Finally, I walked into the hall with Zhang Yimou, Han Sanping, Minister Liu, and Tong Gang, the chairman of China Film Group.
This marked the official start of the banquet.
Everyone had arrived, and the host, Bai Yansong, took the stage. Yes, it was Lao Bai, a leading figure in the current hosting industry. Zhong Lifang didn't know what she was thinking when she specially invited him to host this celebration banquet.
Actually, Shen Fang was planning to invite Li Hong or Yang Lan, or even Dong Qing if necessary.
Bai Yansong, dressed in a black suit, stepped onto the stage and looked at the audience with a smile.
"Distinguished guests, leaders, and colleagues from the film and television industry, welcome to this important day. Today is a day when Chinese films are entering the commercial era and Chinese culture is flourishing. Let us welcome our main guests today: Director Zhang Yimou, Chen Daoming, Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leung, and our investors: Han Sanping, Vice Chairman of China Film Group, and Mr. Shen Fang, Chairman of Longteng Media, to the stage."
A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.
Bai Yansong handed the microphone to Zhang Yimou, whose expression was serious, but he couldn't hide the smile on his lips.
"Today I am here to express my gratitude. Thank you to the lead actors for their wonderful performances. Without you, heroes could not have achieved this. Thank you to the 468 crew members for your full cooperation and support, which allowed us to make history. Finally, I would like to thank my investors, Mr. Shen and Mr. Han, as well as the leaders of the Central Propaganda Department, Mr. Liu, our compatriots overseas, and all my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United States. Thank you, thank you. Without you, there would be no heroes today."
"I would also like to express my special thanks to someone, Mr. Shen, who is my junior brother and also my boss." The old strategist turned his head and looked at Shen Fang beside him.
With a smile on his face, Shen bowed to the crowd, and Bai Yansong handed him the microphone with a flourish.
Shen Fang took the microphone: "Ahem, senior brother, you said you were thanking me, but actually I should be thanking you. Thank you for joining Longteng, thank you for choosing me."
Zhang Yimou laughed loudly: "Junior brother, you must thank those who deserve thanks. Without your support, the hero would not have achieved this success. The hero's medal of honor is at least half yours."
Shen Fang burst into laughter: "Chairman Han, did you hear that? Remember to give me a medal later."
Han Sanping, sitting in the audience, burst into laughter and gestured towards Chen Fang.
The interview begins.
Beijing News reporter: "Director Zhang, I heard you mention before that your next film is a martial arts movie. Has this project been approved yet?"
Zhang Yimou smiled and nodded: "It's confirmed. I'll be inviting two handsome men to collaborate this time. Andy Lau and Daniel Wu are my co-stars for my next film."
Andy Lau already knew that Zhang Yimou wanted to collaborate with him, and he was quite pleased with himself. The most powerful business tycoon in China was now asking him to play the male lead. Even the humble Andy Lau couldn't help but feel happy and proud.
All the male celebrities present looked at him with envy.
Daniel Wu was completely dumbfounded, his face a mixture of shock and surprise. He stared at Zhang Yimou on stage in disbelief, having never heard of this beforehand.
Even Edison Chen and Xie Biwang were seething with envy. Daniel Wu is about to soar to new heights; after this movie, he'll be on a completely different level. A film by a world-class director—they're incredibly envious.
"Besides that, I'm also planning to work with Andy Lau on a movie about Zhao Zilong from the Three Kingdoms period. I think Andy Lau is very suitable for it, and I'm also planning to ask him to act in my next movie. To be honest, Andy Lau, you should thank my junior brother. He strongly recommended you to be the lead in this movie."
Upon hearing this, Andy Lau bowed to Chen Fang and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Chen, for giving me this opportunity."
Shen Fang quickly waved his hand: "Brother Hua, you're too kind. I think this movie was tailor-made for you. Let's talk about it offstage later."
The media present were going crazy. One after another, they were making movies about Zhao Zilong from the Three Kingdoms period. Goodness!
Andy Lau and Daniel Wu together, wow, just hearing about it makes me want to watch! We've got the buzz, and the prize money is in the bag!!!
Sohu reporter: "Director Zhang, will you be filming a movie about Zhao Zilong from the Three Kingdoms period rescuing Liu Shan seven times?"
Zhang Yimou smiled and said, "The specifics of how to film it and which segment to film are still undecided. We will be collaborating with Japan's largest television network, Kogyo Co., Ltd., on this project. Once the project is officially approved, we will hold a press conference to announce it to everyone."
Penguin reporter: "I'd like to ask Director Zhang, are you saying you won't be making art films anymore?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yimou was taken aback and shook his head: "Well, at present, commercial films and blockbusters are still the main focus. My junior brother, who is also my boss, is a very wealthy man. He told me to go all out and make blockbusters, and to make sure that Chinese commercial films are promoted and Chinese culture is exported. He will fully support me. I also want to do something for Chinese films and make some achievements."
Shen Fang smiled and said, "I will spare no effort to contribute money and resources. I will give you whatever money you need to make Chinese blockbusters and bring Chinese films to the world."
Southern Daily: "Mr. Shen, are you saying that art films are unimportant? Dragon Film only makes commercial films? Do you think art films are inferior to commercial films?"
Shen Fang glanced at the female reporter. Everyone who came today had paid, and this one was obviously here to cause trouble. Damn it, she took the money but didn't do anything.
Did I say that?
The female reporter smiled: "You've been talking about commercial films all this time."
Shen Fang smiled and said, "First of all, let me clarify that I did not say that Longteng Media does not make art films, nor do I think that art films and commercial films have to be compared in terms of superiority or inferiority. The target audiences are different. Then, let me explain why I am not letting my senior brother make art films for the time being."
"Firstly, my senior has only just made a name for himself in Hollywood. If he wants to become a world-class director, he needs to have three consecutive successful films before Hollywood will recognize him. And these must be commercial films. Secondly, do you think it's a waste of my senior's talent to make art films now? Thirdly, a mature film market must be dominated by commercial films, with art films playing a supporting role."
"Fourthly, the Chinese film industry has just started and achieved some success. Shouldn't we press on and continue our efforts to produce and promote Chinese commercial films? Art films can be made anytime, but Hollywood blockbusters are coming on strong. Once they flood the Chinese market, we won't have a mature commercial blockbuster system or any commercially successful films. How will we compete with Hollywood? With art films? How many art films actually make money? I may be being a bit blunt, but they're practically attacking our home. Shouldn't we fight back?"
"Therefore, blockbuster Chinese films are inevitable. Commercial films need to develop, they need everyone's support, and everyone needs to work together to create excellent works, jointly resist foreign enemies, prevent cultural colonization, and promote Chinese culture to the world..."
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