Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

After returning to Beijing from Taiwan

Zhuang Huai'an still agreed to collaborate with Boss Yang on a film.

After all, a billionaire like him personally came to the company to apologize, so he couldn't put on airs.

Of course, the main reason is that Boss Yang is a really good person. Otherwise, even if he were a billionaire, Zhuang Huai'an would still ignore him if he didn't like him.

Again:

Making money is fine, but you can't kneel down.

"Are you aiming for awards or box office success?"

In the office, upon hearing Zhuang Huai'an's question, Boss Yang answered without hesitation, "Of course, it's about winning the award!"

"Okay." Zhuang Huai'an nodded, unsurprised by the answer.

Yinghuang Entertainment is already listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Compared to its box office revenue, winning major awards for the films it participates in is what can boost investor confidence and increase the stock value.

A one-point rise in the stock market can be more profitable than tens of millions in box office revenue.

This is why Boss Yang was so eager to win over Zhuang Huai'an. Whether making movies made money or not was irrelevant; leveraging finance was the key.

Otherwise, why would Wong Kar-wai lose money with every film he makes, yet still have companies and actors patronizing him?

Actors need awards to boost their commercial value, and so do film companies.

"I happen to have a script on hand, but it's not really suitable for a mainland setting. I originally planned to shoot it in Taiwan, but since Mr. Yang has this idea, changing it to a 90s Hong Kong setting is also acceptable."

Zhuang Huai'an was referring to "Detachment," which, along with "The Hunt" and "Manchester by the Sea," is known as the emo trilogy in later generations. Of course, he wanted to complete the trilogy.

"This movie is also a male-centric type, and I plan to cast Li Ming."

This year's Golden Horse Awards "snatched" the Best Actor award from Li Ming, so Zhuang Huai'an planned to return the favor to him. Of course, it was Li Ming. If it were anyone else, Zhuang Huai'an could have just taken it; it's all about who has the ability.

But this one was different; Zhuang Huai'an admired him from the bottom of his heart.

Upon hearing this, Boss Yang's heart stirred. He knew that Zhuang Huai'an still had a copy of "The Vanished Lover" to send to Berlin, so the target of the new film was: Cannes?

For a director who has already achieved success overseas, Mr. Yang never imagined that he would want to cause trouble at the Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards.

That's what he said, but this time he was really wrong.

Zhuang Huai'an's goal really is the Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards, because he made a Cannes Best Actor winner right after his debut. Given the nature of the three major European film studios, in order to maintain their prestige, it is unlikely that they will award two films by the same director in the short term.

He was a big winner at Cannes this year, taking home several awards.

Based on this viewpoint, Zhuang Huai'an may even return empty-handed from Berlin next year.

His plan is to take advantage of the fact that the Big Three still have some value and try to win as many awards as possible. Even if he really wants to achieve a so-called Grand Slam, he can do that in a decade or so. In the future, the Big Three will be a pie for public relations firms, provided that you are willing to pay.

Now, my buddy's getting ready to make commercial films, otherwise how will he ever spend all the money the coal boss has?

Just as Boss Yang was deep in thought, Zhang Lu knocked on the door.

"Boss, Chairman Huayi has arrived and is in the meeting room."

"Okay, please ask him to sit for a moment, I'll be right there."

Upon hearing the sound, Boss Yang snapped out of his daze and a thought flashed through his mind: Was this the person who was going to steal his job?

Seeing Zhuang Huai'an looking at him, Boss Yang smiled and said, "Old Dong and I are old friends. If Director Zhuang doesn't mind, you can use this place to catch up with him."

This was all arranged in advance by Zhuang Huai'an, so of course he didn't mind.

The two got up and went to the reception room, where Yang Chen stayed with them.

"Mr. Dong, I have long admired your name."

"Director Zhuang, I've long admired your name."

They greeted each other in unison, paused for a moment, then burst into laughter to ease the awkwardness.

"Brother Dong," Boss Yang tactfully stepped forward to shake hands, saying, "It's been a while."

"Yes, Brother Yang, I didn't expect to see you here."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the three sat down, and Yang Chen served them tea.

"Boss Yang is an old friend, and Brother Dong is no stranger either. Since you two have the same purpose in coming, I will speak frankly."

Zhuang Huai'an first set the tone, and then gave a general overview of the story of "Detachment".

On the surface, this film is a youth campus movie, but at its core it is a portrait of the spiritual muteness of contemporary society. It uses a school as a microcosm to expose the cruel truth of modern education, the family of origin, and the loneliness of human nature.

Zhuang Huai'an has always believed that the reason why the emo trilogy resonates around the world is precisely because of this kind of personal emotion, and emotions are universal to all mankind, regardless of nationality or region.

"This movie didn't have a very high budget."

Zhuang Huai'an observed the two of them discreetly. "The set design is relatively simple. The only major expense is the male lead's salary. I plan to use Li Ming, but in terms of share, I can only give each of you 15%."

Speaking of Hong Kong male actors of this generation, Leslie Cheung is actually the most suitable for the male lead. His sense of brokenness perfectly matches the male lead.

But Zhuang Huai'an dared not use it.

Liang Chaowei is fine, but he doesn't like him.

After listening to his words, Dong Ping nodded and spoke first: "Huayi accepts this share. Just let us know after you, Director Zhuang, have made the budget, and the money will be credited to your account immediately."

"I'm fine with that too."

Boss Yang nodded and said, "Since Director Zhuang said that this movie will be filmed in Hong Kong, then let Yinghuang handle the location and manpower issues."

Their true purpose was never to fight for that small share.

Zhuang Huai'an didn't hook up with the two for that little bit of investment; he still had hundreds of millions of yuan in cash sitting in his account with nowhere to spend it.

The fact that these two wanted to invest in his future suggests that Zhuang Huai'an was eyeing their connections and influence.

After reaching an agreement, the two walked briskly, and Yang Chen escorted them downstairs before turning back.

"Huai'an, what about the budget?"

Zhuang Huai'an understood at a glance: Yang Chen meant whether or not to make a fake budget to turn their 30% investment into 100%.

Tsk, this is...

But you can't really say Yang Chen is petty. As someone who came back from Hollywood, he was bound to pick up some of the bad habits from there, so this kind of behavior is quite normal.

Moreover, he said this from the company's perspective, so Zhuang Huai'an had no reason to criticize him.

After all, in Yang Chen's view, why should this obviously profitable project be given away for free?

If you don't steal, and he doesn't steal, how can Chen Kexing steal?

That's what they say, but Zhuang Huai'an doesn't intend to do that. There will be plenty of opportunities to make money later, but if his reputation is ruined, he will really cut himself off from the market.

Even if you're going to use your fame to make money, you can't be like Chen Kexing, you have to be like Wu Baige!

"No, just do it normally."

Despite feeling helpless, Zhuang Huai'an patiently explained his intentions to his "mascot".

Yang Chen nodded to indicate that he understood.

As he was leaving, Zhuang Huai'an thought for a moment and called out to him:

"Brother Yang, if you have time, why don't you buy a set of the Treasure Book Anthology and take a look?"