1979 Golden Age

"China's first competition work, Return of the Swallow, is a huge disappointment. It is full of strong Chinese political overtones and didactic undertones. I can't understand the characters' behavioral motivations... The original exotic oriental style is worth watching."

"China claims to be open, but judging from the movie, they are still stuck in the past."

"The director of "The Return of the Swallows" made people laugh. He seemed like an old man stuck in time and knew nothing about the outside world."

"A very socialist film, mediocre and without any surprises. It seems that the Chinese film's debut in Berlin will go away empty-handed."

Early the next morning.

Fang Yurong sat in the restaurant, flipping through the venue catalog and newspapers frantically, his face turning red and white. The media ridiculed their performance mercilessly, and the most euphemistic words were "Chinese films still need to work hard".

"The Return of the Swallow" was her choice. Although she would not receive any criticism if she returned empty-handed, she would be embarrassed.

She couldn't tell Fu Jingong that he was an honest man and couldn't stand this.

"Huh?"

Fang Yurong flipped through the newspaper again and was suddenly startled, thinking he had read it wrong. This is a newspaper that specializes in introducing commercial films at the exhibition. The front page has a large picture of "Taihi" that a blind person can see, and the title is even more eye-catching:

“The best commercial film in Berlin this year!”

The article was full of praise. Fang Yurong felt his heart beat faster and quickly searched for relevant reports, and there were quite a few.

"Chinese films have made few contributions to the world, and Kung fu is one!"

"The audience applauded a record-breaking nine times, and the crazy audience ran out and shouted at passers-by!"

"The publicity was not good, and only one screening was shown, which made fans dissatisfied. After the screening of "Taihi" yesterday, word of mouth quickly spread at the venue, and the audience who did not see it strongly requested more screenings!"

"The Return of the Swallow and Taihi come from the same country and appeared in Berlin at the same time. This is the most wonderful comparison this year."

Hiss!

Fang Yurong didn't know why, but his heart was not full of surprises. On the contrary, there was an inexplicable feeling running up his back.

"Is "Tai Chi" so popular?"

"How much is its box office in Hong Kong? Chen Qi doesn't seem to have told me yet!"

"If foreigners really like it so much, China Film will use it for export..."

Fang Yurong cheered up. China Film was responsible for all distribution matters of domestic films, whether internal or external, all had to go through the hands of China Film - except Hong Kong. "The Return of the Swallow" is about to hit the market. If "Tai Chi" can work, it will be a great achievement.

Thinking of this, she stopped eating and got up to find Chen Qi and Li Wenhua.

As soon as he stood up, Hader hurried in and asked, "Where are the creators of "Taihi"? I want to meet them!"

"What's the matter, Mr. Chairman?"

"The reputation of "Taihi" is very good! Some fans are negotiating with us, hoping to increase the number of screenings. Where are they?"

"It should be upstairs, I'll take you there!"

The two hurriedly went upstairs, but they couldn't find anyone, only Gong Xue was there.

"Xiao Gong, where are they?"

"Li Lianjie went shopping, so Xiao Chen took him and Li Lianjie out."

"Do you know where you are going?"

"I don't know, I'm not familiar with Berlin." Sister Gong Xue is also an honest person.

"Oh, doesn't this delay things?!"

Fang Yurong was running around anxiously, and had a vague feeling of bad premonition.

…………

"Five thousand US dollars! Mr. Chen, there really can't be any more!"

In a hidden private room where Fu Qi stayed, the film producer from Myanmar almost begged.

Even though Myanmar is small, poor and chaotic, it has always had a film industry, with an average of about 70 films being produced every year. There are 400 theaters across the country, and there are also imported films. My favorites are family ethics, gods, ghosts, and martial arts.

"Okay, sign the contract!"

Chen Qi sighed. This kind of country cannot squeeze out oil and water, and it is not the northern Myanmar of future generations.

"thanks, thanks!"

"Next person!"

Li Wenhua sat on the side like a fool again. On the other side was the translator from the Great Wall. Li Lianjie stood at the door, keeping watch, greeting guests and watching Chen Qi discuss business with his own eyes.

South Korean film producers came in. By now Park Chung-hee has died, Chun Doo-hwan has become president, and Korean films have entered a period of gradual opening up in the 1980s and have begun to communicate with foreign countries. For example, in Berlin this year, director Lim Kwon-taek came to the competition with "Mandala" to compete for the gold medal. Bear Award.

"$300,000!"

Chen Qi knew how much Koreans liked Li Lianjie. Although "Tai Chi" was a headache, he didn't want to sell it cheaply and asked for a relatively high price in this era.

"It's too much! We can't accept it!"

"You have seen how popular "Tai Chi" is in Berlin. We have no shortage of buyers at all. The price is 300,000 yuan, and you only have one day to consider it."

"Next person!"

Japanese film producers came in.

The Japanese are rich now, so they can't be like South Korea. Chen Qi asked for 1 million US dollars. The little devil was startled and said: "Absolutely impossible. We have never spent such a high price to introduce movies. We can't afford it." Start losing money.”

"If you can afford it, 1 million is not much."

"Are you kidding? I don't see your sincerity. Now that China and Japan are friendly, we really hope to build a bridge in the movie, but your asking price may hurt this friendship."

Chen Qi rolled his eyes.

"Don't play dumb with me. The times are changing, and the film distribution model is also changing. For example..."

He said this and that, and the other party's face was uncertain, and he looked at him with great suspicion. He felt embarrassed as if his thoughts were exposed, so he could only say: "We need to think about it!"

"One day!"

"Next!"

Weinstein came in in a suit, with a beard, and looked around the environment. He smiled and said: "Chen, we meet again! Why are you talking about things in this place? Why don't we go for a drink?"

"I'm not interested for the time being. Are you here to discuss the overseas copyright of "Tai Chi"? Let's get straight to the point."

"Oh, okay!"

Weinstein put his hands on the table On the stage, the whole person was in a relaxed state. He only had a small company, but he acted like the boss of a big company. He said: "Although my distribution channels in the United States cannot compare with those of traditional Hollywood studios, I am also well-known in the independent film industry, and I am familiar with theaters in the UK, France, and Australia... If you give me all the overseas copyrights, I will definitely give you a satisfactory price."

"Sorry, you can only negotiate the North American copyright."

"That's a pity. "Tai Chi" is really a good movie. I think it has the potential to surpass "Enter the Dragon". Since you are only willing to negotiate the North American copyright..."

Weinstein showed off his acting skills, lowered his head and thought for a moment, then raised his head and said: "How about 2 million US dollars?"

2 million US dollars? !

Li Wenhua and Li Lianjie, including the translator, trembled all over, and looked at Chen Qi in unison, their eyes blazing with anger, wishing they could agree on his behalf.

"..."

Chen Qi looked at the fat man with a fake smile, and also showed some shock: "Are you sure it's 2 million?"

"Of course!"

"We can sign the contract now!"

"Haha, Chen! You are too impatient. 2 million is not a small amount. We also need to prepare carefully... How about this, you give me two days, and I will contact you as soon as the contract is ready."

"Well, that's fine, but you have to be quick, we may have to return to China in a few days."

"Don't worry!"

When Weinstein heard that he was going back to China, he smiled more enthusiastically, and hugged Chen Qi tightly before leaving. Those who didn't know would think they were sworn brothers.

Leaving the hotel.

The assistant was puzzled and asked: "Boss, are we really going to give him $2 million? Then our risk will be very high."

"Look at those Chinese people, they are almost wearing braids on their heads, what have they seen?"

Weinstein showed his contempt and said: "I will offer him a price he can't refuse, so that we can repel those competitors. I will pay him a deposit tomorrow to show our sincerity, and then delay the signing of the contract until the end of the film festival.

Almost all other film producers have left, and we are the only one left. I will lower the price severely. It is difficult for those Chinese to come out once, and he has no choice but to sell it!"

After saying this, he couldn't help showing a smug expression, proud of his excellent creativity, without any moral threshold.

Yes, yes, he is Jewish.