Chapter 372: The Stimulated Zhang Yimou

Liu Zhou had expected Han Shanping to agree to cut the screening schedule of "Jinling Jinling".

The responsibility of China Film Group is not just to merge several film companies to facilitate production and distribution.

Production is only a means for China Film to maintain operations. Their most important responsibility is to maintain the stability and development of the domestic film market and to ensure that the film propaganda position is not occupied by the enemy.

Originally, the last point was mainly for overseas films, because the import rights of overseas films are only in the hands of China Film.

The Shanghai Film Group made a fuss at the beginning of the new century and also wanted to have the import rights for overseas films, but was ultimately rejected by the higher-ups.

As for ensuring that domestic films conform to domestic values, this work is done by the review committee above.

But sometimes it is really helpless. You can defend the outside but not the inside.

Since the review committee has approved "Jinling Jinling", China Film Group cannot stop it. Since it cannot stop the film from being released, it can only use its own methods to reduce the impact of the film.

Reducing the number of films is undoubtedly the most direct and effective way.

Han Shanping is also a person who cannot tolerate any sand in his eyes. Although cutting the film schedule will offend Xingmei, it's an offense that is accepted.

Originally, China Film Star Cinema Chain, China Group intended to completely transform it into China Film Theater Chain.

Han Shanping also knew that Liu Zhou was deliberately targeting "Jinling Jinling", but this time he was willing to cooperate with Liu Zhou.

"Boss Han, China Film Star Cinema Line also owns shares of Star Media Group. Will they object to you reducing the number of films?"

"It's useless to object. We are the controlling shareholder of China Film. It will be the first three days at most. After three days, I will gradually reduce the amount of filming for "Jinling Jinling"."

"Boss Han is so courageous!"

"Don't be ridiculous. I actually had the same idea myself. It's just that after hearing what you said, I made up my mind completely."

"Then Mr. Han, you came here today, didn't you, just to let me strengthen your resolve?"

"Of course not. I came to see you this time for other things."

Seeing Liu Zhou's inquiring eyes, Han Shanping continued:

"Do you intend to make a movie about the Nanjing Massacre?"

Hearing Han Shanping's words, Liu Zhou said in surprise:
"Boss Han, I'm so young, I don't even have the confidence to shoot well, how can you be so confident in me? Shouldn't you go to Director Zhang or Poet Chen?"

"Who still regards you as a young person now? You have been successful so many times. After watching "Jinling Jinling", the first thought in my mind was that I should let you make a movie.

There are indeed too few films of this kind in our country, and we need to see a few good ones.”

Although Liu Zhou felt itchy in his heart, he also knew his own limitations. He shook his head and said:

"Boss Han, maybe in a few years. I don't even have the confidence that I can do a good job of it right now."

"Well, I hope you can make a masterpiece like Schindler's List that is world-renowned by then."

Han Shanping also knew that this could not be forced, and Liu Zhou's refusal was also within his expectations.

To be honest, if Liu Zhou really agreed to it, Han Shanping might feel a little uneasy.

However, Han Shanping did not lack confidence in Liu Zhou. On the contrary, he had the greatest confidence in Liu Zhou.

If a masterpiece like "Schindler's List" or "The Pianist" could really appear in China, Han Shanping felt that only Liu Zhou could shoot it.

But despite this, it cannot hide the fact that Liu Zhou is only 31 years old now. A movie like this, which has special significance to the nation and the people, requires a lot of life experience.

"I do want to, but what you said, Mr. Han, makes me feel a little stressed."

"Haha, I believe you can do it." Han Shanping replied with a smile.

Han Shanping stayed with Liu Zhou for a while and then went back.

What Liu Zhou didn't expect was that Han Shanping came in the morning and Zhang Yimou came in the afternoon.

"Director Zhang, you haven't returned to the crew yet?"

To be honest, Liu Zhou was a little surprised that Zhang Yimou came here at this time.

It has been five days since the 16th, which means that the "Moon" crew has been shut down for five days.

Liu Zhou was not worried about the money, but he did not expect that Zhang Yimou would be willing to abandon the crew for five days.

"After watching the movie 'Jinling Jinling', I felt a little unhappy."

"Haha, I heard that you and President Han left directly after watching the movie?"

"Why are you staying there if you don't want to leave? It really makes me sick after watching this."

"Is it that exaggerated?"

"That's because you didn't go see it, but it's a good thing you didn't see it, it was filmed like crap."

In front of Han Shanping, Zhang Yimou would be more restrained, but in front of Liu Zhou, he would say whatever he wanted.

"You said you wanted to imitate, so what? It would be fine if you imitated the essence of Saving Private Ryan, but you are so self-righteous and use your own perspective as the first person.

He may think this is unique and artistic, but it not only shows his limited talent, but also highlights his problematic stance. "Liu Zhou did not expect that because of the movie "Jinling Jinling", Zhang Yimou, who has always been calm, would also break down and even swear.

But it's normal. People of their generation generally have a strong sense of patriotism.

Movies like "Jinling Jinling" seriously challenge their bottom line, especially for film and television workers.

The entire movie is not narrated from the Chinese point of view. The only character with a complete point of view is an officer named Kadokawa.

Strictly speaking, the main plot of this movie is to express Kadokawa's psychological changes, which is the real story of the film.

In fact, it is not impossible to tell the story from a personal perspective, but in any case one cannot portray a person as so affectionate, so full of compassion, to the point where he lets two Chinese people go and then commits suicide by shooting himself.

What do you want to express?
Expressing that one has killed too many people, so feeling remorse, and then forgiving them?
I really want to pounce on you, Lao Mu!

What is the nature of this event?
It's a beastly act!
What is the essence of a person?
It's a bad guy!
During his struggling years when he was young, the famous chess master Wu Qingyuan was maliciously suppressed by a person at that time for a long time.

Many years later, when someone asked about the incident, the 90-year-old chess master simply gave a five-word evaluation:
“They are bad people.”

No other modifiers are needed, a simple bad guy is enough.

"Director Zhang, you didn't come here just to complain, did you?"

"This is one of the purposes, but I also have something else to ask you."

"What did you say?"

“To be honest, after watching Nanjing Massacre, I really couldn’t calm down, and finally I wanted to make a movie about the Nanjing Massacre.

I remember Yan Geling has a novel called "The Flowers of War", which also tells the story of this incident.

I asked someone to check last night and found out that the film and television adaptation rights of this novel are in the hands of Golden Harvest.

I would like to ask if Golden Harvest has any production plans for this novel."

"Director Zhang, are you really going to make a related movie because of the excitement of 'Jinling Jinling'?"

"To be honest, the main reason was that I was stimulated. I had just finished filming Moon, and I didn't know what to shoot, so I might as well try this subject."

"I see. No one at Golden Harvest has any plans for The Flowers of War for now. If you want to adapt and film this movie, feel free to do so."

The copyright of the novel "The Flowers of War", like "The Disguiser", was purchased by someone Liu Zhou personally arranged for.

At first, Yan Geling was unwilling to sell it. After all, the copyright for his novel adaptation was never difficult to sell, and he was worried that after selling it to Golden Harvest, it would just remain in the copyright library and gather dust.

Later, Zhang Zhao personally stepped forward and promised to adapt the novel within three years, and only then did he get the adaptation rights for "The Flowers of War".

In fact, if it weren’t for Golden Harvest’s reputation and the good quality of its films and TV series, Yan Geling would have been a little hesitant to sell the copyright of the novel to Golden Harvest.

If someone makes some random changes to it and turns it into a bad movie, it would ruin my reputation and I would feel bad at the same time.

The reason why Liu Zhou specifically acquired the copyright of "The Flowers of War" was that he didn't think much about it at the beginning. He just wanted to make some money by riding on Zhang Yimou's popularity and deepen his relationship with him.

But now Liu Zhou has a different idea. Making money is secondary. At this time, Liu Zhou and Zhang Yimou have a very close relationship, so there is no need to add unnecessary details.

So now Liu Zhou is thinking about whether he can completely bring Zhang Yimou under Golden Harvest through this movie.

If Zhang Yimou joins, even with the current size of Golden Harvest, it can be said to be a shot in the arm.

Besides, Liu Zhou had been coveting Zhang Yimou for a long time.

"Tell me, what are your conditions? With your character of not doing anything without benefits, how can you be so generous?"

"Director Zhang, I'm a little sad when you say that. I didn't expect that I'm actually a profit-seeking person in your heart."

"Isn't it?"

"is it?"

"Okay, stop being so nagging and tell me what you think."

"In fact, I didn't lie just now. If you, the director, really need it, I will give you the copyright of The Flowers of War.

But if you let Golden Harvest participate, I hope that the project of "The Flowers of War" can be solely funded by Golden Harvest, and you can be invited to be the director."

"Sole proprietorship? If so, I'm afraid Wei Ping might not agree?"

"Why would he disagree? I'm not poaching you outright. I'm just asking you to make a movie for Golden Harvest temporarily.

What's more, you are only signed to New Picture, and you are not completely bound to Zhang Weiping. He can't be so overbearing and keep controlling you."

"Let me think about it. I'll go discuss it with him first."

Liu Zhou also knew that he couldn't push him too hard, so he said:

"No problem, whether he agrees or not, I will keep this novel for you, the director.

If he firmly disagrees, I will talk to him again. If we still can't reach an agreement, I can accept to invest together with New Picture, which will definitely not affect the filming of this movie."

Zhang Yimou sighed and said:
"I'll have a good talk with him."

(End of this chapter)