Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 561 Never to be succeeded

At the MPAA headquarters in Beverly Hills, Aaron made a special trip to meet with MPAA President Jack Valentine.

"South Korean filmmakers have reacted strongly to the film quota system; almost the entire film industry opposes it."

"The marches, sit-ins, and protests for bald men will likely influence the South Korean government!"

Aaron sat on the sofa, clearly hoping for the implementation of a reduced quota system for South Korean films, but the resistance seemed enormous.

Jack Valenti shrugged. "You just came from South Korea, so I'm sure you know the situation. We've been putting pressure on them, but now the South Korean government doesn't want to go against public opinion."

Aaron thought for a moment, "Could we continue to use WTO export transactions to put more pressure on them? Right now, the South Korean government's main focus is on economic recovery."

"South Korea's exports account for too large a proportion of its economy, and the importance of exports to them is self-evident."

South Korea has implemented a film rating system and no longer restricts themes such as pornography, horror, and politics.

The Kim Dae-jung administration also strongly supports the development of the "Korean Wave cultural industry," and Aaron really doesn't want to see the rise of Korean films!
"I will meet with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of South Korea again, hoping they can put pressure on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea."

Jack Valentine was originally using the WTO to put pressure on the South Korean government. The South Korean business sector actually supported it, since it was only a reduction of the film quota system for half the time, not its abolition.
Unfortunately, the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism strongly opposed it!

Aaron nodded. "South Korea's current slogan is 'Culture-Based Nation,' and the government provides significant support to the film industry."

"They are using entertainment exports as a tool to try and replace Hong Kong's position as the leading exporter of entertainment industries. Hollywood needs to pay attention to South Korea."

Jack Valentine paused for a moment. Aaron's attitude towards Korean entertainment was different. He wasn't worried about Hong Kong or Japanese films, but he valued Korean films.
"Aaron, Korean films, are they really worth our attention?"

Aaron took a sip of coffee. "It's worth it. South Korea has a small land area, its people have an inferiority complex, and they are very persistent in being recognized by the world, especially since they are next to China."

"It originally belonged to the broader Chinese cultural sphere; the entire East Asia and Southeast Asia belong to the Chinese cultural sphere. China, needless to say, is no longer included."

"South Korea is now vigorously promoting its entertainment industry in order to build its own cultural industry. In the future, South Korea's entertainment exports will be formidable!"

When the Korean Wave swept across Asia, South Korea's entertainment industry was its second-largest industry after automobile exports, which shows just how wildly successful the South Korean entertainment industry was...

On the other side, Burbank, Disney headquarters.

After returning from Hong Kong, Michael Eisner received news that Miramax was investing in and producing the controversial film "God's Wrath"!

"This is utterly ridiculous. A film with such sensitive religious themes will definitely provoke anger and protests from a large number of religious people."

“This is not in line with our Disney mission,” Michael Eisner said angrily.

Joe Ross of Buena Vista Entertainment explained, "I've stopped Miramax from distributing 'Crazy'. The film will be sold to another distribution company."

Currently, Disney Studios, Touchstone Pictures, and Hollywood Studios are all under Buena Vista Distribution, and are managed by Joe Roth; Joe Roth has also decided to leave Disney at the end of this year!
"That's not enough. Miramax is no longer suitable to be managed by the Weinstein brothers. You need to find a replacement as soon as possible."

Michael Eisner had lost patience with the Weinstein brothers, and Miramax's years at Disney had brought no improvement whatsoever.
He has repeatedly challenged Disney's bottom line. The previous film "Girls" already annoyed him, and now with "Ghostbusters," Michael Eisner has reached his limit.

Of course, the main reason is that Miramax is now far inferior to its former status. They don't have Quentin Tarantino as a henchman, nor do they have excellent works such as "The English Patient" and "Shakespeare in Love".
Miramax is now just a dispensable art film label under Disney, and Disney certainly doesn't feel any regret about an independent art film label that can't win awards!

Joe Ross nodded and then left the chairman's office.

Meanwhile, in the office of Robert Iger, president of Disney ABC, former ABC television chairman Tom Murphy came over.

"Robert, yesterday at the Disney board meeting, we discussed the project to build a Disneyland in Hong Kong;"

"Mr. Michael Eisner, I strongly support him!"

Robert Iger was formerly the chief operating officer of ABC and a longtime subordinate of Tom Murphy.

"The board of directors also supports it, right?"

Robert Iger asked with a smile.

Tom Murphy joined Disney's board of directors after Disney acquired ABC, but he was not in charge of any day-to-day operations. ABC is now managed by Robert Iger.

"Although it is still under discussion, Michael Eisner has a lot of influence on the board, and there shouldn't be much opposition to the projects he wants to push forward."

Tom Murphy said, glancing deliberately at his former subordinate across from him, "At the board meeting, the issue of Michael Eisner's successor came up again."

"Because Joe Rose won't be renewing his contract, someone mentioned your name."

Robert Iger paused for a moment, "Me?"

Tom Murphy nodded. "Unfortunately, during the meeting, Mr. Michael Eisner took the opportunity in front of the board to launch into a long list of your mistakes and shortcomings."

He said you could never take over from him, that you lacked the leadership qualities needed to lead Disney!

Tom Murphy had a long talk with Robert Iger in his office and eventually advised him to leave Disney and find another job, unless Michael Eisner could appoint Robert Iger as president of Disney.

Moreover, Tom Murphy himself will be leaving Disney's board of directors next year.

In fact, the chaos within Disney was mainly concentrated at ABC, because Jamie Tuthers, the head of programming who belonged to Robert Iger's faction, often abused his power.
Jamie Tuthers has repeatedly ordered her agents and brokers not to associate with people she doesn't get along with, or she'll shut down their shows on ABC.

Even Disney productions were targeted by her, but Michael Eisner seemed to choose to ignore it.
Joe Roth chose to leave Disney because he felt he wasn't valued by Michael Eisner, and that Robert Iger's ABC television business was valued more than the Disney film and television division he managed!

(End of this chapter)