People in Xiangjiang celebrate Christmas and New Year's Day. The whole city seems particularly lively and busy at the end of December, and so does Lam Films.
First, "An Autumn Fairy Tale" directed by Zhang Wanting was launched. The investment in this film is said to be 10 million Hong Kong dollars, and Chow Yun-fat and Chung Chuhong were invited. It is definitely a big cast in the current Hong Kong film market.
For such a large investment, a box office of 20 million can only protect the capital. To make money, it must rely on income from other places.
Fortunately, after the release of "A Better Tomorrow", Chow Yun-fat has become very popular in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea. As long as the movie doesn't turn into a pile of shit, making money is not a problem at all.
After "Autumn Fairy Tale" was launched, Wong Jing's new film "The Best Bad Friend" was also being prepared to be released. He used the success of "Fairytale" to make a new film, which also attracted the attention of many colleagues.
Not only colleagues, but also many newspapers and magazines are paying close attention to the developments of Lam Films. Paparazzi have begun to appear downstairs in the Prince's Building. In addition to these two directors, Lam has recently added another director.
Johnnie To switched jobs from New Art City to Lin's Pictures. He was eager to express himself. That day he brought a script to the company. Of course Tao Yushu was very happy with his positivity. As soon as he opened the script and planned to read it, she put it on the table.
The big brother on the phone rang.
"Huang Sheng, I have already informed Mai Sheng about this matter. Our Lin family also wants to develop, and we are not deliberately poaching your Xinyi City. Your Xinyi City is full of talents, and Adu is not very famous, and he is not very famous.
There hasn't been a show in half a year...
When Du Qifeng heard Tao Yushu calling the person opposite him "Huang Sheng", he immediately became a little restless. After hanging up the phone, Tao Yushu smiled at Du Qifeng.
"Huang Sheng values ​​you very much and doesn't want to let you go!"
"Yes, he talked to me before he left. However, Huang Sheng does not have a high say in the company, and the box office of my last movie was really not ideal." Johnnie To explained, and then asked: "Mrs. Lin, no
Will it cause trouble for you?"
Tao Yushu looked relaxed, "We are all in the film industry, and the turnover of personnel is normal. We are all in the same industry, and there is a competitive relationship. There is no need to cause trouble."
Since the sequel to "A Better Tomorrow" failed to be negotiated, the relationship between Lin and New Art City has become more subtle. Although it has not reached the level of hostility, it is obviously impossible to return to the previous relationship.
When Du Qifeng saw this, he said nothing and continued to explain the script to Tao Yushu.
In New Art City, making comedies is a homework that every director must do. As long as you are not so good that the three bosses think you can make a show independently, then you must make comedies.
Johnnie To could have copied the success of Tsui Hark and Lam Ling-tung in New Arts City and become one of the pillar directors.
Unexpectedly, the third part of "Happy Ghost" failed at the box office, causing him to lose the opportunity to film alone, which was a serious blow to his development in Xinyi City. At this juncture, Lin's Pictures is full of sincerity
Inviting him to join, Johnnie To would certainly not refuse.
The script given to Tao Yushu this time had nothing to do with comedy, and it was not written by him himself, but by his former colleague and friend Zheng Zhongtai, the pudgy man who appeared at the celebration banquet that day.
Zheng Zhongtai coveted Lin's generous treatment, but Du Qifeng was worried that the two of them leaving together would cause dissatisfaction in Xinyi City, so he asked Zheng Zhongtai to wait first.
Tao Yushu listened to Du Qifeng's explanation of the situation and said with a smile: "The Lin Company is currently short of screenwriters. It is certainly a good thing that Mr. Zheng can come over. I am not in a hurry and it is convenient to watch him. I will read this script first and you can come to the company next Tuesday.
, let’s discuss it in detail.”
After seeing off Du Qifeng, Tao Yushu spent a long time handling affairs in the company. After get off work, she put Du Qifeng's script into her bag and returned to Mid-Levels. In the evening, Lin Chaoyang was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, and Tao Yushu brought back the script and handed it to him. , "How about you help me read this script?" "Alang's story? Where did this script come from?"
"It was brought by Johnnie To. One of his colleagues also wanted to join our Lin family. This script is... a certificate of nomination?"
Tao Yushu's tone was a bit joking, and Lin Chaoyang also chuckled, then pretended to look at it for a while and said to her:
"The script is good, I can start a new movie for Johnnie To."
Tao Yushu has always trusted her husband's vision. When she heard what he said, she felt relieved and counted the shooting cycles of the company's projects on her fingers. In order to avoid a bunch of dramas, she planned to let "Alang's Story" reach 2
Turn it on again in a month.
"We've just opened two dramas, and we're opening a new one. Does the company still have that much money?"
Lin Chaoyang didn't care much about the company's capital movements. Tao Yushu said with a smile: "You are really a big man who doesn't care about worldly things. You only care about looking far ahead." After teasing Lin Chaoyang, she started talking seriously.
"Even if we put aside all the funds needed for "Autumn Fairy Tale" and "The Best Friend", we still have close to 20 million Hong Kong dollars in our account, and the local box office dividends of "Fairytale" have already been received.
This drama has performed well overseas. Ah Fa is indeed popular now, and he can earn another 15 million overseas at least. He has made great contributions. Now in Hong Kong, making movies is really profitable."
At the end, Tao Yushu couldn't help but sigh from the bottom of his heart. "Yes."
Lin Chaoyang's eyes fell on the newspaper placed on the coffee table. It reported the thrilling game process of Liu Luanxiong's third stock market sniper a few months ago. In two years, he sniped at the stocks of three Hong Kong listed companies, and
Every company is a giant to him.
Along with these three stock market snipers, Liu Luanxiong also quickly became famous in Xiangjiang shopping malls, but his reputation was not so good.
And what did Liu Luanxiong gain from three sniping attacks, which cost hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars, and also cost him his own reputation? In November 1985, he sniped at Nengda Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhuangshi Group, and made a profit of 654.
10,000 Hong Kong dollars;
In April 1986, he attacked Chinese Land and became the largest shareholder of Chinese Land, with unknown profits.
In December 1986, he sniped at China Gas Co., Ltd. and sold 8 million shares of China Coal at a high price of HK$20.2, making a profit of HK$34 million. If the previously estimated stocks are included, the profit was nearly HK$100 million.
Liu Luanxiong risked his life and fortune on three stock market sniping attacks. The most profitable one was known to be the China Coal sniper campaign, which only made nearly 100 million Hong Kong dollars. It was not as good as the entire profit from the blockbuster sales of "The Truman Show" or "A Better Tomorrow"
.
Lin Chaoyang was distracted when he heard Tao Yushu say again:
"It's a pity that Golden Harvest and Xinyi City are too unruly. They haven't given us the second overseas income from "The Truman Show" and "A Better Tomorrow". Otherwise, there should be 30 million in their accounts now."
"Their style of doing things will only last a few years." Lin Chaoyang was not very angry about being owed overseas earnings.
From the beginning, he knew the virtues of these two families, and the previous benefits were given out to win over him.
Now that the two companies have no intention of cooperating with him, they can no longer settle overseas profits so happily, even if the money is deserved by Lin's Pictures
But it doesn't matter, everyone is taking advantage of each other. Now that Lin's reputation has risen and its development momentum is rapid, the two of them do this largely because they feel the threat of Lin's.
"Huang Baiming called me today...
Tao Yushu talked about Huang Baiming calling her because Du Qifeng changed jobs.
Lin Chaoyang said: "The film market in Xiangjiang is so big. When a company reaches a certain stage of development, disputes are inevitable."
As the company developed, Tao Yushu felt more and more constrained. She asked thoughtfully: "Do you feel that the internal problems of Xinyi City are a bit serious now?"
The contradiction between the three giants of New Art City is no secret in today's Hong Kong film industry, but the development of New Art City has been in full swing in the past few years, and everyone doesn't think it's a big deal. "Why do you say that?"
"Two things.
The first is that Zheng Zhongtai is an old employee of Xinyi City. He wrote the scripts for films such as "Wesley" and "Why Do You Have Me"? Logically speaking, he is highly valued by the company and should not change jobs so easily.
But he actually wanted to come to our Lin family because Adu wanted to change jobs.
Either they didn't get enough money from Xinyi City, or their internal conflicts have made Zheng Zhongtai feel that he can't stay any longer. The second thing is Huang Baiming's phone call today.
Adulai Lin, I informed Maijia in advance.
Regardless of whether Maijia told him about this or not, it exposed a communication problem between them."
Listening to Tao Yushu's logical and rigorous analysis, Lin Chaoyang gently hugged her shoulders and joked: "You are such a female Zhuge!" "I'm talking to you about serious matters." Tao Yushu punched him.
"I have something to say to the donor."
Tao Yushu rolled his eyes at Lin Chaoyang, "What are you talking about?" "Xinyi City fell, Lin is full."
Hearing these words, Tao Yushu's eyes lit up, and he instantly understood what he meant, and asked: "Elaborate." "This kind of thing is not for outsiders to understand. Let's go into the bedroom and talk about it."
Lin Chaoyang squinted his eyes and said meaningfully, attracting Tao Yushu's charming eyes. The couple entered the bedroom crookedly. The conversation between the two was listened to by Tao Yumo, who was coaxing Yan Yan to sleep. She followed Yan in a faint tone.
Yan said:
"Did you hear that? We are all outsiders! You two, brother and sister, will have to rely on your aunt in the future." Yan Yan looked at her aunt with confused eyes and spit out bubbles.
After New Year's Day, Tao Yushu's work is as busy as ever.
Lin Chaoyang had been idle for several days and had his own business. Dong Qiao from Ming Pao Publishing House invited him to meet.
The two met for morning tea at Lin Heung House in Central. The purpose of having morning tea was definitely not to discuss the publication of Lin Chaoyang's new novel. Lin Chaoyang had cooperated with Ming Pao Publishing House for several years, and the relationship was relatively harmonious.
Ming Pao Publishing House is still the first choice. "I have read the manuscript of "Parasite" and it is quite brilliant!
Although it does not have the shocking imagination of "The Truman Show", the exquisite layout, the coldness of the writing, and the tragic ending are chilling and unforgettable." As soon as they met, Dong Qiao expressed his strong opinions on the novel.
High rating.
After ordering something, he sighed again.
"I don't know if my thinking is right. From "Parasite", I really saw the difference between writers from Hong Kong and writers from the mainland." Lin Chaoyang took a sip of tea and asked: "What's the difference?"
Dong Qiao did not answer his question immediately, but asked: "Have you ever noticed what is published in the newspapers every Spring Festival?" Lin Chaoyang said without thinking: "There are four big characters on the whole page: Gong Xi Fa Cai.
"
"That's right. "Gong Xi Fa Cai" is printed on the full page of newspapers, and "Gong Xi Fa Cai" is posted in shops. Every household burns incense to welcome the God of Wealth. The first thing people say when meeting is "Gong Xi Fa Cai." When going out to dinner and ordering dishes, you want to seek good luck.
Dried oysters and roasted vegetables are said to be a good thing and make you rich.
Man will die for wealth, and bird will die for food. This saying is vividly reflected in the people of Xiangjiang.
They work hard just to get more money, because it is connected with reputation, status and power. With money, you have everything. The rich try every means to show off their wealth, and the poor don't want to look shabby when they go out.
Showing off lavishness, pomp and circumstance, extravagance and extravagance, living in extravagance and extravagance, I don’t know when it has become the social custom in Hong Kong.
Dong Qiao's tone is full of profoundness. As a writer, his insight and concern for society always exceed that of ordinary people.
Normally, Dong Qiao rarely cares about these things, but today I don't know if he was stimulated by the content of "Parasite". He went on and on about all the injustices in Hong Kong society today, and was filled with righteous indignation.
When a pair of TV stars get married, the bride’s wedding alone costs HK$100,000;
When a wealthy person treats a guest, there must be abalone, shark's fin, suckling pig, and roast duck with only the crispy skin on the table to show the generosity of the host;
The rich live in garden villas and bungalows on the mountainside, but the poor have no place to stand and cannot afford to rent a house, so they can only rent beds.
Dong Qiao chatted for a long time, and after venting his anger, he looked a little apologetic.
"Sorry, Chaoyang, I just felt a little bit unhappy after watching your movie "Parasite"."
Lin Chaoyang had a faint smile on his face, "It doesn't matter. It resonates with you, which proves that my novel is very successful.
Dong Qiao nodded heavily, unable to contain the excitement in his heart.
"Success, of course, success! Lao Jin's family is the epitome of the poor people in Xiangjiang!
Your novel is giving voice to the people at the bottom of Xiangjiang!"
Dong Qiao's heartfelt evaluation suddenly elevated the meaning of "Parasite", and he looked at Lin Chaoyang solemnly.
"That's why I said, this is the difference between you and the writers in Xiangjiang.
They have lived in this society for too long and have blended into it, losing their insight into society and suffering.
But you are different. You have a keen and profound vision that transcends this society, without any bias or favoritism. Chaoyang, to be honest, I used to think that I might have become numb to this society.
But now I understand that it’s not that I’m numb, or that people like me are numb.
But our society lacks "doctors like you, who can profoundly analyze the bloody reality before our eyes."
Lin Chaoyang quickly said modestly: "Serious words, serious words."
"Without exaggeration, your "Parasite" deserves all the praise!" Dong Qiao said sincerely, his eyes full of appreciation.
After he finished praising the novel, Dong Qiao talked about today's business.
Lin Chaoyang handed the manuscript of "Parasite" to Ming Pao Publishing House after returning to Hong Kong. During this time, the publishing house has completed the editing and proofreading of the novel. It is expected that the novel will be available on the market in another half month.
"We must promote it well this time "Parasite" is published, and I plan to write you a long review."
As Dong Qiao spoke, he handed two sample books to Lin Chaoyang.
"Then I'll wait and see." Lin Chaoyang took the sample book and said with a smile.
"By the way, Chaoyang, don't you plan to adapt this novel into a movie?" Dong Qiao asked.
"I will definitely shoot it if I have the chance."
Dong Qiao's face was full of expectations, "I really hope your novel can be made into a movie. It will definitely be more shocking than the novel itself!
Lin Chaoyang has known Dong Qiao for several years, but his behavior today is completely different from before, like a fanboy.
From his words, it is not difficult for Lin Chaoyang to see that Dong Qiao had such a big reaction. In addition to his heartfelt love for the novel, the most important thing is that the novel "Parasite" aroused Dong Qiao's inner feelings about
Hong Kong society has an unyielding sense of responsibility.
The most important theme reflected in "Parasite" is the contradiction caused by class differences.
The semi-basement where the protagonist's family lives and the luxurious villa where the chairman's family lives visually demonstrate the huge material gap between the rich and the poor.
This gap is not only reflected in the material aspects such as living environment, food, clothing, housing and transportation, but also goes deep into the relationships between people, ways of thinking and values.
The differences and contradictions shown in the novel are already very obvious in Hong Kong society at this stage, and will become more obvious in the days to come.
"Parasite" analyzes the contradictions at the bottom of today's Hong Kong society in a sharp way, which shocked Chongqiao greatly.
He has always regarded himself as a social elite and always has a sense of responsibility for society.
This sense of responsibility is sometimes expressed in the form of condescending preaching, but it cannot be denied that their original intentions are good. "We must shoot it!"
Dong Qiao warned Lin Chaoyang again, and Lin Chaoyang nodded.
Half a month later, with two days left before the New Year, "Parasite" was put on the shelves of major bookstores in Hong Kong.
Thanks to Ming Pao Publishing House's half-month publicity, many Lin Chaoyang's loyal readers spontaneously came to the bookstore to buy this novel that morning.
Of course, the number of readers cannot be compared with the long queues in China, but the continuous flow of people and readers queuing up to check out are already rare sights in bookstores in Xiangjiang.
Also on the morning of this day, "Ming Pao" published a special article on the front page - "A good medicine for Hong Kong society - Talking about the novel "Parasite"". The article said:
"I always had a familiar feeling when I first read "Parasite". After thinking about it for a long time, I remembered that this feeling came from "The Metamorphosis" I read in junior high school. Although this novel written by Kafka is similar to "Parasite"
》There are huge differences in content, but they have similar approaches and similarities in narrative.
For example, the impact of poor material life on people's senses. For example, the two novels coincidentally write about the isolation and indifference of people due to the environment. The mansion of the chairman's family represents wealth, status and power. Lao Jin's family
The semi-basement living area represents poverty, humbleness and marginalization;
The "smell" that appears repeatedly in the novel also represents class differences and the inescapable mark of poverty on the people at the bottom. The disgust of the rich towards the smell of the poor reflects the estrangement and opposition between classes.
With excessive luxury, pursuit of pleasure, and wanton waste, the entire society is immersed in superficial and illusory prosperity, and it is difficult to extricate itself.
"Parasite" is like a dagger, piercing the most unbearable aspects of Hong Kong society with its sharp edge, and giving the most profound criticism to this decadent society.
All readers who have read this novel will have to think about the grand propositions of social justice and the differentiation of rich and poor. From this perspective, it will definitely become a good medicine for Hong Kong society."
"Ming Pao" sells more than 100,000 copies a day. It is a major newspaper in Hong Kong and has always been sought after by all walks of life in Hong Kong society.
The article "A good medicine for Xiangjiang society - Talking about the novel "Parasite"" caused a huge impact on the broad readership on the day it was published. The decline of pure literature in Xiangjiang has always been obvious to all sectors of society.
There are writers who can attract public attention with purely literary works.
Even many famous writers have to add more popular elements to their works in order to make a living with words.
The appearance of Lin Chaoyang is an extremely strange exception. "Ming Pao" published this book review of his new work in the form of a front-page feature, which is enough to illustrate the importance it attaches to the work "Parasite".
At the same time, the high praise for this work in the book reviews also made these readers have a strong interest in the novel. On the second day after the book review was published, more readers came to buy "Parasite" in various bookstores in Hong Kong.
.
Some of these people are readers of Lin Chaoyang, and some came here because of the book review in Ming Pao.
With the popularity of thousands of readers, a serious literary work like "Parasite" has generated a response that exceeds that of ordinary popular literature, and its sales have been rising steadily.
Three days after the novel was released, sales have reached an astonishing 9,500 copies.
This number is not impressive in other countries and regions, but for a port city like Xiangjiang with a population of only a few million, it is almost a sales miracle.
The unprecedented popularity of "Parasite" is largely related to "The Truman Show".
Back then, "The Truman Show" won international honors for Hong Kong, and many citizens were proud of this film. They naturally had a great affinity for Lin Chaoyang and his new works.
In addition to being enthusiastically received by citizens and readers, "Parasite" also quickly attracted the attention of the Hong Kong literary community after its release.
The article "A Good Medicine for Xiangjiang Society - Talking about the Novel "Parasite"" in "Ming Pao" was written by Dong Qiao. Although there was a lot of praise in the article, it was not exaggerated.
After reading Lin Chaoyang's novel, many colleagues in the literary world looked back at Dong Qiao's article and felt deeply in their hearts.
In the past two decades, the rapid development of Xiangjiang society has certainly created an economic miracle and benefited millions of ordinary people. But what people cannot ignore is that a considerable number of citizens have been left behind by this rapid development.
Not to mention anything else, it is just the "semi-basement" where Lao Jin's family lives as described in the novel. Which Xiangjiang person doesn't feel sad when he sees it? For many people in Xiangjiang, even a semi-basement is already "private"
housing.
The economy has developed, but the wages of ordinary citizens have not been able to keep up with the increase in housing prices.
Over the years, the government and developers have been expropriating land, implementing a high-land price policy, and relying on land sales to maintain huge expenses. So far, there are still tens of billions of Hong Kong dollars in surplus inventory. The high-land price has enriched the government and developers, but it has made the poor people suffer.
Over the years, waves of billionaires have emerged in Hong Kong, most of whom made their fortunes through real estate. How much of the money earned by these real estate tycoons is the hard-earned money of the people throughout their lives.
Even so, those ordinary people who can buy a piece of land with their hard-earned money are considered the lucky ones in this city. The abnormal housing prices of more than a thousand yuan per square foot make more people look at the buildings and sigh.
On the one hand, there are tens of thousands of vacant units that are uninhabited. On the other hand, millions of people still live in dangerous wooden hut areas and slums such as Kowloon Walled City. There are also homeless people sleeping rough on the corridors of piers and overpasses.
, all use their circumstances to tell the history of blood and tears of the people at the bottom of this city.
In those film and television works of the 1980s, Hong Kong always seemed to be so prosperous and peaceful, but no one paid attention to the scars behind this city. In just a few days, many well-known celebrities such as Liu Yi, Shu Xiangcheng, and Xixi
Writers published articles praising "Parasite" in many newspapers one after another.
The 1980s was not only a golden age for mainland literary circles, but also a golden age for Hong Kong literary circles.
After passing through the "gloomy period" in the 1970s, the Hong Kong literary world has experienced rare opportunities for vigorous development since the 1980s.
A series of literary groups including the Hong Kong Literary and Art Association were established, literary magazines such as "Literature", "Contemporary Literature" and "Su Ye Literature" were launched one after another. Young writers emerged one after another, and the literary world in Hong Kong was full of vitality.
In such a positive environment, the voices of these writers can be heard by the public more clearly and truly than before.
Among the many writers who have published, Liu has won recognition and praise from many readers for his articles published in Ming Pao. He said in the article:
"In the end of "Parasite", the father, Lao Jin, hid in the basement of the mansion and became a 'parasite'. His son wrote a letter saying that he would plan a new life and buy the mansion so that Lao Jin could walk out in an upright manner.
But all this is just the son's beautiful imagination. The collision between that beautiful imagination and the pale reality is a hundred times more shocking than the previous explosive killings. After reading it, people can't calm down for a long time, as if they were shaken by a
The sudden storm swept across, leaving shock and contemplation everywhere.
I thought that Lin Sheng was born in the Mainland and was always difficult to get close to and care about in Hong Kong society.
However, the profound analysis of Hong Kong society displayed in the book "Parasite" is beyond the reach of many so-called "local writers" who were born and raised in Hong Kong.
Like a sincere doctor with a dedicated scalpel, he accurately cuts open the abscess of the gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong society, nakedly displaying the complexity and struggle of human nature, and the contradictions and oppositions of social classes in front of readers.
Chapter completed!