On Exports

"I haven't been in filmmaking long and don't have much experience. When it comes to film theory and technique, I really can't compare to the veterans, so I won't presume to lecture experts," Chen Qi began, setting the tone for himself. "But since we're talking about exporting to earn foreign exchange, it boils down to someone selling and someone buying. We're all familiar with that, so I'll speak from that perspective. "If we want them to buy our films, we have to study the buyer's psychology. Take the United States, for example. On my trips to Hong Kong and Berlin, I learned a great deal about American cinema. Their industry is highly developed, with a rich variety of genre films. They've made practically every kind of movie imaginable. Last year, *Star Wars* raked in over two hundred million dollars at the North American box office. "Why would a country like that spend three million to buy *Tai Chi*? "The reason is simple: *Tai Chi* is a Chinese kung fu film, something America doesn't have. From Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan, and now Li Lianjie, America could never produce an action star like that in a million years. "The label of Chinese kung fu is unique, the only one of its kind in the entire world. That's why I believe we should make more martial arts films." In the presence of top leaders, he couldn't deliver a long-winded speech; he had to keep it concise and punchy. The top leader listened noncommittally, merely saying, "Go on!" "Making what we have and they don't—that's the first category. "The second category, naturally, is what everyone has. "Things like murder mysteries, romance, comedy, tragedy—they have all of those, and their industries are far more advanced than ours. So how do we make those? If we try to surpass them purely through technical and artistic quality, it's far too difficult. But I think there's a shortcut: "Find the differences within the similarities! "Chinese cinema is reappearing on the world stage, and Western society finds it completely unfamiliar. I think they have a voyeuristic curiosity—they want to see the true face of China's history, traditional culture, and contemporary life... "Take films about everyday urban citizens, for instance. Our ordinary citizens are definitely different from theirs—living conditions, clothing and dress, diet, family values, social ethics, and so forth. If we make films about these things, with a bit of luck, we might even win an award. "Winning awards overseas is crucial too. Once a film wins an award, it commands a higher price, and it boosts morale. "Unfortunately, though... well, we just don't make them very well..." Having covered *what* to make, Chen Qi moved on to *how* to make it. "First, you have to let the audience understand it. If they can't even understand it, how can we talk about selling it? "My deepest realization in Berlin was that foreigners feel Chinese films are too theatrical, lack realism, and are stuffed with too many political slogans. They feel like they're being lectured. "Our directors express things far too bluntly, like a teacher lecturing schoolkids, directly telling them: You must love the motherland, you must love this land... That message is entirely right, of course, but can children really connect with that? "There's another way: take them to see the breathtaking landscapes of the motherland, letting them experience it for themselves amidst the beautiful scenery, or have them read history so they understand the suffering the Chinese nation has endured. "Be more subtle, more tactful. Weave political themes into the plot. Use a story to convey a message rather than shouting it out through dialogue. That approach might work much better. "Second, our movies are too slow!" "Too slow?" "The plot moves at a crawl, with too much exposition. It looks dull and tedious. Our own audiences don't even enjoy watching it, so how can we expect foreign viewers to like it? "Take *Tai Chi*, for example. It opens with a martial arts duel. Then Yang Yugan is humbled by a master, goes to Henan to apprentice, gets turned away at the door, but unexpectedly meets Chen Shaomei, who teaches him Tai Chi, only for them to be discovered by Chen Zhengying... "With every step forward, he inevitably meets a setback, overcomes it, moves forward again, and encounters new trouble... With a brisk pace, strong entertainment value, and plenty of twists and turns, audiences naturally love watching it." Compared to his usual self, Chen Qi was being remarkably restrained. There was no theatrical bluster, only solid substance. Finally, he concluded, "In short, I personally think we can pursue two paths to earn foreign exchange through exports: one is entertainment films focused on martial arts, and the other is chasing awards. "Oh, and one more thing: when negotiating with foreigners, we must never be timid! Some of our films are genuinely great; selling them dirt cheap is an utter waste!" In truth, during the 1980s, some forward-thinking individuals had proposed using films to earn foreign exchange, but the entire industrial chain from top to bottom had lacked the capability, and the idea was eventually dropped. Now, with *Tai Chi* making a world-shaking breakthrough, that possibility had become reality. The top leader listened intently, then asked, "You say our domestic directors' films are too slow. Is there a way to make them faster?" "I can't speak for others, but I have a way for my own films." "What ideas do you have next?" "Just what I mentioned earlier: develop two types of genre films. One aimed at making money, and one aimed at winning awards... That is, if I'm still allowed to make them," Chen Qi said, scratching his head shyly. "Is there a way to distribute them to Taiwan?" a leader who had remained silent the entire time suddenly asked. Chen Qi paused for a moment, then replied, "A pure mainland production is impossible, but according to Uncle Fu Chi, I think it can be done. "We could find directors and actors who have access to Taiwan. Once the film is completed, we erase the mainland production company's name, release it in Taiwan first, and then add our credits back on after it returns. Alternatively, we could quietly invest in a company over there and have them produce it. "However, for distribution in Taiwan, there can't be any political slogans at all, or else it won't pass censorship." "This young comrade's mind is quite nimble," the leader remarked with a smile. Liao Gong caught on as well, saying, "The logic is straightforward. It has nothing to do with domestic films; it's exclusively making films for export and foreign exchange, just like any other foreign trade merchandise." "That's the way of it..." The top leader nodded, flicked his cigarette ash, and suddenly began chatting casually with Liao Gong about everyday matters. Chen Qi lacked experience with such protocol, but Wang Yang understood instantly: the leaders had other matters to discuss in private. He promptly pulled Chen Qi along to take their leave, while the Ministry of Culture official remained behind. "'Break all molds to discover talent'—I think this lad has what it takes! Besides, at the dawn of reform, anything beneficial to the country is worth experimenting with. He's just one person, working on a small scale; even if it fails, it won't hurt anything." "I share that view," Liao Gong said. "Xiao Chen has already proven this path works, so we might as well let him try." "We hope to ease relations across the Taiwan Strait," the other leader added. "Cinema is a fine channel of communication. We can use Hong Kong and overseas film festivals as a bridge to make contact with filmmakers over there." Three high-ranking leaders discussing cinema in such depth might have seemed astonishing, but in this era, it was completely natural. In the early days of Reform and Opening-up, even Nian Guangjiu selling his Fool's Sunflower Seeds had been repeatedly mentioned by top leadership, to say nothing of something as significant as film. After a brief discussion, the top leader turned to Liao Gong. "This is a special situation with no precedent. Coordinate with the relevant departments and draft a proposal, will you?" "Understood!" With that, the meeting concluded. The Ministry of Culture official, who hadn't dared utter a peep, hurried out, clicking his tongue in quiet amazement. Special measures for special cases—the tides were truly turning! *** Chen Qi finally returned to the loyal Beijing Film Studio. He took a bath first, then collapsed into bed and fell fast asleep. The very day he returned from Berlin, he had been summoned straight to the Ministry of Culture, enduring days of meetings until he was utterly exhausted, body and soul. Meanwhile, at that very moment... The leadership at *China Youth Daily* repeatedly verified the authenticity of the figures and gave Yu Jiajia the green light to publish. With a flourish of her pen, Yu Jiajia wrote: "*Tai Chi* Triumphs in West Berlin, Conquering the Big-Nosed Foreigners: An Astounding $4.8 Million in Foreign Exchange!" Boom! She dropped a bombshell straight into the public sphere—the kind that blew everything wide open without bothering to clean up the mess. Ordinary readers merely marveled at how incredible it was, but those inside the industry went green with envy! And while Chen Qi was sound asleep, snoring away, who knew how many people were already rushing toward the capital, desperate to catch a glimpse of the man behind the miracle!