1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 480 Market Changes
When talking about the TV series "Red Sorghum," the stories outside the show are, to some extent, more complicated than those inside.

In a parallel universe, around this same point in time, mainland Chinese films are considering whether to implement a rating system.

At that time, "Red Sorghum" was screened for the first time in West Germany.

Winning the Golden Bear at the 38th Berlin International Film Festival, Chinese films have earned the highest international honor in their history.
Subsequently, the film was introduced to Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States. In response to the standards of "letting a hundred flowers bloom" and "liberating thought," the film was also shown on the big screen in mainland China, with China Film Group responsible for its distribution and screening.

During the planned economy era, apart from cinemas buying film copies, rural markets, lacking cinemas but still needing to meet the spiritual needs of farmers, would typically have the production team contact the local cultural center, pay a symbolic fee, and then have a film shown open-air in the commune's threshing ground that evening. The whole village would flock there with their small stools. However, more often than not, they couldn't even afford the fee, so they would collect a bowl of wheat or corn from each household, which would then be considered the 'film purchase fee'.

Therefore, there is no definite source for either the box office figures of "Shaolin Temple" (over 100 million yuan) or "Red Sorghum" (40 million yuan).

But "Red Sorghum" was indeed released.

At a time when the rating system was still under discussion, "Red Sorghum" appeared on the big screen uncut. As a result, when children saw the illicit sexual acts in the sorghum fields and the bloody scenes of skinning people alive, they were all greatly shocked, which immediately caused a huge uproar in society, with a cacophony of condemnation.

The direct impact was that the film rating system, which was being promoted, was abruptly abandoned. The Film Bureau had previously published two articles specifically introducing the film rating system, but there have been no updates since.

That's how terrifying "Red Sorghum" is.

So much so that the following year, a movie called "Widow Village" suddenly appeared, and for the first time it used the slogan "not suitable for children," which made those four words a gimmick for some movies to attract audiences.

"But even without 'Red Sorghum,' there are 'Green Sorghum' and 'White Sorghum.'"

Zhai Yuan was well aware of the difficulties in implementing the tiered system, noting that it presented both opportunities and advantages, as well as risks and drawbacks.

While Western countries have proven the rationale behind film rating systems through practice, these systems were all formed spontaneously by capitalists and labor unions without administrative intervention. However, the mainland Chinese film industry cannot be allowed to grow unchecked without intervention.

It's fair to say that the timing for implementing a film rating system is questionable, and it's best to stay out of it.

"Therefore, it is best to just screen 'Red Sorghum' in Hong Kong. There is no need to contact mainland film studios for the time being."

Zhai Yuan instructed Shi Nansheng: "But if this film wins an award, it will inevitably have to be shown in mainland cinemas. At that time, Jiu Yi's attitude will be very clear: we can not take a penny of the money, and please do not include our name in the publicity."

Anyone familiar with the history of Chinese cinema knows all too well how badly Zhang Yimou was criticized and how many labels were leveled against him after filming this movie.

In short, we still need to plan ahead, especially at this crucial juncture where the return to normalcy is not far off. Once the label is on someone, it will be hard to remove.

Shi Nansheng felt that the boss was overthinking things, but he didn't argue. He then asked, "What about 'Farewell My Concubine'?"

This time, Zhai Yuan didn't hesitate and said directly, "Farewell My Concubine is fine, there are no bloody or violent scenes, it won't scare the kids, let's promote it hard!"

An art film with bright colors and handsome men and beautiful women—surely it won't be criticized as a traitorous film or vilified, right?

Shi Nansheng nodded, made a few notes in his memo, and then reminded Zhai Yuan, "Ah Xu came back from the mainland last week. The scenes in 'Swordsman' have been filmed and should be edited out soon. I want to get a good time slot."

After obtaining copies of "Red Sorghum" and "Farewell My Concubine," the two films were immediately sent overseas.

By staggering the release dates, the former was sent to the Berlin Film Festival and the latter to Cannes, since both awards require priority for international premieres, and the film was shown there before being brought back to Hong Kong.

At this time, "Swordsman" was also scheduled for release.

"Nan, you can arrange your schedule yourself," Zhai Yuan chuckled, teasingly adding, "Both of your mainland films are award-winning works, so the box office won't be high. They'll just be showing for a short time and then be pulled from theaters after losing money. But 'Swordsman' is different. Your man has been making it for so long, so we should promote it, both professionally and personally!"

Shi Nansheng said seriously, "It has nothing to do with Ah Xu. I was very satisfied with the quality after watching the porn, so I made this decision."

Zhai Yuan: "Oh!"

…………

As Zhai Yuan had predicted, "Farewell My Concubine" and "Red Sorghum" were indeed produced much as expected.

The box office was not high.

The two films were shown for an average of more than 20 days, with "Red Sorghum" only staying in theaters for a week before being pulled from the screens.

The box office was truly dismal, with a weekly box office revenue of just over 300,000. If it weren't for the occasional screening of other Hong Kong films, the cumulative box office of "Red Sorghum" wouldn't even be enough to cover the electricity bill for one of the 1024 Cinemas' daily operations.

"Without the support of the 1024 brand, the box office of this film would have been at least discounted."

In Jiahe's office, a few old men were gloating.

"Do you think the prodigy Yuan is a case of 'the wasted talent'?" He Guanchang said with a smile. "Since last year, we haven't seen any blockbuster movies. Instead, we've been going for an art-house style. Does anyone think we have too much money?"

"After winning the award for 'Days of Being Wild,' his career path took a turn for the worse. I heard that these two films, co-produced with mainland China, have also been submitted for overseas awards." Cai Dusheng shook his head and said, "But he's a very wealthy man now, and the stock price of 91 Entertainment has been rising steadily. It doesn't matter if he loses money on a few low-budget films."

How is the box office performance of "Farewell My Concubine"?

"With a runtime of over two hours, how could the box office be good? It's said that it only grossed a little over five million."

"Leslie Cheung is carrying the flag, yet he only accepted five million? The prodigy is truly immersed in his own art and can't extricate himself."

He Guanchang and Cai Dusheng exchanged glances and spoke in unison.

Zou Wenhuai glanced at his two old friends and chuckled, "He might not be solely focused on making art films, otherwise how could he produce a series like 'Dragon King'? Did he think Zhai Yuan didn't make money? That 'Dragon King' helped him sell countless more VCDs. It's ridiculous that anyone would actually pay for a series of that quality? The world has really changed."

Upon hearing the words "Dragon King," the other two fell silent.

Even today, these elderly folks still can't appreciate this short film, just like they couldn't appreciate the previous "God of Gamblers".

However, it is undeniable that this drama became a hit during the Spring Festival, providing a new direction for drama production.

He Guanchang asked doubtfully, "Could it be that Zhai Yuan is also going to follow Zhao Yifu's example, thinking that the film market has no future and wanting to use his CD distribution channels to switch to the TV series market?" Zou Wenhuai pondered for a moment and said, "It's not impossible. Where can you make as much money selling VCDs as making movies? Even if someone is a prodigy, their energy is limited, and they will inevitably neglect one thing for another."

"That's for the best. Let Jiahe be the only one to dominate the box office and continue to be the box office champion this year."

After saying this with a smile, Cai Dusheng suddenly remembered that the Western films of the Xinbao Cinema Alliance were also eyeing the market covetously. If Zhai Yuan were no longer an ally, Jiahe would be left to fight against them alone.

Suppressing the lingering concerns in his heart, Cai Dusheng smiled again: "Let me tell you something lighter. Fang Yihua just established Metropolitan Film Company. Before the first film was even finished, seeing the popularity of Zhai Yuan's short drama 'Dragon King,' she urgently formed a short drama team. It is said that filming has already started. I wonder if Zhao Yifu is supporting her behind the scenes."

Upon hearing this, both Zou Wenhuai and He Guanchang, two long-time employees of Zhao's, chuckled and shook their heads.

Whether it's Uncle Six or Aunt Six, the Zhao family's slow death began ten years ago. Unless the redundant internal power structure is completely overthrown and reshuffled from top to bottom, no short drama can save it.

Zou Wenhuai couldn't help but sigh as he recalled his former employer: "If Uncle Zhao Liu had an heir, things might have been better, but unfortunately, he had few children..."

…………

Zhao Yifu had two sons and two daughters. Although his lineage could not compare to that of other tycoons of the same era, it was still considered a flourishing of his family.

Unfortunately, just as Zou Wenhuai said, he has little luck with women. Now, at over eighty years old, he still has to personally step up to maintain the company's operation, and has yet to cultivate a successor.

As a family business that has continued for over a century, the name "Shao" lost its practical meaning after Uncle Liu's passing and became a brand mascot.

"Uncle Liu was indeed a bit stingy back then. When his own son was kidnapped, the kidnapper only wanted 50 from him, but he dragged it out for almost half a month. If I had to live with the kidnapper for half a month, I don't know how much psychological trauma I would have suffered."

After "Red Sorghum" and "Farewell My Concubine" were taken off the screens, Shi Nansheng once again found Zhai Yuan, a hands-off manager.

At the same time, he was given a copy of a newly filmed TVB short drama series.

The film was personally delivered to 91 Entertainment by Fang Yihua. Since Zhai Yuan was not present, she instructed Shi Nansheng to make sure it was handed over to him.

"This Miss Fang is quite shrewd. She has only been in power for a few years, and before the original wife is even dead, she has already driven Uncle Liu's son out of the company."

Shi Nansheng handed the CD Fang Yihua gave him to Zhai Yuan and said with a smile, "Now Miss Fang can be said to have great power. She is only one marriage certificate away from becoming Aunt Liu. Here, Aunt Liu personally instructed that in addition to being broadcast on the TV station, she also hopes that this new TVB short drama will be distributed through your Kuaibo Technology's distribution channels. I can't afford to offend her. Boss, you make the decision."

Zhai Yuan smiled as he accepted the TVB short drama DVD, casually saying, "Don't have such a big problem with the elderly~"

Since the rise to fame of "Dragon King", the UFO production team has filmed several short dramas of different types in recent months. In addition to the crooked-mouthed dragon king, there are also novels with female protagonists. The latest release, "The Heiress's Daughter", has been rented by more than 300,000 people. Although none of them can replicate the popularity of "Dragon King", the short drama genre has gradually been accepted by the audience.

Even the film critics who were vehemently criticizing the film have quieted down considerably.

“TVB’s entry into the short drama market is a good thing. No matter how it turns out, as long as it’s released, it will only prove that short dramas are recognized.” Zhai Yuan said seriously, “You know, some viewers are strange. Even if it’s just an entertainment project, they need the endorsement of major media and institutions before they will join. Otherwise, they will feel that their status has been lowered.”

Shi Nansheng nodded thoughtfully: "If TVB puts short dramas on the television station, it will indeed be a certification for the entire short drama industry... But Mr. Zhai, aren't you afraid of having competitors?"

"The more the merrier! I sincerely hope everyone can help me expand this market, whether it's short dramas, long dramas, or movies. Why? Because I'm controlling the big water pipe of DVD distribution!"

Zhai Yuan has the air of a leader in the upstream of the industrial chain.

Making your own films and then competing for the box office crown? That's outdated!

Occasionally, they would produce a few blockbusters to maintain the momentum of 91 Entertainment. Once the VCD factory in Pengcheng was built, the shipment of VCDs and optical discs would skyrocket tenfold. Boss Zhai would then be the top boss of the film industry in all five directions.

Dividing the spoils on the spot, splitting the profits 20/80 – that's what a leader should do.

"Zhizhi." Zhai Yuan patted Secretary Li's shapely buttocks, gesturing, "Play this TVB DVD, let's see how good their short dramas are~"

Since being "cultivated," Li Zhi has become even more alluring, giving President Zhai a watery, sidelong glance.

Seeing this, Shi Nansheng coughed lightly: "...I won't stay to visit. I'll go and collect the data for the midnight screening of 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' first. Mr. Zhai, please enjoy your performance."

The housekeeper turned and left, thoughtfully closing the door behind her for Mr. Zhai.

Lizhi took the CD and walked to the TV directly opposite her, half-squatting on the ground and pressing the VCD drive to open it.

Zhai Yuan sat casually on the sofa. From this angle, Secretary Li's figure, which was half-squatting on the ground, appeared even more voluptuous, truly round and plump.

"Zhizhi, come sit here and watch with me~"

Before the lengthy opening sequence of the joint production between Zhao's and TVB had finished playing on TV, Zhai Yuan waved repeatedly at Secretary Li.

Lizhi hesitated for a moment, and as soon as she slowly approached President Zhai, she was immediately pulled into his arms and sat on his lap.

The title of the show lit up on the television screen—"Invincible".

Zhai Yuan unconsciously tightened his fingers as he slipped them under Secretary Li's shirt, causing the woman in his arms to instantly go limp.

Unrivaled? Invincible?
Zhai Yuan smiled and shook his head, saying that those who blindly follow the trend are no longer going to act.

While holding Lizhi in her arms and playing with the round and chubby baby, she watched the unfolding plot on TV.

five minutes later,

Zhai Yuan's attention had been completely diverted from the television. Li Zhi wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders, her fair neck pressed against his cheek, and let out a low moan that she could hardly contain.

"I think the creative team behind 'Invincible' must be very proud of themselves now. They think they can easily make a one-minute short drama by using the narrative techniques of movies or TV series. Unfortunately, the biggest fear in making short dramas is increasing the barrier to viewing. This 'Invincible' is a dead end."

Zhai Yuan put his arm around Li Zhi's hourglass waist, sighed, and said, "But it doesn't matter. Please inform Miss Fang later that Kuaibo will fully cooperate with TVB in distributing and distributing their short dramas if needed. She can name her own revenue sharing terms. However, we hope that the dramas after UFO can also be broadcast on television. The time slot is not important; the most important thing is to gain public recognition..."

(End of this chapter)