HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 178 [178] Is Qi Yuan carrying the box office so strongly?
"Yuanzai, good news! Do you know how much our movie grossed yesterday? 79!"

Du Qifeng said with a loud laugh.

Don't underestimate this data.

The Hong Kong film market in 1999 was still affected by the financial crisis, with only 12 films grossing 10 million HKD throughout the year, averaging one film per month.

The first screening of "The Mission" was at 6 pm yesterday, which means that it grossed HK$79 in 6 hours.

If it continues to develop steadily, the box office is very likely to exceed 10 million.

Subsequent developments proved this to be true.

On May 22, the film's first day of release, it grossed 186 million yuan.

This achievement sent shockwaves through the entire Hong Kong film industry.

No one expected that Qi Yuan, a newcomer, would actually have the ability to carry the box office.

Among the cast of "The Mission," even with excellent acting skills like Simon Yam, Crow, and Lam Tak, it wasn't enough to carry the film to box office success; the credit should go to Qi Yuan.

With a good start, Milkyway Image began to ramp up its publicity efforts.

[With nearly 300 million yuan in box office revenue in just two days, "The Mission" subverts the traditional Hong Kong film's action-packed gunfights, using still images to create a violent aesthetic style.]

[Pop king's big-screen debut leaves audiences in awe, exclaiming that the most handsome man in Hong Kong films has been born]

[Shocking! Linghu Chong gets beaten up in the street by another Linghu Chong after having an affair with his sister-in-law]

A man's world! A man's romance!

……

No one can deny the fact that "The Mission" created a movie-going frenzy.

In its previous life, this movie only grossed over 400 million yuan at the box office, and Qi Yuan's popularity was incomparable to Wu Zhenyu's.

In his previous life, when Wu Zhenyu acted in this movie, he was a second or third-tier actor, while Qi Yuan was a popular pop star in China.

A large number of fans are willing to pay for Qi Yuan's movies, not to mention that Qi Yuan has the useful characteristic of being a "rich woman killer".

Liu Dehua, Mei Yanfang, Chen Huilin, Zhang Dahuzi, Li Ming, and other people who had a good relationship with Qi Yuan called to congratulate him.

Qi Yuan successfully established himself in the film industry with his first movie, proving his ability to carry the box office and making Hong Kong actors envious.

Being able to carry box office revenue is very important.

Good acting skills don't necessarily guarantee a lead role, but those who can draw in the box office definitely can.

Andy Lau's acting skills are often overshadowed by supporting actors. In "Black Gold," he was overshadowed by Leung Ka-fai, and in "Infernal Affairs," he was overshadowed by Leung Chiu-wai. Andy Lau has always been the male lead because he can carry the box office, while Leung Ka-fai and Leung Chiu-wai are not.

There are plenty of actors with good acting skills, but very few who can carry a film at the box office.

Wang Jing called Qi Yuan and said, "Next time we have the chance, let's make a movie, and you can play the male lead. It will definitely be a great movie."

Andy Lau congratulated Qi Yuan: "Yuanzi, you are really amazing. Your first movie is so successful. I wish you all the best in your film career."

Qi Yuan is from mainland China, and his success in playing a leading role for the first time in a Hong Kong film was crucial.

Even if Nicholas Tse, a Hong Kong actor heavily promoted by Yinghuang, flops at the box office, he'll still play the lead role in the next one.

"The Mission" flopped, and Qi Yuan will most likely be demoted from the male lead to a supporting role, just like Wu Jing.

"The Mission" was a success, and Qi Yuan's first battle in the film industry was quite impressive.

This victory also greatly boosted the confidence of Milkyway Image, which had only been established for a few years.

They begged and pleaded all the way to Taiwan before finally getting a ridiculously low amount of 250 million. So what if it's a ridiculous amount? They can still make a blockbuster film!
Du Qifeng and Wei Jiahui also came up with a new approach.

A few years ago, Wai Ka-fai and To Chi-fung co-founded Milkyway Image.

Wai Ka-fai is also a director and screenwriter.

Later, Milkyway Image reached its peak, and Wai-To was hailed as the golden duo in Hong Kong cinema.

"Officer To, the Hong Kong film market has been sluggish these past few years. What do you think about us using Yuen Jai to break into the mainland market?"

Wei Jiahui lit a cigarette and put forward a bold idea.

There are import restrictions in mainland China, allowing only a limited number of films to be screened there each year.

It's not easy for Hong Kong films to enter the mainland market through this channel; they have to compete with Hollywood blockbusters for slots.

Currently, most of them sell broadcasting rights in bundles.

The Heung family's Huaguoxing next door operates in the same way. Even after the Hong Kong film market declined, their film production did not decrease, and they had work every month.

They can accept a small loss when their movies are shown in Hong Kong, but if they sell the copyrights to various television stations in mainland China, most of their movies will be profitable when they do the math.

Around 2000, many Hong Kong films broadcast on mainland television stations came from this source.

Du Qifeng shook his head. It was very difficult, really very difficult. How could Qi Yuan possibly have the ability to get "The Mission" released in mainland China?

But... considering the close relationship between Qi Yuan and Chen Kaige, he hesitated for a few seconds... perhaps... he could give it a try? What if it really worked?
Chen Kaige is the top director in mainland China, and he has a very good relationship with China Film Group.

Fortunately, China Film Group possesses both import and distribution rights.

If Qi Yuan can persuade Chen Kaige to help make connections, "The Mission" might actually be able to enter the mainland market.

The mainland market is quite large.

At the end of last year, Feng Xiaogang's "Be There or Be Square" grossed 4300 million yuan at the box office in mainland China.

This data shows the impact of the financial crisis on the mainland film market; a few years ago, this data was even more outrageous.

95年内地票房冠军《真实的谎言》1.03亿，96年《简单任务》8000万，98年《泰坦尼克号》3.6亿。

Du Qifeng wasn't sure how strong the relationship between Qi Yuan and Chen Kaige really was, and he didn't know if this matter could be accomplished.

But we have to try, no matter what. What if it works? If it does, they'll make a fortune.

With this in mind, Du Qifeng called Qi Yuan: "Yuanzi, our 'Gunfire' is performing very well in the Hong Kong market. Director Chen and his wife happen to be on vacation in Hong Kong. Could you ask Director Chen to do us a favor and talk to China Film Group to see if we can get our 'Gunfire' released in the mainland?"

Qi Yuan owns 20% of the film, and he naturally hopes that the film can be released in mainland China, where the film market is larger than that of Hong Kong.

The film's release in mainland China will allow more mainland audiences to get to know him, and it can also pave the way for next year's "Love Like a Bouquet".

Telling Chen Kaige is no problem, but whether it will work out is uncertain for Qi Yuan.

"Director Du, this is a difficult matter! Director Chen came to the premiere and gave us a very high evaluation, which is a huge favor. I'm embarrassed to ask him for such a big favor again."

Qi Yuan sighed, looking very troubled.

Du Qifeng hardened his heart and said, "Whether it works out or not, I still owe you a leading male role and a leading female role."

Qi Yuan was secretly overjoyed, but continued to complain a few more times before finally saying, "I'll try my best, Director Du, don't have too high expectations."

This wave of blood profit!
No, he landed a leading male role and a leading female role.

If it works out, he'll make even more money. The film's release in mainland China will greatly benefit him, and he'll also get the lead roles.

(End of this chapter)