Chapter 275： heart for movies

"I hope China Star can become the distribution agent of Dongcheng Pictures in Asia!" Zhang Dongcheng said straight to the point.

China Star was established in 1992. Perhaps when it comes to the name of this company, many people are not clear, because it is not as famous as its subsidiary Yongsheng Entertainment Production Co., Ltd. and Yongsheng Audiovisual. But in fact, China Star is the leader of Chinese-language movies in the world.

China Star Group is a listed group founded by Xiang Huaqiang. It owns the global exclusive distribution rights of films and TV series produced by Yongsheng Entertainment Production Co., Ltd. and Yongsheng Audiovisual Enterprise Hong Kong Co., Ltd., and the agency distribution rights of many independent production companies. As the only audio-visual product supplier in Hong Kong that has a large number of film production and nationwide audio-visual product wholesale and retail capabilities, China Star has established its position as a world-renowned Chinese film production and distribution kingdom, and signed the largest in Hong Kong TV history with satellite TV. film purchase agreement.

However, the real take-off of China Star still comes after the Starlight Entertainment Group. On July 18, 1996, China Star, which acquired Starlight Entertainment Group, was officially registered as a listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Hong Kong stock code 00326, referred to as "China Star Group".

After Hong Kong returned to China on July 1, 1997, during this period, the Hong Kong stock market fluctuated sharply. Many wealthy people were worried about the liquidation of the mainland, so they left Hong Kong with their money. However, at this time, China Star's stock price entered a stage of soaring. On August 27, it once rushed to 206.442 Hong Kong dollars, which was 81.97 Hong Kong dollars higher than the closing price before Hong Kong's handover. The yuan rose 151.85%.

In a short period of time, the market value of China Star has more than doubled and a half. The year of 1997 was a year of real rapid development of China Star.

Currently, in the Asian film market, the largest contribution to the box office is not the mainland, but Japan. But the market of more than one billion people in mainland China is an existence that Zhang Dongcheng must not ignore. China Star has been deployed in the mainland since its inception.

Xiang Huaqiang has a wide network of contacts in Hong Kong and Asia. Zhang Dongcheng understands the development prospects of China Star better than anyone else. Cooperation with China Star is not Zhang Dongcheng's hot-headed idea, but the result of careful consideration.

Hearing Zhang Dongcheng's words, Xiang Huaqiang did not immediately agree, but he also did not immediately object. Instead, he showed a contemplative look, bowed his head and pondered for a moment, and then said: "I personally agree with this Cooperation. But this matter is related to the company after all, I think it may take a few days to say hello to the board of directors. I hope Mr. Zhang doesn't mind."

Of course Zhang Dongcheng understood that the so-called greeting to Huaqiang and the board of directors was just an excuse. He just needs a little time to think about the stakes of cooperation with Dongcheng Pictures.

"Mr. Xiang, Dongcheng Pictures needs to solve the problem of overseas theaters, especially in Asia. And Chinese stars also need to break into Hollywood. We are natural partners, and there is no overlapping of interests between the two parties. It is the most suitable for Dongcheng Films and China Star, isn't it?" Zhang Dongcheng once again threw out a trump card that Xiang Huaqiang could not refuse.

When we met last time, Xiang Huaqiang expressed his deep sorrow for the decline of Hong Kong movies. Zhang Dongcheng knew very well that Hong Kong movies, or the movies produced by Xiang Huaqiang Company, really wanted to enter the American market.

Famous directors such as Woo Yusen, Tang Jili, Yuan Heping, and Lin Lingdong, and top actors such as Chow Yun-fat, Jackie Chan, and Michelle Yeoh, all began to enter Hollywood by coincidence. It can be seen that Hong Kong filmmakers' desire for Hollywood has become a must for Hong Kong filmmakers. Like a nightmare.

Zhang Dongcheng believes that Xiang Huaqiang, who was able to take the initiative to contact him and ask him for advice, hoping to find a way out for Hong Kong films, would not refuse his proposal.

Sure enough, when he heard Zhang Dongcheng's words, Xiang Huaqiang's face twitched immediately, and he said with a dry smile: "Mr. Zhang, I finally understand why you have achieved such an achievement that everyone can only look up to in such a short period of time!"

Although these words were unclear, both Zhang Dongcheng and Xiang Huaqiang knew what they meant. It is nothing more than saying that Zhang Dongcheng has grasped his weakness, or that this cannot be said to be a weakness, but a long-cherished wish of Xiang Huaqiang. He's someone who really loves movies.

If Xiang Huaqiang is a real businessman, as long as it is profitable, he will not care whether Hong Kong movies can survive the impact of those Hollywood blockbusters.

From the first time Zhang Dongcheng proposed cooperation, he should have agreed. After all, no matter how you look at it, this cooperation method is beneficial to both parties. At least in terms of making money.

However, Hong Kong movies, which have been declining day by day, are absolutely unable to stop the impact of Hollywood, a movie monster.

Zhang Dongcheng smiled slightly, picked up the wine glass and gave Xiang Huaqiang a distant respect, then drank it down, wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth, and said: "Mr. Xiang, I will do it first as a respect!"

What he admires is Xiang Huaqiang's heart that really cares about Hong Kong movies.

Xiang Huaqiang absent-mindedly drank a glass with Zhang Dongcheng, and began to think about the gains and losses of this request in his mind.

He is very clear that Hong Kong filmmakers have always wanted to open the door to Hollywood. This is the long-cherished wish of everyone. It has been a long-cherished wish since the time of Run Run Shaw, until Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and a group of Hong Kong filmmakers. Forward and successive.

But contrary to this idea of ​​pioneering, Hong Kong filmmakers do not want American films to enter their territory.

After all, Hollywood has been called the world's film factory, and such a title is in vain! To put it bluntly, since the decline of the three major European film festivals and falling into the vicious circle of art films, Hollywood has become a well-deserved No. 1 in the global film industry!

Once Hollywood films enter the territory of Hong Kong movies on a large scale, based on the quality of Hong Kong movies now, it will definitely end without leaving any films.

The price is too high, so high that even Xiang Huaqiang needs to think about it.

But at the same time, the temptation of Hollywood is like a piece of fat exuding attractive fragrance all the time. It makes them want to swallow it in one gulp.

After contemplating for a long time, the idea of ​​breaking into Hollywood finally gained the upper hand. Xiang Huaqiang smiled wryly, and said to Zhang Dongcheng: "Mr. Zhang is very good."

Xiang Huaqiang's reflection made Zhang Dongcheng understand his decision in an instant. Zhang Dongcheng suppressed his inner excitement and said in a calm voice: "Mr. Xiang is wrong! Then, we have a happy cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!"

After the two toasted and drank together, the matter of cooperation was decided in this way.

There is no doubt that Zhang Dongcheng undoubtedly took advantage of this cooperation. At this moment, it is the period when Hong Kong movies are declining day by day, while mainland movies are in the ascendant. Dongcheng Pictures' films, as long as they are not shoddy, can only make money in Asia and have no possibility of losing money.

As for Xiang Huaqiang, he also wants to open up. The closed-door attitude is never a long-term solution. Maybe he can reject Zhang Dongcheng and Hollywood to enter the territory of Hong Kong film industry now, but what about in the future?

The saying that shopping malls are like battlefields is not just kidding.

Maybe if he refuses this time, Hong Kong movies can still maintain this lingering attitude for several years, but Xiang Huaqiang knows very well that this time will definitely not be very long. Instead of waiting slowly to die and decay, to be destroyed by others. It would be better for a strong man to sever his wrist and revive Hong Kong movies from the ashes in pain.

The way Hong Kong filmmakers go north to the mainland is a process of rebirth from the ashes.

After finalizing the cooperation, Zhang Dongcheng and Xiang Huaqiang never mentioned this matter again.

They are both bosses, as long as they grasp the general direction. Now that they have decided to cooperate, let the subordinates discuss the details.

Can't Xiang Huaqiang and Zhang Dongcheng, two billionaire bosses, be like two street vendors haggling over contracts one by one?

Of course, the amount involved in such a contract is definitely not as simple as haggling, but if the boss has done everything, what will the subordinates do?

Regarding the issue of the contract, Zhang Dongcheng completely handed it over to Adaman, while Xiang Huaqiang confessed that his younger brother Xiang Huasheng was responsible for it.

Lunch was finally announced at about two o'clock in the afternoon.

Send Xiang Huaqiang to the restaurant after rest. Zhang Dongcheng hurried back to the company without taking a break.

"Adaman, contact Gibran immediately. You go with him to discuss the details of the cooperation with the person in charge of China Star." After drinking a cup of sober tea, Zhang Dongcheng ordered: "Remember, we will suffer a bit for some small details. It’s okay. But there must be no mistakes in the general direction!”

Adaman also knows that this is the best opportunity for Dongcheng Pictures to enter Asia and should not be missed. He immediately nodded vigorously, patted his chest and set up a military order, saying: "Smith, leave it to me! I will never let you down!"

Zhang Dongcheng punched Adaman's chest with a smile, and said, "Okay, go and check the premiere, and make sure nothing goes wrong. I'll take a break first!"

As soon as the words fell, Zhang Dongcheng grabbed a pillow, pressed it under his neck, leaned against the sofa, and closed his eyes.

Adaman also knew that Zhang Dongcheng was very tired these days, so he tiptoed out of the office immediately and started to go to Dongsheng Cinema to check the premiere.

It is definitely not an easy task to hold a premiere ceremony, especially as the organizer. All aspects need to be considered. To give the most straightforward example, such as the problem of cables, halfway through the meeting, a sudden power outage would be a big joke.

In case of an accident, it will become a stain that Zhang Dongcheng and Dongcheng Films cannot erase.

After lying on the sofa for a while, Zhang Dongcheng suddenly felt a slight sound of footsteps walking towards him.

After strengthening his body, his five senses are also astonishingly sharp. As long as you have the heart, you can even hear the sound of snakes, insects, rats and ants crawling around.