Hong Kong Entertainment: The King of Kung Fu

Chapter 238 The Mysterious Buddha

In the 1980s, there were four recognized films in Mainland China that grossed over 100 million yuan, namely "The Mysterious Big Buddha", "Xiyingmen", "The Legend of White Snake" and "Shaolin Temple".

Among these four movies, "The Legend of White Snake" and "Xiyingmen" both had more than 800 million viewers.

"Shaolin Temple" is actually the least popular among the four movies, with 5.7 million viewers.

According to the work summary report of China Film CEO Hu Jian, there were three specifications of projectors for showing movies at that time. Among them, 35mm film projectors were mainly screened in cities. The average ticket price was 1 cents. The number of urban moviegoers for "Shaolin Temple" was more than million.

The other two formats are in rural areas and are mostly free. If the two are added together, the total box office of "Shaolin Temple" will not exceed 4000 million.

"Shaolin Temple" mainly has a huge influence overseas.

In 1982, Zhongyuan Film Company set up a stall in Cannes. "Shaolin Temple" received unprecedented popularity and sold the copyrights of more than countries and regions.

Subsequently, it triggered a movie-going craze in many countries. For example, the box office in Japan reached 28 billion yen, and the number of moviegoers in Poland set a new record.

Some people attribute the high box office of "Shaolin Temple" to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, and that the Chinese scenery shown in the movie aroused the thoughts and feelings of overseas tourists. This is all nonsense!

Does the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States have nothing to do with Poland? There are no Chinese overseas tourists in Poland, right? I haven't been conquered by "Shaolin Temple" yet.

The Kung Fu fighting in "Shaolin Temple" was unique and exciting in the world of cinema at that time.

In fact, most of the films produced by left-wing film companies are shot in China, and they are keen to showcase domestic scenic spots.

For example, "The Legend of the White-Haired Witch" directed by Zhang Xinyan in 1980 was shot on location in Huangshan Mountain. Is the scenery good enough?

As a result, the box office was only one million, and no one paid attention to it when it was released in Southeast Asia.

Two years later, Zhang Xinyan released "Shaolin Temple" in Hong Kong. The box office soared to 1600 million Hong Kong dollars, and then swept the world.

This can only show that martial artists such as Jet Li, Yu Chenghui, Yu Hai, Ji Chunhua, etc. are so awesome that they have created a new path for action movies and entertained people all over the world.

Talking back to "The Mysterious Buddha", this is a film worth remembering because it pioneered Chinese commercial films.

At the time, it was too forward-thinking and received heavy criticism after its release.

Many people continue to label "Big Buddha", claiming that the film "uses bizarre and fabricated plots to deceive the audience, and uses vulgar images and gimmicks to spoil people's appetite" and so on.

This caused China Film to stop making prints, and many believed the film would never be released.

But in the end, more than 300 copies were produced and put into the market. After it was released in July 1981, the attendance rate was unprecedented and the audience response was extremely enthusiastic. People tried their best to see this movie.

Many viewers wrote to China Film and Television, saying: "If "The Mysterious Buddha" is banned, we will defend this film just like Master Haineng defends the Big Buddha in the movie."

In 1985, after the environment became slightly more relaxed, "The Mysterious Buddha" was released again. According to the work report of China Film CEO Hu Jian, the number of moviegoers reached million after one year and four months of screening.

In 1985, a Chinese film delegation visited Europe, and "The Mysterious Giant Buddha" was screened in many cities. The audience's response was very strong. After watching it, many people traveled to Sichuan just to see the Leshan Giant Buddha.

……

Yang Ye took a lot of photos of Guan Zhilin, rented a boat and admired the Big Buddha up close, and then went into the city with excitement in mind. According to the address Liu Xiaoqing had left before, he quickly found the guest house where the Big Buddha crew lived.

The crew had not returned from filming outside, so Yang Ye took out the certificate issued by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and the letter of introduction issued by the E Film Studio, and moved in within minutes.

In such a small city, the guest houses of state-owned enterprises are much cleaner than those hotels.

Since Yang Ye and Guan Zhilin are compatriots from Hong Kong, the reception standards of the guest house are quite high. The director personally took care of it and replaced the equipment in the room with new ones.

The two of them were already hungry, and Yang Ye was too lazy to wait for the crew and asked: "Director Liu, do we have food for the guests?"

Director Liu said: "Of course, our food in Leshan is very good, including Bobo Chicken, Qiaojiao Beef..."

Yang Ye asked casually: "Is there any boiled fish?"

Director Liu was stunned: "Boiled fish, what is that?"

Yang Ye suddenly thought, damn, this dish hasn't been invented yet.

Yang Ye has been in Sichuan for several days, but he still feels uncomfortable without eating boiled fish. He smiled and said: "Director Liu, I want to cook by myself. Is it possible?"

Director Liu cursed in his heart, this Hong Kong guy really has a lot of things to do, why can't he look down on my Sichuan cuisine?

But there was no need for him to offend Yang Ye, so he smiled and said, "Of course!"

Yang Ye rolled up his sleeves and said enthusiastically: "Jiahui, let's go, I'll cook for you myself!"

"Really?"

Guan Zhilin was overjoyed. The two of them followed Director Liu and soon arrived at the canteen. Director Liu introduced the master chef of the canteen to Yang Ye.

Yang Ye smiled and said: "Master Wang, this is just a whim, don't be surprised!"

Master Wang was very unhappy. Damn it, he went to the canteen to cook. Isn’t this ruining the place?

But Director Liu gave him a look and he tolerated it.

Yang Ye took a look and saw that the ingredients were very complete, so he grabbed a grass carp and started preparing it. Master Wang saw that Yang Ye was very neat in picking up the fish, so he no longer looked down upon it, so he stood aside and watched how he cooked.

Yang Ye moved the knife like the wind, quickly cut the fish fillets, marinated them and put them aside. Stir-fry the bean paste and other seasonings until fragrant, add the fish head and fish bone soup, blanch the bean sprouts and cucumber strips until cooked, and then blanch the fish fillets. After placing on the plate, add dried Sichuan peppercorns and a spoonful of hot oil, and let it "sizzle" , done. Director Liu and Master Wang were stunned. Yang Ye actually made an authentic Sichuan dish. Although they have never seen or heard of this boiled fish dish, this technique is definitely authentic Sichuan cuisine.

Yang Ye smiled and said: "Try the boiled fish!"

When Master Wang saw the new dish, he couldn't hold it back. He picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth to taste.

Damn it. Fresh and spicy, tender and smooth, so delicious!

When Director Liu saw this, he also took a bite and was instantly stunned.

"Mr. Yang, your water...boiled fish is better than just eating it!"

Yang Ye smiled and said: "Director Liu, haven't you eaten yet? Let's eat together!"

In front of the delicious food, Director Liu no longer cared about being reserved and nodded quickly: "Okay! Okay! Okay! I'll get a bottle of good wine!"

When Guan Zhilin saw the two of them take a bite, they were both shocked and eager to try. However, she was a little confused when she saw those chili peppers and peppercorns.

Yang Ye was already prepared. He killed two fish and made another dish of pickled fish. The process was similar and he finished it quickly.

Guan Zhilin took a bite and immediately smiled: "It's delicious, it's delicious! Brother Ye, you are great!"

Master Wang couldn't help but said: "Mr. Yang, can you teach me how to make boiled fish?"

Yang Ye said: "You are a professional. Since you have seen it once, you must already know it, right? This dish is very simple, but no one thought of doing it before."

Master Wang scratched his head and ears with joy and said quickly: "Yes, yes, yes!"

Yang Ye saw that there were still a lot of fish in the fish pond, so he said: "Why don't you practice your skills? Tonight's meal for the crew will include a dish of boiled fish on every table. I'll treat you!"

"Okay, okay, I'll get ready right away!"

Two pots of fish were placed on the table. Director Liu took a bottle of Wuliangye and arranged some food and drinks. He and Yang Ye ate fish and drank wine. Within a few minutes, they became like brothers.

While he was drinking happily, the crew came back. When Liu Xiaoqing saw Yang Ye, he immediately said affectionately: "Aye, why are you here?"

Yang Ye smiled and said: "Xiao Qing, long time no see."

Liu Xiaoqing was very discerning. When he saw the beautiful Guan Zhilin next to Yang Ye, he smiled and said, "Who is this sister?"

Yang Ye introduced: "Her name is Guan Zhilin, she is my girlfriend. Jiahui, this is Liu Xiaoqing, a famous domestic actor. Her acting skills are very good. You should learn more from her."

This was the first time that Yang Ye admitted that Guan Zhilin was his girlfriend in front of others. Guan Zhilin was elated and said to Liu Xiaoqing with a bright smile: "Miss Liu, please give me some advice."

Liu Xiaoqing said affectionately: "Guidance is out of the question. We all learn from each other."

Then he introduced to the people who turned to the crew: "This is the internationally renowned director Mr. Yang Ye. This is the famous Hong Kong actress Ms. Kwan Chi-lin."

Then he said: "Aye, let me introduce you! This is our director Mr. Zhang Huaxun, this is the famous actor Mr. Ge Cunzhuang, this is..."

Under the introduction of Liu Xiaoqing, Yang Ye shook hands and exchanged greetings with the actors in the crew one by one.

Yang Ye discovered that Ge You and his father looked really alike. Chen Xiaoyi, who is only ten years old this year, is so cute!

At this time, dinner was ready, and pots of boiled fish and pickled fish were served. Director Liu introduced: "This dish is called boiled fish. It was invented by Mr. Yang. It is very delicious. Ba Shi De Ban, Let’s have a taste.”

Liu Xiaoqing asked curiously: "Can you cook?"

"Have a taste!"

The two pots of fish on Yang Ye's table have been removed and replaced with new ones. Liu Xiaoqing ate a piece of fish and his eyes suddenly lit up: "Ba Shi De Ban!"

There are many local Sichuan people in the crew. Even outsiders, they have been accustomed to local food after coming to Leshan for only half a year. They all tasted it and praised it.

Director Zhang Huaxun, Liu Xiaoqing, Ge Cunzhuang and other leading actors sat at the same table with Yang Ye and chatted while eating.

Zhang Huaxun said while eating fish, "Mr. Yang, I have seen your movie, it is really wonderful."

Yang Ye said: "Oh? Where did you watch it? What kind of movie?"

Zhang Huaxun said: "I went to the Shanghai Film Studio on a business trip last year for "Fist of Heroes" and it was screened internally. At that time, more than a thousand people crowded into the auditorium of 400 people, and everyone was fascinated and excited to watch it. I have worked in several industries Ten years later, I never thought that a movie could still be made like this."

Zhang Huaxun was the assistant director of the 1963 classic film "Little Soldier Zhang Ga". He has been in the industry for almost years. "The Mysterious Big Buddha" is his first independent director.

Zhang Huaxun said: ""Fist of Heroes" gave us a great shock. Zhao Dan, a famous actor from Shanghai Film Studio, said that he hopes to star in a martial arts movie in his lifetime. My wish is to direct a martial arts movie , so everyone organized and started writing the script, and finally we got this "Mysterious Buddha"."

Yang Ye said strangely: "Isn't that organized by the Shanghai Film Studio? Why was it filmed by the Beijing Film Studio?"

Zhang Huaxun chuckled and said: "After the script was written, Shanghai Film Studio wanted them to direct it, so I copied the script overnight, returned to Beijing Film Studio, and found Director Wang. Director Wang liked the script very much, so he used "Midnight" The script was exchanged with Shanghai Film Studio, and finally our Beijing Film Studio shot "The Mysterious Buddha."

Yang Ye nodded and said, "Can I see your porn videos?"

Zhang Huaxun got what he asked for and said with a smile: "Of course, I was just asking for your advice."

(End of this chapter)