1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

Military order!
To be honest, Mr. Wu was very moved by Cheng Xuemin's statement and the military order he issued. What kind of number is this?
Anyway, so far, the annual foreign exchange earning task assigned to their cultural outlet is only two million US dollars.

Moreover, they have taken on this responsibility for several years, but their cultural mission has never been fully completed.

Not to mention the full amount, even half of the one million US dollars in foreign exchange earnings have never been achieved.

Because everyone knows that cultural outlets are not the main force in earning foreign exchange. If they can pay a few hundred thousand US dollars in foreign exchange a year, they can barely get by. No one will find fault with cultural outlets.

But Cheng Xuemin said that if the burden of earning foreign exchange in the cultural sector was to be given to him, he must have the production and distribution rights for the film industry.

This really stumped Mr. Wu.

The production rights are not a big deal. At most, we can transfer Cheng Xuemin to some production studio for some training. Then we can give him to Wang Yang from Yanying Studio and let him lead the production and shooting of several new movies a year. The department can still afford it.

However, the issue of film distribution rights is too complicated, and even Mr. Wu doesn't dare to open the door.

To know!
Among the heads of these studios, there is Wang Yang from Yanying Studio, Xu Sangchu from Shanghai Film Studio, Zhang Jinghua from Bayi Film Studio, and Su Yun from Changchun Film Studio. Who wouldn't want to get the distribution rights from China Film Group, produce their own films, distribute their own films, etc.?

It can be said that at the annual tea party held by the Cultural Industry Bureau, these old factory directors would take the lead and demand reforms.

It is said that in reform and opening up, the cultural sector took the lead. This has already set the tone at the conference, and Cheng Xuemin, the young pioneer, has been pushed to the forefront as a benchmark, the pioneer in taking the first step in the cultural sector.

Since the cultural sector has to take the first step, then isn’t the film industry the vanguard of the cultural sector? Shouldn’t it take the first step even more?
Therefore, those old factory directors wrote a letter stating that the reform of the film industry must start with the film studios. They wanted to produce and sell their own films and demand the right to distribute films.

To put it bluntly, they just want to produce their own films, distribute them themselves and make money, and they just want to touch the distribution money bag of China Film Group.

But when it comes to the purse, who dares to open the loophole?

Shouldn't we hold a small meeting every three days, or a large meeting every ten days to slowly study the issue?
But after much discussion, no one dared to make the decision to lower the opening of the purse too low.

Yanying Studio and Bayi Studio are okay, as they are both in Yanjing and under our nose, but what about the many large and small local studios across the country?
If we really want to delegate the right of independent distribution to all local film studios, and let them produce and distribute their own films, and shoot and release whatever they want, how can we tolerate this?
Therefore, the reform of the film industry has been full of twists and turns and has been postponed again and again. Until now, there is still no specific plan, and everything is still done according to the old rules.

Better now!

No one knew who Cheng Xuemin learned this from, but he just went to the ministry to ask for power and money.

He was given the right to produce and distribute films independently, and was guaranteed to pay 10 million US dollars in foreign exchange every year.

It’s very difficult!

The right to issue cannot be given easily, but Mr. Wu would like to receive the foreign exchange warrant of 10 million US dollars at all costs.

That’s 10 million US dollars!
Their cultural outlet only has a foreign exchange earning mission of two million US dollars a year, and the profits are basically heavily discounted, so it would be good if they can get a few hundred thousand.

This year, Cheng Xuemin made a good start and won US$300,000 in foreign exchange in one go.

This has already given them a cultural edge and made them a big hit at the conference.

Now he has issued a military order for 10 million US dollars in foreign exchange. Having tasted the sweetness and knowing this kid's ability, Mr. Wu does not think that this kid is bragging.

"Besides the 10 million Haikou, can you tell me something more specific?"

"If I report this unfounded boasting to Mr. Liao, wouldn't it seem a little too pale?"

Knowing that this kid must have some ideas, otherwise he would not dare to issue such a military order, Old Wu weighed the pros and cons for a long time and then asked Cheng Xuemin.

"Old Wu!"

"As for the film distribution rights, I have also heard from those old factory directors that this is the lifeblood of China Film Group. They have held many meetings and argued over it, but they have not been able to get even the slightest bit of a crack!"

Cheng Xuemin accompanied him into the lake and after entering Mr. Wu’s office, he issued this military order.

Because the right to independently distribute movies must be obtained, otherwise it is all nonsense to talk about making foreign exchange from movies!
Cheng Xuemin also knew a little about the nature of China Film Group from Wang Yang, Xie Jin and others, and based on his golden finger's foresight, he also knew a lot about the reform process of the film industry.

It is known that during this period, the distribution of films was almost 100% monopolized by China Film Group.

But what about China Film Group?

They strike hard internally, and almost always strike hard at any remarks or suggestions that challenge or interfere with their distribution rights, nipping them in the bud as soon as possible.

This also led to the fact that Mr. Wang and others at Yanying Studio made suggestions many times, but most of them ended in failure.

On the other hand, how about China Film Group’s foreign exchange earnings?
Hey!

That's not called earning foreign exchange, it's almost given away for free. Whenever a foreign film company takes a fancy to one of our movies, they are usually flattered and think that the fact that others like us shows they respect us!

Talking about money?

This isn't hurtful!
Especially on our side, aren’t there enough film producers who ask us for money every year?
In order not to damage the so-called Sino-Japanese friendship, China Film Group basically gives away the products for free or charges a small amount as a token of appreciation.

Other countries are basically the same, basically half compensation and half gift, in order to deepen the so-called cultural exchange and friendship between the two countries

Relying on such a model to expect the film industry to earn foreign exchange, isn't that nonsense?
Therefore, if Cheng Xuemin is to take on the heavy responsibility of earning foreign exchange in the cultural sector, the first thing he must do is to obtain the distribution rights for the film industry.

Even if the domestic distribution rights are not necessary, the external distribution rights must be obtained.

Without this distribution right, Cheng Xuemin would not have the right to distribute the film to the outside world on his own. He would have to go through China Film Group Corporation as an intermediary to operate and negotiate.

But given their nature, even if they were forced by their relationship with Cheng Xuemin, they would not give it away for free, nor would they be able to sell it for a good price.

To sell it, Cheng Xuemin must go there himself.

As long as we let him sell it, everything will be fine.

Not to mention the foreign exchange task of 10 million US dollars a year, even if it was 50 million or even 100 million, Cheng Xuemin would dare to issue this military order.

The prerequisite is that Cheng Xuemin must sell it.

"Then you still mention it?"

After hearing what Cheng Xuemin said, Old Wu's eyes widened. You know that even those old guys like Wang Yang can't bite off the gap, so how can you want to go to the sky at such a young age?
"Mr. Wu, what I mean is!"

"You can give up the domestic distribution rights first, and give me the international distribution rights first!"

Cheng Xuemin has laid so much groundwork, and his ultimate goal is actually to obtain international distribution rights.

"The right to distribute externally?" Mr. Wu asked back.

"That's right! Just let me sell it myself. I can sell it as much or as little as I want. China Film Group cannot interfere!"

“That’s what I want right now!”

Seeing that Mr. Wu's expression had softened, Cheng Xuemin quickly struck while the iron was hot and complained, "Mr. Wu, we can't want the horse to run without eating, right?" "And this is not a matter of not letting the horse eat, but not untying the reins at all, how can the horse run?"

If the reins are not untied, no matter how high the tune is, it will all be nonsense.

"This...then we still need to hold a meeting to study it!" As long as the right to external distribution is obtained, Mr. Wu thinks it can be done.

After all, China Film Group doesn’t attach much importance to the external distribution rights. Besides, how can they call that foreign exchange earning?
If we can separate them out and let Cheng Xuemin deal with them alone, it wouldn't be a problem.

However, Mr. Wu certainly cannot make the final decision on this matter, and a meeting must be held to study it.

"Do we need to hold a meeting to study this?"

"Then I think there's probably no hope. There will definitely be another big fight, and they'll just carry me out!"

Cheng Xuemin shook his head. This meeting cannot be held. Mr. Wu needs to go through the back door and make the final decision directly. Otherwise, if the China Film Group is alarmed, what will happen?
Although their performance in earning foreign exchange is indeed unsatisfactory, the right of external distribution is still the right of distribution. If Cheng Xuemin is given this loophole, what about Lao Wang from Yanying Studio, Shanghai Film Studio, and August First Film Studio?

If everyone follows the trend, won’t they all be doomed to failure?
It cannot be opened and must not be opened. China Film Group will never open this loophole, so no matter how many meetings are held to discuss it, it will be useless. It will only alert the enemy and expose Cheng Xuemin's intentions in advance.

By then, wouldn't China Film Group regard Cheng Xuemin as a thorn in their side?

"Go on!"

Old Wu was certain that this kid must have some ulterior motive in his mind, so he simply didn't express his opinion for the time being and let the kid finish speaking in one breath.

"That's all! That's all I want to say!" What Old Wu didn't expect was that the kid just spread his hands. Is that the end?

Wu was so angry that he nodded angrily. He didn't know what to say, so he laughed and scolded: "That's all?"

"It's still empty talk!"

"Just tell me what you plan to do if we give you the power!"

"In a word, whether or not to open this loophole to the outside world, you, Cheng Xuemin, should take the first step and produce a result that will shut them up!"

Let's get specific about what we do?
Cheng Xuemin, on the other hand, hadn't really thought about it in detail. After all, there were too many overseas blockbusters and box office makers in his mind!

If you just remake any movie and sell it at the box office, the task of earning 10 million US dollars in foreign exchange would be a piece of cake, right?
This is also the reason why Cheng Xuemin had the courage to make the promise and issue a military order in front of Mr. Wu.

And in fact, for Cheng Xuemin, it is not an exaggeration at all. In fact, the annual foreign exchange earnings of 10 million US dollars may be a little too conservative for him.

But he is so conservative that he just brags in front of Mr. Wu and others.

Because it is unprecedented and unbelievable!
Can their cultural outlet generate tens of millions of US dollars in foreign exchange every year?
I never dared to think about it before.

But now, Cheng Xuemin, a young man who has just started out, has the audacity to make such a boast.

"That's fine too..." Facing Elder Wu's doubts, Cheng Xuemin improvised and nodded, saying, "It just so happens that Elder Liao has given us a task!"

"Then Mr. Wu, how about I start with Mr. Liao's mission and give it a try?"

“What do you mean?! You still want to participate in the production and filming of “Shaolin Temple”? ” Old Wu raised his eyebrows. It turned out that this kid actually heard it and really wanted to get involved?
But the Hong Kong side didn't give us any chance to get involved!

But soon, Mr. Wu reacted and asked, "Xiao Cheng, you mean that this film "Shaolin Temple" can generate US dollar foreign exchange?"

Cheng Xuemin shook his head and said, "If I were in charge of "Shaolin Temple", I would definitely be able to exchange US dollars!"

"But if you let China Film Group do the execution, Mr. Wu, do you think you can get US dollars?"

can not come!
Facing Cheng Xuemin's question, Mr. Wu came up with this idea without even thinking about it. Everything about China Film Group is good internally, but relying on them to sell and earn US dollars?

It would be a blessing if they don't give it away for free or make a loss, but how can you expect them to earn US dollar foreign exchange?
"You mean you can?"

"How much?"

But from what this guy said, if he is in charge of the production and distribution of "Shaolin Temple", he can earn US dollars in foreign exchange?

How much can you earn?
“If I come, without saying too much, just the movie ‘Shaolin Temple’ will be enough to fulfill the military order I set for the whole year!” Cheng Xuemin said without hesitation.

When Shaolin Temple was first released, it set a viewing record in Hong Kong that has not been broken to this day. The same was true in Hong Kong, where it directly earned a box office of 40 million Hong Kong dollars.

You have to know how many people there were in Hong Kong at that time? On average, almost every Hong Kong resident watched it at least twice.

As for overseas in Europe and the United States, the box office share was more than 50 million US dollars.

The story of "Old Prostitute" in Japan was even more exaggerated. It created a box office miracle of 5.6 billion yen that year, which shocked the world at that time.

Unfortunately, these overseas achievements have nothing to do with us at all.

No, no, no, you can’t say it has nothing to do with it!

This time when the Japanese came to get the copyright of "Shaolin Temple" for free, they paid a so-called copyright fee of 100,000 US dollars as a token of their appreciation. At that time, the China Film Group was so happy that they were almost setting off firecrackers for the Japanese devils!
But you don't know that they are giving you this $100,000 to shut you up, because they are afraid that if the box office explodes, you will come to your senses and demand a share of the copyright and box office revenue.

Do you really think that the Japanese side is being kind?

Afterwards, when China Film Group and other domestic companies learned that "Shaolin Temple" was a hit overseas and that the movies we produced could also earn US dollars from foreign box office, they were really shocked.

Especially when they knew that the Japs only spent 100,000 US dollars to give away the global copyright of "Shaolin Temple" to the Japanese for free, they were dumbfounded.

This was also the key factor that really accelerated the film reform in 1983, but that’s a story for later.

"really?"

What does Cheng Xuemin mean by this?
If he were to lead the distribution, a movie like "Shaolin Temple" could earn 10 million US dollars in foreign exchange. Is this true?
Mr. Wu had no choice but to ask questions in confusion.

“No more, no less!” Cheng Xuemin nodded firmly, but soon shook his head and said, “But Mr. Wu, I don’t want to shoot Shaolin Temple, and I have no intention of competing with China Film Group!”

"Didn't Mr. Liao say it was either Shaolin Temple or Tai Chi?"

"Since China Film Group has chosen Shaolin Temple, why don't I shoot Tai Chi to test the waters?"

"Do you want to challenge China Film Group?" Mr. Wu, who is such an old fox, asked the question immediately.

"You can say that this is a competition, and it can also stimulate China Film. Otherwise, if it remains stagnant and doesn't know how to adapt, our cultural outlet will never be able to play the role of the big brother who takes the lead!"

"That's possible. Xiao Cheng, go back and think about it in detail. It would be best if you could come up with a specific plan. I'll talk to Mr. Liao first to see how far I can open this backdoor for you!"

...(End of chapter)