It's reasonable for me to be a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director and an all-around

Chapter 40 Take a gamble, and your bicycle will become a motorcycle!
"Yesterday, the 53rd Berlin International Film Festival concluded successfully. Chinese director Li Yang won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution for 'Blind Shaft'; Zhang Yimou's 'Hero' won the Alfred Bauer Silver Bear."

"Singer Jay Chou became a household name across China with his hit song 'Dong Feng Po' and became the cover figure of the latest issue of Time magazine's Asian edition."

"The organizing committee of the 56th Cannes Film Festival has announced the list of juries, and Chinese actor/director Jiang Wen is among them!"

"The nominations for the 22nd Hong Kong Film Awards have been announced, with Infernal Affairs and Hero vying for major awards."

As we approach the end of February, the annual Berlin Film Festival, Hong Kong Film Awards, Oscars, and Cannes Film Festival will all be held one after another.

Newspapers and news pages are constantly updating the headlines, and discussions are endless.

Although Lü Rui was also watching quietly, he did not participate in it.

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, my parents came to Yanjing. While sightseeing, they also started to take care of things such as looking at and buying a house.

Lu Rui originally planned to accompany her for a few days, but unexpectedly, Liu Xiaoli took the initiative to go with her!

Although he felt something was off, he didn't have time to think about it and continued to immerse himself in his work.

On February 20th, Lü Rui met with several investors at the company.

The news that "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" had a total investment of 5000 million yuan had already been released, and there was a lot of discussion in the film and television industry.

As soon as Dong Ping entered the office, he said, "Director Lü, Mr. Wang from Huayi Brothers asked me to tell you that they will not be involved this time, and hope to have the opportunity to cooperate again next time."

Upon hearing this, Han Sanping, Wang Changtian, Yu Dong, and the representative from Beijing Film Academy, who were sitting on the sofa, couldn't help but change their expressions slightly.

Should we quit while we're ahead?
Or is there something else?

Since the Golden Rooster Awards last year, Feng Xiaogang's "challenge" to Lü Rui has been a hot topic of discussion in the entertainment industry.

Now that "Cell Phone" has started filming and the script for "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" has passed review, many people see this as Lü Rui's "response to the challenge"!
It seems reasonable for Huayi to withdraw its investment in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" now.

After all, Feng Xiaogang is Huayi Brothers' Chief Content Officer, and the two sides are in an adversarial relationship, so it is understandable that Huayi chose to take sides.

However, running away with the money is really not a very ethical practice.

Just as everyone was pondering this, Lü Rui calmly asked, "Leaving aside Huayi for now, our main topic today is the investment in 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.' I wonder what everyone's thoughts are?"

Dong Ping's eyes flickered, and he asked in return, "Director Lü must have had a plan all along? Why don't you tell me?"

"I take a 40% share, which includes the director's and screenwriter's salaries," Lü Rui said confidently and frankly.

Han Sanping immediately replied, "China Film Group will take 30%."

As soon as the two finished speaking, 70% of the project's share was secured.

The Nortel representative raised his hand to indicate: "Nortel can contribute 200 million."

Lu Rui was familiar with the standard procedures for the school to invest in films and had no objections to them.

Seeing that Dong Ping, Yu Dong, and Wang Changtian were still weighing the pros and cons, he added: "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a commercial film, and the risk of breaking even is extremely high."

Furthermore, filming will require location shooting in multiple locations around the world, so you will need to invest not only money but also time and effort. Please consider this carefully before replying.

These words clearly analyze the advantages and disadvantages.

Yu Dong looked around at everyone and spoke first: "Bona invested 300 million. I have some resources overseas. If Director Lü needs anything, please feel free to ask."

He chose to play it safe.

Dong Ping followed suit: "I'll contribute 400 million. If there's any need in Southeast Asia, just let me know."

He was also steady, but he had more boldness than Yu Dong.

Upon seeing the two men express their opinions one after another, Wang Changtian, who was just starting out in film and television investment, immediately became nervous.

When Enlight Media invested in "Mystic River," they held a 5% stake, and received just over 600 million yuan in copyright and box office revenue sharing!

Now, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is taking a commercial approach, and its box office success or failure is crucial to the overall success. Only with a box office hit can it have the opportunity to expand into overseas copyright markets, and the risks are self-evident.

However, looking at Lü Rui's face, which was full of youthful vigor yet also revealed determination, and recalling his remarkable achievements last year, Wang Changtian suddenly felt a surge of eagerness to try.

After a moment's thought, he made a snap decision: "The remaining 600 million, Enlight Media will cover it all!"

He was prepared to take a gamble; at worst, he'd lose all the money he'd earned from "Mystic River" and consider it a year's work for nothing.

Let's take a gamble; maybe we can turn a bicycle into a motorcycle! "Okay."

Lu Rui gave Wang Changtian a deep look, and then began to sign contracts with everyone.

With the terms clearly stated in black and white and stamped with an official seal, every clause is clearly implemented.

After the contract was signed, everyone left one after another.

However, Han Sanping did not leave.

While organizing the documents, Lü Rui cast a curious glance at him: "Chairman Han? Is there anything else?"

Han Sanping sat steadily on the sofa, a complex expression in his eyes: "I'd like to hear your plans for the future. How do you intend to make full use of the existing resources? And how do you plan to generate profits?"

After organizing the materials, Lü Rui sat down in front of him and said with a hint of excitement, "I plan to start from three directions: product placement, actor marketing, and global distribution."

As he spoke, he pulled a plan from the folder and ran his fingertip over the key areas marked in red pen.

"First, let's talk about product placement. I have already reached preliminary cooperation agreements with several international brands, and they will be deeply involved in the storyline design."

For example, when the protagonist goes on a cross-border adventure, he uses a certain brand of outdoor equipment and photography gear from beginning to end. This not only integrates the product into the plot but also deepens the audience's impression of the product.

Then there's actor marketing. Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui's influence in Southeast Asia is undeniable. I plan to make a big deal out of their "historic reunion" and generate buzz.

Moreover, they both agreed to sing the film's insert songs, theme song, and end credits song, which will undoubtedly attract a large number of fans to the theater...

I want to ensure that the film generates buzz at every stage, from its start of filming to its release, and maintains a high level of public attention!

In terms of distribution, North America continues to negotiate a partnership with Warner Bros., while Europe focuses on art-house cinemas, promoting a dream-themed approach.

In Southeast Asia, they can leverage the fan base of the two Hong Kong stars to open up the market, and also have their films screened at the Venice Film Festival, thus gaining access to the international market.

By the end, Lü Rui's eyes were burning with determination!

As a reborn individual with memories of the future, he knows that commercial films are not simply a box office game, but rather a game where every aspect must be fully utilized to maximize value!

Han Sanping's eyes shone with a mixture of relief and amazement!
He slowly stood up, patted Lü Rui's shoulder heavily, and said with unprecedented seriousness: "I underestimated you. I didn't expect that you are not only good at art films, but also have a natural keen sense for commercial films!"

If this trend continues, you will undoubtedly have a place in the future of Chinese-language cinema, and even in the global film industry!

Lu Rui blushed slightly at the praise and quickly said modestly, "There are definitely still many oversights in the plan, and I will have to rely on your guidance."

After all, the operational models of commercial films in later generations cannot be completely adapted to the current market environment, and modifications and adjustments are inevitable.

Han Sanping nodded, his tone tinged with emotion: "Xiao Lü, do you know? These past few years have been tough for Chinese cinema."

Since joining the WTO in 01, Hollywood blockbusters have flooded in, with their special effects and grand scenes whetting the appetites of audiences.

In the past, films could gain popularity simply by appealing to nostalgia and having an artistic flair. That doesn't work anymore. Audiences want stories, but they also want something fresh and new.

As he spoke, he suddenly stared intently at Lü Rui: "Your idea for a commercial film has hit the nail on the head. The current market needs young people like you who dare to think and act."

Veteran directors have experience, but sometimes they can be held back by outdated ideas. The future of Chinese-language cinema still depends on you to forge ahead!

Lu Rui felt a surge of turmoil as he listened to these words.

He knew that Han Sanping was absolutely right.

In recent years, Hollywood blockbusters have been hitting theaters one after another, from "The Lord of the Rings" to "Spider-Man," with production costs often exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars, leaving audiences quite "discerning."

If Chinese films continue to stick to the old formula, they will indeed have little future.

"Don't worry, Chairman Han!" Lu Rui straightened his back, his eyes firm. "I know the market competition is fierce now, but Chinese-language films have their own roots."

I will definitely polish the script, tell a compelling story, and ensure high quality, so that audiences will be willing to pay their money to see our own movies in theaters!

"it is good."

Han Sanping smiled and patted his shoulder again, his eyes full of expectation.

The sunlight streaming in through the window cast a golden glow on their figures.

Even Han Sanping himself was unaware that in this somewhat cramped office, a conversation about the future of Chinese-language films had quietly sown the seeds of change.

(End of this chapter)