Chapter 716 Don’t Talk Nonsense
A week after its release in North America, "Farewell My Concubine" was released in Europe and East Asia, and the copyrights had already been sold to the remaining countries.
The large-scale concentrated release of the film in more than a dozen developed countries is almost equivalent to a global release.
"Farewell My Concubine" also performed well at the box office in various countries, especially in the UK, France, Japan and South Korea, where its box office performance was close to those Hollywood blockbusters. One week after its release, except for the North American box office, the cumulative box office in various countries exceeded more than 18 million US dollars.
In the second week, "Farewell My Concubine" once again earned more than 34 million US dollars in various countries, completely leaving those arrogant filmmakers in Hollywood speechless.
"Farewell My Concubine" has been released in North America for more than three weeks. In the third week, it easily earned 67.45 million US dollars and the total box office exceeded 244 million US dollars.
Following this trend, by extending its screening, "Farewell My Concubine" should easily earn a box office of 300 million US dollars.
The box office in mainland China exceeded 30 million US dollars, the box office in Hong Kong was nearly 5 million US dollars, and it was released in Taiwan in January this year and earned 8 million US dollars, plus the box office potential in Europe and East Asia today.
The global box office of "Farewell My Concubine" has easily exceeded 300 million US dollars, and is still moving towards new goals. This does not include the box office in countries where only the copyrights were sold.
Such dazzling box office results are hard to find rivals even in Hollywood, especially in the relatively quiet period of March and April.
After more than a week of promotion in Europe, Han Zhuangzhuang finally returned to Yanjing.
Since December last year, he has been accompanying "Farewell My Concubine" to participate in various award ceremonies and public screenings and roadshows, and has hardly had any free time.
The movie "Farewell My Concubine" adds the most to the two absolute male and female protagonists, Leslie Cheung and Gong Li. There is no other way, the focus of the show is all on these two people.
However, after all, it has won many top international film awards and achieved super high box office, and the exposure and fame that "Farewell My Concubine" has brought to Han Zhuangzhuang cannot be underestimated.
In recent years, he has often appeared at the three major European film festivals with the films directed by Zhang Yimou, and has already gained a certain degree of international fame. Now with the rise of "Farewell My Concubine", he has received a lot of international attention as one of the leading actors. Even a Hollywood movie has found Han Zhuangzhuang, hoping that he can play the second male lead.
He first shared with Lin Weimin his experience of participating in the award ceremony and the film roadshow, and was very excited.
"During the road show in Los Angeles, the entire audience stood up and applauded for nearly 10 minutes."
"Variety magazine also praised our film: It depicts the turbulent times through the emotions of Peking Opera celebrities."
…
After talking about awards and roadshows, Han Zhuangzhuang talked about what happened at cocktail parties and events in Hollywood.
"I don't know how they found out about your relationship with me, and what they meant was that if they could get the adaptation rights to your novel, they would give me the second male lead."
Han Zhuangzhuang said this with a hint of disdain on his face, "These people think I'm a fool. Farewell My Concubine has sold hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide, and a medium-budget movie with a budget of 20 million dollars wants to get the adaptation rights of your novel. It's really a fantasy."
Lin Weimin nodded with relief, "Don't pay attention to those speculators. A truly sincere company wouldn't try to get help from you, they would have already contacted you openly."
Han Zhuangzhuang's eyes lit up when he heard this, "Which companies have contacted you?"
"Warner, Paramount, Disney..."
The more Lin Weimin talked, the brighter Han Zhuangzhuang's eyes lit up. "Have you sold the copyright? Find a role for me!"
Lin Weimin said unhappily, "You're called living off your parents, don't you know that?"
"Others won't even have a chance to take advantage of it." Han Zhuangzhuang said shamelessly.
Lin Weimin shook his head speechlessly.
Han Zhuangzhuang continued to ask: "Has any cooperation been reached?"
"No, I asked them to contact Roberto Benigni first. Life Is Beautiful cost 20 million US dollars, and Roberto Benigni and his wife happened to have difficulty raising funds, so it was just right for them to invest."
Han Zhuangzhuang pondered and said, "With Hollywood's investment, Life Is Beautiful will be released and win awards in the future, which will be a great success. It's like killing two birds with one stone."
"Not bad. I've gained a lot of knowledge after traveling abroad."
"Of course not. I tell you, Lao Mi is really good at playing tricks..."
Han Zhuangzhuang was so excited that he immediately wanted to tell Lin Weimin something vulgar.
Teacher Lin was just about to listen carefully and criticize the degeneration of capitalism when he saw Tao Huimin coming over with some fruit. His expression immediately changed.
"Goli works so hard at home to take care of the kids, so you can go abroad and have a good time?
Instead of thinking about how to act, he spends his energy on these things all day long. No wonder he hasn't won a single award after so many years of acting.
You are not ashamed, I am ashamed for you!"
Teacher Lin's scolding was so righteous and just that Han Zhuangzhuang was stunned.
Tao Huimin put the fruit plate down. After hearing what Lin Weimin said, she also said, "Zhuangzhuang, your uncle is right. The film industry is a big melting pot. You have a bright future, but you can't be as dissolute as some people. Besides, how many days a year have you been at home in the past few years? It's all thanks to Ge Li who takes care of the old and the young. You can't let her down!"
Han Zhuangzhuang looked at Lin Weimin, then at Tao Huimin, angry but not daring to say anything.
"I know, aunt. I was just saying this as a joke! I can't do that kind of thing even if you ask me to!"
After Tao Huimin left, Han Zhuangzhuang looked disdainful and said, "You just set a trap for me."
"If you are upright, you have nothing to fear. If you were like me, would you still be afraid of what others say?"
"Come on, don't think I don't know that in Guangdong..."
Lin Weimin covered Han Zhuangzhuang's mouth with his hand, "Don't dare to talk nonsense!"
Han Zhuangzhuang's face was full of smugness, "You feel guilty about being a thief, right?"
"I was just afraid that your aunt would misunderstand me." Lin Weimin defended himself, then said, "When you return to Yanjing, stay at home and spend time with your wife and children. Your father is old and in poor health, and the burden of the family falls on Ge Li. Aren't you ashamed as a man?"
Han Zhuangzhuang knew that Lin Weimin was trying to change the subject, but he couldn't turn a deaf ear to it when the greater good was at stake.
"I will not take any acting jobs in the next six months and will focus on spending time with my family."
Lin Weimin was surprised and said, "Yes, there is such awareness?"
"Don't look down on me. Your nephew is now an international movie star after all." Han Zhuangzhuang boasted, and then said seriously: "Isn't this also a period of time? The performance of Farewell My Concubine is really a bit scary. It makes me dare not take any more roles. If I take another role, what kind of work can reach the level of Farewell My Concubine?"
Putting aside the joke, Lin Weimin comforted him: "Life cannot always go uphill, so don't burden yourself with thoughts."
Han Zhuangzhuang nodded seriously, and then asked, "I heard from Mike that Time magazine wants to interview you and put you on the cover?"
"Um."
Han Zhuangzhuang was a little excited, "When are you coming to interview me? I'll come and see too."
"It's just an interview, why are you joining in the fun?" Lin Weimin said disdainfully.
"I haven't seen it. This is Time magazine. If you're on the cover, you'll be on the same level as the old men." Han Zhuangzhuang said in an exaggerated tone.
Is that something you can say?
Lin Weimin beat Han Zhuangzhuang out of the house with a stick.
The people from Time magazine did not make Lin Weimin wait too long. On the first day of mid-April, Richard Stengel, a senior reporter from Time magazine, came to Lin Weimin's home accompanied by WS staff.
Lin Weimin's identity and the influence of Time magazine determine that today's news interview is unusual and needs to be reported in advance.
Richard Stengel is nearly 40 years old. He graduated from Princeton University and then went on to study at Oxford University. He is now a senior reporter for the US edition of Time magazine.
He is a typical elite white man. He came to interview Lin Weimin. His suit and tie were meticulously dressed, and his hair was so shiny that even flies would slip off it.
When Richard Stengel met Lin Weimin, he was a little surprised. He was surprised by his youth and his casualness.
During the meeting, Lin Weimin wore a gray sweater, jeans, and a pair of Baina shoes. He had a gentle expression and a relaxed tone, making people feel like spring breeze.
"Before coming here, I collected a lot of information about you, including novels, interviews, and reviews, but the biggest feeling I had when meeting you was still your youth," said Richard Stengel.
"Asians have tight skin and it lasts longer," Lin Weimin said with a smile.
"Shelf life? Interesting statement. It only keeps it fresh, but it will eventually rot."
"Of course, what comes from purity will return to purity."
Lin Weimin immediately asked the part-time translator WS a difficult question. This poem is not easy to translate. Lin Weimin said: "Just say 'From the earth, back to the earth'."
Richard Stengel's eyes lit up when he heard this and he said, "You read the Bible?"
"The Bible? I've read it briefly. There are some similarities between Eastern and Western mythology. For example, in China we have the legend of Nuwa creating humans, and in the West there is also the legend of Jehovah creating Adam and Eve."
Richard Stengel nodded. "So, you read the Bible as a work of art?"
"What else? The Bible is like the Analects to me."
"Have you no faith?" Richard Stengel asked.
"Do people have to have faith?" Lin Weimin asked in return.
Richard Stengel looked at him and suddenly his mind froze.
Yes, does one have to have faith?
Faith is not as necessary as water, food and air for survival, and certainly not necessarily.
"We Chinese people value practicality more." Lin Weimin joked with a smile.
Richard Stengel also laughed, "I know, you have the God of Wealth, the God of the Kitchen, the God of the Land, and even the God of the Toilet."
"When you need it, take it out and worship it to please your body and mind. If you don't need it, put it away and use it as a decoration!" Lin Weimin said easily.
"So, you are an atheist!" Richard Stangl said firmly.
"It depends on how you understand it. To a certain extent, I do believe in God. But it may not be the same as the God in the religious sense. I think it is more appropriate to call him the Creator."
Richard Stengel nodded. "That's what Scientology says."
Lin Weimin shrugged. "Who knows? When 1999 comes, we can take it out and worship it."
Hearing this, Richard Stangl couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Lin, you are such a typical Chinese!"
Of course he knew that Lin Weimin was joking, and it was a self-deprecating joke, which reminded Richard Stangl of those world-famous writers.
same.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
