Lord Of Dying Smoke - Chapter 154



Only Noblemtl

The King of Dying Smoke Episode 154

Interlude Masterpiece and the Last Companion (15)

Of course, pushing up the release date just means “Okay, thank you!” This is not something that can end with “Let’s do it!”

This is especially true if the film production method is close to an all-out bombardment called a blockbuster.

The distributor’s workload is doubled by combining the previous tasks, and the public relations department has to handle almost every unit, from pamphlets to brochures.

Is it just that? Not only does it have to be exhausting to renegotiate with big, powerful theaters, and it has to turn a corner here and there, but it also has to pay the price for breaking the so-called ‘conventional law’ unique to Hollywood.

It goes without saying that in the meantime, a huge amount of unnecessary costs are incurred.

But, perhaps because no one had ever done something crazy like this, there was an unexpected advantage.

And that advantage surprisingly made CAE, which was trying to mobilize public opinion, raise its hand right away.

-Reporters aren’t interested, Penny.

“… Are you serious, uncle? The 180 million dollar project created this mess to keep us in check. “You’re not interested in such absurd and ridiculous situations?”

-Oh, that’s the problem. It’s so absurd and nonsensical.

Beyond the image, CEO Jaylen sighed.

-No one can believe that this unreasonable act is intended to keep a plan worth only 30 million dollars in check. What’s more, isn’t it Dusk? Who would think that a man who is the embodiment of efficiency would throw money on the street with such useless things?

“then… .”

-okay. It’s not the reporters who are the problem, but the public who is passing the rumors off as a laughing stock. No matter what we say, no one will believe us.

Oh my god—Penelope lost her composure for a moment.

Unlike Director Henry, who revealed his mental illness(?) without hiding it, Director Dusk has always kept it hidden except from his close associates. That was the result.

Thanks to this, no one noticed that director Dusk was trying to keep in check an old rival worth $30 million and a minnow actor who was less than two years old by the name of Kang.

At this point, there was nothing I could do about it.

It was literally like I got a cut on my nose with my eyes open.

Penelope grunted for a while, but of course she couldn’t come up with a sharp move.

She finally sighed and shook her head.

“But please use as much strength as you can, uncle. “You have to do what you can.”

-Well, that’s true… .

“I’ll try to move as much as possible.”

-… hmm?

“Originally, in this world, the top is driven by money, but the bottom is driven by personal connections. If Acey or I go around asking for a favor, there might be someone who will listen. If it is impossible to overturn it right away, at least spread the rumor itself. On an individual level, there are probably people like S&W who are likeable, and even with actors like Stephane Zischler.

-… … ?

“… “What is it?”

-No, that… .

Didn’t you bring this plan up in the first place to show that guy an example? CEO Jaylen almost instinctively swallowed the words that were about to come out.

Having been close friends with his niece since she was born, he could easily sense that Penelope was quite annoyed.

quite─

It was quite rare.

But why?

‘… Um, well, I’m close with Aislin, so she might not seem like a stranger to me. It looks like he was meddling needlessly in Korea as well.’

CEO Jaylen took a hard time convincing himself and made his move.

Penelope also immediately grabbed the phone and ran out.

However, CAE’s evil plans ultimately came to nothing thanks to Director Dusk’s heroic performance.

Five days before the release of Kang Min’s film, its rival, The Crusaders of New York, was released smoothly and without any problems.

* * *

(It’s not a masterpiece of modern cinema, but it’s cool as a springboard)

(Cavalry, advance!)

(sound of horse hitting) (sound of reins being pulled)

(One thing is certain: Crusade was a cheap gimmick. The next thing that is clear is that it is still worth watching.)

(The story is a mess. The assault is a spectacle>

(I have a question: Where on earth is the legitimacy of the temple?)

There’s only one thing to say to Lance: Hooray-eeee! 5/10>

(I only have one thing to say about the story: What?

There is only one thing to say in a joust: Yaaaaaa!)

(The cavalry charge melted my critical brain like chocolate on popcorn.)

The results of the preview screening of were ultimately overwhelmingly positive.

Of course, there were quite a few harsh criticisms that said there was no sense of topic or that the story was half-baked. However, even these people had no disagreement about the overwhelming visual beauty and power.

So, for a commercial film, it was actually no different from favorable reviews. What was important to the public was whether it was worth paying the ticket price and spending two hours watching.

Expectations were rising everywhere.

-At least ‘that scene’ exceeded expectations. That’s it then.

-Watching on a small TV in the living room is nothing short of insulting!

-I agree. I, too, felt great sadness when I read later ;(

-Oh, poor Richard I… So maybe you should have shown some mercy to the flag XD

-LOL

The distributor of succeeded in converting these expectations into tickets with almost maximum efficiency. Surprisingly, they decided to release it simultaneously in all countries around the world, regardless of whether it was the first or second release country.

Considering that the release was hastily brought forward, this was almost a stunt.

In particular, Korea received special treatment. Considering the time difference, it was the only country where it was released slightly earlier than the United States.

People were very perplexed.

-Uh, I was planning to watch the former when Kang Min and I came in together… Five days ago?

-I need to see this;

-There is no way lol

The effect of the opening date being pushed back by five days led to a sell-out process that embarrassed those who were trying to make reservations leisurely. And again, that was the best advertisement of all.

Even a mistake in the promotional campaign a month ago could not stop this trend.

Of course, the distributor, who had expressed concerns about director Dusk’s recent actions, cheerfully turned their palms over.

“I am sorry for being unreasonable.”

“You’re welcome, Coach Dusk! It was a long itinerary, but it was worth it. I hope this success will help us become closer!”

“of course.”

The distributor called it a ‘success’ even before its release, so it was quite a success.

The distributor went one step further by distributing tickets to people in the Korean industry until the day before the release, and everyone who wanted to make a name for themselves, not only in movies but also in dramas, was invited.

Director Choi Bong-man, the director of , and even PD Han Ye-seul were among those ‘famous people.’

The three who received the tickets showed a variety of reactions.

“Well, it’s been a while since I was young that I received an invitation to a preview screening.”

“It even came to Vice Director Yoo Myung-woo’s. Wow, you seem quite confident in this?”

“… … .”

Laughter.

Taste again.

silence.

However, all three ultimately decided to attend.

It was not because I was interested in itself, but because I thought it was necessary to watch Kang Min’s rival movie.

It was truly an amazing coincidence that the three attendees were sitting next to each other.

Director Choi Bong-man immediately smiled broadly.

“Hey, isn’t this Jiho? “After teaching some kids, you got a dignified look on your face, right?”

“Ah, is it just your brother? “You could appear in ‘Planet of the Apes’ with a beard on your face.”

“What man?”

“Oh, by the way, this is the monkey side.”

“I guess that’s it, then!”

The two argued for a while.

But even for a moment, director Choi Bong-man quietly lowered his voice.

“… But isn’t that friend next to you PD Han Ye-seul? “Why are you looking like that after winning so many awards these days?”

“I thought you had gone too far, but that Kebab guy was having fun. “It’s enough to make you feel sick.”

“?”

“Whew, so I always criticize movies for having shallow emotional lines. “If you don’t notice, just stay still.”

“This bastard.”

Director Choi Bong-man felt like he was going to feel sick, but he soon kept his mouth shut.

Rather than exercising patience, it was because it was time for the movie to start.

The murmur diminished.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on the front.

Some of them, who were very confident in themselves, crossed their arms arrogantly. He seemed to be thinking something along the lines of, “Let’s see how confident you are in how dare you put me in the midst of such a foolish crowd.”

Well, the only thing that producers, critics, and actors have in common is that they are stupid.

“?”

“what?”

“her… .”

But it didn’t last long.

Soon, blank sounds began to flow from the audience.

The work that came out was truly outside of common sense in many ways.

* * *

The time was the 18th century.

Even before America’s expansionist policy of Manifest Destiny begins, strange things happen in the New World.

[Jesus… !]

[What the… ]

[Madres De Dios… ]

[It… it can’t be─]

There is no evidence.

It’s not something that can happen.

But there were numerous testimonies.

-A miracle of God occurred in New York!

The main character, a young knight, reacts skeptically to that.

[so? Are you trying to launch a new crusade in an age of rationality where not only the knights but also the Holy See has declined? How about finding someone of the opposite sex? Who on earth can say such crazy things─]

[Well, at least they seem to be thinking that way.]

[there… ?]

[Ahmet III.]

[…] … This is crazy.]

The Ottoman Empire reaches out to the Netherlands, increasing the conflict. The Netherlands responds.

They claim that the ‘big deal’ that changed New Amsterdam to New York is invalid and that they own the new sacred site.

And, taking advantage of Europe’s crisis of self-destruction, the Islamic forces assembled a large fleet and headed to a new holy place.

Naturally, the surprised Christian forces also try to unite, but it won’t be easy. Europe, which has already become each other’s enemy due to religious reform and colonial competition, can never become one as before.

And then the Pope appears.

[Perceiving His merciful will, now is not the time for us to fight!]

[Don’t you know? Now is your chance. An opportunity for our shepherd’s divided sheep to unite!]

[How did a miracle happen now? How come our enemies have now reunited? There is only one reason for all of this! It’s finally time for our expedition to reach meaningful numbers!]

This proclamation works.

Although each country is wary of each other, they decide on the 10th Crusade and send their men to the war.

Even though the Islamic power has its shortcomings, a huge fleet of its own is heading towards the New World. Of course, there are conflicts big and small within it.

… And, at this point, the critics were so absurd that they lost their minds.

Well, nothing made any sense.

“No, wait a minute. Ahmet III is from the early to mid 1700s, right? How do we send a large fleet? Even if we assume that Venice and Austria did not fight, what happened to the Russian-Turkish war?”

“No, Europe is more of a problem. What about the Great Northern War? What about the War of Spanish Succession?”

“That’s not the problem! What right does the Pope have to say something like that at that time?! There are 100 years left until the Vienna Convention… .”

“No, regardless of the right to speak, that statement itself is full of problems… .”

“The Knights at that time? “Chief of Knights?”

what.

Did all the other reviewers I saw first take drugs?

Those doubts were soon shattered.

This was when a large-scale naval battle broke out with the Islamic forces who were waiting for the Crusaders to land.

[Starboard flooded! It’s sinking!]

[Oh God!]

[What is this… Ugh!]

After a crushing defeat, the Crusaders, who lost nearly 90% of their strength, even lost the energy to become embroiled in internal strife. Everyone looks like a drowned rat and looks back at their former adversaries with mesmerized expressions.

What happens after that is truly a disaster.

As they somehow manage to collect the floating bodies and go through many hardships, a sense of camaraderie grows among the crusaders.

So, the last crusader, with only a hundred men left, gathers his will and takes his first step.

There is no story after that.

The remaining density is literally filled with spectacular battles.

[Glory to God!]

[Soli Deo Gloria!!]

[Kill them all! He will sort it out!!!]

The evil heretic who has been plundering repeatedly runs away screaming, followed by a roar that covers the earth.

A fierce sword that pierces numerous enemies with a short-term sword,

The will to move forward despite repeated sacrifices,

A step that does not break even when faced with a heavy enemy.

Even clichés reach the level of romance at this level.

The final moment is when we face a jihadist army that is dozens of times larger. The knights who survived to the end looked at each other and rode on without hesitation.

At the same time, the camera also flies in the sky.

Knights that shake the heavens and earth, magnificent music, and a dynamic battle that surpasses all are spectacularly produced with a spiraling camera.

Enough to completely forget all the absurd scenes before that.

This is the scene that washed the brains of many critics.

“this… .”

Even director Choi Bong-man, whose specialty is commercial films, mutters absentmindedly.

“I don’t think Kang Min can win this… .”

“Iknow, right… .”

Even the thoughts of Director Hong Ji-ho, who was once called a great actor, are no different.

This is the realm of money rather than the realm of acting. No matter how good an actor is, there are limits.

Moreover, even if the opening was released sooner, it would not be enough, so it was delayed again.

At this point, it seems strange that there would be a result worse than a crushing defeat.

“hmm.”

“This… .”

“oh my god… !”

The reviews from other audiences are no different.

Everyone shook their heads, thinking that this would be the first failure of Kang Min’s career.

How on earth can you beat something like that?

“I was too hasty. Like a blind player in the major leagues, that’s what happens when you try to step foot on American soil. Why did you choose such a strange movie… .”

This was the moment when director Choi Bong-man clicked his tongue, convinced that this was bound to fail.

It was then that the person who had been silent the whole time suddenly intervened.

“Do you want to bet?”

“Uh, well… ?”

“Would you like to bet with me on whether actor Kang Min’s new film will fail?”

“… … .”

It was Han Ye-seul who spoke.

No, at this point it was closer to making a sudden move rather than saying something.

Although he may have become somewhat famous recently, this is not something a producer in his 30s would immediately say to a director who has over 50 years of experience. Even his eyebrows are furrowed.

To top it off, even the cool-headed director Hong Ji-ho froze for a moment.

“under.”

Director Choi Bong-man, who was understandably taken aback, instantly turned displeased.

“… Hey, PD Han Ye-seul?”

“yes.”

“I guess I’m thinking of the time when I was beaten up with , but this can’t be the same. “Money has something called inertia.”

In general, making a movie means giving up something.

Giving up the value of the actor’s name, giving up the realism of the background, giving up the completeness of the set, or giving up the visual effects─

Even tens of billions of won, money that a person cannot touch in his or her lifetime, cannot help but give up something in the end. Even Choi Bongman of the world is like that.

Only one place in the world is an exception.

“It happens occasionally that a person worth 200 million eats a person worth 2 billion in raw fish. It may very occasionally be possible for 2 billion to destroy 20 billion. But there is no history in which 20 billion won over 200 billion. “It can’t happen.”

Of course. If it gets to 100 billion won or 100 million dollars, it’s Hollywood.

You can do anything there.

You don’t have to give up anything.

And, a movie that gives up cannot beat a movie that does not give up.

“Do you think this story sucks? Oh, it sucks. You will also get criticized. But what do you know? Hollywood kids don’t consider story important in the first place. The public just watches something that can be enjoyed for a couple of hours, so it’s okay if other things count. “If you don’t understand that and are just trying to tell the story, you still have a long way to go as a director.”

And, the gorgeous scene unfolding before my eyes was worth even changing the story.

It’s going to be a curse.

However, if you have to blow up the story and setting for a scene like this, it’s right to blow it up.

Choi Bong-man was sure of that.

… And Han Ye-seul looked like he was asking what to do.

“So what is it? Are you going to bet? “Aren’t you going to do it?”

“Hehe, let’s do it, okay. “You will regret it.”

Director Cheon Man chuckled with amusement.