Chapter 20: Yi Mou and Two Lis
On the set of Chinese Paladin, everyone was privately discussing the recently popular "crazy stone."
Liu Yifei looked at the online reports.
"crazy stone" grossed 23 million in its second week, putting it within reach of 100 million.
Liu Yifei's eyes were full of envy and joy.
She wondered if the two movies she filmed would achieve even half the success of crazy stone when they were released.
Liu Xiaoli walked in and said with a smile, "Xixi, I have good news for you. Sony has sent word."
"Your godfather and agent are currently in discussions with them, and there should be a result soon."
Liu Yifei excitedly said, "Really, Mom?"
This girl has had an artistic heart since she was a child.
After becoming obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, it became an unstoppable passion.
Then she met an artist like Liu Xiaoli.
From childhood, she was influenced by Liu Xiaoli, filling her with artistic cells.
She not only liked acting but also singing, which perfectly aligned with Liu Xiaoli's wishes.
With her daughter's excellence, she was sure to surpass her own achievements on stage and shine brightly.
Liu Xiaoli smiled, "Of course it's real."
"By the way, do you know when Director Li Chen's crew is coming over?"
Liu Yifei playfully hugged Liu Xiaoli's arm.
"Why are you asking, Mom? Haven't you always ignored him?"
Liu Xiaoli playfully tapped her daughter's forehead and dotingly said, "It's just that the crew has been talking about it recently."
"And you, you little rascal, don't think I don't know what you're thinking."
"Someone gave you a book, and you've almost worn it out from reading it!"
Liu Yifei pouted, "What are you talking about, Mom?"
"That book is really good; I think the female lead in it is very much like me."
After speaking, her delicate little face became a bit dejected.
Liu Xiaoli's heart softened instantly, but she still put on a stern face.
"Xixi, Mom knows you've suffered a lot these past years following me."
"But Mom still wants you to remember one thing: don't fall in love too easily."
Liu Yifei was startled, her face instantly turning red: "What nonsense are you talking about, Mom?"
"I just see Li Chen as a friend I can talk to."
Liu Xiaoli smiled, "That's good."
On May 15th, crazy stone entered its third week.
Two more films were released: an art film called "Nuan" and a foreign film called "Yours, Mine & Ours."
On May 18th, crazy stone's box office finally broke 100 million!
Li Chen became the second director, after Zhang Yimou, to join the 100 Million Club.
And he was only twenty years old!
The media reported overwhelmingly, "It just broke 100 million like that?"
The success of crazy stone was truly like a pebble dropped into a calm lake.
It gave confidence to investors and to film industry professionals.
If crazy stone could reach 100 million, there was no reason why "The Twins Effect II" couldn't, no reason why "new police story" couldn't.
Huayi Brothers was also brimming with confidence for its end-of-year film "a world without thieves."
Hong Kong.
Boss Yang, just turned sixty, leaned back in his spacious office chair.
Beside him stood Wen Xi, in her early thirties, dressed in a stylish black professional suit, the artist director.
Boss Yang smiled, "It broke 100 million just like that?"
Wen Xi, with exquisite makeup, smiled and nodded, "Yang Dong, it seems the mainland market is getting better and better."
"Should we take the initiative to contact him? I heard this young director doesn't like socializing."
"He successively rejected invitations from Huayi Brothers and Hairun Media, and he's dismissive of several industry associations."
Boss Yang nodded slightly, "It's normal for young people to have an edge and arrogance; which talented person doesn't have a bit of a temper?"
"Have the invitations for the Premiers of our two films been sent out?"
Wen Xi said, "They've already been sent."
Boss Yang crossed his hands, his thumbs rhythmically tapping.
After a while, he said decisively, "Alright, you go to Beijing tomorrow and personally invite this director."
Huo Wenxi said, "No problem, Yang Dong, I'll fly there first thing tomorrow morning."
Boss Yang added, "If he refuses, it doesn't matter. You do this..."
Huo Wenxi was slightly surprised but quickly nodded decisively.
From this moment on, Li Chen's name was made; box office was the best weapon.
As for prestige, he only needed to win a decent award for his next few works.
Then he could solidify his status as a major director, competing with a host of fifth-generation directors.
Both works received widespread acclaim and strong box office performance.
The internet was praising him to the skies.
"Yi Mou and Two Lis, who else is coming?"
"When Zhang Yimou isn't out, his brilliance is unrivaled for a time!"
Li Chen saw these comments, and his molars ached. Damn, they were completely disregarding Xiao Gang Pao and Poet.
This was clearly putting him on the spot! He immediately called Yang Siwei.
"Hello, Director Li... Mm, mm, alright, I understand."
Yang Siwei hung up the phone, and Wang Jinghua smiled, "What's wrong?"
Yang Siwei chuckled, "Nothing, Hua Jie."
"Director Li asked me to respond to the media, saying he doesn't want to be put on the spot, haha."
Wang Jinghua also smiled, "That's how the media is. How can they generate discussion without a gimmick? No discussion, no heat."
"So, whenever the company has a film released, if it's mediocre, it's easy to handle, and no one cares."
"But if it's polarizing, then as agents, we have to be prepared to deal with the media and unexpected situations at any time."
Yang Siwei listened carefully and nodded, "I've noted that, Hua Jie."
Wang Jinghua smiled, "Go handle it quickly."
"Rongchen Film and Television Director Yang Siwei responded that Director Li is currently immersed in the pre-production of 'shoplifters.'"
"Thank you all for your love for crazy stone. Director Li will continue to put his heart into his next work, living up to the audience's expectations."
Li Chen and Xu Zheng met at the company, and he handed the script to Xu Zheng.
Li Chen invested five million and did not interfere with casting.
He only said that during auditions, Xu Zheng should give suitable artists from Huayi Brothers an opportunity.
Xu Zheng was a sensible person and knew what to do.
What was suitable? Cheap and practical, just like every actor in crazy stone.
Except for him, none of them were very expensive.
When he signed, lost in thailand hadn't been released yet, so he couldn't have been that expensive either.
Li Chen looked at the invitations sent by the front desk.
Invitations from Hong Kong and China Star.
There were also invitations for the Premiers of several films, and finally, one from Wanda.
Li Chen had the front desk politely decline, citing the upcoming start of filming for his new project.
He also had people notify the "shoplifters" crew to arrive at Hengdian World Studios by May 25th.
"lost on journey" participated in this year's Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival.
After this year, the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival would split.
Never mind, let's just witness history.
Han Dong's words were right; young people shouldn't be too unconventional.
You don't join associations, you don't participate in film festivals, what do you want to do?
Considering this, in September, besides attending the Premiere of "new police story," co-invested by China Film Group Corporation and Emperor Entertainment Group, he would also have to add a film festival.
Starting tomorrow, I'll change the update schedule:
One update at 7 AM and one at 5 PM.