Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 930 If you can't stop it, join in.

Organizing Hong Kong's own film awards?
They also want to establish the Hong Kong Film Workers Association, as well as subdivided associations such as the Performing Artists Association, Film Industry Association, Film Critics Association, Screenwriters Association, and a Film Creators Association that oversees all behind-the-scenes production staff.
The people below the stage watched Zhao Wanru speak eloquently on stage, and their expressions were varied and fascinating.

How about establishing Hong Kong's own film awards?
Of course it's good. Everyone present would probably be happy to see it happen. Even Deputy Director Song, who flew in from the island, wouldn't raise any objections.

Moreover, since Zhao Wanru specifically announced this proposal in such a public setting, there is naturally no possibility that the award would be turned into a "private award".

If she can't win people's hearts, plenty of people will start their own businesses, and in the end, it will only be Qianfan Company and Zhao Wanru who lose face.

Given Qianfan Group's current size and reputation, there's really no need for them to go to such lengths to invite criticism.

Therefore, it is only natural to organize this award well.

What caused such varied reactions from everyone was not this matter, but rather something else entirely: the establishment of the Hong Kong Film Workers Association.

What is the purpose of freedom?

Although they were actually setting up a trap, the "Hong Kong and Kowloon Film and Drama Freedom Association" was nominally still a professional association for film and drama personnel.

Having one association already, why establish another? Is this a move to start from scratch and challenge the Freedom Association?

At this moment, the people in the banquet hall were clearly divided into several groups.

Those who openly pro-freedom sympathized with the Freedom Association looked resentful, but there were only a few of them, and they were all gathered around Deputy Director Song and Mrs. Zhang.

Most of them were people who didn't want to offend either side, so they all pretended to be nonchalant and didn't even dare to look at Song and Zhang's expressions.

These people are mainly actors and film company owners.

The remaining two types are: one is the behind-the-scenes production staff who are indifferent to the situation, watching the spectacle with a calm expression, while deep in their eyes, there is a hint of expectation for the film workers' association.

After all, according to President Zhao, if you encounter anything unreasonable or are bullied, you can appeal to the association, and the association will stand up for you.

Regardless of the outcome, at least there's someone to stand up for you, which is much better than before when you were slapped and had nowhere to complain.

There are quite a few people like them, and the last type is naturally the people from Zuo Dui Film Company.

At this moment, their eyes revealed excitement, and they made no attempt to hide their delight at seeing the right team suffer a setback.

However, no one looked directly at Deputy Director Song and his entourage.

Even the people on the left team avoided looking at each other at Fu Qi's signal. After all, they were important figures from the other side, and they had to show them the respect they deserved. Otherwise, if things really turned sour, it would cause a lot of trouble for their side.

If they went to see for themselves, they would see that Madam Zhang's smile had long since vanished, and her face was even somewhat ashen, as she whispered something to Deputy Director Song.

Deputy Director Song, however, remained calm and composed. He shook his head slightly, raised his glass, took a sip, and whispered under the cover of the glass, "Let's wait and see."

The only one who witnessed this scene was Zhao Wanru.

On stage, Zhao Wanru smiled, looked at Deputy Director Song with a slightly apologetic gaze, leaned close to the microphone, and said softly, "Before coming to Hong Kong, I specifically learned that there is a film and drama professionals' association in Hong Kong, which is the Free Association led by Mrs. Zhang."

Upon hearing this, the banquet hall fell silent instantly. Even the behind-the-scenes production staff, who had been whispering just moments before, stared at her intently.

What does it mean?
A direct challenge?

The next second, Zhao Wanru said, "I deeply respect the contributions that the Freedom Society has made to Hong Kong film and theater professionals. However, yesterday when I visited Mr. Robin, the Director of the Information Services Department of Hong Kong, we talked about the current state of the Hong Kong film industry."

The problem is that behind the booming film industry, there is a lack of a self-governing body to regulate film professionals and manage areas outside the industry from a self-management perspective. That's why I made this suggestion.

If I have offended anyone, please forgive me, Madam Zhang; that was not my intention.

Seeing that Zhao Wanru had directly brought up the conflict, Deputy Director Song sighed inwardly, but smiled slightly and gave Madam Zhang a wink.

Being able to manage the Freedom Association and keep so many Hong Kong filmmakers under her thumb, Mrs. Cheung was certainly no fool.

Upon receiving a signal from Deputy Director Song, she immediately raised her head slightly and said with a smile, "President Zhao, you're too kind. The original intention of our Freedom Association was to provide a platform for cooperation and networking for filmmakers in Hong Kong and Kowloon. Although we have achieved some success in recent years, we have neglected the self-management and service of our practitioners."

President Zhao's suggestion today was very timely and meaningful. I, along with the Freedom Association, warmly welcome and look forward to its implementation.

As soon as she finished speaking, enthusiastic applause erupted in the room.

But when everyone involuntarily looked at the first person to applaud, their eyes were somewhat dazed.

Well, surprisingly, Liao Yiyuan was the first to applaud, followed by the filmmakers from Zuo's team within seconds, and finally the whole audience applauded enthusiastically.

Some people clapped until their hands hurt, but their brains still hadn't caught up.

What's going on today?
The people on the left are applauding the people on the right?
Unity is strength? Or are we preparing to become one with everyone?
I'm so confused, I don't understand.

Zhao Wanru saw this scene clearly from the stage, but she didn't say much. Instead, after saying a few more words, she announced that the party was officially starting and everyone was free to move around as they pleased.

The next second, the banquet hall became ten times noisier.

Madam Zhang immediately instructed her entourage to stand a little further away to block potential visitors. Then, she took two steps forward, approached Deputy Director Song, and whispered, "Why should we express our support? At least we can remain silent. What can she do to us then?"

Deputy Director Song smiled slightly and said softly, "Naive. Do you think this association can't be established just because we don't support it? Qianfan Group's network of connections extends far beyond the United States; they have tentacles throughout the entire Western world."

In particular, thanks to the release of "Legend of the Dragon Riders", they also established a relationship with Buckingham Palace. It is said that in order to please the royal princes and princesses, the Zhou family specially sent them several hardcover editions signed by the author Versailles Augustus. These were unique editions, and no one in the United States had ever heard of having them.

With this relationship and connections with other powerful figures, they might not be able to accomplish anything major, but they could easily handle minor matters throughout the Commonwealth. This is why the main hospital arranged for me to come personally; it's best not to offend the Qianfan Group if possible, especially since we also need their help in some situations.

Looking at Hong Kong, Westerners are still in charge. For such a small matter, the Governor's Office would definitely support it without hesitation.

These filmmakers are ultimately Hong Kong locals. Are you going to let them offend the Governor's Office or the Information Services? Therefore, joining the association is the only option.

After saying all that, Deputy Director Song raised his glass, took a sip, and said with narrowed eyes, "Since we can't stop it, let's join in."

Remember, pick a few people who are close to us and help them secure at least one or two board seats. We need to have people from both the main branch and the local branches.

Mrs. Zhang suddenly realized and nodded vigorously, "I understand."

the other side.

Shi Hui looked at Liao Yiyuan with confusion and asked, "Why are you giving them so much face and even clapping?"

Liao Yiyuan laughed and said, "First of all, Qianfan Group came here at our invitation. The purpose of establishing this Film Workers Association is to counter the Freedom Association. Since they have agreed, how can we stand back? So we have to give them face."

Secondly, my initiative to applaud was also to show a certain attitude.

He turned to look at Fu Qi, Chen Jingbo, and others, his expression becoming somewhat strange. "When I went to the mainland this time, someone said something to me that changed my views on those who were close to the right wing."

Fu Qi asked curiously, "What did you say?"

Everyone else was also staring intently at him.

With a hint of reminiscence, Liao Yiyuan said softly, "He said that some people lean to the right because they are born to lean to the right, while others lean to the right not because they want to, but because the market is on the right and they can only lean to the right."

As he spoke, he raised his glass, glancing at the groups of actors gathered around him, and said meaningfully, "These are people we can actually win over."

Chen Jingbo squinted thoughtfully, "How do we win them over?"

He knew Lao Liao was right. Ten out of ten Hong Kong film actors were leaning towards the right because of the Taiwanese box office market. Did they really want to mess around with the Freedom Club? They had no choice.

If a market that surpasses Taiwan were to emerge, these people would most likely switch sides again.

Wherever the market is, that's where our footsteps will be; it's that simple.

Liao Yiyuan did not answer Chen Jingbo's question immediately, but instead gestured with his eyes to Zhao Wanru and Zhou Yali in the distance.

Before he could speak, Fu Qi understood. His blood rushed to his head, his face flushed, and he said in a low voice, "Use the American market to compete with the Taiwanese market?"

Upon hearing this, everyone else understood what Liao Yiyuan meant.

The US market is much larger than Taiwan's. Even if Chinese-language films aren't mainstream there, any success will translate into exponential growth in exchange rates. Who would want to miss such an opportunity?!
Liao Yiyuan smiled and nodded slightly, saying, "Qianfan Company has film business in the United States, and is also building its own cinema chain through acquisitions and self-construction. However, due to the regulations in the United States, this cinema chain is not under the name of Qianfan Group, but is a separate company."

Regardless, with their assistance, our film will have the opportunity to be screened in the United States and even other Western countries. Wouldn't the box office revenue in those markets be greater than that of Taiwan alone?!

Before the mainland market takes off, we can only rely on external forces.

However, if they wanted to directly leverage the mainland market to boost the Hong Kong film industry, they had to wait until the 1990s.

In 1990, Jet Li filmed his first movie, *Once Upon a Time in China*. Later, in 91 or 92, the film was released in mainland China. At that time, Nansun Shi and Ng See-yuen worked together to negotiate with a Shanghai company, meticulously calculating the price of the film prints and how to share revenue with theaters. They painstakingly worked to achieve this, eventually making it the first revenue-sharing film in mainland China. (From an interview with Nansun Shi)
Then in 1994, China Film Group Corporation (CFGC) adopted the revenue-sharing model for the first time to import the Hollywood film "The Fugitive," which was known as the "first revenue-sharing imported film."

From then on, the mainland's voter base rose, and it gained the capital to compete with Taiwan.

In January 1979, TVB first collaborated with Guangdong to record the "Enjoy Yourself Tonight: Happy New Year in Guangzhou" program in Guangzhou. 29 TVB artists participated, 28 of whom wrote "letters of repentance," while only Sister Liza Wang did not.

By 93, Andy Lau was working non-stop in three regions, achieving great success in all three. Then, in 98, Jackie Chan took on the dual roles of "Police Ambassador" in Taiwan and "CPPCC Member" in mainland China.

The changes over the past decade or so have witnessed the shift in the box office revenue of Chinese-language films, as well as the "stance" of filmmakers following the market.

Now that Chen Fan has brought Qianfan Company to Hong Kong more than a decade ahead of schedule, he has added "overseas box office" leverage to Zuo's filmmakers. These filmmakers will probably have a hard time making choices now.

……

After the party started, Zhao Wanru rested for a few minutes first, which also gave some people time to chat.

Once they had finished their exchange, she led Zhou Yali, accompanied by Vice President Fang Hongchang, to meet with the invited business leaders one by one.

First, I communicated with Deputy Director Song, expressed my gratitude for his visit, and then briefly expressed my desire to cooperate with publishing and media-related companies in Taiwan. This was considered a preliminary cooperation agreement.

In Chen Fan's words, "If Kou can go, so can I." After all, Taiwan is the largest box office market for Chinese-language films today; wouldn't it be foolish not to make money from it?

Moreover, Qianfan Company's decision to screen the film there is also a form of publicity, which can both make money and promote unity. Why not go?
For Taiwan, cooperating with Qianfan Company to strengthen cultural exports to Western countries is beneficial to enhancing the bond with their "father". In the past, those Western media giants looked down on them. Now that Qianfan Company has come to their door, shouldn't they seize the opportunity?
The man was in love with the woman, and they hit it off immediately.

Fang Hongchang then stepped forward and exchanged business cards with Deputy Director Song, awaiting further arrangements for the specific negotiations.

After the exchange, Fang Hongchang introduced them to other filmmakers. As Zhou Zhengdong's personal secretary for many years, Fang Hongchang had a unique skill: his ability to recognize people was unparalleled. Whether looking at documents or meeting them in person, he could remember them after seeing them only once. Within the Zhou family, he was known as "Mr. Public Relations".

However, his abilities were somewhat misplaced. Zhao Wanru was alright, but Zhou Yali and her mother attended social events together, and the number of people she remembered could be counted on one hand.

She was polite on the surface, but inwardly she was wailing, "When will this banquet end? It's so annoying! I want to get some rest so I can go see my brother first thing tomorrow morning."

(End of this chapter)