1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 350 Let me make a sample first

Later scholars studied the British archives.

It was discovered that Murray MacLehose was transferred to Hong Kong to serve as the Governor of Hong Kong in the 1970s.

They tried every possible means to resist accepting social welfare policy proposals from the London Labour Party.

It also started with MacLehose.

The biggest purpose of the Governor's administration was to strengthen Britain's bargaining chips when the 97 lease expired.

Aims to build Hong Kong into a high-level international model city.

A window to a secure, prosperous and united world.

The foreigners have a simple idea. If the mainland can also benefit from it, they may not take back the city and continue to rent it to them.

So after MacLehose stepped down, Youde took over and continued to develop the country.

As a result, Hong Kong's economy took off rapidly in just over a decade, surpassing that of Britain.

In the past, Chinese people were afraid of foreigners, but in the past two years, they have directly mocked foreigners as poor ghosts and adapted the British hymn "God Save the Queen" into a spoof song called "Everyone Holds Their Pockets". The lyrics are about foreigners holding their pockets, holding rusty knives and forks, squatting on the street begging for food. The song has become known to everyone.

"Now that Youde is dead, the return is a foregone conclusion. The acting governor who took over temporarily will make his last fortune and retire, as if to say, 'I don't care what happens after I die.'"

After reading the news in the newspaper about Xinbao Cinema Line introducing Western films, Zhai Yuan did not react much.

It's just a matter of time. Even if Xinbao Cinema Chain doesn't exist, other cinema chains will do the same in a few years.

It's just a glimpse of the big picture, and we can get a glimpse of the foreigners' current attitude towards this city.

When the Acting Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Chung, was a civic officer in the New Territories, he always had close contacts with real estate tycoons like Ray Ying-tung and Li Ka-shing. This time, with great power in his hands, he even took advantage of the small profits in the film market, without considering the wave of unemployment among filmmakers caused by the introduction of Western films, and directly threw the mess to his next successor.

On the one hand, it has caused panic among people in the film industry, but it can also be seen that London does not intend to continue to accommodate Hong Kong.

Therefore, the next Governor of Hong Kong after Youde, Sir David, was quickly dismissed by London for being too weak before he could even secure his position. He was replaced by the hard-line Fat Peng...

Ah, forget it.

Zhai Yuan shook his head, not wanting to think about the intrigues that were too deep.

Now that Chen Rongmei has announced that she will introduce Western films, the most anxious ones are the veteran movie tycoons headed by Zou Wenhuai. They have also taken the initiative to contact her to discuss how to fight against the Xinbao Cinema Line.

Zhai Yuan sighed helplessly: "How can we tell these old guys that Hollywood's invasion of the global film market is an inevitable trend, and it's not the time when they could just gather a group of filmmakers to boycott Western films?"

…………

The three tycoons of Jiahe hurried back to Hong Kong, each of them was facing a formidable enemy.

"Ayuan, I plan to let Jiahe and 1024 raise some money to buy more than 51% of Xinbao Cinema Line's shares, and let that Mala guy take the money and leave. What do you think?"

He has clearly become a cinema owner who is on par with others in the film industry.

This was one of the few times that Zhai Yuan and Zou Wenhuai sat face to face with each other.

In the office of the Film Association headquarters building.

Zou Wenhuai said with a serious face: "In the past, everyone had no problem competing with each other. Now Malaya has imported Western films. The production cost of Hollywood films is enough to crush Hong Kong films. Moreover, Sun Po also controls 15 independent theaters and is self-sufficient in scheduling films. It is obvious that they want to drive out local filmmakers."

Ho Kwan-chang and Tsai Tok-sheng showed expressions of deep approval.

After Zhao's films ceased production, Jiahe and 1024 absorbed more than half of Hong Kong's film talents, and the rest were distributed in small and medium-sized cinema chains or independent production companies. Once the box office was snatched away by Western films, not only would these people have to starve, but their own cinema chains would also be in trouble.

He Guanchang then said: "You set up this film association to provide some protection for everyone. I guess you don't want to see everyone change their careers."

"Uncle Chang's words seem to make me sound great."

Zhai Yuan laughed, twirled an unlit cigarette in his hand, and looked up and said, "Have you ever thought, uncles, that there is no need to worry so much? Since the 1950s, Hollywood has traveled around the world to teach local people how to make movies, and at the same time established offices in local areas to build its own distribution network, and finally put its own movies into local theaters to seize the market."

After a pause, Zhai Yuan continued, "Even in Hong Kong, there are offices of several North American film companies such as Columbia, Far East and United International. Even if Chen Rongmei does not introduce Western films today, they will do so in the future. Do we have to boycott them every time?" Zou Wenhuai and the other two directors looked at each other.

Cai Dusheng asked in a deep voice: "According to what you said, are we going to allow Western films to take over the local film market in Hong Kong?"

Zhai Yuan asked in return: "Companies like Columbia and Disney have had offices in Hong Kong for decades, so why haven't they promoted their own films here? As far as I know, their offices in places like Italy and West Germany have already made their own films popular in local theaters."

"In addition to the fact that the boycott was effective, there are also issues of quality and output. In the past, the quality of Hong Kong films was second only to Hollywood, and the output was second only to Hollywood and India, and the competition was very fierce."

Zou Wenhuai was silent for a moment, then laughed: "I understand what you mean. You want to say that as long as local films continue to maintain their quality, there is no need to worry about Malays importing Western films. But it is easier said than done. The Hollywood film industry is changing with each passing day, and they are willing to invest a lot of money in production. The gap between the two sides is getting bigger and bigger. How can we compete with each other?"

"Let's try it. How do you know you can't win if you don't try?"

Zhai Yuan played with the cigarette, turned the cigarette holder upside down on the table and tapped it back and forth to firm the tobacco inside.

He said nonchalantly, "Anyway, the films of my company, 91 Entertainment, will sooner or later enter the North American market and compete with the foreigners. It doesn't matter if Xinbao Cinema Line introduces Western films. Just think of it as a touchstone for me in Hong Kong to test the quality of the directors in my company in advance."

"After my cooperation with Lei Juekun, 1024 now has a total of 23 theaters, including 5 mini theaters. In the future, the 18 old theaters of Silver Princess will also be converted into mini theaters one after another. By then, the number of screens will at least double. Continuing to acquire shares of Xinbao Cinema Line is actually not very attractive to me."

"Besides, since Chen Rongmei is capable of importing Western films, he probably isn't just thinking about making a quick buck. It shouldn't be that easy to buy out his shares."

Zhai Yuan looked at Zou Wenhuai and the other two, frowned and said, "That's true. Since you are all willing to spend money to settle the matter, why don't you consider investing the money in production? Whether Western films will be a big hit in Hong Kong or fail due to poor local conditions, we won't know until they are released, right?"

After these words, Zou Wenhuai, He Guanchang and Cai Dusheng all looked a little unhappy.

It's not that I feel offended or angry, but more like my pain point has been hit and I can't back down.

The handsome guy spoke too directly and didn't give any face to his seniors like him.

"Young people are young people after all!"

Zou Wenhuai took a deep breath and stood up. He looked directly at Zhai Yuan and said in a deep voice, "Then I will open my eyes and see clearly this time. Why can you beat Hollywood Western movies in Hong Kong? It doesn't take too long. As long as you can persist for a full year, Malalao will naturally withdraw if he can't make money. By then, I will merge Jiahe into 1024 and make you the real leader in the film industry!"

"Okay~" Zhai Yuan put on a smile on his face and grinned, "Then I'll make a sample first."

…………

"Brother Wen, why don't you contact Chen Rongmei anymore?"

The three big bosses of Jiahe walked out of the Film Association building and got into the car. He Guanchang glanced at the silent Zou Wenhuai and couldn't help but ask.

Zou Wenhuai sighed softly: "Is it true that I am too old to have the courage anymore?"

The other two people in the car looked at each other, not knowing how to answer.

In terms of courage, Zou Wenhuai certainly had the courage to raise a flag to fight against Zhao Yifu and break the monopoly of the film industry.

But the bigger the business, the more people you have to work with, and the more concerns you have.

Therefore, they are particularly worried that Chen Rongmei's introduction of Western films this time will drive out all Hong Kong filmmakers and they will have to watch the Jiahe brand being trampled on the ground.

"Zhai Yuan seems very confident, but I don't know if he is just pretending or is confident."

Cai Dusheng broke the silence and asked, "Do Jiahe and his 1024 want to join forces?"

"Of course." Zou Wenhuai nodded, narrowed his eyes and said, "If Malalao must introduce Western films, even if the local theaters do not resist, they must unite to fight against it, contact other theaters, and try to form a theater alliance. In special times, we should stop dividing A and B and first unite to drive out outsiders. If Zhai Yuan can come up with a sharp enough movie, there will be no problem in helping him organize a full-line joint screening!"

He Guanchang asked again: "Where is Chen Rongmei?"

Zou Wenhuai's face darkened, and he snorted and laughed, "You've already been laughed at by a young man this time. If you go and make peace with the Malayans, won't you be laughed at even more miserably? So after the New Year, in addition to continuing to make movies, I'll arrange another job for you. Contact North American film companies, and use your money to bid for the movies that New Treasure Cinemas wants to buy, so as to increase their cost of buying the movies!"

He Guanchang nodded to show that he understood, and after a pause he asked another question: "If Zhai Yuan can withstand the impact of the western film and force Chen Rongmei to withdraw, will Jiahe really be merged into 1024?"

Zou Wenhuai smiled and shook his head: "If he can really do it, I'm afraid he won't look down on the small market in Hong Kong."

(End of this chapter)