Chapter 267: Sister Shang, Who Never Disappoints
Kiwifruit Company, Sheng Ning’s office.
“Sister, Influenza can’t be released in Mainland China, what should we do?”
The assistant looked at Sheng Ning, who was looking down at a new script, and said worriedly: “How can they just say it can’t be released and it can’t be released… weren’t they saying it would pass when we were filming it?”
“All our year-long blank period is wasted, Sister Ning…”
“Enough.”
The assistant was about to say more, but Sheng Ning put down the script in her hand and glanced at her: “If it can’t be released, then it can’t be released. Didn’t we also submit it to Cannes?”
The assistant looked at her: “…Will it pass?”
Sheng Ning paused before saying, “I don’t know.”
Assistant: “…”
“Go out and pick through the scripts you’ve been holding onto. There’s nothing too good in this batch.”
Sheng Ning rubbed her temples, picked up the cigarette case on the table, pulled out a slim cigarette, and added: “Also… take a look at those movie scripts.”
“Huh? Aren’t those the small-budget ones we turned down before… the cast lineup, it doesn’t quite match you, Sister Ning.”
“Just go if I tell you to, what’s with all the nonsense.”
Sheng Ning was a little impatient: “Why are you talking so much now?”
“…Okay, I understand, Sister Ning.”
The assistant dared not say more and walked out of the office with her head down.
Seeing that no one was there, Sheng Ning relaxed her body, picked up the discarded script, and read it for a couple more glances. She found herself restless and unable to focus, so she put the script down again, looked out at the traffic, a hint of exhaustion in her brows.
Yes, what should she do now?
It would be great if it was selected for Cannes, but even if it was, with Influenza losing the Mainland market, what about the box office?
Mainland China is the second largest box office in the world. Without this market, relying solely on overseas box office, Influenza might not even break even.
And her film career might also be declared bankrupt with this “alliance” with Chi Ye.
She was beginning to wonder if she was truly incompatible with Chi Ye.
“Lovers” was forced by her to become siblings, and now, after finally having the opportunity to collaborate on a work after so many years, this kind of thing has happened.
Should she really find a master to consult?
She thought this way and fell into deep contemplation.
…
The news about Influenza “withdrawing” from the Spring Festival slot dominated the hot searches for a full day before the buzz gradually subsided.
And with Influenza’s temporary withdrawal, Chi Ye’s career trajectory, which had been “charging forward” since Influenza began, seemed to have hit a bottleneck.
Because if Influenza cannot be released during the Spring Festival slot, then combined with his current inventory… he currently has no inventory.
Ghost will wrap up filming at the end of the year. Due to its post-production being more sophisticated and filming time longer than Xing Ni, it will be released at the earliest in the second half of next year, and normally, even at the end of the year.
Thus, Chi Ye will face a “window period” of almost a year, disappearing from the public’s attention.
If he were purely on an acting path, this window period, though long, would not significantly impact his career. But the problem is… he is not just an actor.
He is also a top streamer, the only unrivaled top streamer in the history of internal entertainment.
And for a traffic star, if they disappear out of thin air for a year, it might not seem like much on the surface, but how much would be lost both inside and outside the industry, only the person involved would truly know… If all else fails, he could release a song.
This is Chi Ye’s current situation. He knows it, the Beijing Circle and the film circle know it, and the drama circle knows it even better.
But unlike them, Chi Ye is not as “anxious” as the public imagines.
Three days later.
Saturday night.
The 79th Cannes Film Festival, as usual, announced the films selected for various sections of this year’s festival, aimed at global movie fans, partners, and the film industry.
Among them, due to the somewhat controversial reputation of Teacher Zhang from the National Day film “Rock” this year, she was selected for the main competition section with an art film. Apart from her, no other big stars from internal entertainment were “qualified” to be nominated for Cannes this year.
On one hand, the film and television winter has just passed. On the other hand, internal entertainment generally favors commercial films now, where box office is king. The craze for winning awards has passed, and although Cannes is the top film festival most friendly to commercial films, however…
It is friendly to all commercial films globally.
In the past two years, internal entertainment commercial films have clearly lacked confidence, whether it’s the film producers, investors, or directors and actors, to compete.
Teacher Zhang’s team, in this “solitary bloom” situation, was preparing for extensive publicity. Upon seeing the confirmed film title, her team even knew that the negative impact of “Rock” on Teacher Zhang was no longer a concern.
After being selected, Teacher Zhang would remain the universally recognized International Zhang, an evergreen figure in the Chinese film industry.
Hmm…
Wait.
“Sister Zhang, there’s another Mainland Chinese film nominated for Cannes this year.”
In the lounge of an international event.
The assistant was very happy after confirming Teacher Zhang’s selection for Cannes this year, but while scrolling down the list, she saw a familiar yet unfamiliar film title.
Midnight Screening Section:
Film Title: Influenza.
Genre: Zombie/Apocalypse/Disaster.
Region: Mainland China.
“There’s another one? Which director’s work is it? Is it an art film?”
Teacher Zhang, also in a good mood due to her selection, looked up curiously at the sound.
“It’s… Influenza, the film that Chi Ye’s project was held back. They’ve been selected for the Midnight Screening section.”
The assistant recalled, surprised: “The competition for commercial films is quite fierce this year, and they actually got selected… This means the film’s quality is good.”
“Influenza…”
Teacher Zhang paused for a moment before smiling: “Now that the film and television winter is over and the domestic box office is so hot, Cannes will definitely give some consideration… However, are they planning to go with a global premiere route this time…”
If Influenza was not nominated for Cannes, and then “gave up” the Spring Festival slot this year, this project would likely be shelved indefinitely.
But now that it has been nominated, and the Cannes Film Festival is also held relatively early this year, this means Influenza should be taking the route of a global premiere at Cannes. But can this work?
—Even the works of super first-tier internal entertainment film stars with stellar track records and award-winning films have had extremely dismal box office results overseas.
Declaring candidacy for Cannes is merely for the prestige, a golden sheen. To truly expect good overseas box office… that’s just wishful thinking.
But considering Influenza’s current situation, especially after being selected for Cannes, it will definitely premiere. It’s unavoidable even if they don’t want it… unless they “withdraw” now.
“After this overseas exposure… for a film starring a Mainland Chinese filmmaker… the box office might be completely doomed.”
Thinking of this, Teacher Zhang felt exhausted for Chi Ye. Influenza, up to this point, seemed to have become a “burden” on Chi Ye.
Stuck in limbo.
“Winning an award?”
The assistant asked, somewhat confused.
Teacher Zhang rolled her eyes at her: “Midnight Screening is not a competition section, so where would there be an award? This is where global commercial films compete, but they are not competing for awards, but for copyrights and box office.”
Assistant: “Ah… I… I’m sorry, Sister Zhang. I’ll definitely do more research later…”
Teacher Zhang didn’t make it difficult for the new assistant, who had only been there for half a year. She just pursed her lips and shook her head: “Putting aside whether Influenza succeeds or fails, the main issue is if Influenza can’t recoup its costs, how will his subsequent big-budget sci-fi films get the funding to be made?”
“One wrong step, and every step is wrong.”
The assistant was stunned, looking at Sister Zhang with a sense of understanding and confusion, feeling that Sister Zhang was truly charming now—the charm of a strong woman.
…
Teacher Zhang was looking at Chi Ye’s subsequent sci-fi films. Because she was one of the few people in internal entertainment who understood the inner workings of international film festivals, after seeing Influenza’s successful selection for this year’s Cannes, combined with Chi Ye’s recent situation, she had already declared Influenza’s box office performance a death sentence.
That’s why she was “looking to the future.”
But others did not share her perspective.
—Influenza was not confirmed for the Spring Festival slot, but it was selected for this year’s Cannes Film Festival and will have its global premiere around the new Spring Festival slot.
This news was announced by the official Cannes China account, instantly causing a “storm.”
The buzz about Influenza’s “technical adjustments” had just died down, and many netizens had been discussing it for the past few days. So, upon suddenly seeing this news, everyone’s first reaction was to be dumbfounded.
Then, movie fans were unsure whether to be “happy or sad.”
【It was selected? Midnight Screening section, right?」
【The only two entries from Mainland China with value for Cannes this year, and they’re commercial films.」
【Damn, this year’s commercial films are fierce, all top popcorn blockbusters from the United States, Europe, Japan, and South Korea… Influenza actually managed to break through?」
【For those ahead, Midnight Screening is not like Teacher Zhang’s Main Competition, which is for awards. Only art films have a chance. Commercial films entering are just for show. Midnight Screening is Cannes’ commercial film “martial arts gathering.”」
【I just took a look at this year’s list of selections, good heavens, everyone is a major IP, a big production, top-tier industrialization… Looking at it this way, Influenza’s quality must be good!」
【I had already given up hope, but seeing this… I’m suddenly more excited for Influenza, what did they film?」
【Oh no, Influenza is going to premiere at Cannes? How can I watch it?!」
【No chance, they won’t approve it in China at all. If you want to watch it, buy a plane ticket and go abroad.」
【…」
Influenza was temporarily unable to be released in China, but it would premiere at Cannes. This caused the many movie fans who had been anticipating Chi Ye’s first industrial blockbuster to be heartbroken, and it made Chi Ye’s fans anxious—
Few people would travel abroad just to watch a movie. Not being able to watch it in China is inconvenient!
Furthermore, Influenza’s selection for the Midnight Screening section is different from art films. With art films, everyone appreciates them differently; what you consider trash might be a delicacy to others.
But commercial films, the more popular and resonant they are, the better they sell.
In other words, if Influenza can be selected for Cannes this year, and “stand out” among a sea of top global blockbusters, it must prove that this movie is “good.”
Such a good movie, and a rare industrial blockbuster from China… and you didn’t approve it?
And then you make them premiere it at Cannes during the New Year…
【Did the censors’ horses die?」
【With this broken environment, what good works do you expect? From now on, let’s just film Big Bear, Little Bear, and Baldy Qiang. And nothing below the neck can be filmed, otherwise it’s suspected of lewdness and crime!」
【Yesterday I saw marketing accounts saying Chi Ye was targeted by the Beijing Circle. If that’s true, then the Beijing Circle has no horses.」
【Isn’t this something everyone already knew? Why bother saying it?」
【Please, someone leak a pirated copy. I hope it’s clear then. I’m willing to pay for it…」
【…」
Influenza’s buzz reached a “climax” again, topping Weibo’s hot searches. Insiders were also very surprised that Influenza was selected for this year’s Cannes Midnight Screening, but after their surprise, they didn’t dwell on it too much.
Like Teacher Zhang, the film circle knew the situation of their films overseas. Box office was not to be expected. Ordinary people saw Influenza’s selection for Cannes, breaking through among a host of top commercial blockbusters, and felt very “proud.”
But they were looking at the interests, box office, and losses.
Once this list was released, the box office for Influenza was basically a lost cause. Let Chi Ye go and lose money alone outside. This year’s Spring Festival slot belongs entirely to them.
…
Late December, Mango TV’s New Year’s Eve Concert, backstage.
Chi Ye sat on a chair, flipping through several scripts. Beside him, Shi Jinwei stealthily glanced at him a few times, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Chi Ye had long noticed her unusual behavior. Seeing her eager to speak but remaining silent, he became displeased: “If you want to mock me, just do it directly. Hesitating like this is not like Sister Qianzi at all.”
Shi Jinwei: “?!”
Who said I wanted to mock you… Damn it, then I’ll mock you.
Sister Qianzi thought this, but skipped over the topic and instead asked, “There’s a new variety show next year, inviting me and Sister Shang, are you…”
Chi Ye was surprised: “You want to invite me?”
Shi Jinwei paused, then changed the meaning of what she was about to say: “Of course not, I… I just wanted to ask if Jin Xia has any availability next year. I want to have her come play too…”
Chi Ye: “?”
He asked suspiciously: “You guys are inviting Xia Xia to the show to play?”
Shi Jinwei said with a straight face: “Otherwise?”
Chi Ye looked at her for a while before nodding: “Okay, you know what, Xia Xia is taking a break next year, she has time.”
“…”
Sister Qianzi gritted her teeth, held back for a long time, but still couldn’t bring herself to “clarify.” She turned and silently returned to her seat, took out her phone, and sent a WeChat message to Shang Youshu: 【Sister, check later if Chi Ye is also evading taxes. He should be evading quite a lot. He’s about to collapse.】
【Huh? What’s wrong again? Didn’t you talk to Chi Ye about the variety show?】
On the other end, after Sister Shang replied to Shi Jinwei, she added: 【Also, don’t drive the conversation wildly. Chi Ye is a man, it’s impossible.】
Shi Jinwei: 【?】
Shang Youshu reminded: 【He’s evading quite a lot of taxes.】
Shi Jinwei didn’t understand: 【Ah? What happened? What’s wrong with evading a lot of taxes? What does that have to do with driving the conversation… Ah! Sister, what are you talking to me about? You… aren’t you really afraid of someone seeing our chat history one day?】
