Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

After a flight of more than ten hours, I landed in Beijing.

Zhuang Huai'an had just turned on his phone and hadn't even left the airport when a call came in.

"The Hong Kong International Film Festival wants me to be its chairman? The Hong Kong Film Awards wants me to be a jury member?"

Listening to what Boss Yang said on the phone, Zhuang Huai'an couldn't help but purse his lips.

When I first went to Hong Kong, you ignored me. Now that I've just won an Oscar, you're all so eager to please me?

"Yes, Director Zhuang," Boss Yang's tone was somewhat unnatural.

"The original Hong Kong International Film Festival was organized by the Hong Kong Municipal Council, but this year, an independent charitable non-profit organization called the Hong Kong International Film Festival Association was established. They have been wanting to communicate with you, but they don't have your contact information, so they can only ask me to send their greetings first."

Ha ha!

Zhuang Huai'an couldn't help but sneer. Boss Yang's actions made him even more determined to stay away from Yinghuang in the future.

But we still have to save face.

Zhuang Huai'an fell into deep thought.

He would refuse the Hong Kong Film Awards without hesitation, but he really needs to consider the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

Founded in 1977, the Hong Kong International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in Asia. Due to the prosperity of Hong Kong's film industry in its early days, it is hailed by many as the "film festival of film festivals".

However, for the same reason, with the decline of Hong Kong cinema, this film festival also lost its reputation.

Unlike the three major European film festivals, which are purely competition-oriented, the Hong Kong International Film Festival focuses on Asian, Chinese-language, and Hong Kong local films, while also considering outstanding films from around the world. Moreover, it does not require world premieres and can bring together award-winning films from major film festivals around the world in the previous year.

Moreover, both Zhang Yimou and Kai Zige gained international recognition through this window, and it was also an important financing venue for Director Jia.

As a prominent figure in the Chinese film industry, Zhuang Huai'an has been the most prominent person in the past two years. Naturally, the newly established film association would want to invite him to lend his support.

"Okay, I understand."

Zhuang Huai'an rubbed his temples and replied, "I just got back to China and have a lot of things to take care of. I'm not sure if I can find the time to go. Let me check the itinerary first and get back to you later."

"Okay, Director Zhuang, I'll wait for good news."

After hanging up the phone, Zhuang Huai'an got into the company car that was sent to pick him up at the airport and headed straight for the Beijing Film Academy. Returning home in glory is like wearing fine clothes in the dark!

Banners are still flying everywhere inside and outside the Beijing Film Academy campus, especially the three banners at the school gate, which are almost reaching the neighboring Beijing Film Studio.

"Warmest congratulations to Zhuang Huai'an, a student from the 01 class of the Directing Department of our school, for winning the Academy Award for Best Director for his film 'Parasite'!"

"Warmest congratulations to Zhuang Huai'an, a student from the 01 class of the Directing Department of our school, for winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his film 'Parasite'!"

"Warmest congratulations to Zhuang Huai'an, a student from the 01 class of the Directing Department of our school, for winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for his film 'Parasite'!"

Wow, that feels like ages ago.

Zhuang Huai'an was very satisfied; his efforts to bring fame to the Beijing Film Academy at various film festivals had not been in vain.

This is impressive, it's nice.

"That is..."

A student stared incredulously at Zhuang Huai'an, who was swaggering around carrying a black plastic bag. After rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't mistaken, he screamed, "It's Professor Zhuang! Senior Zhuang is back at school!"

This caused a huge stir, and the students, disregarding everything else, rushed forward.

Nowadays, Zhuang Huai'an is more than just a "saintly son of Beijing Film Academy" among students; his reputation is so great that he could almost replace Zhang Huijun.

You might be jealous when someone is ahead of you, but if they surpass a group, you'll only admire them.

"Senior Huai'an, did you just get back from Hollywood?"

"Yes, we just landed a little while ago."

"Senior, I heard your company is planning to film The Deer and the Cauldron? Do you think I still have a chance? I've liked playing eunuchs since I was a kid."

"Sure, but Wei Xiaobao has already been chosen. You can try other roles at 91 Company."

"Director Zhuang, I'm Bian Xiaoxiao from the class of 01. I've met you in the cafeteria before."

"I remember, hello Bian."

"Senior Zhuang, you really pulled off something amazing this time!"

Faced with the admiring gazes of the crowd, Zhuang Huai'an patiently responded to their questions one by one, until Brother Nai Liang's eyes fell on the black plastic bag in his hand.

"Director, is that bag full of Oscar statuettes?"

"You're so clever."

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and pointed at the guy with the big breasts, "It really is an Oscar trophy. He brought honor to the school, so he had to go back to school and report to the teachers as soon as possible."

"Good heavens!"

Everyone gasped upon hearing this: an Oscar statuette in a black plastic bag—no wonder it's Director Zhuang!

"director,"

Milk-bodied Guy, still using the nickname he used on the set of "The Hunt," cautiously asked, "Could you open it and let us see it?"

Before Zhuang Huai'an could speak, a loud shout came from the outer edge of the crowd.

"What are you all doing gathered here? Don't you have class?"

Everyone turned around and saw Dean Zhang Huijun, the newly appointed Director of the Directing Department Tian Zhuangzhuang, the newly appointed Director of the Acting Department Chen Yi, the Director of the Cinematography Department Mu Deyuan, the Director of the Literature Department Huang Dan, the Director of the Fine Arts Department Huo Tingxiao, and seven or eight senior professors behind them.

"Huai'an just got off the plane, and you're all crowding around him like that! If only you were this enthusiastic about studying!"

Most of those present were performing arts students. Chen Yi stepped forward, his face dark, to defuse the situation, and said, "All of you, go back to your classrooms!"

Faced with the stares of the group of bigwigs, the students dared not say a word and left the small square dejectedly.

"Hello Dean Zhang, hello Teacher Wang, hello Director Tian, ​​hello Director Mu, hello Director Chen, hello Director Huang, hello Director Huo, hello professors."

Seeing Zhuang Huai'an's politeness, a hint of satisfaction flashed in everyone's eyes. Their mentor, Wang Hongwei, stood behind Zhang Huijun and winked at his good disciple.

"You must be tired from your journey. Let's go to the office and talk."

Zhang Huijun smiled kindly, "I happen to have a jar of tea from your hometown. Could you try it and see if it's authentic?"

"Okay, Director Zhang."

A group of bigwigs escorted Zhuang Huai'an toward the office building.

For the first time, Zhang Huijun felt that his office was a bit too small. He wanted to ask the others to leave, but when he looked up, he saw that they were either the department head or an old professor. The only one who was easy to bully was Zhuang Huai'an's mentor, Wang Hongwei.

Alright, make do with this seat.

While Zhang Huijun was busy making tea, Zhuang Huai'an handed out cigarettes to everyone. Everyone present was a heavy smoker, and in just a short while, the office was filled with smoke, like a fairyland.

"cough…"

Zhang Huijun brewed some tea, looked up, and quickly opened the doors and windows. He said irritably, "Hey guys, can you take it easy? This is an office, not an opium den."

Since the sect leader had spoken, they still had to give face. Everyone took a final, deep drag on their cigarettes before stubbing them out in the ashtray.

Zhang Huijun, too lazy to argue with these seasoned veterans, turned to his own protégé and said gently, "We've all watched the Oscars ceremony, good boy. You never missed mentioning your school in your acceptance speech. Beijing Film Academy is proud of you!"

"Director Zhang, I was originally trained by the school."

Zhuang Huai'an was very modest, saying, "Without the support of the school and all the teachers, I wouldn't have been able to make my first film, let alone achieve the results I did later."

Moreover, in my heart, my own school is the best art school in the world; I'm just stating the facts.

"Okay, okay."

Zhang Huijun nodded in satisfaction, but then a bitter feeling welled up inside him. Why didn't such a good student continue to pursue a master's degree?

Seeing his old friend suddenly fall silent, Tian Zhuangzhuang understood what he was thinking. But Old Tian was also helpless. Who wouldn't want a student like Zhuang Huai'an?

But he was too ashamed to accept it!

This is like asking a middle school student to teach a high school senior how to take the college entrance exam—isn't that pure nonsense?

"cough,"

Wang Hongwei coughed strategically, drawing everyone's attention and creating a slightly awkward atmosphere. As Teacher Zhuang Huai'an, it was the most appropriate time for him to speak.

"Huai'an, I heard you brought the trophy back?"

"Yes, my beloved teacher, here I am."

Zhuang Huai'an gave Lao Wang some support by picking up the black plastic bag at his feet, placing it on the table, and opening the bag to reveal a small golden statue.

Seeing his actions, everyone couldn't help but twitch their lips. They had heard that this kid had previously used a garbage bag to hold the Golden Horse Award trophy, but they didn't expect him to treat everyone equally.

The Golden Horse Awards are one thing.

But this is an Oscar statuette, an award that so many directors crave but can't obtain, and it's just casually covered with a plastic bag.

Or is this what genius is... a powerful sense of self-confidence?