Chapter 350: Imported Films
Speaking of which, there is a strange phenomenon in the global film and television industry. Many movies that are full of national and regional cultural characteristics are not produced locally.

For example, the upcoming "Kung Fu Panda 2" held a global media preview in China and was also known by major media and reported on.

In addition, officials from Sichuan Province in China also stepped in to promote and cheer for it.

It can be said that this movie is full of Sichuan cultural elements, such as Qingcheng Mountain, Kuanzhai Alley, Dandan noodles, Mapo Tofu, etc. This is not only an animated film, but also an excellent promotional film for Sichuan culture.

The audiences were full of expectations for this animated blockbuster. After the panda broke the domestic animation record, in the following years, only the 3D animation "Alice in Wonderland" produced by Gu Wei's company could compete with it in the domestic box office.

"It's really interesting. We make US dollars by filming fairy tales abroad, while Hollywood makes domestic cultural classics and comes to the mainland to make RMB."

Looking at the vigorous publicity from the outside world, Gu Wei felt like laughing.

"There are indeed big cultural differences between China and the US. Last year, several Hollywood blockbusters failed in a row. I guess Hollywood has adjusted its strategy and started to play this game."

On the third floor of Xingchen Film and Television, in the editing area, after the completion of "The Golden Robbery", Ning Hao still came here every now and then, especially after the post-editing of "2012" began, Ning Hao came more frequently. In his words, he came here to learn the technology, maybe one day he would also have to shoot a special effects blockbuster, so he would need it!

“That’s true. Now Hollywood blockbusters are beginning to include domestic actors, such as Resident Evil.

Maybe in a few years, Transformers and other Marvel superhero movies will feature mainland stars.”

While watching the edited footage, Gu Wei chatted casually with Ning Hao.

In addition to inviting Chinese actors to join, recent Hollywood blockbusters have also incorporated Chinese elements.

For example, in the original time and space, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2", which was not well received in North America but was popular in China, the film company released a Chinese New Year painting poster before the release, and then released an ink-style poster. The four turtles leaped into the air and transformed into martial arts heroes, which was very oriental. Chinese movie fans also liked it very much. The film has earned 5 million yuan in box office in China in 2.5 days.

It can be said that in recent years, Chinese elements in Hollywood blockbusters have shown signs of a "blowout", which is of course inseparable from China's increasingly hot box office market and Hollywood's emphasis on the Chinese market.

China has currently become the world's second largest movie box office after the United States. It is not surprising that more and more Chinese elements are being added in order to seize the Chinese market and win the hearts of Chinese audiences.

The box office performance of several Hollywood blockbusters in China in the first half of the year once again proved the money-making ability of the Chinese market.

In addition to the film elements, Dr. David Craig of the Annenberg School for Journalism and Communication at the University of Southern California said: "Nearly 40% of the total revenue of most Hollywood films comes from film markets outside North America. If the film is released in China, the box office contribution of the Asian market may be as high as %."

A series of situations indicate that the domestic film market is developing rapidly and the "golden age" of the mainland is about to come.

In addition to the promotion of Hollywood movies, the final shortlist for this year's Cannes Film Festival was announced. Hong Kong director Chan Kexin's "Wu Xia" became the only domestic film in Cannes and was selected for the midnight screening unit.

Although "Wuxia" is the only Chinese film shortlisted for the official screening unit this year, there are many people who come here to promote, screen and sell films.

Many Chinese-language films such as "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan", "You Are the One", "Legend of White Snake" and "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" still love Cannes
The martial arts film was shortlisted for Cannes, and as usual, directors in the industry sent their blessings via Weibo.

“I wish Director Chen win the grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival!”

On Weibo, the format remains unified.

In this circle, there are always some people who have no brains.

"A certain celebrity involved in drug abuse actually took on such a scandal and negotiated the price of an interview with the media. Why is the mainland entertainment industry like this? The media and celebrities should all exercise self-discipline." Guo Wei, editor-in-chief of LeTV's entertainment channel, posted a message on Weibo, which instantly sparked heated discussions among netizens.

Later, she revealed on Weibo that she had wanted to get less attention from the interview, but she never expected that the answer would be whoever offered the highest price would be given the reward. Zheng Yuchan, the editor and producer of "Entertainment Live" of Guangguang Media, replied that she had encountered the same situation.

The reporter called Zheng Yuchan, who said she had just contacted Mo Shaocong, "They haven't discussed money with me directly, but their attitude is very bad. We gave him an interview and an opportunity to apologize to the public, but he still negotiated conditions! He didn't want to apologize! He didn't think drug use was a crime! I think his attitude and sense of right and wrong are very problematic."

"One moment he sincerely repents, and the next moment he goes out and beats someone up."

As a victim, the reporter of Southern Metropolis Entertainment Weekly immediately posted a post describing the details of the incident.

Afterwards, netizens on the Internet continued to voice out condemnation.

On Dengjia's MAOER: "Drug abuse is not terrible. What's terrible is that you feel in your heart that it's not wrong. Turn back as soon as possible! Why deceive yourself?"

Ah Dumb Cat Lu: "If you made a mistake, it's best to keep a low profile! Don't make it seem like I'm giving you an award!"

Chuan Chuan Chuan Cao: "What is there to clarify? You didn't smoke? If you smoked, you smoked. It's not called clarification, it's called reflection. Tsk, there's no reason, it's just contempt!"

Modu wqjackson: "I think that when dealing with celebrity drug users, once they are verified, they should be registered with the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and banned from filming advertisements for a few years. Otherwise, the cost of drug use for these celebrities is too low and it has a bad influence on young people!"

In addition to netizens, various celebrities in the circle also hurriedly distanced themselves from the incident.

"It is recommended that a heavy fine be imposed. Xingchen Films hereby publicly declares that it will not cooperate with artists with a history of bad behavior."

After seeing the news, even though Gu Wei was busy editing the post-production of "2012", he immediately asked the company's public relations department to issue a statement.

He has always been disgusted by these brainless people.

With Xingchen Film and Television taking the lead, a number of film and television companies such as Huayi Company, Guangguang, Wanda, and Star Media followed suit, fearing that they would be tainted with a bad reputation.

"People like this should be banned. How can they act in movies when they can't control themselves?"

This incident caused a big stir, and the General Administration intervened afterwards, which brought it to a close.

...

As the opening ceremony approaches, more and more filmmakers are arriving from all over the world.

The crews of several Chinese-language films that were coming to Cannes for promotion and to sell copyrights were also present.

There were many female stars from China walking on the red carpet for the Cannes opening ceremony, including Li Binbin, Fan Binbin, Tang Wei, Huang Shengyi, Zhang Ziyi, and Li Xiaoran.

The two Bins appeared on the Cannes red carpet at the same time, which attracted the attention of domestic netizens. After all, it has been rumored that the two of them are not getting along for many years.

However, the red carpet warrior Fan Binbin swept many domestic female stars this time, appearing in a red crane dress, showing off the rich Chinese style again.

I don’t know if there is much international discussion, but the domestic traffic is indeed all about Fan Binbin. When Gu Wei was browsing Weibo in China, netizens were commenting on his outfit with a strong Chinese style.

In the entertainment industry, whether a person is popular or not can be detected through the attitudes of people around him. After all, no one can escape the word reality.

In later generations, Huang Bo once said that before he became famous, everyone around him always made things difficult for him, but after he became famous, everyone around him became a good person.

However, within the crew of "The Blade Stitch", Ying Bao, who had few roles, has officially finished filming.

After the wrap party, the media also gave a short report.

In a private restaurant in the capital, Ying Bao turned to look at the girls next to her and said helplessly, "Director Gu and I really have nothing to do with each other. When it comes to roles, my words really don't count."

These people all have a good relationship with her and are among the few friends Zhao Liying had when she was at her lowest point, otherwise they would not have made plans to get together.

One of them laughed and said, "We know that you have no other relationship with Director Gu, but you are now an artist under Xingchen Film and Television Company after all, so there must be some relationship between you.

We don’t ask for anything else, just an audition opportunity, otherwise it’s really too slim, dear Yingbao, please, please!” Zhao Liyingdi was stunned for a while and suddenly said: “Then, please beg again!”

Several girls rushed forward, pulled Zhao Liying's hands, and said in a tender voice: "Good Yingbao, please, we will treat you to a big meal, two meals..."

Zhao Liying agreed readily, but in fact she was very unsure and did not dare to take the "bribe" first. Instead, she took out her cell phone and called Jiang Xueruo on the spot.

In other words, they had a good relationship, otherwise Zhao Liying would never make this call. Even so, Ying Bao did not dare to call Gu Wei directly to tell him about this, but contacted Jiang Xueruo instead.

"Sister Xue Rou, the filming of Embroidered Spring Blade has been completed. I want to tell you in advance."

After the call was connected, Zhao Liying spoke hurriedly, and the people next to her listened with anticipation.

"Well, OK, the crew of The Immortal Sword is still preparing, so if you have time, come to the company and take the script back to have a look.

You are the heroine this time, so you must seize this opportunity."

On the other end of the phone, Jiang Xueruo was stunned for a moment after receiving Ying Bao's call, and then said.

Zhao Liying tried to ask again, "Sister Xuerou, don't worry, I will definitely work hard.

Um, Sister Xue Rou, I heard that the crew still has a few minor supporting roles that have not been decided, and artists from other companies have gone there for auditions. Can I bring a few friends with me to audition so that they can also feel the atmosphere of the audition? Just feel it for a while."

Hearing this, Jiang Xueruo hesitated for a moment, then laughed and said, "No problem, let's do it on Friday, just bring them over."

Zhao Liying was overjoyed when she heard this. Before she called, she was afraid that Jiang Xueruo would not agree, which would be embarrassing. She hurriedly said, "Thank you, Sister Xueruo, thank you, Sister Xueruo, thank you for giving me this opportunity."

Zhao Liying, who had worked at the bottom of the entertainment industry, of course knew how rare this opportunity was, and she kept expressing her gratitude on the phone.

After the call ended, the girls had different expressions, but they all looked at her intently: "Yingbao, how is it? Can we go?"

"Yes, this Friday, everyone will go together. Without further ado, whether you can pass the audition will depend on your performance."

"Ah, thank you Yingbao."

"We will try our best, Yingbao."

After finishing their business, the girls became more enthusiastic towards Zhao Liying.

From early May to mid-May, Jiang Xueruo had asked many artists to audition for the supporting role in "The Eternal Sword", but she still couldn't find anyone she was particularly satisfied with.

According to her, although the male and female protagonists are both old partners who she has worked with before, they are basically not very famous in the circle.

We also need to find some famous veteran actors to play supporting roles, so that we can complement each other's strengths.

...

Internationally, a lot of weird things happened after the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival.

"Passionate French kiss!"

"The red carpet outfit for the opening ceremony was disgraceful!"

God knows how much gossip the domestic netizens have eaten. They are probably too full.

As for the domestic market, Gu Wei hadn't paid attention to it for half a month. He took some time to watch it while he was busy with the post-production of the film.

How to describe it? It was pretty much what he had expected.

Anyway, the movie schedule in May was dominated by Hollywood imported films, and domestic films were crushed to the ground with no power to fight back.

The first to be released were "Fast & Furious 5" and "Thor", both films were released at the beginning of the month and basically swept all the domestic films in the first half of the month.

The film "Choy Li Fot", starring Wang Baoqiang, Ye Xuan and Uncle Tat, is the only well-known and gimmicky domestic film in the first half of the month.

Even so, they couldn't escape the fate of being cannon fodder and were crushed.

Less than a week later, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and "Kung Fu Panda 2" also entered the market.

Several imported blockbusters directly entered the "slaughter" mode and no one could stop them.

After the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival, the copyright income of Gu Changwei's "The Best Friend" was announced. After deducting the costs, it can be considered a profitable movie.

But the domestic box office data was as bad as it could be, grossing just over 40 million, but was abandoned by all major domestic cinema chains and taken off the screen early, before even the one-month release period was completed.

A number of domestic films are completely powerless to fight back, and they don't even do much promotion. They look completely bad, and netizens don't know how to complain about them. It's not right if you criticize them, and it's not right if you don't criticize them.

"It's really tragic! This should be the worst month for domestic film box office."

"To be honest, sometimes it's not the fault of mainland movies. The gap is just too big and there's no comparison at all."

Gu Wei couldn't stand it anymore. Many domestic films only made a million yuan in box office after a week of release, such as Liu Ye's "No Longer Let You Be Alone" and Li Xuejian's "A Hundred Years of Love Letters".

But he had no choice. He was not strong enough and he couldn't ask the other party to be gentler.

The atmosphere at China Film Group has not been very good recently.

As the industry leader, the state-owned film group, which holds the monopoly on imported films, made a major mistake in scheduling films.

The market was sluggish in the first two months, and this month imported films were sold out indiscriminately. Many film companies filed complaints, which put a lot of pressure on Han Sanping.

However, in addition to the above pressure, this group of directors whose works were released in May also had no self-awareness. Even though their films clearly did not perform well at the box office, they went directly to the General Administration to complain about China Film. For this reason, the General Administration also called a meeting with other film and television companies in the industry.

"Haha, you didn't see Mr. Han's expression at that time. He wanted to eat up those directors and producers who complained."

Gu Wei did not attend the meeting, but Song Ge participated in the whole process. After returning, he pulled him aside to talk about the matter.

“这事还真不能怪中影，04年总局就口头下达的希望全国各院线支持国产影片的通知，每年6月10日至7月10日（或7月到8月）期间，不鼓励引进海外分账大片。

As a result, the box office is not as good as others, and it is beaten by imported films. And they still complained, which is a bit too much. "

"That being said, it's not possible for all movies to be released during the domestic film protection month. Some producers will suffer losses eventually. There's nothing we can do about it," said Song Ge.

"In the final analysis, we still have to produce works that can attract audiences. Otherwise, relying solely on the protection of industry rules will not be of much use, and the winner will still take all."

...

(End of this chapter)