Chapter 170: First Arrival at the Golden Horse

The Chinese-language film circle has the Golden Rooster, the Golden Horse, and the Hong Kong Film Awards, which are collectively known as the three major awards for the highest achievements in Chinese-language film. But if we talk about who is superior, nowadays, the Golden Horse Awards is undoubtedly the undisputed boss.

In the early days, neither the mainland nor Hong Kong Island had set up similar competition awards for audiovisual products. The Golden Horse Awards, established in 1962, directly became the most watched film event in the Chinese region, and after opening to the mainland a few years ago, its influence has grown larger and larger.

This time Wu Yuchen came over, and the Golden Horse Awards organizers also specially sent someone to pick him up at the airport. After all, he is an international big director!

In the car, Wu Yuchen listened to the driver and the person picking him up talking endlessly, vigorously introducing Wanwan to him, while he himself was looking at the scenery along the way.

"Wu Dao, this subway line was just opened in our Wanwan the year before last, isn't it beautiful!"

"Oh, not bad." Wu Yuchen looked at the driver a bit strangely. What was there to introduce about a subway line?

"Wu Dao, this is the first subway line in our Wanwan," the driver said not without showing off.

"The first subway line?!"

This sentence really shocked Wu Yuchen. Wanwan had always claimed to be one of the Four Asian Tigers and was listed as an economically developed region, yet it only opened its first subway line the year before last?

"Yeah, let me tell you, the Alliance Party works really super slowly. It took 8 years to build a subway line. Japan is still powerful. I took my family to Japan for a trip the year before last, and it was really super prosperous over there!"

The driver said, then suddenly asked Wu Yuchen a question: "I wonder if the mainland can still only take buses now?"

It could be seen that the driver didn't mean to show off when saying this. After all, in the eyes of most Wanwan people now, the impression of the mainland was poverty and backwardness.

"Our Beijing had a subway 30 years ago." Wu Yuchen said lightly.

"30 years ago?!" The driver turned his head and looked at Wu Yuchen in disbelief.

Wu Yuchen hurriedly pointed his finger forward, signaling him to drive well.

This sentence from Wu Yuchen made the driver's interest in chatting drop significantly, and for the rest of the way, he drove with his head down.

In the hotel room, as soon as Li Xiaoran saw Wu Yuchen, she threw herself into his arms, wrapped her legs around his waist, gave him a deep kiss directly, and then asked with a smile: "Did you miss me~"

"Miss, miss, miss! Miss you every day! Miss you every night!" Wu Yuchen said while holding her butt like holding a large doll.

Because *The Legendary Siblings* was released in Taiwan a while ago, Li Xiaoran had already arrived in Taiwan for a while before. As for Fu Dalong, because he was filming in another crew and didn't have a nomination, he didn't come over.

Wu Yuchen asked with a smile: "You've been here for so long, take me out for a good stroll when the time comes. This is my first time in Wanwan."

"Okay! But don't hold too high hopes. I used to think Wanwan was so prosperous, but I didn't expect most of the houses to be short and broken, not much better than ours. However, the snacks here are quite distinctive. I'll take you to eat delicious food when the time comes!" Li Xiaoran's eyes curved, blinking and saying.

Wu Yuchen also discovered on the way here that the infrastructure level in Wanwan was indeed not good, completely unworthy of the standard of the Four Asian Tigers. No wonder Hong Kong Island looked down on Wanwan people and treated Wanwan as bumpkins.

Currently, in terms of the two shores and three places, Hong Kong Island is definitely the most prosperous, and then Wanwan is slightly ahead of the mainland, but let alone 10 years, 5 years later, the infrastructure level of many provincial capital cities in the mainland will be able to catch up with Wanwan. When you go to Wanwan for tourism 20 years later, you will feel like you went to a third-tier small city.

Wu Yuchen was taken by Li Xiaoran to eat, drink, and play for two days, and found that the poor infrastructure here was one thing, but in other aspects, such as educational resources, medical resources, etc., Wanwan was quite good. The cost of living relative to wages wasn't expensive, the overall happiness index was quite high, and the overall pace of life wasn't fast.

Of course, in these two days, Wu Yuchen also paid attention to a lot of information about the upcoming 35th Golden Horse Awards. In this Golden Horse Awards, there were five films that were most nominated and most watched.

On the red carpet, only Hou Xiaoxian was seen leading the way, followed by the couple Liang Chaowei and Liu Jialing, as well as the beautiful Li Jiaxin who was dressed gorgeously, causing bursts of cheers on both sides of the red carpet. *Flowers of Shanghai* was by a local big director of Wanwan, and the lineup was also luxurious, naturally receiving much attention.

Subsequently, only Milk Tea Girl Liu Ruoying was seen mixed in the *The Personals* crew walking across the red carpet, revealing a sweet smile full of milky flavor to greet the audience on both sides. This local Wanwan film was shortlisted for Best Film, Best Actress, and other nominations, and was also a hot favorite.

Next was the Hong Kong Island film *City of Glass*, the couple Zhang Wanting and Luo Qirui, especially the male lead Li Ming, one of the Four Heavenly Kings. As soon as he stepped onto the red carpet, he caused a lot of girls to scream.

Li Xiaoran couldn't help but say to Wu Yuchen: "Li Ming, he is really handsome!"

Wu Yuchen looked towards Li Ming. In a white suit, he was just like a graceful noble son, and his faint smile was truly mesmerizing. Truly, none is more handsome than Li Ming!

Among the Four Heavenly Kings, in terms of appearance alone, the other three indeed couldn't compare to Li Ming. Liu Dehua and Guo Fucheng were both on the shorter side, while Li Ming was the best in height and looks.

Wu Yuchen looked again at Shu Qi, who was holding Li Ming's arm at this time. Although she was also trying her best to reveal a bright smile and greet the audience, the people on both sides of the red carpet ignored her.

Now these fans, and Li Ming's fans, never thought that Li Ming would fall in love with Shu Qi, because they were completely mismatched! One who started by acting in Category III films, how could she be worthy of our brother!

They only felt that the relationship between the male and female leads in the film *City of Glass* was the reason Li Ming would hold Shu Qi's arm.

After *City of Glass*, the one who walked onto the red carpet was the *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* crew, led by Chen Chong. In '94, she won the Golden Horse Best Actress relying on *Red Rose White Rose* and still had some fame. However, this time she walked onto the red carpet as a director. The real female lead was Li Xiaolu beside her, who was a bit timid at this time.

She didn't think she would win an award before coming. After receiving Chen Chong's call, she bought two sets of clothes from the Xiushui Street market in Beijing and came wearing a baseball cap, just thinking about seeing the world. It was Chen Chong who couldn't stand it and re-purchased a set of evening gowns for her.

Everyone should know about this film *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*, Yan Geling's scar literature, telling the story of a female educated youth who used her body to exchange for a chance to return to the city again and again, and finally committed suicide. In this day and age, major film festivals were very into this, so although it was a new director and a new actor, the calls for winning awards weren't small, and it was nominated for many awards.

Wu Yuchen looked at the *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* crew walking on the red carpet whose response from fans wasn't very enthusiastic, thinking that in his past life, this film was the big winner of this session, Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, almost sweeping the big awards of this session.

But this time, with him, Wu Yuchen, mixed in, the result might be very different. When Wu Yuchen held Li Xiaoran and walked onto the red carpet, enthusiastic cheers erupted on both sides immediately.

At this time, the Golden Horse Awards red carpet host Ren Xianqi said to the microphone:

"Wow, the one walking on the red carpet now is incredible. He is our Chinese international big director Wu Yuchen!"

Ren Xianqi had been a host in the early days. In '96, the Golden Horse Awards Starlight Avenue red carpet host was him, and this year he was invited again.

The female host on the side also introduced cooperatively: "The films directed by our Wu Yuchen director are all popular, not only winning big awards internationally but also widely sought after in Europe and America! His *Frequency* and *Phone Booth* broke 100 million in America one after another, very, very powerful!"

Last year, *Run Luo La Run* helped Wu Yuchen win the Berlin Best Director and Jury Grand Prize. As soon as it came out, it stirred up quite a wave in the world film scene. Young people were extremely fond of this film, and many film lovers also watched it many times to study and observe the filming techniques of the film.

And then, with the great name Wu Yuchen created in America, and now *Ditto* is still hanging in Wanwan cinemas, fans naturally sent the most enthusiastic welcome to Wu Yuchen!

"Wow, Wu Dao is so handsome in person, even better looking than in photos!"

"So talented and so handsome, from now on I am Wu Yuchen's die-hard fan!"

"Wu Yuchen, I love you!"

"Luo La! Li Xiaoran!"

"Wu Dao, Xiaoran, look here!"

The reporters on both sides of the red carpet also kept clicking and shooting at the two people walking on the red carpet.

Wu Yuchen had even attended the Oscars, and Li Xiaoran had also followed him to attend the Berlin Film Festival. Dealing with this was naturally a piece of cake. They walked neither fast nor slow, greeted both sides of the red carpet appropriately, and Li Xiaoran would even pause at the right time to cooperate with the media to take some photos.

After the two approached, Ren Xianqi brought his female partner to meet them: "Wu Dao, Xiaoran, welcome to the Golden Horse Awards! This is the first time for both of you to attend our Golden Horse Awards, what are your feelings?"

Wu Yuchen smiled: "Taipei is a very beautiful city, the citizens are very enthusiastic, and the Golden Horse Awards are also very open~"

Li Xiaoran smiled cutely and added: "The scenery here is very good, and the snacks are also very delicious~"

The female host asked: "Wu Dao, I see media reports that you were cooperating with the big star Bruce Willis in America before. Can you talk about your new film?"

Wu Yuchen laughed: "This is a warm film about communication between people."

The female host immediately asked again: "Then you have cooperated with so many big stars like Stallone, Leonardo, and Bruce Willis, do you have any different feelings?"

Obviously, she knew what the audience in front of the TV wanted to see.

Wu Yuchen said lightly: "There is no difference. They are the same as the actors I have cooperated with, they are all good actors."

Ren Xianqi saw that Wu Yuchen didn't want to say more about this, so he said with a smile: "Thank you, Wu Dao and Xiaoran!"

After entering the venue, there were also people constantly greeting Wu Yuchen or nodding to him. For this big director who rose rapidly and could shoot both literary films and commercial films, many people wanted to make friends.

Outside, the red carpet host was Ren Xianqi, and inside, the awards stage host was also no stranger, it was the current variety king Wu Zongxian.

"Welcome everyone to the 35th Golden Horse Awards. Today, it is full of stars here..."

Wu Yuchen smiled and looked at Wu Zongxian on the stage who was humorously showing off from time to time. He did have some skills, bringing the atmosphere of the scene very relaxed. However, he was more interested in whether his little assistant Zhou Jielun had followed him to the backstage at this time.

The Golden Horse Awards actually imitated the Oscars, so naturally, the awards process was about the same. They would come up and first get a Best Supporting Actor or Best Supporting Actress with a little weight to mobilize everyone's attention.

"Best Supporting Actress... *Portland Street Blues*, Shu Qi!"

The moment it was announced, Shu Qi was pleasantly surprised, directly covering her big mouth. By the time she went on stage to receive the award, she was already crying and her face was pale. She started from Category III films and had won the Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards Best Supporting Actress in the past two years, allowing her to truly enter the mainstream, gain the recognition of mainstream awards, and her status changed, so she couldn't help but be excited.

Watching her cry non-stop, Liang Jiahui, who presented the award to her, thoughtfully handed her a handkerchief. Then Shu Qi kept this handkerchief for 7 years, and when she won the Golden Horse Best Actress in 2005, she even took it out to thank Liang Jiahui.

Wu Yuchen also clicked his tongue in wonder watching Shu Qi. Her experience was indeed very inspirational. But if she really thought that the clothes taken off relying on this award could be put back on, she was wrong. The parents of the several boyfriends she dated one after another, Li Ming, Wang Lihong, and Zhang Zhen, were all strongly opposed, and finally, it ended up with nothing.

Although many people felt she was a bit ugly, being able to win over male gods one after another showed that Shu Qi herself was quite charming. And there was a saying widely circulated in Hong Kong Island: Shu Qi's mouth, Wan Qiwen's legs.

The subsequent Best Music, Best Art, and other technical awards were also divided up by several hot films.

"Best Editing... *Run Luo La Run*, Wu Yuchen!"

Suddenly, warm applause erupted throughout the venue, and Wu Yuchen also stepped onto the stage with a smile.

One of the most praised highlights of the film *Run Luo La Run* was its imaginative editing technique. This Best Editing was indisputable.

"Congratulations, Director Wu!" The award presenter handed the award to Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen said thank you with a smile, and then said: "I came to the Golden Horse Awards today, and I have specially prepared lines!"

Everyone off stage focused their eyes on Wu Yuchen, wanting to see what kind of thank-you speech he had prepared.

"But I won't say it now. I will wait until I get the later awards before saying it!"

Everyone in the venue was flashed by this twist from Wu Yuchen, and then they all laughed out loud.

"It seems Wu Dao is very confident in himself. Then let us send applause to Wu Dao again!" After Wu Zongxian finished speaking, everyone below laughed and applauded.

After Wu Yuchen walked off the stage, Li Xiaoran asked curiously: "What kind of speech draft did you prepare?"

Wu Yuchen looked straight ahead and said with a soft smile: "I didn't prepare any at all!"

Best Cinematography *City of Glass*, Best Supporting Actor was Zeng Zhiwei of *Hold You Tight*, Best Adapted Screenplay *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*...

Finally, it was time for Best Actress, and Li Xiaoran beside Wu Yuchen became nervous immediately.

The Golden Horse Awards Best Actor and Best Actress nominations only had 4 each. Except for Li Xiaoran, the other three were Li Xiaolu of *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*, Milk Tea Girl Liu Ruoying of *The Personals*, and Wu Junru of *Portland Street Blues*.

Among the four candidates this time, except for Wu Junru, the other three didn't have deep qualifications in the film industry. Like Li Xiaoran and Li Xiaolu, they could even be said to be newcomers. Therefore, Wu Junru was considered the most likely to win the award.

In Wu Junru's expectant gaze, the award presenter on stage took out the slip of paper from the envelope:

"This Golden Horse Awards, Best Actress is..."

As a result, the old actor on stage suddenly took out his glasses from his pocket: "Sorry, wait a moment, my presbyopia can't see clearly!"

There was a burst of laughter off stage, and the camera also aimed at several candidates. Among them, Liu Ruoying kept taking deep breaths, and Wu Junru didn't have the look of a comedian from the past, staring at the stage all the time. Wu Yuchen also felt Li Xiaoran's nervousness, and gently squeezed Li Xiaoran's hand under the seat.

After the old actor put on his presbyopia glasses, he was seen raising the slip of paper again and shouting loudly:

"Best Actress... *Run Luo La Run*, Li Xiaoran!"

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah!" Li Xiaoran let out an excited scream, and then directly hugged Wu Yuchen beside her excitedly.

Wu Yuchen was also happy for her. After all, this was the Golden Horse with the greatest influence in Chinese language at present. Winning a Golden Horse Best Actress was enough for her to brag about for a lifetime!

At this time, the camera also gave the other three women who lost. Wu Junru squeezed a forced smile on her face and then sent applause; Liu Ruoying didn't hide it, with a look of great disappointment; while Li Xiaolu didn't have much reaction, and even smiled and sent applause to Li Xiaoran. After all, she originally felt there was no hope of winning the award, not knowing at all what she had missed.

Wu Yuchen patted Li Xiaoran's back and said: "Sister Ranran, that's enough, don't keep hugging, it's live broadcast~"

Li Xiaoran also reacted, hurriedly let go of Wu Yuchen, and then hugged the person on the other side, walking onto the podium with a bright smile on her face.

"Thank you, Golden Horse Awards, for your recognition of me. Thank you, Director Wu Yuchen, for teaching me a lot in all aspects..."

Wu Yuchen sat below, listening to her say "all aspects," not knowing if it was intentional. However, looking at Li Xiaoran's smiling face on the stage, it should be that he was overthinking.

It wasn't strange that *Run Luo La Run* could win Best Actress this time. The film itself was a big heroine film, and it was also a feminist film, becoming one of the representative films of independent women. Coupled with Li Xiaoran's brilliant performance in it, it naturally harvested a lot of votes.

"Best Actor... *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*, Lobsang Gyatso!"

Hearing this result, Li Ming, Huang Qiu Sheng, and Liang Chaowei, the three Hong Kong Island actors, were all disappointed. Among them, Li Ming was the most eager to win this award, wanting to prove that he wasn't just an idol but also a powerful actor. But now that he didn't win the award, he couldn't show a disappointed expression. After all, the persona had to be maintained.

After this, it was time for Best Director. The TV screen gave the 4 candidates at the same time: Hou Xiaoxian of *Flowers of Shanghai*, Chen Chong of *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*, Zhang Wanting of *City of Glass*, and Wu Yuchen who was smiling faintly.

It wasn't that Wu Yuchen wasn't nervous. The atmosphere was built up to this point, and he definitely still wanted to win the award in his heart. The current Golden Horse was still quite prestigious. However, after experiencing big scenes many times, he performed relatively relaxed.

This award presenter was an old acquaintance of Wu Yuchen, it was Li An who had just asked him to pull investment not long ago.

"It is a great honor to be an award presenter to present the Best Director award this time. Among the nominees this time, there are my seniors and my friends, all of whom have given me inspiration and help in film. They are all excellent directors, and it is really hard to choose."

However, Li An still pulled the slip of paper from the envelope: "Best Director..."

Li An said, raising his head and revealing a smile:

"*Run Luo La Run*, Wu Yuchen!"

"In *Run Luo La Run*, Wu Yuchen has challenged tradition in narrative, composition, casting, and editing, making groundbreaking contributions to Chinese-language film and even world film!" The official award-winning narration sounded in the hall.

With a whoosh, warm applause erupted throughout the venue. Wu Yuchen also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Having won the Berlin Best Director before, he performed relatively calmly for this Golden Horse Best Director. After hugging Li Xiaoran and shaking hands with the people around him who congratulated him, he walked onto the podium.

After he went on stage, Li An also congratulated him with a smile, and then said:

"Wu Dao, the people who received awards before were either so excited that they cried, or they looked very nervous. I was also nervous when I waited for the podium for the first time. I see you look very dashing. Do you have any good experience to pass on to everyone?"

Wu Yuchen didn't expect that before the acceptance speech was delivered after going on stage, this old guy Li An would ask him such a question. However, his brain was also turning rapidly, and he said calmly:

"Li Dao, actually I am also very nervous. But I think in the face of such an important award, nervousness is normal. What is difficult is that nervousness must be overcome, and one must also appear not nervous, and still give a smiling congratulation when others win awards."

Hearing Wu Yuchen's words, Hou Xiaoxian, Chen Chong, and Zhang Wanting, who didn't win the award, all smiled and applauded, and other audiences also followed suit to applaud and congratulate Wu Yuchen again.

Li An didn't joke with Wu Yuchen anymore, but said: "Wu Dao, you just said you prepared lines. Can you take them out now?"

Wu Yuchen held the trophy and said to the audience off stage:

"I want to share this award with everyone who made *Run Luo La Run* together. Thank you for creating an incredible story with me. Thank you, Li Xiaoran, for your wonderful performance, bringing everyone a dream journey of Luo La. Thank you, Fu Dalong, Ni Dahong, Luo Jiaying, Zhang Jiahui... these actors, you are all part of Luo La's life! Thank you, Sil-Metropole Organisation and Beijing Film Studio. Without your support and help, it would be hard for me to complete this film. Thank you, Jury!

Finally, on this road of film, I have just set sail!"

After speaking, Wu Yuchen raised the trophy in his hand. Li An beside him looked at Wu Yuchen and couldn't help but send applause, and naturally, there was a burst of cheers below.

After Wu Yuchen walked off the stage, he estimated that the next two awards might have nothing to do with him. This time he had already snatched two big awards from *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*, so it was impossible to pluck all its awards.

Sure enough, the subsequent Jury Award was taken by Hou Xiaoxian's *Flowers of Shanghai*, and Best Film was finally presented to *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*.

Wu Yuchen looked at Chen Chong, who was beaming on the podium, becoming the biggest winner relying on Best Film and Best Actor.

He wasn't disappointed. *Run Luo La Run* didn't win it, so he would come back to subdue this Golden Horse with *Donkey Gets Shot* next year! ===== CHAPTER 171 =====