Broadway Theater, located in a bustling area of ​​Mong Kok, is a time-honored theater run by the Jiang Zhiqiang family, with a history of more than 30 years.

The theater has an old-style layout, with only one viewing hall, with a large space and can accommodate hundreds of audiences at a time. However, the internal preview of "Crazy Job" was only a few dozen people, one sitting in the east and a group sitting in the west, making the theater look empty and deserted.

However, when the movie was over, the applause of these dozens of people was extremely warm, and the sound echoed in the theater, as if hundreds of viewers were applauding.

"Sister An, congratulations." Yan Hao was already sitting next to Anh Hsu. As soon as the movie ended, he stood up and applauded, and praised: "Good shot!"

Everyone also rushed up to surround Anhua Xu and expressed their congratulations.

Ann Hui was a little overly excited, her eyes filled with tears and could not speak, but she nodded repeatedly with a stiff smile to express her gratitude.

Chen Chong quietly took a few steps back, stood outside the crowd, squinted his eyes and looked at the snow-white screen, feeling quite emotional.

If the movie "Crazy Job" is separated from the background and creative environment of the times, it can only be considered a mediocre work. It should be said to be horrible, the scene is not exciting enough, suspense, and the plot is not tense enough. In the system, when querying "Crazy Job", the old version of the previous life only gave "ordinary classic movies" which is a clear proof. After many observations, Chen Chong already knew that the one who received such comments was roughly equivalent to a movie with about 6 points on various online rating websites.

But if you consider that Ann Hui is the first time directing, completing the script in one day, completing the filming in more than 20 days, and a budget of 800,000 yuan, it is extremely rare to make a movie of this quality in a simple environment, and his talent is beyond doubt.

Now, with the full support of Shen Chong, the new version of "Crazy Joe" has the comment given by the system as "classic ordinary movies". Although it has only changed the order of words, the grade has increased a lot. This is a review that only movies with a score of more than 7 points will get.

Although the quality of the film has improved a lot, Chen Chong still feels a little regretful. With the material of "Crazy Job", he can completely make a suspense movie like "The Silence of the Lambs". However, whether he is a producer, screenwriter Chen Yunwen, or director Ann Hui, he is all the first time he has been on the stage. He has no experience, lacks strength, and has tight time. He can only waste natural resources and waste such a good subject.

"Mr. Chen, congratulations." At this time, a man who was somewhat similar to Jiang Zhiqiang came over and congratulated him: "This movie is great and will definitely sell it."

"Thank you good words." Chen Chong shook hands with him with a smile and said, "Brother Wen is an old man. He said he would sell well, and he would definitely sell well. When the movie was released, I would lie down at home and wait for money to fall from the sky."

This person is Jiang Zhiqiang's brother Jiang Zhiwen. He laughed and asked, "Mr. Chen, please forgive me for taking the liberty. Do you think this movie is possible in my theater?"

"What?" Chen Chong asked in surprise, "Didn't you keep showing Western films on Broadway?"

"That's not necessarily true." Jiang Zhiwen explained: "In the past, Hong Kong's production industry was controlled by Shaw Brothers and Jiahe. We, the independent theaters, had no source of films, so we had to go to Europe and America to buy films and play them. In fact, we are also very welcome to Hong Kong's local independent production."

"This has to be discussed with Shaw." Chen Chong pondered for a moment and said, "Of course I hope that the more theaters are released, the better. However, after all, if you sign a contract with Shaw, you need to communicate first to avoid misunderstandings and harming the harmony."

"Mr. Chen is still thoughtful." Jiang Zhiwen nodded and said, "Then I'll wait for Mr. Chen's news."

After chatting for a while, Jiang Zhiwen had something to do and walked away.

After he left, Chen Chong climbed onto the platform in front of the screen, clapped his hands hard, and announced loudly: "Everyone, this is not a place for chatting. I have already booked a seat in the Dunhuang Restaurant. Please move on, let's go for a midnight snack, and chat while eating." (Note 1)

Everyone applauded and walked out of the theater in groups of three or five.

In this internal preview, in addition to the reporters and editors of several major movie entertainment magazines, Chen Chong also made good friends. Regardless of whether he knew him or not, as long as he could come, he sent invitations. Ann Hui was very popular, and the starring actor of "Crazy Joe" was not an unknown person, so there were a lot of people coming to watch the movie, and eight tables were opened in the Dunhuang Restaurant, which was just full.

At the banquet, Chen Chong walked around and shook hands with the person he met for the first time. There was a "beep" sound in his mind, and the prompt to complete the task appeared.

"You have met more than 100 well-known film workers, completed the mission and received 50 film medals."

“YES!”

Chen Chong clenched his fists, made a secret move, vented his excitement, and then changed his mind and closed the prompt.

Back at his seat and looking at the hall full of guests and the atmosphere was warm, Chen Chong suddenly felt like he had changed his mind. A few months ago, the scene of him gathering with Yan Hao, Shu Qi and others at the food stall was still vivid in his mind. At that time, he was an insignificant poor student, but now he has become a film company owner with a net worth of tens of millions.

Life experience is so magical!

However, compared to today, the gathering at that time can only be regarded as the "beggar version" heroes' meeting, and now it is the first heroes' meeting.

Hong Kong has a small area and a relatively concentrated film industry. The so-called "one moves the whole body" and almost any filmmaker can have a big network of relationships behind it. For example, Tsui Hark is here because he and Ann Hsu are working as editing at the printing company some time ago. For example, Zhang Guoming is coming, because he and Ann Hsu are working as a team in TVB Film Group, such as Wang Jing is coming, because he and Shu Qi are working as mentors at the Hong Kong Film Culture Center...

In addition to behind the scenes, there are also many people in front of the stage. Ann Hui has worked at TVB for so long. Zhao Yazhi, one of the leading actors, is now a popular actress in TVB. Naturally, there are many celebrities who come to support them, such as Huang Xingxiu, Cheng Yuling and others, who are all well-known celebrities.

With the accumulation of wealth and the growth of knowledge, Chen Chong has long passed the age of being excited when he meets celebrities, so he is not very excited to meet these people. What he cares most about now is the views of several senior film critics on "Crazy Job" - the evaluations of these people have a considerable influence on the box office of the movie, so he specially arranged the film critics at the same table and left a place for himself.

Holding the wine glass, Chen Chong greeted one of the middle-aged men and asked, "Brother Shi, what do you think of "Crazy Calamity"?"

The person asked by Chen Chong, named Shi Qi, used an 8mm camera to shoot experimental movies in Hong Kong as early as the 1960s. He is now a film review columnist for Ming Pao Evening News. He is known as "the first key pen in Hong Kong film criticism". He is good at analyzing movies based on Hong Kong's local culture. He has unique views and sharp words. Many of his film reviews have become important reference materials for later research on Hong Kong films.

"It's new and sincere." Shi Qi said two recognized comments first. He played with the wine glass and was silent for a while, and then said: "The structure of "Crazy Calamity" is very special. It breaks the single perspective of straightforward narrative, and the cross-connection of time and space, presents a blurry atmosphere and intricate situations, breaks through the simplified mode, and shoots complex levels, and is not chaotic and unified in style. This is very rare. I think that if nothing unexpected happens, this will be the best Hong Kong movie of the year."

"I agree with Shi Qi's opinion." Another senior film critic Roca put down his chopsticks and said: "The beginning and end of this film are implemented, with a unified content and style. Although the structure is a little loose, the pictures are splendid, the details are sharp and the style is realistic. Moreover, the performances of the actors in the whole film are very exciting. Not only are the two female leads outstanding performances, but the supporting roles are also concise and moving. In short, this is indeed the best movie of the year." (Note 2)

Chen Chong was overjoyed, raised his glass and urged him to drink with great enthusiasm, saying, "After the movie is released, I would like to ask you two to say a lot."

"Actually, I really don't want to write a review of "Crazy Job"." Shi Qi said. He put down his wine glass, looked at Chen Chong in shock, and explained with a smile: "A good movie is like a diamond. You can only say that this is a good thing. How is it a good method? It's hard to describe. A bad movie is like shit. You can just write it casually and scold it. After reading it, readers will applaud you and applaud you. So I like to write a review of a bad movie, and I don't like to write a good movie."

As soon as these words came out, the whole room was full of laughter.

"Brother Shi, if you don't write, don't blame me for using it for private purposes." After laughing, Chen Chong said: "When the article of "The First Movie Review" is received next month, I will ask the editor to make ten calls every day to urge the article."

"No, no." Shi Qi quickly admitted defeat and said, "I'm afraid of your magazine editors. I have a few phone calls a day, which makes me tinnitus now. I feel the phone ringing wherever I go."

Everyone laughed again, and after a moment, Roca asked, "A Chong, how did the response of "The First Movie Review"?"

"Not bad, not bad." Chen Chong said, "Taiwan, Singapore, and Indonesia, someone has called to subscribe."

“Where is the local Hong Kong?”

"It's a sloppy, I printed it once, and I sold it in total less than 3,000 copies." Chen Chong said casually, peeling his shrimp shells: "The locals in Hong Kong have been tricked by movie albums and don't like to read such pure-text magazines."

"Mr. Chen is modest. This kind of magazine does not win by sales, but depends on the influence of the industry." A reporter wearing glasses said: "I don't know Shaw Brothers, but in Jiahe, "The First Movie Review" is a hot item, especially the Hong Kong Film Market Research Report column. Boss Zou said in person during a meeting that all people in Jiahe production department must study the report carefully."

He pushed his glasses and continued, "For this reason, the "First Movie Review" on the newsstand near Fushan Road was bought by the producers."

"Manager Cai also attaches great importance to "The First Movie Review", but everyone knows that Shaw Brothers is now in power, and Manager Cai has long been undermined." An editor of "Southern Movie" shook his head and said: "Manager Cai is a talented person. Unfortunately, no matter how talented he is, he can't beat the pillow style."

"It's really a pity for Cai Lan to be at Shaw Brothers." Roca sighed and said, "But speaking, I prefer Yu Muyun's 'Oral Film History' column in the magazine, state affairs, film affairs, and romantic affairs, which is both historical value and can make readers happy."

"Old Yu's writing is indeed good, but the most explosive thing is the interview with Uncle Six?" Shi Qi said: "I went to submit the manuscript a few days ago and saw several editors of "Ming Pao Weekly" discussing whether to report this matter. If Uncle Six really gives up film production and fully manage TVB, the Hong Kong film industry will be in a big earthquake."

"Yeah yeah."

Everyone whispered and started discussing.

At this time, Anhua Xu and Chen Yunwen came over. Their faces were red and they thought they had drunk a lot of wine.

"Mr. Chen, I'll give you a cup. I can shoot "Crazy Job" and it's so good. Thank you for being so much."

Chen Chong stood up, picked up the wine glass and drank it all, and said, "Sister An, I have said it a long time ago. Everyone gets what you need. If you make movies, I will make money, so why be so polite."

"I think Mr. Chen is not just for making money." Chen Yunwen laughed and raised her glass and said, "I would like to give you a cup, thank you for writing random drawings on my script, otherwise you would not be able to make such a good movie."

Chen Chong picked up the beer bottle, poured half a glass of wine, touched Chen Yunwen for a while, and took it in his hand without drinking it, saying, "Miss Chen, I want to start a new drama, are you interested?"

"Sister An mentioned it to me, I'm very interested." Chen Yunwen raised her neck and generously killed the wine in the glass, saying, "If Mr. Chen looks at me, I can start work soon."

Chen Chong nodded, drank the wine, and said, "Don't worry, take a few days off first. After "Crazy Job" is released, we will hold a meeting before deciding how to start the construction."

Upon hearing this, Shi Qi asked curiously: "The Crazy Tribulation has not been released yet. Ah Chong, you have started a new drama, aren't you afraid of losing money?"

"It's okay, I'm very optimistic about the Hong Kong film market and can't lose money."

Chen Chong smiled, he picked up the chopsticks, knocked on the wine glass, made a crisp sound, signaling the audience to be quiet, and then said loudly: "Everyone, take this opportunity to announce something to everyone. My Oriental Charming Film Production Company is planning to invest in the shooting of at least 5 movies this year. Everyone is an elite in the industry. If you have any ideas, you can come to our company to discuss in detail."

Many of these people were unhappy with talent and had ideas in their hearts, but they were troubled by the lack of chance. They were in an uproar when they heard this. The hall was filled with excitement. After a while, one of them stood up and asked loudly: "Mr. Chen is serious about this?"

"It's true!" Chen Chong smiled and said with confidence, but he was silent to the man in his heart: "Little fat man, if someone else has a chance, you don't have a chance, at least this year, not..."

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Note 1: Dunhuang Restaurant is a famous popular restaurant in Hong Kong. It has more than 20 branches in Hong Kong at its peak and has now been closed.
Chapter completed!