Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

Li Jiangbo did not stay in Taiwan for long, and returned to Hong Kong with his men the next day.

Upon returning to Hong Kong, Pan Yingzi gave Li Jiangbo both good news and bad news.

The good news is that the factory manager of Bingfeng has called to say that the third batch of Bingfeng products has been shipped, this time a total of two million units.

The bad news is that Zhao Dong couldn't find any equipment to print images on aluminum cans.

Li Jiangbo had no choice but to abandon the idea of ​​using celebrity look-alikes for publicity.

However, he had a second option: an autograph. This was simpler; he could just use a laser to mark it.

He immediately called Liang Yuan and asked him to print the names of Rosamund Kwan, Cherie Chung, Zhu Lin, Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung, and Teresa Carpio on the next batch of prints to facilitate the next planning.

Then he called Pan Yingzi over and asked her to get the signatures of Guan, Zhong, Zhu, Mei, and Zhang, and fax them to Liang Yuan.

During her time with Time Pictures, Teresa Teng only released one album, which sold quite well. She also starred in "Happy Ghost 2" with Wong Jing and earned a considerable amount of money.

However, Li Jiangbo still included Teresa Teng in the list of people promoting Bingfeng soda.

Since Teresa Carpio has signed a contract with Time Pictures, Li Jiangbo has to be responsible for her.

The day after Li Jiangbo returned to Hong Kong, major newspapers began to report extensively on the list of Golden Horse Award winners.

Ming Pao devoted half a page to the Golden Horse Awards, with the headline: "A Better Tomorrow Triumphs at the Golden Horse Awards, Director Lee Kong-bo Wins Best Director, and Dillon Wins Best Actor."

The Oriental Daily News headline was even more direct: "Hong Kong's Pride: Dillon Wins Golden Horse Award for Best Actor."

The most eye-catching headline from the Time News was: "Hong Kong's Youngest Best Director - Li Jiangbo".

The photo below shows Li Jiangbo standing on the podium receiving an award.

For a time, the streets and alleys of Hong Kong were filled with people's discussions.

At a newsstand in Mong Kok, Mr. Chan looked at today's "Time Daily" and marveled at it.

"This Director Li is truly remarkable! He's won an award at such a young age."

A young man buying a newspaper nearby came over for a look, and his eyes lit up instantly.

"Director Li won an award? I'll buy a copy!"

"Me too, and get me an Bingfeng soda while you're at it."

Uncle Chen was busy collecting and giving change. In just one morning, he sold a hundred newspapers and dozens of cans of Bingfeng soda.

At Lao Lei's restaurant in Causeway Bay.

A group of white-collar workers were eating and reading newspapers, occasionally exchanging a few words of discussion.

"This person is really amazing, winning an award at such a young age."

"I've seen 'A Better Tomorrow,' and I cried when Mark died."

"I think Chow Yun-fat should win the Best Actor award."

......

At the same time, He Guanchang entered Zou Wenhuai's office with a newspaper in his hand.

Meanwhile, Zou Wenhuai sat in the boss's chair, flipping through a copy of Ming Pao.

"Mr. Zou, this Li Jiangbo has caused quite a stir!"

Zou Wenhuai sighed, "His style has been somewhat unpredictable since last year!"

"This can't go on!"

"So what's your solution?"

After a moment's thought, Ho Koon-cheung said, "I think we can learn from him and make action movies."

Zou Wenhuai nodded, "That's fine, then let's call a meeting."

He Guanchang nodded and turned to make arrangements.

In the Jiahe conference room, Zou Wenhuai sat in the main seat, with He Guanchang, Hong Jinbao, Wu Yusen, and Xu Guanwen sitting on either side.

Zou Wenhuai put down his teacup, cleared his throat, and asked, "Have you read today's newspaper?"

The group nodded without saying a word.

Zou Wenhuai continued, "Li Jiangbo won the Golden Horse Award for 'A Better Tomorrow,' and the film also made a huge profit at the box office. What does this show? It shows that action films have a market and a future. It also proves that this path is viable."

He paused here, his gaze sweeping over the three generals.

"So I was thinking, should we make a gunfight movie too?"

Hung Kin-po scratched his head. "Mr. Chow, I have no objection to what we film, but I've already decided on 'Encounters of the Spooky Kind' and it'll be starting filming soon."

Zou Wenhuai smiled but didn't reply, instead turning his gaze to Xu Guanwen.

Hui Koon-man adjusted his glasses. "Mr. Chow, I write and direct all my own films, it's a habit. Gunfight films aren't my forte either, I'm afraid they'd lose money if I made them."

At this moment, Zou Wenhuai's face was already covered in frost, but he couldn't lose his temper yet.

After all, Hung Kam-po was someone he personally invited back to replace Jackie Chan, and Hui Koon-man was just a collaborator with them; he had no say in their affairs.

Currently, Golden Harvest only has John Woo at their disposal.

So his gaze fell on John Woo.

"Ah Sen, what about you?"

John Woo raised his head, his gaze unwavering.

"Mr. Zou, I want to take the picture."

Zou Wenhuai's eyes lit up. "Tell me about it."

John Woo was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking.

"I want to make a story about a hitman and a policeman. This hitman is different from the usual hitmen; he's not the legendary cold-blooded or ruthless killer. He also has emotions and desires. As for the policeman, I haven't thought about it yet."

The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds as everyone pondered the story John Woo had told them.

However, Lao Wu only said half of what he wanted to say, which made the attendees quite uncomfortable.

Hong Jinbao frowned and asked, "So what are you trying to express? You see, 'A Better Tomorrow' is about deep brotherhood, but your story..."

Hui Koon-man said rather subtly, "From a character design perspective, the assassin you're thinking of is very appealing, but a policeman... I can't imagine what he could be besides a soldier and a thief?"

Zou Wenhuai, who was standing to the side, stopped the two from talking with a look.

His gaze fell on John Woo's side, and he asked softly, "John, are you confident?"

John Woo fell silent when asked the question; he only had an idea in mind.

Since the release of "A Better Tomorrow", he has been thinking about whether he can make gunfight movies and whether he can make good gunfight movies.

Although he had always worked with Hui Koon-man on comedies, he fundamentally disliked comedy and didn't want to make it.

But the boss made him do it, so he had no choice. Now that he has an opportunity to break out of comedy, why shouldn't he seize it?

Thinking of this, John Woo nodded heavily.

"Yes, but you need a martial arts choreographer to make this kind of film."

Zou Wenhuai pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay, go back and finish writing the script as soon as possible. Don't worry about the action choreography, I'll have Yuen Woo-ping help you. As for the budget, Golden Harvest will fully support you."

John Woo stood up and nodded to Zou Wenhuai.

"Thank you, Mr. Zou."

After the meeting ended, the group left one after another.

John Woo walked at the back, and Ho Koon-cheung followed and patted him on the shoulder.

"Ah Sen, keep up the good work. I think you're just as good at directing gunfights as Li Jiangbo."

John Woo gave a wry smile. "Mr. Ho, to be honest, I'm not sure. I don't know if I can write a script that will satisfy Mr. Chow."

Ho Koon-cheung smiled and comforted him, "It's alright, just write it down first. Even if it doesn't work, there are so many people in the company, they can help you revise it."

John Woo nodded. "Then, Mr. Ho, I'll go back and write the script now."