Hong Kong Entertainment: The King of Kung Fu

After Yang Ye finished watching the rough cut by King Hu, he was silent for about five minutes before he sighed and said:

"Lao Hu, there's something wrong with your film. If you release it, you'll face a lot of pressure."

Logically speaking, a film titled "The Blood and Tears History of Chinese Workers" would definitely be about showing the racial discrimination, abuse, and even massacre of Chinese people by white people in North America in order to win the audience's sympathy.

But the movie made by King Hu tells the whole story of the "Shiquan City Massacre" with extremely calm shots.

After watching the movie, I felt that although those Irish thugs were hateful, the Chinese workers... didn't seem so innocent.

Originally, Irish miners working at the Rock Springs mine were paid two dollars a day.

After the Chinese arrived, they started to compete to get work in the mines. They only needed one dollar a day and could work overtime.

You Irish people work eight hours a day and have to rest on the weekends?
We Chinese work ten hours a day, without rest for thirty days.

Which capitalist wouldn’t like such good cattle and horses?

As a result, a large number of Chinese workers were recruited, and the Irish faced the dilemma of unemployment.

The Irish were furious and cursed the Chinese workers in the Rock Springs newspapers, giving them a deadline to give an explanation.

But the Chinese workers ignored it. First, they did not understand English. Second, they hardly ever bought newspapers to read. Third, even if they knew, they would not care.

Because they firmly believe that only those who endure hardship can become successful, so as long as they can make money from working, that's enough.

This eventually led to a brutal massacre!

In this movie, the US government is actually the righteous side.

In the end, it was the President of the United States who ordered the dispatch of the army to help the Chinese workers retreat.

……

When reading American history, there is a very puzzling question.

Why are Chinese workers in the capitalist camp?
In almost all workers' riots in the United States, Chinese workers were the opposition.

The primary target of the workers' rebellion was not the capitalists, but the Chinese workers.

And this movie by King Hu seems to... provide the answer from a certain perspective.

As a Chinese, Yang Ye should have been outraged after seeing so many of his compatriots being massacred.

However, he couldn't feel any sympathy.

Why is it so curly?

Others earn two dollars a day, but you only earn one dollar.

Others work eight hours a day, you work ten hours.

How can I not be hated?

That’s all.

When others go on strike and fight for their rights from the capitalists, as a member of the working class, you not only don't join them, but you also stand on the side of the capitalists.

You are so grateful for just a meal. You are really addicted to being a slave. Are you a human being?
However, King Hu also explained in the film why the Chinese workers were so stubborn.

Because in the Qing Dynasty, people even had problems surviving.

During the Guangxu period, a male worker in Shanghai could earn 9 silver dollars (Guangxu Yuanbao) by working days a month.

But when they arrive in the United States, they can easily earn $35.

The exchange rate at that time was 1 US dollar equal to 1.8 silver dollars.

This means that the wages of Chinese workers in the United States are seven times that of the Qing Dynasty, and this is compared with Shanghai, where the wages are the highest.

Compared to the hellish Qing Dynasty in 1885, the Chinese workers' hard work in the United States is understandable.

140 years later, a certain company sent people to work in South America, and that country revealed that the workers were treated as slaves.

The company's spokesperson also produced a bunch of workers' fingerprints, saying that "if you want to accuse someone of a crime, you can always find a pretext."

There are even people online saying that this company is so awesome that it attracts people to criticize it, saying something like "A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

Some even said that they went abroad just to make money, and with a monthly salary of more than 10,000 yuan, they didn't care about the living environment.

Many Chinese people think, "I am here to work," "I am here to suffer."

They eat pig food, work twelve hours a day, have no holidays, and still take it for granted.

……

"The Blood and Tears of the Chinese Workers" was filmed entirely in the United States. King Hu was very demanding on the film, and the filming took eight months and cost $2000 million.

This is a movie that is destined to lose all its money and be criticized.

Yang Ye knew that King Hu would not live for many years, so he agreed to invest in order to let Xu Feng repay King Hu's kindness.

Now I feel that this movie actually has its meaning.

Yang Ye said: “It was filmed very well. Let’s edit it carefully and then release it. It can also be regarded as a warning to future generations.”

He then said, "Old Hu, I heard that you have a bad heart. Go to the hospital for a checkup. You need surgery."

King Hu has always been worried that Yang Ye would change his film for the sake of box office success.

Unexpectedly, Yang Ye said nothing and passed it directly. Instead, he showed concern for his health. Yang Ye was touched and said, "I will go to the doctor after the movie is released."

"You'd better go see a doctor first. Otherwise, those film critics will scold you and your condition will probably get worse."

"Uh...okay!"

In the original time and space, King Hu worked hard for more than ten years for "The Blood and Tears of Chinese Workers" and finally got the investment for "The Blood and Tears of Chemical Industry" with the help of John Woo.

In January 1997, he planned to have a heart operation first and then devote himself to filming, but he died in the hospital at the age of 1.

……

"Ah Hong, have you taken any roles recently?"

"No, the environment is very bad right now, and there are very few crews working."

"Even you don't have a job?"

"It's not that there aren't any, but there aren't any good scripts, and those crews said the budget wasn't enough, and they wanted me to charge less, so I just didn't take the job."

Yang Ye thought so too, she didn't need money to eat.

"In that case, I will accompany you to travel in Europe, first to Prague, then to Paris, and then to London..."

"Don't come on, I don't believe your nonsense."

"I'm serious, let's go next week!"

……

Prague, Old Town.

"Mission Impossible" has officially started filming. Yang Ye is holding a walkie-talkie, directing and dispatching the situations of various groups.

The crew prepared for a tough battle as soon as filming started, shooting the big scene of the aquarium exploding.

This scene is after Ethan Hunt's teammates all died, Ethan found the contact person.

The two met in a restaurant, but the contact suspected Ethan was a traitor and wanted to arrest him.

Because all his teammates died and he was the only one alive.

In order to save himself, Ethan had no choice but to run away. He used a chewing gum bomb to detonate the aquarium in the restaurant.

This aquarium is huge and contains sixteen tons of water.

It is very difficult to detonate it and ensure everyone's safety.

We have been preparing for this shot for three days and rehearsed many times.

To ensure safety, the crew also prepared an ambulance.

"Ah Xian, confirm again!"

Luo Lixian made an OK gesture from a distance: "It's okay, sir, I promise!" "Tom, don't be nervous, Bruce is one of the most professional blasting experts on the planet, he will ensure your safety."

"I'm fine, I trust Bruce!"

After everything was ready, Luo Lixian gave an order, and with a "boom", the huge aquarium exploded instantly.

A dragon and tiger martial artist was blown away and smashed the glass wall of the restaurant.

The surging waves rushed towards Tom Cruise who was squatting on the ground. He immediately stood up and ran wildly, escaping through the gap in the shattered glass.

White waves surged behind him, leaving a field of ornamental fish.

The cameras that had been prepared long ago recorded this thrilling scene from every angle.

A success!
"Perfect!"

"yeah!"

The Yankees in the crew celebrated loudly.

"Clap, clap, clap!" There was a burst of warm applause.

Yang Ye praised Luo Lixian: "Ah Xian, well done!"

Tom Cruise came back again and asked excitedly, "Did we succeed?"

Yang Ye smiled and said, "Tom, you look so cool when you run away!"

The film's leading actress, French beauty Emmanuelle Béart, said in disbelief: "It's incredible. Such a difficult shot was successfully shot in just three days of preparation. Director, your team is so professional!"

Yang Ye smiled faintly and announced, "Clean up the scene and call it a day!"

Tom Cruise said generously: "How about we all go for a drink together? It's my treat!"

When everyone heard that they were invited to dinner, they cheered again.

……

Cherie Chung sat at the bar, the dim light illuminating her charming figure.

She was playing with a wine glass that was half full of wine.

Yang Ye said: "Tomorrow, let's go see the famous Charles Bridge."

Zhong Chuhong drank the wine in the glass: "Are you sure you are not going to film?"

"Hey, you can guess this?"

“Since you are in Prague, you must take some photos of the famous attractions here.”

"My Ah Hong is so smart!"

Zhong Chuhong sighed and said self-pityingly: "I shouldn't have believed your lies!"

Yang Ye said he would take her to Europe for a trip, but it turned out they were here to film a movie.

"Don't you think this is good? Even though I'm working, it doesn't stop me from accompanying you!"

Zhong Chuhong doesn't like her current life very much, but unfortunately she is a stubborn person. Since she is following Yang Ye, she has to accept her fate.

The next day, Yang Ye brought Zhong Chuhong to the shooting site early.

At sunset, the two stood on the Charles Bridge and looked into the distance. On the left bank was the dreamy Prague Castle, and on the right bank was the old town with various Baroque and Gothic buildings.

The houses here all have red roofs, and under the setting sun, they look like a dream. No wonder it is called “Golden Prague”.

At night, the crew filmed the scene where the main character in the movie, Jim, the leader of the special agent team, falls from the bridge.

A stunt double was used for this scene; a martial artist jumped down with a "plop" and it was done in one go.

The movie "Mission Impossible" is mainly based on suspense and puzzle solving, with a clever plot and detailed layout. It is not Yang Ye's usual style of fighting for life and death.

Thanks to Yang Ye's strong control ability, the film was shot very quickly.

He directly divided the film into two groups, A and B, one group shot the Ethan Line and the other group shot the Jim Line. They traveled to cities such as Prague, Paris, and London without any confusion.

It only took two months for the crew to complete all the practical scenes.

Afterwards, at Shepperton Studios in London, they filmed the final battle scenes where Tom Cruise hijacks a high-speed train and an airplane.

It is of course impossible to really steal the high-speed train. Tom Cruise mainly performed on a train model, and the final performance was done through post-production synthesis.

This continued until July, when the entire film was completed.

This is one of the shorter films directed by Yang Ye, with less than three months of shooting time.

……

At an open-air bar in London, the crew found a few people to act as extras.

Ethan and Luther toasted: "I toast to you, Luther, for no longer being a removed agent!"

Luther said proudly: "I am a hero now!"

After filming a simple farewell scene, Yang Ye announced that the filming of "Mission Impossible" was completed.

Tom Cruise came over and hugged Yang Ye, and said sincerely: "Thank you, Master, this is a very pleasant filming experience!"

Yang Ye smiled and said, "I once heard Paula say that this was your childhood dream?"

Tom Cruise said: "I loved the TV series Mission Impossible when I was a kid. After becoming an actor, I always wanted to star in a movie like this. Now, my dream has finally come true."

"Come on, I hope Ethan Hunt will become your signature character!"

……

The crew disbanded on the spot, and Yang Ye returned to Hong Kong with his people.

At this time, the summer vacation has officially begun.

The first film released by Baiyang Pictures this year is an animated film, "Mulan".

The difference between this version of "Mulan" and the original Disney version is that Disney's Mulan was drawn based on Lucy Liu, while this version of Mulan was drawn based on Ching Xia Lin.

To be precise, it was painted based on the appearance of Lin Qingxia before she was 30 years old.

Therefore, this Lin Mulan is much more beautiful than the original Liu Mulan.

Lin Qingxia also dubbed the film herself.

In the past few years, in addition to producing "Mulan", Blue Bird Animation Studio also produced a sequel to "The Lion King", but the box office was greatly reduced, only one-fifth of the previous one.

But it’s not bad, there’s still some money to be made.

After producing several 2D animations, Bluebird Animation Studio decided to transform and produce 3D animations, and Yang Ye naturally expressed his support.

Due to technical limitations, if you want to make 3D animation, you must start with the easy and then move on to the difficult, conquering one technology at a time.

For example, when Pixar was producing 3D animation, they first made "Toy Story", in which the characters were all toys, and there were no real animals or plants, so it was relatively simple to produce.

After mastering the basics like leather, wood, and cloth, the second film, "Crisis," increased the difficulty by changing the characters from toys to insects.

When it came to Monsters, Inc., we started adding hair to the characters, and with Finding Nemo we started studying underwater life.

The Incredibles started filming people, Cars got the metallic sheen, and Ratatouille filmed real animals…

Pixar follows the approach of going from easy to difficult. With each movie, it overcomes a technical challenge, and the characters and effects presented in the animations become more and more complex.

Nowadays, Pixar’s first animated film “Toy Story” has not yet been released, but it will be soon.

Yang Ye couldn't find a suitable movie to try, so he simply gave up and let Bluebird Animation Studio make the decision on its own and shoot whatever it wanted.

"Mulan" is an animated film and cannot be considered a major hit.

Yang Ji’s main hit movie for this summer season…is “The Man from Nowhere” starring Liu Hua.

The movie competing against "The Man from Nowhere" is Chen Long's "Thunderbolt".

He still made this movie! (End of this chapter)