The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 755 - 565: Sydney Film Festival

Due to Arthur’s strategy of low-key development, Australasia kept a low profile in the first month of 1922, and even the National Day activities did not have much news coverage.

However, this is normal, as a plain National Day in an uneventful year does not require any military parades.

For Arthur, the most important task right now is to complete the construction of the three R108 battleships as soon as possible, and establish Australasia’s possession of super battleships as a fact before the signing of the naval limitation treaty.

What is the best way to develop, after all?

Put simply, development requires a relatively stable environment. How to create such a stable environment? The best way is to destabilize one’s opponents.

Instead of waiting for opportunities, it’s better to create your own.

Given the current situation, the British are definitely supportive of Australasia’s development because they need a country to confront the United States in the Pacific, especially under the premise of an alliance between the US and the island nation.

France has already sold its Pacific islands to Australasia and is currently focusing on its mainland and Africa, so naturally, it won’t meddle in other affairs.

That leaves Australasia’s only two competitors as the northern island nation and the eastern United States.

This is also the reason the Philippine War cannot end—because the United States needs something to attract its attention, and the Philippines is currently the best choice.

If they distract the Americans, the island nation will not pose a threat to Australasia.

If the island nation’s proud navy cannot breach Australasia’s defense lines, their army will also not pose any threat to Australasia.

Moreover, Australasia’s current position is not something the island nation can challenge alone.

The close relationship between Australasia and the United Kingdom far outweighs the loose alliance between the United States and the island nation established on the basis of mutual interest.

Especially after Arthur stepped forward to support the United Kingdom, the British Royal Family and the British people are grateful to Arthur, and naturally, they will return the favor.

Even if they have some borrowed power, as long as current Australasia does not provoke any country, it naturally has no reason to fear the covetousness of any country.

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The first step of development is naturally to promote economic development.

Australasia’s economic scale is still far behind that of top-tier powers, yet there are many ways to promote economic development.

One important and meaningful method is to develop entertainment, including movies and broadcasts.

Australasia’s current film industry needs no further explanation—saying it’s a hundred flowers in full bloom would not be an exaggeration.

Aside from the official three major film factories, a variety of private film factories of all sizes add richness and complexity to Australasia’s film industry.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Propaganda, a total of 165 films were shot in Australasia in 1921, 145 of which passed the review.

These films will be shown during National Day and various holidays, with most adopting a chargeable format, except for official movies.

While promoting patriotic thought and improving workers’ efficiency, those capitalists can laugh in their beds at the profits.

Although current films cannot achieve international influence like those in the future, at least their brand recognition is established.

Australasian films have a decent reputation in Europe and the United States, and occasional advertisements for tourist attractions have been proven successful by the number of tourists.

This has made many European and American countries envious. The importance of films in promoting culture naturally goes without saying, and can even subtly influence some people’s thoughts.

This is no joke, especially for young people who have limited exposure to the outside world and are easily influenced by certain information.

For example, if Australasia portrays a certain country as evil in its films, that country will be considered evil by these young people.

Even if they later come into contact with the real information, they will seek comfort in their hearts and then desperately search for any reason to refute the truth.

This is the deception of human nature, and it is easily influenced by these aspects, which is why cultural propaganda, including entertainment, is so important.

Great powers fear nothing more than domestic protests and demonstrations.

Because there are many opposition parties within their country and the government is not so stable.

Once faced with a large number of protests and demonstrations, not only is the government at risk of impeachment, but even opposition parties will seize the opportunity to attack the government.

Especially some capitalist-controlled newspapers and media outlets, which would do anything for more news traffic.

If there is really a business opportunity, they would even expose scandals about the President of America.

Of course, scandals are not everything. Some newspapers even expose various news about the country, much of which is meant to remain hidden.

To maintain national stability, control of public opinion must be in the hands of the government and Arthur.

Because public opinion can not only influence the people, but also have a significant impact on the stability of the government and the country.

Why was Ireland able to achieve independence from the powerful British Empire with just over ten thousand troops in its history?

Aside from the fact that what Britain did in Ireland was indeed abhorrent, Irish public relations campaigns worldwide also gained sympathy from many countries and people.

This is a classic victory of public opinion. In comparison to the more costly and risky military approaches, victory in diplomacy and public opinion is the ultimate victory.

No matter how the war goes, in the end, diplomacy is still needed to achieve victory.

Compared to war, if disputes can be resolved in a more peaceful way, it’s worth it for any country.

Actually, the biggest reason European and American films haven’t taken off is that movie profits are indeed low at the moment.

If it weren’t for the free patriotic movies made by Australasia that pushed the development of its film industry, it probably wouldn’t have progressed smoothly either.

Capitalists can withstand low returns but if they have to face the risk of loss, the business becomes questionable.

Filmmaking is like this, if it isn’t done well, it can truly lead to a total loss.