The literary era since 1979

Once the concept of main-theme movies was proposed, it immediately spread throughout the symposium.

Even the controversy over entertainment films and art films was put aside, and everyone focused on studying and discussing mainstream films.

Even after the tea party was over, Shi Fangyu, Teng Jinxian and others were unwilling to let Fang Yan go and invited him to their office for a small meeting.

"Teacher Fang, I was really worried about you just now."

Shi Fangyu handed over an enamel cup containing tea.

"To be honest, my palms are already sweaty."

Fangyan said half-jokingly.

"It's hard for you to say that."

Teng Jinxian said bluntly: "This 'entertainment film' debate is so complicated that even we dare not easily express our opinions, for fear that we may not express ourselves clearly or well, which will make the film industry more confused and turbulent."

Fangyan doesn't think so. Right now, because of the fierce debate on entertainment films, the film studios are tied up. They dare not make commercial films freely, but they have to make entertainment films that can make money. After all, there are hundreds of mouths to feed in the film studios.

"You are right. We should discuss this carefully."

Shi Fangyu nodded in agreement.

Teng Jinxian explained, "The reason why the bureau did not express its position before was actually mainly because it was worried that excessive indulgence in the development of entertainment films would lead Chinese films into the gutter. But after Mr. Fang's speech at the meeting just now, we have a new understanding of 'entertainment films'."

"It can no longer be called an entertainment film. It should now be called a 'genre film'."

Shi Fangyu corrected him immediately and then asked about genre films, especially main melody genre films.

"If we can use the concept of genre films to replace the controversial 'entertainment films', I think the comrades will have fewer ideological burdens."

Teng Jinxian listened for a while and smiled with satisfaction.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple."

Fang Yan said: "Our film production, training, evaluation, industry, distribution, and publicity systems are all based on the planned system formed by Big Brother. Now we require the leaders, directors, and screenwriters in the film studios to make commercial films and actively cater to the market and the audience. This is not only a problem of thinking, but also a problem of ability. Can we make qualified commercial films?"

Shi Fangyu and Teng Jinxian looked at each other, unable to refute for a moment.

Fangyan took a sip of tea and took the example of "Once Upon a Time in China and America", a collaboration between Shanghai Film Studio and Xu Ke Studio, and bluntly pointed out the backwardness of Shanghai Film Studio in terms of concepts, technology, publicity and promotion when shooting such commercial films.

"Yes, Shanghai Film Studio has also reported similar situations to us."

Teng Jinxian said: "Mr. Wu's suggestion is to make more use of the co-production model and learn from the Hong Kong film companies."

Shi Fangyu said seriously: "It seems to be very necessary now, especially to learn how to shoot entertainment and commercial films."

"What a coincidence."

Fang Yan mentioned with some reservation that when he passed through Hong Kong, he had reached a preliminary agreement with Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers on film cooperation.

Shi Fangyu was surprised and delighted, "Great! That's great! Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest are famous film companies in Hong Kong!"

"It's a different time now."

Fang Yan waved his hand and said, "Golden Harvest is indeed in its heyday, but Shaw Brothers has long been on the decline and is not far from stopping production."

Teng Jinxian was greatly shocked. He never imagined that such a huge company as Shaw Brothers Films would fall to such a state.

"This is the cruelty of commercial competition. If our film studios don't make progress and work hard on the entertainment and commercialization of movies, sooner or later they will be like Shaw Brothers and stop production." Fang Yan said, "So we must seek change. What do you think?"

Shi Fangyu couldn't help but be moved, "Teacher Fang, we warmly welcome the cooperation between Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest." Then he cast an inquiring look, "I just wonder if the way of cooperation with them is the same as "Once Upon a Time in China", where a designated studio is also selected to co-produce, so that the comrades in the studio can learn the production experience of commercial films?"

"Shaw Brothers will definitely be fine, but Golden Harvest..."

Fangyan thought that with the strength and conditions of mainland film studios, it would be difficult for them to participate in the production of "Die Hard" and "Police Stories", but they could send a group of trainees to observe and learn on site.

"This is a good suggestion. We will hold a meeting to study it."

Shi Fangyu's eyes suddenly lit up.

Teng Jinxian also agreed, but he was more concerned about what type of film he could produce with Shaw Brothers than the student group.

Shi Fangyu asked: "Could it be the 'main melody genre film' you mentioned?"

"I haven't thought it through yet, but one thing is clear: it will be a highly commercial entertainment film."

Fang Yan said seriously, "It's like Once Upon a Time in China."

"Yes, make more movies like Once Upon a Time in China!"

Shi Fangyu said: "If the copies sold are as many as "The Ring", "Shaolin Temple" and "The Secret Buddha", it will set a few examples for entertainment films. By then, I don't believe that domestic film studios will be indifferent to entertainment films and will be unwilling to make genre films."

Teng Jinxian looked at Fang Yan, his eyes full of expectation, "Teacher Fang, it's up to you next."

…………

As soon as the meeting ended, Fang Yan left the Film Bureau building.

Gong Xing was seen standing quietly at the gate, having obviously been waiting for a while.

"Didn't I tell you to go back first?" Fang Yan walked forward quickly, "Have you been waiting for a long time?"

Gong Xing shook his head and smiled, "I'm just worried about you. Your words just now really scared me."

"Don't you know me yet? I have seen all kinds of storms. Don't worry about me!"

Fangyan smiled.

"Still talking."

Gong Xing helped him carry various gifts, "I don't know what will be written in tomorrow's newspaper..."

Fangyan disagreed, "You can say whatever you want. Anyway, the truth becomes clearer the more we debate it. Sooner or later, they will agree with my concepts of 'commercial film', 'genre film', and 'main theme'." He blinked playfully, "If you don't believe me, how about we make a bet?"

"I won't bet with you!"

Gong Xing glared in shame and anger, his cheeks slightly reddened, "The stakes are always so excessive!"

Fangyan grinned, waved, hailed a yellow van, and headed straight for the courtyard in Shichahai.

The next day, as newspapers such as "Film Pictorial" and "Wenyi Bao" took the lead in publishing opinions on the impact of dialects on entertainment films, the entire film industry was stirred up again, and more and more film theorists, literary critics and other industry insiders were involved in the discussion of genre films and mainstream themes.

However, film magazines such as "China Screen" and "Popular Films", which still have some time to release their latest issues, have long been unable to hold back and have been eager to publish supplements, actively and proactively participating in the event, especially "Contemporary Films".

In the "Discussion and Debate" column, several summary articles are published specifically on the dialect's impact on entertainment films.

From the background of the rise of entertainment films, to the aesthetic basis and cultural function of entertainment films, from the types and laws of genre films, to the standards and criteria for evaluating genre films, and then from the definition of mainstream films to the combination of mainstream and genre films...

Such a big commotion caused a sudden increase in the attention paid to entertainment films, and triggered an unprecedented debate in the literary and art circles. (End of this chapter)