The literary era since 1979

"Hi, Fang!"

"Congratulations, and I wish Farewell My Concubine a great success tonight!"

"Thank you."

As Fangyan walked along, he saw many people taking the initiative to show their courtesy, and everyone had a bright smile on their face.

That's how Hollywood is. When you're famous, you're surrounded by good people. When you're down and out, you're just a bystander and anyone can come up and step on you.

Everyone came to the designated area and sat down. Coincidentally, they were only one row of seats away from their rival, the "Rain Man" crew.

Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, Barry Levinson and others smiled and greeted each other.

At this moment, an oriental face that seemed to be born with an air of nobility suddenly appeared in Fangyan's peripheral vision.

"Mr. Fang, Mr. Rong...it's an honor to see you here."

Zun Long politely greeted Gong Xing, Gong Li and others.

"me too."

The dialect was quite unexpected. This actor, who was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor last year for his role in "The Last Emperor", was called "the pride of the Chinese" by Chinese newspapers and Hong Kong media. Of course, he is not the only "pride of the Chinese" nowadays. Zhang Guorong, who was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award, is also one of them.

It can even be said that it is even better than before, after all, Zhang Guorong was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor this time!
"Actually, I've always wanted to find an opportunity to get to know Mr. Fang."

Zun Long said that when he was filming "The Last Emperor" in Yanjing, he hoped to meet Fang Yan.

Fang Yan said, "That's really unfortunate. At that time, I was working at Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong."

"It's not too late now." Zun Long sincerely asked Fang Yan, Li Bihua and others to sign an autograph for him after the Oscars ceremony, because he was a loyal fan of "Farewell My Concubine".

"No problem at all."

Li Bihua and Fang Yan looked at each other and agreed readily.

Zun Long thanked him repeatedly and said that "Cheng Dieyi" in "Farewell My Concubine" was exactly like him. He was also abandoned by his biological mother when he was young. Fortunately, he was picked up by a kind adoptive mother and brought up at home. Later, he went to the Chunqiu Opera Society to learn Peking Opera and continued to study until he became a master.

"When I first read the novel, I felt that it was written about me. I dreamed of playing the role of Cheng Dieyi one day, but unfortunately..."

"It's not that you're not good enough, it's that you didn't meet the right person at the right time."

Fangyan patted his shoulder to comfort him.

Zun Long smiled with relief and said that after watching the movie Farewell My Concubine, he felt inferior to Zhang Guorong's acting skills. He was afraid that even if he were to play Cheng Dieyi, he might not be able to act better than him. However, having said that, it was difficult to hide the envy in his eyes.

"Don't feel sorry, we will have opportunities to cooperate in the future."

Fang Yan said: "It's possible that we might come across a good script like Farewell My Concubine."

Zun Long bowed slightly and thanked him, "Thank you, Mr. Fang. No one in Hollywood can refuse your script now."

Everyone smiled at each other, and then watched Zun Long's back disappear into the crowd.

Gong Xing glanced at Zhang Guorong and saw that he had a serious face and a furrowed brow, as if he was filled with an unrelieved sorrow.

"how?"

"After listening to Zunlong's story of his life, I suddenly felt guilty for stealing his destined script."

Zhang Guorong forced a smile.

"You can't think like that. When Bihua wrote the TV series Farewell My Concubine, she wrote it completely based on you."

Fang Yan emphasized that when writing the film script, it had already been decided that Zhang Guorong would have to play Cheng Dieyi.

"That's right, brother, you are more suitable for the role of Cheng Dieyi."

Li Bihua said seriously: "Zunlong's appearance is too stiff, which does not meet the physical requirements of a female role in Peking Opera."

The pressure in Zhang Guorong's heart was relieved a little, and suddenly the melody of "The Oscars' Theme" came to his ears.

When the music started, it meant that the Oscars ceremony officially opened and the host began to walk from the backstage to the front of the stage.

The Oscars ceremony has always had a tradition of having a fixed host, and this year's host is still Johnny Carson.

The host of NBC's famous late-night talk show, "The Tonight Show/Watch Tonight"!
Having hosted the ceremony for 30 years, he was called the national mood regulator by America, so it was a piece of cake for him to host the Oscars. He calmly gave a short opening speech, interspersed with funny jokes, which immediately won laughter from the audience.

Amid the applause, Johnny Carson stopped smiling and turned serious:
“Why are we gathered here tonight? Because the best movies and the best filmmakers in the world are gathered here!”

“The magic, the madness, the grandeur and the joy of global cinema is with us tonight.”

"Okay, let's get started now!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the first award was presented at the Oscars ceremony.

But at the beginning, they were all small awards, such as Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing…

Zhang Yimou, Gong Li and others have already experienced the Golden Globe Awards, so they are not as nervous or impatient as before.

Gong Xing glanced at Fang Yan beside him and saw that he seemed to be chewing something. He asked in confusion:
"what are you eating?"

"chewing gum."

Fangyan took out a piece of Wrigley's gum from his pocket.

"Give me one."

Gong Xing opened the package and put it in his mouth. "You have participated in many Oscars. Do you know what the next award will be?"

Fang Yan said: "If the order remains unchanged, it should be the best art director."

Brother Chen Kai's eyes suddenly lit up because "Farewell My Concubine" was nominated for Best Art Direction, and the nominee was none other than Brother Chen Kai's father, Chen Huaiai. If he could successfully win the award, he would accept the award on behalf of his father who was far away in China, which could be regarded as leaving a mark on the Oscars.

Just as he was daydreaming, six films nominated for Best Art Direction appeared on the giant screen.

Among them, the art director of Rain Man also appeared in the candidate list. The audience was shocked. The ultimate showdown between Rain Man and Farewell My Concubine, which the media had hyped for so long, was unexpectedly staged so soon. Just when everyone was looking forward to who would come out on top and get the first point, the result was unexpected.

It is neither "Rain Man" nor "Farewell My Concubine", but it was snatched away by "Dangerous Liaisons".

"Clap clap clap."

Brother Chen Kai had a sullen face and clapped reluctantly, feeling very unhappy.

Especially when Zhang Yimou's face appeared on the big screen in the Best Cinematography Award, I felt even more jealous.

It was obvious that he and Tian Zhuangzhuang had the highest starting point among the 78 graduates of Beijing Film Academy, but it was Zhang Yimou, a young photographer who was originally assigned to Guangxi Film Studio, who was in the frontier, that overtook them and not only won the Berlin Golden Bear Award, but also had a chance to win an Oscar for Best Cinematography.

While thinking about it, Gong Li said nervously and expectantly:
"If Yimou wins this award, does that mean he has achieved a breakthrough in film history?"

"It can only be regarded as a breakthrough in the history of Chinese-language films. There have already been people in Chinese film history who have won the Oscar for Best Cinematography."

According to Fangyan, in 1938, photographer Huang Zongzhan, whose ancestral home was in eastern Guangdong, was nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography for "Armored Soul". In 1955, he won the Oscar for Best Cinematography for "The Rose Tattoo", becoming the first Chinese to win an Oscar.

"That's not bad, it's been more than 30 years!"

Gong Li glanced at Zhang Yimou, who had a serious expression on his face, then looked at the presenter who was about to read out the list, and clenched his hands involuntarily.

Just as everyone was guessing whether the award would go to "Rain Man" or "Farewell My Concubine", or whether another dark horse would emerge like the Best Art Direction award just now, the award result immediately ended everyone's reverie, and a voice echoed in the Dolby Theatre.

"Farewell My Concubine", Zhang Yimou!
In the end, Brother Chen Kai still heard the name he didn't want to hear. Looking at Zhang Yimou and Gong Li's affectionate look, his eyes were extremely lonely, and a sentence echoed in his mind: the excitement and happiness are theirs, I have nothing!

"Fuck, Old Zhang is really good, awesome!"

Jiang Wen suddenly swore.

"I got it! I got it!"

Zhang Yimou stood up excitedly, hugged Gong Li in his arms, and spoke authentic Shaanxi dialect.

Fang Yan saw that he was as excited and crazy as Fan Zeng when he passed the imperial examination, and wondered in his heart whether he should slap him in the face, "What did you win?"

…………

“This award is not only a recognition of my personal photography, but also a recognition of Farewell My Concubine and even Chinese films.”

"Because the work is the most important core, and I am actually very insignificant. I am very grateful to the film industry for allowing me to engage in this profession and enjoy the creative fun. In addition, I would like to thank Director Gong Wei, Mr. Fang Yan, and thank you..."

After expressing his gratitude, Zhang Yimou walked off the stage with brisk steps. He seemed to be ten years younger, full of vigor and energy.

"Now your photography career can be considered complete."

Fangyan grinned.

Zhang Yimou opened his mouth, and all his words were condensed into one sentence: "Thank you". Everything he has now is thanks to Teacher Fang's cultivation!
If he hadn't personally appointed me, I would probably still be working as a small photography assistant in Guilin Film Studio, and there would be no way I could become so famous today!
“Organizational cultivation, individual performance.”

Fangyan looked at the energetic Zhang Yimou on the left and the gloomy-faced Chen Kai on the right. It is true that there is no harm without comparison.

Gong Xing chewed gum and said with a smile: "Now we are open for business, but I wonder if we can continue to be prosperous."

Li Bihua said: "Your worry is completely unnecessary. At least we will definitely win the Best Foreign Language Film and Best Adapted Screenplay awards."

"Are you ready for your speech?" Fang Yan looked at Li Bihua and Lu Wei on his right.

"Yanzi, you and Luwei should give the acceptance speeches." Li Bihua pretended to cough.

Lu Wei also waved his hand and declined politely, "Teacher Fang, I don't speak English, so I'll just skip it."

"I have a translator here. If all else fails, I can be your translator."

Fangyan handed over the opportunity to show himself on the Oscar stage to Li Bihua and Lu Wei.

Just when the three were trying to shirk their responsibility, it was already the turn of the Best Original Score Award, but unfortunately Hans Zimmer, who composed the score for "Rain Man", was nominated but ultimately failed to win the award. In fact, putting aside the issue of competitors, Fang Yan really felt that the award should have been given to Hans Zimmer.

"Leaving Wallbrook On the Road" can be regarded as a classic soundtrack for road movies!
Of course, it is slightly inferior to the dubbing of Hans Zimmer for movies such as "Batman", "The Lion King", "The Rock", and "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Just when everyone was lamenting that "Rain Man" missed another award, it finally broke the long silence and embarrassment at the Best Original Screenplay Award.

Unlike the Golden Globe Awards, which only have the Best Screenplay Award, the Oscars' Best Screenplay Awards are divided into original screenplay awards and adapted screenplay awards. As the name suggests, original screenplays are scripts that are not based on any original work. Films like "Farewell My Concubine" and "Saving Private Ryan" are all adapted from novels. There is not much difference in the value of the two awards.

However, in the Hollywood screenwriter industry, the original screenplay award is slightly more prestigious than the adapted screenplay award. After all, originality is a process of creating something from nothing.

Unless it is a case like "Farewell My Concubine", he is the author of the novel and he is still the screenwriter of the movie!
Just when "Rain Man" was making a comeback, "Farewell My Concubine" won the Best Adapted Screenplay Award as expected, once again leading "Rain Man" by one position.

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa."

Amidst applause, Fang Yan, Li Bihua and Lu Wei slowly walked up to the podium.

Taking the trophy from the award presenter, Fang Yan reminded him secretly: "Just do as we agreed before."

Under his encouraging gaze, Li Bihua bravely spoke into the microphone, "Thank you, thank you very much. It is our honor to be nominated along with so many excellent works."

"In fact, Farewell My Concubine was not a movie or even a novel at the beginning. It was originally a short TV series with less than 10 episodes."

"We have to mention Fangyan here. He is a great existence. Without him, there would be no novel like Farewell My Concubine which spans half a century."

"Without him and Lu Wei, Farewell My Concubine would not have been written into such a touching and unforgettable story!"

"........."

When it was almost over, Li Bihua winked at Lu Wei.

Lu Wei understood what Li Bihua meant, and his speech was shorter than Li Bihua's. "I want to pay the highest respect to Fang Yan. I am participating in a literary journey led by a world-class writer, Fang Yan. I am very grateful to him for inviting me to invest in such a challenging, rare and precious script. It forces you to constantly challenge your limits when creating."

Although the two people's acceptance speeches were wonderful, they were not what the audience was most looking forward to.

The award presenter whispered to Fangyan to say a word or two, and Fangyan had to mercifully agree because of his sincerity.

"Farewell My Concubine was the first time I co-wrote a script with someone else. It was a wonderful experience. It felt like a rock band. I was the guitarist, Li Bihua was the bassist, and Lu Wei was the drummer. Sometimes the inspiration and passion that two or three people can bring out when working together can be much greater than that of one person! Farewell My Concubine can be said to be a masterpiece that perfectly combines the individual and the collective, business and art!" (End of this chapter)