Chapter 18601862【Twenty million】
“Director Wang, you’ve done a good job. Real Kung Fu Pictures is really prospering now that you’re managing it.” Xiang Nan said with a smile.
"Mr. Ning, please stop praising me, I''m embarrassed." Wang Jing waved his hand and said, "Actually, I didn''t manage the company well, which caused the company to lose money."
??"The Peach Blossom" directed by Lin Delu, with an investment of more than 2 million Hong Kong dollars, the final box office was only 1.2 million Hong Kong dollars. This is the only loss that Zhen Kung Fu Pictures has made since its opening.
It just so happened that Lin Delu was the beloved disciple of his father, Wang Tianlin, and he personally recruited him. As a result, the company lost more than one million Hong Kong dollars, which made him feel sorry for Xiang Nan.
“Don’t be so fussy, there’s no way you can make a movie without losing money.” Xiang Nan waved his hand and said with a smile, “As long as you don’t deliberately embezzle, waste, or squander funds, I can accept it.”
"That will never happen. I guarantee it with my own personality." Wang Jing said immediately.
"That''s okay." Xiang Nan nodded, "Director Wang, you don''t have to be so nervous. Since I''ve left the company to you, I''m mentally prepared."
“Thank you, Mr. Ning.” Wang Jing said gratefully.
"You''re welcome, Director Wang, let me give you some reassurance." Xiang Nan smiled, "I allow you to set aside 20 million Hong Kong dollars every year to invest in filming those projects that you think are good but may not be popular with the market. It doesn’t matter if you lose money or make money.”
"Mr. Ning, you..." Wang Jing was surprised when he heard this.
??Although there are many commercial films in the Hong Kong film industry, they are all excessive and crazy. But there are also many art films that dig deep into human nature and reflect reality.
?For example, Er Dongsheng''s "The True Story of a Mad Man" and "The People''s Hero", Zhang Yuanting''s "Autumn Story" and "Eight Liang Gold", Fang Yuping''s "Half Man", "Father and Son", etc.
? It’s just that these movies often fail to do well at the box office because they are not commercial enough. For example, the box office of "People''s Heroes" was less than 4 million Hong Kong dollars; the box office of "Half Man" was only more than 2 million Hong Kong dollars.
As a result, most film companies in Hong Kong are unwilling to invest in such films. After all, people open stores to make money, not to do charity, and they won''t throw money into the water.
?There is really no one like Xiang Nan who allocates 20 million Hong Kong dollars every year to make art films.
“I just have too much money to burn.” Xiang Nan said with a slight smile.
Twenty million Hong Kong dollars a year is really nothing to him, just a drop in the bucket.
??If 20 million Hong Kong dollars can produce a masterpiece in film history, such as "Ashes of Time", "Chungking Express", "Cage Man", and "Women at 40", then it will be considered worth the money.
Many rich people spend money on things that are unlikely to be profitable.
?For example, Bill Gates promotes vaccines in poor areas; Warren Buffett provides funds for family planning; Rockefeller donates to build schools and hospitals around the world; Sir Shao also donated more than 400 teaching buildings in mainland China...
The reason for this is not that it is for tax avoidance as some people say. In Xiang Nan''s view, it''s more because they are so rich that they may not be able to spend it all in a few lifetimes.
So instead of depositing money in the bank, it is better to do something meaningful that you like. Corresponds to Malos''s theory of self-realization and self-transcendence.
? Xiang Nan allocated 20 million Hong Kong dollars to make literary films. For him, it was considered a meaningful thing.
“You are amazing.” Wang Jing said with admiration.
…
Xiang Nan then held a party at his mansion and invited celebrities, directors, etc. to have a party together.
?His mansion has been decorated at the beginning of the year, and it is now open to everyone for the first time. Xiang Nan also wants to take this opportunity to communicate with everyone and recruit some talents. "Mr. Ning, your house is so beautiful~" Chow Yun-fat said with a smile, "I wonder when I will be able to afford a house as nice as yours."
"I will definitely do it. Ah Fa, you are so popular now, and you will be even more popular in the future. What''s the point of buying a big house." Xiang Nan said with a smile, "In the future, your house will be available all over the world, and you won''t have to stay in a hotel when traveling around the world." , We are at home all over the world.”
“Mr. Ning, this is Miss Wang Zhixian~” Wang Jing introduced with a smile.
"Hello, Miss Wang. I''ve seen your "A Chinese Ghost Story". It''s really magnificent and unparalleled in beauty." Xiang Nan said with a smile, "People say you are the Brooke Shields of the East. In my opinion, you are even better." Nothing less.”
"Mr. Ning is too polite." Wang Zhixian was very happy to hear what he said.
"Mr. Ning, this is Miss Lin Qingxia." Du Qifeng helped introduce.
?Last year they collaborated on "Beautiful Woman". Although the box office was not very good, Lin Qingxia''s performance was very breakthrough.
"Miss Lin, welcome." Xiang Nan said with a smile, "Actually, I have wanted to cooperate with you before, but unfortunately I have never had the right opportunity. It is really a pity."
"Mr. Ning, you''re welcome." Lin Qingxia waved her hands and said with a smile, "We also hope that you can return to Xiangjiang and make more movies."
"There is still a chance." Xiang Nan nodded.
…
After the party started, everyone drank and chatted in twos and threes, among which Xiang Nan was surrounded by the most people.
It’s not all about flattering, but because Xiang Nan’s career is so successful, many people want to learn from him.
"Mr. Ning, will you bring Hong Kong artists to Hollywood for development in the future?" Chow Yun-fat asked curiously.
"Of course I will." Xiang Nan nodded, "When I come back this time, I want to take four people to Hollywood for development."
Hearing what he said, everyone was immediately excited.
Four people, this is incredible. In the past, Xiang Nan only took Jackie Chan and Lizhi to Hollywood, but now he is taking four of them at once, which is really exciting.
"However, what disappoints everyone is that this time I am leading a skilled martial artist." Xiang Nan explained, "Because there is no shortage of actors with good acting skills and good looks in Hollywood. What is lacking is sharp skills. , Daxing who is proficient in kung fu.”
Hearing what he said, everyone''s mood suddenly became a little low again, but the action stars began to get excited.
“Actually, if it’s not necessary, I don’t recommend that you go to Hollywood.” Xiang Nan smiled and said, “It’s better to be the head of a chicken than the queen of an ox.
?Hollywood is indeed better than Hong Kong, with a bigger market, more income, and higher status, but that''s only for the top stars. For small artists, it’s **** over there.
The protagonist can earn millions of dollars from a play, while an unknown artist may earn tens of thousands of dollars. And with all due respect, the vast majority of Hong Kong stars were treated as 18th-tier entertainers when they arrived in Hollywood, and their income was only tens of thousands of dollars.
Furthermore, because American audiences are generally less receptive to Chinese-American artists, even if you want to start from a low level and rise to the top level step by step, it is difficult to do so.
?The simplest example is that there are so many black people in the United States, but there is only one black supermodel. The U.S. market is not as easy to deal with as everyone thinks. I suggest that you don’t aim too high. "
(End of this chapter)