Xu Ligong understood Hollywood's distribution rules and said: "Mr. Anderson, this movie is distributed in North America, and I remember that the North American distribution commission is not about 30 percent?"

Ronan's complexion is very white, but his heart is black: "That's right, a Hollywood movie is released in North America, and the distribution commission is usually about 30%. Director Li, Mr. Xu, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is not a Hollywood movie, this is a foreign language power supply! You are only the local distribution in Zhongguo, and now we are talking about the overseas market distribution copyright of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"!

Li An and Xu Ligong glanced at each other, and found that the other party was so reasonable, and instantly felt speechless.

But Xu Ligong is a businessman, so he immediately put aside this and said: "The distribution cost is too high, Director Li is a well-known Hollywood director, he has a wide reputation in North America, and this alone can attract a large number of audiences." ”

Since he was talking about business and was sure that he had a favorable position, Ronan spoke sharply: "Both, with all due respect. Director Lee's previous two films, "The Ice Storm", invested nearly $20 million, and the North American box office was only $8 million. ”

He glanced at Ang Lee and said, "I'm sorry, Director Li. I'm just telling the truth. ”

Li Ang only had a slightly cramped smile on his face.

Ronan's words are not finished: ""Riding with the Devil", which was released last year, cost as much as $35 million to produce, and the North American box office was only ...... $630,000. Overseas copyrights are still in the hands of Universal Pictures and cannot be sold. ”

These are all verifiable data, and Ang Lee and Xu Ligong can't refute it at all.

"Because of these two films. Ronan said directly: "Director Li is on the blacklist of many Hollywood companies, isn't it fake?"

Since he has taken a fancy to this film, Ronan will definitely make full preparations: "Director Li's first two films failed, and this "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has a distinct authorial style, and the risk of the distributor is very large, so it is impossible for the two of us to take the risk alone, right?"

Xu Ligong's head turned quickly, and he said, "Mr. Anderson, let's not discuss anything else yet. If you are well versed in Oriental culture, you must know that there are a large number of Chinese Americans in North America, among whom there are countless lovers of martial arts movies, and their ideas have long been Westernized, which are all potential audiences. ”

Ronan smiled and said: "As a martial arts film, the performance of this movie is not good enough, and the setting of martial arts actions is too romantic, completely emphasizing the elegant and light scenes, which makes people always look like they are not happy enough, although the history of Chinese martial arts is indeed very respectful of sword and qi, but the concept of martial arts is far more than light and elegant, right?"

"I sat in the middle of the general audience at the premiere, do you know what they say about this film?" Ronan didn't need anyone to answer, and said directly: "Many viewers at the scene said that this is a science fiction film!"

Hearing the word sci-fi, Xu Ligong and Ang Lee's faces were a little black.

Ronan ignored all of this and continued: "Don't talk to me about ideas or other metaphysical things, I'm a distributor, only about the market and business, and the subversive martial arts form and content of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is not friendly to traditional martial arts film lovers. In the eyes of ordinary Western audiences, this kind of flying film is simply a science fiction film. ”

He looked at Ang Lee and Xu Ligong: "Don't forget, this is still a foreign language film! How much risk does the distributor have to take for such a congenitally flawed film?"

Ang Lee seemed to have been hit a little bit, and he didn't say a word, the fiasco of "Riding with the Devil" damaged his confidence, and he couldn't help but wonder if it was wrong to shoot "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

But he was a strong-willed person after all, and he quickly stabilized his mind.

For a moment, Xu Ligong wanted to give up the negotiations, so he simply sold the film to Miramax for $6 million.

After all, businessmen are mercenary, and they will not let go of the opportunity to make more money at all, Xu Ligong said with a dark face: "The distribution commission of 50% of the total income is too high, and this film is financed and filmed, so I can't explain such conditions to my partners." ”

Ronan frowned, seemed to be very embarrassed, and said after a while: "Director Li, Mr. Xu, I like the martial arts culture of the East. The great man of chivalry is for the country and the people. I was touched by it. I also want to recommend my favorite things to more people, but I also have to be responsible for the company and employees, and I can't do business at a loss. ”

These words are full of emotion, fully showing the struggle and hesitation of a person between preferences and business.

Ronan has always believed that the best acting people in the world have never been Oscar winners or acting award winners at three major European film festivals, but businessmen and politicians.

"I can take a step back for what I like. Ronan said.

Xu Ligong was happy in his heart, this ghost old man really likes martial arts?

Ronan calmly threw out the real conditions: "Embassy Pictures buys out the North American rights of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and bears the risk!" He gritted his teeth and said, "$5 million, a one-time buyout!"

Hearing this figure, although Xu Ligong was not satisfied, the other party finally made concessions, explaining that there was some talk.

Selling out the rights to North American distribution is not a solution, and it can guarantee stable income for the producer, and all the risks are grafted to the distribution company.

"This price is too low!" Xu Ligong didn't notice it at all, he was already following Ronan's rhythm, and he also dragged Miramax out as a negotiation condition: "Harvey Weinstein of Miramax has been in contact with me and wants to ...... $7 million one-time buyout of the North American rights to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". ”

Ronan's heart moved, but his face showed no expression, and said: "You really want to work with Miramax, I think Director Li has heard of Harvey Weinstein's personality." ”

Ang Lee didn't speak.

Ronan thought of the Harvey Weinstein buyout case he had seen in his previous life and asked, "Miramax wants to buy out the copyright in a lump sum, do they want to pay it all in one go?"

Xu Ligong immediately heard that there was something wrong with this.

"Isn't it?" Ronan immediately guessed, "Could it be a staging?"

He said directly: "As far as I know, Harvey Weinstein has used installments to deceive producers more than once. He bid $6 million at the beginning, and others didn't grab it from him when they saw it, he gave a deposit of $2 million at the time, and the rest of it will be given after the film gets the income, and then it will be delayed, indefinitely, the contract is signed overseas, and the prosecution is very cumbersome......"

Li An looked at Xu Ligong, Xu Ligong understood what he meant, and quietly nodded his chin.

When it is time to step on competitors, Ronan never hesitates: "The contradiction between Miramax and the parent company Walt Disney is extremely acute, and the contradiction between the Weinstein brothers and Michael Eisner is even more irreconcilable. ”

This time, Xu Ligong, who didn't know much about Hollywood, looked at Ang Lee, and Ang Lee also nodded.

A trace of cold sweat oozed from Xu Ligong's forehead, the situation was confirmed, what does this mean? He was almost cheated by Harvey Weinstein!

At that time, even if it takes a few years to get the money back, how will the time cost be calculated? In case of lawsuits, what about the costs incurred?

This Miramax is a pit!

Ronan said: "I can guarantee that Embassy Pictures will pay the buyout fee in one lump sum. He duly raised the conditions: "$8 million, a lump sum payment." No matter how high I am, I can only say I'm sorry. ”

Xu Ligong quickly calculated in his heart that the production cost of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was $17 million, but in fact it was only $15 million, and North America alone could recover more than half of the cost......

Martial arts films are a niche in North America.

Xu Ligong sighed secretly, and looked at Ronan again, Ronan didn't mean to continue to speak, just waiting for his reply.

"I need to think about it for a while. Xu Ligong was very cautious: "Mr. Anderson, I will give you an answer after a while." ”

Ronan nodded and said, "Yes." But don't make me wait too long, I didn't stay long in Cannes and left before the closing ceremony. ”

Xu Ligong said: "There is still a week before the closing ceremony, and I will give you an answer within five days." ”

It was impossible for Ronan to force Xu Ligong to come down immediately, and said, "Yes." ”

Speaking of this, there was basically nothing to say, Ronan shook hands with Ang Lee and Xu Ligong and left the café.

In the days that followed, Ronan continued to look around at the Cannes Film Festival, looking for other films that made an impression, but to no avail.

Many of the art films he remembers, the North American rights are priced at millions of dollars, and even if they are bought and distributed back in North America, there is not much profit at all.

In addition, Ronan also saw Sophie Marceau herself at a premiere and also went over to say a few pleasantries.

Whether it is Aunt Su or Aunt Mo who met earlier, these two screen goddesses who strip naked in the movie as if they drink water and eat, can make people clearly feel the sadness of the beauty's twilight.

Fortunately, these two have left countless artistic masterpieces on the screen that are both scale and not lack depth!

If you think about it, the world doesn't know how many little lives have died in front of their artistic cameras.

Perhaps, they have also made a remarkable contribution to limiting the unlimited growth of the global population.

Ronan remembers that both of them had an unhappy marriage, and that Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci had not found out?

These two gods are together, and it's touching to think about it.

If Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci starred together in a true masterpiece of art, such as a romantic action movie, it would definitely sell out.

Four days before the end of the Cannes Film Festival, Ronan received a call from Xu Ligong, and Zongheng International Pictures agreed to hand over "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to Embassy Pictures for distribution.