Entertainment Era: My Good Sister Is All Over the World

Chapter 98 It's that kid Huang Wenbin again (Third update, please subscribe)

A month after its release in mainland China, "Let the Bullets Fly" remains a hot film.

All the actors in the movie, including some minor supporting roles, became famous overnight.

Yang Zaibao, Ge Cunzhuang, and Jiao Huang need no introduction; they were already very popular in their respective fields, and this is just icing on the cake.

The biggest beneficiaries were actually the female lead, who had fewer scenes, and a host of supporting actors.

For example, Zhang Jinling had already taken on several roles before "Let the Bullets Fly" was released, including both leading and supporting roles. However, after the movie's release, her role was expanded by several scenes, making her the undisputed female lead.

Then there's Li Xuejian, who plays Hu Wan. His acting career has suddenly taken off, and several well-known directors have already sent him audition invitations. Wang Yang personally went to the Air Force Political Department Art Troupe to transfer Li Xuejian's connections.

Then there's Zhang Guoli, who has also become popular. Although he hasn't landed a leading role yet, he's already got plenty of acting opportunities.

However, at this time, the railway art troupe urged him to return as soon as possible. His lover wrote several letters urging him to go back and get married, so he had no choice but to return to Chengdu first and settle this matter.

Some directors who had never met Huang Wenbin even thought he was an actor and sent audition invitations directly to the Beijing Film Studio and Yenching Film Academy, leaving the studio director Wang Yang and the dean Lu Meng somewhat amused and exasperated.

Of course, some sharp-eyed people also noticed that Liu Songren and Chung Chuh-hung made cameo appearances in the film.

Especially Cherie Chung, although she only appeared for a few seconds, her cool look and her innocent yet vulgar appearance made her unforgettable at first glance.

Unfortunately, no matter how much they inquired, no one knew which film studio she worked for.

The movie was so popular that it also attracted some controversy.

For example, some people published film reviews saying that this movie is lowbrow and uses a lot of Western techniques, clearly promoting capitalist ideology.

Some people also felt that the character played by Cherie Chung, who actually showed her arms, was simply indecent.

Fortunately, the mainland version didn't include that busty woman; otherwise, she would have been torn to shreds by these people and wouldn't have passed censorship.

At this point, the film also gave the Film Bureau a headache.

Two applications were recently submitted to the Film Bureau. Both applications came from Hong Kong and were related to the same person.

Chen Bo received instructions from his superiors to convene a small meeting to provide a definitive response to the two application reports.

So he invited representatives from the film association, as well as some well-known directors, to come and discuss the matter together.

One letter was written by Hong Kong director Li Hanxiang. In fact, it was an invitation letter with a very clear objective: he wanted to invite Huang Wenbin, a student at Yenching Film Academy and also a screenwriter at Beijing Film Studio, to visit Hong Kong for six months to a year, with all expenses to be borne by him personally.

The other letter came from an even more influential source: it was written by Liao Disheng, a leading figure in Hong Kong's left-wing cinema. He sent the letter to Liao Gong, who was in charge of Hong Kong affairs, and to the Central Propaganda Department. This application was then forwarded to the Film Bureau.

Liao Disheng requested that the mainland authorities send a young and talented individual to support Hong Kong's left-wing films.

The choice for this person is naturally Huang Wenbin.

As for why it was Wong Man-bun, just look at how popular "Let the Bullets Fly" was in Hong Kong.

This was the first time Chen Bo, the director of the Film Bureau, had encountered such a situation: both industry leaders, one for public and one for private reasons, wanted to invite Huang Wenbin to Hong Kong.

"You've all seen both of these application reports." Chen Bo coughed twice and looked at the others sitting in the conference room.

Deputy Director Xiao Weiming spoke first, saying directly, "I think both of these applications are somewhat inappropriate. Huang Wenbin is currently only a sophomore in college, and he is unlikely to be able to make any significant contributions to left-wing films. We should not set such an example by involving young people in such important matters too early."

"Comrade Xiao, what you said was very poorly worded."

He was interrupted before he could finish speaking.

The speaker was Xie Tiexing, who greatly admired Huang Wenbin's talent and naturally wanted to protect him.

"Let the Bullets Fly broke the box office record for left-wing films in Hong Kong."

Xie Tiexing, with a serious expression and without a hint of joking, said, "They could even compete for the box office crown in Hong Kong. We're not blind or deaf; we know that. If he doesn't have the ability to contribute to left-wing films, then who does?"

He added, "Do you have one?"

Xiao Weiming looked a little embarrassed. He had no ill feelings towards Huang Wenbin himself, but he just felt that the young man was too popular and a bit too conspicuous.

"Mr. Xie, what you're saying is a bit much."

Xiao Weiming was not without supporters, and some immediately refuted Xie Tieli's words.

This man was none other than Xiang Jiexin, the deputy director of Beijing Film Studio.

Wang Yang is away on a business trip and is not in Yanjing.

So he came to the meeting on behalf of the Beijing Film Studio.

"Was 'Let the Bullets Fly' solely his achievement?"

"It's the credit of the entire crew, and also the credit of our Film Bureau. He's just a screenwriter; how could he take credit for himself?"

Xiang Jiexin adopted a selfless demeanor and continued, "This young comrade Huang Wenbin is indeed quite talented, but there's no need to treat him like some kind of savior!"

"He's still young, and the most important thing for him is to study hard. It's too early to talk about supporting the film industry now; we can wait until he's fully grown up."

Xie Tiexing knew this person was talking nonsense, but unfortunately, his own words just now did have loopholes, so he couldn't refute them.

This person, as the deputy director of the Beijing Film Studio, actually didn't speak up for his own employees, making Director Xie feel as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.

"Comrade Xiang Jiexin's words make some sense, but I think Director Li's application is also quite interesting, and we can consider it."

At this moment, Wu Tiegong, the representative sent by Shanghai Film Studio, spoke up: "I think we can approve this application, but it needs to be modified slightly. Inviting a single person is not appropriate, but if we form a learning and exchange group, it will be no problem at all. Each of our studios can send a young representative to study there for a period of time."

"Comrade Wu Yigong's suggestion is excellent!" Xie Tiexing immediately chimed in. "Hong Kong's film development has been very successful. They have more techniques and experience than we do, and we should learn from them."

Xiang Jiexin frowned deeply: "After all, that place is still capitalist. Aren't we just throwing the children into a fire pit?"

"What are you saying!" Xie Tieli immediately retorted angrily, "Then let's not develop this relationship anymore, let's just close the door and play by ourselves!"

Xiang Jiexin's face flushed red: "That's not what I meant!"

"Alright, no need for this pointless argument." Chen Bo quickly made his decision and said softly, "Regarding Comrade Liao Disheng's application, I think we need to consider it carefully, so I will not reply for the time being."

"As Comrade Wu Yigong said, Xie Hanxiang's application is indeed an excellent opportunity for us. It can also set a precedent for learning from the outside world and show the outside world that our domestic film industry is also very open and supportive of the younger generation."

"How about this, let's form a study and exchange group. We don't need too many people, just three to five people to start, and the duration will be about three to six months."

"Each of your factories can submit a list, and we will hold a meeting three months later to discuss it in detail, select the best from the best, and then finalize the list."

"As for all the expenses, you don't need to pay them, nor does Director Li need to pay them. Our Film Bureau will cover them."

"That's settled for now!"

"Meeting adjourned!"

The meeting had just been adjourned, and Chen Bo hadn't even left the meeting room when someone rushed in and whispered a few words in his ear.

Chen Bo's expression changed drastically, and he remained stunned for a long time.

"Comrade Chen Bo, what's wrong with you?"

The people around him looked at him with suspicion.

Xie Tieli asked with some concern, "Is there some bad news?"

Chen Boqiang suppressed his astonishment, slowly picked up his cup, took a sip of hot tea, and then said slowly, "I just received news that 'Let the Bullets Fly' has grossed over ten million at the Hong Kong box office, only two days after Jackie Chan's 'Young Master'."

The others were indeed frightened as well.

When have left-wing films ever achieved this kind of success!

Even among Hong Kong films, only "Young Master" has ever achieved this level of box office success.

This achievement is definitely going to be recorded in film history!

Xiang Jiexin's expression changed as he suddenly realized a problem that was somewhat disadvantageous to him.

The better Huang Wenbin's achievements, the more swollen his face becomes.

He was not optimistic about "Let the Bullets Fly" from the very beginning, and even had people sabotage him along the way.

For some reason, every time he tried to trip up Huang Wenbin, his luck seemed to improve even further.

Why is that?

Xiang Jiexin just couldn't understand it. Could it be that my obstruction would actually make him more successful?

Should we support him to give it a try next time?

Chen Bo continued, "Lord Liao sent someone with a message suggesting that we give Comrade Liao Disheng's opinion serious consideration."

Of course, the statement was only a suggestion.

This is essentially a qualitative assessment.

"Let's discuss this matter as well."

Chen Bo, on the contrary, breathed a slight sigh of relief and said softly, "What do you think we should say in response to Lord Liao?"

This meeting had to go into overtime.

This time, however, the result was obtained within half an hour.

The previous plan remains unchanged.

However, in addition to his role in the study group, Comrade Huang Wenbin also had another task: to serve as a film consultant and provide assistance to left-wing film companies.

As for the specific activities and how they will be carried out, that will be decided by left-wing filmmakers, and the mainland will not interfere.

As for relaxing the restrictions on the subject matter of left-wing films, this needs to be decided at a major meeting and will be put aside for now.

However, things have become more complicated, requiring more preparation time.

Therefore, the film study tour to Hong Kong will be postponed until next year.

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