Chapter 378 - Door-to-Door Sales (Part 2)

Ang Lee had done some research before coming, and after listening to her, he nodded in agreement. It was indeed a fact that not only had her films been successful, but also the young directors she had absorbed into her New Talent Plan had all produced outstanding works.

"I wonder if your company is interested in acquiring the North American distribution rights for 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'?" He paused, finally saying what he wanted to say the most.

Laila raised an eyebrow slightly, finally understanding the reason for his visit.

When Eastern films were released in the United States, the distribution companies and theaters often took a significant share of the profits. This was similar to how Hollywood films, when released in China, had most of their box office earnings claimed by local entities.

For a pure Eastern-style film like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," American distributors were also unsure if it would necessarily be profitable. Even some successful films in China might struggle to find an audience in North America.

They were not willing to lose money, so after acquiring distribution rights at a very low price, they often wouldn't invest much in promoting the film. They would typically start with a few test screenings at select theaters and then gradually expand if the response was positive.

If they went for a wide release from the start, the cost of making copies alone could be substantial, and if the box office didn't cover it, the losses would fall on the company.

Laila's film company had its own distribution department, and none of her films had ever lost money. This meant that when her films were released, there was no need to worry about them running at a loss. Theater owners who screened her films with confidence were also willing to give her company's films more screens and promotional support.

"Why me? I thought matters like this shouldn't be something a director like you should worry about," Laila said. She knew that he was different from her. He was just a director and didn't bear the heavy responsibilities of running a company. His job was to make good films, and the company behind him would handle the rest.

So, what was the reason for his visit? Could it be a falling out with his company? Even if they had a falling out, it was unlikely that he would have the rights to the film.

"Our company is indeed planning to release 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' in the United States, but I don't have much trust in the collaborating company. They can't guarantee the number of screens for the film, and they won't invest in promoting it. I believe I've made a good film, and it deserves a better path for distribution."

In simple terms, the American side responsible for distribution was too greedy. They wanted to make money from the film but were reluctant to spend money on its promotion. Ang Lee, the director, couldn't stand their attitude.

"I know it's not easy to release a film in the United States, and I don't mind how much profit they make. I just want my film to receive the respect it deserves."

Listening to his words, Laila nodded slightly. If it were any other Eastern director saying this, she would have politely brushed them off, knowing that achieving success with Eastern films in the West was incredibly challenging. Otherwise, Jackie Chan wouldn't have been forced to seek his grandmother's help to direct the film.

Even with her efforts and strategies, she had only managed to make the film slightly better than the original version, with a global box office of just over three hundred million. This was mainly due to the popularity of martial arts films in the United States.

It was clear that Western audiences didn't favor Eastern elements. In such a situation, it was already good if someone was willing to take the risk of releasing your film, even if they were selective.

However, since Ang Lee had expressed this, Laila took the matter more seriously.

"Director Ang Lee, I am very interested in acquiring the North American distribution rights for 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,'" she said solemnly. "I really like this film, and it has many elements that fascinate me."

The eyes of both Ang Lee and Zhang Ziyi lit up. They had come primarily because of what Laila had said on the television program. Before their meeting, they had been concerned that she might be praising their film out of courtesy to save face for Eastern filmmakers. But now, seeing her genuine expression, it seemed that her words were indeed sincere.

They had encountered numerous people in Hollywood who acted condescendingly, even the Hollywood companies that bought their films at a low price treated them with disdain during negotiations.

Ang Lee had long been displeased with their behavior, and it was only after hearing Laila's words on television that he decided to visit her. A Hollywood director who appreciated Eastern films was certainly more reliable than a Hollywood production company that looked down on them.

When they had stood at her doorstep earlier, Ang Lee had wondered if he was making a foolish decision, but now he realized that this might be one of the best choices he had ever made in his life.

"Thank you!" Ang Lee sincerely expressed his gratitude. He was well aware of the challenges that Eastern films might face in the West, so saying that he wasn't worried at all would be impossible. He hadn't expected that a renowned Hollywood director would have such a positive view of his film, even when he occasionally had doubts.

Laila responded with a smile, "You don't need to thank me. I believe it's a great film, and releasing it will be profitable for me. This is a mutually beneficial business deal for both of us, so there's no need for expressions of gratitude. Regarding the negotiations for the purchase, I'll have someone from my company come over. Let the professionals handle professional matters, don't you think?"

"Yes, that's the way it should be," Ang Lee finally revealed a genuine smile since entering the room.

After their departure, Laila picked up the phone and called her company.

"Louise, I've found a film here that I'm interested in. I believe it can achieve good box office results in the United States. Send someone to handle the distribution rights and the North American copyrights."

Knowing what kind of results the film would achieve in the future, how could she not take the opportunity to earn some profits for her company?

Louise had long had full confidence in Laila's decisions and didn't need to ask about the details. She simply nodded and agreed, "Understood, someone will be sent over tomorrow at the latest."

"Good," Laila nodded in satisfaction. She wasn't worried about competition because Hollywood studios were used to being in a dominant position and didn't believe that Eastern films could achieve much in the West. So, they wouldn't offer a high price to compete for the film. But Laila was different; she knew what results the film would achieve after its release, so she dared to make an offer, and it was a very attractive one. She believed that as long as the company behind "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" wasn't foolish, they would recognize what was the most suitable and advantageous choice for them.