Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

"I was very pleased to receive the invitation from the organizing committee, and I was even more overjoyed when I learned that I would be sharing my film production model. It's because finally, a leader like me has discovered the biggest problem with Chinese films right now, which is that there are too few entertainment films."

Some people in the audience still laughed unconsciously, but most people took it seriously, especially those working in the film industry. They were the least likely to believe in Yang Che's "luck." A film that can achieve the highest overseas box office is not just about luck or connections. Bullshit! Try it and see.

"Before the reform, fifth-generation directors were supported by state-owned film studios, and sixth-generation directors were supported by foreign NGOs. So they could disregard the market and make whatever they wanted. At that time, people had limited entertainment options, so they watched whatever was available."

When television and VCDs become widespread, people will stop going to the cinema.

There's no need for so much analysis. For example, it's the same principle as a girl who has dated a boyfriend like me finding it difficult to date other guys again—once you've seen the ocean, you can't be satisfied with a river.

"Hahaha"

The audience below the stage felt uncomfortable. If you're going to say something, just say it properly. What's the point of always telling jokes?

Gao Yuanyuan, resting her chin on her hand, tilted her head, wondering if the reason she couldn't leave him was for the same reason. No, she couldn't leave because she loved him, and she'd been brainwashed...

Yang Che then smiled and said, "If you want high box office returns, you don't need to ask me. Ask the audience what they like to watch. Don't always try to figure it out yourself."

It's ridiculous to make a coming-of-age film and assume everyone's student life is like that just because you had relationships, fights, sex, abortions, heartbreak, and confusion during your own school years. At least the students in the audience certainly wouldn't think that way; those who got into Beijing Normal University through connections would definitely agree.

Seriously, don't make it so hard. Those who work hard to make a living are already suffering enough. Let's make some films that make them happy, since we're lazy and don't know the difference between grains.

We can make some money too. Look, one movie, "My Sassy Girl," made me a multi-millionaire.

This time, no one applauded, no one laughed, they just watched.

Of course, many people felt extremely uncomfortable.

Yang Che paused for a moment: "I was hoping someone would slam their fist on the table and scold me for being greedy, but it seems not. So let me talk seriously about the entertainment film genres that I've summarized and understood from Hollywood and Hong Kong movies. I hope it can give my colleagues some inspiration to make more movies that people love to watch and that you can make money from."

Action-adventure films featuring intense physical conflict, chases, fights, and heroic adventures;

Science fiction and fantasy films that build their world based on future technology, alien civilizations, or magical myths;

Comedy films with humor and satire at their core, including romantic comedy, black comedy, and other subgenres;

A crime thriller focusing on theft, gangs, drug enforcement, and the battle between good and evil;

A suspenseful thriller that creates tension through puzzles and psychological pressure;

War films that depict battlefield conflicts, military operations, and national narratives;

A romance film that focuses on emotional entanglements and often blends with other genres;

A musical film that interweaves narrative with song and dance performances, emphasizing audiovisual spectacle;

Disaster films that focus on the struggle for survival under natural disasters or man-made crises;

A road movie about outlaws clashing with civilizations...

Comrades, we possess a unique and brilliant culture, with so many subjects to explore. Really, really, let's film something different!

With each point Yang Che made, the eyes of Wang Changtian, Da Wang, Xiao Wang, Dong Ping, and the others lit up a little more.

These things that later generations have talked about to death were not classified in such detail at that time; the term "commercial genre film" didn't even exist yet.

Just then, someone shouted, "Yang Che, remember to publish the speech!"

Yang Che looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was Deng Jianguo, but it didn't matter.

"Where did you see that I had a speech transcript? I saw there was a photographer involved. If you can't remember it, just ask the organizing committee for the videotape. Okay, now that I've talked about the types, let me talk about publicity..."

Besides the internet, Yang Che spoke candidly about everything from GG design to the small gifts at the roadshow, going into great detail.

There's no point in hiding these things; anyone who's interested can figure them out.

Although it's like a top student revealing their study methods... Yang Che still feels incredibly proud of himself.

It wasn't just him who thought so; his colleagues, the film studio, the academy teachers, and later the leaders also thought he was great. Among them, Han Sanping always felt that this kid was hiding some kind of trick, but he couldn't figure it out.

However, he didn't stand out again until he finished speaking. The whole sharing session was quite harmonious, except for his sarcastic remarks about the fifth and sixth generation directors, which were not well received by the audience.

Although this kid is sarcastic, he cleverly said "to offend everyone" so that he wouldn't offend anyone.

They still criticize bald men in front of monks.

Han Sanping breathed a sigh of relief, but was also slightly disappointed; there was no "surprise".

Until the host mentioned interaction.

Yang Che selected a male college student whose face was flushed and covered in pimples.

If he didn't get it done soon, Yang Che was afraid that his pimple would burst open in his excitement and splatter on other people's faces...

"Hello Yang Che, I'm a sophomore at Renmin University. What's your opinion on directors like Zhang Yimou and Jia Zhangke selling out the suffering of the Chinese people to win awards for their films abroad?"

"Whoosh!"

Yang Che's lips twitched. No wonder this guy was so agitated; he apparently thought Yang Che was one of his kind...

"My friend, let's analyze this specifically. I've seen the films of both of those people you mentioned, and I don't believe they're selling out suffering. I also don't believe that truthfully filming the lives of China's underprivileged and exhibiting their films abroad constitutes selling out suffering; ignoring them is the real betrayal..."

Before Yang Che could finish speaking, thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and that was no exaggeration.

The students and Section Chief Jia, in particular, were incredibly enthusiastic in their encouragement.

As for Han Sanping and the other leaders, their faces were a bit stiff. What he said, damn it!!!, was actually absolutely right!!!

Yang Che then selected a girl who looked a lot like Wang Likun.

"Hello Yang Che, I am Li Qian from the Department of Management at the Central Academy of Drama. I would like to ask you what you think of the statement made by a leader of the Sichuan Provincial Film Company that production and distribution rights should absolutely not be handed over to private enterprises, as this would lead to the unemployment of hundreds of thousands of employees and the complete destruction of Chinese cinema."

Yang Che's pupils contracted, then he laughed and said, "The livelihoods of millions of canal workers depend on this; abandoning the canal and converting it to the sea is absolutely unacceptable. But, leader, if I stand up, and you're afraid of falling, then aren't you stepping on my back?"

PS: 1. Yesterday's post received a lot of support from friends, along with a ton of gifts and generous donations, including certifications from two influential figures, "You're an Actor, I'm the Dad." So, I had to get back to work and write diligently to repay my patrons. I'm very satisfied with today's content, so I'll add another chapter as a small token of my gratitude.

2. There's another thing. I noticed the book review section has been redesigned, and there's now a "5-star follow-up review" option. So, if you don't have a 5-star review yet, please do so and say a few words praising Mantou. If you've already reviewed it, please add a follow-up review.

Finally, any form of support is a driving force for Mantou's writing; this is not an empty promise, but a genuine commitment.