Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 140 Joint Crackdown
"Everyone, we are all producers and victims. I don't think anyone wants to see box office revenue stolen like this, which not only disrupts the order but also shows impunity and refuses to apologize. If we continue to watch, who will be the next victim?"

Chen Shouzhe is currently having a video conference with multiple people.

You can see that the computer screen is divided into many cameras, and these people are all production companies in the industry.

"Do we really want to do this?"

"Anle is not an ordinary film company."

“We also suffer significant losses because of Director Chen’s actions.”

"Losses, everyone, are your losses small? Who hasn't been robbed? We've all suffered greatly from these sneaky things in the cinema industry. This is just a warning to others. If it's your turn next time, I hope you can grit your teeth and hold on," Chen Shou said with a sneer.

“Enlight Media also suffered significant losses this time. These industry parasites really need to be weeded out, otherwise our production companies will continue to have their box office revenue stolen by companies with theater chains,” Wang Changtian said.

"How much was stolen from you this time?" Yu Dong asked curiously.

"It's tens of millions, and they're still stealing these past two days. They're completely fearless, and the higher-ups are condoning it," Wang Changtian said angrily.

"This is too blatant. Fine, count me in." Yu Dong said. Although he also had a theater chain, the box office theft was still disgusting. Besides, he wanted to get on board.

"Include me too."

"Let's announce it all at once, around noon."

"We, the production company, must be given an explanation."

"Should we contact Huayi?"

"Huayi has done this kind of thing many times before, do you think they'll agree to it?"

"What about China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group?"

"Don't count on China Film Group, they're not going to get involved. But Shanghai Film Group, Xi'an Film Group, Ningbo Film Group, and Shandong Film Group have all agreed, and August First Film Studio has also agreed," Chen Shou said.

Those on the other side of the screen stared in surprise at Chen Shouzhe's profile picture. They hadn't expected that he had managed to win over so many state-owned enterprises this time, which gave them even more confidence.

Jiang Zhiqiang adopted a "play dead" attitude, believing that the matter would soon pass and that at worst they would only have to pay some money. Rather than being extorted by Chen Shou, they preferred to let the higher-ups punish them; what could they possibly do to them?

Those who have made contributions are fearless; they are companies that have contributed to Huayu Film, far beyond what Chen Shouzhe can compare to.

Even if he is now the biggest commercial film director in the country, he can't compare to An Le's contribution in supporting commercial films back then. They were the pioneers, and Chen Shouzhe was at most a beneficiary.

In their view, Chen Shouzhe should be grateful to Anle, because it was their investment in domestic commercial films that led to the huge film market we have today.

Chen finished the meeting. It was a little past ten in the morning in China, but it was already dark abroad. Then a transoceanic phone call came in.

"Zhang Bureau."

"Director Chen hasn't rested yet!!"

"Director Zhang, how could I possibly sleep? They've been bullied to the point of being right at my doorstep, they're practically riding on my neck and spitting on me."

"Don't say that. I know you feel wronged, but don't get agitated. There's still room for discussion."

“There is no room for negotiation. Since I have refused, if the handling of the matter by the higher-ups does not satisfy me, I will only shoot co-productions in the future. Anyway, the monks from outside are better at chanting scriptures. I didn’t expect that after so many years since we have come out of the feudal era, there is still this kind of discrimination.”

"Enough, Director Chen, are you threatening me?"

"Hahaha, so this is a threat, Director Zhang? Have you heard the saying, 'Don't advise others to be kind if you haven't experienced their suffering'? If Jiang Zhiqiang can bully me once today, he can bully me a second time tomorrow. I've only independently produced one film, and I've already been targeted by underhanded tactics. How can I dare to make films in the future? Who will dare to make films? Anyway, everyone steals box office revenue. If something goes wrong, we'll all be punished together, right? There's no need to bother making a good film, just steal it. Who cares how well the film is made?" Chen Shou sneered.

"The bureau will handle this matter. You're still abroad right now. When you come back, I'll have him personally apologize to you." Director Zhang was also in a dilemma. The higher-ups didn't want the two to have a conflict. What's done is done; they couldn't just strangle An Le, could they?

"I won't be able to go back for two or three months. Don't worry, I've already hired professional bodyguards to protect my safety. I don't want to die far from home," Chen Shouzhe said.

After all, which film company in Hong Kong has a clean record? Who knows what dirty tricks they might pull? Yesterday, Chen Shouzhe had Lu Sen pay for a security team from the famous American Blackwater company. A four-man team was protecting him, and they were providing him with real guns and ammunition.

"Don't worry, they definitely wouldn't dare."

“I’m worried. Even if I die, this matter will probably continue. Oh well, it’s already happened. What’s the point of pursuing it? Pursuing it won’t bring people back to life. Besides, they’re from Hong Kong, not some ordinary citizen like me.”

Director Zhang's face was extremely ugly. Chen Shouzhe had repeatedly mocked him, and he really thought he had no temper, but now Chen Shouzhe was in the right.

"We'll give you an explanation over there. I didn't come to you to hear you mock me. You comedians' mouths... sigh. This is indeed An Le's problem. There will be a punishment announcement. We'll return the money we took from you, but at most double, not ten times."

"Director Zhang, I'll say it again, for the last time: An Le must do as I say, or I won't be polite to him."

"Can't we try to ease the tension a bit? Is it really necessary to escalate things like this?!"

"This is a matter of face. It's true that Jiang Zhiqiang has made contributions to the domestic film industry, but am I, Chen Shou, any worse than him? Director Zhang, look at the highest-grossing films in China right now. How many of the top-grossing films are related to me? Today An Le can manipulate me and steal my film box office revenue. Tomorrow, will he switch to Huayi? The day after, will he switch to another company? Why should I make any more films? Can't I just make them overseas? Don't try to persuade me anymore. Since An Le isn't saying anything, I'll make him shut up completely."

"you……"

Before Director Zhang could speak, he heard the dial tone and was momentarily speechless. Anle was listed on the list, having embraced the mainland market and received commendation for its support back then.

Chen Shouzhe did the same, promoting domestic commercial films to compete with foreign blockbusters.

A long-established listed company and a rising star director.

"Of all people to offend, why did he have to offend this stubborn mule? Didn't he know he's a notorious powder keg, ready to explode at any moment? Now he's even mocking me." Zhang Hongsheng cursed Jiang Zhiqiang countless times in his heart.

Celebrities in the industry have all kept quiet about it. It's like gods are fighting; even the best of relationships have to shut up now.

However, Chen Shouzhe's Weibo account is still active, and netizens keep criticizing him, but the movie's box office remains high.

Someone took a picture, and sure enough, there was no one in the movie theater, but the movie was 100% full.

They've completely lost all shame, and the criticism is even greater.

"Isn't it going to be taken off the screens yet?"

"I originally thought the great poet was shameless enough, and now there's Anle, it's really just about boosting box office, right?"

"I haven't seen it in other theaters."

"Nonsense, other cinemas wouldn't dare to openly rip people off, it's Anraku's own cinemas."

"That's shameless, stealing other people's movie box office revenue."

"What a disgrace! Where are the supervising authorities? Where are the relevant departments? Are they all turning a blind eye?"

"No one else has spoken up. Director Chen is really being wronged. Maybe he shouldn't come back to China in the future. He can make movies abroad too."

"Yeah, isn't a $1.5 sci-fi blockbuster better? Why go back to China to suffer?"

"If we force Chen Shouzhe to leave the country, I will absolutely support him."

"It's so frustrating. He's supposed to be the top commercial director in the country, and he's being treated like this."

Some official media outlets are also reporting on this matter, and the situation seems to be escalating. The Film Bureau is already in a state of panic because higher-level leaders have taken notice.

Everyone was called to a meeting. This matter needed to be dealt with immediately. Should we suppress it like the great poet did, or deal with it properly first?

Things are different now. In the era of internet and social media, even the slightest disturbance becomes known to the world.

At noon, the entire internet was in an uproar.

Countless onlookers cheered with delight, while the higher-ups, who had just finished their meeting, re-entered the conference room.

The reason is that more than 30 production companies jointly issued a statement.

Box office fraud has always been an industry norm, with large companies bullying smaller ones. This bad habit has existed since the last century, and we should resist this behavior. We cannot let these scoundrels ruin the domestic film market.

Effective immediately, films produced or invested in by Shou Zha Films will never be shown in any Anle cinema.

From this day forward, films produced by Enlight Media will never be shown in any Anle cinema.

[From this day forward, Bona...]

From this day forward, isn't it delightful...?

[Starting today, Shanghai Film Studio...]

More than 30 production companies jointly issued a statement, which caused an uproar throughout the film and television industry.

Everyone was shocked. Who would have thought that so many production companies would issue a joint statement? Even Wanda Cinemas, the largest film studio right now, couldn't withstand it and might go bankrupt.

These companies directly account for more than half of the major film production companies in China.

"Are you crazy? Are you trying to blacklist Anle?"

Wang Zongjun was still watching the stock market when he saw these news reports, and he found them all outrageous.

Production companies boycotting cinemas is not uncommon; some cinemas have acted in a particularly egregious manner.

The practice of stealing box office revenue has existed since the existence of cinemas, but the impact of shutting down cinema chains due to this practice is significant. Anle originally planned to profit from the stock market by stealing box office revenue, but now even their main base is at risk of being wiped out.

"Brother, what should we do? Should we join forces? Given the current public opinion, if we don't take a stand, we might be next." Wang Zonglei took out his phone and, sure enough, saw a comment specifically targeting Huayi, saying that Huayi's own cinemas had also stolen box office revenue from other films and were in cahoots with An Le, and should also be blacklisted.

"We'll issue a statement too. They've been up to no good, we can't give them any leverage," Wang Zongjun said through gritted teeth. If they didn't take a stand, the stock market, which was already on the verge of exploding in the morning, would definitely plummet in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Anle in Hong Kong was completely dumbfounded. This sudden attack was clearly aimed at destroying Anle.

(End of this chapter)