins the King of Qin" also cost a lot of money and had a lot of stars. It also premiered in the Great Hall of the People. The result was a flop, and Chinese movies suffered a heavy blow.

This time the theme is the same, and the content is even somewhat similar, but we can’t follow the same path as "Jing Ke Assassinates the King of Qin"!

Zhang Yi looked at the Hong Kong celebrities who were being interviewed. I learned my lesson this time. Not only did I change the plot in a simple and clear direction, but I also found Hong Kong celebrities with appeal. In addition, there were so many Publicity resources, no problem breaking through the box office ceiling!

We have to attract the audience back to the cinema!

"Director Zhang, you have made so many films, many of which have won international awards. What are your expectations for the new film "Hero"? In your career as a director, what position will "Hero" be?"

Host Zhu Jun's question pulled Zhang Yimou out of his distraction.

""Hero" is a costume action film and a commercial film. It is different from the films I have made in the past. It has big investment and big scenes. It is not an art film. China has no shortage of art films. It is lacking now. It’s a movie that brings the audience back to the cinema!”

"Why do you want to shoot such a commercial film? After all, you are a well-known art director at home and abroad. Will this transformation be too sudden?" Zhu Jun continued to ask.

Zhang Yimou raised his head and glanced at Zhu Jun, "Movies are a kind of art, but they are also a commodity. When this kind of art is high and no one appreciates it, it loses its meaning. Art movies are good, but they need the market to support them. I I don’t think the transformation is sudden. In fact, I have had similar ideas and have tried it since the filming of "Red Sorghum". This time we are very confident and believe that some audiences can return to the cinema to watch movies. I hope that more audiences will Give Chinese filmmakers some opportunities and support Chinese films more!"

…

This issue of "Art Life" was produced very quickly. A few days later, just two days before the release of "Hero", it was broadcast on CCTV during prime time.

After completing the outline of "Cliff", Shanhe took a few days' rest and has not yet entered into the writing of the main text.

It would be a good time to watch this issue of "Artistic Life" with my mother in front of the TV.

Shan He cut the apple into small pieces and handed it to Xie Meiyu who was watching with relish.

Xie Meiyu, who reached out to take the plate, suddenly burst into laughter!

Shanhe looked at his mother in surprise, "Mom, what's wrong? You can still watch this interview as a sketch! Why don't I find it funny?"

Xie Meiyu held the fruit plate firmly and placed it on the coffee table. She replied with a smile on her lips: "I just saw Zhang Yimou's wrinkled face and remembered the nickname he gave me when we had dinner together on the day I came to Beijing. What "Lao Mouzi" said is quite funny! Before I met him, I thought that such a big director would be hard to get in touch with and not very talkative. Who would have thought that he is still real and direct in his speech? What does it feel like? Just say it, it’s so different from what you imagined!”

Shanhe smiled at his mother and responded: "He is a relatively pure person. He doesn't ask for much money. He is also very hard-working and responsible. I admire him very much!"

Xie Meiyu nodded when she heard this, "Director Zhang and his team's "Hero" has been previewed on TV every day recently. It has huge investments and stars. How much box office can it get this time? Can it surpass the last one you filmed with Feng Xiaogang?" "Run! Dad"?"

"That's definitely no problem!" Shanhe looked at Zhang Yi who was talking on the TV and replied: "This time, the domestic box office is estimated to be at least 200 million. The North American copyright has been sold, and Neon is also in talks. Zhang Yi Someone will be a big success this time!”

Xie Meiyu fully believed in her son's judgment and nodded in response: "Such a large investment should be successful in China. Domestic movies are not what they are now. Back then, your dad and I had to go two days in advance to go to a movie. After buying tickets every day, the cinema was full of people, and there were vendors selling scalped tickets at the door. As soon as this TV came out, fewer and fewer people went to the cinema. I don’t know whether it was because they were used to watching TV, or because What's going on? I feel like domestic movies are getting worse and worse. The last time your dad and I went to the county cinema was in 1992! We watched a feature film, I forgot the name. It was really not good, but your dad still insisted on watching it. It’s over, I remember I fell asleep!”

"There are probably two reasons for this! There are so many free programs to watch on TV, and there are no good movies worth paying to watch. Gradually, I lost the habit of watching movies. Piracy is also fierce now. The reasons for the decline of domestic movies are relatively It’s complicated, our film school has held many discussions, and everyone is worried and anxious!” Shanhe responded with a frown.

Xie Meiyu was very supportive of her son's director career. Seeing that her son was a little worried, she said, "Why don't we Chuhe Film and Television make a few more movies? Doesn't Ning Hao have a new script? And the one you mentioned last time We can also invest in Murder in the Mine. Your Aunt Qu has hired a talent from Phoenix Satellite TV, named Zhong Lifeng. She is very experienced and insightful in film and television production. She is still abroad and will come to Beijing next month to take over from Yang Liu. I I met her once. Your Aunt Qu thinks highly of her and says she is very capable. You will also meet her when the time comes and hand over the production of Chuhe Film and Television to her and ask her to find a few more movie scripts. We still have some funds. , invest all the money you earn from filming TV series, and if you lose money, lose some, train your talents first, and it will be much easier for you to make your own movies in the future!"

Shanhe heard his mother's concern and support, and responded with a smile: "Zhong Lifeng? The name sounds like a woman. Are you and Aunt Qu going to turn the Chuhe Group into a women's army?"

"What's wrong with the Detachment of Women? Women hold up half the sky. Don't be so playful. She has just returned from studying abroad. She has experience and vision. Don't underestimate her!"

"I know, I will talk to her when she comes!" Shanhe promised his mother, "Mom, you haven't watched a movie in ten years! Why don't we go and join in the fun this time? I'll accompany you. Did you go to the cinema to watch "Heroes"?"

"That's a good idea. Okay, let's contribute two movie tickets to Director Zhang!"

"okay!"

The endless promotion of "Hero" is still effective. Like Shanhe and his son, many families are attracted by the program or trailer and are ready to go to the cinema to see what happens.

On December 14, 2002, "Hero" held a grand premiere at the Great Hall of the People.

All celebrities from the domestic film and television circles participated in this rare Chinese film spectacle.

Shanhe didn't join in the fun, but the next day, he went to the cinema nearest home with his mother wearing a baseball cap to buy tickets to watch.

This is Shanhe's first time in the capital to enter a cinema. Different from the old-fashioned cinema that Shanhe imagined, after Han Shanping's cinema chain reform, this cinema has already taken the shape of a later cinema.

In the past, the old-fashioned auditorium has been divided into several screening rooms. There are screenings from morning to night. The only difference is the number.

Unlike the original screening hall where only a few shows were shown throughout the day, and everyone had to queue up to buy tickets for good movies, the audience has more choices in terms of time, and the theater chain reform has made watching movies more convenient for the audience.

But this also means that more high-quality film sources are needed to fill these screening rooms, otherwise the losses will be even greater!

Thanks to the changes in the cinema, Shanhe and his mother did not have to wait too long. The afternoon was not the peak time for watching movies.

The two of them entered the theater and found a good seat to sit down. Only then did Shan He have time to observe the attendance rate of the entire theater.

Even in the afternoon, the attendance rate of this "Hero" was still more than half.

Most of the audience are young men and women, with only a small number of middle-aged people.

As the voices of the audience in the theater disappeared, the two characters "Hero" appeared on the big screen in front of them!

After nearly two hours of visual impact, Shanhe's attention shifted to the audience with the scrolling subtitles on the big screen.

There began to be some considerable discussion in the screening room.

"What kind of thing is this shot? Apart from the color art and a few action scenes, everything else is incomprehensible! Let's just say one thing!"

"I think it's quite good. It keeps reversing and seeing different stories from different characters. The colors and movements are amazing. The big scenes are also shot very well. It's quite shocking!"

…

"Sixty-five points at most. I'm a little disappointed. What Qin Shihuang said sounded a little embarrassing to me. The ending of Can Jian and Feixue was too far-fetched. They deliberately created a tragedy!"

"It's not bad! It's worth the ticket price. There are so many stars, what else do you want? I feel that movies have to be made like this in the future. Only big stars with big investment will be watched. Anyway, I don't watch those with small budgets. Art film!”

…

Shanhe listened to the discussions of several young people around him, both good and bad.

He and his mother did not leave in a hurry. They waited until the audience was almost empty before they got up and walked out of the theater.

"Mom, what do you think of the filming of "Hero"?"

"To be honest, I don't quite understand it. The pictures and music are very good, but the plot is a bit awkward. I can't put it into words, but it just doesn't feel right!" Xie Meiyu replied.

Shanhe nodded and responded: "The intention is too high. Both the assassins and Qin Shihuang are too idealistic. Qin Shihuang's purpose of unifying the world cannot be simply to stop the war. The most important thing is the unification of civilization and the formation of the nation. Without Qin Shihuang, it would be impossible. Someone else will complete this great task!"

"Yes, that's it. The characters in it don't quite follow common sense. They look pretty good, but it's just not smooth!" Xie Meiyu continued, "But I think it's still very suitable for you young people's tastes. The scenes were beautifully shot. !”

"You're right!"

"I have to make a phone call with your dad when I get home soon. Yesterday I told him that my son wanted to take me to watch a movie, and your dad said that he would also take the whole family to the cinema, haha... I think he is a little bit into it! "

"My dad probably won't like it, he's going to have to find fault!"

"Your dad can find fault with everything. He can say a lot of weird things even if you watch a TV series!"

…

The two mother and son walked slowly home laughing and talking.

At this time, the situation of New Picture Company was completely different from the leisurely life of Shanhe mother and son.

The whole company was constantly moving and busy, and the tense atmosphere filled every corner.

Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou were listening to the reports of several supervisors in the conference room.

"Mr. Zhang, according to your instructions, our company will send special personnel to follow the transportation of each movie copy to ensure that no film source is leaked. We have temporarily hired personnel in each major city to keep an eye on the movie theaters!"

"Well done. Our first priority now is not publicity, but keeping an eye on copies and cinemas to eliminate all possible ways of piracy. Has China Film sent anyone to cooperate?" Zhang Weiping asked.

"Yes, China Film Group has taken serious measures this time. It has held a meeting with the projectionists of all theaters. If any film source leaks from the hands of the projectionist, he will be held criminally responsible afterwards. China Film Group has also sent a special person to Patrol each theater to check!"

Zhang Weiping nodded and said to Zhang Yi: "Don't forget that we and China Film Group are taking precautions, but piracy is still unavoidable. We will strive to have no movie piracy in the market in the first week, and no clear piracy in the market in the second week. Then we will leave it to fate. , the later it is clear that piracy is on the market, the greater our success will be!”

"Can't we prevent this?" Zhang Yimou is still not familiar with commercial distribution.

Zhang Weiping shook his head, "You can't stop piracy. You don't know how rampant they were in the past. As soon as the copy came out, before it was shown in the cinema, their high-definition disc was already out. This was no longer secretly filmed in the cinema. It’s that simple, many movie theaters are terrible, and if Mr. Han doesn’t reform the theater chains, Chinese movies will be a dead end!”

Zhang Yimou knows how powerful piracy is, and has heard that many movie theaters have relationships with pirates for personal gain, but this is the first time they have faced it. This time, their first obstacle is piracy!

"How is the schedule and attendance of today's daytime shows?" Zhang Weiping continued to ask.

"The film scheduling rate of major theaters across the country exceeds 90%, the attendance rate during the day is basically more than half, and the movie tickets for the evening show are basically sold out!"

Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou looked at each other and nodded. The situation on the first day was as expected. It all depends on the audience's reputation. As long as the reputation does not collapse and the momentum continues, breaking 150 million should not be a problem!

The first day of screening of "Heroes" has ended, and the first people to react must be the Internet.

Discussions on the Internet are still dominated by general audiences, and there are still very few film critics on the Internet.

Most netizens who have watched "Hero" will come out and say a few words. At that time, everyone's opinions on the movie were various and complicated!

There are those who applaud, those who scold, those who are rational, those who are greedy, and so on!

However, at this time, the influence of the Internet is not enough to shake the real movie box office. It is just for self-entertainment and venting emotions!

The next day, various media reports and reviews from film critics came out.

The media coverage was good, and the reports were all about the rare news of a full house in a movie theater.

Film critics are not polite. Most of them criticize and criticize "Hero". Part of it is because expectations are too high, and part of it is to attract attention and increase sales!

"We made "Hero" look like a bear, and made the First Emperor look like shit!"

“‘Hero’ splits Zhang Yimou’s aesthetics!”

"Zhang Yimou picked up the rotten steamed buns with Qin Qin, showing the cunningness of the old farmer in the northwest!"

…

All in all, "Hero" was so good in the eyes of film critics!

But what’s amazing is that the negative reviews from film critics did not affect the audience’s enthusiasm for watching the movie!

After the huge crowds on the first day, it continued to ferment on the second and third days. The box office in the three days in Beijing alone exceeded 5 million, which was an astronomical figure for domestic movies at that time. By analogy, in three days The national box office is at least 30 million!

The box office was 10 million per day, which caused a huge sensation in the domestic film circle at that time. This figure is unbelievable!

Major domestic media began to increase coverage, space, and interviews on "Hero". All news about "Hero" became hot!

A week later, China Film and New Picture Corporation announced at the same time that the box office of "Hero" exceeded 100 million in its first week, breaking the box office ceiling of Chinese movies!

The success of "Heroes" is already a sure thing, it's not running away!

This gave a shot in the arm to Chinese films at that time, and major directors began to prepare their own costume blockbusters.

Chinese movies have entered the blockbuster era!

Shanhe put down the newspaper in his hand and grinned. Because of himself, "Hero" will be more successful than in the previous life. After all, the distribution of overseas copyrights has been much smoother.

The release date in North America has been set, at the end of January, which is not the best time, but Disney Pictures attaches great importance to it and has started pre-publicity, which can be linked with the domestic box office explosion!

The copyrights of Neon and Bangguo have been sold, for a combined total of nearly 10 million US dollars. The cost of "Hero" has been recovered. This time China Film and Zhang Weiping made a huge profit!

Next, Shanhe no longer paid attention to the turmoil of "Hero", and he devoted himself to the life and death game of "Cliff".

"In December 1938 in Northeast China, a blanket of heavy snow covered the entire Songnen Plain. White dominated everything, including the low sky. There was only one train rushing out from the horizon. The thin line broke through the thick snow and headed towards Harbin with a roar..."

Shanhe has thrown himself into that turbulent era, with the changes in Manchukuo and the life and death of the intelligence community. The encounter between Zhou Yi and Gu Qiuyan was like a crappy drama!

Shanhe was well prepared, and the appearances of the three main characters were very consistent with their personalities. They met fatefully from the beginning of the novel.

The opening chapter of "The Cliff" Shan He was written very smoothly. A week later, the novel had already reached the point where two underground party members cooperated to send a report for the first time.

The second week of "Hero" is still unstoppable. Although pirated copies of candid shots have been circulated on the market, the pictures are blurry. The anti-piracy efforts of China Film and Zhang Weiping have taken effect.

At this time, the Chinese film industry was talking about "Hero" and analyzing its success. The enthusiasm and confidence of big investors began to slowly accumulate.

Shanhe's family was no exception. Ning Hao's return to China tore Shanhe from the tightrope of "Cliff".

Shanhe looked at Ning Hao, who was sitting across from him with a relaxed look on his face, and said, "Brother, how was your time in Hollywood this time? Did you gain anything?"

"You'd better stop calling me senior brother. If you call me Zhang Yimou, you should also call me senior brother. Senior brother, I don't dare to respond. You should still call me by my name or Lao Ning!" Ning Hao smiled and said to Shanhe, "I just came back and saw When it comes to the feat of "Hero", I am very impressed. You were right at the beginning, Zhang Yimou has indeed done something major in the Chinese film industry!"

"As for what I gained from working in Hollywood, there are so many. I gained a lot from their production process, shooting plans, and publicity strategies. But the most important thing is the communication with Hollywood directors. I feel that my level has improved!"

Shanhe nodded and asked: "Okay, then I will call you Lao Ning from now on. Are you still planning to film "Green Grass"?"

"Of course, my directing skills are not yet mature, and the team still needs to hone them!" Ning Hao replied.

"You have participated in large-investment filming in Hollywood, and there is an explosion of large-investment movies in China. Are you still insisting on low-cost filming?" Shanhe looked at Ning Hao and asked.

"I can't control big-budget films now. My current style is suitable for small-budget. Aina and I will finish "Green Grass" first! We are going to make a commercial film for the next one. This time I went to Hollywood and got a very good one. idea." Ning Hao replied.

Shan He was a little curious, "Tell me about it!"

"Have you seen the Y country movie "Two Smoking Barrels"? After watching this movie in a Hollywood cinema, I found the shooting techniques that I am good at, multi-angle group portraits and multi-layered narrative techniques. I like this This shooting method can give full play to my advantages in picture editing. I like this kind of humorous and absurd plot very much. I think I can move it from country Y to China!" Ning Hao said with a little excitement.

When Shan He heard it, I went, isn’t this “Crazy Stone”? Is it because of my influence that Ning Hao had this idea so early?

"Is there a specific script or story outline?" Shanhe asked quickly.

"It's a bit of a rudiment. I once went to the border and saw jade merchants gambling on stones. I thought of a story about a group of thieves stealing a gem. This time I just used it as a basis. I went back and worked it out with Aina Xiaojun and the others, and compiled the script. I guess it won’t be so soon, let’s finish filming “Green Grass” first!” Ning Hao replied.

When Shanhe heard this, he felt anxious. What the hell are you filming "Green Grass"! Wouldn't it be better to just play "Crazy Stone"?

After taking a sip of tea, Shanhe calmed down the anxiety in his heart. Since he already had an idea, he was not in a hurry to realize it, so he should do it according to the time!

"How long will it take you to shoot "Green Grass"? Have you made a filming plan?"

Ning Hao nodded, "The filming plan has been made. Yangliu has started to establish the project. With an investment of about 800,000 yuan, the filming can be completed in two months!"

"Okay!" Shan He refilled the tea for Ning Hao, "After a while, someone from the company will come to take over Yang Liu's shift. From now on, Yang Liu will only be responsible for brokerage matters. Let's meet together then!"

"Isn't Yangliu doing a good job? Why is there a different person? Is it easy to get along with him?"

"Yang Liu feels that managing the company is too strenuous. She is more familiar with the brokerage business. The new manager is Zhong Lifeng. She used to work for Phoenix TV. She studied in Country Y for more than a year and was hired by Aunt Qu to join Chuhe Film and Television. It is said that The ability is very powerful, I have never seen it before!" Shanhe introduced to Ning Hao.

Ning Hao nodded and did not continue the topic, "The real-life shooting of "Pirates of the Caribbean" is almost complete. Shanhe, I was stunned by Hollywood's special effects production this time. The gap between us is too big. In terms of technology alone, there is at least a difference of two." ten years!"

"Take your time! We can't afford special effects production yet!" Shanhe replied in a deep voice.

Ning Hao was silent for a while and nodded, "I really can't afford it, so I'd better start with a comedy!"

After Ning Hao left, Shanhe cleared his mind and continued to write "Cliff".

The box office of "Hero" exceeded 200 million in its third week, becoming the first domestic film in China to exceed 200 million.

There is still a gap of 160 million from "Titanic".

Although Zhang Weiping shouted in the media to break the box office record of "Titanic", everyone knew that the chance was slim, and clear version of pirated discs could be seen everywhere!

New Picture Company held a 200 million celebration party for Zhang Yi and "Hero".

Shanhe also received the invitation, but he ignored it!

He was immersed in the atmosphere and sense of the times of the Puppet Manchukuo Police Station.

The cliff not only refers to the living environment of Zhou Yi and Gu Qiuyan, but also a footnote to the era of the puppet Manchukuo in the historical storm.

In the train, Zhou Yi's house, the police station, Sophia Church, Central Street, Madier Western Restaurant and Russian music, Shanhe spreads humanity and faith.

Shanhe writes the confessions of Zhou Yi and Gu Qiuyan.

Are you thinking of a way out?

Thought about it.

What's the way out?

There is no way back.

There is a cliff behind us!