Generation Z Artists

Chapter 185 Whom Will They Help This Time?

There were many problems, but compared to Fang Xinghe's all-out effort, those problems were no longer important.

Zhang Weiping was overjoyed and nodded instantly.

"No problem, everything's perfectly fine on my end. How about I assign you an action director role?"

"can."

As soon as Fang Xinghe nodded, Zhang Weiping beamed with joy.

"Well, how about we just put the assistant director's name on it too? And what about the script? You should give us your feedback as soon as possible..."

This guy started climbing the pole as soon as he touched it, and he kept asking for more money.

The motivation is easy to understand: the more Fang Xinghe is involved, the better the film will sell.

They could save a lot of money on promotion alone, not to mention international fans who are willing to pay.

Fang Xinghe glanced at him sideways, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Come on, how much are you paying me?"

When this topic came up, Zhang Weiping immediately changed the subject: "Hehe, our little team wouldn't dare to act big in front of you. Our project is the first of its kind ever, a Chinese blockbuster, hey! How exciting!"

This guy is a real scoundrel; he doesn't even try to hide it.

What does this rambling talk mean? Nothing much, just trying to avoid raising prices and giving idealists a dose of idealistic platitudes.

Mouzi was much more honest, asking with a touch of arrogance, "You really don't want to be my assistant director? I can still mentor you."

"No." Fang Xinghe waved his hand. "I'll just be a producer."

Both of them were taken aback: "What do you mean?"

“I’m so expensive now, and you can’t afford to pay me a higher price…” Fang Xinghe sighed. “What can we do? We might as well invest in the show and take a share of the profits.”

Mou Zi immediately waved his hand: "I don't care about that, you talk to Wei Ping."

He genuinely didn't care; as long as the money was right, he'd accept anyone's money.

Zhang Weiping is also willing to give up his share, but he is very cautious and wants to prioritize his own interests.

Fang Xinghe was too lazy to argue with him and waved his hand: "Let's set the general idea first, and you can talk to my agent about the specific details. Let's focus on solving other problems."

There are no other problems!

For Zhang Weiping, the most important thing is to determine the investment, film remuneration, and profit sharing.

Jet Li had just received a $750 million salary when I returned to China to film "Hero," but he immediately reduced it to 3000 million RMB.

Fang Xinghe is extremely important, but if the price is too high, it would be better to go back to Hong Kong and Taiwan.

He tentatively probed, but... he was completely taken aback.

"rest assured."

Fang Xinghe chuckled, barely managing to control his emotions.

"You dare to support me at this critical juncture, so you will definitely receive the reward you deserve."

I'm willing to give up profits; I can forgo all the film fees, I'll only take the portion invested.

Furthermore, you can officially announce to the public at any time that I joined "Hero" without receiving any payment.

"ah?!!!"

The two were completely stunned, speechless, and slurping up the cold noodles.

"No, Xiao Fang..."

"My ancestor! Is there anything else you wish to command?!"

Just as Mou Zi was about to offer some advice, Wei Ping had already bowed over in an exaggerated manner.

If it weren't for his good buddy getting in the way, he would have called him "Dad" right now.

Fang's father, whom others couldn't hire even for 2000 million, got to work for me for free. How about that? Aren't you awesome?!

What was the concept of 2000 million in 2001?
A big bowl of noodles with meat costs only 2 yuan at the school gate; you can calculate it slowly.

In short, Fang Xinghe essentially treated Zhang Weiping to 1000 million bowls of noodles, three meals a day, enough for him to eat for 9132 years.

"No, you're doing this..."

Mou Zi felt a chill run down his spine and didn't know how to continue the conversation.

Under normal circumstances, whether Fang Xinghe accepts money or not is his own business, and others have no right to gossip. But now it's an abnormal situation—the peak of mutual blacklisting.

If the outside world finds out about this, wouldn't that cause a huge uproar?

Breaking News! Fang Xinghe plays a hero for free, solely to completely blacklist the Hong Kong and Taiwan entertainment industry!

Once the news comes out, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, and even higher-ups will be in an uproar, right?
Wei Ping wanted to agree on the spot, but Mou Zi firmly stopped her.

"Don't work on the contract yet. We need to go to China Film Group tomorrow. This matter must be reported!"

Wei Ping was disappointed, but he also knew that he had to get past China Film Group.

Whether it's Guangdong Film Group or China Film Group, they can't control what Fang Xinghe says or does, and they can't publicly punish him. But if you can't get their support, then you can continue playing around in the literary circle and forget about making movies.

They can't control Fang Xinghe, but they are in charge of movies and TV series.

"Okay, I'll talk to them."

Fang Xinghe also knew that China Film Group was an obstacle that had to be overcome, so he readily agreed.

So the three of them stopped talking about anything else and waited for the results.

……

Early the next morning, Fang Xinghe, along with Wang Charlie, met up with the two Zhangs and headed straight for China Film Group.

Fang Xinghe thought this was a rather aloof government office, but the staff were surprisingly warm and welcoming.

After waiting in the reception room for a few minutes, Mr. Han Sanping, then the vice chairman, personally came out of his office and went to the door to greet the group.

Fang Xinghe couldn't help but take a closer look at Chairman Han a few times.

By the time Han Dong was active in the entertainment industry, he had already retired, leaving behind a legacy of merits and demerits for posterity to judge.

Different people have different opinions about him. Fang Xinghe's view is: a strong person who dares to do things and is capable of doing things.

Many netizens are fixated on his past mistakes, but as any normal person knows, if you do nothing, you'll never make a mistake; the more you do, the more mistakes you'll make, and no one is an exception.

Those who pave the way through the fog, making mistakes out of ideals and responsibilities, should not be blamed—at the very least, they should not be slandered.

This is not truth, but morality.

Therefore, Fang Xinghe held Lao Han in high esteem.

Of course, if he doesn't agree to let me retaliate, then I'll still have to confront him.
The exchange began in a harmonious atmosphere.

"Xiao Fang, I've admired you for a long time. Those essays you wrote were truly inspiring!"

He didn't specify which articles, but Fang Xinghe understood.

"I don't have any other skills, I'm just good at criticizing people."

Fang Xinghe, taking advantage of his young age, went straight for the skin.

"Chairman Han, is there anyone you don't like? Give me a list later, and I'll take care of them for you."

Even with Han Sanping's composure, he was taken aback. The assistant who was pouring tea glanced at Fang Xinghe several times, finding it all quite absurd.

Mou Zi immediately stepped in to smooth things over: "Don't be ridiculous. Chairman Han is a kind and honest elder, unlike you who loves to cause trouble!"

But was Fang Xinghe really just fooling around?
of course not.

This is called striking first; it's both a statement and a deterrent.

Deterrence is not the same as threat. Fang Xinghe just wanted to tell the other party: I am a lawless person who doesn't care about anything, and no one can stop me from doing what I want.

Speaking like that at 30 would be very annoying, but at 16 it's just right—it serves as a reminder without disrupting the surface harmony.

The dog side has fully exploited the age advantage.

"Hahaha! It's nothing, it's nothing."

Han Sanping snapped out of his daze and burst into laughter.

"I've heard a lot about Xiao Fang's wildness, but he has great energy and spirit, which is exactly what young people should be like!"

He paused, then added, "Yimou, don't worry about it. The banner of Chinese films needs to be carried on by young people. No matter what others think, I think Xiao Fang has a great spirit!"

Both of these sentences have profound meaning.

Mou Zi didn't understand, but Fang Xinghe did.

The translation is: I personally support you for the sake of the development of the domestic film industry, but some people have other ideas, which is none of my business.

The so-called "others" are most likely internal to the group or senior executives in the industry.

Fang Xinghe replied with a bright smile, "If the leader praises me, then I will continue to maintain this." Others are insignificant; your support is the most important.

The assistant and Zhang Weiping stared at Fang Xinghe for a long time, still unable to figure out whether his words contained their own interpretation.

Actually, Chairman Han hadn't figured it out either, but he wasn't in a hurry and slowly began to talk about the history of China Film Group.

Some of the sentences were particularly interesting.

"Our China Film Group has only been around for two years, officially established in May 1999. Xiao Fang, it's not a company that was just randomly formed by higher-ups on a whim. Our group of people has taken on some responsibilities that are hard to describe in detail..."

It seemed like he was complaining, but it also seemed like he was boasting.

But Fang Xinghe believed that this was both observation and selection.

Whether or not we can gain Han Sanping's unreserved support depends entirely on the in-depth exchanges to come.

So he stopped joking and began to seriously and calmly explain his views.

"In order to join the WTO, the country had to promise to gradually open up the film market and increase the quota for imported blockbuster films with revenue sharing, which is a huge dilemma facing all filmmakers."

I have an objective assessment of the near future—this will inevitably usher in a chaotic era of cultural invasion.

That's Hollywood! Who can beat them?

The film industry was filled with complaints as a result, and the older generation of filmmakers kept grumbling. I could often sense that dissatisfaction when I read the newspapers.

From the perspective of the film industry alone, they feel like victims. However, from the perspective of the nation and the people, this decision to sacrifice one area for the benefit of the whole is perfectly acceptable.

Why would someone include you if you don't offer them any benefits?

Narrow-minded people only see the losses in their own industry, fair people see that we have made concessions in many ways, and only courageous people can see the opportunities brewing in this chaos.

As people involved in this situation, you, Director Zhang, and I have no choice but to grit our teeth and accept the outcome, facing the reality that the other side has opened the door to the film industry.

Then rely on your own strength to fight, strive, and struggle.

Hollywood is indeed very strong; rationally speaking, we will definitely lose.

But losing and being routed are two different things.

I believe that as long as we make progress every time and become stronger every year, it is not terrible to lose many times. In the struggle, everything is relative. Now is our low point, but I only see hope and dawn.

The "Heroes" project was that ray of dawn, that bugle call, and that first battle.

I'm not hoping for a landslide victory, but we're sure we can win!

"it is good!"

Chairman Han slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed in approval, his eyes gleaming with admiration.

"I never expected that someone your age would have read 'On Protracted War'! That's amazing!"

Fang Xinghe's ideas were exactly what he was looking for.

First, be proactive; second, be courageous; third, be objective; and fourth, be resilient.

Lao Han is just such a person. Many critics accuse him of being too fond of supporting blockbusters, but few people understand the pressure he faced in supporting China's film industry and commercial atmosphere through repeated failures.

Is it really inevitable that Chinese films haven't become niche art fanatics like in Europe, nor have they become anime paradises like in Japan, nor have they groaned in darkness and cruelty like in South Korea?

No, that's the result of hard work, the hard work of many people.

Han Sanping is a key figure in this.

Fang Xinghe didn't try to please him, but Lao Han deeply felt that this was a kindred spirit.

Finding a kindred spirit is rare, and he couldn't wait to talk more.

"Xiao Fang, I have a question: Why is it the film industry that is suffering? Our market is not the key."

The initial review has passed; the current questions are more like a test.

Fang Xinghe was not intimidated at all; he had the right answer.

"Ideology."

Using keywords as a starting point, he continued to elaborate.

"Our market is not large at present, and its potential only exists in theory. The Western world is always pessimistic about our economy. Doesn't Hollywood know this?"
They certainly knew that they were among the most arrogant people in the world.

The fantasy brought by "Titanic" is merely a supplement to what is insufficient. What the West really wants to do is to suppress us in terms of public opinion, erode us economically, and assimilate us culturally, ultimately achieving victory without war.

They have already achieved this goal in many places, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and even Southeast Asia. I have traveled to so many places, and they have all become heavily Westernized.

Hollywood blockbusters and the accompanying Western music are their most powerful tools of struggle.

So why not the film industry? It should be the film industry.

Having participated in the negotiations, you should be able to sense their persistence and their wolfish ambitions even better than I can…

"I'm impressed. You're a born strategist!"

Han Sanping was very excited. He got up and paced back and forth in the office, and even personally refilled Fang Xinghe's teacup with water.

But his gentleness lasted only a moment before he quickly put on a stern face.

"Since you know everything, why are you pushing away the forces we desperately need to unite? Our compatriots in Hong Kong and Taiwan are also compatriots, and Hong Kong filmmakers make up half of our nation!"

Fang Xinghe remained unfazed, raising an eyebrow and retorting, "Just how much do we need them?"

"Ok?"

Everyone was stunned.

Fang Xinghe continued to ask: "Is this need objectively indispensable, or is it a subjective path dependence?"

"Forehead……"

"Perhaps we do need them, but are you even able to distinguish between primary and secondary needs?"

"hiss……"

"Should Chinese films be led by mainland filmmakers, absorbing all beneficial forces as supplements, or should we earnestly ask for help from our compatriots in Hong Kong and Taiwan, even at the cost of fueling their arrogance and ultimately creating a bunch of ungrateful wretches who eat from our bowls and then curse us?"

"..."

"In the end, did they really treat us as their own people?"

Fang Xinghe's five consecutive questions silenced the office.

The secretary's face turned green; she simply couldn't stand Fang Xinghe's ferocity, sharpness, and blatantness.

Chairman Han's expression was solemn, and he remained silent in thought.

Mou Zi was restless, looking left and right... He felt he shouldn't be like this.

Wei Ping quickly tried to smooth things over: "Hey, hey, how can they not be compatriots? They're Chinese too!"

"I do not recognize nationality."

Fang Xinghe showed no politeness and firmly rejected his attempt to smooth things over.

"Those who are devoted to their motherland, whether they are overseas Chinese or immigrant elites, are all compatriots. As for those who are physically in China but have their hearts elsewhere, let them go far away as soon as possible."

If nationality could distinguish friend from foe, Norman Bethune wouldn't be celebrated to this day, and Wang Jingwei wouldn't be nailed to the pillar of historical shame!

In an instant, Wei Ping was completely drained of electricity.

He gave an awkward laugh and waved his hand hastily, meaning he wouldn't argue with him anymore.

That sounds terrifying.

Instead, Mouzi made an even more frightening joke, like a complete idiot: "So if you were in power, you would just turn around and strip those who worship foreign things of their citizenship?"

In a flash, Chairman Han, his chief secretary, and Wei Ping all turned to look at Sha Mou.

Fang Xinghe smiled and delivered the final blow.

"I don't need to be in power to do this—in a couple of years I'll support my underlings in opening a few immigration agencies, doing business at a loss, and dumping all those anti-China elements in America to fend for themselves..."

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Han Dong was extremely annoyed and quickly waved his hand, afraid that Fang Xinghe would get carried away and actually do it... What the hell is this?

Once this gets out, a perfectly good cultural icon could instantly become a human smuggler?

"You, you're such a generous person, how come sometimes your heart is as petty as a pinhead..."

"I'm not magnanimous," Fang Xinghe shrugged. "I'm very angry."

Chairman Han shook his head, amused and helpless, and didn't continue the conversation.

Well, he finally understood. Fang Xinghe was an uncontrollable mad bull, and his words implied that he was determined to fight Hong Kong and Taiwan to the death, with no room for compromise.

So, the crucial question suddenly became a crucial problem—

Whom will we help this time?

(End of this chapter)