The King of Directors 2000

Chapter 521 40.00% five film arrangement

"The biggest winner at the Shanghai Film Festival, "1937" received ten nominations and won seven awards."

"The best film "1937" at the Shanghai Film Festival and the best director Lee Sheng-yew."

"Huang Xiaoming won the Best Actor at the Shanghai Film Festival."

"Huang Xiaoming: Thank you Director Li for giving me this opportunity. He is my film guide and a noble person in my life."

""1937" will have a screening in the near future, and the industry is optimistic about this movie."

""1937" will participate in the competition for the Golden Rooster Award, and Huang Xiaoming is expected to win the Golden Rooster Best Actor."

"Cheng Long will invest in Tyrande's third largest cinema chain together with Fenghua - committed to better spreading Chinese culture."

"China National Theater will build a bronze statue for Li Shengyao, and Nortel plans to build a bronze statue for Lao Mouzi and Kai Zige."

……

May has passed, and June is coming in its stride.

The most important thing in the mainland entertainment industry is the opening of the Shanghai Film Festival and the upcoming release of No. 15 "The Party's Great Work" in June.

The Shanghai Film Festival, like the three major European film festivals, is a Class A film festival.

However, only the three major European film festivals in the world require participating films to premiere at the film festival, and each of the three majors can only participate once. If you participate in Cannes, you cannot participate in Venice and Berlin.

Other film festivals, whether in Tokyo or Busan, the Shanghai Film Festival does not have so many requirements.

As long as your film is made within one year before the start of the film festival, you can participate.

"1937" participated in the Shanghai Film Festival, received ten nominations, and won seven awards including Best Director and Best Film, becoming the biggest winner of this film festival.

Lee Sheung Yew naturally went to accept the award. He still said what he had said before, that is, he would continue to work hard and make more good movies.

After participating in the Shanghai Film Festival, Li Shengyao began to take the "1937" crew to promote the film in major cities across the country.

In particular, several TV stations with good ratings have many various promotional programs.

On June 6, Li Shengyao took time out and returned to Yanjing from Jinling to attend the "20" viewing party.

Most domestic movies will have viewing parties, and the audience is not ordinary people, but senior executives from major domestic theater chains.

For example, China Film, Shanghai Film, Hengdian, Wanda, Bona, and Raytheon.

These people think the movie is good-looking and has commercial prospects, so they give a higher film schedule. They think the movie is boring and cannot make money, so they will naturally reduce the film schedule.

I can’t say that they are 100% accurate, but as people in the industry, they are relatively accurate in most movies.

The "1937" viewing party was attended by almost all the top executives of theaters in the country.

As the owner of Fenghua Cinemas, Li Shengyao and these people are half peers, but they have some common topics.

He didn't sit in the theater and watch movies. He mainly sat outside and communicated with the theater executives.

When the movie ended, the theater burst into warm applause.

When Han Sanping came out, her eyes were slightly red, "Director Li, this movie is really well-made and high-quality. I like it very much. China Film Group has at least 40.00% of the film schedule."

Wang Changtian also came over, "Director Li, the filming was really good, much better than "Martial Arts"."

Lee Sheng-yew chatted with the senior executives of the theater chain and even invited them to dinner. Everyone said that his theater chain would give at least [-]% of prime-time movies.

"Director Li, this summer, let's watch "1937"."

Last year's summer release "Sugar Mountain Earthquake" was a big hit, earning more than 6 million.

Before "1937", what everyone was most looking forward to was "The Great Cause of Strengthening the Party", but the movie has already been released. Judging from the current box office trend, the total box office may not be as good as "The Great Cause of Strengthening the Country". Many people criticized the movie for being insincere. , it’s just a group of celebrities going through the motions.

Two [-] million-rated movies, "Sugar Mountain Earthquake" and "Let the Bullets Fly," have raised expectations at the mainland box office.

"The Great Cause of Strengthening the Party" only received about [-] million, which was no longer enough to satisfy everyone.

Li Shengyao listened to the praises of everyone, but did not speak out any bold words and seemed very humble.

After the dinner was over and Li Shengyao was about to leave, a man quickly came to Li Shengyao in three steps and two steps. Then he bowed deeply and his surname was Li, "Hello, Director Li, I am Park Sung-min, the general manager of CGV Cinemas."

When Li Shengyao saw someone bowing like this, he thought it was a small book.

When I heard the person talking, I realized that he was from the Peninsula.

CGV Cinemas is the Xingjuhui Cinemas. The owner behind this cinema is Peninsula’s CJ Group.

CJ Group is a major financier in the Peninsula film and television industry. In Cannes, they invested in "Parasite," which won numerous Oscars.

CJ Group can be regarded as the real boss of the Peninsula entertainment industry. They have built more than 200 movie theaters on the Peninsula and have the largest theater chain on the Peninsula.

Although the population of the peninsula is small, they really like to watch movies. The average number of people in the peninsula who watch movies per year is [-] times, surpassing the island countries and beautiful countries, ranking first in the world.

CJ Group’s theater chain on the Peninsula is definitely a profitable business.

With its successful experience in Peninsula, CJ Group began to buy properties around the world or build its own movie theaters.

Now they have more than 400 movie theaters around the world.

Before Li Shengyao traveled through time in his previous life, CJ Group already had more than 600 movie theaters across Southeast Asia, Nanmei, and Zhongdong areas.

CJ Group entered the mainland in 2006 and established Xingjuhui Cinemas. Just five years later, they now have [-] cinemas.

Similar to Fenghua Cinemas, Xingjuhui Cinemas takes a high-end route. Although the number is far less than that of Wanda Hengdian Cinemas, the profit of a single cinema far exceeds those of simple cinemas.

Here we can see the differential treatment of national strategies.

Chengtian, a second-rate capital company, has always wanted to buy a theater chain, but the superiors did not approve it in the past few years.

But Xingjuhui, a peninsula capital, was approved and developed rapidly in the mainland.

Park Sung-min is in his thirties, wearing a white short shirt with black trousers, black leather shoes, and a Korean-style middle parting. His skin is very good, and his Korean style is obvious.

It's just the eyeliner that makes people feel a little uncomfortable.

Li Shengyao smiled and nodded, "It's Mr. Park, hello."

Park Chengmin bowed again, appearing very filial, "Director Li, I want to talk to you. I wonder if you have time."

"Okay, let's find a place to sit."

CJ Group has built so many movie theaters in Asia and America. This is exactly the path Lee Sheng Yew wants to take.

He thought maybe we could have a chat.

Soon after, Li Shengyao and Park Chengmin came to a nearby teahouse, and the two sat down face to face. Park Chengmin also brought a very beautiful secretary.

This secretary has a great figure and walks very steadily in high heels, reminding Lee Sheng Yao of the Peninsula girl group.

"Director Li, congratulations on your great success in Cannes. The great impact of "1937" not only made more people know about the Battle of Songhu, but also made many people understand the history of the island country's aggression. We peninsula people also benefited. I and Many friends are very grateful for your efforts.”

At this time, China and the peninsula had a good relationship, and many people believed this.

Upon hearing this, Li Shengyao smiled and waved, "I didn't think that much when I made the movie, so you don't have to be so polite."

Park Sung-min picked up the teacup and then offered Lee Sheung-yao a cup of tea.

"Director Li, I just watched "1937". It was very exciting. We, Stars Gathering Cinemas, will fully support "1937" and will arrange [-]% of the film schedule when it is released."

There were still many movies during that time.

For example, "The Secret Fan of Snowflakes" and "The God of Wealth Inn".

The top executives of other theater chains all said that they would schedule films at [-]%, but Park Sung-min said [-]%, which is rare.

Li Shengyao smiled and expressed his gratitude.

"Director Li, we also want to introduce it to Peninsula, and we will focus on promoting the film in Peninsula at that time."

In this life, because of Lee Sheng Yew’s suppression, Peninsula TV dramas can only be limited to the mainland.

However, Peninsula Movies has not been affected by TV dramas. Just like Lee Sung-yao in his previous life, Peninsula Movies focuses on those who dare to shoot. In addition, it has comprehensively studied the Hollywood production system, and it has still achieved great development.

Under such circumstances, peninsula people mainly watch local movies and Hollywood movies.

They don't watch many Chinese movies, and occasionally introduce some interesting movies, such as "Red Cliff", "Shijie", and "The Untold Secret".

"1937" tells the story of the Songhu War.

Li Shengyao had already planned to give up the peninsula and the island country market, but he did not expect that CJ Group would take it so seriously.

But if you don't have anything to do, you can either rape or steal.

CJ Group was suddenly so enthusiastic, and he felt there must be a reason.

Park Sung-min continued: "Although our peninsula is far not as big as the mainland market and is full of talents, there are also some good actors, such as Kim Hee-sun, Son Ye-jin, and Jun Ji-hyun. They are all very good actresses. If Director Lee likes them, We can make connections at any time, and we will definitely let them come over to film for you."

Son Ye-jin is really beautiful. She has no plastic surgery and her appearance and figure are top-notch.

Hearing this, Li Shengyao couldn't help but glance at Park Chengmin.

These chaebols are really enjoying themselves, but I don’t know if the bitch in front of them has ever enjoyed themselves.

Park Chengmin noticed that Li Shengyao's eyes were slightly different and felt proud.

"Director Li, we have a lot of energy in the peninsula. If you go to the peninsula in the future, I can take you to have fun. It will definitely be unforgettable for you."

Li Shengyao nodded, picked up the teacup, and touched it with Park Chengmin.

Park Sung-min continued: "I heard that Fenghua intends to expand overseas theaters. We at CJ are experts in this area. We have experience and connections. If Fenghua and CJ Group work together, we will definitely be able to create a theater alliance covering the world. "

Li Shengyao nodded at the table, "If I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely cooperate with CJ Group."

Park Chengmin shook his head and immediately continued: "Director Li, there is no need for the future. The two of us can sign a contract now to form a strategic alliance and march overseas together to expand our influence."

CJ Group's overseas cinema investment strategy has already taken shape, but Lee Sheng-yao has just started. He just arranged for people to go to Tyrande to inspect it a few days ago. It is not certain whether he will cooperate with Cheng Long to acquire that cinema chain.

Comparing the two parties, CJ Group is considered an industry giant in this area, while Fenghua has just started.

At this time, CJ was carrying Fenghua, and there was no doubt that Fenghua took advantage.

Li Shengyao knew that there was no free dinner in this world, so he asked: "What does Fenghua need to do?"

When Park Chengmin heard what Li Shengyao said, a trace of ecstasy flashed in his eyes. His mood changed quickly and he suppressed it immediately. Then he solemnly said: "Director Li, we want to cooperate with Fenghua and shoot TV series and movies together, both of you and me. , actors, directors, and screenwriters use each other." Hearing this, Li Shengyao probably knew what Park Sung-min wanted to do.

In fact, in his previous life, for a long time, the Huaxia Peninsula film and television industry had this kind of cooperation model.

Mainland investors provide money, and Korean films provide actors, screenwriters, and directors.

The result is to help Korean movies upgrade.

In the history of the development of the Peninsula film and television industry, they once had three financial backers. The first was an island nation. From 2002 to 2009, most of the Peninsula's film and television dramas and films had capital investment from the island nation in the eight years.

The second financier is mainland capital. From 2010 to 2016, for about seven years, mainland Aiyouteng invested heavily in Korean movies and Korean dramas.

During that time, even actors like Zhang Han signed several Peninsula actresses and filmed several dramas.

The third financial backer is Beautiful Country, mainly Netflix, but this one is different.

Both island countries and mainland capital only invest money and then participate in the sharing.

Netflix demanded full copyright for film and television dramas. This move directly killed Korean movies and Korean dramas. When Lee Sheng-yao traveled through time, the three major Peninsula TV stations had no money to produce TV dramas.

To be fair, Peninsula people are indeed good at singing and dancing, and they are all very popular. Compared with the Chinese entertainment industry, they are more popular and cheaper.

If Fenghua cooperates with CJ Group, there is a high probability that Fenghua will provide the money, and then they will provide actors, directors, and screenwriters.

This model is not impossible. Fenghua can learn from Netflix.

Li Shengyao paused for a moment, and then said: "Mr. Park, I wonder if you have ever understood Fenghua."

"Of course I know it very well. The movies you have made are all very exciting. I have watched them all."

Li Shengyao nodded, "Then do you know that the main copyrights of all my movies are in my hands?"

Lee Sung-yao initially had all the copyrights for his films. Later, he needed Warner's help in global distribution and to resolve the interference from the beautiful country, so he gave Warner [-]% of the copyrights.

He continued: "If CJ Group wants to cooperate with Fenghua, of course it can, but the main copyright belongs to Fenghua. We can refer to the distribution model of Fenghua and Warner, Fenghua [-]%, CJ Group [-]%."

Netflix attracts Korean film practitioners with high prices, and then the copyright belongs to Netflix. The TV series it produces does not sell the broadcast rights to Al Jazeera. This makes the three major Al Jazeera TV stations have lower and lower ratings and less and less revenue. die.

The same is true for Korean movies. Netflix has raised prices, the net worth of Peninsula actors has skyrocketed, and Korean movie production costs have increased significantly. This has directly led to the release of 2023 local movies in the first half of [-], only three of which will be profitable, and the rest will all be at a loss.

Moreover, there will only be about 2023 new film projects established in the second half of [-], which is directly cut in half compared to the past.

If CJ Group dares to agree to this share, Lee Sheng Yew dares to invest in Korean dramas and movies, pay actors and directors at mainland prices, and then build a drama viewing website without selling it to the three major TV stations, directly killing the Peninsula film and television industry.

When Park Sung Min heard this, he was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Director Li, this... this is impossible, the copyright will be divided equally between our two families,"

Li Shengyao smiled and shook his head, "No, Fenghua has at least [-]% of the copyright. I have the same attitude towards Warner. It is impossible to treat you differently. In that case, Warner will think that I am discriminating against them."

"Director Li, we are all Asians and we should be united."

Li Shengyao looked at Park Cheng Min with a half-smile, "Mr. Park, please think about it again. I have always had this attitude, and it will remain the same ten years later."

After saying that, Li Shengyao stood up and left.

CJ Group will definitely not agree now, but in 12 years, when Netflix enters the peninsula, Korean movies will completely collapse. At that time, CJ Group may need other financial backers.

Park Chengmin looked at Li Shengyao's retreating back and called Xiba in a low voice.

He wanted to make a career and wanted to use Lee Sheng Yew's funds to produce movies and TV series for himself.

But Lee Sheng-yew was not even willing to get [-]% of the copyright, which made him very helpless.

He thought of the custom of drinking and playing with women on the peninsula, and frowned slightly: "Should I bring Jun Ji-hyun over?"

……

When Fenghua held a screening party for "1937", "Martial Arts" had already held a screening party.

At that time, senior executives of major theater chains in the mainland listened to Chen Kexin's narration and gave high praise to this suspenseful martial arts movie. Many theater managers said that they would definitely be able to arrange [-]% of the films on the premiere day.

Chen Kexin was quite excited at the time. It wasn't until 30 a.m. on June [-]th, when the schedule for July [-]st came out, that Chen Kexin smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Martial Arts" was released on July [-]nd and received [-]% of the film schedule.

As for "1937", which will be released on July 40.00st, a series of state-owned theaters, mainly China Film and Television, have arranged a film schedule of about [-]%.

Fenghua Cinemas unexpectedly arranged a 50.00% film schedule.

Private cinemas such as Wanda and Enlight have also arranged a 40.00% film schedule.

This kind of schedule covers almost all prime time periods.

The film schedules of "Snowflake and the Secret Fan" and "God of Wealth Inn" have plummeted.

People can't be compared with people, and movies can't be compared with movies.

"Martial Arts" cost 1937 billion to produce, while "8000" only cost [-] million

Two films participated in Cannes together, one left in despair, and the other won the Palme d'Or.

The two movies were released at almost the same time, one with a schedule of at least 40.00% and the other with a schedule of 30.00%.

It can be said that "Martial Arts" is not as good as "1937" in other aspects except that the production cost is higher.

Chen Kexin was sitting in the New Jinjiang Hotel in Shanghai, looking at the Huangpu River flowing eastward, and the sorrow in her heart was as endless as the river.

After "1937" won the Palme d'Or, it seemed that people all over the world were helping to promote it and everyone was praising it.

The China National Film Festival gave Li Shengyi a bronze statue, and the Shanghai Film Festival awarded him seven awards.

Then during the film screening, a group of theater executives followed suit.

It is said that "1937" has the most promotional posters in mainland movie theaters.

Under such circumstances, what should other movies do?

"Snowflakes and the Secret Fan" and "The God of Wealth Inn" have given up and allowed "1937" to wreak havoc, but Chen Kexin doesn't want this.

The production cost of "Martial Arts" is [-] billion, and a straw hat costs tens of thousands of dollars.

News of him using power for personal gain are everywhere. If this movie doesn't work, investors will probably abandon him.

This was what he was most afraid of seeing.

When he was a director in Hong Kong, investors kept asking for money, but he didn't make much money.

When we came to the Mainland, "Written of Fame" cost [-] million, "Martial Arts" cost [-] million, and "October Siege" cost [-] million.

Chen Kexin relied on these three movies to directly buy a large villa on Hong Kong Island.

He really couldn't bear this kind of fame and fortune.

Wu Junru was sitting opposite Chen Kexin. When she saw her husband frowning and looking out the window, she thought Chen Kexin was looking at a beautiful woman. She couldn't help but cursed in her heart. She planned to find Liu Jialing in the evening and go to the nightclub to find some tough men.

"Oh, what should we do? "1937" is so popular, it will be difficult for us to grab the box office."

"what's wrong?"

Wu Junru then realized that she had misunderstood Chen Kexin, and immediately followed her.

Chen Kexin then described the next dilemma with a grimace.

"If "Martial Arts" does not succeed, I will most likely be abandoned by investors."

Wu Junru rolled her eyes, "Let Takeshi Kaneshiro and Tang Wei check out a room together."

"It won't work. Mainland China is not Hong Kong Island. Mainland audiences won't accept this, and even the reunion of Nicholas Tse and Cheung Pak-zhi in "The Promise" won't work."

"Then let's promote Donnie Yen. Didn't he have ten movies, all of which were over [-] million? What are you worried about?"

Donnie Yen is indeed very popular, with ten movies exceeding [-] million yuan. However, except for the "Painted Skin" series in which he co-starred, most of the movies he starred in have grossed over [-] million yuan at the box office.

The investment in "Martial Arts" is [-] million, but more than [-] million is not enough.

"No, the audience has long known that he is very good at fighting. This news is not new."

"Then what should we do? Should we cancel the schedule and reschedule it?"

Chen Kexin hesitated slightly after hearing this.

After thinking for a long time, he still shook his head and said, "We have already released the promotion for suspenseful martial arts. Now it is withdrawn. To promote it again, not only will it cost more, but the momentum will also be gone."

When Wu Junru heard this, she curled her lips and stopped talking.

Recently, she has been thinking about her children's schooling, and is not very concerned about the box office performance of Chen Kexin's movies.

After all, didn't "October Siege" and "Report of the Name" both lose money?

"Martial Arts" can't fool investors yet.

At this moment, Chen Kexin suddenly whispered: "Is there a possibility that "1937" is too high-end. Although it is liked by film critics, the audience does not like it."

Winning the Palme d'Or doesn't mean it will have high box office.

Movies that can win awards are generally more artistic.

Wu Junru thought for a while, "It's very possible. "1937" might be like those movies of Sunglasses King. It has a good reputation and is liked by foreigners, but in the end the box office is not good."

Chen Kexin picked up the coffee and drank it in one gulp. The warm coffee flowed into his body, making him feel much fuller.

It seemed that he had gained a strength that made him no longer afraid.

"You are right. Lee Sheng Yew is not a god. It is impossible to say that his movies will definitely be a hit. This time "1937" claims to be one shot to the end, which can indeed attract professionals, but ordinary people, who cares about this, in the end it is not Watching movies is not engaging.”

"That's the truth."

Wu Junru echoed.

She really felt that there was no need to worry. Anyway, with Donnie Yen, hundreds of millions would definitely be enough.

The sales of Hong Kong movies have never exceeded [-] million yuan on Hong Kong Island. Now "Martial Arts" can exceed [-] million yuan in the mainland. Isn't that enough?
Chen Kexin comforted himself and nodded. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that even if "1937" had a good reputation and won awards, it might not do well at the box office.

"'1937' is the Waterloo of Lee Sung-yew's commercial films. This time it is definitely not as expected. The greater the hope of the ordinary audience, the greater the disappointment. It may collapse directly and the record of high box office will end here."

"My "Notice of Investment" is [-] million, and "October Siege" is almost [-] million. I am not bad either. There is no need to be afraid of Lee Sheng Yew."

(End of this chapter)