Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 116: Thank you for the Siheyuan Mansion given by Big Brother
A cocktail party after the film festival is naturally inevitable.

Today, Boss Lu has temporarily entered this upper-class place by virtue of his title as the Golden Lion Award winner.

Oh! Actually, there was some dirty talk.

For example, Takeshi Kitano and Quentin in front, Lu Kuan was hesitating whether to join in.

He was worried that the Western media would take a photo of the three of them and label them as the world's three most lewd directors.

How unfair it is, I haven't done anything!
"Road! Here!"

Quentin was sharp-eyed and greeted him from a distance.

Boss Lu helplessly showed a harmless smile and gave instructions to Liu Yifei beside him.

"Follow me, don't talk, don't run around."

"Don't worry about it. I'll go find something to eat later."

Liu Xiaoli is not suitable to attend such occasions, so Lu Kuan is the only one who brings her here to broaden her horizons and act as his female companion.

It was obvious that the social scene had become her buffet again.

Kitano Takeshi put his arm around Lu Kuan's shoulders and said, "Lu Kuan-san! Excellent results! Come, let's toast together!"

After all, these two people are helping him promote and build momentum, so Boss Lu can't just drink the water and forget the well diggers, so he immediately clinks glasses and drinks.

"What are you guys talking about?"

The three directors looked over and saw the white pig Harvey walking towards them from a distance with a silly smile, his small eyes looking up and down at the stunning Liu Yifei.

Concubine Liu Yi hid behind Lu Kuan with disgust and whispered, "Who is it?"

Boss Lu turned back covertly: "Jewish An Lushan."

"Lu, you are such a mysterious Oriental. I have to admit that I misjudged you, haha."

"Mr. Takeshi Kitano, Quentin, can I talk to Lu alone?"

The two great directors naturally knew that this was a film purchase. They understood the elegant meaning of the music and the supporting actors left in an orderly manner.

Lu Kuan helped Concubine Liu Yi and An Lushan, the Jewish king, sit opposite each other.

"Lu, let's talk about your Whiplash."

Boss Lu laughed and said, "Oh, you're talking about movies. I thought you came to me for fortune-telling."

Liu Yifei glanced at Boss Lu in surprise. Are you expanding your business overseas now?

Harvey laughed. "I thought about it that day. You probably guessed the amount based on limited information. I won't be fooled a second time."

"Whatever, then as you wish, let's talk about movies."

Don’t be fooled a second time?

You will definitely learn from your mistakes again and again.

Harvey said seriously, "One million US dollars for the entire US copyright."

"Ah!"

Lu Kuan chuckled disdainfully, "Four million dollars, not a cent less."

The Jewish businessman was furious: "Hero cost $3000 million, and I only asked for $2000 million. Your film cost at most $100 million, and you dare to ask for $400 million?"

"Chinese people, don't be too greedy!"

Greedy? Is there anyone greedier than you Jews?
"Your 100 million is the price for art films. Whiplash is by no means a simple art film. I believe in its box office value."

Harvey stared at the other person's arrogant face, his hair standing on end with anger.

These days, film festival transactions are a buyer's market, especially for young directors like Lu Kuan. How dare he be so rude to me?
Of course Boss Lu dared to do it, because he knew the nature of these Jews best. As long as you are valuable to him, you can step on their faces with your soles.

Maybe Harvey will even stick out his tongue to lick your toes.

If you don’t believe it, you can refer to Quentin.

Concubine Liu Yi was a little scared when she saw An Lushan, who looked so evil, and she grabbed Lu Kuan's sleeve under the table.

Unexpectedly, this Jewish businessman followed the weather forecast, and the cloudy sky turned sunny in an instant.

"Haha! Funny guy."

"Last time I told you a Jewish proverb, and you didn't seem to agree with it. I thought I could teach you another lesson."

"Mr. Li, the richest Chinese in Hong Kong, once said that if a business can make 12 dollars, he usually only takes 9 dollars to leave some room for his partners!"

"Lu! How about I add $100 million, $200 million, and become friends?"

Boss Lu glanced at him strangely and said, "Mr. Luo, I want to be friends with you."

"You'll gain the friendship of Miramax, the friendship of Hollywood, and I'd even like to invite you to come to Hollywood to make a movie."

Boss Lu ignored his sugar-coated arguments and said, "Xavi, you make sense. Let's just say 300 million. Let's not talk about the rest."

That's all he expected for the North American rights to the film, which, before "Hero," would have been considered a stratospheric price.

If you consider that the cost was only 400 million RMB (excluding product placement), it is not an exaggeration to say that it was gold falling from the sky.

Harvey almost bit his back teeth off. He used threats and inducements, but this Oriental man seemed like an impenetrable wall.

Later, "Whiplash" had a global box office of less than 5000 million US dollars, but that was around 2014, and it was a Hollywood local film with local actors.

But with the film review skills of a Hollywood veteran like Harvey, there is no doubt that this is a work that can make him a lot of money.

200 million or 300 million is not a huge gap for an ordinary film producer.

But for a Jewish film producer, not getting an advantage is more painful than suffering a loss.

The white pig put down his wine glass heavily and pretended to leave.

"Lu! I'll make some concessions, but you can't push any further. 280 million, this is my final price!"

Boss Lu frowned at his pretentious posture, and suddenly turned around and asked Liu Yifei in Chinese.

"Xiao Liu, how much did I spend on the Siheyuan that day?"

Concubine Liu Yi was still immersed in high-end business negotiations and didn't expect him to ask such an unrelated question.

"Huh? Oh, not counting renovations, the house would cost around 1200 million."

It's not that she has a good memory, but Liu Xiaoli and her daughter were also excited about the opportunity, so they later found Xu Kai to look at several houses together.

Boss Lu nodded in understanding and said, "Forget it. Just treat you as An Lushan the Jewish leader and give me a house."

"280 million! I want a lump sum payment."

Harvey beamed. "Lu! You Chinese are always so cautious. How could I possibly owe you such a small sum of money?"

Boss Lu shook his head sternly at him. He knew too well what kind of person this man was.

I will buy your copyright for 280 million. I will give you a deposit of 20 first and pay the full amount within 3 months.

Three months later, the film festival has long ended and all the buyers from the film companies have used up their quotas. He offers you $3 and asks if you will sell it.

If you don’t sell it, I’ll give it to you for free and you’ll make 20 yuan.

Sell ​​it and you will make 50, you have no choice.

In his previous life, Little Cannon openly fired at Harvey because of this incident, and became a laughing stock.

But this time, Boss Lu really had a petty mind. Harvey was still optimistic about this young oriental director.

He felt that Lu Kuan had the same talent as Quentin.

He never hesitates to show his kindness to such valuable talents who are still in the stage of wild growth.

As I said, when you are successful, you are surrounded by good people.

After staying in Venice for another two days, the European copyright was sold to Luc Besson's Europa Films through Takeshi Kitano's introduction for less than 160 million US dollars.

He plans to contact Jiang Zhiqiang of Anle for the distribution rights in other parts of Asia, as he needs to return to China to discuss the matter now that he has the grand prize in hand.

Boss Lu returned with a full load.

September 2002, 9, Peking Rose Garden. "Boss! Wake up!"

Boss Lu opened his eyes hazily and looked around his luxurious villa in confusion.

Rented.

The renovation of the courtyard house has just been completed and it will take some time before we can move in.

He held his forehead in pain and took the boiled water that Ah Fei brought over.

After glancing at Xiaomian Zhenghe in front of him, he was sure that he had not traveled back in time.

He drank too much and had too many dreams these days.

It started from the cocktail party after the Venice Film Festival, drinking with sister Gong Li, and partying in the bar with Takeshi Kitano and Quentin.

He got on the plane drunk, went around Hong Kong to meet Mei Yanfang, and held a small celebration party at home.

After returning to Peiping, he had dinner with Zhang Jizhong, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, Zhang Yadong, Li Dawei and other people in the entertainment industry whom he had met when he was still a nobody.

There are also flowers and plants that come along to meet you.

Zhang Jizhong brought several male and female actors from "Tian Long" to take advantage of the popularity, and he even insisted on pestering Boss Lu to play a cameo role.

Zhang Yadong brought Da Meiyuan to the banquet, but judging from Boss Lu's judgment of people, there must be some estrangement between the two of them.

Gao Yuanyuan changed her previous polite treatment in Sanlitun and chatted warmly with the boss on the road to reminisce about the past. She understood.

Chen Kun brought his good friend Li Binbin to the scene and introduced her to Lu Kuan. During the meal, she got along well with another Bingbing.

The latter didn't bother to argue with her anymore, after all, he had successfully retrieved sperm.

Are Boss Lu’s achievements so great that he still needs you to flatter him?

My mouth is the ruler!
I don’t know yet!

Of course, there was also a grand party among the crew members, and Boss Lu generously gave red envelopes to everyone.

Previously, the company was still in the arduous start-up stage, but this time, Harvey, the big brother of the charts, has sent him $280 million before the movie is released.

Treating everyone to a good meal is also part of the topic.

So Boss Lu successfully stayed drunk for several days, until this morning when he forced himself to get up.

Today is the first day of school at Beijing Film Academy.

"A Fei, is Wenwen here?"

"Sister Sun is waiting for you outside. She has prepared her speech."

"Ah."

Boss Lu quickly washed up, put on a formal suit, and talked about business with Sun Wenwen who was waiting in the living room.

"boss!

"Sit down, Wenwen, have you had breakfast?"

"Eat, boss."

Sun Wenwen still has her neat short hair, but she has lost a lot of weight. It seems that working like a cow is tiring, especially working for the capitalist Boss Lu.

She skillfully took out several documents from her briefcase and sorted them out for Lu Kuan to review.

"This is the speech you will give at the opening ceremony this morning."

"This notification from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange confirms that the financial accounting is correct and that $280 million has been received."

"These are letters from Tangren, Xiangtai, and Zhouyi inviting us to discuss the TV adaptation of 'Chinese Paladin'."

Boss Lu first signed a few financial documents and asked her to keep them, then reluctantly opened the speech manuscript.

"Is this really Principal Zhang's arrangement?"

"Yes, a call from the principal's office personally."

Sun Wenwen hesitated for a moment, then revealed, "According to Secretary Liu, Beijing Film Academy deliberately postponed the date of the freshman opening ceremony to coincide with your return."

"The Wenjie Media chairman's office and the Beijing Film Academy president's office have met several times about this."

Boss Lu sighed helplessly. It was fine for him to show off at the film festival, but a stage like the Beijing Film Academy could no longer satisfy him. It was boring.

When I took the entrance exam to Beijing Film Academy, I just wanted to get a good look so that I could grab the resources of the school.

He counted his schedule for the next few months and found himself more tired than a dog. How could he have the time to attend the opening ceremony?
The most important thing: if the movie wins an award, it must be released in China, organize screenings, find a distributor, do publicity, sell the copyright to Hong Kong and Taiwan, or package the copyright for the entire Asia region.

Minor matters: Several newly released dramas such as "Chinese Paladin" need to find partners for development. These days, it is best to find satellite TV stations to cooperate with TV dramas.

Next up is his next movie. He is still considering the script. Once it is finalized, he will have to scout locations, draw storyboards, make a budget, and look for actors.

It gives me a headache just thinking about all these things.

Wenjie Culture must continue to recruit people. At least in the field of TV dramas, it needs a leader who can take the lead in the business.

This isn't even mentioning the blogosphere. Fortunately, Wang Xing and senior Zhuang Xu are in charge of it. Boss Lu is already considering persuading his senior to resign and go into business to help him.

As the business expands, more and more professional talents are needed.

He understands the entertainment industry, hype, public relations, and film and television production, but when it comes to other industries, he can only make some foresighted predictions.

Therefore, the blog network should be handed over to professional Internet talents to operate, and he will control the direction.

If we don't start preparing talent from now on, every subsequent action will be difficult.

In 2002, the morning rush hour in Beijing was not so exaggerated. Ah Fei had already gotten used to driving on the left side of the road and was adept at weaving through the traffic.

Mr. Lu sat in the car with his eyes closed to relax. The back seat of Toyota LC95 is very comfortable and spacious, which is very suitable...

Still missing an NPC.

This car will be discontinued next year, and its subsequent version will be the LC120, which is the Prado that everyone is familiar with.

Eight years later, the 8 will be discontinued and the 120 will be born. This is the version evolution of the entire Prado series.

Lu Kuan likes old cars. He was very curious about Wang Minhui's Lexus LS400 in Hong Kong. This car was a private car purchased in the name of the company.

As the vehicle turned to Jimen Bridge, Lu Kuan asked A Fei to pull over and he got off first.

Be high-profile when you should be high-profile, and be low-key when you should be low-key.

Before he became famous, bastards like Liu Zeyu were already staring at him. Now that he is famous and pretending to be cool, who knows how many pairs of eyes are waiting to find fault with him.

The first thing you see is a large banner hanging on the lintel of the school.

"Warm congratulations to our school's directing department freshman Lu Kuan, Class of 2002, for winning the Golden Lion Award at the 59th Venice Film Festival!"

Well, Zhang Huijun seems to be getting closer to Zhang Jizhong. He got in before he even started school.

Lu Kuan suspected that even if he failed the academic subjects, he should be able to get into the Beijing Film Academy directly with this Golden Lion Award.

Lu Kuan arrived at Tian Zhuangzhuang's office with ease and walked in without any hesitation.

"Wow! Teacher Tian, ​​are you going to set this room on fire?"

He quickly opened the window to let the smoke out of the room.

Old Tian frowned even deeper: "Hey, Principal Zhang insisted that I speak too, what a hassle."

Boss Lu laughed out loud, Old Tian, ​​you have also had this day.

The teacher and student smoked for a while and then walked side by side to the auditorium, which was already packed with people.

Although it was an opening ceremony for freshmen, many seniors from the directing and acting departments flocked in to see the style of the young and talented director who was in the spotlight.

"I'm coming!"

“Is this the width of the road?”

"So handsome! Is that his grandfather next to him? Why did he bring his parents with him?"

"Get lost, that's Teacher Tian!"

(End of this chapter)