Chapter 75: Using Lao Mouzi's Movies to Fight Lao Mouzi

"Has "Curse of the Golden Flower" found China Film Corporation to distribute it?" Lin Yicheng asked in return.

"Zhang Baimao had this idea before, but they haven't started discussing it yet." Han Sanye said while eating:

"So I want to ask about your rules. If there is enough time between two films, China Film will take them over for distribution. If the time interval is short, China Film may not have enough staff."

Lin Yicheng was not surprised by what Mr. Han Sanye said. In his previous life, because there were no films invested by China Film Corporation released during the same period, China Film Corporation took over part of the distribution business of "Curse of the Golden Flower".

This time, with "Man Jiang Hong" as its godson, China Film Group will naturally make a choice.

"The Lunar New Year holiday season only lasts for a little over a month. If Red River wants to achieve good box office results, it must not give up those golden days."

Lin Yicheng went on to say: "My initial plan is to give them a week. After a week, 'Man Jiang Hong' will be released."

"A week? Isn't that a bit short?" Master Han frowned.

"I've already given face to my fellow countryman by not being in the same heaven with them."

"So confident? He's an old man."

It was normal for Mr. Han to ask this. The reputation of the old strategists these days was so awe-inspiring that they always had the effect of defeating the enemy without fighting.

Otherwise, why would Zhang Baimao dare to use Zhang Yimou's power to control the theaters?
It is because once Zhang Yimou's films are released, other films have given up their schedules to avoid being rejected.

If your cinema doesn't show Zhang Yimou's films, there's really nothing else to show.

There were no good movies to show in cinemas during the entire schedule, but the money for the artificial venue still had to be spent.

In order to avoid paying compensation, the theater chain had no choice but to agree to Zhang Baimao’s request.

……

"I'm going to tell you a few truths. Please listen to them, but I won't admit them once I leave this room."

Putting down the chopsticks in his hand and wiping his mouth, Lin Yicheng said: "From "Hero" to "Ten Years of Ambush", although the box office is high, Lao Mouzi's movies have a fatal flaw."

"What shortcomings?" Mr. Han San became interested.

"Can't tell a story! Yes, we have to admit that Zhang Yimou's colors and scene arrangement are top-notch. But the key and foundation of a play is to have a good story. The story is empty and even illogical, and this is the biggest problem."

Mr. Han San fell into deep thought and said nothing.

"Look, what is the core of Hero? Peace!"

"That was a chaotic era when seven kingdoms were fighting for supremacy. The First Emperor wanted to sweep across the world and smear the whole country. Against this backdrop, talking about peace is just nonsense, isn't it?"

"What about House of Flying Daggers? Hearing the title, I thought it was a story about Overlord committing suicide by slashing his throat at the Wu River, but it turns out to be a love story between two men and a woman, but this obviously can't support a play."

"No matter how gorgeous the graphics are or how exciting the fighting scenes are, it's just like adding some dye to a glass of plain water. It still tastes like plain water, so the box office is not as good as Hero."

“When it comes to Curse of the Golden Flower, it’s essentially the same story as Thunderstorm, but Zhang Yimou’s story is told in a weird way.”

"You know his script?" Han Sanye was surprised. He didn't know anything about this! Sure enough, this young man had a very deep background!
"I've heard some news, but that's not the point." Lin Yicheng didn't say much. There was no way to explain this. If Mr. Han San is willing to misunderstand, let him continue to misunderstand.

"The point is, are audiences willing to watch such an incongruous story? No matter how exciting your scenes and fighting scenes are, can they compare to Hollywood blockbusters?"

"When audiences watch domestic films, they are looking for a sense of identification. If you want to have a sense of identification, you have to first tell the story clearly so that the audience can understand it."

"Director Kai Ge's The Promise didn't tell a clear story, so it's no surprise that the box office was that way."

Hearing Lin Yicheng's words, Han Sanye couldn't help but sigh. The final box office of "The Promise" was 1.75 million. Although it was much better than other movies, it was directed by Kaige, who was on par with Lao Mouzi! Han Sanye originally thought that it would break million, but the result was like this.

This made him agree with Lin Yicheng's statement that for domestic films, it is very important to tell a good story and make it clear!

……

"In the past, when Lao Mouzi's films were released, the audience had no choice but to watch his films. This time, "Red River" is also released, so the audience naturally has room for choice. In terms of photography, I am not as good as Lao Mouzi, but in terms of storytelling..."

"You are much better than him. After all, you are a best-selling author." Mr. Han Sanye interjected.

"So, there's nothing to be afraid of. If the movie "Red River" is released alone, it might be just so-so. But once there is a comparison, the audience will think that "Red River" is really damn good, at least better than "Curse of the Golden Flower"!"

Han Sanye was a little amused and didn't know what to say. But after thinking about Lin Yicheng's words carefully, he felt that they made sense.

But everything is afraid of comparison. Once there is comparison, the good and the bad will be distinguished. Once the good and the bad are distinguished, the audience will naturally choose to watch the movies they think are good.

Just like what the little black fat guy said, it’s not that I’m so good, it’s all thanks to the comparison with my peers.

"Lao Mouzi probably didn't expect that you would analyze him so thoroughly. No wonder your movies are so profitable. You not only studied filmmaking, but also studied the psychology of the audience."

Uncle Han San felt a little emotional. This was the difference in the thinking of young directors, which was obviously different from those of the fifth generation directors.

Those fifth-generation directors never consider what the audience wants to watch or likes to watch. They always take what they want to shoot as the first criterion.

However, Lin Yicheng takes the audience's thoughts and opinions as the premise and makes movies that the audience likes and wants to watch.

These two completely different ways of thinking will inevitably determine different box office destinies.

If the domestic film market wants to prosper, it needs directors like Lin Yicheng.

No matter how utilitarian Han Sanye is, he really wants to make domestic films better. Later, he did make certain contributions to the development of domestic films, which no one can deny.

A large number of young directors, represented by Ning Hao, were able to rise successfully thanks to his support.

After hearing what Mr. Han San said, Lin Yicheng did not respond.

Isn't this nonsense? Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

If you want to defeat Zhang Yimou, can you not study him in advance?

How can you deliver a fatal blow if you don’t find the opponent’s weakness?
"Please take care of the distribution. I want to boost the box office of Red River as much as possible and try to surpass Hero."

More than Hero? That means more than 2.5 million! In that case, how much can China Film earn from it? Han Sanye's calculations started to work quickly.

"No problem, China Film Group will give its full support then." Uncle Han set the tone.

Among the five largest cinema chains in the country, not to mention the two cinema chains under China Film Group, the other three cinema chains have to listen to the guidance of China Film Group on how to schedule films!
Although it is a guiding opinion, other cinema chains can listen to it or not, but which cinema chain dares to really not listen?

China Film Corporation has the right to import foreign films, especially Hollywood films.

It’s okay if you don’t listen to the instructions, but do you still want copies of Hollywood blockbusters in the future?

If you want, you have to follow the guidance. We didn’t force you, did we?
Afterwards, the two communicated on some other matters.

After the crew finished their lunch, Mr. Han San did not stay long and left in a hurry.

(End of this chapter)