Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 735 A Fleeting Thought

In Beijing, the wind is harsh in winter.

It stings when it scrapes against someone's face.
As Ning Hao emerged from the solemn and imposing office building, he subconsciously shrank back.

"It's been sent up."

"This time it should be fine, right? Let's not run out of time at the end."

Wu Chen sounded a little worried on the phone. If "No Man's Land" was rejected again, then the chances of getting into Berlin would only get further and further away.

"it should be no problem."

When Wu Chen asked him that question, Ning Hao himself suddenly felt a little uncertain.

After hanging up the phone, he was still muttering to himself when he looked up and saw someone walking towards him.

Wang Quan'an.

"Director Ning."

"Director Wang." Ning Hao looked up and greeted him.

Wang Quan'an was also holding a thick hard drive enclosure with a label that read "White Deer Plain".

He glanced at Ning Hao's empty hands and subconsciously asked, "Are you here to submit 'No Man's Land' for review?"

Ning Hao nodded.

Wang Quan'an understood immediately upon seeing his expression.

A sense of kinship, as if we were both in the same boat, arose spontaneously.

He sighed and began to complain.

"Director Ning, you have no idea how difficult it is to please these people these days."

I've revised this film seven or eight times already. Today they say this part is too explicit, tomorrow they say that part is too critical. Tell me, why is making a movie so difficult?

"Chen Zhongshi's original work is very clear, but they just won't accept it. They insist that I film 'White Deer Plain' as a pastoral idyll. Tell me, isn't that nonsense?"

Ning Hao frowned as he listened.

Although he often grumbled in private, to be honest, the bureau only blocked his film "No Man's Land".

His previous films, "Crazy Stone" and "Crazy Racer," basically received smooth sailing.

Unlike Wang Quan'an, almost every film he made had to go through a lot of scrutiny during the censorship process.

He made up an excuse to interrupt Wang Quan'an's rambling and slipped away early.

However, watching the other person carrying that heavy hard drive enclosure and walking back into that building, Ning Hao still felt a little envious.

After all, Wang Quan'an has a Golden Bear Award in his hands.

As for Ning Hao, aside from box office success, he has no awards to his name.

At this moment, Wang Quan'an looked at Ning Hao's departing figure and felt quite envious.

Ning Hao is now doing very well under Wu Chen's wing.

The commercial films they made were both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

Unlike those who make art films, they worry so much about investment and obtaining a film license that they're practically losing all their hair.

Moreover, Wu Chen was standing behind Ning Hao.

That powerful backer is stronger than anything else.

"Hey"

Wang Quan'an shook his head, pulling himself out of his thoughts.

You should think more about what to do with your own "White Deer Plain".

Whether they can capitalize on the momentum of Wu Chen serving as the president of the Berlin Film Festival jury remains to be seen. As for the Lunar New Year film season, things are still the same as always.

The films "The Flowers of War" and "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" fought so fiercely that they practically bleed each other dry.

"The 'Flying Swords of Dragon Gate' film's' reliance on high 3D ticket prices to grab box office revenue is an unfair victory."

"The Flowers of War" uses nationalistic sentiments for bundled marketing, which is not a respectable tactic.

Zhang Weiping and Yu Dong are constantly at odds. Today you release a press release to criticize me, tomorrow I'll hold a press conference to refute you. It's quite a spectacle.

As the box office performance of "The Flowers of War" drifted further and further away from his goal of 1 billion yuan, Zhang Weiping finally couldn't sit still any longer.

He played his last trump card – Oscar.

A highly inflammatory press release quickly spread across major portal websites.

"The North American distributor of 'The Flowers of War' has recently submitted all 13 nominations for the film to compete in at the 84th Academy Awards."

"Hollywood studios all advised me to prepare for six months before releasing 'The Flowers of War' on a large scale in North America. According to Hollywood practice, distributors need six months to prepare for the film's release, but I rejected this suggestion."

They may have a point, but I still hope to play by my own rules. "The Flowers of War" being released in North America during the Christmas season marks a first for a Chinese film.
Regardless of the outcome, as long as it provides Yi Mou, Liu Heng, Zhao Xiaoding, and Ni Ni with an opportunity to participate in the competition, it's worthwhile.

Zhang Weiping's words were so righteous and moving.

Taking advantage of the fact that people outside the industry are unaware of the production team's situation, they kept playing the emotional card of "winning glory for the country" and "creating opportunities for the main creators."

It actually sounds like it might actually be true.

"Senior brother, Zhang Weiping is too hasty. You'd better be prepared for the North American box office to collapse!"

Upon seeing the message, Wu Chen shook his head, sighing over the phone about Zhang Weiping's repeated blunders.

Although a film like "The Flowers of War" wouldn't normally fetch much at the North American box office, this whole thing has wiped out even the last chance to recoup some of the losses.

"Ok!"

On the other end of the phone, Zhang Yi let out a weary sigh.

How could he not know?

Even the six major Hollywood studios wouldn't dare to release an A-list production with such a short promotional period.

The North American distribution of "The Flowers of War" was handled by just two little-known small companies.

Doing this is tantamount to suicide.

"Forget it, let's not talk about him anymore." Zhang Yi's tone was somewhat listless. "I'm not planning to go to the Golden Globe Awards anymore, and I can't go anyway."

However, even if they went, there's little hope. With the Iranian film *A Separation* as a contender, *The Flowers of War* will most likely lose out.

He has clearly come to terms with it.

After this incident, he and Zhang Weiping were completely cut off.

Whatever the other party wants to do in the future is none of his business.

"By the way, what about you? Don't you have any new film plans for next year?" Zhang Yi changed the subject and asked with some curiosity.

Wu Chen is now one of the most sought-after directors in the world.

If he said he was going to make a blockbuster, movie fans all over the world would get excited.

"I have an idea," Wu Chen smiled. "I want to take advantage of the present, when I'm still fast and energetic, to take some great photos and see the world."

“It’s great.” Zhang Yi’s tone revealed a genuine envy. “The feeling of visiting it when you’re young is completely different from visiting it when you’re old.”

The two chatted for a few more words.

At this moment, Wu Chen's gaze fell on the script outline on the table.

Isn't there a "legendary cinematographer" character in his new film concept?
This character is elusive, appearing only briefly in one scene, yet that scene is incredibly poignant and memorable.
Moreover, this character is the "soul" of the entire story.

A thought flashed through his mind.
(End of this chapter)