On August 6, a seminar on "Time and Space Warriors" hosted by the Literary and Art Bureau of the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee and the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television was held at the China Film Archives Museum.

The China Film Archive is located on Xiaoxi Tianwen Huiyuan Road, just behind China Film Group, not far from Beijing Film Group, and can be reached in more than half an hour by bus. For movie fans, this is a movie-watching place, with cheap tickets, no one answering the phone, no loud noise, and no one leaving the venue early, and the atmosphere is very good.

The car drove into the movie archive, Zhang Ran got out of the car, called Han Shanping, confirmed the location, and slowly went upstairs.

There were already three or five people sitting in the conference room. When Zhang Ran came in, they were sitting together and discussing something. The atmosphere was very warm. When Zhang Ran came in, they all looked over and saw that it was Zhang Ran and nodded with a smile, and then continued their topic.

Zhang Ran didn't know these people either, but they had names in front of the seat, and they were some experts and scholars. Zhang Ran also nodded at them with a smile, then came to his seat and sat down, thinking about the speech.

Not long after, Han Shanping accompanied Tong Gang. Everyone present got up to say hello, Zhang Ran was no exception and went over to say hello to Tong Gang.

Domestic movies performed poorly in the first half of this year. Fortunately, "Time and Space Warrior" gave domestic movies a shot of heart. In the second half of the year, domestic movies also include blockbusters such as "Ten-side Ambush" and "The World Without Thieves". The task of domestic movies overwhelming imported movies will definitely be completed. Therefore, Tong Gang was in a good mood and kindly brought Zhang Ran aside and started chatting.

At almost nine o'clock, Luo Shu, deputy director of the Propaganda Department of the 1st Central Committee, just entered the venue, and the atmosphere in the entire venue became warm.

Tong Gang took Zhang Ran over and introduced to Luo Shugang: "Minister Luo, this is Zhang Ran, the director and producer of "Time and Space Warriors". He is also a teacher at Beijing Film Academy and a very outstanding young filmmaker."

Zhang Ran quickly said hello: "Hello, Minister Luo!"

Luo Shugang looked at Zhang Ran and nodded with a smile: "I am so young and promising. I watched the movie "Time and Space Warrior". It was very well made. It really integrates things. Chinese movies need young people like you!"

Zhang Ran said modestly: "Thank you Minister Luo for your affirmation. I will continue to work hard to make more and better movies."

The seminar was about to begin, and Luo Shugang didn't say much, so he finished his seat after encouraging Zhang Ran.

The host of the seminar is the deputy director of the Film Archives. He gave a few opening remarks, talked about the purpose of the seminar, and then cleared his throat and said, "Please give a speech to Minister Luo."

After the applause, Luo Shu started to speak. He affirmed the development of Chinese films in the past two years. Then he pointed out: "The "Space-Time Warrior" is a hot sale in the overseas market. The most worthy of the Chinese people's pride is the contribution to the dissemination of Chinese culture. As the most disseminated Chinese film art, it should take on this important task without hesitation. The movie "Space-Time Warrior" has done it. Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeline of the Chinese nation and the spiritual gene of the Chinese people. To promote domestic films from the plateau to the peak, we must especially strengthen cultural confidence, adhere to the cultural standpoint, inherit the genes of the Chinese cultural, and carry forward the Chinese aesthetic spirit. Going out of culture is not only an exhibition, but also an idea, concept, and philosophy..."

Hearing this, Zhang Ran couldn't help but look up at Han Shanping's eyes. As he said, today's meeting was to convey a message to the film industry. The government would increase its support for movies and hope that Chinese films can go out.

If you think about it carefully, the government has made many moves in film this year. First of all, it has relaxed restrictions on foreign investment. In January, Wanda and Warner Bros. International Cinema Company signed a cooperation agreement to jointly build Warner Wanda International Cinema, planning to build more than 30 international cinemas in the next few years. In addition, Time Warner is also negotiating with China Film and Television to prepare to establish a joint venture.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has also established an overseas film promotion center, organized Chinese films to participate in international film festivals and film markets, and wanted to build an overseas distribution network for Chinese films and sell Chinese films overseas.

At the same time, underground directors such as Jia Zhangke have also been lifted from bans. Jia Zhangke filmed "The World", and Wang Xiaoshuai and others have also begun to film works that have been officially recognized.

At the beginning of this year, a topic of special concern was the hierarchy system. In March last year, Wang Xingdong submitted the proposal for "Chinese Film Classification" at the CPPCC meeting, which caused a strong response across the country. In November, Wu Ke, deputy director of the General Administration, said that the film hierarchy system regulations have entered the drafting and soliciting opinions. If it is successfully issued, it may become a milestone event in the 100-year history of Chinese films.

Many people have expressed great hope for this, but now this matter seems to be getting colder and no one mentions it anymore. As a reborn person, Zhang Ran had known that there was no chance of this matter, but he was a little curious. After all, the General Administration said that he was already discussing the hierarchical system, why did it go bad again?

Two days ago, Zhang Ran asked Han Shanping, but Han Shanping said that it was due to Huang Jianzhong. Huang Jianzhong claimed that his "Dahong Rice Shop" was China's "first-part-level movie" for publicity. As a result, an old leader called to question, "You want to develop a movie rating system, but you just want to play such a movie? Wu Ke was criticized for being harshly, so the matter was stopped."

Zhang Ran thought about it, can Huang Jianzhong really achieve the promotional rating system without grading? It is impossible. Even if it is really formulated, it will probably be cancelled. Just like "Dahong Rice Store", it was released, but it was immediately banned.

Before the establishment of the mainstream values ​​of Chinese films, talking about grading was a complete luxury!

Luo Zhenggang talked for five minutes and began to summarize: "In short, telling Chinese stories well, spreading Chinese voice well, and explaining Chinese characteristics and values ​​well is the real cultural soft power."

Next, Tong Gang began to speak: "In the face of globalization, Chinese films do not lack competitiveness, mainly because they lack necessary means of expression, lack of a way to closely combine globalization and localization, and lack the appetite that is like the Hollywood world. At the moment of cultural ambiguity and reconstruction, while Chinese films are learning from Hollywood, they must also take their own expression path. Zhang Ran's "Space-Time Warriors" tells the East in a Western way, and conveys the Eastern culture immersed in it more through the Western perspective, and has won unanimous praise from the East and the West."

Han Shanping is an investor in "Space-Time Warrior" and the head of China Film Academy. He must speak: "Space-Time Warrior" was not favored at the beginning. There are many opposition voices within China Film Academy. Everyone thinks the risk is too high. But I still insist on participating in this project, because the entire project from financing to operation is completely operating in the Hollywood model. The success of "Space-Time Warrior" shows that we can go out, but the premise is to follow the international operating model!"

Speaking of this, Han Shanping picked up a piece of information and said: "The Time Warrior" began to be released in North America on June 11 this year. So far, the box office in North America is US$150 million; Japan is US$35.2 million; South Korea is 26.5 million; France is 28 million; Britain is 31 million... And in China, the box office has exceeded 200 million yuan so far. Now "The Time Warrior" has won US$470 million worldwide, and the final box office will definitely exceed 500 million, which is more than twice the box office in our country last year. This is really a huge success!"

Everyone present knew that "Space-Time Warrior" had a good overseas box office and won the championship in the United States, but there was no particular clear concept of the specific data. Now that I heard that "Space-Time Warrior" could finally reach 500 million, the whole audience was shocked. A movie was twice the box office of China in the whole year? That's too scary! How much money can you afford? No, how many out-of-school children can be saved!

The corners of his mouth were slightly raised. Should Mr. Han show off like this? Of course, he could understand Han Shanping's thoughts. Han Shanping participated in this project for political achievements. Now that the leader is here, he must show off his achievements.

When Han Shanping finished showing off, Tong Gang called Zhang Ran’s name: “Zhang Ran, “Time and Space Warrior” is your own operation. Let me tell you about your experience.”

Zhang Ran scratched his head and said with a bitter face: "I am very nervous with so many leaders, I am afraid of saying the wrong thing and don't know what to say."

Han Shanping laughed in his heart. Zhang Ran is worthy of being a teacher in the performance department, and he acts like a real person. Are you nervous? Do you believe it yourself?

Luo Shugang understood Zhang Ran’s thoughts and said with a smile: “Our symposium today is to provide advice for the development of Chinese films. If you have anything to say, just say it.”

These days, Zhang Ran has been thinking about what he should say and what to say. In fact, he also knows that his words may not play any role, but if he doesn't say some things, he always feels uncomfortable: "Just now, leaders and experts are saying that Chinese movies go out, and this idea is particularly good. But I have a few questions. First of all, is it a cultural demand or a commercial demand for Chinese movies going out? What does Chinese movies go out? Is it promoting our culture or going out to make money? If you don't understand this question, then going out is an empty concept, just a slogan, and it is difficult to have practical results."

Tong Gang didn't expect Zhang Ran to say this, and said, "Cultural demands and commercial demands are not contradictory, there is no need to be in opposition, right?"

Chinese films have been talking about going out for many years. The government is talking about it and filmmakers are talking about it, but it has always been loud and small, and there is no effect. Before Zhang Ran's rebirth, the performance of Chinese films overseas can only be described as bleak. The fundamental reason is that Chinese films going out is just a slogan, lack of corresponding policy arrangements, and lack of financial arrangements.

Zhang Ran looked at Tong Gang: "Director Tong said that is right. Cultural appeals and commercial appeals are not contradictory, but there must be a focus. The best film promotion worldwide is the United States. Overseas promotion of American movies is commercial appeal. Last year, the box office in the United States was 9.49 billion US dollars, while overseas box office was 10.8 billion US dollars. French movies are also very good, second only to the United States in the world. More than 900 French movies are broadcast on TV stations around the world every year, and more than 400 movies are released all over the world. The French government spent hundreds of millions of euros every year, while overseas revenue was only more than 100 million euros. He lost money and made a name for himself, but his cultural significance is great, and he promoted his own culture."

Luo Shugang understood Zhang Ran’s meaning a little: “What do you think?”

Zhang Ran took a breath: "Our country is still very poor. It is impossible to subsidize movies like France. It is better to help outschool children with this money. Of course, the government still needs to promote it. It uses national public relations to hold film festivals overseas to let our art movies go out. However, the influence of such film festivals is very limited, and it still depends on commercial movies to really go out. The best Chinese movies sell overseas are action movies, and kung fu movies are the golden signboards of Chinese movies, but we are stuck on this, and a little violent shot will be deleted. In this case, it will be difficult to go out. If the review can be relaxed a little, then our overseas road will be much easier!" (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!