Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 618: The picture shows the dagger
The end of the Oscars ceremony does not mean the end of the war, but rather the beginning of another frenzy of reaping the spoils.

The fact that "Black Swan" won both Best Director and Best Actress awards clearly contributed to its global box office success.

In regions where the film is still showing globally, the box office curve has risen sharply, forming a steep straight line.

In North America, theaters typically retain screenings of award-contending films that shine during awards season.

Sure enough, after the ceremony, "Black Swan" was screened again.

The countless viewers drawn by the awards will be the final fuel for the film's global box office to reach the $400 million mark.

Of course, the Oscars have a more direct and forceful impact on an actor's personal value.

According to statistics from professional film critics, an ordinary actor's market value can skyrocket more than 80 times after receiving an Oscar nomination.
If they ultimately win an award, this number could even increase several times over.

Christian Bale, who won Best Supporting Actor for "The Fighter," will naturally not see such an exaggerated increase in his salary.

But for the production team that had already signed him to star in "The Flowers of War," this was undoubtedly a huge windfall.

Zhang Weiping appeared particularly smug at this moment.

"As soon as Bale won the award, friends from various media outlets called to congratulate him, saying that I had a good eye. Actually, I wasn't surprised that he won the Oscar; it was entirely within my expectations."

In a hastily organized media interview, facing a barrage of cameras and microphones, he took all the credit for himself, without mentioning that Wu Chen had been the one to act as a go-between.

For a time, the media all thought that Zhang Weiping had a keen eye for talent and personally invited Bale.

"Audiences around the world will be curious about what it will be like for a newly minted Oscar winner to play the male lead in a Chinese film and work for the Chinese film industry."

Our distribution in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region is underway.

Zhang Weiping's words made Zhang Yimou, who was being interviewed by another group of reporters not far away, frown.

"Director Zhang, what are your thoughts on Wu Chen winning Best Director this time?" a reporter asked.

“That’s great. We are all very happy that Wu Chen won Best Director.” Zhang Yimou’s answer was calm and sincere. “Including his mentor, Mu Deyuan, whom I just spoke to on the phone. The entire film academy is proud of Wu Chen.”

This is the second Oscar for Best Director won by a director from mainland China, and an unprecedented achievement for an Asian director.

When a reporter posed the question, "Is Wu Chen already the number one director in China?" to Zhang Weiping, he immediately evaded the question.

"I think this is still open to discussion, right?"

There are many good directors in China, and this ranking is unfair to some veteran directors. Of course, I'm happy that Wu Chen won the award, as am Christian Bale.

After the interview ended, Zhang Yimou finally couldn't help but speak up: "How could you say that?"

"What's wrong with that? It's all marketing!" Zhang Weiping waved his hand dismissively. "Bell winning the award is a huge good thing for us. We have to let more people know about it! As for Wu Chen, I congratulate him too."

In his view, nothing is more important than promoting the film.

These will all translate into real box office revenue in the future.

He owed the bank a lot of money because of this movie.

At the same time, at Chen Kaige's home.

He did not answer any calls from reporters.

Since "Sacrifice" failed to gain traction during the Lunar New Year film season, he has kept a low profile in the industry, hoping to find a project that could help him rise again. Seeing Wu Chen's glamorous image on television, Chen Kai felt a pang of indescribable loneliness.

Once upon a time, all the spotlight and praise should have been on him.

From Cannes to the Oscars, he was the Chinese director who came closest to that pinnacle.

Seeing this, his wife Chen Hong silently walked over, massaged his shoulders, and then started talking about business, trying to distract him.

"By the way, Lao Chen, that novel you've been eyeing, 'Please Forgive Me,' which was shortlisted for the Lu Xun Literary Prize, I asked around and the copyright might be held by Shanda Literature or Xingchen Pictures."

"My idea is to find an opportunity to ask Director Wu when he comes back. After all, Director Wu has a very good relationship with Shanda Literature."

Chen Kaige hesitated for a long time, and finally waved his hand wearily: "Then... you help me... never mind, I'll call him and ask later."

The master bedroom of a villa in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

The morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the blinds, casting dappled shadows on the carpet.

The air was still, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle, the frenzy, and the passion of the previous night.

On the ground, the silver-white Chanel haute couture gown and Wu Chen's suit were casually draped together, like two suits of armor stripped of their honors and illustrious achievements.

From inside the snow-white quilt, a slender, smooth leg playfully peeked out, soft and rounded.
Wu Chen's getting up had clearly disturbed Liu Yifei, who was still fast asleep.
She let out a lazy nasal sound and slowly opened her naturally alluring eyes, which were still slightly moist.

She rolled over, wrapped her arms around Wu Chen's waist from behind, and pressed her cheek against his broad back.

"What's wrong? What are you looking at?"

“It’s nothing,” Wu Chen said with a smile, pointing to his phone and showing it to her. “I’m watching a video about how a Korean general laid a solid foundation for my victory last night more than a thousand years ago.”

On the screen was that absurd South Korean report about "verifying bloodlines".

This group of people always manages to find their "victory" from the most unbelievable angles.

After reading it, Liu Yifei couldn't help but burst out laughing. She leaned on his shoulder, laughing so hard she was shaking.

After a quick wash, the two met up with Park Song-il and the others at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Today we also have some official interviews arranged by the college, as well as several pre-arranged media interviews.

Park Song-il had obviously seen the South Korean report as well, because this bizarre article had been reprinted by domestic media and accompanied by various sarcastic headlines.

The netizens below were having a blast in the comments section.

"I slept and suddenly I'm Korean? And you're some kind of descendant of a Baekje Dynasty general?"

Park Song-il grumbled as he ate his sandwich:
"This is outrageous! My ancestors for three generations have been born and raised in Heilongjiang. What do I have to do with them? Have these South Korean media outlets gone mad? They've lost all shame!"

"Then if there are any South Korean media outlets later, you can say it to them in person." Upon hearing this, Wu Chen thought for a moment and estimated that there would be quite a few global media representatives later.

As expected, during the official interview session in the morning, a reporter from South Korea's SBS television station, after asking a few routine questions, finally revealed his true intentions.

"Congratulations to Director Wu Chen and Cinematographer Park Song-il."

We have noticed that some media outlets in your country are circulating a report about your ancestral home. What are your thoughts on this?
Especially for photographer Park, did you feel proud of your country after receiving this award?

(End of this chapter)