Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 318 Winning an Award? No Suspense?
It was past nine o'clock, and the sky in Beijing was already bright.

The air in January is dry, cold, and clear. The poplar trees along the street are bare, casting dappled shadows through the pale golden sunlight, making the joggers on the sidewalk seem even more brisk.

The radio had just finished broadcasting a news briefing; the presenter's voice was excited yet restrained:

"At the press conference for the 65th Golden Globe Awards held just now, the film 'Black Peony,' directed by Chinese director Wu Chen, officially won the Best Foreign Language Film award."

This marks the first time a mainland Chinese director has achieved a true breakthrough in this award since "Farewell My Concubine" in 1994, and "Black Peony" is also the first film to win this award on behalf of mainland China.
Previously, Chen Kaige's "Farewell My Concubine" represented Hong Kong at the Golden Globe Awards, while "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" represented Taiwan.

By this time, the news updates on major portal websites had already been published for quite some time.

[Black Peony Breaks Through! Mainland Director Wins Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film After 14 Years]

[The film "Black Peony" won the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 65th Golden Globe Awards.]

[Wu Chencheng becomes another Chinese-language director to win a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, following in the footsteps of Chen Kaige and Li An.]

【.】

The announcement of the Best Director and Best Actress awards will take some time, but the industry is buzzing with excitement right now.
At the Beijing Film Studio in the north of the city, inside the soundstage for "Mei Lanfang," the sounds of machinery, introductions, and discussions rose and fell.

"Director Chen, the media are crowding the safety line, shouting that they want to interview you. We're worried it will affect filming later," the production assistant called out.

There have always been many media outlets camping out outside the set of "Mei Lanfang," partly to take photos of the film, and partly because the Beijing Film Studio hosts many film crews, and a lot of firsthand entertainment news happens there.

"Okay, I'll handle it." Chen Kai nodded silently and stood up.

He learned that Wu Chen had won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film and had just sent a congratulatory message. However, the news made him recall the winter of 1994 when he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Now, mainland China has gained another award recipient.
The crew members were still whispering among themselves.

Zhang Ziyi's eyes flashed. Chen Kaige was here earlier, and she was too embarrassed to have her assistant send a congratulatory message in front of him. Now was the perfect opportunity.

As soon as the reporters saw Chen Kaige emerge, they swarmed him like seabirds smelling fish, brandishing microphones, recorders, and cameras.
"Director Chen! What are your thoughts on Wu Chen winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film?"

"Fourteen years after you, a mainland director has won this award again. Is there anything you would like to say to Director Wu?"

Will "Mei Lanfang" be nominated for the Golden Globe Awards, aiming to replicate the legend of "Farewell My Concubine"?

Chen Kaige stopped and slowly began to speak, his tone unhurried: "First of all, congratulations to Director Wu Chen. This is a moment that all filmmakers can be proud of. Chinese-language films have actually been accumulating strength in recent years."

I don't have much to say, but I hope it doesn't stop here. The road ahead will be even more difficult. As for whether "Mei Lanfang" will be eligible for the Golden Globe Awards, I don't know, but it will be a good film. I hope everyone will give it enough patience and a good filming environment.

Chen Kaige is very confident that "Mei Lanfang" is his comeback film.

He desperately needs a film to redeem himself.

Ning Hao wasn't filming outside at the time, but he had a close relationship with Wu Chen, so naturally many media outlets called to interview him.

"I just saw the news on the live stream, and to be honest, I'm very happy and excited."

Ning Hao chatted happily for a while, but when the media asked why they couldn't reach Wu Chen, he paused for a moment and added, "Director Wu might be busy with other things. We should be able to get in touch later. No rush, good things come to those who wait."

"The media can't get in touch with Director Wu either?" Xing Aina, who was listening nearby, heard this clearly.

"Hmm, that's strange."

Ning Hao was also somewhat puzzled after hanging up the phone.

"Director Wu probably hasn't gotten up yet, has he?"

Xing Aina suddenly spoke up, and Ning Hao subconsciously shook his head, "It can't be that bad, it's an awards ceremony for a major award, they should be watching, right?"

"That too!"

Xing Aina nodded affirmatively upon hearing this. If it were her, she would definitely keep a close eye on it, even staying up late into the night to watch. Many people were interviewed, but the person in question was missing; even reporters from China Film News and CCTV-6 couldn't get through to her by phone.

Meanwhile, the press conference inside the Hilton Hotel was proceeding smoothly.

Reporters in the audience occasionally asked questions, but the overall pace of the awards presentation was surprisingly fast.

The Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Film award went to Marion Cotillard for *La Vie en Rose*.
After Johnny Depp was awarded Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for "Sweeney Todd," the Best Actress in a Drama award is about to be presented.

Soon, the envelope in the host's hand once again became the focus of the entire audience.

"Now we will present the award for Best Actress in a Feature Film—"

The comment section of the live stream was instantly flooded with messages, and the audience's emotions quickly rose:
"Here she comes! Sissi is aiming for the Golden Globe for Best Actress!"

"I'm nervous! Oh my god, three of the top five are award-winning actresses. Can we win?"

"This year's class seems pretty strong."

"."

In the footage, the host, with a solemn expression, begins to read out the nominations:
The nominees for Best Actress in a Drama at the 65th Golden Globe Awards are:

“Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age”.

Julie Christie, "The Light at the End of the Road".

"Liu Yifei, Black Peony".

Angelina Jolie, "A Mighty Heart".

"Keira Knightley, Atonement."

The atmosphere in the live broadcast rooms of major domestic portal websites froze at this moment.

Meanwhile, in the brightly lit screening room of the Beijing Film Academy, the teachers of the acting department were inexplicably nervous, with Cui Xinqin and Wang Jinsong among them frowning.

"Old Wang, the competition this year is fierce. None of the nominated candidates are pushovers. Do you think we have a chance?"

"Who knows? It's hard to say. It's possible we'll take it or not."

"Old Wang, what you said is as good as saying nothing at all."

"."

At that moment, the host paused for a second, opened the envelope, and slowly read out the winner's name:

"The Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama is won by—"

He paused for a moment, then his voice settled:

Julie Christie, "The Light at the End of the Road".

At that moment, not only in the screening room, but also in the domestic live broadcast rooms, countless viewers felt as if they had been thrown down from a great height. Their held breaths finally landed, and a wave of voices filled with resentment and regret arose.

"What a pity."

"So close! Just a hair's breadth away! Waaaaah, I almost made history!"

"It's reasonable for Liu Yifei to lose to veteran actress Julie Christie in the Golden Globe Awards. No wonder some analysts say that the Best Actress in a Drama award at this year's Golden Globe Awards is almost a foregone conclusion."

"."

(End of this chapter)