1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 460 The Decline of Mandarin Films
"Gan Lin's mother! We greeted him with polite words and smiles, what kind of big shot is this country bumpkin from Hong Kong acting like?"

Taiwanese film distributors left Yangmingshan in twos and threes; in the darkness, only the soft rustling of leather shoes on the mountain path could be heard.

Until one of the young filmmakers couldn't contain his anger any longer and suddenly shouted, "Fuck him! He dares to stay at Zhishan Manor? Tonight I'll bring my brothers in and kill him. Let's see how many heads he has!"

Hearing this, the others around looked at the hot-tempered young man and sneered as if they were watching a joke.

Lin Dengfei from China Film Group also glanced at the other party, then his gaze fell on another middle-aged man beside him, and he said in a nonchalant tone, "Chairman Deng, your company produces talented people."

Deng Youping, the boss of Shangshang Film Company, gave an awkward smile, turned around and glared at his underlings: "You bastard, you don't even think before you speak! Get in the car and wait for me!"

After this little incident, the remaining bosses and their underlings, who had all been tempted to overturn the table earlier, all fell silent.

"If you want to make movies, then make movies; if you want to be brothers, then be brothers."

Lin Dengfei spoke up again: "Today we are the ones who need your help. Even if we were to turn against you, it's not your place. Let me ask Chairman Hu first before we discuss anything."

Chairman Hu Jianzhong, who was the chairman of China Film Group Corporation at the time, was also the head of the propaganda department in Taiwan. Although he is now very old, as long as China Film Group Corporation still has the "China" in its name, its successive chairmen have held high positions in the political arena and it remains the leading figure in Taiwan's film industry.

"But if Zhai Yuan really establishes the New Freedom Association, won't we be forever inferior to others?"

"What goes around comes around. I don't think this business will be easy to run."

The two film company owners standing next to him spoke up one after another. They belonged to Dragon Clan and Giant Wheel, two film companies that started out in distribution.

At that time, Taiwan had just lifted martial law and had not yet formed the true "Eight Major Film Companies". Companies such as Shang Shang, Dragon Clan, and Giant Wheel were still exploring the distribution model and occasionally producing films.

Yang Dengkui glanced around at the bosses who looked troubled, then leaned closer and asked, "Manager Lin, could we ask Chairman Hu to mediate this matter?"

Asking the chairman of China Film Group to intervene is tantamount to mobilizing official resources.

Aside from that, Taiwanese filmmakers couldn't think of any other way to break the deadlock.

We can't really arrest Zhai Yuan and intimidate him, can we?

The rising star of Hong Kong's entertainment conglomerate has run into trouble as soon as he set foot in Taiwan. It's not just Zhai Yuan who's being slapped in the face, it's Iwasato Masao who's being slapped in the face.

"I'll try my best to get Mr. Hu's opinion... but I'm afraid it will be difficult, Deng Kui, you know the current situation."

Lin Dengfei patted Yang Dengkui on the shoulder and said, "After the leadership change, the National Film Fund was abolished this year. The future direction will definitely be the complete reform of state-owned enterprises into private ones. Since the higher-ups have put forward this plan, wouldn't it be going back on our word to interfere with the market?"

He paused for a moment, then added, "Besides, even if Chairman Hu steps in, it's not certain that we'll have any leverage to negotiate with them. You need to think carefully about what else in the entire island of Taiwan could attract this big boss of 91 Entertainment?"

“We have money!” Before Yang Dengkui could speak, the dragon clan boss chimed in, “In the end, it’s all about business. Does he really think he won’t make money?”

"If young people are determined to prove themselves, they might even forgo making money."

Yang Dengkui shook his head and laughed, "Besides, is this Boss Zhai short of money? We're all in the distribution business. What distribution channels are we using now? I dare say that over 90% have switched from videotapes to VCDs and discs from Kuaibo Technology. They've already made a fortune in this area, so why would they care about the money in our pockets?"

Since VCDs and optical discs have dominated the Japanese market, there's no need to send anyone to negotiate; Taiwanese distributors have already proactively gone to Hong Kong to purchase them.

Due to some historical reasons, whatever is popular in Japan will definitely reach Taiwan first. Kuaibo captured the market in Taiwan without bloodshed. Those who know, know.

“Yes,” Lin Dengfei said with a helpless smile, “After the Liberty Society was shut down, the Taiwanese film industry suffered a precipitous decline. Chairman Hu set a goal for me: to earn ten million New Taiwan Dollars this year. China Film Group is the industry leader, after all. I don’t even know where I’m going to get that ten million in profit. And how much revenue can all of you generate combined? I’ve calculated at most one hundred million, which, converted to Hong Kong dollars, isn’t even as much as 91 Entertainment earns from a single Lunar New Year film!”

Without considering the rise of entertainment venues such as home theaters, KTVs, and MTVs, one of the direct reasons for the decline of Taiwanese cinema is the disappearance of the "Freedom Society," this parasite.

A few years ago, the Liberty Council would give a single instruction, and Hong Kong filmmakers would rush over to help increase the island's film production.

Since the establishment of the Film Association, the number of films produced on the island has plummeted by half, the number of cinemas has shrunk to just over 500, and the industry has been forced to shift its focus from production to distribution, barely making a living by importing Hollywood and Hong Kong films.

Furthermore, after Iwasato Masao came to power, he urged the cabinet to join the WTO, first abolishing the film support fund left over from the previous term, and then opening up imports of foreign films in line with international standards, resulting in an unprecedented decline in Mandarin-language films.

Without the support of Hong Kong filmmakers, how can the leading company, China Motion Pictures, expect to earn 10 million New Taiwan Dollars a year?
Selling shit is easier; making videos is absolutely impossible.

…………

"Bomb! Bomb again! A three, pay up!"

In the living room of Zhishanzhuang, Zhai Yuan and his Hong Kong colleagues gathered together. After a hearty meal and drinks, they each took a few tables and started playing cards.

They were playing a very fitting game of Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game). Hong Kong people are all skilled at mahjong, but when it comes to poker, they immediately become complete idiots. Shi Nansheng and Ann Hui, who were at the same table, were bombarded by Zhai Yuan and lost several hundred dollars each in just half an hour.

Zhai Yuan won another hand in no time, and held out his hands to signal Shi Nansheng and Xu Anhua to give him the money.
Then, turning to Wang Zuxian, who was watching nearby, she said smugly, "See, Taiwanese girl? This is called striking while the iron is hot!"

Wang Zuxian pouted: "You set all the rules, who knows if this is how it's supposed to be played? 2 is bigger than 3, I don't believe it."

Zhai Yuan rolled his eyes: "You've never even heard of 'Big Brother Two'? You're so uncultured!"

"This time they really took advantage of his illness to kill him."

Shi Nansheng smiled and handed the money to Zhai Yuan, asking, "Mr. Zhai, are you really going to create a new Freedom Society?"

"It's just a formality. Whether it's called the Film Association or the Freedom Association, we need to let the other party know who's in charge."

Zhai Yuan gathered the playing cards on the table, shuffled them twice, and then turned to Wang Zuxian, instructing, "Deal the cards!"

While Wang Zuxian was distributing the cards, Zhai Yuan stretched his neck and said, "The Taiwan box office is now open to us. Although 1024 hasn't been rolled out yet, we can still use the cinema chains of Jiahe and Zhaoshi. So I really can't think of any other role these film company bosses can play. Since they want a share of the Hong Kong film industry, they have to follow our rules. Whether it's 2 to 3 or 3 to 2, we decide."

Ann Hui exhaled a sigh of relief, as if she were recalling the days when she was blacklisted, and said with a sigh, "It's something I never dared to dream of."

Ann Hui has always held a grudge about being blacklisted by the Freedom Society. Even years later, in an interview program in mainland China, she was still indignant and took the opportunity to criticize Chow Yun-fat for being 'ungrateful'.

"There's nothing I'm afraid to think about. I'll be giving a speech at the Golden Horse Awards tomorrow night, so feel free to speak up if you're unhappy about anything."

Zhai Yuan smiled and said to Shi Nansheng, "In the next few days, I guess quite a few film company bosses will contact me privately. I don't want to waste my breath on them, so I'll have to trouble Sister Nan to handle it for me."

"It can't be that simple, can it?" Shi Nansheng frowned and said, "When I saw Lin Dengfei and the others leave, their faces were as black as the bottom of a pot. It's already a sign of their good manners that they didn't turn on each other on the spot."

"The films in Taiwan have deteriorated to this point, and they can only make money through distribution," Zhai Yuan laughed. "Most of the Hollywood films have been snatched up by the New Treasure Cinema Alliance, so these people in Taiwan can only buy screening rights from Hong Kong films. Once they figure this out, they'll naturally know who to bow to." With Zhai Yuan's current power, he doesn't even need to cut off the supply of VCDs to deal with the Taiwanese film distributors; he can directly strangle them from the content.

Shi Nansheng nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Then how will the Film Association cooperate with them?"

"Wasn't it common for the Liberty Society to instruct Hong Kong filmmakers to participate in the Double Ten Day celebrations, waving the Republic of China flag and demanding donations from them?"

Zhai Yuan said with a smile, "Traditions should still be preserved, but instead of Double Ten Day, it will be October 1st every year. We'll have them come to Hong Kong for a meeting to discuss how many film copies each company will get and how many actors they'll be paid for the coming year..."

Boss Zhai didn't bully anyone at all. He simply reviewed what the Freedom Association had done for Hong Kong filmmakers. They didn't even take inflation into account when it came to donations. Every year at the gathering, each family would still contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars specifically to cultivate new directors and promote the industry's development.

Even so, while he was speaking, the actors at the next few tables stopped their card games and started listening intently.

Then it felt like a dream.

Is this still the once arrogant and powerful financial backer of Taiwan? It truly lives up to Ann Hui's words, "I never dared to dream of such a thing."

In the living room, Wang Zuxian, the only Taiwanese girl, pouted and muttered, "Aren't you afraid of getting trouble from your brothers!"

Zhai Yuan chuckled: "Taiwanese girl, are you talking about the Bamboo Union or the Heavenly Way? Hey, are all you Taiwanese people this rude? Always picking fights with people."

Upon hearing this, Shi Nansheng smiled. As the person in charge of 91 Entertainment, she knew her boss better than anyone else.

Should we touch him?

Leaving aside what the leaders of Taiwan and Hong Kong think, Mr. Zhai still owes Samsung Group 3000 billion won for engineering projects during his trip to South Korea. Shenshan Semiconductor has close ties with Toshiba. Which country, Japan or South Korea, can the person in charge of Taiwan afford to offend?

Boss Zhai doesn't fight battles he can't win. Since he dared to show such arrogance to the Taiwanese film producers tonight, he must have already figured out their background beforehand.

"You're all from Hong Kong, ganging up on me."

Wang Zuxian blushed at the teasing looks from those around her, stood up and said angrily, "I'm ignoring you all, I'm going home."

The Golden Horse Awards ceremony had nothing to do with Wang Zuxian. "A Chinese Ghost Story" was not submitted for exhibition beforehand. She came to Taiwan with a group of people simply to visit relatives.

Seeing this, Zhai Yuan tugged at the Taiwanese girl's wrist and whispered with concern, "Are you leaving so late? It's too dangerous outside. I'll be very worried about you. How about I let you stay and share half of the bed with you?"

Wang Zuxian shivered at his gentle and considerate bubbly voice, let out a sound of disgust, rubbed her arms, and said with a look of disdain, "...Goodbye!"

The Taiwanese girl then strode away with her two long, shapely legs and disappeared from everyone's sight, giving Zhai Yuan no chance to take advantage of her.

A series of coughs then rang out in the living room.

It's like students in school suddenly noticing a couple next to them and making strange noises as if to tease them.

"Cough cough cough, go see a doctor if you're sick!"

Zhai Yuan looked around irritably: "You have no manners! Manyu, come to my room tonight, I'll tell you about Stanislavsky."

"Huh?" Zhang Manyu was suddenly called out. She was stunned for a moment, then quickly laughed and said, "Isn't that a bit inappropriate, boss? You're clearly treating me like a substitute."

The laughter from all around grew even louder.
Compared to the gloomy Taiwanese film producers, Zhishanzhuang was cheerful and lively tonight.

……

The following day, at 6 PM.

Early winter arrived a few days early in Taiwan, with a cold wind carrying a slight dampness.

Streetlights were lit early in front of the China Stadium, and cars drove up one after another to the roadside. Reporters under the streetlights held up their equipment and stood ready at any time.

Several cars bearing the logo of the "September 1st Daily" slowly drove up.
The car door opened, and starlight spilled out.

Josephine Siao, Law Ka-ying, Law Koon-lan, Chen Shih-lung, Hung Hsin-pao, Andy Lau, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung, Carina Lau...

Actors from both the old and new generations in Hong Kong stepped out of their cars with smiles, walked the red carpet with high spirits, and smiled and waved to the reporters on both sides.

Flashes of light rained down like a storm.

Immediately afterwards, Zhai Yuan, who had been alone in his room all night and suffered from insomnia until midnight, yawned and walked lazily over. The Hong Kong actors spontaneously made way for him and crowded around their boss as they walked into the stadium.

"Just as Mr. Zhai predicted." Shi Nansheng smiled and nodded at the camera, then whispered to Zhai Yuan, "After the show ended last night, someone came to us early this morning, hoping to join the Hong Kong Film Association."

“It’s already booked.” Zhai Yuan smiled and asked, “Which film company is so savvy?”

Shi Nansheng began, "The manager of Xiehe Film and Television, a subsidiary of Xiehe Group, is surnamed Xu and named Xu Anjin. Does Mr. Zhai remember him?"

Zhai Yuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "I only know about Bruce Lee's Concord, I've never heard of the Xu family from Taiwan."

At that time, the Formosa Film Company was a mixed bag. In Zhai Yuan's memory, the big names in the film industry were either still in jail or still working as underlings, and their companies had not even been established yet.

In fact, Xu Anjin was also one of the eight major film companies later on, but his strength was even less than that of Xu Ligong, Qiu Fusheng, Cai Songlin and the like.

Shi Nansheng didn't take it seriously and continued, "The other party asked Wang Yu to act as an intermediary and asked me to meet tonight to discuss the details."

Zhai Yuan hummed in agreement, then turned his head and smiled, "Do you know how to negotiate?"

Shi Nansheng nodded upon hearing this, his smile unwavering: "Mr. Zhai, please rest assured, I will let others see that joining the Film Association is a way to exchange a momentary humility for a lifetime of benefits..."

At the end of the red carpet, beneath the carved archway
The two main hosts, Sylvia Chang and David Tao, stood there, all smiles as they greeted them.

7 PM

The 25th Golden Horse Awards have officially begun.

(End of this chapter)