The day after the party ended, Shen Fang was woken up by Harvey's phone call.
"Chen, turn on the TV quickly."
Chen Fang turned on the TV program in a daze.
The television program was currently broadcasting yesterday's grand occasion, with the blond host, Allen, speaking in an exaggerated tone.
"Jet Lee's new film, Hero, makes a strong comeback. It opened yesterday with $2.38 million, taking the top spot at the box office on its opening day, and receiving rave reviews..."
"Shen, did you see it? $2.38 million!!!"
"I saw it, it's not bad."
"It's more than just good. At this rate, we'll definitely break $10 million in the first week. As long as we don't crash on the first, second, and third days, Heroes will definitely achieve excellent results."
"This will depend on your efforts in maintaining and promoting it."
Harvey's hearty laughter came through the phone.
"Leave these things to me, and I'll definitely handle them perfectly. I'll arrange everything in order. The day after tomorrow, I'll arrange for Jet Lee, Maggie, and Zhang to appear on BBC and CNC shows, The Ellen Show, The Buck Show, and some interview programs to generate buzz. Mike told me to tell you that Universal Pictures is planning to increase film production and add 200 screens."
"Please thank Mike for me. Tell him that we will be good friends, and I will reward him handsomely when Universal enters the Chinese market in the future."
"Okay, I'll forward it. Shen, let's collaborate more in the future."
Shen Fang smiled and said, "I will contact you for any business that needs to be published in the future. Also, please help me register a company. I plan to open our new North American Dragon Company."
"No problem, I'll get it done for you within 3 days."
"Okay, thanks."
The call ended.
Shen Fang's lips curled up slightly.
With 2.38 million on its opening day, it looks like it could easily reach 60 million US dollars. With the domestic and Asian markets included, this film, despite the large amount of money invested, will still be able to make a profit.
More importantly, it can serve as a benchmark for future generations and stimulate the domestic market economy. It doesn't matter if this film doesn't make money. High investment and high returns are Chen Fang's goals; he wants to set a good example for others in the industry. Only blockbusters and commercial films can revitalize the market and generate profits.
After a quick wash, Shen Fang woke up Liu Qianqian, and the two of them went to the restaurant. Zhang Yimou, Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi, and others were all awake.
"Senior, have you seen the news?"
Zhang Yimou was eating bread when he heard Shen Fang's words and stopped putting the bread in his mouth.
"What news?"
Shen Fang smiled and said, "Hero made $2.38 million on its first day, and Universal Pictures predicts it will make at least $10 million. Today, they added another 200 screens, and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. As long as you can keep this up this week, it will only get higher and higher."
Jet Li's eyes lit up.
"Director Zhang, the box office mechanism in the United States is different from that in China. Basically, if the first week's results are good, the results in the second and third weeks will get better and better. If you can get 10 million US dollars in the first week, you will basically win without any problems after that."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yimou's face broke into a wide smile, his wrinkled face twisting into a rare grin.
After quickly finishing breakfast, Zhang Yimou, full of fighting spirit, took the lead and led everyone to Chinatown.
At this time, Chinatown was already decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and foreigners passing by were completely bewildered. Isn't the Chinese New Year in December? Why is everything decorated in red today?
In the very center of Chinatown, a huge stage had been set up, decorated entirely in red, with a giant poster of a hero hanging in the center.
"Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Chinese compatriots present, let us welcome Director Zhang Yimou, Kung Fu Emperor Jet Li, Goddess Maggie Cheung, Mr. Leung Chiu-wai, and Ms. Zhang Ziyi!" A sprightly old man in a Tang suit, with white beard and hair, smiled broadly and held a gong in his hand, and announced loudly.
With a smile on his face, Zhang Yimou led a few people onto the stage and waved to the audience.
The Chinese audience gave it a warm round of applause.
"Hero!!! Hero!!! Hero!!!!"
The crowd below the stage shouted the hero's name loudly, not just referring to the film, but praising Zhang Yimou as a pioneer of Chinese-language cinema. Before this hero arrived, Chinese cinema only had Ang Lee, but he couldn't represent all Chinese people. Zhang Yimou, a true Shanxi native, is a role model for the Chinese people. This is the real hero.
With a series of booming sounds, firecrackers began to sound from below the stage, and two lion dance duo appeared, shaking their heads, tumbling in the air, twisting their heads mid-air, presenting a golden lion as a gift, and performing various other movements, drawing cheers from the passersby.
The lion dance lasted for 15 minutes, and finally the golden lion stood up straight, dropping two couplets from its mouth.
"Chinese heroes display their divine might, their illustrious names resound throughout the world!!!"
The host handed the microphone to Zhang Yimou.
An elderly man with a white beard and white hair and Ambassador Zhang took the stage.
"On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I wish our heroes continued success and great achievements. Today, I would like to especially appeal to overseas Chinese to support our Chinese films and this great work!!!"
"On behalf of the merchants in Chinatown, I support director Zhang Yimou. Tomorrow, our Chinatown will be closed for the day so we can all go and support our hero. All merchants can pick up their tickets at our Zhonghua Building later. All expenses will be covered by our Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. Let's all support him together."
The merchants and passersby in the audience expressed their support, saying they would definitely go see it, they would go in a little while, they would go tomorrow, and they would bring their whole family to see it. This is a source of pride for us Chinese people. The ambassador has supported it, and Chairman Tang has also supported it. As Chinese people, we must support our Chinese films.
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