Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 229: I understand you're rather vulnerable when it comes to "insisting on belonging."
Backstage at the Kodak Theater, the interview corridor was brightly lit, with flashes of light and camera shutters moving like a tidal wave.

A “hall of honor” covered with a deep red velvet carpet extended from the stage to the media area, with global media crowding on both sides.

At this moment, the crew of "Get Out" has just won the Best Picture award and is being pushed along this glorious road that they must traverse.

Wu Chen and Jason Blum walked at the front, followed closely by Blake Lively, Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, and others. The glow of their recent awards ceremony had barely faded when the media swarmed around them backstage.

"Director Wu Chen! One question!"

What do you think this award means?

What are your feelings about "Get Out" winning the award?

"Wu, do you have any plans for your next project?"

"."

CNN, BBC, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times, and other mainstream international media outlets took turns asking questions.

Before the words were even finished, a reporter from the movie channel excitedly handed over the microphone, his voice clear:
"Director Wu, domestic audiences are all paying attention. Tonight, you represent not only a film, but also the voice of Chinese cinema. What would you like to say to the domestic audience?"

Wu Chen paused briefly, then smiled gently: "If what I said on stage was for the world, then now I want to say something to my hometown."

He looked at the camera, his gaze calm and powerful: "I know you're all watching, thank you for your continued support. Although 'Get Out' was born in Hollywood, I wrote the script at the Beijing Film Academy."

That day, the sun was blazing outside the window; it was early summer in Beijing, and the cicadas' chirping wasn't so noisy yet, but rather quite pleasant.

Today I stand here to tell you that we can tell any story well, no matter who we tell it to.

There was a round of applause.

At this moment, other Chinese-language media outlets also took the opportunity to ask questions:
"Director Wu, your response to the credit issue at the ceremony has sparked global discussion. Many people say that you said what Chinese filmmakers have always wanted to say but dared not say. What is your opinion on this?"

Wu Chen's tone remained gentle, but his eyes held more weight: "The movie has main characters and background; it has subtitles and credits."

Being credited isn't an honor, it's the path we've walked. Every path we've walked deserves to be remembered.

As soon as he said that, someone translated it for him, and the foreign journalists exchanged glances and took notes.

Amidst this enthusiastic atmosphere, a normal yet slightly sharp Korean pronunciation suddenly pierced through the front row.

"I'm a reporter from K Entertainment Daily in South Korea, and I have a question for Director Wu Chen."

The crowd fell silent for a moment.

A South Korean male reporter in a gray suit stood in the back row and took a step closer after receiving a nod from the guide.

His expression seemed to be without hostility, but the "observer's perspective" quality in his tone made the surrounding reporters put down their pens.

Because experience tells them that what follows is likely to be a "language confrontation".

"Director Wu, your speech at the awards ceremony tonight has been described by many as an 'expression of cultural stance'."

But by emphasizing local attribution at such an international event, doesn't it give the impression that the Chinese-language film industry is using awards to expand its influence, or even intentionally creating division?

After he finished speaking, there was a brief silence in the room.

This is a "thorny pillow"—soft on the surface, but sharp as needles.

In particular, the phrases "expanding influence" and "creating confrontation" almost imply that Wu Chen turned an art celebration into a "statement of position."

Wu Chen glanced at the South Korean reporter, his expression unchanged:

“I understand that you are quite sensitive to the issue of ‘insisting on belonging’. Um, sorry, I misspoke. It should be that you are quite fragile.”

Upon hearing this, the surrounding reporters couldn't help but burst into laughter.

South Korea has always been very sensitive to its long-standing issues of cultural identity and historical disputes, a fact that has long been known to other countries.

Jason Blum kept his head down, trying his best not to smile so brightly in front of the camera. He knew how barbed Wu Chen's jokes could be.

"By the way, I remember 'Dae Jang Geum' was once labeled as a Japanese drama. Has it been changed? Do you want me to help you?" Wu Chen turned to look at the reporters around him. If he remembered correctly, "Dae Jang Geum" was once labeled as a Japanese drama by foreign platforms, which infuriated the Koreans.

Foreign media couldn't hold back any longer, and some people laughed out loud, but they still nodded, indicating that they ultimately changed it back.

Seeing this, Wu Chen shrugged and said jokingly, "You see, things like this always happen."

My speaking out today is like slamming on the brakes for you, so that one day even 'Korean kimchi' will be written as 'Japanese-style pickled vegetables,' and you won't be too embarrassed to ask someone to change it."

A soft chuckle rippled through the crowd, starting with domestic journalists and spreading to Western media.

Several European and American journalists even whistled: "Wow, that's spot on."

The South Korean reporter's expression froze, and he forced a smile but didn't say anything more.

Backstage at the Kodak Theatre, before the flashbulbs in the interview area had even gone off, the Get Out crew had just finished walking through all the media channels when Wu Chen was led to the Governors Ball, the official celebration banquet for this year's Oscars.

This is the first major event after the Oscars ceremony, hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and is only open to winners, major nominees, producers, and Academy members.

The banquet was held in the Crystal Hall upstairs in the theater, where warm golden lights covered the entire ceiling, the aroma of wine filled the air, and the silverware gleamed.

Wu Chen changed into a lighter dark gray suit, still slightly sweaty, and was accompanied by Jason Blum and the creators of "Get Out".

Not long after everyone was seated, a figure took the initiative to greet them.

"congratulate!"

Martin Scorsese, with a gentle demeanor and his familiar old-fashioned elegance, shook hands with Wu Chen and said sincerely, "You spoke very well about 'Infernal Affairs' tonight, thank you!"

Wu Chen nodded in response: "Thank you. You also gave an outstanding performance in its adaptation."

The two smiled at each other, knowing they were both sensible people.

After exchanging pleasantries, David Lyndon from Universal Pictures and several other executives gathered around, clinking their champagne glasses.

"Wu, congratulations! It seems you've managed to keep your bet ahead of schedule." David smiled and raised his glass. "We're doomed to lose. The second benchmark was set too low. I was fooled by you that day. If we could do it again, I would definitely raise it by two times!"

“Then I probably won’t sign it,” Wu Chen joked, eliciting a burst of laughter. He then clinked glasses with David Lyndon, “It’s a win-win situation for us.”

David Lyndon nodded affirmatively.

Although the bet resulted in a slight loss in distribution costs, the Best Picture award had a huge impact on the overall box office, and there was also a small incident in between, which was definitely a huge boon for Get Out.

He could even imagine the phenomenal success of the overseas release in the next few days.

After a moment, David followed up with, "I heard you're not planning to direct 'Now You See Me 2' anymore? Do you have any new ideas?"

He had received instructions from his superiors to try his best to find out information about Wu Chen's next film.

After all, as a top Hollywood director, and now even showing signs of surpassing others, and having won Best Picture today, Wu Chen's new film is definitely worth Universal's investment.

"Yes, I have an idea; I saw some information about it before."

Wu Chen's eyes lit up. He had long planned for his next film, but the timing wasn't right yet, and he didn't have enough prestige or influence in Hollywood to direct it.

The time has finally come.

Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Beijing, in a villa district.

Liu Yifei, wearing a soft gray knitted cardigan, sat curled up on the bed. The TV in front of her was replaying the scene of Wu Chen going on stage to accept the award. She unconsciously hummed a little tune, her eyes filled with undisguised joy.

Shu Chang hugged a cushion while looking her over: "Qianqian, why haven't you contacted Wu Chen to congratulate him yet?"

Liu Yifei smiled and said, "No rush. He must be very busy right now. I'll call him when he's done."

How do you know when he'll be finished?

Liu Yifei chuckled softly, her voice gentle: "It's very simple, hehe, because he'll tell me."

(End of this chapter)