In the entertainment industry, everyone has been reborn, but who will be their servant?

Chapter 87 An Accident

Originally, this script was intended to be submitted to the Leading Group for the Creation of Major Revolutionary and Historical Films under the Film Bureau.

This group consists of experts from various fields and leaders from various departments. It is this department that conducts the first review, which focuses on issues of political correctness, historical accuracy, artistic expression, and value orientation.

But Wang Hongwei didn't; he handed it directly to Zhang Hongsen and told him to take a look first.

The current leader of the film industry is Tong Gang, and there are three deputy leaders. Zhang Hongsen is in charge of film creation and production, while the other two are in charge of international exchanges, policy formulation, and market supervision.

Therefore, Zhang Hongsen can directly manage these matters. However, he does not have absolute authority over these types of topics. It is not something that can be approved simply by his approval. The matter still needs to be submitted to the leading group to form expert opinions.

However, he took the notebook very seriously and immediately went to find Tong Gang.

"Director Tong!" Zhang Hongsen hurriedly pushed the door open and entered.

"Old Zhang, it's already after get off work. Let's talk about it after Qingming Festival. I need to go back to my hometown to pay respects to my ancestors." Tong Gang was tidying up the materials on the table.

It's already April, and tomorrow is Qingming Festival, a holiday.

"Director Tong, wait a minute. I have a script with a very important theme here. Take a look before you leave." Zhang Hongsen approached and placed a thick stack of notebooks on the table.

"Just follow the procedures and have the comrades and experts from the Publicity Department, the Institute of History, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism review it," Tong Gang said casually, picking up his briefcase.

Zhang Hongsen stood in front of him and said solemnly, "Director Tong, this script is different from any script we've seen before. Its narrative logic is different. It starts from the perspective of the people. If it passes censorship and is released, it will rekindle people's cultural identity."

Tong Gang looked into his eyes and, seeing his firm and bright gaze, couldn't help but become serious as well: "Do you really have to see it now?"

“Now let’s see!” Zhang Hongsen nodded emphatically.

The original intention was to let him see it, but it was actually to gain his approval. If experts were to evaluate it first, who knows what opinions they would have given.

If you don't understand what the script is about, it's easy to get confused. Real leaders don't have time to care about that.

Seeing how serious he was, Tong Gang put down his briefcase, returned to his seat, and picked up the notebook to read it.

Zhang Hongsen relaxed and sat down opposite him to wait.

Similar to Wang Hongwei's previous demeanor, Tong Gang looked at the script, his eyes gradually becoming focused, and his expression becoming solemn.

But after reading the script, Tong Gang simply put it down slowly without saying a word, as if he was digesting it or thinking about something.

Seeing this, Zhang Hongsen couldn't wait to ask, "Director Tong, what do you say?"

"What should I say? Can I say that it can be approved and filmed directly?" Tong Gang asked him in return.

"Be serious, we're discussing a very serious topic right now." Zhang Hongsen knew he was just saying it in jest, with a hint of joking.

Whether or not this kind of subject matter can be filmed is not up to them to decide, but judging from Director Tong's tone, it's basically certain that they agree with him.

The current Film Bureau is not independent; it is still just one of the departments under the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, and its influence is not very strong. It seems that its influence has only increased after the reforms this year.

"To be honest, I'm in favor of getting it approved directly because this script breaks free from the ideological narrative trap of the West and adheres to cultural self-awareness."

The narrative of "Letters from Iwo Jima" humanizes the aggressors, absolves them of war responsibility, and is a compromise with history. And "Schindler's List" uses the Western trope of religious redemption—this is their trap. They constantly follow psychological therapy, and our cultural creators imitate them.

Why are they doing this? Because they harmed people all over the world during the colonial period, so they claim we didn't want it either. This is their conspiracy to oppose the war, and it's also why there are so many "saintly" people over there who say, "Let's stop fighting and live in peace."

Anyway, they have the strongest technology, so they can use finance and economics to continue their colonization and live a good life, while other regions continue to live a hard life.

Tong Gang used to work in film and television, so he is very familiar with Western film production.

Zhang Hongsen nodded, understanding what he meant.

Although the two were having a very profound conversation, the fact that they were in such positions meant they must be well aware of the complexities of the outside world and the cultural invasion.

Tong Gang picked up the script again, thought for a moment, and said, "This script can be filmed, it should be filmed. We need to have multiple options. We can't always rely on that one circle. They aren't absolutely facing the truth either. Who wrote this script again?"

At this point, he still didn't know who wrote the script. In the past, they always had to rely on directors from the Beijing and Hong Kong film circles to make these kinds of movies; they had no other choice.

It's a good thing that there's another set of values ​​being exported now, even if it's just being phrased euphemistically.

Those from the Beijing and Hong Kong film circles who make films on these kinds of major historical topics—those who know, know; no further explanation needed.

"Qin Xuan, this kid is quite sharp. He got into a big fight with those old-timers in the Beijing film circle right after his debut, and even said that if they didn't change, he would force them to change." Zhang Hongsen also keeps an eye on the film industry.

Although he didn't comment on what happened during last year's Lunar New Year film season, he witnessed it all.

After all, someone made such a bold statement, so it's impossible not to pay attention.

"Are there really people this prickly?"

Tong Gang opened his eyes slightly, surprised that the film industry had produced such a bold person, and asked, "What is your background?"

“It’s because of his humble origins, his unorthodox methods, and his lack of any connections,” Zhang Hongsen said.

"Then who handed you this notebook?" Tong Gang asked again.

"Wang Hongwei handed it over. It has some connection with the academy, but it seems to be through a link, not a direct relationship." Zhang Hongsen's subtext was that no one would speak up for him.

"This is a bit troublesome." Tong Gang leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest.

The two wanted the script to pass, but without connections or anyone to speak on their behalf, it was going to be difficult for the script to pass. Directors who could film major themes all had prestige and the legacy of their fathers.

Or maybe someone is backing you up. Do you really think someone with no connections can film this kind of subject matter?

“Heroes are judged by their origins, right? We need another voice, to put some pressure on them. How can we keep relying on just one person’s opinion?” Zhang Hongsen tried to defend Qin Xuan.

“What you said makes sense. Without a background, there wouldn’t be so many complicated entanglements. The stagnant waters of film and television culture need people like this to stir things up.” Tong Gang already had a plan in mind.

This circle has been controlled by certain people for too long, and it has become entrenched, to the point that whatever they say is law.

However, there are currently no other suitable candidates in the film and television industry. It's just a few directors and a few circles, so Qin Xuan's appearance can be considered an accident.

(End of this chapter)