The reporters at the Washington Times were a little surprised, they had come into contact with many Chinese, most of them mild-mannered, and it was the first time they had encountered Zhang Ran who was so aggressive. Pen Fun Pavilion www.biquge.info But for them, what they like the most is this kind of interview.

A reporter immediately asked: "You are the chief director of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and have a close relationship with the government, and now some people are questioning that your investment and acquisition in the United States have political goals, what do you think?"

In the past two days, Zhang Ran has made a lot of preparations for the interview, but he is still a little annoyed when he hears this question. Few Olympics have been so enveloped in such a political atmosphere as the Beiping Olympics. Especially in recent months, all kinds of demons and monsters have jumped out to smear China, and some organizations have even launched a series of activities to humiliate China on the first anniversary of the countdown.

Zhang Ran doesn't understand, the Chinese just opened an Olympics, and they didn't dig your ancestral grave, as for this?

However, Zhang Ran knows very well that he has to face this problem when he sits in the position of chief director of the Olympic Games. He took a light breath and said unhurriedly: "I am a businessman, and the purpose of investment is only one, that is, to make money; I don't think the chief director of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games has anything to do with politics." There were many outstanding foreign artists in our opening team, British stage expert Mark Fischer, Japanese designer Eiko Ishioka, American director Spielberg, and director James Cameron also participated in the bidding process. Everyone believes that the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games is a grand event for all mankind and a cultural festival. It would be wrong to associate the Olympic Games with politics, whose role is to embed the values of peace, friendship and solidarity in the spirit of all humankind, and the Olympic Games should not be a political forum. ”

Hearing Zhang Ran mention Spielberg, the reporters present looked at each other and smiled, as if they had grasped something: "But last month, Spielberg said that if the Chinese government does not change some policies on the Darfur issue in Sudan, he will no longer help the Beiping Olympic Organizing Committee to participate in the closing ceremony." ”

Zhang Ran was stunned, he remembered that Spielberg withdrew from the Olympics in 08, but he didn't expect to jump out recently, frowned and said: "I don't know about this, Spielberg participated in some discussions in the creative stage, but the opening ceremony has entered the rehearsal stage in July, and I haven't seen him again, I don't know what he thinks." I think it's okay to criticize China's policies, and I can understand that there are different opinions on policies, but I don't think politics and the Olympics should be tied together. If he does withdraw for this reason, then I can only express regret, but his withdrawal will not have any impact on the opening ceremony. We Chinese have self-confidence, determination, and the ability to run the Olympics well!"

A reporter asked, "We know that there is a lot of censorship in China, and the same is true of the opening ceremony, right?"

Zhang Ran knew that this problem was a trap, but he still told the truth: "There was a review of the opening ceremony, and in March, the national leaders reviewed the entire plan and put forward some opinions, and the International Olympic Committee also reviewed our plan and had many specific requirements. But to be honest, I don't like censorship. ”

The reporters present were all shocked, there was big news, and the next step was to concoct an article by Zhang Ran criticizing China's censorship.

But Zhang Ran's next words disappointed them: "I don't like Chinese censorship or American censorship." Of all the censorship I've ever encountered, the most recent one in the United States has been the most inexplicable. You say that if I want to buy Lockheed Martin, then you say that it involves national security, and I am convinced. But if I buy a DVD rental company, it can all be related to national security, don't you think it's inexplicable?"

The reporters present all smiled awkwardly, and they also knew that this reason was far-fetched. A reporter immediately said: "But everyone is very worried that you will use Netflix to spread some pro-communist film and television works." ”

Zhang Ran spread his hands and said: "Do you think that American audiences are fools? If I put these works on Netflix, will American audiences watch them? We acquired Summit Entertainment, and the movies we have made so far such as "Dance Out of My Life" and "Twilight Zone" are all American stories. Eighteen years ago, when Sony bought Columbia, many people were also exclaiming, Japanese culture invaded. After all these years, has Japanese culture invaded? Are there a lot of movies about Japan being made in Colombia now? No. ”

A reporter asked: "Then why did you buy Netflix, is it really just for business considerations?"

Zhang Ran said with great certainty: "It's mainly for business considerations, I think Netflix is very promising, and there are some emotional factors in it." Last year, there was a movie called "Love Holiday", which had a particularly interesting plot, when Jack B. Lake recommended "The Graduate" to Winslet in the Blockbuster store, Dustin Hoffman, who starred in "The Graduate", stood next to him and picked up the film, which I thought was particularly beautiful and warm. When I first arrived in the United States more than 10 years ago, my English was very poor, and in addition to going to a language school, I often sat in my room watching movies and learning English from movies. Speaking of this, Zhang Ran made a gesture of raising his gun, glared at Sanders and said, "Are you talking to me?"

Sanders was glared at by Zhang Ran, so frightened that he leaned back, leaning back heavily on the chair, at this moment he almost felt that Zhang Ran really wanted to kill himself, but after hearing Zhang Ran's words, he immediately reacted, this is the classic line of Robert De Niro in "Taxi Driver".

Other reporters all exclaimed "Wow", and Zhang Ran's imitation was really vivid.

Zhang Ran smiled and continued: "The most I watched were Robert De Niro's films, and later, my study of acting was related to this experience. I have experienced a lot of things in BesTV, studying, living, and falling in love, which means a lot to MesTV. Therefore, it was only at the beginning of the year that the shares of Blockbuster were acquired from Carl Icahn. Originally, after the Olympics, he planned to completely acquire Blockbuster and reinvigorate the company, but he did not expect Hastings to buy Blockbuster hostilely. ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Ran suddenly raised his voice: "If Mr. Hastings manages it well and lets Blockbuster continue, then I am happy to see it happen." But what is Hastings going to do? He plans to close 2,000 stores over the next two years, which would cause 20,000 people to lose their jobs, and even plans to merge Blockbuster's online business into Netflix and then package Blockbuster's store business for sale. We know that the Internet is the future, and once Blockbuster's online business is split and sold, Blockbuster will inevitably go bankrupt and eventually disappear completely within five years. I don't want to see it, and I believe that many American people, like me, don't want this brand that once brought us joy and even a part of our lives to disappear!"

There was a moment of silence for the reporters present, throughout the eighties and nineties, driving to nearby Blockbuster on the weekend to rent a video or two to take home was a particularly popular form of family entertainment for Americans, and it can be said that the memories of a generation were no exception for them.

A reporter asked, "If it were you, what would you do?"

Zhang Ran saw that the reporters present were touched, and knew that this emotional card was played correctly, so he said categorically: "This involves trade secrets, I can't reveal too much, but there are two things I can guarantee." First, there will be no large-scale store closures and large-scale layoffs, and second, the brand Blockbuster will not disappear and will survive well!"

After an hour of verbal exchange, the interview finally ended.

After coming out of the newspaper, Zhang Ran did not feel relaxed, although he paid attention to his remarks, was very sincere, and made everything that should be said clearly, and the "Washington Times" also promised that it would report truthfully, but in the end, he still did not know what the other party would write.

At six o'clock the next morning, just after dawn, Zhang Ran opened the door and saw that there was a newspaper hanging on the door, which was the Washington Times.

Zhang Ran immediately finished reading the entire article, and then breathed a long sigh of relief, the article did not have any misinterpretation, it was all the original words of Zhang Ran's interview. In The Washington Times, Mr. Zhang's interview was featured on the front page with the headline: "The Story of Zhang Ran and Besus." ”

On the same page, there are two presidents, Clinton and George W. Bush news, but Zhang Ran's profile picture is placed in the highest position, at the top of the front page headlines. The Washington Times, a newspaper known for its anti-China, gave Zhang Ran enough respect this time.

At nine o'clock, Aaron Larsen knocked on the door of Zhang Ran's room. After taking his seat, he looked at Zhang Ran and smiled: "Well done, you conquer the hostile reporters of the Washington Times!"

Zhang Ran also smiled and said: "I am ready to come here this time, that is, to tell the real story to the media, I believe that even if we are hostile, as long as we communicate sincerely, we can also move the other party." ”

Larsen smiled and nodded, Chinese companies often encounter hostility when entering overseas, and it is important to take the initiative to stand up and clarify your own views at this time, if you don't say it, others will think that you are acquiescing. He lowered his voice and said: "Next, you need to make more noise, we have arranged a speech for you at ULCA, the mayor of Los Angeles, the chairman of the Oscar Academy, the chairman of Warner Bros., Sony, Fox, Lionsgate and other major Hollywood studios will be present, Hollywood is very optimistic about the Chinese market, you must take advantage of this." ”

Zhang Ran is very clear about this: "If you cooperate with us, more films will enter China, and more jobs will be added!"

Larsen laughed, talking to a smart person is simple, just mention it, and he understands everything.

In the afternoon, many American media reposted the article from the Washington Times on their official websites, and Fly even launched the topic of "me and BesTV", which sparked heated discussions on the Internet.

"My wife and I met at Blockbuster, and finally entered the palace of marriage, which has a special meaning for us, but last year the Blockbuster store closed, and my wife and I were sad for a long time, like losing a particularly important friend. ”

When I was a kid, my father would drive my white Oldsmobile dagger and me to Blockbuster every weekend to rent a videotape. ”

"My father has been working at Blockbuster for fifteen years, and the people in it are very nice, and I don't want it to go away, and I don't want my father to lose his job. If Zhang Ran can let Blockbuster survive, why should we oppose it?"

"yes, I hope Blockbuster doesn't close its door! ”

……

More and more people on the Internet joined the discussion, recalling their stories with Blockbuster, recalling the bits and pieces of the past, and setting off a wave of nostalgia for the 80s.

On Wednesday morning, before Mr. Zhang departed for Los Angeles, he obtained the latest survey data from Aaron Larsen, with 44.2 percent of respondents supporting the acquisition of Century Peak, compared with 75 percent positive and 9.4 percent negative.

Zhang Ran was completely relieved, and stepped on the plane to Los Angeles with a smile.