Go back to 1980 and enjoy it

Shanghai.

An old man is worried about funding for his movie.

This old man is none other than the great director of "The Opium War".

Originally, director Xie had no plans to film "The Opium War" at all, but last year he received a letter from a friend in the mail. The friend said in the letter that the return of Hong Kong in 1997 was just around the corner, and the Chinese film industry could not do nothing about this great historical event. .

It was this sentence from his friend that deeply touched Director Xie, and the idea of ​​filming "The Opium War" was born.

As we all know, Hong Kong was ceded to Britain because of the failure of the Opium War.

Now that Hong Kong is about to return to China, it is indeed very meaningful to film a "Opium War" as a tribute to this great historical event.

However, the past few years have been the most difficult period for domestic films. For a large-scale production with an investment of hundreds of millions, not to mention that Director Xie did not have so much money to shoot, even the most powerful state-owned studios at the time, Beijing Film Studio , Changying, Shanghai Film, Bayi Factory... none of them have the ability to shoot.

Because on January 5, 1993, in order to implement the decision to accelerate the development of the tertiary industry, Radio and Television promulgated the "Several Opinions on Deepening the Mechanism Reform of the Film Industry" and its implementation details, commonly known as "Document No. 3".

It stipulates that the original unified purchase and sales of domestic films will be replaced by studios directly distributing independently to 32 provincial distribution companies across the country.

In terms of production, in the past, the competent authorities allocated funds according to the annual plans of each studio to organize production. Starting from Document No. 3, no one provided money.

The good old days of waiting, relying, and asking for movie studios are gone forever.

They must learn to make their own plans, raise their own funds, and be responsible for their own profits and losses in a market-oriented way.

According to statistics from the "National Film Industry Development Special Fund" in 1991, the fund planned to invest 20 million yuan in 1992 to shoot 19 feature films. The average production cost of each film was only a little over 1 million yuan, which was less than that of a Hong Kong and Taiwan co-production. A fraction of that.

By 1995, Beijing Film Studio planned to produce 14 domestic films per year, with a total investment of 28 million yuan, and the average production cost of each film was only 2 million yuan.

Under this situation, Director Xie knew better than anyone that it would be a fantasy to shoot "The Opium War" with a small cost of one to two million within the original institutional framework and production model.

Therefore, since he decided to shoot "The Opium War", he has been having headaches for funds and location shooting.

In fact, when preparing to film "The Opium War", Director Xie did receive support from many provincial leaders.

Starting in May this year, and one year before the filming of "The Opium War" started, a total of 5 coordination meetings for "The Opium War" were held, led by relevant departments, and the preparation and filming of the film were included in Shanghai's major cultural Art Project provides financial support.

This kind of operation is unprecedented in Shanghai film history.

But so far, the company has received a donation of 199,771 yuan from Zhuhai District, Guangzhou, which coincides with the date of Hong Kong's return.

In addition, it also received a personal donation of RMB 100,000 from representatives of the National People’s Congress of Hong Kong and Macao and an entrepreneur from Hong Kong.

Although this money was placed on the donors' high hopes and expectations for the "Opium War", it was really a drop in the bucket for the huge fundraising plan.

Before announcing plans to film "The Opium War," Director Xie knew that it would be very difficult to raise hundreds of millions of dollars, but he never imagined that it would be so difficult.

Just when Director Xie was getting angry, he received a call from Guangxi.

The next day, Director Xie went straight to the airport with several creative staff.

While waiting for the flight, an old friend couldn't help but ask: "Lao Xie, who did you take us to Guangxi to meet? Looking at the excitement on your face, could it be that there is something about the funds? "

Xie Jin thought of the phone call he received last night and said excitedly: "Yes, if this trip to Guangxi goes well, we won't have to worry about funds anymore, and the location has also been revealed. I don't know the details. , We will know when we meet the real owner in Guangxi.”

After hearing this, several other creators also became happy.

They saw their old friend becoming worried about funding and location for filming, and felt very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, their abilities were limited, and even though they had hundreds of millions of funds, they couldn't help even if they wanted to. Now they see that their old friend has made breakthrough progress in raising funds. , naturally they are all happy for him.

"Lao Xie, please stop being so pretentious. Who are we going to see when we go to Guangxi this time?"

"Yes, Lao Xie, tell us quickly so that we can be mentally prepared."

"Hurry up and make us happy too."

"..."

Director Xie smiled when he heard this and stopped showing off in front of several old friends. He said directly: "I received a call from the boss of Naye Film and Television last night, inviting me to their company to discuss the investment in "The Opium War" matter."

"What about the film and television company?"

"The name of this film and television company is a bit unfamiliar. Have you heard of it?"

"I haven't heard of it."

"I haven't heard of it either."

"None of us have heard of it. This is probably just a small company, right?"

"Lao Xie, are you being deceived?"

"..."

"This Naye Film and Television Company is just a newly established film and television company. It's normal that you haven't heard of it."

At this point, Director Xie changed the subject and said with a smile: "Although you haven't heard of this film and television company, you must be familiar with its parent company."

"Old Xie, its parent company is?"

"Deng Group."

When these words came out, several old friends were shocked and instantly understood why Old Xie was so excited.

Deng Group is a well-known private enterprise in China with extremely strong strength. The 100 million yuan of filming funds is extremely difficult for them, but for Naye Film and Television Company with such a strong backing, it is just a piece of cake.

...

At three o'clock in the afternoon.

Director Xie and his party arrived in Nanning.

Because they had contacted in advance, the boss of Naye Film and Television Company came to pick them up in person to show his importance.

"Director Xie, welcome."

"Boss Huang, you are so polite that you even came to pick us up in person."

After exchanging pleasantries, Huang Zonghan said, "Director Xie, let's get in the car first. I have already arranged a hotel for you. Boss Deng from our group company will personally welcome you in the evening."

"Thank you for your kindness, Boss Deng and Boss Huang."

Although Director Xie has received support from many big leaders since the beginning of the filming of "The Opium War", these big leaders are either provincial leaders or leaders of big cities like Shanghai, and they all treat him with courtesy.

However, he was still a little flattered to hear that the boss of Deng's Group was going to welcome him.

At the same time, he felt as if he had taken a reassurance pill in his heart.

After all, even the boss of Deng's Group came out in person to welcome him, so the funding problem that had been bothering him for so long should no longer be a problem.

The main creators who came with Director Xie were also relieved to hear this.

So, the group got in the car and headed straight to a hotel.

...

Six o'clock in the afternoon.

At the Nanning Hotel, Director Xie and his party finally met the CEO of the Deng Group.

The polite words were omitted. After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the two sides started talking about business.

Deng Shirong spoke first: "Director Xie, I heard that you are preparing to shoot "Opium War" to celebrate this great historical moment in order to welcome the return of Hong Kong. As a Chinese, I support your idea very much.

So, after knowing this news, I have always wanted to contribute.

After this period of preparation, I am almost ready here, so I invited Director Xie to come to discuss cooperation.

I wonder how much funding gap is still missing for "Opium War"? "

Director Xie heard this and said with a slightly embarrassed look: "Mr. Deng, to be honest, up to now, we have not raised a penny, and have only accepted donations of more than 200,000 yuan."

Deng Shirong smiled and said: "Funds are not a problem. Director Xie, how much money you need, our film and television company can invest in you."

Although he was mentally prepared for this, Director Xie couldn't help but feel a little excited when he heard Deng Shirong's straightforward words.

After all, Director Xie has really seen how difficult it is to raise funds in the past few months.

It is precisely because raising funds is so difficult that Deng Shirong's promise is particularly precious.

"Mr. Deng, I toast you a glass."

Director Xie raised his glass and said solemnly: "I can't make any other promises about this movie, but I promise you, Mr. Deng, that I will do my best to make it well. I hope that after the movie is released, the box office will not disappoint your trust."

Deng Shirong raised his glass and clinked it with him, and said with a hearty smile: "Director Xie, you are too serious. Don't have any psychological burden. The movie will be based on your ideas. You can shoot it as you want. Don't worry about the box office.

To put it bluntly, I don't care about the box office, and I have never thought that this investment can be recovered.

After all, Director Xie, you are not shooting a commercial film, but a film for the return of Hong Kong. It is very difficult to make a tribute film that sells well at the box office, which is one of the reasons why it is so difficult for you, Director Xie, to raise funds.

The reason why I am willing to invest is that I think this film is very educational. It can let young people who don’t know the history of Hong Kong have a good understanding of the whole process of Hong Kong’s cession in the past, so as to remind young people in our country not to forget the national humiliation. "

This is really what Deng Shirong said in his heart. The box office of this movie in his previous life was dismal, and it only won 72 million box office in the mainland. Of course, this box office is not low, because the total box office in the mainland at that time was only a few hundred million, unlike the total box office in later generations that reached tens of billions.

The box office of 72 million is already enough to win the annual box office champion of domestic films.

There are also more than 7 million box office in Hong Kong, and the box office in other regions can be ignored.

The global box office is less than 80 million, compared with the investment of 100 million, it is really a loss.

Although he knew that he would lose money, Deng Shirong still decided to invest in this movie for four reasons:

First, as a tribute to the return of Hong Kong, their Deng Group also wants to do its part.

Second, with the investment from their film and television company, it is a foregone conclusion that this film will be shot in their film and television city, and Hengdian Group has lost this opportunity and may not have the idea of ​​building a film and television city.

Third, through this investment, their film and television company can officially debut in the film and television industry, and also establish a good relationship with Director Xie, a leading figure among the third generation of directors, and expand their network in the film and television industry, which is conducive to the future development of the film and television city.

Fourth, as a tribute to the return of Hong Kong, this film has a significance beyond the imagination of ordinary people. After the filming of this film in the previous life, not only many senior leaders were invited to watch the film, but even General Manager Jiang personally reviewed the film. The high standard is beyond imagination.

Therefore, no matter how much loss this film makes, it is worth investing in.

Director Xie naturally did not know Deng Shirong's thoughts. Hearing Deng Shirong speak so bluntly, clearly not optimistic about the box office of the movie "Opium War", but investing in this educational film without hesitation, he could not help but feel a little moved.

This is a businessman with a sense of family and country!

Thinking of this, Director Xie no longer bothered about the box office and laughed loudly: "Mr. Deng is very righteous, which is really admirable. Let's put aside the box office. I will do my best to shoot a work that will satisfy you."

Deng Shirong said: "The funding issue has been resolved. Next, let's talk about the location. I heard that it has been a headache for you, Director Xie, for a long time."

Director Xie was refreshed and said: "Mr. Deng, this location has really given me a headache for a long time. I wonder if you have any solution?"

Deng Shirong smiled and said: "Of course I have a solution. Let's talk about the Governor's Mansion of Guangdong and Guangxi first. I think the Lu Mansion in Dongyang, Zhejiang is more suitable. It is a large-scale building of Ming and Qing Dynasties that is best preserved in my country. I wonder if you have any impression of it, Director Xie?"

Hearing Deng Shirong's reminder, Director Xie immediately remembered that he had visited the Lu Mansion when he was preparing to shoot the movie "Peach Blossom Fan".

This building complex built from the Jingtai to Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty is lined up one after another, with blue tiles and black roofs, scattered pavilions and towers, and is beautiful.

In particular, the Lu family had a history of 8 Jinshi, 2 Jieyuan, and 29 Juren in the Ming and Qing dynasties, which made the overall architectural style both luxurious and elegant, and meticulously crafted, like the southern dwellings, which completely met his vision.

Thinking of this, Director Xie couldn't help but slap his thigh excitedly and said, "Yes, why didn't I think of this? Mr. Deng, your reminder is really timely."

Deng Shirong smiled and said, "As for other locations such as "Guangzhou Thirteen Factories", "Pearl River Tianzi Wharf", "Victoria Bay", etc., I have already had people build them. I can take you to the scene tomorrow. If you need anything, you can always ask for it. We will try our best to meet your needs."

Director Xie widened his eyes and said in disbelief, "Mr. Deng, are you kidding me?"

Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Our Naye Film and Television Company plans to invest 30 billion to build a large-scale film and television city, which is specially for directors to shoot. Knowing that Director Xie can't find a suitable location for the filming of "Opium War", we will invest in building the location you need, so that you don't have to run around looking for these locations."

When these words came out, Director Xie and a group of creative friends were stunned!

Investing 30 billion to build a large-scale film and television city, specially for directors to shoot scenes, this news is really too exciting. If it spreads in the film and television industry, it will definitely cause a huge sensation in the industry.

As a director, Director Xie knows how difficult it is to shoot scenes in a movie. If Naye Film and Television Company really invests 30 billion to build a large-scale film and television city, then when shooting movies in the future, directors will no longer have to worry about shooting scenes.

This is good news for directors like them, and even more so for the film and television industry, and also for the audience.

Director Xie couldn't wait to ask: "Mr. Deng, where is this film and television city? Can we go and have a look now?"

Deng Shirong smiled and said: "This film and television city is in a small town in my hometown. If we rush back tonight, time is a bit tight. Let's have a good rest and leave after breakfast tomorrow!"

"I am anxious. I'm sorry to make you laugh!"

"I understand. It's normal to be anxious when we have been looking for the location for so long and suddenly there is good news."

Then, the two sides ate and talked. Because the fundraising issue had been resolved and there was good news about the location, Director Xie, who was in a good mood, had a very enjoyable meal.

...

Early the next morning.

After breakfast, Deng Shirong and the executives of the film and television company took Director Xie and his party back to their hometown.

When they returned to Shankou Town, it was already past one in the afternoon.

After eating something casually in Shankou Town, the group continued on the road. When they returned to Shuangwang Town, it was already around three in the afternoon.

When the car passed through the market, Deng Shirong introduced with a smile: "Director Xie, this is my hometown Shuangwang Town."

Director Xie looked at the narrow street and said in confusion: "Boss Deng, although the road in your town is winding, it is already very good for a rural road, but the market in this town seems a little small, which is a bit inconsistent with the traffic!"

Deng Shirong smiled and said: "Our town is indeed not good, but our village is not bad."

Director Xie did not take it to heart, but asked: "Boss Deng, how far is this film and television city from here?"

Deng Shirong said: "A few hundred meters ahead is actually the scope of the film and television city, but 'Guangzhou Street' is still a little distance from here. If you drive there, it will take about ten minutes."

"Only ten minutes, not far."

While the two were talking, the car had already driven up the slope and then dived.

When the car passed Mangtouling, the scene in front of them instantly stunned Director Xie and his party.

If the 60-meter avenue appeared in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, it would not be strange, but if it appeared in the countryside, no matter who saw it, they would be surprised.

At this time, ginkgo trees of similar size have been planted on both sides of the 60-meter avenue and the green belt in the middle, and the shapes of these ginkgo trees are also similar, looking neat and beautiful.

Of course, at this time, the leaves of the ginkgo trees have not turned yellow yet, and it is not their most beautiful moment.

And on the left side of this 60-meter avenue is a row of villas that are so long that you can't see the end.

All this really stunned Director Xie and his group. It is really hard to imagine that such roads and buildings can be seen in the countryside.

Director Xie asked with a shocked look on his face: "Mr. Deng, this road and that row of buildings, are they all film and television city projects?"

Deng Shirong smiled and said: "This is not a film and television city project. This road was invested and built by our group. As for that row of buildings, it is where our Deng family lives."

Director Xie couldn't help but exclaimed: "It's worthy of being the Deng family, it's really amazing!"

Soon, the car passed this 60-meter avenue, and the road became a winding asphalt road like before.

After driving for more than ten minutes, everyone finally arrived at the destination-Guangzhou Street, which is under construction.

After getting off the car, Director Xie couldn't wait to run to the construction site to watch, and then the more he looked, the more satisfied he was. This Guangzhou Street was built next to a large reservoir. If you want to create attractions such as "Pearl River Tianzi Wharf" and "Victoria Bay", it is completely no problem.

Deng Shirong came over and asked with a smile: "Director Xie, how is it? Does this place meet your requirements for filming?"

"Yes, it really meets your requirements!"

Director Xie nodded repeatedly with satisfaction and said with emotion: "Mr. Deng, you not only solved our funding problem, but also spent a huge amount of money to help us build this location that fits the background of the times. I don’t know how to thank you!"

Deng Shirong smiled and said: "Director Xie, you’re welcome. If you really want to thank me, then make this film well and introduce more customers to our film and television city in the future. Not only is there no rental fee for filming in our film and television city, but our film and television city can also help provide a series of supporting services from scene construction, prop production, accommodation, etc.

In addition, when filming in our film and television city, we will also provide The crew will be provided with security protection, and there will be no threats, extortion and other bad incidents, so that directors and actors can finish the filming of movies or TV series smoothly. "

Director Xie was shocked and said: "Mr. Deng, your film and television city does not charge site rental fees?"

Deng Shirong nodded and said: "Yes, we do not charge site rental fees for filming in our film and television city, and any location you need, as long as it is a common and reusable location, our film and television city can build it for you."

"Oh my God, this is the first time I have heard of a film and television city with such good conditions."

"If this news gets out, the entire film and television industry will probably be a sensation."

"Mr. Deng is really bold!"

"..."

The several main creators who came with Director Xie were amazed when they heard the words.

It must be said that the free strategy implemented in Hengdian in the previous life was really awesome.

Director Xie said on the spot: "Don't worry, Mr. Deng, your film and television city has given such good conditions. Directors who really need location shooting will definitely not be rejected. I will say hello to the directors in the circle later. If everyone needs location shooting in the future, please contact your film and television city."

Deng Shirong said politely: "Then I'll trouble Director Xie!"

Director Xie said with a smile: "Mr. Deng, you are too polite. This is not a trouble. You are doing me a favor."