After a two-day stay in Tokyo, Aaron flew to his destination, Hong Kong. Joey Wong stayed in Tokyo for a few days before joining Aaron in Hong Kong!
This year, Hong Kong cinema truly felt the strength of Hollywood. "Jurassic Park" raked in HK$62 million in Hong Kong, breaking the HK$50 million and HK$60 million records, ranking first in Hong Kong's annual box office.
"Speed" earned HK$46 million, ranking second for the year. Only Stephen Chow's comedy "Flirting Scholar" came in third with HK$40 million. This was the first time in Hong Kong's history that a foreign film had taken the annual box office crown!
At the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Joey Wong and Aaron sat together on the sofa. "That's all. I bought six detached villas for you, ranging from 4,000 to 5,500 square feet."
"They are located in Deep Water Bay, Mid-Levels, Shek O, and Kadoorie Hill, all affluent areas. There was a house for sale near your previous villa in Repulse Bay, so I bought it for you as well."
As Joey Wong spoke, a look of envy appeared on her face. "It cost more than HK$300 million, which is US$40 million!"
Aaron smiled, lifted her chin, and kissed her. "Do you like them? Feel free to stay in them!"
"I really like the house in Vancouver. Hong Kong is mainly for filming. When I have time, I'll go to Vancouver for a long stay."
"There are too many paparazzi in Hong Kong," Joey Wong leaned on Aaron's shoulder, her tone clearly indicating that she didn't like staying in Hong Kong for long.
"But you're a big star here," Aaron certainly understood. Just like Nicole Kidman and other actors, they have to face all kinds of media reporters after becoming famous!
"You were right, the top two films in Hong Kong's annual box office rankings this year are foreign films."
"This has never happened before. Even 'Ghost' only reached third place in the year," Joey Wong said with a helpless smile.
"Hong Kong movies are indeed seriously imitating trends now, and they are becoming increasingly shoddy."
"Moreover, what's even more serious is that some film distributors in Taipei, Hong Kong's largest overseas market, jointly put pressure on Hong Kong film companies some time ago!"
Aaron smiled and kissed the woman's face. "I know about this. Anyway, the final result is that Taipei has opened up the import quotas for Hollywood movies."
Due to some reasons, Taipei had very strict quotas on imported Western films, coupled with its own weak film industry, which led to Hong Kong films dominating the market!
This year, Long Shong Movie Company, one of the Taipei film distributors, spent 30 million to buy Stephen Chow's movie "Flirting Scholar 2", but the results were not ideal.
Long Shong and other seven major Taipei film distributors jointly put pressure on Hong Kong film companies, demanding that they reduce salaries and production costs, that is, reduce the copyright fees, and set a maximum threshold.
Obviously, Hong Kong film companies, which had been enjoying dividends for many years, would definitely not allow it. In the process of the two sides arguing, Taipei film distributors exerted their strength and directly fought for the government to open up the import quota for Hollywood movies.
So, in this matter, Hollywood reaped the benefits!
"Flirting Scholar 2" was just the fuse. The main reason is that so many films in Hong Kong are being launched every year in recent years, which are too shoddy and unwilling to innovate.
In addition to the actors, even the behind-the-scenes staff, such as lighting and props, are also working on multiple films at the same time.
The busyness of Hong Kong filmmakers also indirectly caused the third hidden danger, that is, the soaring salaries of actors and others.
All of this is the root cause of Hong Kong films falling from the altar.
Joey Wong nodded. "I almost forgot, you will definitely pay attention to this kind of news."
"By the way, when is Golden Harvest planning to release 'Rumble in the Bronx'?"
"Oh, the Chinese New Year holiday, it will be released at the end of next month, which is the end of January next year!"
Joey Wong looked at the man, "When is Hollywood planning to release it?"
Joey Wong had already cooperated with Jackie Chan in "City Hunter", which achieved a box office of HK$ million, ranking fifth in Hong Kong's annual box office this year.
Now, she is even more looking forward to this action film "Rumble in the Bronx", which is co-produced with Hollywood.
"Well, August next year," Dawn Films will definitely wait for "Rumble in the Bronx" to be a hit in Asia before arranging its release in North America!
"By the way, how is the performance of another Hong Kong action superstar, Jet Li, this year?"
Aaron suddenly asked, after all, Dawn Films had previously purchased Jackie Chan's "Armour of God II: Operation Condor" and "Police Story 3: Super Cop", and also purchased two "Once Upon a Time in China" series starring Jet Li!
"Yes, Jet Li left Golden Harvest Films this year and formed his own Eastern Productions to shoot a kung fu film 'Fong Sai-yuk', which also achieved a box office of HK$30 million, ranking sixth in the year, followed by the sequel 'Fong Sai-yuk II' which also received HK$23 million;"
"Moreover, I recently heard that Taipei film distributor Long Shong Movie Company has purchased the Taipei copyrights of Jet Li's next three films, for a total of HK$36 million!"
Jet Li has other films "Last Hero in China", "Kung Fu Cult Master" released this year besides his own Eastern Productions shot two films "Fong Sai-yuk" and "Tai Chi Master".
"Eastern Productions," Aaron put his arms around the woman in his arms. He really knew about Jet Li's film company;
Next, there are also "The Bodyguard from Beijing" and "Fist of Legend"!
Joey Wong hugged Aaron and took the initiative to kiss him on the lips. "Jackie Chan's 'Crime Story', which was released this summer, won the Best Actor Award at the Taipei Golden Horse Awards;"
"It's a crime action film, aren't you interested in buying it?"
Aaron smiled and nodded. "Hollywood is only interested in some kung fu movies now, or action comedies are also okay;"
"The most important thing is that the action must be exciting, and the scenes must be thrilling and exciting!"
As for Jackie Chan winning the Best Actor Award?
Aaron, it's hard to be interested.
