Chapter 313 – Won Over by Him
Because China had accelerated its financial monetization reforms and the opening of its capital markets since the previous year, rapid currency expansion and soaring fixed-asset investment had pushed the economy into overheating.
The result was worsening inflation, skyrocketing prices, and growing risks of an economic bubble.
Not only had the financial markets become unstable, but investor confidence had also taken a major hit.
Inside the living room of a suite at the Beijing Hilton, Aaron sat on the sofa flipping through a newspaper in his hands.
"China's CPI actually surpassed twenty percent this year," he remarked with surprise.
"That's severe inflation."
Beside him, Joey Wong sighed helplessly.
"Prices have been rising nonstop since last year."
"It's honestly a little frightening."
Aaron stood up and walked toward the window, gazing out over the sprawling city of Beijing, lost in thought.
Ever since the Reform and Opening-Up era began, China's economic growth had been undeniably impressive.
Foreign capital was pouring in rapidly.
After all, this was a colossal market with a population of 1.2 billion people.
If it truly developed, its scale would be unimaginable.
"Oh right," Aaron suddenly asked, "weren't the Chinese-language films To Live and In the Heat of the Sun both critically acclaimed at the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice International Film Festival this year?"
"To Live won the Jury Grand Prize and Best Actor."
"And Jiang Wen's directorial debut, In the Heat of the Sun, also earned a Best Actor award."
Joey shook her head.
"A lot of films can't be publicly released here."
"They need approval from the Film Bureau first."
This year hadn't just been a great year for Hollywood films.
A number of outstanding Chinese-language movies had emerged as well.
Aaron smiled faintly and shook his head.
"I know Director Zhang Yimou's films pretty well."
"They seem to be banned here more often than not."
There was no helping it.
If filmmakers wanted to win awards overseas, they often ended up making these kinds of films—works tailored to satisfy the West's distorted fascination with poverty and suffering.
For many overseas Chinese and ethnic Chinese audiences, movies like Zhang Yimou's had made them deeply uncomfortable, since foreigners often learned about China primarily through films and news reports.
Suddenly, Joey remembered something.
"Director Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman this year was really good too."
"I heard he's currently filming Dawnlight's adaptation of Sense and Sensibility."
Since Ang Lee was also from Taipei, Joey naturally paid closer attention to his work.
Aaron nodded.
"That's right."
"It's a new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen."
"It'll release next year."
He set down the newspaper and smiled.
"Come on."
"Let's go check out your video store in Beijing."
This trip to Beijing was mainly for Aaron to inspect China's growing VCD market.
At the moment, video parlors were still the country's primary form of entertainment.
Most ordinary families were far too poor to afford VCRs and videotapes.
But Aaron believed it wouldn't be long before VCDs completely replaced videotapes.
China's first imported revenue-sharing blockbuster, The Fugitive, had grossed eleven million RMB during its first week of release across six cities alone.
Following that success, Hong Kong films like Rumble in the Bronx and Hollywood productions such as True Lies and Speed were also approved as part of next year's ten imported revenue-sharing films for mainland China.
By late November, Joey returned to Taipei to attend the Golden Horse Awards.
Aaron, meanwhile, headed back to America.
Los Angeles.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Aaron sat with director Roland Emmerich discussing the sci-fi blockbuster Independence Day.
At the end of last month, Stargate—directed by Roland Emmerich, produced by Carolco Pictures, and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer—had hit theaters and already grossed fifty million dollars within just three weeks.
Although critics had mixed opinions about Stargate, overall it was considered a thoroughly entertaining sci-fi adventure film, and commercially, it was undeniably a success.
The core theme of Independence Day was simple and powerful:
Faced with an alien invasion, Americans would rise to defend humanity's dignity and freedom, leading mankind toward victory against the invaders.
"The film is going to rely heavily on visual effects," Roland Emmerich explained enthusiastically.
"There'll be a lot of massive-scale explosions and spectacular destruction scenes—real sensory shock."
His obsession with large-scale visual spectacle was unmistakable.
"If we rely entirely on CGI, the impact might not feel intense enough," he continued.
"So I'm planning to build miniature city models—Washington, New York, Los Angeles…"
"Then we'll ignite explosive fireballs beneath the miniatures and capture everything using high-speed cameras."
Aaron smiled.
"If computer effects can't fully satisfy you, then miniatures are a great alternative."
"We'll target an Independence Day release for the year after next."
Roland Emmerich nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Legends of the Fall—adapted from the novel by Jim Harrison and directed by Edward Zwick—held its premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
The film starred Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and Kate Beckinsale.
However, the movie's official wide release was scheduled for the following month.
After the Los Angeles premiere, the cast would also travel to London and New York for additional premiere events.
Once Aaron finished meeting Roland Emmerich at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, he headed over to the afterparty for Legends of the Fall at the Le Montrose Hotel.
"Edward," Aaron said with a smile, "I heard you picked up a film project based on the Gulf War?"
Aaron had worked with Edward Zwick years earlier on the smash-hit romance Ghost, and now they were collaborating again on Legends of the Fall. Their relationship was naturally quite close.
Edward Zwick chuckled.
"Yeah, it's a 20th Century Fox project."
"A suspense drama set against the backdrop of the Gulf War."
"You know, I've directed too many romance films already."
"I wanted to try something different for a change."
"As for the female lead, I've already spoken with Nicole Kidman, and she's interested in the role."
Edward Zwick's new project was titled Courage Under Fire, the first major Hollywood movie centered on the Gulf War.
The story followed a female soldier who dies during the war, while the male protagonist later investigates the truth behind the incident after returning home, ultimately fighting to restore the fallen officer's honor.
Aaron nodded before soon running into other members of the Legends of the Fall cast, including Brad Pitt and his girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow.
"Your performance in Se7en was something special," Aaron remarked as he clinked glasses with them.
Earlier that year, Brad Pitt's Interview with the Vampire had already earned both strong reviews and impressive box office numbers.
Now, Legends of the Fall was receiving glowing reactions from preview screenings, and Se7en hardly needed further praise.
Brad Pitt smiled.
"Director David Fincher impressed me even more."
"I honestly feel like I was completely won over by him."
Aaron laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
"There'll definitely be more chances for you two to work together in the future…"
(End of Chapter)