independent filmmaker

January 2015, Beijing.

Xie Lansheng opened his eyes on the bed and found that it was snowing.

The snow came really late earlier this year.

Pure white snowflakes fell in pieces, as light as a wedding dress, covering everything gently.The sun had long been hanging high, and strands of sunlight leaked out from the gaps in the snowflakes, and the gold and silver threads were entangled together, which was cool and gentle.

Xie Lansheng lifted the quilt and got up, feeling a little pain in his waist. In his 40s, Xinye is still like a man in his twenties, year after year he keeps confirming that Xie Lansheng belongs to him completely, but after 40, Xie Lansheng can't bear it, and occasionally his back hurts.

There was some movement in the courtyard, Xie Lansheng stepped on his slippers and went to the window to look out.

Seeing this, he smiled.

In the empty front yard in winter, Xinye is stamping out three words "I", "[心]" and "U" with his feet on the central ground.The "LOVE" in the middle is a heart.

At this time, he was standing on the apex of his heart, looking upstairs with his neck raised, and still smiling.

Xie Lansheng's lips curled up, he put on a woolen overcoat, turned down the stairs, opened the door and walked out.

He stood still in front of Xinye, and asked with a smile, "He's an old man in his forties, why is this? Aren't you ashamed?"

Really...

Xie Lansheng often felt that Xin Yingdi, who was over [-] years old, was more comfortable in the business field, more mature and powerful, but he lived back at home, a bit like a child.In his twenties, he was sharp, arrogant, and arrogant, and in his thirties, he was calm, sophisticated, and extremely shrewd, but now he has a very contradictory unity.

Xinye also smiled, with lowered eyes.

He is still so handsome, and he hasn't faded a bit because of the long years.Every time Xie Lansheng saw the photos of the CEOs' activities, he would feel that his husband was so handsome that he was alone.

Xie Lansheng pushed his lips up slowly.He put his arms around Xinye's neck, and the woolen coat fell to the snow.

The two kissed each other's lips, feeling soft and sweet.

After the kiss was over, Xie Lansheng still put his arms around Xinye's neck, hung on Xinye's body, looked at each other, his feet slid forward slightly, stepped on the snow, and his legs slipped out from between Xinye's feet little by little , straightly, his body fell backward bit by bit.

He wasn't worried at all.Xinye would definitely hug him.

Sure enough, Xin Ye put his arms around his waist and asked, "What are you doing?"

Xie Lansheng said, "It's slippery."

Xinye stared at him deeply, knelt down at 01:30, let Xie Lansheng slide deeper, helped him play, and helped him have fun.

In the end, Xinye put Xie Lansheng on the coat that had just fallen off, and she covered it lightly on herself. On the first snowy morning in Beijing, in the heart shape just drawn, the two kissed passionately.

Chuxue is still quietly underground.The two of them were inside the heart shape, with the tips of the heart shape under their four feet, hugging each other, their tongues intertwined, the heat quickly melted the snow that stuck to them.

After a long time, the two separated. "Bao'er" and "Bei'er" talked and kissed for a long time without embarrassment, before Xinye looked at Xie Lansheng's bright red lips being sucked by him, and said, "Get up, don't catch a cold."

Xie Lansheng's eyes were clear: "Yes."

"What are you going to do today?"

"I went to the 'Art Union' in the morning. The Art Union is going to launch a press conference, and the affiliated theaters need to sort out and prepare the first batch of film lists. In the afternoon, I will go to the headquarters of 'Xinwei'. They will soon build an Internet 'art theater' '."

"Ah."

too busy.

Not only worry about my own films, but also worry about literary films, and even the entire "movie".

Xie Lansheng has been a leading figure for 20 years. The next generation of literary and artistic films has no one to catch up or take over. I don't know whether Xie Lansheng is very lucky or unlucky.

In 1999, he established two film forums, organized film-watching groups in various places, analyzed classic literary films, educated audiences, and cultivated the market. In 2002, he launched his own "Independent Film Festival", which was not fully handed over to Zhou Weiwei until 2006. , In 2003, we even set up a literary theater for people to watch movies, ask questions, and discuss... In terms of support for directors, Xie Lansheng has held regular "director gatherings" since 1999. Everyone watches each other's works, makes suggestions and discusses them. , and in 2003, he set up a fund and opened a studio to fund and invest in excellent projects of literary and artistic films he likes. He also opened amateur courses to train young directors. Each semester of the school focuses on teaching for about 8 weeks, and also leads graduate students...

While doing this, he also made his own film.

Xin Ye really loves him.Fortunately, Xie Lansheng doesn't need to worry about the production and distribution of his films, because everything is up to him.

"Okay." Xin Ye took Xie Lansheng's hand and pulled him up from the snow, "Change into pajamas and have breakfast."

Xie Lansheng smiled: "Okay."

Going back to change a set of clothes, Xie Lansheng looked at "I[心]U" from the window of the second bedroom on the second floor, took the camera on the shelf, and took a few pictures with the corners of his lips, intending to put them in the "diary" Inside, as a souvenir, look back at any time.

In the photo, in the middle of the vast expanse of white snow are the three words "I [心] YOU", and the inward part of the apex of the heart is pressed out of a small open space, where they once kissed.

Xie Lansheng felt that every minute and every second he spent with Xin Ye, no matter it was ordinary or not, he was excited, and a very small thing could make him feel that this day, this minute, this second was different from the past. It is so different and has a special meaning.

…………

After having breakfast and resting for a while, Xinye first sent Lan Sheng to the National Art Film Alliance, and then turned around to go to Deep Blue Films.Since Lan Sheng was in a car accident, he almost never touches the car, either he asks Xinye to pick him up, or he asks the driver to pick him up.

Lan Sheng walked into the office of "Art Union".

The National Art Film Exhibition Alliance is about to be announced, and their co-sponsors are making the final push.The original leader of Yilian was the China Film Archive, that is, the China Film Art Research Center, but it combined the Broadway Film Center, the distribution company Huaxia Film, the largest theater chain "Qingchen Film", and Lan Sheng's studio— — Now also a limited company, jointly participating in this project.

At present, theater chains such as Qingchen Movies have joined the "Art Union", and the first batch of movie theaters to join are from 31 provinces across the country, only Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are not covered.In terms of contract, all 100 movie theaters promise to take out at least one theater to show three literary and artistic films every day, and 10 golden shows every week. This scale will gradually expand after the establishment. Expanded to 400 cinema halls.

This plan will be announced at an international film festival.The Film Bureau has always been very supportive of this project, and has also entrusted the China Film Archive to do market research. Next month, the Sichuan Film Bureau will announce the official establishment of the Art Federation at the launching ceremony.

In fact, as early as 2014, the Film Archive established the "art theater circuit project team". It originally wanted to build a complete theater circuit but found that it was not realistic. The number of screens per capita has basically reached saturation, and a bunch of new screens will be a waste of the market.Later, at the end of 2014, Beijing launched a project, selected three theaters, and fixed the theaters and fixed time for themed film screenings, including literary films and children's films. This inspired the archives and began to seek "joining theaters".

"Okay," Xie Lansheng finally confirmed during the meeting, "There should be no one who wants to add to the list of the film selection committee? Is it finalized?"

The others nodded.

The committee will select films for each issue. Xie Lansheng is the general person in charge. The list includes scholars, film critics, curators, etc. The screening list mainly covers classic films, literary films that have been released, and relatively new literary arts in China, Europe, America, Japan, and Korea. Movies satisfy different tastes of audiences. After all, some people like to watch classic movies, while others like to watch new movies.They plan to announce the first batch of playlists a month after the press conference.The best news here is that the imported films of "National Arts Federation" do not occupy the existing market quota.

"I think," Xie Lansheng said, "'Art Union' pays attention to the artistic level. When selecting films, don't focus on the box office. The teachers of the film selection committee should score themes, values, aesthetics, techniques, etc., and then Considering the cutting-edge and innovative nature of these films, their international reputation, and the differences from imported films, it is unique... Comprehensive consideration! Let our audience see unique and good works! In addition, I think , You should also pay attention to the country, don’t always stare at the United States and Japan, but also look at other countries, especially some unpopular countries.”

"Yes." Sun xx, curator of the China Film Archive, nodded, "The ones with higher ratings from the reviewers are released, which are different from other films, and you don't usually see them. The Sichuan Bureau also means the same."

"Well," Lan Sheng was really thinking about this National Arts Federation, and he excitedly made a suggestion, his tone as if he was ten years younger, "We need to hold more film festivals and activities. The activities are not necessarily about movies. It can be art music, painting, sculpture, pipa, zither, or even mountaineering, diving, jewelry, jewelry, so that the city's literary and artistic youths will come to participate, so as to be a great contribution to the organizers. Interest in 'Literary Movies'!"

Others were also very attentive: "Yes, yes, Director Xie has a good idea."

"Also, we also have to consider joining the operation of theaters. If we feel that the box office of a certain movie will be very poor, we can limit the number of shows and increase the attendance, for example, only one show a week. Let the theater get both spiritual Satisfaction, but also to obtain material things. Let’s not blindly pursue the number of franchisees of the “Art Union” screen, because this will definitely reduce the profit of a single hall, we must take it step by step and take it steadily.”

Someone laughed: "Director Xie is really amazing, thoughtful!"

Xie Lansheng also smiled again.

He was able to mix in the society, and learned more from Xinye.

Then they entered into other topics to be determined in the meeting: "'Split line' can only be combined with 'long line', and the average release time of 'Art Union' movies should be set for four months." At present, the server of the theater can only store ten films. And the distribution model of Yilian will increase the burden on theaters, I wonder if we can provide you with a new server, or set up a cloud..."

After a brief review of the main topics of today's meeting, at the end, Sun xx, director of the China Film Archive, cheered up again: "I am very optimistic about the future of our project. Now, some American films have contacted our 'Federation of Arts' , because the major movie theaters are not interested in them, they had already given up the public screening in China, but they wanted to give it a try after seeing the establishment of the "Art Union"! In addition, the market is better than before. Now there is no screening Is there an APP? You can release any film on whatever platform you want. I did some research, and they let go of literary films, and there are quite a few, which shows that movie audiences are also fighting for literary films from the "bottom up." , he put up a finger, "My idea is that within a year, 'Art Union' will be featured in special-line movies."

Special-line movies, that is, movies that are only shown on the "Art Union", distributed in separate lines, not on a large scale, but only on a small scale.

To allow literary and artistic films to reach interested niche audiences is an inevitable path, and it is also the purpose of the establishment of the Arts Federation.National screening of literary films may be a waste of resources.Literary and artistic films are miserable, and everyone knows this. Literary and artistic films that are not directed by major directors have no chance at all.The theater managers look at the cast first, and pass those they don’t know, and don’t look at the theme or plot at all.

"Then..." Xie Lansheng looked at everyone, "Then, I will also contribute a special movie for the Federation of Arts."

Everyone:"???!!!"

Xie Lansheng said: "My next film, "One Day", will only be screened at the Arts Federation."

"No, Director Xie," everyone began to persuade him, "Your film is unnecessary. Your film's box office nationwide is at least 100 to 1 million. Our Arts Federation only has 100 screens in China. [-] person-times, hundreds of thousands of box office, two shows a day, full-stacked, [-] days to reach [-] million. You first calculate the account! It is more appropriate on a large scale!"

"No need." Xie Lansheng smiled, "Art Union needs the support of big directors. I want to promote our Art Union. I don't think the total box office of the next film is the main thing. I will also tell my team about the future path of "One Day", Join if you want to join, don’t join if you don’t want to.”

"Will the distributor agree? "One Day" will still be released by Deep Blue?" Everyone knows that after 2003, all of Xie Lansheng's films were distributed by Deep Blue Films.

"It's okay." Xie Lansheng's lips showed a gentle smile, "I can decide where it will be released. Shen Lanxin always has no objection."

"Uh..." Is he okay with losing money?Obviously, it can be screened nationwide.

Xie Lansheng repeated again: "He will have no objection, I promise."

"Then," seeing that Xie Lansheng had made up his mind, Sun xx, director of the China Film Archive, was very gentle and also smiled, "If Director Xie is really willing to let the new film only be a special line, the promotion of the National Federation of Arts will definitely be much easier. You go back to discuss and discuss, I am here to thank you for your kindness. We are waiting for the final news."

Xie Lansheng said, "Okay."

…………

At noon, Xie Lansheng ate at the bar at the door, and then went to "Xinwei".

"Xinwei" is currently one of the top three video sites in China.Behind each of the three major video platforms stands an IT giant.They drain and spend money, and they are controlling the film and television market.

And recently, "Xinwei Video" hopes to open an Internet "art theater".

At the end of last year, the concept of big online movies was in full swing overnight. "Watching movies online" has also become a trend visible to the naked eye, and "Xinwei" is the most active video site in this wave.

Xie Lansheng arrived at the headquarters of Xinwei, walking step by step with his hands in his hands, and a girl from Xinwei Film Industry was already standing at the gate to welcome him.As soon as she saw Xie Lansheng, she took him up to the 33rd floor and brought him to a meeting room, serving tea and pouring water for a long time.

A few minutes later, several bosses came in with a whimper, including Xinwei's SVP, Xinwei Pictures' CEO Wen Yuan.

Xie Lansheng did not have the bad words of ordinary directors. They exchanged greetings with "Director Xie", "Mr. Wen" and "Hello, Hello", and it took a long time before they got to the point.

Wenyuan said: "We set up this online art theater. On the one hand, we want to help art films survive for a long time. On the other hand, we want to shape our company's brand personality, which means we have feelings and responsibility. We are currently buying Chinese and foreign films. Copyright, on the other hand, I also want to invest, to help some good films use the "online + offline" model to share the pressure, or even only use the "online" model to obtain income and recover costs. Of course, the latter generally cannot enter the cinema excellent work."

Xie Lansheng nodded.

"This is still in the preparation stage." Wen Yuan smiled, "To be honest, Director Xie contacted us and offered to try the new model of 'online + offline'. We were very surprised."

"Well," Xie Lansheng said, crossing his fingers, "it's too difficult for a new director's new work to enter the cinema. Moreover, even if it does, the appeal of literary films to movie audiences is not so high. It is very difficult to go to the cinema without a block. Therefore, I think that the "Internet On Demand" of a few yuan is an opportunity for directors. They can recover the cost and continue to make films, and the low "trial cost" will also help to acquire audiences and cultivate the market. I think, for the new future, new films that attract attention are the best way to promote it.”

Xie Lansheng very much hopes that "Online Cinema" will be successful, rather than being swept into the trash by capital because of lack of traffic.He feels that if he can help to attract traffic, let this theater develop well, and in the future, it will launch more domestic and foreign literary films and purchase more film copyrights from small and medium-sized directors, and everyone will be happy.

Wen Yuan said: "Director Xie is only thinking about movies, which is consistent with Xinwei. To be honest, after hearing that you want to try the new model of 'online + offline', I have thought about it for a long time...Monday Didn't sleep all night."

Xie Lansheng knew very well that the other party was talking nonsense, so he just smiled.

"I think that the most beneficial model for both parties may be such a model." Wen Yuan said, "If Xinwei only buys the copyright and waits for Director Xie's film to go offline, we will go online again, which will not be attractive. Therefore, we hope that Director Xie joined the project of "Xinwei Original" and became the "first investment" of Xinwei's literature and art." Dun Dun continued, "This plan is like this, Xinwei Company has exclusive investment and exclusive distribution. Xinwei needs exclusive investment, Only in this way can we have control. We can decide to release, for example, after 7 days on the theater line, we will go to Xinwei's "Online Literature and Art Cinema", and we will pay for it to subsidize the lost cinemas, such as increasing their share... At the same time, We will hold online and offline linkages to make a complete set of marketing plans. So far, Xinwei has not decided to cast a film for the first time. Director Xie is more suitable for you. We sincerely welcome you to come. We can share 20% of the production fee, the theater 20% of the line income and 25% of the online video-on-demand will be given to you, Director Xie, this condition is absolutely very sincere.” After speaking, he laughed, “We should be at a loss, and we should develop literary and artistic movies. .”

"..." Xie Lansheng said, "Joint investment, joint production, and joint distribution are not acceptable? I promise, my company and Deep Blue Pictures will not interfere with Xinwei's strategy."

He knew that Xinwei might really lose money.The cost of the new movie is 4000 million, and Xinwei needs to pay 5000 million, but they can only get about 20% of the box office of the theaters, which is 2000 million. If they want to make a profit, they still need to rely on the Internet to attract many users— — It takes 4 million people to buy and watch an on-demand broadcast for 1000 yuan to make up for this hole.It seems that Xinwei mainly wants to spend money to attract attention, earn a lot of money, and rely on his new film to open up the situation, and even soar into the sky.

As for myself, I will have a "salary" of 1000 million, as well as box office share and on-demand share. I might get more than 4000 million here and there.

It really deserves to be the "Big Three".

Too embarrassing.

Over there, Wen Yuan showed another polite, apologetic but forceful smile: "Director Xie, exclusive investment and exclusive distribution are Xinwei's established strategies. It is really unreasonable to make an exception for the first film. Moreover, Xinwei Group absolutely With the strength of exclusive investment, we really don’t want to fight with other companies.”

"But Deep Blue..." Lan Sheng stopped here.It's useless to say, the other party will definitely not waver.

"Director Xie," the platform is very strong, with a superficial friendliness, "We believe that the new model of 'online + offline' can break your record of movie viewers. Even the shoddy 'wangda' can't move There are tens of millions of on-demand. Tens of millions of on-demand, which is half of the number of viewers you used to watch. Hey, how about it, Xinwei doesn’t want a cent of the overseas income of the new movie, how about it?”

Xie Lansheng thought about it, and felt that he really wanted to try the new model of "online + offline", help the platform to promote this online art theater, tell it not to fail, not to be kicked out, so that more young directors can get investment or sell Copyright also allows them to be watched and discussed, and at the same time, it also allows more movie audiences to try "literary movies".

Besides, these conditions raised by the other party are indeed quite tempting.

However, in this way, his creativity will be limited.

After thinking about it, Xie Lansheng asked, "Will Xinwei interfere with the production?"

"It will definitely be written in the contract that the direction can be changed." Wen Yuan on the other side was still smiling, "However, Director Xie, you are a great director, and we basically won't overestimate what we can do here, so don't worry."

Xie Lansheng also had no choice but to give up completely, so he could only nod his head: "Okay. If this is the case, then it is decided that the film on the 'Art Union' is not suitable. However, I will make a new film, I already have a preliminary idea. Just right, that one is more suitable for the Arts Federation, and this one is more suitable for the Internet, so there is no conflict."

Wen Yuan excitedly said: "That's great!!! What's the name?"

Xie Lansheng said: "It's called "To Yueyang"."

He sighed in his heart, thinking, shooting two films a year, how many years have not passed.

What a challenge.

The author has something to say: In reality, Yilian was established in 2016, and the year 2015 is mentioned here for the sake of compact plot.When I just checked the information, I found that Jia Zhangke was one of the founders... The "Shanghai Warm Current Culture Communication" is Jia Zhangke's company... This is purely a coincidence, not a prototype of a magical horse.The first "Manchester by the Sea" (2017) released exclusively by the Arts Federation, and the first domestic film specially released by the Arts Federation was "August".

iQiyi has a line of art theaters, which was established in 2015, and there are quite a lot of movies in it!The first film to be released on iQiyi’s theater line was “What’s in the Dark Place” which won the best director on FIRST, and later “August” and “A Boundless North” were both online and offline. It will be released for nine days first, like this.Don’t substitute here too, the background and trend of this article are basically written according to reality, and the people, events, and companies in it are made up by the author himself.

In addition, I revised the last chapter.I read a few articles by Nortel professor Zhang Xianmin, perfected the details of the closure of the film festival, and added a sentence about the death of Li Xian's wife at the beginning.

Is the old man sweet or not? !