Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

Everyone present picked up the script and began to read it.

After everyone had looked around enough, Li Jiangbo asked, "Do you know if there's anything special about this year?"

Everyone shook their heads, indicating they didn't know, except for Zhu Lin who whispered, "This year should be the 35th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan."

Li Jiangbo clapped his hands suddenly and said in a loud voice, "Sister Lin is right! It is the 35th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, so I want to make a patriotic film."

Everyone nodded thoughtfully. It was fitting to make a movie to commemorate a holiday like this.

However, why did Director Li give them two scripts?

Li Jiangbo continued, "Look at 'The Tragic War,' which was released this month. A documentary can achieve such high box office results. I think our carefully made film won't be any worse than a documentary, right?"

Wang Jing closed the script and said, "Director Li, these are both good scripts. Are you planning to make two films?"

Li Jiangbo shook his head. "One patriotic film is enough. Too many will lose their essence. The reason I wrote two drafts is to ask everyone for help in choosing which one is more suitable to film."

One of the two screenplays written by Li Jiangbo was the patriotic film "Dao Ma Dan" (Sword and Horse Dancer), which was later directed by Xu Ke.

The other is a fictional story he heard about in later generations—"The Red-Clad Ladies".

The play "Dao Ma Dan" features three female protagonists and one male lead. Time Film & Television could easily handle all of them, except for the androgynous role later played by Lin Qingxia, which was a difficult casting choice.

Since "Red-Haired Girl" is a fictional story, the screenwriter can add more supporting characters. As for the main character, Li Jiangbo plans to try Zhu Lin; if that doesn't work, Pan Yingzi will be a backup.

The group started whispering among themselves about the two scripts, and Rosamund Kwan excitedly raised her hand.

"Director Li, I want to play a female warrior."

Li Jiangbo glanced at her, his tone teasing: "Playing a female warrior requires serious training in Peking Opera movements. Aren't you afraid of the hardship?"

"I'm not afraid!" Rosamund Kwan answered crisply.

Li Jiangbo gave Guan Zhilin a disapproving look. He knew this young woman had been eyeing him for a long time, but he hadn't given her the chance. Young people always taking shortcuts isn't a good thing.

At this moment, Johnnie To, who was sitting to the side, cleared his throat and said, "Director Li, in terms of the integrity of the dramatic structure and the richness of commercial elements, choosing 'Peking Opera Blues' is a safer option. The three female characters have balanced roles, and there is a national and familial background to support it. If it is made well, the box office is guaranteed."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "But the story of 'Red Silk'... although fictional, has a grand scope. And it tells how our predecessors loved their country! I think 'Red Silk' is more meaningful, and if it's well-made, it will be even more unforgettable."

Chen Xunqi was deep in thought, his fingers tapping unconsciously to the beat.

After a while, he spoke up: "I agree with Director Du's statement. However, I think we should start from the actual filming process? For example, for 'Peking Opera Blues,' we could find Republican-era style buildings in Taiwan to film the scenes, and the stage could be filmed at a drama academy in Hong Kong."

At this point, Chen Xunqi sat up straight and continued, "But 'The Red-Haired Girl' is set in a small town. I saw that it also mentions the play 'The Peach Blossom Fan,' which is even more challenging. But if it succeeds, it will be more attractive than 'The Sword and Horse Girl.'"

Li Jiangbo frowned upon hearing this.

"The Peach Blossom Fan" is one of the four great plays of ancient China. To find exceptionally good actors, one could only hire famous playwrights. But this fixed the lead actor.

After hearing Chen Xunqi's words, Lan Naicai, who had been silent all along, slowly spoke up: "Visually, the two scripts present completely different paths."

"The film 'Dao Ma Dan' can be shot in a gorgeous and dynamic way, with the interweaving of traditional opera stage and real-life adventure, making it visually rich."

"Most of the scenes in 'Red Silk' take place on the small stage and in the narrow alleys of the backyard, so the lighting and composition have to be carefully considered to create a sense of 'explosion from repression.' Personally... I'm more interested in the latter."

Seeing that the director and cinematographer had joined the discussion, the actresses also joined in.

A discussion left Li Jiangbo somewhat hesitant. He actually really wanted to film "Red Silk," but he felt it was too difficult and he couldn't handle it.

After much deliberation, Li Jiangbo decided to film "Dao Ma Dan" (Peking Opera Blues), since Xu Ke had already proven the film's success in later generations.

Director Li is still focused on making money. He plans to buy the television station later and then turn "Red Cliff" into a TV series.

After the meeting ended, Teresa Teng, who hadn't spoken until now, approached Li Jiangbo.

"Director Li, actually I can sing too."

Li Jiangbo looked at Du Lisha with suspicion. He was not familiar with her at all, and he did not expect that he had a female artist who could sing under his management.

This is just my impression of Li Jiangbo; I only remember her as Director Li in "Happy Ghost".

Actually, Teresa Carpio started out singing in Japan, and when she returned to Hong Kong, she also debuted as a singer.

When Teresa Teng saw that Li Jiangbo didn't believe her, she started singing on the spot and then hit a high note.

This opened Li Jiangbo's eyes to a whole new world, and after Teresa Teng finished singing, he couldn't help but clap his hands.

"You sang well. Would you like to perform on stage too?"

Teresa nodded repeatedly, looking at Li Jiangbo with hopeful eyes.

After thinking for a moment, Li Jiangbo nodded in agreement, "Go find Sister Zhi and arrange the program order for you."

Seeing that Li Jiangbo had agreed, Du Lisha excitedly ran off to find Zhao Yazhi.

When Li Jiangbo returned to his office, he called Chunqiu Drama Academy, a Peking Opera training school founded by Fen Juhua, intending to send Guan Zhilin, Zhu Lin, and Zhong Chuhong to the academy for a month of study.

The date is March 1st.

The premiere of "A Better Tomorrow" is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

The staff at the Jade Theatre had already decorated the entrance early in the morning.

A long red carpet stretched from the entrance of the cinema all the way to the main entrance of the theater.

A large crowd gathered to watch the spectacle, and some reporters arrived early, setting up their cameras and microphones and aiming them at both sides.

Li Jiangbo had given advance notice of all this. When the newspaper reporters heard about the plan, they were amazed and readily came to the scene.

Some fans arrived at the scene but were stopped outside by security guards from Time Pictures.

The crowd pointed and discussed the elaborate decorations.

"Time Pictures has really gone all out this time!"

"Who says otherwise! I'm wondering who came up with such a great idea."

"Hmph! Making such a big fuss, aren't you afraid it'll ruin the movie?"

"Look, they're here!"

The first to walk the red carpet were Zhou Runfa, Dillon, and Leslie Cheung. They were all impeccably dressed in suits and looked very energetic.

Reporters on both sides took photos and asked questions.

"Fa-zai, what's different about this role compared to your previous ones?"

"Leslie, how was your first time filming a gunfight movie?"

Next, Li Jiangbo made a dazzling appearance with the artists from Time Film and Television.

He was wearing a white suit and walked ahead with Zhao Yazhi. Behind them were: Rosamund Kwan, Wong Jing, Zhu Lin, Cherie Chung, Poon Ying-tzu, Johnnie To, and others.

The camera lights on set were flashing incessantly, and reporters nearby were also quick to ask questions.

"Director Li! Did you get the idea for the red carpet from Hollywood?"

How confident are you about the box office performance this time?

"Ms. Chung, there's a rumor that you'll be learning Peking Opera for your next film?"

Then, Shao Yifu, accompanied by Fang Yihua, dressed in formal attire, made their grand entrance as the final act.

"Mr. Shao, are you confident about the box office performance of 'A Better Tomorrow'?"

The red carpet event was a little unfamiliar, but it was orderly.

Media reporters realized that regardless of the quality of the film "A Better Tomorrow" itself, the red carpet debut was already a successful topic and would surely dominate the entertainment headlines tomorrow.