After communication, Gu Biao's attitude towards Bertolucci and "The Last Emperor" gradually became clear: since it can't be stopped, and there is no other option to win awards in this era, then let's take advantage of the trend.

The earning benefits of art films are nothing to look up to, and there are not many in the first place.

What is left to be sought is nothing more than intangible assets such as fame, favors, connections, and historical status.

Reputation and connections belong to the basic operation, Gu Biao has had two experiences, and there is nothing to repeat.

In terms of "historical status", after the talks, Gu Biao thought of a point that could be operated.

A lot of Gu Biao's behind-the-scenes understanding of "The Last Emperor" in his previous life came from short and tight talk shows.

He learned that The Last Emperor was the first and only commercial/art film in history to be shot in the Forbidden City with government permission (not counting the information), and that the film cost a lot of money and the level of cooperation from the Chinese side was amazing.

Although, in terms of the objective environment at that time, the gimmick of "going to the Forbidden City to shoot the whole live-action film" really played a certain role in the film's later winning the Oscar for Best Picture.

But from the perspective of posterity, this kind of cooperation scale and honor may be a bit excessive. Especially in the later generations of the 21st century, the folk atmosphere gradually became imperial and Han, and many people were resentful that a late Qing opera occupied this only historical position.

Gu Biao felt that he could play a lonely pioneer, write a book, show his personal posture, and use the righteous name of "protecting cultural monuments" to oppose the crew entering the Forbidden City for real-time shooting, and suggested the establishment of a special film and television shooting base.

The rationale for "protecting cultural relics and monuments" is of course fully justified at the physical and scientific levels, because many antiquities cannot withstand overexposure, and the cumulative illumination flux of each year is limited, otherwise it will accelerate aging. This is why photography is forbidden in many museums.

At the same time, Gu Biao also knew that his opposition would of course fail in the end, so it was nothing more than a righteous banner to get the title of the first initiative - this is a bit like Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, who wrote and said in the early years of the founding of the People's Republic of China to protect the ancient city walls of the capital, and even some other traditional buildings.

Although Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin were doomed to failure and failed to protect anything, future generations will remember their exploits.

In the 21st century, after the relaxation of public opinion, many well-known scholars and even ordinary intellectuals began to commemorate Liang Sicheng in various ways, and even formed an Internet celebrity sentence of "Whenever the capital is how, we should remember that we owe Mr. Liang Sicheng an apology".

Gu Biao made a statement today, leaving a file in history, and after the society began to respect history and ancient civilization in the future, it is natural that some people will stand up and advocate for Gu Biao's advanced ideas.

Even at present, he is slightly criticized by the relevant leaders of the cultural BU for two sentences, but he can play a dozen tragic cards for Gu Biao's future life, and make him a Copernicus Galileo-style tragic hero. (And it was finally successful, not Galileo's lifelong street fighting)

……

After setting this idea, as soon as the group left the office building of the cultural BU, Gu Biao intercepted Bertolucci:

"Mr. Bertolucci, I still hope that you will cooperate - I heard Mr. Qiao just say that if you accept the shooting task, the ministry is willing to give the greatest cooperation, including the treatment that no one has ever had before in the Forbidden City. ”

Bertolucci didn't realize what Gu Biao wanted to say, so he replied very proudly: "Yes, Gu, what's wrong with this? I admit that this is a very important factor that attracted me to take on this task, and I can fully imagine that with this gimmick alone, after the completion of the film in the future, I will be able to raise at least one extra step in the awards." ”

Gu Biao: "But I want you to refuse with me - let's ask the relevant departments to fund the construction of a film and television city that imitates the scene, just like the so-called 'China Film Cinema' in the north of the bay for you to shoot." This is a great benefit to the protection of cultural relics and monuments, if you show this gesture, history will remember your kindness, and the Chinese people will always regard you as a friend. ”

After hearing this, Bertolucci exclaimed as if he had been stung and refused: "This is impossible! As a film artist, of course, I want to reproduce history in the most authentic environment, who would want to go to the studio to fake! Gu, you know that I will never agree!"

Gu Biao said categorically: "I advise you to do this! Because you can gain fame for nothing! At the same time, in the end, the gang will obediently invite you to shoot in the Forbidden City."

I can tell you the truth, first of all, the country can't afford to pay this money to build a movie theater. Secondly, the people in the cultural BU actually want this film to win the Oscar and win political achievements more than you, a big director who actually shoots, so they are more willing to pay than you!

I'm telling you so much today, and you should know in your heart which ones you should keep your mouth shut. I have only one request for you: if you are willing to co-authorize the book with me, then you must put on the impression that I am the initiator, and you are moved by my righteousness, so that you are willing to give up a little artistic authenticity in order to protect the ancient culture. How, can it be done?"

Bertolucci was puzzled: "The authorities in your country want the film to win an award more than I do? Oh God, it's the first time I've heard of such a thing in all my years of mixing around the world. Are you too culturally inferior and in dire need of an award to prove yourself?"

"You can't guess about this!Please be cautious! You just say yes or not!" Gu Biao grimaced.

What he said just now, strictly speaking, has revealed some of the national conditions to foreigners. But he was measured, knowing that it would not change the final result, and he did not sell his actual interests, but just put on a gesture.

Bertolucci's eyes rolled.

Obviously, he didn't want to cause more trouble and increase the risk of accidents.

But if it is really as Gu Biao said, it will not affect the result, and at the same time, it can be bought for nothing to buy a reputation of "loving culture and sponsoring art", it is also very attractive for a director.

What to do?

Bertolucci is caught in the middle of a battle between the heavens and the man.

In the end, it was obviously the cunning and prudence of the middle-aged man in his 40s that played a role, and Bertolucci was not hit by the aura of reducing intelligence, and refused to make a decision based on Gu Wei's words.

"Well, I think it's better to ask Her Royal Highness Princess Kelly - when I was talking to the Chinese side about cooperation, I had already thought of Princess Lakelly as the investor in this film.

If my investors feel that spending money on building a landscape in China is an affordable expense, then there is no need to talk about the book, and I don't want to take this risk and go back to live shooting.

If my investor also thinks that she will not be the wronged person after evaluation, then I will come to you again and assume the posture of 'protector of ancient civilization', without pretending or pretending. ”

Sure enough, the old fox doesn't see the rabbit and doesn't scatter the eagle.

Gu Biao relied on his lips and couldn't fool the other party at all.

But fortunately, Gu Biao thought that he could still persuade Princess Kelly to cooperate with the acting, not to appear too generous. (Of course, the specific persuasive words are not necessarily these, but can also be reasons such as "if you shoot in the Forbidden City, it will be good for film awards and box office gimmicks.") ）

All in all, that is, Gu Biao's reputation has to be bought, good people have to be done, and things have to be done, and he doesn't want to pull it down.

At the same time, I also hope to take advantage of this incident to make a fuss, cause a big discussion above, and reflect on the question of "whether foreign capital should be allowed to contract film and television shooting bases in China" in advance.

In that way, the "Hengdian model" that Gu Biao thought of when he chatted with Director Qiu last year could win a more relaxed environment and more preferential policies in China in advance.

Take 10,000 steps back and say, even if Gu Biao's operation in "The Last Emperor" is smashed home, it does not take any substantial benefits.

But as long as his book is clear and promotes the loosening of the "Hengdian model" in China in advance, then no matter who comes to this area to make money and reap benefits in the future, he will have to sell Gu Biao a face, and recognize him as the "pioneer" in this field.

This kind of "a certain industry in China was established by my brother single-handedly" face is very valuable. Just like Mu Zhong, even if he only came out of prison in 2017, or the operators of "Chu Cheng" have been wandering for so many years, as long as they stop there, there are still many juniors who are respectful and give them face. (Of course, this is not a flag, Gu Biao will definitely not make a mistake)

In the 80s, it was difficult to do business, especially if you wanted to drink saliva in a certain field, and arch the policy tightly, as a river crossing stone, it was really necessary to calculate the organs.

……

In the afternoon of the same day, Bertolucci went to Princess Kelly to ask for investment and talked about a lot of ideas by the way.

Of course, Princess Kelly would not personally come forward to assess the commercial future of film investment, so she sent one of her directors in charge of film business to connect with Bertolucci about those business indicators.

The reason why Gu Biao is not in a hurry to attract investment is that the foreign investment in "The Last Emperor" in history is as high as 25 million US dollars, which is 3 times more expensive than filming "The Terminator". And "The Last Emperor", as an art film rushing to win awards, does not have as high a commercial return as "The Terminator".

Gu Biao is going to face a showdown with Atari next year, but he doesn't want a small $30 million to be occupied for a long time. He also does not want to become the leader of foreign investment, because in the future, he will not be able to explain clearly, and he will be said to take advantage of the state in negotiations.

In such a situation, the spokesperson of the princess and Bertolucci will talk about business matters, and the progress will certainly not be easy.

In the end, Gu Biao didn't make much effort, and the princess herself rejected the suggestion of "building scenery in China for the sake of filming "The Last Emperor", even if you can obtain the right to invest in the tourism industry of the scenery in the future".

Bertolucci pondered for a while, and estimated that there was no such possibility, so he decided to work with Gu Biao to make a name for himself.

The next day, the letter signed by Gu Biao to persuade Bertolucci was delivered. There is also a colleague of Gu Biao in the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Department and the director of the Taiwan Assets Department to sign together - the reason why I brought this person is because Gu Biao mentioned in the book that we should learn from the advanced experience on the other side of the strait, make a model like "China Film Cinema", and centralize the use of producers from all over the country and even foreign countries.

Since we want to learn from Wanwan's "useful experience," how can it be convincing not to invite the director of the Taiwan Assets Management Department to sign a joint signature.

This letter immediately caused a certain amount of discussion.

The final conclusion, of course, is that this rejection is a good one, but the relevant experience is worth learning from.

Gu Biao knew that the historical reputation he wanted to invite to buy would be counted as an arrival at this moment.

Although no one has paid attention to his move at the moment, after more than 20 years, he will be able to have more Liang Sicheng's reputation.

——

PS: I was a little busy yesterday, and I didn't save the manuscript, but I only got after the second shift got off work