Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 349 What, do we have to beg him?
Most foreign film crews choose to return home within three days of winning an award, but they usually stay in Los Angeles on the second day.

Putting aside other aspects of the itinerary, the task of finding a specially authorized shop to replicate the trophy is something we have to do.

"This is a rip-off! This is absolutely a rip-off! They're charging $1000 for a replica trophy! Back home, this thing wouldn't even cost a thousand yuan!"

Xiang Zhuo walked out of the authorized souvenir workshop, cursing and swearing, while Li Xiaoping, Zhang Qiang, and others laughed behind him.

"Luckily it was only a thousand dollars; what if it had been ten thousand dollars?"

Zhang Qiang shook his head with a smile at this point.

Given Han Sanping's personality, he would spend the ten thousand US dollars if necessary.

"Because this place is officially authorized, it has the word 'REPLICA' engraved on it and a unique serial number."

Li Xiaoping shrugged. Everyone knows how this kind of business makes money, and of course, a large portion of the money still goes to Oscar.

Wu Chen and his group had a packed schedule, with both official and overseas arrangements, filling their time from morning to night.

The return trip was scheduled for the morning of the following day, and I arrived back in China in the afternoon.

Time flies. The next morning, at No. 25 Dongtucheng Road, Chaoyang District, in the middle floor of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles building.

This is where the staff of major associations such as the Writers Association, Artists Association, and Musicians Association work daily.

The sunlight outside the window was slowly rising, shining through the glass onto the conference table.

The room was filled with about a dozen people who worked regularly for the Film Association, and the atmosphere was noticeably somber.

"Everyone should have read the document issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. Those who didn't read it yesterday can take another look. Let's see who to communicate with about this matter?"

Someone spoke first, and everyone else turned their attention to them.

Everyone knows that "Black Peony" didn't apply for last year's Golden Rooster Award. Now that the news broadcast and the bureau have this in mind, if they don't express their stance, they'd be out of their minds.

“I think it would be more appropriate to go directly to Mu Deyuan or Zhang Yimou about this matter. They are more familiar with Wu Chen and have more say in the matter.”

Someone nearby hesitated for a moment, their tone revealing a hint of doubt.

"Looking for Mu Deyuan and Zhang Yimou? What's the use of looking for them?" another person sneered. "Maybe they're the ones who taught them, especially Zhang Yimou. Has he taken the initiative to attend the Golden Rooster Awards ceremony all these years?"

The number of times they've come can probably be counted on one hand.

Upon hearing this, everyone displayed subtle expressions.

Before Wu Chen became internationally renowned, only Chen Kaige, one of the only two internationally acclaimed directors from mainland China, was somewhat willing to associate with them. Although he usually just put on a show and didn't bother to get involved, at least he still had the title.

Zhang Yimou directly refused even the honorary title, and showed no interest in the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards ceremony. He would only occasionally come to take a look after several years had passed, and it was not easy to politely decline.
Given Zhang Yimou's achievements and status in the industry, coupled with his current role as the director of the Beijing Olympics, they have no way to deal with him. The two sides can only try to annoy each other.

"Don't rush to find him. Let's ask Han Sanping first. He cares a lot about domestic awards," the person sitting in the main seat said slowly. "Also, we can ask Zhang Huijun. After all, Wu Chen is still on the list of students at Beijing Film Academy, and Zhang Huijun is the vice president of our association. It's better to have him handle it than us."

After saying this, he paused and looked at Secretary-General Kang Jianming: "Jianming, you should handle this matter!"

Kang Jianming nodded, a forced smile on his face, but inwardly he was cursing.

Damn it, Han Sanping is slightly better, but Zhang Huijun is a hot potato. He has a vice position in the Film Association, and Tong Gang is also a vice position here. Have they ever attended a meeting?

Let him handle the communication? That's utter nonsense.

One of them works in the higher education system, and the other in the broadcasting system. They're just holding these positions; they're only there to get help. If you're being polite, you might get some leeway, but if you're not, they're not people the association can control at all.

The thought of having to discuss this with Zhang Huijun gave him a headache. Being this damn secretary-general was really tough, but luckily he was getting promoted this year and would be a deputy, so whoever wanted to deal with these mundane daily tasks could handle them.

"What if neither of them can convince Wu Chen?" someone suddenly asked in a low voice.

The conference room fell into a brief silence.

The man in the main seat frowned and said impatiently, "Then we'll think of another way. What, do we have to beg him?"

Everyone fell silent and said no more.

Meanwhile, the office of the principal of the Beijing Film Academy was filled with joy.

Zhang Huijun had just hung up the phone, his smile still lingering.

He had just finished a phone call and bragged to a few "friends" at various universities.

To be honest, he thought there might be a news report about it on last night's evening news, but he didn't expect it to last for almost 30 seconds, and the bureau even issued a commendation document.

It's important to know that the evaluation system for art colleges differs from that of regular universities; they do not consider papers, patents, or academic achievements.
The evaluation criteria are based on four main dimensions: the achievements of students/alumni in the industry, the industry status of alumni, the quality of enrollment/employment, and the number of students/alumni participating in key national cultural projects.

And coincidentally, this year the Beijing Film Academy almost entirely took the top spots.

Zhang Yimou directed the Olympic opening ceremony, which attracted worldwide attention;
Wu Chen also just won the Oscar for Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film yesterday.

The Beijing Film Academy's international achievements this year and last year are enough to propel it several places in the global rankings of art colleges, and it seems confident that it will break into the top three.

This is simply a stroke of good luck!
Thinking of this, Zhang Huijun was in a good mood and was about to talk to Tian Zhuangzhuang and Mu Deyuan about the future plans for the two top-notch majors when the phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the caller ID and immediately frowned.

The person who called was Kang Jianming, the secretary-general of the Film Association.

After the call was connected, Kang Jianming exchanged a few polite pleasantries before getting straight to the point, explaining the contents of the document recently issued by the General Administration and the association's thoughts.

The idea was simple: he hoped Wu Chen could bring "Black Peony" to the next Golden Rooster Awards. As for the award, there was no doubt that Zhang Huijun understood what he meant.

Zhang Huijun listened patiently, but felt only bad luck.

He naturally understood the Film Association's intentions.

He knew quite a bit about the messy things that happened at the Film Association.

It's easy for him to handle this, but frankly speaking, asking him to do it wouldn't bring any real benefits. In fact, there might be some unexpected problems or even drawbacks.

Who would want to take on such a thankless and arduous task?
Besides, he's a leader in the university system, so even if he ignores the Film Association, it won't be a big deal.

However, within the system, one cannot simply refuse so bluntly; one must still save face.

So he replied calmly, "Hehe, I know about this. I'll think about it some more and let you know when I have any news."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kang Jianming immediately understood.

As a veteran in the industry, how could he not understand Zhang Huijun's meaning?
This isn't a promise; it's clearly an attempt to evade the issue with vague and ambiguous statements.

Even though he understood Zhang Huijun's meaning, Kang Jianming could only force a smile and agree, "Then I'll have to trouble Principal Zhang."

"Hehe, no trouble at all, no trouble at all."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Huijun immediately put the mess behind him and asked his secretary to call Tian Zhuangzhuang and Mu Deyuan over to discuss the future development plans for Beijing Film Academy's flagship programs.
(End of this chapter)