Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 343 In this important year, the cultural front was the first to resonate.
As noon approached, the last wisp of morning mist finally dissipated from the sky over the capital.

Sunlight streamed down from a low angle, casting dappled shadows on the gray-white brick walls of the old campus of the Beijing Film Academy.

Several students, bundled up in thick down jackets, walked briskly past the teaching building, but slowed down involuntarily as they passed the projection room.

The screening room on the third floor of the old building was brightly lit, with the curtains drawn. The projection screen was showing Wu Chen receiving an award and giving his acceptance speech.

"The mainland finally has its own Best Foreign Language Film Award, and no longer has to be inferior to Taiwan."

"Most importantly, this is a film that truly represents mainland China's productions; it's not a joint application, nor is it marginalized."

"Yeah!"

"."

Below the curtain, a dozen professors sat around, their expressions no longer serious as during class; instead, they were laughing loudly, filled with excitement and emotion.

It's worth noting that since 2001, when Li An won the Best Foreign Language Film award for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," a prize that mainland filmmakers had never received, it has certainly made the mainland lose face.

Although "Hero" had a strong showing in its Oscar bid, it was a commercial film that lacked humanistic concern. At the time, it was already quite difficult to be nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, let alone win the award.

In the following years, despite repeated attempts, they still failed at the last hurdle.

This has finally made up for a major regret in the mainland film industry.

"Are the teachers so happy today?" Not far away, some students couldn't help but exchange glances as they listened to the bursts of laughter coming from the screening room.

"How could I not be happy? The mainland has filled one of the awards, and the school has filled one as well. There aren't many left to fill."

"That's right, Senior Brother Wu Chen has finally brought back the Best Foreign Language Film award this time!"

"Look in the group chat! Someone said that the China Film News even sent out a congratulatory news bulletin!"

"."

Everyone took out their phones and quickly looked at a news flash from a movie newspaper. The headline and content caught their eye.

Although it wasn't a long post, the fact that they were able to send out a congratulatory message so quickly speaks volumes.

Breaking News: A Chinese mainland film has won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for the first time!

"On the morning of February 25th, Beijing time, the 80th Academy Awards (Oscars) ceremony was held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles."

The film "Black Peony," directed by Wu Chen, a young director from mainland my country, and submitted by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, lived up to expectations and won the "Best Foreign Language Film Award," achieving a historic breakthrough for mainland Chinese filmmakers.

In his acceptance speech, director Wu Chen said, "We make films in Chinese, and now, they are making their voice heard in the world." His concise yet heartfelt words expressed his respect for his country, culture, and film, earning him enthusiastic applause from the audience.

This marks the second time a Chinese filmmaker has won the Golden Statue Award since the 2001 win for the Chinese-language film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," signifying a significant step for Chinese cinema onto the world stage.

Meanwhile, on the set of "Mei Lanfang", Chen Kaige had already let everyone rest for a while. He himself was also filled with emotion and couldn't help but think of a piece of old yellow paper that had been folded at home.

That was the Oscar acceptance speech he prepared for "Farewell My Concubine" many years ago, but unfortunately it has not been used to this day.

"Old Chen, what's wrong? Director Wu won an award." Chen Hong walked over and asked softly.

"It's nothing, it's good that we got it." Chen Kai smiled and shook his head, looking up at the clear winter sky, and said softly, "I wonder what Zhang Yimou is thinking right now."

He knew that Zhang Yimou had always harbored resentment towards the Oscars.

Although the two have been constantly competing and compared by various media outlets, and they have had some minor grudges, they are ultimately friends who have known each other for many years, a fact that cannot be erased.

"Director Zhang?" Upon hearing this, Chen Hong was momentarily speechless. Who else but Zhang Yimou could answer that?

At that moment, Zhang Yi was lighting a cigarette in the lounge of the Olympic Building, gazing into the distance, and was indeed quite emotional.

"It's okay, we'll try again next time. We'll definitely bring back this Best Foreign Language Film and make your dream come true. New Pictures hasn't opened for business for two years, let's give it a try next year!"

Zhang Weiping made a special trip over here. These days, because Zhang Yimou is focused on preparing for the Olympics, New Pictures has not achieved anything, and other companies have stolen the limelight.

He had to keep hanging around Zhang Yimou from time to time to make her feel guilty.

"Um"

Within just over ten minutes, Wu Chen's acceptance speech had been quickly compiled and disseminated by various media outlets:

[Wu Chen's full acceptance speech revealed: Speaking about myself in my mother tongue, responding to the world through film!]

[The film "Black Peony" won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, and Wu Chen's acceptance speech went viral: "Graceful as the wind, its influence has endured for a century!"]

[A historic moment! Wu Chen raises his trophy on stage: "This trophy belongs to Chinese cinema!"]

【.】

In various reports, Wu Chen's full acceptance speech quickly spread, and even Baidu Tieba and Douban were flooded with this quote.

"This is great! I can finally understand the acceptance speech without a translator."

"Great movie, great director, great actors, great speech—this is one of the most satisfying Oscar acceptance speeches I've ever seen. Hmm, I think another one was also by Wu Chen, last year."

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is finally not the only one; mainland China finally has one too."

"."

Just as netizens were still expressing their feelings, at No. 2 Fuxingmenwai Street in Beijing, the General Administration Office Building was located.

Winter sunlight streamed through the milky-white curtains onto the conference table. The temperature was still chilly, but the atmosphere inside was already somewhat warm.

"Director Tong, the congratulatory newsletter from the film newspaper has been sent out, and the full article is still being written. Director Wu and his colleagues have two more award nominations."

The secretary reported to Tong Gang in a low voice.

"Okay, keep working. Let me know as soon as you have any news."

"Okay, by the way, Director Tong, the Writers' Association is also making some moves."

Tong Gang chuckled and waved his hand. "It's alright. After all, it was recommended by us. Prepare some commendation. Let me take a look at the final draft of the commendation document."

"understand!"

After the secretary left, she also sighed with emotion.

He was all too aware of the significance of "Black Peony" winning Best Foreign Language Film for China at that time; at any other time, it might not have been as precious as it was today.

For China, 2008 was not only the "Olympic Year" in a temporal sense, but also a strategic juncture for national identity, cultural confidence, and global exposure.

This is a pivotal year that everyone, from top to bottom, knows about.

The Oscar win for Best Foreign Language Film for "Black Peony" is like a resounding echo on the cultural front.

This is why the bureau attaches such importance to it; it's a major achievement for the bureau, and its significance is extraordinary.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the awards ceremony continued inside the Kodak Theatre.

But the crew's attention remained focused on that heavy golden statue.

This little golden statue was transferred from Wu Chen to Liu Yifei, and now it has gone to Han Sanping and Wang Changtian.

Neither of them was interested in watching the next few smaller prizes.

"This little golden statue isn't particularly expensive to make, and it feels just average," Han Sanping and Wang Changtian commented.

"Chairman Han, do we still want this replica?"

"Yes, we still want it. I'll ask Wu Chen later where there are any authorized souvenir workshops nearby that can help with replicas."

The two chatted more and more happily, and didn't even hear clearly what awards were announced later.

Wu Chen and Liu Yifei, sitting in the front row, exchanged a glance and smiled slightly upon hearing the laughter behind them.

Liu Yifei gently covered her mouth, "Chairman Han is really happy today; I've never seen him talk so much before."

"Chairman Han has finally achieved his dream." Wu Chen gently held Liu Yifei's hand in his. "Keep watching, the Oscar for Best Actress is just around the corner."

"Ok!"

(End of this chapter)