Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: You're a Director, But You're a Casanova?

The news of "Comet's" box office success in mainland China spread throughout the Hong Kong entertainment industry in less than half a day.

In June 2003, before the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) agreement between the mainland and Hong Kong was formally signed, Hong Kong filmmakers were in an unprecedented period of despair.

The local market has shrunk, piracy is rampant, and the non-flu has dealt a fatal blow, leaving countless workers unable to work for months.

At this moment, a young director who could single-handedly carve out a box office path in mainland China instantly became a hot commodity in the eyes of the entire Hong Kong capital circle.

To help Liu Yuehua expand his network, Leslie Cheung took him to a party.

Those who can get into this place are all core directors, producers, and stars in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

Halfway through the party, Leslie Cheung became annoyed by being bothered by several socialites and ladies of high society.

He was a carefree person by nature. He patted Liu Yuehua on the shoulder and said, "Yuehua, these people are giving me a headache. They just ran into me and said they didn't want to stay any longer, so we'll leave first and go play a few rounds of mahjong at the villa on the hillside."

"That place is quieter and has better security. You can stay here longer and get to know some big bosses; it will be good for you in the future."

After saying that, Leslie Cheung left Liu Yuehua alone at the extravagant banquet.

As soon as Leslie Cheung left, several pillars of the Hong Kong film industry, including producers and bigwigs, surrounded him. One of them was Manager Lin, a senior executive of Xiang's Film Company.

In recent years, Hong Kong cinema has been in its darkest hour, caught between Hollywood blockbusters and pirated DVDs, and even more deadly is the barrier of the mainland market.

Under the current import quota system, only 20 overseas and Hong Kong films are allowed to be imported into China and mainland China each year. These are called buyout films.

For Hong Kong films to be released in mainland China, they either have to wait in line for a meager quota, or they have to reluctantly co-produce with mainland state-owned film studios, which not only restricts the subject matter but also requires them to pay extremely high management fees.

"Director Liu is truly young and promising!" Boss Lin got straight to the point. "The movie 'Comet' is a huge hit in mainland China. I heard you have a close relationship with General Manager Han of China Film Group. We have three films stuck with us, and we still can't get the film license in mainland China."

"Director Liu, could you do us a favor and use your company's shell to help us with the co-production process?"

Liu Yuehua sneered inwardly. These old foxes from Hong Kong are well-informed, so why are they so restless now?

The CEPA agreement will be officially signed at the end of the year, at which point Hong Kong films will no longer be subject to quota restrictions when entering the mainland market.

It's only June now, there are still six months to go. They can't wait for the funds to come in after the flu season, they want to use themselves as fronts.

"Boss Lin, I can help you." Liu Yuehua nodded with a smile, "But the bridge fee for my Yixin Media is not cheap. According to the rules in the mainland, you provide the funds and the main creators, and I can provide the mainland distribution qualifications. I want to take 30% of the box office revenue."

"Thirty percent?" Several producers nearby gasped.

"Director Liu, you're just going to stamp this and take 30% without doing anything? China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group take a maximum of 15% from us."

"China Film Group takes a 15% cut, but can your film even get a spot in their release schedule next year?"

"First, my 30% includes helping you get through the censorship in mainland China, that is, the Dragon Seal. For those non-compliant scenes in your films, I can find professors at the Beijing Film Academy, or even their relatives and friends, to help you change them to pass the censorship."

"Secondly, Mr. Han urgently needs excellent commercial films to fill the market gap after the flu. With my shell, your film can get the most prime time slot for filming."

Liu Yuehua smiled kindly; this is what's called channel monopoly premium.

"Not a single cent less. If you're willing to do it, you can bring me your script or film."

"If you're unwilling, then you can continue to fight to the death with Hollywood blockbusters in this tiny place called Hong Kong."

The bigwigs exchanged glances. Although they were seething with hatred, at this critical juncture when they desperately needed financial support, they had no choice but to reluctantly pay the 30% protection fee.

Just as Liu Yuehua finished extorting these seasoned veterans of the Hong Kong entertainment circle and established his status as a powerful figure outside the Hong Kong business community, a strong scent of perfume wafted over.

The woman who walked in was hot and bold.

Teresa Cheung, Hong Kong's infamous first-generation gold digger, drove both of her billionaire husbands into bankruptcy.

Having navigated the world of fame and fortune for many years, Teresa Cheung is well aware that the wallets of older men have already been drained, and that her scandals are already well-known among Hong Kong's bigwigs.

Now she has her sights set on this newly rich mainlander, whom she sees as the easiest to manipulate at such a young age.

With just a little charm, you could squeeze millions of dollars out of him as pocket money, or get a role, or even the lead actress.

"Congratulations, Director Liu! The film 'Comet' is a huge hit in mainland China."

Teresa Cheung naturally pressed herself against him, her evening gown perfectly outlining the stunning curves of a mature woman.

The seasoned veterans, who had just been ripped off, immediately picked up their glasses, ready to watch the show. They all wanted to see how this greenhorn from the mainland would be so infatuated with this vampire.

Liu Yuehua brazenly looked Zhang Xiaohui up and down, and just as Zhang Xiaohui thought her charm had worked and was about to speak with a smug smile, Liu Yuehua interrupted her spellcasting.

"Ms. Zhang, the market price of this dress you are wearing is probably around HK$50, and the necklace around your neck is HK$250 million."

"If I remember correctly, I heard that your monthly clothing expenses start at HK$100 million?"

Zhang Xiaohui was stunned. Why do young people these days start chatting like this?

"You've gone to such lengths to come and piggyback on my fame. Do you want a role in my next movie, or do you simply think my movies are box office hits and want me to be your ATM?"

Zhang Xiaohui looked a little uncomfortable, but quickly covered it up, saying sweetly, "Director Liu's words were too hurtful. Let's be friends, why talk about money and hurt feelings?"

"If we're not talking about money, then I'm even less interested." Liu Yuehua gave a mocking smile. "I'm sorry, Ms. Zhang. As an investor, I must tell you frankly that your maintenance costs are too high, and your return on investment is almost negative."

"My only principle in making films is low cost and high return. My actresses don't have to have acting skills or be pretty. But they must be able to eat the cheapest boxed lunches, be able to go to the set on their own, and even bring their own funding to join the crew and pay out of their own pockets."

"A delicate gold digger like you would be scolded to tears on your first day in my team. I don't keep pretty faces, and I'm not going to be a sucker." Liu Yuehua disdainfully distanced himself.

"And you just brushed against my haute couture Armani dress, Ms. Zhang. Since you're so rich, you should probably reimburse me for the dry cleaning, right?"

The room was silent for a few seconds, then erupted into barely suppressed laughter.