Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 26: An Unexpected Recommendation from Feng Dapao

In 1982, two major and minor events occurred in the Chinese film industry. The major event was the sudden emergence of "Shaolin Temple," which caused a huge sensation both domestically and internationally.

A small incident occurred when a young couple in Kunming welcomed their child, and the child, on whom they had placed high hopes, did not disappoint them.

From junior high to high school, this child consistently ranked at the top of his class and eventually got into Tsinghua University, becoming the pride of the whole family.

However, what the couple didn't expect was that after four years of university study, their son had become a different person and actually went to make movies.

Zhang Jun didn't intend to keep it a secret from his adoptive parents for long, so when the film's release date was approaching, he called them.

"You mean, you didn't actually work at the planetarium, but went to make movies?"

The surprised voice of the father, Zhang Yuncheng, attracted the attention of the mother, Yao Xia, and the younger sister, Zhang Linwan.

"What? Filming a movie? What's going on?"

"I know, just like with 'Andhadhun,' my brother was the director."

Yao Xia snatched the phone and questioned her son, "Xiao Jun, what's going on? Is something wrong with your work at the planetarium? Why did you go to film a movie?"

Zhang Jun, on the other end of the phone, explained: "I was afraid you would worry before, because attracting investment is not easy, so I said I would work at the planetarium."

But the movie is about to be released in theaters, and I think you'll find out sooner or later, so let's be open and honest."

"This...this..." Yao Xia was at a loss for words.

You might want to criticize Zhang Jun for neglecting his duties, but this movie is about to be released. Yao Xia is, after all, a high school teacher; she's not someone who knows nothing.

She also knew that if a movie could be shown in theaters, it meant that the movie was already halfway to success.

After watching "Andhadhun" last time, she talked to her colleagues about her son winning the award, and she looked very proud.

But when I heard that my son was seriously making a movie, I wouldn't say I was extremely happy.

Zhang Jun is a graduate of Tsinghua University; it seems he can do almost anything after graduation. The planetarium is a public institution, which Yao Xia values ​​for its stability—a government job.

This kind of work is definitely much better than those insecure jobs, and as for the film directing industry, it seems to be an unstable one.

If we succeed, great; but what if we fail?

Before Yao Xia could think further, Zhang Jun continued to explain, "This time it was invested by my junior's father, a big boss in the real estate industry."

We have already held several preview screenings in Beijing and Shanghai, and the reviews have been very positive. It will be released on December 19th.

There should be a few cinemas in Kunming showing it, so you can take Xiaowan to see it together.

Hearing her brother's voice on the phone, Zhang Linwan cheered, "I want to go see it, I want to go see it..."

"What are you looking at? Get back to studying! Have you finished your homework?"

Yao Xia turned around and glared at Zhang Linwan, who had no choice but to reluctantly go back to do her homework.

The wood is done.

The couple weren't the kind of stubborn parents who insisted their children follow the path they had planned for them, and besides, their son had always been a very worry-free person for them.

So Yao Xia didn't say much, only inquiring about how Zhang Jun was eating and staying in Beijing, etc.

Zhang Jun laughed and said, "Don't worry, I'm a grown man, I can take good care of myself."

After you finish teaching this year's senior class, I'll take you to Beijing for a trip during the summer vacation.

"Oh, right, Grandpa's always wanted to see Tiananmen Square, right? We can also go see the flag-raising ceremony."

"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you!" Yao Xia was happy that her son was so sensible.

Zhang Yuncheng took the phone and gave Zhang Jun some more instructions: "Xiao Jun, do a good job."

No matter what job you do, you must be serious about it...

After listening to his adoptive parents' rambling on and on, Zhang Jun finally hung up the phone and breathed a sigh of relief.

"What? Are you particularly afraid of your aunt and uncle?" Ye Xiaoyi asked.

That's nonsense. What if they find out that the son has been replaced? This time travel is really something. Why didn't they just let me travel into the body of an orphan?

It's so great not having to deal with so many interpersonal relationships!

The above was just a thought. In response to Ye Xiaoyi's question, Zhang Jun replied, "No, it's mainly because I'm afraid they don't understand the film industry and might think I don't do proper work."

So I was especially nervous when I made the call.

Ye Xiaoyi complained, "As a son, you don't even understand your own parents!"

"Uh! That's normal, just like many parents don't understand their children either."

Zhang Jun skipped over the topic: "By the way, didn't you go see 'A World Without Thieves'? What did you think of it?"

Ye Xiaoyi rubbed her chin with her fingers, and after recalling for a while, she said, "It's very good, a pretty good movie. Andy Lau is handsome, and Andy Lau's acting is also good."

However, what impressed me most was that simple-minded character, Sha Gen. He didn't look like a professional, but his acting was completely natural.

Zhang Jun laughed and said, "His name is Baoqiang. He starred in 'Blind Shaft' and won the Golden Horse Award for Best New Performer."

"You know a lot about these things!" Ye Xiaoyi looked at Zhang Jun strangely.

"Of course I understand. After all, they are our opponents, although they may not necessarily take us seriously," Zhang Jun explained naturally.

Little did he know, they actually took him seriously.

The story goes like this: Feng Xiaogang and Stephen Chow got to know each other through a guy, and then they agreed to make a cameo appearance in each other's movies.

But Feng Xiaogang went and even contributed a memorable scene to "Kung Fu Hustle." Stephen Chow, however, broke his promise and didn't make a cameo appearance in "A World Without Thieves."

This greatly displeased Feng Xiaogang, and what displeased him even more was that Huayi Brothers had released two films, "A World Without Thieves" and "Kung Fu Hustle," at the same time.

One was on December 9th, and the other was on December 23rd, only a dozen days apart.

If Feng Xiaogang loses to Stephen Chow at the box office when two heavyweight films collide, wouldn't he lose face?

However, the two CEOs of Huayi Brothers didn't care about Feng Xiaogang's ideas. They believed that releasing two films in the same period would boost the entire period's popularity.

Perhaps both films will achieve box office success and become the highest-grossing films of the year.

As for "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Garfield" sandwiched between the two films, Huayi Brothers sees them as cannon fodder.

However, Feng Xiaogang had a little idea when he saw the release date of "Little Miss Sunshine".

He also learned about relevant information from Fan Wei, who co-starred in "A World Without Thieves" and "Little Miss Sunshine". He was very surprised when he learned that "Little Miss Sunshine" was actually directed by Zhang Jun, whom he had met once at the College Student Film Festival.

"Isn't he from Tsinghua University?"

"Oh, it's Tsinghua University! You became a director after graduating!"

Feng Dapao clicked his tongue in amazement: "I never expected that a novice who has never studied at a film academy, and is so young, could attract investment."

Who invested the money in him?

Fan Wei thought for a moment and said, "It's a girl from the film crew, also from Tsinghua University. Her father is a real estate tycoon, and he invested in her."

"That's not surprising."

Feng Dapao exclaimed, "They really are students from Tsinghua University, the pride of heaven."

As a senior colleague, it's my duty to support young people and make their future paths easier.

Fan Wei immediately understood that Feng Xiaogang was trying to cause trouble for Stephen Chow, probably because of the conflict caused by Chow's previous absence from the cameo role.

Although Feng Xiaogang is a bit petty, Stephen Chow's attitude of using people only when they need them and discarding them when they don't is indeed very wrong.

Sure enough, during his subsequent roadshows and television interviews, Feng Xiaogang made a point of mentioning the movie "Little Miss Sunshine".

When he and his team were promoting their film at Shanghai, he said in an interview with Dragon TV, "I met a young director at the Beijing College Student Film Festival. He graduated from Tsinghua University."

His new movie, *Little Miss Sunshine*, is also about to be released. If you didn't get enough of *A World Without Thieves*, you can also check out this movie.

Even though "Kung Fu Hustle" is right after, Feng Xiaogang never mentions it, as if the movie doesn't exist.

The interviewer suddenly remembered a movie that had been screened at Fudan University before, also called "Little Miss Sunshine".

"Director Feng, this movie has been screened and promoted at universities in Shanghai, and the word-of-mouth is quite good. It's very popular among college students right now."

"Yeah?"

Feng Dapao looked surprised; he hadn't expected the movie to garner so much attention.

However, he did not believe that this film could threaten "A World Without Thieves", so he also said some good things.

"That's why I recommend this movie. As a work by students from Tsinghua University, one of the top universities in China, it's sure to surprise many people."

The online buzz surrounding "Little Miss Sunshine" was already considerable, and with Feng Xiaogang's widespread recommendations, the film's fame grew even further.