Deceiving Chinese Entertainment Industry for Thirty Years 85

Chapter 83: A Big Publicity Blitz After Winning an Award! “That Mountain, That Man, That Dog” is About to Be Released!

“You really don’t understand men.”

“Why wouldn’t I understand?”

“They deceived you, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then do you know how to deal with such deceivers?”

“How to deal with them?”

“Live well, live vibrantly, remain the big star Wang Ruoxian who has influence throughout Asia! If they see you like this, they’ll be incredibly miserable.”

Hong Jie couldn’t possibly imagine what Ma Xun was doing.

Or, who he was doing it with.

Wang Ruoxian finally understood the meaning behind Ma Xun’s previous words.

As for the results of the Tokyo Film Festival.

Sorry, no time.

Let’s talk about something else now.

Wang Ruoxian never expected that Ma Xun would actually wake her up.

Just ponder over those words.

Actually, Ma Xun was right.

Wang Ruoxian had seriously considered becoming a Buddhist nun.

Whenever she recently returned to Taiwan or Hong Kong, she would visit famous temples and monasteries.

She had too much on her mind.

But now, with Ma Xun’s words.

His reasoning was sound.

“I’m not a man, just like Xue Qianxun, I really don’t understand you men.”

This made Ma Xun shake his head helplessly.

“It has nothing to do with gender.”

“Then what does it have to do with?”

After such a long period of exercise, although she had rested and eaten, her body was still greatly depleted.

Depletion means weight loss, Wang Ruoxian now looked much better.

She had a rejuvenated feeling.

And this question just now was like a little girl asking.

Ma Xun became more patient.

“Why do you think Lin Jianyue pursued you?”

“Why?”

“Because you’re famous, you’re a great beauty, you’re superior to her, and he has face [prestige] taking you out.”

“So, that’s why he wouldn’t divorce?”

“It’s because if he divorced, he would lose much more than the face you bring him, or the money you could bring him after marriage.”

“Interests? Money?”

“You played Pan Jinlian, right?”

“Have you seen that film?”

“I can only say that your understanding of *Jin Ping Mei* in Hong Kong and Taiwan is too shallow.”

“You… you guys can read that kind of book?”

“Hehe… do you think there’s only erotic content in it?”

“This… I haven’t actually read that book.”

“Then let me tell you, this book actually describes power and money. Every time Ximen Qing marries a new wife, it’s mainly for money.

Lust is merely an extension of power.

Don’t be captivated by appearances.

See the essence.”

Wang Ruoxian never expected that Ma Xun could utter such profound words.

She couldn’t even fully understand them.

Yet she felt that the reasoning was correct.

This guy Ma Xun is truly amazing.

Moreover, Ma Xun only mentioned Lin Jianyue, not that Mr. Qin.

In fact, Qin and Lin are essentially no different.

Does this represent Ma Xun’s gentleness?

“What about you? Would you want to hang me on a grapevine for an hour?”

When Wang Ruoxian said this, she was surprised herself.

This indicated that something in her had been unlocked.

Faced with this question, Ma Xun smiled, “If you want to play Pan Jinlian, I can play this game with you.

But our relationship is clear.

You help me make money.

I help you make a comeback.”

At this point, their eyes met.

“But I haven’t filmed any TV dramas.”

“Didn’t you film a Japanese drama?”

“But it was only one episode.”

“But that’s still a TV drama.”

“Okay, I can act in a TV drama, but this drama…”

“I can guarantee that this drama will achieve unprecedented success, and it will also have significant meaning.”

“What kind of meaning?”

“To usher in the era of Wuxia in mainland China!”

“That’s not right, hasn’t the mainland already filmed many Wuxia films and television dramas?”

“Our drama will truly ignite the Wuxia craze!”

Wang Ruoxian was now discussing her career with Ma Xun.

It was surprisingly smooth, and her heart was at ease.

Strange!

She hadn’t felt this relaxed in years.

“Lin Qishi? Do I resemble her?”

“You’re taller and stronger than her.”

“Ma Xun! So I can also fight.”

Interesting, the Wang Ruoxian from her younger years seemed to have returned.

Seeing her shaking her small fists, Ma Xun couldn’t help but find it amusing.

“Somewhere between Nie Xiaoqian and the White Snake.”

Is this the feeling of Lin Qishi’s character? … Wang Ruoxian seemed to have already imagined her own image.

That was in the past, but now…

“You need to lose weight.”

Ma Xun’s words brought Wang Ruoxian’s small fists flying.

“If you say that again! I’ll really get angry!”

“I’m just telling the truth.”

Easily subduing her, Ma Xun was no weakling.

Then, with a casual touch, her breasts trembled.

“You…”

“I’ve said all I need to say. Find the feeling yourself. Weight loss is a must. To be honest, your thighs are quite thick, though I do like them.”

Ma Xun finished and got up to put on his clothes.

At the same time, a pillow flew at him.

“Ma Xun! You’re a liar!”

Unfortunately, Wang Ruoxian’s throwing and cursing didn’t hurt Ma Xun at all.

This guy cheerfully put on his clothes and left.

“Losing weight means hunger, don’t think about shortcuts. Filming will probably start in half a year, I’ll call you then, of course, you can also come to the Capital City to find me.”

He pushed things off to half a year later.

Yet Wang Ruoxian, who had just called him a liar, now completely believed Ma Xun’s words.

Actually, this arrangement half a year later was excellent, as it gave Wang Ruoxian ample preparation time.

And she currently had work, *Ape Man* would be released at the end of the year or early next year.

She would definitely be busy for a while, and she also had an album to release.

This… she couldn’t help but turn on the television.

Then she heard the news.

“Breaking news! The 10th Tokyo International Film Festival has produced a major upset! The Chinese film *That Mountain, That Man, That Dog* has won the Cherry Blossom Grand Prize…”

It actually won an award.

Wang Ruoxian’s mouth slightly opened, Ma Xun actually did it!

…

Ma Xun didn’t stay long in Japan.

After separating from Wang Ruoxian, he immediately took a plane back to China.

The reason… if Hong Jie were to stage a surprise attack.

He might not be able to handle it.

It’s unavoidable, Wang Ruoxian’s build is quite large, his waist was really tired.

That’s why he urged her to lose weight.

But Ma Xun’s rapid return to China.

Upon landing, he was still surprised.

“Dark Horse! *That Mountain, That Man, That Dog* wins the Tokyo Film Festival’s top prize!”

“Congratulations! *That Mountain, That Man, That Dog* wins the Golden Kirin Award!”

“*That Mountain, That Man, That Dog* makes a name for itself in Tokyo!”

Our domestic media is really fast!

Many newspapers published the news of the award in Tokyo.

And the key is that CCTV 6 also stepped up.

They directly provided reports from the scene.

Actually, the Tokyo Film Festival is not very large now, the so-called on-site reporters are temporary student employees.

In other words, CCTV 6 didn’t initially think this film would win an award.

A pure dark horse!

However, this good news of winning the Tokyo Film Festival’s top award.

Will definitely inject a shot of adrenaline into the domestic film industry!

In 1997, the mainland Chinese film market was still not doing well.

So far, only one film has had a decent box office performance.

*To Live*.

It has already grossed over 40 million yuan.

But this is Zhang Yimou’s film, and it also has an all-star cast.

The production company is the brand-new “Xin Hua Mian.”

*To Live* is the first work of this company.

It’s also the beginning of the collaboration between Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou, “the two Zhangs.”

It was only listed under the name of Xi’an Film Studio.

But in Ma Xun’s view…

Xin Hua Mian = Big idiot.

This is not Ma Xun’s prejudice, but later became common knowledge in the industry.

Because Zhang Weiping’s company was created for only one person.

Zhang Yimou.

The idiotic part is that during Zhang Yimou’s more than ten years of filmmaking.

Xin Hua Mian did not sign a single actor.

That is to say, Zhang Yimou made movies and promoted so many “谋女郎” (Mou girls) and “谋先生” (Mou men).

But it had nothing to do with Xin Hua Mian.

It was not until *The Flowers of War* that they signed their first actor.

The result was not Ni Ni, but the girl who was rumored to have a tattoo on her ankle.

But, it’s Zhang Weiping who’s an idiot, Zhang Yimou isn’t stupid.

Many Mou girls and Mou men signed with Zhang Yimou’s company.

Later, “the two Zhangs” broke up, and Zhang Weiping hated the “national teacher” to death.

Therefore, various negative news about Zhang Yimou emerged.

And they were all true!

Ma Xun naturally understood Zhang Weiping… a “lickspittle” boss.

“Lickspittle” and “boss,” these two words don’t seem to have any relationship.

But “the two Zhangs” are such an example.

In fact, this is not the only such partnership in the Chinese entertainment industry.

With such a cooperative relationship.

*To Live* had a high box office on the surface, but it actually didn’t make any money.

Zhang Weiping himself said it lost quite a bit.

Now, 1997 is coming to an end.

Looking back.

*The Song Dynasty* flopped, no need to think about it.

*Thirteen Taels of Gold from the South China Sea* performed brilliantly, but it’s an art film, and the box office figures aren’t amazing.

What’s next?

*That Mountain, That Man, That Dog* unexpectedly won the Tokyo Film Festival’s top prize.

It should be released!

And this was Ma Xun’s plan all along.

Especially this current public relations campaign.

Many were initiated by the media, but some were arranged by Ma Xun beforehand.

Don’t forget, this film is now a key project of the Post Office.

Good news of an unexpected award came from the front.

Publicity! It must be heavily publicized!

The Post Office’s actions were within Ma Xun’s expectations.

He naturally didn’t bother with it.

As for other media, Ma Xun still focused on Hunan.

The film was shot there, and it tells the story of that place.

Xiao Xiang Studio is also located there!

And the novel’s publicity was also carried out there before.

This is home turf, it must be seized.

But CCTV 6… Ma Xun soon received a call from Sun Donghai.

“Brother! I didn’t expect it! It actually won a grand prize!”

“Oh, so that means…”

“There’s a prize money, right?”

“Yes.”

Film festivals generally have prize money, while the Oscars are an exception.

The prize money for these international A-class film festivals, for the grand prize, is around 200,000 US dollars or Euros.

It’s not a lot, but it’s not insignificant either.

Many Chinese filmmakers are so eager to win awards overseas, just to get this prize money.

Moreover, winning awards can also help sell copyrights.

Frankly, they don’t care how much their films gross domestically.

Those people make films for foreigners, they simply don’t care whether domestic audiences watch them or not!

But our *That Mountain* is different!

Ma Xun had decided early on that he wanted high box office!

Sun Donghai called just to ask about the prize money?

“Hehe… did you say something to CCTV 6 about those reports?”

“Oh! Haha… it’s because of your face! Everyone in our circle knows that you were the one who strongly advocated for the investment in this film!”

The mystery is solved!

With such a successful publicity campaign.

Sun Donghai deserves some credit.

Ma Xun could only smile helplessly.

After all, Sun Donghai did help him.

And there’s more.

“CCTV 6 said they’re waiting for our *That Mountain* team to return, and then they’ll do a proper interview.”

This can also be considered as publicity.

With such a publicity campaign…

Ma Xun directly told Sun Donghai, “I plan to release this film in early December.”

Strike while the iron is hot!

Sun Donghai naturally expressed his support, but there’s something he needs to remind him of.

“Brother, have you heard? The two guys who originally designed the advertisements, they invested in a film by Feng Xiaogang, and it’s also going to be released in December.”

Ma Xun directly replied: ” *A Movie Title*, right.”

“Wow! So you knew all along!” Sun Donghai was surprised.

But since this is the case, there’s nothing to say.

“Let’s release it together, we’re not afraid of them!”

Ma Xun said with a smile, “Actually, they’re two different kinds of films, there’s no competition.”

Is there really no competition?

Ma Xun knew that *A Movie Title* was released in the last few days of the year.

Our release dates are staggered.

Moreover, the main target markets are completely different!

Feng-style comedy is a Northern style comedy, mainly targeting Northeast China and the Capital City.

It’s hard for it to gain traction south of the Yangtze River.

But our *That Mountain* is obviously aiming for the Hunan market.

Another one is Shanghai.

But honestly, Ma Xun was somewhat helpless about *A Movie Title*.

He couldn’t possibly intervene in this film.

The things behind this film are too complicated.

Let’s just simply talk about the relationship between the Wang brothers and Feng Xiaogang.

Didn’t we mention “the two Zhangs” earlier?

In fact, the Wang brothers are also “lickspittle” bosses!

Huayi Brothers has always been licking Feng Xiaogang.

This true relationship is incomprehensible to ordinary moviegoers.

If Ma Xun were an inexperienced time traveler, he would foolishly go to Feng Xiaogang to intervene in this film.

He would be 100% screwed!

Let’s not talk about other people’s films.

Ma Xun’s next step is to properly operate the release of our *That Mountain, That Man, That Dog*.

But he had just returned to his courtyard to rest for two days.

The饕餮 (Taotie) door knocker sounded again.

“Ma Xun!”

Hong Jie returned, then jumped directly onto Ma Xun.

Ma Xun quickly caught her.

The two were in the same pose as Stephen Chow and Cecilia Cheung.

“What are you doing?”

“I ask you, why did you run off first?”

“I didn’t run, I came back to oversee the release of our film.”

Hong Jie was slightly satisfied after hearing this explanation.

However, she raised another question!

“Ma Xun, I heard quite a bit of news in Tokyo, tell me, how did you ensure that our film would win the award?”

Listen to her words, “ensure.”

Ma Xun laughed, and carried Hong Jie into the house, it was still cold outside.

“Everyone knows about getting Fukusaku Kinji on board, right?”

“Yes.”

“But I even got his son on board.”

“Ah?”

Hong Jie’s surprised expression made him want to kiss her lips.

Ma Xun had to give his answer, “I will cooperate with Fukusaku Kenta on a film called *Battle Royale*, and I will acquire the overseas copyright.”

“This… what kind of film is that?”

Hong Jie naturally didn’t understand, but Ma Xun knew very well.

*Battle Royale* will make money!

In fact, Ma Xun also gave Fukusaku Kenta some inside information.

That is, if Fukusaku Kinji wanted to change his mind, then a great filial piety battle would ensue!

In this way, of course, we can ensure that our film wins the award.

There’s no need to tell Hong Jie this.

Moreover, at this moment, Hong Jie was already wriggling her waist like a beautiful snake.

“The beeper is still too cold.”

“You’re silly, buy a waterproof one, put it in hot water before using it.”

Ma Xun’s words embarrassed Hong Jie, who pounded his chest with her small fists…

(End of Chapter)

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter