Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 435 Resolving the feud
Of all the talk shows, Zhang Chen's favorite is "锵锵三人行" because this show is a real conversation, with no scripts or teleprompters, and at most a conversation scope.

Dou Wentao likes to pretend to be vulgar in the show, now it is:
"I am the 'selfish ambassador'. I just don't know how much money these famous directors can make from shooting a movie, so I want to ask for clarity today."

"Haha, no wonder I had the illusion of being forced into a corner. Turns out it's not an illusion~" Zhang Chen also joked.

"Hehe, since Director Zhang said so, I can't continue asking. Otherwise, if Director Zhang complains, I'll be out of work..."

"Not really, not really, I don't have that much power, and I'm counting on you to help me promote the movie~"

Zhang Chen likes Dou Wentao very much. He is witty and humorous and dares to say anything.

You see, he has been pretending to be timid in the show, as if he is afraid of losing his job if he gets too excited about talking, but in fact, he dares to talk about anything.

He always looks cautious, but he really dares to talk about these things openly.

He is the one who has a humble attitude and a tough topic.

"锵锵三人行" has been broadcast for twenty years. Conservatively speaking, if we sort out the content of the first five years and publish what Dou Wentao said in today's public opinion environment, it is basically certain that the program will be taken off the shelves, advertisers will terminate the contracts, the program will be banned from the entire network, and it will die socially.

The topics discussed were all sensitive and the views expressed were very avant-garde.

Zhang Chen didn’t feel it the first few times he came, but he felt it this time.

Dou Wentao: "Then let's change the topic and talk about your recent verbal battle~"

"Okay~"

Zhang Chen didn’t care, he had already been scolded anyway.

"According to media reports, you have had verbal fights with many people, including Wu Yusen, Zeng Zhiwei, director Lu Chuan, Chen Shishi, Ma Chucheng, and the most recent Sixth Generation..."

“Why have you come into conflict with so many people?”

"I just can't stand it~ Those people in Hong Kong and Taiwan are basically because of their inexplicable sense of superiority. You also make a living in Hong Kong, so you should have personal experience, right?"

Dou Wentao pushed his black-framed glasses: "Indeed~"

He is from Shijiazhuang. Although he mainly makes a living in Hong Kong and has a high status, he can more or less feel the arrogance of Hong Kong people.

"I think it's mainly because of the gap between the two places. Hong Kong developed earlier and has higher incomes, so it looks down on the mainland, which is not as good as itself.
It’s mainly about social status. If there are no outstanding talents in this field in the mainland, they will definitely be looked down upon. But if there are, and you continue to be arrogant, then you have no sense of propriety~”

Dou Wentao was probably talking about himself.

Liang Wendao interrupted: "I don't think it's entirely because of this reason. It's also because of the information gap. There's too little communication between the two places. I was born and raised in Hong Kong, but I don't know what the mainland is like. All my knowledge is still stuck in the backward China of a long time ago, so it's natural that I would have this kind of reaction..."

“I think this is actually a personal problem. You don’t take the initiative to understand it, or you are unwilling to take the initiative to understand it.

Hong Kong has been taken back, doesn't that prove the point? If China is still backward, do you think the Angolans will return it?"

Dou Wentao's words are still sharp when talking to his own people.

Zhang Chen said: "I also tend to agree with Wen Tao's point of view, because I have met such people myself. For example, Hong Kong directors are very superstitious and think they understand commercial films the best. They have never seen mainland films and always belittle them.

For example, the Ma Chucheng incident.

It's just normal commercial competition. Everyone's movies are released at the same time, so it's just competition.

But they just chose to form a group to scold me, devaluing my film as worthless, and acting like seniors.

I'm telling you, you have to listen~
I don’t know who gave him the courage, was it Fish Leong?
I definitely can't tolerate this kind of people.

What's more, they themselves are not clean.

That old bastard Wu Yusen, I said he was kicked out of Hollywood, was I wrong?

Did you see him refute this?

Once you have succeeded, you like to point fingers at others.

That’s why I want to beat him in the field he excels in. His greatest achievement is Mission: Impossible 2, so I will also make a spy movie, and we can talk about it with movies.”

"Yes, yes, 'Taken' is indeed amazing. Even in Hong Kong, it is the annual box office champion..." Dou Wentao assisted.

Liang Wendao smiled bitterly, as he was the only Hong Konger present.

I really want to refute, but I really can't find a good reason.

"It's not directed at you. The people Zhang Chen scolded are not only from Hong Kong, but also from the mainland~"

Dou Wentao didn't want to embarrass his old partner, so he took the initiative to help him out. However, Liang Wendao's bitter smile became even more bitter.

"So, with the recent verbal battle between you and the directors of art films, are you planning to make an art film to teach them a lesson?"

Just after comforting his old partner, Dou Wentao started to set a trap for Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen would not fall for his trick: "Forget about art films. This kind of thing is actually not difficult to shoot, but I really hate this kind of routine."

“Is it easy to make art films?”

"What's so difficult about that? The only way for an art film to make money is to win awards. Just shoot according to this goal."

Dou Wentao and Liang Wendao looked at each other and said, "Yes, other art film directors think the same way, but the films they make may not necessarily win awards, and it is even difficult to sell them~"

Zhang Chen sneered: "That's because they don't understand the tricks here."

"Art films have routines? Tell us about it~"

Seeing that the two were very interested, Zhang Chen didn't want to spoil their fun: "It's very simple, just push in the opposite direction according to the goal.

Are film festivals in the hands of the West?
So to win the award, do we have to cater to the West?
If you want to film a story about China, you just need to know what kind of China the West likes.

Western audiences don't understand China; they watch Chinese movies purely out of curiosity.

What's the point of showing him a healthy, positive and rapidly developing China?
The audience will quickly lose interest.

Only a dirty, ignorant and backward China fits the Western impression of China, and only then will the Western film market buy it.

So as long as you shoot in this direction, European art theaters will purchase it.

If you can add some slightly chaotic things to these dirty, ignorant, and backward things, such as incest, homosexuality, etc., then maybe you can even win an award. Wouldn't that mean you have both awards and benefits?"

Zhang Chen's remarks left the two of them stunned.

“Can an art film be like this?”

"Of course you can, and this approach is the easiest to be effective at the moment. On the contrary, some directors want to explore sex and ethics like foreign art films, but all of them have failed.

When it comes to showing body parts, can you, a Chinese, compare with foreigners? What is thrilling to you is child's play to them. They have long been fed up with it. This is why Lou Ye's Summer Palace failed to win any awards at Cannes.

Zhang Chen said whatever he wanted to say, and Lou Ye was caught in the crossfire for no reason.

Dou Wentao was concerned about something else: "Did you come up with the above routine yourself?"

Zhang Chen shook his head decisively: "No."

After a pause, he said, "It was another director named Jia Zhangke, and that's what he did~"

"You are……"

Zhang Chen shook his head again: "We just happen to be from the coal-mining province, but we don't know each other. What's more, what he and I do is exactly the opposite. What I want to prove is that China can also make the most advanced Hollywood films, such as spy films, horror films, and science fiction films..."

The two didn't expect that another Jia Zhangke would appear.

It seems that Zhang Chen is really not afraid of offending people.

"Aren't you afraid that they will all learn this trick after our show airs?"

Zhang Chen shook his head again: "What's there to be afraid of? They like to demonize their own country to make money, so let them do it. Anyway, they can't make ten movies as well as I can make one. When Pacific Rim is released, the attitude of the whole world towards China will change. After watching the movie, they will be curious about what the real China is like and want to understand it. This is China's best business card...

Once they understand, they will know that what they have seen before is fake, and those demonized award-winning films will naturally no longer have a market..."

The best strategy is to attack the enemy
Zhang Chen simply expressed his thoughts without any concealment.

I'm playing an open conspiracy, you guys just figure out how to break it~
Liang Wendao: "You are trying to wipe out all art films~"

Zhang Chen smiled and said, "It's not as exaggerated as you said. There are many types of art films. The most likely ones that are demonized will not sell well in the future, but the others will not be affected.

My view has always been that art films can exist, and commercial films can exist, and the two are not in a life-and-death relationship, and they should be able to coexist...

What I advocate is that film directors should be worthy of their investors. It is up to you what subject you want to shoot, but it is best to use your own money.

But many directors of art films go around begging for money, using other people's money to realize their own ideals, and don't care about the life and death of investors at all. This is destroying the entire film environment. If this continues, no one will invest in movies anymore..."

“Do you have such an investor around you?”

Zhang Chen nodded: "Too many, coal bosses are the group that has been cheated the most, and I happen to be from the coal province.

When it comes to coal bosses, our inherent impression is that they are stupid and have a lot of money.

Where does this stereotype come from? It comes from the film and television industry.

Those unscrupulous directors in the film and television industry are really good at cheating people. When they see that people don’t understand movies, they deceive them in various ways.

Many coal bosses around me have been taught a lesson, and now they have learned their lesson and no longer invest in movies, but in cinemas instead. "

"Cinema?"

“Well, because the movie is too imaginary and has a lot of clichés.

I started by telling people that I needed an investment of 10 million and the returns would be great.

After the ten million is used up, tell people that it is not enough and they need another ten million.

Will you vote or not?

Don’t vote?

The 10 million yuan was just wasted?
Continue to vote?
There is a second and a third ten million...

After finally filling the holes, when the movie is released, the box office is only a few hundred thousand, and you have no place to cry.

At this time, you remember all the fantastic things he said to you when he was trying to trick you, and you ask him about it. He asks you back, is it written in the contract?
Not written?

Then you can only consider yourself unlucky.

"

"Then you can't write it?"

“No one will write it,” Zhang Chen shrugged. “When you buy stocks, the stock market will only tell you that this stock has a high probability of rising. Does it dare to guarantee it to you?
The water in the movie is too deep. It is not what you imagine.

This is just the case when the movie is not profitable. If the movie is profitable, such as "A Quiet Place" which made 5000 million, investors will be excited and want to share the money.

What a beautiful thought!
There are so many ways in the film industry to prevent him from getting a single point.

For example, I make the profit negative, or I set up a distribution company and entrust the film distribution to this company.

I just said that I spent 3000 million on publicity and promotion. Don’t worry about how much I actually spent, but it’s 3000 million in the accounts.

Add to that the cost of the film which was over 2000 million, and the total cost is such that the film not only did not make any money, it actually lost money.

Is it legal?

legitimate!

It’s useless even if you know there’s something fishy going on because it’s legal!
There is no problem on the books.

So I don’t recommend outsiders to invest in film projects because the risk is too high.

This is not gambling. Gambling is about luck, but in movies, the other party will cheat.

Until now, there are coal bosses who use all kinds of connections to find me and want to invest in my movies and projects. I always refuse them and persuade them to open a cinema, which is a physical thing. You can tell at a glance how many tickets a cinema sells every day and what the attendance rate is. In addition, there are national policies, so you can make a lot of money..."

……

The program was broadcast and while it was doing well in Hong Kong, it caused quite a stir in mainland China.

Especially about the winning film routines~
People didn't expect that someone would do this.

But when I think back to the movies I have watched in the past, it seems that most of them are of this type.

I immediately lost my composure~
As for people in the circle, many people actually know about it, but they just don’t tell people outside the circle.

In a luxury house in Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
Cheng Long happened to be watching "锵锵三人行" and when he learned that Zhang Chen was in Hong Kong Island, he immediately called Hong Jinbao.

"Zhang Chen is in Hong Kong Island right now. Why don't I ask him out so we can talk it out together~"

Sanmao said indifferently: "Okay, you can arrange it."

When he agreed that day, he had actually thought it through.

Zhang Chen is not only a director now, he is also the chairman of Golden Harvest, and Golden Harvest and Eagle King are partners.

To offend Zhang Chen is to offend Jiahe and Eagle King.

He doesn't care about it, but it makes life hard for his brothers.

As long as he and Zhang Chen don't reconcile, his brothers will not be able to make a living from these two companies.

It's not that people don't want to give them the job, but they can't take the job because of Sanmao's face.

But now the Hong Kong film market is in decline, and no more than five companies can resume production. If he does not reconcile, it will be like everyone is starving.

So, for the sake of his brother, he could not resist any longer.

You have to bend when you need to.

No face, no face.
When Hong Jinbao was worried about the outcome, Cheng Long contacted Liang Jiahui again.

"Tony, do me a favor~"

"Ah Long, stop it. If there's anything you can't handle in Hong Kong, then I can't handle it either~"

"No, this matter really belongs to you~"

"Oh, then tell me what you have to say~"

"Is such that……"

Cheng Long told the two of them what he wanted to say and his thoughts, and Liang Jiahui fell silent.

"Aaron, I can't say for sure. Mr. Zhang is nice to me, but he may not give me face in this matter."

He came from that era and was banned by Taiwan, so he thinks a lot.

As for Zhang Chen’s identity, it was fine to call him Director Zhang before, but since the acquisition of Golden Harvest, Liang Jiahui felt that he should not be called Director Zhang anymore.

You have to call Mr. Zhang!
But I couldn't help but give face to my good friend: "How about this, we both ask Mr. Zhang out and test the waters first. Maybe he will forgive us for our sake?"

Cheng Long smiled bitterly: "Okay, that's the only way, you can ask...him out."

Cheng Long really couldn't bring himself to call him Mr. Zhang.

Given his status, there is actually no need for him to care too much about Zhang Chen.

He has achieved his current status through real hard work and risking his life.

No matter how awesome Zhang Chen is, he can't affect him.

It’s mainly for Sanmao and for all my fellow disciples.

……

Dragon and Phoenix Teahouse
There are many old-style teahouses like this in Hong Kong.

In the box, Cheng Long and Liang Jiahui arrived first.

The waiter led Zhang Chen in: "This is the one~"

"Director Zhang~"

"Mr. Zhang~"

Zhang Chen walked into the private room with a smile, followed by Luian.

In Hong Kong, he is more concerned about his own safety.

Ruian is the action director of "The Man from Nowhere", but he is not required to stay on the set all the time.

During the time Zhang Chen was in Hong Kong, Lu Yian was his bodyguard.

"Brother Hui, don't be so polite. Just call me Zhang Chen, Mr. Zhang. You're making me sound like a gangster~"

The three of them sat down, and the waiter came in: "Brother Long, is it still the same as before?"

Cheng Long is obviously a regular customer of this teahouse.

After a while, tea was served. Cheng Long made tea for the four people. Everyone took a sip, but Ruian did not move.

He is a bodyguard now, not a guest.

Cheng Long also knew what the other party meant and did not force it.

"Why are you treating me to tea~"

"I just found out you came to Hong Kong after watching your show. It just so happens that this place is close to you. Ka Fai said you love food. The shrimp dumplings and rice rolls here are very good..."

Cheng Long had already inquired about Zhang Chen's preferences. Besides being lustful, he also loved to eat.

Great! We are all kindred spirits.

The three chatted for a while and the atmosphere became more familiar.

"You're right, the shrimp dumplings and rice rolls here are indeed delicious."

Seeing Zhang Chen happy, Cheng Long felt that the time had come.

"Director Zhang, I invited you here today because I have another matter..."

"Oh, I'd like to hear more about it~"

Zhang Chen knew that the other party was not that simple. If he really just wanted to have a meal and drink tea, he would not have invited Tony Leung Ka Fai as well.

Putting down his chopsticks, Zhang Chen pretended to listen.

Jackie Chan laughed and said, "It's like this, there was a misunderstanding between my senior brother Sanmao and Director Zhang, and it was very unpleasant before.

We are all filmmakers and have made contributions to Chinese films.

I was thinking, can I help mediate? Actually, there is no serious conflict, we are all men, we got angry and said a few words, he was also standing up for his apprentice.

Sanmao was a righteous man. When his apprentice caused trouble, he, as the master, had to take responsibility.

But he's not a bad person~
Director Zhang, can you please give me some face? A great man should not bear grudges. Please let this article go~"

After Cheng Long finished speaking, Zhang Chen did not reply immediately, but looked at Tony Leung again.

The latter also said: "Along was right in saying one thing. Sanmao is a very righteous person. This incident was actually caused by his apprentice. However, he has already punished his apprentice after the incident.

Sanmao was also a great contributor to Golden Harvest back then. Now Director Zhang Xian... is in charge of Golden Harvest. We are destined to be together. Why not make peace with each other..."

Liang Jiahui also helped to speak well of him.

"Yes, Director Zhang, please forgive my brother~"

Zhang Chen looked at the two of them, thought for a moment, and asked Cheng Long again: "Is this your idea, or your senior brother's idea~"

Of course he had to ask clearly.

If Cheng Long came to apologize without telling Hong Jinbao, it would be meaningless.

Cheng Long smiled and said, "It was my idea, but my senior brother also agreed. We, the Seven Little Fortunes, have discussed it together. No one wants the senior brother and Director Zhang to have too much trouble..."

Zhang Chen nodded: "Well, now that things have come to this, I have to sell my face to you two, and this matter ends here~"

"Thank you Director Zhang~"

Cheng Long looked delighted.

"My senior brother is nearby. How about I call him and ask him to come over so we can have a cup of tea together~"

"it is good."

Seeing Zhang Chen nod, Cheng Long hurried out to make a phone call.

Soon, footsteps were heard outside. It was Hong Jinbao and Yuen Wah.

In fact, the Seven Little Fortunes were all nearby, but Hong Jinbao felt that bringing everyone over would be a bit of a pressure, so he only brought Yuen Wah.

Hong Jinbao walked in and strode to Zhang Chen: "Mr. Zhang, I apologize for offending you before. Today I will pour tea to make amends. I hope Mr. Zhang will be magnanimous..."

As Hong Jinbao spoke, he picked up the empty teacup on the table and filled it with tea. Just as he was about to hold it up, he was pushed down by Zhang Chen.

"No need, it won't come to that. Mr. Hong can just treat me to a drink when he's free~"

If I really pour the tea and admit my mistake, it would be a bit humiliating.

If the news gets out, it won't be good for Hong Jinbao's reputation.

After all, he is also a local figure.

Zhang Chen also has his own considerations.

The conflict between him and Hong Jinbao had really come to this point because of the trouble caused by his men.

The reason for choosing to reconcile was not only to give face to Liang Cheng, but also because Hong Jinbao was indeed quite capable as a martial arts director.

The Seven Little Fortunes are a circle. Since Hong Jinbao is not on good terms with him, it is impossible for the entire Seven Little Fortunes to cooperate with Golden Harvest.

Although there are alternatives to the Yuan family, it is always good to have more options.

In fact, if possible, the Hong family is more suitable than the Yuan family as the martial arts instructor of "Ip Man".

It’s not because the original time and space was the Yuan Clan, but because Hong Jinbao was more familiar with Wing Chun. He had filmed a Wing Chun-themed movie "Mr. Zan and Mr. Zhao Qianhua" a long time ago.

The one looking for Qian Hua is Chen Huashun, and Mr. Zan is Liang Zan. One is Ip Man's master, and the other is Ip Man's grandmaster.

"Okay, Mr. Zhang, please save face for me, Sanmao. I will remember this favor. As for drinking, how about tonight? My fellow apprentices and I have long wanted to see Mr. Zhang..."

Hong Jinbao was also a straightforward person. Zhang Chen didn't let him pour tea to apologize because that was to save his face. He remembered this well.

"Okay, then tonight, I'll call you Sanmao. Sanmao, you pick the place, and I'll invite Boss Yang along, so we can have some fun together..."

Since they had already reconciled, Zhang Chen would give him more face and invite Boss Yang along as well.

It can be regarded as a public announcement. The matter between Sanmao and I has been exposed...

(End of this chapter)