Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years

When Liu Yan initially interviewed Chen Kaige, she asked him, "Would the box office not meeting expectations affect your self-esteem?" It caught Chen Kaige off guard.

Not only did he lose his temper on the spot, but he also had a fit about the question even after the program wrapped up, bringing it up again during subsequent events.

It was as if he was gravely wronged.

Though the question was a bit straightforward, Old Chen indeed lost some of his grace.

As a filmmaker, not allowing others to question you is absurd.

The question was akin to asking a student, "Did you feel bad not doing well on your exam?" and he twisted it into being 'offended.'

"I don't want it to be like at the film's release someone saying it's like attending my child's one-month-old celebration, asking 'if your child dies, how would you feel?'"

If that's truly what you're worried about, don't bring the child out.

Who holds up their child for the whole nation to admire, and the most absurd part is people still look and have to pay?

They say films are like their children, but just saying it is enough.

Don't get yourself confused.

If you're out to sell, don't act like you're above everyone else.

He only got there thanks to his influential father, rarely going through any hardships to become a top-notch director, an authority no one dared to question in the industry.

In reality, during those special times, at fourteen he "righteously turned in his kin," voluntarily leading a movement against his father.

Back then, his father probably wished if only his son had died young.

"I didn't expect Director Chen to attend our premiere today. For a film about heartbreak, what would you like to say to our film fans?"

Xie Nan chose a relatively safe topic.

Not bringing up "If your 'The Orphan of Zhao' loses to 'Heartbreak 33 Days,' would it affect your self-esteem?"

"I think heartbreak is no big deal, there are many hurdles in life to experience, and heartbreak is just a most insignificant one."

Chen Kaige loved to puff himself up pretentiously.

That year, when he and Zhang Yimou were competing for the Olympic opening ceremony director, Zhang was well-prepared, and he just recited a few poems.

As a result, naturally, Zhang Yimou was chosen as the lead director.

However, today his answers were somewhat more conventional, but it still gave a certain impression.

As if he was mocking Qi Hao.

Heartbreak, such a trivial affair, you made it a film to scam money, you new directors are too shallow.

Thank goodness he remembered it was someone else's premiere.

To avoid getting directly pummeled, his subsequent answers remained within controlled limits.

Once the premiere completed, everyone began watching the movie.

People thought the reason Qi Hao's films did well this year was all credited to his promotions.

Especially those who hadn't seen the films.

When prejudice stays in the mind, they see prejudice as fact.

In reality, those who've truly watched the films would find the films associated with Qi Hao this year are outstanding in quality.

"First Love, This Little Thing," "Those Years," "Lost on Journey," "Hello! Mr. Tree," "Uncle"...

Aside from "Hello! Mr. Tree" which only grossed 20 million, the others had both box office success and reputation.

Of course, if you really had to nitpick with a magnifying glass, you could find plenty of faults.

Like with "Heartbreak 33 Days," its core isn't sophisticated enough.

That's what Chen Kaige thought; while watching the movie, he smirked several times.

Is this it?

This crap can count as a movie?

But his wife Chen Hong watched it with great interest.

The story humorously narrates how the protagonist, Huang Xiaoxian, navigates the 33 days from heartbreak to emotional recovery.

And Chen Hong saw things in it that resonated with her.

For instance, for a marriage to remain stable, there needs to be a stable source of what to provide.

Compared to love, material things are more stable.

As the movie mentioned, love might disappear anytime, but an Lv bag doesn't go bankrupt so easily.

Love may not continuously supply, but luxury goods can.

Being upfront about prices is far less worrying than having to guess.

Sadly, Chen Hong still has to guess her husband's moods.

For example, if after watching "Heartbreak 33 Days," he brings it up wanting to discuss it, she has to gauge his thoughts.

Definitely can't say the movie was great outright.

No matter how often Chen Kaige takes the stance of an industry veteran, in truth, he's envious and hostile, displeased by young directors' box office success.

He thinks audiences are idiots.

So, Chen Hong can't say the movie is good, only scrape to find faults in it.

So, the whole family can be harmonious.

Lately, she needs to remind Arthur to avoid letting anything slip.

Otherwise, he'll get punished.

'Heartbreak 33 Days' debuted with a 28 million box office on the first day, crossing 100 million in three days.

Though it can't compete with 'Those Years,' it far outperformed 'Uncle.'

This kind of data leaves other directors in the industry speechless.

Shooting a romance to feed dog food can get this box office; how come a breakup film still pulls high numbers?

It feels like the entire movie market has been overturned by this guy.

Everything in chaos.

You make a film, and if there's not one or even two to three hundred million in the box office, you would even feel awkward to hold a celebration banquet.

What are you celebrating for?

In just three days, Qi Hao managed to recoup the thirty million production cost of filming, and make a profit.

The film industry is one where the strong only get stronger.

If you can make several blockbuster films in a row, audiences will recognize you as a director.

No matter what you film, everyone will go to watch it.

Your fans will help promote it, defend it, and sing its praises.

The cinemas will also approve of your golden reputation.

As soon as you have a new movie, they'll fill up the screening schedules without hesitation.

For bad films, high screenings don't add much; maybe just the first few days show effects.

But for good films, the addition is immense.

If a good movie doesn't sell, the blame is usually on too few screenings.

Similarly, if a good movie has high screenings, there's no reason it shouldn't sell tickets.

Chen Kaige, promoting "The Orphan of Zhao," is as anxious as ants on a hot pan; he doesn't dare speak ill of Qi Hao outside, but at home he's cursed Qi Hao completely.

Even his ten-year-old son Arthur knows his dad's most hated person is Uncle Qi Hao.

If not for the mismatch in age, he'd suspect Qi Hao of having cuckolded his dad.

Chen Kaige arranged to meet Huang Xiaoming and Fan Xuexue.

His movie boasts a strong cast: Ge You, Wang Xueqi, Huang Xiaoming, Fan Xuexue, Hai Qing, Bao Guo'an, Zhang Fengyi, Zhao Wenzhuo, etc.

For some reason, after the promotional event, Chen Kaige stayed for tea with Huang Xiaoming and Fan Xuexue.

"Director Chen, don't put so much pressure on yourself; our movie isn't purely commercial."

Huang Xiaoming showed understanding.

However, Chen Kaige didn't feel appreciated; he only felt chilled.

After all, even Huang Xiaoming, known for his perceptiveness, didn't think he stood a chance against Qi Hao.

If there was even a slight possibility, Xiaoming would certainly have said the outcome was uncertain.

Fan Xuexue noted Chen Kaige's expression and wanted to laugh, but she held back; with Chen Kaige's pride, daring to mock him could lead to career ruin.

"The box office for Qi Hao's recent films is astounding, it's like he bought a small piece of meat and cooked a dozen dishes with it."

Chen Kaige spoke quite mildly.

But upon reflection, you can tell what he means.

He's mocking Qi Hao for hyping scandals.

It's not just hyping scandals, it's stringing several films along with it.

Isn't this like cooking several dishes from one piece of pork?

In response to Chen Kaige, Huang Xiaoming and Fan Xuexue merely smiled without agreeing.

Nowadays, it's obvious who's harder to offend between Chen Kaige and Qi Hao.

In the past, the head honcho was the big brother.

But with Mrs. Hua's listing, Bona soon to list on Nasdaq, Zhonghao's rise, and the layout of big capitals like Penguin, Ali, and Wanda in entertainment, the old big brothers are barely holding onto their last shimmer.

The big brothers are also transforming.

Only by bringing profits to capital can they maintain dignity.

Of course, a big brother is still a big brother.

Though no longer able to overshadow everything, their status in the circle stands; starring in their movies not only connects you in the industry but also boosts your stature.

That's why Huang Xiaoming and Fan Xuexue still show deep respect for Chen Kaige.

"I have an idea, what do you think?"

Chen Kaige seemed to think bickering about Qi Hao in front of juniors was pointless, especially since he recently ran to support "Heartbreak 33 Days" at its premiere.

So he decided to talk business directly.

"Director, just tell us. If it's do-able, we'll certainly not hesitate."

Huang Xiaoming no longer has the ambition to rival Qi Hao.

Once thinking of surpassing Qi Hao, now thinking back feels laughable, highlighting how he was like a frog in a well, unaware of Qi Hao's hidden achievements.

But while not vying, if there's a chance to turn things around, it would certainly feel satisfying.

Jumping up to hit a knee is quite fulfilling.

Fan Xuexue smiled and nodded too; in the top ranks of female celebrities.

But her position isn't very stable.

Qi Hao advised her not to exploit tax loopholes; it's easy to be pushed as a scapegoat.

Is she unaware?

Capital and big shots flatter female stars, surely not just for what's in their pants?

It's all about the money.

These days without money you can't move an inch; with money, you can get any innocent young girl you want.

If you want resources from them, you have to give something in return.

It's like "Oath of Allegiance."

If you don't play along with black-and-white contracts in a company or show, you can hardly integrate.

Qi Hao's comments were easier said than done.

Nonetheless, Fan Xuexue wasn't completely unaffected; she was considering her own path.

If "The Orphan of Zhao" could boost her profile, that would be nice.

However, in the next moment, both Huang Xiaoming and Fan Xuexue were caught off guard.

Because they heard Chen Kaige asking:

"Can you guys go public with it?"