At 8 p.m. on July 18, 2005, the night sky of Yanjing was studded with a silver moon and several stars around it.

The banquet hall on the third floor of Liangma River Hotel is particularly lively at this time.

Hundreds of celebrities, directors, producers, screenwriters, and journalists gathered here to participate in the celebration of "Punch, Dad".

After a month of screening, "Punch, Dad" has a box office of 18.2 billion yuan in the mainland, surpassing "No Thieves in the World", "Ambush on All Sides", and "Kung Fu", becoming the second highest-grossing domestic film after "Hero".

Moreover, it has won 17 million box office on Hong Kong Island, and a total of 21 million box office in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

The total box office has exceeded 220 million.

There is no doubt that this event is worth celebrating.

There is no need for Fenghua Film and Television Company to spend money, Liangma River Hotel and Bergerac wine agents came together, and the two parties jointly sponsored this banquet.

Since someone pays for it and doesn't need to spend it himself, Li Shengyao certainly doesn't mind holding such a celebration banquet.

Whether it is Feng Xiaogang, Lao Mouzi, or Brother Kaizi, as long as the star artists, directors and producers in Yanjing, he will send invitations.

Brother Kaizi went to Yucheng to promote "Wuji", but there was no way to come.

Everyone else basically came, and the most eye-catching of them was not Feng Xiaogang and Lao Mouzi, but the "Seven Swords" crew dominated by Xu Yu.

"Seven Swords" has been scheduled, they will premiere on July 29, and small-scale screenings will begin on July 22.

"Seven Swords" has Zhen Dan, Li Wei, as well as Sun Honglei, Yang Caini and others, which can be said to be a star-studded group.

Not to mention that the main actors trained in a closed environment for almost half a year, and then went to Western Xinjiang to shoot, with a total investment of 1.4 billion.

Xu Yi is definitely ambitious, and he wants to rely on this film to turn around and prove that he is still the top director on Hong Kong Island.

But today's protagonist is of course not Xu Yu, but the relevant actors and producers of "Punch, Dad".

Li Shengyao wore a custom black suit today, which looked very handsome.

is the so-called red qi to raise people, and he now has a feeling of red light and high spirits.

Xu Yu saw Li Shengyao and sighed with emotion, if he didn't know that Li Shengyao was a director, he would definitely think that Li Shengyao was an outstanding actor.

Although I don't know how Lee Shengyao's acting skills are, this state is really good.

"Director Li, congratulations."

"Director Xu, Tongxi."

Xu Yu is wearing a relatively ordinary dress tonight, and a suit can only be said to fit.

He is too thin, not only his face is thin, but his body is also thin, with the two batches of mustaches on his face, he does not have a British gentleman's sense when he wears it, and he will not think he is handsome, but has a feeling of a funny actor, as if he will take out a clown mask at any time.

Of course, he's actually a very serious person.

Xu Yu took the red wine, touched a glass with Li Shengyao, and then said in a low voice: "Director Li, can you go over there and talk." ”

He said, gesturing to the small table next to the glass window.

Li Shengyao thought that Xu Yu wanted to talk to him about the film schedule, so he smiled and nodded.

"Seven Swords" has a good reputation, but it is a martial arts movie after all, no matter how long the actors have been practicing, it is impossible to be better than Li Lianjie.

And traditional martial arts movies have actually been abandoned by the audience.

In such an environment, "Seven Swords" has a good reputation, but the box office is only more than 80 million.

It's definitely a loss.

In Li Shengyao's previous life, Xu Yu finished filming "Seven Swords", and then filmed "Iron Triangle", "Deep Sea Search", and "Women Are Not Bad", three modern films with little investment.

It wasn't until five years later that he regained the trust of investors and filmed "Di Renjie's Heavenly Empire".

The two men then sat down at the small table.

Many people noticed the situation here, with fun in their eyes, and they all felt that Xu Yi wanted to get more films from Fenghua Cinema.

Lee didn't care about the other people's eyes.

By this time, it was completely dark, and the street lights outside had been turned on.

There is a large flat land outside the Landmark Hotel, and a circle of luan trees is planted outside the flat land, and many people are running under the trees.

"Da Da Da!" There was the sound of high heels stepping on the ground around.

Li Shengyao seemed to hear the sound of running, he was in a good mood, thinking that if time permitted, he might be able to run at night.

Xu Yu wanted to speak and stopped, as if there was something unspeakable.

Li Shengyao didn't say anything and sat quietly.

"Director Li, I'm under a lot of pressure right now."

After a moment of silence, Xu Yu was the first to speak.

The investment in "Seven Swords" is so large, it can be said that it is difficult to recover the cost, and Xu Yi is under pressure, which is completely understandable.

"I understand."

"I can already have a hunch that the outcome of "Seven Swords" will not be very good in the future."

Xu Yu looked at the wine glass, his voice was not very loud, but there was a look of loneliness in his eyes.

"The movie hasn't been released yet, Director Xu is too pessimistic."

Xu Yu shook his head, ""Seven Swords" is still the old one, although I invited Peninsula actors, it doesn't seem to have any effect. ”

In order to improve the qualifications, "Wuji" invited top actors from island countries and peninsulas.

"Seven Swords" also invited Peninsula actors for this reason.

But "Wu Ji" has already been released, although it has broken the box office record of the screening, the box office record of the first day, the box office record of the first week, and the single-day box office record, as well as the so-called single-day single-film box office record of a single museum.

But after 82 million in the first week, the big dive in the second week became 50 million, and there will be less in the future.

Major media have predicted that the final box office of "Wu Ji" will be about 170 million.

This box office looks high, and it seems that it can be compared with "Kung Fu", but everyone in the industry understands how much water there is in it.

"Wuji" is like this, the investment in all aspects of "Seven Swords", as well as the publicity, and the film scheduling are not as good as "Wuji", but I am afraid that the result will be worse.

This is the reason why Xu Yi is pessimistic.

Li Shengyao was slightly stunned when he heard this, Xu Yi is a smart person, he saw the situation of "Wuji", and then thought of "Seven Swords", he is indeed prone to negative thoughts.

So what is Xu Yu looking for him for?

If you just said that, it doesn't sound like you're going to schedule a film.

Xu Yi raised his head and continued: "Director Li, you used to be the most profitable director in the Chinese entertainment TV industry, and now you are entering the film industry, and your first movie has both word-of-mouth and box office, I also heard that China Film invited you to invest in "Wuji" before, but you refused, I think you have a quality that others don't have, and your sensitivity to the market is far beyond us old people." ”

"I would like to ask you about the changes in the mainland and the world film market."

It turned out to be talking about this.

Lee Shengyao is a time-traveler, and he naturally knows the next direction of the world film market.

It's not that this is not something that cannot be discussed.

Xu Yu's "Seven Swords" did lose money, but the movies behind "Seven Swords" almost never lost.

Xu Yi is one of the few directors on Hong Kong Island who will consider the preferences of mainland audiences.

Li Shengyao is willing to befriend Xu Yi, maybe he will invest in Xu Yi's movies in the future.

He smiled and shook his head, "You're polite, don't ask for advice, we can discuss it." ”

Xu Yu nodded gratefully, "Director Li, you say." ”

Li Shengyao picked up the glass, took a sip of water, and then said: "Mainland audiences are actually very tolerant, they can make comedies, costume dramas, war movies, as long as the plot is good, the audience will buy it." ”

Xu Yu frowned slightly, and looked at Li Shengyao with some doubts.

When the Hong Kong Island director came to the mainland, the biggest doubt was what the mainland audience preferred.

Many of them can only shoot police and gangster movies, and they go back and forth with those few routines.

Xu Yu is not such a person, he makes any movie, but judging from the current trend in the mainland, mainland audiences seem to like blockbusters alone.

What Li Shengyao said is not very accurate.

Li Shengyao said with a smile: "Now it seems that there can only be blockbusters in the mainland, "Hero", "Ambush on All Sides" is indeed a blockbuster, and the results are good, but you look at "Punch, Dad", "No Thieves in the World" is not a drama, and "Kung Fu" is a comedy. ”

"The audience not only watches blockbuster movies, but also watches movies with smaller investments."

Xu Yu nodded.

Li Shengyao continued: "You can make a movie that you are good at, of course, there must be a little bit of innovation, as long as the movie is interesting, the audience will accept it." ”

"Also, we must remember that the idea of a movie must be atmospheric and have great love."

This group of film directors on Hong Kong Island has made so many films, and they are basically qualified commercial film directors, their biggest problem is not their ability and skills, but that their thinking is too narrow, and they do not believe in collectivism, patriotism, and dedication.

This makes their films seem petty and out of place in the mainland.

Needless to say, "Red Cliff", with such a good theme, "The Climber" seems to have climbed Mount Everest for their little love.

Later, the biggest reason why "Cold War" was popular in the mainland is that the pattern of this movie is obviously much higher than that of the previous police and gangster films.

Li Shengyao had already said it was obvious, and then he stopped talking.

Xu Yu thought about it, thought of the theme of Hong Kong films, and the movies that are popular in the mainland with more than 100 million yuan, and vaguely understood what Li Shengyao meant.

He then asked, "What about other markets?" ”

"The island country is completely closed, not to mention Chinese-language movies, even if it's a general Hollywood blockbuster, they don't like it."

The island nation is about to enter the era of animated films, and "Detective Conan", which is produced every year, is a blockbuster of the island country.

It's hard for live-action movies to break out of the island nation, even if it's a Hollywood blockbuster.

In Lee Shengyao's previous life, soon superhero movies will quickly sweep the world, such as Hong Kong Island, Wanwan and other markets, the highest-grossing movie is a superhero movie.

And the mainland was once dominated by superhero movies.

However, mainland audiences have always disliked movies that only have a fight-and-kill routine, and after a few years, they quickly got rid of superhero movies, and a number of local films have become box office reapers.

And in the island country, Marvel's superheroes have never taken advantage.

For many years, even the island country can't get into the top ten of the year, and the island people's favorite Hollywood movie is "Frozen", which is an animated movie, and the two "Frozen" are 300 million US dollars in the island country.

"As for the peninsula, they have a very good development of films, and they have always been snobbish, and they can't watch Asian movies, they only accept Hollywood movies."

Except for Jay Lun's "The Secret That Can't Be Said" was a big hit on the peninsula, and "Lust and Caution" was a small explosion on the peninsula, no other Chinese entertainment movies have caused a movie-watching boom on the peninsula after the new century.

Cheng Long, Li Lianjie's movies are not good.

Huayu filmmakers don't count on this market.

Lee went on to say: "Hollywood is going to start making superhero movies, like Superman, and they're going to take over the market very quickly. ”

After a pause, after Xu Yi had almost digested it, Li Shengyao continued: "Not to mention the European market, except for Wang Sunglasses, no one else should think about it." ”

"My advice is to think about the preferences of mainland audiences, not to lead the audience's aesthetics, which is difficult to do, what we should do is to shoot movies that audiences like to watch."

Xu Yu thought about it carefully, talked about some things again, and then said gratefully: "Director Li, your words have given me some special insights, I think I know where the next road is." ”

"That's good, if there is any movie that needs to be invested, you can find Fenghua."

……

Xu Yu then left, and Li Shengyao naturally continued to greet the guests.

Probably when the celebration banquet was about to end, someone else came, and the assistant hurriedly came to Li Shengyao and said in a low voice: "Boss, Jiang Zhiqiang is here."

Jiang Zhiqiang is the largest investor in Lao Mouzi Films and the best independent distributor in Asia.

The vast majority of Li Press and Lao Mouzi's films were distributed by him.

"Hero" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" can be a big hit in North America, and they are inseparable from Jiang Zhiqiang.

He has connections almost all over the world.

Later, Jiang Zhiqiang would also invest in "Return" and "Huo Yuanjia", of which "Huo Yuanjia" sold 60 million dollars in the disc market of the beautiful country, making Universal Pictures a lot of money.

Lee has always liked people who can earn foreign exchange.

Jiang Zhiqiang is the issuer he recognizes very much.

Maybe they'll work together in the future.

He then greeted him, and soon saw Jiang Zhiqiang, who was only one meter six tall, with an ordinary face, and only brought an assistant, looking at Jiang Zhiqiang, who was very ordinary.

"Director Li, I'm sorry for being late."

"Mr. Jiang is polite."

Li Shengyao then beckoned his assistant to serve Jiang Zhiqiang a drink, and the two exchanged a few words, Li Shengyao was about to leave, but Jiang Zhiqiang called out to him.

"Director Li, I watched "Punch, Dad" on Hong Kong Island, let's talk."

Li Shengyao's eyes lit up, and then he led Jiang Zhiqiang to the vacant seat on the side.

In his previous life, "Let's Wrestle, Dad" was not only in China and India, but also in many places, such as Australia, Great Britain, and beautiful countries.

The total box office has more than 30 million US dollars.

Naturally, it doesn't compare with Hollywood movies, but compared to ordinary Asian movies, this result is very good.

Lee Shengyao naturally wants to replicate this achievement, but he doesn't have a strong enough overseas distribution partner.

Now the appearance of Jiang Zhiqiang has given him some expectations.

The two of them sat down again, and Jiang Zhiqiang said directly to the point: ""Punch, Dad" reflects the growth of women, father's love, and heroic redemption, these are all universal emotions that can be empathized, Director Li, this movie can not only be played in the Chinese-speaking area, but also in other countries. ”

Jiang Zhiqiang is so direct, Li Shengyao will naturally not be false.

He nodded, "When I wrote the script, I took this into account, is Mr. Jiang willing to cooperate with Fenghua?" ”

"Happy, Director Li, I like your character."

Jiang Zhiqiang paused for a moment, and then said: "You give me the distribution rights of "Punch, Dad" in Europe and the United States, and I promise that it can at least be released and broadcast in the beautiful country, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Spanish Duck, how about it?" ”

This has included several of the largest film markets in Europe and the United States.

"Okay, I agree."

"The share of overseas issuance will be higher, and I will take 12 percent."

"This ......"

Li Shengyao paused, deliberately frowning.

Without Jiang Zhiqiang, it would be impossible for him to release it in Europe and the United States, this was originally an unplanned box office, as long as it was not too excessive, he would agree.

But that's how it is to talk about things, especially when it comes to monetary interests, don't be too cheerful.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhiqiang thought of the relevant materials he had read before.

Li Shengyao is young and talented, but he values money more.

A valueless enterprise, even if it is Huayi, will not give face.

The 12 percent he quoted was actually a relatively low price.

This price is only available to an old acquaintance like Lao Mouzi Li Press.

If a film or television company has a work for him to operate, he will report 14 percent, or even 15 percent.

He was already very conscientious in giving this price, and made this decision in order to show his sincerity.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhiqiang explained in a low voice the previous market of European and American releases, as well as his intentions.

Li Shengyao smiled when he heard this, "Okay, since Mr. Jiang is so sincere, then of course I want to support it." ”

He then raised his glass and touched a glass with Jiang Zhiqiang, "Happy cooperation." ”

(End of chapter)