Chapter 701: Chapter 701
Capítulo 701: Chapter 477:
Walking a bit closer, I could see the situation in the small reception room.
Lin Xueming was indeed there, sitting on a sofa in a more central spot, holding a wine glass and talking about something.
A number of people sat around him, two of whom looked like they had the aura of bosses, with several middle-aged men standing beside them, clearly handlers of artists.
Director Tang Wei, trying to cover something with a cotton beret, but still unable to hide his balding head. And Director Xie Chunfang, whose name contains the character for “fragrance,” yet towers over everyone present with his height.
Wu Mu paused his steps.
A woman in her forties, dressed in a fitted black outfit, wearing a pearl necklace, and chatting quietly with those beside her, looking elegant and noble.
Lin Qingyue’s mother is here too?
This was the first time Wu Mu had seen Lin Qingyue’s mother in person; he hadn’t encountered her during previous visits to Lin Qingyue’s house.
However, Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, was a renowned actress from the previous generation in the industry. He recognized her from photos.
After a moment’s pause, Wu Mu continued to walk forward.
He took only a couple more steps before seeing another familiar face.
At a corner of the small reception room, a man in his thirties was holding a plate in one hand, standing upright, seemingly listening intently to Lin Xueming.
He was the original boss of Xiao Yi Company, who wanted to sign Wu Mu, got rejected, and then out of humiliation attempted to blacklist him.
But Wu Mu didn’t care much about this person, continuing to walk forward without stopping.
Getting closer, he could now hear Lin Xueming’s voice, “This year’s film market situation can be described as shocking. The official data from the National Film Bureau hasn’t been released yet, but I’ve gotten the detailed numbers from their director, Cao Guang. The total box office this year is 42.5 billion, a drop of 21% compared to the same period last year.”
Lin Xueming paused gravely as he noticed Wu Mu walking over.
Not just him, others in the small reception room saw it too.
The people in the reception room had varied expressions. Some celebrities and handlers who seemed to be there just to be seen had slightly surprised expressions, seemingly puzzled to see such a rare guest.
The two big company bosses in the industry, along with big names like Directors Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang, merely glanced without much care.
Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, at first didn’t seem to realize, but after her gaze stayed on Wu Mu’s face for a half-second, she appeared to suddenly understand.
Upon seeing Wu Mu, Geng Wei’s expression visibly darkened, and as their eyes met, he forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Wu Mu naturally didn’t care about him, just glanced briefly before moving past.
This indifferent attitude undoubtedly made Geng Wei’s expression even more sullen.
“This year’s total number of moviegoers has also dropped significantly. This year is 1.01 billion, down from 1.299 billion last year, a decrease of nearly 300 million. Compared to 2019, it’s even more severe. In 2019, the total box office was 64.2 billion, a decline of 33.9%. Five years have passed, yet our total box office revenue has not only failed to increase, but has decreased year after year.”
After a slight pause, Lin Xueming didn’t end his speech. Instead, he looked at Wu Mu and continued speaking.
Wu Mu didn’t pay much attention, standing at the edge of the small reception room.
“You could even say that this level is lower than that of ten years ago in 2015. The total annual box office in 2015 was 44 billion. Our industry’s overall revenue has directly regressed to a decade ago, and such shocking numbers, I think, are very worthy of reflection by us filmmakers. What exactly has led to this result?”
Lin Xueming was discussing the topic of the shrinking film market.
This has truly been the trend in recent years. The film market has been declining year after year, not experiencing the boom everyone hoped for, but instead regressing to levels from a decade ago.
Because the data is overwhelmingly obvious and exaggerated — no growth but rather a retreat over ten years — it immediately filled the insiders present, who were personally affected, with a profound chill. Each person wore a slightly heavy expression.
The drop in movie box office revenue is a huge problem for both bosses and celebrities alike.
If it continues to decline , how many more years can they make money in the industry?
Following Lin Xueming’s remarks, Tang Wei took the conversation, “The issue Director Lin raised is something I’ve often pondered this year. Why do audiences no longer enjoy watching movies? Why have people become unwilling to spend money to go to the cinema?”
Wu Mu wasn’t in a hurry, continuing to stand and listen.
However, Lin Qingyue’s mother did not keep him waiting and proactively beckoned to him.
Wu Mu walked over lightly from the fringe.
Sitting on the sofa, Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, slightly raised her head to look at him, her tone gentle, “Is this Wu Mu?”
Wu Mu nodded, “Yes, hello Aunt Du.”
“Director Lin mentioned you.” Wu Mu habitually referred to Director Lin, the other Director Lin nearby glanced at him.
“Why didn’t she come?”
“She has to handle matters with the crew and couldn’t come away.”
Du Lan’s attitude was surprisingly amiable to Wu Mu.
She chatted with Wu Mu like an ordinary elder.
They chatted briefly, and the woman adorned with jewelry sitting on the adjacent sofa interrupted, “Ah Lan, aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Du Lan smiled, “Does he need any introduction? He stands out so clearly.”
However, despite her words, she still introduced Wu Mu, “Wu Mu, this is Yao Ping, wife of Boss Ji from Light Shadow Media.”
“Hello, Mrs. Yao,” Wu Mu greeted politely.
The woman named Yao Ping looked at Du Lan, teasing, “Why do you call Ah Lan ‘Aunt Lan’ and me just ‘Mrs. Yao’?”
Following her lead, Wu Mu replied, “Aunt Yao.”
Just then, Tang Wei and the others finished their conversation, prompting Du Lan to introduce Wu Mu one by one.
As Wu Mu prepared for his second appearance, the 67th Anniversary Gala finally aired live after a half-hour delay. This text is hosted at n0velfire.net
In Zhang Li’s small apartment, Zhang Li and Han Yan had undoubtedly been waiting in front of the computer screen.
Initially, they weren’t very interested in the 67th Anniversary Gala, and even if they were to watch, they would opt for the more star-studded, grander production on CCTV’s 67th, or perhaps the more entertaining and youth-oriented Sha City’s 67th.
The middling appeal of Beijing TV Station didn’t really attract much interest.
But if Wu Mu was going to perform, that would be different.
As “anti-fans” of Wu Mu, how could they possibly miss such a show, especially with an opportunity for drama?
Han Yan had the live chat open, and as soon as the gala started refreshing, people were spamming the chat with messages boycotting Wu Mu.
Han Yan laughed joyfully at the live chat, “Haha, they really haven’t given up, even though it’s clear Beijing TV Station intends to stubbornly protect and play dead, they’re still here boosting the show’s viewership.”
Zhang Li also chuckled, “After all, it’s already started, they can’t just give up halfway.”
Yes, most bystanders wouldn’t continuously follow the incident, but for Xiao Yi’s fans and Wu Mu’s anti-fans, having charged ahead, how could they possibly just drop it halfway?
Xiao Yi stood against the gray Mountains and Seas of the motherland, singing with a particularly emotional expression:
“Back then, you were as young as I am now, youthful like a fledgling song.”
“But in pursuit of creating that new world in your dreams, you turned and rushed into the storm.”
Du Xingguo instinctively glanced at his granddaughter.
Even though he wasn’t a professional, he could tell this person couldn’t compare to the previous performer on stage. Even after tuning and adjustments, although the pitch and effect were mostly fine, there was still a vague sense of a hollow voice lacking any infectiousness.
Where was the excitement?
Hu Qing also didn’t understand what was supposed to be good about it.
Even though he wasn’t a professional, he could tell this person couldn’t compare to the previous performer on stage. Even after tuning and adjustments, although the pitch and effect were mostly fine, there was still a vague sense of a hollow voice lacking any infectiousness.
Where was the excitement?
Hu Qing also didn’t understand what was supposed to be good about it.