1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 317 Golden Horse Awards Invitation

"Afeng is back, sit anywhere."

When Liang Feng returned to Jiahe to meet Zou Wenhuai, Boss Zou was wearing reading glasses and looking at a bill.

Seeing him come in, Zou Wenhuai handed over the bill with a smile and said jokingly, "Let me tell you a joke. When Aaron jumped in the mall in Police Story this time, even the insurance company was scared. They said that if he does such a dangerous thing again next time, they will no longer accept Aaron's insurance policy."

Liang Feng took the bill, glanced at it, and laughed in agreement: "Ah Chang is so impressive, having such a godson, more famous than Xie Xian and Bruce Lee back then."

"It would be great if he could get into Hollywood."

Zou Wenhuai smiled noncommittally and said half-jokingly, "I know you've been very busy recently, but Police Stories will be released, screened and promoted in countries like West Germany and Denmark, so we will inevitably have to trouble you, the special correspondent, to go on a business trip overseas."

The nickname of Special Envoy Liang Feng came from the fact that when he was writing for the 204th Division of the Youth Army, he was sent by Bashu to Guangzhou to take over cultural work.

It was around that time that he met Zou Wenhuai. He was always proud of his identity and later left Zhao's company with Zou and He to establish Jiahe. Relying on his close ties with Formosa, Liang Feng easily helped Jiahe open up overseas markets and also established his position as the company's managing director in charge of distribution and publicity.

So even though Liang Feng has been jumping around and causing a lot of trouble recently, even Cai Dusheng dislikes him.

However, Zou Wenhuai and He Guanchang never had any ill feelings towards this old friend and founder of Jiahe, with whom they had known each other for decades.

"Understood. I can come over anytime."

Liang Feng agreed readily, but then he showed an expression as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Zou Wenhuai asked: "Anything else?"

"It's still the 1024 group that's causing trouble." Liang Feng sighed and said, "Treasure Island called me and said they were very dissatisfied with the headquarters' poor work in Hong Kong, so the donations from various film companies this year must be sent in advance."

Zou Wenhuai frowned, took off the reading glasses on his nose and wiped them gently.

The so-called donation is actually the protection fee paid by Hong Kong film companies to Formosa Island. In addition to the cash voluntarily given on Double Ten Day every year, it also includes free performances by celebrities on the island, and they do not get a penny in performance fees.

Just recently this year, Tong Yuejuan brought eight major film producers to Hong Kong. Although it could not be said to be a formal donation, each film company gave them a big red envelope to show their loyalty.

Now I have to pay protection fees in advance?

"It should."

Zou Wenhuai pondered for a moment, thinking that he would have to pay sooner or later anyway, so he simply put down his magnifying glass and nodded with a smile: "I'll give you the cash later, and the donations from other film companies under the cinema chain will still be taken from Jiahe's account. Don't make it difficult for me. Also, please say hello to the Formosa General Association for me."

Liang Feng forced a smile but said nothing.

Zou Wenhuai pretended to be dissatisfied and said, "Why, you don't want it now?"

Liang Feng shook his head: "No! It's just that there will be new regulations this year. The donations from all Hong Kong film companies will be increased."

“How much?”

"Three and a half times."

"What are you talking about?!"

Zou Wenhuai's eyes suddenly widened, and he looked at Liang Feng, who had an innocent face, in disbelief.

Not long after.

Liang Feng walked out of the Jiahe office building carrying a black leather bag.

Standing beside a car outside, Feng Cuifan and Cen Jianxun came forward with smiles on their faces.

"Commissioner Liang, we just came back from the newspaper office. Mrs. Huang's short story collection this year, Ming Pao is willing to buy it out at 3,000 yuan per thousand words. She is indeed a female literary hero."

Mrs. Huang refers to Liang Feng’s wife Huang Aina, who has no famous works, but her royalties for just a line of text are much higher than those of Lin Yanni and Yi Shu.

"Well, let's talk about it in the car."

Liang Feng responded indifferently and asked the two to get in the car.

Then he opened his wallet, took out stacks of Hong Kong dollars, and threw a few stacks to each of them: "The General Association will give everyone donations in advance this year. I hope everyone will continue to work hard next year."

Feng Cuifan's eyes lit up: "So much this year?"

Sam Kin-hun has been a film producer and investor since the 1970s. He is not short of money and is a little reserved: "I won't take it. I will leave this money to the National Salvation Association to continue its united front work."

Liang Feng glanced at him before he could speak.

Feng Cuifan, who was standing by, nudged Cen Jianxun with his elbow and said earnestly, "Curly, if you don't take it, how can Commissioner Liang take it? If Commissioner Liang doesn't take it, how can Chairman Tong take it? If Chairman Tong doesn't take it, how can we make progress?"

Liang Feng closed his eyes slightly and leaned back in his chair: "Is it Xinfendou's turn next? Drive."

……

Imaginary business war:
The stock market is turbulent, commercial espionage is rampant, friendly businesses are wiped out in the blink of an eye, and the overbearing president has a plan to bring peace to the world.

Real business war:
Pour boiling water on the opponent's money tree, pull out the opponent's company's network cable, and steal the opponent's company's official seal.

High-end business war:
All you need is a peaceful life, waiting for your opponent to do something stupid.

The Liberty Association made a stupid mistake this time.

After layer after layer of Yuanzi soup, the film company's donation this year has increased to three and a half times.

The film industry is full of complaints about the policy of draining the pond of fish.

The larger independent cinema chains and film companies paid the money reluctantly, considering their business in Taiwan.

Small and medium-sized film companies could not stand this kind of trouble and started to make their own plans in their minds.

Or should we go back to the Film Association?
Nine One Entertainment.

Zhai Yuan looked at the membership applications that Shi Nansheng handed over and almost laughed out of anger.

"A public toilet? You can come and go as you please?"

Zhai Yuan held a pen and fiddled with the membership applications on the table, picking out a few typical ones that had jumped back and forth.

"This, this, and this. Last time, the bastards solemnly published in the newspaper that they were deceived by the Film Association. Now they want to turn around? Take photos of their membership applications and send them to various newspapers for publication. Anyway, I don't plan to accept them. Let's see if the Freedom Association still wants these fence-sitters."

Shi Nansheng knew very well that by doing so, he would offend the two big bullies, the local one and the Taiwan one, and these companies would be completely finished.

However, Zhai was merciful and let a few of them go: "Zheng Zeshi is not bad. He discussed with me in a friendly manner before withdrawing. He spent all his wealth on investing in "Why Me?" Without the overseas market, he would suffer losses and would jump off the building.

"So let him come back?"

"Come back, come back, there is no place like home where your mother is."

Zhai Yuan smiled and shook his head. Sometimes he felt that it was not easy for these people to make movies in Hong Kong. They had to listen to everyone and could not afford to offend anyone.

"By the way, let's use Zheng Zeshi as a promotion. How much did his movie Why Me Do We Need You do at the box office?"

"The local box office was just over 7 million Hong Kong dollars, and Formosa received over 4 million Hong Kong dollars, which is pretty good for a small to medium-budget movie like this."

"How many copies of this play do you think you can sell if burned into CDs?"

"Mr. Zhai, do you think I'm a god?" Shi Nansheng smiled helplessly: "CDs are different from movie tickets, and I don't have any theaters to refer to. How can I estimate this kind of data?"

"Okay!" Zhai Yuan smiled and said, "Then make a data set and contact Qvod later to help distribute the disc of Why Me? The sales target is about 5 million. The company will pay for the unsold shares."

Shi Nansheng nodded silently.

It was indeed typical, barely suppressing the Baodao ticket bank, telling the outside world that the distribution of Qvod discs can now replace the Baodao cinema line. July was over in a mess.

Welcome to an even more exciting August.

Zheng Zeshi, a typical positive person, returned to the Film Association. President Zhai not only gave him a break, but also generously helped him distribute his films.

On the other hand, a few typical fence-sitters were exposed by unscrupulous media for secretly colluding with the Film Association. Their applications for membership were clearly displayed in newspapers, and there were many remarks that denounced the Freedom Association for accepting donations and bribes.

Anyway, he will definitely not be able to survive in the Hong Kong film industry.

A boring exchange of words.

mid-December.

The fourth edition of People's X Newspaper published a piece of news:
Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, August 8th. The Department of Health and Medical Affairs announced this afternoon that the name of Hong Kong as a cholera epidemic area has been lifted.

No new cholera cases have been found since the 12th of this month. It was previously reported that an old woman died of cholera, but it was later confirmed that the old woman died of other diseases, proving that no one died of cholera during the entire epidemic period...

The streets and alleys of Hong Kong have finally returned to their former bustling scenes.

8 month 20 day.

Xinbao Cinema and Jiahe Cinema Chains jointly screened Mr. Vampire.

the same day.

1024's "Sex and Zen" hits the big screen.

I bought some press releases for publicity:
'During the epidemic, Sanhe Film Company and 1024 are offering free movies to everyone. All Hong Kong citizens owe them a movie ticket. Please go to the cinema to support "Pussy".'

Chen Lan, who had not been seen for a long time, showed up on her own initiative.

When facing the camera, she showed an elegant smile: "Whether it is me or Mr. Zhai, we believe that no one actually owes us movie tickets, so we hope that everyone will not promote it like this. On the contrary, we owe too much to the fans. The company's position today is inseparable from everyone's support, so every time we make a movie, we try to make a good movie..."

The response was generous.

Unfortunately, it did not have much impact on the box office of "Sex and Zen".

Hundreds of thousands of CDs were given away, and the audience gave some verbal support, but few people were encouraged to go to the cinema and buy a ticket.

Besides, Category III films are inherently private, so it is certainly more enjoyable to watch them at home.

"Yesterday's premiere box office was 20, but today it dropped to 18, which is not even enough to pay the electricity bill."

On the second day after the release of "Sex and Zen", Qian Maosheng came to report on the latest box office trends.

Zhai Yuan said unconcernedly, "It's normal. After giving away hundreds of thousands of CDs, it's good enough that some people are willing to go to the theater."

After all, the film has not yet cultivated enough die-hard fans, so it is difficult to use the word "sentiment" to reap profits, and the publicity and promotion of "a movie ticket" is not strong enough.

"How about Zombie Family?"

"Okay, send someone to Jiahe Xinbao as an undercover agent, and ensure the occupancy rate is over 70%."

Zhai Yuan nodded upon hearing this.

After Qian Maosheng left, he made two more calls in succession.

"Old Shen, how is the evidence collection going for Zombie Family's infringement of Mr. Zombie?"

"Brother Jiale, ask your brothers and sisters to book a theater and record "Zombie Family" and make a CD."

Can I still let you bully me? Anyway, my own movie is already a mess, and you all have to die!

8 month 25 day.

The first week box office of "Vampire Family" has not yet been counted, and Jiahe and Xinbao Cinemas have received court summonses one after another.

"I'm sorry, we have received a lawsuit from the producer of Mr. Zombie, and Zombie Family is suspected of infringing on the other party's intellectual property rights. According to the regulations, this film needs to be temporarily withdrawn from theaters. After the court makes a fair judgment, we will consider whether to allow it to continue to be screened."

The owners of both cinema chains were shocked. How could a person be so shameless?
Hong Xinbao immediately became the target of public criticism.

"Didn't you communicate with 91 Entertainment before and assured me that they didn't mind us following suit?"

"The production cost and pre-promotion costs of this drama add up to several hundred thousand, big boss!"

"The court reported that this kind of lawsuit will take at least three months to investigate and collect evidence. The movie cannot be released until the lawsuit is completed. If it is found to be infringing, we will have to pay compensation to 91 Entertainment."

Hong Xinbao was instantly sweating profusely.

Since the beginning of Hong Kong movies, no one has ever done this!

Everyone knows that the Hong Kong film industry is apt to follow the trend. Even if there is real plagiarism or infringement, the screenwriters and directors will just laugh it off in private, or at most make a few complaints. After all, they will meet each other sooner or later. They may have a falling out today and have to work together tomorrow. The main thing in the circle is social skills.

As a result, Jiuyi Entertainment directly took legal action this time.

"Hello, Sister Nan, I'm Xiaobao."

Hong Xinbao called Shi Nansheng and smiled apologetically through the receiver: "Didn't we talk about the movie "Zombie Family" before? You told me in person that it can be released normally, why is it so ugly now?"

On the other end of the phone.

Shi Nansheng held his stomach to hold back his laughter, and said innocently, "Really? I don't remember. Sorry, Brother Hong, Mr. Zhai is in a meeting, so it's not convenient for me to tell you too much. I'll find out the details after the meeting. Bye for now."

In the conference room.

Shi Nansheng pressed the hang-up button with a smile on his face.

"Hong Xinbao said on the phone that he was Xiaobao."

Considering Hong Xinbao's previous big brother style, this remark made everyone laugh.

"They actually pushed my fat nephew to this extent. It seems that the initial investment of this play was not small."

Zhai Yuan also laughed out loud: "But it doesn't matter. After all, we are uncle and nephew. If he can't find a job because of this, I will ask him to come over."

"'Zombie Family' was forced to withdraw from the schedule, and Jiahe and Xinbao urgently released 'Royal Sister'."

"They are doing 'Royal Sister', and we are doing the sequel to 'Happy Ghost' and 'Police Story'."

"Received~"

At this time, the director of the publicity department pushed the door open, glanced at everyone in the conference room, and his eyes fell on Zhai Yuan's face with a strange expression.

"what's up?"

"Mr. Zhai, I just received an invitation from the Freedom Association, inviting you to Taiwan to attend the Golden Horse Awards ceremony."

The whole room looked at each other.

Before I could react to this, my brother's phone rang.

Zhai Yuan waved his hand to suppress the discussion about the Golden Horse Awards inviting him.

"Hey Ming, what's up?"

"Boss, a few Dutch guys came to Yuen Long. They said they were from Philips and wanted to discuss the CD business with us..."

(End of this chapter)