The red sun hangs high, the cool breeze is slow, and the grass is soft.

When I just got up in the morning, I heard a magpie chirping, and Chen Hao said that there might be something good today, or a guest visiting.

Li Shengyao chuckled and shook his head.

After he returned from France, he was visited almost every day to tell where he needed magpies.

At ten o'clock in the morning, when the sun was warm, someone came to visit again.

Xu Zheng and Huang Bo came together, both of them carrying gift bags.

Xu Zheng is still bald, and he wears a peaked cap.

At this time, his face was full of red light, his face was rounder, and his belly was bigger.

"Thai Embarrassment" has been produced and the schedule has been determined, and it will be released on August 1.

This schedule coincided with the beginning of the domestic film protection month, which can be said to give "Thai Embarrassment" the best schedule except for the Chinese New Year.

This schedule was won by Li Shengyao, and he personally called Han Sanping, saying that this movie will definitely make a lot of money, and it can give full play to the full potential of the movie in this schedule.

Xu Zheng was excited when he learned the news, and immediately called Li Shengyao to express his gratitude.

"Don't thank me, "Thai Embarrassment" is the first movie you directed, and it is also a gorgeous movie."

Lee Shengyao directed three film circles last year, namely "Zodiac", "Chinese Partner", and "Thai Embarrassment".

"Zodiac" and "Huaxia Partner" have not invested much, and only "Thai Embarrassment" is Fenghua's main investment.

He knows very well that this is a billion-level movie that deserves attention.

After Li Shengyao returned to China, Xu Zheng did not come to visit, this time he came to express his sincerity.

Huang Bo's complexion is also very good, he has become a first-line actor in China, and his speed of popularity should be second only to Baoqiang, faster than Huang Xiaoming, Chen Kun, and Lu Yi, the so-called four big boys, to gain a foothold in the film industry.

Both were carrying gifts, both smiling and very polite.

Xu Zheng saw Li Shengyao, and took off his hat, revealing his round bald head.

"Come in, let's talk."

Whether it is Xu Zheng or Huang Bo, they have been lucky in the past few years.

The luck of the two will probably last until 2020, and the movies before this, whether they are starring or directing, have not lost money.

Huang Bo's first "A Good Show" as a director did not lose money, which is really rare.

In Li Shengyao's previous life, these two people mainly made movies for Guangguang and helped Guangguang make a lot of money.

Lee doesn't plan to pull the two into Fenghua, but he can invest in their films.

After a while, the three of them sat down at the small round table in the courtyard, and the cooking aunt poured tea.

Xu Zheng and Huang Bo first congratulated Li Shengyao on winning the Palme d'Or again, and then chatted for a while about the recent events in the entertainment industry.

There was no big event in 2012, and the only thing that was special was probably the rise of traffic.

Before 2012, there were naturally many traffic stars, such as Li Yuxuan, and Han Terriers were all big traffic.

But their traffic is not so conspicuous on the Internet, especially on Weibo.

And 85 flowers, Liu Shishi, Da Mi Mi have a lot of fans on Weibo, and the traffic is very large.

is like Lu Han, and the sign is even more powerful in Han Idols.

Fans have to compare everything, more than forwards, more likes, than replies, than the number of people who pick up the airport.

The organized and large-scale support activities of Peninsula fans can be regarded as officially entering the mainland and developing rapidly.

Xu Zheng and Huang Bo both sighed a little, as post-70s, when they were young, they chased the Four Heavenly Kings, but buying a box of tapes to support, where would they be so crazy.

"Director Li, do you think you can make a lot of money by acting in movies with these traffic?"

"It's okay to make a small profit, but it's impossible to make a big profit."

is like the big power of "Far Cry", it is said that the investment is only seven or eight million, and it has a box office of 50 million, which is a small profit.

But if the production cost is high, it is difficult to say whether it can make money.

Li Shengyao added: "Most of the people who chase traffic are young people, and students account for a large proportion, and students have time to brush data, but their wallets are not thick, and they are not the main force of movie-watching." ”

Xu Zheng nodded, he picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, glanced at Huang Bo, and planned to get down to business.

"Director Li, didn't "Parasite" participate in the Shanghai Film Festival this time?"

The registration deadline for the Shanghai Film Festival is generally mid-May, and this year it is May 14th.

Lee Shengyao's "1937" participated in the Shanghai Film Festival last year, but "Parasite" did not participate this year.

The main reason is that they have already participated in the Cannes Film Festival, and it is not interesting to go to the Shanghai Film Festival again, Liang Jiahui and Liu Dehua have said that they do not need to participate in the competition for the best actor at the Shanghai Film Festival.

Plus in June, they are going to participate in the promotion of the movie.

Li Shengyao did not sign up for "Parasite".

Xu Zheng is a native of Shanghai, and has been acting in dramas in Shanghai in his early years, and he is very familiar with people in Shanghai.

It should be the meaning of the organizer of the Shanghai Film Festival.

"Parasite" is a good film and won the Palme d'Or, and such a film can add luster to the film festival by participating in the Shanghai Film Festival.

"If we didn't participate, we had to run publicity in June, and we didn't have time to go to Shanghai to compete."

Xu Zheng scratched his head, and the people at the Shanghai Film Festival hoped that he could persuade Li Shengyao, even if the registration deadline was now, they could be accommodating and let "Parasite" participate.

He said yes at the time.

However, in the face of Li Shengyao at this time, seeing that Li Shengyao had no intention of participating, he couldn't say any of the reasons he thought of before coming.

He didn't dare to persuade at all.

Although the weather was excellent today, with sunshine and warm wind, Li Dadao was smiling, but he didn't dare to say anything more about what Li Shengyao was sure of.

"I can't promise this kind of thing in the future."

Xu Zheng secretly made a decision in his heart, and then said another thing.

"Director Li, let me relay one thing at the Shanghai Film Festival."

This is the second thing that the leader of the Shanghai Film Festival asked him to do, if Li Shengyao did not agree to participate in "Parasite", he would say the second thing.

"What's the matter?"

"That's the case, the Shanghai Film Festival wants to ask you, are you interested in being the chief seal of the jury of the Shanghai Film Festival?"

Just now, Li Shengyao directly determined that "Parasite" will not participate in the film festival competition.

Xu Zheng didn't dare to persuade.

This time, he planned to give the reason earlier, so as not to dare to speak more later.

"The film festival gave some preferential treatment."

"Preferential?"

Xu Zheng nodded, "Director Li, it was said that the Shanghai Film Festival will take care of the artists in the future, and will also help you promote "Parasite", and if you are the chief seal of the jury, everything will be dominated by you, and you will definitely not interfere with your decision." ”

Huang Bo sat on the side, looking envious.

In his opinion, this is the highest honor, if he becomes the chief seal of the jury of the Shanghai Film Festival, then the stars of the entire Chinese entertainment industry will hold him.

Li Shengyao didn't have much emotion.

If it was the year before last, letting Li Shengyao be the chief jury seal of the Shanghai Film Festival would indeed improve his qualifications.

But not now, he won two Palme d'Or, and now it's his way to improve the Shanghai Film Festival.

Don't look at the Shanghai Film Festival, there are so many Chinese entertainment stars participating every year, and it is still an A-class film festival, but this film festival has no gold content, and insiders will not take the awards of the Shanghai Film Festival as honor.

Lao Mouzi became the chief seal of the Venice jury in 2007, which is the position that really highlights the honor.

That year, "Lust and Caution" won the Golden Lion Award, and it is difficult to say that there is no operation of Lao Mouzi.

In the future, if Lee Shengyao is the chief jury seal at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival, he will naturally take care of Chinese films.

Li Shengyao doesn't really want to be the chief seal of this Shanghai Film Festival, except that he is not enough.

He wanted "Parasite" to be released on June 15, and he had to promote it before, and he didn't have time to be a judge.

Xu Zheng thought about it and hurriedly added: "In addition, the Shanghai Film Festival owes you a favor, no matter what happens in the future, you can discuss it." ”

Li Shengyao smiled, and then said slowly: "Thank you for me, the leaders of the Shanghai Film Festival, I want to promote "Parasite" in June, and I don't have time to be a judge." ”

Xu Zheng breathed a sigh of relief, although he didn't succeed, he finally finished talking about these two things.

He glanced at Huang Bo, and then changed the topic, "Director Li, "Parasite" should be able to get a box office of six or seven billion like "1937" this time, right?"

Li Shengyao smiled, "Unlikely, "Parasite" is a feature film, and it would be good to have 200 million." ”

In his previous life, "Parasite" performed well in Europe and the United States.

It was not released in the mainland, but Li Shengyao felt that even if the film was released, the box office would not be too high.

If it is a modern urban theme, mainland people like to watch some movies that can arouse topics.

For example, the "Ex" series, such as "Gone Girl", such as "All or Nothing".

The economic development in Europe and the United States is stagnant, and it is very difficult for ordinary people to cross classes, and the class contradictions are relatively intense, which can resonate.

In the case of the mainland, at present, the economy is in a period of rapid development, everyone has money to earn, and the class contradictions are not obvious.

"Parasite" is difficult to arouse emotional resonance, and Li Shengyao feels that 200 million is considered to be a complete task.

The main box office of this movie is still in Europe and the United States.

Anyway, it will definitely not lose money, and if you can get the Palme d'Or, you have already completed the task.

In this case, Li Shengyao doesn't care much about the box office of "Parasite" in the mainland, of course, he will still do the publicity that should be done.

After all, so much effort has been put in, Liu Dehua and Liang Jiahui need movies to maintain popularity, or publicity, and high-ranking films.

just said that he had the bottom in his heart, and he would not be depressed and angry because of the low box office.

When Xu Zheng heard this, he was surprised.

Lee Shengyao, known as Asia's most successful commercial film director, is this time going to capsize in the gutter.

He carefully observed Li Shengyao, and saw that Li Dadao did not have any frustration, and he was puzzled.

Then I thought that "Parasite" won the Palme d'Or, and Lee Shengyao's net worth of tens of billions of dollars, it seems that he really doesn't need to pay too much attention to the box office of the movie.

He was envious in his heart, and then thought of the movie he directed, "Director Li, what kind of results do you think "Thai Embarrassment" can achieve?"

When Huang Bo heard this, he immediately became interested.

"Director Li, do you think there are 200 million?"

The box office of domestic films in the mainland exceeded 600 million the year before last, and this figure was maintained last year.

At present, except for the two "If You Are the Truth, Do Not Disturb" more than 400 million, the box office of other comedies in the mainland market is not very high, that is, several of Ning Hao's films have exceeded 100 million, and with the help of Li Shengyao the year before last, "No Man's Land" got more than 200 million.

Huang Baiming made it difficult for those comedies to break 100 million.

Others, like the Happy Family, Wang Jing will also make some comedies, all of which are difficult movies with 50 million yuan.

Huang Bo and Xu Zheng talked about it before, and everyone thought that they would burn high incense if they could have 200 million.

Li Shengyao smiled, "Of course it's more than 200 million." ”

In his previous life, "Thai Embarrassment" can be said to have been born out of nowhere, and suddenly increased the box office of domestic films to more than one billion.

This is something that no one expected.

Especially comedy movies, the box office of comedy movies at this time is actually not very high.

600 million-level movies such as "Tangshan Earthquake", "Let the Bullets Fly", and "Jinling Thirteen Hairpins" are all top blockbusters.

He thinks that since 2012, mainland people prefer to watch comedies than before, and everyone is no longer blindly pursuing super blockbusters.

"I feel that "Thai Embarrassment" will explode, and the box office will exceed "Let the Bullets Fly" and "Jinling Thirteen Hairpins", seven or eight billion, or even one billion."

Xu Zheng and Huang Bo's eyes widened when they heard this.

Xu Zheng glanced at the birds flying in the sky, and made sure that this was true, not a dream, so he asked softly, "Director Li, can it be so high?" ”

"Yes."

Although it has not yet been released and is not sure about the final box office, Xu Zheng is still very excited when he hears Li Shengyao's words, if "Thai Embarrassment" can have one billion, then he is the first Chinese director to get one billion box office in the mainland market.

I guess I'm very proud.

He couldn't help but glance at Li Shengyao, thinking that the copyright of "People in Embarrassment" was in Fenghua.

So why doesn't Li Shengyao direct a movie that can break a billion in the mainland?

He had always been cautious before, and at this time he couldn't help asking: "Director Li, you are so optimistic about "Thai Embarrassment", why did you let me shoot it in the first place?" ”

Li Shengyao understands Xu Zheng's doubts, and if he were someone else, he would probably fight for this honor.

However, he knows very well that this honor is meaningless, and there will soon be two billion, three billion, and five billion movies in the follow-up.

"I'm optimistic about you, you shoot well, and you can make money like Fenghua.

As for why I didn't shoot it myself, I don't think it makes much sense, our country is getting better and better, and the box office will be higher in the future.

I'm in good shape right now, and I want to make something more interesting. ”

The sun fell on Li Shengyao, as if there was fluorescence lingering, and at this moment, Li Shengyao was infinitely higher in the hearts of Xu Zheng and Huang Bo.

He is not the chief seal of the jury of the Shanghai Film Festival, and he is not greedy for power.

does not direct "Thai Embarrassment" himself, and is not greedy for fame and fortune.

Focusing on Parasite and attacking the Cannes Palme d'Or is a fearless spirit that requires a great deal of courage and faith.

In order to make Chinese films shine in the world film industry, Director Li has paid too much.

Xu Zhengqiang resisted the urge to get up and bow in submission.

"Director Li, you are an example to all of us."

He feels that compared with other filmmakers in the mainland, Lee Shengyao's level of mind is completely at another stage.

Some time ago, the people of the light invited him to drink and practice guns, hoping that he would switch to the light in his next movie.

He feels that it is unnecessary now, and it is better to follow Li Shengyao.

Lee Shengyao not only helped read the script, but also gave money happily and did not interfere with their creation.

This kind of bearing is not comparable to others.

……

June is coming soon, and Li Shengyao took the crew of "Parasite" to promote it all over the country.

He has a beautiful video and has a good relationship with several David TVs, but he doesn't need to worry about having no place to publicize.

Their itinerary is very full, several first-tier cities, as well as cities with good economic development and high box office.

On this day, at Hucheng TV, Li Shengyao and his party participated in a program, because the recording time was relatively long, the recording time in the morning was not enough, and it took two or three hours in the afternoon.

Their crew finished their work in the morning and ate at the restaurant in the Shanghai TV station.

Li Shengyao has always liked to eat in such a big cafeteria, giving him the feeling of going to college, and the whole person is much younger.

Liu Dehua and Liang Jiahui are more curious.

As soon as they sat down, the propagandists of another crew came over.

This crew is the crew of "Ruffian Heroes: All-Out War", the director of this film is Cai Yuexun, starring Zhao Youting, Huang Bo, Big Baby, and Guan Ying.

Huang Bo saw Li Shengyao and immediately stepped forward to say hello.

Cai Yuexun and Zhao Youting immediately followed.

Zhao Youting is the actor who is pushing hard at this time, compared with the other two, he can be regarded as the most ambitious and persevering actor.

Peng Yuyan and Ruan Jingtian have been mixing in the mainland for ten years, and they still have a crooked accent in the later period.

Zhao Youting acted in movies and TV series later, and basically there was no crooked accent.

The only unpleasant thing about this old brother is that he married Gao Yuanyuan.

Tiger pounces on the elder brother's wife-snatching hatred.

The big baby is not very good at figure, but the face is really okay.

She is a person who knows how to do things, and when she saw Liu Dehua and Liang Jiahui, she immediately chatted in Cantonese.

Guan Ying is a bent celebrity, known as a woman who is envious and hated by all actresses, her appearance can only be regarded as good, her temperament is acceptable, she can be a swan in Bend, but it is not enough to see in the mainland.

Li Shengyao has no impression of "Ruffian Heroes: All-Out War", he doesn't remember the box office of this movie, it should not be more than 100 million.

Big baby, Guan Ying, and Zhao Youting greeted Li Shengyao, greeted him for a while, and then went to other tables.

Cai Yuexun did not leave.

He pulled a stool and sat next to Li Shengyao, looking helpless at this time, "Director Li, "Parasite" has such a good reputation, it will definitely sweep June, and the movie we follow behind is really too difficult." ”

This year, there are a lot of movies produced in the mainland, and there are many more movies released than before.

For example, at the beginning of June, there were movies such as "Snow White: The Magic Mirror", "The Magical Pirates", "Running Out of the Sky", "Love Island" and so on.

In mid-June, there are movies such as "Madagascar 3", "The First Time", "Treasure Island Twins", "Pen Fairy Horror" and so on.

In late June, there are also movies of the level of "The Hunger Games" and "Painted Skin 2".

The competition is fierce.

Now that there is one more "Parasite", Cai Yuexun can imagine how difficult it is for ordinary movies to break out of the encirclement, and there is a high probability that they will become cannon fodder.

Although "Ruffian Heroes: All-Out War" has a TV series to warm up, except for Huang Bo, the other actors do not have any appeal in the mainland.

He was genuinely worried that the film would be a stepping stone to other blockbusters.

He wants to sell the tragic experience here to see if Li Shengyao can use Fenghua video to help promote it.

Li Shengyao smiled, "You don't have to worry, "Parasite" is not a traditional commercial blockbuster, this movie can have 200 million, even if the task is completed, as long as your movie is of outstanding quality, there will be absolutely no problem." ”

Cai Yuexun was stunned when she heard this, "Director Li, are you joking with me?" ”

The box office of the films produced by Lee Shengyao has never been low, and it has always been one of the top five of the year in the mainland.

If this "Parasite" is only 200 million, it can't be in the top five.

Cai Yuexun didn't believe it, after all, he was so good before, he won the Palme d'Or this time, the reputation is so good, and the news network helps to publicize, why is the box office even lower?

Li Shengyao replied while eating: "No kidding, the theme of this movie is not the kind of big hit, you don't have to worry, "Parasite" will definitely not block your financial path, it depends on whether your own strength is hard or not." ”

When he was at the Sohu Fashion Festival before, Wang Zhonglei looked for Li Shengyao, hoping that Li Shengyao could change the schedule of "Parasite" to a different time.

Huayi invested in "Painted Skin 2", and the Wang brothers were very interested in this movie.

Li Shengyao said at the time that there was no need to worry, the box office of "Parasite" would not be too high.

That's still the case at this point.

In other words, a few years ago, in order to avoid being slapped in the face, Li Shengyao would definitely reduce the heat of "Parasite".

But it's not necessary now.

It's not a pure commercial movie, and it doesn't matter if the box office is not high.

What's more, Li Shengyao's fame and status have been greatly improved, and he doesn't need to worry about a movie's box office failure, which will affect his reputation in the hearts of the audience.

There are many movies in June, so naturally some people predict the box office, and now many people on the Internet are actually optimistic about "Parasite", and the popularity is quite high.

In the future, the box office of "Parasite" will not be as good as "Painted Skin 2", but I am afraid that it will attract a lot of ridicule.

But it doesn't matter.

Lee Shengyao has passed the period of pursuing the box office, and he really doesn't pay much attention to these things now.

Cai Yuexun saw that Li Shengyao was serious, and he was naturally very puzzled in his heart, he thought about his identity and felt that Li Shengyao had no need to lie to him.

returned to the propaganda crew of "Ruffian Heroes: All-Out War" with a confused face, and then said what Li Shengyao had just said.

Zhao Youting, the big baby didn't believe Li Shengyao's words, and they all felt that this was Li Dadao's words of relief, and "Parasite" would definitely explode.

However, Huang Bo has long heard Li Shengyao talk about the theme of "Parasite", and he has heard Li Shengyao predict the box office of this movie, and understands that this movie may not be able to get a high box office in the mainland.

He heard Li Shengyao still say this at this time, and he was still so frank, but he admired it very much.

"Director Li doesn't need to deceive people, it should be like this, he himself is not very optimistic about the box office of "Parasite", we have to believe him."

Cai Yuexun knew that Huang Bo and Li Shengyao were much closer, and couldn't help but be curious when she heard this, "Director Li's previous movie box office was so good, why didn't he continue such results?" ”

"Director Li doesn't pursue the box office now, the realm is different, he pursues high-quality movies.

However, the movie was not released, and the box office is not easy to say, in case the audience likes it, it is not necessarily. ”

(End of chapter)