I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 102 The Coal Bosses Are Excited! (First Update!)

In 2002, the martial arts film "Qin," adapted from the story of Jing Ke's assassination attempt on the King of Qin, grossed 1.8 million RMB at the Chinese box office. Many people optimistically believed that after suffering the onslaught and devastation of Hollywood films, the entire Chinese film industry was about to usher in a golden age of diverse talents…

In early 2003, in order to revitalize the entire film industry, leaders from Huaxia Film Group and related departments held a meeting in Yanjing.

On the day the meeting concluded, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television issued the "Interim Provisions on the Access to Film Production, Distribution and Screening Qualifications," further opening up the film and television content industry to private capital. The status of private film and television companies has been significantly enhanced, and more and more private filmmakers have begun to join the wave of the film industry.

A series of market-oriented film policies, a dazzling array of film festivals, and ambitious big-budget productions...

In early 2003, everyone was immersed in this prosperity, fantasizing that Chinese films could not only compete with Hollywood films and restore the glory of Hong Kong, but also go beyond the country and be recognized by the world.

Investors flocked in, however...

Until June 2003...

With less than six months to go until 2004, countless people discovered that the big-budget films that were making a lot of money in China, which seemed dazzling and exciting, were actually not making any money for investors!
In the past six months, nearly 30 domestically produced Chinese films have been released, but only 10 of them managed to break even, and only 4 of them made a small profit.

Other films either received terrible reviews, were released at the wrong time (coinciding with a surge of Hollywood blockbusters), or had good reviews but were too artistic to generate a real box office impact, their popularity fading quickly.

Looking back at the film industry, you'll find that apart from those capitalists who deliberately dig pits, individual investors don't gain any advantage in movies at all!

until……

In September of this year, the story of coal mine owner Li Dachun's investment increasing tenfold was broadcast on television...

Everything seems to be changing. Retail investors who had previously lost confidence in film investment have had their enthusiasm reignited.

And those who were first provoked...

No one else!

They are all coal bosses like Li Dachun!

At the end of 2001, China joined the WTO, which led to a rapid increase in coal demand and opened up export routes for raw coal.

In January 2002, the state abolished the guidance price for thermal coal, and coal prices were marketized, leading to an explosive increase in coal prices, which soared from 129 yuan/ton in 2000 to 201 yuan/ton in 2003...

In just three years, the coal bosses in China, represented by Li Dachun, could be described as making money effortlessly and becoming incredibly wealthy.

The rise of entrepreneurial myths, the appearance of BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Audis, and even Rolls-Royces in the public media, along with designer suits and gold chains, have made many brands synonymous with nouveau riche and coal bosses in the past three years.

The soaring wealth has satisfied the enormous material needs of countless coal mine owners, but they still feel a void in their spiritual lives.

The terms "nouveau riche," "big gold chain," and "windfall" used in society have become synonymous with them. While these terms aren't exactly insulting, a small group of people are gradually yearning for a slightly more "cultural" sense of recognition elsewhere...

Investing in movies, especially those that are profitable and belong to the cultural industry...

Boasting and smoking at the dinner table, it's so cool!
....................................

January 9, 29:8 am.

In the office of [XuanShi Entertainment].

"Mr. Zhou, I'm not criticizing you, but you're a renowned director in China now, so why is your company still so small? Here's the thing, I recently bought a building in Yanjing. Go take a look and see if it suits your needs. If it does, you can use it..."

"Oh dear, Mr. Zhou, this stool is way too small. It's not even big enough for my bottom to sit on. I'll contact Xiao Zhang and have him come over and replace all your stools, chairs, lights, and light bulbs. Oh, and the wall behind you is all bare. How about we hang up a few calligraphy pieces there..."

"Also, replace this tea table. Damn it, how can a famous Chinese director and producer, a cultured person of such status, sit at a wooden table that costs only a few dozen yuan? Oh, and I brought some Da Hong Pao tea, all from Wuyi Mountain. Let's brew some, hahaha..."

"..."

In the office of [XuanShi Entertainment].

It was a very lively day.

Li Dachun laughed heartily, shaking his large belly, and started rambling on about Zhou Yang's [Xuan Shi Entertainment] company from the moment he entered.

While grumbling and smoking a large cigar, he sat down opposite Zhou Yang with an air of nonchalance, looking at the plain water Zhou Yang poured for him with some disdain. Not long after, he had someone bring over a set of "Da Hong Pao" tea.

"Mr. Li, with this commotion today, are you trying to completely transform our company from scratch? Haha..."

"We must change, we absolutely must change. People of a certain status should stay in places befitting their status... Here, these are the property deeds for the buildings I just bought. You can consider which ones are suitable and which ones you like, and then we'll move there..."

"..."

While smoking a cigar, Li Dachun had someone take out several property ownership certificates from his pocket.

After looking at the property certificates, Zhou Yang smiled broadly: "Thanks, I'll take a look when I have time..."

"Okay! By the way, Mr. Zhou, I heard you guys are making another movie recently, right?"

"Yes!"

How much will this film cost?

"Mr. Li, as you know, we're operating on a low-budget basis..."

“Hey, even a small investment is still an investment. I know you artists, you just love to be stubborn... Why are you being so polite with your brother Li?” Li Dachun took a puff of his cigar, not caring whether the cigar went into his lungs or not.

These past two days, he's been enjoying immense success in the coal mining area of ​​western Sichuan.

Not only did he appear on television in western Sichuan and Beijing, but now everyone knows that he has a keen eye for talent, discovering several top-notch directors in the Chinese film industry, making a fortune, and starting a second career for himself.

At yesterday's banquet, the envious looks from his colleagues instantly boosted his vanity!
Oh shit!

10 times!
Two months!
This doubling of profits was almost as much as their coal mining!

"Mr. Li, actually... we do have a few film projects approved recently, but the budgets aren't that high..."

“Hey, young man, you need to broaden your horizons a bit… There’s a saying, isn’t there? It’s like saying, ‘If there’s money, everyone should make it; many hands make light work.’ That’s the idea…” Seeing Zhou Yang’s slightly hesitant expression, Li Dachun became displeased, spitting as he looked at Zhou Yang with a cigar in his hand.

When Zhou Yang heard this, his smile faltered slightly.

In the past, he was the one who talked to others about vision and dreams, but unexpectedly, today he was the one being talked about vision.

He finally shook his head helplessly: "Mr. Li, we currently have two projects, one is 'Guan Gong vs. Aliens' and the other is 'Wu Song vs. Monster King,' with a total estimated investment of about 400 million. What do you think?"

Li Dachun glanced at what Zhou Yang handed him and immediately shook his head: "4 million? What kind of rubbish can you get with that? How about I give you 10 million to invest? I'll return all the money you transferred to me. What do you think?"

"A ten million investment..." Upon hearing this figure, Zhou Yang was slightly taken aback, then laughed: "A ten million investment can definitely improve the special effects..."

"Are there any other projects?" When Li Dachun heard this question, his expression became slightly awkward.

"Currently, there is also a youth-themed film that is in pre-production..." Zhou Yang nodded seriously when he heard this.

"How's the artistry?" Coal mine owner Li Dachun coughed lightly.

"Artistic elements can..."

"If I invest another ten million, will there still be a movie?"

"..."

When Zhou Yang saw Li Dachun's appearance, which seemed to indicate that he was about to capture him all, he was momentarily stunned and couldn't quite process what was happening.

"Mr. Li, I don't quite understand... Could you please explain?"

"Mr. Zhou, someone like you who works in the arts must be very cultured and have a vibrant creative drive, right?"

"Yes!"

"So... what do you think of me?" Li Dachun smiled slightly.

"President Li is generous, wealthy, open-minded, and unrestrained..."

"These are all just my outward appearance. In reality, I am a person with a very rich inner world. Look at me, apart from being a little chubby, I'm not bad looking, am I? And, you know, Mr. Zhou, I used to be very poor. I worked my way up by silently enduring hardships... My story is very inspiring. Actually, it could be adapted a bit and made into a movie..." Li Dachun stubbed out his cigar, coughed lightly, and moved even more awkwardly closer to Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang was slightly taken aback: "You mean..."

"Mr. Zhou, do you think it's possible for someone with my personality and my story to be the basis for a movie, or for me to have a cameo role?" Li Dachun hesitated for a moment, then finally showed a hint of anticipation on his face!

Zhou Yang was suddenly shocked: "I have thought about making a movie about coal mines, but if this movie is made, some coal mines will be ruined..."

Zhou Yang thought of the movie "Blind Shaft".

Although he doesn't remember the details very well, he still has a general impression of the plot.

If this were filmed, Li Dachun would go crazy...

"Oh, it's artistic creation, Mr. Zhou. Actually, you could film something inspirational. I used to be a coal miner, and I worked my way up step by step..."

"What if the box office..."

"Oh, Mr. Zhou, oh, you... oh, what am I supposed to say to you? Be more generous. We should support artistic creation, shouldn't we? A good movie doesn't necessarily need box office success. How about this, I'll invest another 1000 million in you. If that's not enough, I'll add some more?"

"Mr. Li, this isn't about money, actually..."

"Oh, Mr. Zhou, if you say that, we're not going to be polite... Here, wait a minute, I need to take this call. Those bastards have been calling me nonstop ever since they heard I came to see you..." Just then, Li Dachun's phone rang.

Upon seeing the call, Li Dachun was speechless for a moment, but eventually answered it.

"Yes, yes, I'm right here with President Zhou..."

"Oh, I'm in the middle of a business meeting. I'll introduce you to President Zhou after I'm done here..."

"President Zhou doesn't lack investment. Someone like you, a great artist like President Zhou, is sought after by investors everywhere. You bunch of uncultured people just like to make movies to show off... President Zhou wouldn't even look at you..."

"Okay, okay, okay..."

"Let me ask Mr. Zhou..."

"All they do is follow the crowd, damn it!"

"..."

(End of this chapter)