Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

Chapter 118 Unexpected Accident: Zhang Shuai'an Beaten Up in the Street (2 Updates, Please Subscribe)

Inside the private room.

Besides Zhang Shuai'an and Jiang Zuyi, Chung Chuh-hung and Leslie Cheung were also present.

Zhang Shuai'an felt that it was too monotonous for just the two of them to chat.

So, they invited Cherie Chung and Leslie Cheung in to add some variety to the meal.

Jiang Zuyi didn't think there was anything wrong with it. In the past, when he went to the United States to discuss films, some film companies even arranged to meet him at strip clubs, where they would watch striptease performances and discuss business at the same time.

Edko Films has been distributing Western films in Hong Kong for many years, and the results have been quite good.

Jiang Zuyi introduced the characteristics and advantages of her company: "Although we don't have a fixed cinema, I have more than ten years of experience working with many cinema owners."

There are currently around eighty cinemas in Hong Kong.

Then he got to the crucial point: "Shaw Brothers owns 16 theaters, Golden Harvest 19, Ritz-Carlton 18, and the Shuangnan Theaters are currently being integrated. If the integration is successful, there will be about ten theaters. The rest are all independent theaters."

"Five of them have been working with Edko Films for over a decade, and I can guarantee with 100% certainty that we will reach an agreement."

Jiang Zuyi's tone was quite firm, clearly indicating that she had already made up her mind: "I am confident that I can reach an agreement with about three or four of the remaining eight or nine companies."

Zhang Shuai'an naturally knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch, so he asked, "What conditions does Mr. Jiang want?"

"Over the years, Jiang has been importing Western films, and many people in Hong Kong have criticized me for being a Western worshipper."

Jiang Zuyi's tone suddenly turned somewhat mournful as she said, "I also distribute some local films, but the good ones have long been snapped up by major cinema chains like Shaw Brothers, Golden Harvest, and RTV. Very few of them end up in my hands, not even enough to support my family."

Zhang Shuai'an ignored these sob stories and waited for Jiang Zuyi to continue.

Jiang Zuyi said, "Regarding box office revenue sharing, I hope it will be 50/50."

"That's impossible!" Zhang Shuai'an refused without hesitation.

This profit sharing is truly wishful thinking.

It's worth noting that Golden Harvest, a film company that integrates production, distribution, and promotion, only splits profits 50/50 with Jackie Chan and Hui Kwan-man's company.

Jiang Zuyi is only in charge of distribution, yet she wants to take 50% of the profits; that's really asking for too much.

"Then split it 40/60!"

Jiang Zuyi, of course, knew her expectations were a bit too high, so she immediately adjusted her approach and added a bonus: "Edko Films' distribution capabilities are actually quite strong. Take their recently released film, 'The Tragic War,' for example. Its box office is currently second only to 'The Young Master,' earning over six million yuan. And it's still showing in theaters; its final box office might even break ten million!"

"The Tragic War" is described as a documentary, but it's actually a pieced-together film. It was created by Jiang Zuyi's eldest son, Jiang Zhiwen, who collected scattered World War II footage and then re-edited and pieced it together.

It has to be said that Hong Kong people still have a strong sense of patriotism these days. This well-made film actually grossed over nine million at the box office, becoming the second highest-grossing film of the year, second only to "Young Master".

This is also the most brilliant achievement that Edko Films has made since its establishment.

"At most 25%," Zhang Shuai'an said.

Jiang Zuyi frowned slightly and said with a wry smile, "Then I really won't make any money. I still have to negotiate revenue sharing with the theaters, and I might have to pay some minimum guarantee fees. If the box office performance of 'Chasing Girls' is not as good as expected, then I'll lose everything on this deal."

He sighed, then said, "How about this, I'll take a loss, 45%, how about that?"

"30% at most," Zhang Shuai'an stated his bottom line: "If it exceeds that, then forget it."

Jiang Zuyi was not intimidated, but gritted her teeth and said, "38%, I can pay another amount for advertising."

"35% then," Zhang Shuai'an raised the price a little more. "You'll cover all the advertising costs. If we can secure another company, I can increase it by 1%."

Jiang Zuyi considered the quality of the film "Chasing Girls" and felt the risk was worth taking: "Okay, then it's a deal."

"It's a pleasure to cooperate!" Zhang Shuai'an shook hands with the other party and then said, "Boss Jiang is welcome to come to Tianxia Film Studio to sign the contract at any time."

Jiang Zuyi said, "I'll go talk to a few other theaters and we'll sign the contract once we've reached an agreement."

Zhang Shuai'an nodded: "No problem."

Not long after, Jiang Zuyi said goodbye and left, without staying for afternoon tea.

Wow, you guys eat a lot!

After finishing his business, Zhang Shuai'an turned around and saw more than a dozen empty steamer baskets stacked on the table.

"The xiaolongbao and shrimp dumplings here are really delicious." Leslie Cheung smiled at him and said earnestly, "You should try them."

Zhang Shuai'an picked up a shrimp dumpling with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, chewed a few times, and said, "It's really delicious."

"That pineapple bun is also good, you should try it." Leslie Cheung pointed to another style.

Chung Chu-hung looked at them with some surprise: "You two knew each other before?"

"We don't know them!" Zhang Shuai'an and Zhang Guorong answered in unison.

Chung Chu-hung couldn't help but laugh: "You two have such great chemistry, did you really not know each other before?"

"I've never seen this before," Leslie Cheung explained earnestly. "A few days ago, a friend managed to snag a few tickets, saying they were internal tickets for the Ocean Terminal Cinema. He gave one to me and one to two other friends."

I came to see a movie today, and it was fantastic. I really liked the music and dance at the beginning of the film, and I wanted to ask Mr. Zhang about them. I never expected him to bring me here.

Chung Chu-hung asked, "What do you want to do with him here?"

"Of course we want to sign him as an actor in our company."

Zhang Shuai'an pointed at Leslie Cheung and said, "Look at him, he's so handsome, second only to me in looks. If we sign him, he can fill in for some roles I don't have time for."

"what?"

Leslie Cheung paused for a moment, then pouted and said, "You're using me as a body double?"

"You're not willing?" Zhang Shuai'an retorted.

Leslie Cheung smiled and said, "You're now the god of handsome men, the Shanghai gangster Xu Wenqiang. For me to take your place in a film is an opportunity I'd love to have. However, I—can't sign you."

"Why?" Zhang Shuai'an asked, puzzled. "You look down on my small company?"

'

Leslie Cheung shook his head: "Because my contract is with KK."

"What is this KK thing?" Zhang Shuai'an asked, his face full of confusion.

Leslie Cheung replied, "My manager is Tam Kwok-kit, which is spelled (KKTAM) in English. Everyone calls him K."

K.

""

Chung Chu-hung suddenly reminded him, "Isn't he also Luo Wen's manager?"

"It was Luo Wen who introduced me to him." Leslie Cheung nodded. "He's also the manager of my two friends, Chen Baiqiang and Zhong Baoluo."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shuai'an recalled some gossip he had seen in his previous life.

The concept of "Central Three Princes" was created by Tam Kwok-kei using the films "Cheers" and "The Unemployed".

It seems that this same agent cheated Leslie Cheung out of a lot of money, so in 1982 he terminated his contract with him, and they even ended up in court.

"This agent isn't right for you." Zhang Shuai'an didn't say much more, only adding, "If you want to make movies in the future, you can sign with my company."

"Thank you for your consideration. I'll think about it some more." Leslie Cheung was slightly tempted, but so far Tam Kwok-kit hadn't shown any signs of trying to trick him, and given his personality, it would be difficult for him to cut ties with him prematurely.

a few days later.

Lei Juekun forcefully quelled the chaos within the Lisheng Cinema Circuit, reorganized all the cinemas, announced the renaming to "Golden Princess Cinema Circuit," and announced that Zhang Shuai'an's "Chasing Girls" would be released across the entire circuit during the summer season!

This news was like a bombshell dropped on the entire Hong Kong film industry.

Zhang Shuai'an then slipped into the editing room again, working with Zhang Yaozhong to cut down the content and try to create a perfect version for the theatrical release.

A week later, Zhang Shuai'an led Zhang Yaozhong out of the editing room.

The two of them looked as disheveled as homeless people on the street.

Zhang Shuai'an took a shower, changed his clothes, and was about to take a taxi back to his residence.

"Hey, you must be Zhang Shuai'an?"

Just as he was about to get into the car, a loud shout rang out from afar.

Zhang Shuai'an looked at the newcomer and asked, "Who are you?"

The man chuckled and rushed up to Zhang Shuai'an: "It must be you! I love 'Shanghai Bund' so much! Your portrayal of Xu Wenqiang was so sharp! He's handsome, loyal, and intelligent—he's practically the perfect man."

Zhang Shuai'an said, "You flatter me. I just did what I was supposed to do."

The man extended his hand to Zhang Shuai'an: "Shaking hands isn't too much to ask, is it?"

That's certainly not an exaggeration.

Zhang Shuai'an immediately reached out and shook hands with him.

The man held Zhang Shuai'an's hand tightly and asked, "By the way, I heard you wrote the script for 'Shanghai Bund'? Is that true?"

"It's me." Zhang Shuai'an nodded, then said, "I need to go home now, could you let go of my hand?"

"You son of a bitch!" The man immediately turned pale and roared at Zhang Shuai'an, "Are you out of your mind? You yourself are Xu Wenqiang, and you actually killed him off at the end!"

He then realized that, according to the timeline, "Shanghai Bund" had indeed reached its finale.

Zhang Shuai'an explained, "This is a necessary conflict in the drama, and there were foreshadowing elements that were already present. Xu Wenqiang is an idealist from the very beginning, and such a person was destined for greatness in the Republican era—"

"I've destined you to be a dead man!"

The man completely ignored Zhang Shuai'an's explanation and suddenly shouted, "The screenwriter of 'Shanghai Bund' is here! He's the one who killed off Xu Wenqiang! Everyone, come and kill him!"

Upon hearing this shout, more than a dozen voices echoed in agreement from the vicinity.

"Where is the scoundrel who wrote about Xu Wenqiang's death?"

"You damn bastard, I'm going to kill him!"

"How could someone as capable as Brother Qiang possibly die!"

"Don't let him get away! I want revenge for Brother Qiang!"

Zhang Shuai'an: "————"

Only then did he truly understand why Jin Yong wrote that after Xiaolongnu was defiled, people smashed the newspaper office windows with stones.

"The screenwriter is here! It's him!"

Zhang Shuai'an quickly broke free from the man's grasp, then pointed at him and shouted to the onrushing citizens, "He is the screenwriter of 'Shanghai Bund'."

After shouting, he immediately took off running.

Before the man could even defend himself, he was brutally beaten by the indignant citizens.

Zhang Shuai felt fortunate; if he had run slower, he would definitely have been punched and kicked a few times.