Chapter 554

As the lights in the Dolby Theatre gradually dimmed, the audience gradually fell silent.

Suddenly, a spotlight shone on the center of the stage, and the orchestra played the uplifting theme of the Oscars.

The large screen on stage lit up, playing a mashup of clips from classic films of the past year.

When the Joker's footage from The Dark Knight appeared on screen, the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause and whistles.

The music stopped abruptly, and dazzling fireworks sprayed from both sides of the stage.

Host Jimmy Kimmel slowly rose from beneath the stage, wearing a dark blue suit and holding an Oscar statuette model.

Jimmy Kimmel.

Famous talk show host, comedian, and producer!

The iconic show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!

He has hosted the Oscar Awards Ceremony for four consecutive years!

These celebrity guests present were also quite familiar with him.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Jimmy opened with his signature humor, "Welcome to the 95th Oscar Awards Ceremony! Tonight we will witness history..."

Then, Jimmy on stage continued, "Honestly, this year's nominee list is fantastic—there are films that make audiences cry, make them laugh, and even make them question their intelligence..."

"But the most special thing tonight," Jimmy suddenly turned serious, "is that we may witness this legendary director from the East lift the Best Director trophy." He gestured toward Lin Mo, "Lin, no matter the outcome, you have already made cinematic art richer and more colorful."

Lin Mo heard Jimmy's tribute, paused slightly, then showed a humble smile.

He lightly touched his left chest with his right hand and nodded toward the stage; this graceful Eastern gesture drew a warm round of applause from the audience.

"Look at this gentleman's reaction!" Jimmy's eyes lit up, seizing the opportunity: "By contrast—" he suddenly turned to the front rows of the audience, "Leonardo, do you still remember biting your nails down there during your first nomination?"

The camera immediately cut to Leo, who was mimicking his nervous self from back then, finger to mouth as if to bite, causing the whole audience to laugh.

Next.

Jimmy then teased a few Hollywood stars.

From their reactions it's obvious they're all quite familiar with Jimmy.

"Hahaha, Leo's expression is too genuine!"

"This host is too good at stirring things up! He specially picks big names to tease!"

"Lin Mo: I'm just a quiet handsome guy!"

"Seeing Brother Cheng Long laugh until creases formed!"

"!"

"......"

Domestically, viewers watching the Oscar Awards Ceremony via Douyin livestream.

They too were amused by Jimmy's interaction with the Hollywood stars.

Of course.

After the brief opening banter, we now move on to the main event!

Only see, Jimmy raised the envelope in his hand: "Let's start with the technical awards; the first to be presented is—Best Sound Editing!"

The orchestra played a short suspenseful tune, and the big screen began playing exciting clips from the five nominated films.

When the sound effect of the Batmobile roaring past in The Dark Knight played, the audience again burst into cheers.

"And the winner is..." Jimmy opened the envelope, deliberately drawing out his voice, "Mad Max: Fury Road!"

Amid applause, the winning team went onstage to accept the award.

And Jimmy joked, "Looks like this year's voters prefer desert engine sounds over Gotham's Batmobile."

When presenting the Best Visual Effects award, Jimmy looked at the nominee list and smiled: "This award tells us that some movies spend money to make you believe it's real, while others spend money to make you know it's fake."

The ultimate winning film was Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

When the Best Costume Design award went to The Danish Girl, Jimmy quipped, "Congratulations! But seriously, Heath Ledger's purple suit in The Dark Knight is the costume I most want to steal."

As several technical awards were presented, the atmosphere gradually heated up.

Jimmy timely adjusted the pace: "Alright, it's time for something heavy—please welcome Anne Hathaway to present the Best Supporting Actor award!"

It's also appropriate to say, asking Anne Hathaway to present Best Supporting Actor indeed has precedent.

Because she previously worked with Heath Ledger on Brokeback Mountain.

Old acquaintances!

Only see, Anne Hathaway gracefully took the stage, and amid applause said, "This year's nominees have redefined what a supporting role means through their performances; each of them makes the lead shine even brighter."

Next, the big screen began playing nominee clips: The Banshees of Inisherin, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Tár, Whale, and The Dark Knight.

When the Joker's footage appeared, the audience responded with ten seconds of applause.

Anne opened the envelope, revealing a surprised expression: "And the winner is... Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight!"

Amid thunderous applause, Heath Ledger drew a deep breath and tightly embraced Lin Mo beside him.

As he walked up the steps, Heath Ledger's steps showed slight hesitation.

Anne Hathaway had already been waiting at center stage, her eyes glistening with tears.

When the two embraced, Anne whispered something in his ear that made Heath Ledger suddenly burst into laughter, a moment precisely captured by the camera.

At this moment, viewers watching the livestream were also frenetically flooding the chat with comments:

"Dreaming back to Brokeback Mountain, I'm bawling!"

"Anne's gaze made me cry; it feels like old friends reuniting."

"Heath Ledger's laugh is too heart‑piercing."

"This Oscars is legendary! Nostalgia maxed out!"

"Please tell me what Anne actually said—I'm dying to know!"

"Isn't this more exciting than Boruto?"

"......"

After taking the little golden man, Heath Ledger stood at the microphone, drew a deep breath, the trophy trembled slightly in his hand, and its reflected light swept across the venue.

"Eighteen years ago," his voice hoarse, "when Annie and I were freezing on the set of Brokeback Mountain, I never imagined we'd reunite like this." The audience responded with knowing laughter and applause.

"This role..." he gently rubbed the little golden man, "is dedicated to everyone who still believes in the light in the darkness, thanking every member of the Dark Knight team..." As he said this, Heath Ledger suddenly turned toward Lin Mo's direction, "Most of all, I want to thank Lin, for telling me—that the greatest performance is not becoming the role, but making the role become yourself."

Saying this, Heath Ledger raised the little golden man and, in extremely non-standard Chinese, said: "Thank you, Huaguo audience!"

This unexpected ending drew the most enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

Annie quietly wiped a tear at the side, while Lin Mo gave two thumbs up from the audience.

When Heath Ledger left the stage, Jimmy interjected: "Looks like we need to give the translators a raise—now even award speeches need subtitles!"

This joke lightened the mood again, paving a perfect transition for the upcoming awards.