Chapter 353: Meeting Director Feng Again, Cannes Judges

The last time Wu Yuan participated in the 42nd Golden Horse Awards, the awards ceremony was held in Keelung, Taiwan.

This year, the 45th Golden Horse Awards was held in the Zhongshan Hall in Taichung.

Wu Yuan took the crew to rest in Taipei and visited the night market. The next day, he took the provincial railway to Taichung under the arrangement of the Golden Horse Organizing Committee.

Although the city was unfamiliar to him, the people were familiar.

The last time he participated in the Golden Horse Awards, Feng Xiaogang led the crew of "A World Without Thieves" to welcome Wu Yuan and the crew of "Love" at the hotel where they stayed.

This time, Feng Xiaogang once again led the crew of "Assembly" to welcome Wu Yuan and the crew of "A Man Called Li Wen Decides to Die" in the hotel lobby at the same hotel arranged by the organizing committee.

"Haha, Director Wu, we meet again at the Golden Horse Awards after two years!"

With the familiar hoarse voice and winking expression, Wu Yuan and Feng Xiaogang hugged each other warmly in the hotel lobby.

"If it weren't for the request from the top, I actually didn't want to come to the Golden Horse Awards this year."

"I finally understand that all crows are black."

"Everyone says that the Golden Horse Awards are fair and just, and they are the temple of Chinese-language films."

"That's all bullshit."

As soon as they met, Feng Xiaogang complained with an indignant look on his face: "I think the Golden Horse Awards are just about dividing the cake, but they are just a little better than the Golden Rooster and the Golden Image Awards."

"Our mainland films have participated in so many awards, and at most they can only get the Best Actor or Best Actress, the Best Picture and the Best Director, That will not be given to our mainland films. "

"Oh, Director Wu, you don't count. In the eyes of these Golden Horse judges, you are a Hollywood director, not just a mainland director."

"Last year, Li An, "Lust, Caution" won the Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor awards. "

"I guess you can do it this year."

"I am miserable. I am here to accompany the prince to study. The only Best Actor award that I can get is also given to Teacher Li Xuejian."

Feng Xiaogang chattered a lot with Wu Yuan in one breath, and he didn't even have a chance to interrupt him.

It is well known that Feng Xiaogang does not have a good opinion of various film festival awards.

In his eyes, whether it is the Golden Rooster, the Golden Horse or the Golden Image, there is no art to speak of. It is just a matter of dividing the cake.

And he, a non-professional "situation comedy" director with no background and not respected, has never been able to get a piece of the cake.

Naturally, he is very dissatisfied with these awards.

However, after so many years, from the initial indignation and all kinds of criticism, to now, Feng Xiaogang has become more open-minded.

If there is no award, then there is no award. It is enough to make money.

Originally, Feng Xiaogang did not want to attend the Golden Horse Awards this year because "A Man Called Li Wen Decides to Die" was nominated for many awards.

Although "Assembly" was also nominated for Best Feature Film and Best Actor.

But it can be seen that it is just to accompany the prince to study and give some face to mainland movies.

The probability of really winning is very low.

Feng Xiaogang is somewhat resentful after so many runner-ups. He is not very happy to play supporting roles in other movies every year.

It's just that someone from the top asked him to come to this year's Golden Horse Awards.

The current cross-strait strategy of the top is mainly to promote peace. In order to show the attitude of peace, the literary and art circles must take the lead.

As long as a mainland movie is nominated for the Golden Horse Awards and receives an invitation from the Golden Horse, in principle, we should try our best to participate. Even if the main creators cannot all come, at least the director must lead the team.

As a part of the Beijing circle, Feng Xiaogang certainly cannot go against the top, so he naturally brought the leading actors of "Assembly" to support the Golden Horse Awards.

And accompany the prince of "A Man Called Li Wen Decides to Die".

"Director Wu, then "The Warlords" is definitely not as good as you."

Feng Xiaogang said carelessly: "The Hong Kong Film Awards can shamelessly award the Best Picture and Best Actor to "The Warlords", and your film can't participate in the Golden Image Awards anyway."

"The Golden Horse Awards dare not do this. If the Golden Horse Awards skip you and award these two awards to "The Warlords", the reputation and plaque of the Golden Horse Awards will be directly stinking."

Although he didn't say it, Feng Xiaogang still recognized the credibility and gold content of the three major European films.

"Li Wen" can win the Venice Golden Lion. Among the Chinese films this year, it is undoubtedly the best film.

The only one that can compete with it is the mainland movie "Gravity" with the highest box office this year.

Coincidentally, this movie was also shot by Wu Yuan.

It was because of some political considerations that this movie was not nominated for any Golden Horse Awards and was not released in Taiwan, so there was no situation of left hand hitting right hand.

In Feng Xiaogang's eyes, there is no doubt that "Li Wen" will be the biggest winner of this year's Golden Horse Awards, just like last year's "Lust, Caution", sweeping the Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

Even if it is the Golden Horse Awards, he is unwilling to offend Wu Yuan, a big Hollywood director.

"Speaking of which, Wu Baige's "Red Cliff" was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor." Feng Xiaogang showed a gloating expression on his face, "and the one nominated was Hu Jun, a mainland actor."

"The rest are some scraps such as Best Art, Best Costume, Best Visual Effects."

"It didn't even get the Best Photography and Best Editing."

"It seems that not only mainland audiences, but also audiences and film critics here in Taiwan cannot accept the bold adaptation of "Red Cliff"."

"Wu Baige has taken a big fall this time."

After the announcement of the shortlist for this year's Golden Horse Awards, the biggest buzz was not that "Li Wen" was nominated for six awards.

It's normal for a Golden Lion film to win so many nominations, and it would only trigger heated discussions if it didn't get these nominations.

What really sparked a heated discussion was that "Red Cliff" failed to receive any nominations for major awards.

From Best Picture to Best Director to Best Actor and Actor, "Red Cliff" is not included in the nomination list.

"Red Cliff" is not included in the second-tier Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

As a super commercial blockbuster released this year, its investment and box office are second only to "Gravity". "Red Cliff" was not even shortlisted for this year's Golden Horse, which is a disaster.

It stands to reason that this movie will attract stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan, and it will also cast Sister Zhiling, who is strongly recommended by Taiwan at this stage, to play Xiao Qiao. If this movie can be of any standard, Golden Horse will give him some awards.

After all, this is a movie made by "my mother's family".

Unfortunately, Wu Baige himself did not live up to expectations.

The Golden Horse Organizing Committee really did not dare to be unconscionable and put "Red Cliff" on the nomination list for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor and Actor.

It's shameless enough that the "Report of Nomination" was stuffed in.

Add another "Red Cliff" to the mix, and this Golden Horse will really be in trouble.

Wu Yuan was also very happy and couldn't help but praise the Golden Horse: "The judging panel of the Golden Horse Organizing Committee is indeed quite professional."

Not to mention the Golden Horse, even the Hong Kong Island Film Awards really had no shame in giving an award to "Red Cliff".

Although "Red Cliff" will be nominated for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor at the Academy Awards in April next year, it will only be a finalist.

Even if Sister Zhiling was shortlisted for Best Newcomer, it was worthy of her overwhelming announcement, saying that she screamed with joy for three minutes after hearing the news.

In the end, I could only get a few technical consolation awards, such as best art, best costumes, and best visual effects.

At the Golden Horse Awards, which will be held tomorrow, I won’t even get the consolation prize.

"I see, you must be the standout in this Golden Horse competition." Feng Xiaogang said enviously.

Although the obsession is not so deep now, what director doesn't want to be recognized by awards?

"It doesn't matter whether you take it or not. I'm just responding to the call from above and joining in the fun." Wu Yuan waved his hand indifferently.

He already had the golden lion, but whether he got the golden horse or not really didn't mean much to him.

If the golden horse is given to him, that is what he deserves. If the golden horse is not given to him, then it will only be the golden horse that will be questioned, not Wu Yuan.

"Tsk, tsk, I really envy you for not taking the three domestic gold medals seriously." Feng Xiaogang shook his head and sighed.

"Hehe." Wu Yuan smiled happily and winked at Feng Xiaogang: "Director Feng, isn't your "Assembly Number" quite good?"

"Didn't I win the Best Film and Best Director at the Hundred Flowers Awards in September? This is also one of the top film awards in the Mainland."

"Next year there will be Chinese watches and gold statues, and maybe we can win prizes too."

The only two prestigious film awards in the Mainland are the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers. Now they are two in one. One year they are the Hundred Flowers, the other year they are the Golden Rooster, and this year it is the Hundred Flowers' turn.

Although Baihua is slightly inferior to Golden Rooster in terms of gold content and was voted by the audience judges, being recognized by the public is the most honorable thing for Feng Xiaogang.

Rather than confining himself to being cute and admiring his solitary beauty, Feng Xiaogang has always followed the popular route.

"Director Feng, if you really want to win the prize, you can try Cannes the year after next, which is Cannes in 2010."

Wu Yuan said with some pride: "I just received an invitation from the chairman of Cannes some time ago, inviting me to serve as a jury member of the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival in 2010."

"Although he is not the chairman of the jury, he at least has one vote."

"If you can be shortlisted for the main competition in Cannes, my vote will be yours."

"Judge in Cannes?" Feng Xiaogang looked at Wu Yuan in surprise: "Director Wu, okay, I'll be judging for foreigners."

He didn't care much about Wu Yuan's jokes.

Even if Wu Yuan is a judge, he can't win the prize for whoever he wants.

Each time there are nine judges on the jury plus the chairman. This cannot be decided by one or two votes. Feng Xiaogang could tell that Wu Yuan was joking.

"Forget it, I don't have the ability to be shortlisted in Cannes." Feng Xiaogang said disappointedly: "I still know how many pounds I have."

"I think you should show off with Director Yimou and Director Kege. Maybe they can really make a movie that hits Cannes."

"I'll forget it, I just hope the new movie can sell more box office."

"My new film "If You Are the One" will be released in mainland China on the 18th. Now I am worried about the performance of this film."

"Hey, Director Wu, you've finished participating in the Golden Horse. Why don't you come back to the capital to have fun at the premiere of my new movie?"

"You, the number one director of commercial films in the country, also give me some advice. I don't understand art anymore, but I still want to give it a try in business."

"Haha, okay!" Wu Yuan laughed and promised: "I will definitely be there at the premiere."

"Ge Da Ye is also an actor I admire very much. I have never had the opportunity to work with him. This time we can meet and have a chat."

Wu Yuan agreed so readily that Feng Xiaogang felt very proud. He nodded repeatedly with a red face:

"Hey, it's a deal!"

"When we return to Beijing, I have to buy the same flight as you. I can't let you run away." (End of this chapter)