Chapter 99: Reserve Allies Howling
Many people were happy to watch the drama or stood by indifferently during the turmoil at Rongchen Film and Television.
These people tacitly added fuel to the fire of public opinion, knowing it wouldn't burn them.
Wang Zhonglei was in a very good mood.
Year after year, Huayi Brothers had been suppressed by Rongchen Film and Television.
Now it was finally Li Chen’s turn to be in a mess, and he didn't mind giving him another push.
He picked up the phone and dialed a number.
“There are some things the public has a right to know the truth about, such as what’s going on with that Yang Mi.”
There was a pause on the other end of the phone, and he thought to himself that Young Boss Wang was still holding a grudge over the Wang Zhaojun incident.
No, the Wang Zhaojun incident was just a trigger.
It should be that Young Boss Wang had been keeping Director Li in mind ever since a world without thieves.
“Okay, Boss Wang, I’ll take care of it now.”
“Also, isn’t Zhou Xun still undecided? Write some articles about Zhou Xun and Rongchen Film and Television.”
“Sometimes, things that are mere rumors are more easily believed.”
“Regardless of whether Zhou Xun and Rongchen Film and Television have something going on, if we say they do, then they do.”
“As for whether they really do, that’s the truth that paparazzi need to uncover; we’re just responsible for throwing out a brick to attract jade.” Wang Zhonglei smiled, feeling completely at ease.
The person on the other end of the phone, however, sighed endlessly, thinking that Young Boss Wang’s move was vicious; he wanted to drag Rongxingda down and reap the benefits.
The next day, the first day’s box office for father's love is like a mountain was released: 9.8 million.
But the public’s focus had shifted to other areas.
Rongxingda and Rongchen Film and Television’s phones were bombarded by media and reporters.
The reason was that in just one night, numerous ‘negative stories’ about Rongchen Film and Television had emerged.
Among them, the grievances between it and Rongxingda were the most eye-catching.
“The inside story of Wang Zhaojun’s casting: Rongchen Film and Television had already reached a signing intention with Yang Mi, and Rongxingda swallowed its pride!”
“Yang Mi is just a stepping stone; Zhou Xun is the target of Rongchen Film and Television, and painted skin is the bait.”
“Chen Kun refused to join Rongchen Film and Television, missing out on the male lead in painted skin.”
“The two Rongs compete, and Rongxingda may be hollowed out!”
In addition, there were endless ‘negative stories’ about Li Chen.
“The untold stories between The Golden Palm director and the Olympic darling!”
“Yang Mi visits the painted skin crew, and the Golden Palm and the Olympic darling’s love life faces trouble.”
“Liu Yifei rises to prominence, while Yang Mi and Tang Yan are cast aside.”
It could be said that these scandalous rumors successfully captured the attention of netizens.
Many netizens who were just watching the drama actually believed them.
After all, many predecessors had personally tested the reputation of big directors in their private lives!
And they kept coming one after another!
Zhang Yimou and Jiang Wen, which one of them didn’t prefer the new over the old?
Even the old stories between another Golden Palm, Chen Kaige, and Ni Ping were dug up.
Netizens immediately started cursing Li Chen.
Early in the morning, Li Shaohong and Li Xiaowan met at the company.
Li Xiaowan still couldn’t believe it: “Zhou Xun wouldn’t really have reached a tacit understanding with Rongchen Film and Television, would she? Just like Yang Mi?”
Li Shaohong frowned tightly and shook her head: “Probably not. I just asked Chen Kun, and Rongchen Film and Television has never contacted him.”
“These are clearly rumors spread by someone who just wants to muddy the waters.”
Li Xiaowan asked: “Then how do we respond to the media?”
“Don’t worry about these for now. I also want to see what Li Chen says. The top priority now is still the renewal of Zhou Xun’s contract.”
“We won’t admit it, nor will we deny it. On the Yang Mi matter, he did poach our talent, although I don’t care about one Yang Mi!” Li Shaohong said.
Chen Kun immediately stepped forward to refute the rumors: “Director Li and I have only met once so far. Rongchen Film and Television has never contacted me from beginning to end, let alone talked about signing a contract.”
Li Chen arrived at the company in the morning.
Yang Siwei and Wu Bin were already on standby.
“Is the boss still on the phone?” Yang Siwei asked the assistant at the door of Li Chen’s office.
The girl nodded: “Director Yang, Director Li has been on the phone. Please wait a little longer.”
Li Chen’s phone had been ringing non-stop since morning.
First, Han Sanping called him, telling him not to worry about the father's love is like a mountain issue.
China Film Group Corporation would speak out in support of him at the appropriate Time.
Although the old guys on the committee were also arguing fiercely now.
Half of them believed that it shouldn’t have been approved in the first place and should be immediately taken off the screen and banned.
But this year, the higher-ups had made a decision to make big changes.
Even this year’s Golden Rooster Awards allowed films from Hong Kong to participate, which was a weathervane.
Yang Dong also told Han Sanping that controversy was a good thing, and the current environment desperately needed a different voice.
Han Sanping took the opportunity to praise Li Chen, saying that choosing Thailand as the story background was the right choice.
Otherwise, even if it were set in Hong Kong, it would easily be criticized.
However, his scandals were his own problem; China Film Group Corporation would not get involved.
Li Chen laughed heartily, indeed the style of China Film Group Corporation.
But this was already very good; after all, it was a state-owned enterprise and couldn’t be as reckless as a small workshop.
Wang Changtian of Enlight Media also called, expressing that he would also lend a hand.
In Wang Changtian’s eyes, these were not big deals.
The two talked more about the national promotion of painted skin in the coming month, which was the top priority.
After all, this was Enlight Media’s first major film independently distributed and promoted.
Wang Changtian had put in a lot of effort, and the roadshows and Premiere were even more ingenious.
Especially for the Premiere, a top magic team was specially hired from America for 5 million to perform skin-shedding and heart-digging magic on the day of the Premiere.
Next, President Bao of Wanda and Ren Dong of Shanghai Film Group both called.
They expressed that he didn’t need to care about these rumors and that they would spare no effort to support him.
Li Chen smiled and expressed his gratitude, not taking it too seriously.
He thought it was nothing more than spiritual support.
It wasn’t until Monday, two days later, that Li Chen belatedly realized that he had inexplicably accumulated two considerable favors, especially from Shanghai Film Group.
He finally finished his calls.
Yang Siwei and Wu Bin then came in.
As soon as she entered, Yang Siwei said: “Boss, the person behind these negative stories this morning is most likely that one from Huayi Brothers.”
Li Chen nodded and told them to sit down and talk.
“Boss, this Time, it can be said that he incriminated himself.”
“I just called Sister Xun and asked her about the contract.”
“What did Zhou Xun say?” Li Chen asked.
“Sister Xun said that her contract is about to expire, and there are indeed many people who want to sign her, including companies from Hong Kong and the mainland.”
“But she basically declined all of them, except for one, where she didn’t give a definitive no and is still hesitating, and that’s Huayi Brothers.” Yang Siwei said.
Li Chen snorted: “Besides their family, I can’t think of anyone else.”
“We won’t bother with them for now, but regarding Tangtang and Mi Mi, we still need to respond.”
Yang Siwei nodded: “I understand, Boss.”
As she was speaking, Li Chen’s phone rang again.
Li Chen waved his cell phone in front of Yang Siwei and Wu Bin: “Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.”
“What do you think this Young Boss Wang wants to say?”
Yang Siwei and Wu Bin both laughed.
“What else can he do? He’s definitely crying ‘stop thief’ while being the thief.” Wu Bin laughed.
Li Chen sneered. Sure enough, on the phone, Young Boss Wang also expressed that he would stand with Li Chen and that if he needed Huayi Brothers, he just had to make a call.
Li Chen didn’t expose him, taking a wait-and-see approach.
After hanging up on Wang Zhonglei, Tian Zhuangzhuang also called him.
He only said one sentence: Focus on making movies, don’t worry about these things.
That day, Yang Siwei, on behalf of Rongchen Film and Television, issued a statement to the public.
“Rongchen Film and Television will no longer respond to the matter of poaching, because it has already been made very clear. We thank Mr. Chen Kun for stepping forward to refute the rumors.”
“Tang Yan and Yang Mi are both artists under the company and university students. We solemnly warn those despicable and filthy rumor-mongers to stop doing unethical things!”
Yang Mi, who was still filming Wang Zhaojun, was not one to swallow her anger. After a phone call with Yang Siwei, she posted an article on her blog.
“To the impure, everything is impure.”
Tang Yan also, for the first Time, responded to the rumors about her and Li Chen.
“The clear will clear themselves. It is my honor to know Director Li, and it is our fate to become friends and colleagues with Yifei and Mi Mi.”
The style of comments online gradually changed.
“These people are too unethical, spreading rumors about two female students. Be careful, your sons might be born without an anus.”
“If Director Li really wanted to fool around, wouldn’t those two Bingbings from Huayi Brothers be more open? Their swimming together and passionate kissing in the hotel feel like yesterday.”
“Stop arguing, everyone. Whether Rongchen Film and Television poached anyone, let’s see if Zhou Xun renews her contract with Rongxingda this Time. If she doesn’t renew, will she sign with Rongchen Film and Television again?!”
“Makes sense!”
When Wang Zhonglei saw the last two comments, he smiled like an old fox.
As long as Zhou Xun didn’t sign with Rongchen Film and Television, she would definitely sign with Huayi Brothers.
His goal was achieved.
The polarized public opinion and the excellent reputation of father's love is like a mountain acted more like catalysts for the box office.
People are naturally curious; the more lively a scene, the more people flock to it.
On Saturday, the second day, father's love is like a mountain grossed 13.96 million.
On Sunday, the third day, it grossed 13.85 million.
father's love is like a mountain's opening weekend in China grossed 37.61 million, far exceeding Big Brother Long's Myth, which earned 26.50 million in its opening weekend last month.
The Hong Kong box office also totaled 9.85 million, again surpassing Big Brother Long's Myth's 6.50 million.
At this rate, breaking 100 million at the box office is a certainty.
On Monday, Beijing Film Academy was the first to act, supporting Li Chen with its actions.
“Two classic segments from ‘shoplifters,’ a work by a fourth-year student in our Director Department, will be included in Beijing Film Academy’s textbooks.”
“On the occasion of China’s centennial of cinema, Beijing Film Academy has established an Outstanding Alumni Hall of Fame, aiming to select distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to China’s film industry. The first batch of ten inductees includes: Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Li Chen.”
Two prominent headlines on Beijing Film Academy's official website demonstrated the attitude of Asia's top film school.
No wonder Teacher Tian called him the other day, telling him not to worry; so that was what he meant.
Following this, Wanda was the first to increase the screening rate for father's love is like a mountain.
And without fear of rumors, facing reporters' questions, he stated directly: “As a cinema chain, we naturally prioritize the box office.”
“father's love is like a mountain’s box office is currently far ahead, so we have no reason not to increase its screening rate.”
“As for the negative reviews of father's love is like a mountain online, I will not comment, but personally, I deeply love this film because I am also a father!”
Subsequently, China Film Group Corporation, Starlight International Media, Dadi, and several other cinema chains affiliated with Shanghai Film Group also successively increased father's love is like a mountain's screening rate, supporting Rongchen Film and Television with their actions.
Ren Zhonglun of Shanghai Film Group stated in an interview with reporters.
“We cannot judge people with old perspectives. Times are developing, and our film industry must also keep up with the Times.”
“I have watched all the films produced by Rongchen Film and Television, and there is nothing wrong with their values.”
“If there truly were, why would our audience flock to contribute to the box office of shoplifters and father's love is like a mountain?”
“As an international A-list film festival, why would Cannes award the Golden Palm to shoplifters?”
“China currently desperately needs film and television companies like Rongchen Film and Television, which are unconventional and dedicated to filmmaking.”
“Shanghai Film Group has always looked forward to collaborating with Rongchen Film and Television to jointly contribute to the Chinese film industry, and I hope this day will not come too late.”
“Boss, Ren Dong is too, too…” Yang Siwei couldn't find the words to describe it.
But she knew that the boss now owed this favor, and he couldn't avoid owing it!
As the head of a state-owned enterprise like Shanghai Film Group, openly and unreservedly supporting Rongchen Film and Television, you couldn't refuse.
It must be said that although Ren Zhonglun's statement did not mention Li Chen's name, perhaps he was afraid that the rumors were true.
But to come out and publicly support Li Chen's Rongchen Film and Television at such a Time was truly a timely help.
As the saying goes, it is easy to add icing on the cake, but difficult to offer charcoal in the snow.
Li Chen also smiled bitterly, finally understanding what Ren Zhonglun meant the other day.
Now he couldn't help but express his stance, so he called Ren Zhonglun.
“Ren Dong, thank you.”
“It's a small matter. I'm not like Han Sanping. At Shanghai Film Group, I alone can make decisions,” Ren Zhonglun said with a smile.
“Understood. Ren Dong, if you have Time, please come to the Premiere of painted skin. We can also have a good talk,” Li Chen said.
A smile spread across Ren Zhonglun's face, and his tone remained unchanged: “Okay, see you at the Premiere.”
After hanging up the phone, Ren Zhonglun was in high spirits, laughing three Times, truly wishing for a drink.
Han Sanping was furious when he saw Ren Zhonglun's statement!
“Old Ren, he’s too out of line! He’s truly unscrupulous!”
But despite his anger, he could only sigh deeply in the end.
He didn't even need to call Li Chen to guess that Shanghai Film Group would likely also want a piece of the pie in the future.
father's love is like a mountain was a box office hit.
Emperor Entertainment Group was immensely successful, and Boss Yang held a grand celebration banquet in Hong Kong.
The huge profits truly made many of their peers in Hong Kong envious.
Especially their rival, China Star.
Because Black Society, produced by China Star and directed by Johnnie To, which was released on the 20th of this month, had grossed less than 3 million after more than a week of release.
It is estimated that it will be difficult to complete a month-long public screening period.
Boss Xiang was embarrassed. He finally understood.
These directors in Hong Kong are outdated. To avoid being eliminated, they must learn from their opponents.
China Star spent a high price to introduce lurking from Chiyou Films. After a month of screening, the box office was only 3.2 million Hong Kong dollars. Losing a little money didn't matter.
But he didn't believe Li Chen didn't understand his intentions.
Introducing lurking was just the first step; his ultimate goal was to replace Emperor Entertainment Group and become Li Chen's sole partner in Hong Kong.
His wife handed Xiang Huaqiang a glass of red wine, speaking without any reservations between them.
“Husband, this young man is not easy to deal with. Chen Kexin and Wu Junru have both shut up. This is the first Time I've seen someone disregard Chen Kexin like this.”
“Moreover, father's love is like a mountain caused such a stir, yet he never came forward to respond.”
Xiang Huaqiang swirled his wine glass, his face still stern: “What’s so strange about that?”
“Although we haven't dealt with him much, in this past year, I've pretty much figured out this young man's temperament.”
“From the moment he drove dae jang geum out of China, I knew this young man was not simple.”
“Chen Kexin brought it upon himself, and Wu Junru is even more of an idiot.”
“Although he didn’t come forward this Time, look who did? China Film Group Corporation, Shanghai Film Group, Wanda—none of these are simple.”
Andy Lau had lost a lot of weight recently. When Li Chen called him last month, battle of wits had just started filming.
He was filming while undergoing psychological counseling, and he also had to endure the box office blow of Wait 'til You're Older.
His wife was very considerate, only feeling distressed for Andy Lau, thinking about when Andy Lau had ever slept in a coffin, and for nearly half a month at that.
The phone rang.
His wife picked it up, glanced at Andy Lau: “It’s Boss Xiang.”
“Give it to me,” Andy Lau said.
After hanging up the phone, his wife asked softly: “Did Boss Xiang need something from you?”
Andy Lau shook his head and chuckled: “Nothing. Boss Xiang finally came around. He wants to go with me to the Premiere of painted skin next month.”
His wife didn't care about these things. Holding the medicine, she said: “Take your medicine first.”
At the same Time, Chen Kexin and his wife, who were in Hong Kong, were feeling extremely agitated.
Next month, painted skin and perhaps love will go head-to-head. Saying they don't care is self-deception. Who knows what kind of scene it will be.
Besides that, perhaps love and The Promise are also both being released in December. Both are Oscar-contending films, making them rivals.
They couldn't afford to be careless at all.
Compared to the competition with painted skin, Chen Kexin and his wife focused more on the rivalry with The Promise.
After all, there is only one Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film; if you get it, I can't.
“Husband, should we postpone the release date of perhaps love in China by a week to synchronize with Hong Kong?”
Chen Kexin completely couldn't understand his girlfriend's thought process: “Don’t add to the trouble! Aren’t I annoyed enough?”
Wu Junru was unconvinced but said nothing more.
The farce ultimately concluded with a definitive judgment from a large number of film critics.
“The film does not pursue or emphasize the details of high-IQ crime and logical reasoning; it is entirely driven by human emotion.”
“At the same Time, it also grafts the emotional relationships of the characters onto the contradictions and opposition of two classes, starting from a small point to reveal the truth of the world. The script’s scope is very grand.”
“The film’s philosophical depth and humanistic qualities are both excellent. While exploring the philosophical proposition of ‘crime and punishment,’ it does not follow the audience’s simplistic values.”
“Instead, through the display of human nature, family affection, and responsibility, it highlights the preciousness of family affection and a sense of responsibility.”
“Li Chen, have you contacted Old Ren?”
“Han Dong, Ren Dong has gone to such lengths; how can I remain indifferent?”
“Although China Film Group Corporation didn’t openly stand up and support you like Old Ren did, it didn’t do nothing. Have you seen the film critics’ reviews?”
“What do you mean? Han Dong, these people are your…” Li Chen didn’t finish, thinking, no way?
“These are all their objective evaluations. I just gave them a push to let them speak out!” Han Sanping said.
“Understood, Han Dong, thank you. Regardless, China Film Group Corporation will definitely be my first choice,” Li Chen also stated his position.
Han Sanping had indeed done a lot. His call today was to claim credit.