Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 317 An Award Ceremony Without a Presentation

The Golden Globe Awards ceremony was held on the evening of the 13th local time, which happened to be the morning of the 14th in China.

Compared to the somewhat opportune timing of the three major film festivals, the Golden Globe Awards and Hollywood Awards are undoubtedly more in line with the schedules of domestic audiences, allowing them to see the award results immediately without having to stay up all night.

Although this year's Golden Globe Awards adopted a press conference format, the live broadcast will still proceed as usual, with several major domestic portal websites also broadcasting this year's Golden Globe Awards press conference live.

After all, this is the first time a mainland Chinese director has come so close to the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film since "Farewell My Concubine" in 1993. Although there have been nominations before, the chances of winning were far greater than they are now.

What's even more exciting is that this time there's more than one film.

Li An's "Lust, Caution" and Wu Chen's "Black Peony" were both shortlisted.

This year, Chinese-language films had a two-fifths chance of winning at the Golden Globe Awards, surpassing any previous year.

As the announcement date approaches, predictions and analyses become increasingly heated.

Mainland film critics are divided on this issue, but more are optimistic about "Black Peony":
"Judging from its performance at Cannes last year, although 'Black Peony' ultimately won the Special Palme d'Or, in many people's minds, it was a true Palme d'Or worthy film. It was only because of Cannes' consistent tradition of awarding prizes that a compromise was made."

This time, competing against "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days", "Persepolis", and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly", "Black Peony" has a clear advantage.

However, compared to "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days", Wu Chen's cinematic language is more international, which is very much in line with the tastes of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The only threat is "Lust, Caution".
However, the film's controversial nature and subject matter limit its potential for further improvement within Hollywood's mainstream evaluation system; I have a higher opinion of "Black Peony."

Unlike the cautious but diverse analyses on the mainland, predictions on Taiwan were surprisingly consistent: Lee's victory was certain.

"In terms of seniority and international influence, Li Anyuan is far superior to the others. Moreover, 'Lust, Caution' won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Its subject matter and international attention are top-notch, far surpassing the other films."

Taiwanese media outlets confidently declared: "This year's best foreign language film is none other than 'Lust, Caution'!"

In just a few days, the Golden Globe Awards have generated even more buzz. Although the awards ceremony was cancelled, the participation of two internationally renowned Chinese directors has only increased domestic attention, sparking heated discussions among netizens.

"The Golden Globe Awards have become a joke; they don't even dare to hold it because of a strike. Trash."

"Nonsense, look at how few of the nominated actors and directors are going. Wouldn't it be even more awkward if we just held the event?"

"I really wanted to see Wu Chen or Li Anzhan go on stage to accept the award, what a pity."

"."

The three award nominations for "Black Peony" were already exciting: Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director, and Best Actress, each a heavyweight.

On the evening of the 13th, Beijing time, Mu Deyuan called Wu Chen's mobile phone:

"Everyone wants you and Effie to come to school tomorrow to watch the live stream together. It's rare that you two, who are nominated, didn't go in person."

"Teacher, let's not go. It would be so embarrassing if we didn't win an award."

"Alright then." Mu Deyuan didn't insist, but just said cheerfully, "You need to have some confidence. We've analyzed it, and the chances are still pretty good this time."
You actually only have two competitors.

Not long after hanging up with Mu Deyuan, Han Sanping called again, also inviting Wu Chen to watch the live broadcast together.

Wu Chen had no choice but to decline again.

"We're watching it at home tomorrow? Does that mean we need to go to bed early? Otherwise, we won't be able to get up."

Liu Yifei had just finished showering and walked over wearing a silk nightgown. Under the warm yellow light, her fair skin seemed to glow with a soft luster.

Perhaps because she had just taken a shower, her cheeks were slightly flushed, giving her an alluring look.

Just as she was about to untie her long, coiled hair, Wu Chen suddenly stopped her:
"Don't untangle it, just leave it coiled like this, it feels more interesting."

"what?"

Liu Yifei didn't react for a moment, blinking in confusion, her eyelashes still seeming a little damp.
Before she could think further, Wu Chen grabbed her slender wrist and gently but firmly pulled her into his arms.

The hem of the nightgown swayed gracefully in an instant, revealing a section of her fair and slender calves.

"What are you doing?" Liu Yifei asked playfully, her clear eyes welling up with tears, her voice growing softer and softer.

"What do you say?"

"Didn't I say I'm going to watch the Golden Globe Awards live tomorrow? I need to go to bed early."

"No rush, it's still early."

Wu Chen didn't give her a chance to say anything more, and directly leaned down and kissed her chattering little mouth.
Outside the window, the winter night in Beijing was tranquil and picturesque, while inside, a gentle and enchanting atmosphere gradually filled the room.

Her long, tied-up hair lay scattered on the bed sheets.
The next morning, the live broadcast rooms of major portal websites were already packed with waiting viewers.

A striking caption slowly appeared on the screen: "The 65th Golden Globe Awards are about to be announced."

Los Angeles, under the hazy night sky, the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel lacked the dazzling lights of last year's grand event. There was no star-studded red carpet, no lively entrance ceremony, only a makeshift stage, surrounded by a dense crowd of reporters wielding long lenses and microphones.

This year's Golden Globe Awards, due to the writers' strike and the Screen Actors Guild's boycott, was unprecedentedly simplified into a press conference.

A blue backdrop with the simple words "Hollywood Foreign Press Association" printed on it was so rudimentary it was almost heartbreaking.

Chairman George Camara stood before the microphone, his expression grave, a slip of paper clutched in his hand, reading aloud the list:

"Best Original Score: 'Atonement'." Major domestic portal websites simultaneously broadcast this special Golden Globe Awards live. Viewers in front of their computers had been waiting for a long time, and the comment sections were constantly refreshing with messages:

"The awards ceremony is going on so fast, it's like they're rushing from one event to another."

"In that case, wouldn't it be the best foreign language film award very soon?"

At this moment, teachers from the acting and cinematography departments of the Beijing Film Academy also gathered together, creating a tense yet enthusiastic atmosphere.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the live broadcast on the big screen, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

Although Mu Deyuan appeared calm, his eyes never left the screen.

"This progress is too fast, even faster than I expected!"

"That's normal. After all, there are no award recipients or a red carpet. It'll probably be over in less than an hour."

"I wonder if Yifei can win Best Actress, becoming the first Chinese actress to win a Golden Globe."

Just then, the host in the video glanced down at the envelope in his hand and took a deep breath:

"Now we present the Best Foreign Language Film award. The nominees for the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film are '4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,' 'Persepolis,' 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,' 'Black Peony,' and 'Lust, Caution.'"

In an instant, the entire screening room seemed to freeze.

Han Sanping watched this scene with extreme tension.

In the live broadcast, George Camara slowly opened the envelope and announced in a calm voice:
The winner of the 65th Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film is:

Everyone held their breath, and that brief pause was just like the most tense moment before the climax in a movie.

"The gathering of several Cannes Film Festival award winners and the Venice Golden Lion is truly impressive!"

Who can win?

"They definitely hope Wu Chen can win the award."

In front of the live broadcast room, many movie fans waited excitedly for the final result, some even breathing heavily.

But just then, the screen went black, and a line of text appeared: "Buffering, please wait!"

"Damn, what kind of lousy network is this?!"

"Sina, what do you mean? You're causing problems at a crucial moment."

"Hurry up with the buffering! Why isn't it buffering yet?"

"."

Netizens immediately launched into a tirade of criticism, but thankfully the video froze for a few seconds before returning to normal.

"Black Peony"

These three short words, however, pierced the silence like a bolt of lightning, instantly igniting everyone's emotions.

"Damn, thank goodness I didn't miss it. If I'd been a second slower, I wouldn't have heard it at all."

"Wu Chen really got it, and it really is 'Black Peony'!"

"Holy crap, strictly speaking, this is actually the first mainland Chinese film to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film."

"."

The comment section was instantly flooded with countless exclamation marks and a frenzy of comments.

Inside the screening room of the Beijing Film Academy, laughter and excited clapping filled the air.

"The analysis is still correct. Wu Chen's film structure is actually more suitable for Best Foreign Language Film. Its competitors are only 'Lust, Caution' and '4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,' but to be honest, those two are not as good as 'Black Peony.'"

"Old Mu, you should try to get Wu Chen and Yi Fei to come here to watch the live broadcast. It's okay if the awards ceremony can't be held in person, we can still have a short ceremony here."

"Haha, right! Old Mu, do you think we should give Wu Chen a call and ask how he's feeling right now, and whether he wants to give an acceptance speech?"

"Haha, call him and ask him, and congratulate him while everyone's here."

Everyone laughed and said that Mu Deyuan also made a call, but the phone rang for a long time and no one answered.

"That's strange. Could it have been left somewhere else?" Mu Deyuan fell into deep thought for a moment, then hung up the phone, intending to call back later.

On the other side, Han Sanping, who had been in high spirits, was also puzzled: "That's strange, why isn't anyone answering Wu Chen's phone?"

"Can't you still get through to Director Wu on the phone?" Xing Aina pressed.

Wu Chen didn't attend the awards ceremony, and Ning Hao was thinking of calling to congratulate him, but no one answered the phone.

"Never mind, I'll call Xixi. Director Wu's phone is probably somewhere else at home, he didn't notice." Xing Aina picked up her phone and quickly dialed the number, but no one answered.

Meanwhile, in the villa's bedroom, Wu Chen and Liu Yifei were still fast asleep on the slightly disheveled sheets, completely unaware of what was happening.
(End of this chapter)