1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 459 New! The Freedom Club!

Before the official release of "Days of Being Wild", many people in 91 Entertainment already knew that the film would most likely flop at the box office.

The completed film was screened internally six months ago.

A group of professionals, including Wang Jin, Liu Zhenwei, Xu Ke, Wu Yusen, and Huang Baiming, reviewed it.
It is generally agreed that Wang Jiawei's previous work, "The Haunted Cop Shop," was a waste of his talent, and that art films are his true calling.

The prerequisite is that there is a "sucker" like Zhai Yuan who is willing to support him regardless of the cost.

In his previous life, Deng Guangrong invested in this film, which reportedly cost 4000 million Hong Kong dollars. The funds were mainly used for the salaries of several famous leading actors. The budget kept increasing, and before the film was released, no one knew it was a huge disaster. In the end, it directly led to the boss being hospitalized and Da Rong Film Company going bankrupt on the spot.

The situation is still acceptable now. Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung, and Maggie Cheung all have film contracts with their companies, so their salaries are not outrageous. The remaining expenses are all spent on film. Even so, a full 40 feet of film have been used. If a stingy director like John Lau were to shoot this, these film rolls could be edited into at least three more movies.

All of this was predicated on the fact that Zhai Yuan provided the script and Chen Jiale and his brothers supervised the filming process; otherwise, Wong Kar-wai could have continued to exceed the budget.

"But this movie is really well made!"

On the day of the premiere of "Days of Being Wild", Wang Jin and the directors from his company sat together and talked about this art film again.

Xu Ke and the others nodded in agreement. From a creator's perspective, this film was the first manifestation of Wong Kar-wai's unique cinematic language, which trained the actors to another level. Even the up-and-coming Tony Leung and Suet-Yoo Cheung could act with their eyes. Maggie Cheung, who was still considered a "vase" before filming "The Silence of the Lambs," and another "vase," Carina Lau, were equally outstanding. Leslie Cheung, the male lead, needs no further explanation. The whole film can be summed up in two words: exquisite, from the color tone to the composition, exquisite from every angle.

"Winning awards is enough, but you won't make any money from it."

Huang Baiming said quietly, "If he had told me earlier that he wanted to make a movie like this when he was working at New City, I would have told him to leave long ago. Only Mr. Zhai was willing to spend money to promote him."

"This film was originally intended to win awards, but it was released at the same time as Ann Hui's 'Summer Snow.' Mr. Zhai and Sister Nan did not consider the box office at all."

Wang Jin chuckled and said, "I'll handle all the poop and pee stuff with you, otherwise how can a director like Gao Lao be considered high-class? I just wonder how much of Mr. Zhai's ideas he's reproduced in this film."

John Woo exclaimed, "To be honest, the boss is an unparalleled storyteller. He can make commercial films and art films with ease. Is it because young people are more quick-witted?"

Xu Ke said, "Summer Snow is also his story, and it was handed over to Ann Hui to direct."

"Sharp! Although Ann Hui's film is not as exquisite as Wong Kar-wai's, it is still the style that the jury likes the most."

Wang Jin rubbed his chubby face and joked with a smile, "These two film crews are heading to Taiwan this time, they might just be going to take away all the Golden Horse Awards trophies!"

Huang Baiming clearly didn't want to continue this topic. It would be a lie to say he didn't want to win awards when making movies. He was just letting go of a talented person like Wang Jiawei for no reason. The more he discussed it, the more foolish he would seem.

“That’s right.” Huang Baiming casually changed the subject, smiling as he asked, “How’s your ‘Jurassic Park’ project going? Last year, ‘The Monster’ caused a sensation in the film industry, and this time the investment has doubled. Needless to say, it will definitely dominate the Lunar New Year film season again…”

……

The directors of 91 Films gave "Days of Being Wild" high praise for its quality.

When it was the movie theater's turn to enter, the audience was equally eager.

During the early promotion of the film, one company claimed to be Waiwa Film Company and the other claimed to be an independent film that had received investment from Japan, but neither of them generated much market response.

However, with the downfall of the Freedom Society, there was no need to continue pretending, and the two films were subsequently "unbanned" and both were branded with the 91 Entertainment logo.

Who the director is is not important, but the producer is Zhai Yuan.

Since "A Better Tomorrow" back then, who in the movie fan circle doesn't know the prestige of "producer Zhai Yuan"?
"Days of Being Wild? Is it an adaptation of 'The Sentimental Swordsman and the Ruthless Sword'?"

"How silly! 'Little Li Flying Dagger' is a martial arts film, this movie is clearly set in modern times!"

"You think you know anything about iron? How could you possibly predict the creative process of a prodigy like Yuan? He might just be a modern-day version of Li Xunhuan's Flying Dagger!"

The promotion and release date were haphazard, and there wasn't even a midnight premiere. The whole process felt perfunctory, but thanks to Zhai Yuan's reputation, it still attracted a large number of viewers who eagerly bought tickets to enter the theater.

By the ten minutes into the movie, some viewers had already begun to notice that something was wrong.

its not right!
Leslie Cheung, what are you doing?
Maggie Cheung, what are you doing?
It's been so long since the movie started, and all we've got on the screen are the two of you saying lines we can't understand. Then, out of nowhere, you two end up in bed together, and there haven't even been any scenes showing any skin. At least let the female police officer from "The Silence of the Lambs" take off her clothes so everyone can get a good look!

Ten minutes later, the third character finally appeared on camera: Leslie Cheung was beating up a South Asian man in the toilet, which slightly piqued the audience's interest.

That's right, Young Master Rong, draw your gun and shoot him!
Then the scene shifts, and Leslie Cheung starts making out with the newly introduced Carina Lau, with Suet Yoo Cheung appearing in between. The two then engage in a ten-minute dialogue, and inexplicably move around on the bed, still not showing a single bit of skin.

"Damn it! Did you put up the wrong poster? What kind of hooligan is this?! What the hell is this lousy director trying to say?!"

"You're saying the producer is Prodigy Yuan again? That's a bait and switch. Does my idol know you're using his name to scam money?"

"Looks like it wasn't Little Li's Flying Dagger, but Little Li's mother's. What a waste of time!"

About forty minutes into the movie, many audience members in the theater got up and left, cursing. The remaining audience members either shouted "refund!" or their eyelids drooped and they gradually drifted off to sleep.

Even after the theater lights came on and the end credits started rolling on the screen, the audience members who had persevered to watch the whole thing looked at each other in bewilderment.

"It was definitely a broadcasting accident. It's impossible for a child prodigy to produce such a terrible film."

"Is it possible that the wrong promotional poster was used? Is Zhai Yuan actually producing another film called 'Women at Forty'?"

“That makes sense. I knew there was no reason for the idol to make a mistake; it must have been a mistake by the theater staff.”

"Damn it! They even made this kind of mistake, they have to pay them back!"

Fans, still full of anticipation after their initial viewing, returned to the screening room for "Women at Forty".

An hour and a half later, the audience members left the theater in twos and threes, their faces solemn.

Whether or not they were fans of Zhai Yuan, they all fell silent at this moment.

At the theater entrance, a crowd was buzzing with discussion.

"Are you a fan of Zhai Yuan?"

"No, I am not!"

"That pathetic prodigy is just making money off bad movies to cash out!"

…………

"Is it a bit early to come to Taiwan today?"

Upon entering the island's immigration area, Wang Jiawei muttered to himself, "I wanted to watch the premiere of 'Days of Being Wild,' but I didn't expect the time to be so short."

This year's Golden Horse Awards is the 25th edition. As a grand annual event for Chinese-language films, Hong Kong filmmakers, represented by 91 Entertainment, are already a bit late to the party.

In the past, backed by the Freedom Association and Taiwan's box office, well-known Hong Kong filmmakers would arrive in Taiwan a week in advance to pay their respects and donate money.

But now the situation has changed drastically. Following tradition, filmmakers from Jiahe and several other film companies checked into the Formosa Hotel a few days ago.

Zhai Yuan and his film crew arrived late, just one day before the Golden Horse Awards ceremony.

Not only did no one criticize them, but on the contrary, Taiwanese professionals were already waiting to greet them outside the airport, a stark contrast in their attentiveness.

"Those two movies you and Sister Hua starred in will be showing for at least half a month. You can watch them slowly when you get back."

Zhai Yuan stretched his limbs, yawned, and said to Wang Jiawei, "Actually, sometimes there are advantages to being late."

As Wong Kar-wai's first film as an independent director, the other party took it very seriously. However, Zhai Yuan knew very well that if it weren't for the uncivilized viewing behavior explicitly prohibited by the 1024 policy, the best outcome for this film among an audience whose appreciation level had not yet been developed would be to avoid being bitten by the sugarcane gang and having sugarcane thrown at them.

Zhai Yuan hadn't expected that at the entrance of the Hong Kong cinema, the one being scolded the most wasn't Wang Jiawei, but him, the big producer...

Wang Jiawei sighed and said, "Alas! It's a real pity that I didn't get to see the audience's first reaction."

Zhai Yuan ignored his anxious and insecure attitude. After filming "Days of Being Wild", the entire crew kept their distance from Wang Jiawei. Even Maggie Cheung and others in the crew kept their distance from him. The actors were afraid of being pulled in to film more scenes. As the boss, Zhai Yuan was even more worried that Wang Jiawei would suddenly have a whim and take the opportunity to ask for more money.

So when the bustling group of people from 91 Entertainment walked out of the airport, Wang Jiawei was all alone, becoming the most isolated person.

"Mr. Zhai."

Outside the airport, Yeh Yi-chien, the head of the September 1st Daily News in Taiwan, was the first to greet them.

Following closely behind were several local filmmakers and staff members of this year's Golden Horse Awards.

Chen Shilong, Hong Xinbao, and others who had arrived in Taiwan ahead of time also made a special trip over. As representatives of Jiahe, they waved to Zhai Yuan across the crowd.

This is Zhai Yuan's second visit to Taiwan.

Compared to last time when he needed the backing of Mark Simon, an American, to get to the island, he now seems much more at ease.

"Let me introduce you." Ye Yijian greeted Zhai Yuan and said with a calm smile, "These two are Ms. Zhang Aijia and Mr. Tao Dawei, the hosts of the Golden Horse Awards, and Mr. Lin Dengfei, the manager of China Film International... This is Mr. Yang Dengkui, the owner of Taiwan Giant Entertainment Television."

After exchanging greetings, Zhai Yuan's gaze lingered on Yang Dengkui's face for a few more seconds.

The godfather of Taiwanese entertainment? He doesn't seem so special after all!

……

That night.

Thanks to Boss Zhai, the people from Jiu Yi Entertainment were arranged to stay at Zhishan Villa at the foot of Yangmingshan.

Accompanied by Yang Dengkui, who had just been released from prison after completing his re-education and was officially entering the entertainment industry, industry professionals from both Hong Kong and Taiwan had dinner together.

It's not hard to see that both Yang Dengkui and the film distributors led by China Film Group Corporation are trying to steer the conversation toward the film business.

Zhai Yuan remained calm and composed, showing no enthusiasm for the suggestions made by the other party.

Now that 91 Entertainment is under the Entertainment Group, compared to the newly opened entertainment industry in Taiwan, this behemoth, 91 Entertainment, holds absolute initiative. Just like when I contacted Shueisha to discuss cooperation, the initiative was in the hands of the Japanese. Now, Yang Dengkui and his group want to expand the local entertainment industry by leveraging the influence of Hong Kong actors, so they naturally have to curry favor with Zhai Yuan, who controls the most resources.

Even the scene of other independent film companies in later generations scrambling to curry favor with Taiwanese film distributors has lessened considerably.

Because Hong Kong established a film association and became financially powerful, it further reduced the influence of Taiwanese film distributors.

“Now we are also talking about promoting exchanges between the three places and talking about the same ancestry and origin. I think Hong Kong and Taiwan should set an example.”

After a few rounds of drinks, Yang Dengkui spoke again, adopting a humble attitude and smiling, "It's a rare treat for Mr. Zhai to be here today. We country bumpkins would like to hear your advice."

The heads of the major film distributors next to him smiled and all cast their gazes toward Zhai Yuan.

"You bosses are too kind. In fact, given the size of Taiwan, once the restrictions are lifted, the entertainment industry will be able to develop rapidly in no time."

Zhai Yuan glanced at the Taiwanese film distributors and said with a smile, "However, speaking of cooperation, Hong Kong has now established a film association, which brings together many elites. I think that in the future, we should not only cooperate with 91 Entertainment, but also promote exchanges with the entire film association and thousands of practitioners. Only in this way can we make progress together."

Lin Dengfei from China Film Group exchanged glances with the people around him and took the initiative to ask, "What does Mr. Zhai mean?"

Zhai Yuan smiled, patted Wang Zuxian's hand, and asked curiously, "I remember that the Freedom Association has stopped operating since President Tong Yuejuan stepped down?"

The heads of the major film companies present all looked slightly embarrassed when he mentioned the Freedom Society.

A decade or two ago, these people followed Tong Yuejuan around, acting arrogantly and bossing around Hong Kong filmmakers.

Who could have predicted that fortune would turn around?
Not only did the Freedom Movement shut down, but an entertainment tycoon also emerged in Hong Kong, commercially controlling resources.

Nowadays, which person in the Chinese entertainment industry who wants to make a living from this business doesn't depend on him?
On the other side, when the Hong Kong filmmakers heard Zhai Yuan mention the Freedom Society, they couldn't help but recall the White Terror era in the film industry, and their expressions were equally unpleasant.

Putting aside other things, Leung Ka-fai and Leung Siu-lung from the company were genuinely blacklisted. As for the rest of you, Andy Lau and Ann Hui were also subjected to a soft blacklist, to the point that the entire crew of "Boat People" didn't even dare to use their real names.

The dinner, which had been going quite well, suddenly became somber after Zhai Yuan finished speaking.

Wang Zuxian, being a relatively latecomer to the industry, was unaware of the intricacies of the situation. She also disregarded the fact that Zhai Yuan was still taking advantage of her by holding her hand, and instead cast a questioning glance at him with a blank expression.

"Freedom is a thing of the past!"

The atmosphere froze for a few seconds before Yang Dengkui spoke up, breaking the silence with a smile: "I entered the industry late and don't know much about Chairman Tong, but I have heard that the old man is bound to be autocratic as he gets older. Fortunately, times have changed and those outdated ideas should have been discarded long ago."

"That's not how it works, Mr. Yang."

Zhai Yuan smiled, glanced at the practitioners from both sides with their varying expressions, and continued:
"Back in the day, the Freedom Society contributed both money and effort, greatly promoting the prosperity and development of Hong Kong's film industry. So since Chairman Tong stepped down, we Hong Kong filmmakers have all sighed with regret!"

What I mean is, why not ask President Tong Yuejuan to come out of retirement? Since the Freedom Association is no longer allowed to continue in Taiwan, why not invite her to Hong Kong, my territory!

Think about it, back then, a small fishing village in Hong Kong was able to grow into an entertainment metropolis second only to Japan under the leadership of the Freedom Association. How much more so for our wealthy island nation?

Whether it's censorship or donations, the entire process will follow the same old rules. It's just a matter of Hong Kong versus Taiwan. Anyone who disobeys orders and deliberately sabotages film development in either region will face a voluntary boycott from the other side. No more lending of publicity, no more lending of production teams, no more lending of actors, no more lending of lighting, set design, or anything like that. I guarantee they won't be able to spend their money, no matter what I say!

After these words were spoken, everyone at the table changed their expressions.

Especially the film distributors led by Lin Dengfei of China Film Group, who used to collude with the Freedom Society, have now been hit right in the face by the boomerang.

"Of course, if Chairman Tong really refuses to continue serving as the president of the association, I can take over."

Ignoring the change in the grim expressions of Lin Dengfei and the others, Zhai Yuan softened his tone, leaned back in his chair, and put his arm around Wang Zuxian, saying, "In the future, let's change the name of the Film Association to New! Freedom Association!"

(End of this chapter)