Chapter 526: Chapter 373_2
The host can’t be seen for the ti being. Yang Rongfa asked, “Quite a few big directors and company bosses in the circle have co today. Do you want to introduce so of them to you?”
This is an opportunity for normal people in the circle.
Knowing more people is always a good thing.
But… recalling the experience from the previous soirée, Yang Rongfa wisely chose to ask first.
Wu Mu shook his head, “No…”
But halfway through shaking, his gaze swept across a figure in a small lounge area on the edge of the main living room, obscured by a partition, and paused slightly.
“Director Lin is here too?” Wu Mu asked Yang Rongfa.
The Director Lin he referred to was naturally not Lin Qingyue but Lin Qingyue’s father, Lin Xueming.
Even though Lin Qingyue could co back tonight, she needed to handle matters with the film crew and wouldn’t be here.
Moreover, he had ntioned during their chat this morning that he would attend this soirée, so if Lin Qingyue were coming, she would definitely have told him.
“Yes, Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang are also here.” Yang Rongfa nodded.
Wu Mu had a thought. These two directors were also of the sa level as Lin Xueming within the circle, belonging to the top-tier figures.
However, he didn’t expect to seek favors from these directors for resources, so he was indifferent to these two.
But with Lin Xueming here, not going up to greet him would be inappropriate.
“I’ll go say hello to Director Lin.” He walked directly toward the small lounge area.
“Director Lin and they are also there. You want to go say hello?” Yang Rongfa leaned over and whispered.
As he spoke, he also pointed with his finger to the small lounge area on the edge of the main lounge.
The small lounge seed like a place for routine private gatherings, partitioned in the middle by decorations. The full view wasn’t clear, but it was apparent that it wasn’t as big as this side and a bit smaller.
So closer sofas were arranged, with many people sitting and chatting there.
Director Lin?
Wu Mu thought for a mont and imdiately knew it was Lin Qingyue’s father, Lin Xueming.
Although Lin Qingyue was coming back tonight, she needed to handle matters with the film crew and wouldn’t appear here.
Moreover, during his chat this morning, he had told Lin Qingyue that he would co to this soirée, so if Lin Qingyue were also coming, she would have told him.
“I’ll go say hello.” He nodded.
Since Lin Xueming was there, he had to greet him.
“The bosses of Light Shadow dia and Yahua Film and Television, along with Director Tang and Director Xie, are also here,” Yang Rongfa whispered again.
Light Shadow dia, Yahua Film and Television?
Even if Wu Mu didn’t engage much with the circle, he knew these two companies. If Yang Rongfa’s company was considered mid-tier, these two were undoubtedly top-tier within the circle.
They were not only publicly listed companies but also consistently produced big-budget films every year. Additionally, they had artist managent businesses with many big-na celebrities under them.
These need no further explanation.
As for Director Tang and Director Xie?
If they were worth ntioning by Yang Rongfa, they were certainly not simple characters.
Wu Mu thought for a mont and imdiately knew who they were.
They were Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang.
Directors at the sa level as Lin Xueming.
All were already accomplished, with status and fa, among the old veterans in the circle.
So, all the big shots were over there.
Wu Mu and Yang Rongfa walked toward the small lounge area.
As they got closer, they could see the situation in the small lounge.
Lin Xueming was indeed there, sitting sowhat centrally on a sofa, appearing to be holding a wine glass and talking.
He was surrounded by quite a few people, including two middle-aged n with a boss-like aura and several subordinates of artists standing nearby.
Director Tang Wei, wearing a cloth flat cap, obviously trying to cover sothing but couldn’t hide his bald spot, and Director Xie Chunfang, who was tall and strong with a na implying delicacy.
And then…
Wu Mu paused mid-step.
A woman in her forties wearing a black fitted suit, a pearl necklace, speaking softly with soone nearby, looking elegant and dignified.
Lin Qingyue’s mother was here too?
This was his first ti eting Lin Qingyue’s mother in reality. Previously when he visited Lin Qingyue’s ho, he had never happened to et her.
But since Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, was a famous past-generation movie star in the circle, he recognized her from photos.
After a brief pause in his step, Wu Mu continued forward.
But before he could take more than a couple of steps, he encountered another acquaintance.
Around the edge of the small lounge, a man in his thirties holding a plate and standing upright seed to be listening seriously to Lin Xueming.
It was Geng Wei.
The initial boss of Xiao Yi Company who wanted to sign him and, after being refused, tried to blacklist him in anger.
However, Wu Mu didn’t care much about him and continued walking.
As he got closer, he could hear Lin Xueming’s voice, “This year’s film market situation is alarming. The National Film Bureau’s official data hasn’t been released yet, but I already got the detailed stats from their director Cao Guang. This year’s total box office is 42.5 billion, which is a 21% decline compared to the sa period last year.”
Lin Xueming’s solemn voice paused as he noticed Wu Mu approaching.
Not only him, but the others in the small lounge also saw him.
The people in the lounge had varied expressions. So of the clearly less prominent celebrities and artists’ aides looked slightly surprised, seemingly puzzled by his appearance.
The bosses of the two prominent companies and notable directors Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang glanced briefly without much attention.
Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, seed initially unresponsive and only recognized him with so realization after half a second.
Also… Geng Wei.
Upon seeing Wu Mu, Geng Wei’s face noticeably darkened, and when eting Wu Mu’s gaze, he forced a strained smile.
Wu Mu didn’t care about him, rely glancing over and moving on.
This disregard only deepened the gloom on Geng Wei’s face.
“This year’s total cinema admissions have significantly dropped as well, with 1.01 billion admissions compared to last year’s 1.299 billion, a reduction of nearly 300 million. Compared to 2019, the situation is even worse. In 2019, the total box office was 64.2 billion, a 33.9% decrease. Five years on, not only hasn’t our total box office increased, it has continuously declined.”
Lin Xueming briefly paused, not ending his speech, and continued after a look at Wu Mu.
Wu Mu didn’t mind, standing at the edge of the small lounge.
“One could even say, this current level is lower than ten years ago in 2015, when the total box office was 44 billion. Our industry’s overall revenue has regressed to the level it was ten years ago. Such alarming numbers are certainly worth pondering for us filmmakers about the reasons behind this result.”
Lin Xueming was discussing the shrinking film market.
This had indeed been the trend over the past few years, where the film market had continued to decline yearly, contrary to the grandeur anticipated in previous years, even reverting to levels from a decade ago.
The stark and exaggerated data, reflecting not only an absence of growth over ten years but a regression, undoubtedly instilled a chilling sensation among the stakeholders present, each face bearing a hint of gravity.
A decline in box office revenue was catastrophic for both bosses and celebrities alike.
If it continues to decline, how many more years can they profit within the industry?
Tang Wei took over from Lin Xueming’s topic, “Director Lin’s comnts coincide with what I frequently contemplate this year; why don’t audiences enjoy watching movies anymore? Why are people reluctant to spend money in cinemas now…”
Wu Mu wasn’t in a hurry, continuing to stand and listen.
However, Lin Qingyue’s mother didn’t leave him waiting indefinitely, beckoning him over.
Wu Mu gently moved from the edge toward her.
Sitting on the sofa, Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, slightly raised her head, looking at him, her tone gentle, “It’s Wu Mu, right?”
Sitting on the sofa, Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, slightly raised her head, looking at him, her tone gentle, “It’s Wu Mu, right?”
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