Chapter 838 Reaction
Chen Keqiu: "I had the same reaction as you. She hadn't had any contact with us before, and then she suddenly came to me and said these things. It was really inexplicable."
Wen Shengming: "Even if it's a collaboration, she should have contacted Yan He. The public relations for 'Dingfeng No. 1' was done by Yan He's influence."
“She can’t work with Yan He, and Yan He has a terrible relationship with Chen Pinhe,” Chen Keqiu said. “This matter is even more… inexplicable.”
"Unexplained?"
“Hmm,” Chen Keqiu said. “When I first heard about the conflict between Yan He and Chen Pinhe, I thought it was because Yan He was young and impetuous that there was such a conflict. But after dealing with him for so long, I don’t believe for a second that he would fall out with Chen Pinhe to this extent just because of ‘Destruction Day’.”
"Actually, you're not the only one who's said something like that to me."
"Everyone's eyes are sharp," Chen Keqiu said with a smile.
Wen Shengming: "We don't know what exactly happened between Yan He and Chen Pinhe. Yan He won't say, and we can't ask. But we know a little about what kind of person Yan He is, having dealt with him for so long."
"Yes." Chen Keqiu nodded.
Wen Shengming: "Zhang Yuezhen has already declined."
Chen Keqiu: "Okay."
-
Rumors of Chen Pinhe acting like a diva on set and having a falling out with the director circulated online for two or three days.
The box office of "The Pianist" also saw a widening decline. By the end of the Mid-Autumn Festival period, it had only earned 45 million yuan, making it difficult to break 100 million yuan.
Zhang Yue was quite annoyed.
Zhang Yuezhen knew very well who was behind these online comments.
However, strike the snake at its vital point.
Zhang Yuezhen contacted several actors from "The Pianist," including director Zheng Ximo, hoping they would stand up and say a few words for Chen Pinhe to refute the voices online, but no one was willing to stand up.
To be honest, Chen Pinhe did offend a lot of people during the filming of "The Pianist".
“Teacher Chen’s acting skills are very good, I admit. This movie is also entirely his one-man show, so there’s no need for me to speak up for him.” An actor who also starred in “The Pianist” told Zhang Yuezhen directly on the phone, “I came to act in this movie because I wanted to work with Teacher Chen. Now that we’ve worked together, that’s enough.”
That's enough.
We don't need to cooperate anymore.
The meaning is very clear.
Zhang Yuezhen wanted to say something, but she just couldn't bring herself to say it.
The actor, who was originally scheduled to have 13 scenes, only had 3 scenes cut into the final cut, with a total screen time of no more than 7 minutes.
If this had happened to Chen Pinhe, Zhang Yuezhen would have gone straight to the director's house, slammed her fist on the table, and demanded an explanation.
Zhang Yuezhen said, "Teacher Liu, we definitely won't let this happen again next time. This time, it was because the director's ideas for the film were not mature enough, which is why there were so many adjustments during filming."
"In that case, you should talk to the director." The other party hung up the phone in annoyance.
Zhang Yuezhen clenched her fists.
-
Wang Xiao is very young.
However, no one underestimated him.
He had long since shed his silly, naive student air.
During his years in charge of the Youth Association at Zhenhua University, he had to deal with school administrators, teachers, and students; he had to deal with partners who came to give lectures; he had to secure advertising sponsors, venue partners, and broadcasting platform providers; and he had to manage relationships with all sorts of government officials and media reporters...
Wang Xiao is a spirited young man, but he has also developed a strong work presence and competence early on.
He came to see Zheng Ximo not dressed in a suit and tie—that would be too formal—but in a private club, a more relaxed environment.
He was wearing a collared knit sweater and slightly casual trousers. He stood up calmly and shook hands with Zheng Ximo.
"Director Zheng, do you remember me?" Wang Xiao extended his hand, and on his wrist was a watch worth around 120,000 yuan. In his overall casual image, this watch highlighted his identity that "should not be underestimated." "Four years ago, when you came to Zhenhua University to give a lecture, I was Wang Xiao, who was in charge of receiving you at Zhenhua."
Zheng Ximo looked surprised. "Oh, it's you!"
He found the image of that handsome and upright student in his memory.
Wang Xiao's smile remained unchanged as he said, "I never imagined that we would meet again after four years."
"What a coincidence! You work at the Northern Lights?"
"Yes." Wang Xiao nodded. "I'm currently in charge of Aurora's film business."
Only then did Chen Ziyan smile leisurely and ask, "What does Director Zheng usually drink?"
"Just... American style is fine."
“Okay,” Chen Ziyan said. “I’ll go directly to the front desk to add the order. You guys chat first.”
She went out gracefully.
-
“You’ve revised the script for ‘Seeking Pleasure’ seven or eight times already.”
Meanwhile, Lu Yanhe was also having tea with Director Wang Zhong.
They were talking about the script that director Wang Zhong had been preparing.
The script was originally written for Lu Yanhe and Chen Bige.
Wang Zhong said, "It's difficult. It never quite achieves the feeling I want. Unless I arrange a few erotic scenes in the movie, the feeling of throwing worldly morality aside and being completely driven by emotions and passion won't come out. But I don't want to film it that way. Eroticism is certainly a way of expression, but if I film it that way, you and Chen Bige will face a lot of controversy."
Lu Yanhe understood Wang Zhong's meaning.
The play "Seeking Pleasure" is about a sudden burst of passion, and the sense of loss and emptiness that follows.
In fact, similar films are quite common in Europe, with some appearing almost every year.
Films on this theme are especially common at the four major international film festivals.
Director Wang Zhong wanted to do this, but of course, it wasn't to replicate them, nor was it to film so-called erotic scenes.
Lu Yanhe understood what he meant.
Such films, which depict people immersing themselves in a certain state and exhibiting a completely different side of themselves, exist in both commercial films, such as "The Hangover," and art films, such as "Alcohol Project." What they are trying to capture is, in essence, "emotional moments in life."
In "Seeking Pleasure," the emotions between a man and a woman suddenly intensify and fade, like a sudden tsunami and receding tide.
It is nothingness.
It is also the "loss of control" that life cannot take into account.
Lu Yanhe was also unable to come up with a good solution to Wang Zhong's predicament.
The only solution is for Wang Zhong to handle it himself.
He is a director, and this is the dilemma he faces in his creative process; only he can overcome it.
Fortunately, this movie has no start date and no financial pressure, so we don't have to worry about the timeline and can let it wait a while.
Lu Yanhe said, "If we really can't find a solution, we should make other movies first and put them aside for now. Maybe a solution will emerge as we put them aside."
Wang Zhong sighed and said, "I don't have any other projects that I'd like to film right now."
Lu Yanhe: "Why don't you go to Linghe's project database and see if there's anything that interests you? If you want to do it, just transfer the script to your company and you can do it."
Wang Zhong: "I'll go take a look later."
"But director, have you ever considered making some movies that are completely different from your usual style?"
"Um?"
“When I was making a movie like ‘Burning Fire,’ I suddenly thought, what kind of style would it be if you were to direct such a story?” Lu Yanhe said with a smile. “You have a large enough budget to play with visuals and special effects, so I was thinking, could your style of ‘disrespecting ghosts and gods and blending yin and yang’ bring an unprecedented movie-watching experience?”
Wang Zhong shook his head.
“I can’t make a movie like ‘Burning Fire’ because the pressure to recoup the costs is too great, and I can’t just make movies as I please.”
Lu Yanhe said, "That's not necessarily true. Maybe we can find a subject and style that can ignite your desire to shoot and attract audiences to the cinema. It's rare, but I don't think it's impossible."
He's someone who's seen Nolan's Batman trilogy and Mad Max: Fury Road.
Blockbuster films can also achieve a balance between the author's expression and commercial success.
What sets director Wang Zhong apart from many art film directors is that he is actually a director who is very good at storytelling.
He just doesn't like "telling only one story".
Lu Yanhe didn't know if Wang Zhong would ultimately be willing to make a movie like this.
Perhaps they would, perhaps they wouldn't.
Lu Yanhe was simply presenting a choice.
-
"I can't say that we will support you 100% and unconditionally no matter what movie you make."
Wang Xiao produced a contract.
"This is a contract drafted by the company's legal department. We can discuss every clause if you have any objections. The main point I want to make is that we will not interfere with your creative process. However, if we determine that the budget is too large, or if there are other issues involving production costs, we need to discuss them."
Zheng Ximo took the contract and looked at it with some surprise.
“We will respect your opinion 100% on what actors you want to use and what kind of film you want to make. Of course, we will also have our own suggestions, and I believe you can understand that, Director Zheng. However, the decision is in your hands.” Wang Xiao smiled slightly. “Right now, Northern Lights is your best partner because this business segment is just starting out. Our cooperation with you is not for the sake of box office revenue or immediate profit.”
Zheng Ximo frowned and said, "Are these conditions... really true?"
Wang Xiao nodded.
“It’s true,” Wang Xiao said. “I can’t say that such conditions are offered to every director we work with. In fact, your contract is specially tailored. Sister Ziyan knows we’re looking for film directors with whom we can work long-term, so she recommended you to us. Actually, ‘The Pianist’ just won an award at Venice. I believe some film companies would be willing to offer better conditions than us, but I can say directly that these conditions are not for one or two films. Within five years, as long as the budget does not exceed 20 million, if you want to make a project, we can almost certainly say that we will support you, no matter how many films.”
Zheng Ximo fell silent.
Chen Ziyan said, "Director Zheng, a budget of 20 million isn't high, but it's more than enough to shoot the movie you wanted to make before. In addition, Linghe will also act as a partner of Northern Lights Films, handling their overseas distribution and finding overseas film distributors. The problems with 'The Pianist' won't be repeated. You have many friends in the film industry, and you can ask many people what kind of collaborator Yan He is, and what the directors who have worked with him, whether they are big directors or newcomers, felt. Wang Xiao is Yan He's senior from school, and the two of them were close friends during their school days. That's why I'm sitting here introducing you to Wang Xiao."
Zheng Ximo suddenly realized what was going on.
-
On September 23, the top luxury brand Mebo announced Chen Pinhe as its global brand ambassador.
Zhang Yuezhen's press release was subsequently issued.
The excellent reviews that "The Pianist" brought to Chen Pinhe at the Venice International Film Festival prompted Mipoli, a brand that last used a Chinese person as a global spokesperson 15 years ago, to extend an olive branch to Chen Pinhe.
Chen Pinhe's refined and noble temperament is considered by Miboli to be a perfect match for its own brand image.
etc.
The implication is that the film "The Pianist" truly boosted Chen Pinhe's career, further proving the success of the film itself.
That afternoon, Shihuo announced a deep partnership with Wen Shengming, a Chinese performing artist and winner of the Best Actor award at the Venice International Film Festival, and will act as his full agent for overseas talent management.
An hour later, Shi Huo announced that Wen Shengming would serve as the promotional ambassador for the Sino-French Film Festival in October and would receive the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French government.
"..."
Zhang Yuezhen watched as the buzz surrounding Chen Pinhe's appointment as the global spokesperson for Miboli was suppressed.
On September 26, Aurora Video announced that Aurora Films had signed a cooperation agreement with director Zheng Ximo to collaborate on film production. The company also announced an untitled project, which will involve Yu Mengling and Wang Jing, with Lu Yanhe serving as one of the producers.
Zhang Yuezhen heard Chen Pinhe smashing things in the room.
Just once.
Zhang Yue really wanted to knock on the door and go in, but after hesitating for a moment, she still didn't go in.
She remained silent for a long time, her face dark.
She didn't know what to say.
Shouldn't Chen Pinhe have shown more respect for Zheng Ximo when they collaborated?
Or should we tell Chen Pinhe to go and have a proper talk with Zheng Ximo now, and ease the tension?
She knew that no matter what she said, Chen Pinhe wouldn't listen.
In his eyes, Zheng Ximo was just an ordinary director. Otherwise, he wouldn't have offered so many suggestions for revisions on set when filming "The Pianist."
Those revisions did indeed make Chen Pinhe's character more well-rounded and more charming.
However--
Zhang Yue sighed.
My phone suddenly started buzzing and vibrating.
News from Beijing and Taiwan.
The spin-off series of "The Seventeenth Floor" is scheduled to premiere during the National Day holiday.
(End of this chapter)
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