Chapter 00099: Popular Cinema
# Popular Cinema
Chapter 99
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 99: Popular Cinema
"Nonsense!"
"Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake in the statistics? Really, 360 copies?"
The data results were reported to the Film Bureau, and the relevant leaders took a look.
Their first reaction was doubt: "Since 1978, there has never been this many copies. 360 35mm copies? Can they even finish screening them all?"
"This is what the provincial representatives filled out. We just compiled the data."
"But you still have to consider the consequences. Each copy costs money, and having too many is just a waste. If they overestimated and come back to you later, can you even refund them the money?"
"So what do you suggest?"
"Approve 200 copies for now. If it’s not enough, we can always add more later!"
In those days, the screening cycles were very long.
If a movie was popular, it could run for half a year in big cities, another half a year in smaller cities, a year in rural areas, and another year in remote regions.
It could stretch to three years before being taken off the screens.
The Film Bureau’s considerations made sense, but they didn’t think about what would happen if Romance on Lushan Mountain became a massive hit.
The cinemas would be in a tough spot.
...
The final decision landed in Wang Yang’s hands.
Wang Yang’s feelings were mixed.
On one hand, he hoped to sell more copies, but on the other hand, he hoped they wouldn’t sell too many, because once they exceeded 120 copies, the settlement would be 990,000 yuan.
But since Romance on Lushan Mountain had a production cost of 700,000 yuan, they were still making a profit.
This was the first time the Beijing Film Studio had made a profit through the "market."
This was the first year of reform, and he had specifically inquired about it.
So far, Romance on Lushan Mountain had sold the most copies.
"Alright, alright, we’ll set the record ourselves!"
Wang Yang quickly accepted the situation.
Even if the profits were smaller, the influence would still be significant.
...
Early in the morning, at the guesthouse.
Gong Xue finished washing up and took out a jar of Friendship Snow Cream.
She dipped her finger in and gently applied a little to her face.
She didn’t have much in the way of makeup.
The snow cream was her luxury item.
After that, she combed her hair and pinned on a delicate hair clip.
She wore a white blouse, light gray trousers, and low-heeled leather shoes.
This outfit was her best, and she had specifically chosen to wear it today.
After getting ready, she hurried downstairs and asked eagerly, "How do I look?"
"Not great!"
Chen Qi chose to be honest.
"Your hairstyle doesn’t suit you, the clothes are passable, and you’re not wearing much makeup. Do you have any lipstick?"
"Where would I get lipstick?"
Gong Xue felt a little wronged after being criticized.
"This is all I have. It’s my best outfit."
"Don’t tie your hair up. Let it down, and fix the front a bit, maybe add some bangs... Yes, that’s much better."
"Really, it’s better?"
"Absolutely. Let’s go!"
She obediently adjusted her hair and then smiled happily.
"Thank you for the chocolate. It was really good. I heard from Huang Qiuyan that you’ve made a fortune?"
"Not bad, I made ten thousand yuan."
"Ten thousand yuan?!"
She gasped, covering her mouth, her eyes shining brightly.
It was the look of someone completely admiring another person’s talent, but she didn’t exaggerate her praise.
She just nodded repeatedly, smiling from time to time, as if she shared in his glory.
Chen Qi hadn’t bought her anything special yet.
It wasn’t the right time.
He had only given her chocolate and pastries, just like everyone else.
But now, talking about lipstick, he made a mental note of it.
The two of them arrived at the director’s office, where Wang Haowei, Tang Guoqiang, and Zhang Jinling were already inside.
There was also a stranger who stood up and introduced himself, "Hello, I’m Cui Hao, an editor from Popular Cinema."
"Hello, hello! I heard you were coming for an interview. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep last night."
"You’re too kind."
"Not at all. There’s no one in the country who hasn’t read Popular Cinema!"
Popular Cinema was founded in Shanghai in 1950 and later moved to Beijing.
It resumed publication in 1979, releasing one issue per month.
It was the most popular film magazine in the 1980s and 1990s.
It still exists today, but its influence has waned.
In 1962, it established the Hundred Flowers Award, voted on by the audience.
Later, along with the Golden Rooster Award and the Huabiao Award, it became one of the three major domestic film awards.
But that’s a familiar story, so no need to elaborate.
Popular Cinema had a column dedicated to introducing new films.
Earlier, when Romance on Lushan Mountain was exposed in the newspapers, they hadn’t come because the film hadn’t been finalized yet.
But now that the copies had been ordered, they naturally came for an interview.
Cui Hao looked over the main creators and smiled.
"I’m already familiar with Director Wang, Old Tang, and Jinling. But this is my first time meeting Comrade Gong Xue. Just as the newspapers said, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a feast for the eyes. And Comrade Chen Qi, if you hadn’t said you were the screenwriter, I would have thought you were a young actor!"
"No, no, I’m just a tea seller. Can we start the interview?"
"Of course, let’s all relax and chat casually."
Then, Cui Hao began asking questions—about the plot and themes of Romance on Lushan Mountain, the filming process, the actors’ experiences, and so on.
He asked in great detail, but only a small portion would make it into the magazine.
If Romance on Lushan Mountain became a hit after its release, they could do a special expanded issue.
Chen Qi was also interviewed about his inspiration for writing Romance on Lushan Mountain.
He told the truth—his parents worked at the Xinhua Bookstore, and he had read a Geographical Atlas that made him yearn for Lushan Mountain.
Blah blah blah.
Honestly, it was quite dull.
The questions and answers were very formal, full of the flavor of the times, with no gossip at all.
After the interview, Cui Hao took photos, mainly of Gong Xue and Tang Guoqiang.
He took several solo shots and a few of them together.
When Gong Xue acted in her first film, Sacrificial Red, she hadn’t received this much attention and was a bit nervous.
Chen Qi watched from the side, seriously doubting Cui Hao’s photography skills.
In those days, magazine photos were all about close-ups of big faces, with rosy cheeks and the smiles of socialist cultural workers—fresh and rustic.
Actually, Chen Qi thought Gong Xue had good potential.
Whether with heavy or light makeup, she looked good.
She had a film called July Fire, set in the Republic of China era, where she played a dance hall girl.
In it, she wore a cheongsam, had curled hair, high heels, and carried a small fan, exuding the charm of old Shanghai.
Her makeup in that film was heavy, with bright red lips, but it didn’t look vulgar at all—just radiant.
"I should buy her some lipstick, let her wear it, and then click my tongue..."
Chen Qi blinked.
"That’s all for today. Thank you all for your cooperation. The next issue will feature Romance on Lushan Mountain."
Cui Hao stayed for the whole morning before finally leaving.
Chen Qi suddenly asked, "Editor Cui, when will the Hundred Flowers Award be held next year?"
"Probably in March again. We’ll announce it when the time comes. Oh, by the way, Romance on Lushan Mountain is releasing this year, so it’s eligible. You’re all candidates, and the audience will vote for you!" Cui Hao said.
"The Hundred Flowers Award? We wouldn’t dare hope for that. It’s the highest honor!"
"Yes, it’s voted on by the audience. We wouldn’t dare dream of it."
This year’s Hundred Flowers Award had already been given out.
Best Picture went to Ji Hongchang, Tear Stains, and Little Flower.
Best Actress went to Chen Chong for Little Flower, and Best Supporting Actress went to Liu Xiaoqing for Look at This Family.
In the 1980s, there was no concept of "A-list" or "B-list" actors.
Whether an actor was top-tier depended on these awards.
Everyone saw Cui Hao off.
Gong Xue didn’t say anything, but her face showed her longing for the Hundred Flowers Award.
Chen Qi glanced at her and couldn’t help but chuckle.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked, puzzled.
"Nothing, I just felt like laughing."
He shook his head.
Next year’s Hundred Flowers Award... oh, next year would also be the first Golden Rooster Award!
(End of Chapter)