novelraw Chapter 165: Box Office Myth Scheduled! Word-of-Mouth Explodes! "Seven Samurai" Sweeps Nippon!
Chapter 165: Box Office Myth Scheduled! Word-of-Mouth Explodes! "Seven Samurai" Sweeps Nippon!
Sure enough, the next day, when the first rays of morning sunlight pierced through Tokyo's thin mist and spilled onto the streets and alleys, a fanatical wave, with an unstoppable posture, violently swept across the entire Kanto region, especially the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan area.
"Seven Samurai"!
This name like a sudden thunderclap on level ground, instantly detonated everyone's nerves!
Almost all newspapers and news, front page headlines, without exception, were all occupied by this movie!
Taiwan Novel Net experience is good, twkan.com super awesome
"'Kinema Junpo': Miracle Descends! Twenty-Three-Year-Old Genius Nohara Hiroshi, Single-Handedly Overturns Nippon's Film Industry! 'Seven Samurai' —— An Epic Transcending the Era!"
"'Asahi Shimbun': National Reflection! The Lie of 'Class Antagonism' is Punctured, Nohara Hiroshi's 'Easter Egg', is the Most Profound Insight into Humanity and Era!"
"'Mainichi Shimbun': The Rebirth of Bushido! 'Seven Samurai' Redefines Nippon Spirit, Not Confined by Identity, Not Restricted by Bloodline, Everyone Can Be a Samurai!"
"'Yomiuri Shimbun': Box Office Myth Scheduled! 'Seven Samurai' Word-of-Mouth Explodes, National Heated Discussion, Unprecedented Grand Spectacle of Queuing at Cinemas!"
The newspaper deliverymen of major newspaper offices, almost as soon as they delivered the newspapers to the newsstands, were snatched empty by those citizens who had long been waiting for a long time! Streets and alleys, cafes, on trains, in office buildings... Whether it's the salarymen in suits and leather shoes, or the youthful exuberant students, or the housewives returning from buying groceries, on everyone's lips, were all enthusiastically discussing the same topic —— "Seven Samurai"!
"Oh my god! I watched 'Seven Samurai' yesterday, simply... simply a masterful work ah!" A young salaryman excitedly waved the newspaper in his hand on the train: "I originally thought, that guy Nohara Hiroshi, really was like what the newspapers said, a 'someone who forgot his roots', an 'elite'. But after watching the movie, I realized... I was wrong! I was really wrong!"
"Yeah! I watched it too!" His companion beside him also nodded heavily, his face written full of shame: "He wasn't insulting farmers at all! He is deconstructing! He is telling us, the so-called 'class', the so-called 'identity', in front of the torrents of 'era', are simply not worth mentioning! Those who scolded him, are the ones who truly, didn't understand the movie, didn't understand the era!"
"I went to the cinema to watch it last night!" A female high school student excitedly chimed in, tears sparkling in her eyes: "That Kikuchiyo! Although he is a counterfeit, but he possesses more 'Bushido spirit' than any true samurai! He let us know, the so-called 'Bushido', has never been determined by identity, but determined by the 'heart'! This... this is simply too burning!"
"That's right! Moreover did you guys notice!" Another college student wearing glasses, pushed the lenses on the bridge of his nose, his tone excited: "In the movie, the ones who finally survived, are those farmers! They used their own slyness and tenacity, and survived, becoming the masters of the new era! And those samurai, that class that once represented glory and order, were ruthlessly abandoned by the era! Isn't this exactly saying, that we Nippon, the reason why we can enter this golden age nowadays, is exactly because every one of us, possesses the new era Bushido spirit of forging ahead courageously, not confined by identity?!"
"Sugoi!"
These remarks full of philosophical speculation, instantly attracted the praises of everyone around!
People nodded one after another, their faces written full of admiration of suddenly seeing the light!
"I've decided! I'm going to watch 'Seven Samurai' again today! I want to let my friends, let my family, let everyone know, Nohara Hiroshi, he is not some 'someone who forgot his roots'! He is a genius who truly deconstructed the era, and also deconstructed humanity!"
"Me too! Me too! I scolded him yesterday, I'm going to use actions today, to apologize to him!"
"Let's go! Let's go together!"
For a time the entire Nippon, was going crazy for "Seven Samurai" and Nohara Hiroshi!
Those media that once condemned Nohara Hiroshi in speech and writing, at this moment also like chameleons, rapidly switched sides.
They praised Nohara Hiroshi to the heavens, using the most gorgeous rhetoric, modeling him into an "Idoelogist Transcending the Era", "Savior of the Cultural Circle", "Pride of Nippon"!
A massive amount of newspaper pages, were all introducing Nohara Hiroshi's achievements —— from the manga sales myth of 'YuYu Hakusho', to the national-level viewership frenzy of 'Kasou Taishou', and then to the Urban Legend Universe of 'Tales of the Unusual', as well as the late-night animation miracle of 'Yamishibai'!
Every achievement, is like the most dazzling medal, shining with a dizzying light!
And this overwhelming positive promotion, is even more like the most potent catalyst, attracting even more people to flock towards the cinemas, to personally witness this "Seven Samurai" that had long been regarded as a "masterpiece" by countless people!
At the cinema entrances, the queuing lines, one couldn't see the end at a glance!
...
On the 17th floor of TV Tokyo, inside Asumi's office.
Sunshine spilled through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the entire office brightly.
However, the atmosphere inside the office at this moment, was even hotter, even more cheerful than the sunshine!
"Hahahaha! Hiroshi-kun! Director Kurosawa! You two, are simply... simply god-like ah!"
Asumi at this moment was laughing heartily, on that elegant and steady face, at this moment written full of unsuppressible wild joy!
Beside him, Kurosawa Eiji was similarly laughing so hard he rocked back and forth, on that weather-beaten old face, all the exhaustion and desolation had faded, only left a patch of heartfelt heartily and delightfully!
And opposite them, the actors of those seven "samurai", at this moment also long didn't have half a bit of the tragicness and seriousness from the movie, one by one laughing like a child, their faces brimming with the excitement and pride like surviving a disaster!
"Trully worthy of being Hiroshi-kun ah! This promotional trick, is simply... a stroke of genius ah!"
Asumi heavily patted Nohara Hiroshi's shoulder, his face full of gratification: "I originally thought, this public opinion storm, would at least leave us frantic and overwhelmed for quite a while. Didn't expect, you could actually turn it into, the best promotion for our 'Seven Samurai'! Now, everyone has forgotten about what 'class antagonism', what 'insulting farmers'! Everyone thinks, your remarks, were nothing more than an 'Easter egg' meticulously prepared for the movie! They are all apologizing for their previous misunderstandings! All praising you as a genius! All praising your works for having depth! Having meaning!"
"Yeah!" The veteran actor Miyoshi Taiji who played Kambei also lamented with deep emotion: "In my whole life, I've never seen such... such a bizarre promotional method! First scolding everyone until they're covered in dog's blood, and then using a movie, to conquer everyone! This... this is simply playing with people's hearts to the extreme ah!"
"Hahaha! What is this called? This is called 'Suppress Before Raising'!" Makino Shunpei who played Kikuchiyo, smugly waved his fist: "Those guys from the Tokyo Faction, really tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice! Originally thought they could throw dirty water on our manager, but as a result helped promote instead! Now, their intestines are probably green with regret right?!"
"Hmph!" Kurosawa Eiji snorted coldly, a trace of disdain flashing across his face: "Those clowns, also worthy of playing with public opinion? Do they think, using that kind of underhanded method, they can strike down Nohara-kun? They are too naive! They fundamentally don't know, Nohara-kun's wisdom, has long surpassed these short-sighted mortals like them!"
He paused, casting his gaze upon Nohara Hiroshi, his eyes full of appreciation and trust.
"However, this is also because Hiroshi-kun and Director Kurosawa, you two shot it well ah!" The actor playing Kyuzo, also couldn't help but open his mouth: "If the movie's quality wasn't hard enough, no matter how good the promotion, it could only be a flash in the pan. It's you two, using a genuine masterpiece, conquered all the audiences!"
"That's right!" The other actors also chimed in echoing, their faces written full of pride: "It's 'Seven Samurai' itself, that conquered everyone's hearts!"
However, Kurosawa Eiji merely peacefully shook his head, on his face once again surfaced magnanimity and pride.
"No."
He slowly opened his mouth: "I said before, the true general director of this movie, the true shooter, the person who truly completed this artwork, there is only one, that is him... Nohara Hiroshi!"
Kurosawa Eiji himself is a proud person, he disdains to snatch credit, and also disdains to seize other people's achievements.
Not to mention towards Nohara Hiroshi.
Now, he is truly already wholeheartedly convinced!
Everyone stare blankly at Kurosawa Eiji, then looked at Nohara Hiroshi, on those faces written full of horror!
They knew Director Kurosawa was always an extremely straightforward person, meaning what he says.
But he actually when everyone attributed the credit to him, once again pushed all the glory, onto that young man!
This... this is no longer simple "supporting a junior"!
This is clearly... true recognition!
This made the atmosphere in the office all the more harmonious, and all the more full of a, powerful force named trust and solidarity!
"Good! Good! Good!"
Asumi heavily clapped his hands, his voice so excited it was trembling slightly: "Hiroshi-kun! You... this time, truly, fought a, unprecedented, great victorious battle for our Kanto Faction ah!"
He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, in those eyes, flashing a kind of confidence!
"I dare to assert!"
Asumi's voice was like a massive bell: "This 'Seven Samurai', will definitely be a hit! Moreover, a massive hit!"
"I can even boldly predict, just today alone, Christmas Eve, the first-day box office of 'Seven Samurai', will definitely not be less than one hundred million yen!"
Boom——!
This number instantly caused the office to boil over like a pot!
Everyone was dumbfounded!
One hundred million yen?!
That is a box office performance that only those super blockbuster commercial movies, can achieve on the first day ah!
These TV guys, although they also know the waters of the film industry are deep, but the number of one hundred million yen, for a period film, for a samurai film, reaching this level of first-day box office, is simply... a fantasy from Arabian Nights!
"One... One hundred million yen?!" Makino Shunpei playing Kikuchiyo, was the first who couldn't hold it back, exclaiming in shock, on that young face written full of unbelievable horror!
"Deputy Director Asumi, you... you aren't joking right?!" Miyoshi Taiji playing Kambei also similarly widened his eyes, his face written full of shock!
"Hahaha!" Asumi looked at everyone's expressions full of shock, laughing so hard he rocked back and forth, that posture, where was there any majestic dignity of a deputy director left, it was clearly an excited gambler, who had finally seen the dawn of victory in a desperate situation!
"What?!" He retorted asking, his voice full of smugness: "Could it be that you guys think, this movie, doesn't deserve to be a massive hit?!"
Everyone fell silent.
Because they knew.
It deserves it!
It deserves it too much!
This movie, it's not just a movie.
It is an epoch-making masterpiece, sufficient to change the inherent cognition of the entire Nippon, and even the entire world, regarding the word "samurai", regarding the word "class", regarding the word "era"!
It is worthy of all the most gorgeous praises!
It is worthy of all the highest honors!
It is even more worthy of... all the craziest box office!
"Of course it deserves it!" The corners of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth hooked up a satisfied arc, in his eyes, flashing a calmness of having Wisdom Pearl in Hand.
He knew, Asumi's prediction, was perhaps even conservative.
After all, "Seven Samurai" was exactly the true masterpiece directed by Akira Kurosawa in 1954 in his previous life that was sufficient to be recorded in world film history!
And in this Nippon world, after the script empowerment of his, this "Copycat", after more exquisite costumes, makeup, and props, more perfect cinematography, more top-tier post-production, more precise promotion...
The altitude that "Seven Samurai" can reach in this 1990 Nippon, will absolutely surpass his previous life!
He is very clear, the Nippon movie box office in 1990 in his previous life, basically all hovered around five billion yen.
And after his wave of "black traffic" promotion, after the foreshadowing of national heated discussion, after the explosive fermentation of word-of-mouth...
"Seven Samurai", the final box office it can reach, will absolutely be a, astronomical figure that is sufficient to make everyone go crazy for it, be shocked by it!
Now what they have to do, of course is only wait.
Wait for the news of victory to be sent back!
"However, I actually am curious how the results and word-of-mouth exactly is for that 'Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree' arranged to be produced by that guy Takada?" Asumi feeling proud and elated at this time asked: "Inviting idols and stars to shoot a movie, I'm afraid it won't be too good right?"
"Hahahaha! Deputy Director Asumi, this prophecy of yours, is simply more accurate than the weather forecast ah!" Makino Shunpei playing Kikuchiyo, was the first who couldn't hold back, laughing loudly out loud.
His face at this moment was written full of unconcealable excitement: "When I came over just now, I specially went to look at the cinema next door. Guess what? Over at 'Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree', the people queuing, compared to our side here, were fully lacking by over half! Moreover I specially found some film critic friends to inquire, and discovered many film critics are scolding that Kamiki Shunsuke, saying the samurai he plays, is simply a sissy! Even drawing his sword is weak and limp, like an invertebrate loach!"
As he spoke, he also imitated that "affectionate" expression of Kamiki Shunsuke in the movie, pinching his throat and mimicking with a cutesy voice: "'Miyuki-chan, my heart, is like the fallen leaves under this cherry blossom tree, drifting with the wind, withering only for you...' Oh my goodness, my goosebumps fell all over the floor!"
This vivid and lifelike imitation, instantly detonated the atmosphere in the office!
"Hahahaha!"
Asumi laughed so hard he rocked back and forth, tears almost shooting out.
He pointed at Makino Shunpei, saying out of breath: "You kid, is really... really a clown ah! But speaking of which, I heard that movie, is indeed... hard to describe in one word ah."
"More than just hard to describe in one word!" Miyoshi Taiji playing Kambei, also couldn't help but shake his head, on that steady face, at this moment also written full of undisguised disdain: "In order to know oneself and know the enemy last night, I specially went to watch that 'Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree'. As a result... sigh, simply a waste of life! Where is that a samurai film? Clearly just an idol drama wearing the outer coat of ancient costumes!"
He paused, his tone all the more disdainful: "The entire movie, besides that face of Kamiki Shunsuke, and that expression of Kitagawa Miyuki who only knows how to stare, there was nothing left. The plot was hollow, logic messy, the action scenes even more outrageously fake! That Kamiki Shunsuke, couldn't even do the most basic kendo posture well, actually still dared to claim himself 'Spokesperson of the samurai of the new era'? Simply... comical!"
The actor playing Kyuzo also chimed in complaining, his face written full of disgust: "Moreover, most of the shots, were all close-ups of that Kamiki Shunsuke! As if the director was afraid the audiences couldn't see that face of his! At that time I thought, this movie, is it exactly his one-man music video, or a movie for audiences to watch?"
"Who says it isn't!" The actor playing Katayama Gorobei, also said indignantly: "I was sitting in the cinema at that time, and heard several audiences, couldn't help but curse out loud! Saying what 'Watched for half a day, just watched a piece of garbage', 'Might as well go watch Kasou Taishou, at least can still have a laugh'! At that time I was very helpless, on what basis drag our Kasou Taishou into it too?"
"Hahahaha! Truly serves them right!" Makino Shunpei smugly waved his fist: "They Tokyo Faction, didn't they rely on having a lot of money, rely on powerful promotion? Didn't they say having tens of millions of fans, could squeeze the cinema until it bursts? Now looks like, the audience's eyes, are not that easily blinded!"
"Hmph!" Kurosawa Eiji heard this snorted coldly, the contempt and disdain on his face unconcealed.
"Those clowns, simply fundamentally don't understand what is called a samurai film!" His voice was heavy: "Samurai, needs faith! Needs spirit! Needs to be forged with blood and sweat, with countless times of training! Where is it something those sissies who can't even hold a sword steady, just casually striking a few poses, can act out?"
He paused, his tone all the more impassioned:
"I Kurosawa Eiji shot samurai for a lifetime! I am more clear than anyone else, a true samurai, every look of his, every action of his, must carry a soul! That is not something that can be piled up by relying on money, relying on so-called 'traffic'! That requires an actor, using several months, even several years of time, to deeply experience, to repeatedly practice, before it can be performed!"
"That Kamiki Shunsuke, aside from that face, what else does he have? Does he understand what is Bushido? Does he understand what is sacrifice? Does he understand what is faith? He basically understands nothing! He is merely a puppet packaged by capital without any soul at all! Letting him play a samurai, is simply the greatest insult to 'Bushido'!"
The more Kurosawa Eiji spoke the more excited he got, he violently slapped the table, that massive resounding sound making the entire office tremble from it!
"I said long ago, movies, are art! Not something those who play with capital can maneuver! Even less something those idol stars spoiled by capital, can casually sully!"
He looked at everyone, in those sharp eyes, spewing flames of fury: "That old fox Takada Toshihide, does he think relying on having a lot of money, relying on having that old geezer Sato Tokugawa backing him, he can do whatever he wants? Does he think, spending hundreds of millions, he can shoot a 'masterpiece passed down through generations'? Simply wishful thinking!"
"Yeah!" Asumi also nodded lamenting: "That Iwata Masao was kicked down from the Section Chief position by Nohara-kun back then. Takada Toshihide still thought he was a talent and sheltered him, in order to let him turn his fortune around, actually let him be the general director! Also sent Ashikaga Takashi and Asano Takata these two Level 2 Directors to help him! The result? The result is exactly shooting out such a piece of... dog shit!"
He sneered: "I estimate that 'Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree' of theirs, the box office being able to pass two to three hundred million yen, would exactly be thanking heaven and earth! When the time comes, just the production cost alone they won't even be able to recoup! As for those overwhelming promotional fees... hehe, estimated all threw into the water!"
In the office, everyone laughed out loud feeling proud and elated!
In that laughter, was full of the victors' mockery towards the opponents' stupid behavior!
"Deputy Director Asumi, you say... that old fox Takada Toshihide, what kind of expression would he have now ah?" Makino Shunpei laughed until tears almost came out.
"Hahaha! I estimate ah, he now, definitely is so angry in the office, that he smashed the ashtray!" Miyoshi Taiji playing Kambei also chimed in teasing.
"Maybe, he right now is kneeling in front of that old geezer Sato Tokugawa, begging for mercy with mucus and tears flowing! Losing so much money, someone has to take responsibility!" The actor playing Kyuzo also joined the ranks of teasing.
"Hahahaha!"
Although they all knew this was somewhat insulting the meaning of Takada Toshihide this Executive Deputy Director, but after all in the past they were all forced to be extremely embarrassed by the Tokyo Faction, at this time making jokes in private is perfectly justified.
Hence inside the entire office, once again erupted a burst of heartily and delightfully loud laughter, they were extremely cheerful!
...
Sure enough, on the first workday after Christmas, TV Tokyo 17th floor, Nohara Hiroshi's Independent Production Department, exactly welcomed an unprecedented carnival.
"Manager! Manager! Big news! Heaven-shaking big news ah!"
Tanaka Kei, this producer of 'Kasou Taishou', at this moment acting like a bulldog injected with chicken blood, waving a freshly baked box office report in hand, rushed into the Manager's office, his face at this moment written full of unsuppressible wild joy!
Behind him, Yamamoto Takeshi and Hashishita Ichiro, were also similarly flushed with excitement, their eyes at this moment also flashing unbelievable shock!
"Calm down, Section Chief Tanaka." Nohara Hiroshi merely peacefully smiled, he didn't even lift his head from that mountainous pile of manuscripts, merely casually picking up the teacup on the table, lightly taking a sip.
This calmness and indifference, this easiness as if everything was in control, made Tanaka Kei even more so excited he wanted to jump!
"Manager! You... how can you be this calm ah!" Tanaka Kei ran to Nohara Hiroshi's desk, taking that box office report, like presenting a treasure, carefully putting it on the desk, his voice trembling slightly due to excitement: "'Seven Samurai'! The Christmas Eve first-day box office of our 'Seven Samurai' ——"
He took a deep breath, and using a voice close to a hoarse roar, shouted out that number, sufficient to make the entire Nippon film industry tremble from it!
"——One hundred and eighty million yen!"
"Boom——!"
This number, like the most precise nuclear bomb, instantly resounded explosively with a bang in the office!
Those department staff members, hearing this number at this time, everyone's expressions froze in an instant!
One hundred and eighty million yen?!
This... this is no longer a simple "massive hit"!
This is clearly... a true box office myth!
One must know, the Nippon film market, has always been the domain of Hollywood blockbusters. Domestic movies, being able to break two billion yen box office, is already considered excellent.
Besides a few rare commodities that can break five million [T/N: author typo, probably meant fifty hundred million=five billion] yen.
And being able to reach one hundred million yen box office on the first day, is even more so countable on one's fingers!
What's more, this is still a, "controversial work" condemned in speech and writing by countless media, and bad-mouthed by countless people!
And it's only the single day of Christmas Eve!
"Miracle... This is simply a miracle ah!" Someone was cheering.
Instantly enthusiastic discussions tumbled up once again inside the office.
"I just knew it! Manager Nohara created a miracle again!"
"Next up, our department, is it going to arrange a movie section again?"
"Manager Nohara is simply a god! Has never failed!"
They looked at that young man, in those totally unruffled eyes that raised not the slightest ripple, full of infinite longing towards the future, also carrying absolute trust in Nohara Hiroshi's god-like ability!
"Congratulations Manager!" Tanaka Kei was so excited he was incoherent, he didn't even know what words to use to describe his mood at this moment, he merely instinctively bowed deeply toward Nohara Hiroshi: "You... you created a miracle again!"
"Congratulations Manager!" Everyone excitedly bowed in succession.
"Not bad." Nohara Hiroshi finally put down the teacup in his hand, he slowly lifted his head, those clear eyes sweeping over the three, as well as those department staff behind, a faint smile surfacing on his face.
He knew this was nothing more than the beginning.
The box office of "Seven Samurai", will definitely in the following few days, even weeks, continuously crazily climb at an astonishing speed!
Because word-of-mouth has already thoroughly exploded!
He could even foresee in the near future, this movie will likewise become an unsurpassable, eternal monument in the Nippon film history of this parallel world!
Even possibly, more dazzling than the "Seven Samurai" of his previous life!
"By the way." Nohara Hiroshi's gaze landed on the corner of that box office report, on an inconspicuous little name: "What is the first-day box office of 'Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree'?"
"That ah..." Tanaka Kei heard this, all the wild joy on his face had faded, replaced by, a disdain full of schadenfreude: "That movie, first-day box office... was only a mere thirty-five million yen."
"Thirty-five million yen?!" Yamamoto Takeshi and Hashishita Ichiro exchanged a look, and both saw a tacitly understood mockery from each other's eyes.
One must know that movie was claimed to have invested three hundred million, and promotional fees even reached an astronomical figure ah!
The result the first-day box office, was actually only a mere thirty-five million yen?!
This is simply... bleeding profusely ah!
"Hmph!" Tanaka Kei snorted coldly: "I estimate ah, that movie of theirs, the final box office, being able to break five hundred million yen, exactly would be thanking heaven and earth! As for those promotional fees definitely all threw into the water!"
Yamamoto Takeshi also sneered: "Who told them not to put their minds on the movie, only knowing to engage in those underhanded hypes! Now great, reaping what they sowed right?!"
Nohara Hiroshi smiled but didn't speak.
He slowly stood up, walking to the floor-to-ceiling windows of the office, overlooking that steel city at his feet, gradually awakening in the morning light.
His mood grew all the more comfortable.
"It seems along with the huge success of 'Seven Samurai', my Akita Inu plan, can also continue to be put on the agenda."
PS: Continuing to beg for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets~ There's another chapter tonight~
(End of Chapter)