HPDBC Chapter 321 The Standards and Philosophy of the Kitahara Group
Chapter 321 The Standards and Philosophy of the Kitahara Group
Chapter 321 The Standards and Philosophy of the Kitahara Group
The entire North American film market was completely torn apart by a sudden storm of psychological thrillers.
Without the instant data updates available online, in late 1990s Hollywood, box office statistics still relied on major theater chains sending thick reports via fax to the desks of production company executives early Monday mornings.
In the headquarters of Warner Bros. and Paramount in Los Angeles, several white executives who had previously been arrogant and prejudiced against Shin Kitahara were now looking at the fax containing the still-warm ink of the weekend box office summary, their hands trembling slightly.
Shutter Island raked in $47 million in North America over its opening weekend!
This number would be enough to celebrate for any summer blockbuster sci-fi movie. But keep in mind that *Shutter Island* is an R-rated, somber psychological thriller with no big-budget explosions!
It not only unsurprisingly topped the North American box office that week, but also significantly raised the opening weekend box office record for all suspense and thriller films in Hollywood history!
Even more terrifying than the box office figures was the overwhelming positive word-of-mouth from physical media that swept across Europe and America like a tsunami.
In an era when people still rely on newspapers and television programs for information, film review columns in major authoritative print media are the real determinants of whether a film can compete for an Oscar.
On Monday morning, several of the largest-circulation newspapers in the United States unanimously dedicated their front-page headlines to this masterpiece that had emerged from the fog.
The New York Times' chief arts critic wrote in his culture column with an almost reverential tone: "Forget all the suspense tropes you know. Shin Kitahara's *Shutter Island* constructs an inescapable labyrinth of humanity in the heart of Hollywood. The film's exploration of postwar trauma and psychological defense mechanisms is so profound that it leaves you with a chill down your spine even after you leave the theater. It's a perfect film; every shadow of the frame hides devilish details."
The Hollywood Reporter went so far as to offer a comment that would make any local director blush: "If Hitchcock defined the classical era of suspense films, then today, a young man from Asia, with a purely Western story, has officially announced the arrival of the pinnacle of modern psychological thrillers."
Time magazine's cover was replaced with a still of Nicolas Cage screaming desperately inside that eerie lighthouse, accompanied by the striking caption: "The line between madness and sanity: How Shin Kitahara reshaped our fears?"
A long line stretched for several blocks at the ticket counter outside the movie theater. Countless viewers who had seen it for the first time were eager to buy tickets to watch it a second and third time because of the shocking twist at the end, in order to find the foreshadowing that they had previously overlooked.
What truly propelled this phenomenon to its absolute climax was a public interview with the lead actor, Nicolas Cage, on the long-running, highest-rated talk show in the United States, "The Late Show with David Letterman."
That evening, the studio was packed.
Host Letterman looked at Cage sitting opposite him and asked with a smile, "Nicholas, everyone who saw the movie was stunned by your final look. I heard that during the filming of this movie, the young Asian director was very harsh on you, even pushing you to the brink of collapse? Looking back now, do you think he was a bit dictatorial?"
As is customary for Hollywood stars appearing on talk shows, they usually crack a few harmless jokes at this point, and casually make some sarcastic remarks about the director to lighten the mood.
However, Cage's smile vanished when he heard the question.
He sat up straight, looking at the camera with unusual seriousness, his tone revealing a deep-seated reverence: "David, I must correct you on one word. That wasn't dictatorship; that was absolute dominance over art."
Cage took a deep breath and, in front of tens of millions of television viewers across the United States, declared without reservation: "I've worked with many famous directors, but I must say this here today: Nobuyoshi Kitahara is the greatest director I've ever met in my life, bar none!"
The audience erupted in uproar. An Oscar-winning actor at the peak of his career had actually publicly elevated an Asian director to an unparalleled status!
Cage was completely unconcerned about the shock from the outside world. He continued, "He not only understands movies, he understands humanity. On the set of Kuroki Island, he could see into the most vulnerable part of my soul, then ruthlessly shatter it, and then help me rebuild it. Without Shin Kitahara, there would absolutely be no Teddy who amazes you all. I would pay any price for his script."
Once the interview aired, the entire European and American entertainment industry fell completely silent.
Those cynical film critics who originally wanted to make a fuss about Kitahara Shin's Asian identity have obediently shut their mouths.
The bosses of the major film studios, looking at the impeccable box office figures in their hands and Cage's declaration of submission, finally lowered their proud white heads.
Before "Shutter Island," the highest achievement of Japanese filmmakers on the international stage can be traced back to "Grand Hotel Lies," a film made by Kitahara Shin in collaboration with renowned Japanese director Itami Juzo when Kitahara Shin was just rising to fame.
Although the film won the Silver Award at the Cannes Film Festival, bringing immense honor to the Japanese film industry, in all fairness, it was still an art film with a strong Eastern flavor, catering to the aesthetics of the European art world. In the eyes of mainstream Hollywood capital and the Western public, it was merely a kind of "exotic Eastern fascination." They applauded, but deep down, there was still a condescending cultural condescension. Juzo Itami, throughout his life, never truly broke through the impenetrable walls of mainstream Western commercial films.
But today, Kitahara Shin did it! And he did it with extraordinary ferocity and thoroughness!
He didn't film anything about Bushido or anything about Eastern culture. He simply took a story that took place on American soil...
A pure Western story filled with the shadow of the Cold War and the core of Western psychoanalysis, using a cast of top white actors from Hollywood, it thoroughly rubs them in the ground within the narrative logic and industrial system that Westerners are most proud of!
With his impeccable box office performance and artistic depth that won everyone's approval, he shattered the arrogance and prejudice that the white film industry held towards Asian directors.
From that moment on, Hollywood no longer viewed Kitahara Shin as an "Asian nouveau riche who came to America to get a gilded resume." They worshipped him as a true "Godfather of Hollywood," capable of dominating the box office, turning lead into gold, and sending actors to the Oscars!
This complete dominance, from cultural core to commercial value, has firmly solidified Kitahara Nobu's "godlike" status in the global film industry.
Meanwhile, in its Asian home base across the ocean, the Kitahara Group's expansion has not slowed down in the slightest despite the phenomenal success of "Shutter Island." On the contrary, the previously planted bombshell, the healing variety show "Make Your Dream Come True," is unleashing a far-reaching and frightening influence.
This program, which focuses on "helping ordinary people realize their dreams without a script," has become the most popular show in Asia after only a few episodes, and is even regarded by countless viewers as "the only place where you can see sincerity and miracles on television."
Because Kitahara Shin's energy is limited, and he has to balance his Hollywood film projects with the operation of his business empire, he cannot personally go on stage to surprise fans every time.
Therefore, he cleverly delegated this "dream-making" task to the core artist matrix under Kitahara Productions.
In the latest episode, the selected letter of request came from a remote high school in Fukuoka Prefecture that was about to close due to insufficient enrollment. The letter was written by several senior girls from the school, who tearfully lamented that their three years of youth had been devoid of any joy, and that even their final school festival couldn't be held due to lack of funds. Their only wish was to have a proper farewell.
To fulfill this wish, this episode of "Dream Makers" mobilized the F4 team from "Boys Over Flowers," which was incredibly popular across Asia at the time!
Of course, Shin Kitahara, who played "Domyouji," was unable to leave because he was filming "Shutter Island" in Hollywood. But when the three popular male stars who played Hanazawa Rui, Nishikado, and Mimasaka, along with Kitahara Productions' top-notch stage construction team and countless supplies, appeared like divine intervention on the dilapidated high school playground, the students of the entire school were still so excited that they hugged each other and wept.
As the school festival reached its climax in the evening, the large screen on the playground suddenly lit up.
Shin Kitahara, far away in Los Angeles, appeared on the video screen wearing a stylish trench coat. Speaking in Domyouji's signature domineering tone, he said to the camera, "Heard you had regrets about your youth? I won't allow that to happen. Although I'm not in Japan, I've sent my brothers to bring you the best stage. Go dance to your hearts' content; this is Kitahara Productions' graduation gift to you!"
Upon seeing the video greeting from "Daoming Si," the girls at the scene burst into tears. Subsequently, the other three members of F4, without any airs of superior idols, personally led the rustic country girls to dance around the campfire and sang the hit song "Meteor Rain" for them, which had swept across Asia.
That night, the bonfire not only illuminated the night sky of that remote high school, but also warmed the hearts of countless viewers through the television screen.
In a later episode, Matsu Takako appeared without makeup, dressed simply, and visited a remote orphanage. She used her savings from her acting career to buy hundreds of brand-new winter clothes for the children and personally cooked curry beef for them all day long. Viewers watching Matsu Takako gently feeding a disabled child felt a kindness that could purify their souls.
Under the direction of Shin Kitahara, the program "Make Your Dreams Come True" has long transcended the scope of a variety show.
It has become an invisible, vast, and resilient emotional net. It has firmly and tightly bound the hearts of all the ordinary people who have benefited from its kindness and all the television viewers who have been moved to the massive chariot of "Kitahara Productions"!
In the days before widespread internet access, audience trust was incredibly valuable. Now, any film, television series, or artist bearing the "Kitahara Productions" label naturally carries a sacred aura of being a "good person" and "trustworthy" in the eyes of the Asian public.
This terrifying level of fan loyalty and national patriotism has made other entertainment agencies green with envy!
Nobody's a fool. In this world of fame and fortune, spending hundreds of millions of yen on newspaper headlines and various hype campaigns to maintain a celebrity's popularity is far less effective than shedding a genuine tear in "Make Your Dream Come True" and helping an ordinary person fulfill a wish!
Just appearing on this show once can instantly erase all negative news about you and gain a huge number of devoted fans willing to fight for you. This isn't just a variety show appearance; it's practically the most effective "get-out-of-jail-free card" and "fan-attracting magic weapon" in the entertainment industry!
In no time, "Making Dreams for You" became the hottest commodity in the entire Asian entertainment industry.
Countless top-tier celebrities, even veteran award-winning actors and actresses, sent their agents with lavish gifts, practically knocking down the door of the Kitahara Group headquarters. Even established giants like Johnny & Associates and Burning Production, who once held sway over the Japanese entertainment industry, had to lower themselves, begging to have their artists serve as free "dream assistants" on this program.
However, getting into Kitahara Productions is not so easy.
Shin Kitahara knew that the core of the show was "authenticity and sincerity." If he allowed those disgraced celebrities who only wanted to ride the wave of popularity and put on a show to come in, he would only ruin the hard-earned reputation.
Since he didn't have time to oversee things personally, he handed over this crucial "sword of selection" to his most trusted right-hand men: Ota, who had been officially promoted to vice president of the Kitahara Group, and Aida, the senior secretary who controlled the entire president's office intelligence network.
Chiyoda Ward Headquarters, Vice President's Office.
On the large leather sofa sat two top agents from other major talent agencies. Normally, they walked with an air of authority at the TV station, but now, facing Vice President Ota, who was sitting behind his desk, slowly sipping tea, their demeanor was unusually humble.
"Vice President Ota, this is a sincere offer from Fujiwara-kun, our agency's most popular male idol." A manager respectfully handed over a thick document, a few beads of sweat on his forehead. "He really likes your company's program. He's willing to turn down all his commercial endorsements for the next three months and ask for no appearance fees, just to participate in a dream-making project in a remote area."
Da Tian put down his teacup but didn't take the document. Instead, his eyes, honed by years of experience in the business world, gave the other person a brief, indifferent glance.
"We see Fujiwara-kun's sincerity. However, rules are rules." Ota's tone was gentle, but carried an uncompromising official firmness. "The selection of guests for 'Making Dreams for You' is not based on who has the biggest name, much less on who is willing to pay extra."
At this moment, Aida's secretary, who had been standing next to Ota, opened the black investigation folder in her hand and added in a cold voice, "According to our background investigation, Fujiwara-kun verbally abused staff at a bar late last month while intoxicated, and there are also some undisclosed disputes in his private life. If such an arrogant entertainer with hidden dangers were to appear on our show and then have his scandals exposed later, it would seriously damage the show's credibility."
Aida slammed the folder shut, his gaze sharpening as he stared at the manager: "The president's inviolable rule:"
Any external artist wishing to participate in this program must undergo a three-month background check. Any ethical blemishes, even a single instance of impatience towards fans, will result in immediate disqualification!
The agent's face turned deathly pale instantly. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but found that he didn't even have the right to bargain in front of the vast Northern Plains Empire.
"Not only that," said Vice President Ota, his hands crossed on the table, exuding an air of authority. "The list of all foreign artists who have passed the background check must be submitted to our Kitahara Productions internal committee for a secret ballot. Only those who receive more than 80% of the votes will be qualified to step into the dream-making lens."
This rigorous, almost obsessive, screening mechanism completely eliminates any hope of those seasoned veterans in the entertainment industry trying to take advantage of the situation.
Looking at the two ashen-faced managers in front of him, Da Tian felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.
Once upon a time, Kitahara Productions was just a fledgling company struggling to survive between major television stations and established giants. Now, with just one variety show casually arranged by their president, they have seized control of the entire Asian entertainment industry!
No matter how big a star you are, no matter how much capital you have behind you, before the sacred banner of "Making Dreams for You," before the rules set by Kitahara Shin, even dragons must coil up and tigers must lie low!
"Gentlemen, please leave. It's not too late to submit your application when Fujiwara-kun has truly learned how to respect ordinary people." Vice President Ota picked up his teacup and ruthlessly dismissed them.
The heavy wooden door to the vice president's office was closed again, and the two top agents who were once influential in the outside world could only slink away down the corridor.
In the spacious office area of the variety show department outside the door, several young employees who were organizing documents witnessed this scene and couldn't help but huddle together and whisper among themselves.
"That guy who just walked by—wasn't he Fujiwara's personal manager? He's a top star you see on TV every day these days." A young planner who had been with the company for less than six months pushed up his glasses, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of regret and confusion, "When I went to get some water just now, I vaguely heard that they didn't even want the appearance fee and were willing to appear on the show for free, but they were kicked out by Vice President Ota and Secretary Aida."
The young planner scratched his head and continued muttering, "While I know the program's purpose is important, aren't these selection criteria a bit too harsh? Fujiwara has millions of die-hard fans—that's free viewership! Is it really okay for us to keep turning away those big stars with massive fan bases? It feels like such a waste of resources—"
Upon hearing these words, which were tinged with naivety and worldly calculation, a senior director sitting at the next workstation stopped editing the footage he was working on.
This director was a veteran who had worked with Kitahara Shin since the days of "Tokyo Love Story." He turned around, picked up the file folder in his hand, and unceremoniously tapped the young planner on the head.
"Ouch! Why did you hit me, senior?" The newcomer covered his head and blinked aggrievedly.
"I'm hitting you to wake you up! You haven't pulled your brain out of the quagmire of traditional TV stations' 'traffic-first' mentality." The old director looked at him, his tone very serious, but his eyes revealed an absolute pride belonging to the core employees of the Kitahara Group.
"Do you think Kitahara Productions is one of those third-rate amateur production teams that fawn over popular celebrities just to rake in more commissions?" The veteran director pointed to the huge poster for "Making Dreams for You" hanging on the wall, his voice emphatically resonant. "What are those millions of fans? They're utterly insignificant compared to the empire our president has built! Why are Vice President Ota and Secretary Aida so impartial? Because they know better than anyone what our truly priceless trump card is!"
The young staff members around him were all intimidated by the old director's imposing presence, and they all stopped what they were doing and listened intently.
"In this industry, traffic is on one person today and on another tomorrow; it's the cheapest thing." The veteran director said earnestly, scanning the group of younger colleagues. "But credibility, reputation, and the absolute trust that people all over Asia have in the name 'Kitahara,' once those collapse, you can't buy them back even with 10 billion or 100 billion!"
He walked up to the newcomer, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "The president is currently expanding the company's territory in Hollywood, entrusting us with the management of 'Making Dreams for You,' a nationally popular program. This is entrusting the entire group's foundation of public support in Asia. If you, for the sake of some free publicity, bring in a disgraced artist with a chaotic private life and poor character, and then they later have a scandal, the audience will think that Kitahara Productions is just putting on a show, whitewashing trash. That trust built on sincerity will crumble instantly!"
The veteran director's gaze sharpened, his voice echoing in the quiet office area: "If things get to that point, the entire conglomerate's reputation will be damaged. Can you bear that responsibility?"
The young planner stood there, stunned, cold sweat instantly streaming down his back. He then realized how short-sighted and dangerous his previous thought had been.
"You all need to remember this well." The old director looked towards the vice president's office, his eyes revealing an almost fanatical loyalty. "It's never those big stars who come to give us popularity and traffic; it's us, Kitahara Productions, who are giving them the opportunity to cleanse their souls and reach the pinnacle! If you want to be on the president's show, you have to come clean and with reverence for ordinary people!"
"This is the true barrier that has allowed our Kitahara Group to get to where it is today, the barrier that instills fear in all our competitors. What we, the people working below, are supposed to do is not to cater to the bad habits of the entertainment industry, but to be like martyrs, guarding this gate for the president with our lives, and never letting a single bad apple tarnish our company's reputation!"
These resounding words were like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through the fog in the minds of all the young employees.
A brief silence fell over the office area. Then, the newcomer who had just been asking questions suddenly became bright and determined. He nodded vigorously and straightened his back.
Other employees also returned to their workstations, and the sounds of keyboards clicking and phones ringing out again, but the aura emanating from each person had undergone a qualitative transformation.
They finally understood what a magnificent empire they were in. Here, from the strategist vice president and senior secretary to every ordinary editor and planner, everyone was working together to uphold the same man's ideals, unleashing a chilling cohesion and drive.