Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 46 Cultural Figures at the Beginning of the Century

The one who was most angry after being scolded was not Zhang Jun, but Ye Xiaoyi.

Zhang Jun had told her about his conflict with Lu Chuan, and the two communicated immediately about the public opinion crisis that had erupted, quickly identifying Lu Chuan and his father as the culprits.

"Zhang Jun, what should we do now? These people are not only making sarcastic remarks about you in the newspapers, but there are also constant doubts about you online."

Some people have even started saying that you didn't actually film "Little Miss Sunshine," that you were just a proxy photographer.

Zhang Jun laughed on the other end of the phone, "Did you also talk about me and you? Saying I'm your boyfriend and you're love-struck, that you even tricked your own father to support your boyfriend's movie dream?"

"That's really true."

Ye Xiaoyi said she was speechless: "I told my dad, and he said not to worry about it. He didn't take it to heart at all."

"Uncle Ye is right. The more you respond, the happier the other person will be, and that's when you fall into their trap."

Zhang Jun thought for a moment and said, "How about this, we can't just sit by and watch them insult us without doing anything, we have to retaliate."

"You mean we should also find some cultural figures to retaliate against them?"

"No, no, no, I mean join in, floor the gas pedal. There are many people in the cultural sphere who fawn over foreign things; their knees are weak."

We're expanding the scope of our crackdown. I'm not an expert, but are there no Hollywood directors like that?

Zhang Jun explained his plan: "James Cameron started as a truck driver, and he still became a great director."

Ye Xiaoyi frowned and said, "Isn't that inappropriate? They'll definitely say that just because foreigners can do it doesn't mean Chinese people can."

"This is the crucial part!"

Zhang Jun said with a slightly excited tone, "That's exactly what I want them to say. We've shifted the focus of public opinion from whether Chinese people can do it to whether students from Tsinghua University can do it."

Going a step further, can Tsinghua University achieve this?

I want to see if these so-called cultural figures can still say that when facing academic circles and members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Zhang Jun's move is nothing new; to put it bluntly, it's about shifting the focus and escalating the conflict. Anyone who has experienced online public opinion battles knows how to play this trick.

But public opinion in this era was adorably naive, and the masses had never experienced the era of intense public opinion battles, so the effect was very good.

Ye Xiaoyi first contacted Jin Denian, a retired professor from Tsinghua University, through Hou Yu. Jin Denian was not only a professor but also a famous calligrapher and a figure in the cultural world.

However, he and Lu Chuan's father were not on the same path, and the two did not have much interaction.

He knew Zhang Jun, a student who had become a legendary figure at Tsinghua University, and even the school leaders knew him.

It was Jin Denian who called Jin Yan to ensure that Zhang Jun's short film would win an award.

Therefore, when Jin Denian heard these so-called cultural figures making veiled accusations against Zhang Jun, he immediately stood up to speak for him.

Putting aside the attention that the leaders of Tsinghua University paid to Zhang Jun, Jin Denian couldn't let these people ruin Zhang Jun's reputation for the sake of his own.

You say he's an outsider who entered the film industry and polluted it, so doesn't that make me, the one who initially recommended him, a sinner?

Anyone who tries to discredit Zhang Jun is essentially discrediting Jin Denian.

However, Ye Xiaoyi said, "Professor, you have to stand up and speak the truth at this crucial moment."

Now that we're coming out to say this, the other side still thinks that Tsinghua University is covering for each other and that everyone there has connections!

"So you have an idea?" Jin Denian asked.

"It's not exactly a good idea."

Ye Xiaoyi recounted the plan she and Zhang Jun had discussed, which greatly surprised Jin Denian.

"You've made them lose face completely! Once they've lost it, they'll never get it back."

Zhang Jun once told Ye Xiaoyi that filmmakers can be shameless, but those involved in culture cannot be shameless; they live off their reputation.

Once they've completely lost face, they'll be too ashamed to face anyone.

Jin Denian thought for a moment and said, "The current chaos in the cultural circle really needs to be rectified. They've even extended their reach to Tsinghua University. We must let them know what pain is."

Ye Xiaoyi was overjoyed, knowing that Professor Jin had agreed.

The operation was quickly launched.

Lu Chuan's father's friends have escalated from veiled criticism and sarcastic remarks to direct criticism of "Little Miss Sunshine."

To call this movie a vulgar and disgusting comedy is baffling; I don't understand why such a film would be so popular.

Influenced by these so-called writers and screenwriters, the online reputation of "Little Miss Sunshine" plummeted, and Zhang Jun himself was increasingly questioned by many people.

China Film Group was naturally aware of the situation. Han Sanping was furious; he knew who was behind it all.

Han Sanping called Lu Chuan's father and asked him to stop what he was doing.

To everyone's surprise, Lu Chuan's father deflected the question, saying, "President Han, this has nothing to do with us. My son came back and praised Zhang Jun, saying he's talented."

I personally admire him very much, how could I possibly instruct someone to criticize him? Are you mistaken?"

Han Sanping suppressed his anger: "Well, you at least know these people, right? Talk to them first and tell them to shut up."

Lu Chuan's father didn't give Han Sanping any face at all: "I can't control that, it's their freedom."

Han Sanping hung up the phone, feeling like he was about to explode with anger. If Lu Chuan's father were in front of him, he would definitely punch him twice.

Why are all these intellectuals so arrogant? One after another, they think they are awakening the confused souls of the Chinese people, that they are saviors, and they are so arrogant.

He didn't take the general manager of China Film Group seriously at all.

If it weren't for the fact that Lu Chuan and his son had some connections in the film industry, these people might have even cursed him as well.

Why can't these people be like Wang Shuo and become lovable writers?

Han Xiaoli, the deputy general manager standing nearby, asked, "Sanping, what should we do now?"

Han Sanping calmed himself down and then said, "Have Jiang Zhen go and talk to Zhang Jun, and try to appease him. If these rumors reach Zhang Jun's ears, he'll probably be very angry right now."

However, contrary to Han Sanping's expectations, Zhang Jun was not angry at all, and even wanted to laugh.

"Look at this, nitpicking over words, acting like he's so cultured." Zhang Jun chuckled as he looked at the insults directed at him in the newspaper.

Fan Bingbing was speechless: "You're really strange. People are insulting you, and you can actually laugh..."

"Why aren't you laughing? Don't you think it's hilarious to see a bunch of clowns thinking they've won and are invincible, strutting around wagging their tails like that?"

Zhang Jun laughed and said, "These so-called cultured people are all like this, and they have countless connections with the film and television industry. This shows that the film and television industry is mostly not clean these days either."

Jiang Zhen came over and saw Zhang Jun looking so happy, and was quite puzzled.

He was a producer sent by China Film Group to help Zhang Jun, since China Film Group also invested money in the movie "About Time".

President Han told him to reassure Zhang Jun and not let him be influenced by outside influences.

But what Jiang Zhen saw was that Zhang Jun was not affected at all; on the contrary, he was relaxed and at ease, as if the criticism was not directed at his work and the person being scolded was not him.

However, the mission still had to be carried out, so Jiang Zhen came over to ask Zhang Jun, "President Han asked me to tell you that you should make any requests you need, and we will definitely solve them within our capabilities."

Zhang Jun thought for a moment and said, "China Film Group should have good relations with many media outlets, right? I want to amplify the public opinion."

He explained his idea, and Jiang Zhen hesitated after listening: "This...will this work?"

"You can report this to President Han and tell him that if you want to complete the market-oriented reform of the Chinese film industry, the first thing you need to do is shut up these so-called cultural figures," Zhang Jun said.

"Okay!" Jiang Zhen agreed.