Huayu Entertainment: Who let him be the director!

"If it weren't so inconvenient, I would really like to go and have a look again."

Hu Jun was eager to try it.

Although he had seen this movie a long time ago, the experience of watching it in a North American theater and in a domestic theater would definitely be different.

Hu Jun really wanted to see with his own eyes what the foreigners’ reactions were when they watched “Painted Skin”.

“I wonder how much box office “Painted Skin” can earn in North America.”

When Zhao Wenzhuo said this, his face was full of longing.

"Painted Skin" is indeed very successful in Asia. Not only did it break records in mainland China, but it was also very popular in Hong Kong, Taiwan and other places.

Now the only one left is North America.

This area is also what Zhao Wenzhuo is more worried about.

After all, the cultural differences are too big, and foreigners may not buy into this.

But think about those kung fu movies like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Hero", "House of Flying Daggers", "Huo Yuanjia" and "Kung Fu", they actually did quite well at the North American box office.

This shows that this set of food is still appealing to foreigners.

Although "Painted Skin" is a fantasy movie, it is also a kung fu movie.

Plus it's been nominated for an Oscar, so we can still look forward to it.

"Of course the more the better. Let's hope that our Painted Skin will be a big hit in North America. Cheers!"

"cheers!"

With good wishes, several wine glasses gently clinked together.

Of course, everyone just drank a little and didn't drink too much because they had important things to do tomorrow.

But Zhou Qing's mentality was actually very calm.

There's no chance of winning an award anyway, so just consider it as an opportunity to make your presence known in North America.

"Director Zhou Qing!"

"It's the director with the Golden Bear and Golden Lion!"

When he arrived at the venue the next day, some media actually recognized Zhou Qing, which surprised him.

But after thinking about it again, Zhou Qing felt relieved again.

I have done quite well in the three major competitions, so it's no wonder that I have some fame at the Oscars.

You know, there are some Hollywood stars in his mobile phone address book.

It's just that we have never been in touch.

"Director Zhou, can you accept an interview?"

"Of course!"

Zhou Qing would naturally not refuse this request.

Leading the main creators of "Painted Skin", he openly accepted interviews from international media.

"Director Zhou, your film Painted Skin has been nominated for this year's Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Do you think you can win this award?"

"As for me, I definitely hope to win this award, but the other nominated films are also excellent. No matter which film wins this award, I would like to congratulate it here!"

"Leonardo has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor again. Do you think he can get his wish this time?"

This question made Zhou Qing want to laugh.

It seems that Leo's Oscar bid is indeed a major highlight of the Oscars.

"Leonardo's performance is as wonderful as ever. He is a very good actor, but whether he can win an award is a complicated matter. I can only say that I am not surprised whether he wins an award or not. Of course, I also wish him to get what he wants this time."

"Your "Painted Skin" is now being screened in North America. What do you want to say to the audiences of "Painted Skin" in North America?"

"Since Painted Skin has been nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Award, it means that this movie is a good movie. I believe it will not disappoint everyone."

Talking in front of the camera and microphone, Zhou Qing worked hard to promote "Painted Skin".

Even though "Painted Skin" was sold out and I won't get a penny no matter how high the box office is, but that is also my achievement, isn't it?
Zhou Qing naturally also hopes that "Painted Skin" will be a big hit.

"Director Zhou!"

"Director Zhou!"

Walking around the venue, some filmmakers would come to greet Zhou Qing from time to time.

Four consecutive wins in the three major films, plus this time's nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, have indeed made Zhou Qing famous in Hollywood.

But he is far inferior to the top three.

The highlight of every major film festival is always the red carpet, and the Oscars are no exception.

Especially because Oscar's copy at Huayu Entertainment was too difficult, the main creators of "Painted Skin" became even more excited.

It is no exaggeration to say that walking the red carpet of the Oscars is much more difficult than walking the red carpet of the three major European cinemas.

Whether it was Hu Jun, Zhao Wenzhuo, Liu Yifei or Dong Xuan, they all showed their best.

Strive to show your best side on this rare stage.

Click, click, click!
Spotlights were flashing on both sides of the red carpet and many media were taking pictures.

But almost all of them were taken of Zhou Qing.

The only thing worth noting about the entire crew of "Painted Skin" is the director.

"The next people walking on the red carpet are the crew of Painted Skin. The director of Painted Skin, Zhou Qing, has won the Silver Bear and the Golden Bear in Berlin, and the Silver Lion and the Golden Lion in Venice..."

The host introduced Zhou Qing at the right time, and I have to say that his resume is indeed very impressive.

This surprised many filmmakers who didn't know Zhou Qing.

This young man is so awesome?

At this age, he has won the Golden Bear and Golden Lion?

This is exaggerated!
But even so, most people are not optimistic about Zhou Qing.

Chinese-language films have never had much presence at the Oscars.

"Now I officially declare that the 79th Academy Awards ceremony has officially begun!"

At 5 pm, the much-anticipated award ceremony finally began.

Hu Jun, Zhao Wenzhuo and others, like the other shortlisted filmmakers, pretended to be relaxed, but they were actually not that calm.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the host on the stage, even though it was still a long time before the award for Best Foreign Language Film was given.

"Keep calm, keep calm, Sissi."

Feeling Liu Yifei quietly holding his hand, Zhou Qing couldn't help but turn his head and smile at the girl.

He was really calm and seemed like he really didn't care about the award at all.

"You have a really good attitude."

Liu Yifei was truly convinced by Zhou Qing.

The girl could tell that Zhou Qing was truly calm and not pretending to be cool.

I can only say one word, cow!

"The next award to be presented is the Lifetime Achievement Award..."

The awards ceremony began soon.

From Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Documentary Short, Best Documentary, to Best Editing, Best Costume Design and so on.

There were more than a dozen prizes to be given out, and it was not until more than two hours later that the critical moment finally arrived.

"Next up is the Best Foreign Language Film Award."

Following the host's announcement, several nominated films began to flash rapidly on the big screen, and Painted Skin was among them.

Zhou Qing immediately felt that someone was quietly holding his little hand, and holding it a little tighter.

People like Hu Jun and Zhao Wenzhuo also sat up straight subconsciously, unable to remain calm.

Only Zhou Qing remained as calm as ever.

"The winner of the Best Foreign Language Film Award is...The Lives of Others!"

Sure enough, the result was not beyond Zhou Qing's expectations. "Painted Skin" had no chance at all.

And to be honest, "The Lives of Others" is indeed much better than "Painted Skin".

Zhou Qing has seen this movie and was very impressed by it.

Zhou Qing was convinced that this movie won the Best Foreign Language Film award.

Hu Jun and his companions felt a little frustrated and disappointed, and the smiles on their faces seemed a little forced.

Although I wasn't too surprised by the result, I couldn't hide the disappointment.

After all, this is the Oscars.

"It's all because of your bad mouth. Why did you choose to learn Niu Geng when there are so many other things to learn."

Liu Yifei couldn't help but complain in front of Zhou Qing.

Before I asked you to come, I said it was insignificant, but now it has come true, right?
"Keep it in check. The Oscar is just an award. Don't make it too much of a myth. If you didn't win it, you didn't win it."

Zhou Qing smiled and waved his hand, so calm as water and as cool as wind.

It seems that he really didn't care at all about not winning the award.

Hu Jun and others were filled with admiration.

Director Zhou is worthy of his name, the layout is just different.

"The 79th Academy Awards came to an end. Director Zhou Qing's "Painted Skin" failed to win the Oscar, and the Best Foreign Language Film went to "The Lives of Others."

"Painted Skin was relegated to a runner-up position at the Oscars. Chinese-language films once again failed to win an Oscar. Director Zhou Qing failed to change this situation."

"Following Zhang Guoshi and Chen Shishi, director Zhou Qing also failed in his Oscar bid, with Painted Skin coming home empty-handed."

The situation on Oscar's side was quickly reported back to the country, making the entire circle lively.

"Painted Skin" failed at the Oscars!

Many people are not too surprised by this.

After all, Master Zhang was nominated three times but never won an award, and Farewell My Concubine even won the Palme d'Or but didn't win.

Looking at the entire Chinese-language film industry, there has never been a single award-winning film. Why did "Painted Skin" win an award?
It is normal not to win the award.

For a time, there were people who sighed and lamented, while others mocked and ridiculed Zhou Qing, and so on.

"It failed after all."

Han Sanping couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. It would be a lie to say that he wasn't disappointed.

But after thinking about it again, Han Sanping couldn't help but shake his head in self-mockery.

I really thought too much before.

The possibility of "Painted Skin" winning an Oscar is really very small.

Moreover, it is not easy for "Painted Skin" to be nominated for an Oscar, which is already a great achievement.

What more bikes do you want?
What's more, "Painted Skin" has been released in North America for two weeks. According to Han Sanping, the results are still very impressive.

The box office has reached more than 19 million!

If this momentum continues, "Painted Skin" should be able to take in more than 30 million at the North American box office.

To be honest, the box office is already very high!
You have to know that Chinese-language films have always been somewhat unpopular in North America, and their performance has generally not been very good.

The current record holder is "Hero" directed by Zhang Guoshi in 02, which earned 5300 million US dollars in North America, which is terrifying.

What about the second place?

It is Jackie Chan's "Rumble in the Bronx".

This film shot by Jackie Chan in 95 sold 3200 million US dollars in North America, making Jackie Chan an instant hit in North America and successfully entering Hollywood.

Next up is Li Lianjie's "Huo Yuanjia", which only grossed 2460 million US dollars in North America!

Judging from these data, the box office of "Painted Skin" in North America is absolutely eye-catching.

All I can say is that although "Painted Skin" did not win the award and was only nominated, it also brought great benefits to "Painted Skin".

At least it really boosted the box office.

Han Sanping was also very pleased with this. This was undoubtedly another achievement of his.

“Huh, Painted Skin didn’t win an Oscar.”

Poet Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Mainstream public opinion now generally believes that he is not as good as Zhou Qing. If he loses the Oscar to the other party again, won’t he be completely trampled under his feet?

However, now, I still have a chance to overtake my opponent.

As long as his "Mei Lanfang" achieves even more dazzling results, or even wins an Oscar, it will be time for poet Chen to prove himself to the world again!
In fact, it was not just poet Chen, but Master Zhang as well who felt much more relaxed.

There was nothing I could do. My junior fellow student at the Beijing Film Academy was really chasing me too closely.

Master Zhang is not prepared to be completely surpassed by the opponent!

Zhou Qing didn't pay much attention to the domestic public opinion, but in fact, he could guess it even if he used his imagination.

After the Oscars ceremony, he returned to Beijing with his main creators in a very low-key manner.

"Director Zhou!"

"Director Zhou!"

As expected, as soon as I left the airport, I was surrounded by the media who had been waiting there for a long time.

It's obvious why we came here.

However, Zhou Qing still accepted the interview openly.

"Director Zhou, your film Painted Skin failed to win the Best Foreign Language Film Award at the Oscars. What do you want to say?"

"Painted Skin is originally a commercial film. I didn't make it for the sake of winning awards. Being nominated is a pleasant surprise. It doesn't matter if I didn't win an award."

"For many years, Chinese-language films have not won any Oscars. How does Director Zhou respond to this phenomenon?"

In front of reporters, Zhou Qing can no longer use the excuse that "Oscar is just an award".

"The Oscars have their own selection rules, and North America has its own tastes and preferences. It is an indisputable fact that Chinese-language films are not well received by the Oscars. The only thing we can do is to devote ourselves to making better films."

"Director Zhou, will you make a movie specifically to win an Oscar in the future? Have you ever thought about breaking the domestic zero Oscar record?"

"I can't respond to this question right now, but what is certain is that I won't do that in my next movie."

This is not Zhou Qing's way of being perfunctory or fooling the media; he really thinks so in his heart.

As for the Oscars, how many directors don’t want to conquer them?

Zhou Qing naturally thought of the same thing.

The three major European film festivals and the Oscars are all top international film festivals.

Just imagine what it would feel like to complete all the levels?
Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.

But just like Zhou Qing said, he will not touch the Oscar thing, at least in the short term.

There is no chance of this kind of thing being made in a mainland movie. If we want to shoot it, we'll probably have to go to Hollywood.

This kind of thing is not in Zhou Qing's short-term plan. (End of this chapter)