Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 118 Lu Kuan's Verbal Contest with Scholars
Lu Kuan looked at the teachers and students who were already eagerly raising their hands and asking to speak and said with a smile, "Everyone, please be patient and listen to me first."

"Ms. Chen Bo'er, the founder of our Beijing Film Academy, once said: Learn from the people, serve the people, and be an artist for the people!"

"The movies you made were only satisfied with self-indulgence, cheating investors and disgusting audiences. The ultimate consequences will hurt the entire industry!"

Zhang Huijun's eyes lit up when he heard this, but he did not agree with Lu Kuan's point of view.

Just throwing out Ms. Chen Bo'er's famous quote on this occasion can be a good countermeasure to some guests in the audience who are taking advantage of their seniority.

Aren't you relying on your seniority and experience? How are you better than Ms. Chen Bo'er?
That was a generation of artists who were received by the generals and great men back then!

This path may look reckless, but it must be full of experience in struggle!
The discussion in the audience grew louder and louder. A few students started to applaud but then stopped instantly. Regardless of their expressions, the professors and teachers from the Beijing Film Academy all sat there motionless.

Chen Bing quietly walked over to ask Zhang Huijun, "Principal, is today's meeting almost over?"

Zhang Huijun waved his hand calmly, signaling everyone to continue listening.

If a school turns a blind eye to the opinions expressed by its own students, then this country’s cradle of film talent is truly unworthy of its reputation.

Huang Shixian took the microphone without hesitation.

"Movies are not only commodities, but also works of art. They must play a guiding and enlightening role. There are ordinary audiences and professional audiences. We must have some art films to provide nourishment for these professional audiences, otherwise Chinese films will one day die out."

Boss Lu felt like vomiting after hearing what he said. You are still trying to differentiate between the people who feed and clothe you!
"That's totally wrong! If we want art films to survive, we must first develop commercial films. This is a very clear logic!"

"I wonder if Professor Huang has studied the Hollywood model. Every year, Hollywood takes a portion of the box office revenue from commercial films to subsidize arthouse theaters. On the one hand, it helps them make a profit, and on the other hand, it subsidizes ticket prices for audiences."

"The same principle applies to the domestic art film market. Only by making this piece of the pie bigger can everyone have food to eat."

Many students and teachers in the audience have begun to nod in agreement. Except for the freshmen who are still very confused, the rest of the practitioners have realized this.

The entire film market is still so bleak, how are they going to survive after graduation?

Chinese films are having trouble even surviving, and they are still making all those flashy, highbrow films. Can they really make a living?

Lu Chuan couldn't wait to take the microphone.

"Art films absolutely have value and significance. They are the concentrated embodiment of the artistic thought of every film director and creator. Commercial films, especially those based on the Hollywood model you mentioned, are like products on an industrial production line—single and boring!"

Lu Kuan smiled and said, "Please don't misunderstand me. I have never belittled art films. What I am saying is that at this point in time, in the current development environment of Chinese films, commercial films are definitely an important force that cannot be ignored."

"In Venice, I talked with a colleague, and she gave me a set of data on the domestic film industry."

"There are currently over 40 state-owned film studios, more than 30 film distribution and exhibition companies, 35 cinema chains, and over 30 employees in China, yet the annual output of films is only about 100!"

There was an uproar in the audience. Zhang Huijun and others were obviously aware of the dilapidated situation, but Lu Kuan's subsequent words were even more shocking.

"In a country with a population of 13 billion, our movie box office is only a quarter of that of South Korea, which has a population of 4700 million."

"And among these 100 films, including imported films, less than 40 can be shown in theaters normally and make a profit."

"And the box office share of the 20 imported films is almost equal to that of these 100 domestic films!"

The whole place was in an uproar. Many of the people present today were seniors who were about to graduate. Faced with such a serious situation, it was hard not to feel upset.

The freshmen secretly complained, wondering if they had chosen the wrong career.

Faced with Boss Lu's science-based thinking, Lu Chuan had no good arguments to refute him.

The situation is here. This is the result of your single-minded focus on making art films. You are almost killing Chinese films.

What else is there to say?
Boss Lu said solemnly, "Students and teachers, Chinese film has reached its most dangerous moment, just as the opening line of the national anthem says!"

"As practitioners, the only thing we can do, the only thing we can do, is to abandon the natural boundaries between commercial films and art films in our minds, understand the audience, research the market, and make works that the people like to watch."

"Only by allowing audiences to spontaneously go to the cinema and creating works that attract audiences can Chinese films emerge from the haze and move towards glory!"

Ning Hao clapped excitedly.

Concubine Liu Yi stood up and applauded.

There is also Zhang Songwen who returned to school today specifically to support his boss.

As the principal, Zhang Huijun was the first to stand up and applaud the school's magnificent speech and the school's commitment to carrying the banner and heavy burden of Chinese films.

Regardless of who is right or wrong, who wins or loses in today's debate, Lu Kuan's vision and mind are worthy of encouragement!
Next came Zhang Yimou, the first director of the Fifth Generation to change his approach and try making big-budget commercial films.

Although he didn't have the opportunity to speak today, he undoubtedly agreed with Lu Kuan's views.

Tian Zhuangzhuang, Zheng Dongtian, Xie Xiaojin, and teachers from Beijing Film Academy all offered encouragement to the talented director from the same school, followed by the students who cheered loudly.

Boss Lu bowed on the stage and then left quietly.

Today, I have managed to act perfectly and successfully establish myself as a commercial film director.

I believe that it won’t be long, just three months after the release of “Hero”, everyone present today and everyone who sees this video after it is released will know how correct their prediction was!

"Xiaolu! Wait for me!"

Liu Yifei ran to catch up with Boss Lu, who was trying to run away after showing off, and stared at him with a smile.

"What's the matter? Did you think I looked particularly cool up there just now?"

Even if she thought so in her heart, she would not forgive him.

"Alas, the masters are among the people, and the clowns are in the palace!"

Boss Lu looked at her in amazement: "Wow! Where did you learn that? You're really good at talking!"

"Hey, I just learned this from chatting with my classmates!"

"Xiaolu, let me take your car. I've asked for leave!"

Boss Lu led her out of the school gate: "I need to go look at houses. I have to discuss the release later. You'll be in the way if you follow me."

"My mother is right there at the house, and you could give me a ride."

"What? You guys bought it too?"

"Yes, it's in the same alley. The location is really good, not far from Beijing Film Academy. I won't be moving back to Changping after the installation is completed."

Boss Lu was quite speechless.

What a waste! In two years, your mother will be the only one left there!

"Let's go, hurry up."

Liu Yifei looked at the dark green Toyota LC120 and asked, "Wow, you just bought it?"

Lu Kuan was hit before he could even show off.

"It's so ugly, like a giant mechanical frog."

Concubine Liu Yi seemed to be in a particularly good mood today, chattering a lot. She never treated herself as an outsider in front of Lu Kuan.

Outsider? I'm your savior!

But today she met another savior in Boss Lu.

"Hello, are you the one who kicked the gangster over that day?" Ah Fei glanced at her through the rearview mirror, and when he heard Lu Kuan say that they were going to the courtyard, he started the car without saying a word.

"Stop chatting me up. Let me ask you, how's the recording going?"

Concubine Liu Yi instantly changed from an E person to an I person.

Singing is really killing her.

Lu Kuan switched to the identity of a shareholder of Hongxingwu and arranged a job for the young girl from the Party and the country whom he had cultivated.

"Whiplash is going to be released this month. You don't need to go anywhere else except first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen."

"Zhang Jizhong's 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' has already started filming in Shidu. I told him that he has to finish filming your scenes before the end of the year."

Liu Yifei's eyes lit up: "Is this to reserve a release date for your next movie?"

It is said that once you meet Yang Guo, your life will be ruined. When you are young, it is best not to meet someone too amazing, otherwise he will dominate your youth.

The same is true for Liu Yifei, who has experienced the rhythm and scale of the big screen and the red carpet and enthusiasm of the film festival.

It will be difficult for her to return to TV dramas or enter the singing industry.

Having experienced what it's like to be at the top of the food chain and seeing Lu Kuan easily negotiating million-dollar deals with others, how can she face mediocre TV dramas!
However, her current acting skills are far from meeting the requirements. It is so difficult for her to play a role that only appears for a few minutes in "Whiplash". Forcing film resources on her will harm her.

Boss Lu decided to continue filming her several classic roles step by step.

"Don't think about the movie for now. 'Chinese Paladin' will be approved before the end of the year. You need to hurry up and finish filming Wang Yuyan's scenes."

She already has some fans in communities like Blog.com and Tianya, but they are all fans who came for her stunning photo of her in a purple pleated skirt on the red carpet at the film festival.

Liu Yifei's real explosive growth in fans began with the show Bai Xiuzhu, which premiered in 2003.

Who will remember you if you don’t have a role? You can’t always keep saying: the woman walking the red carpet at the film festival!

The marketing strategy that Boss Lu developed for her was also very simple.

Step out from the red carpet at the film festival and stand in front of the stage.

The casting hype for "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and the promotion of Wang Yuyan's makeup photos established her character as a beautiful woman in ancient costume.

After the broadcast of "The Golden Age", the release of the EP marked the first success in the three-dimensional field.

Then he took advantage of this opportunity to star in "The Chinese Paladin".

By the time "Legend of Sword and Fairy" became a hit, I believe her traffic had already ranked first in the domestic entertainment industry.

Of course, during this process, Boss Lu will continue to put pressure on her to improve her acting skills, otherwise she will still be wearing new shoes but walking the old path.

Fortunately, the girl in this life has experienced the shock brought to her by Mei Yanfang, and has worked with drama fans like Feng Yuanzheng, so her attitude towards acting is still very correct.

In other words, if she could choose for herself, she might choose to study at a film academy or a professional drama theater without hesitation to support her dream of becoming an actor.

The car stopped outside Gongjian Hutong, and Lu Kuan and Concubine Liu Yi walked along the crowded alley into the Ice Cellar Palace.

Almost 4 months have passed, and the place has already undergone some significant changes.

"Guide, you're here!"

Xu Kaitong was wearing an engineering hat and looked tired.

The sponsor has arrived, and he is the sponsor who just won a big prize at a foreign film festival. He can't help but be respectful.

Even for an outsider like this, it is not clear how valuable the Venice Golden Lion is.

But he must know the value of spending huge sums of money to buy three courtyard houses and then decorate them lavishly, right?

"The progress is okay, I'm watching!"

Boss Lu inspected the area with great satisfaction.

The gray antique floor tiles are almost all made of the original raw materials, which are simple and textured.

The corridor walls are painted with waterproof latex paint and decorated with quaint wall lamps, making them both practical and beautiful.

"Wow! Xiaolu, is this light in your house sensor-activated? How come it turns on when someone walks by?"

Boss Lu scoffed, "You're just a bunch of idiots. You don't understand. This is called smart lighting."

"These two wall lamps have two triggering devices, one is the tactile switch under our feet, and the other is the volume control."

Concubine Liu Yi suddenly screamed "Ahhh!" and continued to play happily.

She decided to copy this design, it's so fashionable!

Liu Xiaoli: Where did you go just now, Xixi?

Liu Yifei: I went to Hu Dekuan’s house and copied a fashionable design!

Xu Kaitong laughed and said, "If Director Lu hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known that this technology exists now."

In fact, I just mentioned the width of the road casually. I didn’t expect that this technology really exists these days.

Xu Kaitong bought the product from a company in Pengcheng. As early as 2000, Pengcheng built the first intelligent avenue in China.

Boss Lu then inspected the huge bedroom and the extremely luxurious bathroom.

"what is this?"

The little girl pointed to a wooden box on the bedroom cabinet.

Lu Kuan smiled and said, "This is an incense box. Sometimes I write scripts and draw storyboards at night, and I need something to keep me awake."

He opened the incense box, looked at the ashes inside, and prepared to take it out and throw it away.

"I took this out from the old Taoist temple. It's not very useful anymore."

Concubine Liu Yi nodded silently, and the scene of Lu Kuan fighting at night with a lamp emerged in her mind.

It turns out that this is how stories like "Whiplash" were born.

She silently estimated the area of ​​the bedroom in her mind, cursing Lu Kuan for being shameless. The three of them then went to the glass greenhouse on the second-floor terrace.

Apparently Concubine Liu Yi was bewitched again!

This is the most special structure of the former Ice House Palace. In the early years, Wang Deshen was responsible for getting ice for Cixi. In order to monitor the eunuchs and workers under him to get ice carefully, he specially built this terrace for himself to have a good view.

Now it has become a glass greenhouse where Mr. Lu can relax and enjoy tea in the winter.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could have one or two beautiful female friends to help you out?
Except for the self-built Chinese-style villas nowadays, there are almost no second-floor old courtyard houses, and those that do exist are only mansions of royal level.

"The road is wide, you're in luck! You can use a telescope here to spy on a lot of people!"

Boss Lu looked at her speechlessly.

Why is the little girl so dirty-hearted now!

(End of this chapter)