Chapter 349 of the main text: Seminar

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On August 6, the seminar "Time and Space Warrior" sponsored by the Literature and Art Bureau of the Propaganda Department of the 1st Central Committee and the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television was held at the China Film Archive.

The China Film Archive is located on Xiaoxi Tianwen Huiyuan Road, just behind China Film Group, not far from Nortel, and can be reached by bus for more than half an hour. For movie fans, this is a mecca for movie-watching, the ticket price is cheap, no one answers the phone, there is no loud noise, no one leaves early, and the atmosphere is very good.

The car drove into the film archive, Zhang Ran got out of the car, called Han Shanping, confirmed the location, and went upstairs slowly.

In the conference room, there were already three or five people sitting, and when Zhang Ran came in, they were sitting together, discussing something, and the atmosphere was very warm. When Zhang Ran came in, they all looked over, and when they saw that it was Zhang Ran, they all smiled and nodded, and then continued their topic.

Zhang Ran didn't know these people either, but there were names in front of the seats, and they were some experts and scholars. Zhang Ran also smiled and nodded at them, and then came to his place and sat down, thinking about the speech.

It didn't take long for Han Shanping to accompany Tong Gang. Everyone present stood up to say hello, and Zhang Ran was no exception, and went over to say hello to Tong Gang.

In the first half of this year, domestic films were weak, but fortunately, "Time and Space Warrior" gave domestic films a shot in the arm, and in the second half of the year, domestic films also included blockbusters such as "Ambush on All Sides" and "No Thieves in the World", and the task of domestic films overwhelming imported films will definitely be completed. Therefore, Tong Gang was in a very good mood, and cordially pulled Zhang Ran, a hero, aside and chatted.

When it was almost nine o'clock, Luo Shu, deputy director of the Propaganda Department of the 1st Central Committee, had just entered the venue, and the atmosphere of the whole venue was warm.

Tong Gang walked over with Zhang Ran and introduced to Luo Shugang: "Minister Luo, this is Zhang Ran, the director and producer of "Time and Space Warrior", he is also Nortel's teacher, and he is a very good young filmmaker. ”

Zhang Ran hurriedly greeted: "Minister Luo, hello!"

Luo Shugang looked at Zhang Ran, smiled and nodded: "It's really young and promising, I watched the movie "Time and Space Warrior", it was shot very well, it really integrates things, Chinese movies need young people like you!"

Zhang Ran was not modest and said: "Thank you Minister Luo for your affirmation, I will continue to work hard and strive to make more and better movies." ”

The seminar was about to start, Luo Shugang didn't say much, and sat down after encouraging Zhang Ran a few words.

The moderator of the seminar was the deputy director of the Film Archive, and he made a few opening remarks, explaining the purpose of the seminar, and then cleared his throat and said, "I would like to invite Minister Luo to speak. ”

After the applause, Luo Shu just began to speak, he affirmed the development of Chinese films in the past two years, and then pointed out: ""Time and Space Warrior" is selling well in overseas markets, and the most worthy of the pride of the Chinese people is the contribution to the spread of Chinese culture, and as the most disseminated Chinese film art, it is even more responsible to take on this important responsibility, and the movie "Time and Space Warrior" has done it. Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeblood of the Chinese nation and the spiritual gene of the Chinese people. To promote domestic films from the plateau to the peak, it is especially necessary to strengthen cultural self-confidence, adhere to the cultural position, inherit the Chinese cultural genes, and carry forward the spirit of Chinese aesthetics. Culture going out is not only the going out of exhibitions and performances, but also the going out of concepts, concepts and philosophies......"

Hearing this, Zhang Ran couldn't help but look up at Han Shanping's eyes, and sure enough, as he said, today's meeting is to convey a message to the film industry, the government will increase support for films, and hopes that Chinese films can go out.

If you think about it, the government has indeed made a lot of moves in terms of films this year, first of all, it has relaxed restrictions on foreign investment. In January, Wanda and Warner Bros. International Cinemas signed a cooperation agreement to jointly build Warner Wanda International Cinemas, planning to build more than 30 international cinemas in the next few years. In addition, Time Warner is also negotiating with China Film to establish a joint venture.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has also set up a film overseas promotion center to organize Chinese films to participate in international film festivals and film markets, hoping to build an overseas distribution network for Chinese films and sell Chinese films overseas.

At the same time, underground directors such as Jia Zhangke have also lifted the ban, Jia Zhangke filmed "The World", Wang Xiaoshuai and they also began to make officially recognized works.

At the beginning of this year, a topic of particular concern was the classification system, and in March last year, Wang Xingdong submitted a proposal for "Chinese film classification" at the CPPCC meeting, which caused a strong response across the country. In November, Wu Ke, deputy director of the State Administration of Film, said that the regulations on the film classification system have entered the stage of drafting and soliciting comments, and if successfully introduced, it may become a milestone event in the 100-year history of Chinese films.

Many people have reported great hopes for this, but now it seems to be cold, and no one mentions it anymore. As a reborn person, Zhang Ran knew that this was no problem, but he was a little curious, after all, the General Administration said that it was already discussing the grading system, why was it yellow again?

Two days ago, Zhang Ran asked Han Shanping, but Han Shanping said that this matter depends on Huang Jianzhong. Huang Jianzhong advertised his "Dahong Rice Shop" as China's "first-part film" for propaganda, but an old leader called and asked, "Do you want to engage in a film classification system, do you want to show this kind of movie?" Wu Ke was severely criticized, so the matter was stopped.

Zhang Ran thought about it, can Huang Jianzhong really realize the propaganda grading system without using grading as a grading system? Impossible. Even if it is formulated, I am afraid it will be canceled. Just like "Dahong Rice Shop", it was originally released, but it was banned immediately.

Before the establishment of the mainstream values of Chinese films, talking about classification was completely extravagant!

Luo Zhenggang spoke for a full five minutes and began to summarize: "In short, telling Chinese stories well, spreading Chinese voices, and explaining Chinese characteristics and values well is the real cultural soft power. ”

Next, Tong Gang began to speak: "In the face of globalization, Chinese films are not lacking in competitiveness, mainly because they lack the necessary means of expression, lack of a way to closely combine globalization and localization, and lack an appetite like the Hollywood world. At a time when culture is blurred and reconstructed, Chinese films must not only learn from Hollywood, but also find their own way of expression. Zhang Ran's "Time and Space Warrior" tells the story of the East in a Western way, conveying the Oriental culture immersed in it more from the perspective of the West, and has won unanimous praise from both the East and the West. ”

Han Shanping is the investor of "Time and Space Warrior" and the head of China Film, so he must speak: ""Time and Space Warrior" was not optimistic at the beginning, and there were many opposition voices within China Film, and everyone felt that the risk was too great. But I still insisted on participating in this project, because the whole project from financing to operation is completely according to the Hollywood model. The success of "Time Warrior" shows that we can go out, but only if we follow the international operation model!"

Speaking of this, Han Shanping picked up a document and read: ""Time and Space Warrior" began to be released in North America on June 11 this year, and so far the box office in North America is 150 million US dollars, Japan 35.2 million US dollars, South Korea 26.5 million, France 28 million, and the United Kingdom 31 million...... In China, the box office has exceeded 200 million yuan so far. Now "Time and Space Warrior" has received a box office of 470 million US dollars worldwide, and the final box office will definitely exceed 500 million, which is more than twice the box office of our country last year, which is really a huge success!"

Everyone present knew that "Time and Space Warrior" had a good overseas box office and won the championship in the United States, but they did not have a particularly clear concept of the specific number. Now that I heard that the final box office of "Time and Space Warrior" could reach 500 million, the whole audience was shaken, and a movie was twice the annual box office of China? This is too terrifying! With so much money, how much can be paid, no, how many out-of-school children can be saved!

The corners of Zhang Ran's mouth raised slightly, does Mr. Han want to show off like this? Of course, he can also understand Han Shanping's thoughts, Han Shanping participated in this project for political achievements, and now that the leader is here, he will definitely show off his achievements.

When Han Shanping was finished, Tong Gang named Zhang Ran: "Zhang Ran, "Time and Space Warrior" was operated by you, tell you about your experience." ”

Zhang Ran scratched his head and said with a bitter face: "With so many leaders, I am very nervous, afraid of saying the wrong thing, and I don't know what to say." ”

Han Shanping laughed secretly in his heart, Zhang Ran, this kid is worthy of being a teacher of the acting department, and he acts like the real thing. Are you nervous? Do you believe it yourself?

Luo Shugang understood Zhang Ran's thoughts, and said with a smile: "Our symposium today is to make suggestions and suggestions for the development of Chinese films. ”

In the past few days, Zhang Ran has been thinking about what he should say and how to say it. In fact, he also knew that his words might not have any effect, but he always felt uncomfortable when he didn't say something: "Just now the leaders and experts were saying that Chinese films are going out, and this idea is particularly good." But I have a few questions, first of all, is it a cultural appeal or a commercial appeal for Chinese films going out? What do Chinese films do when they go out? Is it to promote our culture, or to go out to make money? If we don't understand this question, then going out is just an empty concept, just a slogan, and it is difficult to have practical results. ”

Tong Gang didn't expect Zhang Ran to say this, so he said: "Cultural demands and commercial demands are not contradictory, there is no need to oppose each other, right?"

Chinese films have been going out for many years, the government is talking, and filmmakers are also talking, but it has always been thunder and rain, and there is no effect. Before Zhang Ran's rebirth, the performance of Chinese films overseas can only be described as bleak, and the fundamental reason is that Chinese films going out is just a slogan, lacking corresponding policy arrangements and funding arrangements.

Zhang Ran glanced at Tong Gang: "Tong Ju's words are right, cultural appeals and commercial appeals are not contradictory, but there must be a center of gravity." Last year, the domestic box office in the United States was $9.49 billion, while the overseas box office was $10.8 billion; the promotion of French films has also done very well, second only to the United States in the world, with more than 900 French films being broadcast on television stations all over the world every year, and more than 400 films being released and distributed all over the world, for which the French government spends hundreds of millions of euros every year, while overseas income is only more than 100 million euros. He just lost money and made money, but the cultural significance is very large, and he promoted his own culture. ”

Luo Shugang somewhat understood what Zhang Ran meant: "Then what is your opinion?"

Zhang Ran took a breath: "Our country is still very poor, and it is impossible to use hundreds of millions of euros to subsidize movies like France, and it is better to help out-of-school children with this money." Of course, the government still needs to promote and use national public relations to hold film festivals overseas, so that our art films can go global. However, the influence of this kind of film festival is very limited, and it is necessary to rely on commercial films to really go out. The best selling Chinese movies overseas are action movies, and kung fu movies are the golden signs of Chinese movies, but we are very strict on this, and the slightly violent scenes will be deleted, and it is very difficult to get out in this situation. If censorship could be relaxed a little bit, then our overseas journey would be much easier!" )