Hong Kong 1980: The Savage Era

Chapter 420 422 [Chaos in the Film Industry]

As the 80s came to an end, Hong Kong's film industry began to enter its peak period. The industry was filled with all kinds of people, posing a huge threat to actors with box office appeal.

Some gang leaders have started threatening actors to star in rubbish police and gangster films for low pay, taking the opportunity to make money in the film industry.

Actors under Bao Xiang Film Company also encountered similar things, and such things became more and more frequent, making it difficult for Sammo Hung and Sammul Chan to cope with them.

So the two were forced to find the big money sponsor Luo Qihong, hoping to solve these problems.

Baoxiang Film Company Meeting Room

After listening to the statements of Sammo Hung and Sammul Chan, Luo Qihong couldn't help but fall into deep thought. This kind of thing had happened before, but the number was small, and Bao Xiang Film Company could still step in to resolve it.

Now that the number has increased, it has affected the filming of the company's films. If it is not stopped, Baoxiang Film will suffer a considerable impact.

"I remember that the company has a sum of money specifically allocated to those clubs. What? Is it useless now?" Luo Qihong asked in a deep voice.

If the money is not worth spending, then take it back and there is no need to give it again.

"It's not very effective. There are dozens of societies in Hong Kong, and it's impossible for us to be familiar with all of them. Moreover, those large societies have many branches and complicated relationships, so it's difficult to buy them all off," said Hong Jinbao.

"So you mean to start with the policemen?" Luo Qihong asked.

There are too many things involved here, and even Luo Qihong cannot rely on his influence to avoid the company.

"We want to do two things at once. We want to give the money to the Number Gang and let their people in charge protect us. At the same time, we want to donate some money to the police station to build a good relationship with them," said Hong Jinbao.

"Then how much do you plan to give?" Luo Qihong glanced at Hong Jinbao.

If there is too much money, he might as well join forces with companies such as Golden Harvest Entertainment to put pressure on the Hong Kong government to eliminate this evil trend.

After all, the film industry contributes a lot of foreign exchange and tax revenue to Hong Kong.

With Luo Qihong's influence, the police force will definitely do their utmost. At least those young and dangerous guys won't dare to touch people from big film companies anymore.

"800 million a year, the police station gets 500 million, a total of 1300 million, which accounts for one-fifteenth of our annual income." Sham Kin-Hsun said, "To make up for this part of the expenditure, we will make one more movie, and the profit should be enough to cover this expense."

"You are very generous." Luo Qihong said with a smile.

He was not reluctant to part with the money, but was worried that the gang leaders' appetites might grow bigger and bigger, which might threaten the safety of the company's top management in the future.

You know, Sammul Chan and Sammo Hung are also actors.

"Mr. Luo, do you mean that we shouldn't give it to these societies?" Cen Jianxun's face changed slightly.

"Think about it, why are things getting worse and worse? Why do things still happen even though we give them more and more money every year?" Luo Qihong said.

"Mr. Luo, are you saying that these societies have already communicated with each other and are specifically targeting film companies?" Sammo Hung asked in surprise.

Luo Qihong nodded and said, "This is what I'm most afraid of. This is a bottomless pit."

"Besides, these guys also want to make a fortune in the film industry. Maybe they can wash their hands of the scandals and become legitimate businessmen."

In the previous life, there were people named Xiang who made a living through movies. In a live broadcast in the 21st century, they said that they were not from any gang and had always been doing legitimate jobs.

The Xiang family also had close relations with some big Hong Kong stars, who often asked the Xiang family to settle matters on the underworld.

Especially when popular stars leave the big film companies and open their own studios or companies, they become helpless and can only turn to the Xiang family for help.

However, the Xiang family knew their limits and would not ask for signing of indentures like the big film companies did. They simply asked the big stars to owe them a favour so that they could be invited to make movies in the future.

"How does Mr. Luo plan to do this?" Cen Jianxun asked impatiently. "Mr. Cen, don't worry! I won't let Baoxiang Films be at the center of the storm. This is a matter for the entire Hong Kong film industry. I suggest that we join forces with other companies to put pressure on the Hong Kong government and petition." Luo Qihong smiled and said, "I will have my Tiantian Daily Newspaper highlight this matter and make sure it is international news."

"Gulu!"

Hong Jinbao felt that the matter was too big. If it was discovered, Bao Xiang Film Company would inevitably be in trouble.

"Luo Sheng, isn't this too serious? Just force the Hong Kong government to suppress the society."

"I know my limits. If you agree to this, I will go to Zou Wenhuai and Lei Juekun in person..." Luo Qihong smiled slightly.

"Why don't we talk about it at the Film Association, and let Luo Sheng be the leader?" Cen Jianxun suggested.

"Row!"

Then the three of them talked about the current situation of the company.

"Mr. Luo, the company plans to shoot and release 8 films this year, with an estimated profit of 8000 million yuan. If the number of films is increased, we can obtain a net profit of 1 million yuan." Cen Jianxun reported.

"No flower lasts forever! We must take advantage of the booming market to make more money. It may not be so easy to make money in the future." Luo Qihong said, "So we have to make more movies."

“How many films does the company have to shoot?”

Hong Jinbao thought for a moment and replied, "14 or 15 films, the average net profit of each film is 1000 million, which is 1 million."

"Then we will shoot according to the upper limit, 15 films, and strive to make a profit of 1 million." Luo Qihong said with a smile, "We must attach importance to our contribution to the Hong Kong film industry and make more money by the way, which will also be of great help to our cinema chain."

"Okay." Hong Jinbao wrote and drew in the notebook.

"Mr. Luo, last year the cinema chain had a profit of more than 7000 million, and a net profit of 5000 million. Are you preparing for dividends?" Cen Jianxun asked hopefully.

Luo Qihong may not care much about the money, but for Hong Jinbao and Sham Kin Hoon, it is a huge sum of money. If they can get enough dividends, it will be convenient for them to invest and buy properties.

"Since the net profit is 5000 million, let's use it all for dividends." Luo Qihong laughed and said, "Congratulations to both of you. You can get more than 1000 million, which is enough to buy a villa in Repulse Bay."

Although Luo Qihong buys properties as easily as drinking water, in fact, the property prices in Hong Kong are among the highest in the world. Many people may not be able to afford a luxury home, or even a house, even if they work hard all their lives.

"Mr. Luo, we are not as rich as you. Sanmao and I still rely on these dividends to make a living. Buying properties is one aspect, but the important thing is to ensure our current quality of life." Cen Jianxun said somewhat embarrassedly.

"I know! I am also the son of an ordinary family and I know the situation of ordinary people in Hong Kong." Luo Qihong nodded.

"I also hope to get more dividends, instead of having all the benefits for myself."

"By the way, how is Miss Lizhi's performance in the company? Is it okay?"

Cen Jianxun and Hong Jinbao were both smart people and immediately understood what Luo Qihong meant.

"Ms. Li is very good. We are preparing to put pressure on her and make her famous," said Cen Jianxun.

Luo Qihong shook his head and said, "Don't put too much pressure on her. Li Zhi is not suitable to be too famous. You can try to arrange some less important roles for her. Don't take care of her too much."

Cen Jianxun and Hong Jinbao nodded in confusion. They couldn't guess what Luo Qihong meant for the time being and needed to go back and think about it.

"There is no deeper meaning, it just means the literal meaning." Seeing this, Luo Qihong hurriedly explained.

"We understand." They said in unison.

Luo Qihong could only sigh slightly.

(End of this chapter)