Truth behind Zhang Yimou's split with producer
- By Zhang Rui & Li Jingrong
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, March 19, 2015
 |
|
Zhang Yimou [File photo] |
3. Reported false film investment and compensation
Zhang Weiping claimed that his company's total investment in "The Flowers of War" reached 650 million yuan, while Zhang Yimou said the figure stood at around 200 million yuan, including 120-130 million yuan spent on production, publicity, distribution and staff fees.
Zhang Yimou was quoted by Zhou Xiaofeng as saying that Zhang Weiping's false declaration of his film investment actually had two purposes. "First, Zhang Weiping got all the credit, while I got a bad reputation as a 'bumpkin rich man' who threw gold around like dirt. Second, claiming the high investment of 650 million yuan meant that the film nominally made a loss," Zhou said. The apparent unprofitability of the film made it legal for Zhang Yimou to not receive any payment for it at all.
Also, when investing in "Keep Cool" in 1997, Zhang Weiping quickly earned back his investment, and there was no evidence that he lost money as he claimed, according to Zhou.
4. Assumed the air of a benefactor
Zhang Weiping did invest in "Keep Cool" and "The Flowers of War", both of which were listed as "financial losses." Zhang Weiping was not among the real investors for Zhang Yimou's other films. Nevertheless, Zhang Weiping still asked that he be credited as the producer in those other films, even heading the list of co-producers. In addition, he asked all producers to agree with him and give him the domestic issuance rights.
Zhang Yimou was quoted by Zhou as saying "By posing as an investor for a long time, Zhang Weiping is cheating everybody, including himself."
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)