Chapter 855

Generally speaking, important awards like Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Actress are usually announced at the very end of an awards ceremony.

Just like a banquet, the appetizers are always served first.

However, since the Hundred Flowers Award judges had arranged it this way, everyone would just have to wait and see.

Regardless of whether it was early or late, all the winning results would be revealed in the next hour and a half.

"Last year, China saw the emergence of quite a few excellent films. Whether it was 'Farewell My Concubine,' which took home the top prize at Cannes, or 'Lake,' which raked in seven billion at the box office, both left a heavy, colorful mark on the history of Chinese film development."

The host walked onto the stage, began summarizing the achievements of Chinese cinema over the past year, and paved the way for the upcoming voting.

Everyone listened very intently because they were eager to know whether "Lake" would have the edge or if "Farewell My Concubine" would continue to sweep the major awards.

This, in a way, actually determined the future direction of domestic cinema.

As for art-house films, "Farewell My Concubine" had already been highly praised by countless industry veterans; it was a masterpiece in the true sense of the word.

Regardless of box office performance, a film like this is made with the intention of winning awards.

As for a mainstream film like "Lake," its main goal is the box office, while simultaneously stirring up patriotic sentiment among the public.

As for awards, it used to be very difficult for this type of film to win.

However, the buzz for "Lake" this year was simply too high; it would seem unreasonable if it didn't win something.

Therefore, everyone was waiting for a result.

They wanted to see whether the awards favored "Farewell My Concubine" or "Lake," so they could have a better idea for their own future film projects.

For the vast majority of domestic directors, they actually dare not count on those major international awards.

In the decades of Chinese cinema, how many films have actually won something at the three major film festivals?

By comparison, the three major domestic film awards are much easier to reach.

So, whether to continue with art-house films or follow the mainstream path depends on this result.

There were five films nominated this time. Besides "Farewell My Concubine" and "Lake," there was the comedy "Hello, Mother," the inspirational film "When Happiness Finds the Clumsy Kid," and the drama "Fame."

However, most people knew that the latter three were just there to fill the numbers; the real competitors were still the first two.

There were 101 judges voting this time, coming from the "masses" and representing the thousands of Chinese film fans.

After the five nominated films appeared on the big screen, the voting officially began.

"Luo Luo, are you confident this time?" Seeing Wen Xia asked Luo Quan in a low voice.

She herself was nominated for Best Supporting Actress this time, but because her screen time was truly too short, the probability of winning was not high.

However, the lead actress and the two lead actors were still quite competitive.

In fact, in the eyes of netizens, there was no competition to speak of.

The acting of the entire cast in "Farewell My Concubine" was explosive; it would be unjustifiable not to win an award.

But domestic film awards emphasize a society of human relationships, where everyone gets a share and everyone is happy; it is rare for one film to take home multiple major awards.

Last year, the Golden Rooster broke the precedent for "Farewell My Concubine," and if it were broken again this year, others in the circle would likely have objections.

Just like how some people online are still saying: We know you, Luo Quan, have talent and your films are easy to award, but if you keep doing this every year, how are other filmmakers supposed to win? Enough is enough.

Although these are the opinions of certain netizens, they surely represent the inner thoughts of many in the film circle.

Luo Quan had seen these comments herself, but she couldn't be bothered to respond.

Making "Farewell My Concubine" was a task assigned from above, entirely for the purpose of winning major awards abroad; the domestic release was just a secondary benefit.

To be honest, after winning an Oscar, whether these domestic awards were given to her or not didn't really matter.

Of course, it would be better if they were given.

Besides, it was the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers that invited her; how could it be that she was snatching awards from others? They hadn't even figured out the cause-and-effect relationship.

However, the current online environment is quite restless, and since not that many people were saying such things, she didn't pay much attention to it.

As for those in the film circle, if they want awards, they should just make better films and push her out.

"The probability should still be quite high. I've already won at Cannes; it's impossible that I wouldn't win an award back home, right?"

Luo Quan said to Seeing Wen Xia with a calm expression.

Actually, China does have a few films that won major international awards but failed to win domestic ones.

However, although these films were of good quality, their themes were sensitive, and they basically couldn't pass censorship or were simply banned.

Without being released domestically to earn box office, they naturally couldn't compete for domestic awards.

One can only say it's fortunate that "Farewell My Concubine" was commissioned from above, and the script passed censorship very early on.

If not for that connection, it probably would have been very difficult to release.

"Don't jinx it." Seeing Wen Xia grinned.

Things like jinxing—sometimes right after you say it, problems arise immediately.

However, since it involves metaphysics, one has to mention Luo Quan's koi-fish luck.

This great beauty's luck is truly not just good; playing Russian roulette, with five bullets in a six-chamber cylinder, she pulled the trigger ten times before finally hitting herself.

For an average person, they would have been gone on the first shot.

The key is that she showed this while livestreaming in front of hundreds of thousands of people; other than the gun not being real, there was no element of fraud.

Since then, no one has questioned her koi-fish luck.

In view of this, Seeing Wen Xia still believed in Luo Quan's luck; she shouldn't return empty-handed from this awards ceremony.

Amidst everyone's nervous waiting, the voting finally ended.

All 101 judges had made their choices, and during the time it took to organize the results, the host went on stage to tell a few jokes to maintain the atmosphere.

Soon, the voting results were brought up.

"Oh, the result this time is truly unexpected."

A flash of shock appeared in the host's eyes, which made the guests present frown.

Luo Quan did not, because she had seen this expression on the face of the foreign host who presented her award at the Cannes Film Festival.

But by comparison, the surprise of the person in front of her seemed slightly artificial; the acting wasn't very convincing, making it feel a bit fake.

"This is the first time in the decades of our Hundred Flowers Awards that a tie has occurred!"

As soon as the host finished speaking, the voting results appeared on the big screen.

"Farewell My Concubine" and "Lake" each had fifty votes, and one judge chose to abstain.

Once this news came out, the whole venue was in an uproar.

Setting the number of judges at 101 was specifically to avoid a tie.

However, usually, the winning film has a much wider margin of votes compared to others, so there is no need to worry about such a situation.

But sometimes things are just that coincidental.

A tie, which had never happened before, had occurred this time for the first time in history.

Now, no one wanted to care about the inner thoughts of the person who cast the abstention vote.

The guests just wanted to know how they would handle the tie.

In fact, whether it was the livestream audience or the people at the venue, they had already realized it when they saw the vote distribution.

With both films having such high buzz for winning, whoever took the other would not be convinced.

Rather than favoring one over the other, it was better to do what they did at Cannes before: split it in half.

There is no dispute that a "double-yolk egg" (tie) cannot solve; if there is, just do it again.

Previously, "Farewell My Concubine" became the only Best Film in Cannes history to win a tie, which netizens called more valuable than winning the award alone.

Because this was the only time in history, it was full of hype and would still be talked about by everyone many years later.

And the judges of this Hundred Flowers Award followed suit, adding another entry to the "double-yolk egg" resume of "Farewell My Concubine."

The Chinese character has always liked compromise, and this result can be said to be the best ending for both films.

Amidst the enthusiastic applause of the whole venue, the creators of "Farewell My Concubine" and the creators of "Lake" stepped onto the stage, standing on either side of the host.

Speaking of which, the creators of "Lake" had an acquaintance, which was the lead actor and director, Wu Jin.

Luo Quan had known him for several years; her first film was Wu Dao's "Wolf Warrior 2."

Relying on this film, she quickly entered the public eye and became China's first ten-billion-box-office actress.

Meeting again after several years, she didn't expect it to be on the awards stage, and not for the same film.

The two smiled at each other, and Wu Dao raised the microphone first and said: "Director Luo and I can be considered old acquaintances. We first met while filming 'Wolf Warrior 2,' but unfortunately, we haven't collaborated since.

Being able to receive an award on stage together this time, I have to say it's a kind of fate."

Luo Quan was all smiles: "If there's a 'Wolf Warrior 3,' Wu Dao can save a spot for me; it would be best if there's action scenes this time."

"Definitely, definitely." Wu Dao also laughed very happily.

Although he currently had no plans to film "Wolf Warrior 3," this series would definitely continue.

And Luo Quan being willing to continue appearing in it was definitely the best news.

If a two-time Oscar-winning actress had intense action scenes in "Wolf Warrior 3," just this hype alone could push pre-sale box office over one billion.

Who knows, the Chinese film box office record he created himself might really be broken by himself.

Of course, these were all things for later.

For now, the winner of the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Film was out, and "Lake" and "Farewell My Concubine" took it together, which could be considered a good story.

Luo Quan raised the microphone and said an acceptance speech that left everyone dumbfounded:

"First of all, thank you to the Hundred Flowers Award organizers for presenting this award to 'Farewell My Concubine,' and I also hope that the Hundred Flowers Award and Chinese cinema can get better and better.

Secondly, because I've been in Hengdian for quite a long time filming a new TV series, I've seen many people and many things.

I've discovered that many directors are truly too dedicated; even when resting at the hotel, they still have to find time to interview actors, and each interview often lasts for an hour or two, and they don't discriminate between men and women.

I truly admire this seriousness toward work; if there were more directors like this, perhaps Chinese cinema would be even better."

After finishing, Luo Quan returned to her seat with her people.

Below the stage, a group of celebrity veterans had expressions of surprise, admiration, hidden laughter, anger, or gloom—a true portrait of the entertainment industry.

Anyone with a discerning eye knew that Luo Quan's words were about the unspoken rules of the entertainment industry.

And the last sentence was clearly sarcastic.

In fact, in this circle, unspoken rules are the most common dark side.

How common are they? It can be said that all Chinese people know.

At the beginning of the century, if a TV series had a third or fourth female lead who couldn't act but was pretty, everyone knew in their hearts that she was likely the mistress of a coal boss or investor.

Bringing capital into the crew to satisfy their star dreams.

However, because the roles weren't important and they were indeed easy on the eyes, no one had any objections.

But as it developed later, it wasn't just investors who had this treatment.

Directors, producers, screenwriters—perhaps everyone had the ability to have their own mistress and bring her into the crew.

"Unspoken rules" gradually became something placed on the table.

Everyone knew it, the vast majority were silently enduring it, and a considerable number even actively used it.

Just like these people sitting below the stage, each one bright and beautiful, with high status in the circle.

How many of them could be related to unspoken rules?

No one knows, and no one will say.

But Luo Quan had brought this matter out.

Not just because of her apprentice, Cheng Nuo.

Her friend was forced to leave Hengdian because of unspoken rules, and she herself had sworn to make that director pay the price.

However, Luo Quan didn't stand up to say this entirely because of her apprentice.

It was mainly because she herself also really couldn't stand this so-called rule.

Before, no one dared to say such things on such an occasion, so this time, let her be the one to open this gap.

As for how many people hate her or want to ban her, let these people come.

However, Luo Quan highly doubted whether these people had the guts.

After all, people who only dare to use unspoken rules are like rats in a gutter that never see the light of day.

Once they are under the sun, they don't need anyone else to do anything; they will be roasted into charcoal themselves.

But regardless of whether those people dare or not, Luo Quan was now calling them out in front of the entire internet.

The bullet comments in the livestream had been flooded with "Luo Quan is awesome" from the very beginning.

Netizens were surprised by her outspokenness and were rallying around her.

And on the Weibo hot search, the news about the tie hadn't even reached the top, but the hot search "Luo Quan is so bold" had already hit "Explosive."

In the comment section, whether they were passersby or fans, they had all been conquered by her courage:

"Luo Quan is truly the boldest celebrity I've ever seen; she really says what needs to be said."

"Young people are full of spirit and dare to say anything, but unfortunately, young people usually don't have high status, so saying it doesn't have much effect... except for Luo Quan."

"Luo Quan mentioned unspoken rules this time without naming names; if anyone goes against her in the future, it can basically be seen as them admitting it."

"With Luo Quan's temper, if anyone in the circle really dares to go against her, just wait to be ruined."

"Luo Quan: I don't know what 'considering the big picture' means; I only know that if someone makes me unhappy, I'll make them even more unhappy!"

"Awesome, going to Luo Quan's livestream to send a rocket right now!"

"Go to Liang's livestream; Luo Quan's isn't on."

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