mijobooks Chapter 497 Backstab
Chapter 497 Backstab
On December 5th, the standoff between the film production alliance and the theater alliance had lasted for a month.
Neither side has wavered in its position.
The cinema chains' stance is becoming increasingly clear: you have your alliances, I have my cinema chains. If "The Flowers of War" insists on a 45% revenue share, then sorry, no screenings for it.
Zhang Weiping's pressure is increasing day by day.
"The Flowers of War" is scheduled for release on December 15th, just ten days away.
If theaters collectively boycott the film's release, this movie, which cost 600 million yuan and represents the entire fortune of New Pictures, will face utter ruin.
On December 7, the Film Bureau intervened to mediate.
The mediation meeting was held in the Film Bureau's main conference room.
A long table with two rows of chairs; the representatives of the production companies alliance sat on the left, and the representatives of the theater chains alliance sat on the right.
Zhang Weiping, Wang Zhongjun, and Han Shanping attended as representatives of the production company.
Representatives from the cinema chains present included Ye Ning from Wanda, Chen Lianbao from China Film Stellar Cinemas, Xu Liang from Galaxy Cinemas, and Li Qiwei from Shanghai United.
The mediation session lasted from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., with only a 15-minute break in between.
The two sides' views went back and forth repeatedly for five hours.
Zhang Weiping's argument is straightforward: production costs are rising, and the risks borne by production companies are increasing, so the revenue-sharing ratio should be adjusted.
"The Flowers of War" is a 600 million yuan investment, a labor of love for director Zhang Yimou. If the revenue sharing ratio is not properly paid, the production company's return on investment will not be guaranteed.
Ye Ning's rebuttal was equally direct: the adjustment of the revenue sharing ratio cannot be based on the single film.
If every big-budget production can unilaterally demand a higher share of revenue, how can we talk about the operational stability of cinemas?
The operating costs for cinema chains are also rising; rent, labor, and equipment maintenance are not things that fall from the sky.
Han Shanping tried to mediate and proposed several compromise solutions, but both sides rejected them.
At 7 p.m., the mediator from the Film Bureau adjourned the meeting.
When Zhang Weiping walked out of the conference room, his face was twice as pale as when he came in.
Ye Ning remained calm and even chatted with Xu Liang about the location of Xinghe Cinema's new store next year while waiting for the elevator.
On December 9th, Ye Ning pulled a dirty trick on the cinema alliance side.
A plan to dismantle the production alliance was proposed.
方案的内容很具体：《金陵十三钗》的票房在5亿以内，製片方可以按45%分帐；超过5亿不足10亿的部分，按43%分帐；超过10亿的部分，按41%分帐。
The minimum fare remains unchanged at 35 yuan.
This tiered revenue-sharing scheme is a typical business compromise.
Theaters made concessions in the low-grossing range, but the production company's share of revenue in the high-grossing range actually decreased.
If "The Flowers of War" can really gross over 1 billion yuan, the overall revenue of the theaters will not be greatly affected.
However, the plan has one additional condition.
"New Pictures Films must withdraw from the production alliance and no longer participate in or lead any joint pressure campaigns against cinemas."
After discussion, the cinema alliance felt that this plan was very good.
If New Pictures agrees to this plan, the production alliance will be easily dismantled.
If the production alliance is broken up this time, it will be impossible for production companies to unite again in the future.
After all, they would be afraid of doing all the work for someone else again.
After the proposal was sent to Zhang Weiping's email, Zhang Weiping fell into deep thought.
December 12th marks three days until the release of "The Flowers of War".
Zhang Weiping sat in his office all day, the ashtray in front of him overflowing with cigarette butts.
He invested 600 million yuan, putting all his wealth into "The Flowers of War".
If theaters collectively boycott the film's release, it will be difficult for the film to even be shown, let alone recoup its costs.
He picked up his phone, found Han Shanping's number, stared at the screen for a long time, but ultimately didn't dial it.
December 13th, two days before the release of "The Flowers of War".
Zhang Weiping did something no one expected.
He sent a separate letter to major cinema chains on behalf of New Pictures Films.
The letter contained only two points: First, New Pictures agreed to the tiered revenue-sharing plan proposed by the cinema alliance; second, New Pictures withdrew from the production alliance effective immediately.
When this letter was sent, Zhang Weiping did not notify any of the companies in the alliance.
Wang Zhongjun only learned about this when Wanda Cinemas' official Weibo account forwarded the letter from New Pictures.
Even Wang Zhongjun, who is usually very good at self-control and never shows his emotions, couldn't help but curse this time.
"Damn it, that piece of trash, she sold us all out!"
Han Shanping was in the China Film Group office approving documents when he received the message.
He put down his pen, read the letter from beginning to end, remained silent for a few seconds, and then gently shook his head.
"Zhang Weiping, Zhang Weiping, you just can't keep your composure."
Wang Changtian's reaction was the calmest.
He was having a meeting with several executives in the fiber optic conference room. When his phone vibrated, he glanced down at the screen, his lips twitched slightly, and then he continued the meeting without making any comments.