1979: The child's mother is a celestial being.

Chapter 192 Xiao Chen, Please Wait (Please Subscribe!)
The next morning, when Chen Fusheng arrived at the ministry, he was surprised to find that the meeting that day seemed rather grand.

Not only were there representatives from film studios all over the country in attendance, but the meeting was also chaired by Liao Gong.

Before the meeting began, Chen Fusheng greeted several acquaintances and, through their introductions, met a few new friends.

"Director Chen, I heard your new movie has been sent to the United States for release, is that right?"

"Yes, I went to scout out the way for everyone first."

"Haha, what was the result?"

"The waters are a bit deep, but I was lucky and managed to achieve some success."

"Director Chen, stop keeping us in suspense, how much did it actually gross?"

"When I came back, it was thirteen million."

"Wow! That's impressive! Director Chen truly deserves to be the number one person in China to generate foreign exchange for films. I have to admire him."

"Yes, that's amazing. But Director Chen, how much of that thirteen million will your Oriental Company get?"

"After deducting various taxes and advertising costs, we can get about 30%."

"30% is about four million, and it's in US dollars. Is it really that easy to make money off foreigners?"

"Haha, Lao Wu, you can't say that foreign money is easy to earn just because their Oriental Film Company's movies have made money overseas. For example, has your Pearl River Film Studio sold the overseas rights of any of its movies for a high price in recent years?"

"Hey, I was mainly motivated by the achievements Director Chen mentioned. By the way, Director Chen, how exactly did your Oriental Company manage to do that? You should teach us poor relatives back home a thing or two."

"If I said this movie was just a lucky break, would Director Wu believe me?"

"Can you really make over ten million at the box office in the US just by luck? Director Chen, I may look honest, but don't treat me like a fool."

Director Wu's words made everyone around him burst into laughter, and even Chen Fusheng almost couldn't hold back, waving his hands repeatedly and saying:

"No, no, Director Wu may not understand the rules of the American film market. For example, my film that won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival also grossed $1238 million in the US. But my new film has a lower budget and no awards, yet it has surpassed 'The Devotion of Suspect X'. Is it because my new film is more in line with American tastes? I don't think so. Part of the reason is the publicity, and a large part of the reason is luck."

“We don’t really understand what you’re saying, but it’s a fact that your films have achieved great success overseas, so congratulations, Director Chen.”

"Yes, yes, congratulations Director Chen... Also, when will your new movie be released in China?"

"The domestic release date is not decided by our Oriental Company; you should urge China Film Group to do so."

Just then, a staff member came in and reminded them, "Distinguished leaders, the meeting is starting."

"Okay, okay, I'll be right there."

"Let's go, let's talk later, I need to go to the meeting first..."

Chen Fusheng followed a group of film studio representatives to the largest conference room in the department.

Because he was the youngest person in the room, Chen Fusheng was aware of this and planned to sit to the side.

As a result, each table had a name on it.

He walked to the last row and started looking. He looked and looked, and when he finally found his name, he had already moved from the back row to the first row right next to the presidium.

The former director of the Beijing Film Studio was sitting next to him. After he sat down, the director joked, "Going to the back row to find a seat? Looks like you don't have a clear understanding of yourself."

Chen Fusheng chuckled and touched his nose. "Since the old factory director saw me, why didn't he call out to me?"

"Why didn't you call out? I greeted you when you came in, but you just kept your head down and walked to the back row. I really don't know what was attracting you to the back row."

"Haha~" Chen Fusheng also felt a little embarrassed, laughed it off, and then skipped over the topic. Soon, Liao Gong and some leaders from the department walked in.

The previously buzzing chatter in the conference room fell silent, replaced by enthusiastic applause.

Liao Gong led the leaders not directly onto the stage, but instead started from the doorway and shook hands with the people in the front row one by one.

Soon it was Chen Fusheng's turn.

"Greetings, Mr. Liao," he greeted first.

"Good, good, Xiao Chen, you've made us Chinese proud again in America this time."

"Thank you for your praise, Mr. Liao, and thank you again for the materials about Warner Bros. that you had collected earlier."

"Was that document really useful to you, Xiao Chen?"

"Yes, it is very useful."

"As long as it's useful."

Now was not the time for pleasantries, so after offering some encouragement to Chen Fusheng, Liao Gong moved on to the next person.

Three minutes later, Liao Gong and his group went up to the stage, while Chen Fusheng and the others sat down again.

The theme of this conference remained unchanged: responding to the national call to spread positive energy and culture.

"...Since the reform and opening up, our country has been bursting with vitality, but some new social phenomena have also emerged. On the one hand, the social economy has developed rapidly and people's thinking has become increasingly active, but on the other hand, some social trends have also shown a tendency towards being eager for quick success and instant benefits. At the same time, our huge population base will inevitably concentrate and highlight some contradictions and problems in development on the road to the future."

"Comrades, addressing the complex challenges of social transformation requires the joint efforts of the whole society. As an important force on the ideological and cultural front, film festivals must step forward and play a positive role in 'guiding public opinion, spreading positive energy, and soothing public sentiment'."

"Therefore, the country places high hopes on filmmakers and has put forward several clear requirements."

"First, everyone's creative work should focus more on positive themes that can inspire people to be positive, united, and forge ahead. We should be good at drawing inspiration from our nation's profound cultural heritage and vibrant real life to express truth, goodness, and beauty, to praise struggle and dedication, and to demonstrate our courage and wisdom in overcoming difficulties."

"..."

Fifth, we must elevate art and make education fun...

"Finally, I believe that with your talent and sense of responsibility, you will surely be able to create more outstanding works worthy of our times and our people, contributing a unique and powerful spiritual force to the stability, harmony and development of our country!"

"thank you all!"

After listening to Liao Gong's speech, Chen Fusheng realized that this matter really had little to do with their Oriental Company.

Because they were making films that generated foreign exchange.

It's mainly for external use.

Are we also expecting them to produce films that generate foreign exchange while also promoting positive values?
Obviously unrealistic.

The meeting lasted for more than two hours, and because he felt it was "unrelated" to him, Chen Fusheng acted as if he were invisible throughout.

He also thanked the leaders for not naming him.

"Xiao Chen, please wait!"

"..."

Chen Fusheng: It seems I thanked you too early!

(End of this chapter)