Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 243, Section 241: The Speculator
In August, Beijing is like a boiling cauldron, steaming with summer heat, ambition, and restless hope.

In the Hilton hotel suite, Gao Yuanyuan's troubles and joys are like a delicate and private drop of water in a big pot, reflecting the hazy halo of personal emotions and complex reality.

On the other side of the city, a completely different kind of trouble and longing is brewing in an office filled with cigarette butts and tea stains.

Feng Xiaogang stubbed out his cigarette; the ashtray was already piled high with cigarette butts.

Looking through the perpetually dirty glass of his office window at the old and young men playing chess shirtless and fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans in the alley below, he felt a chill in his heart.

Three years.

Ever since his failed attempt to "gain face" in 1996, which resulted in a bloody mess, he has become a synonym for "bad luck" in the film industry.

The storm surrounding Wang Shuo's affair had finally subsided, but Feng Xiaogang's name seemed to have been swept into some corner and shrouded in dust as well.

He's done for the film industry; at least for the time being, he can forget about anyone asking him to make films for theatrical release.

There was no other way but to tuck his tail between his legs and return to his own little corner of the television industry.

Fortunately, his former boss, Zheng Xiaolong, still remembered their past relationship and didn't completely discard him like a rag.

In the past two or three years, he worked hard with the arts center to shoot several television movies.

Titles like "Heartbreak" and "Temporary Family" sound rather awkward, but their subjects are relatable to ordinary people's mundane lives, and their low budgets resulted in surprisingly good ratings on local TV stations' "Weekend Cinema" programs, which helped the arts center and the studio recover some of their losses.

But this stuff doesn't quench your thirst!
No matter how well a TV movie is made, in the eyes of those "filmmakers," it will always be inferior.

Just like the barber at the corner of an alley, no matter how comfortable he is, it can't compare to the prestige of the hairdresser in a five-star hotel.

The fire in Feng Xiaogang's heart has never truly gone out.

He dreams of returning to the big screen, dimming the lights, lighting up the public screening license, and having thousands of viewers in the cinema laugh or cry at the joys and sorrows he weaves.

That's what he wanted!
But where is the opportunity?
The Beijing Film Studio has transformed into the China Film Group. Han Sanping and Wang Sheng are making great strides and their influence is growing. Their television and film production lines are running at full capacity, and they are releasing one film after another in theaters. They have become a force to be reckoned with.

There is no longer any place for Feng Xiaogang there.

At the art center, although Zheng Xiaolong took him in, his focus was clearly on television dramas and more "artistic" and "refined" projects, and he offered limited support for Zheng's desire to make commercial films for theatrical releases.

Just when he felt that the daily filming of television and movies was wearing down his sharpness and talent, a person with a scent that was both familiar and unfamiliar to him came to his door.

This man's name is Dong Ping.

Within the circle, Dong Ping is a figure whose name isn't particularly well-known, but upon closer examination, he wields considerable influence.

He had a refined appearance, wore gold-rimmed glasses, and spoke slowly and deliberately, but the eyes behind the lenses always gleamed with a calculating light.

He is not the kind of artist who is deeply rooted in the front line of creation; he is more like a "broker" or, to put it another way, a "speculator" who moves between capital and creation.

He has participated in big-budget productions like "The Emperor and the Assassin," as well as urban films with a touch of dark humor like "Keep Cool." Even Jiang Wen's "Devils on the Doorstep," which has had a troubled history, seems to have had his shadow behind it.

Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, Jiang Wen... the names of these top directors have all crossed paths with his resume.

What does this mean?
This shows that this person has extensive connections and connections; at the very least, they are very skilled at making money and integrating resources.

But when working with those legendary directors, Dong Ping knew he would always be just a “high-level follower” with limited influence and the bulk of the profits wouldn’t go into his pocket.

He longs to have a "signature director" whom he can control, who he can train from scratch, and who he can deeply associate with.

What he wanted was not a successful "master," but a capable and promising "hands-on" who was currently in a slump and desperately needed opportunities and resources.

His gaze lingered in the industry for a long time before finally settling on Feng Xiaogang.

In the morning, Dong Ping arranged to meet Feng Xiaogang at a private teahouse near Dongsi. Inside the private room, a purple clay teapot bubbled and steamed, filling the air with the aroma of tea.

Dong Ping slowly warmed the cup, his tone as calm as if he were having a casual chat: "Xiaogang, what have you been busy with lately?"

Feng Xiaogang knew perfectly well that this was no ordinary chat.

He rubbed his hands together and said with a self-deprecating tone, "What else can I be busy with? My old job, making TV shows and movies for the center to make a living."

"I watched the movie you made last year called 'Love's Tragedy'."

Dong Ping pushed a cup of clear yellow tea towards him: "The pacing is good, and the everyday family matters are filmed quite well. I heard the ratings are pretty good too?"

"It's alright, mainly because the script is solid and the common people like to read it." Feng Xiaogang gave a vague reply, but in his mind he was quickly calculating the other party's intentions.

“Yes, the people love watching it, and that’s skill.” Dong Ping took a sip of tea, then changed the subject, lowering his voice slightly: “Xiaogang, don’t you think this market is getting interesting?”

Feng Xiaogang's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at Dong Ping.

Dong Ping leaned forward slightly, his gaze behind his glasses sharpening: "Han Sanping has made quite a stir at China Film Group. He stopped importing films altogether, clearly intending to mobilize the entire nation to carry the banner of domestic films. This is the general trend!"

He paused, observing Feng Xiaogang's reaction, and continued, "That kid Wang Sheng, I've heard about his film 'Flying Colors,' and so far, it's grossed 15 million in its opening week! And that's only in a few limited markets, and with piracy rampant. What does that show? It shows that the market craves domestic films, especially down-to-earth, relatable commercial films like this!"

Feng Xiaogang's breathing quickened slightly.

He knew all of this, just as Dong Ping had said.
Every time he saw reports about the box office of "Flying Colors" and the ratings of "The Legendary Twins", he felt like he was being scratched by a cat, feeling both envious and resentful.

"If Wang Sheng can do it, why can't we?" Dong Ping's voice carried a seductive quality: "You're so skilled at making TV movies, don't you, Feng Xiaogang, have a good grasp of what the people like? If you put that ability into theatrical films, you might not be any worse than him!"

These words really struck a chord with Feng Xiaogang.

He gulped down a mouthful of tea, the scalding hot water flowing down his throat, as if it also ignited the resentment and ambition in his heart.

"President Dong, what do you mean...?" Feng Xiaogang's voice trembled slightly.

Dong Ping smiled, a confident smile: "My meaning is very simple. I want to invest in you and make a proper commercial film that can be shown in theaters! We're aiming for the year-end holiday season!"

"The Lunar New Year film season?" Feng Xiaogang's eyes lit up.

“Yes! The Lunar New Year film season!” Dong Ping nodded affirmatively. “Now that there are no imported films, a huge gap has opened up in the market. China Film Group wants to set a benchmark for domestic films, and Han Sanping definitely wants to see more successful commercial cases. If we follow suit now and make a lively, festive Lunar New Year film that the general public loves to watch, we have the perfect combination of timing, location, and people—at least half of the equation is in our favor!”

Seeing the sudden ignition of fire in Feng Xiaogang's eyes, he knew the time was right.

"Xiaogang, let's work together. I'll handle the funding, distribution, and dealing with China Film Group and other parties."

So, you'd better use your best skills: put together a good script, assemble a good team, and shoot a beautiful film for me! How about that?

Feng Xiaogang felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and the pent-up frustration of nearly three years seemed to find an outlet at this moment.

He slapped his thigh hard without almost any hesitation:
"Damn it! Mr. Dong, with your words, I, Feng Xiaogang, will risk my life to make you a decent New Year's film!"

Their hands were clasped tightly together.

On one side are shrewd speculators eager to cultivate their own loyalists and get a share of the pie in the changing market.

One side is a disillusioned director who has been lying low for a long time and is eager to prove himself and regain his glory.

At the end of the summer of 1999, based on the most realistic considerations of interests and a keen grasp of market trends, they hit it off immediately.

(End of this chapter)