This director loves making friends.

The day after the wrap party for "Woman Sesame Oil Maker," Xie Fei didn't rush to work on the film's post-production; instead, he went to the film academy first.

"Hey Lao Xie, instead of busy with your movie, why are you at school? Is filming finished?"

As soon as Xie Fei arrived at the office, he ran into Zheng Dongtian, who was walking out.

He has a very good relationship with Zheng Dongtian. His first film as a director, "Fire Boy," was co-directed with Zheng Dongtian, which was also Zheng Dongtian's directorial debut.

"What were you doing at school instead of staying at your film studio yesterday for the farewell dinner?"

Xie Fei pulled out a chair and was about to sit down when a thought suddenly struck him.

"Old Zheng, wait a minute, I have something to ask you."

Xie Fei had been in Baiyangdian during this time, so he had no time to pay attention to the news that Hong Kong film companies were coming to the mainland to film movies.

I came to the school intending to find a student to find out the general situation first, and then think of a solution. I didn't expect to run into Zheng Dongtian. What a coincidence!

While Zheng Dongtian might not be aware of other matters, he most likely knows what co-productions are all about.

The reason is also very simple.

Just a few months ago, Zheng Dongtian took over as director of Qingying Film Studio.

For all state-owned film studios in China right now, co-productions are highly sought after, especially those with Hong Kong.

There are so many benefits to this.

First of all, Hong Kong people are generous with their money when they come to the mainland to film movies, which is much better than the stingy Taiwanese people.

Co-productions with Hong Kong only require a few staff members and basic equipment, and you can also obtain a portion of the film's screening rights in mainland China.

This is all pure profit.

For state-owned film studios, money might be a problem, but when it comes to staff and basic equipment, they have plenty.

In addition, the factory employees were all very enthusiastic. There was no need for any encouragement; they all tried their best to get into the film crew.

For the same reason, Hong Kong people are generous. Although the subsidies given to mainland staff cannot compare with those given to Hong Kong staff, they are still enough to make the participating employees very happy.

Whenever a Hong Kong film wants to shoot in mainland China, domestic production companies will do everything they can to become partners.

As the newly appointed director of the Qingying Film Studio, Zheng Dongtian could not possibly be unaware of co-productions that wanted to be filmed in mainland China.

"What's up?"

Zheng Dongtian stopped, returned to the office, and sat halfway down on Xie Fei's desk, waiting for Xie Fei to ask a question.

Xie Fei glared at Zheng Dongtian. In the past, he would have definitely scolded him, but this time he was too lazy to care and pretended not to see it.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name 12199.99]

"Is there a movie about Beggar So that's planning to film in mainland China recently?"

"So Beggar So? Hmm, yes, there is such a movie, produced by Win's Entertainment in Hong Kong. It stars Stephen Chow, Chow Yun-fat, and Jackie Chan. It was a big-budget production."

At this point, Zheng Dongtian couldn't help but exclaim, "I heard this movie has an investment of over 2000 million yuan. That's 2000 million yuan! If it were given to Qingdao Film Studio, how many of these projects could be approved..."

"Alright, alright, look at how pathetic you are."

Xie Fei quickly waved his hand, interrupting Zheng Dongtian's musings, "Let's talk about the movie instead. How much do you know about it?"

Zheng Dongtian smacked his lips, feeling somewhat unsatisfied and unsatisfied.

"That's 2000 million! If Qingying Film Studio had 2000 million, I could..."

"Hey, stop, stop! Aren't you going to stop?"

Xie Fei was aware of Qingying Studio's predicament, but what could he do?

These days, not to mention Qingying Film Studio, even Beijing Film Studio is struggling to make ends meet; all state-owned film studios across the country are in the same boat.

Just like "Woman Sesame Oil Maker," which only required a "mere" investment of 260 million, it took the collaboration of Changchun Film Studio and Tianjin Film Studio to come up with the budget.

This is one of the reasons why state-owned film studios later started to resort to "evil" methods, namely selling their logos.

Zheng Dongtian sighed, and could only stop imagining the wonderful vision of Qingying Film Studio having 2000 million.

"I heard that the Film Bureau has approved the co-production project. You know how efficient Hong Kong filmmakers are, so I estimate that filming will begin soon."

The entity responsible for approving co-productions is ostensibly China Film Co-production Corporation, but its functions are directly managed by the national film authorities, and its daily affairs are temporarily coordinated by personnel appointed by higher-level units.

During this period, international co-production was still in the exploratory stage. Although the China Film Co-production Corporation was not an empty shell and had a corresponding production department, its administrative functions were still under the Film Bureau.

Xie Fei hesitated for a moment, knowing the chances were slim, but still asked with some anticipation, "Which production studio are you collaborating with? Is Qingdao Film Studio possible?"

If Win's Entertainment had chosen to cooperate with Qingdao Film Studio, things would have been extremely simple.

"You're even more daring than me!"

Zheng Dongtian gave Xie Fei a thumbs up, "What a pity, you old stubborn man, you were unwilling to transfer to the Film Bureau a few years ago, otherwise there might have been a chance for you to work at the Qingdao Film Studio."

"Was it snatched away by Beijing Film Studio again?"

As Xie Fei spoke, he began to plan in his mind to call Ma Bingyu later and ask him if this matter could be handled.

Ma Bingyu began serving as the deputy director of the Beijing Film Studio in 86. He was a student in the directing department of the Beijing Film Studio in 61, while Xie Fei was in the 60 class. Although they were not classmates, they had always had a good relationship.

You're wrong about that.

Zheng Dongtian laughed, with a hint of schadenfreude: "They wanted to get the military to participate in that movie, but the Beijing Film Studio couldn't get it."

"Should we invite the military to participate in the exercise?"

Xie Fei repeated those words, and couldn't help but frown.

How could a Hong Kong commercial film...

With a sigh, Xie Fei knew very well that if he wanted to involve the military, he would either have to cooperate with the August First Film Studio or have the China Film Co-production Corporation handle it.

This is getting a bit complicated.

Why are you asking about this?

Zheng Dongtian asked with some curiosity.

Xie Fei didn't hide anything and said directly, "I have someone I really like... well, the assistant director of 'Woman Sesame Oil Maker,' a very talented and hardworking young man. I want to find him an assistant director for Hong Kong films so he can learn about the Hong Kong film industry."

This time, it was Zheng Dongtian's turn to frown.

"Learn from Hong Kong films? What's so great about learning their commercial film models?"

Xie Fei was too lazy to pay attention to Zheng Dongtian, and waved his hand, "Go do your thing."

"Hey, you... I'm going to stay here, I'm not leaving."

Zheng Dongtian deliberately shifted his position, showing some curiosity about the young man Xie Fei valued, and asked, "Is your assistant director very talented?"

Xie Fei thought about it carefully.

To say he's exceptionally talented wouldn't be an exaggeration, but for someone without formal training, who only worked as an extra for a year and a half, to be able to quickly adapt to the position of assistant director and perform so methodically is truly remarkable.

"He's not a genius, but he does have talent."

"Nonsense, how many geniuses can there be in all of China? Even Zhang Yimou, I think, is only a genius in photographic aesthetics; in other aspects, he can only be described as talented."

Zheng Dongtian still trusted Xie Fei's ability to judge people, which made him even more curious.

He thought for a moment and said, "Qingying Film Studio is about to launch a film project called 'Criminal Police Glory.' We can give him an assistant director position and let me help you see if he really has talent."

Xie Fei did not explicitly refuse.

The co-production about Beggar So involved China Film Co-production Corporation, which meant that the Film Bureau was involved as well. This involved many more factors, making it even more difficult to achieve the desired outcome.

"By the way, isn't there going to be a restructuring next year? Starting next year, film studios will have independent distribution rights and won't have to hand over all their films to China Film Distribution Corporation anymore."

Thinking of the news he had heard, Zheng Dongtian said mysteriously in a low voice, "Starting next year, China Film Co-production Corporation will also be changed. It will no longer be as unclear as it is now. It is said that a general manager will be transferred there to carry out unified management and corporatization."

"Yeah?"

Xie Fei gave a perfunctory reply, while secretly wondering who at the Film Bureau could help.

"Guess who this general manager is?"

"It couldn't be you, could it?"

"Go away, go away, I'm talking to you seriously."

Zheng Dongtian stopped keeping him in suspense and whispered, "It seems it's already decided. It's Zheng Quangang, the deputy director of Changchun Film Studio."

"Zheng Quangang?"

Xie Fei blinked. "I know this one well!"

"Woman Sesame Oil Maker" was mainly controlled by Changchun Film Studio, and Xie Fei had a lot of dealings with Zheng Quangang, the deputy director of Changchun Film Studio.

Note: All the people, positions, and tenures mentioned are real and verifiable; the author has not fabricated anything.