Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 388: Angry at the Academy Awards
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, March has passed and April has arrived.

The filming of "Painted Skin" went very smoothly, and the overall progress was even ahead of schedule.

Of course, all this is inseparable from Ning Ying's support.

Director Wu of Ningying would come to the set every day to check on this movie that was a gamble on the fate of all the employees in their factory.

The special effects shots were all produced simultaneously, and some simple ones have been completed.

Director Wu has seen it and is very satisfied with the results.

"Cheng Er, you take the next shot~"

After shooting a set of shots, Zhang Chen called Cheng Er to his side.

During this month, he consciously asked Wu Shixian and Cheng Erduo to help shoot some unimportant shots.

The two of them had good skills and were recognized by Zhang Chen.

Cheng Er was very excited. He was different from Wu Shixian.

Wu Shixian has directed real movies and has directing experience, but he hasn't yet.

He cherishes every opportunity to hold the director's baton.

"Scene 92, Scene , First Time~"

"action~"

Starting from the simple shots at the beginning, the difficulty gradually increased, and now both Cheng Er and Wu Shixian can handle ordinary shots.

This made Zhang Chen feel very relieved.

"Click~"

After the shot was finished, Cheng Er looked at Zhang Chen like a child expecting praise, and Zhang Chen also said, "Good shot."

A smile immediately appeared on Cheng Er's face.

The innocent kind.

"You two come here~"

Zhang Chen waved his hand, and Wu Shixian and Cheng Er came over.

"The Academy Awards will open in a couple of days, so Master Zhou and I will be away for a few days. During those days, filming cannot be stopped, so you two will be in charge.

You two should discuss how to shoot the camera, and I'll check it when you come back~"

Zhang Chen didn't say what would happen if the inspection failed. He knew that whether he said it or not, these two people would give 100% effort to complete it.

……

On April 2006, 4, the group arrived in Hong Kong and their plane landed at Kai Tak Airport. Boss Yang personally greeted them.

The distribution of films produced by Star Entertainment in Hong Kong was basically handed over to Emperor Entertainment Group, which made a lot of money from it.

Such a good partner must of course be valued, so Boss Yang personally came to greet him and also called Liang Jiahui.

"Welcome, welcome, Director Zhang, Manager Dong and everyone else..."

This was the first time that Star Entertainment participated in the Academy Awards. Dong Jianqiang attached great importance to it and many people from the company came.

"We are sorry to bother Mr. Yang to come here in person. We have caused a lot of trouble. We feel guilty about this~"

While Dong Jianqiang was chatting with Boss Yang, Zhang Chen was chatting with Liang Jiahui: "I heard that this time 'Underworld' is a big hit, and the two male protagonists are competing for the Best Actor trophy~"

Liang Jiahui smiled and said, "Yes, there are 20 awards in total, 17 major awards, and "Underworld" was nominated for 7 awards. Director Du is really amazing now~"

Zhang Chen could imagine Johnnie To’s old face with wrinkles all over it when he smiled.

"Hahaha, Lao Du is very proud now~"

While everyone was talking, some media spotted them and ran over in a hurry.

The Academy Awards will be held in the next two days, and many celebrities will arrive. The airport will undoubtedly become the place with the highest exposure. Many media wait here all day long, hoping to take some photos.

"It's the paparazzi~"

Boss Yang's bodyguards quickly noticed this situation and immediately blocked everyone behind him.

Several vicious cases have occurred in Hong Kong, so all wealthy people, big or small, have a strong sense of security. People like Li Chaoren even have their own security companies.

The paparazzi who came running over were blocked three steps away, as if they were an iron wall, unable to move forward. Boss Yang signaled everyone to get in the car quickly.

Dong Jianqiang and others also ended their chat and got into the car quickly.

The reporter was blocked by the bodyguards and couldn't get over. He wanted to break through the bodyguards' plan but failed after several attempts.

Seeing everyone getting into the car and about to leave, the paparazzi became very anxious.

Someone recognized Zhang Chen's identity: "It's Zhang Chen, Zhang Chen from Taken..."

When his identity was exposed, someone immediately shouted:
"Mainlanders, do you dare to predict whether your film will win an award?"

No one paid any attention to him and everyone got on the bus.

In the car, Zhang Chen looked through the glass at the paparazzi who refused to give up and shook his head: "'Mainland paparazzi'? It seems that the media here are not very friendly~"

Boss Yang consoled him, "Ignore these paparazzi. They are just guys who can't see the situation clearly and can't even tell the difference between big and small kings~"

Zhang Chen smiled and shook his head: "In the Hong Kong film industry, there are more than just paparazzi who can't tell the difference between big and small kings. There are simply too many."

The convoy left and drove towards the hotel they had booked.

The bodyguards who were responsible for blocking the people let go of the reporters when they saw that most of them had left. They hurriedly got on the last bodyguard car and chased after them.

Looking at the hustle and bustle of the road, Zhang Chen had some thoughts in his mind.

Hong Kong is a very strange place. Central is full of office buildings and has an elite feel.

But beneath the prosperity, there are many things that are incompatible with this prosperity.

This is Zhang Chen’s third time here, and it’s no longer new to him.

But it’s different from the others. Lu Yang’s little eyes are full of curiosity wherever he looks, just like his former self.

Zhang Chen couldn't help but think of the last time he came here and went to Causeway Bay on purpose.

Really, the world in the movie is completely different from the real world.

In the eyes of mainlanders, Hong Kong is the financial center of Asia, and they look at it through layers of filters.

But in the eyes of locals, Hong Kong is just about old, dilapidated and small places.

In the car, Boss Yang was still teasing Zhang Chen: "Director Zhang, everyone says you are now very accurate in your predictions. Can you also make a prediction? Who will win this year's Academy Awards?"

Hearing his words, the other people in the business car also showed curious expressions. Obviously, what Boss Yang asked was what they wanted to ask.

Zhang Chen waved his hands mysteriously: "Hehe, the secret cannot be revealed~"

Just now, one of those paparazzi asked Zhang Chen to predict the results of the Academy Awards. He would not be stupid enough to predict it now. He would rather predict it before the results are announced so that the jury would not have time to cheat.

He has figured it out, there is nothing wrong with creating a character of a prophet.

The group checked into the hotel, and that evening's entertainment news showed Zhang Chen and others getting off the plane and being greeted by Boss Yang.

I don’t know whether it was released by Boss Yang on purpose or whether it was taken by other paparazzi.

……

Peninsula Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui

Many film and television companies have their headquarters here, and Sun Entertainment is no exception.

Several people who were discussing things in the office also saw the news that Star Entertainment was coming to Hong Kong.

The news only mentioned Boss Yang, Liang Jiahui and Zhang Chen, because the Hong Kong media did not know the others.

Zhang Chen is the number one director in mainland China, but this title doesn’t work well in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong audiences know him because he is the boss of Star Entertainment.

In the past two years, every movie produced by Star Entertainment has been a big hit in Hong Kong, and "Taken" even won the annual box office championship in Hong Kong last year.

Hong Kong people are very arrogant, they only care about local box office.

No matter how famous you are in other places, people will only recognize you as a great director if your movies are a hit in your own place.

Each of the so-called four great directors in Hong Kong has proven his ability in his own city. On the contrary, the so-called big directors from the mainland are not very recognized by Hong Kong people, with the exception of Zhang Chen.

In the past two years, the names of Xingchen Entertainment and Zhang Chen have been mentioned many times, and the audiences all know that those good movies were directed by this mainland director.

They feel that Zhang Chen is different from other mainland directors, and the movies he makes don't have the flavor of mainland movies at all.

……

"Everyone, think about it first. Is there any success in what I just said?"

The person who was speaking was Pak-ko Wong, who had just suggested that everyone follow the trend of Taken and make a movie with a similar theme.

"SPL" has just been taken off the screen. Although it was banned in mainland China just a few days after its release and could only be shown in Hong Kong, it did not lose money.

The box office and Southeast Asian copyright made a small profit.

That’s why Huang Bogao felt that this path was right and he could continue on it.

Then he set his sights on Taken.

Although it is a mainland film, it was Hong Kong's annual box office champion in 2005 and also sold very well internationally.

The other people in the room looked at each other.

Hong Jinbao said: "I think it's okay."

Wilson Yeh hesitated: "Wouldn't that be bad? What if the mainland sues us for plagiarism?"

Hong Jinbao's face changed and he cursed: "You are crazy, we are just borrowing, not plagiarizing, what right does he have to sue us~"

When it comes to riding on the popularity of the film industry, Hong Kong films have always been the masters.

It’s just that he used to ride on the popularity of those Hollywood blockbusters, but now it has become "Taken".

Hong Kong filmmakers: We are always serious about riding on the popularity of others.

After "Titanic" came out, I immediately made a "Love Dream"~
After "First Blood" became popular, "Eastern Condors" appeared in Hong Kong~
Anyway, no matter what movie becomes a hit, there will be a follow-up movie of the same type on the market within a week at most.

Most of the follow-up works that can be remembered are of decent quality, and there are even more that are of poor quality.

Isn’t this how zombie movies are played to death?
Wilson Yip was scolded but dared not say a word. Hong Jinbao continued, "The villain in Taken is a human trafficking gang, and it also mentioned organ trafficking. If I'm right, its sequel will definitely be about organ trafficking. Why don't we just intercept it and make it first? Then, if we want to use it in Taken 2, it will just be a follow-up..."

When Hong Jinbao said this, Huang Bogao felt it was brilliant. Yes, we took the path of "Hurricane 2" in advance, leaving it with no way to go.

The more they discussed it, the more they felt that this method was feasible, and they could also get revenge at the same time.

Although "SPL" was banned in mainland China, the reason given by the Film Bureau was the use of dual versions, but everyone present was convinced that it was Xingchen Entertainment's fault.

"Who should we choose for the lead role?"

"Of course it's Zhen Zidan. He performed well in SPL. Why don't we just call this drama SPL 2?"

"By the way, I think the yellow-haired boy who fought against Zhen Zi is pretty good. We can continue to arrange him to play the villain~"

Speaking of this, Hong Jinbao felt a little embarrassed.

According to feedback from Hong Kong audiences, the most classic fight scene in "SPL" is not the final showdown between him and Zhen Zidan, but the fight scene between Zhen Zidan and Wu Jing on the court.

The media also generally commented that this scene added a lot of points to the film, which made Hong Jinbao somewhat embarrassed.

However, he also knew that what Huang Bogao said just now did not contain any metaphorical meaning for him, but was purely a matter of fact, so he did not say anything.

……

On April 2006, 4, the 8th Hong Kong Film Awards was held at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Zhang Chen walked the red carpet with the "Taken" crew, along with Liang Jiahui, Xu Qing and Jing Tian.

Liang Jiahui is very busy right now. He has to walk the red carpet three times, for "Taken", "Election" and "Everlasting Regret".

Xu Qing was wearing a well-fitting dress, looking elegant and dignified. Her short hair style and the dress gave her a different kind of beauty.

Jing Tian is not bad either. Even with makeup, she still can't hide the youthfulness on her face.

With a pair of lively and colorful eyes, she waved and smiled at all around, posing at various angles for the media to take pictures.

Next to her, it was the Twins.

Gillian and Charlene Choi, one is beautiful and the other is cute, plus Jing Tian, ​​the three young girls standing together are like blooming flowers.

As the crew of "Hurricane" walked by, the media on both sides of the red carpet were generous with their film, and the sound of "clicks" was heard constantly.

The biggest highlight of every Academy Awards is the competition among actresses.

Mainland actresses have also participated in previous years, but their looks are always inferior to those of Hong Kong women.

Afterwards, Hong Kong media always commented that mainland women have backward aesthetic tastes.

There is nothing to criticize about this, it is indeed true.

The mainland entertainment industry has just started. Despite its huge size, there are indeed gaps in various aspects.

However, this situation does not exist today. The styling of the two women has been specially guided by Zhang Chen.

Even though he is not a professional stylist, he has seen a lot.

What the two women were wearing was not high-end fashion, but they looked beautiful and dazzling.

Even the smiles on their faces were specially trained by Zhang Chen.

You must never grin and smile foolishly, otherwise the unscrupulous Hong Kong media will definitely capture the ugliest moment of you.

The twins' silly and heartless smiles only report true nature, girlish persona, and innocence of the world.

If Jing Tian dared to do this, she would immediately be considered a northern girl pretending to be innocent.

Double standards has always been a neutral word for Hong Kong media.

Several people walked along the way, dignified and elegant, waving to both sides from time to time, and every smile would attract a flash of light.

The hosts of this year's Academy Awards are Eric Tsang, Teresa Mo and Chapman To.

Before coming, Zhang Chen knew that Zeng Zhiwei was among the hosts, but he didn't care, as one host could not affect the judging of the Academy Awards.

The crew of "Hurricane" walked the red carpet, and Zhang Chen thought it was over, but he didn't expect that everyone else had walked past, and he was the only one left in the media interaction area.

"Director Zhang, please stay~"

The person speaking is Chapman To, the one who went to Japan to shoot something in the future.

"Director Zhang Chen, Taken was last year's box office champion, but it only won a few technical awards. Do you have anything to say?"

After asking this question, Chapman To winked at Eric Tsang next to him.

The two of them had a good relationship in private. Chapman To knew that Zeng Zhiwei and Zhang Chen had a grudge, so he patted his chest and promised that he would help him get back at justice today.

The question just now was a naked ridicule.

Zhang Chen glanced at the other person and knew that he was deliberately looking for trouble.

Mao Shunyun, who was standing next to him, knew that something bad was going to happen as soon as she heard it. She couldn't understand why Chapman To would offend Zhang Chen for no reason, but when she saw the little fat boy watching the show with a smile on his face next to her, she immediately guessed the truth.

It’s just that this is the Academy Awards, are you sure you want to cause trouble here?
After figuring out the key, Maggie Cheung, as the host, immediately thought about how to resolve this issue, but she immediately suppressed this idea.

This is none of her business, so she doesn't need to offend Zeng Zhiwei.

Zeng Zhiwei is not a generous person.

Outside the field, the media turned their cameras to Zhang Chen. They also felt the subtle atmosphere in the field and wanted to see how Zhang Chen was going to respond.

Zhang Chen was very unhappy.

I didn't come here to cause any trouble originally, I just wanted to show my support to Liang Jiahui and Mr. Zhou.

As for whether "Taken" will win an award, Tung Kin-keung might have some expectations, but he has no expectations at all.

In the era when he lived in, the Academy Awards had long since become a small regional award and no one paid any attention to it.

It's all fake.

Before 2013, the Academy Awards were quite influential and popular among domestic media.

The domestic Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards are only for a few people, and the Huading Awards is a government award that is not given every year.

Of the two awards, the Hong Kong Film Awards is more famous and does not exclude commercial films, so domestic audiences recognize the Hong Kong Film Awards.

In 2011, "Let the Bullets Fly" received 13 nominations. Jiang Wen came to participate with full confidence, but he almost had his head shaved bald.

In the end, perhaps out of fear of embarrassment, they gave a consolation prize - Best Costume Design.

How can he bear this?
From then on, no male actors from the mainland came again.

Can't afford to lose that person~
So the Academy Awards are all made by ourselves.

This situation occurred today, and Zhang Chen didn’t know whether it was deliberately arranged by the Academy Awards.

But no matter if it was intentional or not, he was forced to this point and had no choice but to draw his sword.

Academy Awards, you were the first to do it~
"Yeah, I'm also confused. Taken was last year's box office champion, but it only won a few technical awards. Why? Can you tell me why?"

Chapman To was stunned when he didn't expect Zhang Chen to throw the question to him again.

He originally wanted to embarrass Zhang Chen, but he didn't expect that this guy didn't seem embarrassed.

It's really me who is not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed.

While Chapman To was still thinking about how to respond, Zhang Chen unexpectedly took over the question himself:
"You don't know the reason?
I still know, but I dare not say it~
Let me tell you about it.

I think it’s probably because the Academy Awards have always been biased against action movies.

It is a consensus that the Academy Awards do not look down on action movies.
You are all Hong Kong people, and you should know the Academy Awards’ attitude towards action movies better than I do.

When I was in the mainland, I often heard the media mention Shuang Zhou and Yi Cheng.

At that time, Double Monday and Yicheng were a guarantee of box office success.

But now, Jackie Chan has already surpassed the double week and become a business card of Hong Kong films.

Such a person has never won a Golden Horse Award.

I couldn't believe it when I first heard it.

Haha, even the Golden Rooster Award in mainland China gave him a Best Actor award, but he has never won the Hong Kong Film Award. Is this normal?
Don’t say that action actors have no acting skills. If you replace Jackie Chan’s role with anyone else, and see if the same effect can be achieved, isn’t that acting?
Before coming here, I had no expectation that Taken would win an award. Even Jackie Chan couldn’t win an award, so why should I?
I told myself that I was here to support Liang Jiahui and Zhou Xun and witness their highlight moments.

But the question from the host just now made me very angry. Has your discrimination against action movies become so blatant that you don't need to hide it anymore?

People say I'm the king of predictions, so today I'll make a prediction for this year's Academy Awards: Best Actor Leung Ka Fai, Best Actress Zhou Xun, Best Director Johnnie To, Best Film "Election", and as for "The Myth", it will definitely win nothing because it's an action film.

Well, that's all I have to say. If you asked me what I wanted to say, this is what I wanted to say."

After Zhang Chen finished speaking, he handed the microphone back to Mao Shunyun and walked into the venue leisurely, leaving the three stunned hosts behind.

The first time Chapman To came into contact with Zhang Chen, he was stunned by the other party's unconventional way of playing.

As for Mao Shunyun, she looked extremely anxious.

She is now afraid that the organizing committee will think that she is also one of the troublemakers, which would be tragic.

I should have stood up earlier.

On both sides of the red carpet, the media were collectively excited.

Many reporters were checking with the cameraman behind them: "Did you take the picture?"

After receiving a positive answer, everyone's face flushed with excitement.

If the Academy Awards had not ended yet, they would have wanted to go back and write press releases immediately, so much so that they would not even bother to pay attention to the red carpet behind them.

Hu Jun was one of the people walking on the red carpet at the back, following the crew of "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow".

"Everlasting Regret" is a movie starring Leung Ka Fai and Sammi Cheng. He played a supporting role and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

He also heard what Zhang Chen said just now. To be honest, it was really satisfying.

I have never seen mainland filmmakers so tough.

He also heard Zhang Chen's prediction, which, to be honest, was similar to what he had guessed.

Liang Jiahui is really popular this year. He won two out of five nominations for Best Actor.

As for the best actress, it is very likely that it will be Miss Zhou.

After all, Hong Kong films are now embracing the mainland, and this must be expressed in some way.

There is no expression at all, so how can you say that you are embracing the mainland.

The more Hu Jun thought about it, the more interesting it became, and he suddenly had a strong urge to get to know Zhang Chen.

(End of this chapter)