Chapter 192: Slaying the Wolf (Part 2)
The power of public opinion not only serves as supervision but also has destructive effects.
"If a script like this can pass censorship, I'd seriously doubt if we're even in China!"
"The forum moderator's name isn't wrong, Lu Tailang! What a wolf in sheep's clothing, is he trying to whitewash a beast?"
"Are the production companies Xingmei and the Japanese Xingmei related?"
The internet was full of curses and condemnations against Lu Taro.
And each one was sharper than the last.
Lu Tailang's assistant stepped forward to speak out.
"The nearly 700-word excerpt leaked on the website was just an earlier draft. It's absolutely not the same as the current script!"
Then Lu Tailang also stepped forward to speak: "I'm sure everyone can imagine how difficult it has been to get to this point."
"But no matter how difficult, I will not give up!"
"To put it broadly, it's about people of our generation and age doing what they should do to create a new atmosphere for Chinese cinema."
In Lu Chuan's office, the father and son, including Qin Hong, were all present.
"Mr. Qin, we can't just give up so easily."
Lu Chuan's heart was bleeding; so much had been invested in the early stages.
Every day was burning money; delaying for one day meant several tens of thousands.
Actor contracts, changes in set construction time, and so on—which of these wasn't money?
"I'll think of another way, just calm down." The old man Lu extinguished his cigarette, left a sentence for his son, and got up and left.
Lu Chuan's statement was just the beginning.
Since the script had been exposed, media reporters and netizens would not listen to him talking to himself.
The media naturally understood the netizens' thoughts.
Not a single well-known big director was spared.
The bald director, who had just won the Golden Bear, told reporters this.
"For this kind of subject matter, being rejected is common. How could it pass after just one or two revisions? This isn't just a matter for the film industry."
"I agree with the netizens' statements. If it's really filmed as the leaked script online suggests, then I'd have to curse too!" Xiao Gang Pao said bluntly.
"His way of trying to prove himself is too extreme. Perhaps it's also because the shadow from filming 'Searching for the Sound' was too deep, haha."
After the media made their rounds, how could they miss Li Chen, the encyclopedia of the entertainment industry?
Before Li Chen even spoke, many people had already called him.
Among them was Han Sanping, the producer of this film.
"Don't get involved in this matter, okay?" The tone of the now-confirmed Han Sanping was full of unquestionable authority.
Li Chen felt annoyed. If he didn't speak out, how would this self-directed and self-acted drama reach its climax?
"Han Dong, do you think that just because we have a good relationship, you can boss me around about everything?"
Han Sanping, on the other end of the phone, his expression stiffened.
"What do you mean?" His voice had already grown cold.
Li Chen chuckled: "How I speak, that's my freedom of speech, that's what I mean!"
'Beep beep... beep'
The phone went dead, Han Sanping hung up directly.
"This brat! He doesn't know what's good for him! He's so unappreciative!"
"Dad, who's upset you again? Getting angry hurts your liver!"
"Get lost!"
Han Sanping was full of anger when he saw his daughter.
Han Jianu giggled and clung to him like a sticky candy.
"I'm your daughter, so it's fine if you scold me."
"Others aren't your son, why should they listen to you?"
Han Sanping glared at his daughter, his eyes blazing.
"Don't glare at me, I didn't deliberately eavesdrop on your call, your voice was just too loud!"
After speaking, Han Jianu jumped away.
Han Sanping's chest heaved, and it took him a long while to calm down.
Thinking carefully, what his daughter said made sense.
Although Li Chen was young.
But in terms of economic strength and connections, he could no longer be treated as a junior.
Han Sanping sighed, wondering what this kid would say.
Hopefully, he wouldn't go too far!
Besides Han Sanping, Tian Zhuangzhuang also called.
But his tone was not as stiff as Han Sanping's.
"I won't stop you from speaking out, but you need to know how to control it. You need to be aware of what you can touch and what you can't."
Li Chen felt much more at ease.
"Don't worry, teacher, I won't speak carelessly."
Under Li Chen and Liu Yifei's blogs, netizens eagerly called for Li Chen to speak up.
Sina conducted an exclusive phone interview with Li Chen.
"Director Li, netizens online are hoping you can comment on this matter, and other directors have also expressed their views."
"Do you also believe this script should be rejected?"
Li Chen sat in his office, hands clasped, looking relaxed, with the phone on speakerphone.
"Of course! If the script is indeed as reported, no matter how you revise it, it's just a superficial change."
"You are first and foremost a Chinese person, and only then a filmmaker."
"That period of history doesn't need him to reinterpret it."
"He also doesn't represent our generation."
"Aren't history textbooks clear enough?"
"He's gone off the deep end. Jiang Wen was right, the shadow of 'Searching for the Sound' is too deep, and then he went through the Keke lawsuit."
"He always hopes to prove himself by taking extreme approaches."
"But he shouldn't exploit national sentiment!"
Yang Siwei stood by, giving her boss a thumbs up.
"What if the script is finally revised and approved?" the reporter asked again.
Li Chen scoffed.
"Then I have nothing to say. The only thing I can do is not go into the cinema myself to disgust myself!"
"But I think, since the relevant department has already rejected it, they won't change their minds overnight. This isn't a matter of human relations."
As soon as the interview ended, Yang Siwei stepped forward, smiling.
"Boss, this time you've offended China Film Group Corporation, Xingmei, and that father and son named Lu."
Li Chen laughed heartily: "Siwei, you need to change your mindset in the future!"
Yang Siwei smiled and asked, "What?"
"Only others should be afraid of offending us. What are we afraid of?"
"Even China Film Group Corporation, we don't need to look at their expression now."
"Rongchen Film and Television's works can already disregard domestic box office. China Film Group Corporation can't control us."
Yang Siwei understood completely: "The boss is right."
"That line from a few days ago, 'Whoever I support will become popular!' I think it's more appropriate for you, Boss, to say that!"
Li Chen smiled again: "You can say that yourself on the day Yixin Media is listed."
"This is both my expectation for you and the goal you need to set for yourself."
"I will stand behind you and fully support you!"
Yang Siwei was excited and thrilled; her boss's charisma truly charmed both men and women.
No wonder even a martial artist like Zhang Jin would shed tears.
Li Chen's interview was online within half an hour.
Netizens praised him profusely.
"Damn, Xiao Li Zi is Xiao Li Zi! If this script passes, I wouldn't even go to the cinema if you paid me."
"Well said, who doesn't know that period of history? No need for you to show off!"
"Director Li truly lives up to his reputation as my idol! China Film Group Corporation, Xingmei, he doesn't care about any of them! He and Jiang Wen are like the two 'Big Cannons' of Beijing!"
Jiang Wen also called Li Chen: "Hahaha, I wouldn't dare accept that title from netizens, you're the true 'Human Cannon' of Beijing!"