Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 346 Winner
Sohu's live stream this time was very interesting; just look at the guests they invited.

In addition to the host, Sohu invited two guests, Cheng Er and Zhang Yang, both of whom are directors from mainland China.

However, the two have completely different educational backgrounds.

Cheng Er was a student in the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy in 95.

Zhang Yang is a graduate of the Directing Department of the Central Academy of Drama, class of 87.

After graduating, both of them are now considered very promising new directors in mainland China.

Zhang Yang, in particular, won the Best Film Award in the Panorama section at this year's Berlin Film Festival, even though his film "Getting Home" did not enter the main competition.

Cheng Er's graduation short film "Criminals" in 99 earned him numerous international awards, and many in the industry are optimistic about his future.

His first feature film, "The Third Person," has been completed and is awaiting release.

Putting everything else aside, their different educational backgrounds alone inevitably create a sense of antagonism, which perfectly aligns with the theme of Sohu's live Oscar broadcast today.

Of course, while it's called a live broadcast, Sohu isn't wealthy enough to buy the video broadcasting rights for the Oscars. Like the groom, they invited two guests to report the results in real time as the Oscars ceremony progressed and then provide commentary.

However, unlike the groom, Sohu took a different approach and gave this live commentary a theme that perfectly matched the theme of the Oscars: Cao Yang's "grudges" with Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood.

The theme of Sohu is simply the two big words "grudges".

So, Sohu is quite good at creating buzz these days. The guests they invite can be categorized as having "grudges." Moreover, in the live stream's text description, they highlighted the educational backgrounds of the two guests after their names.

As for why the two guests came to this live stream, which clearly looked like they were "stirring things up," the answer is quite simple: to promote the movie.

Currently, Zhang Yang's "Getting Home" is being shown in China and Hong Kong. As a director, it's normal for him to appear on TV shows to promote his film.

Cheng Er's first feature film has just finished shooting and will definitely be released this year. It's normal to do some pre-release promotion.

For the sake of promoting the film, this so-called "stirring up trouble" is really nothing.

Before his movies were released, Little Cannon deliberately created controversial news on many occasions, speaking without restraint, which is why he got the nickname "Little Cannon".

"Come on, let's see the final results. The presenters are already opening the envelopes. The winner of Best Adapted Screenplay is..."

The host paused here, and Cheng Er and Zhang Yang remained silent, quietly awaiting the result.

For a moment, the live broadcast room was completely silent.

"Congratulations to director Cao Yang for winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay once again."

"Hua Hua Hua..."

All three of them clapped along.

"Director Cheng, you guessed wrong this time. Director Cao Yang defeated Martin Scorsese's 'The Departed' in a head-to-head competition and won the Best Adapted Screenplay award."

The host said with a smile, "Director Zhang's prediction was correct."

Before the awards ceremony, Sohu's hosts would ask Cheng Er and Zhang Yang to predict the results, which was a major highlight of the live broadcast.

Clearly, Cheng Er, a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy, predicted that "The Departed" would win the Best Adapted Screenplay award, while Zhang Yang, a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, was more optimistic about "Inception".

Another major highlight of this online live stream is that viewers can participate in real time and leave comments in the comment section below.

The host noticed that among the comments in the comment section, such as "Congratulations Cao Yang" and "Cao Yang is awesome," there were also comments attacking Cheng Er.

Logically speaking, Cheng Er, a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy, should have fully supported Cao Yang.

Cheng Er shook his head with a wry smile and said, "I really hope that Director Cao doesn't win this award. It would be even better if 'Infernal Affairs' won it instead."

"Oh?"

The host looked at Cheng Er with some surprise, thinking that this young director was still young and could actually say such things. Given Cao Yang's status at the Beijing Film Academy, wasn't he afraid of being criticized by netizens and ostracized by the Beijing Film Academy?
"I can understand Director Cheng's thinking."

Zhang Yang took over the conversation and said.

"Hmm? Director Zhang, could you tell us about it?" the host quickly asked.

"Most film festivals around the world have an unwritten rule that films with high box office revenue will not be awarded major prizes, and some film festivals do not even allow films with high box office revenue to be nominated."

Zhang Yang paused for a moment, then continued, "Director Cao's 'Inception' grossed approximately $9 million worldwide, which is a top-tier box office performance even in Hollywood."

"Is this why, even though Inception received nine Oscar nominations, many industry insiders and media outlets were not very optimistic about it?"

The host then asked a follow-up question.

"Yes, even most media outlets in North America did not consider Inception a top contender for this year's Oscars."

However, Inception is, after all, a very classic film with high artistic value and thought-provoking content. Its artistic merit should not be ignored just because of its high box office.

In addition, I don't know if you've noticed, but almost all the main actors in this movie gave excellent performances, making you feel that they *are* the characters, that they *should* be that way, and that their performances were extremely convincing.

This is also one of Director Cao's specialties in training actors.

All of these factors combined mean that if Inception isn't given a respectable award, the media and film critics might seriously question whether the Oscars are rigged.

Therefore, many industry professionals believe that Cao will inevitably win one of the three major awards: Best Film, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The host understood Zhang Yang's meaning, thought for a moment, and then said:

"I understand. This is also why Director Cheng said he didn't want Director Cao Yang to win Best Adapted Screenplay. If he doesn't win that award, then Best Film and Best Director will most likely go to Director Cao."

Cheng Er nodded with a wry smile.

"Best Adapted Screenplay certainly can't compare to Best Picture or Best Director, so to show that the Oscars are taking it seriously, they invited heavyweights like Tom Hanks and Helen Mirren to be the presenters this year."

Many netizens watching the live stream in the comments section silently retracted their curses against Cheng Er. They had already sent them... Well, they cursed, but why didn't you, Cheng Er, make things clear beforehand?
The host nodded thoughtfully, then glanced at Zhang Yang and asked, "So, when Tom Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner, and Helen Mirren came on stage, Director Zhang already guessed the outcome?"

Zhang Yang hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

He then added, "However, the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director are not as important to Director Cao as we might imagine. Director Cao's artistic achievements no longer need the Oscars to prove them."

Then, Zhang Yang smiled and explained, "Director Cao already has two Oscars for Best Picture and one for Best Director, as well as one for Best Original Screenplay and one for Best Adapted Screenplay. This is already..."

He originally wanted to say that this was an achievement that no Chinese director could ever reach, but saying that would offend people, so he swallowed his words.

"Now we have one best original screenplay and two best adapted screenplays."

Cheng Er added from the side.

The host added from the side:

"Some viewers may not understand why Director Cao has two Oscar Best Picture awards. They may search through all the films directed by Director Cao and only find that 'The Dirty Milk' won the Oscar for Best Picture."

Let me explain here. Although Cao was not the director of "Juno," which won Best Picture at the Oscars last year, he was the producer, executive producer, and screenwriter.

Simply put, Hollywood is producer-centric. Most directors don't have much power; the producer is the most powerful person on the set, and the Best Picture award is given to the producer.

By the way, Cao is the producer of all of his Hollywood films, a privilege enjoyed only by a select few top directors.

“Director Cao is a top-tier director not only in China, but also in Hollywood,” Cheng Er added.

Zhang Yang is a straightforward person, and he almost blurted out: That's why the Oscars are "蹭热度" (trying to gain attention by associating with) Director Cao this time, hyping up Director Cao's "grudges" with Martin Scorsese and Eastwood.

Besides being older than Director Cao, what else do Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood have to compare with Director Cao in?
Whether it's awards at the three major European awards and the Oscars, or box office success in North America or worldwide, Director Cao completely surpasses the other two.

Of course, while he's straightforward and flamboyant, he's not stupid.

Saying this will definitely get me attacked by fans of these two actors in China, and it might even get me attacked by those "idiots" who, even if they aren't fans of these two actors, always think that the grass is greener on the other side.

The host glanced at the latest Oscar updates and said, "The Best Costume Design award has just been presented, and it's a great pity that 'Curse of the Golden Flower' didn't win it."

Cheng Er thought for a moment and said, "Their crew probably didn't expect to win any awards. No one went to the Oscars this time. It seems they entrusted the North American distributor, Sony Classics, to send someone."

"The Oscars are still too difficult for Chinese people."

Zhang Yang sighed, then immediately thought of Cao Yang and quickly added, "That's why Director Cao Yang's success is all the more remarkable."

"Next up is the award for Best Cinematography. What do Director Cheng and Director Zhang think?"

the host asked.

It's time to choose sides again.

“I think Teacher Gu can win Best Cinematography for the second time,” Cheng Er said with a smile.

Zhang Yang smiled and shook his head. He actually felt that Gu Changwei was very likely to win the award.

After all, Inception has too many classic shots, especially the shot of the whole city being folded and flipped like paper, which is definitely the most classic, creative and imaginative visual shot of this century.

One of the highlights of this show is the "competition" between the guests. The show's producer had said beforehand that the two guests had to choose sides when predicting the awards.

Zhang Yang thought for a moment, and of the remaining nominated films, only the cinematography in "Pan's Labyrinth" was decent, but it was clearly no match for "Inception".

There was nothing I could do; it was a "confrontation," and I had only answered a little late.

"Pan's Labyrinth, perhaps."

Zhang Yang didn't explain anything. Compared to "Inception," the cinematography in this movie is really nothing to brag about.

"The presenter for this year's Best Cinematography award is quite high-profile; it's Gwyneth Paltrow, who won the Best Actress award at the 71st Academy Awards."

"It's quite rare to see a Best Actress award presenter awarding the Best Cinematography award," the host said. Cheng Er smiled and replied, "It's indeed very rare to see a Best Actress award presenter awarding the Best Cinematography award."

“Some friends may not know who Gwyneth Paltrow is, but if you mention her nickname, especially online, many people have probably joked about it.”

Zhang Yang said, "Many people online call her the 'Water Queen,' meaning that her Oscar for Best Actress is somewhat undeserved, because at the time, she was competing with Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett for the Oscar for Best Actress."

I don't need to say much about their acting skills. One is known as Meryl Streep, and the other is known as the "Great Demon King." Both of them are absolute powerhouses who have won countless awards.

Gwyneth Paltrow's unexpected Best Actress win drew a lot of criticism, but her performance in the award-winning film "Shakespeare in Love" was actually quite good..."

"Wow! Inception, Gu Changwei, let's congratulate him on winning the Oscar for Best Cinematography."

The host interrupted Zhang Yang and said loudly.

Then, all three of them clapped.

"Congratulations, Professor Gu. This is Professor Gu's fourth nomination for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, and his second time winning the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. It is estimated that this record will be hard to be surpassed among Chinese cinema."

Cheng Er clapped and smiled as he spoke.

Zhang Yang shook his head with a sigh, his heart filled with envy.

This is a classic example of how choice is more important than effort.

In the film and television industry, how many people don't envy Gu Changwei's luck?
Back then, this guy basically had no acting opportunities left, and could only claim to have an eye disease, staying at home with almost nothing to do.

His best option is to switch careers and become a director, but that is not easy.

Little did anyone expect that Cao Yang's "official" photographer, Tian Zhuangzhuang, had just quit and returned to teach at the Beijing Film Academy, which gave Gu Changwei a tremendous opportunity.

In the years I've been working with Cao Yang, I've been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography three times and won it twice. I've gained fame and fortune all at once.

Zhang Yang could imagine that, as a photographer, Gu Changwei was destined for the history of Chinese cinema, and no one could shake his position.

They really got incredibly lucky.

Even in Hollywood and globally, Gu Changwei is an indispensable figure when ranking photographers.

The top three might be slightly controversial due to different ranking methods, but the top five are definitely a no-brainer.

"Although there weren't many Chinese people participating in this year's Oscars, and only four Chinese people were nominated, it's definitely a grand event so far."

The host said with a smile, "Besides 'Curse of the Golden Flower' losing out on Best Costume Design, Huang Haipeng won Best Sound Effects, Gu Changwei won Best Cinematography, and Director Cao Yang won Best Adapted Screenplay."

"They're all from Beijing Film Academy."

Cheng Er added with a smile.

Zhang Yang opened his mouth, wanting to say something to glorify his alma mater, the Central Academy of Drama, but unfortunately, Zhang Ziyi, who is considered quite successful from the Central Academy of Drama, did not participate in this year's Oscars.

Even if she had participated, it wouldn't have brought honor to her alma mater, because she didn't have any works selected this year.

The Beijing Film Academy has received numerous accolades because of Cao Yang.

For a moment, Zhang Yang was extremely envious of the Beijing Film Academy. He could imagine that with Cao Yang's current status and influence, the Beijing Film Academy would only get better and better, becoming a unique force in China.

This has already been achieved.

Looking at the number of applicants and scores for the Beijing Film Academy in the past two years, it has consistently surpassed the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy by a large margin, and the gap is now very difficult to bridge.

In the past, when people mentioned film and television schools in China, Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama were considered equals. But now? No one would think that Central Academy of Drama is qualified to be ranked alongside Beijing Film Academy.

The Beijing Film Academy boasts internationally renowned directors such as Cao Yang, Cao Yang, Cao Yang, and Cao Yang; internationally renowned producers such as Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige; and internationally renowned cinematographer Gu Changwei.

Now we need to add Huang Haipeng, a sound engineer with international influence—the Oscar for Best Sound Mixing is no joke.

There's also Cheng Jianye, a producer with international influence—he was sent by Cao Yang to be the executive producer of "Juno," which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Even in terms of actors, which were previously the Central Academy of Drama's strongest suit, the Beijing Film Academy now has two Venice Film Festival Best Actress winners, Yu Feihong and Dong Xuan.

In this respect, although the Central Academy of Drama has Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, who seem to be able to compete on equal footing, it lacks an internationally renowned actress like Zhang Ziyi, making the Central Academy of Drama seem to be slightly inferior.

Ugh……

Zhang Yang felt increasingly uneasy the more he thought about it.

"Next, renowned actors Naomi Watts and Robert Downey Jr. will present the Best Visual Effects award. What are your thoughts on this?"

the host asked.

It's time to choose sides again.

Zhang Yang couldn't help but think to himself, "Is this even a question? With the flip-screen visual effects of Inception, what can Poseidon and Superman Returns compare to?"

Is it because of the scene of Superman holding up an airplane?

"Inception".

Zhang Yang quickly answered.

Who knew that Cheng Er had the same idea, and almost simultaneously with Zhang Yang, they mentioned "Inception".

Now it was the host's turn to be speechless.

However, as a professional host, their professional qualities are certainly not lacking.

He pretended there was no such thing as taking sides and said with a smile, "It seems that Director Cheng and Director Zhang are both very optimistic about 'Inception,' so..."

After a few seconds of silence, when the presenter announced the final result, the host laughed and said, "Congratulations to Director Cao Yang, and congratulations to 'Inception' for winning the Best Visual Effects award once again."

"I've done the math, and Director Cao's 'Inception' has already won four major awards, right?"

Cheng Er asked with a smile.

Zhang Yang thought for a moment and nodded.

Of the nine nominations for Inception, five have already been awarded. Apart from missing out on Best Sound Editing, it won Best Sound Mixing, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects.

Then, the group looked at each other, wondering if this was the Inception movie that the media hadn't been optimistic about beforehand.
Is this the movie "Inception" that was rumored to have missed out on major awards because of its high box office?
Even if the remaining four nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Score all go unclaimed, no one would think that Inception lost at the Oscars, right?
This is already considered a big winner tonight, isn't it?

As if confirming the guesses of several people, apart from winning Best Original Score thanks to Hans Zimmer's outstanding performance, Inception missed out on all the other major awards.

Martin Scorsese won both Best Picture and Best Director for "The Departed," finally fulfilling his long-held dream of winning Best Director after missing out on the award.

The "grudges" between the three directors that were hyped up at this year's Oscars ultimately came to an end with Martin Scorsese winning the two biggest awards: Best Picture and Best Director, out of four nominations.

Furthermore, when awarding him the Best Director award, three top directors—Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas—were present.

It's considered giving enough face.

Cao Yang was also a winner, receiving five awards out of nine nominations. This was probably the surprise that the current president of the Academy, Sid Garnier, gave to Cao Yang and Tom Rothman.

After all, Tom Rothman is about to become the global vice president of Sony Pictures, which is considered a promotion.

As Tom Rothman's longtime friend and collaborator, Sid Garnier had to say something – Tom Rothman and Columbia Pictures played a significant role in his successful election as president of the Academy and the Academy Awards.

And "Inception," which Tom Rothman was credited as a producer, was one of Sid Garnier's ways of giving back to Tom Rothman.

No one would question a classic film like Inception winning a few technical awards.

This is perfectly legitimate.

Director Clint Eastwood only received a consolation prize for technical skill, Best Sound Editing.

However, this award was won by "beating" Inception, which somewhat saved face.

Just like Cao Yang's Best Adapted Screenplay award, which he won by "beating" Infernal Affairs.

The Oscars are actually quite good at dividing the spoils.

After the Oscars ceremony comes the famous Oscar dinner.

Interestingly, Zhang Ziyi was not seen at the Oscars ceremony, but she was seen at the Oscars after-party.

That's right. Zhang Ziyi has no films nominated for Oscars, nor is she a presenter, so there's no way we'll see her at the Oscars ceremony.

The Oscars after-party was different; she was brought there by someone else.

"Congratulations, Director Cao, on your great achievement tonight. Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Vivi Nevo. You can just call him Vivi."

Zhang Ziyi walked over arm in arm with a short foreigner and greeted Cao Yang.

However, her tone sounded a little arrogant, which was evident from her comment about Cao Yang's good results.

This film won five Oscars, making it the most awarded film of the night, yet she only described it as "not bad."

He then added, "Vivi is Goldman Sachs' largest private investor, Time Warner's largest individual shareholder, and also holds a significant stake in The Weinstein Company."

That sounds like bragging.

She thought Cao Yang was just a director in Hollywood, at most a well-known one, which couldn't compare to the status of her new boyfriend.

It seems she still doesn't understand Hollywood.

(End of this chapter)