Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 678 Fighting
A fire ignited by Wu Chen is sweeping across the entire Chinese film industry like wildfire.

Regardless of the original intention of the Golden Rooster Awards.

But now, the fact that film companies and directors of all sizes in the industry are expressing their attitudes by remaining silent or withdrawing outright speaks volumes.

"Tsk tsk, with Wu Chen leading the way, what's there to be afraid of?"

“Those famous directors aren’t afraid, they don’t care if it’s public, but we need to keep a low profile.”

"Of course! This ridiculous rule has to be changed! It's outrageous! If things continue like this, won't those of us who make low-budget films never have a chance to succeed?"

"."

While the industry and the public were buzzing about this incident, an emergency meeting was being held in a tense atmosphere inside the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles building on the North Third Ring Road.

The conference room was filled with smoke.

"Outrageous! Outrageous! As expected, Wu Chen is a traitor!"

Rao Shuguang slammed his hand heavily on the conference table, making the teacups on the table jump.

"Does he think he's something special just because he won a few obscure international awards?"
"We can refuse to award Jia Zhangke and Wang Quan'an their Golden Lion and Golden Bear awards if we want to! As for Wu Chen, he'd better never participate in the Golden Rooster Awards again in his lifetime!"

"Yes! That's too much! We humbled ourselves and sent Lao Kang to him in person, ready to give him the job directly! How did he treat us like this?"

Ha! Not only did they openly say they couldn't do it, but they also turned around and mocked us, calling it a "poor man's award"!

"."

In the conference room, everyone was filled with righteous indignation and gave Wu Chen a thorough dressing down.

However, everyone present knew exactly what was going on.

What exactly is the purpose of this "Small and Medium Cost Award"?

Only in this way can we eliminate those uncontrollable "dark horses" who might win awards in advance.

Only in this way can they firmly grasp those most important awards in their own hands.

As for how that 800 million line was drawn, isn't it just a matter of them saying a few words?
"This matter cannot be left like this!" Rao Shuguang stood up, his gaze sweeping across the room with a gloomy expression. "This time, no matter what, we must go to the leaders of the General Administration!"
Wu Chen is openly leading the boycott of our country's highest film award! This kind of trend must not be tolerated!

"I refuse to believe that the domestic film industry can't function without Wu Chen!" Rao Shuguang immediately called over a staff member and asked, "Has anyone contacted Brother Chen Kai? What's his attitude?"

"We can't get through to Director Chen on the phone, no one answers," the staff member replied cautiously. "However, they haven't sent anyone to withdraw the registration for 'The Orphan of Zhao' yet."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Chen Kaige's meaning was quite clear, but he didn't go as far as others.

"What a waste! We valued him so much before!"

Many people below were muttering quietly.

"Alright! This time, we don't need to give him the nomination! Does he really think we're just sitting around doing nothing?" Rao Shuguang made the final decision.

"What about Feng Xiaogang?"

"Director Feng's attitude is very positive. He has repeatedly stated that he will fully support our Golden Rooster Awards work."

After listening, Rao Shuguang's expression softened slightly, and he then dismissed the staff.

"Well, Feng Xiaogang still knows what's good for him."

"Then let's give 'Aftershock' a few more nominations."

What about the awards?

"Awards? He doesn't deserve them! There are only a few major awards, not enough to go around. For a commercial film, he's lucky if he gets a few nominations and technical awards. Want to win a major award?"
Let's wait until he participates in a few more sessions before making a decision.

"By the way, Shuguang, you need to explain this properly to the media later. Be careful with your wording."

Hearing all this, Kang Jianming sat in the corner and slowly yawned.

Anyway, it's none of his business now.

He had expected this outcome.

From the moment Rao Shuguang and his group decided to launch that "small and medium cost award," he knew that this matter would inevitably run into problems sooner or later.

However, he himself is also one of the beneficiaries of this rule.

Therefore, he naturally didn't say much. The Film Association's response came out quickly.

Rao Shuguang personally gave an exclusive interview to the media.

"This might be a misunderstanding. Because of their low or medium budgets, many films don't make it to the market, including some classics. That's why we specifically created this award for low-to-medium budget films—to encourage them."

"It's impossible to define it in detail, but this is a professional award. Many experts will watch the films and estimate the approximate value. We will appropriately relax the criteria."
Even though the investment in a film like "The Man Sings a Folk Song Across the Street" is less than 800 million yuan and it has already been submitted for the Golden Rooster Award, we will still treat it as if it were worth more than 800 million yuan.

"Of course, we strongly condemn and express our indignation at the actions of certain directors who abuse their social influence to openly incite and organize other filmmakers to boycott the Golden Rooster Awards."

It has to be said that Rao Shuguang's response was absolutely brilliant.

He explained the problem, saved face, and finally, didn't forget to condemn Wu Chen.

At this moment, Feng Xiaogang is at home, watching the media reports and secretly chuckling to himself.

He has already received news from Wang Zhonglei that "Aftershock" will definitely be nominated for this year's Golden Rooster Awards.

"No one should know that I was the one who contacted them first, right?"

I'm still a little worried about Feng Xiaogang.

After all, everyone in the industry is now united in their hatred of the enemy.

If it were known that he was the first to "defect to the enemy," he would certainly be scorned by his colleagues. Especially since he was a so-called "great director."

"I just don't know what Chen Kai's plans are."

Feng Xiaogang muttered to himself.

He knew that Chen Kaige's "Sacrifice" had been submitted for approval a long time ago.

But so far, there has been no news of any withdrawal.

Meanwhile, Chen Kaige was focused on preparing his new project, "Caught in the Web," at his company.

He couldn't be bothered with all the noise and commotion from the outside world.

"Are you sure you want to ignore them? They call all day long."

Chen Hong was still a little worried and asked repeatedly.

"Ignore them." Chen Kai shook his head. "The fact that we're not backing out is already giving them face; it prevents them from completely losing face. But as for me to step in and support them, that's absolutely out of the question."

He could figure out with his toes that such a rule was conceived out of thin air; it was definitely something those people came up with to consolidate their meager power.

"Ok."

Seeing this, Chen Hong said no more.

Ning Hao and the others called immediately to inquire about Wu Chen's situation.

"Are you alright? The Golden Rooster Awards are starting to criticize you by name."

"What could possibly happen?" Wu Chen said nonchalantly on the phone. "Anyone can make sarcastic remarks. If you really piss me off, I'll just throw it into the Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards. Look at their faces then, where will they put them?"

Online, netizens launched a barrage of mockery against the Film Association's response.

"Hahaha! That's hilarious! 'Expert estimates'? That's the funniest joke I've heard all year!"

"To put it another way: If I say you exceeded the limit by 800 million, then you did. If I say you didn't, then you didn't. We reserve the right to final interpretation."

"Still condemning Wu Chen? Does he need your lousy Golden Rooster Award to affirm him? Where's your shame?"

"."

At that moment, inside the Cinematography Department of the Beijing Film Academy.

After class, everyone was muttering to themselves.

"Old Mu, what should we do? These guys are really something, always causing trouble because they think they're so senior!"

"Distribute the newly revised textbooks to the students ahead of schedule," Mu Deyuan waved his hand, indicating.

"Hehe, I knew you were planning to do that. Okay, I'll call a few boys to move the books right now, and we'll distribute them all to them today."

(End of this chapter)