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Chapter 209 Venice Sells Movies

In the eyes of the outside world, Cheng Yu'an is undoubtedly a direct descendant of Venice.

In the first year of participating in the Venice International Film Festival, he won the best director, not a direct line.

So, there is nothing wrong with his participation in the 65th Venice International Film Festival.

He was not shortlisted this year, but he is the award presenter.

In addition, he also has a mission to bring "Ip Man" to sell the film.

"Ip Man" is of course not finished shooting, but it is still possible to cut a cut and sell it.

In May before, the company sold a wave of "Painted Skin" in Cannes.

Under the influence of the global financial crisis, major film companies have tightened their money, but in fact, the audience's desire and enthusiasm for watching movies have not diminished.

Cheng Yu'an didn't go there at the time, but his colleagues who had gone to Cannes cursed the street when they came back, and caught Chen Kaige and "The Promise" and scolded them!

It is because of the hit of "The Promise" that "Painted Skin", which also belongs to oriental magic, is extremely difficult to sell in Cannes.

But fortunately, Remote approved sufficient funds for this trip to Cannes, unlike other filmmakers who searched for it.

I booked a fairly decent meeting room as a copyright negotiation room. I prepared all kinds of snacks, drinks, and small gifts for the filmmakers with sincerity. In addition, I also bought the advertising space that should be bought. Although it was rejected by Cannes It cost a fortune (Cannes also had no money due to the financial crisis, so it raised prices sharply on advertisements and booths), but "Painted Skin" still sold at a good price.

Although the trading market in Venice is not as big as Cannes, but the fly legs are also meat, and since Venice is half of Cheng Yu'an's home court, he brought people here.

This year's mainland films were relatively bleak in Venice, and only Mr. Jia Kechang brought a short film to the exhibition.

Cheng Yu'an doesn't have much contact with Chief Jia, but he is very familiar with his hero and heroine, Guo Xiaodong and Hao Lei.

Cheng Yu'an and both of them have also worked together.

Chief Jia doesn't need Cheng Yu'an to give him a platform, he has much more face in Venice than Cheng Yu'an.

In 00, "Platform" was shortlisted for the main competition unit. In 04, it was shortlisted for the same session as Cheng Yu'an. In 06, "The Good Man in Three Gorges" won the Golden Lion Award. In 07, it won the Golden Lion Award for Best Documentary in the Horizon Unit.

It's just that Cheng Yu'an hasn't touched an art film since 04, and he hasn't been to Venice.

After Cheng Yu'an landed, he went to visit Chief Jia's crew.

After all, it is the only seedling in the Mainland this year.

It is also because there are no feature films in the mainland this year, so this year's award ceremony, there are few reports in the mainland, but there is still more attention on the Internet.

As usual, Xinlang sent a group of reporters to follow up and report.

Venice is really nothing to watch this year. "There are so few stars that people have to pay attention to movies."

In addition to the Chinese-language participating films, Cheng Yu'an accidentally met acquaintances on the red carpet.

Anne Hathaway is in Venice this year.

Speaking of which, the two haven't seen each other for two years. Since the collaboration of "The Queen of Prada", the two sides have not been in contact.

The movie "Sister's Big Wedding" starring Anne Hathaway was shortlisted for the main competition this year.

"Cheng, I really didn't expect to meet you in Venice." Annie, who was being interviewed by reporters on the red carpet, saw Cheng Yu'an walking by and greeted her.

"Annie, long time no see." Cheng Yu'an responded, and Anne Hathaway greeted him warmly.

"I heard that your company plans to cooperate with Leon (Xiao Li) in a movie, do you need my help?" Annie asked softly.

"Annie, I will tell you if I need your help. Alright, let's not disturb you for the interview, I will go in first."

Cheng Yu'an just walked the red carpet as an award presenter, there is no need to stay long.

"Ip Man is Bruce Lee's mentor, and our movie is about his story." Cheng Yu'an spared no effort to promote "Ip Man" in the trading market.

Although the Venice trading market is not big, it is still one of the top three, and it still attracts many filmmakers.

However, due to the impact of the financial crisis, many filmmakers only want to buy DVD and TV rights, not theatrical distribution rights.

No Money!
Theaters have no money to operate and go bankrupt one after another, but because of the economic depression, the audience's enthusiasm for consumption of spiritual products such as movies has increased instead.

Kung Fu movies are still a business card of Chinese movies overseas, and Cheng Yuan is quite well-known overseas. After all, the youngest Venice director in history is also the owner of a major Hollywood film company, so many film dealers came to his door talk piece.

Of course, many directors and producers came to see him, hoping to cooperate with Cheng Yu'an in Hollywood.

Cheng Yu'an received it with a smile, but he still insisted on selling "Ip Man".

Ip Man has indeed gained the reputation of "Master Bruce Lee". At least European and American manufacturers have expressed interest in hearing this name.

"Is "Ip Man" a costume Kung Fu movie?" Cheng Yu'an was talking with his acquaintance, Universal Representative Johnson.

"How could Bruce Lee's master be the one in ancient costumes, Republic of China films, wearing long gowns and cloth shoes?"

Johnson was a little hesitant. If it was a costumed martial artist, he would buy it without hesitation, but he had to think carefully about the Republic of China action movie.

"Cheng, you also know that in the current financial crisis, major manufacturers are short of money, but one of your major film companies has always been our best partner in Universal, your friendship is worth our money to buy this film, but the price ..."

"You set a price. If the price is right, we can cooperate. If not, it will not affect our projects in the United States." Cheng Yu'an laughed.

"The most I can open is $1500 million."

"North American copyright?"

"I'm talking about a global buyout."

"Come on!" Cheng Yu'an believed him to be a ghost, and the price reduction is not like this, "We plan to make "Ip Man" into a series, at least 3 films, if it is 1500 million, I can sell it to my company in the United States .”

"Also, kung fu movies have been doing well on DVD."

Johnson thought for a while and said, "1500 million is the highest price I can offer, Cheng."

"The DVD sales of "Fearless" in North America are as high as 3000 million US dollars, and the rental income is also 1000 million. It seems that North American audiences also bought into the Kung Fu movies of the Republic of China."

Johnson continued: "If you don't agree with the 1500 million offer, then we can choose another way of cooperation. Universal will distribute it on your behalf and charge 33% of the distribution fee. Cheng, this is Universal's final offer. This is what Universal sees Sincere quotes on friendship with you."

Cheng Yu'an knew that what Johnson said was true, but he still wanted to fight for it: "We Chinese like to round up. 33% doesn't sound good, 30%. I'll give you 30% of the distribution fee in the North American market. If you agree, then we can Now sign the contract."

Johnson didn't argue any more. The negotiation time for each studio was only 5-10 minutes. The time was tight. He immediately made a decision: "30% is 30%. Universal believes in our partners."

In this way, Universal won the distribution rights of "Ip Man" in North America.

After the North American market, the world's largest market, is settled, Cheng Yu'an in other regions will be handed over to the company's colleagues for discussion.

Europe has small profits but high sales, and dozens of countries have sold more than 300 million in total. Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia are long-distance private plots, and there is no plan to sell them to the outside world. As for small markets such as Africa, Central Asia, and West Asia, half-buy and half-free , 200 million will come to an end.

(End of this chapter)