Chapter 109 Murderous Case

While Gu Wei was busy editing, on the other side of the ocean, "The Promise" held its pre-release premiere.

"Director Han, all the invitations have been delivered."

"Ah."

In the office of China Film Group, Han Sanping felt a little emotional when he heard his assistant's report. Then he waved his hand and asked the assistant to go down first.

After nearly three years of preparation for shooting, he finally waited for this day. So far, he is still full of confidence in this movie which is mainly invested by China Film.

"Director Chen, Director Han sent a message that the venue is confirmed to be the CPPCC Auditorium, and the staff are stepping up preparations."

Brother Chen Kai nodded, unable to conceal the excitement on his face; his masterpiece was about to be released, and he was overwhelmed with happiness.

...

"Boss, the invitation to the premiere of The Promise has been sent to the company."

"Got it. You can go there on behalf of the company and bring Yifei and Qin Hao with you so they can show their faces."

After receiving Wang Chen's call, Gu Wei made the arrangements casually.

As the mainland market has been getting better and better in the past two years, cinema chains have been expanding and box office performance has been going up.

The Lunar New Year holiday has become a default battleground because this period of time is when people's consumption desire and passion are at their highest throughout the year.

With three years of shooting and a production cost of 3 million, in the eyes of filmmakers, "The Promise" has all the qualities to be a successful commercial film.

At the entrance of the CPPCC auditorium, most of the well-known directors and celebrity artists in the circle came. The last time the entertainment industry was so lively was at the premiere of "The Myth".

On both sides of the 100-meter-long red carpet, hundreds of warriors wearing red robes and holding swords and guns stood in neat rows in the square.

Both sides of the red carpet were surrounded by a large number of reporters, official media and major portals.

At the end of the red carpet is a red wall that is three meters high and more than ten meters wide, with four large characters "Wuji Gate" written on it.

At five o'clock in the afternoon, Wang Chen, Liu Yifei and Qin Hao came to the auditorium together. As soon as they got off the car, they were shocked by the scene in front of them.

“This scene is too big.”

Qin Hao muttered.

Liu Yifei, who was standing next to her, also nodded after hearing this.

"Come on, let's go straight in."

Wang Chen said to the two of them, Liu Yifei and Qin Hao nodded, and they walked into the venue.

The further they walked in, the more they could feel the grand scale of this premiere. When they arrived at the door, they saw two posters of "The Promise" hanging high on the outer wall of the auditorium.

The big words "Oscar-winning film" on the poster are very eye-catching.

"Manager Wang."

"Director Ning, you're here too."

Wang Chen saw Ning Hao and others coming over to say hello and spoke directly.

"Almost all the directors, big and small, in the industry are here. Wow, it's such a grand occasion."

Ning Hao showed an envious expression on his face, and then a few people came aside to chat.

The crew members of "The Promise" had not arrived yet, but the host of the party, Wang Han, was already there, surrounded by people talking and laughing.

This occasion is a place of fame and fortune, and people of all kinds will come over to chat with you. As Gu Wei's agent in China, Wang Chen has long been able to handle such occasions skillfully.

"Manager Wang, isn't Director Gu here?"

"Hello, Manager Wang."

"See? Everyone is here to ask about Director Gu's situation."

Ning Hao and Qin Hao started whispering.

Suddenly, they heard loud cheers from outside the venue, and everyone in the auditorium understood that it must be the crew of "The Promise" that had arrived.

"Come on, let's go take a look."

After hearing Qin Hao's proposal, several people walked out of the auditorium.

Brother Chen Kai and Chen Hong came out first, holding hands and walking onto the red carpet.

Afterwards, Zhang Baizhi, Xie Chuzi, Liu Ye, Jang Dong-gun, Sanada Hiroyuki and others stepped onto the red carpet one after another, with fans on both sides screaming and shouting the names of their idols.

Next was the interview with the main creative staff. Each person was asked a few questions by the reporter, and everyone answered carefully, except Brother Chen Kai.

The movie didn't officially start until half past seven.

On the big screen, there are circles of city walls and magnificent palaces.

In front of the hall, there were warriors in silver-white armor, with spears like a forest and flags fluttering.

Inside the venue, people watching the movie nodded one after another, and some even talked in low voices.

"Director Chen's artistic attainments are indeed top-notch."

"The director's filming skills are evident, the pictures are beautiful."

...

On the rooftop of the palace, Zhang Baizhi's character Qingcheng, with her picturesque eyebrows and flaming red lips, said charmingly:

"Anyone want to see what I'm wearing under my cloak?"

"I don't understand a bit."

As the film continued, some colleagues around were muttering to each other.

Brother Chen Kai saw the reactions of the people in the venue and nodded from time to time. This was the effect he wanted.

When it comes to commercial art blockbusters, you still have to look at me, Brother Chen Kai. As for those who don’t understand them, it’s because your level of attainment is not high enough.

"When we humans were young, we lived with God..."

"Do you understand?"

Liu Yifei said to the people next to her.

"good."

Ning Hao suddenly said this, and in an instant, several people looked at him.

"The picture is okay." Ning Hao swallowed and said a little guiltily.

The movie ended amid applause and praise from the crowd.

China Film Group has put in a lot of effort, and film critics and major media have praised "The Promise" and said a lot of good things about it.

On the way out of the venue, several people were interviewed by reporters and asked to give their comments after watching the movie.

Ning Hao: "The pictures are beautiful, worthy of being a big production."

Liu Yifei, Qin Hao, Wang Chen: "..."

Ning Hao had said everything they wanted to say, so they could only casually praise the movie and then hurriedly left the scene.

.........

After returning home, Liu Yifei picked up her cell phone and called Gu Wei.

"Hey, Sissy."

After a while, I heard a voice coming from the other end of the phone.

"Senior, are you busy?"

On the other side of the ocean, Gu Wei, who was working in the company, heard this, checked the time, gestured to the worker next to him, and walked towards the office.

"Fortunately, I'm dealing with the editing."

"What are you doing?"

“I just got home after attending the premiere with Qin Hao and others.

I watched Director Chen’s movies, but maybe I’m not at that level yet, so I didn’t quite understand them.”

Liu Yifei said.

"Really? It's normal that I don't understand a movie directed by a great director."

On the phone, Gu Wei tried hard not to laugh.

As the two chatted, the topic turned to other things.

As the saying goes, when a woman chases a man, there is a veil between them.

I don't know when it started, but Liu Yifei slowly developed different feelings for Gu Wei. It might have been when Gu Wei invited her to play a role in a movie, or it might have been when Gu Wei defended her many times.

Liu Yifei, who lacked fatherly love since childhood, gradually fell in love with this senior who was a few years older than her, but she probably didn't even realize it herself.

Gu is not a fool, he can also feel this feeling.

"Senior, when will you be back?"

"Before the Spring Festival."

After receiving Gu Wei's reply, Liu Yifei couldn't help but smile.

"Xixi, it's already so late and you're still not resting? You still have to practice singing tomorrow." At this time, Liu Xiaoli's voice rang out. After her daughter came home, she hid in the room to make a phone call, and she had been on the phone for more than an hour.

"Mom, it's the senior calling."

Seeing her mother coming into the room, Liu Yifei hurriedly said.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaoli said nothing and quietly retreated. As a person who has experienced this, she could see what her daughter was thinking. Whenever she mentioned Gu Wei, a smile would appear on her face unconsciously.

After chatting for a while, the two hung up the phone.

Afterwards, Liu Xiaoli came into the room again, looked at her daughter tenderly and said, "Xixi, you are already an adult. Mommy doesn't object to you dating. Mommy just hopes that you can find someone who truly loves and cares for you..."

"Mom, I didn't."

There was a bit of panic in Liu Yifei's eyes. She didn't dare to look at Liu Xiaoli's face, and she spoke incoherently.

"After listening to mom, if you like her, go after her boldly. Gu Wei is very good. As a big director, he doesn't usually have any scandals. In this circle, it's rare."

"mom…"

Liu Yifei didn't expect her mother to say this to her, and for a moment, she didn't know how to answer.

"You silly girl, do you really think your mother is too old and blind to see?"

"Mother."

Liu Yifei's face turned red.

"Okay, mom won't say any more. Go to bed early."

Mother Liu looked at her daughter's face, stroked her long hair, and said with love in her eyes.

Liu Yifei looked at her mother's leaving back. It took her a long time to calm down, and then a determined expression appeared on her face again.

.........

The next day, film critics’ reviews of “The Promise” were reported.

As expected, it received rave reviews.

China Film Group and Brother Chen Kai have made so much preparation, the reputation will definitely not collapse in a short period of time.

The audience at this time is still easy to fool. With big directors, big productions, big stars and the grand scene of the premiere, there are still many audiences willing to go to the cinema.

According to statistics from China Film Corporation, the box office on the first day was as high as 2115 million, breaking the first-day box office record of all Chinese and foreign blockbusters released in China this year, including "Harry Potter 4".

It broke the opening box office record of 1800 million set by Titanic.

Subsequently, two days after The Promise was released in mainland China, the main creative staff of the crew went to Hong Kong Island and reported a premiere.

Under the "carpet bombing" effect led by Brother Chen Kai and others, the box office of the movie continued to rise, breaking several domestic records.

And it triggered a series of phenomena:

In order to watch "The Promise", the entrances of major cinemas in the capital were packed with people.

The tickets originally priced at 80 were hyped up to 300 and were still in short supply, so the scalpers made a lot of money with tears in their eyes.

“The era of domestic blockbusters has arrived.”

“No one can stop The Promise from becoming a god.”

With the constant hype from the media, Brother Chen Kai felt a little flattered.

However, Chen Hong, the producer, looked a little solemn. The good reviews that "The Promise" had received with money were gradually overshadowed by the comments of netizens.

“This… I don’t understand.”

"It's normal that you don't understand a Palme d'Or movie the first time you watch it. You will understand it after watching it a few times."

"Bullshit, this is just a bad movie. It has nothing to do with how many times you watch it."

"The plot is just a bunch of shit, extremely boring."

...

Other netizens were also constantly giving likes, but the number of negative comments was increasing and it seemed like it was getting out of control.

It is now the end of December. Starting from the 12th, "The Promise" was released in Los Angeles and screened for seven consecutive days.

"Boss, there is a movie from your country being shown in Hollywood."

Gu Wei, who was immersed in the editing, was interrupted by Reid's voice.

"Did you go and see it?"

"I just finished watching it. It's a very good movie. Boss, you can also go and watch it. Don't be immersed in editing all day."

Ryder said.

"Well, Ryder, you definitely understood the movie."

“The pictures are beautiful and the story is very creative.”

When Gu Wei heard Reid's comment, he raised his eyebrows. Do Americans like this?
Gu Wei did not choose to go to the cinema to watch the film. Instead, he saw many reviews from film critics while browsing the news online.

Kevin Thomas: "This is an incredible film that surpasses the other work directed by Chen Kaige."

...

When the news reached back to China, Brother Chen Kai became excited and wanted to take this opportunity to compete for an Oscar.

As of the 31st, the box office of "The Promise" exceeded million yuan, continuing to lead the domestic box office.

However, on the same day, a video titled "A Murder Caused by a Steamed Bun" quickly spread on the Internet.

The video producer used “Today’s Statement” as a template to introduce the plot, and then began to utter golden sentences: “Rings within rings, entertainment city…”

The lines in the video are full of creativity and humor, and it makes a full-scale spoof and commentary on the movie.

In an instant, many netizens who had watched the movie felt that this video expressed their feelings about "The Promise".

The video, which was less than 20 minutes long, spread like a virus across the entire Internet after several days of circulation. At the same time, the audience's dissatisfaction and criticism of the film resounded throughout the entire network.

.........

"Boss Han, these people are so shameless."

Brother Chen Kai received a call from Han Sanping and spoke angrily.

"China Film will continue the publicity. In addition, you must also resolve the public opinion online as soon as possible and not let it ferment."

"Okay, Mr. Han, I will take care of this."

After hanging up the phone, Brother Chen Kai calmed down. With China Film Corporation stepping in, there should be good news.

However, what came was indeed bad news. The domestic box office dropped drastically, and news from North America showed that the box office was only a few hundred thousand US dollars.

After receiving the news, Brother Chen Kai felt like he was poured with a bucket of cold water.

...

Gu Wei, who was far away on the other side of the ocean, received a call from Liu Yifei, saying that a spoof video about "The Promise" had appeared in China, which received a lot of likes and was very funny.

"Boss Han, what's wrong?"

Gu Wei was a little confused when he received the call from Han Sanping. Logically speaking, China Film Corporation would not deal with the matter of "The Promise", so why would they call him!
“Has the next movie been confirmed?”

Han Sanping asked weakly on the phone.

"It's not confirmed yet, I guess we'll have to wait for a while."

"If it is decided earlier, China Film Group can participate in the investment and provide any cooperation needed..."

The failure of "The Promise" really gave Han Sanping a headache. He invested 3.5 million yuan and now suffered such a huge loss, and he can't bear it anymore.

“Director Han, I will confirm the next movie as soon as possible, and I will not forget China Film Group when the time comes.

However, I am currently editing this animated film, and I won’t be able to start any new projects until the second half of this year at the earliest.”

Gu Wei understood what Han Sanping meant. He was asking him for help. With the change of power approaching, he could also understand Han Sanping's situation.

“Let’s just do it in the second half of the year, there’s no rush for this.

Thanks, I'll just consider it as a favor to you."

After hearing Gu Wei's words, Han Sanping paused and said.

.........

In China, the news that Chen Kaige sued the video producer has sparked widespread discussion among netizens.

Faced with Chen Kai's actions, netizens were dumbfounded. No one expected that a spoof video could make a big director break down.

In the end, the incident ended with the video author apologizing, but he only apologized and did not admit to infringement.

After netizens learned the news, they almost unanimously supported the video producer, and many people even said that if a lawsuit was to be filed, everyone could raise funds through crowdfunding.

Wow, the concept of “crowdfunding” was brought up ahead of time.

...

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(End of this chapter)