Chapter 681 It is better to bully an old man than a poor young man
More than half a month ago, a massive special campaign to crack down on the concealment and underreporting of box office revenue was in full swing. The domestic film distribution system has been the boss for decades, but this is the first time it has accepted such a powerful dictatorship's iron fist.
Before the film reform in 1993, the agency that had the greatest influence on the domestic film market was not the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television or the Film Bureau, but China Film Corporation.
Although China Film Corporation is only a bureau-level unit, the appointment letter of its manager is directly issued by the top government official, and its finances are directly connected to the Ministry of Finance, so it is known as the reservoir of the film industry.
Before 1993, all Chinese films were subject to a unified purchase and sales policy, which meant that all film distribution rights were monopolized by China Film Corporation, and it was a pricing monopoly. In many cases, the film studios could not even make a profit.
In theory, the management function of China's film distribution and screening lies in the hands of the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television and the Film Bureau, but the actual implementation of many government documents and policies is inseparable from the cooperation and execution of China Film Corporation.
This is also true in provinces, cities, and counties, because China Film Group holds the power of distribution, and all domestic distribution companies at all levels are under the wings and shadow of China Film Group.
Therefore, in the past few years, people in the domestic film industry often lamented: "It is easy to shake the mountain, but it is difficult to shake China Film Corporation."
However, starting this year, the situation has gradually become a little different.
The reform proposed by the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television was actually approved by the higher authorities. Film distribution was no longer the exclusive privilege of China Film Corporation, which put China Film Corporation in a passive position.
Moreover, with the powerful deputy minister Tian Congming trying hard to win over major domestic film studios and provincial and municipal distribution companies, the influence of China Film Corporation is now in jeopardy.
In the era of unified purchase and marketing, China Film Corporation was the only dominant player. The first to be dissatisfied with it were the local film studios, followed by the distribution companies at the prefecture (city) and county levels.
The focus of the conflict is naturally the uneven distribution of benefits. In the domestic film distribution and screening system, China Film Corporation eats the meat, provincial distribution companies drink the soup, and prefecture (city) and county distribution companies smell the smell.
The studios are the worst off, as they have to bring their own food.
Therefore, when the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television proposed film reform, local film studios were the first to raise the flag and call for action, followed by distribution companies at the municipal and county levels.
Yanjing Film Distribution Company is a provincial distribution company. Its attitude towards film reform was previously ambiguous and it has remained on the sidelines.
At the beginning of the year, Yan Film Studio introduced "Once Upon a Time in China 3: Battle of the Lion King". Several provincial and municipal distribution companies in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and eastern Shandong were the first to respond and made a fortune. The Yanjing Film Distribution Company was very jealous.
Before the release of "Farewell My Concubine", there was a huge fanfare and Yanjing Film Distribution Company joined reluctantly. Once the movie was released, its ability to make money was even better than "Once Upon a Time in China 3: Return of the Lion King". Manager Xu was extremely glad for the decision he made.
But he didn't have time to be happy.
The big stick of the special operation came down with the force of thunder. Film distribution companies in various places had just tasted the sweetness of "Once Upon a Time in China 3: Return of the Lion King" and "Farewell My Concubine" when they were stunned by the stick.
As a result of this pulling and beating, the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television and the Film Bureau finally showed their fangs and red faces to film distribution companies at all levels, making them realize that their serious superior units were not made of clay.
Now China Film Corporation has even been deprived of its exclusive distribution rights and can hardly protect itself, let alone their group of younger brothers and younger brothers among brothers.
According to rumors, this special operation was carried out by Lin Weimin under the instigation of Tian Congming.
There are also reliable rumors claiming that Tian Congming intends to transfer Lin Weimin to the Ministry of Radio, Film and Television. The director of the Film Bureau, Lao Teng, is about to retire, and Tian Congming wants Lin Weimin to take over.
If Lin Weimin really takes over Teng Jinxian's position, he will be half the leader of the distribution system. Considering his age, even if he is delayed for ten years, he will only be in his early forties. By then, if he can take a step forward, he will be a true leader of the distribution system.
There is a saying in official circles: It is better to bully an old man than to bully a poor young man.
Old comrade, even if he is your immediate superior, his age is there and his potential is limited.
But young people are different, especially young people like Lin Weimin.
This guy has been the editor-in-chief of Guowen Press for two years, right? He is not even thirty-five yet. Even if he is not transferred to the radio and television system, it is still terrible for him to continue to stay in the publishing system!
After all, he is only thirty-three years old!
After Wang Shuo and Xu Cairen left, Manager Xu was worried that his behavior had offended someone, and everyone was quietly discussing what had just happened.
Even Han Zhuangzhuang came close to Lin Weimin and muttered, "Why are you making things difficult for a little girl?"
"I'm not making things difficult for her, it's your aunt who's making things difficult for me!" said Lin Weimin.
Han Zhuangzhuang automatically filtered out Lin Weimin's words. His uncle never told the truth and always hid his thoughts behind jokes.
"Aren't you afraid that this will get out and damage your image? You are a great writer and leader, but you are embarrassing a little girl."
"What kind of image do I have?" Lin Weimin said indifferently, and then he looked at Han Zhuangzhuang, his eyes sweeping over him like X-rays, "Boy, are you being sympathetic to a woman?"
Han Zhuangzhuang was like a spark on his body, shaking it off in a panic, "Don't talk nonsense, what's the point of being gentle and considerate to women? I was just asking casually, what does this have to do with me?"
After saying this, he quickly disappeared from Lin Weimin's side.
Gong Li looked at Han Zhuangzhuang, then glanced at Zhang Yimou who was standing beside her with a worried look on his face, and felt contempt in her heart.
Oh, man!
The domestic box office success of "Farewell My Concubine" has been determined. After the celebration banquet, Xu Feng will also go to Taiwan Island.
The film has been confirmed to be released in Hong Kong, as Taiwan is one of the important ticket bases in East Asia.
Although relations between Taiwan and the mainland have gradually normalized in recent years, there are still strict restrictions in many areas.
This is the case with movies. In Taiwan, there is a two-thirds rule: a movie in which more than half of the screenwriters, directors, and crew are from mainland China will be classified as a mainland movie and will not be able to obtain a release permit or participate in the Golden Horse Awards.
Xu Feng is a Taiwanese native and an actress. She has some connections in the Taiwanese film industry. She has contacted many people in the film industry before, hoping to get a backdoor for "Farewell My Concubine".
After all, this is a work that won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, so it's worth taking a backdoor.
The most important thing is that if this backdoor is successful, "Farewell My Concubine" can also successfully participate in the Golden Horse Awards.
Xu Feng communicated his ideas to Lin Weimin, but Lin Weimin disagreed.
Those people in Taiwan are too narrow-minded. In his impression, Xu Feng did make a big fuss in order to get "Farewell My Concubine" screened in Taiwan.
At that time, she received support from many people in the film industry, and also convened several major companies and department stores to launch a "10,000-person signature campaign to support the release of "Farewell My Concubine"" in order to put pressure on the Taiwan Island authorities in the hope that the regulations can be amended as soon as possible.
In December 1994, under pressure, the Taiwan authorities announced that, on the basis of the existing one-half system, a new amendment would be added: that is, films that won the Best Picture award at the five major film festivals, namely Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Oscars, and New York Film Festival, would not be subject to the one-half system and could be released in Taiwan.
At that time, many Taiwanese filmmakers were delighted, thinking that they had finally forced the government to make concessions.
As a result, the Taiwan Island government added another regulation: further verification is needed to determine whether the film’s funds come from mainland China.
Even if there is mainland funding, the film cannot be released in Taiwan.
Later, "Farewell My Concubine" was invested by mainland funds, so it was ultimately unable to be released in Taiwan.
In this life, "Farewell My Concubine" did not have any mainland funding.
The thought in his mind was fleeting, and Lin Weimin said to Xu Feng: "You should not focus too much energy on Taiwan Island. After all, it is just a small market, and the Golden Horse Award is not a big award. You should still focus on the United States.
We have already won one of the three major European awards. The next highlight will be the American awards season. So many preliminary awards will greatly affect the final winners of the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards, after all, many of the judges overlap.
And Mike is in this movie, so he will definitely do his best.”
Lin Weimin's contempt for the Taiwan market and the Golden Horse Awards made Xu Feng feel a little uncomfortable. After all, she was from Taiwan, but what he said was not unreasonable.
Having already won the Palme d'Or, it would be a bit of a loss to waste time on regional film awards like the Golden Horse Awards.
Moreover, compared with Europe, America, Japan, South Korea and other countries, Taiwan's market is not really that big. Even the box office of "Farewell My Concubine" in mainland China may not be comparable to that of Taiwan.
Xu Feng adjusted his mentality and said, "No matter how small the prize is, it is still a prize. No matter how small the box office is, it is still money. I will go back and try my best. If something is impossible, I will not force it."
The two of them were just partners, and Xu Feng was really doing it for the good of the movie, so Lin Weimin didn't say anything more.
The banquet ended around ten o'clock in the evening. Excluding the minor incident caused by Xu Cairen's appearance, today's celebration banquet was perfect.
Manager Xu of Yanjing Film Distribution Company's greatest feeling after attending the banquet was that it is the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan who know how to enjoy and market.
There were too many people from the Yenching cultural circle at today's banquet, as well as a few reporters. After the banquet, won't they go back and cheer for "Farewell My Concubine" to their hearts' content?
This meal costs a month’s salary!
When everyone was leaving, the graceful Maxim's manager Song Huaigui was seeing them off at the door. She was wearing an evening gown, exquisite makeup, and a reserved and elegant attitude, which immediately made people feel very honored.
Manager Xu walked out of the restaurant with his head held high and saw Lin Weimin saying goodbye to some acquaintances.
"You've been drinking, it's inconvenient for you to drive..." Cheng Zhigu was saying to Lin Weimin.
Lin Weimin drank a few glasses of red wine tonight, so to be on the safe side, he definitely cannot drive.
Xu Feng said: "It's okay, I'll arrange it."
When Manager Xu saw this scene, he immediately realized that this was a good opportunity, and stepped forward and said enthusiastically: "Mr. Lin didn't bring a driver? I happen to have a young man who drives very steadily. Let him take you back."
Manager Xu didn't give anyone a chance to react and trotted all the way to the company bus.
Cheng Zhigu looked at Manager Xu's back, feeling unhappy and stealing his lines.
The young man in the car got out quickly and asked, "Manager, shall we take you home now?"
"Don't send me off yet, go drive me a car."
He pulled the young man to Lin Weimin's Mercedes and said with a smile, "Xiao Hou drives steadily. Teacher Lin, let him drive you."
Facing Manager Xu's enthusiasm, Lin Weimin said, "He drives for me, what will you do?"
"It's okay, I don't drink much, I can just open it myself."
Manager Xu said nonchalantly.
Drunk driving, or drunk driving, is the norm in this era.
"Forget it, let's just leave the car here. We can come back to pick it up tomorrow." Lin Weimin said.
If Manager Xu gave the driver to him and something happened to him while driving, he would be blamed unnecessarily.
"Don't worry! I've called everyone for you." Manager Xu said.
Cheng Zhigu, who was standing by, didn't expect Manager Xu to snatch his car, but smiled and said, "Manager Xu, you've been drinking, it's too dangerous to drive. If something goes wrong, Teacher Lin will be to blame."
After he finished speaking, he turned to the young man beside him and said, "Xiao Yu, come and help Teacher Lin drive the car. Send Teacher Lin home safely."
After saying that, without waiting for Manager Xu and Lin Weimin's reaction, he pushed Xiaoyu next to him towards the car. Xiaoyu looked embarrassed and said, "Manager, keys, keys..."
"Teacher Lin..." Cheng Zhigu had a somewhat attentive smile on his face.
Lin Weimin was helpless. The other party had already behaved to such an extent, and it would seem a bit disrespectful to refuse him.
He handed over the key and said to Cheng Zhigu, "Then you can find someone to drive for you, or you can pick up the car tomorrow."
"You are so thoughtful. I will leave the car here and come to pick it up tomorrow." Cheng Zhigu said.
Only then did Lin Weimin feel at ease and get into the car.
Looking at the car's receding back, Manager Xu had a complicated expression on his face, and there was a hint of anger in his eyes when he glanced at Cheng Zhigu.
Cheng Zhigu didn't care about his expression and chatted with Xu Feng in a relaxed manner.
Seeing this, Manager Xu looked at Cheng Zhigu angrily, got in the car and left the door of Maxim.
Xu Feng witnessed the whole scene and felt a little confused.
Even if Lin Weimin has some influence in the film system, it would not cause Director Cheng and Manager Xu to behave like this.
"Director Cheng, you and Manager Xu..."
(End of this chapter)
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