new kung fu king

Chapter 625 The New Wave Ends

Wang Xiaohu himself admits that his own appearance has completely disrupted the original development track of Hong Kong films, especially when the Golden Harvest Company, which checked and balanced the Shaw Brothers, withdrew from the stage of history, and the Hong Kong film industry has seen Concorde dominate the film industry.

Fortunately, Wang Xiaohu realized the seriousness of this problem, and he dismantled and reorganized the five major satellite companies a few years ago, allowing them to develop freely. Even so, it took several years for Hong Kong movies to return to their original track. It's just that there has been a big change when it recovered.

Among them, the most affected are the fields of kung fu movies and martial arts movies, the establishment of the dragon and tiger martial arts union, and a large number of martial arts instructors and action actors began to frequently visit major film companies and TV groups. People are not well-known, but they also fully demonstrate their commercial and artistic value.

The action series that have appeared in Hong Kong movies in the past few years are essentially much more exciting and enriched than the time and space in Wang Xiaohu's memory, especially in terms of action design, which makes action movies more colorful, even if it is box office. The action movie with the worst performance will barely get back the investment cost because of the action.

These changes are all carried out quietly, except for Wang Xiaohu, no one knows that Hong Kong movies have changed.

Just like the current Tsui Hark, if he hadn't met Wang Xiaohu, "New Shushan" might only be regarded as a third-rate film, but after Wang Xiaohu's guidance, the quality of the film has risen to a big level, and Tsui Hark himself also noticed that Concorde Leadership role in a Hong Kong film company.

For example, Xiehe has the largest film and television base in Asia, which can accept all types of ancient costumes and modern films. Because of the beautiful and lifelike scenery, most film and television works are used for filming. At least the pictures on the screen are much better than those a few years ago. The real exterior scene is far more eye-catching than the set.

For example, Xiehe has the world's most advanced special effects studio, an independent special effects editing room, and the most mature recording and dubbing equipment in Hong Kong, etc., all of which deeply attracted Tsui Hark.

"Hey, isn't this Tsui Hark?"

When Tsui Hark came out of the Xiehe screening room, the bald head came to greet him.

"Well, Director Mai Jia, did you come to Brother Hu to watch the sample too?" They were all in the circle, not looking up and looking down, Tsui Hark naturally knew that the bald head in front of him was Mai Jia from New Art City.

"Yeah, don't you, too?" Mai Jia shook the film box in his hand and said, "This is the third time I've reviewed a film. If it doesn't get any better, Master will beat me up."

"What movie?" Tsui Hark asked curiously.

Mai Jia grinned and said, "'Chasing Girls', it's a comedy. It's not as chic as you are. It's a big production that Master is interested in."

Tsui Hark smiled embarrassingly. Sometimes he himself wondered why Brother Hu was so harsh on his apprentices. For example, there were rumors that Zhou Xingchi almost collapsed after soaking in the river for six hours a while ago.

Zhou Xingchi is like this, and so are Mai Jia and others, especially remembering that "Best Partner" was the third-trial script of Brother Hu, who taught Mai Jia, Shi Tian, ​​and Huang Baiming a lesson.

Tsui Hark suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly asked: "By the way, Mai Jia, I heard that you are working on a group?"

Maijia nodded her bald head and said: "Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao have been very busy recently, they have been filming "Beware of Little Hands" and other films. The team we reorganized two years ago has disintegrated. Shi Tian, ​​Huang Baiming and I are considering making a new film. Group, Master has passed this matter."

"Who are the members?"

"The three of us, Zeng Zhiwei and Teddy Robin, there are only five of us now, Tsui Hark, are you interested in doing it together?"

Tsui Hark was overjoyed when he heard this, but he still said tactfully: "I still have a one-month contract with Siyuan Company, give me time to think about it."

"OK, waiting for your good news, I will go to the master to review the film."

After Mai Jia finished speaking, he walked towards the screening room. Tsui Hark left Xiehe full of thoughts, and stood at the door of the Xiehe office building. He turned his head and looked at this not very tall building. Given the opportunity, he decided to go back and discuss it with Shi Nansheng.

In the screening room, Mai Jia told Wang Xiaohu the news of the invitation to Tsui Hark. The corner of the latter's mouth curled up and revealed a smile that made Mai Jia feel inscrutable. Mai Jia might not know why Master showed such a smile at this time.

Only Wang Xiaohu understands that once Tsui Hark enters New Art City, once the Seven Old Monsters Group of New Art City is established, the Hong Kong New Wave film movement will also come to an end.Instead, Hong Kong films have entered a golden age of more commercialization and fiercer market competition.

Wang Xiaohu only knew that Tsui Hark's job-hopping in New Art City was an objective factor, and he didn't know until 1982 that he knew the main factor that led to the end of the New Wave film movement.

Because at the beginning of the new year, a series of major changes have taken place in the Southeast Asian film market that Hong Kong independent film companies rely on for survival: Singapore began to invest mainly in Hong Kong TV series, and Thailand let Hong Kong films due to the impact of the world economic crisis and restrictions on import quotas. It was difficult, and the Vietnamese market was completely lost due to political reasons.

These changes may not have much impact on the development of Hong Kong, but they have caused Hong Kong independent film production to fall into a trough instantly. Films with strong artistic and ideological qualities but weak commercial qualities have lost the soil for survival. great directors.

Siyuan Company, which survived by attracting new wave directors, suddenly fell into chaos. Therefore, Siyuan Company, which had just emerged, had not yet accumulated momentum in the future, but was seriously injured by the overall environment.

Fortunately, "New Legend of Shushan Swordsman" saved Siyuan Company at this time. Wang Xiaohu really did what he said. Not only did he cooperate with Shaw Brothers theaters to release it in Hong Kong, but he also screened it in Shaw Brothers Taiwan Branch and New Art City Taiwan. With the great help of the branch, "New Shushan" was pushed to the peak of the Spring Festival.

Directed by Tsui Hark, many movie stars teamed up, created by the special effects team of Xiehe, and adapted from the masterpiece of Huanzhulou, "New Shushan" thus started the first battle in the golden age of Hong Kong movies.

On February 1982, 2, "New Shushan" was released in Hong Kong for two weeks, with a box office of 11 million. Although the markets in Taiwan, Macau and other regions were sluggish, they generally handed in a score of 890 million Hong Kong dollars, which is far behind the 678 million invested by Siyuan. There is still a gap of 2000 million Hong Kong dollars. I believe that after the first round of premieres, it will not be a problem for Siyuan to get the cost.

Because Tsui Hark contributed the most to the film, Wu Siyuan sealed a 120 million red envelope to Tsui Hark. After receiving the red envelope, Tsui Hark was completely relieved and handed over a "resignation letter" with a peach-like smile on Wu Siyuan's face. Then he took Shi Nansheng's hand and left Siyuan Company swaggeringly!

Tsui Hark, Siyuan's pillar, left, and Wu Siyuan was stunned on the spot, not even having time to ask Tsui Hark which company he went to work for.

But soon, Wu Siyuan heard the news that Tsui Hark joined New Art City. Mai Jia, Shi Tian, ​​Huang Baiming, Teddy Robin, and Zeng Zhiwei invited friends from the industry to join them, and welcomed Tsui Hark and Shi Nansheng in a grand and solemn way. At the reception banquet, Mai Jia handed over the script of the new movie "Ghost Horse and Stars" to Tsui Hark with a serious expression, and said happily: "Old Xu, this is your first directing microphone since you took office."

Thus, the seven old monsters of New Art City took their place, and the era belonging to New Art City, Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and others finally kicked off.

The dawn of a new era means laughter and heartbreak.Wu Siyuan, Chen Ziqiang and others were undoubtedly the saddest. Major changes had taken place in the Southeast Asian market on which they depended for survival. Wu Siyuan was so worried. Before the Spring Festival, he secretly visited Wang Xiaohu's home while helping out.

"Mr. Wang, you have to save Siyuan Company no matter what. The Southeast Asian market has collapsed, and Siyuan Company is about to die."

Wu Siyuan burst into tears, and cried to Wang Xiaohu as soon as they met, which made Wang Xiaohu very embarrassed.

"Siyuan, don't be sad, don't be sad."

To be honest, Wang Xiaohu didn't know how to comfort Wu Siyuan at this time. If he hadn't appeared, Wu Siyuan would have been in full swing by now. Apart from other things, the "Snake-shaped Diabolic Hand" and "Drunken Fist" that Jackie Chan was famous for in his previous life were Wu Siyuan. Produced by the producer, these two films not only made Jackie Chan popular, but also made Wu Siyuan valued by Golden Harvest.

However, Wang Xiaohu filmed these two films a few years in advance, and dismantled and acquired Golden Harvest, two main factors that led to Wu Siyuan's skyrocketing. , Produced "Integrity Storm", "700 Million Robbery", "Hong Kong Strange Story" and other films with good box office, and also recruited major directors of the New Wave. Siyuan company is indeed in crisis.

Mai Jia poached Tsui Hark away, the pillar of others, which is tantamount to making Siyuan worse.

"Well, I wonder if Tsui Hark told you about the mainland release of "New Shushan"?"

Wang Xiaohu thought about it for a long time, but he had very little memory of Wu Siyuan, who made him an unpopular figure, who was not a famous action actor, action director or other public star in his previous life, Wang Xiaohu could only comfort him in other ways.

When Wu Siyuan heard that it was released in the mainland, his eyes lit up immediately. With the box office record of "New Shushan" breaking through [-] million in two weeks, if it is released in the mainland market, the profits will definitely go to the sky.He immediately stopped complaining about Ai Ai, and said: "Tsui Hark mentioned this before, but I have done things that I am sorry to you before, and I have never had the face to ask Ah Hu for help."

"." Wang Xiaohu rolled his eyes, thinking that you came to see me today, isn't it because of this matter?
"Why bring up the past?" Wang Xiaohu waved his hand. If he was a small-minded person, he would have taken the opportunity to counterattack when Wu Siyuan stalked and even smeared him in the media and newspapers.

"That's right. If you want to distribute "New Shushan" in mainland China through me, there are a few things you must clarify."

Wu Siyuan hurriedly nodded and said, "Ah Hu, tell me."

"You should know what happened to Liu Jialiang in mainland China years ago, right?" Wang Xiaohu asked.

Wu Siyuan nodded again and said: "I understand this matter very well. I heard that the mainland has a lot of opinions on our Hong Kong film and television industry because of this. Even Ahu's "Mulan" was forced to stop."

"Yes, after this incident, the mainland has tightened its review system for us. Not just any movie can be released in the mainland." Wang Xiaohu paused deliberately when he said this. He saw Wu Siyuan pricking up his ears to listen to the following. He smiled and said, "However, Xiehe Company still has some special discounts in this regard. Our company has ten audit quotas every year."

Ten?In fact, there were more than ten. Wang Xiaohu was just fooling Wu Siyuan by saying this, because Hong Kong didn't even know the delicate relationship between him and the mainland.

"If "New Shushan" wants to be released in the mainland and wants to obtain these preferential policies, there are a few things to pay attention to." Wang Xiaohu said in a deep voice: "First of all, the film must be crowned with the logo of Xiehe Company, and the producer must write that I or A Zhi’s name, because as long as the mainland sees the above two points, it will relax the policy appropriately.”

"Well, I understand that." Wu Siyuan nodded vigorously. He understood what Wang Xiaohu said. This kind of phenomenon is relatively common in Hong Kong. What he is most concerned about now is what Wang Xiaohu will say next, because it is directly linked to the box office dividend. .

"In terms of box office dividends, the current standard left to us by mainland China is only 25%, so I want to withdraw 5% of it as agency fees. Do you have any objections to this?"

After Wang Xiaohu finished speaking, he looked at Wu Siyuan intently. In fact, as long as Xiehe's name is put on it, the box office dividend between him and the mainland is split [-]-[-]. There are not many people who know the inside story. Every transfer is done by the Ministry of Culture, let alone the mainland The confidentiality measures over there are very good, and Hong Kong has no way of knowing.

It is even more impossible for Wu Siyuan to know these inside stories. When he first heard about the 25% dividend, he thought that Wang Xiaohu would raise 10% of the profit, but he didn’t know that it was only 5%. Withdrawing 1000%, Siyuan still has an income of 5 million. Judging from the rumors of "Shaolin Temple", the film has a remarkable achievement of 200 million yuan in half a year after its release. "Mythology" has the same effect, at least it must have a box office of 1400 million yuan, right?

One more network, one more line of livelihood, the thighs of mosquitoes are meat anyway, who let Liu Jialiang and the others make such a fuss, otherwise the money in mainland China would not be made by Hong Kong filmmakers?
Wu Siyuan complained about Liu Jialiang in his heart, and said with a smile on his face: "Ah Hu, you don't have to worry, I believe in your character, this matter is completely up to you!"

"Hey, we are all in the same company, and it is right to help each other." Wang Xiaohu also said politely.

(End of this chapter)