Benshan’s beloved disciple, starting from the 2009 Spring Festival Gala
Chapter 22 - Crushing Defeat, Contract Termination, Vision

Chapter 22  Crushing Defeat, Contract Termination, Vision

[In the first half of this year alone, three new directors (Ning Hao, Lu Chuan, and Qu Yiming) joined Mainland China’s “100-Million-Yuan Director Club,” with records for the youngest directors to break the 100-million mark being repeatedly shattered (Ning Hao, Qu Yiming). Could this signal a powerful surge in the Chinese film market in the second half of the year?]. [A deputy general manager of a cinema chain commented in an interview: The future of Chinese box office might be — “One hundred million is just the starting point, three hundred million is true wealth.”]. [How did “Lost on Journey,” made with just over 8 million yuan in production costs, manage to compete with Lu Chuan’s war epic, which cost 80 million yuan to produce — let alone surpass it at the box office to reach 100 million yuan?]. [Are low-budget, small-production comedies the true future of Chinese cinema? Following the “Crazy” series and now “Lost on Journey,” is there reason to be wary of entertainment overkill?]. [Between “Lost on Journey” and Lu Chuan’s new film, who will be the first to reach the 300-million-yuan milestone?]. [Uncle Benshan leads all of Benshan Media’s artists and industry friends in a show of strong support for “Lost on Journey”!]. [On day 22 of its release, “Lost on Journey” once again breaks 10 million yuan in a single day! With a total of 160 million yuan in box office, it catches up to Lu Chuan’s film, which has already been in theaters for 30 days and is showing signs of stagnation. The winner is clear!]. [Lu Chuan’s film announces an extension of its screening period]. [“Lost on Journey” also applies for a screening extension]. [“Lost on Journey” officially extends its theatrical run, heading into the summer season alongside Lu Chuan’s film]. [30 days! 300 screenings! 190 million yuan at the box office! “Lost on Journey” is just a step away from hitting 200 million. Experts estimate that once the college entrance exam is over, the film may again see single-day box office numbers rise above 10 million.]. [After the extension, Lu Chuan’s film continues to show weak box office growth, with single-day earnings dropping below 1 million yuan. Many cinemas announce they will stop showing Lu Chuan’s film to make room for summer blockbusters and the surging “Lost on Journey.”]. [1.8 billion yuan! After an 18-day extension, Lu Chuan’s film is forced to exit theaters, failing to break the 200 million mark.]. [With a production cost of 80 million and final box office of 180 million, Lu Chuan’s film fails to recoup its investment — a crushing defeat compared to “Lost on Journey.”]. [Late at night, Lu Chuan posts again: “Today’s youth only deserve to watch brainless and low-quality comedy road movies!” — another shot at Qu Yiming!]. [Lu Chuan deletes the post, claiming: “My account was hacked again.”]. [Qu Yiming responds: “The film market should be diverse. Low-cost, small productions don’t mean bad films. As of June 10, ‘Lost on Journey’ has earned 210 million yuan. This is thanks to the boom in the film market brought about by national development, as well as the support and tolerance of audiences of all ages. Thank you all.”]. [After 45 days in theaters, “Lost on Journey” officially ends its run, with final box office earnings at 230 million yuan. Despite its low budget, it could not withstand the onslaught of Hollywood blockbusters.]. [“Night at the Museum 2,” “Terminator Salvation,” “Transformers 2” — foreign films dominate the summer box office.]. [“Lost on Journey,” made with only 8 million yuan, triumphs over Lu Chuan’s 80-million-yuan production. Multiple film companies rush to launch small-budget comedy projects — comedy scripts become extremely hard to find.]. [With a cost-to-revenue ratio of 1:20, Qu Yiming becomes the most commercially successful director in the country.].

“A film that makes 200 million? That’s faster than robbing a bank. I’m really reluctant to let you go now.”

Benshan Media.

In the office, Uncle Benshan put down the newspaper, looked at Qu Yiming sitting across from him, and joked.

Qu Yiming smiled and replied, “Master, the contract is already signed. Even if you regret it now, it’s too late.”

“Hahaha…”

Uncle Benshan laughed heartily.

“Regret isn’t something a real man does. Come on, let’s go meet the press.”

……

[Qu Yiming and Benshan Media part ways amicably]. [A 50-million-yuan wager may have triggered the contract termination]. [Uncle Benshan invests 10 million yuan to acquire shares in Yiming Media]. [Yiming Media sets up shop in Beijing; Qu Yiming heads north, rumored to be part of Uncle Benshan’s strategic move]. [At the press conference, Qu Yiming bows to his master once again and says sincerely: “Once a teacher, always a father.”]. […].

Just days after “Lost on Journey” ended its theatrical run, the news of Qu Yiming’s contract termination with Benshan Media once again dominated entertainment headlines. The fact that a master could willingly let go of a disciple who made 200 million yuan from one film—and even support him in starting his own company—without falling out publicly, left many film companies stunned. Some suspected it was all just a smokescreen, and that Yiming Media was secretly a subsidiary of Benshan Media.

However, once Uncle Benshan’s stake in the new company was made public, those industry insiders realized they had underestimated the situation. Their narrow-mindedness had blinded them to the rare bond between a true master and his apprentice…