Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 487 Exceptional Conditions

Chen Kaige is a true literary youth, and the kind of literary youth who has always been immersed in the 1980s.

The script that Tao Yushu read was called "Walking and Singing", which was adapted from Shi Tiesheng's short story "Life is Like a String of a Harp".

The novel tells the story of a young blind man in his early twenties who follows an old blind man in his sixties all day long, making a living by playing the piano and telling stories.

The young blind man could not bear the misery of his fate and wanted to give up his life every time. The old blind man then told him the last words his master had left.

It is said that if one breaks 1000 strings and burns them to ashes to make a medicine inducer, and takes it together with the prescription medicine left by the master, the blind will be able to see again.

The young blind man was skeptical, but finally one day, the old blind man broke the 1000th string. He excitedly found the prescription and went into the pharmacy.

Unexpectedly, the guy who picked up the medicine told him that the prescription was completely blank with no words written on it.

When the old blind man heard this, he was shocked and wanted to bang his head against the door of the pharmacy, but suddenly he changed his mind.

When I got home, I told the little blind boy that I had remembered my master's words wrong. My master had said that I had to break 1200 strings.

But before he could break the remaining 200 strings, the old blind man died.

Before he died, he told the little blind man to keep playing.

The novel is a good one, with a clear, restrained and warm temperament. The struggle against fate and the questioning of the meaning of life in it are worth deep thought.

But the presentation in the form of a movie is a bit thin. Chen Kaige loves to write scripts, but he is not the kind of screenwriter who can enrich the scripts with flesh and blood.

When he writes scripts, he always likes to add some inexplicable shots and scenes into them.

In order to highlight his own images and emotions, in fact, except for himself, this extremely individual feeling is difficult for others to understand.

Tao Yushu's scolding filled him with grief and indignation, but he dared not refute.

Not only because Tao Yushu was the elder, but also because his father Chen Huaikai was watching right next to him, so he could only lower his head and feel aggrieved.

“It’s true that The King of Children won an award, but that’s not entirely your credit. It sold over 800 million yuan at the box office because of the people’s patriotism.

Don't feel wronged. You went to Hong Kong for a visit and study in the first half of the year. I know that you don't agree with their approach.

But did you know that "A Lang's Story" sold 1000 million Hong Kong dollars in its first week of release?

You have read the script of "A Lang's Story" and have been to the set. Do you think it is a purely commercial film? "

Tao Yushu's words shocked Chen Kaige. How could "A Lang's Story" sell so well? Would it be worth 20 to 30 million Hong Kong dollars?

A place as small as Hong Kong actually generated more box office revenue than "The King of Children"?

"You haven't even learned to walk yet, but you want to run. Do you think you're the only one in the world who can make movies? Are you the only one who understands art? Others have been making movies for so many years, but they're not as good as you?"

Tao Yushu was merciless. She still remembered what Lin Chaoyang said to her:
A small tree will not grow straight if it is not repaired, and a tree will chirp if a person does not repair it.

Kaige is a person who gets cocky when he achieves a little success. Someone needs to hold him back and draw a line for him.

Tao Yushu's biggest feeling after reading the script was that her husband really had a good eye for people.

After she said these words, she looked at Chen Kaige sharply, waiting for his rebuttal.

She could see that Chen Kaige was not convinced.

As a result, after waiting for a long time, Chen Kaige's face looked stubborn and aggrieved, but he didn't dare to say anything.

Tao Yushu nodded with satisfaction, and she agreed more with her husband's evaluation of her.

After giving someone a slap, you also have to give them a sweet treat.

"The copyright of The King of Children is selling very well. You can increase the budget of your new film appropriately so that you can perform better."

Chen Kaige was delighted. As a director, who wouldn’t want a more adequate budget?

When he heard this, he immediately put aside the grievance and resentment in his heart and asked, "Aunt Lin, how much can you add?"

"The exact amount depends on your script, but I can tell you that the script of 'Singing While Walking' will definitely not work."

Chen Kaige's expression immediately changed from joy to bitterness, and he pleaded, "Aunt Lin, Tiesheng has been writing this script for more than three months..."

Tao Yushu's expression was decisive and murderous. "We will pay you the royalties. Just consider it as if we bought the script, but you definitely can't shoot it."

Hearing her firm tone, Chen Kaige knew that there was no hope for "Singing While Walking".

He felt a little depressed and helpless, and asked blankly, "Then what should I shoot?"

Tao Yushu pondered, and Lin Chaoyang's words came to his mind again: Kaige is good at details and delicate things.

"Didn't you say before that you liked "Little Shoes"? "

Chen Kaige raised his head suddenly, as if the clouds had cleared and the sun had appeared, with joy on his face, and looked at Tao Yushu expectantly.

"Don't look at me like that. I just came up with this idea on impulse. I have to go back and discuss it with your uncle."

Chen Kaige nodded his head, "Yes, yes, yes! Aunt Lin, if you really give me the role of Little Shoes, I will definitely do my best to shoot it."

He felt that this statement was too pale, so he turned to his father who had remained silent off the field and asked for help.

"dad!"

Chen Huaikai said: "It doesn't matter who is given the novel to film. As long as you perform well, can your uncle Lin's novel be given to outsiders?"

Tao Yushu also said: "Your father is right."

Chen Kaige felt a little awkward, as if he was a kid and was asked by his parents to get 100 points in both exams when he asked for snacks.

But seeing his father and Aunt Lin both saying so, he had no choice but to say, "I will definitely work hard!"

Tao Yushu comforted him with a few words of relief.

When she was leaving, Chen Huaikai came out to see her off and asked, "Yushu, can Kaige really film Little Shoes?"

Tao Yushu smiled and said, "I won't hide it from you. Chaoyang said that if his script this time is not good, he can give him "Little Shoes". He actually thinks "Little Shoes" is very suitable for Kaige to shoot."

Hearing her words, Chen Huaikai was overjoyed and smiled widely.

"Okay, I feel relieved when you say that. If Chaoyang is really willing to give this novel to him, I will help him make this movie even if it costs me my life."

Tao Yushu sighed inwardly, feeling sorry for the love of parents in the world.

"Don't worry. But don't tell him about this for now. I think he hasn't calmed down yet. Wait a little longer."

Chen Huaikai nodded and said, "I understand!"

After seeing Tao Yushu off, he returned home and Chen Kaige immediately came up to him.

"Dad, what did Aunt Lin say? Can you really give me "Little Shoes"?"

Chen Huaikai's face was grim. "Give it to you? Look at how crazy you are!"

"Where am I crazy..."

Facing his father's majestic gaze, Chen Kaige did not dare to refute.

"Then I..."

"Calm yourself down. Instead of spending your time chatting with people and attending useless gatherings, you might as well watch more movies and study your skills.

You are a director, not a writer, let alone a poet!"

The next day, Tao Yushu drove to the China Film Building in Xiaoxitian, where the first China Film Festival was held.

This year's Chinese Film Festival attracted film producers from more than 20 countries and regions around the world, which can be regarded as one of the country's diplomatic achievements in recent years.

Since it is a Chinese film festival, the films on display are naturally Chinese films, and all the participants in the film festival are from several domestic film studios.

The name of Lin's Pictures stands out among a bunch of film studios, fortunately there is also a Yindu organization.

The person sent by Yindu Films to participate in the Chinese Film Festival this time is production manager He Qing, who was involved in Yindu's critically acclaimed films such as "Shaolin Temple" and "Shaolin Kid" in the past few years.

Tao Yushu chatted with him for a while and also got to know several directors and deputy directors of film studios.

Not all studios are eligible to participate in this film festival. Only the relatively strong ones such as Yanying Studio, Shanghai Film Studio, and Changchun Film Studio are present.

Then she saw several people walking into the venue, followed by a number of foreigners.

“That’s Teng Jinxian.”

Wu Tianming, who was sitting next to Tao Yushu, pointed at the leader and said.

The China Film Festival is led by the Film Bureau and implemented by China Film Group Corporation. With so many foreign guests present, it was natural for Teng Jinxian, director of the Film Bureau, to show up, and also appeared Ding Daming, general manager of China Film Group Corporation.

As for the foreign film producers, there are Golden Ring Pictures from the United States, Toei Co., Ltd. from Japan, Gaumont Films from France...

Obviously, these foreigners are not interested in the formalistic opening ceremony of the domestic film exhibition. It is estimated that many companies come here to give face to their own governments.

After a morning meeting, the screening session finally started in the afternoon.

The films scheduled for screening were screened at the China Film Archive, and "The King of Children" was chosen as the premiere film.

Tao Yushu then understood why several film studios including Lin's Pictures failed to obtain the qualification to participate in the film exhibition, while Lin's Pictures obtained the admission ticket to the China Film Exhibition so easily.

It turns out that they are needed to hold the scene.

"The King of Children" is the winner of the Berlin Film Festival Jury Grand Prix and is the ceiling of awards won by Chinese films at international film festivals so far.

It's reasonable to be pulled here to support the occasion.

Lin Pictures was only allowed to bring three films to the exhibition this time. Taking the domestic censorship atmosphere into consideration, Tao Yushu brought "The King of Children", "Autumn Fairy Tale" and "A Lang's Story".

The film exhibition lasted for a week. The three films of Lin Pictures were warmly welcomed by foreign guests during the screening, and the transactions went extremely smoothly.

In the end, the three films "The King of Children", "Autumn Fairy Tale" and "A Lang's Story" received copyright contracts of US$40, US$58 and US$107 million respectively.

The low transaction amount for the copyright of "The King of Children" is mainly because the overseas copyrights have already been sold out. "Autumn Fairy Tale" is a romance film, and many film producers are not interested in Asians falling in love.

On the contrary, although "A Lang's Story" is an art film about the love between father and son, it has been welcomed by many film producers because of the element of racing.

After a week of Chinese film exhibitions, Lin Pictures received contracts totaling $205 million.

In comparison, the performance of other domestic film studios seems a bit disappointing. Not only do they not sell many films, but the contract amounts are also relatively small, at most around 100,000 or 200,000 US dollars.

All in all, the foreign exchange earning mission of the last few film studios this time is not as much as the contribution of Lin's Pictures alone.

This situation made the leaders of the Film Bureau, China Film Group and several film studios somewhat embarrassed, but everyone was mentally prepared.

After all, during the film screening period, except for the three films put forward by Lin Pictures, the films of other domestic film studios received relatively lukewarm responses.

Even when the Shanghai Film Studio produced Xie Jin's work, it did not cause any waves.

The main reason for this situation is that at this stage, the production level of domestic film studios has already lagged behind that of many countries and regions with developed film industries.

The film producers are definitely here to purchase high-quality films, so their requirements are naturally higher, and there will be fewer films that are pleasing to their eyes.

What's more, the films brought by these film studios all reflect contemporary realistic themes.

The political issues in these films are particularly prominent, and many film producers are not interested in this type of film.

After the film festival closed, the foreign guests left, but several production units that participated in the film festival were retained by China Film Group to hold a meeting to summarize their gains and losses.

In fact, whether it is the Film Bureau, China Film Group or various film studios, everyone understands the existing problems, but with the current system, holding meetings will not solve any problems at all.

After the meeting, Tao Yushu was about to leave but was stopped by Teng Jinxian.

In addition to Tao Yushu, Ding Daming from China Film Group also stayed.

"Daming, you have to thank Comrade Yushu this time. Their Lin Pictures has saved the face of your China Film Group." Teng Jinxian's words sounded like a joke, but Tao Yushu felt that it was more like a criticism of Ding Daming.

China Film Group has put a lot of thought and energy into this film festival, but now it seems that the results are not satisfactory.

This first Chinese Film Festival may also be the last.

Ding Daming immediately made a few self-examinations, and Teng Jinxian waved his hand, "It was just a joke. We are just chatting after the meeting. Don't make it so formal."

He then asked Tao Yushu: "I noticed that Comrade Yushu did not speak much at the meeting. Is he worried about something?"

Tao Yushu smiled bitterly and replied thoughtfully: "It's not that I don't want to speak, but our company's status is relatively special. Even if I speak, it is just my personal opinion and it will not help the overall situation."

Teng Jinxian smiled and said, "The fact that you can think this way proves that you are a comrade with a broad perspective. We are not in a meeting now, so let's have a private discussion. Why not be bolder?"

He sighed and said, "Although you and your wife are in Hong Kong now, you are also one of us. Lin's Film Company has produced a good work like "The King of Children". I believe you should have some understanding of the current development of the domestic film industry.

This film festival exposed many problems in our film industry!

In recent years, the number of new films produced by several feature film studios affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and provincial film studios has been increasing year by year, but the number of moviegoers has been declining year by year.

By the end of last year, the total number of passengers had dropped by more than 40 billion.

Among these released movies, 47% lost money, 28% were flat, and only 25% were profitable. The situation is not optimistic!"

Teng Jinxian exposed his shortcomings right away, and Tao Yushu realized that he really wanted to have a frank communication.

She hesitated for a moment and said, "Since Director Teng is so frank, I will speak frankly."

Teng Jinxian was shocked. What he wanted was to speak his mind directly.

“As you said, the domestic film market seems to be flourishing, but in fact it is in a continuous decline.

Some people attribute this to the impact of the rise of TV dramas as an art form. This argument certainly has some truth to it, but it is not entirely correct.

In addition to television, wouldn't other forms of entertainment such as dance halls, video halls, roller skating rinks, and billiards divert movie audiences?

Some comrades have been in the system for too long, and it is easy for them to develop a feeling that this is how it should be.

They believe that China's film market should have 20 to 30 billion moviegoers a year, that movies made by studios should be watched by people regardless of whether they are good or bad, that filmmaking is an art and should not be developed in the direction of commercial films...

These views are prevalent among the vast majority of film practitioners in our country.

But the essence of the matter is that our film market has been under the control of a planned economy and unified purchase and marketing since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Now that the country has entered a stage of reform, the market economy is constantly impacting the development of all walks of life, including the film industry.

I irresponsibly speculate that the decline in the number of moviegoers will probably continue, and there is still a long way to go before it bottoms out and rebounds.”

Even at the meeting, Tao Yushu spoke very boldly, but it was precisely because of her boldness that Teng Jinxian admired her even more.

“Comrade Yushu is right. The social environment we filmmakers face is developing and changing. We can no longer look at problems with the same old perspective.

So what do you think is our biggest problem now? "

Tao Yushu couldn't help but glance at Ding Daming. Ding Daming seemed to have a premonition of something and twisted his body uncomfortably.

“I think there’s still no motivation for change.”

Teng Jinxian frowned, trying to understand Tao Yushu's meaning, and Ding Daming breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now a studio can get 900,000 yuan from China Film for each movie it makes, just like the big pot meal before, regardless of whether the movie is good or bad, making a profit or a loss.

It has nothing to do with the production studio, directors, actors, etc., everyone gets a salary anyway.

How can we make a good film under such circumstances? "

Hearing this, Teng Jinxian couldn't help but retort: ​​"There are quite a few good films."

“Many of the good films we have seen are the result of the conscious and self-disciplined creation of many comrades with superior professional ethics and artistic accomplishment.

But people eat grains and cereals, and we cannot expect everyone to become an artist with both moral integrity and talent.

I don't know if Director Teng understands that there is a saying in society nowadays, 'The income from working on atomic bombs is not as good as that from selling tea eggs, and the income from holding a scalpel is not as good as that from holding a razor.'

In the past, when people made movies, they could say it was respectable, earn a good income, and have status.

But what about a few years later?

Comrades in the studio are still earning a few dozen yuan a month. Will they still be able to concentrate on making movies?

I heard that Liu Xiaoqing was punished for performing for money but she still refused to change her ways. Why? She just performed for money!

Our country is still at the node of a dual-track economy, but the shift to a market economy in the future seems inevitable.

By that time, if the film industry cannot keep up with the development of society..."

Tao Yushu didn't say anything else, but both Teng Jinxian and Ding Daming fully understood what she meant.

After a moment's silence, Teng Jinxian repeated the word "competitiveness" and then asked Tao Yushu.

"What do you think is the most effective way to improve the competitiveness of our domestic films?"

“Improve the crisis awareness and business philosophy of the studios.”

"What's specific?"

Tao Yushu hesitated and said, "We can try to introduce a batch of excellent foreign films first. Competition will create motivation."

Teng Jinxian's brows wrinkled unconsciously again. Ding Daming said, "Aren't we also importing foreign films now?"

“Many of the films that China Film Group is introducing at this stage are from many years ago, right?
Moreover, some films are only introduced as reference films and many ordinary people cannot see them.

These films are imported at a buyout price, which is certainly cheap, but whether we are practitioners or ordinary people, what we appreciate are domestic films that were made a few years ago, or even ten or twenty years ago.

Under such circumstances, how can we expect our film market, practitioners and audiences to keep pace with the times? "

Ding Daming felt that Tao Yushu had ulterior motives behind her words, after all, she was running a film company herself.

Tao Yushu seemed to see through his thoughts and said openly:

"Personally, I really hope that the restrictions in the film industry can be lifted. Director Teng may not know that our Lin's Pictures is now..."

She recounted the ban and restrictions imposed by the Taiwan Island on Lin's Pictures, and then said:

"The reason why Taiwan dared to suppress Hong Kong's Z-style filmmakers so wantonly over the years is nothing more than relying on its own market advantages.

The closure of the mainland's film market is the most uncomfortable thing for us filmmakers in Hong Kong.

I also understand that our film industry has a special position in politics, but...ah..."

Tao Yushu's sighs were not completely fake.

On one side is a completely closed market, and on the other side is a market that can be entered by just lowering your head. The enemy is very fierce, and our own people are not strong enough.

Being a Z-style filmmaker in Hong Kong in this era comes at a heavy price.

Although they all understood Tao Yushu's psychology, what she said was true, and Teng Jinxian and Ding Daming could not help feeling embarrassed in the face of this situation.

"Alas! Comrade Yushu, I'm sorry you've been wronged. We really haven't done enough."

Teng Jinxian's attitude is very good, but he doesn't seem to have any intention of supporting the Z-school filmmakers in Hong Kong.

The film involves ideological control, and as a director he dare not make any promises or statements.

Since the 1980s, the trend of bourgeois ZYH has been spreading throughout the country.

At the beginning of this year, the People's Daily published an editorial entitled "Clearly Oppose Bourgeois ZYH" to unify thinking.

Hong Kong and Taiwan culture is naturally part of the bourgeoisie, and we should be wary of it.

Tao Yushu said without giving up: "Director Teng, I have a suggestion, can you please consider it?"

"Please go ahead. If it's within my ability, I will try my best to help."

The implication is, don't say anything that goes beyond the limit.

"The country is now on guard against bourgeois ZYH and Hong Kong and Taiwan culture, and I understand that very well.

But I wonder if we can also provide some convenience to those of us.

We don’t dare to ask for too much, just give us two or three movie revenue sharing quotas every year.”

Before 1993, there was no concept of profit-sharing for films imported into China. Instead, the copyrights were sold outright, with the average price being around US$2.

Even for those films that Yindu Organization collaborated with domestic film studios, at most China Film Corporation would get a share of the buyout fees paid to the film studios.

Listening to Tao Yushu's request, Teng Jinxian fell silent.

The issue of profit sharing has nothing to do with ideological control, but the root of the problem is that if the Film Bureau and China Film Group Corporation do this, they will inevitably offend film studios across the country.

We can only enjoy buyouts, so why should outside films get a share of the profits?
The hardest thing to stop in this world is the gossip of others!
Seeing Teng Jinxian and Ding Daming looking embarrassed, Tao Yushu sighed in his heart.

This kind of thing is indeed not something she can easily change with just her mouth.

"This matter...is not very realistic." Just when Tao Yushu was discouraged, Teng Jinxian pondered for a long time and finally spoke.

Hearing this, Tao Yushu's heart fell to the bottom.

"but……"

Tao Yushu immediately raised his disappointed look and looked at Teng Jinxian.

"If the film produced by your company can win an award with international influence, I can make an exception and introduce it as a co-production film."

"Director Teng, I wonder what the criteria are for this 'award with international influence' you mentioned?"

A strange look flashed across Teng Jinxian's eyes. "Hmm... to win the highest honors at the three major European international film festivals, or the Best Foreign Language Film at the American Academy Awards..."

Hearing this, Tao Yushu's heart, which had just been lifted, sank again and he smiled bitterly.

Perhaps knowing that his request was a bit too outrageous, Teng Jinxian felt a little guilty and said, "Comrade Yushu, there is really no precedent for this kind of thing in the country."

Tao Yushu was not angry at the request made by Teng Jinxian.

She understood that from Teng Jinxian's perspective, he must have a reasonable reason to break the unified purchase and sale system in the film industry and make an exception.

She was always rational, and in the blink of an eye she put away her discouraged emotions and said calmly:
"Anyway, thank you Director Teng for finally giving us an opening. This request is indeed difficult, but it is not an impossible task. I will try my best."

Teng Jinxian knew the difficulty of such a thing. Although he was not optimistic, he thought of the principle of "aim high and achieve medium", and if he really won the award, it would be considered his political achievement.

Moreover, the participation of Lin Pictures in this film festival really helped to support the Film Bureau and China Film Group.

He thought about it and discussed it with Ding Daming, and decided to give Lin's Pictures a fixed quota of two imported films every year in the future, and at the same time give a certain premium on the buyout price.

No matter how small a mosquito leg is, it is still meat. Tao Yushu naturally would not refuse his kindness.

After a long talk, Tao Yushu wanted to invite Teng Jinxian and Ding Daming to dinner, but after they declined, she left the China Film Building alone.

It was September when we arrived in Yanjing, and it was already October when the film was finished.

After the incident in Yanjing was settled, Tao Yushu asked Yu Yuxi to book her a ticket back to Hong Kong.

The next morning, she arrived at the Capital Airport to wait for her flight. There were still two hours before boarding, so she had nothing to do, so she walked into the Xinhua Bookstore at the airport.

"what?"

(End of this chapter)