The reporters of the Washington Times were a little surprised. They had met many Erya. It was the first time they had met Zhang Ran as aggressive as Zhang Ran. But for them, their favorite interview is this kind of interview.

A reporter immediately asked: "You are the director of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and have close ties with the government. Now some people question that your investment and acquisition in the United States have political purposes. What do you think?"

During the past two days, Zhang Ran made a lot of preparations for the interview, but he was still a little annoyed when he heard this question. Few Olympics were shrouded in such a strong political atmosphere like the Peking Olympics. Especially in recent months, all kinds of monsters and monsters have jumped out and smeared China. Some organizations even carried out a series of activities to humiliate China when counting down the first anniversary.

Zhang Ran doesn't understand. The Chinese are just holding the Olympics, but they have not dig up your ancestral grave. Is that what happened?

However, Zhang Ran knew very well that when he sat in the position of the Olympic chief director, he had to face this problem. He took a breath and said slowly: "I am a businessman, and I only have one investment purpose, which is to make money; I don't think the Olympic chief director has anything to do with politics. In our opening team, there are many excellent foreign artists, British stage designer Mark Fischer, Japanese designer Eiko Ishioka, and famous American director Spielberg. During the bidding process, director James Cameron also participated. Everyone believes that the Olympic opening ceremony is a grand event for all mankind and a cultural ceremony. It is wrong to link the Olympics with politics. The role of the Olympics is to deeply root the values ​​of peace, friendship and unity in the spirit of all mankind. The Olympics should not become a political forum."

When Zhang Ran mentioned Spielberg, the reporters present smiled at each other, as if they had caught some of the handle: "But last month Spielberg said that if the Chinese government does not change some policies on the Darfur issue in Sudan, he will no longer help the Peking Olympic Organizing Committee participate in activities with a closing ceremony."

Zhang Ran was stunned. He remembered that Spielberg withdrew from the Olympics in O8. He didn't expect that he would jump out recently and frowned and said, "I don't know about this. Spielberg participated in some discussions in the creative stage, but the opening ceremony had entered the rehearsal stage in July, and I have never seen him again and I don't know what he thinks. I think it's okay to criticize China's policies, and I can understand that I have different opinions on the policies, but I don't think politics and the Olympics should be tied together. If he really withdraws for this reason, I can only express regrets, but his withdrawal will not have any impact on the opening ceremony. We Chinese have confidence, determination, and ability to host the Olympics!"

A reporter asked: "We know that China has a lot of censorship, so is the case with the opening ceremony?"

Zhang Ran knew that this issue was a trap, but he still told the truth: "The opening ceremony was reviewed. In March, the national leaders reviewed the entire plan and put forward some opinions; the International Olympic Committee also reviewed our plan and had many specific requirements. But to be honest, I don't like review."

The reporters present were shocked. There was big news, so we could make a chapter on criticism from Zhang Ran.

However, Zhang Ran's next words disappointed them: "I don't like the review of China or the review of the United States. Among the reviews I have encountered, the review I have encountered in the United States recently is the most inexplicable. You said that if I want to acquire Lockheed Martin, then I am convinced that it involves national security. But if I acquire a DVD rental company, it can all involve national security. Don't you think this is inexplicable?"

The reporters present smiled awkwardly, and they knew that the reason was far-fetched. A reporter immediately said: "But everyone is worried that you will use Netflix to spread some pro-communist film and television works."

Zhang Ran spread his hands and said, "Do you think American audiences are fools? If I put these works on Netflix, will American audiences watch them? We acquired Tempest Entertainment, and the movies such as "Dance Out of My Life" and "Twilight" that have been filmed are all American stories. Eighteen years ago, when Sony acquired Colombia, many people were also exclaiming that Japanese culture invaded. After so many years, has Japanese culture invaded? Is there a lot of movies about Japan in Colombia now? No."

A reporter asked: "Then why did you acquire Netflix? It's really just for business reasons?"

Zhang Ran said with certainty: "It's mainly for business considerations. I think Netflix has a lot of promise, and there are some emotional factors in it. Last year, there was a movie called "Love Holiday", which had a particularly interesting plot. When Jack Blake recommended "Graduate" to Winslet in Blockbuster's store, Dustin Hoffman, who starred in "Graduate", stood by and picked movies. I thought it was very beautiful and warm. More than ten years ago, when I first arrived in the United States, my English was very poor. In addition to going to language school, I often stayed in my room to watch movies and learn English from movies." Speaking of this, Zhang Ran raised a gun and stared at Sanders and said, "Are you talking to me?"

Sanders was so scared that he leaned back and leaned heavily on the chair. At this moment, he felt that Zhang Ran really wanted to kill him, but after hearing Zhang Ran's words, he immediately realized that this was the classic line of Robert De Niro in "The Driver for Rent".

Other reporters all exclaimed "Wow" and Zhang Ran's imitation was vivid.

Zhang Ran continued with a smile: "The movies I saw the most were Robert De Niro. Later, I learned acting and was related to this experience. I experienced a lot of things at Blockbuster, study, life, and love, which means a lot to me. So, I only acquired the shares of Blockbuster from Carl Icahn at the beginning of the year. I originally planned to completely acquire Blockbuster after the Olympics, so that the company would be revived, but Hastings did not expect that Blockbuster hostilely acquired Blockbuster."

Speaking of this, Zhang Ran suddenly raised his voice: "If Mr. Hastings manages well and lets Blockbuster continue, then I'm happy to see it happen. But what is Hastings going to do? He plans to close 2ooo stores in the next two years, which will cause 20,000 people to lose their jobs; he even plans to merge Blockbuster's online business into Netflix, and then package Blockbuster's store business for sale. We know that the Internet is the future. Once Blockbuster's online business is split and sold, Blockbuster will definitely go bankrupt within five years and eventually disappear completely. This is something I don't want to see. I believe that many Americans are like me and do not want this brand that once brought us joy, or even part of our lives to disappear!"

The reporters present were silent. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, driving to nearby Blockbuster on weekends to rent a box or two of videos to take home. This is a particularly popular family entertainment method for Americans. It can be said to be a memory of a generation, and it is no exception to them.

A reporter asked: "If it were you, what would you do?"

Zhang Ran was moved when he saw that the reporters present were all moved and knew that the emotional card was right, so he said firmly: "This involves commercial secrets. I can't disclose too much, but there are two points I can guarantee. First, there will be no large-scale closures and no large-scale layoffs; second, the Blockbuster brand will not disappear, and will survive well!"

After an hour of verbal confrontation, the interview finally ended.

After leaving the newspaper, Zhang Ran did not feel relaxed. Although he paid great attention to his remarks and was sincere, he explained everything he should say clearly. Washington Times also made a promise to report it truthfully, but in the end, he still had no idea how the other party would write.

At six o'clock the next morning, just dawn, Zhang Ran opened the door and saw that there was a newspaper hanging on it. It was the Washington Times.

Zhang Ran immediately finished reading the entire article, and then breathed a sigh of relief. The article did not have any misinterpretations, and it was the original words of Zhang Ran during the interview. In the Washington Times, Zhang Ran's interview was placed on the eye-catching front-page headlines, and the title of the article was: "The story of Zhang Ran and Blockbuster."

There are news about two presidents, Clinton and Bush Jr. in the same page, but Zhang Ran’s avatar is placed at the highest point, at the top of the front page headlines. The Washington Times, a newspaper known for its **, has given enough respect to Zhang Ran this time.

At nine o'clock, Aaron Larson knocked on the door of Zhang Ran's room. After sitting down, he looked at Zhang Ran and smiled and said, "Beautiful job, you conquer the hostile reporters of the Washington Times!"

Zhang Ran also smiled and said, "I am ready to come here this time, just to tell the real story in front of the media. I believe that even if I am hostile to us, as long as I communicate sincerely, I can still impress the other party."

Larson nodded with a smile. When Chinese companies enter overseas, they often encounter hostility. It is important to take the initiative to stand up and clarify their views. If you don’t say it, others will think you are accusation. He lowered his voice and said, “Next, you need to make more voices to arrange a speech for you. The mayor of Los Angeles, the chairman of the Oscar Academy, Warner Bros., Sony, Fox, Lionsgate and other major Hollywood film companies will be present. Hollywood is very optimistic about the Chinese market, and you must make good use of this.”

Zhang Ran is very clear about this: "Working with us, more movies will enter China and more jobs will be added!"

Larsen laughed, talking to smart people was simple, and he understood everything just by mentioning it.

In the afternoon, many American media transferred this article from the Washington Times on their official website, and f1y even launched the topic "Baseda and Me", which caused heated discussion on the Internet.

"My wife and I met at Blockbuster and finally entered the marriage hall, which is of special significance to us, but last year the Blockbuster store closed, and my wife and I were sad for a long time, as if we had lost a particularly important friend."

When I was a child, my father would drive his white Oldsmobile dagger every weekend and take my sister and I to Blockbuster to rent videotapes. Oldsmobile has stopped production, but he didn't expect Blockbuster to disappear."

"My father has worked at Blockbuster for fifteen years, and everyone in it is very good. I don't want it to disappear, nor do I want my father to lose his job. If Zhang Ran can make Blockbuster survive, why should we object?"

"Yes, I hope Blockbuster will not close the door! It has accompanied me through countless happy holidays."

...

More and more people online joined the discussion, recalling their stories with Blockbuster and recalling every bit of the past, setting off a wave of nostalgia for the 1980s.

On Wednesday morning, before Zhang Ran set off for Los Angeles, he obtained the latest research data from Aaron Larson. 44.2% of respondents supported Century Peak's acquisition, with 75% holding a positive view; while only 9.4% holding a negative view.

Zhang Ran was completely relieved and stepped onto the plane to Los Angeles with a smile. 8
Chapter completed!