Chapter 917 913 Divide the Gamble

Chapter 917 913. Divide the profits into a bet

"Huh..."

When the plane sounded the landing warning, Yang Mi closed the book tiredly and rubbed her eyes.

Then she got up and walked into the bedroom.

A few minutes later, Xu Xin, who was half asleep, was pulled up and sat opposite her.

"The Golden Bear Award was originally awarded by raising the right paw, but it was changed later."

"Because of the Nazi salute?"

Xu Xin reacted instantly.

Yang Mi nodded:

"It should be. So if you win the award, don't raise your right hand~"

"..."

Don't you think she is a psychopath?

Who dares to raise it?

Aren't you afraid of being hammered to death by the Jews?

Looking at her husband's ridiculous look, she said:

"Also, don't make such a big fuss about German sausages and beer this time. If a reporter really asks you, just praise them for being delicious. If anyone asks you "Which is better, Italian or German sausages", don't answer. Don't care about your reputation as a friend of Italy, your image has been raised. But if you still praise Germany and come up with something like a third homeland... then you will be a traitor in Italy. Don't make trouble! Do you hear me!"

"...First."

Because the plane's descent caused discomfort in his ears, Xu Xin rubbed his ears and said:

"Italy will always be an inseparable part of our country's territory."

"Go to hell~"

She spat before her husband could say the second word.

Xu Xin laughed and raised his second finger:

"Second, although Lao Lang said German food is delicious. But... you have to admit that Italian food is really to my taste. At least they can make noodles. What does Germany have? I just think of a sausage. So even if this is said to be true, Italian food is delicious."

Yang Mi did not refute this, but asked:

"Then the third..."

"Third, don't you plan to go with me? If there are reporters, can't you just push forward?"

"Thank you, dear brother. I treat you as my husband, you really treat me as a temporary worker, right?"

"Hehehe~"

Xu Xin smiled a little slyly.

But he really felt at ease this time.

It was really the first time for him to attend a film festival with his wife.

"It feels like we're going on a honeymoon alone..."

"Don't think about it, there's still a burden."

Yang Mi rolled her eyes:

"Hao Da'er is the guest performer at the closing ceremony. He'll arrive the day after tomorrow. He has a Berlin Card and said he'd take us for a walk."

Xu Xin knew she was talking about Lao Lang.

In fact, Lang Lang didn't intend to agree. To be honest, every year there are countless notices inviting him to be a guest performer at ceremonies like this.

But usually his team has two criteria for selecting notices.

One is whether it can improve his status.

For example, for the same performance, an ordinary award ceremony gives $500,000, while the other is an invitation to the Wagner Festival, with a pitiful remuneration of only $50,000.

Lao Lang would definitely choose the latter.

As an immortal German composer, being able to participate in a music festival held in memory of Richard Wagner is first of all a highly recognized thing in the art world.

And if it were the same two ordinary award ceremonies, one for $500,000 and the other for $800,000, he would definitely choose the one with more money.

Commercial performances and improving one's status are two different concepts.

Although the Berlin Film Festival is famous, whether in terms of the quality of celebrities or influence, it may be a bit exaggerated to say that it is "not up to standard", but it is indeed not enough for Lao Lang to come here every year.

But once this matter involves friends, it is another story.

He is very happy to show his friends what kind of influence he has in Europe.

There is no way, who makes everyone always distrust him.

On the day of the Little New Year, looking at everyone in pairs, Lao Lang, who was drunk, was still complaining about Wang Sicong, "You should get married right here", and then with this topic as the introduction, "wedding" became the topic of the dinner table.

Not to mention, everyone's fantasy of the wedding is quite different.

Let's not talk about Xu Xin and Yang Mi.

Liu Zhishi said that she must find a place facing the sea and blooming flowers in spring when she gets married.

She even talked about how to choose a wedding dress.

Liu Yifei said that she would invite a very small number of people to her wedding. She wanted to hold a wedding of the smallest scale, so as not to make it so exaggerated. She doesn't like too many people.

Xu Xin said that Lao Wang was getting married, and the toilet in the wedding room had to be made of gold.

Successfully ushered in everyone's contempt.

And finally the topic was about Lao Lang.

He said something harsh to everyone:

"I have already made an agreement with the French side, and my wedding will be held in the Palace of Versailles."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Everyone was stunned.

Including Xu Xin.

But... others were stunned by the sentence similar to what Wang Sicong asked subconsciously:

"Can they agree?"

And Xu Xin whispered to his wife:

"What is the Palace of Versailles? It sounds familiar."

Then, his words made Yang Mi and Liu Zhishi, who was eavesdropping, speechless.

Liu Zhishi looked at the problem student with thick eyebrows and big eyes in front of her, and suddenly felt that she should think about how to usurp the throne.

And Yang Mi, who knew Xu Xin best, said calmly:

"It is one of the five largest palaces in the world... Let's put it this way, holding a wedding there is the same as getting married in the Forbidden City."

Now, Xu Xin was really interested.

He said under the influence of alcohol:

"Hey, how about I divorce Yang Mi and then go there to get married again?... How about it? Is that place expensive?"

Now it was everyone's turn, including Lang Lang, to be speechless.

Finally, it was Mr. Wang who was kind and could not stand stupid people, so he said:

"Brother, really, if you encounter anything you don't understand in the future, keep it in your heart and ask Da Mi behind closed doors when you get home... Sometimes I really think we are friends, and I am quite embarrassed. Think about it with your dog brain, can you make the Meridian Gate open wide and let Da Mi enter in a phoenix crown and bridal robe just by spending money?"

This really hit Xu Xin's knowledge point.

At that time, he went to visit the Forbidden City with Jasmine and others, and he heard people explain it.

When the emperor got married, the queen could walk through the Meridian Gate once...

But he also understood the difficulty of this matter from the side.

Just having money doesn't seem to be enough.

"I remember reading the news that Kanye West and Kardashian are getting married, and it's said to be at the Palace of Versailles."

After ignoring the uneducated Xu Xin, Liu Zhishi came up with some gossip.

But Lang Lang immediately sneered:

"Don't be funny. They are not qualified at all. Apart from other things, the Palace of Versailles only accepts five filming applications every year, and each one lasts for a day at most. The wedding is not open to the public. Not to mention the disapproval of the application qualifications, just talking about the time, by the time you pass, others may have been divorced."

"Then why can you go?"

"..."

Looking at Xu Xin with a curious face, Lang Lang was speechless:

"Brother, do you know what my status is in Europe? Apart from other things, for example, if I married a girl who was born in Germany and works in France, do you believe that Germany and France will fight a blitzkrieg to compete for whose son-in-law I am!... No, do you really treat bean buns as dry food? Am I too low-key in your place or what? You really don't treat me as an artist?"

Xu Xin thought to himself, you are such a big artist, can you come to my house next time, don't bring a bag of pickled cabbage, and let me stew pickled cabbage and bones as soon as you come? Can't you bring something that matches your status?

But maybe Xu Xin's expression hurt his self-esteem.

It just so happened that the Golden Bear invited Lao Lang.

Lang Lang agreed without hesitation and even invited a few other people, wanting them to see how powerful he was in Europe.

As a result... Lunzi had to accompany Kunling and her grandmother.

Wang Sicong had to accompany Qi Ge.

Except for Liu Zhishi, no one else gave face.

Even Xia Jie herself had to be late for a few days because she had to spend the New Year with her family. She would not leave until the fourth day of the New Year.

But no matter what, this time Zhonglang Jiang was going to take Lao Xu to dream of a westward expedition.

Germany blitzed the waves, and he wanted special forces soldier Lao Xu.

What he was playing was a reality.

…

At 9:30 p.m. on February 10, German time.

The plane finally landed at Berlin Airport.

And Berlin also welcomed him with snowflakes falling from the sky.

"It's snowing."

Hearing his wife's words, Xu Xin turned his head to look at her and helped her tie the belt of the black woolen coat that valued style over temperature.

"There are no reporters now, so why would you go on a show? Don't catch a cold~"

"Hehe~"

The young woman, who is becoming more and more like a queen, smiled playfully, holding hands with her husband with her left hand, and raised her right hand to try to hold a snowflake.

Unfortunately, although the snowflake is big, it can't fall.

But she still murmured:

"Auspicious snow means a good harvest~ It's a good sign!"

Xu Xin glanced at her.

Okay.

Let me borrow my sister's good words.

...

This snow is really good. Xu Xin only needed to enter the customs, and when he arrived at the parking lot, the snowflakes were almost like goose feathers.

"Director Xu~"

"Hey, Brother Zhong."

The leader of the Xiying Studio this time is still Zhong Changyou.

He is indeed experienced in external reception.

But this time, it was not the film festival that came to pick him up.

There were three Volvos parked behind Zhong Changyou.

It must be said... Volvo could infiltrate under the nose of the public, and it must have been an excellent spy in World War II.

"Hello, Xu, I'm Watson Heisenberg, the head of the primary market of Volvo Germany. Welcome to Berlin."

"Hello, Mr. Heisenberg."

Under Yang Mi's expression of trying hard to hold back her complaints, Xu Xin shook hands with the other party.

The people behind carried the luggage, and together with Zhong Changyou, the four of them got on the first Volvo.

In fact, as the places he went to increased, Xu Xin found that all the Volvo managers had similar words when they received him.

Introducing the city, food, history, and attractions.

Finally, there was a driver arrangement.

However, Watson was obviously more curious. Seeing that only two people came, he couldn't help asking:

"Xu, are you two here? Do you need me to assign a few assistants to you?"

"No."

Xu Xin smiled and waved his hand:

"We Chinese people are celebrating our New Year. Everyone will come in two days."

Sun Ting spent the Spring Festival with Yang Mi in Canada last year. Originally, the two families said that they would talk about marriage during the Spring Festival. This has been delayed for a year, and they dare not delay it any longer.

So even if she wanted to come, Yang Mi didn't let her come.

She should finish her third year of junior high school and come back.

As for Su Meng...

This kid is good at everything, but he doesn't know how to speak English.

After several years of still stammering, Xu Xinxin said that she was coming and she was not sure who would take care of whom.

Celebrate the New Year at home, don’t come this time.

Anyway, he came here with his wife this time, so he didn't have to worry about no one to take care of him.

Watson is a very talkative person, and when Xu Xin's topic aroused him, he began to introduce that Berlin is also holding the Lunar New Year these days... but they don't treat it as a big holiday, just like the Chinese people celebrate Christmas.

Just to keep it fresh.

After chatting like this forcibly all the way, Zhong Changyou wanted to speak, but in the end he didn't speak.

When they arrived at the hotel door of the film festival, Watson arranged for the two of them to be drivers on duty for the past few days. Everyone left each other's contact information. After shaking hands and saying goodbye, Zhong Changyou said:

"This guy is really good at talking."

Xu Xin nodded, watched the doorman move their luggage to the trolley one by one, and asked:

“Do you tip in Germany?”

"Here. Usually ten or twenty dollars will do."

As they talked, the three of them walked into the hotel.

The room card is already with Zhong Changyou.

"Director Xu, would you like to eat something? The food in the hotel is not bad."

Xu Xin knew that he was not looking for her because he was afraid of being hungry, so he glanced at his wife.

Yang Mi, who had not slept much, just to adjust to the jet lag, said directly:

"I can't do it anymore. I'm so sleepy right now that I have a headache. You guys talk, I have to go to bed."

"Okay. Then you go up with the doorman?"

"Okay. Come back later and be gentle. Brother Zhong, give me the room card."

Zhong Changyou handed over the room card and then said:

"Mimi, Director Wang has not shown up since the premiere of "The Grandmaster". I will send you the interviews you need to participate in these days. One interview per day, which is quite easy."

Wang Jiawei is the chairman of the jury for the main competition unit of this Berlin Film Festival.

According to Siddhant Koslik, chairman of the Berlin Film Festival, he is one of the best contemporary directors, and each of his works is full of distinctive characteristics and poetry.

For the strict and rigid Germans to say this can actually reveal Wang Jiawei's status in the hearts of Europeans from the side.

Therefore, he deserves to be the chairman of the jury.

But in order to avoid suspicion, everyone has to keep some distance.

"Okay, you two chat, I'm going to bed."

After taking the room card, Yang Mi waved goodbye and entered the elevator with the doorman. And Xu Xin asked:

"Where are we going?"

"The bar on the second floor."

Zhong Changyou said while leading him to the curved stairs next to him:

"Director Xu, I have been discussing "Perfect Strangers" with at least more than 20 film producers these days."

The two of them communicated on WeChat every day about "Scorching Sun", including audience reactions, film critics' translations, etc., so there was basically nothing to talk about.

But "Perfect" is different. "Perfect" is something that the European market can definitely digest.

Xu Xin nodded:

"Well, how is the situation now?"

"Our condition is to introduce it and refuse to sell it directly. So now we are just asking them to quote, but no one has agreed. This time it is not just countries like Britain, France and Germany, including Romania, Austria, Norway, and even Icelandic film producers. . Prices in the mainstream film market can be negotiated, but in other countries, we are not particularly well prepared for the scale. It will take some time to find out the strength of these companies... But now there is a film dealer and I have to ask what you mean. "

"Who?"

"Paramount."

"..."

Xu Xin was stunned.

Zhong Changyou thought he was surprised by the company "Paramount" and said directly:

"They wanted to bring the movie to Hollywood."

Xu Xin nodded slightly:

"Well, what next? The price is low?"

"No, they want to sign and bet."

"...What are you betting on? Box office? Is there something wrong with it? It's not the premiere of a local film... Paramount is so abnormal? It wants to sign a movie and bet on it?"

Although he and Georgia Kekendis were neighbors and had attended the Paramount dinner.

Logically speaking, there is a love of incense.

But the problem is that this kind of thing is too ridiculous.

You come to me to beg me, and you still want to sign a bet with me?

Are you really used to using overlord clauses?

But Zhong Changyou quickly shook his head:

"No, no, no, it's not, Director Xu. It's not the box office...it's not right either. His matter is more complicated...two beers."

While they were talking, the two of them had already walked into the bar and found a table to sit down at.

There were very few people in the bar at this time, only two or three tables of guests.

After Zhong Changyou ordered two glasses of beer, he said:

"Director Xu, smoking is allowed in this bar."

Xu Xin nodded and took out the cigarette case directly from his pocket.

This journey was really a bit stressful.

While letting Zhong Changyou smoke, he asked:

"what happened?"

"People from Paramount want to introduce this movie...hiss~"

After lighting the cigarette, Zhong Changyou also had a... weird look on his face.

It's like starting to talk about something...that I haven't encountered before, or haven't thought about.

"Originally, our distribution is actually a share of the box office. We definitely hope to find powerful companies in various countries. They found me tonight, and we talked here."

Pointing to the bar, he continued:

"When the factory makes an estimate, it follows international practice and gives 35% to the producer, 17% to the distributor, and 48% to the exhibitor. If the distributor is strong enough, it can give up to 20% "

"Well, what then?"

35/17/48 is the general rule for international movie box office sharing. Although the movies are slightly different in different countries, the overall ratio is the same.

But there are exceptions. For example, those particularly strong movies, such as the "Marvel" superhero series that have exploded in the past two years, may adopt another tiered charging method. That is to say, the producer takes 80% of the total box office in the first week, 60% in the second week, and 40% in the third week, and so on.

Depending on the influence of the movie, it can be formulated very flexibly.

"They don't have any objections to this share, but they hope to add a gambling agreement. That is, this film can compete for next year's Oscar. If it is shortlisted, the share ratio will be changed according to the award level. For the second category awards, as long as one is nominated, their share will be The proportion increases by 5%. If it is nominated for the best foreign language film, it is directly 5%.

"Just wait a moment..."

Xu Xin interrupted him.

"In other words, the 35% share, if the second category awards are those for art direction, costume design, sound effects, editing, etc., if they are shortlisted, we will get 30% and they will get 22%."

"right."

"If the most important imported film, "Best Foreign Language Film," is shortlisted, will it also be deducted 5%?...Are these two cumulative?"

"yes."

"In other words, if "Perfect" wins Best Editing and is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, it will directly become 25 and 27? We are 25, they are 27? Before tax?"

"Yes, you will take care of your own taxes. And you only need to be shortlisted for the second category of awards."

"What if I win the best foreign language film? I will be deducted 15%? Ours is 10%, they are 42%?"

"No, no, no, being nominated and winning the award only count as one. For the second category awards, there is no difference between being nominated and winning the award, both are 5%. And the most important "Best Foreign Language Film", if it wins the award, it will be 5+15. They take 20 and leave us 15, which makes them 37.”

"..."

Xu Xin was speechless for a moment.

The first feeling is ridiculous.

So this gambling agreement has been played out by these Americans.

We invest and shoot the movie ourselves, and we get 15% in the end?

That’s before tax!

If there is a tax... how much is the tax in the United States?

Can you leave 10%?

Isn't this nonsense?

But after taking two puffs of cigarettes and drinking his first serious glass of German beer, he gradually calmed down amid the bitterness rising in his mouth.

In fact, after thinking calmly, he understood what Paramount meant.

First of all, there is no need to mention the strength of Paramount. Putting aside this aspect, let’s just talk about the Oscars...Does the Oscars need to be operated?

The answer is yes.

Didn't even the old man's "The King" find two companies to run the "Best Foreign Language Film" award for itself after it arrived in the United States?

Although no one is guaranteed to win the prize. But when I was in the United States, I chatted with the old man and listened to what he said. If you run a business, you may not win the Oscar. But if you don’t operate it, you definitely won’t get it.

This is already an unwritten rule.

Paramount, as the oldest film company in the United States, said that they would not run the Oscars. No one would believe this.

So...here comes the problem.

Do they impose such ridiculous conditions on every film they make?

Or...for "Perfect"?

Xu Xin couldn't understand this.

But now he thought about it and found that in the end he only had one idea left in his mind.

Looking up, he looked at Zhong Changyou and smiled bitterly:

“Is this the power of Hollywood?”

Not that he felt like he didn't have a choice.

In fact, Oscar's position in his heart has always been ranked below the top three in Europe.

As for the reason... it's like if a Chinese person wants his child to get into a good university, his first reaction is Tsinghua University and Peking University, not Harvard and Cambridge.

It is true that Harvard and Cambridge are ranked higher than Tsinghua and Peking University, but... I don’t know why. Although it cannot replace everyone, for Xu Xin, when he talks about "good universities", his first reaction is Qingbei University. A school.

In his concept, the top three universities in Europe are Tsinghua University and Peking University.

The influence of Oscar in the public group... It's hard to say in other countries. In China, it is actually much greater than in Europe.

The most realistic example is that although Xu Xin has already won the Silver Lion... he is still called Xu Dog.

The bees didn't even want to call him Xu Dao.

But if he wins the Oscar for Best Director...

Come on, feed these little black fans some cakes!

The scumbag leader poured dog food into my stomach! Don't let anyone go!

That's the truth.

Things at Tsinghua University and Peking University may not be as good as Harvard.

But it is true that it is not as famous as Harvard in the world.

And the reason why he smiled bitterly was only based on one thing.

It was the well-deserved "arrogance" with which Paramount made this condition.

You hand your film over to us for distribution, and we have a chance to have you appear at the Oscars.

It might even win you a prize.

Let you be at the center of world cinema, the highest award in Hollywood - the Academy Awards...

Win a prize!

Arrogant?

Very arrogant.

But……

This is Hollywood.

The promised land for most filmmakers - Hollywood.

With a half wry smile and a half dissatisfaction that "I will surpass you one day", Xu Xin asked Zhong Changyou:

"Brother Zhong, have you told the factory about this?"

"I told you."

Zhong Changyou responded and said:

"Tell me to Mr. Qi. Mr. Qi wants me to communicate with you first. Then..."

"Should we communicate again?"

"Um."

Zhong Changyou nodded:

"Yes."

"..."

It wasn't direct communication. Brother Qi didn't even call him personally about this matter.

In the silence, Xu Xin had an idea in his mind.

Maybe this time... I and Brother Qi will have conflicting opinions.

(I got home at noon and slept until 4 pm... Just one chapter today, and it will be updated as usual tomorrow. All physical indicators are declining with the weight loss, and they are much better than before. Don't worry, everyone.)

I recommend a book, a new book by the author of the Outer Station Dimension Guild, Squidward, take a look!