Looking at the neatly stacked books of "The Great Era" on the bookshelf, Tao Yushu thought to herself that she was busy working these days, but she didn't expect that her husband's new work had been launched in the mainland. She took a book from the bookshelf and went to the counter to check out, then asked
: “How many days has this book been on the shelves?”
"It's just been open for two days." "How are the sales going?"
The salesperson smiled and said: "There are no books that sell well in the airport bookstore!" Tao Yushu thought the same thing.
At this time, the salesperson said again, "However, Xu Lingjun's books are selling pretty well. Although they are not sold as much as outside, they are not sold at our place." When Tao Yushu heard this, he settled the bill and walked out happily.
to the bookstore.
After landing in Xiangjiang, she took a taxi home. The street lights were neon and the traffic was heavy. There was still a big economic gap between the two places!
After arriving home, she made out with the two little guys for a while, and then chatted with Lin Chaoyang about what she had learned from attending the Chinese Film Exhibition. "They asked..."
Lin Chaoyang burst out laughing when he heard Teng Jinxian's request, "If we win these awards, who cares about the domestic box office?" Tao Yushu said: "It's better than nothing, and the domestic film field cannot be opened up in the short term."
"Okay, just think of it as the icing on the cake."
"By the way, I read Kege's new script. It's not very good. I told Lao Chen about your idea." Lin Chaoyang sighed lightly. If it weren't for the purpose of laying out the mainland market, who would be willing to cause trouble for himself?
Woolen cloth.
The domestic film market is still closed, and Lam Films' investment in the mainland has been blocked in advance.
At this stage, there are really not many directors who can work in China. Lin Chaoyang actually wants to praise Zhang Huaxun, Li Shaohong and others, who are the first batch of commercial film directors in China. But the problem is that even if Lin's Film Company invests in their commercial films, there is no way to share the accounts in the mainland.
, and their level is only enough to compete in the mainland market. Investing in commercial films and commercial film directors is simply not feasible at present, and literary films and literary film directors are the only options.
No matter what shortcomings each of Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige have, at this stage, they are indeed one of the few "big guys" that Lin Chaoyang can pull out of the pile of scum.
The two chatted for a while, and Tao Yushu took out the copy of "The Great Era" he bought at the airport bookstore. "Your new books are on the market."
"The Xiangjiang side has just arrived."
Tao Yushu put the two editions of Xiangjiang and Mainland novels together, with a smile on his lips, and said to Lin Chaoyang: "You should pay more attention in the future and collect all editions of each of your novels."
"This workload is not small." "It's okay, just leave it to Yu Mo."
Tao Yumo, who was coaxing Yan Yan to sleep, didn't know why, but felt a chill on her back. She looked around, then got up and closed the window. The next morning, Tao Yushu went to work in high spirits. After so many days of working on the company's affairs, she had to
Deal with it quickly.
As a result, as soon as she arrived at the company, she saw Chow Yun-fat waiting there, accompanied by his new wife Kelly Chen. The couple had just got married in June. "Mrs. Lin!"
Seeing Tao Yushu coming, Chow Yun-fat and his wife stood up.
"Ah Fa! Ah Lian! Why are you free to come to the company today?"
Tao Yushu asked with a smile, and then invited the couple into his office.
After entering the office and exchanging pleasantries, Chow Yun-fat hesitated, and finally Kelly Chen spoke:
"Mrs. Lin, Afa may not be able to take Lin's role anymore."
Tao Yushu frowned slightly and asked calmly: "Is the Freedom Association causing trouble for Afa?"
"Yes, Feng Suifan came to see Afa before. At that time, Afa's contract was signed, so he didn't pay much attention to it. Feng Suifan came again two days ago, and this time his attitude was very tough. He said that if Afa cooperates with Lin again,
You will be blacklisted."
Tao Yushu had a headache, these people were really pressing forward step by step!
Moreover, he specifically chose to do this before "Parasite" was launched, and the timing was really accurate.
She secretly thought that Chow Yun-fat was currently popular and had strong box office appeal, and several films he had collaborated with Lam Films on were relatively successful. If possible, she did not want to let Chow Yun-fat go.
But now freedom will always push too hard, and she can't completely ignore Chow Yun-fat's life and death and force him to act with a contract. If that happens, the film may not be filmed and the person will run away.
"Afa, you still have two contracts with us..."
Chen Huilian said anxiously: "Mrs. Lin, we don't want to break the contract, but you have to understand that we can't help it... Tao Yushu waved her hand, "Alian, don't worry first."
Her tone was gentle, without any fuss, and Chen Huilian became quiet when she saw this.
"Of course I understand that you are forced to have no choice. Well, Ah Fa will stop acting in "Parasite" for now. I will find a way to transfer you to another company for those two films." After listening to Tao Yushu's words, Chen Huilian relaxed.
He came down and took Chow Yun-fat to express his gratitude to her.
Tao Yushu's expression was calm and majestic, "Afa has collaborated with us on so many works, and he is considered one of our own. Of course I won't embarrass him." Chow Yun-fat looked ashamed when he heard this, "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Lin.
This matter..."
Tao Yushu interrupted him with a smile, "It doesn't matter. Recently, freedom has always been pushed too far. It's okay to pause cooperation. It won't be too late to cooperate again after the wind has passed."
Chow Yun-fat nodded, and Kelly Chen took him and thanked Tao Yushu twice more before leaving the Prince's Building. "I didn't expect Mrs. Lin to be so easy to talk to."
After the couple got in the car, Chen Huilian pulled up to the car door and sighed.
"Yes. I have worked with Mrs. Lin on several movies, and I have never seen anyone on the crew say anything bad about Mrs. Lin. A boss as generous as Mrs. Lin is so rare in Hong Kong!" Chen Huilian recognized her husband's words in her heart. She had never said anything bad about Mrs. Lin since before marriage.
She had been in charge of Chow Yun-fat's agency since the beginning, and she knew that Chow Yun-fat had starred in three of Lam's films. All three films were hits, and the pay was always much higher than when filming for other companies.
Moreover, Mrs. Lin’s red envelopes were sent to each movie before the movie was released. If there was no pressure from the Liberty Federation, she would not want her husband to give up the cooperation with Lin.
Thinking of this, her heart was filled with disgust for the Liberty Association.
"It doesn't matter. As long as the Lin family doesn't collapse, there will definitely be opportunities to cooperate in the future." After Chow Yun-fat and his wife left, Tao Yushu leaned on the executive chair and closed his eyes to think.
A star of Chow Yun-fat's level has more than just film contracts with the Lin family. If Feng Suifan dared to issue such an ultimatum on behalf of the Liberty Federation, he would risk offending some WD film producers.
Although the current situation is very unfavorable to the Lin family, it also proves that they really have nothing to do with the Lin family now. They can only use this method of offending others to stumbling against the Lin family.
What she said to Chow Yun-fat just now was half true and half false. It was true that she transferred Chow Yun-fat's contract to another company, but this company was called Metropolis.
Metropolis Pictures is a joint venture established by Lam and Shaw Brothers, but Lam holds shares indirectly. On the surface, this company has nothing to do with Lam. Chow Yun-fat is now a box office star, how could she let him go?
Leaving so easily.
This kind of thing needs to be kept secret, so Tao Yushu will definitely not tell Chow Yun-fat directly.
The meat is rotten in the pot anyway, so it doesn't matter.
But Chow Yun-fat will definitely not be able to film "Parasite", and someone will have to be replaced.
The main reason why I originally considered casting Chow Yun-fat to play the role of chairman was because of his strong box office appeal.
After all, "Parasite" plans to invest 20 million Hong Kong dollars, and the investment risk is still very high. If the prize winning does not go smoothly, at least it can be repaid by the stars. Now that Chow Yun-fat has resigned, the investment can be reduced a lot.
As for the candidate, Tao Yushu thought for a moment and thought of Tony Leung Ka Fai. His image and acting skills fit well with the role of chairman, but he is a bit young. These are all minor problems, and makeup can solve them.
After thinking about the candidate, Tao Yushu called Liang Jiahui.
Tony Leung Ka Fai was banned by WD for starring in Li Hanxiang's movie a few years ago. Although the ban was lifted in the past two years, the film resources he received were not very good.
Previously, Tao Yushu gave him the role of Vincent in "Autumn Fairy Tale", which is the role played by Chen Baiqiang in the original version, the second male lead. After the movie was released, it received a lot of praise.
After hearing that he could play the second male lead in "Parasite", Tony Leung agreed without saying a word. But Tao Yushu said: "Ah Fai, don't rush to agree yet..."
She told the details of Chow Yun-fat's resignation, and then said: "Our current film is being watched by the Liberty Federation. After the lineup is announced, they will probably block you by name. By then, no film company may dare to use you. The company
You will be given a two-movie contract every year, both starring the leading male lead or the second leading male lead, as compensation for you."
This condition was originally formulated by Lin in response to the ban from the Free Association, but it has never been really used since the ban. Tao Yushu knew that this time it might be serious.
With her promise, Liang Jiahui agreed with more confidence. As soon as Tao Yushu contacted Liang Jiahui, the phone started ringing one after another.
It turns out that several of the main actors who participated in "Parasite" received an ultimatum from the Liberty Federation, saying that if they dared to appear in "Parasite", they would be banned by the Liberty Federation.
For those who were determined to quit, Tao Yushu did not stop them. For those who were hesitant, she tried her best to comfort them. It took her a whole day to clarify the situation.
It was after nine o'clock in the evening when she returned home. She sat tiredly on the sofa and told Lin Chaoyang about the current situation. Lin Chaoyang thought for a moment and wondered: "Why are they working so hard all of a sudden?"
"I don't understand either." Tao Yushu rubbed his temples.
As for WD and JY, many of their original authoritarian methods against the cultural industry can no longer be used. Naturally, their control over the Hong Kong film industry has gradually weakened. If the Free Federation suddenly does this now, even if it is a blow to the Lin family,
How much benefit does it have to myself?
Aren't they afraid that a large-scale ban will cause disgust and resistance in the film and television industry, cultural circles and people in Hong Kong?
After much deliberation, the couple could only attribute this behavior to the fact that WD may have realized that this control was loosening, so they wanted to use the Lin family to establish a will. Lin Chaoyang said with a relaxed face: "If they really use "Parasite" this time,
The actors and actresses on the set of "Bug" have all been banned, and I have to thank them."
"Why do you say that?"
Lin Chaoyang showed a mysterious smile, "You will know in a few days.
Two days later, "Parasite" was officially launched, and a grand press conference was held at the Clearwater Bay studio of Yindu Agency. Reporters present found that the cast of "Parasite" had changed a lot compared to previous rumors.
Big changes.
Except for the leading actor Xu Guanwen, Chow Yun-fat and Chung Chu-hong are gone, replaced by Tony Leung Ka-fai and Paw Qijing. These reporters have already heard the news that Liberty Club is eyeing "Parasite".
Seeing this situation, the situation is self-evident, and smelling the smell of big news, these reporters were like sharks smelling blood, surrounding the crew and creators asking questions non-stop. The result was at the press release of "Parasite" at the Clearwater Bay studio
The day after the meeting, the "Hong Kong Times" published a report.
The actors named Xu Guanwen, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Paw Qijing and other actors who participated in "Parasite" have been included in the WD Bureau's banned list. "Hong Kong Times" is a media controlled by WD, and its stance has always been clear-cut and FG.
Since the 1980s, sales have been sluggish due to outdated reporting content and poor printing quality. According to historical trends, it will cease publication in a few years.
However, this time the actors were named and banned, which gave them a big limelight in front of the public for a long time.
For two or three days in a row, the headlines of major media outlets in Hong Kong were dominated by the Liberty Federation’s massive blockade.
Before this, apart from targeting the Yindu organization (Changfengxin), the Free Federation had never seen such a large-scale ban. Suddenly, it caused an uproar in Hong Kong society.
Since the 1970s, due to economic development and the promotion of the government, Xiangjiang's humanistic consciousness has gradually become stronger over the years.
It’s nothing for the Liberty Federation to ban young actors like Tony Leung Ka-fai and Paw Qijing. Hui Kwan-wen is the first international actor since the opening of Hong Kong. People who have brought glory to Hong Kong, you, the Liberty Federation, just want to ban them?
Z-sect newspapers such as Ta Kung Pao, Wen Wei Po, and New Evening News began to publish articles criticizing the Liberty Association.
The "Ta Kung Pao" article wrote: The Liberty Federation has taken advantage of the WD market to control Hong Kong, which has become the biggest cancer in the Hong Kong film market. The "Wen Wei Po" report believes that the Liberty Federation is called a labor union, but in fact it is WD's control of the Hong Kong film industry.
thug.
In addition to the merciless criticism of the Z faction media, even many neutral media cannot stand the hegemonic behavior of the Free Association.
After two days of silence, newspapers such as Ming Pao, Crystal Pao, Commercial Daily and Sing Tao Daily were sensitive to the anti-WD sentiment among the people in Hong Kong and began to publish articles one after another criticizing the Liberty Association's hegemonic behavior.
.
The criticisms of these neutral media are somewhat softer than those of Z-style newspapers such as Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po. However, under fierce public opinion, even soft criticism can become a sharp weapon.
The Free Federation originally wanted to establish its authority by banning the actors who participated in "Parasite", but they did not expect that it would trigger such a strong reaction from the Hong Kong press and the people. They thought about it for several days and still did not understand.
It’s okay to ban so many Z-style filmmakers, but why does it seem like they’ve been kicked out of the iron this time?
In just a few days, this trend of public opinion driven by Z-style media will suddenly turn the Liberty General Assembly into an embarrassing situation. The Liberty General Assembly originally wanted to pretend to be a dead dog for the time being to avoid the limelight of public opinion.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, Xu Guanwen suddenly held a press conference and publicly stated to the media and the public: his participation in Lam Pictures' film did not violate Hong Kong laws and regulations, and he had no intention to participate in ZZ.
As a member of the Free Federation, he hopes that the Free Federation can put aside his political differences and not affect his creative freedom as a filmmaker.
Instead, we should find ways to protect the rights and interests of filmmakers and help Xiangjiang films be exported to WD. Let's work together to help Xiangjiang movies go to Asia.
Since the 1950s, the Hong Kong Free Federation has required Hong Kong filmmakers who enter the WD market to register with the Free Federation, and be issued a qualification certificate to become a member. To this day, the vast majority of Hong Kong filmmakers are members of the Free Federation.
, Xu Guanwen is naturally one of them.
The "blocking" that the Liberty Federation has been emphasizing is actually two methods: "stopping membership" and "joint boycott." They banned Xu Guanwen by name a few days ago, and they did it by "stopping membership." This is also
Their usual tricks.
"Stop" is not "cancellation". Where there is "stop", there is "resumption". As long as you are willing to write a "statement of repentance" and draw a clear line with the regime or individuals that the Liberty Union is hostile to, you can "reinstate" your qualifications.
Xu Guanwen spoke eloquently at the press conference, his speech was calm and powerful, and his demeanor was confident and determined. He seemed not to be affected at all by the ban from the Liberty Federation. After media reports, his glorious influence immediately appeared on the headlines of major media in Hong Kong.
Xu Guanwen's sudden move caught the Liberty Association off guard, but won strong support from the people of Xiangjiang. In the past few days, everyone had been dissatisfied with the Liberty Association's "eating in and outside" shit.
As a result, because the Xiangjiang film industry is closely related to its own interests, no one has come forward to speak out, which makes the people even more unhappy.
Now that Xu Guanwen dares to stand up publicly to demand justice from the Liberty Federation, the people naturally support him overwhelmingly and applaud Xu Guanwen's spirit of not fearing power.
Xu Guanwen's move can be said to have hit the Liberty Federation seven inches in the face. It suddenly put the Liberty Federation, which has always been extremely powerful in the Hong Kong film industry, in a dilemma. Although Xu Guanwen's speech at the press conference was very restrained,
Very rational, but the attitude of putting himself on the same level as the Liberty Federation in words still made the Liberty Federation, which was used to dominating the Hong Kong film market, feel extremely uncomfortable.
In the past, they blocked those directors and actors. Who didn't have a surrogate relationship? They found friends, invited guests, had dinner, and said all kinds of good things before they were able to lift the ban? You Xu Guanwen is so good that you dare to challenge us publicly?
If two years ago, Xu Guanwen had dared to openly confront the Liberty Association, he would have faced not only being banned, but also his personal safety would have been threatened. But now the situation is different, Xu Guanwen has become
Hong Kong's first international actor has a high prestige in the hearts of the people.
Moreover, his actions this time have received full support from the citizens. If anything happens to him at this time, even if it is not the Free Alliance, the angry citizens will put the shit basin on their heads.
What makes Liberty General always puzzling is why Xu Guanwen did this? What are you afraid of being banned? Why don't you just write a letter of repentance?
Besides, aren't you, Xu Guanwen, really afraid of being completely banned by WD?
Now that public opinion is raging, freedom will always be unable to do anything to you. What will you do when this wave of public opinion passes?
The Liberty Association could not figure out the intention of Xu Guanwen's operation. Their most important thing now was how to deal with the fierce public opinion stirred up by Xu Guanwen. In just a few days, the reputation of the Liberty Association among the WD citizens could be said to have plummeted, and it almost became
They are a street rat that everyone is calling for beating. If they continue to let the situation develop and let public opinion ferment, they will not be able to withstand the accountability of the WD government.
Mainland China talks about TZ, WD actually also talks about TZ, and Xiangjiang has been a stage for both sides to fight for decades, and it is also the object of struggle for both sides. In order to ban a few actors and offend millions of people in Xiangjiang, WDZF will not do such a loss.
Buy and sell.
On the seventh day after Xu Guanwen and others were named and banned, a reporter photographed Xu Guanwen being invited by Luo Bin, the current president of the Liberty Federation, to his home in the Repulse Bay Villa. The next day, at the Clearwater Bay Golf Course.
Luo Bin swung hard, and with a crisp sound, the golf ball drew a graceful arc in mid-air and landed on the open lawn in the distance. He looked at the landing point of the golf ball, nodded with satisfaction, and turned
Let me go back and ask Lin Chaoyang.
"Lin Sheng, do you really not want to play two strokes?"
Lin Chaoyang smiled calmly and waved his hand, "I'm not used to playing, I prefer playing table tennis."
Luo Bin glanced at Lin Chaoyang meaningfully, how could he not hear the agility in Lin Chaoyang's words. The two had been meeting for more than 20 minutes, and they had always been in this state.
Seeing Lin Chaoyang's indifferent attitude, Luo Bin felt helpless. This man looked young, but his words and deeds were impeccable. "It's been two years since Lin Sheng came to Xiangjiang, right?"
"This is the second year."
"In the second year, Lin's Pictures was able to achieve such great development, which is really impressive."
"Lin's current development is all due to Zhuo Jing, but Lin's achievements are nothing compared to Luo Sheng's industry."
Luo Bin opened Global Publishing House in Shanghai as early as the 1940s. After moving to Hong Kong in the 1950s, he ran many publications such as "Dahua News", "Martial Arts World" and "Xinbao". He is a well-known newspaper owner in Hong Kong.
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In addition to running a newspaper and a publishing house, he also opened a film company. His Xianhe Hong Kong Film Company has produced films such as "The Crane Needle", "The Six-Fingered Piano Demon" and "The Golden Hairpin". In February this year, former ZX of the Liberty Federation
Tong Yuejuan returned to WD to participate in politics, and he took over the position of ZX of the Liberty Federation.
Luo Bin handed the golf clubs to the caddy smoothly. It seemed that today's meeting had finally entered into the main topic. "I think Lin Sheng should also understand the purpose of my meeting with you today."
"Now that we have met, we naturally have the intention of having a good talk."
Luo Bin narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "I really didn't expect that Lin Sheng's friends are all over the Hong Kong press?"
Lin Chaoyang shook his head, "Luo Sheng's words are not objective. As a writer, how many friends can I have? I believe that many media have experienced injustice."
After he choked, Luo Bin did not get angry and asked: "Lin Sheng thinks this can shake the influence of our Liberty Association? I am very curious, what benefits did you promise Mi Gao to make him do so?"
Are you working hard?"
Lin Chaoyang sighed softly and made a sign of distress, "Luo Sheng reversed cause and effect. It wasn't me who was trying to shake the Liberty Federation, but the Liberty Federation was forcing us, the Lin family, so hard!" "As for Mi Gao, isn't he doing it for me?
I sacrifice my life, but I sacrifice my life for myself."
Luo Bin looked at Lin Chaoyang with strange eyes, guessing the meaning of the word "working hard" in Lin Chaoyang's mouth. The first thing he thought of was the ten-year period, thinking that Xu Guanwen had reached some kind of deal with the mainland through Lin Chaoyang.
Thinking of this, his expression was unnatural.
It is true that he is a staunch Y-sect member, but he is also a capitalist with a huge family and business, and he has a natural fear of the behemoths on the other side. The closer to the ten-year period, the stronger his fear becomes.
Luo Bin hesitated for two seconds, then his tone softened, "Lin Sheng should actually understand that everyone is their own master." Seeing that Luo Bin had a misunderstanding about Lin's background, Lin Chaoyang shook his head again, but did not explain anything.
No matter how hard he explains it, Luo Bin probably won't believe it. "Luo Sheng, there is something I don't know whether to ask or not?"
Luo Bin stretched out his hand and said, "It doesn't matter." "Is Luo Sheng a businessman?"
Luo Bin frowned slightly, "Of course he is a businessman."
"Since he is a businessman, I think Luo Sheng should understand better than me." Luo Bin did not speak in a hurry, his expression was thoughtful.
"It's a pity that none of the films produced by our Lin family have been released on WD so far. As the chairman of the Liberty Federation, Luo Sheng has made a huge contribution!" Luo Bin has been in business for most of his life, so he naturally understands what Lin Chaoyang said.
The subtext behind the words:
The films produced by Lin have not been released on WD so far. Your work achievements are enough to pay tribute to the people behind it.
Lin Chaoyang added: "Luo Sheng should also understand that the recent public opinion is largely due to the fact that the Freedom Association is too strong, which has aroused resentment among the people of Hong Kong. I think at this time, no one should add fuel to the fire.
The prosperity of Hong Kong films needs the joint protection of all of us."
Lin Chaoyang's words just now told Luo Bin to stop as soon as he saw fit, and the following words gave him a step up. The two sides discussed the conditions and just paid the money to withdraw the troops as a show, so as not to delay everyone's making money.
Chapter completed!