1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 336 Hollywood Invasion

Sometimes it takes a movie to make one.

It's not just as simple as making a movie.

After a round of promotion for "Hiroshima Monster" was completed in Hong Kong, Xia Meng, who worked at the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, contacted Zhai Yuan again.

"After I contacted Miss Shi Nansheng, I learned that you were in Japan recently."

On the phone, Aunt Xia Meng exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhai Yuan and asked about his recent situation in a foreign country.

Let’s get to the point.

Xia Meng said on the phone: "You know, in the past, Japanese films have always accounted for the largest share of the mainland's film market. For some objective reasons, Hong Kong films are usually not released here..."

"Here?" Zhai Yuan interrupted and asked, "Is Sister Meng in the mainland now?"

"Well, the National Day is coming soon, and I'm going to come to the mainland to prepare for a few programs. I wanted to invite you to come..."

Xia Meng half-jokingly said, "Anyway, let's talk about the details in person. Let's keep it short on the phone. I have to use the telephone company's machine to make an international call to you, and there are many people waiting in line behind me."

Zhai Yuan thought about the scene of waiting in line to make a phone call and smiled knowingly: "Okay, Sister Meng, please continue."

Xia Meng's voice sounded again, accompanied by the rustling sound of electric current.

I made this international long-distance call because I was commissioned by the mainland film industry, who hope to get "Hiroshima Monster" released in mainland theaters at a low price.

"This year, many North American entertainment films have entered the mainland market. They are certainly very popular, but the import price is more expensive than Japanese films. Now our foreign exchange reserves are limited, so we can't import too many North American films, and Japan can't produce excellent commercial films to fill the gap. So the film industry is more interested in your film "Hiroshima Monster."

That was quite tactful.

In fact, the 1970s and 1980s were the golden age of Japanese films in mainland China, and top movie stars, led by Ken Takakura, were sought after by people all over the country.

In the past five years, a total of 29 Japanese films have been released in mainland China.

But almost all of them are literary dramas.

So when Hollywood commercial films tried to enter the mainland film market this year, they instantly crushed Japanese films.

It’s just that commercial films are too expensive, and we cannot afford it by easily using foreign exchange reserves.

So the mainland film industry first approached the Oriental Film Company, hoping to introduce more "Hollywood-style Oriental action films."

Due to the tight time schedule and heavy workload, Dongyangzi had to bring out several old works for mainland cinemas as an emergency measure, such as "The Quickshooter" starring Jiro Tamiya in 1967, and "Storm Warriors" starring Yujiro Ishihara in 1969 (the actual release time in mainland China had a deviation of one or two years).

Although Sayuri Yoshinaga was stunningly beautiful at the time, it was a pity that her old work, which had been released in mainland China more than ten years later, was still easily crushed by Hollywood blockbusters.

"I understand what you mean, Sister Meng."

Zhai Yuan pondered for a moment, then responded with a smile into the receiver.

For the mainland film industry, the main reason for introducing Hollywood blockbusters at this time is that they are too expensive. In addition, there are inevitably deeper considerations.

It just so happens that 91 Entertainment is also shooting a special effects blockbuster, so you need to pre-order "Hiroshima Monster".

"Sister Meng, it's quite difficult to make special effects for Hiroshima Monster. It will take at least a year for the film to be completed."

Zhai Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "If the mainland is short of commercial films, we can first select a batch of films that can pass the censorship from Jiuyi Entertainment and charge them according to the price of imported Japanese films."

"In fact, when we import Japanese movies, the prices are usually not too high."

Xia Meng said a really low number on the phone, and explained: "Currently, the mainland film industry's partner in Japan is mainly a group called Tokuma. The president, Tokuma Yasukazu, is a good friend and often introduces Japanese films to the mainland at a loss."

Zhai Yuan was stunned when he heard the name Tokuma Yasukazu.

The boss of Daiei Film Co., Ltd., he invested in the filming of "Ju Dou" and "Dunhuang", and later promoted a group of cartoon directors headed by Hayao Miyazaki.

That's a good friend indeed.

Zhai Yuan smiled and said, "Even the Japanese are willing to lose money to import movies, so of course I have no problem with that. Sister Meng, in the future, you can just talk to Shi Nansheng about this kind of thing. There's no point in calling from so far away in person."

Now, all the copies of movies released by 91 Entertainment are stored in a warehouse in Yuen Long. They will just gather dust there anyway, so it would be better to have them screened a second time in the mainland.

…………

Introduce Jiuyi’s films to the mainland.

Zhai Yuan didn't think this matter was a big deal, but it made Aunt Xia Meng feel a little embarrassed.

I originally just wanted to talk about the movie "Hiroshima Monster", but I never thought that Boss Zhai would be so generous.

"The Japanese couldn't withstand the impact of Hollywood and collapsed before dawn. I don't know if I can withstand it."

Zhai Yuan hung up the phone.

Thinking back to the three film markets in the mainland, Asia, and Hollywood that Xia Meng mentioned just now, I feel that making Japanese films is actually quite difficult too.

Unlike the mainland and South Korea, the Japanese film market has no protection measures for local films.

So in theory, Hollywood movies can completely penetrate the Japanese market.
This is almost true. Since the release of Jaws in 1975, Hollywood's market share in the Japanese film market has exceeded 55% for the first time.

Special effects movies directed by directors such as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, as well as action movies starring muscular superstars such as Stallone and Schwarzenegger, have swept local theaters.

From then on, Hollywood began to dominate the Japanese film market for decades.

As a result, Japanese filmmakers set their sights on the mainland market, and exported films at their own expense, regardless of profit, which dominated the mainland film market for about twenty years.

Finally, the mainland economy has opened up and the time has come for us to show our talents.

As a result, Hollywood, the troublemaker, came back again and killed the enemy with one blow. The reputation and popularity that Japanese films had built up in the mainland for many years were finally taken away by others.

……

"I went to America to attend a film lecture some time ago, and a foreign professor told everyone that Hollywood, with its huge capital and technical support, as well as its top-notch star-making ability, has become a steel behemoth in the film industry, and it will definitely be impossible to defeat it worldwide in the future."

Zhai Yuan chatted with Xu Qi and Wang Jin about the news that the mainland film market is now facing the impact of Hollywood blockbusters.

Old Xu nodded in agreement after listening to this. He told me about his experiences in the United States and said, "I don't know much about the current situation in the mainland market, but the only profitable movies in Japan are swordplay films targeting middle-aged and elderly audiences. If Hong Kong's cinemas fully introduce Western films, the local film industry will probably be defeated soon."

When it comes to Hollywood, filmmakers around the world have almost the same pessimistic views.

Can't beat it at all.

During its heyday, Hong Kong films were known as the Hollywood of the East, but in reality the film distribution market was limited to Southeast Asia.

It's somewhat insulting to Hollywood.

Except for a few actors, few can further cover Asia and South Korea, let alone enter Europe and the United States.

As talented as Stephen Chow was, he was still only involved in Southeast Asia at his peak, whereas other actors were already considered top-tier stars because they had box office appeal in their own country.

“I think it’s still a single type problem.”

Wang Jin gave a point of view from a commercial perspective: "I always think that special effects movies will not last long. The Tathagata Palm was also considered a special effects blockbuster, right? From today's perspective, it is no different from a comedy. In a few years, young audiences may have the same idea when they watch Star Wars. I think among the current Hong Kong actors, the one who has the best chance of breaking into Hollywood is Chen Shilong, who does not use special effects. Why? Because action movies are a universal language. There is no shortage of other genres in Hollywood. Even if you become a movie emperor, it is still difficult to make a living in North America."

Xu Qi obviously disagreed and shook his head, saying: "Special effects will continue to improve. If there are too many action movies, the audience will also get tired of them. However, special effects are full of wild imagination, so at least their life cycle will be longer."

The two soon started a debate about action movies and special effects movies.

Seeing this, Zhai Yuan, who was standing by, hugged his shoulders, watched the show, smiled and shook his head.

What is there to argue about? Just mix them together and make beef balls, stupid!

In fact, there is nothing wrong with what Xu Qi and Wang Jin said, but they each have their own limitations in their vision.

Zhai Yuan can see a little further ahead.

There is basically no hope for Chinese-language films to beat Hollywood in this era. All they can do is try not to be killed by the other side.

On this premise, we will further expand new film types to build our reputation, and use the advantages of fast-forwarding discs to seize market share in other regions.

But in the end, white actors will have to be used to have a chance to compete with the other side.

"I think it's pointless for you to quarrel like this. It would be more practical to go out and fight one-on-one."

Zhai Yuan knocked on the table and reminded with a smile: "Chen Shilong and his team will arrive in Japan tomorrow. After the fight, remember to think about how to shoot the film "Hiroshima Monster". Japan has no protection measures for local films. If nothing unexpected happens, this will be the new battlefield for 91 Entertainment and Hollywood in the future. If we can beat Hollywood blockbusters here, we can try to develop in North America."

The director and special effects director fell silent.

Beat the Hollywood blockbusters, such a strange language.

Xu Qi was hesitant to speak. He wanted to use his professional knowledge to explain to President Zhai the gap in the strength of the two sides' film industries, but in the end he did not dare to speak and spoil his boss's mood.

"Mr. Zhai."

Wang Jin smiled fat and didn't care about his boss's ambitions. He only cared about the project in his hands.

He reminded Zhai Yuan, "In addition to actors like Chan Shih-lung, Chung Chung-hung, Leung Ka-fai and Paul Chun, the main cast of Hiroshima Monster is still missing a little girl, who also has a very important role. Is there anyone who can be chosen?"

The little girl actor mentioned by Wang Jin is the MacGuffin in "Hiroshima Monster".

Because she was abducted by a monster, it inspired the protagonists to embark on an adventurous growth journey.

"Of course." Zhai Yuan smiled and pointed to the Tokyo Hot office upstairs: "We agreed to meet today. It's almost time. Let's go up and get to know each other."

Ah Long played by Chan Shih-lung, Ah Hui played by Leung Ka-fai, Ah Hong played by Chung Fook-hung, and Pei's father played by Paul Chun.

In the movie, the family of five is made up of four people.

The youngest actor left is Aaron’s daughter, named Fa Zi.

Noriko Sakai.

(End of this chapter)