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Chapter 23 Policy

When Chinese people eat, the seating order is a big priority. After giving in, Wu Zhaodi became the leader, and then Liao Yiyuan and Chen Jingbo sat on the seat next time, Fu Qi and Xia Meng sat on the seat, Chen Chong and Wei Baoguogong accompanied the last seat.

After sitting down, before the dishes were served, Chen Chong immediately asked impatiently: "Director Wu, I heard that the Ministry of Culture is studying the film censorship system. Is it true?"

Wu Zhaodi has already bald, has a thin face and looks a little old, and looks older than Liao Yiyuan, but he is very energetic. He nodded slightly and said, "I am indeed studying this topic recently." (Note 1)

"I don't know how the bureau plans to review it?" Chen Chong asked quickly: "What kind of process is it? What are the review contents?"

"A Chong." Fu Qi smiled and said with a smile: "Your film company is in Hong Kong, and it is also the matter of the Electricity Inspection Department. What do you care about the review of the Film Bureau?"

"Uncle Fu, you can't say that." Chen Chong knew that he was too anxious to ask, so he coughed lightly, eased the atmosphere, and said with a smile: "Hong Kong was forced to rent from the Qing government by British colonists. The 99-year lease expires in 1997, which is only more than ten years away. You will definitely return to the motherland. In 1997, you all retired, go to raise flowers, play with grass, play with grandchildren, and enjoy your old age. I am less than 40 years old, and it is a good age to make great achievements. You said, can I not ask clearly?"

"This young comrade said it well. Hong Kong will return to China sooner or later." Wu Zhaodi praised it with great enthusiasm, and then said: "But I can't answer any of the questions you asked, and I haven't even made a draft yet."

"Then there is a reference, right?" Chen Chong didn't give up and continued to ask: "For example, which department is responsible for the review, how to review, what contents are reviewed, etc."

"Of course there are references." Wu Zhaoti said: "It is mainly to refer to the old review method in 1950, and then readjust according to the current actual situation. Xiao Wei and his institute is responsible for this. I don't know very well. If you want to know, ask him."

Wei Baoguo was named by the leader, and his face was blushed with excitement. He smiled awkwardly and said what he knew: "The draft has not been finalized yet, but the general framework has been decided. According to the central government's guidelines on emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, and then comprehensively combining the opinions of the studio, the preliminary plan is that the film scripts will be reviewed by the studio itself and submitted to the relevant provincial, municipal, autonomous region authorities and the Film Bureau for filing. After the filming is completed, it will be submitted to the Film Bureau for review. As long as there is no serious error, it can be released." (Note 2)

When Chen Chong heard this, he pondered for a moment, and couldn't help but feel relieved and breathed a sigh of relief.

Later generations talked about film censorship, and everyone was terrified of the tiger. Shen Chong thought that in the relatively conservative 1979, the censorship would be more stringent, but he did not expect it to be so relaxed.

The script only requires filing and no active review. In this way, if you want to produce any movie, you will basically let the major studios choose freely. No wonder the 1980s was called the "golden age of Chinese films". Many movies that were watched in the 21st century were quite strange, and they could be produced and screened unimpeded.

"It's good that this will make it easier to expand the autonomy of studios, and help improve their productivity." Wu Zhaodi said: "In the past, according to the 50-year review method, it was really too cumbersome. A movie, story theme and outline, script, sample, and films must be reviewed. Moreover, the studio must be reviewed once, each province, city and autonomous region must be reviewed once, and the film bureau must be reviewed once. The efficiency is too low to meet the viewing needs of the general public." (Note 3)

"Director Wu said." Wei Baoguo praised his compliment, saying, "Director Chen also means that."

"By the way, Brother Wei, you said no serious mistakes were made." Chen Chong asked again, "What is the error?"

"It is mainly based on the six political standards for Chairman Mao to determine flowers and poisonous weeds." Wei Baoguo said: "As long as the six standards are not violated, it is not a big mistake." (Note 4)

I'm so shocked...

Chen Chong complained secretly, and truly put a big stone in his heart.

The six political standards for flowers and poisonous weeds are very general, but overall, they are relatively loose. As long as there is no brain cramp or particularly serious political mistakes, movies of all kinds can basically pass the censorship.

"Which department of the Film Bureau is responsible for the review?"

"This is not confirmed yet." Wei Baoguo said: "It mainly depends on how the leaders arrange it."

Drinks and dishes were delivered one after another. The Tan family dishes at the Beijing Hotel were famous all over the world and had a good taste. After Chen Chong put aside his worries, he used the methods of persuading alcohol that he had learned in his previous life. He flattered the atmosphere very lively and aroused the interest of several old seniors. They recalled the past, talked a lot, and told many secrets of the past in the Chinese film industry, which made Chen Chong feel very happy.

"By the way, Ah Chong." After drinking a glass of wine with Shen Chong, Fu Qi said: "I'll bring your stuff for you and come to my room to get it tonight."

"Thank you, Uncle Fu." Chen Chong thanked and said, "Uncle Fu, you live in the Film Bureau Guesthouse? Give me a room number and I'll get it tomorrow."

"Why, you won't go back tonight?"

"No, I have been staying in a Beijing hotel and haven't stayed in a guesthouse."

"You nouveau riche!" Fu Qi pointed at him, shook his head and sighed, "I can't stay in the free guesthouse of the Film Bureau. I come to stay in the Beijing hotel at my own expense. It's really a lot of money."

"Uncle Fu, you have the intention to stay here for a few days, and I will pay the house." Chen Chong got along with him, laughed and said with a smile, "I'm my thank you."

"It's free." Fu Qi waved his hand and said, "I'd better live in a guesthouse. I have many friends and I'm not lonely."

"Manager Fu." Wu Zhaoti asked curiously, "Xiao Shen Tuo, what have you brought from Hong Kong?"

"It's a copy of a movie."

"What movie?"

"A few days ago, I visited the Beijing Film Academy. Dean Lu Menglu said that the institute lacked teaching materials, so he asked me to find some copies of Hong Kong movies to provide teaching references for the students of the Film Academy." Chen Chong put down the spoon and explained: "It happened that I had a good quality film on my hand, so I asked Uncle Fu to bring it over." (Note 5)

"So that's how it is." Wu Zhaodi nodded and praised, saying, "Xiao Shen, you are enthusiastic about the film industry, which is very good. We are old. In the future, it depends on you young people."

"I will work hard." Chen Chong quickly made a promise, then pointed to a golden dish that had just been served and said attentively: "Come on, everyone try this dish. This is the most famous braised shark fin in Tanjia cuisine. It is made of a whole Luzon yellow. It is rich and soft, with a thick and not greasy taste. It is the best among shark fins."

"Oh? Luzon yellow is the best among shark fins, and it is rare to see it."

"Come on, Xia Meng, you can try it too."

"Director Wu, please..."

After tasting it, several people were all amazed.

After eating shark fin, Xia Meng, who had not spoken much, said, "Director Wu, Comrade Wei, I want to consult something."

"Miss Xia, please tell me."

"That's right." Xia Meng is from Suzhou. Wu Nong's soft and soft words are already soft and beautiful. She spoke gently, as if she was gently caressing her heart. "At the beginning of this year, thanks to Mr. Liao, he hoped that I could return to China and continue to engage in film career. I am already old and afraid I can't make a movie anymore, so I plan to start a company in Hong Kong to attract overseas funds, return to the mainland to shoot, and do my part for the film career of my motherland." (Note 6)

"Sister Xia Meng is too modest." Chen Chong joked, relying on his younger age and low generation, "Sister Xia Meng, as long as you say you want to film, Hong Kong film companies can squeeze out their heads."

Xia Meng smiled, and Wei Baoguo's chopsticks fell off...

"I heard that in August, a Chinese cooperative production company was established in the mainland. Anyone who wants to come to the mainland to shoot movies overseas needs to contact them first and then make arrangements in a unified manner." Xia Meng seemed to have not seen Wei Baoguo's rudeness at all, and asked gracefully: "Director Wu, Comrade Wei, is that like this?"

Seeing Wei Baoguo's face turned red and busy, Chen Chong probably didn't listen to what Xia Meng was saying, so he used the pretext of pouring wine, bowed his head and recounted the question - this question, which he also paid great attention to.

"It's indeed... like this." After Chen Chong's comfort, Wei Baoguo finally recovered. He stuttered: "But the three companies, Great Wall, Phoenix and Xinlian, go to the mainland to make movies, don't... you don't have to contact the Hong Kong and Macao offices and relevant regions and units through China's cooperative production companies." (Note 7)

"Can only Changfeng Xin be able to contact the relevant units directly, which is a very convenient condition. Chen Chong immediately asked: "For example, the company that Sister Xia Meng plans to establish can only be arranged by the Chinese cooperative production company to come to the mainland for filming?"

"This problem remains to be studied." Wei Baoguo lowered his head and said, "Because there are no other companies that have applied to come to the mainland for filming, and there is no precedent, so we can't say it."

"Little Wei." Liao Yiyuan said, "Xia Meng is the pillar of our Changfengxin. Her political qualities are absolutely excellent. The company she opened was also specially approved by Liao Gong. Like our Changfengxin, it is a propaganda window for the country in Hong Kong. You can study it carefully and give it a convenience. If you go to Beijing every time you shoot a movie, it will take time and trouble, and it will not be good for the development of the new company."

"Sure, certain." Wei Baoguo quickly assured and said, "I will report this matter to our director tomorrow."

"That's good."

"Brother Wei, a Hong Kong company other than Changfengxin, is there any restrictions on filming in the mainland?"

"There are certain conditions." Wei Baoguo secretly glanced at Xia Meng and said, "But as long as the general direction is correct, the mainland will welcome it."

"What is the general direction?"

"Any script that respects the Chinese Constitution, respects Chinese history and national customs, and does not violate the current major policies of the Chinese government, is conducive to enhancing understanding and friendship among peoples of all countries, has a positive theme and a healthy subject content, can be accepted." Wei Baoguo finished speaking in one breath, then smiled and said with a little pride: "I wrote this paragraph, so I am very familiar with it." (Note 8)

———————————————————

Note 1: Wu Zhaodi, born in 1920, Liao Yiyuan, born in 1920, Chen Jingbo, born in 1921, Fu Qi, born in 1929, Xia Meng, born in 1933.

Note 2: "Film Scripts and Film Review Trial Measures" released in December 1979.

Note 3: In 1950, the "Measures for Review of Scripts and Films in All Factory of the Central Film Bureau" was gradually resumed after the Cultural Revolution.

Note 4: Six standards, see "On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People", which are the main criteria for the "Movie Review Group" to review movies after the Cultural Revolution.

Note 5: Lu Meng, from 1978 to 1982, served as the dean of the Beijing Film Academy.

Note 6: On January 30, 1979, Liao Chengzhi met and hosted a banquet for Xia Meng and his wife.

Note 7: This is the provision in the "Regulations on the Management of Imported Films" promulgated in 1981. Xia Meng's Bluebird Film Company enjoys the same treatment as Changfeng New Company.
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