Public Opinion Is Terrible, the Situation Is Excellent

Charles Perrik swiftly formulated a strategy. "Have his teachers criticize him and deny his pursuit. Let the media disparage his pursuit from every angle—social values, film professionalism, and so on."

"Carry out an execution-style purge of Shen Shanden's social connections. Create a chilling effect, so those with similar ideas will weigh the consequences themselves."

"Once he is frustrated and lost, have some of our awards reach out to him. If those on the inside don't understand him, we understand him. He'll come closer to us."

The overseas market for big-budget costume epics had basically been cut off. The biggest commercial film genre since the market-oriented reform of the Chinese film industry could be declared dead and buried.

Next should be the moment for the China Film Market to choose again. The prophet from last time would once more appear as if performing a miracle, pointing out a new path.

It was not really a new path, but it could be packaged as one.

Darkness, brutality, violence, sex, depth—just like Hong Kong Island films. No chivalric spirit, no feelings for home and country.

No beautiful or heartwarming emotions whatsoever. Only darkness, only cruelty, only tearing apart, only shattered fragments, only misfortune.

This was also why Charles Perrik did not care much about the project in the hands of those Hong Kong Island directors. Hong Kong Island directors were already losers.

Looking across the Chinese film industry, the one truly capable of bringing big-budget costume epics back from the dead was Zhang Yimou.

But Shen Shanden's emergence had introduced a new variable.

Even though the film had not yet been made, Charles Perrik would not allow the path of big-budget costume epics even the slightest chance of rising from the ashes.

He understood very well the power and value of Chinese history. If this path could be opened up, it would become an enormous film genre.

"The commissioner's strategy is unparalleled and extraordinary, just like your magnificent wisdom."

After his routine flattery, the assistant added, "But he seems very dismissive of The European Big Three?"

Charles Perrik smiled faintly and said with confidence, "That is because he has no awards. Once he truly has a chance of winning one, he won't say such things."

In the blink of an eye, February arrived.

The attention surrounding The Grand Director's launch ceremony had not faded. Instead, it expanded even further.

Shen Shanden's "view of art" sparked a major industry-wide debate.

Unlike the initial support that felt he had "vented everyone's anger" and "pierced the emperor's new clothes," fierce arguments erupted within traditional media.

"A weak nation has no art" touched upon the core dispute over the path of Chinese film development.

The neutral observers analyzed the context behind Shen Shanden's remarks, explored the possibility of balancing commerce and art, and focused on the dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and the yearning for an industrialized path reflected by the younger generation of filmmakers.

Supporters believed Shen Shanden had laid bare the reality of China's weak Industrial Foundation in film, emphasizing the foundational role of commercial genre films in building a Strong film nation and criticizing certain "pseudo-art" productions detached from the market and made solely to chase awards.

They praised his courage in facing reality head-on and his clear path of commercial genre filmmaking.

The opponents were not to be underestimated either.

The opposition, led by academics, some directors, and film critics, included no shortage of Shen Shanden's real-life teachers and theoretical authorities. They mercilessly and fiercely denounced his remarks as "narrow-minded," "utilitarian," "a desecration of art," and "historical nihilism."

They refuted his complete opposition of artistic pursuit and commercial success, praised The European Big Three as important benchmarks of cinematic art, and argued that Chinese cinema could not abandon artistic exploration and humanistic concern.

They labeled "Abandon art for commerce" as surrendering to the market.

Some even twisted his words and took them out of context, attacking him for comparing himself to a "weak nation" and pinning the label of unpatriotic on him.

Zhou Qifeng fell into confusion. "Senior Brother, were we wrong?"

Some of those criticizing them were authoritative media outlets, while others were teachers he had once deeply respected and looked up to.

"Don't fixate on public opinion, or you'll easily become depressed."

Shen Shanden reminded him, "If you look at the fundamentals, we're full of hope. If you look at public opinion, we're about to be finished."

Looking at the fundamentals, The Grand Director's launch ceremony had not merely been a success—it had been a huge success.

Shen Shanden quickly broadened his presence within the industry, successfully establishing an initial image as a "genius director" and a "rising force." His former negative labels—"internet singer" and "non-mainstream"—were all washed away.

That was an unexpected delight.

Shen Shanden had originally planned to complete his change of identity only after the film's release. Now, it had been directly reversed.

Even the critics were focused on Shen Shanden's identity as a director.

Then there was the The Grand Director project. Just as he had expected, some partners who had previously been difficult to deal with directly agreed to cooperate. Even those who had not agreed showed clear interest.

Most importantly, Film and Television Companies on the mainland were all asking whether there were still shares available. They wanted in and were willing to accept a premium.

That showed they were optimistic about the project. Even if they were doing it for China Film Group's sake, they were still optimistic about the project.

It was not as though there were no problems or difficulties, but these were things anyone trying to get work done would generally encounter, or trade-offs that had to be made due to production costs and the current state of the domestic film industry.

But no matter what, things were nowhere near as torn apart as public opinion made them seem.

Overall, the fundamentals and public opinion were completely opposite.

Shen Shanden did not want Zhou Qifeng overthinking things, so he quickly gave him work to do. "Huayi, Bona Film Group, Enlight Media, and Xingmei all want to invest, and they accept a onefold premium. I'm more inclined toward Huayi and Enlight Media. Go notify China Film Group's representative. Let's set a time to finalize the shares and put our worries about funding to rest."

The fact that Zhou Qifeng was concerned with such empty matters meant he had been too idle these past two days. Otherwise, he would not be letting his imagination run wild.

Take Wu Jing—he was so busy every day his feet barely touched the ground, overwhelmed with work, and had no time for so many thoughts.

When he returned home, Shen Shanden enjoyed service fit for an emperor.

Clothes were brought when he reached out, food came when he opened his mouth; when he sat, there was support for his waist, when he lay down, there was a massage, and fruit was always ready.

With the TV remote, if he said he wanted to watch this channel, then this was the channel.

His word carried absolute weight!

Shen Shanden lay on Da Mimi's lap, feeling that he ought to reward her. "Damn Mimi! Seeing how outstanding you've been, tell me—what do you want?"

Da Mimi had finally been waiting for those words. "Yes, sir! It is my honor to serve you! Making you happy is my mission! It's not that I have a problem—it's that I want to help you solve yours."

Shen Shanden grew impatient. "Spit it out if you've got something to say. Talking so greasy is kind of disgusting."

Da Mimi gritted her teeth, but she still swallowed her anger.

She had no choice. Over at Rongxinda, their attitude toward her these past few days could practically be called fawning.

Li Shaohong, who was usually impatient whenever Da Mimi asked about the Dream of the Red Chamber project, had unusually spoken many soft words to her these past two days, explaining that she had her own difficulties. Sister Xiaowan had played the emotional card even harder.

The satisfaction the company gave her made sucking up to Shen Shanden something Da Mimi could endure.

After all, everything that needed sucking up had already—

Da Mimi spoke softly, "Yes, sir! It's Xiao Yang's company—they want to learn about the casting."

Shen Shanden waved a hand. "How big a deal is that? I'll give you a copy of the character list. But the procedures that need to be followed still have to be followed."

Rongxinda had people it wanted to use, and Chen Kun was quite suitable for the male lead. As a mid-budget commercial film, The Grand Director would definitely need recognizable actors in its casting, at the very least so audiences would not feel unfamiliar when they saw them in the theater.

Chen Kun had to be used, but Shen Shanden hoped he could get him for cheaper.

Better yet, he wanted Rongxinda and the other side to thank him for it.

"Thank you!" Da Mimi said gratefully.

Her eyes shone brightly as she grew excited, rubbing herself against him again and again until Shen Shanden was thoroughly annoyed.

Tonight was going to be exhausting again!

The next day.

Shen Shanden began the day's work feeling refreshed. Beijing Film Academy was on break, so they could recruit a batch of third-year students looking for internships.

They would also recruit some first- and second-year students from the BJ area. They had no professional skills, but they could handle errand-running jobs.

For better preparation work, The Grand Director production team moved into Beijing Film Studio.

The production's framework had already been established, and Shen Shanden now had his own team. He was not afraid of senior figures or teachers wanting to lend a hand—if anything, he hoped they would come help.

That morning.

Shen Shanden received notice that Han Sanping was coming to inspect the work.

Since they were both at Beijing Film Studio, Han Sanping arrived at The Grand Director production team shortly after sending word.

At present, the most important matter for The Grand Director was the final twenty percent of the investment shares. Shen Shanden's intention was to accept investments from Huayi and Enlight Media.

Han Sanping offered his guidance. "Huayi's waters run too deep. You can't handle them."

Shen Shanden felt anger rise in his heart. Old Deng, are you teaching me how to do things?