The next day, the entertainment sections of major newspapers in Hong Kong were almost entirely dominated by the same news story.
A Century-Long Reconciliation! Run Run Shaw Strongly Supports Kobayashi Tenno, From Arch-enemies to Partners!
Run Run Shaw highly praised the film, stating that not showing it at Shaw Brothers would be a huge loss!
"A Grand Vision! Shaw's Magnanimity: Setting Aside Past Grudges for the Sake of a Good Film!"
The newspaper articles were written in a flowery and exaggerated style, using every possible means to embellish the story.
The article details how Run Run Shaw was captivated by the artistic charm of "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow," how he foresaw the film's enormous potential, and how, for the sake of Hong Kong cinema, he resolutely put aside personal grudges and even extended an olive branch to his competitor.
These reports caused a sensation throughout Hong Kong Island.
People are talking about this in teahouses, on the streets, and in companies.
"Wow, really? Old Liu Shao is actually helping Lin Tianwang?"
"It's all in the newspapers, how could it be false? They say that Old Shao saw the movie and was absolutely blown away!"
"I don't believe it. These two hate each other so much they'd kill each other. How could they possibly cooperate? There's definitely something fishy going on here."
"Who cares if there's something fishy going on! If even a film mogul like Run Run Shaw says a movie is good, it must be pretty good! He's been in the film industry his whole life, he has a very sharp eye!"
"That's true! Just how good must a movie be to make Run Run Shaw put aside his grudges and release it? I'm getting more and more curious!"
In an instant, the curiosity of countless Hong Kong Island residents was completely piqued.
They were both witnesses to the feud between Kobayashi Tenno and Run Run Shaw.
They witnessed firsthand how ATV (Asia Television) repeatedly defeated TVB.
To say that Run Run Shaw didn't hate Kobayashi Tenno would be something no one would believe, even if you beat him to death.
But now, he has actually publicly "praised" Kobayashi Tenno's film!
What does this tell us?
This shows that the movie "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow" must have something extraordinary about it!
In no time, the phones at major cinemas on Hong Kong Island were ringing off the hook.
Countless citizens are asking when "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow" will be released and which cinemas will be able to see it.
This wave of public opinion, ignited by Kobayashi Tenmoku and amplified by the media, instantly swept across the entire Hong Kong Island.
...
Asian Film Company.
Holding the phone, Liu Rumeng's face was filled with undisguised joy and excitement.
"Awang! Awang! You're amazing!"
Now all the theater chains are scrambling to get our film! Those theater managers who used to ignore us are now calling us one after another, incredibly polite, begging us to copy it, and saying it can be shown this afternoon!
The previously incredibly difficult distribution negotiations suddenly became smooth sailing overnight.
Liu Rumeng now understands what a brilliant and ingenious scheme Lin Huowang had orchestrated when he personally went to TVB yesterday.
"Ah Wang, now that almost all cinemas in Hong Kong are connected, when would be a good time to release our 'Snake in the Eagle'?" Liu Rumeng asked.
Lin Huowang chuckled softly on the other end of the phone.
"Of course, the sooner the better. Let's release it this afternoon while the newspapers are still buzzing about it! The sooner it's released, the sooner we'll make money."
If there aren't enough copies, don't worry about other theater chains; prioritize showing it in the thirteen Shaw Brothers theaters first. Once word-of-mouth spreads, box office revenue won't be a concern.
"Okay! I understand! I'll arrange it right away!"
Liu Rumeng hung up the phone excitedly and immediately began to arrange the afternoon's screening of "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow".
...
TVB, Sir Run Run Shaw's office.
"Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"
Fang Yihua held a newspaper, trembling with anger.
She slammed the newspaper down on Run Run Shaw's desk.
“Sir Runrun, look at this! Look at this Kobayashi Tenno, how he spouts such nonsense in the newspaper!”
"What do you mean you have high hopes for 'Snake in the Eagle'? What do you mean it's a loss if it's not shown at Shaw Brothers? He's using your reputation to endorse his lousy film! Giving him free advertising!"
"We must issue a statement immediately to clarify! To tell all the citizens of Hong Kong Island that we are just giving him a chance, and we have never praised his movie!"
Fang Yihua was really anxious.
She could already imagine how those viewers who had been tricked into going to the cinema would gossip about Run Run Shaw behind his back after they came out and found out that they had watched a poorly made piece of garbage.
This is simply playing with the reputation that Run Run Shaw built up over his entire life!
Shaw picked up the newspaper and looked at it, and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
He really didn't expect that this Kobayashi Tenno would be so unethical and shameless.
When did I say those things?
He wrote it all by himself!
but……
Now he's posting a clarification, saying that he didn't actually think much of the movie, he just wanted to see Kobayashi Tenno make a fool of himself...
This would make it seem like I'm petty and inconsistent.
These newspapers had just finished praising themselves for their "broad vision" and "magnanimity," and then immediately contradicted themselves.
Run Run Shaw shook his head.
"Never mind, Ahua."
He waved his hand dismissively, feigning magnanimity, "Let him say what he wants. Anyway, his 'Snake in the Eagle' is bound to be a flop. Once the movie is released, the audience's criticism will clear everything up for us."
Once the hype dies down, nobody will remember this in a couple of days. We don't need to waste our time arguing with him over something so trivial; it would only lower our standing.
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