Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 92 I'm really interested!

In the 1980s, after the success of "Shaolin Temple," a "Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd." was established in Hong Kong to specialize in the production and distribution of co-productions. This was the only state-owned enterprise in the Hong Kong film industry.

In fact, if Wu Yu-chen wanted to make "Run Lola Run," he could have simply registered a company in Hong Kong and made the movie himself, and no one could control him.

But he's already a rising star in the mainland directing world thanks to "We Two," so there's no need for him to go against him like this.

It's not like we're making a banned film, and there's nothing about mainland China involved. There's no need to sneak around Hong Kong and do it ourselves. Filming through a co-production, with locations in Hong Kong and Macau, is perfectly fine. Therefore, we can just contact Sil-Metropole through official channels and film it openly and honestly.

When Wu Yuchen arrived at the entrance of the Beijing Film Studio, he was greeted by a slightly overweight man with an honest and kind face who smiled broadly.

"Is that Director Wu Yuchen?"

Upon seeing this, Wu Yuchen knew who it was: "Is it Yu Ke?"

Upon hearing the name Yu Ke, Yu Dong felt a surge of joy, thinking that this junior was someone he could get along with, even though he was currently only a deputy section chief.

"Hi, no need for that! Just call me Yu Dong. I graduated from Beijing Film Academy in 94. If you don't mind, you can call me Senior Brother Yu~"

Wu Yuchen shook hands with him and said, "Senior Brother Yu, although you've graduated, your story of drinking a whole table of people under the table by yourself is still circulating at Beijing Film Academy!"

Yu Dong laughed heartily: "It's nothing to mention, just empty fame!"

Yu Dong walked along, praising Wu Yuchen as he went:
"Junior, when it comes to producing talent, it's still Beijing Film Academy that comes to mind. Look at Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou, they're all ours. Now it's your turn to take the baton. You've already won a major award while still in school, you're really bringing honor to Beijing Film Academy! I think you'll be the leader of the sixth generation of directors from now on!"

"I dare not accept such praise."

Wu Yuchen was not surprised by the way the future Bona boss acted; half of his talent lay in his words.

Yu Dong was born to be a salesman. He had an exceptionally high alcohol tolerance and a silver tongue. When he was a junior at Beijing Film Studio, his department head singled him out, saying that he was definitely a master at distribution.

In 94, he was assigned to Beijing Film Studio. Just then, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television issued Document No. 348, which stipulated that film studios could directly sell to film companies in various provinces and cities and implement revenue sharing.

Yu Dong, who had just joined the film studio, was assigned to work on an art film called "Cheers to the Past." He was sent to a city in western Shanxi to handle distribution. He managed to get the film screened at a local cinema for over two months, achieving a box office of 40 yuan per theater. This success made him an overnight sensation, and his name quickly reached the ears of senior leaders at various provincial companies and the Beijing Film Studio. Within two years, he was promoted to deputy section chief, becoming the youngest cadre in the history of the Beijing Film Studio.

Yu Dong is now in high spirits and determined to make great strides at the Beijing Film Studio!
Wu Yuchen responded enthusiastically to Yu Dong, after all, this guy's ability to run distribution channels was truly remarkable, and befriending him might come in handy in the future.

Before long, Wu Yuchen was taken to the factory director's office. Sitting in the chair was a middle-aged man with a short haircut, wearing old-fashioned cloth shoes and simple clothes. He was none other than the later famous Han Sanping.

"Director Han, I apologize for bothering you this time!"

Upon meeting Wu Yuchen, Han Sanping also warmly stood up and shook hands with him:
"Haha, Director Wu, we at Beijing Film Studio would love to welcome a director as talented as you!"
I heard Lao Huang tell me about your experience in Tokyo a few days ago; he said it caused a huge sensation. You really brought honor to us this time!

Wu Yuchen's heart skipped a beat; he knew it must be Huang Jianxin, as they were classmates.

"Thank you for the praise, Teacher Huang. Winning this award isn't solely my achievement."

After exchanging pleasantries, Han Sanping picked up the script and began reading.

After a long pause, Han Sanping closed the script, thought for a moment, and said:
"Director Wu, even if this script is co-produced, it might not be able to be released in China, right?"

"Director Han, you have a brilliant insight. This is indeed an experimental and avant-garde film. I just feel that it can't be filmed here, so I wanted to ask you for help in contacting Sil-Metropole to film it in Hong Kong and Macau."

Han Sanping looked at Wu Yuchen with admiration: "I admire people like you who dare to innovate and explore. I'll get in touch with you right away."

Han Sanping was a decisive person; he immediately picked up the phone and made the call. After some discussion, he hung up and smiled at Wu Yuchen, saying:
"Director Wu, I've already spoken to them. Your 'Run Lola Run' will be registered under our Beijing Film Studio. You can just contact the person in charge directly when you go to Hong Kong."

"Thank you so much, Director Han! You've been a huge help!"

Han Sanping waved his hand: "It was just a small favor. I was originally thinking of collaborating with you again. But your film can't be shown domestically, and our Beijing Film Studio can't easily invest money in it, which is quite a pity!"

Wu Yuchen's heart skipped a beat, and he understood that Han Sanping's words were a test.

If it were anyone else, it wouldn't matter, but this is the man who will lead the Chinese film industry in the future.

Han Sanping hasn't fully risen to power yet, but three years later, China Film Group will undergo restructuring, merging with eight other entities including Beijing Film Studio to become a behemoth. He will then become the "Mountain Eagle" (a notorious bandit leader). This expresses a desire for cooperation; how could he refuse?
If I can build a good relationship with them now, my career in the Chinese film industry will be much easier in the next one or two decades.

Wu Yuchen's mind raced, wondering whether he should pull out "Hands Up".

The film cost more than 300 million yuan to make back then, and grossed more than 800 million yuan at the box office after its release. At first glance, it seems that it just broke even or made a slight profit.

However, this eight million refers to urban box office revenue, which is what we call mainstream market box office revenue. But people have overlooked a market: rural film screenings.

According to the 2012 China Film White Paper, "Raise Your Hand" was screened more than 30 times in rural areas in 2012 alone, earning more than 6000 million yuan at the box office, of which about 4000 million yuan was distributed to the film's producers.

"Raise Your Hands" held the number one spot in rural cinema screenings for nine consecutive years from its release in 2004 to 2012, meaning the production company could earn tens of millions of yuan every year. That's incredibly impressive!
However, Wu Yuchen soon gave up. Firstly, the movie couldn't be filmed until next summer, and secondly, if it were released now, its full potential wouldn't be realized.

After making up his mind, Wu Yuchen smiled at Han Sanping and said:

"Director Han, I'd really like to collaborate with Beijing Film Studio sometime. I have an idea: after we finish filming 'Run Lola Run,' we'll start shooting when we come back in winter. It'll definitely pass censorship, and I'm aiming for the domestic box office. I wonder if you'd be interested?"

Han Sanping immediately perked up upon hearing this:
"I'm really interested! Tell me, what kind of subject matter is it?"

"This movie is similar to the tearjerker 'Mom, Love Me Again.' It won't be very sophisticated and might even be a bit vulgar, but I guarantee it will definitely make you cry and make money at the box office!"

Han Sanping certainly knew about "Mom, Love Me Again." It was screened in China starting in June 90 and caused a huge sensation. By the end of the year, six months later, the number of viewers exceeded 6 million and the box office exceeded 2 million yuan.

He then recalled Wu Yuchen's film "We Two," and realized that Wu was indeed a master in this area, which made him believe him even more.

Han Sanping dared to vote for even Feng Kuzi, who had no achievements to speak of, so how could he not dare to vote for Wu Yuchen?

"Great! How about our Beijing Film Studio takes half the investment?" He didn't even ask Wu Yuchen how much it would cost, and went straight for his share. Wu Yuchen smiled and said, "Director Han, you have guts! I guarantee I'll make it all back!"

"Haha, Director Wu, if you need any help with 'Run Lola Run,' don't hesitate to ask us!"

Han Sanping also hopes that Wu Yuchen can finish filming as soon as possible so that they can start the collaborative project.

"If that's the case, then I'm really in your way. I've been considering two candidates for the female lead, but I can't get in touch with one of them..."

Wu Yuchen wasn't afraid of bothering Han Sanping with this little thing; friendships between people deepen through mutual help.

"Haha, just tell me both, and I'll help you make the contact!" Han Sanping said with a wave of his hand.

Wu Yuchen smiled and said, "Gong Li and Ning Jing."

"Run Lola Run" is a "beauty saves the hero" story, so the female lead had to be tall, which immediately ruled out Zhou Xun.

Lola is not a traditionally elegant and dignified woman; she is brave, persistent, unafraid of difficulties, and even as impulsive as a boy, overflowing with vitality and energy.

The original actress, Franka Potente, was actually more "robust" than the average skinny actress.

To be honest, the first person Wu Yuchen thought of was Gong Li. Her figure and image are very suitable, and her acting skills are undeniable. It's just that she's a bit too old!
Ning Jing also has a very healthy image, a wild spirit, and good acting skills. At only 24 years old, she is truly an excellent choice. Wu Yuchen's favorite is actually her.

After hearing this, Han Sanping thought for a moment and then said, "I can help you contact both of them, but I heard that Gong Li has taken on a movie about the return of Hong Kong, so it might not work out."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen had a sudden thought and remembered that it should be a movie called "China Box", starring Gong Li and Maggie Cheung, which tells the story of an English journalist suffering from a terminal illness who comes to Hong Kong Island on the last day of 1996 and falls in love with a woman from the mainland.

Did he not expect that the movie would already be filming now?

After a while, Han Sanping hung up the phone:
"Alright, both calls were answered by their agents. I'll let you know if there's any news."

"Thank you, Director Han!"

……

Wu Yuchen drove to Li Xiaoran's place, but found she wasn't home when he opened the door. He put his things on the table and lay down on the bed with his head under his hands.

This time, $40 was prepared for the filming of Run Lola Run. Ning Jing's salary is not that high. If Ning Jing can't come, it's not impossible to increase the budget for Gong Li.

The male lead is a small-time hoodlum, so he needs to have a bit of a roguish air. In theory, casting an actor from Hong Kong would be a good fit for the role, but I think I'll pass. Putting aside the arrogance that Hong Kong actors have towards the mainland these days, language communication would be a problem, which would be a significant obstacle during filming.

He suddenly remembered Chen Kun, the blond-haired guy he'd seen over a month ago. The image was actually quite fitting, but the guy was currently in a melancholic state, looking, as his homeroom teacher Cui Xinqin put it, half-dead. Besides, he'd only been in school a short time; who knew how much acting skill he possessed?

Forget it, let's just hold an audition for the male lead this time, instead of making a specific casting call.

Lost in thought, Wu Yuchen fell asleep without realizing it.

After a while, when Wu Yuchen woke up, he found that it was already dark outside. At this time, Li Xiaoran was sitting at the table, holding an apple in her hand, but she had only taken a bite. She was flipping through the script that Wu Yuchen had placed on the table.

Wu Yuchen walked over, hugged Li Xiaoran from behind, cupped her breasts with both hands, and unconsciously kissed her cheek.

"Hey, stop it, I haven't finished watching yet!" Li Xiaoran swayed slightly.

Wu Yuchen chuckled, then hugged her, resting his chin on her shoulder, and asked:
"So, do you find it interesting?"

"That's quite interesting. Yours is a bit like the Moonlight Box from 'A Chinese Odyssey,' which sends you back in a flash. Is this a new script you wrote?"

"Yes, it's in the planning stages."

Who are you planning to hire to film this?

"We contacted Gong Li and Ning Jing, and are still waiting for their reply."

"Wow, no wonder he's an award-winning genius director, now he's hiring big stars every time he makes a move!"

"I'll make you a big star someday!"

Li Xiaoran hummed twice, then remained silent and continued flipping through the script.

Actually, she quite liked the female lead in the script she was currently reading. She'd always been called a "crazy girl" since childhood, and she rarely considered the consequences of her actions. The more she read about this female lead, the more she liked her. But when she heard Wu Yuchen mention Gong Li and Ning Jing, she suddenly sobered up.

Starting from playing minor roles, Li Xiaoran has been acting for several months now, and has even attended a training course for almost two months. She has indeed improved a lot and is no longer a novice; she knows how to act. However, she is increasingly aware of the gap between her acting skills and those of the two actors, like a level 5 monster in a game versus a level 50 boss.

Therefore, she didn't even speak, not wanting to humiliate herself or make things difficult for Wu Yuchen. It wasn't out of estrangement, but rather her strong sense of pride.

That night, to celebrate Wu Yuchen's triumphant return from winning a big prize in Japan, the two partied until late into the night.

The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, a phone call woke Wu Yuchen up.

"Hey Wu Yuchen, are you free these days?"

Upon hearing Zeng Li's voice, Wu Yuchen immediately snapped out of his daze. Seeing that Li Xiaoran was still fast asleep beside him, he breathed a sigh of relief, took his phone, and went to the kitchen, closing the door behind him.

"Yes, just tell me what's on your mind."

"It's just that...my classmate, uh, my roommate, wants to treat you to a meal so he can ask you some advice on acting."

Zeng Li sounded a little hesitant on the phone, but Wu Yuchen was anything but: "Sure, of course no problem, today is fine!"

How could we miss such an opportunity to infiltrate the enemy!
(End of this chapter)