The Wind of China Entertainment 2005

Chapter 553 Forum
"Phew, that's outrageous."

Walking out of the award ceremony venue, Xu Zheng thought of the scene just now, and his words were full of regret.

"It's the only A-level film festival in the country anyway, and all the winners are people I've never heard of."

Lu Yuan felt the same way. After the best actor and actress were announced, reporters at the scene rushed to find out who they were.

He even went online to check and found out that the best actor was Russian, new to the industry and this was his first movie. As for the best actress, no relevant information could be found.

Wang Baoqiang tilted his eyes upwards and recalled, "Not entirely. The Golden Goblet Award for Best Director went to Director Gao Shuqun, who directed Conquer and The Sound of Wind."

He paused for a moment, then laughed and joked, "Of course, there is also Mr. Lu who won the Best Actor Award from the Movie Channel for his role in Out of Time."

Lu Yuan was too lazy to pay attention to him. It was not an award of much value, not even the Golden Goblet Award. It was just a unit award, just to make up the numbers.

Compared with domestic actors, the judges are particularly tolerant of foreign actors.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zheng shook his head and was unwilling to say more. "Conquer" is a TV series, and as for "The Sound of Wind", Chen Guofu is the real director.

Gao Shuqun winning an award at a film festival is just like Xu Zheng winning the Best Director Award at Cannes.

"Okay, stop complaining." Lu Yuan reached out and patted his shoulder: "I came here to promote the new film."

"I'm not complaining, but I can't help but feel a little touched by this situation. For a market with more than one billion people, the film festival is so messed up. I hate that they don't fight for it."

Xu Zheng rambled on and on: "As an international film festival, there were almost no international filmmakers. What was the difference between the red carpet in the morning and the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, the Huabiao Awards, or even the College Student Film Festival? There were all Chinese stars, and only Zhang Ziyi and Cheng Long, who had worked in Hollywood, could be considered to have some connection with the international scene."

"The most outrageous thing is that when showing foreign language films, the subtitles and character dialogues do not match, and even the movie names are translated incorrectly. There is no professionalism at all. How can the foreign judges and contestants view this?"

"Old Xu, our film market has just exceeded 10 billion, and the film festival has only been established for a few years. I believe things will get better in the future." Wang Baoqiang is very optimistic.

"Bao Qiang is right." Lu Yuan held the trophy in his hand and said, "But it all comes down to profit."

"Yes, the transaction volume in the trading market is really too low." Xu Zheng pushed his glasses in agreement.

Why do so many big-name stars go to the Cannes Film Festival every year? Is it just to walk the red carpet?
Obviously not, they were there to sell movies.

Everyone knows that the Cannes Film Festival's trading market is the largest and most mature film trading market in the world.

So everyone will travel thousands of miles to bring their works and stars there to attract attention, with the goal of selling their films.

However, the transaction volume of the Shanghai Film Festival is almost zero.

If this is the case, then the people from these big production and distribution companies are certainly not interested in this market, and will not go to the trouble of bringing in their own stars to promote the film.

"Actually, we can't blame the organizer entirely." Chen Kaiquan approached quietly at some point.

Lu Yuan and the other two greeted him. Liu Shishi jumped over to her boyfriend, snatched the trophy and looked at it.

Chen Kaiquan continued: "Films traded at the Shanghai Film Festival cannot be traded as quickly as they are traded at foreign film festivals.

Because our country has a strict review process for importing and exporting films, even if there is an intention, it must be approved first. The process takes a lot of time, and whether the business can be done in the end is not something that can be determined between companies. "

After saying this, he sighed: "The development of Chinese films still has a long way to go."

Lu Yuan glanced at him. Director Chen Kaiquan might be a little narrow-minded and too concerned about reputation. There are many problems with his character and personality.

But there is no doubt that he has talent and a passion for film.

No matter what, among the fifth generation directors, only he and Zhang Yi are still active in the public eye, which explains everything.

From Lu Yuan's perspective, what they are good at may no longer be popular in today's market.

But this does not mean that their directing ability and understanding of film images are not as good as those new directors who make hundreds of millions from a movie.

It’s like not many people use Nokia, but you can’t deny its position in the mobile phone industry.

After the red carpet of the Shanghai Film Festival, there is also a forum.

The topic revolved around the Chinese film market, and Lu Yuan and Xu Zheng were invited to participate.

This forum has four parts and a total of twelve sessions. The two were arranged to attend the third session of the second part - "Facing Hollywood, the way to redemption for Chinese-language films."

Also present were Han Sanping, Guan Hu, Ning Hao, Lou Ye, Wang Xiaoshuai, Lu Chuan, Wuer Eel
Shanghai Exhibition Center, Central Hall, First Floor, Forum Hall.

The layout of the forum venue is similar to that of the media meeting.

There were several white single sofas on the stage, where Lu Yuan and others sat, while the audience was crowded with reporters from all over the place, investors in the industry, and others.

"For a long time, Chinese-language films have been divided into two forces. One is made for the domestic market, which is the so-called commercial film. The other is made for international reputation, which is the film festival film.

The rapid accumulation of funds in recent years has opened up domestic market opportunities for creators starting from the terminal, and some independent films have also joined the trend of commercial films.

But the good times did not last long. After the new policy was introduced, Hollywood films took up too many resources, which put unprecedented pressure on Chinese-language films and put more pressure on young directors who made medium-sized films, and also put pressure on their future and the future of Chinese-language films.
How should young and even middle-aged directors who are gradually taking on the responsibility of Chinese-language films face the market, how should they establish their own voice in the industry, what kind of films does the Chinese film market need, and how should they compete with Hollywood?

As the host, Jia Zhangke read the script in a low voice on the stage, listed the questions that had been prepared long ago, and then started with Ning Hao expressing his own views.

Ning Hao said: "Everyone is talking about Hollywood movies squeezing out the space for Chinese movies, but I think we should first look for our own problems. The lack of audiences is actually because the movies themselves are not good.

These days I have also figured out one thing, that the coming of Hollywood is actually a good thing, because Hollywood can act as a shield.

The box office performance of "The Golden Circle" was not as good as expected. I can blame it on Hollywood blockbusters. But if one day censorship is lifted and Hollywood no longer exists, I can't blame anyone but the audience. However, if that day really comes, it will be self-destruction.

American blockbusters are indeed unfair to our small and medium-sized productions, but have the filmmakers looked for their own problems? The performance of "Gold" did not meet expectations, and I don't blame anyone but myself for my lack of ability. "

Because of the poor reputation of "The Golden Robbery" and the box office failure that did not meet expectations, and after hearing some rumors, Ning Hao has been quite angry and reflecting hard recently.

Many directors were embarrassed, and these words were tantamount to removing their last fig leaf.

Due to Ning Hao's commercial achievements, no one revealed it. After all, few people present could compare with him in box office.

One person after another.

Lu Yuan propped up his cheek and his mind went blank.

Unexpectedly, when it was Lou Ye's turn, this person suddenly congratulated him: "Congratulations to my junior brother Lu Yuan for winning the domestic box office champion." "Thank you, it was just luck." Lu Yuan came back to his senses. He had heard of this senior from Beijing Film Academy and had seen the films he directed.

Lou Ye continued: "The box office is certainly gratifying, but I think that directors including you, Ning Hao, Lu Chuan, and Wuer Eel are all failures. The directors are collectively absent from China's current social problems, and they are in vain for the word "movie".

I think it is a very short-sighted approach to only talk about business. On the one hand, we need to make well-made films, but we should also truly record social realities.

Many people advised me to make commercial films, saying that ordinary people are hungry for entertainment, but I have been making films for more than ten years and firmly believe that film is an art form. Film should have a little cultural dignity and self-confidence, and should never be fooled by all the immediate interests. "

Lu Yuan was stunned.

Brother, you are so powerful, why don’t you burn down the General Administration?

Lou Ye held the microphone and spoke a lot, saying that they had no stance and questioned all kinds of commercial films. He believed that making art films and reflecting reality was what a director should do.

Ning Hao sat on his left, raised his hand to cover his mouth, and muttered softly: "He is always like this, ignore him."

Discussing on the forum and expressing one's own opinions, Lu Yuan was not angry, but asked suspiciously: "Have you been criticized by him before?"

"Hmm." Ning Hao nodded slightly. "If you hadn't been here this time, I wouldn't have come. I've participated in similar forums several times before. He criticized me when the box office of "Racing" exceeded 100 million. I'm used to it. He's a crazy person. Just pretend I didn't hear him."

Lu Yuan propped his chin up, waited for Lou Ye to finish, and then slowly said: "What Director Lou said makes sense. For directors, movies are works of art, but for most audiences, movies are just consumer goods, for fun.

Directors should have their own artistic dreams and pursuits, there is no doubt about that, but I think that movies should return to the market, and directors need to bend down to serve the public. If the audience abandons movies, then who are you making them for, just to entertain yourself? "

Lou Ye frowned and asked, "But the problem we are facing now is that everyone is rushing to make commercial films with high box office. Are you happy?"

Everyone present laughed. Xu Zheng, who was originally in a daze, couldn't help muttering in his heart, "Of course I'm happy. I hope that after Lost in Thailand is released, the box office will break the record and exceed 1 billion."

He hesitated for two seconds and muttered leisurely, "Wouldn't it hurt your conscience to make those investors who believed in you lose money or even go bankrupt?"

"Good!" An investor in the audience applauded.

Lou Ye was speechless.

Seeing this, Jia Zhangke tried to smooth things over, saying, "Lu Yuan, in the first half of the year, Out of Time became the domestic box office champion. What do you think of Hollywood blockbusters? How can domestic films go international? How can we tell Chinese stories to the world?"

Everyone present looked at this guy. Even though he changed his career late, his movie was ranked first at the box office.

Lu Yuan frowned. Some things can’t be spread out even if you say them out loud.

He hesitated and said, "I am just a newcomer in the film industry. The success of "Out of Time" was a coincidence. I was invited by the organizer today with a learning mentality."

Han Sanping held the microphone in front of him and interrupted with a smile: "Chinese film has just started, and we are all new here. Don't be modest, just speak quickly."

Lu Yuan thought for a moment and said tactfully, "Okay, what follows is just my personal opinion. If there is anything wrong, just treat it as a joke.

First of all, "Out of Time" has no market overseas, and the box office totaled more than 100,000 US dollars, which is almost zero. But let's ask ourselves, how many Chinese directors have a market overseas?
I think at this stage, Chinese films should focus on the domestic market and not fantasize about how much money they can make overseas. Discussing telling Chinese stories to the world is actually very wishful thinking.

We have such a big market, and our own cinemas are full of Hollywood movies. Why should we go abroad?

How can we sweep the world without sweeping a house?
Besides, why should people listen to your story?
When Hollywood directors make movies, they never think about whether Chinese people can understand them. They just need to output.

Many times, foreigners cannot understand our movies, and the fundamental reason is that they don’t want to understand them.

What do they want to see? What they want to see is narrow and in line with their inherent cognition. Why should we be so humble to cater to them? "

After saying this, Wang Xiaoshuai pursed his lips and glared at Lou Ye implicitly.

Why did you provoke him? Why are you showing off your power as a senior? Do you really think he can reach his current position just by having a kind face?

As for the host Jia Zhangke, he wanted to cover Lu Yuan's mouth. His mind was working rapidly, trying to quickly bring the topic back.

Lu Yuan paused for a few seconds. He was not angry because of Lou Ye's accusation, nor did he target anyone present.

Films that expose social realities must exist. This is also one of the basic purposes of movies. They reveal social problems, reflect social conditions, and prompt the audience to think about social issues, thereby triggering social discussions and promoting problem solving.

Whether it can pass the review and whether it is effective is another matter.

He just can't stand the mentality of some current directors, who are blindly catering to others as if they are living in the past and keep harping on trivial matters. Isn't that despicable?

After a few words, he stopped there: "We must also admit that there is indeed a gap between Chinese films and Hollywood in terms of technical production, but this is only for the moment.

It won’t always be like this, but when that day comes, I think it won’t be us trying to get our stories out there, but they’ll be eager to know more.”

"Clap, clap, clap!" There was thunderous applause from the audience.

After hearing these words, Han Sanping and people related to the Film Bureau looked sideways and clapped their hands continuously.

At this moment, they noticed that Ning Hao, Xu Zheng, Wuer Eel and others were staring at Lu Yuan, and their eyes made them feel something different.

These are the vitality that Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaiquan, Feng Xiaogang and the sixth generation Wang Xiaoshuai, Jia Zhangke and Lou Ye do not have.

It's a bit arrogant, but not disgusting, instead it makes people yearn for it.

A word suddenly appeared in their minds: the new force of Chinese-language films.

"Feng Xiaogang appeared at the Shanghai Forum's "1942" press conference and blasted Chinese directors for their overall lack of quality."

"Lu Yuan said he has no interest in Hollywood and believes Chinese films should be based on the domestic market and not wishful thinking that foreign audiences can understand them."

"Ning Hao believes that the failure of The Golden Robbery to meet box office expectations is his own fault and has little to do with Hollywood blockbusters."

After the speech at the Shanghai Forum was released, several experts who like to find fault with people in the entertainment industry jumped out and spoke big, sparking heated discussions online.

Lu Yuan's speech became the focus of public opinion, with some supporting it and others refuting it.

In response to Lu Yuan, this guy did not respond. After finishing the forum exchange in Shanghai, he started the publicity tour again with Wang Baoqiang and Xu Zheng.

Time flies, and it is July now, and "Lost in Thailand" is about to be released.

(End of this chapter)