News from North America

In June, Summit Entertainment announced that its upcoming film The Infiltrator had been written and directed by Wei Jin, a Berlin Silver Bear-winning director, who had also invested the screenplay for a 20% stake.

Once the news spread, it caused an uproar in North America. Media outlets and ordinary people alike were curious what kind of idea could have persuaded Summit Entertainment to give up a 20% investment share. After all, it was almost unprecedented in Hollywood.

Amid the curiosity and anticipation, The Infiltrator officially opened on June 3 on more than 1,800 screens. It earned $6.77 million on its opening day and $18.81 million over its three-day opening weekend. Summit Entertainment's executives were overjoyed and immediately began lobbying theaters to add more screens.

In its second week, the screen count reached 2,500, and the film took in as much as $36 million that week. After ten days in theaters, its cumulative box office stood at $54.81 million, already closing in on its predecessor, Buried Alive.

But with Mr. & Mrs. Smith and War of the Worlds coming out next, it remained to be seen how much of the box office The Infiltrator could bite off.

When Friedman called Wei Jin, he could barely contain his delight. He had thought a box office of thirty to fifty million would be enough for a hefty profit, but judging by how things were going, it looked set to break a hundred million. The film had cost less than $2 million to make!

"Wei, your decision was the right one. The film's box office has been a wonderful surprise, and it's brought Summit Entertainment enormous exposure too. Next, we're planning to distribute the film worldwide. What do you think?"

"That's a wise decision. Films on this kind of subject know no borders. I reckon the overseas markets can bring in at least another thirty million."

Wei Jin naturally supported a worldwide release. It would increase his international influence, and when it came to making money, of course he wanted to make it all over the world.

"Wei, it's a shame you couldn't come promote the film in person this time. You have no idea how desperate the North American media are to interview you."

Friedman was a little regretful. If Wei Jin had been in North America, the box office might have been even higher by now.

"I couldn't help it. I've been busy shooting a film lately. Next time, when Dead Silence comes out, I'll definitely come over to help promote it. I'll also bring a new project."

Wei Jin couldn't be in two places at once. Still, without any big stars in a film like this, he, the Silver Bear-winning director, really was all they had to promote it with.

After he hung up, Zeng Li gazed at him with a dreamy look in her eyes. The man's achievements were simply beyond the great beauty's imagination. An outstanding man was a deadly poison to any woman.

Before long, a moving song rang out in the room.

When the news from North America reached China, it caused an uproar there as well. Neither the media nor the companies in the industry had expected the young director to have quietly fought his way into North America. For a time, major film and television companies all began setting their sights on Wei Jin...

At China Film Group headquarters, Han Sanping smiled as he read the news.

"Have someone write some articles. Let's use this opportunity to build up the buzz around Painted Skin."

President Deng of Western Film Group went further and issued direct instructions: once the crew moved to Ningxia, they were to support the project with all their might, whatever the cost.

Wang Changtian of Guangxian and Yu Dong of Bona were also immensely glad. They had not been particularly optimistic about their joint project at first, and had only wanted to build a good relationship with the young commercial film director.

Who could have known Wei Jin would give them such a huge surprise? A 20% investment share meant that Wei Jin had knocked open Hollywood's doors, giving them a great ship to cross the ocean.

Many domestic projects could use Wei Jin's connections to reach Hollywood, while many Hollywood projects could also involve Chinese artists through his introductions. For major film and television production companies and stars alike, this was tremendously good news.

"Good thing Guangxian got on board early. The other companies must be racking their brains right now, hahaha..."

In an office in the Huayi building, the Wang Brothers were also discussing the matter.

"Brother, are you saying this kid quietly broke into Hollywood just like that? Is this for real?"

There was a trace of doubt in Wang Zhonglei's voice. He could hardly believe it; the young man had risen far too quickly.

"It doesn't matter whether we believe it or not. The point is, he really can take part in Hollywood projects. It's a shame our two sides have barely had any dealings."

Wang Zhongjun was somewhat regretful that they had not established a connection with Wei Jin when he was starting out. It would be even harder now.

"Even a hero has trouble getting past a beauty. I refuse to believe there's anyone we can't win over..."

Wang Zhonglei began considering which of the company's artists could go and win Wei Jin over.

If Wei Jin's investment in a Hollywood film had caused a sensation only among the major film and television companies and actors, the news that followed shook the entire Chinese-language music scene.

On June 5, a song called "Unstoppable" landed in the top hundred on North America's Billboard chart. After two weeks of growing buzz and people singing it everywhere, its popularity showed no sign of fading. On June 21, it officially stormed into the top ten.

The Billboard Hot 100 was a singles chart compiled by Billboard, a North American music magazine. It was also regarded as the most authoritative singles chart in North America.

The chart's rankings were determined by the combined total of record sales and the number of times singles were played on radio within North America.

A song had stormed into the top ten so quickly that one could imagine just how wildly popular it was in North America. Scarlett Johansson, who sang it, shot to fame overnight and was dubbed the "Goddess of Victory."

"This song is full of power and passion. With its metallic-sounding vocals, it is like a battle song, its stirring, explosive rhythm driving people forward, forward, forward...

"With this song, Scarlett Johansson tells us that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we must never give up lightly. No matter how great the difficulties we face, as long as we have courage and strength, we can overcome anything."

That was the assessment of an authoritative North American music magazine after an exclusive interview with Scarlett Johansson.

"He and I met at a Summit Entertainment dinner. He's witty, handsome, charming and tremendously talented, practically a perfect man. We spent many wonderful nights together, and this song was his parting gift to me. Oh, and he's a director. His film The Infiltrator is in theaters right now."

During a television interview, Scarlett Johansson revealed information about the song's creator with a smile on her face. One could only say that North American women really were open and bold.

When they learned the song's origins, the media had a collective climax. A romantic encounter between an Eastern director and a North American actress—the gossip tabloids had already imagined tens of thousands of words about it.

"A love token from an Eastern director takes North America by storm."

"The Goddess of Victory's heart belongs to another: a magical Eastern director captures her heart."

"The story that must be told about Scarlett Johansson and the Eastern director."

News of the sensation Wei Jin had caused in North America's film and music scenes kept reaching China, setting off a carnival of public commentary.

While the major film and television production companies and actors eagerly courted Wei Jin for his status as a director, the major record companies and musicians flocked to him for his status as a gold-medal producer. The major media outlets also dug up his information all over again.

For virtually the whole of June, Wei Jin barely dropped off the entertainment headlines.

But the hilarious part was the discussion online, where netizens paid more attention to the rumored romance between Scarlett Johansson and Wei Jin.

"Wei Jin is fucking awesome. He even managed to conquer a North American actress."

"He's bringing glory to the country, riding a white horse."

"I envy neither mandarin ducks nor immortals; I envy Director Wei every single day."

"Am I the only one who thinks Scarlett Johansson's figure is insanely hot?"

Wei Jin no longer had time to pay attention to all the news. His phone had been ringing off the hook for the past two days, and reporters had repeatedly barged onto the set, seriously disrupting the filming schedule. With no other choice, he held a press conference and, after answering quite a few questions, finally managed to deal with the reporters.

But Sister Li's questions proved less easy to handle. Wei Jin had no choice but to put his body to work and give her several thorough "beatings" before things finally settled down. So what should you do when a woman gets moody? Just give her a few more "beatings."