1977: The beginning of the blind date with the daughter of the king

Chapter 637 Join forces to support Cheng Long!
As far as the current Hong Kong film market is concerned, Golden Harvest can be regarded as the undisputed leader.

Shaw Brothers Films is no longer in its heyday and has now been sold to Planet Films. Planet Films can only be said to be just starting out, having come to the fore with a few films by Wang Jing and Xu Ke.

The film "Parasite", which was invested in by the filmmaker, won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and caused a sensation in Hong Kong Island.

But overall, Planet Films' lifespan is still too short, the company has produced relatively few films, and in terms of influence, it is slightly inferior to the old-line Golden Harvest.

This is also the reason why Shao Weiming wanted to bring Golden Harvest into the market.

With the participation of Golden Harvest, the credibility of the Hong Kong Film Awards will be better protected.

"Are they planning to give both Best Picture and Best Actor to Jackie Chan?"

Li Changhe asked with a smile at this time.

Shao Weiming nodded: "That's right!"

"Golden Harvest has always wanted to recreate the glory of a second Bruce Lee, and now Jackie Chan has given them new hope."

"The Academy Awards is a great opportunity for Golden Harvest to build up the legend of Jacky Cheung, and Golden Harvest will not let it go."

"I think there is another point. They want to take this opportunity to suppress us."

"After all, Parasite won the Palme d'Or. Under such circumstances, it is unlikely that the first Academy Award will go to someone else!"

"In fact, if the talks continue, I think Golden Harvest will give in. What they are really aiming for should be the Best Actor. Giving Jacky Cheung the first Best Actor award should be their goal."

Shao Weiming was not completely led by Jiahe. He naturally had his own way of doing things. He also had "undercover agents" bribed by Jiahe. He basically knew what Zou Wenhuai was thinking.

"Impossible. If the Academy Awards are to be held, they must be fair and just. At least the superficial effort must be made."

"Privately, if Jiahe and Zou Wenhuai have the ability, let them do the public relations themselves. We will not make any promises to them."

“So as for the Academy Awards, if Golden Harvest is willing to participate, then they can participate. If they are not willing to participate, then they can just withdraw.”

"I remember there is a company called Xinyicheng? It's the one called Golden Princess. It owns the original ATV cinema chain!"

"You can go talk to them and ask Princess Jin to join the Academy Awards Organizing Committee!"

Li Changhe knew that the most glorious company in the 1980s was Cinema City, and the Seven Monsters of Cinema City were at their peak back then. Although Nansun Shi and Xu Ke were pulled to Planet Movies now, as long as the three of Bald Mai Jia, Wong Jing and Shek Tien were there, the core of Cinema City was there.

Li Changhe felt that even if Cinema City could not achieve the glory of its previous life, it would most likely become a third-party force in the Hong Kong film industry.

Therefore, in his opinion, Golden Harvest does not have to participate in the Academy Awards.

"New Art City?"

Shao Weiming was a little surprised when he heard what Li Changhe said.

He knew about Cinema City, and Planet Films also had a partnership with it. It was a film company founded by Ray Juekun of Kowloon Central Real Estate Company.

Kowloon Development is not a very large real estate company in Hong Kong Island, but the Lei family is also a well-known family.

Not only does the Lei family own Kowloon Development, but there is also Kowloon Motor Bus and many local companies in Kowloon. The Lei family is considered a local tyrant in Kowloon and a wealthy family outside of some of the wealthy families in Hong Kong Island.

However, for now, in Shao Weiming's opinion, Cinema City is still just a small business and has not yet become a real force. I don't know why Li Changhe mentioned this company.

"Cinema City currently lacks influence. If it's just us and Cinema City, we can still make it happen, but for the Academy Awards, the first edition will definitely not have enough prestige."

"In this case, for us, the event is actually a failure. I still prefer to let Jiahe join."

Shao Weiming said seriously.

The Hong Kong Film Awards might not be well-known at the beginning, but as it is supported by Shaw Brothers Films and ATV, Shaw Wai-ming would not allow it to remain unknown.

Even with so many resources invested, if the Academy Awards still cannot become a huge hit and become the benchmark for Hong Kong film awards, then Shao Weiming feels that it is simply a waste of time.

"Then tell Zou Wenhuai that there will be no fraud in the first Academy Awards, but the Best Actor award can be given to Cheng Long in the next one."

"But the prerequisite is that Cheng Long makes a Hong Kong Universe series of movies for Planet Movies."

Li Changhe thought about it and said to Shao Weiming.

"Uh? Making a movie for Planet Films? This..."

Shao Weiming was a little surprised. He didn't expect Li Changhe to put forward such a condition.

But he knew without thinking that this would be difficult. Jackie Chan was now the mainstay of Golden Harvest. At this time, it was simply impossible for Golden Harvest to let Jackie Chan take over and let Planet Films make movies.

Zou Wenhuai is not stupid when it comes to such "aiding the enemy" behavior. Even if he is awarded a "Golden Horse Award", I'm afraid Zou Wenhuai would not do it.

"In the Hong Kong Universe of Planet Movies, there is a series of super police stories. This story is very suitable for Cheng Long to be the protagonist. This super police series can be co-produced by Planet Movies and Golden Harvest."

"If there is a breakthrough in the box office next year, the Best Actor Award at the Academy Awards will go to Jackie Chan."

"Besides that, you can tell Zou Wenhuai that we can work with him to promote Cheng Long as a representative of discursive films in the European and American markets."

"Tell him about my position in MCA. I believe Zou Wenhuai will be able to clearly distinguish the pros and cons of this."

Li Changhe said confidently at this moment.

"Are we also promoting Cheng Long in Europe and America?"

Shao Weiming was even more surprised when he heard Li Changhe's words.

Although he believed before that Zou Wenhuai would never aid the enemy, now that Li Changhe has put forward this condition, Zou Wenhuai would be a fool if he did not "aid the enemy".

With Li Changhe's influence in Europe and the United States, if he promotes Jackie Chan, it will definitely be a big money-making business for Golden Harvest.

After all, the European and American markets are much larger than Hong Kong Island, or even Southeast Asia. The money earned there is in U.S. dollars, and one U.S. dollar is equivalent to six Hong Kong dollars.

The current box office record in Hong Kong is just over 20 million for "God of Gamblers", which is less than 4 million US dollars when converted into US dollars. This is an insignificant result for the US market.

Shao Weiming could imagine that once Li Changhe put forward this condition, Zou Wenhuai would definitely agree to it immediately.

Unless he is stupid, he will refuse!

"Yes, we are also promoting Cheng Long there. In fact, for us, we have no choice but to promote Cheng Long in Europe and the United States."

"It's very difficult for Chinese actors to integrate into the world of Hollywood, especially with so-called acting skills. It's simply impossible."

"There is only one element that can make it into Hollywood, and that is Kung Fu. Bruce Lee has paved a perfect path for those who came after him, and has also cultivated a group of Chinese film audiences."

"And now the only person who can inherit these audiences in Hong Kong, in my opinion, is Jackie Chan, no one else can!"

"So instead of trying to promote some mediocre actors from our own company, I think it would be better for us to work with Golden Harvest to promote Jackie Chan."

"First, use Cheng Long to pave the way and build up a part of the Chinese-language film market, and then consider other things."

Li Changhe said softly.

He knew very well that there were many movie stars in Hollywood in his previous life, but only two of them were able to gain a foothold in Hollywood.

One is Jackie Chan and the other is Jet Li. Both of them have established their foothold by relying on the elements of Kung Fu.

But among these two people, only Jackie Chan has truly established himself on the big screen.

Jet Li was able to gain a foothold in Hollywood, but his movies did not perform well at the box office, and his real market was the video tape market.

Only Jackie Chan's movies were truly box office hits in Hollywood, and he himself has reached the level of an A-level actor thanks to his achievements.

Although Cheng Long is not under Li Changhe's command now, Li Changhe does not mind supporting this "big brother" in the international market.

At least in terms of national sentiment and other aspects, Cheng Long, a Hong Konger, has done better than Li Lianjie, a mainlander. "If you say so, then I will have the confidence to negotiate with Zou Wenhuai."

"I think if the European and American markets also support Jackie Chan, then we can talk more with Golden Harvest."

"If nothing else, at least give us access to Golden Harvest's cinema chain!"

Shao Weiming said thoughtfully.

Li Changhe shook his head: "You can just discuss this. Although we have competition within Hong Kong Island, when we go to Europe and the United States, Chinese people still have to work together. Promoting a Chinese movie star will also help my voice over there."

"Just do your best to facilitate this cooperation. Don't be too demanding. If Cheng Long really becomes famous all over the world, then I will be of great use to him."

Li Changhe hinted to Shao Weiming that he didn't need to be too greedy and should try his best to promote cooperation. After all, if Cheng Long really became famous, it would be good for him.

Apart from anything else, just in terms of immigration business, Cheng Long can be a reliable spokesperson.

Although Shao Weiming is looking forward to Golden Harvest joining the Academy Awards, the Shao family and Zou Wenhuai have a history of grievances and hatred. Li Changhe is worried that if Shao Weiming becomes too proud and gets into a conflict with Zou Wenhuai again, it would be a loss.

So he gave a subtle reminder.

Shao Weiming was a smart man, so he naturally understood what Li Changhe meant. He smiled and nodded, "I understand. I'll go talk to Zou Wenhuai later."

"Oh, one more thing. Should we relax the scope of nominations for the Academy Awards?"

At this time, Shao Weiming asked Li Changhe softly again.

This is also a question he has been thinking about.

As for the biweekly, the idea has always been to only select films from Hong Kong Island.

The reason is simple. Firstly, they are a magazine from Hong Kong Island and are only familiar with the movies here.

Secondly, once the scope of participation is opened, it is inevitable that films from the mainland or Taiwan will be included, and at that time, it will easily become an arena for competition between the two forces. As a small film magazine, they dare not offend either side and cannot afford to offend anyone.

After all, there is a Freedom Federation in Hong Kong Island, which is one of the income channels for many filmmakers.

So in order to avoid trouble, it is better not to take movies from either side and only take movies from Hong Kong.

However, Shao Weiming knew clearly that the reason why Li Changhe agreed to organize the Academy Awards was not simply to contribute to Hong Kong films, but he had other commercial intentions.

In this case, Li Changhe may not agree if films from other regions are discarded.

However, Li Changhe's answer was beyond Shao Weiming's expectations.

"For now, we will focus on Hong Kong films. Since this is our first event, we will not expand the scope of our selection."

"Wait until the influence of the Academy Awards spreads, and then we'll see whether to let it go or not!"

Li Changhe said calmly.

He knew very well that the next two years would be a critical period in the Sino-British negotiations. At this time, there was no need to interfere in the Academy Awards and to join the selection of mainland films.

So at this time, there is no need to deliberately make any concessions on the Academy Awards. Just wait until the high-level negotiations are settled, and then show the direction of the wind.

What Li Changhe wants to do is not to be a pioneer, but to have a long-term impact, so he doesn't care about the next one or two years.

"You... I thought you would object to this idea. Since you agree, then there is no problem."

"Let's focus on Hong Kong movies first, it will be easier this way."

"By the way, do you want to have dinner together tonight?"

After finishing both matters and seeing that it was already past four o'clock, Shao Weiming immediately invited Li Changhe.

Li Changhe looked at the time and shook his head.

"No, I have an appointment tonight, let's do it another day!"

He had already made plans to have dinner with Rosamund Kwan tonight. After all, it had been a while since he last spent time with this little girl.

"Well, fine. I'll leave first and won't delay your business."

Shao Weiming knew without thinking that Li Changhe must have made an appointment with Guan Zhilin in the evening.

After all, he was in Hong Kong Island and seldom attended dinner parties or business dinners. If he had appointments at night, they were basically with women.

The only woman he had a relationship with in Hong Kong Island was Rosamund Kwan.

He actually couldn't understand why Li Changhe was still so devoted to that woman.

Of course, Rosamund Kwan is very beautiful, and even in today's Hong Kong entertainment industry, she is considered one of the top beauties.

However, there are millions of people in Hong Kong Island, and there are people who are as beautiful as Rosamund Kwan. What's more, there are many beauties who are not top beauties in the entertainment industry. They are equally charming with their looks and talents.

With Li Changhe's status, having a few more children is no problem at all, as he can afford to support them.

Moreover, he didn't think that Li Changhe was the kind of affectionate and loyal man.

I can’t figure it out! I can’t figure it out!
Shao Weiming left with doubts in his heart, while Li Changhe got in the car and then came to Guan Zhilin's house.

"My dear, you are finally back!"

As soon as Li Changhe entered the room, Guan Zhilin hung on Li Changhe like a koala. Compared with Zhu Lin and Gong Xue, she was indeed more youthful and lively at the age of less than 20.

"Have you changed your clothes? Where do you want to eat today?"

Looking at the carefully dressed girl, Li Changhe said with a smile.

"Let's go to Taiping Mountain. There's a new Japanese restaurant there. It's pretty good. Let's go eat there!"

Guan Zhilin had already chosen a place and was just waiting for Li Changhe to pick her up.

"Okay! Let's go!"

Of course Li Changhe would not refute, and then took Guan Zhilin out and got into the car.

"Gigi, you are in the Hong Kong entertainment industry now, do you have many friends?"

After getting in the car, Li Changhe suddenly asked Guan Zhilin softly.

After hearing this, Guan Zhilin became a little confused.

"friend?"

"It's not that bad. I got to know some people during the filming and they were all pretty nice to me."

"What's wrong, dear? Is there a problem?"

At this time, Guan Zhilin blinked her big eyes and asked Li Changhe hesitantly.

Could it be that he heard some rumors?

"It's like this. There will be a good investment opportunity in Hong Kong Island in the next two years. I will do something in Hong Kong Island. If you are interested, you can bring your friends with you."

At this time, Li Changhe whispered to Guan Zhilin an answer that surprised her very much.

As expected, when Guan Zhilin heard Li Changhe's answer, she was stunned.

(End of this chapter)