Chapter 376: Everything went well with the cooperation, I owe Xu Kong a favor
For Cao Bentao, after reading Xu Kong’s script, he was so excited that he couldn’t sleep well the whole night.

For him, this film represents more than just its so-called commercial box office potential.

On the other hand, such a Hong Kong film with a strong flavor may be a possibility to revive the glory of Hong Kong’s film industry.

Although he had always attached great importance to Xu Kong’s film project.

But after reading the script, I almost felt like I had to pay special attention to it.

On the contrary, some other projects of Fengxiang Pictures can be put at the back of the priority list.

……

“Boss Cao, why did you call us here so early in the morning?”

The next day at Fengxiang Music, before Xu Kong arrived, the company’s two best actors, Ji Banghe and Shi Rui, were called over.

Ji Banghe asked with a smile.

In fact, given his current status, he can still take on two or three films a year.

But compared to the peak period when he could even finish shooting a new film in a month, he is now in a semi-retired state.

Most of the time, apart from enjoying life, the only person he can get his attention is Cao Bentao, the boss of Fengxiang Film Company.

In comparison, Shi Rui’s words actually seem more like a pure passion for making movies.

I have received quite a lot of acting jobs in recent years.

And he is the type who doesn’t care about food or meat. Either the pay is high enough to satisfy him, or someone is using the connections to make him happy.

Many of them are guest roles, and are like Easter eggs.

The reputation of many of them is not satisfactory, but Shi Rui himself enjoys it.

……

“Here’s the script. Should there be no problem with your two schedules later?”

Cao Bentao didn’t say anything nonsense. He took out two other paper scripts that he had just printed out this morning and started talking.

“That’s no problem for me, but what kind of movie can make you, Boss Cao, personally speak for it?”

Ji Banghe asked somewhat confusedly.

“I think I have two other movies to shoot later, so I can’t really take care of them…”

Shi Rui directly refused.

For the two of them, although Cao Bentao is the boss, they have known each other for so many years and they are not like the so-called boss and employees, but more like old friends.

It was indeed Cao Bentao who discovered them and made them what they are today.

It is no exaggeration to say that he is their benefactor.

After all, competition in the Hong Kong entertainment industry at that time was extremely fierce. There were all kinds of veteran superstars. Although it was difficult for newcomers to make a name for themselves, it was certainly not easy.

After Cao Bentao signed the contract, he immediately invested all kinds of resources.

The two of them also worked hard, and the box office results of various movies they starred in won the annual championship for Fengxiang Pictures several times in a row.

There is almost no shortage of awards that should be won.

It’s just a pity that those years were almost the end of the Huang Jing era of Hong Kong films.

This resulted in significant restrictions on the subsequent development of the two.

Compared to some Hong Kong superstars who debuted earlier, their peak period was not that long.

Although it cannot be said that it is out of fashion these years, its popularity is definitely not comparable to that of its peak period.

Moreover, because the entire domestic industrial center began to shift towards the inland, the two of them were more or less unable to adapt.

……

“Last time I mentioned Xu Kong’s movie, Shi Rui, are you really not going to consider it?”

Cao Bentao was not at all flustered and added a sentence.

After hearing Xu Kong’s name, Shi Rui was obviously stunned.

After hesitating for two seconds, he answered:
“Then let me take a look at the script first.”

Cao Bentao naturally would not refuse.

At the same time he said again:

“They specifically asked you two to act in the show, and this is a project that our company has invested in.”

“No matter what, I can’t refuse.”

Cao Bentao looks very strong.

But the two didn’t care too much and continued reading the script silently.

After knowing each other for so many years, we have long been accustomed to each other’s tempers.

Although Cao Bentao sometimes acted very strong, he almost never forced the two to do anything they didn’t want to do.

And because of their trust in him as their boss, both of them knew that no matter what happened, they would not be cheated.

……

After the two of them finished watching, Shi Rui spoke first: “I have postponed the next few dramas for the time being. When will they start filming?”

As for Ji Banghe, he was slightly excited at this time.

“This script is absolutely amazing!”

“Xu Kong is indeed incredibly talented.”

“We can see a bit of Lin Hong’s style and flavor in it.”

“But this script is better than the previous ones by Lin Hong!”

Lin Hong is one of the most well-known screenwriters in Hong Kong.

He is good at genre films about police and gangsters.

Almost all of the Hong Kong films that can be called classic police and gangster films were produced by the other party.

The evaluation given by Ji Banghe is not low.

……

Of course, in addition to this, Shi Rui actually asked the question that all three of them were most curious about:
“From what I know, Xu Kong is probably not from Hong Kong. This script says…”

Cao Bentao also nodded.

If Xu Kong had not given him the script himself, he would probably have thought after reading it that it was written by a well-known screenwriter in Hong Kong.

Because both the style and the taste are so familiar.

It’s the style of Hong Kong movies, but the script and story are really amazing.

“I heard him say that he grew up watching Hong Kong movies.”

“Of course, his own talent is definitely the most important thing.”

Cao Bentao spoke.

In fact, during the heyday of Hong Kong films, there was almost no rival in the mainland market.

In addition, the influence of Hong Kong films, including the entire East, is unquestionable.

But then again, there are many people who grew up watching Hong Kong films, and many of them are professional screenwriters who have been deeply influenced by them.

Xu Kong is indeed the most special one.

……

The three of them discussed until noon and had a simple lunch together.

In the afternoon, Xu Kong had already arrived.

“Boss Cao, Brother Rui, Brother Banghe…”

Xu Kong greeted very politely.

Considering their industry status and seniority, it was natural for Xu Kong to lower his posture.

However, the three of them did not put on airs.

After all, they had known each other before. Not to say they were very familiar with each other, but he had always been optimistic about Xu Kong, so of course he seemed quite enthusiastic at this time.

……

“Tell me, how did you write a script like this?”

Ji Banghe couldn’t help but ask.

“Forehead……”

For a moment, Xu Kong really didn’t know how to answer.

“After Mr. Cao came to me, I suddenly had an idea and then wrote it down like this.” Cao Bentao looked at Ji Banghe speechlessly.

This question is really meaningless.

He knew very well that for a genius, everything was done naturally and there was no such thing as difficulty.

It’s like asking Ji Bang-hwa how he plays certain roles so well.

I guess he himself can’t explain it clearly.

After all, he has never received any professional acting training, but he was able to play many complex roles to perfection as soon as he debuted.

……

Only Shi Rui is relatively reliable at this time.

All the questions were about the script and characters of “Infernal Affairs”.

In this regard, Xu Kong does have his own insights.

So I started to introduce myself to the other party in detail.

Especially about Shi Rui and Ji Banghe, who will play Liu Jianming and Chen Yongren this time, the details cannot be more detailed.

Of course, Xu Kong finally added cautiously:
“Of course, these are just my personal thoughts. If you two seniors have your own understanding after reading the script, we can communicate with each other during the filming.”

After all, it’s not you who is going to act.

Sometimes, being too rigid in the restrictions is detrimental to the actors’ performance.

Especially for actors of the movie emperor level like these two, they should be given more room to perform.

This is also what Xu Kong realized when he was filming “The Long Season”.

Some actors really need hands-on instruction from the director, including the character’s various motivations and inner thoughts. The clearer it is, the better.

If it really doesn’t work, the actors need to perform to achieve the desired effect.

These are some actors with average acting abilities.

But for those whose acting skills are no longer a concern, there is no need to be so meticulous.

Just trying to restore the scene in his mind is not necessarily the best way.

Sometimes the actors’ own performance can actually produce better results.

……

“I haven’t decided on any other roles yet, mainly because I don’t know any actors from Hong Kong…”

Xu Kong spoke.

Cao Bentao immediately understood what Xu Kong meant.

So he quickly opened his mouth and said:
“No problem. I have some suitable candidates for some of the supporting roles in the script.”

“Of course, we still have to go through the process. If Director Xu is not satisfied after the audition, you can always replace him!”

Cao Bentao still has to express his attitude.

Although he is indeed the investor of the entire movie.

But when it comes to casting, it is still just a suggestion. The final decision will definitely be made by director Xu Kong.

As the director, Xu Kong has the highest authority over the entire film.

After all, Xu Kong agreed to make this movie only after being invited.

And it almost solved the most important script problem.

Cao Bentao didn’t want to intervene and snatch the director’s power from Xu Kong.

Although such situations were very common in Hong Kong at that time.

But Cao Bentao is not that stupid.

……

Of course, what Xu Kong said just now also showed his attitude.

The decision-making power for some important supporting roles in this movie is still given to Fengxiang Pictures.

Whether Cao Bentao wants to promote the actors under his own company or has some other idea.

As long as the actors perform well, Xu Kong won’t care too much about these things.

In addition, some roles will definitely be played by actors from Fengge.

After all, although this “Infernal Affairs” was invested by Cao Bentao’s Fengxiang Pictures, Xu Kong still took half of the box office revenue as before.

In addition, what is different from the relationship between ordinary directors and investors is that this time it is a collaboration between Xu Kong and Cao Bentao, as well as Fengxiang Pictures and Fengge.

It is impossible to use actors from Hong Kong for all the roles.

Some of Fengge’s own actors still need a chance to show their faces.

But as the two male protagonists with the most scenes and the most eye-catching ones, they are really too important.

There are no suitable actors available for the role in Fengge.

Otherwise it will definitely feel awkward.

In addition, Xu Kong originally planned to shoot in Cantonese, so when selecting actors, at least this basic requirement had to be met.

……

In the following period of time, Xu Kong and Cao Bentao began to discuss the establishment of the subsequent “Infernal Affairs” project and various aspects of the filming.

Although in fact some work should not be discussed personally by the director Xu Kong and the chairman Cao Bentao.

But since we have met, and it was Cao Bentao who brought it up, we might as well finalize it as soon as possible.

The composition of the entire crew is still mainly based on Xu Kong’s original team.

But at the same time, some people still have to use people from Fengxiang Pictures.

Xu Kong didn’t have much objection to this. After all, since the filming was in Hong Kong, with more Hong Kong staff in the crew, everything would be much more convenient.

In addition, Fengxiang Pictures is one of the largest film and television companies in Hong Kong.

Moreover, in terms of filming experience, he is definitely far more experienced than his young team whose average age is no more than 30 years old.

It was also a learning experience.

When filming “Sweet Honey” before, Xu Kong noticed it because of the help from Fengxiang Pictures on various matters.

The crew here in Hong Kong is truly unique in terms of efficiency.

They have their own ways and methods to handle many details.

……

“That’s about it.”

“When does Director Xu plan to start filming?”

“As for the funds on my side, they can be in place at any time.”

Cao Bentao was quite satisfied with the results of his talks with Xu Kong.

Although he didn’t say it, he knew that even if the movie failed in the end, he still owed Xu Kong a favor.

Because of this project, Xu Kong actually chose to cooperate with them, most likely because of his previous initiative and help.

Xu Kong said that without Ji Banghe and Shi Rui, there would be no better choice of actors for the two male protagonists of the movie.

Cao Bentao would definitely not take it seriously, that would be a bit too stupid.

This is more of a polite remark.

To be honest, if Xu Kong planned to make this movie himself and Fengge invested, it would only be a little troublesome in the preparation stage.

But there is no possibility that we can’t continue filming.

In other words, even if Xu Kong invested in the filming himself and did not use Fengxiang’s money or people at all, there would be no problem.

……

“Let’s do it next week. As for some actors, we’ll make it official when they come to Hong Kong City.”

After hearing what Xu Kong said, although he knew that if the crew came early instead of starting filming directly, making so many people in the crew wait, expenses in all aspects would increase.

But he still seemed to have no opinion at all.

If possible, he even hoped that Xu Kong would stay here until the filming officially started.

The main reason is that the contract has not been finalized yet, and I always feel a little uneasy.

In his mind, this movie has become the key for Fengxiang Pictures to enter the mainland and achieve a higher position.

……

(End of this chapter)