China Entertainment started in 2004

Chapter 640 Winning the Prize
Wang Shu and Tabu, Jill Nett and Elizabeth Gabler walked on the red carpet one after another.

The sound of camera clicking suddenly rang out all around.

As a strong contender for major awards, "Life of Pi" will certainly attract a lot of attention for Wang Shu and his team.

Especially since "Pacific Rim" and "Avatar" were released in Europe and the United States at the same time, they became a hot topic.

Wang Shu and Tabu left their names on the autograph wall and walked into the interview area.

The reporters at the scene had been waiting for a long time. When they saw Wang Shu and Tabu coming, they immediately went over to greet them.

Tabu was nominated for Best Actress and Wang Shu was nominated for Best Director.

At the same time, "Life of Pi" was also nominated for Best Picture.

The reporter first interviewed Wang Shu, and one person asked, "Shu, this is your first time at the BAFTAs, how does it feel?"

Shu is his English name, the same as his Chinese name.

"Very good." Wang Shu smiled and said nicely, "BAFTA (British Academy Film Awards) actively promotes the development and innovation of film art, encourages filmmakers to constantly challenge themselves and explore new forms of expression and storytelling methods. This pursuit of innovation and art makes BAFTA not only an awards ceremony, but also an important platform for promoting the advancement of film art."

“Today, many well-known filmmakers and industry experts gathered together to witness and present important awards.”

“I’m glad to be nominated and be here.”

Everyone loves to hear nice words, especially when the reporter is a native of the UK. After hearing these words, a bright smile appeared on his face: "Shu, thank you for your recognition and praise of BAFTA."

After that, he continued, "Among the nominated directors, James Cameron, Kathryn Bigelow, and you have the highest chances of winning. Who do you think will win the Best Director award in the end?"

There are only five nominated directors: Wang Shu (Life of Pi), James Cameron (Avatar), Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), Basil Shaffi (An Education), and Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds).

In the original timeline, there was no Wang Shu, and Neill Blomkamp was nominated for Best Director for "District 9".

Now, even Wang Shu’s “Pacific Rim” is not shortlisted, let alone Neill Blomkamp’s “District 9”.

Wang Shu smiled and said: "Until the last minute, anyone could win the award, whether it's Basil Shafi, Quentin Tarantino, James Cameron or Kathryn Bigelow."

"But if I had to choose one from the five nominated directors, I would naturally hope it would be me."

This answer was a bit tactful, and the interviewing reporter was not satisfied. He then said, "Shu, your Pacific Rim and Avatar are both science fiction movies. Now James Cameron was nominated for Avatar, but your Pacific Rim was not nominated, and it didn't do as well at the box office as Avatar."

“In comparison, does Avatar seem to be superior?”

Wang Shu smiled and replied, "Life of Pi has already been nominated. If Pacific Rim is also nominated, wouldn't that mean I'll take up two spots?"

"Do you think this is possible?"

The reporter did not answer the question, but continued to ask: "Which do you think is better, Life of Pi or Pacific Rim?"

Wang Shu calmly replied: "Both films are excellent. The difference is that one is an art film and the other is a commercial film."

The reporter returned to the previous question: "Avatar is also a commercial film. Not only was it nominated for Best Picture, but James Cameron was also nominated for Best Director."

Wang Shu smiled and said, "I've already said that if Pacific Rim is also nominated, I will be in two of the five films. Do you think that's possible?"

The interviewer was speechless for a moment and smiled awkwardly.

Wang Shu said nothing more and walked away sideways.

The interviewer could only watch Wang Shu leave and then continue to interview Tabu.

"Ms. Tabb..." The interviewer raised the microphone.

……

Wang Shu walked into the venue under the guidance of the staff. Soon, Tab, Jill Nett, Elizabeth Gaebler and others came in one after another.

Several of them were from the crew of "Life of Pi" and sat together.

As the nominated actress, Tabu sat in the front row. Wang Shu, the director, although also nominated, sat in the third row.

At the front row sat the five nominated actresses, the nominated supporting actress, and the best newcomer, etc., and in the second row sat the nominated actor, the nominated supporting actor, etc.

Actors are a front-stage profession, so if they are nominated at award ceremonies, they usually sit in the front.

Christine was sitting in the first row. When she arrived at the scene, she looked in the direction of Wang Shu and waved to him.

This action made many people at the scene realize that the two knew each other, and they couldn't help but look up to Christine.

Kristen is young and a new actress.

She became a popular actress in Europe and the United States thanks to "Twilight" and is expected to win the Best New Star Award this time.

This award is just the beginning.

Whether we can go further in the future depends on our future luck.

At this moment, the people at the venue saw that Christine knew Wang Shu, which indicated that Christine had the fortune to go further in the future.

Because if Kristen starred in an art film directed by Wang Shu, she would most likely be nominated for an Oscar.

You might even win a prize.

Some new actors couldn't help but feel envious when they saw Christine greeting big directors like Wang Shu.

They also want to meet this young, promising and talented director, but unfortunately they don't have the opportunity.

Some people were not surprised that Christine knew Wang Shu, because they had worked together in the movie "The Tuner".

As time went on, the host walked onto the stage and the award ceremony officially began.

One small award after another was presented, but "Life of Pi" won nothing. Instead, "The Hurt Locker" won a series of small awards such as Best Sound, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.

"Avatar" also won the Best Visual Effects Award and Best Costume Design Award.

Wang Shu was sitting in the audience when he saw the award presenter standing on the stage and announcing: "The winner of this year's BAFTA Best Adapted Screenplay Award is Life of Pi!"

As the title of the award-winning film script was announced, Elizabeth Gabriel stood up in surprise.

Everyone at the scene, including Wang Shu, applauded enthusiastically.

Elizabeth Gabler walked onto the stage to accept the award on behalf of 20th Century Fox as the production director and gave a speech.

“Life of Pi has always been hailed as a work that cannot be adapted into a film or TV series, but the world is so wonderful that nothing is impossible.”

“So, in addition to thanking the crew, I also want to give special thanks to Wang Shu.”

"It was him who not only made the script into a movie, but also made it extremely successful."

“I hope we’ll have the opportunity to work together again in the future.”

The acceptance speech for a small award was limited in length, so Elizabeth Gaebler did not say much. After a few brief words, she walked off the stage.

However, although the acceptance speech was brief, it revealed one message: 20th Century Fox still wanted to continue cooperating with Wang Shu.

There are even ideas of collaboration like Nolan and Warner, or Spielberg and Disney.

For a moment, many eyes looked towards where Wang Shu was.

Wang Shu didn’t think too much about it. He just sighed in his heart that among so many small awards, it was not easy for "Life of Pi" to finally win one.

The Best Original Screenplay Award was then presented, and was won by "The Hurt Locker". The United States was once the British empire, and was even a British colony. Now the roles have been reversed, and Britain is quite submissive to the United States.

It's understandable that "The Hurt Locker" won awards in the United States, and it still swept the British Academy Film Awards.

All I can say is, it’s lickable enough.

Wang Shu breathed a sigh of relief. The actor award would be presented next.

As the acting awards were handed out one after another, Tabu became more and more nervous.

Because, next is the time to present the Best Actress award.

Tabb was also nominated for the Golden Globe Awards.

Ultimately it was just a nomination.

Although she won the Best Actress Award at some American association awards.

But the award is not as prestigious as the Golden Globe.

It can't even compare to the Golden Globe Awards, let alone the Oscars.

Therefore, she is looking forward to winning an acting award with greater value.

For example, the Best Actress Award from the British Academy of Film Awards is what she hopes to win.

BAFTA is known as the British Oscars. At the annual awards ceremony, many well-known filmmakers and industry experts gather together. Its professionalism and authority make BAFTA highly recognized in the film and television industry.

Although it is not as good as the Academy Awards in the United States, it still has something to say.

Ranking of world film awards: Oscar first, Cannes second, Berlin third, Venice fourth, Golden Globe fifth, British Academy Film Awards sixth, French Cesar Awards seventh, European Film Awards eighth, and Indian International Film Festival ninth.

Of course, as literature and art gradually decline around the world in the future, the ranking will change.

And, this is just the international influence ranking.

In terms of artistry, the Oscars are only an American award and are not as good as the three major European awards that are open to the world.

In any case, although the British Academy Film Awards is not as good as the Golden Globe Awards, it is also a film award with considerable value.

Winning this award is also something to brag about.

Tabb looked at the stage and saw the presenter loudly say, "The winner of this year's British Academy Film Awards for Best Actress is... Carey Mulligan!"

As the name was announced, there was a burst of warm applause from the audience. Although Tabu felt disappointed, he still smiled and applauded.

They are all actors and each of them has the ability to manage facial expressions.

Wang Shu sat in the audience and watched Carey Mulligan walk onto the stage to give her acceptance speech.

She is not even 25 years old, only 24, very young and beautiful.

She made her debut in 04. "An Education" was her third film, in which she won the British Academy Film Award for Best Actress.

It is worth mentioning that she is British.

What’s more worth mentioning is that "An Education" was registered for many film awards, but for any slightly well-known film award, Carey Mulligan was at most nominated for Best Actress, or not even a nomination at all.

Instead, she won the British Academy Film Awards for Best Actress.

Wang Shu's gaze fell on the back of Tabu who was sitting in front of him. As a national treasure-level actress in India, she must be regretting coming to London at this time, right?
Not only her, Meryl Streep should be there too, right?
This is an Oscar-winning actress, but today she has become a supporting role.

As the awards were announced, it was finally time to present the Best Director Award.

Wang Shu looked up at the stage, only to hear the presenter loudly say, "The winner of this year's British Academy Film Awards for Best Director is... Wang Shu!"

There was a burst of warm applause at the scene.

Cameron, his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow, and two other nominated directors applauded.

"Life of Pi" has always been hailed as a work that is impossible to be adapted into a film or TV series, but Wang Shu not only did it, but also did it extremely well.

When nominated directors such as Cameron and Katherine heard that Wang Shu won the award, although they felt a little disappointed, they were able to accept it.

Because several people knew that Wang Shu was indeed qualified to win the award based on the artistic quality of "Life of Pi".

Compared to Carey Mulligan winning the Best Actress Award, Wang Shu's Best Director Award was impeccable.

In Cameron's opinion, he is qualified to win the Best Director Award.

Catherine is also eligible.

Wang Shu is also qualified to take it.

The Best Director Award goes to these three.

Now that Wang Shu has won it, he deserves it.

After all, it was also Wang Shu who won the Best Director Award at the Golden Globe Awards.

This also shows that Wang Shu is qualified and capable of winning the award.

At this moment, Wang Shu had already walked onto the stage holding the trophy and began to give his acceptance speech.

"Thank you, thank you everyone, thank you BAFTA."

"I want to share this award with the many colleagues who worked with me on the show, thank you for believing in this story, and thank you for sharing this journey with me."

"Thank you to Mr. Yann Martel for his incomparable original novel, thank you to Fox Film, thank you to producer Jill Netter, thank you to Elizabeth..."

"Thank you to all the actors and actresses for an incredible performance."

"I can't thank you all in the limited time, but thank you all anyway."

"It is because of everyone's joint efforts that this film has been successful and that I am standing on the stage today to give my acceptance speech."

"Anyway, thank you."

"Also, I want to thank my parents..."

The last paragraph is routine operation.

Some people thank their wives, some thank their children, and some thank their parents.

Wang Shu had no wife or children, so he was naturally grateful to his parents.

After delivering his acceptance speech, Wang Shu raised the trophy in his hand, and the audience burst into warm applause again.

Christine was sitting in the front row, looking at Wang Shu with shining eyes as he walked down the stage.

Previously, the Best New Star Award was presented and she won the award.

This made her think of what Wang Shu had said last night, with certainty, that the Best New Star Award would be hers.

I originally thought that Wang Shu was just kidding, but after receiving the award today, I couldn’t help but think that Wang Shu might really think so.

(End of this chapter)