HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 264 [264] The King's Lament, Zhang Yingmou's Invitation

As the movie ended, the applause in the audience surged like a tidal wave, one wave after another, continuously.

Objectively speaking, in 2000, the average production level and technology of mainland Chinese films and television dramas were inferior to those of Hong Kong.

The reason why Hong Kong TV drama crews thrived after moving to the mainland was precisely this.

Mainland China started late. Hong Kong began producing TV dramas in the 1950s and 60s, and movies in the 1970s and 80s. The most glorious period, the 1980s, was known as the Hollywood of the East.

At its peak, even before films starring Jackie Chan, Li Lianjie, and others had started production, Southeast Asian buyers were already throwing money at them.

Of course, "not up to par" refers to the average level. Top mainland directors like Zhang Yingmou, Chen Kaige, and Feng Xiaogang are certainly no less skilled than their Hong Kong counterparts, and may even be slightly better.

The behind-the-scenes team that Chen Kaige had when he filmed "Farewell My Concubine" far surpassed that of Hong Kong film crews.

The mainland has no shortage of top talents; it just lacks the backbone of the middle class.

The film "Infernal Affairs" is quite special, as it belongs to the gangster and police genre.

Even the three rather proud directors, Zhang, Chen, and Feng, had to admit that Hong Kong's achievements in this field are at the world's top level.

There's no way around it; Hong Kong directors and screenwriters are naturally gifted in this regard. The era when these directors and screenwriters were in their early teens was the era when powerful figures were everywhere.

For example, Du Qifeng grew up in Kowloon Walled City, witnessing firsthand how the big brothers rose and fell.

People in other places make gangster and police films based on stories, which are all imagined.

Hong Kong directors draw their material from real life and film real life, giving them a huge advantage in terms of authenticity and immersion.

Conversely, when Hong Kong directors make patriotic blockbusters and historical epics, they inadvertently expose their shortcomings: a narrow vision and petty-mindedness.

The most typical example is "Red Cliff". It is a top-notch subject that could have been used to make a very exciting historical battle. However, it was turned into a gang fight caused by a mob boss over a woman, which is really hard to watch!

"Xiaogang, what do you think of this movie?"

After reviewing it, Mr. Wang thought it was quite good, and he wanted to hear Feng Xiaogang's opinion.

Feng Xiaogang directed several box office hits. Before that, he was arrogant and thought that Hong Kong directors were nothing special.

However, as a director, and one with artistic aspirations, Feng Xiaogang would not denigrate a good film as a bad one.

"It must be acknowledged that Hong Kong-made police and gangster films have an advantage, and it is difficult for us to catch up in this field."

The boss nodded. He knew Feng Xiaogang's personality, and such a evaluation proved that the film was of extremely high quality.

Qi Yuan is really lucky. He encountered masterpieces like "The Mission" and "Infernal Affairs" when he first entered the film industry. He also participated in the investment and made a fortune.

Seeing the envious look on the CEO's face, Feng Xiao said with a hint of resentment, "I can also make a good film that combines art and commerce."

The boss remained calm and said in a composed tone, "There will be opportunities. We will fully support you in making films in the future."

"..."

Feng Xiaogang was somewhat displeased.

The king clearly doesn't believe him.

His previous successes were all in Feng Xiaogang's comedy films, and people's impression of him was that of a comedy film director.

One day, he will prove to everyone that Feng Xiaogang can still be a box office hit even without making comedies.

"Hong Kong films are still amazing!"

After watching this film, Master Han was deeply moved, and his vision extended further.

He thought to himself, "Alan Mak and Lau Wai-keung aren't the most talented directors in Hong Kong, yet they can both make such excellent films. If Hong Kong films continue to be this strong, it will be a long and arduous journey for mainland films to completely surpass them!"

Qi Yuan heard Han Sanye's sigh and thought that Han Sanye was overthinking it.

Infernal Affairs was the last peak of Hong Kong cinema; after that, Hong Kong cinema declined and declined and declined...

Occasionally, a few excellent works such as "Blackie's Teenage Club" and "Cold War" would emerge, but in the following twenty years, no work could surpass "Infernal Affairs".

Everyone has limitations, and great people are no exception.

Not to mention Han Sanye, many big names in the Hong Kong film industry also believed that starting with "Infernal Affairs", Hong Kong films would return to their peak in the 1980s, which is why they hailed "Infernal Affairs" as a savior of the industry.

Reality is cruel; we can never go back to the past.

When talent from the mainland no longer flows into Hong Kong, Hong Kong can only revert to its historical status as a small city with a population of a few million.

No matter how hard Hong Kong filmmakers try, they can only slow down the decline.

When Mr. Chen intervened in 08, all the efforts of Hong Kong filmmakers were wasted.

The younger generation of actresses almost all disappeared, and among the younger generation of actors, only Nicholas Tse was still a capable one. After that, Hong Kong films repeatedly featured the same old faces.

This story teaches us that the destructive power of an insider's attack is far greater than that of an external shock.

Chen Kaige praised the film highly during the viewing! The more he watched, the more he appreciated it.

No wonder he's such a big fan! Not only does he have a good eye and know who the best director in the country is, but his directing skills are also top-notch. He holds his own against veteran actor Leung Ka-fai.

Wait a minute... This "Infernal Affairs" and last year's "The Mission" are both of such high quality. If his "Bouquet" is a flop, wouldn't he lose face in front of Qi Yuan, a die-hard fan?

No, he has to pull out all the stops and create a top-notch romance film to show the audience how profound his directing skills are, and to let Qi Yuan know that she didn't choose the wrong person to support.

"He is the best candidate for Broken Sword."

After watching the film, Zhang Yingmou murmured something.

After seeing the Wuliangye advertisement, he hired a screenwriter to develop the story of Broken Sword based on Qi Yuan.

He originally planned to personally call Qi Yuan after the New Year to invite her in advance.

At the time, Broken Sword's script was not perfect. He felt that it would be more sincere if the script was finished, so he kept putting it off until now.

It just so happened that "Infernal Affairs" was having its premiere in Beijing, so he came to show his support and invited Qi Yuan along the way. Inviting him in person showed even more sincerity.

Upon meeting Qi Yuan backstage, Zhang Yingmou enthusiastically said, "I would like to invite you to play the second male lead in my film... There's a high probability that Li Lianjie will play the male lead."

Qi Yuan starred in two blockbuster movies, so to cast him as the second male lead right off the bat is an insult, so Zhang Yingmou quickly added the following sentence.

With Li Lianjie as the male lead and Qi Yuan as the second male lead, this casting is perfect.

Jackie Chan and Lim Kit are in a league of their own in the Chinese film industry; they are true international Chinese superstars who earn big money.

The international superstar in the elevator movie is a fraud; he loses money on every film he makes. If it weren't for his agent and Wu Baige protecting him, he would have been kicked out long ago.

"Listen to me, this character is a swordsman, the best swordsman in the world, and also a master calligrapher. He has a broad mind and can transcend personal grudges, seeing things from a higher perspective..."

Zhang Yingmou has a somewhat contradictory personality; he is usually introverted and not good at taking the initiative to interact with people.

When it comes to scripts, he can talk at length for half an hour.

Upon hearing these introductions, Qi Yuan immediately thought of "Hero," the first truly commercial blockbuster in mainland China, which ushered in the era of commercial blockbusters in the country.

(End of this chapter)