Chapter 119: Golden Horse Awards Invitation Letter
"Li Chen visits the set of 'ip man', no longer responding to rumors and Song Zu's remarks."
"Zhang Yimou's new film 'curse of the golden flower' starts production today, with Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li joining the cast."
"A new Yi Mou girl is freshly revealed; Zhang Weiping confirms the one-in-a-million Yi Mou girl is Li Man, a 17-year-old freshman from the Central Academy of Drama."
"It is reported that the Golden Horse Awards has once again sent an invitation to Li Chen to be a presenter."
"Zhang Yimou's acclaimed work 'red sorghum' will be adapted into a drama series by Rongchen Film and Television, with popular actress Zhou Xun challenging Gong Li to play Jiu'er!"
The eye-catching explosive news woke everyone up in the industry.
If it weren't for the adaptation of 'red sorghum', then the start of 'curse of the golden flower' and the emergence of the Yi Mou girl would undoubtedly be the undisputed headlines.
But there are no ifs!
Zhang Weiping felt extremely unlucky. He even suspected that Rongchen Film and Television was targeting him.
I release news about Yi Mou's 'curse of the golden flower', and you immediately announce the adaptation of Yi Mou's 'red sorghum'.
Zhang Dapao couldn't believe that Li Chen wasn't doing it on purpose.
"Yi Mou, when did Mo Yan sell the television adaptation rights for 'red sorghum'? Why didn't he say a word!" Zhang Weiping said with displeasure.
Zhang Yimou held the phone and smiled, "I just found out myself. I haven't had a chance to ask Mo Yan yet, but Zhou Xun playing Jiu'er shouldn't be too bad. I'm actually looking forward to it."
Zhang Weiping had a million worries in his head. Am I talking about the actors!
He hung up the phone in frustration and then called his subordinate.
"Release news about Qin Junjie again tomorrow!"
"Boss, he's just a sixteen-year-old kid, no one cares about him at all!" The subordinate was a bit exasperated!
"Don't you have a brain? Can't you just call him a 'Yi Mou boy'!" Zhang Weiping roared.
"Ah? Yi Mou Yi Mou boy..." The subordinate was so flustered by Zhang Weiping that his tongue got twisted!
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Weiping still muttered, feeling unsatisfied, "He's really stupid to the core!"
Li Chen arrived at China Film Group Corporation and met Han Sanping.
In the office, Han Sanping's assistant gently closed the door, then let out a long breath and murmured to himself, "President Han finally has a smile on his face."
"Han Dong, why was your call diverted to the secretary's desk?" Li Chen sat down casually and smiled.
"You're asking the obvious. If you want tea, pour it yourself." Han Sanping cursed with a smile.
"Because of 'the promise'? It can't be, right? Hasn't that blown over yet?" Li Chen asked in surprise.
He had seen domestic news while in Berlin saying that reporters couldn't reach Han Sanping, and it had been a week, but it still hadn't passed.
"Let's not talk about 'the promise'. For your company's projects this year, whether you direct them or not, let China Film Group Corporation have a hand in them."
With 'lost in thailand' being a big fish that slipped through, Han Sanping was now approaching every project from Rongchen Film and Television with the principle of 'better to kill by mistake than to let one go'.
Han Sanping stared intently at Li Chen. He didn't need to explain too much; with Li Chen's shrewdness, he would definitely understand.
Li Chen considered for a few seconds and then nodded, "Alright."
Both were intelligent people and wasted no more words.
Han Sanping needed achievements because next year was the re-election of China Film Group Corporation.
But Li Chen knew that even if he didn't help him, he would still succeed Yang Dong next year.
Forget it, there's no end to making money. This favor was significant, and Han Sanping knew it.
The two then discussed the introduction of 'buried' and the progress of 'the thieves'.
Li Chen and Andy Lau both felt that 'buried' didn't need a Premiere. It could just be released simultaneously in North America with Lionsgate in April once it passed censorship.
Han Sanping's mood brightened a bit. At noon, he took Li Chen to have a simple meal in China Film Group Corporation's cafeteria.
During the meal, Han Sanping brought up Wu Yusen's 'red cliff' with Li Chen again.
"If you want to invest, just say the word. I can give you a 30% share." Han Sanping looked like, "I'm being generous, right!"
Li Chen almost spat out a mouthful of rice, quickly drank some vegetable soup, and swallowed it.
Han Sanping patted Li Chen's back and laughed, "What are you so excited about!"
Li Chen was internally collapsing! Was I excited? I was scared, alright.
You just climbed out of the pit of 'the promise', and now you're about to jump into the pit of 'red cliff'.
It's also fortunate that 'red cliff' was released late; if it had been released this year, Old Han might have been in a bit of trouble next year.
Li Chen raised a hand to interrupt Han Sanping's self-indulgence, "Han Dong, I appreciate your kindness."
"There's no need for me to invest. I advise you not to invest too much either."
Han Sanping put down his chopsticks, his expression changing slightly, "What do you mean? You don't think highly of 'red cliff'?"
Li Chen also put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "Let me put it this way, Han Dong, as long as it's a historical drama filmed by those Hong Kong people, I don't think highly of it, regardless of whether it's Wu Yusen or You Yusen."
"These people didn't receive nine years of compulsory education. How many of them understand history? The Three Kingdoms? red cliff? Are they playing around?"
"Han Dong, Chen Kaige's past mistakes are still there. Anyway, it's up to you whether you listen or not. If you're unhappy, just pretend I didn't say anything today."
Han Sanping's heart skipped a beat. Li Chen was a jinx; didn't he predict 'the promise'?
Han Sanping's mind now recalled a remark made by a vice president during a group meeting discussion.
"With 'the promise' preceding it, 'red cliff' can take the lead, but there's no need to be the sole leader."
At the time, hearing that, Han Sanping was a bit angry, as the remark was clearly directed at him.
But now, with Li Chen saying it like this, he really felt a bit uneasy.
"Alright, don't mention this again in the future. Since you're not investing, then forget it. I'll find someone else." Han Sanping replied ambiguously.
Li Chen silently mourned for the suckers who were about to invest in 'red cliff'.
If he remembered correctly, Orange Sky Entertainment eventually got involved, and China Film Group Corporation seemed to have invested only a small portion.
After discussing 'red cliff', Han Sanping then brought up Li Chen's special effects directed training program.
Li Chen wasn't surprised that Han Sanping knew about this.
However, Han Sanping also mentioned Chang Hong, who hadn't been seen for a long time.
He heard that he had recently gone south and teamed up with Stanley Tong to open a special effects company, claiming to be the largest in China.
Han Sanping's intention in saying this was that if Li Chen also wanted to open a special effects company, he could act as a middleman to bring Chang Hong over, and with Chang Hong, many things would be easy to handle.
Perhaps Li Chen, not being an insider, didn't understand Han Sanping's kind of social etiquette.
"Han Dong, stop right there. I'm not interested in knowing whose son or grandson Chang Hong is."
"My company will definitely be run my way. If Chang Hong wants to come, he can only be my employee, just like Yang Siwei."
"Why are you so stubborn, kid! Haven't you heard the saying, 'It's easier to get things done with someone in power'?"
"I've heard it. I've also heard a saying called 'inviting a wolf into the house'. Chang Hong is not someone who would be content to be subordinate and abide by the rules. I don't want my company to change its nature in the end." Li Chen said bluntly.
Han Sanping was stunned by Li Chen's words.
"Alright, I won't bring this up again in the future. If you really open a special effects company someday, as competitors, you'll meet eventually."
Li Chen didn't even consider Chang Hong and Stanley Tong's amateur special effects company. They thought everything would be fine by digging up some second-hand equipment and claiming it was the most advanced special effects equipment from Hollywood.
After leaving China Film Group Corporation, the driver took Li Chen to his company.
Entering the Splendid Diamond building, the elevator door hadn't closed yet.
"Wait, wait a minute, wait a minute..." A female voice came.
Li Chen pressed the elevator open button.
He saw a girl with a yellow wool sweater and blue straight-leg pants, a ponytail, and a chubby round face. Li Chen found her a bit familiar.
The girl, however, was stunned, "Li, Li, Director Li?"
Li Chen smiled and nodded in response, "Which floor?"
"Third floor, third floor." The girl's heart raced. She didn't expect to meet the big boss of the company when she came for an interview.
"Here for an interview?" Li Chen asked casually, looking at her appearance.
Ever since the media reported the grandeur of Li Chen's company annual meeting, whenever the company posted recruitment information, countless people came for the million-dollar property.
"Yes, I'm Zhang Jiao. I'm here to apply for a stylist position." The girl still had a bit of a Northeastern accent.
Li Chen, however, frowned slightly. Zhang Jiao? Zhang Tian'ai? Why does she look like this?
But then he quickly understood.
How old was she now? At her age, it was impossible to find someone as naturally beautiful and captivating as Miss Liu.
Most of them were rather rustic. At least, she looked much better now than Tang Yan did the first time he met her.
Li Chen said nothing more, and the elevator quickly reached the third floor.
Zhang Jiao only regretted that the elevator was too fast. She had just said a sentence when the elevator door opened.
However, Zhang Jiao was in a great mood. Meeting the big boss before the interview was a good omen.
Upon reaching his office, Li Chen had no intention of interfering with Zhang Jiao's interview. Whether she got the job depended on her luck.
The assistant placed several invitation letters, pre-screened by Yang Siwei, on Li Chen's desk.
Things like the Shanghai International Film Festival, the upcoming China Film Festival in Washington, and the Golden Horse Awards ceremony.
Li Chen called Yang Siwei in. Zhou Xun had also come to the company, so she came along with Yang Siwei.
Zhou Xun, in a black jacket, was petite and delicate, looking around Li Chen's office.
"Siwei, Director Li's office bathroom is as big as your entire office. Tsk tsk, truly no comparison, no harm." Zhou Xun complained.
Yang Siwei rolled her eyes. How could they compare!
"I heard you went to America during the New Year to meet the parents?" Li Chen said with a smile.
"Don't even mention it. We just had a simple meal, and the paparazzi made it sound like Da Qi and I got our marriage certificate!"
Zhou Xun didn't want to say more, so Li Chen didn't ask further.
"Boss, I already politely declined the Golden Horse Awards ceremony on your behalf before, but I don't know why they sent another invitation, and the media all found out." Yang Siwei was also a bit puzzled.
Li Chen turned to look at Zhou Xun, his gaze unreadable.
"Why are you looking at me? I'm still hesitating whether to go! You and Director Chen had such a big falling out a while ago, and I joined our company. I always feel like I've done something wrong to Director Chen!" Zhou Xun said with a smile.
Li Chen's fingers tapped lightly on the desk, and after a long moment, he said, "You go. I estimate that this time the Best Actress award should be fixed for you, which is why Wen Jun wants me to be a presenter."
Yang Siwei and Zhou Xun were both startled, "Boss, no way?"
Li Chen scoffed, "Why not? Think about last year's Golden Rooster and Golden Horse Awards, and then this year's Berlin. Why can't the Golden Horse Awards follow suit and give it to their own people?"
"I estimate that this year's Golden Horse Awards will be split evenly between Johnnie To's 'Election' and Chen Kexin's 'perhaps love'."
Yang Siwei and Zhou Xun fell silent. The boss's words hit the nail on the head!
'Election' represented Hong Kong at Cannes, and 'perhaps love' represented Hong Kong vying for the Oscar.
Both returned empty-handed. If their own people didn't support their own people, where would the Hong Kong filmmakers put their faces?
Yang Siwei reacted quickly, "Boss, the Golden Horse Awards has fixed Sister Xun, and Wen Jun wants you to present the award to Sister Xun?"
Yang Siwei and Zhou Xun were both intelligent people and understood the implications immediately.
Didn't you, Li Chen, not even watch 'perhaps love'?
Didn't you look down on Chen Kexin?
I'll make you present the award for Chen Kexin's 'perhaps love', and the Best Actress is Zhou Xun from your company. Let's see if you come!
"If that's truly the case, Director Li, you don't have to go. I won't go either. If there's an award, someone can accept it on my behalf." Zhou Xun said without hesitation.
Li Chen chuckled, "No need. Since they want to slap my face so badly, avoiding it isn't my style. I'll go with you!"
"Siwei, reply to Hong Kong and the media that I accept."
"Okay, boss, I'll go do it now." Yang Siwei was a bit excited, feeling that the boss was about to make another big statement.
After leaving Li Chen's office, Zhou Xun said curiously, "I've never guessed Director Li's moves correctly. What's he up to now?"
"Haha, Sister Xun, you'll get used to it. If you guessed correctly, then you'd be the boss. Think about that bet you made. Good thing you cut your losses in time, otherwise..." Yang Siwei shook her head and laughed.
Sina Entertainment
"Rongchen Film and Television's publicity director Yang Siwei confirms that Li Chen has accepted the invitation from the Golden Horse Awards."
As soon as the news broke, the industry was in an uproar.
Ever since 'lost on journey' was heavily criticized by the Golden Rooster Awards judges.
Li Chen had dismissed the domestic three major awards and began to target the European Big Three.
He never participated in other major domestic film festivals either.
Why did he suddenly accept the Golden Horse Awards invitation this year? Wasn't he just having a war of words with those Hong Kong people a while ago?
Regardless of the confusion among industry insiders.
However, the organizing committees of several other domestic film festivals were pleased to see this change in Li Chen.
For a time, Hundred Flowers, Huabiao Awards, and others all sent invitation letters to Rongchen Film and Television.
Even Liu Yifei, who had gone to Hong Kong with Huang Xiaoming to promote The Return of the Condor Heroes, noticed.
She was also very curious about her boyfriend's change of heart to attend the Golden Horse Awards.
Upon returning to her hotel, she called Li Chen.
"Why are you suddenly going to participate in the Golden Horse Awards?" Liu Yifei's voice was crisp.
"It's hard to refuse such a kind invitation. Besides, as the boss, I have to show up to support Zhou Xun, don't I?" Li Chen said with a smile.
"Don't talk about me, talk about you. You even held hands with Huang Xiaoming at a press conference? Do you even have Director Li in your eyes!" Li Chen said, playfully scolding her.
"That's not my fault. If you're so capable, go argue with Director Zhang!" Liu Yifei said with a laugh.
"That Bearded Zhang, sooner or later I'll have to show him a thing or two. He really doesn't treat Director Li as a leader!"