National Tide 1980

The movie "Li Xianglan" has exploded at the box office, which is in the interests of too many people.

All those who are bound by the interests of this movie are all smiling and their hearts are filled with beautiful visions.

But not everyone is in a good mood, at least some film producers are extremely depressed.

"...President Park, although you have been cooperating with Shochik Films for a long time, you want to buy the overseas distribution rights and video publishing rights of "Lee Hyang-ran" for one million US dollars. Haha, this is impossible. I President Sakimoto of Shochiku Pictures should have told you that this movie was independently shot by Matsumoto-san's Kiri Studio, and the production cost was as high as one billion yen..."

"No, you misunderstood. The contract between Matsumoto-san and Shochiku Pictures expired last year. Kiri Film Studio is a company wholly owned by President Matsumoto and is not a satellite company of Shochiku. We and Shochiku Pictures Theater cooperation between directors is based on an equal relationship of mutual benefit.”

"Of course, Matsumoto-san has always respected President Omoto's suggestions. We are also very grateful to Shochiku Pictures for taking care of us, especially for President Matsumoto's kindness in introducing you to us. However, we are sorry for the conditions you proposed. It’s unacceptable. An excellent film should naturally have an excellent price. Even without mentioning the production cost, the box office in Japan speaks for itself. If you buy it and show it in South Korea, you will definitely make a lot of money..."

In the office of the director of Wu Studio, as the business director and acting director, Mitsuru Watanabe sank into the soft boss chair while he relaxedly flipped through the newspapers about "Li Xianglan" While talking leisurely on the phone, his attitude was quite relaxed.

Today is the third call he has received from a foreign film producer.

Just five minutes ago, he received a call from Park Seung-woo, the vice president of South Korea's CJ Entertainment Group, a partner of Shochik Pictures.

When I came to Tokyo this time, I came to Shochiku to purchase new films for their theater chain in Korea.

It just so happened that the box office of "Li Xianglan" exploded at Songzhu Cinema.

Since South Korea was also a victim of the war, this period of history is equally unforgettable, and Li Xianglan is also famous in South Korea.

President Park believed that this film had great potential in South Korea, so he asked President Omoto to buy the film.

Songzhu did a favor and gave him the contact information of Wu Film Studio.

So as soon as he finished talking to Shoju Pictures, President Park turned around and called.

The initial offer given to Akira Okamoto was only US$800,000, and he was not angry when Akira Okamoto rejected it.

Then he offered another $1 million to show his sincerity.

However, I didn't expect that Okamoto Akira still declined.

As a result, he was surprised by the huge appetite of Wu Studio. President Park advertised himself as a long-term partner of Shochiku Pictures, saying that he had a close relationship with President Omoto and hoped that Wu Studio would be cautious and not be too greedy.

Unexpectedly, Akira Okamoto was completely indifferent. Although his words were very polite, he still had no intention of giving in on the price, and even showed a slight intention of ridiculing him for being stingy.

"Okamoto-san..." Being rejected repeatedly, Park Seung-woo, as a relatively important distributor in South Korea, couldn't help but feel a little unhappy, "I have already gone to see this movie. I admit that the cost of filming this movie is very high. The scene is also very big, but this movie is not very good in terms of commercial elements. The reason why it is selling well in Japan is because of your advertising and promotion. I am deeply impressed that you can actually connect the movie with women's rights. I admire it. But this method cannot be replicated in South Korea. Moreover, the scale of the Korean market cannot be compared with Japan. I bought it for one million US dollars, which actually involves certain risks. Cooperation must be mutually beneficial and win-win to be called cooperation. You always We can’t let CJ have no money to make..."

Akira Okamoto is neither angry nor annoyed. The box office is getting better and better, and his confidence is getting stronger and stronger.

However, Akira Okamoto did not want to offend the other party too much and make the Korean film crew think that he was not sincere.

"President Park, you really misunderstood me. It's not that I don't understand your difficulties, but the problem is that if I sell at a low price, I can't explain it to Matsumoto-san. I'm afraid you don't know that even the bids from Singapore and Malaysia are higher than those from Singapore and Malaysia. You want more. If you are really sincere, we can package and sell what you want for two million dollars!"

Akira Okamoto also knew that CJ was a capable partner, otherwise he would not have been able to cooperate with Shochiku Pictures for such a long time.

However, the level of Korean films is really not good. Now, in addition to Hollywood films, they have to rely on Japanese films and Chinese-language films from Hong Kong to fill the gap.

They have no reason to see "Li Xianglan" being such a hit. If they don't introduce a rare big-budget movie, it's nothing more than making more money for them.

Moreover, there are several film producers in South Korea. If the price is too much in line with his expectations, he doesn’t mind waiting and choosing carefully.

After all, he was not telling lies. Singapore and Malaysia have reached a relatively ideal agreement, and the prices are all over one million US dollars.

Thailand is probably no problem either.

There is no reason that it would be cheaper to sell it to a Korean film studio with a larger market size.

He has the confidence and qualifications to be picky about Korean film producers on price.

"What? Two million!... You are asking for too much!"

But on the other side of the phone, Park Chengyou was somewhat prepared. He expected that Akira Okamoto might shout out a high price of US$1.2 million or even US$1.5 million.

But I didn't expect that this guy would be so greedy and ask for a sky-high price of two million US dollars.

He was in no mood at all and couldn't help but complain angrily.

"You guys are too disrespectful. I will tell President Omoto about this..."

Then he didn't care about maintaining his grace, regardless of whether he was rude or not, and hung up the phone.

"hehe……"

But when he heard the beep beep beep beep on the phone, Akira Okamoto had no fear.

Because he knew in his heart that Shochiku Pictures' President Omoto was no fool.

How could you get into trouble with a Korean film producer who couldn't make a good movie, blame the partner you are now working closely with, and Keiko Matsumoto, who is half of your family?

No one would do such a stupid thing.

Moreover, this Korean stickman overestimates himself and is really arrogant.

If Shochiku really valued him that much, he would at least have someone call him in advance to take care of him, right?

Korean people's brain circuits are stunted because they are so poor that they only eat kimchi?

Why would he think that by mentioning Shochiku's President Omoto, he would pay a million dollars less?

Therefore, Akira Okamoto is not angry or anxious at all. He knows that this Korean stick will come back.

Even if this guy doesn't fight, he can always remain calm.

During this period, no other Korean film studio could give him the price he wanted.

Then when the final Japanese box office of "Li Xianglan" comes out, he will also take the initiative to call the other party.

He has no grudge against money, and he will not fight against the other party.

Business cannot be concluded in one or two negotiations, so it takes time.

Now, he is just waiting for this movie to fully unleash its box office potential. Anyway, the longer it is delayed, the better it is for him.

After putting the receiver on the phone, Okamoto stood up, stretched out, picked up the coffee cup on the table, and carried it comfortably to the window. He opened the window and felt the humid sea breeze unique to Tokyo in March.

Squint your eyes and enjoy this rare peace.

These days, I have been busy all day and night with the promotion, screening and distribution of "Li Xianglan".

Although he was not a leader and did not participate in formulating the publicity plan, the time of more than ten days was too tight after all.

I rushed back and forth for brochures and advertisements on various channels, and occasionally had to go to Taurus Palace to check the progress of the original album. There was no credit but hard work.

In fact, not only did he not have a good night's sleep for half a month, he even didn't even return home for several days and rested in a hotel near the studio.

As the school season in Japan was approaching, he didn't even prepare gifts for the children.

But all of this is worth it, as the box office of "Li Xianglan" has become a hit and the box office has grown beyond expectations.

"Fog Studio..."

Looking at the beautiful scenery outside the window, he murmured softly, and the smile on his face grew more and more, "Our independent studio, this is considered to be tenable..."

Yes, who would have thought that the first such a large-scale movie would actually be as successful as expected.

I originally thought that the possibility of winning awards was much greater than making money, but I didn't expect that it would be a situation where I would gain both fame and fortune.

It's really exciting. Fog Studios is really going to have a great time this time.

You didn’t follow the wrong person!

His career has been ups and downs with his proprietor Matsumoto Keiko, and now he finally sees the light.

Thinking about Ning Weimin's next bigger movie plan, he became even more excited.

If a few more movies like this can be made, I believe that the employees of Fog Studios will be able to face the giant studios with a long history in the Japanese film industry without fear.

And his ultimate hope is to sell overseas copyrights and overseas videos at as high a price as possible, so that he can cover the production costs of the next movie.

Thinking of this, with such an exciting goal, he drank all the coffee in his cup.

But just when he turned around and put the coffee cup on the table, suddenly, the phone on the desk rang again.

He picked up the call again, and as expected, the caller was another film producer.

But it's a pity that the other party's self-reported home is actually from Hong Kong City.

So with regret, Akira Okamoto politely declined without even asking the price.

"Ah, I'm sorry, this movie is a co-production between us and several major Chinese studios. So before the filming, we both had an agreement that the Yindu Agency in Hong Kong City would be responsible for the distribution of the film. Released…”

"Thank you for thinking so highly of us. If you are willing, you can leave us a contact information. I look forward to having the opportunity to cooperate with you in the future. Maybe we can do the next movie..."

"Yes, I'm very sorry, and I hope you can be more considerate..."

………………

They say colleagues are enemies, and this is true.

At this time, due to the popularity of "Li Xianglan", it stole the limelight of Japanese local movies at this time.

In addition to several other major Japanese studios who are deeply jealous of this, the producer of the Dahe drama "Spring Waves" that is broadcast every Sunday night is also looking at the crew of "Li Xianglan" on NHK TV station with a very gloomy expression. An interview program recorded on TBS TV station.

He did not go to the cinema to contribute to the box office of this film.

But without looking at it, he knew that the quality of the drama "Li Xianglan" would not be bad just from the current public response, box office and word-of-mouth, as well as the clips broadcast by the TV station.

So even if he doesn't want to admit it, the reason why this work has become a phenomenal work is not only the result of being linked to the feminist movement and expanding its social influence, but the quality of the film is also excellent.

In particular, he couldn't deny that Keiko Matsumoto was truly a naturally charming and captivating beauty.

She is the perfect choice to shine and make the stunning beauty she plays persuasive.

But the problem is that the problem he is most worried about also appears.

Li Xianglan, who is also a well-known beauty character in history, played by Keiko Matsumoto, simply crushed Kawakami Sadao, played by Yumi Takigawa in "The Waves of Spring" that was being broadcast on TV - the speed was too fast.

The crew of "Waves of Spring" didn't even react before "Li Xianglan" flew past their faces with the roar of the wind.

The producer watched the program for a while, then lightly pressed the remote control to turn off the TV. Then he leaned on the sofa and let out a long sigh. He felt like he had a headache.

He really felt a little regretful and had fully realized that he had missed the most suitable heroine.

As a result, this year's major river drama "Spring Waves" had an average ratings of only 16%, with a peak rating of 22.7%.

Such ratings results are simply an unforgivable mistake for the producers responsible for the Dahe drama.

To be honest, some people have been gossiping, thinking that it was really stupid for him to replace Keiko Matsumoto and choose Yumi Takigawa.

But now, even he was unable to refute such a view.

Keiko Matsumoto and Li Xianglan's prototype in the movie shots were so consistent that even he was surprised by how perfectly Keiko Matsumoto copied Li Xianglan's style and image.

Yes, Keiko Matsumoto is at the highest level among actresses in terms of acting skills and beauty.

Only after watching Matsumoto Keiko's performance on the screen can we understand what it means to be an out-and-out beauty with bright eyes and white teeth.

Compared with Yumi Takigawa who only has the beauty of a flat model, Keiko Matsumoto's expressive ability is three-dimensional.

This is what determines whether a heroine will live or die in the eyes of the audience.

There was once the best heroine in front of him. Not only did he not take advantage of the opportunity, but he changed roles and became enemies with her because of rumors. This... was really a huge loss. purchase.

To be honest, if it only caused the ratings of this big river drama to be unsatisfactory, it would be barely acceptable for him to be responsible for the failure of this drama.

But Matsumoto Keiko's obvious upward trend is what really worries him.

Don't talk about revenge. As long as Matsumoto Keiko mentions the change of roles in "Wave of Spring" in an interview, he will become a joke in the industry from now on.

In order not to be embarrassed, his boss would probably ban him for life because he was blind and blind.

If that were the case, the rest of his life would be over.

The producer sat blankly for a while and sighed for a while. His personal cultivation was still very good and he didn't lose his composure even when he was alone. Then he picked up the "Movie Newsletter" prepared by his assistant and prepared to flip through it. Feeling.

As a result, the first thing I saw was the colorful cover of Keiko Matsumoto wearing a cheongsam, and I quickly turned over it.

Immediately I saw director Yoshitaro Nomura's magazine interview - "An epic masterpiece that cost one billion yen, and the box office is about to exceed 2 billion yen!" 》.

The producer reluctantly glanced at it twice, but he really couldn't stand it. He felt very complicated, as if he drank half a pot of vinegar and ate seven green apples. He quickly flipped through half of the book in one go and went directly to the inner color page in the middle.

As a result, I was shocked to find that what I saw this time were stills from "Li Xianglan" and "Wave of Spring".

The lyrics made him dizzy for a while, "On the Importance of Casting in Historical Dramas - The Suitability and Expression of the Heroine."

how! Someone actually compared the heroines of these two movies and TV series!

And he also brought up the old story of changing roles back then! You hate me to death!

As long as the NHK committee sees it, they will definitely call me in for questioning!

The producer stared at the reading material in his hand in silence for a while. No matter how well-educated he was, he couldn't help it any longer and blurted out a curse word, "Baga Bagaxi!"

Then he threw the magazine directly against the wall!

Bastard, why did it get so popular? !

Damn movie! Why not catch up during the broadcast of "Wave of Spring"!