Rhapsody of Entertainment Rebirth

The unexpected attendance of Shan He and Zhang Yi made the premiere of "White Deer Plain" extremely popular.

Shanhe is currently the number one celebrity at the Berlin Film Festival.

The movie-watching craze triggered by "Joker" in Europe is no worse than that in the M country. The screenings at the Berlin Film Palace were even sold out in advance within a few days.

After almost every screening, the audience applauded for a long time.

The first-day box office sales of movies in various European countries are also amazing.

The three major European film markets of Germany, Britain and France all exceeded 10 million U.S. dollars on the first day, especially in Germany. After all, it is film festival time. The single-day box office of more than 12 million U.S. dollars made the German media exclaim. .

Across Europe, "Joker" grossed US$56 million at the box office on its first day, even exceeding the first-day figure in North America.

The helpless and sad first half of Arthur the clown's life also deeply touched the hearts of European movie fans!

Zhang Yimou is right. Only when there is resonance can it be topical. It is precisely because it has resonated with a wide range of audiences that "Joker" has become a hot topic of discussion among European and American people in the past two days.

Media reporters naturally followed the hot spots.

Surrounded by a large group of Chinese and foreign reporters and local movie fans, Shan He and Zhang Yi moved slowly towards the Film Palace.

The square in front of the Berlin Film Palace was bustling with shouts from movie fans and noisy questions from reporters.

"Qiu, the release of "Joker" has triggered a phenomenon-level discussion among the European and American public. Is this your original intention in making the film?"

"Qiu, Michael Haneke evaluated "Joker" as a modern version of "Human Comedy". What do you think of this?"

"Qiu, New York Mayor Bloomberg suggested that Congress ban the continued release of "Joker" on the grounds that it is extremely inflammatory. What do you think of his remarks?"

"Director Zhang, it is generally believed that Shanhe's artistic achievements have surpassed that of your fifth generation directors. What do you think of this?"

…

The crew of "White Deer Plain" who greeted Shan He and Zhang Yi in front of the movie palace looked at the scene in front of them and couldn't help but sigh!

What a monster. He has achieved master-level achievements at the age of twenty-eight. In the field of literature and film, he is almost unrivaled in the world. It can be said that he has single-handedly crushed the entire era.

Even European and American white people who have always discriminated against Asians were praised and highly sought after by him. He is worthy of being the proud son of China!

Zhang Yuqi, who was standing next to Wang Quan'an, felt particularly strongly. He looked at Shan He, who was still elegant and graceful in the crowd, and then looked at Wang Quan'an beside him.

Why did the bald mustache that looked so charming last night suddenly feel so dazzling and uncomfortable?

A few minutes later, Shanhe and Zhang Yi walked into the movie palace, followed by reporters, and exchanged greetings with the "White Deer Plain" crew waiting in the lobby.

"Director Zhang, Director Qiu, thank you both for coming to support us!"

"You're welcome!"

Shanhe smiled and responded, "

Abroad, we are compatriots, and besides, we are alumni of the film school. After all, Director Wang is still my senior brother! "

"Those who have mastered are the first, seniors really don't dare to take this position!"

"Hello, Mr. Qiu, I am actor Zhang Yuqi!"

"Hello!"

…

After a while of greetings, everyone walked into the screening room together. Soon, Berlin Film Festival Chairman Dieter Koslick and Jury Chairman Mike Lee also arrived.

After another round of pleasantries and flattery, the movie premiere officially began.

More than three hours later, Shanhe and Zhang Yimou walked out of the movie palace.

In Shanhe's view, the movie "White Deer Plain" was not made for the general public at all. It was a typical work of sixth-generation directors.

The goal of their works is very clear: to win awards!

From the director's point of view, the film was well shot, but the adaptation was a bit rough, with the beginning and end trimmed off, and the addition of Tian Xiao'e's role was a bit stiff.

The picture, color and lighting are of a very professional standard, and Wang Quan'an's directorial skills are not bad.

But the plot of the entire movie is really not suitable for public viewing, and it is also inconsistent with Shanhe's aesthetic point of view.

The three-hour length, long and boring rhythm, fragmented and loose plot structure, etc. have seriously affected the smooth viewing of the film.

Shanhe could even predict that when the movie was released in China, it would be cut into pieces and the plot would be even more vague and difficult to understand. It is estimated that viewers who have not seen the original work will be confused.

The film was cut short not only because of the domestic censorship system, but also because of factors such as theater scheduling.

Not to mention Wang Quan'an, even if the director is Shan He and he makes a three-hour purely literary film, the theater chain will not fully cooperate with the promotion!

After the two got in the car, Zhang Yi asked:

"What did you think of the movie?"

"Uh~ I won't comment anymore!"

"hehe…"

Zhang Yimou said with a smile: "The common problem of Beijing Film Directors is that they cannot tell a story well. You are an exception!"

Shanhe smiled,

"I feel like from the very beginning, this movie never wanted to tell a good story!"

"Ha ha…"

…

Three days later, the first weekend of "Joker" was over, and the box office data was immediately transmitted to Shan He's eyes.

In North America, the first day's sales were 54 million US dollars. On Saturday, they exceeded 60 million US dollars. On Sunday, they fell back to 55 million US dollars.

The cumulative box office in three days was US$169 million, surpassing "Gravity" and only slightly behind the just-released "The Dark Knight Rises" by US$10 million. It ranked second in the North American first-week box office, breaking The first-week box office record for Shan He's personal film.

Once this data was announced, it caused the entire North American film industry to exclaim!

You must know that "Joker" is only a film with a production investment of less than 80 million US dollars. With the continuous increase in Hollywood production investment, 80 million US dollars can only be regarded as a medium investment project.

Moreover, the salary of Hua Xiaqiu and several actors accounted for more than half of it. The whole movie has no special effects and no superstars. Apart from having a little relationship with DC comics, the rest relies on Hua Xiaqiu's appeal and the reputation of the movie. .

Although Warner has given A-level major production distribution treatment, and theaters are also confident in Hua Xia Qiu's appeal, before the release, the media gave a first-weekend box office forecast of only over 100 million U.S. dollars at best.

One hundred and sixty-nine million!

This number is indeed extremely terrifying. If "The Dark Knight Rises" hadn't included many more 3D scenes, it is estimated that Arthur the Clown would have trampled Bruce Wayne under his feet in the first week!

Although he had expected it, when this data was actually presented in front of him, Shanhe himself was very emotional.

The addition of the character of the Joker to the comic universe still exists objectively, especially when "The Dark Knight Rises" has just been released. DC Comics is a bit like the domestic "Water Margin" or "The Legend of the Gods", with feelings and The appeal of the characters cannot be underestimated.

Warner has indeed chosen a good schedule and has indeed done enough work to promote the release!

The European market is country M's largest chocolate cake. Without Europe, country M's hegemony will directly face collapse, and the same goes for Hollywood!

After "Joker" made 56 million US dollars at the box office in European countries on its first day, it fell back in the last two days, but the figures are still astonishing:

51 million on Saturday and 48 million on Sunday!

The cumulative box office in three days was US$155 million, almost the same as North American box office figures.

The cumulative box office in Europe and the United States in three days was US$314 million!

"Joker" is galloping across Europe and the United States, unrivaled, and Arthur's charm has conquered the entire Western world!

The topicality and discussion brought about by the movie not only overwhelmed other superheroes in DC comics, but also took away the Marvel universe.

It's even as popular as "Dallas Buyers Club" when it was released.

It was a movie adapted from a novel, and it had an original novel that triggered large-scale demonstrations across the United States.

In just three days, the New York location in the movie became the most popular tourist destination on the Internet.

Especially "Joker's Stairs". From the first day it was released, this originally the most ordinary block of stairs in New York began to be overcrowded.

Many movie fans cosplayed as Arthur the clown, taking photos on the stairs in classic clown poses, and then posted them on their social accounts.

This move soon triggered a trend of cosplaying clowns across Europe and the United States. Even many beggars and homeless people dressed up as clowns and begged on the streets holding signs saying "Society is crazier than me!"

The movie "Joker" is naturally aimed at developed capitalist countries. Gotham City and Arthur the Clown easily touched the hearts of the people in these countries.

After all, the little people at the bottom are the absolute main body of society. They face too many helplessness, and the clown Arthur is a typical example of them.

In Asia, "Joker" also received great response in several developed countries and regions.

Shanhe's personal appeal in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea is much stronger than in the Western world!

Including the first day of its release, the film attracted nearly 600,000 viewers on the first three days of its release at Neon, earning nearly 900 million yen in box office figures.

"Joker" unsurprisingly set a new box office record for M country comic movies in the first week in Japan.

In Bang Country, Shanhe's influence is even greater. It mobilized nearly 250,000 people to enter the theater in three days, and easily knocked the movie "Howl" starring its local national treasure actor Song Kanghao from the top of the box office rankings. Bit!

Hong Kong Island’s sales exceeded 10 million Hong Kong dollars in three days, and Taiwan Island’s sales exceeded NT$80 million in the first week!

"Joker" also caused a wave of heated discussions in the above areas.

Shanhe's movie once again topped the global box office rankings with a phenomenal first-time box office of US$360 million!

Global media rushed to report and comment on this news, and Shanhe earned a brand new nickname "Mr. Billion"!

There is no doubt that the global box office of "Joker" has exceeded 1 billion. The quality, popularity and topicality of the film can support this box office figure.

Starting from "Gravity", Shanhe has gone from 3D science fiction to comedy themes to drama movies. It has easily broken the billion dollar box office threshold with three completely different movies in succession. It is really shocking!

The headlines of media reports can directly show the shock that Shanhe has brought to the world.

"One billion US dollars! Huaxia Qiu's start is at the top!"

"Three hundred and sixty million people worldwide in three days! Is there anything that Huaxiaqiu can't do? Come on, Cameron!"

"There is no doubt that "Joker" will break the one billion mark, Hua Xiaqiu has become the 'Mr. Billion'!"

"Shanhe uses movies to pierce the essence of capitalism, and the resonance of Western people echoes around the world!"

…

At this time, the Berlin Film Festival has naturally become the focus of global entertainment, and reporters from all over the world are flocking to Berlin.

"Joker" directly made the entire Berlin Film Festival popular, and other nominated films also benefited a lot, and their exposure was greatly improved.

The Berlin Film Festival Organizing Committee was overjoyed, and chairman Dieter Koslick even publicly stated:

"Joker" will definitely become a classic film at the film festival. Heath Ledger is one of the most talented actors I have ever seen. Yau's artistic talent and talent can be ranked among the top three in history!

The whole world knows that it is a fait accompli that "Joker" won the Golden Bear!

Dieter Koslick even set his sights on Shanhe's next film "Youth", and has repeatedly publicly expressed his welcome to Shanhe to participate again with his work. The Berlin Film Festival is a blessed place for all Chinese filmmakers.

The Venice Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival in Europe were very enthusiastic about watching it, and they couldn't help complaining about Dieter Koslick's plan:

Why do you still want to monopolize Huaxia Qiu? In terms of historical status and influence, the Berlin Golden Bear is just the youngest brother!

However, Shanhe was no longer in Berlin at this time. The reporters could not find Shanhe, and Heath Ledger became the biggest target.

These days, Heath Ledger has come to know what the world's most popular superstars look like. He is not a mountain and river, and he has the qualifications and confidence to decide his own schedule according to his preferences.

As an actor, he has the responsibility and obligation to cooperate with the producer in promoting the film. After coming to Berlin, he had almost no private time. From morning to night, he was busy dealing with reporters and various activities.

Of course, this also brought him huge reputation and practical benefits.

Not only did his salary skyrocket to over 20 million US dollars, but script invitations and endorsement contracts rained down on him.

Even his wife Michelle Williams was made famous by Heath Ledger, and her salary and endorsements have also gone up a notch.

Heath Ledger's agent Ellie was filled with emotion about this, the fate is so dramatic!

A few years ago, helping Heath Ledger take over the role of the Joker was the thing she regretted most. Because of this role, Heath Ledger once entered a dead end in life.

If Hua Xiaqiu hadn't happened to be filming "Dallas Buyers Club" and sacrificed his face to ask for a favor from the bastard Bruckheimer, I really don't know if this kid could have survived that depressing time.

When Heath Ledger said he wanted to take on "Joker" again last year, Ellie even persuaded him to give up the role. The memories that the Joker brought to Ellie were too terrifying!

In Ellie's view, Hua Xiaqiu is indeed a trustworthy friend. This is also a great opportunity, but it is not worth risking the rest of his life!

Ellie has no children, Heath Ledger is like her child, and she is not willing to let him take the risk of a mental breakdown!

It took Heath Ledger talking to her all day before she changed her mind, but Ellie was still terrified throughout the filming.

Fortunately, there were no accidents during the process, and Heath Ledger, as he said, truly and completely got rid of the shadow of the Joker.

Now, the suffering is over, the sweet fruits have finally arrived, and both Heath Ledger and himself will have a rich harvest.

"Ellie, I don't want to accept too many endorsement ads. You know actors need a certain sense of alienation and mystery. I don't want to be exposed to the public too often!"

Heath Ledger's words brought Ellie back to her senses, who was still feeling emotional.

"I know your character. You don't have to worry about this. Michelle and I will help you arrange it. In terms of being smart and managing money, you are far behind Michelle!"

"All right!"

Heath Ledger smiled and replied,

"She was once a genius girl, a professional futures trader, with an IQ of over 140. How could I possibly compare to her? It's a pity that Matilda didn't inherit her mother's talent. Not only did she look like me, but her personality and hobbies were exactly the same as mine! "

"Baby Maddie is much cuter than you! You don't have to worry about her, you are the one who worries most!"

Ellie looked at Heath Ledger, pointed at the script on the table and responded,

"We can help you handle the endorsements. You have to choose the script yourself. There are too many scripts for you, some of which are big investments and big productions. Take a look!"

"Don't look any further!"

Heath Ledger shook his head and smiled and replied,

"Qiu suggested that I take on Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy." I have read the first draft of the script. Star-Lord is a very interesting character. "Joker" will be the pinnacle of my acting skills. It is estimated that it will be difficult to surpass it in the future. I should consider it. Proper transformation!”

"Qiu is famous for his accurate vision. He is your lucky star. Listen to his advice and you will be right!"

"I think so too!"

Ellie put aside her worries about choosing a script for Heath Ledger and asked casually with a smile:

"Where has Qiu been these past two days? The reporters outside are almost going crazy looking for him?"

"He and Jerry went to Austria, and Qiu started preparing to write a new book!"

"That old bastard is so lucky to meet a genius like Qiu. What a success!"

Heath Ledger looked at Ellie who was gritting her teeth, and quickly picked up the script on the table and read it. I will not get involved in the emotional disputes of the older generation.

…

Shanhe was indeed in Austria at this time. He spent two days at the Berlin Film Festival. It was really not interesting. The movies shown were all pure art films, which were seriously inconsistent with Shanhe's aesthetics.

The narrative of these films is too poor and the individuality of the films is too strong. In Shanhe’s view, they all carry a mysterious sense of elite arrogance:

I don’t care whether you understand it or not, I only care about expressing the world in my eyes in the movie!

Who cares what the world looks like to you!

What people want to see is a sincere story that can make people gain something and feel something after reading it, not an unconventional camera angle or a self-righteous deconstructed character!

Shanhe was so upset and uncomfortable that he just took advantage of the few days left after the Berlin Film Festival to go to Amstetten, Austria with Bruckheimer, where the prototype case of "The Room" took place. land.

Bruckheimer was indeed well-connected and resourceful. He collected all the case information within a few days. He even obtained a copy of the trial file and contacted the police officer handling the case.

Shanhe originally planned to have a face-to-face chat with the victim, or even go to the prison to meet the criminal.

But finally changed my mind.

Because the prototype of the story is more cruel and dehumanizing than the movie!

This real "Fretzler imprisonment case" occurred in 2008.

The young girl Fletschler was imprisoned in the basement by her biological father for twenty-four years. During this period, she gave birth to seven children, three were kidnapped, one died, and the other three lived with their mother in the dark basement!

The basement is only 17 square meters, and the distance from the ceiling to the ground is only 1.7 meters.

It was a night when the three children saw the light of day again.

Shanhe looked at the photo in his hand, but his heart was twitching unbearably.

The three children have never breathed fresh air, never felt the breeze, and never bathed in the sun.

In the photo, they are pale, toothless, and stooped. They nudge each other with their elbows, point at the moon, and open their mouths...

Shanhe knew about this case early on, but when the information was placed in front of him, his anger was still uncontrollable!

The evil of human nature can exceed the limit of ordinary people's imagination!

Shanhe couldn't bear to touch their unhealable pain anymore, so he made a decision to just observe from a distance, not to conduct interviews, not to disturb their lives!

As for the criminal who was worse than a beast, Shanhe even threw his photo into the garbage. This kind of beast should be humanely destroyed immediately. His remaining in the world is the biggest stain on mankind!