Upsetting the Roof

"Damn, even though it sounds harsh, it seems to make sense? Look at our award-winning films, what kind of eyes do the European Big Three have?"

"A strong nation has no art? Hollywood doesn't need art? This, this angle is too tricky! But when you think about it, it really seems to be the case!"

"Abandon art for commerce? Art alone cannot save Chinese cinema? To adapt Lu Xun's words, he's placing himself in the position of 'saving the nation'! Too, too arrogant! But also so damn exciting!"

Many male students excitedly slapped their thighs.

"Great!!!"

"Well said!!"

"Senior Brother Shen is awesome!"

"Screw the film strong nation!"

Crash!!!

The student section erupted in thunderous, unceasing, enthusiastic applause.

This applause was no longer just polite support; it carried strong resonance, catharsis, and ignited fighting spirit!

Shen Shanden's words had shaken everyone to their core!

Their blood was thoroughly ignited!

Especially among the young students in the acting, management, and cinematography departments, their eyes blazed with unprecedented light!

Shen Shanden didn't just talk about artistic ideals; he pointed out the cold reality and painted a future picture that needed them to strive and build.

This kind of declaration, which directly confronted reality, challenged authority, and had grand goals, made their blood surge!

It was like a heavy hammer smashing apart the vague, indoctrinated shackles of "artistic sanctity" in their hearts.

Some students had vaguely held this kind of view before.

But in the academy, it would have been labeled "rebellious."

After Shen Shanden's summary, it became justifiable, and the exhilaration of being awakened surged in their chests.

Students in the directing and literature departments, who considered themselves to have artistic pursuits, had disbelief written all over their faces.

"Holy crap, 'a weak nation has no art'? That, that's too harsh!"

"Does he mean we don't even have the right to talk about art?"

However, under the thunderous applause and with the silent majority expressing their support, their previous views seemed so pale, not worth refuting, and couldn't even be brought to the table!

The teachers who remained in the guest section had varied expressions: shock, contemplation, worry.

There were also a very few who showed a barely perceptible hint of agreement in their eyes.

As if something had been ignited by the power in Shen Shanden's words, they seemed lost in thought.

Amidst this fervent atmosphere, most teachers chose to applaud along.

No matter what, it was good for young people to have some spirit.

The reporters were the most frenzied.

They were completely fired up!

If Wu Jing's "going bankrupt" was just an appetizer, and Shen Shanden's comparison of Hollywood and the European Big Three was the intense prelude before the main course, then the triple blow of "a weak nation has no art," "abandon art for commerce," and "art alone cannot save Chinese cinema" were like successive heavy bombs, directly blasting the news value to the heavens!

All the reporters, whether from the serious China Film News or the sharp-witted tabloids and portal websites, were now like they'd been injected with adrenaline!

"Quick! Hurry and write it down! Don't miss a single word!"

"The headline! We have a headline! Beijing Film Academy's Wild Student Shen Shanden: A Weak Nation Has No Art, Abandoning Art for Commerce Will Save Chinese Cinema!"

"Explosive! Absolutely explosive! Tomorrow's headline! No, it's the hot topic for the next week!"

"Contact the editor! Reserve the front page immediately! No, a special feature! This Shen Shanden is too good at creating buzz!"

The flashes of light were no longer a continuous stream but were flashing frantically, non-stop.

Targeting the young figure on stage who had uttered astonishing words, yet maintained an exceptionally firm expression.

The shutter sounds were as dense as a torrential rain on a tin roof, documenting this moment that was destined to cause immense upheaval.

The long-haired directing student who had asked the question seemed out of place.

Amidst the mountain-like applause and the complex gazes of countless classmates – looks of sympathy, disdain, and indifference – his face, which had been flushed red, turned pale, the color rapidly draining away. The smugness and provocation on his face completely vanished.

He had tried to establish value, only to be utterly crushed by Shen Shanden's greater value.

"A weak nation has no art!"

Shen Shanden's response had completely exceeded his preconceived "debate between commerce and art" and directly elevated the issue to national dignity and the foundational level of the film industry!

Under the blunt yet incisive assault of "Hollywood crushes the European Big Three," he felt as if an invisible giant hand had instantly drained him of all strength.

He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. Even if he wanted to, no one would listen, and the microphone had been taken away.

Everyone else was reveling, while he was silent.

He could only silently feel the fervor of others.

Yuan Shanshan and Zhang Xiaofei, who were beside Da Mimi, were already dumbfounded.

Zhang Xiaofei murmured, "He, he really dares to say it!"

Da Mimi proudly straightened her back, her eyes shining with excitement, a mix of pride and a hint of worry.

Her man was, single-handedly, challenging the "rules" of the entire industry!

"This is going to shake things up."

Yu Jianhong looked at his student, feeling both pride and distress.

He was awestruck by the vision and courage that far surpassed the student's age, but he also worried about these words.

One moment he's basking in the glory, the next he'll have to clean up the mess.

Fortunately, he was a management student; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.

As for Teacher Huang's expression.

It had gone from ashen to purplish-black, his teeth clenched tight.

Shen Shanden's words were not just a retort to the student who asked the question, but more like a resounding slap in the face to all the "priggish" individuals who only talked about "art" and detached themselves from market realities.

He considered himself a literary youth!

This was his pride!

At this moment, he felt his "artistic dignity" being dragged on the ground and rubbed, yet he was so overwhelmed by the other party's grand and realistic logic that he couldn't even find a starting point to refute.

The frustration and anger made him feel like he was going to suffer internal injuries.

In contrast, Shen Shanden on stage was very gentle, like a refined gentleman.

The host announced that the The Grand Director launch ceremony had concluded successfully.

Shen Shanden bowed to everyone, thanking them for their support.

Actually, he was not as calm as he appeared on the surface.

Creating a huge sensation today was part of the original plan, but what he intended to reveal was a "small goal of one hundred million," shouting out a box office expectation of one hundred million.

But being pressured by their perceived value, he had no choice but to fight back.

Because this film no longer belonged to him alone.

It carried the hard work of the team, the investment from China Film, and on a larger scale, it was related to Han Sanping's strategic direction and the independence of the film industry.

However, the pressure was still immense.

In this era, as someone within the film industry, making commercial films came with a psychological burden, and declaring efforts towards strengthening the nation's film industry added even more pressure.

Of course, what surprised Shen Shanden, and what he was even more gratified by, was the enthusiastic response!

Upon reflection, it was quite normal.

These students were basically born in the 80s, with most being post-85s. Apart from those in the directing and literature departments, the majority were relatively normal people.

As soon as the ceremony ended.

Shen Shanden, Wu Jing, and even Zhou Qifeng were immediately surrounded by a frenzied crowd of reporters.

Countless microphones and recording pens were almost shoved into their faces.