From east to west, at the end of the Central Red Rose Pedestrian Street was the Rose Theater.
Among the hundreds of large and small cinemas in Xiangjiang, the Rose Theater was definitely not the largest and had the most advanced facilities. In fact, it only had five independent projection halls and did not have a 3D giant screen. It was not on the same level as the Oriental Hollywood Theater that was not far away.
But in terms of popularity, the Rose Theater was no less than the Hollywood Theater, and in terms of popularity among couples, the former was even more popular than the latter.
This was because all the seats in the Rose Theater were double seats, which were lovers' seats. They were spacious, comfortable, and extremely private. Other than Hollywood blockbusters, the movies played all year round were mainly romantic comedies, so it was deeply loved by couples.
On Valentine's Day, the theater also gave out extra gifts such as chocolate, popcorn, and so on, so the tickets for the five screening halls had been booked early.
Chen Wenqiang had gotten Lu Chen's tickets through his connections, otherwise he would not have been able to buy them now.
The tickets were VIP tickets, and the seats were VIP boxes with better privacy.
The movie started at 8: 10. When Lu Chen brought Chen Fei 'er over, it was already close to 8. He glanced at the screen in the hall outside and found that the screening for The Painted Skin had reached at least 35%!
This was very impressive. Usually, other than Hollywood blockbusters, when Hong Kong films or Sino-Hong Kong co-productions were first released, the screening rate was between 10% and 30%, and then adjusted according to the subsequent market response.
35% at the beginning was basically the treatment of Hollywood blockbusters. Considering that there were many new films being released today, the producers of The Painted Skin, Huaguan Pictures and Star Art Entertainment, had definitely spent a lot of effort on public relations in the cinemas, in order to make it a hit.
This undoubtedly brought considerable pressure to their competitors.
For example, LuChen's "A Chinese Ghost Story", after many efforts and coordination by Jiayang Pictures, was only 20% of the screening in several major cinemas on the 21st, and it was not completely guaranteed.
This was because the market situation was ever-changing, just like the weather. Although it could be predicted in advance, it could change at any time. A Chinese Ghost Story, which was released after The Painted Skin, was bound to face the pressure of the former.
Coupled with the box office sales of The Painted Skin, the cinema chains increased their production rate. Other films in the same period, including A Chinese Ghost Story, would definitely have to make way — they couldn't possibly hinder the cinema from making money, right?
That was why Lu Chen had brought Chen Fei'er over today. He did not neglect romance and work. He did not place too much importance on the success or failure of "A Chinese Ghost Story", but he would not be indifferent to his competitors.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er sat down in a private room. The theater attendant left after serving them coffee, drinks, and small gifts, leaving the two of them some privacy.
Before leaving, the waiter looked at Lu Chen curiously.
She felt that this tall and handsome guy was a little familiar. He seemed to be a star, but there were also stars who came to the Rose Cinema to watch movies, so she didn't pay much attention to him.
Chen Fei 'er leaned against Lu Chen's chest and giggled, "Does this count as going deep into the enemy's rear to observe them?"
Lu Chen couldn't help but laugh. "How can it be so exaggerated …"
After a pause, he continued, "In fact, as far as I'm concerned, I still hope that both China and Hong Kong can make more good movies and regain the market we've lost."
Since entering the new century, the domestic film market had continued to be popular, and the box office had been rising steadily. It was already the second largest source of box office in the world, second only to the United States, and it was expected to surpass it in the next five years.
However, more than 50% of such a large market share was occupied by imported films, especially Hollywood blockbusters. Moreover, the latter accounted for more than 90% of movie-related peripheral products!
Many Hollywood movies relied on the sales of peripheral products to achieve a net box office profit of more than 200%.
In contrast, domestic films were pitifully weak in this regard.
This made many knowledgeable people in the domestic film industry cry out loudly. Revitalizing domestic films and improving the added value of movie peripheral products had become the mission and responsibility of the new generation of young filmmakers.
In this regard, Lu Chen, who had just entered the film industry, had also tried it. A batch of figurines, posters, props, accessories, toys, and so on for "A Chinese Ghost Story" had been produced in Xiangjiang and would be sold in cinemas on the day of the release.
When he came in just now, Lu Chen deliberately bypassed the sales area of the movie peripheral products in the hall and found that there were basically no peripherals for "The Painted Skin" on sale except for the posters.
Although Hollywood blockbusters had an absolute advantage in this regard, local film companies could not get used to this advantage and put themselves in the position of bystanders. They were worried that they would lose money and do nothing.
On the other hand, this was also a manifestation of lack of confidence in the film itself.
Lu Chen's words were not to show how high his moral integrity was in front of Chen Fei 'er, but from the bottom of his heart. The more he integrated into the film industry, the more he felt.
Chen Fei 'er held his hand, and her bright eyes flashed.
What she likes is precisely this kind of Lu Chen!
The atmosphere in the private room quietly became warm and sweet, and then the movie began.
Chen Fei 'er adjusted her sitting posture and leaned comfortably into Lu Chen's arms. Lu Chen hugged her waist, and the two began to quietly enjoy "The Painted Skin" produced by Huaguan Pictures and Star Art Entertainment.
After the 110-minute movie, it was already 10 pm.
Chen Fei 'er stretched and yawned cutely, looking a little sleepy.
She turned her head and kissed Lu Chen's face, saying, "It's over. Let's go back."
Lu Chen nodded and asked, "How do you feel?"
Chen Fei 'er: "Hehe."
Perhaps she felt that such a response was too simple, so she added, "The special effects are not bad."
The special effects are not bad …
Lu Chen completely agreed with this evaluation. It was worthy of being the most powerful special effects production company in Hong Kong. Although its level could not be compared with the top Hollywood peers, at least it had first-class quality.
As a fantasy blockbuster, Lu Chen gave "The Painted Skin" eight points in terms of the performance of the special effects alone.
The full score was ten points.
He stood up and said, "Let's go and find a place to have a drink."
Today was Valentine's Day, and tonight was a romantic night. It was enough to spend two precious hours here.
What followed should be a sweet time for the two.
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