The literary era since 1979

Clearwater Bay Building, Sai Kung.

Fang Yihua placed the meeting documents in front of Run Run Shaw and said, "Based on the changes in the film market and the output of Shaw Brothers, I think it is time for the company to shrink the unprofitable film business, reduce film production, and shift resources to the emerging television business."

"Can you slow down a little bit?"

Run Run Shaw sighed helplessly.

"We can't delay this any longer. It's better to suffer a short pain than a long one."

Fang Yihua said bluntly that the current Shaw Brothers Film Company has been beaten back by Golden Harvest, Cinema City and others, and the profession of martial artists has declined along with the decline of kung fu films. It is now like a piece of chicken ribs, which is tasteless to eat and a pity to throw away.

And the bigger problem is that Shaw Brothers Film Studio is short of talent and there is a lack of successors. Although Wang Fulin's son Wang Jing has some talent, he is not up to the task.

"If I were 20 years younger, how could I let Jiahe be so happy?"

Run Run Shaw patted the armrest of the sofa.

Fang Yihua consoled him, "But the Shaw Group doesn't have another 'Sixth Master Shao' now."

"In fact, I have also considered the future of Shaw Brothers Films."

Run Run Shaw handed over the Ming Pao on the table and said, "Open it and take a look yourself."

Fang Yihua did as she was told in confusion, and saw a photo of Fang Yan receiving an award at the Oscars on the front page of Ming Pao.

Run Run Shaw said, "Miss Fang, I plan to ask him to help Shaw Brothers. What do you think?"

"I have also heard of this Mr. Fang's name."

Fang Yihua said: "The first solo movie of Xu Ke and Shi Nansheng from Xinyicheng is his "Huang Feihong". It is said that it will be released in July or August, but I don't know what the final quality and box office will be like."

Run Run Shaw said in a serious tone: "I think it's not too bad. You know, his Saving Private Ryan grossed nearly 5 million US dollars worldwide, and won 11 out of 8 Oscar nominations. It can be said that he has gained both fame and fortune."

"Fang Sheng's strength is indeed obvious to all."

Fang Yihua reminded: "But the movies we collaborate with him on will definitely not be able to enter the film market in Taiwan."

Run Run Shaw said: "If we can't enter Taiwan, we can still find Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea. Maybe we can still make it to Hollywood."

"Isn't this a bit too much?" Fang Yihua showed an expression of disbelief.

"Not at all."

Run Run Shaw waved his hand and said, "Golden Harvest has already taken action."

Fang Yihua was very surprised. She didn't expect Zou Wenhuai to act so quickly and even wanted to cooperate with Fang Yan.

"Isn't this normal? It's not like he and Golden Harvest have been wanting to return to Hollywood and reopen the European and American film markets for a while."

Run Run Shaw said: "It's a pity that since Bruce Lee's death, there have been many people promoting this dragon and that dragon. Even the most accomplished Cheng Long failed in his attempt."

Fang Yihua smiled: "Golden Harvest has again helped Jackie Chan get in touch with Warner Bros. to make a police film called "Dynasty", his second foray into Hollywood. It seems that they are determined to make Jackie Chan the 'second Bruce Lee'."

Run Run Shaw said, "That's why they can't wait to work with Fang Sheng. If they let him tailor a script for Jackie Chan and then use Spielberg and other Hollywood connections to promote him, it may not be impossible to make Jackie Chan famous."

"When the time comes, Raymond can use Fang Sheng and Cheng Long as springboards to recreate the Golden Harvest during Bruce Lee's time."

Fang Yihua narrowed her eyes and said, "I understand. You want to invite Fang Sheng to help Shaw Brothers in order to disrupt Jiahe's plan."

Run Run Shaw said with some pride: "The one who understands me is Miss Fang."

"But there are some things I still want to say in advance."

Fang Yihua never believed that the current Shaw Brothers could be revived by just one person and a few movies. At most, it would be a last gasp. But if even Fang Yan's efforts failed, Shaw Brothers might not have to continue on this path.

Run Run Shaw hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly compromised and said, "Well, if even Fang Sheng, the Oscar-winning screenwriter, can't save Shaw Brothers, I will close the film business, sell all the cinemas, and never touch the film industry again."

Fang Yihua said: "Don't say that. I don't know you very well. What you love most is movies."

"Yes, I watch six or seven hundred movies every year. I'm afraid there is no one in the world who watches more movies than me." Shao Yifu said with a lonely look in his eyes: "I don't have any entertainment. Watching movies is both my job and my entertainment." "Let's try again and put all our hopes on Fang Sheng!"

Fang Yihua said: "When he returns to the mainland from the United States, he will definitely pass through Hong Kong. I will go and invite him in person at that time."

"I'll have to work hard on you next."

Run Run Shaw patted the back of her hand, and they both looked at the spirited Fangyan in the newspaper.

………………

The "China Film Week" lasted for a week before it ended. Wu Yigong, Bai Chen and others immediately set off to return home.

Fangyan had a lot of foundation matters to deal with and had to stay in the United States for a while, so he could only let Gong Xing and the others into the airport first.

"I really want to thank you two for making this film exhibition so successful."

Wu Yigong stood at the entrance and shook hands with Fang Yan.

Gong Xing smiled and said, "No way, Mr. Wu, this is what Yan Zi and I should do."

Wu Yigong nodded with satisfaction: "I'll go in first and won't disturb you."

After watching their backs gradually go away, Fang Yan shifted his gaze to Gong Xing and brushed aside the strands of hair that were messed up by the wind:
"You go back to your country first, and I will go back in a few days."

"You must take care of your health and don't stay up late all the time, okay?"

Gong Xing warned in a gentle tone.

Fang Yan agreed readily, and then asked her to hand the subsequent manuscript of "Serious Crime Squad" to Shi Tiesheng.

"it is good."

Gong Xing straightened his tie for him.

"Be careful on the road. I've already called Joint Publishing Company. They will pick you up at the airport in Hong Kong."

Fang Yan said: "When you get to Hong Kong, call me. Don't be afraid of spending money. We can still afford the long-distance fee!"

Gong Xing responded, and then, under his watch, he packed his luggage, as well as the various souvenirs and gifts he had bought, and walked into the airport.

Fangyan stopped waving his hands, turned around and got into a car on the side of the road.

Luo Daian sat in the driver's seat and said, "Now it's time to get down to business. Take out the documents in the briefcase."

Fangyan took out a thick stack, which included some expense bills, contract agreements, and a document for registering an independent production company.

“Can this kind of independent production really avoid taxes?”

"Of course, this is a method that Hollywood stars have personally blatantly pioneered, and even the IRS can't find fault with it."

Luo Dai'an smiled and said, "Just say 'you can enjoy tax exemption if you work overseas for a long time'. The whole crew of Roman Holiday went to Europe for this purpose. Before filming started, they set up a shell company and claimed it was an independent production. They cancelled the company immediately after the filming. Of course, if you are brave enough, you can also try Hollywood's accounting law to exploit loopholes in the IRS..."

"Forget it. I just want to avoid taxes reasonably, not to commit suicide like Al Capone."

After Fangyan confirmed that the documents were correct, he signed his name and said, "Besides, I'm not going to close this independent production company."

Luo Daian smiled knowingly and said, "Are you planning to give this company as a gift to your wife?"

"Right on my mind!"

Fangyan said, "And the first person I'm going to hire is your brother, my apprentice, Mike, what do you think?"

Rodian cast a meaningful look, "Maybe you could talk to my father. I'm sure he would be happy to invest a large sum of money."

Fangyan put the documents back into his briefcase and said, "Let's talk about it later. I haven't decided what to make for my first independent film yet." (End of this chapter)