Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 349: Avatar Released

Jiang Wen was chatting with several assistant directors when he saw Fu Yibai approaching. He immediately jumped up from his chair, strode over to greet him, and put his arm around Fu Yibai's shoulder.

"Here they come! Come, come, let me introduce you to them."

He pulled Fu Yibai through the crowd and walked to the rest area next to the monitor.

Chow Yun-fat was sitting in a folding chair, holding a thermos in his hand, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a gentle and refined demeanor.

Grandpa Ge sat opposite him, legs crossed, with an unlit cigarette between his fingers.

"Brother Fa, Uncle Ge."

Fu Yibai, my brother, an internationally renowned director, needs no introduction, right?

Zhou Runfa put down his thermos, stood up, shook hands with Fu Yibai, and smiled gently.

"I've seen all of Director Fu's movies, and every single one of them is a masterpiece."

I finally met him in person today.

"Brother Chow, you're too kind. I've been watching your movies since I was a child."

Grandpa Ge also stood up, tucked the unlit cigarette behind his ear, and shook hands with Fu Yibai.

"Great director, when are you going to make a comedy?"

I'd really love to work with you.

"Uncle Ge, you're too kind. Just call me Yibai."

I will definitely look forward to collaborating with you if I have the opportunity.

Fu Yibai responded with a smile, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

Jiang Wen chimed in from the side.

"Old Ge, don't worry, Yi Bai has plenty of notebooks. Who knows, he might find a suitable one someday."

The group chatted for more than half an hour in the rest area.

Once everything was ready on site, everyone took their positions and prepared to begin filming that day.

Fu Yibai was seated in a chair next to the monitor by Jiang Wen, where he could clearly see the dispatching in every corner of the scene.

Jiang Wen's filming style is completely different from his. He emphasizes efficiency and precision in filming. He will never shoot more than two takes if a shot can be done in two takes. All effects are repeatedly polished in the pre-production preparation and special effects rehearsal.

Jiang Wen is not. He is the kind of person who will overturn his decisions from the day before on set. What he pursues is that "spirit" in the shot, an indescribable but necessary energy.

This filming method is very time-consuming and also puts a lot of strain on the actors.

At lunchtime, Jiang Wen pulled Fu Yibai to sit next to the monitor, each holding a boxed lunch.

Jiang Wen shoveled rice into his mouth while chatting with Fu Yibai about the script.

Although they were supposed to be discussing the script, Jiang Wen did most of the talking while he listened.

Fu Yibai knew very well that Jiang Wen didn't actually need his guidance; he just needed a listener who could understand and follow his train of thought.

All he needs is affirmation.

Even if Fu Yibai did offer some suggestions, Jiang Wen, with his stubborn nature—able to overturn even the script he had just come up with the day before—might not adopt them.

During the chat, Fu Yibai also had the opportunity to see Jiang Wen's unique stick figure storyboard.

At 2 PM, Fu Yibai said goodbye to Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen escorted him to the intersection and patted his shoulder twice more.

"I'll show you the finished film after I'm done shooting."

"Just tell me if you're not satisfied, I won't get angry with you."

"Then I'll take it seriously."

"It should be taken seriously."

Jiang Wen grinned.

That afternoon, "A Simple Noodle Story" was released in cinemas nationwide.

Zhang Yimou's brand appeal, coupled with Shen Yang's popularity from the Spring Festival Gala, allowed the film to secure nearly 20% of the screenings upon its release.

However, its first-day performance was somewhat unworthy of the number of screenings, barely breaking 10 million.

Pacific Rim, which has been in theaters for ten days, is still maintaining a box office of over 70 million.

The difference is immediately apparent when the two are compared.

Of course, this comparison is unfair.

"A Simple Noodle Story" is, after all, a comedy film, with a different target audience, and the investment scale is also vastly different.

However, the reputation of "A Simple Noodle Story" was not as strong as expected.

On the second day of its release, a lot of criticism appeared online. Some viewers bluntly said that the "laughter" was "awkward" and the "plot was broken". Some even joked that this was Zhang Yimou's "most subpar work".

Its Douban rating plummeted from 6.8 at the start to a failing 5.9, a stark contrast to the consistently high acclaim of Pacific Rim at 8.1.

Film critics have also begun to offer their opinions, with some criticizing Zhang Yimou for relying too much on color and form, and others criticizing Shen Yang's performance for being out of place on the big screen, generating considerable controversy.

On December 18, James Cameron's "Avatar" was released simultaneously worldwide.

This 3D sci-fi blockbuster, which took nearly five years to make and cost more than $230 million, grossed $27 million on its opening day in North America and more than $80 million worldwide on its opening day.

On the same day, Pacific Rim had been showing in theaters worldwide for seventeen days.

Overseas box office revenue declined significantly due to the impact of "Avatar". The daily box office revenue in North America dropped from $10 million the previous day to $8 million, and the European, Japanese and South Korean markets also saw varying degrees of decline.

This decline was within Fu Yibai's expectations. The release of Avatar was like a tsunami, affecting all the movies that were released at the same time.

The fact that "Pacific Rim" has been able to hold its own for more than half a month after its release has already proven its quality.