Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 347 News Broadcast, Commendation

Los Angeles time, 3:20 a.m., Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills.

The hotel corridor is quiet and spacious, covered with a dark brown patterned carpet, and the brass wall lamps on both sides cast a soft glow, giving the walls a warm, honey-like sheen.

Inside, the curtains were drawn, the mattress was deep, the temperature had not yet dropped, and the air was filled with the fragrance of photinia flowers.

Wu Chen lay relaxed on the bed, one hand resting on the edge of the bed, the other arm around Liu Yifei, his eyes half-closed as he savored the moment.

The soft yellow light shone on Liu Yifei, revealing pale pink skin on her neck. A few strands of her hair fell messily across her face, adding to her languid look.

"Turn off the lights, go to sleep."

Liu Yifei's voice was slightly sticky, and her eyelashes were drooping, as if she was so sleepy that she could hardly keep them open.

"Ok!"

Wu Chen sat up slightly, his hand reaching to turn off the light. The movement seemed a bit too forceful, causing Liu Yifei, who was still half asleep, to let out a soft, delicate hum.

"A fairy, that voice!"

Wu Chen sighed softly, but looking at Liu Yifei's gentle profile and the slight curve of her lips, he couldn't help but smile and quickly turned off the light.
While the two were fast asleep, across the ocean in China, the interview transcripts had already begun to circulate on major portal websites:
[Full text of Wu Chen's Oscar interview released!]

[Liu Yifei made a series of witty remarks on set: "I looked in the mirror with my director's award trophy and I was very satisfied!"]

Han Sanping, Chairman of China Film Group, jokingly remarked, "Winning awards feels much easier than I imagined."

Several major film and television forums, including the Tianya Film and Television Review Section, are bustling with activity, but the real recognition is still quietly awaiting.

Beijing, State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

A printed commendation document was placed in front of Tong Gang.

Tong Gang put on his reading glasses, looked at it from beginning to end, and nodded.

"Okay, let's do it this way."

The secretary beside him asked cautiously, "Director Tong, should we release it now, or..."

Tong Gang glanced at the time, pondered for a moment, and said calmly, "Let's wait until after eight o'clock tonight."

"Okay." The secretary nodded and left the office.

He had only taken a few steps out the door when he suddenly paused, realizing the timing of the release and understanding what had happened.

7 p.m.

On television screens in many cities and towns across the country, the familiar opening sequence of the evening news broadcast appeared on time.

For many of the older viewers from 2008, this was not just a program, but a convergence of daily life and ritual.

In Pingzhou Subdistrict, Foshan, a three-story brick building on an old street is bathed in warm yellow light, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

In every household, the sound of the television echoed in the living room.

In Old Zhang's living room, Aunt Zhang sat on the sofa, chewing on olives while listening to the news and mending her grandson's sweater. She casually remarked, "What's the point of watching this all day? It's not even pretty."

"How is it useless? Many people from my batch have made a fortune by watching this news every day. The direction and trends of the country all come from here."

"Heh, and you haven't gotten rich either!" "What do you know, you're just a woman."

Suddenly, the scene shifts, and the host solemnly announces: "The 80th Academy Awards were recently held in Los Angeles. Chinese director Wu Chen won two awards for his film 'Black Peony': Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director."

This marks the first time a director from mainland China has won both the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director, signifying a significant step forward for Chinese cinema on the world stage.

The scene shifts to Wu Chen accepting his award on stage. Under the golden lights, he raises the golden statuette and smiles in greeting. This short scene, lasting only about twenty seconds, touched the hearts of many viewers in front of their television sets.

"Hey, isn't this Old Wu's son!" Aunt Zhang sat up straight and called out, "Come, come, Xiao Rong, help me see if this is his son?"

The room suddenly became lively as several young people gathered around the television.
"Wow, it really is Brother Wu Chen!"

"I saw the news at noon today that I had won a big prize, and I was bragging about it to my classmates. I never expected it to be on the evening news tonight!"

"Now that's what you call being on the big screen, appearing on the evening news! I have to go tell Xiaoqin right away."

Within two minutes, neighbors started knocking on doors in the hallway:
"Xiaoqin, Xiaoqin! Turn on the TV quickly, your son is on the news!"

Yuan Xiaoqin opened the door and, hearing the voices of the crowd, realized what was happening. She hurriedly ran home, frantically grabbing the remote control, but the brief report had already ended. She couldn't help but complain to Wu Yangming standing beside her:
"It's all your fault for not watching the news. Now look what's happened, you've missed it!"

Wu Yangming coughed and said, "Watch the replay, watch the replay!"

"No replay is as good as a live broadcast."

Although it was just a news story, in an era when television was still the main platform, its appearance on "Xinwen Lianbo" (the evening news program on CCTV) was of great significance.

The news that Wu Chen had appeared on CCTV's evening news quickly spread throughout the industry.

"Wu Chen this time."

"Looks like this has a different meaning now, especially since it's an Olympic year!"

"What great luck! I heard the report only lasted about thirty seconds."

Industry insiders sighed with admiration, saying that such favor was truly enviable.

Tong Gang learned that Wu Chen had appeared on "News Broadcast" and smiled slightly.

He had already suspected this, otherwise he wouldn't have had his secretary release the bureau's commendation notice at 8 o'clock.

When Li An won the award for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," the news program "Xinwen Lianbo" gave a very brief report, which was far less than the length of Wu Chen's report this time.

Moreover, many official reports in China at the time were quite restrained and used very cautious language. The bureau did not even issue a formal congratulatory telegram or a special report, but simply listed it as a case study of "an international expression path worth studying".

However, Wu Chen doesn't need to be so cautious this time. It just so happens to be a crucial moment for him to enhance his international image, which is practically a political achievement delivered to his doorstep.

Shortly after the news broadcast, while the industry was still engaged in heated discussions, a commendation notice spread throughout the broadcasting system at all levels and the industry's intranet in less than ten minutes, and also appeared on major portals.

[Announcement Regarding the Award of the Best Foreign Language Film at the 80th Academy Awards for the Film "Black Peony"]

To the radio and television bureaus of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, film production companies, and relevant industry associations:
The film was produced by China Film Group, Star Cinema, and Enlight Media at the 80th Academy Awards ceremony.

The film "Black Peony," directed by Chinese director Wu Chen and starring Liu Yifei, won the "Best Foreign Language Film" award, and director Wu Chen also won the "Best Director" award for the film.
With its rigorous narrative structure, unique aesthetic style, and profound humanistic concern, the film showcases the fusion and innovation of traditional Chinese art and contemporary expression, winning widespread recognition from the international film community, enhancing the country's cultural soft power, and demonstrating the height and scope of Chinese film creation.

In recognition of their outstanding contributions, it has been decided, after deliberation, to issue a commendation to the film crew of "Black Peony," awarding them the title of "Outstanding Collective in International Film Communication," and to issue a commendation to the main creative members.
(End of this chapter)