Huayu: Just started as a stagehand, but the director's comeback system

February 6, 2005. With the Spring Festival approaching, the whole country was filled with joy.

The atmosphere in the top-floor conference room of the China Film Building was oppressive.

There were only three people in the room: Yang Buting, the then chairman of China Film Group, Han Sanping, the vice chairman of China Film Group, and Shi Dongming.

The two people sitting opposite Yang Buting had stopped even maintaining the most basic smiles.

"Sigh, you two, what am I supposed to say?"

Yang Buting looked at the two people arguing in front of him and felt a headache coming on.

He'll be retiring by the end of next year at the latest, which has intensified the infighting below him. But he never expected that he wouldn't be able to have peace and quiet even with the New Year approaching.

The film "Jasmine Women," originally scheduled for release on February 9, was suddenly pulled from theaters yesterday by Han Sanping. The reason given was simply that it failed the censorship test. Later, it was added that the film was also involved in a financial dispute with investors after the investors came to China Film Group to question the film.

Although this kind of thing is common in China Film Group, which holds the power of life and death over domestic films, those are mostly films with purely foreign capital.

The problem is that Jasmine Blossoms was invested in by China Film Group, and the person in charge was Shi Dongming, who was close to Han Sanping.

"Han Sanping, do you consider China Film Group Corporation to be a single entity? Are you planning to abuse public resources for private gain?"

Shi Dongming didn't care about maintaining his composure. The two of them had already fallen out over the chairmanship next year. Whoever failed to win would be at the mercy of the other in the future.

Shi Dongming didn't care much about Jasmine Blossoms. The film had a small investment from China Film Group, so even if it made money, he wouldn't get much of it. The big fuss today was just because he had caught Han Sanping red-handed and wouldn't let it go.

"Chairman, we just announced in 04 that the next Olympic Games will be held in the capital, and now is the first wave of foreign tourists coming to our country."

Although China Film Group can't be responsible for everything else, there are always foreigners coming to watch movies. But if we don't make a good first impression, the higher-ups will hold us accountable.

"The 'Jasmine Blossoms' magazine claims to focus on actresses from the last century, but if you break it down, isn't it just the same old formula of using foreign awards as bait?"

The art of labeling isn't just something Shi Dongming can do; Han Sanping is even more adept at it.

At the beginning of 05, there was only one major event: showcasing my country's development to the first group of foreign tourists visiting the country.

You show them movies that promote feudal dross, but no one can really say what the person showing the movies was thinking.

"Han Sanping, you have gone against the original intention of the establishment of China Film Group. When the review documents were sent to your desk, you agreed to them."

Now you're turning things around and talking about these things in reverse. Are you suggesting we take down all those films that talk about the past? I think we should just stop showing the recent movies and let foreigners watch Journey to the West instead.

Hearing Han Sanping mention the Olympics here, Shi Dongming certainly wouldn't retaliate. So he might as well stir up trouble and make Han Sanping's follow-up article, "The Beauty Inside," withdraw from the airing.

The two argued in the meeting room for a long time, their tempers almost bursting. At this moment, Yang Buting saw that the time was about right and quickly stepped in to mediate.

Han Sanping did make a mistake in this matter. He withdrew his other films in order to monopolize the box office of the films he was involved in. There has never been such a thing before.

The news of the cancellation has already been released, so it can't be said that China Film Group made a mistake in its judgment. The fact that Jasmine Women couldn't be released during this year's Spring Festival is due to its own problems.

Yang Buting doesn't intend to blame both sides equally this time. He needs to clearly identify the next successor, otherwise the China Film Group might run into problems because of this internal strife.

Yang Buting's eyes swept over Han Sanping and Shi Dongming, but finally settled on Han Sanping.

"Xiao Han, you were indeed wrong in this matter, but... considering this is your first time, and also taking other factors into account, we won't punish you this time, but you must never do it again."

And Dongming, I understand how you feel. After all, we're all working for the betterment of domestic films. So, this film, Jasmine Women, is being pulled from its release this year. You can choose any release date next year.

After Yang Buting finished speaking, he didn't look at the two men's expressions, but instead lowered his head and drank his tea.

His verdict this time showed no punishment for Han Sanping and no reward for Shi Dongming, which can be described as extreme favoritism.

They said they'd let Jasmine Flower choose any release date next year, but this movie actually chose the Spring Festival release date this year. There are too many variables in a year; who knows what might happen during that time?

Shi Dongming could argue with Han Sanping, but he absolutely could not argue with Yang Buting. Otherwise, he would be branded as ungrateful, and he would not only be unable to work at China Film Group in the future.

Thinking of this, Shi Dongming could only lower his head and agree with Yang Buting's judgment.

On the other side, Han Sanping saw that Yang Buting supported him and knew that his position at China Film Group was now secure. The only price was that he had to wait patiently for a year.

With a smile on his face, Han Sanping was no longer as aggressive as before. Instead, he kindly comforted Shi Dongming, saying that it wouldn't sound good if word got out that he was kicking someone when they were down.

"Dongming, I was wrong this time. I'll treat you to dinner after the New Year."

"Thank you very much, Chairman Han. I still have some work to do, so I'll go ahead and get back to it."

Shi Dongming didn't want to see Han Sanping's expression at that moment. He lowered his head, said goodbye to Yang Buting, and returned to his office.

After he left, only Han Sanping and Yang Buting remained in the meeting room.

After closing the meeting room door, Han Sanping personally made tea for Yang Buting again.

"Xiao Han, it's just the two of us here. To be honest, I support you next time."

Yang Buting's decision to side with Han Sanping this time was based on multiple considerations.

This is not only because Han Sanping has more seniority, but also because people agree with his vision for Chinese cinema.

Under his leadership, China Film Group Corporation served as a conduit, enabling domestic films to connect with international standards, unlike the previous closed-door approach.

Therefore, he must choose a chairman who can continue to lead the development of the domestic film industry in the next term.

Shi Dongming is a good person, but he is too conservative. If China's film and television industry were the world's leading industry now, Yang Buting would definitely choose him to take over.

However, the gap between China Film Group and Hollywood is too large now. The light that China Film Group needs is not static, but radical, even if there may be risks in the process. Only in this way can the gap be narrowed.

Han Sanping is that radical beacon; his proposal to learn from the commercialization of Western films might bring about a new era for the film industry, though no one knows whether this new era will be good or bad.

But Yang Buting was willing to believe Han Sanping, who believed that only by daring to take action could domestic films have a chance to overtake others.

"Thank you for your support, Chairman. I will never forget my original aspiration."

Upon hearing Yang Buting's words, Han Sanping immediately made him stand at attention.

Logically speaking, the appointment of the chairman of a state-owned enterprise like China Film Group is complicated, but after all, everyone has their own expertise, and the recommendation of the previous chairman is the most important vote.

"The future of Chinese films depends on you, keep up the good work!"

Yang Buting wasn't sure if his choice was right; he'd leave that to the people of the future to decide.