Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 120 Asian Distribution Rights

Boss Lu was sitting in the back seat of the Prado LC120, drinking mineral water. Thinking of the beauty in the rose garden on the bed, he was already in a three-way stand.

During the day, I went with Xiao Liu to see the layout of the courtyard house, and at night I went back to see Bingbing's house layout.

What a magical day this is!

"Boss! Boss! Your phone is ringing."

"Ah? Oh!"

Ah Fei suspected that his boss was drunk because the phone had been ringing for so long without him answering.

How could he know that Boss Lu wanted to recruit soldiers?

"Hello."

"Director Lu Kuan, I'm Jiang Zhiqiang."

Boss Lu was stunned and looked at his watch again. It was almost 10 o'clock.

"Director Lu, are you free to have a midnight snack with an old man like me?"

When the project of "Whiplash" was launched, Mei Yanfang was worried that Lu Kuan was young and inexperienced, so she recommended Jiang Zhiqiang to him as the producer, but Lu Kuan declined.

The big boss of Emperor Entertainment Group came to me at this time, probably for the distribution rights of "The Drummer" in Hong Kong or the entire Asia region.

The two found a snack bar that was open all night, and a wealthy boss and a small boss both started slurping wontons on the street.

"Boss Jiang is really down-to-earth. He's even accustomed to eating at a roadside stall."

Jiang Zhiqiang was stunned for a long time before he understood what he meant by being down-to-earth. He smiled and waved his hand.

"Why are there so many formalities? I hate that kind of red tape the most."

This is not pretentious. This person's value and status are very high in the Hong Kong circle.

But he often flies around the world with a backpack on his back. When he is hungry, he just eats something nearby without caring about face or appearance.

"Lu Sheng, your speech on stage today was quite thought-provoking!"

"No, it's just my personal opinion."

The worst thing to do when chatting is to talk too much with someone you just met. He hadn't figured out Jiang Zhiqiang's background yet, so he was naturally reserved in his words.

"A Fei, go get some of that Xinchang Dafo Longjing tea from the car for Boss Jiang to try."

"Yes, boss."

This is a local specialty that Zhang Jizhong gave to Lu Kuan when he came back from a location scouting trip to Xinchang, Zhejiang Province a few days ago.

The bearded guy has really made it big, he can even give gifts to the Golden Lion Award winner, Director Lu!
An old man and a young boy just sit on a small stool and drink tea. It's so weird.

Jiang Zhiqiang smiled and said, "I'm sure you know why I'm here. What are Director Lu's thoughts on the Asian distribution rights for Whiplash?"

While drinking tea, Boss Lu glanced at the skinny old man.

What an appetite!
"Mr. Jiang, my name is listed with Eagle King, and they're calling on all Hong Kong cinemas to boycott me. Are you collaborating with the Communists?"

Lu Kuan's "Whiplash" and Eagle King's "Heartstrings" are almost scheduled in the same period.

Although Eagle King lost the initiative in terms of film festival honors, they have a full lineup of Hong Kong stars and are determined to snipe Lu Kuan in their own territory in Hong Kong.

Nicholas Tse, Edison Chen, Margaret Ng, as well as the female lead Asa and Simon Yam who plays the teacher role.

To this end, Eagle King and Peking Vision Entertainment have already launched an early publicity campaign.

Jiang Zhiqiang laughed heartily. "I'm a businessman, not a gang member. Why should I join them in boycotting you?"

"Lu Sheng, I know you had some unpleasant experiences with the Eagle King before, but whether you're doing business or pursuing art, it's best to stay calm."

Lu Kuan laughed and said, "I just can't stand the inexplicable sense of superiority of some people, as if they can't see the collapse of Hong Kong films."

Jiang Zhiqiang's face froze, and he shook his head with a wry smile.

This young man's words were too sharp. He ridiculed these Hong Kong filmmakers in front of him without showing any mercy.

But thinking of his impassioned speech on stage today, Jiang Zhiqiang was actually quite willing to discuss Hong Kong's current predicament. Jiang Zhiqiang seemed oblivious: "Lu Sheng, the total box office in mainland China in 2000 was only 8.6 million yuan, less than half of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's global box office. How can you say Hong Kong cinema is going to collapse?"

Boss Lu watched him pretend to be ignorant and didn't expose him.

“To see how things develop, we must look to the future and to expectations.”

"Hong Kong films are like old men in their twilight years."

"From 1998 to 2000, the top ten films in Hong Kong film history were completely wiped out, with not a single one being a Hong Kong film. If it weren't for Stephen Chow's Shaolin Soccer, this embarrassing record would have continued until 2001."

"But mainland films are like a thriving teenager. I think Mr. Jiang understands this much better than I do."

Jiang Zhiqiang said cunningly, "How do you say that?"

"If you were not optimistic about the mainland market, would you spend $3000 million to make 'Hero'? Would you open the New Dong'an Cinema on Wangfujing Street?"

Jiang Zhiqiang was stunned, letting the fragrant aroma of tea mixed with steam from the cup hit his face.

It is normal for Lu Kuan to point out "Hero", but it is clear that he has a clear vision of the layout of the cinema.

In 2002, the mainland began to reform its cinema chain, and the real estate boom also began to rise, and the construction of theaters and cinemas gradually accelerated.

New Dong'an Cinema is a transplant of Hong Kong blockbuster cinemas led by Jiang Zhiqiang after the release of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

Because he traveled all over Beijing and couldn't find any cinema that was truly qualified to show blockbuster movies.

This is the first cinema to be designed and decorated according to international standard theaters.

The internal sound system is a digital stereo device, the main speaker is a three-way movie sound reproduction system, and there are high-density array of surround sound speakers, etc.

It was precisely because the New Dong'an Cinema was ahead of the curve that in 2004 Wanda and Warner Bros. of the United States jointly opened a five-star multi-hall cinema - Warner Wanda International Cinema. Later, Warner withdrew its investment and the cinema was renamed Wanda Cinema.

A hint of admiration flashed in Jiang Zhiqiang's eyes. This young man's sense of smell was too sharp.

"Okay, then I won't beat around the bush."

"Lu Sheng, I'll give you the Asian distribution rights for Whiplash. I'll guarantee you a minimum of 3500 million RMB. Is that okay?"

Boss Lu sneered. If it were an ordinary art film director, he would not be able to lick this number even if he knelt down.

The cost was 400 million (excluding advertising fees), and Venice has already sold 280 million US dollars. If the Asian market (excluding the mainland) can guarantee another 3500 million.

A rough calculation shows that the earnings are far higher than the average level of the same industry.

Unfortunately, Jiang Zhiqiang met a cheater.

He knows better than anyone the box office value of this film, and he knows better than anyone Jay Chou's popularity and influence in Asia.

This was the reason why we chose him, a newbie contestant, to play the role of drummer Xu Huan.

This is also the balance he strikes in his art films, which are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful!

Among the top ten Hong Kong box office movies in 2002, in addition to the popular "Infernal Affairs" and "Hero", the third one was "Marry a Rich Man", with a box office of about 2100 million Hong Kong dollars.

According to Lu Kuan's estimation, the Golden Lion Award and Jay Chou's popularity can bring him at least 4000 million in box office revenue in Hong Kong and Taiwan alone!

Not to mention other markets such as South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

Lu Kuan took a sip of tea and said, "Mr. Jiang, please proceed with the release. I believe in Anle's ability in Hong Kong."

"If you're interested in the Southeast Asian market, I can guarantee you a release."

Jiang Zhiqiang was not angry. After all, business talks are just a give and take.

"It seems that Lu Sheng is very confident?"

Boss Lu said confidently, "As I said this morning, this film is my attempt to strike a balance between art films and commercial films. I believe in its box office value."

"Okay! It's a deal then. I'll have my subordinates contact your company later."

Lu Kuan smiled and clinked glasses with him.

At this point, the distribution rights for Whiplash in Europe, America, Mainland China, and other parts of Asia have all been negotiated, and an intense and intensive publicity campaign is about to begin!
(End of this chapter)