Chapter 00181: Special Cases, Special Handling
# Special Cases, Special Handling
Chapter 181
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 181: Special Cases, Special Handling
Hmm?
Wang Yang was taken aback by the other party's words.
He had been fiercely arguing with China Film Group, but all he wanted was the distribution rights.
He had never thought of making them disappear.
Only a fool would think that was possible! But he couldn't show weakness, so he slammed the table and said, "Fine, remove them then! You said it yourself, don't go back on your word!"
"We said it ourselves, and we meant it. We’re the ones petitioning for it!"
The representative from China Film Group seemed to have given up, as if they were ready to let things fall apart.
The two sides went back and forth for a while until a leader from the Ministry of Culture stepped in to mediate: "Alright, alright, what kind of behavior is this in front of Comrade Liao? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at? This is an internal matter, let’s not bring it up today."
The leader was more rational.
China Film Group was a department-level unit that had held the distribution rights for decades.
Could it really be dismantled just like that? It would require central approval.
Moreover, if China Film Group were to be removed, what would happen to the mess left behind? How would the original employees be reassigned? Who would take over the distribution rights? Hand it over to the production studios? That wouldn’t be a reform pilot anymore; it would be recklessly charging forward...
And who would take responsibility for the aftermath?
The leader maintained order and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Seeing that no one spoke up, he said, "Alright, let’s move on to the main topic of today’s meeting. Comrade Liao?"
"..."
Comrade Liao nodded, his portly figure shifting forward slightly as he began to speak: "I’ve been listening to various opinions recently, and combined with my own views, I’ll briefly share my thoughts. Although China Film Group has made mistakes this time, overall, it has still played a positive role. The domestic film system is well-established and has been running for decades. It’s not something to be rashly tampered with. However, China Film Group’s performance overseas does need serious reflection. I’ve heard a joke circulating in the industry?"
He glanced at the Ministry of Culture leader, who awkwardly replied, "Yes, it’s that one—‘You’ve been making movies for decades, but you’re not as good as a tea seller!’"
"Haha! Even though it’s a joke, it does highlight some issues!"
Comrade Liao tapped the table and said, "I’ve looked at your results. Over three years, you’ve only earned a little over two million dollars in foreign exchange, averaging just a few thousand dollars per film. Combined, it’s less than what a single foreign film earns. Of course, today isn’t a criticism session, but since your capabilities are lacking, you should give others a chance. ‘Tai Chi’ has performed exceptionally well overseas. Comrades Wang Yang and Fu Qi have both affirmed Chen Qi’s abilities. At a time of national transformation, we should break conventions and give young talent a stage to shine."
Comrade Liao paused, scanning the room before continuing: "First, on behalf of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, I support the expansion of domestic film efforts overseas, establishing closer cooperation with Hong Kong companies and foreign markets. There are over 800,000 overseas Chinese in the United States and more than 20 million worldwide. This is a force that cannot be ignored and a potential audience for Chinese films. We need to mobilize their enthusiasm to support Chinese cinema. Since Comrade Chen Qi has achieved a successful experience, let’s see what more he can accomplish. We should manage the big picture while being flexible in the details, maintaining overall control but opening up in specific areas. For example, in terms of travel, Hong Kong leftist companies have always had relatively free access to the mainland, but it’s very difficult for mainlanders to go to Hong Kong, and even harder to go abroad. It would be best to simplify the process for some individuals, allowing them to act more freely."
He didn’t go into a lengthy speech, just briefly touched on the points, and then said, "You all work out a plan. I have another meeting to attend, so I’ll take my leave now."
Everyone respectfully saw Comrade Liao off, their minds churning with thoughts.
In terms of jurisdiction, Comrade Liao didn’t have authority over this area, but the fact that he had come to mediate already indicated the higher-ups’ intentions.
Comrade Liao had made it clear: first, Chen Qi should be given filming rights; second, he should be given overseas distribution rights; third, he should strengthen ties with Hong Kong.
And the higher-ups were treating him as a pilot project—small-scale, not large, targeting an individual, not a group.
This was a royal decree, making Chen Qi the Wei Zhongxian of the film industry, the nine-thousand-year-old of the cultural world!
At this time, the film system wasn’t under the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television but under the Ministry of Culture.
Ultimately, it would fall on the Ministry of Culture’s shoulders.
The leader didn’t mind—if Chen Qi failed, he wouldn’t be held responsible; if Chen Qi succeeded, he would share in the credit.
"Based on Comrade Liao’s opinion, let’s discuss and work out a plan!"
With clear guidance, it was easier to proceed with the specifics.
There were two approaches: one was to establish a public institution, the other was to set up a company.
In the end, they decided to create a company, which would be more flexible.
Don’t think that the concept of companies didn’t exist in China at this time.
They had existed since the Republican era, but they were all state-owned.
It wasn’t until 1984 that Dalian Guangcai Industrial Co., Ltd. received the first private business license, for color photography.
This company had caught the attention of the highest leadership and was specially approved by the State Council—yes, it required State Council approval.
Its nature was the same as Chen Qi’s—a "pilot project."
The large-scale emergence of private companies wouldn’t happen until the early 1990s.
Wang Yang’s enthusiasm surged again, and he argued fiercely to ensure that Beijing Film Studio would be involved.
His full support for Chen Qi didn’t mean he would abandon the studio’s interests—that would make him a saint.
Since Chen Qi was to be given filming rights, it was impossible to set up a separate production studio for him.
He would still need to cooperate with the existing studios, but his authority would be elevated, allowing him to take the lead on a film.
Then came discussions about the company’s functions, affiliated units, finances, profit distribution, and so on.
They drafted a plan, submitted it to Comrade Liao, made revisions, and so on.
No need to go into further detail.
…………
Noon.
The apartment building was quiet.
Some were working, others were eating in the cafeteria, but Gong Xue was busy in the hallway.
She had prepared a plate of stir-fried pork and a dish of cabbage stewed with potatoes, serving them in large bowls and carefully carrying them into the room.
Chen Qi was sprawled on her bed, casually flipping through a book.
"Is the food ready? Serve the rice to your master!"
"Just for calling yourself ‘master,’ you should be dragged out and criticized!"
Gong Xue shot him a glare, served two bowls of rice, and placed them on the small table.
She sat on a low stool, letting him have the sofa.
Chen Qi rolled off the bed, looked at the food, and smiled.
"You know, this is the first time I’ve eaten a meal you’ve cooked yourself. You didn’t add sugar, did you?"
"Guess!"
"Then you didn’t. I can’t imagine how cabbage stewed with potatoes would taste with sugar."
Chen Qi took a few bites and seriously evaluated: "The potatoes are cooked just right, the cabbage is soft and tender, but you added a bit too much soy sauce. Still, it tastes pretty good, goes well with rice... How are you doing here? Are you settling in okay?"
"It’s fine. It’s cleaner and more comfortable than the guesthouse, but sometimes at night..."
She shyly shook her head and didn’t continue, instead piling more food onto his plate.
"If you don’t like the cafeteria food, you can come here to eat. Back in the army, I didn’t have the chance, but I actually enjoy cooking."
"You’re probably better at southern dishes, right? I’m not used to them."
"Then what do you like? I’ll learn to cook it."
"Sweet and sour pork, twice-cooked pork, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, roast duck, fried eggplant boxes, Buddha’s hand cabbage, and the super invincible seafood Buddha jumps over the wall!"
Gong Xue set down her bowl and said in exasperation, "I only earn a few meat coupons a month. Where am I supposed to get all that? You’re such a fool!"
"I can provide the ingredients. I can buy them... But seriously, this room is too small. When my house is built, you can come take a look. Staying overnight wouldn’t be a problem."
"I’m not going to stay!"
"Then I’d be so scared all alone. What if there are ghosts at night?"
"Anyway, I’m not going..."
Gong Xue poked at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks.
The sound of the woman next door moaning suddenly resurfaced in her mind, and her thoughts instantly scattered.
Was that kind of thing really that interesting? She had only been here a few days and had already heard it twice.
And each time, it lasted quite a while—about twenty minutes.
After the meal, Gong Xue walked him to the door.
"Next time, let me know in advance what you want to eat."
"So I can only come when I’m eating? I can’t come otherwise?" Chen Qi teased.
"You know what I mean! Just don’t come at night, or people will gossip... Alright, hurry up and go. I still need to clean up the mess you made."
Gong Xue grabbed a broom and shooed him away.
Ah, what a homemaker she was!
Chen Qi strolled away leisurely.
The spring scenery in Beijing was beautiful, with the willow trees in the studio sprouting new branches and the winter jasmine blooming, full of vitality.
As he approached the main building, Wang Yang called out from upstairs, "Xiao Chen! Where have you been running off to? Get up here!"
(End of Chapter)