Huayu: Director started with art films

Chapter 330 341 [The movie with the largest investment in Hong Kong films, Taipei Shuyi Jingshe]

"Hello, Mr. Li, I'm Hong Jinbao, nice to meet you!"

Looking at the slightly fierce-looking fat man in front of him, Li Yishu smiled and stretched out her hand: "Haha, I've heard of Mr. Hong's name for a long time. Now I see that he is worthy of being the big brother of the Hong Kong entertainment industry!"

He was quite familiar with Sammo Hung. When he was filming "Ghost in the Shell", he was a simple, honest and agile fat man. But now his face looks more and more fierce, especially the shallow scar around his mouth, which makes him look even more fierce.

"No, no, Mr. Li was joking. Big Brother was just a joke."

Hong Jinbao said modestly: "It's mainly because my friends in the circle give me face. In addition, I started filming very early, so everyone gave me this title. I don't take it seriously."

"Mr. Hong is still too modest."

Li Yishu smiled and did not dwell on the word "big brother". Instead, she smiled and said, "I wonder if Mr. Hong is looking for me?"

Hong Jinbao said, "Mr. Li, I'm so sorry. I heard from A-Long that you prepared a script for Mr. Yang and wanted to shoot it in Hong Kong Island. I shamelessly asked A-Long to bring me here because I wanted to recommend myself and see if I could be the director of this movie."

Hearing this, Li Yishu raised her eyebrows slightly. Want to be a director?
Cheng Long stood by silently and did not say a word for Hong Jinbao. It was obvious that he did not want to get involved in this matter because he knew that if Mr. Li was willing, what he said would only be icing on the cake. If he was not willing, no matter how much he said, it would be useless.

After working with Li Yishu on a film once, Cheng Long knew that Li Yishu was the kind of person who would never change her mind once she made up her mind!
His reputation was not great enough to make Li Yishu change his mind for him.

Li Yishu thought for a moment and said, "In theory, I recognize Mr. Hong's directing ability, but my script is an alternative gangster-themed movie, and Mr. Hong's directing style doesn't quite match the script."

Hearing this, Hong Jinbao sighed inwardly. He still hoped to take this opportunity to make friends with Li Yishu.

In the past, Li Yishu either filmed art films or shot movies abroad. The only martial arts film she made was shot in mainland China.

Now that he finally has a script suitable for filming in Hong Kong Island, Sammo Hung is thinking of taking this opportunity to build a good relationship with Lee Yi-shu. In the future, he may be able to join a Hollywood crew and become famous just like Aaron.

"However, if Mr. Hong is interested in this movie, there are quite a few fighting scenes in the script. Mr. Hong can bring the Hong Clan to serve as martial arts instructors. I wonder if you are interested?"

"Yes! Of course I'm interested!"

Hong Jinbao was overjoyed. Although he was a little disappointed that he didn't become a director, being a martial arts instructor was also a good choice. At least it would allow him to be connected with Lee Yi-shu. If there is a suitable role or a suitable movie for him in the future, he might not think of himself as one of them.

Before rushing to meet Li Yishu today, Sammo Hung asked around to find out more about his personality. He is usually very gentle, but very irritable on the set. He is also a nostalgic person and likes to use actors and crew teams he often works with.

This time, he serves as the martial arts director of the film written by Li Yishu, and he may be able to participate in the production of the other party's film in the future.

Li Yishu smiled and said, "Since Mr. Hong is interested, I will ask Mr. Yang to contact you later."

"Thank you, Mr. Li. I will definitely work hard to do a good job as a martial arts instructor."

Hong Jinbao showed gratitude on his face.

After a few more pleasantries, Sammo Hung tactfully took his leave. He used to follow Zou Wenhuai in his early years, and later partnered with others to open Debao. Now that the company has closed and Golden Harvest is thriving, it is natural that he wants to continue to relive his old dreams.

After he left, Cheng Long hurriedly said, "I'm sorry Director Li, I didn't tell you about the script. It was Boss Yang who contacted someone in the industry, and my senior brother heard about it from someone."

"It's okay Aaron."

Li Yishu waved his hands, not caring about the leak of this matter: "This is not a trade secret, so if you know it, then you know it. And speaking of it, your senior brother recommended himself this time, which is really good. His martial arts instruction style is very consistent with the fighting scenes required by my script."

The most famous martial arts instruction teams in Hong Kong today are the Yuen Clan, the Cheng Clan, and the Hung Clan.

The three have very different styles. The most famous one is naturally Yuan Heping, who is known as the best in the world, but Hong Jinbao is not far behind. His coaching style is not only hard and tough, but also has some street fighting spirit.

The movie "New World" itself is realistic, so the fighting scenes in it naturally won't be as exaggerated as knocking someone out with one punch. Considering that it's a fight between gangs, someone like Sammo Hung who has been involved in society in his early years is the most suitable person to serve as a martial arts instructor.

"As long as Director Li is satisfied, my senior brother is very good at martial arts guidance. We are going to work together on a movie next year, and he will also be the martial arts guidance." Cheng Long breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Li Yishu would be angry with him because of this matter.

"What movie?" Li Yishu became interested. He only remembered that the two of them had collaborated on a literary movie called "A Good Man".

Cheng Long said: "A movie about racing."

Racing?

Who Am I or Thunderbolt?

It shouldn’t be “Who Am I”, that movie should be out in a few years.

That's "Thunderbolt"!

Speaking of which, this movie shot by Jackie Chan is one of the very few movies in Hong Kong that is related to racing themes.

Li Yishu thought for a moment and said with a smile, "I'm quite interested in racing themes. Has the movie been confirmed?"

"It's almost confirmed. The movie is invested by Golden Harvest and will be shot in the spring of next year. I think Mr. Zou will talk to Director Li in the next few days. If Director Li is interested, he can invest in it."

"Sure, I happen to have an idea for a racing theme, I might give it a try in the future."

"Aaron, I'll arrange for a few people to go to your crew to learn. Do you mind?"

"No, I don't mind."

Cheng Long said with a smile: "Mr. Zou is also very optimistic about this subject. The budget has been increased to 1.5 million Hong Kong dollars, and we are planning to shoot in Japan and the United States."

"1.5 billion?"

Li Yishu was surprised and asked, "Such a huge investment?"

1.5 million Hong Kong dollars, when converted, is nearly million US dollars.

Cheng Long said: "Yes, Mr. Zou wants to stimulate Golden Harvest's stock through a big production, and show the strength of Golden Harvest Films."

"That's it."

Li Yishu nodded slightly. If it was for the purpose of consolidating stocks, it would be normal to spend some money to invest in a big production. After all, for a film and television company to go public, the most important thing was to stimulate investors with good news.

The investment in "Rumble in the Bronx" was less than 30 million US dollars, which still includes Li Yishu's fixed salary. "Thunderbolt" cost nearly 20 million US dollars and it was starred by Jackie Chan. I believe that investors must be looking forward to the box office performance after the movie is released.

However, this movie is not very famous among Jackie Chan’s many works, and its box office performance is probably average.

It seems I need to have a chat with Zou Wenhuai.

If Li Yishu were to invest, he wouldn't want his money to go down the drain.

And with Jackie Chan's current momentum, as long as the movie is well made, it is sure to make money.

noon.

Zou Wenhuai invited guests and reporters to a hotel near the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Li Yishu approached him alone to talk about Thunderbolt.

"Mr. Li, the script is still being written. The director is Chen Jiashang, who is very talented. This year he worked with Jet Li on Fist of Fury and Bodyguard from Beijing, both of which did very well at the box office."

Zou Wenhuai naturally welcomed Li Yishu's wish to participate in the investment. He had been thinking of discussing the investment with Li Yishu in private after the listing of Golden Harvest was settled in the next few days.

This movie has a very high budget, and it can be said to be the movie with the highest budget in Hong Kong so far.

Although Zou Wenhuai was preparing for the purpose of consolidating the share price of Golden Harvest, he also planned to make money in the overseas market by leveraging Jackie Chan's current international fame.

Nowadays, it would be best to have one more person to share the risk.

What's more, this person is Li Yishu. If she can give the crew some advice, it will basically be a sure win.

That’s right, the feeling that Lee Yi-su gives people now can be summed up in two words: “peace of mind”. Any movie related to him, whether he made it himself or invested in others’, has never failed!
Li Yishu is quite familiar with the director Chen Jiashang. The film "Painted Skin" directed by him in 2008 was a sensation and boosted the market for fantasy films. Since then, there have been many similar films in China.

There was also the later "The Four" series, which were also very well filmed.

It may be because he is getting older and his thinking cannot keep up with the times, or it may be because of the rise of commercial directors in the mainland, and gradually he has become a nobody in the circle.

"I know Chen Jiashang. I've seen a few of his movies. They're pretty good. There shouldn't be any problem with him being the director."

Li Yishu smiled and said, "When the script is finished, Mr. Zou, you can ask someone to send it to me. I have some good ideas for racing themes."

"No problem, Mr. Li. Even if you didn't tell me, I would have asked someone to send the script to you to read."

Zou Wenhuai laughed heartily and said, "Who doesn't know the script written by Li Sheng? It's not just a script, it's a big box office hit!"

"Haha, Mr. Zou, you're overpraising me."

“That’s not an exaggeration at all.”

Zou Wenhuai said: "I had someone send the script to me this afternoon. Although it is not finished yet, Chen Jiashang said that the general plot has been sorted out."

“Wait till the script is written.”

Li Yishu shook her head: "I have to take a flight back to Japan this afternoon, so I don't have that much time."

Zou Wenhuai said, "Okay, then I'll listen to Mr. Li. When the script is finished, I'll have someone send it to Japan personally."

Li Yishu suddenly remembered the female lead that she had promised Li Jiaxin, and asked, "By the way, Mr. Zou, have you selected the actors for the production?"

"Not yet. If Mr. Li has a suitable candidate, he can recommend one. I will then tell Chen Jiashang and A'long."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Zou."

"Haha, no need to thank me. I believe the actor recommended by Mr. Li is definitely suitable."

Zou Wenhuai adjusted the frame of his glasses and felt amused. He was indeed still a young man who would spend a fortune to win the smile of a beauty.

The two were chatting happily when He Guanchang came and knocked on the door, saying that the guests had arrived. They then got up and went out to attend the celebration banquet.

Jiahe's listing this time was very successful. Before the closing at 12 noon, the stock price had risen to 10 yuan, nearly tripling. When the market opened at 4 pm, it was estimated that it would continue to rise, but it finally stabilized at around 11-12.

The total market value is at most HK$10 billion.

But for Li Yishu, it is already good. At least the money he used to acquire 5% can be tripled or quadrupled after today.

That afternoon.

Li Yishu said goodbye to Lan Jieying who came to see him off, waved goodbye, and flew back to Japan to continue filming "Fireworks".

Time always passes quickly when filming, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the end of December.

Today is the last scene of "Fireworks", and it is also the place where the male protagonist "Xi" finally lets go of his worries, accompanying his wife at the beach.

Nowadays, most parts of Japan have snowed or the temperature has dropped sharply, but there is one place where it is still sunny in December, and that is Ryukyu Island.

The sky is sunny, the sea is rough, and the golden beach makes people feel relaxed.

Looking at everything around her, Li Yishu lamented that it was such a pity that such a nice resort was occupied by the Japanese.

But this kind of thing was not something Li Yishu could decide. After filming this scene in just one day, she hurried back to Tokyo. She then stayed with Izumi Sakai for one night and left Japan by plane the next morning.

In a few days, it will be the hundred-day banquet of our eldest son Li Bangguo.

Strictly speaking, it has been over a hundred days and the child was born on September 9th, but if calculated in Yanjing time, he was born on the 16th.

Mother Zhao Xue suggested that since New Year's Day was coming soon, they might as well schedule a date for the Li and Lin families to sit at the same table, eat and drink together, and have fun without inviting any relatives or friends.

After all, Li Yishu and Qingxia's work is special, so it is not convenient to hold a grand hundred-day banquet.

12 month 30 number.

Daan District, Taipei.

An old house.

In the garden at the entrance, Li Yishu sat on a chair, looking at the two-story western-style building in front of him, which was very much in the style of the Republic of China. He asked curiously, "Sister Qingxia, your house is quite nice. It's quite old, right?"

"Yes, this house is almost thirty years old. According to the real estate agent at the time, this house seems to be where Lin Yutang lived when he first came to Taipei."

Qingxia smiled faintly: "But whether it is true or not, I don't know. Anyway, I haven't lived in this house much since I bought it. The main reason is that the surrounding supporting facilities are not very complete."

"Lin Yutang?" Li Yishu asked in surprise, "I remember there is a former residence of Lin Yutang in Taipei. Is it this?"

Qingxia shook her head and said, "You are talking about Lin Yutang's former residence on the hillside of Yangming Mountain. He designed and built it himself later. I heard from the agent that this house was where Lin Yutang stayed when he first came to Taipei. He lived there for a year or two. Anyway, I spent a lot of money when I bought it."

"If it is really where Lin Yutang lived, then it doesn't matter if he spends a little more money. He is a great writer and a great writer. Moment in Peking and Laughter are both well-known. If our son lives here in the future, he will be able to learn from his talent to some extent."

Li Yishu smiled. This is the good thing about being a celebrity: the places they have lived in and used will be valuable in the future, at least they are valuable in the market.

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

Qingxia's eyes lit up, and she said quickly, "I moved here specifically because I hope Tuantuan can study hard in the future, so I plan to change the name of this place to Calligraphy Academy."

(End of this chapter)