Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 346 wasn't as difficult as I imagined.

The stage curtain slowly closed.

As the last rays of golden light faded from the awards ceremony, the hall still echoed with enthusiastic applause and cheers.

The air still seemed to be thick with a layer of lingering magnesium dust as host Jon Stewart stood at the edge of the stage, smiling as he thanked everyone into the microphone to wrap things up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for staying up late. I need to go home now and start writing next year's speech!"

The ceremony concluded with a final round of applause and laughter, officially bringing the 80th Academy Awards to a close.

People in the back rows of the theater began to get up sporadically, and many headed towards the exit.

Of course, as one of the grand prize winners, Wu Chen and others also had to give interviews.

However, the media area arranged by the Oscars prioritized interviews with "No Country for Old Men," the Best Picture winner, while "Black Peony" had to wait until later.

Wu Chen and others undoubtedly gave interviews to domestic media first.

This is at the movie channel studio.

Facing the camera, Yao Miao's expression still carried lingering excitement and emotion:

"Alright, friends, the 80th Academy Awards have now come to a close. For Chinese cinema, this has been an Oscars event that will be remembered."

"Black Peony" won the Best Foreign Language Film award, the first time that a film from mainland China has received this honor, and director Wu Chen also won the Best Director award.

Meanwhile, Chinese actress Liu Yifei was also nominated for Best Actress for her role in "Black Peony".
In recent years, we have clearly seen Chinese filmmakers frequently appearing on the international stage, and the world has heard the voice from the East.

Thank you to all the viewers today. We look forward to witnessing every step of the growth of Chinese cinema in the future. See you next year at the Oscars! Cheers to Chinese cinema—may it achieve even greater glory!

The screen gradually dimmed, and the channel then switched back to live broadcasts and rolling news from various parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the national portal website is constantly updating its news feed:

[Wu Chen wins the Oscar! Best Director Award is given to a director from mainland China for the first time!]

[The full text of director Wu Chen's Oscar acceptance speech for "Bridge to No Man's Land"!]

[Black Peony Resonates with the Sound of the East! Director Wu Chen Wins Two Oscars!]

【.】

Backstage at the Kodak Theater, in the domestic media area, Wu Chen, Liu Yifei, Han Sanping, and others stood in front of the backdrop, with spotlights shining down, and reporters scrambling to get their microphones in hand.

The first question was directed at Wu Chen: "As a Chinese director, winning two Oscars, what are your thoughts at this moment?"

"Well, I think this is both an encouragement and a spur. Current success doesn't guarantee the future; we still need to work hard."

I believe that Chinese stories, Chinese narratives, and the inner world of the Chinese people deserve a deeper resonance in the world of cinema.

We have our own cinematic language, born from the soil of thousands of years of Chinese civilization, like opera, calligraphy, painting, ink wash, even the drifting fallen flowers and ancient myths.

"Thank you, Director Wu. It's a pity that Yifei didn't win Best Actress. Do you have any thoughts on that?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei smiled playfully: "It's alright. I just used that director's award trophy as a mirror to look at myself, and I'm quite satisfied."

This response cheered up the media present.

Next up is Han Sanping.

A reporter asked with a smile, "Mr. Han, you've brought back Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director on your first trip to the Oscars. What are your thoughts right now?"

Han Sanping, holding the microphone, cheerfully began to speak:
"It wasn't as difficult as I imagined; it was actually quite easy. Of course, it's probably because of Director Wu's excellent direction, hahaha!"

This remark immediately drew laughter from the interview audience, and the reporters paused, their pens poised to strike a halt – this response was sure to become a sensational headline. Just then, the cast and crew of "No Country for Old Men" had left the media wall, and staff immediately led the "Black Peony" crew onto the stage.

The spotlight is on again, focusing on a new area, while the shouts from outside the backstage interview area are being translated into text by domestic portal news outlets and transmitted back to the other side of the ocean.

After the interview, it was time for the Oscar celebration banquet.

Liu Yifei changed her clothes and attended the event arm in arm with Wu Chen.

The two received many congratulations during this time, and Paramount was particularly happy because both of its Oscar-winning films this year had won awards.

Jason Blum and Keira Knightley also called to congratulate him and asked if Wu Chen wanted to come to the Vanity Fair party to celebrate.

"Never mind, Jason, Paramount has arranged another party."

"OK, by the way, Universal just messaged us. They've agreed to our demand for 18% of the distribution fees for 'Paranormal Activity.' Your best directorship is coming in handy right away."

"good news."

Wu Chen smiled and replied.

At this moment, at the Vanity Fair party, Zhang Ziyi, arm in arm with her foreign boyfriend, was chatting with a veteran Hollywood producer.

She had already announced this year that she was going to start transitioning into a Hollywood producer, and her eyes kept glancing towards the entrance, wondering if she would run into Wu Chen and his group coming to celebrate their success. If so, she could take advantage of their momentum.
There were many congratulatory calls from within China, including from Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen laughed a few times, offered his congratulations, and hung up the phone. While stroking his stubble, he muttered to himself, "This time it feels like I got the better deal."

"With Director Wu winning this award, the popularity of 'The Martian' has increased significantly!"

Zhou Yun smiled and replied, "I feel like quite a few male actors might have objections."

"It's their business if they have opinions, it's none of my concern," Jiang Wen said dismissively, shaking his head.

At this time, many people in the industry were indeed whispering about it.

"The Martian" is Wu Chen's first work after winning the Oscar for Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film, and its popularity has reached a new level.
The attention garnered by "Lust, Caution" after Li An won Best Director for "Brokeback Mountain" was even greater than that of the film itself.

Moreover, this movie is a Sino-US co-production, which makes it even better.

"Jiang Wen is just wandering around aimlessly."

"He's a director, what's the point of acting? What a waste of a great opportunity, sigh."

Many people were cursing and swearing.

At this very moment, it was lunchtime in the mainland film and television industry. Every corner, from the editing room and the agency to the distribution department and the screenwriters, was buzzing with excitement because of Wu Chen.

Directors who made public appearances were naturally sought after for interviews, including Feng Xiaogang.

"Director Feng, what are your thoughts on Wu Chen winning Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director?"

Do you have any plans to compete for an Oscar this year?

Why wasn't "Assembly" submitted for an Oscar nomination?

Feng Xiaogang's face twitched, and he forced a smile, suppressing the urge to curse.
"First of all, congratulations to Director Wu. To be honest, it's a historic moment for mainland China to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. I just sent him a congratulatory text message. He's currently attending the celebration banquet."
My new film, which I'm currently preparing, isn't an art film, so it's probably out of the running for an Oscar!

After responding, Feng Xiaogang couldn't be bothered with the reporters anymore; those bastards were really despicable.

But the thought of Wu Chen winning Best Foreign Language Film made it impossible for him not to feel envious. He couldn't help but secretly think, "Damn it, it's not like I'm without thoughts of it."

(End of this chapter)