Chapter 23 Investment
On the way back, Liu Ye, who was usually talkative, suddenly became silent.

Liu Zhou also noticed his abnormality at this time and asked:
"what happened to you?"

Liu Ye did not answer directly, but said:
"Lao Liu, were you planning to invest in a movie?"

"I have this idea, but I don't know whether they will accept it."

In his previous life, Jia Zhangke's "Xiao Wu" was filmed smoothly. I think they should have been able to get investment in the end.

The reason why Liu Zhou took the liberty of stepping forward and telling them that he could invest money was not only because he wanted to establish a connection with Jia Zhangke, but also because this movie could make money.

The reason why Jia Zhangke was able to stand up so quickly in later generations was because of this play "Xiao Wu".

This film not only brought him a certain degree of fame internationally, but also won him the favor of France and a large number of capitals.

Later, he got to know Takeshi Kitano, and Jia Zhangke never lacked money for making movies after that.

Therefore, the movie "Xiao Wu" must have made money in the end, and it should have made a lot of money.

Jia Zhangke is in a difficult time now. If we lend a helping hand now, we can not only gain the friendship of Jia Zhangke and others, but also make money. Why not do it?

Moreover, Liu Zhou remembered that the investment in the movie "Xiao Wu" was not very large, it seemed to be only about 200,000.

Liu Zhou may not be able to come up with 200,000 yuan at the moment, but he cannot invest the entire amount. If he only invests a part of it, he can still get the money together.

Of course, the prerequisite is that Jia Zhangke and the others can allow himself to participate. Even if they don't bring Liu Zhou to play, it's no big deal and Liu Zhou won't suffer any loss.

"Lao Liu, I feel like you've become a bit of a stranger to me after the New Year. You've become a writer and a movie investor. It feels like you and I are not on the same level."

Hearing Liu Ye's words, Liu Zhou couldn't help but laugh:
"Don't think too much, and don't think too highly of the status of writers. In ten years, maybe everyone can become a writer. And you know I'm from the Department of Drama, so isn't it normal for me to be able to write something?"

"That seems to be true. If you can write such excellent sketches, publishing novels should be no problem. But I still feel that it's a little unreal that you want to invest in movies."

"What's untrue? I don't even know if they want my investment."

Liu Zhou could also understand Liu Ye's thoughts. The current film market in the mainland is indeed not good, and film investors are even scarcer.

From the 16s to the s, in the film market, only state-owned film studios were qualified to participate in the production, distribution and theater chains of the film industry, and the entire market belonged to the film studios.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, there was very little piracy and the domestic film market was very good.

But at that time, because the country had just started reform and opening up, money was needed everywhere, so very little funds were allocated to the film studios.

Obviously, a living person cannot be suffocated to death by urine.

The country has no money, but private capital has money!

At the beginning, it was Hong Kong capital, and later capital from the mainland also participated. They used the method of "buying certificates" to participate in film investment, so there are quite a few movies that are nominally produced by film studios, but in fact have little to do with them, they are just borrowing a skin.

Since the 1980s, the private economy has quietly entered the film industry for more than a decade.

It was not until 2003 that the tightly controlled film industry was gradually liberalized following a series of state policies, and private film companies finally gained the same status as state-owned studios.

But now in 1997, not only is the market sluggish, but the number of films produced is also very small.

Apart from those directors who are in the studio's plan and are well-known, it is difficult for others to obtain investment to make movies.

This is also why Jia Zhangke just lamented that it is difficult to make movies nowadays.

Liu Zhou knew that it was not only difficult now, but would also be difficult in the next ten years.

If it weren't for the sixth generation of directors led by Jia Zhangke who blazed a trail to win awards abroad, it would have been difficult for them to have the opportunity to make movies.

But winning an award is not an easy thing. Look at how many people of the sixth generation can win international awards?
The total number of awards they have won is less than that of Zhang Yimou alone. And it is undeniable that movies are more likely to win awards because they reflect things that Westerners want to see.

The fifth generation directors have their own personal experiences, but some sixth generation directors mock the fifth generation for not being artistic enough, yet they cannot capture the depth of the fifth generation directors, yet they try to cater to Western tastes.

This is also the reason why Liu Zhou starts making money now. If he doesn’t make some money, his dream of becoming a director will probably be difficult to realize in the future.

Liu Zhou now has self-awareness and realizes that it will be difficult for him to shoot anything artistic in the next ten years, and he can only shoot something commercial.

But who would choose an unknown little person to make a commercial film?

So you still have to rely on yourself.

Liu Zhou also knew why Liu Ye was a little bit unbelievable about him investing in movies. He was from the Changchun Film Studio compound, and in his impression, movies were all invested by studios or big bosses.

But now I suddenly find that the boss is by my side?

Seeing that Liu Ye was still thinking about these things, Liu Zhou couldn't help but say:

"Okay, don't think about it. Investing in movies is no big deal. You can invest in them when you have money in the future."

"I don't dare to think that far ahead. My current dream is to someday be able to act in a movie."

"Don't worry, I calculated that you will be able to act in a movie next year, and you will be the lead actor."

"Believe it or not."

"believe or not."

"If I can really star in a movie next year, I will wash your socks for a month."

“I hope you will remember what you said today next year.”

Skipping the topic of movies, Liu Ye also started to become talkative.

"Liu Zhou, have you heard? It seems that an inter-school basketball game will be organized this semester."

"what's the situation?"

"It seems that in order to celebrate the Chinese men's basketball team's best result of eighth place in the Atlanta Olympics last year, they are planning to hold a basketball tournament for the top eight art schools this semester."

"Is it such a big deal? Let art schools from other cities come to Beijing to compete?"

There is no such thing as a national college basketball league these days. CUBA is still in the planning stage and will not be implemented until next year.

"What are you thinking about? It's not the eight major art schools in the country, it's the eight major art schools in Beijing."

"That's much more convenient."

The so-called eight major art schools in Beijing are the National Academy of Drama, the Central Conservatory of Music, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the Communication University of China, the Beijing Film Academy, the Central Academy of Music, the Beijing Fashion Institute, and the Beijing Dance Academy. They are all excellent universities, and any one of them is the best in the industry.

"Will you join this competition? When the time comes, we can join forces and definitely win the championship."

"I'm not sure yet."

"No, this is a great opportunity to show off. It would be boring if I just enjoy the cheers by myself."

"I don't think you're worried that you can't win by leading the team alone?"

"Don't be ungrateful. I advise you not to be ungrateful and come with me to sign up."

(End of this chapter)