Best Director in Literature Department of Huayu

Chapter 125 I'm willing to make an exception for it.

As the film concludes with the country guitar accompaniment, the entire Princess of Wales Theatre seems to be muted.

No one stood up, no one spoke; all the spectators seemed still lingering in that Texas sunset, their minds echoing Ron's rough shout as he leaped onto the bison.

"Smack."

Someone, somewhere in the theater, pressed the first clapping button. That sound was like a spark, instantly igniting a massive, simmering powder keg!

Within seconds, thunderous applause erupted from all two thousand seats in the screening room, and everyone spontaneously stood up.

"Bravo!"

"Wonderful!"

"Outstanding!"

Some people whistled, some cheered loudly, and some had tears in their eyes, clapping and shaking their heads at the same time.

Todd McCarthy stood up, closed his notebook, and stopped taking notes, because he knew that no amount of words could compare to the scene before him.

Kirk Honeycutt, standing beside him, smiled and looked at the stage: "It seems the most important film in Toronto this year has arrived."

Yes.

On the other side, Roger Ebert slowly rose to his feet, his movements much slower than usual due to his illness. He nodded gently, as if paying homage to the creators on screen.

David Danby turned his head and said quietly, "You rarely stand up."

Albert did not deny it: "Because very few films and productions are worth it."

In the back row, many local Canadian media reporters, unable to wait for post-screening interviews, pulled out their phones and sent their pre-edited headlines back to the editorial department.

Did Matthew and Jared deliver the best performance of the year?

A Realistic Work That Exceeds Expectations

Lin Ruiyang has completed his most mature work.

Meanwhile, the reactions in the VIP section were also intriguing.

Woody Harrelson clapped and slapped Matthew McConaughey hard on the shoulder, his eyes slightly red. "Brother, I take back what I said earlier. You're not crazy, you've done something amazing."

Matthew didn't answer, but just stared at the scrolling subtitles at the end of the screen, a slow smile spreading across his face.

Only at this moment did he truly feel a weight lifted from his heart. Those months of hunger, dizziness, insomnia, and countless others...

All the doubts have now become meaningful.

On the other side, Ryan Gosling shook his head with a wry smile.

He finally understood why he was so attached to this project. It wasn't because of the role, but because of the film itself.

Once such a work is made, it will be enough to become the most dazzling page in an actor's resume.

Brad Pitt remained silent for a long time before sighing softly, "Universal will regret this."

The region where Chinese-language filmmakers reside is also shrouded in a complex silence.

Johnnie To was the first to stop clapping, and after sitting back down in his seat, he let out a long sigh.

In his view, the real strength of this film lies not in its subject matter, but in the director's remarkable restraint throughout. There were no deliberate attempts to create climaxes, no cheap sentimentality, yet the emotions were allowed to slowly, like a dull knife, cut into the audience's hearts.

This is extremely difficult for directors who don't specialize in this subject matter.

Feng Xiaogang also stood and applauded, but his smile seemed somewhat forced. He had to admit that his previous assessment of Lin Ruiyang had been flawed.

Especially when he thought about Lin Ruiyang's current achievements and the upcoming awards season, his complex emotions became even stronger. He didn't know how long he had humbled himself to get some minor awards in China.

Zhang Ziyi glanced at Lin Ruiyang, who was rising to greet her, her gaze flickering uncertainly. A thought surfaced in her mind: if the right opportunity presented itself, she might as well give it a try.

The applause continued.

One minute, three minutes, five minutes... The staff signaled several times to move on to the post-screening segment, but each time they gave up because the audience refused to stop applauding.

The applause didn't gradually subside until the seventh minute.

The host returned to the stage, smiling, and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I think the most difficult task tonight will probably be getting everyone to quiet down."

A joke once again drew cheers and applause from the audience.

Then, the spotlight shone on the first row.

Lin Ruiyang stood up first, and led Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Amy Adams, and the team slowly towards the stage.

As the creative team lined up in the center of the stage, the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.

"Thank you everyone, thank you Toronto." Lin Ruiyang took the microphone from the host and bowed slightly to the audience.

However, he did not try to be sentimental or give a long speech; he simply turned to the side and looked at the actors beside him.

"The ones who truly deserve applause today are not me, but those who poured their hearts and souls into the film."

As he spoke, he took the lead in applauding.

The spotlight immediately fell on Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, and the entire theater erupted in cheers once again.

The host then handed the microphone to Matthew.

Matthew took the microphone and said, his voice slightly choked, "Before I met Ryan, Hollywood was only used to having me take off my shirt, grin like an idiot at blonde girls on the beach, and get by on cheesy romantic comedies. I almost forgot that I was once an actor."

A burst of good-natured laughter immediately erupted from the audience.

He took a deep breath, turned to look at Lin Ruiyang, his earnest eyes filled with gratitude: "The night before filming started, Lin said to me: Matthew, if you want those picky film critics to stand up spontaneously when they hear your name, then give me your body and soul completely."

To live like Ron, I was constantly losing weight. For months, I endured hunger, dizziness, and insomnia, even feeling terrified looking at my own skeleton in the mirror. I doubted myself, and I doubted him. But sitting here today, seeing everyone's reactions, I know it was all worth it.”

After he finished speaking, he stepped forward and gave Lin Ruiyang a hug.

Applause erupted again in the theater.

The host then handed the microphone to Jared Leto. Jared took the microphone, first deliberately raising his eyebrows: "First..."

First, I need to clarify one thing: the person in those photos is indeed me, not my long-lost sister.

His words immediately brought laughter to the entire room. Only after the laughter subsided slightly did he let out a soft breath.

"Playing Ryan wasn't easy because you have to let go of all the vanity of acting. He's afraid, vulnerable, stubborn, and always yearning to be respected. One thing I'm most grateful to Ryan for is that he never asked me to play a label; instead, he helped me understand a real, living person."

He said this while looking towards the audience.

"If tonight, after the movie ends, someone remembers not my makeup, not my outfit, but Ryan himself, that would be the best gift I've ever received."

Applause erupted once again.

After taking the microphone, Amy Adams maintained her usual gentle and composed demeanor: "During filming, we often felt like we were documenting real life. Lin rarely told the actors how to act; he preferred to prepare the environment and then patiently wait for the characters to emerge on their own."

After many shots were filmed, he wouldn't immediately offer his opinion. He would simply stand quietly behind the monitor, watching us, and then say, "Let's do it again. This time, don't think about the movie; think about how you're going to survive today." "I think that's what makes this work so special."

With heartfelt speeches from the main creators, the atmosphere reached a fever pitch. The host then naturally announced the start of the post-screening Q&A session for the media and film critics.

Arms shot up in unison in the front row of the media area, and the host first handed the question-asking opportunity to Todd McCarthy of Variety.

"Lin, why did you consistently avoid portraying the protagonist as a hero in the traditional sense when handling this story?"

Lin Ruiyang did not hesitate: "Because real people are not noble all the time. Ron lies, gets angry, is driven by profit, and makes mistakes. But it is precisely because of this that when he is willing to take risks for others, that change is truly powerful."

I don't believe in perfect people; I believe in real people.

As soon as he finished speaking, Todd showed a satisfied expression.

Another reporter then asked Matthew, "Do you consider this the most important performance of your career so far?"

'

Matthew pondered for a moment and then shook his head: "I don't know if this is the most important thing, but it's definitely the most honest one yet. I wasn't trying to prove anything; I just wanted to do my best to live up to the trust placed in me by the script and the director."

The post-screening Q&A session finally came to an end after lasting for more than half an hour.

As the lights in the theater came on and the audience began to disperse, the lingering warmth of the film in the air lingered.

Many audience members did not rush to leave; they spontaneously stood on both sides of the aisle to give the creators a final round of applause.

The crowd then slowly surged toward the exit, turning the once spacious corridor into a densely packed space. Even amidst this, conversations continued: "Matthew and Jared will definitely be nominated."

"It's not just about the nominations; if his later films don't offer any major surprises, he definitely has a chance to win an award."

"And Jared, I haven't seen such an impressive character in many years."

Similar conversations echoed throughout the room.

After Todd McCarthy came out, he didn't rush to leave. He stood outside and looked through his records from beginning to end.

But the most important thing is the keyword he circled at the end of the movie: "awards season contenders".

Just as he looked up, Kirk Honeycutt walked over, and the two exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh.

"Looks like we'll all be working late into the night revising the draft after we get back to the hotel tonight."

"Yes," Todd said, putting his pen back in his pocket. "The article I had prepared is now unusable."

Why?

"Because I underestimated it."

On the other side, Roger Albert, supported by his assistant, slowly walked out.

David Danby, who was standing beside him, suddenly asked, "What if you were to rate it right now?"

Roger paused to think for a moment, then looked at the poster for "Dallas Buyers Club" at the far end of the hall and replied, "I never jump to conclusions right after a movie ends. But tonight, I'm willing to make an exception."

On the other side of the passage, Brad Pitt took the initiative to greet Lin Ruiyang.

"Ryan, congratulations."

However, Pitt added, "If there are similar scripts in the future, at least give me an audition opportunity."

Lin Ruiyang smiled and said, "As long as the role is suitable, I will definitely contact you first."

Upon hearing this, Ryan Gosling, who was standing not far away, shrugged helplessly: "Looks like I'll have to get in line now."

O

A joke made the actors around him laugh.

Outside in the media area, dozens of reporters were already typing rapidly on their laptops or mobile phones, sending news articles to various editorial departments via the internet.

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