Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 717 Peaceful years
The heated discussions surrounding Interstellar have never stopped.
However, another awards ceremony at the end of November successfully attracted the attention of most media and netizens.

The 48th Golden Horse Awards.

The awards ceremony that evening left all mainland film fans watching on television and computers feeling a sense of frustration.

Ge You and Wang Qianyuan lost to Andy Lau, Qin Hailu lost to Deanie Ip, and Jiang Wen and Wei Desheng lost to Ann Hui.

Filmmakers from Hong Kong and Taiwan almost swept all the major awards.

"Let the Bullets Fly," which was highly anticipated and a critical and commercial success in mainland China, garnering nine nominations, ultimately only won one award: Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography.

Another critically acclaimed film, "The Piano in a Factory," failed to win any awards.

In the end, the Best Feature Film award was given to the Taiwanese epic film "Seediq Bale".

Mainland Chinese films have once again become mere spectators.

This result immediately sparked a wave of criticism from netizens on Weibo and various forums.

"I've figured it out now. The Golden Horse Awards are just a bunch of people inside the club, dividing up the spoils behind closed doors. We're just there to join in the fun and be part of the denominator."

"I feel so sorry for Brother Jiang! Such an amazing movie as 'Let the Bullets Fly' only got two small awards? What's the difference between this and robbery?"

"Heh, from now on, don't call it the Golden Horse Awards, let's rename it the 'Provincial Games.' It's all just us playing around anyway, we're not going to join in."

Of course, Jinji subtly mocked Jiang Wen.

I'll make you get special treatment by working with Wu Chen.

Alright, you still wouldn't win the award without us.
"Oh shit!"

On the other end of the phone came Jiang Wen's furious roar.

"To be honest, I still can't figure out where I went wrong! Thank goodness I didn't go to that lousy awards ceremony, otherwise, I would have been utterly humiliated!"

Wu Chen couldn't help but laugh as he listened to Jiang Wen's complaints.

"With 'Seediq Bale' and 'A Simple Life,' your chances weren't high to begin with," Wu Chen mocked mercilessly.

"Besides, believe me. When it comes to next year's Hong Kong Film Awards, with 'A Simple Life' in the running, you probably won't win any major awards."

In recent years, Hong Kong cinema has been weak, and it's rare for an art film like "A Simple Life" to emerge and win awards at major film festivals. The Hong Kong Film Awards judges will definitely favor their own people.

This is almost an unspoken rule.

"Heh, I really don't believe it. All crows in the world are the same color..." Jiang Wen grumbled for a while, then finally sighed in defeat, "Fine. I admit you're right. They're all the same color."

"Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. I'd better focus on polishing my new film."

Jiang Wen changed the subject and started talking about serious business:
"By the way, I went to see your 3D camera the other day. Isn't it a bit too big? It looks like a giant refrigerator. Do you have any smaller ones?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Chen frowned slightly.

How small do you want it?

"Just give me an analogy."

Jiang Wen began to describe things in a wildly imaginative way.

Ideally, it should be smaller than a microwave oven.

Then, it can be directly mounted on a Steadicam for smooth tracking shots. Its ease of operation is almost indistinguishable from traditional 2D cameras.

That way, I can let the photographer carry it on their shoulder for handheld shooting. It can run, jump, climb mountains, and go down rivers!

After hearing Jiang Wen's wildly imaginative description, Wu Chen was speechless.

"Brother, you're making a wish, aren't you?"

"Damn! I'm serious!" Jiang Wen's tone was very serious.

"For your new movie?" Wu Chen hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "It's not impossible. However, for your request, we'd probably need to find the world's top 3D engineering team to tailor-make it just for you."

There's definitely no such device on the market right now. And it would cost a lot of money!

"I think it's feasible!"

Jiang Wen's confidence had swelled to its limit after "Let the Bullets Fly".

"You commissioned a set of equipment and filmed 'Interstellar.' I, Jiang Wen, will also commission a 'Jiang Wen Special Edition.' I imagine it won't be too bad!"
Any recommendations?

“Go look for 3ality Technica,” Wu Chen said after thinking for a moment. “This company should suit your style quite well.”

After saying that, Wu Chen remembered the important matter at hand.

"Oh, by the way. It's on the 16th of next month in Guangzhou. I'll send you the invitation later. Remember to keep it a secret, and don't blab about it!"

"Tsk tsk, I know." Jiang Wen chuckled mischievously on the other end of the phone, "Looks like you'll soon be stepping into the grave of marriage too."

After saying that, he casually hung up the phone.

Zhou Yun, who had just walked over with a glass of water, only half understood what she was hearing. "What grave?"

"Nothing. Wu Chen and Liu Yifei are getting engaged." Jiang Wen didn't notice at all that Zhou Yun's eyes had become somewhat dangerous.

"The grave of marriage, isn't it?" Zhou Yun's voice echoed softly, "So, you've already stepped into that grave?"

"Hey, I'm talking about him! I'm talking about him!"

In a villa in Beijing.

On a warm winter afternoon, sunlight streamed through the glass window and fell on the floor.

The old locust tree in the yard has lost all its leaves, leaving only bare branches that sway gently in the breeze.

Wu Chen and Liu Yifei were sitting side by side at the desk, writing the invitation to their engagement party.

The Xuan paper was specially made and carries a faint scent of ink.

In Wu Chen's hands, the brush moved swiftly and smoothly, producing elegant small characters that leaped onto the paper.

Today, Liu Yifei wore a loose-fitting off-white sweater, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders, and her face was bare, yet she was more beautiful than ever.

She didn't pick up a pen; she simply rested her chin on her hand, quietly watching Wu Chen beside her.

Looking at his focused profile, at his straight nose, at the small shadow cast by the sunlight on his thick eyelashes.

This is probably what it means to live a peaceful and tranquil life.

"What are you looking at? You're practically drooling." Wu Chen finished writing a page, looked up, and saw Liu Yifei staring at him intently. He couldn't help but tease her.

"No!"

Liu Yifei blushed and reached out to pinch him.

Just as the two were playfully fighting, Liu Yifei's phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID and immediately made a "shh" gesture towards Wu Chen.

Then, the call was answered.

"Hey, Dad"

"Yes, it's fine."

"He's here."

"okay, I get it."

After Liu Yifei nodded repeatedly, she handed her phone to Wu Chen.

Here, let me tell you.

"Oh?" Wu Chen wasn't surprised and accepted it with a smile.

"uncle."

On the other end of the phone came An Shaokang's calm voice.

Just like Liu Yifei had done before, Wu Chen started making a series of "hmm" sounds.

Liu Yifei propped her head up with one hand, watching the scene unfold before her, finding it extremely amusing.

Who would have thought that the renowned director Wu, who commands respect and commands the attention of the entire industry, would have such an interesting side at this time?

"It's alright, you go about your business."

Just as the call was about to end and Wu Chen was about to breathe a sigh of relief, An Shaokang suddenly threw out the ultimate question.

"So, after the engagement, when are you getting married? I'd like to make some preparations in advance. Although you're both still quite young, it's always good to be prepared early."

"Within two years."

Wu Chen gave a resolute answer over the phone.

"Who agreed to that!"

Liu Yifei, standing beside him, muttered a soft, reproachful remark.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up in a sweet smile, though her hand gently pinched Wu Chen.
Wu Chen didn't have time to pay attention to her because the phone call hadn't ended yet.

He exchanged a few more pleasantries with An Shaokang before hanging up the phone.

As soon as he put down his phone, he immediately grabbed the small hand that was still messing around his waist, flipped over, and pinned Liu Yifei down.

"Are you still going to pinch me or not?"

"I won't dare to do it again."

While coyly surrendering, Liu Yifei took advantage of Wu Chen's inattention and ran away.
The afternoon sun streamed in, casting long, long shadows of the two people through the window.
(End of this chapter)