Chapter 218: Red Cliff is set to release and Zhang Yimou's new film
After the representatives of the theaters left, only the five major investors of "Red Cliff" and director Zhang Yimou were left.

After watching the finished film, everyone feels relieved now.

We are all senior practitioners in the film industry and have a basic judgment on whether a movie is good or not.

This "Red Cliff" is undoubtedly a very attractive commercial blockbuster.

Ever since poet Chen's "The Promise", except for Liu Zhou, everyone else couldn't help but feel a little worried about "Red Cliff", even though Zhang Yimou had "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers" as a foundation.

But now it seems that Zhang Yimou is much stronger than Chen Shishi, and there is no need to worry about him dragging the team down.

This time, having solved the biggest shortcoming of his script, Zhang Yimou has undoubtedly delivered an excellent answer.

"Mr. Han, the first part of Red Cliff will be released on July 21st. Is it in time?"

“Don’t worry about this. In fact, we have already started promoting it long before. We have one month left, which is just enough time to fully launch the promotion.

However, as the lead actor, you need to work harder, but if you are busy, you don’t have to follow the whole process.”

Liu Zhou pondered for a while and said:
“I may not have time in June, but I can coordinate with the film’s promotional schedule in July.”

"That's enough time." Han Shanping said with a smile.

After all, Liu Zhou’s identity is different now. Although he is the leading actor, it is impossible to ask him to always follow the rhythm of the crew to participate in the film promotion.

Now he can give twenty days to cooperate with the film promotion, which is much better than he imagined.

At this time, Liu Zhou's popularity is even greater than before, and is no longer limited to those who pay attention to the entertainment industry.

"Boss Han, have you arranged the overseas release?"

"We need to ask Mr. Jiang about this."

At this time Jiang Zhiqiang said:
"It will be released in Hong Kong and Taiwan simultaneously with the mainland, and then a week later, it will be released in theaters in Japan and South Korea, and half a month later, it will be released in Southeast Asia."

"Since President Jiang has made arrangements, I feel relieved."

"Mr. Liu, although the release in Asia has been arranged, we still need Golden Harvest's help in the promotion and marketing in various places."

"You go find Gao Jun for this. I'll say hello to him."

"With Mr. Liu's words, the overseas release of Red Cliff is a done deal."

Liu Zhou just smiled at Jiang Zhiqiang's compliment.

Although Jiang Zhiqiang's Emperor Entertainment Group also has distribution capabilities in Asia, its strength is far inferior to that of Golden Harvest.

What makes him great is the distribution in the United States and Europe.

After all, Emperor Entertainment Group started out by distributing Western films and has deep ties with Hollywood.

But in Asia, he has only been operating for less than ten years, while Golden Harvest has been operating there for more than thirty years.

When the investment in "Red Cliff" was confirmed, Liu Zhou had not yet acquired Golden Harvest, so he participated in the investment under the name of Zhou Shan Studio.

It was agreed at the time that China Film Corporation would be responsible for the distribution of the film in mainland China, while Emperor Entertainment Group would be responsible for the distribution in Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas.

Later, Liu Zhou acquired Golden Harvest and reintegrated Golden Harvest's overseas distribution channels.

Through the movie "New World", it is also proved that Golden Harvest's publicity and promotion capabilities in Asia have not declined due to the previous decline of Golden Harvest.

So when Golden Harvest inherited Zhou Shan Studio's share of investment in "Red Cliff", it also tried to communicate with Emperor Entertainment Group.

See if the distribution of "Red Cliff" in Asia can be handed over to Golden Harvest, while distribution outside of Asia will be handled by Edko Films.

But Jiang Zhiqiang obviously didn't want to give up this piece of cake, so he refused.

Liu Zhou had no choice but to accept the contract. After all, the contract had been signed a long time ago.

Liu Zhou didn't know whether he was joking when he said he wanted Jiahe's help. If he wasn't joking, then there would be no problem in providing paid help.

Afterwards, the few of them discussed the publicity plan, and after confirming that there was no problem, they prepared to leave.

However, as soon as Liu Zhou reached the door, he was stopped by Zhang Weiping.

"Boss Liu, can you find a place to sit?"

"Sure, Mr. Zhang, please lead the way."

Liu Zhou followed Zhang Weiping to a teahouse, and Zhang Yimou also came with them.

"Mr. Zhang, Director Zhang, you two asked me out alone. Is there some inside story about Red Cliff that I don't know?"

"How is it possible? Ever since Chen Guofu joined Golden Harvest, he has been more concerned about this project than anyone else. How could there be any inside information that could be hidden from him?"

"Those two are looking for me?"

"Yimou is preparing to make a new film, and I would like to ask Mr. Liu if you are interested in investing."

Liu Zhou was very surprised to hear Zhang Weiping's words, and couldn't help asking:

"Didn't Director Zhang just get appointed as the chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics? How come he still has time to start a new project?
And Red Cliff hasn't even been released yet, does Director Zhang have so much energy?"

Just last month, after several rounds of competition, Zhang Yimou was officially hired by the Olympic Committee as the chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games.

At that time, Liu Zhou felt that Zhang Yimou was like an iron man, extremely energetic.

While filming the big production "Red Cliff", he also had to fully prepare for the competition for chief director.

When the Olympic Committee was recruiting publicly, it also mentioned Liu Zhou's name.

But Liu Zhou knew he didn't have the ability, so he declined the offer on the grounds of being young and incompetent.

This is a big deal related to the image of the country. If he messes up, he will be the sinner of the whole nation. Liu Zhou dare not try it lightly. Moreover, Liu Zhou feels that the Olympic Committee probably didn't intend to choose him. They just sent him an invitation or pulled him in to make up the numbers because of his reputation.

Facts have proved that this was the case. After Liu Zhou refused, they symbolically tried to keep him, but nothing happened next.

However, Liu Zhou, who was filming at the time, still heard about the famous scene from the first round of competition.

Directors including Zhang Yimou and Li An each prepared a thick plan, but poet Chen, who was highly expected by his superiors, had nothing in his hands.

When it was his turn to speak, he recited with great emotion:

"I heard that Jibei was taken back from outside the sword. When I heard it, my clothes were soaked with tears. ..."

The song "Hearing the Government Troops Retaking Henan and Hebei" was full of deep emotion, which made the leaders of the Olympic Committee feel depressed.

At that time, not only the leader but even Zhang Yimou was stunned.

He really couldn't imagine that his old classmate, the poet Chen, who was known as his lifelong enemy, would do such a thing on such an important occasion.

So after returning to the crew, Zhang Yimou, who has always disliked talking about other people's gossip, couldn't help but complain in front of Liu Zhou.

Although Liu Zhou had known that this would happen, he still felt very happy to hear Zhang Yimou tell the story himself.

As expected, poet Chen was eliminated in the first round.

Liu Zhou even felt that poet Chen did this on purpose because he didn't want to be the chief director. Otherwise, how could a normal person do such a thing?

Of course, the circuits in poet Chen's literary brain may be different from those of other people.

After several rounds of competition, Zhang Yimou also won the contract as chief director as expected.

Liu Zhou originally thought that after completing the "Red Cliff" project, Zhang Yimou would concentrate on the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

But unexpectedly, Zhang Yimou was still unwilling to be lonely and prepared to make another movie.

It goes without saying that this movie is "Curse of the Golden Flower".

When Liu Zhou invited Zhang Yimou to shoot "Red Cliff" in advance, he thought that the bland art film "A One Man's Journey" and the equally criticized "Curse of the Golden Flower" would never be made again.

But now it seems that the inertia of history is still very strong, and the city is still full of big-breasted girls.

“Boss Liu, the opening ceremony of the Olympics is still two years away, so there is still enough time. Yimou also has a special team preparing for it. He only needs to take charge and there will be no delay.

As for the "Red Cliff" project, everything has been arranged now. We just need to prepare for the release and we don't have to worry too much about it.

So Yimou has enough time to make another movie."

After listening to Zhang Weiping's explanation, Liu Zhou was a little speechless.

Although it seems to make sense, you are using Lao Mouzi to his death!

That is Zhang Yimou, who is energetic and hardworking.

If Liu Zhou was ordered around like this, he would have definitely gone on strike long ago.

But this was a matter between the two of them, and Liu Zhou had no right to interfere.

"What's the name of the film?"

“It’s called Curse of the Golden Flower. The script is almost out. It’s also a costume drama.”

Sure enough, this is really this movie.

Although "Curse of the Golden Flower" has many points to complain about, as a commercial blockbuster, it is actually not bad.

Otherwise it wouldn’t have achieved such a high box office.

It is not certain that many people in the future will be able to make commercial blockbusters of this level.

But the director of this film is Zhang Yimou, so even slight flaws will be magnified.

So after the movie was released, it attracted a lot of ridicule.

If he were asked to act, Liu Zhou would definitely refuse without hesitation, but if he were asked to invest, he would definitely agree without hesitation.

"Curse of the Golden Flower" is also a movie that made a lot of money.

"Boss Zhang, haven't you been working with Boss Jiang and Columbia before? Why did you suddenly come to me this time?"

“Colombia is now gradually withdrawing from the mainland market, and their funds are no longer an advantage.

As for Mr. Jiang, we initially approached him for cooperation because of his overseas distribution channels.

But now Golden Harvest also has overseas distribution channels, which are even more complete than those of Enlight, and its publicity and promotion capabilities are also stronger.

The most important thing is that you are from the mainland, Mr. Liu, so of course I will seek cooperation with you first.”

"Since Mr. Zhang trusts Golden Harvest so much, there is no reason for me not to invest in this movie. What's more, everyone knows that Director Zhang's movies can make a lot of money, haha!"

"Okay, let's cooperate with New Picture and Golden Harvest this time."

Liu Zhou also understood the meaning of his words, which meant that the two companies were preparing for cooperation.

"No problem. Mr. Zhang can discuss the specific details of the cooperation with Zhang Zhao when the time comes. I will remind him about this matter."

"Then I wish us happy cooperation."

After saying this, Zhang Weiping raised a cup of tea. Seeing this, Liu Zhou also raised his cup and said with a smile:

"Happy cooperation!"

(End of this chapter)