Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 582, Section 580: The Golden Angel Spreads Its Wings
Los Angeles time, February 14, 2004, evening.

As the lights of Sunset Boulevard came on, enthusiastic crowds and a dense array of media cameras and microphones had already gathered along both sides of the road leading to the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

On the Hollywood Walk of Fame, flags bearing the golden angel logo of the first SAIFF (Chinese American International Film Festival) fluttered in the slightly cool evening breeze, highlighting the nascent vitality of this new platform for dialogue between Eastern and Western cinema, a departure from the usual Oscar season.

At 6 p.m. sharp, the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood was brightly lit and packed to capacity.

Filmmakers, celebrities, production company representatives, media reporters, and special guests from around the world gathered together.

The air was filled with the scent of perfume, anticipation, and a sense of historical excitement.

Beneath the dome, a giant screen continuously played highlights from the sixteen films shortlisted for this year's "Golden Angel Award" main competition. From the somber and resilient boxing ring of "Million Dollar Baby" to the magnificent and dazzling Heavenly Palace of "Havoc in Heaven," from the sun-drenched vineyards of California in "Sideways" to the quiet crevice of Tokyo in "Nobody Knows," the light and shadow of different cultures, languages, and styles intertwined here, foreshadowing the launch of a film festival with a diverse judging perspective.

Backstage at the theater, Wang Sheng adjusted his bow tie.

He wore a classic black peak lapel tuxedo from Ralph Lauren Purple Label, with a white wing-collar dress shirt and a black bow tie, simple, dignified, yet youthful and sharp.

As the first chairman of the film festival organizing committee, he will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony.

"Boss, it's time." Li Tingting reminded him in a low voice. She was also dressed in a proper evening gown and holding a schedule.

Wang Sheng nodded, adjusted his breathing, and maintained his usual calm demeanor.

He glanced at the monitor on the wall of the lounge; the camera was switching to the main stage of the theater.

The host, Billy Crystal, a well-known talk show host who has hosted multiple Academy Awards ceremonies, stood in the center of the stage, warming up the audience with his signature American humor, eliciting bursts of laughter from the crowd.

"Let's go," Wang Sheng said, and followed the staff toward the side curtain strip.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in China...

Beijing time, 9:00 AM on November 15th.

Despite it being Monday morning, countless movie fans, industry professionals, and ordinary viewers were already waiting in front of their televisions.

The CCTV6 logo is clearly visible in the upper left corner of the screen.

At that time, the Movie Channel, as the mainstream national film propaganda platform, was directly under the jurisdiction of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and was its core channel for film and television promotion, policy guidance, and reporting on important film events.

The fact that the opening ceremony of the first Chinese American International Film Festival in Los Angeles was broadcast live in its entirety conveys the official recognition and support for this significant international cultural exchange event, which was led by private capital.

The live stream switched to the Kodak Theater.

"Good morning, everyone! You are now watching CCTV6's live broadcast of the opening ceremony of the first China-US International Film Festival! I am your host, Tu Jingwei." Her clear and melodious voice resonated across the land via satellite.

The young Tu Jingwei, as a rising star host heavily promoted by CCTV6, shouldered the heavy responsibility of this historic live broadcast.

The camera panned across the star-studded interior of the theater, and the magnificent atmosphere and the presence of many internationally renowned faces drew gasps of amazement from viewers in front of their televisions.

“We can see that the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles is now packed with guests, and filmmakers from all over the world have gathered here... This is an overseas international film festival that has been deeply involved in and led by Chinese capital and Chinese filmmakers, which is unprecedented in history!” Tu Jingwei’s voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

At the event, Billy Crystal's opening remarks, cleverly blending Chinese and American cultural references, successfully ignited the atmosphere, after which his voice rose eight octaves:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Distinguished guests! Now, let's give a huge Hollywood welcome to the Chairman of the very first Sino-American International Film Festival, a visionary leader in the global film industry, Mr. Wang Sheng!"

The spotlight instantly locked onto the stage entrance.

Wang Sheng walked confidently to the center of the stage.

With his tall and upright figure and calm expression, he walked to the podium amidst countless cameras and thunderous applause.

He didn't speak immediately, but calmly scanned the entire audience, briefly exchanging glances with Zhang Yimou, Chen Chong, Richard Walter, Mark Johnson, and others in the audience. He also noticed the expectant looks from Fan Xiaopang, Li Bingbing, and others sitting in the front row of the Sheng Ying section.

The applause gradually subsided.

Wang Sheng adjusted the microphone and began speaking in clear and fluent Chinese, followed immediately by a live English interpretation:
"Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening."

"I am Wang Sheng. First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the organizing committee of the 1st China-US International Film Festival, to express my sincerest gratitude to everyone for coming. Thank you for witnessing the launch of a dream on this wonderful night."

His voice resonated throughout the theater through amplification equipment and was also transmitted back to thousands of households across the country via satellite signal.

"Film is the magic of light and shadow, a language that transcends mountains and rivers, and the most direct carrier of shared human emotions and destiny." Wang Sheng's opening remarks set the tone for cultural exchange. "It allows us to see each other in the darkness, understand life through stories, and glimpse the vastness and profundity of the world within the confines of the silver screen."

"It was based on this belief that we conceived the idea of ​​establishing the China-US International Film Festival. It was born in an era of surging globalization and is rooted in the long-standing cultural exchange between the two great nations of China and the United States."

We aspire to build a new bridge, not to replace any existing excellent platform, but to provide a new stage for film dialogue, industry cooperation, and talent discovery that is more focused on both sides of the Pacific Ocean and even broader regions.

He briefly reviewed the preparation process of the film festival and thanked the cooperating institutions, sponsors, jury members, and all the film teams that registered for the competition and exhibition from both China and the United States.

“SAIFF’s core values ​​are ‘dialogue, exploration, and the future’.”

Wang Sheng continued, his tone firm and powerful, "We encourage filmmakers from different cultural backgrounds to engage in sincere 'dialogue,' we are committed to 'exploring' the infinite possibilities of film art and technology, and we are more focused on the 'future,' hoping that this platform can become fertile ground for nurturing new forces and fostering new ideas."

"On this platform, we will not only present the prestigious 'Golden Angel Award,' but also establish a series of activities such as a film market, a project pitching event, masterclasses, and a high-level forum. We believe that the future of film belongs to innovative content, meticulous technology, and an open and inclusive mindset."

At this point, Wang Sheng paused slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the camera lens, looking further into the distance, and also towards the countless colleagues and viewers across the country watching the live stream:

"For Chinese cinema, SAIFF is a new starting point. It means that we are moving from being learners and participants to trying to become co-builders. Behind this is the support of the booming development of the Chinese film market, the culmination of years of accumulation by Chinese filmmakers, and the manifestation of China's growing cultural confidence."

"Finally," Wang Sheng raised his hand in an inviting gesture, "for the next five days, this place will become a feast of light and shadow, a melting pot of ideas. I hope that every filmmaker who comes here, every friend who cares about SAIFF, can fully enjoy this cinematic carnival that we create together. Let us put aside our prejudices, open our hearts, and find resonance and inspiration for the future in the interplay of light and shadow."

"Now, I declare the first China-US International Film Festival officially open!"

As Wang Sheng's steady and powerful voice faded, the golden film festival logo on the large screen behind the stage—an angel with outstretched wings, blending Eastern aesthetics with Western abstract design—suddenly lit up, radiating a dazzling light.

At the same time, dry ice spewed from both sides of the stage, and the symphony orchestra played a magnificent opening movement.

The entire audience rose to their feet, and thunderous applause erupted and lasted for a long time.

(End of this chapter)