Chapter 11: I took that as a rhetorical question.
At the end of October, *Stone* successfully wrapped up filming.
At the wrap-up party, Li Chen and the main cast accepted interviews.
A Sohu female reporter asked, “Director Li, what are your box office expectations for this film?”
“Haha, it would be best if it could surpass *lost in thailand*.”
“Director Li, I heard this film only cost 3 million yuan. Where does your confidence to surpass *lost in thailand* come from?”
“It's the script and the actors that give me confidence. The acting of the main cast is impeccable.”
“Even the supporting actors are Baiyulan Award Best Actors, so why would we lose to *lost in thailand*?”
“Director Li, why did you choose Mountain City for this shoot?”
At the banquet, Li Chen raised his glass: “It’s been a pleasure getting to know everyone over the past month. I look forward to our next collaboration. Thank you all.”
“Director Li, you’re too kind.”
“You're truly too kind, Director Li.”
The next day,
Several major portal websites and local Mountain City newspapers reported the news of *Stone*'s wrap-up.
The *Stone* crew wrapped up filming yesterday in Mountain City. Director Li Chen declared that the expected box office would at least surpass *lost on journey*.
Han Sanping couldn't help but shake his head when he saw this news. “This kid talks big!” he thought.
He knew the cost of *Stone*, and he didn't believe *Stone* would be another low-budget blockbuster like *lost in thailand*.
Back in Beijing, Li Chen went to the company.
The front desk lady smiled when she saw the boss return: “Mr. Li, several invitations have been delivered to the company. I've put them on your desk.”
“Also, these are several product placement contracts. The other companies said they had finalized them with you.”
“Okay, I have an appointment. When the person arrives, please bring him in.”
“Understood, Mr. Li.”
Li Chen entered his office.
The invitations were for the Premiers of *cell phone* and *infernal affairs 3*, and there were also several from the Director Association, Screenwriter Association, and so on.
Li Chen tossed the invitations aside and looked at the contracts.
Baleno, Chongqing Changan Bread Van, Jialing Motorcycle, Hong Hua Oil, Mountain City Beer… nearly ten in total.
Some of these companies, betting that *Stone*'s box office would still be as impressive as *lost in thailand*, approached them proactively.
Others were negotiated by Li Chen himself while he was in Mountain City.
This was also a considerable income. With these signed, *Stone* had already made a profit before it was even released.
In September, *Warriors of Heaven and Earth*, starring Jiang Wen and Zhao Yanzi, grossed 43 million yuan at the box office.
As of now, if it weren't for *lost in thailand*, Zhao Yanzi would have indeed claimed the 2003 box office champion title.
Zhao Yanzi finally had her moment of triumph. Her two films released this year both started with 6 million yuan at the box office.
A knock sounded.
“Come in.”
“Hello, Director Li, I'm Zhang Qin. This is my business card.”
Li Chen glanced at it: Securities, Senior Investment Consultant.
The two talked for a long time and signed an employment contract.
After seeing Zhang Qin off, Li Chen opened his laptop.
In March, Mr. Qiao sold another 55 million shares, and apple dropped to 7 US dollars.
Unfortunately, Li Chen didn't have money then.
The bottoming out happened that year.
Starting in 2004, which is next year, a behemoth will rise.
There's also Tencent, which will be listed in Hong Kong next year. With Zhang Qin, things will be much more convenient.
This year, due to the SARS epidemic, the baijiu industry experienced an unprecedented cold spell.
On September 23rd, Moutai's stock price plummeted to 20.71! A historic low!
Li Chen, who was in Mountain City, decisively bought in.
A portion of the company's liquid funds was left in the account. Red envelopes were given to several employees as year-end bonuses, making them all joyous.
Li Chen returned to school and entrusted the post-production work to two familiar senior students to oversee for him.
Then he went to the Director Department office to cancel his leave.
Teacher Li smiled happily when he saw him: “I saw your bold statement about the box office.”
Li Chen gave a wry smile: “Teacher, does no one think I'm being realistic?”
Teacher Li laughed: “Alright, you. You talk big. Let me tell you something serious.”
“Is your film *Stone* another low-budget comedy?”
“Yes, that's right.”
“What about the next one? Still planning to make comedies?”
Li Chen pondered for a moment: “I haven't decided yet.”
“For a director, high box office might make you popular.”
“But only awards can earn you respect in the industry, do you understand?”
Li Chen nodded; he understood this principle.
“Teacher, actually, while filming *Stone*, I was already brainstorming a new script.”
“I plan to talk about it after *Stone* is released next year.”
Teacher Li smiled and said: “That's right. The Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, Hong Kong Film Awards, Golden Horse Awards, you can try them all. It's okay if you fail once.”
Li Chen agreed: “Teacher is right.”
The other party meant well, afraid that he would become too immersed in commercial films to extricate himself.
But Li Chen was thinking that he didn't plan to choose from these three.
Since he was going to aim high, he might as well aim for a big one. Cannes might be a good choice.
Back in his dorm, Li Chen searched his mind for material that could contend for the Golden Palm.
His cell phone rang.
Li Chen saw it was Liu Yifei, whom he hadn't contacted for a month.
Since that day, the girl had never proactively sent him a message.
“Our drama wrapped up today. Teacher Tian and I were just talking about you.”
“Teacher Tian said that when we return to school, he wants to meet you, the great director.”
Li Chen replied: “How come I feel like you're a bit gloating? You probably added 'great director,' didn't you?”
Liu Yifei, far away in Taiwan, couldn't help but laugh while holding her cell phone.
“Is it that obvious?”
“I'm taking that as a rhetorical question!” Li Chen said, feeling a bit down.
Liu Yifei finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Liu Xiaoli walked over: “Who are you texting with, Xixi?”
“Oh, Mom, with Changchang…”
In the evening, Li Chen lay in bed, and QQ rang again.
“What did you mean when you said the gift wasn't a book? I've read it three times and still haven't figured it out.”
Li Chen smiled: “That means three times isn't enough. Read it a few more times.”
“You…”
“*Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* is very popular right now, and Fairy Sister's portrayal is classic.”
Liu Yifei on the other end of the phone instantly felt better.
“Keep up the good work with *Chinese Paladin*. This will be your foundation for the next twenty years.”
The Fairy Sister and Golden Palm, one because of three dramas, the other because of one film.
They truly had a golden aura, with an incredibly thick HP bar.
They stood tall for the next twenty years.
Especially Golden Palm, who was practically invincible.
Liu Yifei was stunned: “How are you so sure?”
“Oh, right, Mom and I are going straight back to the set. If you have time next year, you can come visit.”
Li Chen knew that *Chinese Paladin* was being filmed in Zhejiang and would wrap up in June next year.
“Okay.”
June next year, haha, maybe he would also be in Hengdian World Studios then. It's uncertain who would be visiting whom.
Li Chen continued writing his script. He was a bit unsure if this script would pass censorship.
After all, when this film was released, it caused a lot of controversy and was accused of having an incorrect worldview.
Li Chen deleted and revised, trimming and editing this Japanese film, trying to adapt it to the domestic style.
This film had won the Golden Palm Award back then.
However, Japanese filmmakers excel in conception, daring to imagine anything with their wild ideas.
The Koreans' advantage lies in Variety shows, so all their films give people a feeling of being like a Variety show.
But the Chinese excel in acting!
Before the millennium, including Hong Kong, many Best Actors and Actresses from the European Big Three Film Festivals emerged from China.
Li Chen believed that if this film was made well, it wouldn't be surprising if another Best Actress or Best Actor emerged from it.