Chapter 0215: Beating Around the Bush

"Planner Zhao, could I have a word in private?" Because Zhou Feifei's scenes were being shot first, Andy Lau happened to be free at the moment. He came over to Zhao Fusheng and spoke in a low voice.

Wang Jinghua was in charge of matters here, so Andy Lau's assistant had also changed. Yue Yiling was handling his work in Hong Kong and hadn't come this time.

"Brother Hua, something on your mind?"

Zhao Fusheng wore a warm smile, as if he had no idea what Andy Lau wanted to discuss. In truth, he knew perfectly well why Andy Lau wanted to talk to him alone.

Those who have never struggled have no right to look down on those who are striving. Just because you've become numb and indifferent doesn't mean you can mock those who feel deeply.

So Zhao Fusheng had great respect for someone as hardworking as Andy Lau.

"This script of yours is quite interesting..." Andy Lau didn't beat around the bush either, directly stating his purpose: "I'm very interested. I wonder if Planner Zhao could discuss this script with me."

"Oh?" Zhao Fusheng blinked: "Brother Hua, you mean..."

"I think you definitely haven't finished it, right?" As he spoke, Andy Lau stared at Zhao Fusheng's face seriously.

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "Brother Hua, you're joking. I just wrote it casually."

Andy Lau shook his head: "I've read many scripts. To be honest, this one of yours is very interesting. It's a bit like 'The Face', but even more compelling..."

"Film isn't learned from films; it's about your views on life, people, history, even the future of humanity. The language of cinema is basic; the key is what you have to express. The craft lies beyond the poem—everyone must walk their own path." Zhao Fusheng suddenly said something cryptic, which made Andy Lau's expression shift slightly.

He was a man with ideas. A decade earlier, Andy Lau had founded Teamwork Motion Pictures to pursue his own development. Though he mostly produced art films, he was quite ambitious. But aside from the box office success of his debut 'The Sting', all subsequent investments had lost money. After the disastrous 'A Moment of Romance III', Andy Lau had accumulated losses of about 30 million Hong Kong dollars, forcing him to pawn Teamwork to distributor Cai Songlin and receive financial support from the Xiang couple of China Star. Later, Andy Lau donated leftover film stock to director Fruit Chan for 'Made in Hong Kong'. The film's good reputation gave Andy Lau confidence to invest in films again, but this year, Teamwork's 'Give Them a Chance' flopped again. Tensions with investors led to a lawsuit, and he was forced out.

In Hong Kong, some even joked that 'Andy Lau Presents' could be called 'Andy Loses Money', and he himself quipped: 'Get used to losing money, and you won't worry anymore.'

"Planner Zhao, you..." Staring at Zhao Fusheng, after a long pause, Andy Lau finally spoke slowly: "Have you investigated me?"

Zhao Fusheng shook his head: "Although the internet on the mainland isn't very developed, some information can still be found. Brother Hua, you've lost a lot of money making films over the years, even having to act in films yourself to fill the hole at Teamwork. That's hardly news, is it?"

Andy Lau smiled bitterly. The truth was exactly as Zhao Fusheng said. His Teamwork Motion Pictures was a bottomless pit. Over the years, he had poured money and effort into it, and as Zhao Fusheng said, it had become a laughingstock in Hong Kong's entertainment industry.

"You know, after my last film was released, the critics tore me to shreds." Andy Lau sighed and said to Zhao Fusheng: "Greed is endless, but we must mind our manners. For this job, we should have at least a certain taste and contemporary aesthetic, striving for accurate expression. Don't make the audience feel ashamed in the dark cinema because of our carelessness, ignorance, or even foolishness."

"Wow, that's harsh!" Even Zhao Fusheng was impressed. Regardless of the intent behind those words, if they were aimed at Andy Lau, it showed the speaker's skill at criticism was unparalleled. After all, those words were essentially accusing Andy Lau of chasing box office and treating the audience like fools.

"To be fair, there have been a few too many bad films in recent years." Andy Lau seemed fond of sighing. He wasn't angered by Zhao Fusheng's teasing. Glancing at Zhou Feifei, who was changing clothes nearby, he smiled bitterly: "So I really envy Miss Zhou. At least she can choose what to film and what not to. Unlike me, sometimes I have no choice."

Zhao Fusheng said nothing. He roughly understood what Andy Lau meant. After all, he had heard many stories in his past life. The entertainment industry in Hong Kong during this period was far darker than on the mainland.

Not only had Andy Lau been forced to act in films at gunpoint, but there were also incidents like a female star being kidnapped, a popular female singer being slapped, and the slapper being beaten to death on the street the next day. This showed what Hong Kong's entertainment industry was really like.

Even now, after the handover, the industry had calmed down, but certain unspoken rules still existed.

"Brother Hua, have you ever thought about shifting your focus to the mainland?" Zhao Fusheng considered and said to Andy Lau.

Andy Lau was startled and looked at Zhao Fusheng strangely: "Planner Zhao, what do you mean?"

Zhao Fusheng shrugged and said meaningfully: "Rules exist everywhere, but the question is, some people operate within the rules, while others are used to operating outside them. What do you think?"

He truly meant well for Andy Lau. Although the mainland's entertainment industry environment was relatively average at the time, at least the market was there, and Andy Lau had strong earning power. If Zhao Fusheng remembered correctly, after the millennium, Andy Lau did shift his focus to the mainland.

Bringing it up now was just going with the flow.

Andy Lau remained silent for a long time, as if pondering Zhao Fusheng's words or weighing the pros and cons.

Zhao Fusheng understood that for an artist of his level, decisions weren't made lightly. His roots were in Hong Kong, and if something went wrong on the mainland, he might end up with nothing.

"Planner Zhao, you really know how to change the subject." After a long while, Andy Lau looked up and smiled wryly at Zhao Fusheng: "I came to talk about the script, but you've led me astray."

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily, looking at Andy Lau meaningfully: "Brother Hua, I'm not joking."