Chapter 503 The King of Suspense
"Big Laugh" and "The Orphan of Zhao" both earned over 300 million yuan in two weeks after their release, but "Big Laugh" clearly lacked stamina, with its daily box office having dropped to around million.

"The Orphan of Zhao", which was released a day later, came out on top.

According to data released by Bona, the former closed at 1.31 million as of Sunday.

According to Star Media, the latter had revenue of 1.45 million as of last Sunday.

However, "The Lost Tomb" stood out, earning 17 million yuan in box office revenue in 3.4 days after its release, and its daily box office revenue is still around 550 million yuan today.

Zhao Benshan's prediction that "Let the Bullets Fly" would not hurt "Big Laugh in the Rivers and Lakes" but would first target "The Orphan of Zhao" is nothing but a joke.

"Bullet" has not yet been released, but "Big Laugh" is already not funny enough.

Industry insiders predict that 1.5 million is the upper limit for "Big Laugh"

And "The Orphan of Zhao" may break 2 million, and Chen Kaige will break his own record and become a member of the million club.

Old Chen forced a smile that was uglier than crying: "Hong, these media are so evil!"

"I don't care about the 2 million club at all. Do I need to prove myself with box office sales? I don't need it!"

Chen Hong gently stroked the old baby who was a little bit possessed: "Okay, okay, Ge, they don't understand you, but I do."

Perhaps it was the media's repeated questioning that finally allowed Chen Kaige to embark on the road of high-grossing mainstream movies in the future.

The more you say you don’t care, the more you care in your heart.

Li Chen’s Weibo posts are filled with fans asking about the release date for the second part of “The Lost Tomb: The Lost City”.

Li Chen also gave an answer: 2011 summer season.

The filming of "The Invisible Guest" is about to be completed, and the film selector from Berlin has come to China to meet Li Chen twice.

Not only that, Dieter Kosslick, chairman of the Berlin Film Festival, also called Li Chen three times, repeatedly inviting him to come to Berlin.

He also has his own difficulties. The Berlin Film Festival has always favored Chinese filmmakers.

Zhang Yimou and Wang Ziyi both won two gold and silver bears respectively. Berlin can be said to be a paradise for Chinese filmmakers.

But this year, as if the Chinese filmmakers had agreed on it, not a single big name signed up.

This made Dieter Kosslick feel embarrassed.

"Li, come to Berlin. There are some of your fans among the judges this time." Dieter Kosslick felt that his words were a bit thin.

"my fans?"

"Yeah, Sandy Powell."

"It's him." Li Chen suddenly realized.

That year, Li Chen sold the remake rights of "New World" to Warner.

Warner has successively filmed "The Departed", an adaptation of "Infernal Affairs", and "The Order", an adaptation of "The New World"!
Both were directed by Sandy Powell.

"That's right, and our German actress Nina Hoss also likes your Buried Alive. I sincerely invite you to come to Berlin."

"I know your filming of The Invisible Guest is about to wrap up, and time is a bit tight."

"But it doesn't matter, as long as you can make it before the second batch of names are announced on January 1th."

The news that Li Chen was targeting Berlin spread like wildfire.

Li Qiaoqiao, Huang Xiaoming and Kara Hui were all discussing it in the crew.

"Is it in time? Is it a bit too rushed?" Kara Hui is not reserved and gets along well with mainland actors.

"Sister Hong, that depends on who it is. Directors Li, Zhang, and Chen's films have long been targeted by the selectors of these film festivals." Li Qiaoqiao explained with a smile. She had just finished shooting her part.

"That's right. I'm afraid that as soon as Director Li starts filming, someone in Berlin will follow up." Huang Xiaoming guessed.

"The Invisible Guest" is indeed about to be completed.

The play has entered its final stage and is also the climax.

The mother played by Kara Hui is putting on makeup.

Hui Yinghong was still a little nervous. The crew told her that this thin piece of skin would cost 20 RMB.

"Sister Hong, don't be nervous. When we were filming Painted Skin, Zhou Xun's skin cost 90 yuan, and we had to make sure it was torn beautifully, otherwise we would have to do it again."

"You don't need to do that. Just tear it once. Don't worry about whether it looks good or not." Li Chen smiled and comforted Hui Yinghong.

"Thank you Director Li, I understand." Kara Hui nodded and smiled.

"Begin when you are ready. Pay attention to your aura. From now on, you are no longer a housewife, but an experienced and sharp-tongued lawyer."

"Every move you make should reflect your confidence," Li Chen reminded again.

Hui Yinghong calmed down her breathing and smiled, "I understand Director Li."

Wang Xueqi and Li Qiaoqiao were standing by and sighed at Hui Yinghong's makeup: "Teacher Wang, after putting on makeup and a wig, Sister Hong really looks like a different person."

“I’m afraid that after the movie is released, many people will think that there are two actors.”

Wang Xueqi nodded and smiled: "Director Li's crew are all elites."

"Same thing, Xiaoming. Your eyes are the key to this scene. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul."

"You closed the door tightly at the beginning and then gradually opened the window. The change in your eyes took a process. It was the result of the two of you testing each other. You can figure it out yourself."

Huang Xiaoming nodded: "Director Li, I reviewed it in front of the mirror at least five times last night and found some inspiration."

Script clerk
"Action!"

The lawyer played by Hui Yinghong went deeper and deeper, gaining Huang Xiaoming's trust little by little. Huang Xiaoming walked quickly to the table and pointed at the photo in the newspaper: "This photo proves the possibility of my statement!"

Hui Yinghong finally pulled out her trump card: "You didn't listen to what I said carefully, and you ignored the details."

"The boy's mother was in the room at the time!" Huang Xiaoming insisted.

"I told you, she was resting that day, and she and her husband made an appointment with Miss Li Yu (mistress's real name) to go to the hotel." Kara Hui remained calm.

"I said this photo proves the boy's mother." Huang Xiaoming still emphasized the photo.
"The photo is fake, Mr. Liu Han!" Kara Hui suddenly raised her voice.

Huang Xiaoming was stunned.

"The photo is composited." Kara Hui became calm again.

Huang Xiaoming laughed at himself, seemingly unable to believe it.

Hui Yinghong picked up the newspaper and pointed at the mirror in the photo: "Look at the reflection in the mirror."

"Tell me, do you want my help?"

"Cut! No, Sister Hong, you said it too calmly. It doesn't have any power at all."

"All your previous preparations were just smokescreens. This sentence is the beginning of the fatal blow, so it must hit people's hearts directly, and even have the flavor of a savior."

Li Chen suddenly shouted "Cut" and spoke a few words incessantly, while Wang Xueqi beside him nodded frequently.

"Again!"

"Okay, Director Li." Kara Hui took a deep breath.

The effect was much better the second time. There was a hint of bewitching in Kara Hui's words.

It sounded like a curse to Huang Xiaoming, making him, whose heart was broken at the moment, extremely shaken.

"Do you want to convince the judge that you are innocent? Then admit that you killed Li Yu!" Hui Yinghong persuaded.

"I admit it!" Huang Xiaoming blurted out, his whole body shaking slightly unconsciously.

The words "I admit" made the room extremely quiet, and the sudden ringing of the landline phone broke the quiet atmosphere.

"Cut! This one is over, Sister Hong, get ready, the next one is to peel off the skin and remove the makeup."

"Okay, Director Li."

"Xiaoming, it's up to you next."

Huang Xiaoming knew what Director Li meant. When Kara Hui removed her makeup and revealed her true face, the expression on his face showed shock, deep fear and disbelief.

We took four takes to shoot this scene. Huang Xiaoming's facial expression either lacked fear or was too superficial.

"The Invisible Guest has been completed!" As Li Chen spoke calmly, the crew applauded to celebrate the completion.

In the afternoon, "The Invisible Guest" held a wrap-up press conference. This was the first time that "The Invisible Guest" met with the media since the start of filming for more than a month.

The main creators sat on the stage and accepted interviews from the media.

"Director Li, is this movie going to win the Golden Bear Award?" The Sina reporter asked the question that everyone was most concerned about.

"Yes, Mr. Dieter Kosslick, the president of the Berlin Film Festival, has invited me so kindly that I can't refuse."

Wang Xueqi, Kara Hui, Li Qiaoqiao and Huang Xiaoming all had smiles on their faces on the stage.

"Director Li, are you confident that you can capture the bear this time? If you can capture the bear, you will become an unprecedented director in the world who has won three Golden Globes."

"Let's talk about it after we get selected. It seems like we've even skipped the process of being selected."

The media cheered, but no one took the nomination seriously.

With Li Chen's fame and the invitation from the president of the Berlin Film Festival, it would not just be Li Chen's loss of face if he was not shortlisted.

"Teacher Wang Xueqi, you missed the Berlin Film Festival Best Actor award last time for "Mei Lanfang". This time you are starring in a movie directed by another Palme d'Or director. Do you have confidence in winning the award?"

Everyone at the scene could hear the subtle thought behind this question.

This is to compare Chen Kaige and Li Chen.

Wang Xueqi smiled and said, "I am honored to be able to act in the play of the two directors. As for whether I can win the award, Director Li just said that I will talk about it after I am nominated."

The reporters laughed out loud.

"Xiaoming, you are the male lead of "The Invisible Guest". Can you tell us the outline of this play?"

Huang Xiaoming turned his head and glanced at Li Chen and said with a smile: "I dare not do that, Director Li is still here."

Everyone laughed.

Huang Xiaoming added: "But I can tell you that this drama is quite good, and the plot is full of twists and turns. No one can guess the outcome unless you watch it to the end."

"I can say that I have never seen a suspense film that can surpass Director Li's "The Invisible Guest"!"

“It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s the king of suspense movies.”

The media was in an uproar that Huang Xiaoming actually gave such a high evaluation.

Li Qiaoqiao and Hui Yinghong also chimed in: "I can testify that what Xiaoming said is not exaggerated at all."

After the press conference, Li Chen shook his head and laughed, "Xiaoming, you're giving me such a high hat. If I don't make the cut in Berlin, I'll be a huge joke."

Huang Xiaoming laughed and said, "Director Li, if your film is not shortlisted, I won't take any pay for your future films."

"Xiaoming, you are really smart. There are many actors in the circle who are willing to pay for Director Li's movies. Who doesn't want to get no pay? I want it too." Li Qiaoqiao said with a smile, and his words exposed Huang Xiaoming's little thoughts.

(End of this chapter)