Chapter 19 Influence
After explaining the situation, Wang Chen left the office.

Gu Wei then picked up his phone and replied to several directors and artists he had worked with.

Feng Xiaogang kept comforting him on the phone, telling him not to worry too much and to ask him anytime if he needed any help, and he would do his best to help.

Mr. Wang from Huayi just expressed his concern out of courtesy and mentioned some things about the movie during the conversation. He was afraid that the movie would be affected before it was released and the investment would be wasted. Gu Wei assured him that he would handle the movie and if it really could not be released, he would compensate Huayi for its investment.

However, Mr. Wang from Guangxian kept apologizing on the phone, saying that he shouldn't have taken "Tuya's Wedding" to the film festival, which ended up with this result and implicated Gu Wei. His tone was sincere, and at the end he even talked about Gu Wei's new movie, saying that even if the movie could not be released, he would not be responsible for Guangxian's investment, and if there was any help he needed, whether it was people or money, Gu Wei could just ask.

As for other people, they just expressed more or less concern. Gu Wei didn't take it to heart. There were many cases of flattering the powerful and bullying the weak in the circle. Now that this kind of thing happened, some people would rather not involve themselves.

After answering the phone, Gu Wei, sitting in his office chair, turned on his computer and started reading the reports online.

He could guess the online comments without even reading the news reports. At this stage, the Golden Rooster Film Festival still has a great influence in the country. It is normal for him to be criticized for doing this. Let time prove it.

As expected, some viewers online began to scold him for being ungrateful and disrespecting domestic film festivals. There were a few netizens who said something fair, but they were quickly drowned out by the comments of the haters.

"Refusing to accept the award implies that the domestic film festival selection is unfair?"

"Worshiping foreign things and disrespecting domestic judges."

"They are young and full of energy, which has brought shame to the film industry and has had a very bad impact."

Some domestic directors also took advantage of his misfortune, criticizing him for bringing negative influence to the film industry and making remarks to criticize him.

However, what directors Feng Xiaogang and Zhang Yimou said during the interview surprised Gu Wei a little.

"In an interview, Feng Xiaogang said frankly that Gu Wei is still young and hoped that everyone would give young people a chance. He also implicitly criticized the unfairness of the domestic film festival selection system."

"Director Zhang Yimou said that young directors may be a little impulsive when encountering things, but they have no bad intentions. He hopes that everyone will not over-interpret and guide them."

"Director Chen Kai said during an interview that he was young and impetuous and questioned the fairness of the film festival, and that he should continue to study hard."

Watching Director Chen’s interview, Gu Wei hopes that if he encounters such a thing in the future, he will be fair and just and keep his original intention.

Director Jiang Wen, who was still in the ban period for directing, also said a few sarcastic words during the interview, and told Gu Wei not to worry, and that he would definitely ask Gu Wei to be the male lead in his movie after his ban period was over.

After seeing Jiang Wen’s interview speech, Gu Wei found it quite funny. It seemed that they both shared the same suffering.

Not only the director, but also some artists who have worked with Gu Wei also supported him when they were interviewed. Artists like Yu Nan, Qin Hao, and Dong Xuan who have worked with him all expressed their support for Director Gu Wei when facing interviews with reporters.

Chen Minghao, whom he had met once, also posted a message on Tianya Forum to express his support for director Gu Wei, which was something he did not expect.

"Ding".

Seeing the text message from Dong Xuan on his mobile phone, Gu Wei called her.

"You, are you okay? I called you last night but you didn't answer. I was worried that something happened to you."

As soon as the call was connected, Dong Xuan said weakly.

"It's okay, I'm mentally prepared. The worst that can happen is I won't make movies for a few years, haha," Gu Wei said happily.

The two chatted for more than an hour, with Dong Xuan doing most of the talking while he listened.

After ending the call, Gu Wei left the company directly, went back to rest, get enough energy, and wait for the results.

.........

The next morning, Gu Wei first went home to see his parents. They went to work every day. They only knew that their son had won the Golden Bear Award and was a famous director. They didn't pay attention to other things in the entertainment industry.

Gu Wei didn't tell his parents about this and decided to wait until the results were out.

After having lunch with his parents at noon, Gu Wei asked Mr. Han and Mr. Wang from Guangxian to come out for a chat in the evening. He also wanted to ask Mr. Han what stage the discussion had reached.

The location was still the place where I had dinner with Han Sanping last time, Liuquanju, Xinjiekou, Xicheng District.

In the private room, there were only Gu Wei, Han Sanping and Mr. Wang from Guangxian.

"Brother, this is also my fault. Don't say anything more. I'll drink three cups of wine as punishment."

Before Gu Wei could speak, Lao Wang drank three cups in a row.

"Mr. Wang, you don't want to drink, do you? The dishes haven't even been served yet, but you've already started to make yourself drunk."

This one sentence made the three of them laugh and the atmosphere eased.

"Mr. Han, have I made any progress on this matter?"

"Alas, you really don't listen to advice. You refused to apologize even when I asked you to. Yesterday, when I was meeting with the leader, I slammed the table and spoke well of you," Han Sanping said after taking a bite of food.

"It is likely to be a ban, but the timing is still under discussion," Han Sanping added.

"Hey, Director Gu, brother, I..."

Gu Wei interrupted Wang Changtian before he could finish his words.

"Mr. Wang, I appreciate your kindness. Ultimately, this is not your fault. It was my own fault that I got angry."

"Mr. Han, I am prepared for the ban on directors. How are you going to solve the movie issue?" Gu Wei asked again.

Han Sanping then proposed a solution to the release of "Time and Space Lovers".

The movie can still be released normally. China Film Group decided to sign the film's director as Han Sanping. He is the producer of this movie and one of the producers, which is reasonable. As for Gu Wei, he can only be listed as a screenwriter.

After Han Sanping finished speaking, he glanced at Gu Wei's reaction.

"Mr. Han, I have no objection. It's most appropriate to put your name under the director's name. As long as the movie can be released normally and China Film and Guangguang don't lose money, that's fine. Haha."

Wang Changtian, who was standing by, had no objection when he heard this. Guangguang didn't invest much in "Time and Space Lovers", so it didn't matter if it lost money. Besides, he had also made a lot of money from the foreign copyright of "Tuya's Wedding".

"Director Gu, what are your plans if directing is really banned?" Wang Changtian asked.

"If Director Gu doesn't mind, you can come to Guangguang. As long as you want to make a movie, the company will fully support you. Guangguang can send someone to be the nominal director for each movie and will never interfere with the filming of the movie. The company will provide the full cost and split the profits 50-50 after the movie is released," Wang Changtian said sincerely.

Han Sanping next to him looked at him in surprise.

"This is a good idea," Han Sanping said.

"I would like to thank Mr. Wang first. We'll talk about it after the result is out. Come, have a drink."

The three of them had a drink.

"I have also written several scripts during this period. If it is really impossible to make movies in China, I would like to try abroad," Gu Wei looked at the two of them and said.

"It's not easy to survive abroad," Han Sanping said earnestly.

Then he said: "For quite a number of Westerners, they prefer to watch movies about our country's poverty and backwardness. This is a traditional way of thinking, which is called "imaginary Chinese nationalism" in Western society.

For example, they think that China should be ignorant and backward, with bicycles all over the streets, low houses, no tall buildings, etc. They like to watch movies like "Ju Dou" and "Qiu Ju's Lawsuit".

Because these movies fit the image of China in their minds and echo their perceptions.

Han Sanping saw it clearly and dared to say it out loud.

"Mr. Han, don't forget, I am going abroad with a script to make a movie and do the work of a director. After all, I am a Golden Bear Award-winning director, and I am also popular abroad with the three major European awards."

"There is a troublesome thing. I don't know anyone in the film and television industry abroad. Once I leave the country, I am completely in the dark," Gu Wei said with a smile as he looked at Wang Changtian.

Wang Changtian was also a smart man. He understood it immediately and said, "Hey, Director Gu, leave this matter to Guangguang. If you want me to find big directors like Cameron and Spielberg to make a movie, I really can't do it. If I only consider knowing a few people in the foreign film industry, there should be no problem."

"Okay, then I'll trouble you, Mr. Wang. I would like to register the few scripts I have first, and then consider going abroad after things here have come to fruition."

"Now, I have really become what people say on the Internet, a worshiper of foreign things and fawning on foreigners," Gu Wei said with emotion.

"What do they know? If you really succeed over there and earn US dollars, it won't be an exaggeration to say that you are a national hero, haha," Han Sanping said with a smile.

Wang Changtian also laughed as he listened, but did not mention the investment. According to the current exchange rate, even if Gu Wei really wanted to make a movie in Hollywood, Guangguang would not dare to invest casually.

Firstly, it was hard to say whether Gu Wei could succeed if he went there, and he had no idea.

Secondly, the investment in Hollywood is too huge. If they really want to invest 10 or 20 million US dollars, it will not be a small matter for Guangxian.

Gu Wei had his own plans in mind and would not let Guangxian invest too much. Besides, there are low-cost, high-return movies everywhere. It just depends on how to operate. Once the first shot is fired, things will be easy. It is much more realistic there than in China, and whoever can make money is the boss.

The meal lasted from seven in the evening to midnight. After the meal, Gu Wei did not return to his rented place, but went straight home.

After arriving home, Gu's father was a little surprised to see him back, but Gu's mother saw that he reeked of alcohol and said a few words, saying that he should not drink too much at such a young age and that he should be careful when he was alone outside.

Listening to his mother's nagging, Gu Wei felt particularly relieved. No matter what, his parents would always be the ones who treated him best and loved him the most. He slept particularly soundly that night.

In the next few days, Gu Wei stayed at home with his parents and didn't go there.

However, there was something wrong with the look in Gu's father's eyes after work one day. There was worry and heartache in his eyes.

Gu Wei noticed the change in his father and guessed that his father knew about his affairs, but his father didn't say anything, and he didn't want to disrupt the peace at home. The father and son tacitly didn't mention it, and they didn't want to make Gu's mother worry.

Little did they know, women's intuition is very sharp, and the family enjoyed this rare peace.

(End of this chapter)