Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 205, Section 203: The Official Tone

In December 1998, China was gripped by a deep chill.

The film "The Pursuit of Happyness," which grossed nearly 20 million yuan in nine markets, has had an impact that has long surpassed the film itself, becoming a highly anticipated social and cultural event.

The debate over whether the film is a "mirror of reality" or a "spiritual poison" spread from newspaper columns to the streets and alleys, from scholars' studies to ordinary people's dinner tables, forming a unique public opinion landscape at the end of the year.

Amidst all this commotion, on Monday, December 14th, a low-key yet crucial coordination meeting was held in a conference room of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Attendees included officials from relevant departments of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, representatives from China Film Group Corporation, and Han Sanping, director of Beijing Film Studio.

The meeting focused on how to respond to the widespread social attention garnered by "The Pursuit of Happyness" and the new trends in the film market it represents.

Outside the window, Beijing was shrouded in a thin winter haze, while inside the meeting room, the atmosphere was serious and cautious. Opinions from all sides were laid out: there was affirmation of the film's courage in confronting reality, as well as concern that it might inflame social emotions; there was praise for the spirit of exploration in the "nine-region market," as well as doubts about disrupting the traditional distribution order.

The debate ultimately centered on whether and how the film should be released to the national market.

As one of the main driving forces behind the Beijing Film Studio and the film, Han Sanping displayed a composure that differed from his usual decisiveness and sharpness.

He did not overemphasize the film's artistic achievements or commercial potential, but instead cited the strong viewing requests from audiences in many cities outside of the "nine locations" and reports from some local film companies expressing their desire to import the film as his main arguments.

He emphasized that the core of the discussion sparked by "The Pursuit of Happyness" is not to negate reform, but to call for more attention and care for the fate of individuals in the midst of societal changes. This is inherently consistent with the spirit of "self-improvement" and "hard work" advocated by mainstream social values.

"The film sparked thought, which is a good thing."

A leader from the State Administration of Radio and Television pondered for a moment and said, "The key lies in guidance. Letting more people see this film and participate in this discussion about struggle and responsibility may be more effective in building consensus than limiting it to certain areas and letting the controversy fester."

A representative from China Film Group offered a market-oriented perspective: "The success of 'The Pursuit of Happyness' in nine locations proves that this type of realistic film has a broad market base. Nationwide distribution and screening can not only meet audience demand but also further revitalize the somewhat stagnant domestic film market, providing more practical experience for exploring revenue-sharing reforms that suit China's national conditions."

The meeting lasted for nearly three hours.

Ultimately, after weighing multiple factors such as social benefits, market demand, and ideological security, the parties reached a consensus: the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television would coordinate, with China Film Group Corporation taking the lead, in conjunction with Beijing Film Studio, Forbidden City Film Group, and other producers, to launch the nationwide release of "The Pursuit of Happyness".

The release date is set for Friday, December 18th, four days from now.

……

Cinema managers in major cities across the country acted swiftly.

Copy scheduling, film arrangement, updating promotional materials... a series of tedious yet efficient tasks were carried out intensively in just a few days.

Many cinemas sensed the huge business opportunities and social attention this film held, and unanimously gave it extremely high screening rates. The trailer and promotional slogans for "The Pursuit of Happyness" quickly occupied the most prominent positions on poster boards and electronic screens.

Friday, December 18th.

The Pursuit of Happyness opens nationwide on its first day of release.

From the icy and snowy Harbin to the warm and spring-like Guangzhou, from the Shanghai on the coast of the East China Sea to Chengdu in the heart of western China, tens of thousands of viewers entered the cinemas.

Among them are middle-aged people who have experienced or are experiencing similar predicaments, young people full of curiosity and a desire to explore, and people from all walks of life who have been attracted by public opinion. On the screen, Ge You plays Chen Jianguo, who, with his English-Chinese dictionary and hand-drawn K-line charts, presents his story of struggle full of hardship and perseverance to the national audience for the first time on such a large scale.

In the cinemas, sobs, sighs, and knowing whispers of hope were played out simultaneously in different cities and different screening rooms.

Chen Jianguo's fate, like an invisible thread, has touched countless hearts that feel the same way.

In the days following its release, box office figures snowballed, quickly expanding beyond the "nine regions" market and aiming for even higher records.

At the same time, discussions in all sectors of society have entered a new phase.

People are no longer just debating whether the film is "real" or "poisonous," but are beginning to explore more specific and constructive topics such as ways for laid-off workers to find new employment, the improvement of the social security system, and how individuals can seize opportunities in the tide of the times.

Just as the public opinion reached a new peak, the official "tone" was set as expected.

Monday, December 21st.

The People's Daily published a commentator's article on its second page, the main news section, entitled "The Pursuit of Happines: A Realistic Masterpiece Showcasing the Spirit of the Times and Individual Struggle."

The article begins by affirming the film's artistic achievements and social impact, stating that it "uses delicate strokes and sincere emotions to create the image of Chen Jianguo, an ordinary worker who is indomitable and strives forward amidst the pains of reform, and possesses a strong artistic appeal."

Next, the article focuses on the "spirit of the times" embodied in the film: "The film does not shy away from the phased difficulties that have emerged in the process of social development, but instead focuses the camera on ordinary people in the midst of them, truthfully reflecting their confusion, pain and struggle in adversity."

What's even more valuable is that the film focuses on exploring and praising the protagonist's spirit of "not waiting for handouts, but striving unceasingly," a spirit that is a precious asset of the Chinese nation, enabling it to continuously thrive despite hardships, and a powerful driving force for overcoming all difficulties and obstacles on our path forward.

The article also responded to the discussion about "personal struggle" and "social responsibility" sparked by the film: "What we advocate is personal struggle under the guarantee of the socialist system, which is an organic combination of individual initiative and social support system."

The experiences of Chen Jianguo in "The Pursuit of Happyness" inspire us to not only uphold the spirit of self-reliance and hard work, but also to continuously improve social policies, broaden employment channels, and strengthen the social security system, creating a fairer and more hopeful environment for every dream chaser striving for success.

The article concludes by saying, "The success of 'The Pursuit of Happyness' is a victory for realist literary and artistic creation. It shows that truly excellent works must be rooted in the vibrant life of the people, sharing their joys and sorrows."

This film is of positive significance in inspiring people to face challenges head-on and strengthen their confidence, and in fostering a social atmosphere that focuses on people's livelihood and strives for progress.

This commentary, with its clear stance and rigorous wording, offering both affirmation and guidance, was quickly reprinted by major media outlets across the country and excerpted in radio and television news.

Its appearance marked a temporary end to the public debate that had lasted for more than half a month, and also set a positive tone for the film "The Pursuit of Happyness".

Although private discussions about the film's artistic treatment and value orientation still exist, in public, the sharp "spiritual poison" rhetoric has gradually faded from mainstream view.

Instead, there has been a more mainstream interpretation and promotion of the film's realistic significance, educational value, and artistic achievements.

With the support of official media coverage, the nationwide release of "The Pursuit of Happyness" has generated an even greater wave of momentum.

Chen Jianguo and his "English-Chinese Dictionary" have transcended the silver screen, becoming a cultural symbol of an era, continuously resonating with countless people and evoking profound echoes about the past, present, and future.

(End of this chapter)