Ending meeting with Mickey Kanter, it's seven o'clock in the evening.
After sending the other party away, Simon did not go upstairs immediately. He turned around and came to the hall on this floor used for cocktail parties, and still chose a sofa next to the glass window to sit down.
You can overlook most of New York from here.
It's already the time when the lights are on.
Rows upon rows of urban buildings are densely studded with large swaths of bright lights, like an inverted sea of stars.
Suddenly I felt like I was a fish.
Landed fish.
Just like the novel I read in my previous life, the fish that landed were no longer fish.
These days, every time Simon meets with people, the most frequently asked question is why he wants to go to China. Or, to be more precise, why bring a large number of senior executives from the Westeros system to China
Because everyone understands that by doing this, Simon is standing up for the Chinese economy. A super-rich man who stands at the top of the world's wealth clearly expresses his optimism for China's economy. Capital's pursuit of profits has achieved far more effective results than the Chinese government's call for reform and opening up 100 times.
Simon Westeros is optimistic about China and is investing heavily in China. Why don’t others follow suit? Or, who thinks they can make more money than Westeros
It is conceivable that Simon's trip to China can almost be regarded as a new starting point for China's economy.
However, in the minds of most Western elites, China is certainly not allowed to rise, just like Japan is not allowed to rise. Because everyone knows that the resources in this world are not unlimited. If someone else is stronger, it may mean that you are weaker. What's more, there are deeper considerations such as skin color, race, and other factors.
So a lot of people really don't understand.
Even if Simon is very optimistic about China's economic development prospects, low-key investment means that there is no need to be so obvious. With the current size of the Westeros system, the various concessions offered by China for Simon's visit can only be regarded as small favors. If a true Westerner were in Simon's position, he probably wouldn't even glance at it.
A waitress walked over lightly and brought a cup of coffee. She hesitated for a moment, but when her boss didn't respond, she had to retreat quietly.
Simon held the warm coffee in his hands, still looking out the window, but thought of the book again in his mind.
The male protagonist with a rough fate is the fish that landed.
Before setting off, he refused to swear loyalty to mankind because he had not experienced any joy, happiness and love in his short life, so he did not recognize his responsibility to mankind. However, at the end of the story, he still took a huge risk and left three fairy tales for the earth that hinted at the future of mankind.
Now, Simon is equivalent to directly giving a set of curvature engines.
In comparison, it was clear that he could ask for more, but Simon did not do so. Just like the three film industry reform clauses that Mickey Kanter was just instructed to negotiate, if China can do it, the greater benefit will be the Chinese film industry, which is already in the extreme slump at this time. In areas such as financial technology, Simon didn't even mention it at all. He just asked Mickey Kanter to express his attitude and put some pressure on the other side of the ocean.
There is motivation only when there is pressure.
Otherwise, given China’s fragile technological and financial strength at this time, even if a small gap is opened now, it may lead to a collapse in the future.
But that's all.
After all, the position is different after all. It is not Simon's American position at this time, but the 'Westerosian' position. From this standpoint, whether it is China, the United States, or even all other countries on the planet, they are Simon's hunting grounds. .
Because Simon is the most special landed fish in the world.
Not only across space, but also across time.
Fish that have transcended space have many of their own kind. Among the fish that have transcended time in this world, at least Simon only knows himself. Perhaps, if he discovers a second one in the future, he will not feel happy, but will do it to ensure his own safety. Unique and decisive action.
Just like the lion king who never allows other male lions to enter his territory on the grassland.
Girl A entered the hall from the door. The first thing she saw was her boss leaning on the sofa by the window, lost in thought, and she couldn't help but stop. The man not far away was not in any boring emptiness and loneliness at this time, because she knew that he had always enjoyed this feeling, like a superior god looking down on all living beings indifferently.
After following him for so long, Girl A confirmed that her judgment was correct.
And he does have the qualification to look down on all living beings. Whenever Girl A sees her boss so lost in thought, she can't help but be immersed in it.
Suddenly I realized that so many years have passed without realizing it.
At first, I applied for this job just for a better salary. Then, being attracted to him is actually not that pure, just like a man’s thoughts when he sees a beautiful woman, and she is also a super rich beautiful woman. However, men’s mentality when facing this situation is often to conquer and possess, while women often The one who is possessed.
And he seems to have everything as a matter of course, and he also has enough financial strength and even charm to make women fall into the trap and unable to extricate themselves.
They could get anything from him but love.
In fact, he initially thought about leaving him and recreating his own life like the other alphabet girls, but he never forced it.
When did the change begin
Probably, it should have been that night at Sundance two years ago, or maybe it was just a qualitative change after a long period of accumulation, and it was also her active request. From then on, she had no idea of leaving at all, she just wanted to stay by his side and become the one who haunted him. A small vine on his body accompanies him to feel the wind, frost, rain, snow, and the cycle of the four seasons.
In fact, I know that Stockholm Syndrome has been gradually identified over the years.
Don't think so.
Because in her opinion, most people in the world have a hostage complex to a greater or lesser extent, and are either tied up by their families, interests, or life. No one can truly be free. According to the theory of genetic instinct that he often mentioned, this may be an instinct of the weak to rely on and obey the strong in order to give their genes a greater chance of survival.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but curl his lips slightly.
There seems to be nothing in this world that his genetic instinct theory cannot explain.
She walked over lightly and came to his side. The man naturally handed over the coffee cup in his hand, took it and placed it on the coffee table next to him. A big hand hugged her body, and she snuggled into his arms. He even kicked off his high heels. She tilted her face up and kissed his jaw gently, knowing that he liked the way a woman looked up, and she also liked looking up like this.
Simon looked back at the night view of the city outside the window and saw the girl in his arms: "You are naughty again today."
Girl A’s cheek came over and rubbed Simon’s chin: “Yes, but there is still a lot of time to punish Little Ellie tonight, but Ms. Hilton said that she needs to go home before nine o’clock, boss, you still have to Go up?"
"What do you think?"
"The boss can do whatever he wants."
Simon smiled, hugged the girl leaning in his arms, and looked out the window: "A, have you ever thought about leaving?"
"The boss wants to get a new assistant?"
"I'm just thinking that you might feel that being with such a man is destined to be fruitless, and you should definitely leave and pursue the life you want more."
Alison rested her head on Simon's shoulder and looked out the window at the bright lights together: "Boss, what kind of life do you want?"
"This is life now."
"What a coincidence, so am I."
"Ah."
Girl A gently kissed Simon on the cheek again: "Boss, come up quickly."
"Well," Simon stood up and picked up Allison: "You come too."
…
Early the next morning.
Ang Lee drove from home to the Upper East Side. It was only seven o'clock in the morning.
In a coffee shop on East 62nd Street, Simon was already waiting here. Not counting the bodyguards and the owner and his wife who were standing outside, he was the only one in the coffee shop during what should have been a busy breakfast time.
After greeting him, Li An sat down opposite Simon with some restraint. Although he hadn't eaten breakfast yet, he just ordered a cup of coffee.
His eyes quickly noticed the book Simon was reading when he just entered the door: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
Suddenly he understood the reason why Westeros suddenly made an appointment with him.
Seeing the other party looking over, Simon said: "It seems you have guessed it, Li. I know from the memo from Gaomen Pictures that you are interested in this novel. To make a long story short, Gaomen Pictures can provide you with everything." Necessary conditions, I hope you put down the preparation of "The Ice Storm" and shoot this movie first."
Since "The Wedding Banquet", Ang Lee has been very happy to cooperate with Daenerys Entertainment. If it were other circumstances, the boss of Daenerys Entertainment personally said that he would not mind which film was filmed first.
This time it was different.
Because Ang Lee happened to notice that Simon was about to visit China, he hesitated a little and said: "Simon, I am indeed very interested in this novel. However, I don't have any clue about this project yet, and "Ice" "The Storm" has already begun casting, or can I start preparing for this project next year?"
Simon looked at the middle-aged man opposite who was not very good at words and said, "Li, let's be honest. You should also know that I am going to visit China soon."
Li An nodded honestly.
"So, I guess you're worried about this project being labeled political, right?"
Li An paused and nodded.
Even though he has lived in the United States for many years and has won a series of top honors in movies, which should have been a matter of course, Ang Lee has always insisted on not naturalizing. In Simon's opinion, this is better than those who quietly changed their nationality and were still shy in China. The two-faced customer who says I am Chinese is a hundred times stronger.
Speaking of which, Simon has never underestimated the influence of his big butterfly. However, a major event that was supposed to happen on the other side of the ocean in March this year, no matter why, did not happen. However, cross-strait relations are still here. It has been at freezing point for several years.
All in all, Ang Lee does not want to get involved in any politics.
Of course, Simon understood the other party's concerns and said: "Li, I don't deny that this project is related to my trip to China, but you can rest assured that there are no political factors involved. Moreover, preparations are starting now, including script writing, scene viewing, and selection. Casting, confirming the shooting plan, etc., the actual start of filming may be at the end of the year. I hope that this project will be released in the summer next year, one year apart during the period. Daenerys Entertainment will not make any difference between these two things in the process. Related public statements, so you can rest assured.”
It sounds pretty good.
But, how can you rest assured
Ang Lee thought for a while and asked: "Simon, if that's the case, why do you insist on shooting this movie in advance?"
Simon looked at the other party and said seriously: "First of all, Li, I am very optimistic about your ability. I believe that the effect of this movie will never be worse than "Sense and Sensibility". And secondly, I hope that through this movie The performance in the North American market next year will indirectly promote the Chinese government’s emphasis on the film industry.”
These are all true.
In fact, it can be regarded as another 'fairy tale' given to China by Simon.
At this stage, China's domestic film market is almost in a state of collapse. Take the number of moviegoers as an example. In the 1980s, China's official official annual number of moviegoers reached a peak of 29.3 billion. By the 1990s, this number had plummeted to Around 300 million. Even if the former includes data such as free screenings in rural areas, the latter will be significantly underestimated due to serious box office theft in the market. The nearly 100-fold difference in the two data is still shocking enough.
In the past year of 1995, even with the introduction of a series of Hollywood blockbusters, China's total box office for the year was only a pitiful 970 million yuan.
This may be due to the large-scale popularization of televisions and rampant piracy, but it is undeniable that in the final analysis, the Chinese government does not pay enough attention to the film industry.
How did this situation change
In the original time and space, "Titanic" was a node. The global box office exceeded 1.8 billion US dollars, equivalent to nearly 15 billion yuan. One movie was equivalent to 10 times China's average annual box office in the 1990s. This allowed China to see the original movie You can make money this way. Then, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was released in 2000, once again letting China see that Chinese-language movies can make money in this way on a global scale!
So, around the turn of the millennium, the Chinese government finally made up its mind to revive the film industry.
Not only were measures such as the cinema chain system, cinema networking, and the introduction of foreign investment in cinemas rapidly advanced, but also because of the success of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and in order to enter the international market, China also ushered in the era of blockbusters, such as "Hero", "The Promise", " Big-investment and big-production movies such as "The Night Banquet" have emerged one after another.
This time, the super high global box office of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" has given China enough stimulation. What Simon has to do is to come up with another powerful medicine of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in advance, and then In conjunction with the series of film industry reform provisions that Simon instructed Mickey Kanter to negotiate with the Chinese government, it is enough to allow the Chinese film industry to enter a period of recovery about five years ahead of schedule.
After all, it is impossible to explain too clearly, so Ang Lee obviously still doesn't understand and is a little unsure: "Simon, I don't think "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has such great energy."
Simon affirmed: "Lee, all you have to do is do your best, and Daenerys Entertainment will take care of the rest. And, well, this project is not the only solution."
Ang Lee relaxed after hearing the second half of Simon's words. He also knew that he didn't have much room for bargaining with the young man opposite him, so he nodded: "But, Simon, if you want to make a good movie, maybe... it's best to do it in mainland China." Framing.”
"If you feel it is necessary, everything will be kept confidential until the completion of this project, including your trip to mainland China for filming. In short, Li, I just hope you can make this film that showcases Chinese traditional culture in advance. I miss you." Should also be happy to see this. So, any other questions?"
Ang Lee originally wanted to say no, but he remembered a detail just now, hesitated a little, and said: "Simon, don't you think my project is more suitable for the end of the year, which will make it easier to hit the awards season."
"Li, the schedule is important, but it is never the decisive factor. Moreover, this project is more focused on commercial nature, so it can be seen by more people if it is placed on the summer schedule."
The real reason is that "Titanic" will be released at the end of next year.
In front of the big ship, any other project will be crushed. In fact, "Titanic" was initially scheduled to be released in the summer of next year, but Simon didn't think that a serious procrastinator could complete the project on time, and he had already moved the film to the end of 1997.
Simon actually also considered the award factor.
Even though "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" has shined at the Oscars this year, as long as "Titanic" achieves as dazzling results as "The Original Time and Space", "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" still won't have much chance, so it's still Just like in the original time and space, nominations are the main focus.
In this case, it doesn't matter whether it is released at the end of next year or not.
Daenerys Entertainment can make up for the box office boost brought by the awards season with publicity, because the box office success of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is mainly due to the fact that the film itself is good enough and fits the aesthetics of Western audiences. Of course, nominations during the awards season will bring Buffs come, but basically they are icing on the cake.
Ang Lee thought about it for a while and then said: "In this case, the production cycle may be a little tight."
"It will be released at the end of July and early August next year. There is still plenty of time. Although it is not as good as June and July, you understand that this is more suitable for a word-of-mouth movie to have a long-term success. Many box office dark horses are born at the end of the summer season."
Li An quickly sorted it out in his mind and finally nodded: "Then, I have no problem."