At night, Kanagawa.
Fang Yan came back from a book signing in the Tokyo area and took the Shinkansen to the next stop.
After putting away the luggage, he dialed the number of President Shochiku's office. Okuyama Rong's voice soon came from the receiver.
The two exchanged polite greetings at first, and then talked about the double success of "The Ring" in terms of box office and reputation. The conversation started immediately. They couldn't wait to film the second part of "The Ring". Of course, I even hope that "Love Letter" can be handed over to Songzhu to shoot.
"Having two plays at once, President Okuyama is not afraid of getting tired?"
Fang Yan said half-jokingly.
"Don't be afraid of being tired, be afraid of being idle."
Okuyama has suffered a lot, and Shochiku has started less production this year. Together with Toei, Toho, and Nikkatsu, they have made 24 movies in total. If it weren't for the success of "The Ring", the movie might not have been as popular. Just like kabuki, symphony, opera and other businesses, there will be losses.
"After all, times have changed."
Dialect said that highly vertically integrated studio systems such as Shochiku, Nikkatsu, Toei, and Toho can no longer keep up.
Ou Shanrong sighed, and suddenly thought that Fang Yan had spent time in mainland China film circles, Hong Kong film circles, Hollywood, and other places in the United States. He was well-informed and seemed to have found a savior. He said in an urgent tone: "I don't know how much Fang Yan thinks of our Songzhu." Do you have any good suggestions for development? ”
Fang Yan said straightforwardly: "If you want me to say it, the first thing is to abandon the studio system."
Ou Shanrong was stunned, "Fang Yanjun, can you elaborate on it?"
"President Okuyama must also know that the studio system like Shochiku has failed to keep up with the times. The bankruptcy and reorganization of Daiei is a fact."
The tone of the dialect is serious, not to mention that today's Hollywood has long given up on the vertically integrated studio system and thrown away all the baggage. Directors, actors, screenwriters, etc. are all managed by agencies such as WME and CAA, and even Hong Kong Film Company It is also developing in this direction.
For example, Jiahe’s producer system, and New Art City’s production center system.
Even Shaw Brothers, which clung to the studio system and was on the verge of shutting down production and reselling, began to reform towards a producer-centered system under his influence.
"Then we have to lay off employees, which is very difficult."
Okuyama is not unaware of the shortcomings of the studio system, but the corporate culture of these Japanese film companies is very different from that of Hollywood and Hong Kong. They pursue a retainer culture. As long as employees are loyal, they can be promoted from soldiers to generals, which is outstanding. The most important thing is "loyalty! sincerity!"
"If that's the case..."
Fang Yan pondered deliberately for a while, "Presumably President Okuyama has heard of Cao Cao's 'Iron Chain', right?"
Oku Shanrong said "Hi". As an avid fan of the Three Kingdoms, how could he not know about the Battle of Chibi!
"Does Mr. Fang Yan mean that Songzhu and other clubs will be linked together and advance and retreat together?"
"It's not a matter of advancing and retreating together, it's just about complementary resources, equal sharing of risks, unified interests, and win-win cooperation."
Fang Yan said: "For example, take "Love Letter" as an example. President Okuyama never thought of using this as an opportunity to join forces with other clubs to co-produce?"
"Fang Yan said that, you must have a suitable partner in mind, right?"
When Okuyama was wondering whether it was Toei or Toho, he unexpectedly gave an unexpected answer, Kadokawa Eiika!
As expected, Kadokawa Shoten hosted the book signing event for "Love Letter" without any good intentions. The co-author wanted to get the rights to adapt "Love Letter"!
"President Okuyama, don't you think Kadokawa Pictures is Shochiku's most suitable partner right now?"
Fang Yan said with a smile.
Okuyama asked, "Why is this?"
Fang Yanyan explained briefly and concisely that Daiying in Wushe was bankrupt and reorganized, and Nikkatsu reduced production and suspended operations. Shochiku was currently too busy to take care of himself, and how could he have any spare time to help others? However, Toho and Toei were too strong, and Shochiku would gradually lose cooperation with whichever iron chain they were linked to. dominance.
But joining forces with Kadokawa Pictures is different. Shochiku can not only take the initiative, but also take advantage of Kadokawa Pictures' idol film production capabilities and the resources of best-selling novels to film to inject new vitality into Shochiku. The key is that both Kadokawa Pictures and Shochiku lack Projects that make big money.
However, Kadokawa Pictures was short of people and Shochiku was short of money.
"Mr. Fang Yan is right."
Ou Shanrong's eyes lit up, but his brows furrowed again, "But Songzhu has to abide by the Five Clubs Agreement..."
Dialect smiled and said, "The Five Clubs Agreement is no longer keeping up with the times. Doesn't President Okuyama want to establish a new rule himself?" The topic started from Kadokawa Film and Shochiku's "Iron Chain", and then talked about "joint affairs" Okuyama was more and more excited by the various novel ideas including "So". From his resistance to cooperation with Kadokawa Pictures, he gradually began to seriously consider the possibility of cooperation between the two.
The night sky is getting darker and darker, and the moonlight is getting brighter and brighter.
The next day, Fang Yan brought good news to Kadokawa Rihihiko.
After careful consideration, Okuyama Rui planned to report the cooperation between Shochiku and Kadokawa Pictures to the chairman, and then hold a meeting to discuss it seriously.
"Really!"
Kadokawa Rihihiko was extremely excited, holding Fang Yan tightly with both hands, "That's great, Fang Yan, on behalf of the Kadokawa family, thank you! Thank you!"
While the two were chatting and laughing, the store manager hurried over, and Haruki Murakami and his wife appeared at the autograph session.
Dialect was greatly surprised: "Haruki Murakami?!"
"This Murakami-kun is incredible."
Kadokawa Rihihiko introduced him. Since his official debut when his debut novel "Listen to the Wind Sings" won the Group New Humanity Award, he has been shortlisted for the Akutagawa Ryunosuke Award and the Noma Newcomer Award. Last year, he won the "World "The End and Grim Wonderland" won the Junichiro Tanizaki Award.
Check out the 16-9 book bar to see the correct version!
Fang Yan was eager to try it out, "We must meet it."
Kadokawa Rihihiko laughed loudly: "See you! We must meet! Murakami-kun must have made a special trip to the bookstore just for you."
After receiving the order, the store manager immediately invited Haruki Murakami and Yoko Takahashi from the lobby of the bookstore to a secluded rest room.
Fang Yan and Haruki Murakami both cast a scrutinizing gaze at each other, looked up and down, and shook hands to say hello.
After a polite round of business exchanges, Haruki Murakami got straight to the point, holding "Love Letter" in both hands:
"In this novel, Fang Yanjun uses poetic language to express the pursuit and regret of boys and girls for pure love..."
"Yes, just like what is written on the belt, this is a '100% romantic, aesthetic and pure love novel'."
Fang Yan took a sip of tea.
Haruki Murakami asked again: "But why do I feel that in this pure love, there is sadness, beauty, mystery, and ambiguity?"
Fang Yan clapped his hands, "That's right, Murakami-kun, you are the first person to say that there is ambiguity in "Love Letter"."
"Really?"
Haruki Murakami was surprised and asked why.
Dialect said: "This is the conclusion I drew based on my long-term observation of Japan. Japan has an 'ambiguous' culture."
As soon as these words came out, Murakami Haruki, Kadokawa Rihihiko, Takahashi Yoko and others were all curious.
Dialect said: "Let me use Natsume Tsuishi's "Memories of a Moonlit Night" as an example. A pair of male and female friends are dating. On a bright moon night, the love is strong. The man wants to say 'I love you' to the woman next to him. But such a straightforward expression will become very abrupt if the woman does not mean it. Therefore, at this time, the man will not say 'I love you' or 'I like you', but... ”
"The moonlight is so beautiful tonight."
Haruki Murakami blurted out.
Fang Yan nodded, "Then, if a woman is intentional, she will not reply 'I love you' or 'I like you', but will respond very implicitly, 'Yes, the moon is so beautiful and the wind is gentle.' At this time , If a man wants to hold a woman’s hand, she will definitely not refuse.”
Takahashi Yoko echoed: "Indeed, even now, when men and women express love verbally, they rarely use straightforward words like '爱してる' (I love you). At most, it is one level lower." "好きです" (I like you)"
.
Fang Yan smiled: "Because the way and degree of expression of 'I like you' can avoid the embarrassment of both parties. Although the two expressions actually mean the same, they are both a confession of love, but they are the same He has a very tactful communication skill. He never talks about anything, leaving room for himself and enough face for the other party. Everyone thinks about it, even when it is a secret love confession. ”
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Haruki Murakami suddenly realized, "It is precisely because of this way of thinking about dealing with people that the relationship between men and women appears to be ambiguous and vague, which is unclear, just like the male Fujii tree hiding his love for the female Fujii tree in In a sketch drawn with a library card.”
Seeing them chatting animatedly and looking like they regretted meeting each other so late, Takahashi Yoko silently poured tea for everyone.
This is the first time I’m so excited to see my “cynical” husband! (End of chapter)