Chapter 354 "Horse Stabbing"

Chen Kexin is really brave!

He actually chose "If Love" as his first movie in the north.

Musical film!

Let's not talk about anything else. How can a musical... be a hit in the mainland?

Generally speaking, in China, musical films are still regarded as a niche existence like imported products. Many films that are popular in European and American countries have received a mediocre response in the domestic market, far less than other strong genre films such as Hollywood science fiction films. It is so popular that it is considered "acclimated" by many people.

The reason may be that the unrestrained and flamboyant spiritual core of musicals has strong characteristics of American culture, while domestic audiences with more reserved and reserved temperaments may always prefer the emotion of "still water runs deep".

So why does Xingmei dare to invest?

have no idea…

Maybe it’s out of ‘trust’ in Chen Kexin?

However, judging from Shen Xudong's experience over the years, it is possible that the so-called investors do not understand the industry...

But if you want to say that a film cost hundreds of millions of dollars in investment, and a pair of cloth shoes and a straw hat cost several thousand dollars, wouldn’t the funders know that there is a pitfall in this?

Shen Xudong didn't believe it!

Not all investors are laypeople - Mr. Liu, who invested in "Butterfly on the Shoulder", jumped off the building and lost 60 million!

Will Xingmei's Qin Hong and Qin Hui be laymen?

No fool can believe it!

The only possibility is that the money does not belong to Xingmei...

Whose is that?

who knows…

…

Qin Hong wears glasses, a black shirt and a suit, very businesslike.

Shen Xudong... is wearing a medium-sized windbreaker with a floral shirt. He has been adopting a yuppie style recently!

We met, shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and then sat down.

Qin Hong introduced Chen Kexin, and Shen Xudong quickly shook hands: "Director Chen! Long time no see!"

"It's been almost a year..."

"nor."

Qin Hong was curious: "Have you two met before?"

Chen Kexin: "Last year I went to Venice to sell films, and he happened to be shortlisted for the main competition with "Outstanding Citizen"... We met briefly..."

Shen Xudong also nodded: "Last year in Venice, Director Chen directed "Three Updates 2"... I remember that the response at the scene was quite intense!"

"The copyright purchase is not bad..." Chen Kexin looked at Shen Xudong: "Did you forget something... I watched "Screening Room" and there was still no introduction about me!"

"Yes... there is a detailed introduction to the UFO company... I wrote the copy myself, but it may not have been broadcast yet..."

UFO Pictures, founded in 1991, is funded by Eric Tsang and actress Chung Chen, with Chen Kexin participating in the form of director fees. It focuses on the Hong Kong local market and has launched classic works such as "A Tale of Two Cities", "Sweet Honey", "Rogue Doctor" and "Golden Leaves". Most of the films produced are literary films.

Chen Kexin is also a very typical Hong Kong filmmaker. He will go wherever there is abundant water and grass...

But the pasture is never maintained.

The main reason why Hong Kong filmmakers went north was stimulated by Ah Mou in 2002. "Hero" sold 250 million in the mainland and 177 million US dollars globally!

So Chen Kexin cooperated with American producer Andrew Morgan, who suggested that he make a musical film, so Chen Kexin found a love story, which is "If Love"...

…

In fact, Xingmei in the implementation stage does not know much about publicity and marketing...

So, when we talk about the release date of "If Love" is December 12th...

Shen Xudong asked curiously: "Don't you know that "The Promise" will be released on December 15th?"

Chen Kexin responded: "There are four movies in the Lunar New Year this year, "If Love", "The Promise", "Ride Alone for Thousands of Miles" and "The Great Sage"... I think each one should rely on his or her ability!"

"You are overthinking... If everyone really depends on their own abilities, why is "A World Without Thieves" released on December 30? Just to avoid "The Promise"!"

Qin Hong quickly asked: "The quality of "The Promise" is very good?"

"I don't know, but I know that "The Promise" is China Film's annual project... The so-called promotion of a movie means advertising and attracting media coverage... The schedule of a movie is very important. You can't compete with blockbusters, such as "The Promise"..."

"why not?"

"Because "The Promise" can mobilize most of the media coverage in the country, why do you have it? Is your movie more popular than "A World Without Thieves"? Do you believe that you are going to watch "The Promise" together, and no theater is willing to queue you up? Film!"

"...It's not that bad..."

"No? Then you just wait and see!"

This is what Shen Xudong said...

"If Love" is a good movie, but the core of the story is actually the same as "La La Land"...

The difference is that "La La Land" is a dream story, while "If Love" is a realistic story.

Mia pursues dreams, and Sunna pursues success.

Mia and Sebastian came together because of their dreams and separated because of their dreams.

Sun Na and Lin Jiandong came together because they supported each other and wanted to succeed, but they separated because of their pursuit of success...

…

"So we still want to make a blockbuster movie?"

"...Well, either make a work with an investment of less than 8 million, or make a blockbuster with a cost of 100 million. There is no medium-sized one for you to choose!"

"But a blockbuster with a box office revenue of more than 100 million yuan requires a production fee of more than 100 million yuan, and the temporary box office in the Chinese market is not enough to support the cost of the movie!"

"So, we need overseas markets..."

Shen Xudong spread his hands: "The current market is like this. If you want to make a movie worth hundreds of millions, many people will line up to invest, but no one will invest in a movie worth tens of millions."

"Really?"

"it is true!"

Gao Fenfen nodded: "Including theaters, everyone believes in a theory: Only blockbusters with big scenes can draw audiences into the theater... The "Glory of the Tang Dynasty" we participated in confirmed the starring role of Jackie Chan, and the production cost was 150 million yuan, and then a bunch of people took the money Come here and invest!"

Chen Kexin was distressed: "But I don't know how to make blockbusters!"

Shen Xudong waved his hand: "What's the matter? Is it possible that a young master of poetry can do it? The most important thing for a director is execution ability! Do you lack this aspect?"

Chen Kexin heard what he said and immediately asked: "...Do you have a script in your hand?"

"There is a story that adapts "Horse"..."

""The Horse"? Zhang Che's "The Horse"?"

Of course Chen Kexin knows "Horse". As a martial arts master, Chang Cheh has most of his works that most Hong Kong filmmakers know very well!

However... "The Horse" is a very small movie, and it shows more emphasis on the grudges and resentments between individuals...

"Horse Stabbing" is adapted from the Stabbing Case. It is a very simple story. In 1870, Ma Xinyi, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, was killed by an assassin under the protection of heavy troops. The assassin showed no resistance and surrendered his weapons on the spot.

Later investigations revealed that there were various doubts behind this case. However, due to the chaotic situation and the involvement of high-ranking officials behind it, in the end it had to be left alone...

"Horse" narrated by Shen Xudong reflects on the so-called deep brotherhood, family and country justice and other common sense from a more naked and sharp perspective.

"...At the inauguration ceremony, at the most glorious moment when his power was at its peak, Pang Qingyun died at the hands of an assassin. The assassin was his third brother, Jiang Wuyang!"

After a pause, Shen Xudong added: "I plan to call it "The Certificate of Voting"!"