1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

"Xiao Cheng, you've made me so miserable by hiding this from me!"

After leaving the lake, the old factory director Wang Yang complained angrily to Cheng Xuemin.

Ten million dollars!
The old factory director originally thought that Cheng Xuemin and the old leaders of the department were conspiring to make foreign exchange through the movie just to test the waters and see whether the movie could actually make foreign exchange.

But who knows!
How confident is this kid, or how ignorant and fearless he is, that he actually dared to issue a military order to his old leader to earn 10 million US dollars in foreign exchange.

That’s 10 million US dollars!
If they had known that this was not a test run, but a real fight, then his Yanying Studio...

Ok!

The old factory manager Wang Yang also believed that even if he had known that it was 10 million US dollars, he would still rush forward without hesitation like he did just now.

China's film industry does need reform, but this burden cannot be placed entirely on Xiao Cheng's shoulders alone.

If there is any problem, these old guys will have to shoulder the responsibility.

"Old Factory Director, you just heard what Mr. Wu said. Actually, I didn't mean to hide it from you!"

"The main thing is that this matter involves too much, and the fewer people who know about it, the better. You heard it, too. Even if you know it now, only the three of us will know it."

"To the outside world, we still have to treat it as an ordinary project of our Yanying Studio and start filming!"

Cheng Xuemin was driving the car. He turned around, smiled at Wang Yang, and said a few words to comfort him.

Today, the old factory manager was really scared. Ten million US dollars! The old filmmaker may have never thought in his life that the movies he shot could be exported to other countries to earn US dollars.

"That's right!" The old factory director nodded, knowing that Cheng Xuemin was not hiding it from him on purpose, but wanted to hide it from everyone. Even if they were involved in this mission, only the two responsible persons knew the inside story.

"But Xiao Cheng! Our film is called Tai Chi, and it's obviously aimed at the Hong Kong film Shaolin Temple!"

"It's obvious that he wants to challenge others. I think someone should be able to guess it."

The old factory manager added another sentence.

"It's okay, we'll try to come here quietly, no guns please!"

"Anyway, I've already said that we should try to finish the film before the end of the year or New Year's Day. We should do it quickly and not give others time to react."

The military order has officially come into effect. Time is pressing and the task is heavy. Cheng Xuemin has to act quickly and make sure to send the film to this year's Berlin Film Festival.

"A quick victory?"

"Then is the quality of the filming guaranteed? We are completely new to martial arts films, can we make a good one?"

"After the film is completed, how can I earn US dollars from it?"

"Also, will foreigners like the martial arts films we make? If they don't, then everything will be in vain!"

These are all things that need to be considered now. The old factory manager is very worried because he has something else to say.

There has been a year when China Film Group has not exported new movies, but when have you ever seen them earn back US dollars?
China Film Group has a large amount of film resources, but it has not earned a single US dollar in foreign exchange for the country. Moreover, it has to spend a lot of US dollars in foreign exchange every year to maintain the so-called cultural exchange. Long live friendship.

What now?
Cheng Xuemin is delusional that he can earn tens of millions of US dollars in foreign exchange for the country with just one movie. Where does this young man get such confidence?

"Old Factory Director, your concerns are indeed very reasonable. There is almost no demand for martial arts films in our country right now!"

"So, old director, do you have a candidate for director at Yanying Studio?"

"If there is no suitable director, we may have to borrow one from outside."

For a movie, the script is its soul. Cheng Xuemin has already completed the script himself. The next step is to determine the god of the movie, the director who will shoot it.

Cheng Xuemin had never done this kind of work before. He had asked Xie Jin for advice when he was working with him in the Northwest, but he only knew a little bit of the basics and was not at the level of being able to independently direct a blockbuster film.

If he were to produce a batch of small films with no quality but only gimmicks or colors, Cheng Xuemin could work at full capacity.

Of course, that is the latter part. After Cheng Xuemin obtains the overseas distribution rights, he will definitely do it.

After all, in any era, small profits and quick turnover are the most profitable, so small-scale productions and small films must be made with greater efforts, as they can bring in more US dollars than making serious movies.

But now Cheng Xuemin didn't dare to utter a word and could only take one step at a time.

"Bullshit!"

"We have so many outstanding directors at Yan Film Studio, how can we not choose one to partner with you?"

"Drive faster, we'll gather the people when we get back and confirm the director first, and you guys will take care of the rest!"

"Anyway, I'm just like Mr. Wu. I'll give you full authority to shoot the film. I just want the result!"

The old factory manager Wang Yang said unhappily, you actually want to borrow a director from outside?

The movie "The Shepherd" had already given some credit to the Shanghai film studio, which had made many directors at Yan Film Studio very dissatisfied.

Originally, this honor belonged exclusively to their Yanying Studio.

He even went to the Shanghai Film Studio and seconded Xie Jin to direct "The Shepherd", which made the directors in the director team unhappy at the time. Now that the results of the copy distribution are out, they are even more dissatisfied.

The original novel was so popular and the script was so well-written, they could have just copied it and won awards. Wouldn't that be a waste of money for Xie Jin and the Shanghai Film Studio?

Their Yan Film Studio has already suffered such a huge loss, and now it involves 10 million US dollars in foreign exchange earnings. Not only do the directors of their Yan Film Studio not agree, even the old director Wang Yang does not agree.

There is an old saying that good things should be kept within the family, and is this just a matter of good things?
That’s 10 million US dollars in foreign exchange!

If their Yanying Studio really succeeds in creating it, it will surely attract the attention of Xu Sangchu and others in the Shanghai Film Studio.

Thinking of this, the old factory director Wang Yang's heart was filled with passion again, and he made up his mind that no matter how difficult the task was, he would do it at all costs, even if it meant betting on the entire Yanying Studio.

Because everyone knows that even if the entire Yanying Studio was sold, it might not be able to fetch the sky-high price of 10 million US dollars.

"Okay, okay, it's true that we shouldn't be too ostentatious. Let's prioritize our own people first!"

"Old Factory Director, there's no need to make a big fuss and let all the directors know. You've already read the script. Old Factory Director, you should have a candidate for the director in mind!"

"So what I mean is, why don't you just tell me so I can take it as a reference?"

The old fox had read the script sent by Cheng Xuemin as early as yesterday, so according to his personality, he actually already had a backup candidate for the director.

In fact, Cheng Xuemin already has a director in mind. If Cheng Xuemin were really given the power to choose a director, he would definitely prefer a director he is familiar with and gets along with to shoot Tai Chi, and the first person he would think of would definitely be Xie Jin.

However, considering Xie Jin's age and his lack of experience in making martial arts films, it might be slow for him to learn by doing.

Well, the most important thing is that Xie Jin actually has no schedule at all.

He now has a script for "Lush Mountain Love" in his hand, and Cheng Xuemin asked him to start the project and prepare for filming immediately to cover up his "Tai Chi".

After all, to the outside world, Cheng Xuemin joined the crew of "Lush Mountain Love" as a screenwriter, and he didn't want the people at China Film to know that Lushan Love was just a cover, and Cheng Xuemin actually joined the crew of "Tai Chi".

Also, after filming "Lush Mountain Love", Cheng Xuemin guessed that Xie Jin would take over the filming of "The Garland under the Mountain" without stopping.

This is a political task.

After the original novel of "The Garland under the Mountain" was released and became a hit, Xie Jinlai was immediately appointed to produce the movie of "The Garland under the Mountain", which set another record.

Now, Cheng Xuemin's "Wreaths under the Mountain" has been distributed nationwide and will be available on the shelves at the end of the month.

Therefore, after Xie Jin finishes filming "Lush Mountain Love", he should quickly switch to directing "The Garland Under the Mountain".

Cheng Xuemin certainly also hopes that his "The Garland under the Mountain" will be directed by Xie Jin. After all, it has been proven that Xie Jin's filming has indeed created a classic.

Xie Jin will be very busy next time, so Cheng Xuemin passed him up.

For the second candidate, Cheng Xuemin thought of Wu Tianming from the Xi'an Film Studio. He will be the first director among the fourth generation of domestic directors to be accepted to shoot a martial arts film. Although he has no experience in this field now, he should be able to learn quickly by doing, and it will be easy for him to partner with Cheng Xuemin.

Unfortunately, when the old factory director Wang Yang heard that Cheng Xuemin wanted to go to the outside world, he became so anxious that he jumped up and down on the spot. It was obviously impossible.

And that’s it!

Cheng Xuemin also thought of the 'two Zhangs', Zhang Mouzi and Zhang Huzi, and Chen Kaizi... forget about this one!

These two are the leading figures in martial arts films, but think about it, it is still early now. They are both students. One is an older college student who just got admitted to the Beijing Film Academy this year, and the other just graduated from the PLA Academy of Arts and Literature, and no one knows where he is doing odd jobs.

So, let’s first see what the old factory manager recommends!
"I have a few candidates here!"

When the old director Wang Yang heard that Yanying Studio was to be given priority, he thought that was about right, and then he proposed his candidates, saying, "One is Huang Jianzhong from the first director group of our Yanying Studio, one is Li Wenhua from the second director group, and the other is Chen Huaikai from the third director group!"

"These three people each have their own strengths. Most importantly, they are all young, around 40 or 50 years old, which is the golden age for striving for innovation and seeking breakthroughs!"

"I hope you can lead them to move up a level, Xiao Cheng, and make the Yanying Studio's brand glorious again!"

They are the backbone of Yanying Studio. If they can be selected by Cheng Xuemin and achieve the foreign exchange earnings of 10 million US dollars in one fell swoop, it will not only be their personal honor, but also the glory of their entire Yanying Studio.

It will include Shanghai Film Studio, August 1st Film Studio, Changchun Cinema and other brother units, and step on the glory underfoot in one fell swoop.

"Chen Huaikai?!"

Cheng Xuemin was driving when he suddenly heard the old factory manager recommend this name. The corners of his mouth twitched violently, because he had just passed the younger one, and now the older one was rushing up directly.

Chen Huaikai is Chen Kaizi’s father.

As for Chen Kaizi's directing skills, everyone has their own opinions, but the filming skills of his father, Mr. Chen, are absolutely impeccable.

It has also been rumored in the industry that Chen Kaizi's masterpiece, Farewell My Concubine, was actually shot by his father, and Chen Kaizi took over his father's credit.

Of course, these are all rumors and should not be taken seriously.

"What? Do you know him?"

"If we are acquaintances, it will be easier to work together!"

When Wang Yang saw that Cheng Xuemin actually mentioned Chen Huaikai's name, he couldn't help but ask in surprise.

"I have heard of it. I heard from Ge You that he has a son named Chen something. I think he just got admitted to Beijing Film Academy last year?"

Cheng Xuemin nodded and mentioned this.

"Oh, yes, yes, yes, Chen Huaikai does have a son named Chen... Chen Kaige, who was admitted to our film academy last year!"

"Xiao Cheng, you are familiar with Ge You, so you can definitely play with his son, right?"

Wang Yang nodded. He must be very familiar with Chen Huaikai's son. It was said that Chen Huaikai had greeted him not long ago and wanted to transfer his son to their Yanying Studio.

But they are clear about their own situation. Now Yanying Studio has become a lazy behemoth. Especially in the field of directors, there are too many people and it is difficult to recruit them.

There are so many children of employees at Yanying Studio. If you want to place one there and he also wants to place one there, how can you accommodate them all?
Therefore, Wang Yang neither nodded nor refused on the spot, but dragged his feet.

Anyway, his son has to graduate next year, so why rush?
Drag first!

If Chen Huaikai can make outstanding contributions to the factory during this period, his son's matter will be regarded as a factory reward, and the arrangement will be made, and other employees will have nothing to say.

So it is difficult to place him in the position. After all, it is because Chen Huaikai’s status and influence in the factory are not high enough.

If someone really reaches Wang Yang's level and arranges for one of his children to work in the factory, other employees will definitely have no objection.

He thought that this matter could be delayed until his son's class graduated and everyone came to him, Wang Yang, for help. However, he refused all of them, saying that there were too many people and it would be difficult to get involved.

But who would have thought that Chen Huaikai and his son were lucky enough to come across Cheng Xuemin, who had a military order worth 10 million US dollars.

If Chen Huaikai were to partner with Cheng Xuemin to direct "Tai Chi", if it was successful, Chen Huaikai would surely become the most famous director.

For their Yanying Studio, it is an immeasurable and outstanding contribution. When his son is placed in the factory, no one will gossip about it.

Therefore, the key now is whether Xiao Cheng will choose Chen Huaikai to be his partner to shoot the foreign exchange earning blockbuster "Tai Chi" together!
"well enough!"

"Actually, I don't usually go out, and I don't contact them very often!"

Cheng Xuemin added in his mind, it’s not that they contacted each other less often, but that they never intended to contact each other at all.

In fact, it’s not that Cheng Xuemin is arrogant!

Only Ge You can be considered Cheng Xuemin’s old classmate!

What level were other students from Yanying Studio like Chen Kaizi at? What level is Cheng Xuemin now?
They deserve it too! ?
...(End of chapter)