One significant reason for the predicament of Hong Kong cinema is the small market size. After all, Hong Kong only has a population of 6 million, which is not enough to support its thriving entertainment industry.
Obstructed exports are a fatal blow to the Hong Kong film industry, which produces 200 films annually!
In the first half of this year alone, Joey Wang had already starred in five movies, including 'Butterfly and Sword', 'City Hunter', 'Swordsman II', 'The Eagle Shooting Heroes: The East is Red', and 'All Men Are Brothers: Water Margin'.
If she hadn't gone to Hollywood to film 'Rumble in the Bronx' in the second half of the year, she would have had other projects lined up. This is the busy life of Hong Kong stars these days.
Early in the morning, in a hotel bedroom, Aaron lay on top of Joey Wang. "Has that Hong Kong tycoon stopped bothering you?"
Joey Wang smiled, scratching the man's back a few times. "He's gone. Just ignore him and it's fine."
"Besides, whether I film or not isn't that important to me now!"
After 'Rumble in the Bronx' wrapped up, Joey Wang followed Aaron's advice and invested in some real estate in Hong Kong.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have returned from the United States without accepting a single script!
"If there's a script I like, I can still film it, but there's no need to shoot so many movies in a year."
Aaron caressed the woman's body. "But I think Hong Kong cinema will decline from now on!"
It depends on whether the mainland Chinese market can develop. Otherwise, the future for Hong Kong films will only get smaller and smaller.
In the current situation, it's difficult for Hong Kong films to compete with Hollywood's special effects blockbusters and action films.
"Yes, it's already started. This year's market is much worse than last year's," Joey Wang, being in the film industry, naturally knew this.
Aaron smiled and rolled off her. "It can still last for a while. After all, Hong Kong cinema has a strong foundation!"
"Aren't you getting up? It's getting late," Joey Wang nestled into Aaron's arms, affectionately kissing him on the face.
"Are you hungry?" Aaron scooped the woman into his arms!
Compared to Tokyo, Hong Kong's climate is much warmer.
Raymond Chow, of Golden Harvest Films, made a special visit after learning that Aaron was in Hong Kong.
They discussed John Woo's film 'Hard Target', released this year. This action film by a Chinese director was a commercial success.
Universal invested nearly $20 million in John Woo's 'Hard Target', which earned $32 million in North America and $74 million worldwide!
"Commercially, it's indeed not bad. John Woo has taken the first step in Hollywood," Raymond Chow smiled.
Aaron nodded. "This is John Woo's first work in Hollywood, and it showcases his style of violent aesthetics very well."
"Jean-Claude Van Damme's fight scenes are also quite appealing!"
Perhaps, this is because it was John Woo's first time directing a Hollywood film, and he was working with Hollywood action star Jean-Claude Van Damme, so he didn't have much power on set.
Jean-Claude Van Damme's assertiveness made John Woo's control over 'Hard Target' quite weak!
"When 'Rumble in the Bronx' is released in North America, is Dawn Films confident?"
Raymond Chow was most concerned about 'Rumble in the Bronx', which Golden Harvest co-produced with Dawn Films. He very much hoped that Jackie Chan could make a breakthrough in Hollywood.
Aaron smiled. "Don't worry, 'Rumble in the Bronx' is well-made. With Jackie Chan's popularity in Asia, there won't be a problem."
"When it's released in North America next year, we will distribute it as a commercial film and provide the necessary publicity and promotion!"
Hearing this, Raymond Chow finally put his worries to rest. After all, the release scale of Chinese-language films in North America is generally not very large, mainly concentrated in Chinese community theaters.
"Then, I wish 'Rumble in the Bronx' a box office success!"
Raymond Chow smiled, raised his glass, and clinked it with Aaron's.
While Aaron was spending Christmas in Hong Kong, in Hollywood, the child molestation accusations against Michael Jackson were escalating!
After Jordan Chandler officially filed the charges starting in the fall, the Los Angeles Police Department began a criminal investigation into Michael Jackson's child abuse case, including a search of Neverland Ranch.
Jordan Chandler's father, Evan Chandler, demanded $20 million from Michael Jackson to settle the matter privately, but they did not reach an agreement.
After searching Michael Jackson's residence, the Los Angeles Police Department did not obtain any valuable clues. The police even conducted a nude search of Michael Jackson, but still found nothing.
However, one of Jackson's family members, his runaway second sister, suddenly issued a statement claiming that her brother Michael Jackson was a pedophile, and made many attacking remarks against Michael Jackson in the statement.
Suffering both physical and psychological trauma, Michael Jackson directly canceled the Australian and American tours of his Dangerous World Tour!
On the evening before Christmas, Michael Jackson held a personal statement press conference via satellite television live from his Neverland Ranch: "As you already know, after my tour ended, I spent a long time abroad to treat the side effects caused by my dependence on painkillers."
"Recently, there have been many nasty statements alleging my so-called misconduct, all of which are completely false."
"I have to say, because of these maddening things, those terrible media hype, I am tormented and distraught. The media always seizes every opportunity to hype this accusation to achieve their goals."
"I have been forced to undergo a completely inhumane and humiliating examination, which can be said to be the most humiliating and fearful thing I have ever encountered in my life. But I endured this examination because I can use it to prove my innocence. I am completely innocent!"
Although many people supported Michael Jackson's innocence, such as Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley's daughter who fell in love with him, former Hollywood superstar Elizabeth Taylor, and famous British singer Elton John.
At this time, Michael Jackson's physical and mental condition was already very poor!
