Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 414, Section 412: Boycott?
Monday, August 2002, 4.

Hong Kong Island awakens in the early morning to the slightly salty sea breeze and the crisp ringing of the tram bells.

As always, newsstands and convenience stores scattered throughout the streets prominently display daily newspapers and morning papers, still smelling of fresh ink.

However, today's front page of the newspaper is filled with an unusual sense of tension.

"The King of Mainland Entertainment Arrives, Hong Kong Film Awards Bow Down? Wang Sheng Criticizes Five Fatal Flaws of Hong Kong Films at a Night Banquet!" - Oriental Daily News used a sensational headline that covered almost half a page, accompanied by a photo of Wang Sheng standing in the audience, his sharp gaze and finger seemingly pointing at the stage, making a powerful impact.

"Northern bigwigs teach people a lesson? Wang Sheng bluntly says all Hong Kong Film Awards nominees are flawed, and 'Shaolin Soccer' winning the award is only 'symbolic'!"—Apple Daily's headline was equally scathing, filled with provocative words, completely distorting Wang Sheng's attempt at objectivity last night into a condescending reprimand and denial.

"Wang Sheng's candid advice or provocation? The Hong Kong film industry's survival anxiety behind the Hong Kong Film Awards." — Ming Pao's headline is relatively mild, attempting an in-depth discussion, but the word "provocation" already sets a certain tone.

"No 'bad guys' welcome! Industry insiders call for a boycott of Wang Sheng to defend the dignity of Hong Kong films!" - Sing Tao Daily directly labeled Wang Sheng a "bad guy" and called for a boycott.

Almost without exception, the front pages of newspapers such as Sing Pao, Sin Pao, and The Sun were dominated by the news of "Wang Sheng's attack on the Hong Kong Film Awards".

In pursuit of sales and to grab attention, the media unanimously chose the most extreme and dramatic interpretations.

Wang Sheng's statement that "all of these reflect some deep-seated problems currently facing Hong Kong cinema" has been simplified and misinterpreted as "Hong Kong films are dead"; his professional analysis of the artistic and commercial limitations of various films has been portrayed as contempt and complete denial of the entire Hong Kong film industry.

……

Kowloon.

Inside a typical Hong Kong-style tea restaurant.

Early risers and retired elderly men enjoy milk tea and pineapple buns while flipping through the newspapers they just bought.

"Wow, this mainland boss is so arrogant? He's making Hong Kong films look worthless?"

A young man in a shirt and trousers looked at the Oriental Daily and couldn't help but speak up.

"Hmph, they have the right to be arrogant. 'Shaolin Soccer' made tens of millions of dollars in North America. Do you even have any movies to watch?"

Across from him, a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, who looked like a white-collar worker, pushed up his glasses and spoke with a hint of sarcasm, whether directed at Wang Sheng or at the current state of Hong Kong films, it was unclear.

"Damn it! Just because he earns US dollars doesn't mean he can be so great. The Hong Kong Film Awards are Hong Kong's film awards, it's none of his business to point fingers!" An old man next to him angrily slammed the Apple Daily on the table.

“However… what he said does seem to make some sense. I fell asleep halfway through watching ‘Men at Forty’…” another voice weakly chimed in, immediately drawing several rebuttals.

"What do you know! That's art!"

"Art? Does art not need to be viewed?"

Similar debates are taking place at countless breakfast stalls, office break rooms, and even inside speeding taxis.

The name "Wang Sheng," along with keywords such as "bombardment," "Achilles' heel," and "boycott," has permeated the capillaries of Hong Kong society at an astonishing speed, sparking widespread discussion far beyond the film industry.

……

Central.

Inside a private club overlooking Victoria Harbour.

Several influential figures in Hong Kong's film industry were enjoying morning tea, but the atmosphere was somewhat somber. Several newspapers spread out on the table were like silent accusations.

"This Wang Sheng is so ignorant of the rules."

A gray-haired, highly respected producer put down his teacup and sighed, "Even if that's what you think, why say it in that kind of setting? It makes everyone lose face."

"Young people are full of vigor. Plus, with the huge success of 'Shaolin Soccer' in North America, it's easy to get carried away."

Another middle-aged man, who appeared to be a director, chimed in with a complex tone, "But what he said... isn't necessarily all wrong. Some of our films are indeed becoming increasingly distant from the audience."

"Whether he is right or wrong is one thing, whether or not it should be up to an outsider like him to say it is another matter!"

One voice, slightly agitated, belonged to the owner of a film company: "He's clearly taking us for granted just because he has money and access to the mainland market! He's undermining us! How are we supposed to promote our own actors and directors in the future?"

"I heard that at last night's celebration banquet, many people weren't in the mood to celebrate; they were all talking about this. Many old friends felt aggrieved," another person added.

"We can't just let it go!"

The excited boss slammed his fist on the table. "He has to know that the Hong Kong film industry is not a place where he can run wild!"

I suggest we unite and boycott Shengying Media! Our cinemas should not screen any films they produce or invest in, and our actors should not accept any roles with them!

This suggestion caused everyone present to fall silent for a moment.

resist?

It's easier said than done.

Shengying Media controls the largest private distribution network in mainland China and a rapidly expanding cinema chain, and also holds a new bridge to the North American market.

Boycotting Wang Sheng is, in a sense, boycotting the mainland market and potential international opportunities.

"calm down."

The highly respected producer waved his hand, "Boycott is the worst strategy; it's like killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of your own. Besides, the higher-ups... might not like seeing us create this kind of confrontation."

He pointed meaningfully to the north.

"So we're just going to let him shit on our heads?" the boss said indignantly.

"Of course not." A shrewd glint flashed in the producer's eyes. "A public boycott won't work, but we can use other methods. Public opinion is a powerful weapon, isn't it?"

……

Almost simultaneously with the newspaper's release, an organized wave of "counterattack" began to emerge in media commentary sections and entertainment columns. Several previously unknown "veteran film critics" and "cultural observers," who were suddenly thrust into the limelight, wrote articles, launching a unified attack on Wang Sheng.

An article published in the commentary section of the Sing Tao Daily, signed "Jiang Shangying," stated: "Based on his commercial success, Mr. Wang Sheng attempts to use the aesthetic standards of the mainland market to override the unique cultural expression of Hong Kong films. This is a blatant form of cultural hegemony."

The essence of Hong Kong films lies in their down-to-earth, everyday atmosphere, their boundless imagination, and their extreme exploration of genre films—qualities that cannot be measured by simple box office figures.

The Hong Kong Film Awards selection process is professional and independent, and outsiders have no right to interfere!

The entertainment column of Oriental Daily News invited an "independent film director" to bluntly state: "Wang Sheng's remarks expose his ignorance and contempt for the diversity of film art."

Film is not only a commodity, but also a cultural carrier and an art form.

If everything is geared towards the market and box office, that will be the end of the film industry.

We urge all film lovers to resist this unhealthy trend of prioritizing market forces and to boycott the 'cultural fast food' produced by Shengying Media!

Apple Daily went even further, fully leveraging its tendency to incite unrest, using the headline "Hong Kong Films' Dignity Must Not Be Trampled On! A Complete Boycott of Sheng Ying's Hegemony!" to list so-called "crimes" of Wang Sheng, and subtly mentioning the strong dissatisfaction of certain triad members with Wang Sheng's "arrogant words and deeds," attempting to muddy the waters.

Even worse, some tabloids began digging up Wang Sheng's "dirt," from his ambiguous relationships with his female artists to the so-called "domineering behavior" of Shengying Media in business competition, exaggerating and sensationalizing the story in an attempt to smear his character.

For a time, in the Hong Kong public opinion arena, voices calling for "boycott Wang Sheng" and "boycott Sheng Ying" were rampant, as if forming a powerful "public opinion".

……

The Peninsula Hotel, in Wang Sheng's suite.

Li Tingting and several accompanying PR staff and assistants spread out more than a dozen different newspapers on the coffee table in the living room with solemn expressions.

Despite being mentally prepared, the media's one-sided distortion and incitement still made the atmosphere somewhat oppressive.

"Mr. Wang, the situation is more complicated than we anticipated," Li Tingting quickly reported. "Several major media outlets are stirring up trouble, and a group of organized online trolls has emerged..."

Uh, it's commentators and film critics who are launching a concentrated attack on you and your company. Some radical voices have even begun calling for a boycott of our projects.

Wang Sheng, dressed in comfortable casual clothes, was leisurely eating his breakfast. Upon hearing this, he merely raised his eyes, glanced at the shocking headlines, and even let a faint smile appear on his lips.

"As expected."

He put down his knife and fork, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and said in a surprisingly calm tone, "Yesterday I tore away that fig leaf, touched some people's cheese, and slapped some people in the face, so of course they're going to jump up and down."

The media wants sales, so they'll produce anything sensational. As for those so-called film critics... they're nothing more than pawns pushed out to bark.

"Should we issue a clarification statement immediately? Or should we contact a few media outlets with whom we have good relations to conduct positive public relations?" the public relations manager suggested.

"clarify?"

Wang Sheng scoffed, "Clarify what? Say my words were misinterpreted? Say I have great respect for Hong Kong films? And then what? Let them think we're scared, weak and easily bullied?"

He stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the bustling Victoria Harbour under the sunlight.

"The war of public opinion is sometimes like a fight. The more you explain, the more motivated the other side becomes. Since they want to make a big fuss, then let them make it even bigger."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over his men with an undeniable decisiveness.

"A statement will be issued, but it will not be a clarification or defense."

On behalf of myself and Shengying Media, I would like to issue a brief statement. The core message is twofold: First, I respect Hong Kong cinema and filmmakers. Yesterday's remarks were based on a professional discussion of the films themselves, aiming to promote exchange and mutual progress.

Secondly, Shengying Media has always adhered to an open and cooperative attitude, and is committed to working with all outstanding filmmakers to promote Chinese-language films to the world.

We reserve the right to pursue legal action against any unfounded accusations and malicious defamation.

His tone was calm, his stance firm, and he was neither humble nor arrogant.

"Furthermore," Wang Sheng paused, a cold glint in his eyes, "inform our partners in Hong Kong, as well as several directors and actors with whom we have close relationships, to refrain from making public statements for the time being and to observe the situation."

"Also, investigate who's behind this. Who are the people and companies that are jumping the gun the most?" His tone was calm, yet it sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

Li Tingting immediately understood: "Understood, President Wang. I'll arrange it right away."

Just then, Wang Sheng's personal cell phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID; it was Han Sanping.

When the call connected, Han Sanping's deep, slightly concerned voice came through: "Kid, things are really escalating in Hong Kong, aren't they? The newspapers are even faxing them to my office. How's it going, are you under a lot of pressure?"

Wang Sheng walked to the window and smiled easily: "Teacher, it's nothing. Just a little storm. Some people are trying to make a fuss over this, which is good for me to see who my friends are and who are potential troublemakers."

"Yes, it's good that you have it in mind." Han Sanping said calmly, "Don't worry about things on the mainland, they can't cause any major trouble. The higher-ups acknowledge our achievements in aligning with international standards and promoting our culture abroad."

However, the situation on Hong Kong Island is complicated. You need to be careful not to be weak, but also not to escalate the conflict.

After all, future cooperation is the bigger picture.

“I understand, teacher. I know what I'm doing,” Wang Sheng replied.

After hanging up the phone, Wang Sheng's smile gradually faded.

He knew that this sudden storm of public opinion, while seemingly directed at his personal remarks, was in fact an inevitable clash in the process of the transition between old and new forces and the reshaping of the market landscape.

Certain conservative forces in Hong Kong are attempting to maintain their waning influence and interests through this method, while simultaneously giving this "cross-border dragon" a warning.

"resist?"

Looking out the window at the harbor that symbolizes wealth and opportunity, Wang Sheng muttered to himself, "I want to see just how strong this so-called resistance can be in the face of real money and market prospects."

(End of this chapter)