Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 196 Golden Eagle, Unhappy Hundred Flowers
"The end of the month?"

“Yes, the Golden Eagle Awards sent an invitation,” Liu Yifei said, raising her expectant eyes. “The opening ceremony is on the 27th.”

"The first Golden Eagle Goddess?"

"Mmm!" Liu Yifei nodded like a chick pecking at rice, then grinned. "It's just a small prize. Aren't you going to Hollywood at the end of the month? It's okay if you don't go."

"We can still make it on the 27th, let's go together."

Wu Chen smiled, already deciding to change his plane ticket from the 27th to the 28th.

Directors of Wu Chen's caliber would receive invitations to various ceremonies such as the Golden Eagle Awards, the Hundred Flowers Awards, and the Golden Rooster Awards, but Wu Chen had never paid any attention to them before.

Wu Chen's sudden acceptance of the Golden Eagle Awards' invitation surprised even Hunan TV, the organizer of the Golden Eagle Awards.

"Adjust the positions of the rows."

The organizers of the Golden Eagle Awards quickly readjusted the seating arrangement.

However, at this time, a major piece of news circulated in the industry: the release date of "Curse of the Golden Flower" was moved up from December 21 to December 14.

The fact that this news wasn't announced had a significant impact, as it caught a whole batch of films originally scheduled for December release completely off guard.
Commercial blockbusters like "Confession of Pain," patriotic films like "The Knot," and art films like "Still Life," plus "The Door," "After This Our Exile," and "The Painted Veil."
The aftershocks of the "earthquake" continue to spread, and film distributors of various small and medium-sized films are facing strong competition and have no choice but to take emergency measures.

Gong Li has also frequently appeared on various domestic programs, partly to support "Curse of the Golden Flower" and partly to promote her role in the Hollywood film "Miami Vice".

After the explicit scenes were cut, "Miami Vice" was finally released in China, and Gong Li naturally became the focus of the publicity.

Wu Chen also received an invitation call from Gong Li.

"Sister Gong Li, I'm sorry, I'm going to Hollywood at the end of the month for promotion and the premiere of 'Get Out'."

Wu Chen said apologetically.

Gong Li responded with a smile, "Director Wu, it's alright, there will be another opportunity next time!"

"."

Time quickly came to the 27th, and the Golden Eagle Red Carpet had already been laid out at the Provincial Radio and Television Center.

Liu Yifei, as the Golden Eagle Goddess, arrived backstage early. While putting on her makeup in front of the mirror, she sent Wu Chen a message: "I'm getting my makeup done. Don't miss the opening!"
Wu Chen's appearance truly added a lot of luster to the Golden Eagle Awards stage.

Even the media were surprised to see Wu Chen at the TV drama awards ceremony. They were caught off guard and didn't realize what was happening until he had already entered.

"Wow, what brings Wu Chen here? Was he specially invited by the Golden Eagle Awards?"

"That's strange, could it be that Wu Chen also participated in the Hundred Flowers Competition?"

"."

Wu Chen was seated in the first row. Shu Chang had originally planned to chat with Wu Chen, but when she saw that Wu Chen was already surrounded by people, she quietly left.

She used to be too conspicuous; she should just sit quietly.

The Golden Eagle Awards opened with Liu Yifei, the Golden Eagle Goddess, wearing a golden gown. Her face was as white as porcelain, her eyebrows and eyes were delicate, and her red lips were slightly parted with a gentle smile. She walked slowly from the end of the stage, her skirt trailing on the ground, shimmering with light.

The lights swept across the golden gauze, instantly refracting countless tiny golden rays that shimmered on the stage like ripples on water, or sunlight falling on a lake.

Perhaps from a future perspective, the design of this dress isn't very good.

But in today's world, such a look is enough to amaze everyone.

Applause erupted throughout the hall, followed by gasps of amazement from the back.

Wu Chen, meanwhile, quietly watched the familiar figure in the light and shadow on the stage, clapping with a smile.

Liu Yifei glanced over from the corner of her eye and met Wu Chen's gaze. At that moment, a smile appeared in her eyes, revealing her shallow dimples.

After the ceremony, Shu Chang, who was "in the know," gestured towards the two of them with her lip.

"I just don't understand, why do I have to eat dog food even when I'm attending an awards ceremony?"

Liu Yifei covered her mouth and laughed: "Nobody asked you to come."

"It wasn't you who invited me, it was the Golden Eagle Awards that invited me. I'm a popular TV drama star, after all!" Shu Chang couldn't help but lightly tap Liu Yifei's head, but still sighed:

"Sissi, your gold dress looked so beautiful."

"Really?" Liu Yifei turned to look at Wu Chen, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Wu Chen nodded: "It really is beautiful!"

"Oh no, so what I said didn't work?" Shu Chang feigned grievance.

The two chuckled softly.

Wu Chen glanced down at his watch: "I have to go, my flight's tomorrow." "Okay!"

Liu Yifei watched Wu Chen get into the car and head to the airport.

"Everyone's gone, what's the point of looking?" Shu Chang waved in front of Liu Yifei.

While Wu Chen was high in the air on a flight to Los Angeles, the members of the Hundred Flowers Awards organizing committee did not look too good.

Because Wu Chen disappeared after the Golden Eagle Awards and didn't come to the Hundred Flowers Awards at all.

This makes the people who won the Hundred Flowers Awards feel ashamed.

A film director who has won awards at Berlin and Cannes shows up at a TV series ceremony but misses the film awards. Who would feel embarrassed if this got out?

What does Wu Chen mean?

"Call Mu Deyuan and Zhang Huijun and ask them if they look down on us?"

“We understand that people aren’t coming and the films aren’t competing, since the latter two were filmed in North America. But it’s just unacceptable to attend a TV series festival without attending the Hundred Flowers Awards.”

"."

Wu Chen had just landed and turned on his phone when he saw Zhang Huijun's message.

He checked the time difference, thought for a moment, and dialed back.

"Principal Zhang, what's wrong?"

“You don’t know?” Zhang Huijun laughed when he heard Wu Chen pretending not to know. “Since you’re already there, and the Hundred Flowers Awards are there, why don’t you just go in and take a look?”

"The timing isn't right; it's a day too late, and I'm already in Hollywood."

What a convenient excuse: "the timing wasn't right."

Upon hearing this reason, Zhang Huijun couldn't help but chuckle.

"Alright, let Lao Mu tell them this. There's really nothing wrong with it; it's normal to need a little time to catch a flight!" Zhang Huijun said with a faint smile. "I heard about what happened with the Literature Department; it's good."

"."

Indeed, whether the organizing committee of the Hundred Flowers Awards believes it or not, this reason is watertight.

Moreover, while Baihua was indignant about Wu Chen "missing out," in North America, the pre-premiere promotional campaign for "Get Out" had already taken full shape.

This film, which won a major award at Cannes and is hailed as a "social horror allegory," has become the focus of attention in the film industry as its North American release approaches.

Interviews with major mainstream media outlets took turns appearing.

Wu Chen appeared on NBC's morning show, Variety's film and television special, and Vanity Fair's interview program. He was also featured on the homepage of The New York Times' culture section.

The title boldly proclaims:

"He Tells the Truth Through Fear" - Chinese director Wu Chen intends to teach North American society a lesson with "Get Out".

The article states:

"Wu Chen, a Chinese director in his early twenties, is attempting to break into the mainstream North American market with an unconventional 'thriller'."

Domestic media quickly reposted the report, causing a huge stir.

Will Wu Chen's movie be released in the country?

"It's been a long time since I've seen him make this type of film, since 'Buried'. I'm looking forward to it."

"I'm afraid it'll be too horrifying to be imported."

The online discussion was heated, but these "calls" made some film companies that had already scheduled release dates wary and even a little panicked, fearing that Han Sanping might actually pull such a stunt and suddenly release the film in China.

After all, if Get Out is actually released during the Lunar New Year holiday, it would be like directly "cutting off everyone's flesh".

However, at this moment, Han Sanping was indeed asking Wu Chen about news of "Escape from Deadly Town".

"Are there any scenes in your movie that can't be shown in China?"

“No, not at all.” Wu Chen said calmly, “We can leave it uncut.”

Wu Chen's confident words surprised Han Sanping, who then slowly said:
"Well, even if your film passes the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's review, it can only be released next year. This year's Lunar New Year season is not an option; it's too crowded. Domestic films still need to survive."

"Mr. Han, let's put it after the Oscars. I've already reached an agreement with Universal; they'll be submitting it for Oscar consideration."

(End of this chapter)