"In fact, there are many reasons behind this. Some movies lack relatable content that resonates with the audience, while others have high ticket prices that deter people from going to the cinema. I think the most fundamental reason is the lack of good movie theaters that provide the best viewing experience."
Wang Tao nodded in realization, "So you plan to invest in building some movie theaters?"
"That's right. I will use state-of-the-art equipment and create the most top-notch movie theaters with the most comfortable viewing experiences. I hope to make audiences walk into the theaters because they want to enjoy themselves, not because they're forced to watch a movie through tactics like lowering ticket prices or giving out free tickets."
Laila's love for movies was unquestionable, and she had strong opinions about some of the practices in the domestic film industry. However, she didn't think she had the right to criticize it back then when she was just a TV drama director with no noteworthy works except for a few bad dramas. Complaining privately was all she could do.
This time, the program was very successful, and Laila managed to convey everything she wanted to express. The actual broadcast's impact would depend on the audience's reactions.
Thanks to her recent high exposure in the media, the program achieved an unexpectedly high viewership rating, even surpassing the previous record. It was a surprise for the television station, which initially saw the interview with Laila as a political task. They didn't expect such a high level of interest from the national audience.
However, considering her legendary life, it wasn't surprising at all.
After the program aired, many people resonated with her views. Movie theaters in their current state were indeed unappealing. The seats were uncomfortable and dirty, and the floors were often left in disarray after each screening, making the cinema experience feel more like a trip to a garbage dump than a movie night. Additionally, the sound quality was often lacking, with home theaters providing a better experience. A DVD rental costs just a couple of yuan, and you can watch the movie at home in any way you like. Why would anyone pay tens of yuan to endure the discomfort of a subpar movie theater?
Reading the online discussions and seeing people share their unhappy experiences at cinemas, Laila gained more confidence in her plans to establish a chain of quality cinemas. Chinese moviegoers were willing to spend money, but they needed to feel that it was worth it. The improvement of the cinematic experience was a crucial factor in the continuous growth of box office earnings in the future.
During her stay in the capital city, Laila received many other invitations. Some universities wanted her to give a lecture to students about her legendary life and share some life philosophies that could help them.
She declined most of these requests. She knew her limitations, and while she could direct a film, giving a lecture was an entirely different matter. She couldn't imagine speaking fluently in front of so many people.
Some local television programs also extended invitations, hoping to capitalize on her recent high viewership on the national channel. Laila didn't give a definite answer, saying she needed to consider it first. She couldn't remember which programs had high ratings at this time, so she needed to do some research online to determine which ones were worth participating in.
However, she agreed to a special meeting request, and the person she was meeting was none other than Ang Lee, the director of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
Laila had a deep respect for this director. He was the only Chinese director to have won an Academy Award, and he achieved the highest level of success in Hollywood in her future timeline. His films, such as "Brokeback Mountain" and "Life of Pi," had received numerous accolades.
Although he had also directed some box office failures like "The Hulk," the fact that he could still secure directing contracts from major Hollywood studios showed that his talent was still recognized.
So, meeting this person was not only something she agreed to but something she was genuinely excited about.
In the afternoon, Ang Lee and Zhang Ziyi came to the hotel where Laila was staying. Laila greeted them with a smile and welcomed them into the living room of the suite.
"Director Ang Lee, hello," Laila said, "I was quite surprised to receive your call."
Ang Lee smiled somewhat awkwardly, "Hello, Director Moran. I hope it's not too presumptuous of us to come."
"No, not at all. I'm honored to meet you. 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' is an excellent film," Laila said as she had tea and snacks brought in. She also glanced at Zhang Ziyi and complimented her, "Miss Zhang Ziyi's performance was outstanding as well."
"Thank you," Zhang Ziyi replied. Compared to Ang Lee, she seemed a bit more nervous. After all, she was in the presence of a renowned Hollywood director who also owned her own film company. If she did anything to upset her, it could potentially harm her future prospects in Hollywood.
Laila had initially thought they had come to meet her, but as the conversation progressed and she noticed Ang Lee's hesitant demeanor, she realized that things might not be as simple as she had assumed.
After chatting for a while, she saw that Ang Lee was becoming increasingly anxious. Laila couldn't bear to see him struggling, so she decided to get straight to the point. She was worried that if they continued to beat around the bush, it might lead to some misunderstanding or miscommunication.
"Is there something you need me to do during your visit here?" she asked.
Ang Lee hesitated for a moment, then said, "Well, actually, I do have a question I'd like to ask you."
"Of course, if I know the answer, I'll be happy to share it," Laila replied with a light laugh, feeling relieved that they were finally getting to the point. She had also felt uncomfortable seeing someone wanting to say something but struggling to do so.
Ang Lee cleared his throat and continued, "I saw on the national television program that 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' also had good box office results in the United States?"
"That's correct," Laila nodded. "I'm not exaggerating when I say that. I had that feeling after watching the movie. I think my taste in films is quite good. At least, none of the movies produced by my company have ever lost money."