Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 40 Quality Triple Combo

Before the Chinese New Year, he attended an industry exchange meeting hosted by China Film Group. Han Sanping specifically requested that he attend, and Zhang Jun couldn't refuse, especially since it was a good opportunity to build connections.

"Zhang Jun, let me introduce you. This is Director Zhang Yimou."

Han Sanping thought highly of Zhang Jun and even personally introduced him to important figures in the Chinese film industry. Seeing that it was Han Sanping himself who was bringing him along, no one dared to underestimate the young man.

"So young? Who is he?"

"I guess he's from some wealthy family, trying his luck in the entertainment industry."

People were discussing and speculating about Zhang Jun's identity.

Someone nearby recognized Zhang Jun and explained to those around him, "His name is Zhang Jun, the director of 'Little Miss Sunshine,' he's very famous."

It was February 2nd, which is the Southern Lunar New Year according to the lunar calendar.

The screening of Lunar New Year films is coming to an end, and "Little Miss Sunshine" has already grossed 4150 million yuan in the box office.

Although some box office revenue was received in early 2005, it was included in the overall 2004 box office calculation.

With a box office of 4150 million yuan, "Little Miss Sunshine" surpassed "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and the biopic "Zhang Side" to rank 9th in the 2004 mainland Chinese film market box office chart.

"Little Miss Sunshine" was preceded by Jackie Chan's "New Police Story" with a box office of 4300 million. Considering that the film is nearing the end of its run, it is impossible for "Little Miss Sunshine" to surpass "New Police Story".

Even so, the fact that Zhang Jun's debut work achieved such good results still surprised many people.

Media coverage and online buzz gave Zhang Jun a level of attention comparable to that of A-list celebrities during the film's release.

Coupled with his outstanding appearance, which contrasted with those unremarkable directors, he surprisingly gained fans who adored him, just like celebrities.

Because Zhang Jun doesn't have an agent, many of the offers are sent to his assistant, Gao Yan.

Gao Yan noticed that many of the invitations sent to the boss were strange.

Despite being a director, Zhang Jun only receives offers for roles in TV series or movies, as well as endorsements for GG, etc.

Upon seeing these invitations, Zhang Jun said to Gao Yan, "It seems that the entertainment industry is not lacking in opportunistic and clever people. They just want to use my popularity to make a quick buck."

"Reject them all. I'm a director, not a star."

Gao Yan offered her suggestion: "Boss, I think you should take a look at those male endorsements; it's a form of income, no matter how small."

Zhang Jun nodded: "What you said makes sense. Then take a look and pick out the ones you want. Turn down all the medicines, health products, and substandard products."

The rest will be filtered further, and then the final summary will be given to me.

"Okay, I understand!" Gao Yan nodded.

Back at the industry exchange meeting, when we heard someone mention Zhang Jun, everyone suddenly realized, "Oh, it's him!"

That's not surprising. It's normal for a young director who has achieved great things to be valued by Third Master.

"I heard he graduated from Tsinghua University? Is that true?"

"Of course it's real! Who would dare to fake it? A simple check would prove it!"

"That's amazing! No wonder he's a top student. He can make such a great film! Besides, Tsinghua University doesn't have a film-related major. He's from the astronomy department."

This is truly legendary; a young man with no experience made a film that achieved what many directors could never accomplish in their entire careers.

That's terrifying!

Zhang Jun, with the respect due to a junior, greeted Zhang Yimou: "Director Zhang, hello. Your films 'Red Sorghum' and 'Hero' are both movies that I really like."

During my university years, I often studied your work and learned your techniques.

Zhang Yimou was very kind: "It is my honor that a top student from Tsinghua University likes my work so much."

If you have any questions in the future, feel free to ask me.

"Thank you!" Zhang Jun expressed his gratitude.

Later, Han Sanping introduced Zhang Jun to director Chen Gezi: "You should have seen his films 'Farewell My Concubine' and 'The Emperor and the Assassin's Creed.' He is a very excellent director."

Compared to the amiable Zhang Yimou, Chen Gezi carried a touch of intellectual arrogance.

He criticized "Little Miss Sunshine" from a superior position, saying: "Although your movie is well made, it still has shortcomings in the expression of the characters."

Instead of delving into family relationships, analyzing the social causes that led to all of this, and then offering criticism, you have instead glorified this emotion.

Given that this is your first time entering the film industry, I understand. Your immediate priority should be learning how to make good films.

Chen Gezi had seen his film, and Zhang Jun was pleased. However, Zhang Jun disliked Chen Gezi's criticism of his film.

The success of "Little Miss Sunshine" is due not only to its resonance with contemporary Chinese families' desire for family harmony and career success, but also to the numerous humorous scenes and laughs it generates.

And, that feeling of finding meaning in family life as the family broke through the barriers and sped away in the orange sunset, even though the dream was not realized.

If Chen Gezi's revisions were followed, it would be artistic, but it would definitely not have grossed over 40 million at the box office.

However, Zhang Jun still gave him some face in this situation.

After all, he is a senior, and it would be bad for him, a newcomer, to have a conflict with a senior.

"You're absolutely right. I still have a lot to learn from you," Zhang Jun said.

"Yes, it's good that you have this attitude."

Chen Gezi expressed her satisfaction, and felt a sense of joy, like a senior educating a young person.

The last person was Lu Chuan. Han Sanping introduced the two of them and said:

"You two are both outstanding young directors. I hope that you can shoulder the responsibility of developing Chinese-language films in the future and work together to move forward."

As he spoke, Han Sanping left the two of them alone: ​​"You two should have a good chat. Young directors should have a lot to talk about."

Lu Chuan, please help Zhang Jun. He's new to the industry and needs to ask you for advice on some things. Don't be stingy.

Lu Chuan nodded in agreement.

After Han Sanping left, Lu Chuan almost instantly switched from her previous friendly and respectful demeanor back to her original arrogant attitude.

The harmonious relationship that Han Sanping envisioned between the two of them did not become a reality.

"I heard you're from the Astronomy Department at Tsinghua University?"

"Yes, what's wrong?"

Zhang Jun also sensed the change in Lu Chuan's attitude, and he didn't give her a friendly look, responding coldly.

You're not Chen Gezi, he's a senior, you're my peer, what gives you the right to act so arrogantly in front of me?

Lu Chuan was indeed arrogant: "You have a major that has absolutely nothing to do with film, yet you've come to the film industry to join the fun? Do you think filmmaking is child's play?"

Zhang Jun retorted sharply: "Director Lu is acting like a filmmaker, lecturing an outsider like me."

As Uncle Han said, the film industry should not be complacent and should be willing to accept and try new things.

I never expected that some people, despite their young age, would be so conservative.

"snort!"

Lu Chuan sneered, "I've seen your film. At best, it's a low-quality, strongly alkaline comedy."

The appearance of films like this in the film market is a tragedy for the Chinese-language film industry.

"Yeah?"

Zhang Jun picked at his ear, as if what Lu Chuan said was nothing but a pile of shit.

"Does that mean your film 'Looking for a Gun,' directed by Jiang Wen, and the plagiarized documentary 'Kekexili' are honors?"

"If proxy filming and plagiarism have become the glory of the Chinese film industry, I don't see any need for this industry to develop further."

"you……"

Lu Chuan was about to retort and curse when Zhang Jun interrupted her: " Figure out your own movie first before you lecture me!"

What is your educational background? What was your score on the college entrance exam? Was it high enough to get into a top-tier university?

"To call oneself a cultured person when you can't even get into Tsinghua University is utterly laughable."

After delivering a barrage of insults, Zhang Jun didn't give Lu Chuan a chance to retort.

"We don't see eye to eye, so I'll take my leave..."

After venting his anger, Zhang Jun felt incredibly relieved. He never imagined that his identity as a student from Tsinghua University could be used in this way. It was truly... amazing!

However, he and Lu Chuan had no conflict, and they had never interacted before, so why was Lu Chuan condescendingly lecturing him today?

it's wired.

What Zhang Jun didn't know was that Lu Chuan did this because she was jealous of him.