Chapter 671 Shanghai International Film Festival
Okay, this is a joke of course.
The fact that the movie cannot be released is also a loss for him. Everyone suffers together and everyone prospers together.
The current situation is different from before participating in the film festival. "Farewell My Concubine" is now the first Chinese film to win the Palme d'Or. With this honor, it should be a plus for the film's public release.
Lin Weimin called Teng Jinxian and just said a few words, and Teng Jinxian's attitude indeed softened.
But this is not something he can decide on his own. The problem with "Farewell My Concubine" is that it very intuitively reflected the problem of buzz buzz buzz. It encountered difficulties during the script review stage. It was only after giving the green light and replacing a group of censorship officials that it passed the review.
It is also facing difficulties in releasing it to the public now.
"Farewell My Concubine" exposes naked politics and human nature, which was quite sensitive even in the early 1990s when the censorship environment was relatively relaxed. Once it was publicly screened, the Film Bureau would be unsure. Who could guarantee that no senior leader would have any objections after watching it?
Lin Weimin has worked in the publishing industry for many years and of course understands Teng Jinxian's concerns.
After some discussion, Teng Jinxian said, "How about this? Let's go to the ministry tomorrow and listen to Comrade Congming's opinions."
"I don't have to go, right? You just need to come forward."
"You are so insincere when asking people for help! I won't care if you continue to act this way!" Teng Jinxian said dissatisfiedly.
Lin Weimin said helplessly: "Okay, okay."
The next morning, Lin Weimin picked up Teng Jinxian. As soon as he got in the car, he complained, "I have a lot of things to do. Why did you have to drag me along?"
Teng Jinxian said: "If I don't help you with your business, who else can I help?"
The two were talking as the car started.
Teng Jinxian asked casually, "I see you've been making quite a fuss lately."
He was referring to the two waves of public opinion on the "Rag Tiger Series" and the "Shaanxi Eastern Expedition".
"It's okay, it's all for development!"
"You've been the editor-in-chief for more than two years, right? When can you become the president?"
"It's too early. Old Cheng is in his prime. Maybe he can outlast me." Lin Weimin joked.
After a few jokes, Teng Jinxian announced a surprising news, "I'm going to step down."
"Back off to the second line? You haven't reached your stop yet?"
"My health has been failing. I've had a lot of major and minor ailments in the past two years. Moreover, after Document No. 3 was issued, the conflicts within the ministry, bureau and local governments became increasingly serious, and the struggle situation was not optimistic. My old arms and legs can't move anymore," said Teng Jinxian with some regret.
On January 5 this year, the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television issued Document No. 3, "Several Opinions on Deepening the Current Reform of the Film Industry Mechanism". The core of the "Opinions" is to clearly announce the cancellation of China Film Corporation's "unified purchase and sale" policy for domestic feature films, and the production studios will directly distribute and screen them to the film market.
This opinion can be regarded as a "big earthquake" for the Chinese film industry.
For decades, major film studios and local distribution and screening companies have suffered from China Film Corporation's "unified purchase and sales" policy. Now that the shackles on their heads have been lifted, the reform efforts are unprecedented.
Of course, there is also great resistance from all sides, and the situation is still at a stalemate.
The manipulator behind all this is none other than Tian Congming, whom Lin Weimin and Teng Jinxian are going to meet today. This man was promoted to Vice Minister at the age of 39 and is even more of a walled-off figure than Lin Weimin.
"All kidding aside, I'd like to recommend you to take my place."
Lin Weimin was surprised. "Old Teng, what are you singing about? Isn't this too sudden?"
“Document No. 3 has only been issued for half a year, and there is great resistance to reform. If I step down and someone who doesn’t know my background takes over, it will likely have a negative impact on the reform plan.
You are young, knowledgeable and capable. Just by looking at the few movies you have promoted behind the scenes in recent years, I know that you have great potential.
Although Guowen Press is also a bureau-level unit, it is just a publishing house after all. No matter how hard you try, you will only have that small piece of land.
But it’s different when I came to the Film Bureau. It’s a real administrative unit, and the power you hold and the things you can do are incomparable to those in the National Literature Society.
You are so young, only 33 years old. It is a good time to start a career. You can use this as a springboard and have a bright future!
I was originally planning to talk to you after I finish the Shanghai International Film Festival in June, but we got the chance to meet today!"
The car stopped on the side of the road. Lin Weimin pondered for a long time before he sighed and said, "This is indeed a good opportunity, but Old Teng, you should know that I am not interested in this."
Teng Jinxian advised: "You are engaged in publishing for culture and publicity, and we are engaged in film as well. It is actually our profession."
"Old Teng, in addition to being the editor-in-chief of the Guowen Press, I am also a writer. Wang Meng once complained to me that we writers are really not suitable to be officials."
In 1986, Wang Meng changed his career from a writer to an official, which shocked many people in the domestic cultural circle. However, even with Wang Meng's shrewdness and caution, he only lasted for three years. Ying Ruocheng of the People's Art Theater had a similar experience to Wang Meng. He became Wang Meng's deputy in the same year, and then retired in 1990.
Seeing Lin Weimin's firm attitude, Teng Jinxian said, "To be honest, I thought you would refuse, but I didn't expect you to be so firm. The director level of the National Literature Society is not the same as the director level of the Film Bureau. At your age, it is not an empty statement that you have a bright future."
"Thank you, Lao Teng. But being an official really doesn't appeal to me."
Teng Jinxian laughed at himself and said, "Yes, this position of director may be a temptation to others, but the amount of money you receive in royalties alone this year is millions or even tens of millions of dollars. What does this mean?"
Now it is 93 years old. “One billion people and 900 million businessmen” is not a joke but a real reality.
Not to mention ordinary people, even in many government agencies, a large number of people could not resist the temptation to go into business, and some of them held high positions.
In this age where "power" does not mean "wealth", many people simply choose to have money rather than power.
Without further discussing this topic, the two drove all the way to the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television and met Tian Congming, the person in charge of the Film Bureau.
Teng Jinxian reported on the situation of "Farewell My Concubine", and Tian Congming flipped through the movie script and pondered for a long time.
“It’s a bit sensitive indeed.”
Teng Jinxian added: "The film just won the Palme d'Or, the highest honor at this year's Cannes Film Festival."
Tian Congming smiled and said, "If it weren't for this award, I wouldn't have dared to let you two come. Speaking of which, the movies Comrade Weimin has worked on in recent years have really won a lot of awards."
Before Lin Weimin could be modest, Teng Jinxian said, "That's right. Weimin's talent and sensitivity in film are really enviable. He was born to make a living in the film industry."
Tian Congming replied very naturally: "Why? Do you want Comrade Weimin to take over your job?"
It seems that the two of them have already reached a tacit understanding. Teng Jinxian laughed, "He, a multimillionaire, would not look down on my small position as director."
A look of disappointment flashed in Tian Congming's eyes. Before this, Teng Jinxian had discussed with him the idea of recommending Lin Weimin to take over as director of the Film Bureau.
Lin Weimin was the editor-in-chief of Guowen Publishing House, a serious bureau-level leader. He was transferred to the Film Bureau to take over as director, and his rank was just right for him.
Although it was a lateral transfer, considering the different powers of the National Literature Society and the Film Bureau, it can be considered a promotion.
Moreover, Lin Weimin is young, and according to Teng Jinxian, he also has deep insights into the film industry. Being the director of the Film Bureau is indeed a great help to Tian Congming.
With the recommendation of the former director Teng Jinxian and Tian Congming being the leader in charge of the film business, the two of them together do have a lot of say in the competition for the position of "director".
Now is the most critical time for the national film reform, and the position of Director of the Film Bureau is particularly important.
What a pity...
Changing his mind, Tian Congming said with a smile: “Everyone has their own aspirations.
Lin Weimin looked at his smile and felt a little worried. Farewell My Concubine was already difficult to pass the review, and he had rejected the olive branch. Would this ruin everything?
While he was daydreaming, Tian Congming said, "I will go to report to Comrade Tieying in a few days. Old Teng, you and Ning Zhibin from China Film Group, you two should come with me. By the way, let's talk about Farewell My Concubine."
"Okay!" Teng Jinxian responded happily.
Lin Weimin was happy.
How could a person who can become a leader at such a young age be so petty?
If you don’t believe me, look at Teacher Lin!
Two days later, Lin Weimin received news that an internal screening would be held in the sea, so he quickly contacted Cheng Kaige and asked him to send a copy of the film.
When he heard that there would be an internal screening in the sea, Cheng Kaige was so excited that he wanted to fly there.
He sent the copy over as quickly as possible, and after coming out of the sea, he became worried again.
Screening the film in the sea is not entirely a good thing. If any leader has objections to the film after watching it, he will be sentenced to death directly, without even a suspended death sentence.
Thinking of this, Cheng Kaige's heart, which had been burning with passion just now, instantly cooled down and he became uneasy.
"Don't worry. Since they've agreed to hold an internal screening, it means the leadership is optimistic about this film. Unless there are major changes, there will be no problem."
Lin Weimin's comfort made Cheng Kaige feel a little relieved, "Teacher Lin, thank you so much this time."
"I also have a part in the movie, so it's mutually beneficial."
After waiting for a whole day, Lin Weimin received a call from Teng Jinxian and went to the Film Bureau.
Teng Jinxian said to Lin Weimin happily, "You are very honored. The old man was very happy when he heard that Farewell My Concubine was going to be shown. He canceled his activities last night and went to watch the movie."
Lin Weimin asked excitedly: "What's the result? What did they say?"
"The old man said there was nothing wrong with it."
After Teng Jinxian finished speaking, Lin Weimin breathed a sigh of relief.
With the old man's words, there is no problem with the film's release. The only thing left is the procedure. Even if it is just a minor revision, with Teng Jinxian, the director of the Film Bureau, the problem will be much simpler.
"Old Teng, thank you so much this time!"
Lin Weimin thanked him and asked about the details.
It turned out that after Tian Congming took Teng Jinxian to Haili yesterday, they talked about "Farewell My Concubine" after finishing their business. Comrade Tieying was also very interested in "Farewell My Concubine", a film that had just won the Cannes Film Festival. When he heard that the film was now facing censorship issues, he took the initiative to organize an internal screening.
When the old man heard the news, he came over specially to watch a movie. After the screening, he first praised Lin Weimin's original work, compared the movie with the drama, and said that the movie was well made.
"The old man also mentioned the Broadway version of Farewell My Concubine, saying that your novel has brought glory to the country more than once!"
Lin Weimin was of course happy to be praised, let alone by an elder of that level.
Now that the release of "Farewell My Concubine" is no longer a problem, his mission can be considered accomplished.
In the evening, Lin Weimin invited Teng Jinxian to dinner to express his gratitude.
"Weimin, are you interested in being a judge?"
"What judges?"
"The Shanghai International Film Festival has been confirmed to be held in October this year."
The Shanghai International Film Festival, China's first A-category international film festival, has been in the spotlight for generations to come.
"Why did you think of asking me to be the judge?" Lin Weimin asked.
Teng Jinxian said helplessly: "The film festival is hosted by the Shanghai Municipal Government and the Shanghai Film Bureau. Our Film Bureau is only responsible for guidance. It should not be my concern, but..."
(End of this chapter)
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