Chapter 12: The Problematic Script
A week later, Li Chen brought the script to Teacher Li.
"I was just about to look for you, and here you are."
"Teacher, please help me review this script and see if it can pass. I'm a bit unsure."
Teacher Li smiled, "You're quite efficient. You've only been back a week, and you've already finished the script so quickly."
"Actually, it's been brewing for a while."
"Please sit down. Pour yourself some water. I'll take a look first."
The more Teacher Li read, the more serious his expression became. After nearly an hour, he closed the script.
"Teacher, how is it?"
"It's hard to say. It's undoubtedly a good script, but the content could easily cross the line."
"The concept is clever, and the ideas are very imaginative. Only you post-80s dare to think like this."
"I'm also a bit unsure. After all, this kind of realistic subject matter can easily lead to accusations."
"How about this, come with me. I'll take you to meet someone and let him review it."
"Who is it, Teacher?"
"Haha, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Teacher Tian. Teacher Tian specifically asked to see you, so it's convenient. Let's go."
Li Chen met one of the representative figures of the Fifth Generation Directors in the department head's office.
Banned from directing for ten years, he couldn't stay idle after being unbanned. may love, sigh.
This person was a classmate of Zhang Yimou and Poet.
He was dressed simply, like a pragmatic old farmer.
Li Chen felt respect. He had heard about his story.
"Teacher Tian, I've brought him to you."
"Hello, Teacher Tian, I'm Li Chen."
"Haha, please all sit down. I mentioned you to Yifei the other day, and now I've brought you here to meet."
"I watched your lost on journey. Although it was a bit rough, the plot was tight and there were many funny moments. It's quite good for a first film."
"Thank you for your praise."
"I heard your second film has also wrapped up. What are your plans next?"
Li Chen glanced at Teacher Li.
Teacher Li smiled, "Teacher Tian, I was just about to tell you."
"Please read this script first and help Li Chen review it. I'm also a bit unsure whether it can pass."
"Haha, young people are indeed efficient. There's tea in the cabinet, you two can pour it yourselves. I'll take a look first."
Li Chen proactively acted as a server.
Teacher Tian read very slowly. Teacher Li sat for a while and then left first.
Only Li Chen and Teacher Tian remained in the office.
After nearly two hours, Teacher Tian closed the script.
Li Chen handed the teacup to the elder.
Teacher Tian didn't waste any words: "Go ahead and submit it. I'll help you figure something out."
Li Chen was overjoyed: "Thank you, Teacher Tian."
The connections of the Fifth Generation Directors were incomparable to those of the Sixth Generation.
The Film Association, the Screenwriters Association, the Directors Association—acquaintances were everywhere.
"This script is for awards, isn't it?"
"Uh, yes."
"Where are you planning to go?"
Li Chen hesitated for a moment before saying, "Teacher Tian, I'm not afraid of you laughing, but I want to try Cannes."
Tian Zhuangzhuang was not surprised, nodding and saying, "You can try. This script has that qualification."
"Have you thought about pursuing a master's degree in the future? I know your academic performance; it's outstanding in the department."
"To be honest, Teacher Tian, I haven't considered this yet. But since you've mentioned it, I think I need to seriously consider it."
The next day, Li Chen submitted the script.
Since Teacher Tian had promised, the script would probably not have any issues.
Now it was a matter of actors. This time, Li Chen didn't plan to go it alone.
After all, this script was for awards. If it could be nominated, selling the rights and partnering with China Film Group Corporation would save a lot of trouble.
Among the six roles—grandmother, father, mother, sister-in-law, son, and daughter—
He only had a candidate in mind for the grandmother: Teacher Lu Zhong.
On December 10th, infernal affairs 3 held its Premiere in Beijing.
It was said that at the Premiere, the slogan shouted was to surpass lost in thailand and win the annual box office championship.
On its first day of release, infernal affairs 3 grossed 3.85 million, with good reviews and box office performance.
However, let's not forget, Xiao Gang Pao's cell phone was also lurking nearby, eyeing the competition.
Hearing that Teacher Tian was looking for him, Li Chen wondered if there was a problem with the script.
Upon meeting, Teacher Tian said, "The script has passed. I wanted to let you know."
"Ah? Thank you, Teacher Tian. I thought there was a problem with the script."
"Haha."
Li Chen realized that Teacher Tian must have put in a great effort, and he quickly thanked him repeatedly.
Tian Zhuangzhuang waved his hand: "Do you have any preferred candidates for the roles?"
"To be honest, Teacher Tian, I only have a candidate in mind for the grandmother role; I don't have anyone for the others."
"Haha, I was going to recommend someone to you, but since you already have a candidate, I won't bother."
"Who was Teacher Tian going to recommend? It's not decided yet, and Teacher Tian's judgment is certainly not bad."
"Lu Zhong."
"Ah?"
Tian Zhuangzhuang looked at the surprised Li Chen and smiled, "What? Not suitable?"
"No, no, no, it's perfect! Teacher Lu is exactly who I had in mind."
"I was even thinking that if I couldn't invite Teacher Lu, I would come to ask Teacher Tian for help, since Teacher Lu acted in your The Blue Kite."
"Haha, alright, you go ahead and invite her. If you have any problems, come find me."
"Thank you, Teacher Tian, thank you."
After Li Chen left, Tian Zhuangzhuang made a phone call. The call connected.
"Director Tian."
"Ms. Lu..."
After hanging up, Tian Zhuangzhuang looked forward even more to this film being released soon.
He was starting to like this student.
He was indeed talented. This was the first time he had encountered someone of this age who could write such a profound script.
Tian Zhuangzhuang had thought that Li Chen would at least attend one Premiere for networking, but the kid didn't go to a single one.
Actually, Tian Zhuangzhuang really misunderstood Li Chen.
The reason he didn't go was that he didn't want to be a background prop for others.
On the eighteenth, cell phone was released. The box office of infernal affairs 3 dropped by thirty percent compared to the previous day's 3.6 million.
It must be said that Feng's comedies would have a place in the New Year Film Season for at least the next decade or so.
However, although cell phone's box office was higher than infernal affairs 3, its reputation was far worse than infernal affairs 3.
China Film Group Corporation Vice Chairman's Office.
Han Sanping's cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID.
Han Sanping answered the phone: "Hello."
"Haha, I thought you were planning to go it alone again. Alright, come over, I'm here."
He met Han Sanping at China Film Group Corporation.
Li Chen smiled, "Han Dong, your office is twice the size of our department head's office."
"You're quite carefree. Your script has almost caused a huge argument at the top."
"Ah? No way, Teacher Tian told me it had already passed."
"Hmph, consider yourself lucky, kid, to have met Lao Tian. Tell me, are you short on money or people?"
"Both."
"Hmm, what's the budget? A script that can make those people argue so fiercely must not be bad. Have you thought about trying for the Big Three?"
"To be honest, Han Dong, I do have that intention. And I hope this film can be distributed in Southeast Asia. At that time, I'll need Han Dong's continued support."
China Film Group Corporation held the import and export rights, so this film could not bypass China Film Group Corporation if it wanted to go global.