Chapter 206: Tug-of-War

Wu Yuchen's two films, *The Sixth Sense* and *Amour*, were both his own flesh and blood; he would be happy regardless of which one won an award. However, both films had their inherent shortcomings.

*The Sixth Sense* currently enjoyed high visibility—after all, its box office was so high, its word-of-mouth was excellent, and it had broken the record for horror-themed films. But to say it could take home Best Picture and Best Director seemed a bit lacking. Because the Oscars favored realistic themes, and *The Sixth Sense* featured supernatural phenomena like ghosts, the objective impression of the judges was hard to change.

By comparison, *Amour* was an absolutely realistic theme, which could be said to be exactly to the taste of the major awards, and thus it frequently took home the Best Foreign Language Film award. But if it were to challenge for Best Picture and Best Director, it had a slight deficiency: it was a Chinese-language film.

Although the problems of the elderly reflected in the film were borderless issues worldwide, the story was set in China and the actors were Chinese. In the current Oscars, where white people firmly held the power of discourse, it would be affected to a greater or lesser extent.

Therefore, previously, even though he had been nominated several times, Wu Yuchen had no fantasies or extravagant hopes for Best Director or Best Picture.

But this time at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards, both films were nominated for Best Director simultaneously, and he took home the Best Director award for *Amour*, which made Wu Yuchen seem to see some possibilities. This was not necessarily an unfeasible path!

The probability of him winning Best Director with either of these two alone was not high, but what if he added the two together? If both were shortlisted for nominations, he would occupy two of the five spots; it would definitely leave a deep impression on the voting judges!

Therefore, Wu Yuchen was now full of motivation. If he could really succeed this time, he might just be deified in one fell swoop at the Oscars a few months later!

And the subsequent Boston awards at the end of December greatly exceeded Wu Yuchen's expectations. He had just said that supernatural-themed films like *The Sixth Sense* were not well-received, only to be slapped in the face. However, he was happy to see this slap in the face!

"The 19th Boston Society of Film Critics Awards for Best Foreign Language Film... *Amour*!"

"The 19th Boston Society of Film Critics Awards for Best Director... *The Sixth Sense*, Wu Yuchen!"

"The 19th Boston Society of Film Critics Awards for Best Picture... *The Sixth Sense*!"

Now that three of the four major film critic awards had taken place, the Best Director award had been taken by Sam Mendes in New York and Wu Yuchen in Los Angeles, while this time both had come up empty-handed, with it going to Anthony Minghella for *The Talented Mr. Ripley*. This also made both realize that there were other strong competitors in this Oscar game.

But because it was also a relatively weighty award in America, and the awards ceremony happened to be before the Oscar voting, its results would slightly influence some judges' choices, so it made some sense to call it a bellwether.

*Amour* took Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director, while *The Sixth Sense* took Best Original Screenplay. This time it was Wu Yuchen's turn to laugh out loud!

After Wu Yuchen sat back in the car with the trophy, Richard smiled and encouraged him: "Fantastic, Wu, we are getting closer and closer to our goal!"

On January 23rd, the Golden Globe Awards, an award with relatively high visibility in China, was called the first bellwether of the Oscars by many countrymen. But how to put it, the organizer of this award was actually the Hollywood Foreign Press Association; it was a media award, and the voters were all "entertainment reporters." Therefore, the overlap between its judges and the Oscar Academy judges was actually very small, so calling it the first bellwether of the Oscars was a bit far-fetched.

On the other side, Sam Mendes was watching Wu Yuchen the whole time. The two had walked more than half of the same route along the way. From the results he observed, this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film would likely be taken by *Amour*. The only threat to it was Spain's *All About My Mother*, but given the current situation, the chance of an upset was not high.

When Wu Yuchen went off stage again holding the Best Foreign Language Film trophy for *Amour*, everyone applauded without any surprise.

The three trophies in Boston this time suddenly ignited the confidence and ambition of Wu Yuchen, Richard, and the others. After all, the road was walked step by step. Since both the Los Angeles and Boston stops had achieved good results, why couldn't they look forward to the Oscars?

"Best Picture... *American Beauty*!"

This time *The Sixth Sense* got Best Picture and Best Director, and *Amour* got Best Foreign Language Film; it was truly a bumper harvest. Wu Yuchen naturally became the most dazzling guy at the cocktail party after the awards ceremony!

Sam Mendes, the director of *American Beauty*, was a bit unhappy. He looked at the smug Wu Yuchen and asked his public relations manager: "What's going on? Why did we lose to *The Sixth Sense*?"

Wu Yuchen gave a few short remarks with a bright smile, and then walked off the stage.

In fact, for these few who were willing to come and show support, most had already been hinted that they would win an award. The Oscars had the qualifications to play big stars, letting them obediently accompany the run, but if the Golden Globes played people once, like Tom Cruise, they would definitely not come again next time and would even spray them publicly.

Wu Yuchen smiled, then leaned back on the car seat and asked him: "Richard, is it over for now?"

January 4th, the National Board of Review Awards, also one of the four major film critic awards.

"Best Director... *Amour*, Wu Yuchen!"

As for Wu Yuchen, he naturally had some gains, *Amour*'s Best Foreign Language Film. But his gain was not as good as *American Beauty*'s, which swept Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.

January 10th, the last of the four major film critic association awards, the National Society of Film Critics Awards.

After all, besides *Amour*, Wu Yuchen also had *The Sixth Sense*, which had been released long ago. When two films were shortlisted at the same time, it would indeed bring him quite a few impression points.

Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "No problem, I've even eaten plastic chicken breast, let alone drinking afternoon tea and tasting coffee~"

Wu Yuchen waved the trophy in his hand and shouted: "Of course, we are going to launch a full-scale assault on the Oscar statuette!"

However, having confidence was a good thing, but it still had to be implemented into concrete actions. Richard immediately said:

And when it came to the Best Director award, it became a bit confusing. The competition for Best Director this year was a bit fierce. Originally, Sam Mendes of *American Beauty* was considered by many to have a great advantage, but as Wu Yuchen landed in North America with *Amour*, he gradually had a trend of chasing in the Best Director award.

Wu Yuchen clenched his fists tightly, his heart excited. He had won two of the four major film critic association awards. Now he dared not say he was leading Sam Mendes of *American Beauty*, but it was not an exaggeration to say he had caught up with his footsteps!

After Wu Yuchen returned to the car, he high-fived Richard to celebrate. At this time, not only him, but even Richard appeared very excited:

"Hey, Wu, fantastic! This time Boston was a complete victory. This is a new step for us!

I think you are right, we really have a lot of hope to help you challenge for the Oscar for Best Director this year! Maybe Best Picture is also possible, hahahaha!"

Sam Mendes felt a little better after hearing this, but at this very moment, he also listed *The Sixth Sense* and Wu Yuchen as his number one enemy. The other party had snatched awards from him and *American Beauty* more than once. If he didn't pay attention to it, he would be a fool!

"Wu, in the next two days, we will visit several influential judges in Boston to consolidate the good impression you have in their hearts! From the current situation, their perception of you should be very good. This is the vote you must get!"

Sure enough, all these people had gained something: Tom Cruise for Best Supporting Actor, Jim Carrey for Best Actor in a Musical, Denzel Washington for Best Actor in a Drama, and Angelina Jolie for Best Supporting Actress.

There were also some powerful directors of other high-quality films crashing in, so this award was indeed hard to say.

However, Sam Mendes didn't care about Best Foreign Language Film. What he cared about were the two awards of Best Director and Best Picture, both of which Wu Yuchen was in direct competition with him. When it was time to present Best Director, both Sam Mendes and Wu Yuchen held their breath.

Watching *American Beauty* take Best Picture again, Wu Yuchen also shook his head in his heart. In the Best Picture award, *American Beauty*'s advantage was huge; it was estimated that it would be very difficult to compete with it.

The film *Amour* first took the Venice Golden Lion in September, then premiered in America in October. Through continuous publicity and momentum, as well as the many association awards Wu Yuchen had won along the way, its word-of-mouth had already spread within the North American circle. Everyone predicted that this was very likely to be this year's Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Compared to the previous film critic association awards, this Golden Globe Awards was much livelier. Many big-name stars came, Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, and so on.

"The Best Director this year is... *The Talented Mr. Ripley*, Anthony Minghella!"

The reason why the awards season was called the awards season was that the awards were arranged very densely. The next day, January 24th, the Critics Choice Awards were held immediately after.

Having been in America for 2 months, this was the first time Wu Yuchen had gone on stage to receive the Best Picture award, and it was *The Sixth Sense* that won it.

On the way to the stage, Wu Yuchen also nodded to Sam. Although both still had smiling eyes meeting, the air seemed to stagnate for a moment, and then both withdrew their eyes.

The goal he set for himself in his heart now was to secure Best Foreign Language Film, strive for Best Director, and as for Best Picture, it was just fate.

"Best Picture... *American Beauty*!"

After Sam Mendes got up, he curled his lips. Although he didn't get Best Director, he brought back the most important Best Picture. When passing by Wu Yuchen, Sam couldn't help but nod to him. This time, after all, he was a step better!

Wu Yuchen kept smiling. Being able to take the bottom line of Best Foreign Language Film, this time was not a failure. And after all, it was just one of the stops for Oscar PR. The schedule was only halfway through, the situation was not yet decided, and the outcome was still unknown.

Watching a bald guy walk onto the stage, Wu Yuchen and Sam Mendes couldn't help but sigh with regret.

"Best Foreign Language Film... *Amour*!"

"Uh, the taste of the Boston Society of Film Critics, how to put it, has always been relatively niche. There have even been several times when the Best Picture they selected was not shortlisted for any Oscar award. Sam, don't be too nervous, we can't take all the awards, your advantage is still very large."

From the time he arrived in America until now, it had been 3 months, and Wu Yuchen only felt exhausted now.

"Wu, if you don't want to go to the UK..."

Wu Yuchen waved his hand: "I won't go to the British Academy Awards, let me rest!"

Richard did not object either and said to Wu Yuchen: "In that case, the awards ceremony is temporarily over. Next, we will wait for the Oscar nomination voting starting on February 1st."

This year's Oscar nomination voting started on the 1st, ended on the 7th, and the nomination list came out on the 15th. Then the final voting would be held in March, and the awards ceremony would be held on March 27th.

Wu Yuchen rubbed his temples and said: "To be honest, I really want to go home now. The most important festival in our China, the Spring Festival, is about to arrive, but I still have to work hard here. This is really a very sad thing!"

"Uh, Wu, I understand your mood very well, just like not being able to go home for Christmas~ But I still have to say, think about the statuette. Although the awards are temporarily over, as the awards season arrives, many people will gather in Los Angeles. You have to hold and attend various parties and gatherings to promote yourself..." Richard patiently persuaded.

"Oh, damn it, I really don't want to experience this kind of Oscar PR a second time! This is simply a waste of life!" Wu Yuchen complained.

If anyone told him again that there was no circle culture in America, he would spray them to death. Damn, the circle culture here in the US was no weaker than in China, it just manifested in different forms.

He now remembered the invitation from DreamWorks before. If Spielberg mobilized his circle to help him, his PR this time would at least save half the effort. Connections were very obvious at this time.

Richard remained patient and persuaded: "Wu, your mentality must be peaceful. We have reached a critical period now, and you have no small hope. You must not give up halfway!"

Then Richard said again: "Wu, if you really miss your family, you can bring them to America and let them accompany you through your most important festival!"

"Hmm?"

This proposal made Wu Yuchen feel moved. He felt that taking advantage of the relatively free time ahead, he could indeed bring his parents over, just as a trip for them. With family by his side, his own mood would be much better.

"Richard, good idea!"

Thinking of doing it, Wu Yuchen just took out his mobile phone and wanted to make a call, when he heard his mobile phone ring. He took a look, it was Han Sanping's call.

"Congratulations! Brother Wu, *Amour* took the Golden Globe, and the Oscars are also close at hand!"

"Many thanks, Brother Han, I didn't expect it to spread so fast~"

"After all, it's the internet era now! Yesterday you just took the Golden Globe, and it has already spread throughout the country. Now everyone is in high spirits, thinking that your Oscars this time are a sure thing!"

"Hi, Brother Han, this Golden Globe and the Oscars are not the same thing at all. I have at most a little lead advantage now, and there are still competitors. Please don't let people blow me up too much!"

Wu Yuchen hurriedly explained the relationship between the Golden Globes and the Oscars to Han Sanping, so as not to be led astray by a group of half-understood media in China. Although he now had a significant advantage in Best Foreign Language Film, he didn't want to create a situation where a big hit would die. It was better to be low-key before actually winning the award.

After listening, Han Sanping couldn't help but say: "So that's how it is. However, *Amour* being able to take the Golden Globe is also a thing worth being happy about. I really hope that its bellwether is accurate this time and helps you take the Oscars!"

"Hahaha, then I'll borrow your auspicious words, Brother Han!"

After Wu Yuchen hung up the phone, he called Cai Yinong and Dean Hou Keming again. The general meaning was not to rush to blow it up, contact the people around him to suppress the fire first, and try to maintain rational analysis.

February 1st was the time when Oscar nomination voting started, and the judges began to submit their ballots to the Academy.

And Wu Yuchen brought people to Los Angeles airport to pick them up. Seeing a group of five people dragging their luggage out, Wu Yuchen couldn't wait to greet them, and gave his parents a big hug first.

Sometimes it was like this, busy and tired, irritable and anxious, but as soon as he saw his parents, just by hugging them, all the negative emotions in his heart seemed to be wiped away, and a quiet and warm power nourished his soul.

Zhou Shuping was still a little surprised. Her son rarely had such intimate expressions before, so she couldn't help but ask with concern:

"Chenchen, what's wrong? Did someone bully you?"

Wu Yuchen then raised his head and smiled at his mother: "How could that be! I just missed you~"

At this time, a female voice interrupted: "Auntie, he just won the Golden Globe Award. He is doing well in America, how could he be bullied~"

A middle-aged woman next to her patted the girl: "How are you talking? Chenchen was able to win such an important award, he must have suffered a lot behind the scenes!"

Although Wu Yuchen let the people around him control the heat in China, the news that *Amour* won the Golden Globe was still published in many newspapers. After all, it was Wu Yuchen challenging the Oscars, which was natural traffic. Many viewers wanted to see it, so even if the newspapers didn't praise it heavily, they would still publicize the Golden Globe Awards.

Wu Yuchen hurriedly gave the woman a thumbs up: "Auntie, you still understand me!"

Seeing this, Li Xiaoran curled her lips at him. Her mother always favored Wu Yuchen, so she couldn't help but stick her tongue out at Wu Yuchen.

That's right, the ones who came this time were Wu Yuchen's parents and Li Xiaoran's family of three. The two families had a good relationship, so they just came together for a trip to America during this Spring Festival. Wu Yuchen didn't have much free time every day and had to go to social PR from time to time, so it was just right to let Li Xiaoran accompany the elders.

In the evening, after settling the few people, Wu Yuchen came out of his parents' room, then touched the door of a room not far away and knocked a few times gently.

A moment later, the door opened a crack, revealing Li Xiaoran's face: "What for?"

Wu Yuchen poked his head in secretly and asked in a low voice: "Auntie is not there, right?"

"She is!" Li Xiaoran said with her arms crossed.

Wu Yuchen glanced at Li Xiaoran's expression, then stood on his tiptoes to look inside, and with a quick movement, squeezed his way in.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing~" Li Xiaoran gently pushed against Wu Yuchen's chest.

"I missed you to death, let me have a little kiss~" Wu Yuchen leaned in.

"Kiss what kiss, I don't understand you, hmph!" Li Xiaoran snorted lightly.

"I understand, I understand, you understand me best; you know every little thing about me~" As he spoke, Wu Yuchen blocked her lips.

After a long while, their lips parted, and Li Xiaoran patted him, saying: "Great Director, aren't you exhausted?"

"No matter how exhausted I am, I'm not exhausted once I see you!" Wu Yuchen chuckled.

"Pfft, you might not be tired, but I am; I still have jet lag to deal with!"

"I'll help you with that, it's my specialty~"

"Woo woo woo, wait a moment, my parents are right next door!" Li Xiaoran panted softly.

"It's fine, it's fine, it's a five-star hotel, the soundproofing is top-notch!"

Before long, clothes were scattered, and the two had already rolled onto the bed to deal with their jet lag.

……

Li Xiaoran held Wu Yuchen's head in her arms, gently poking his forehead with her finger:

"You call this tired? You told me on the phone how exhausted, annoyed, and miserable you were, but the moment we meet, you're more vigorous than anyone!"

Wu Yuchen chuckled and burrowed further into her soft embrace: "That's just because it's you!"

As he spoke, Wu Yuchen licked her again, drawing a coquettish rebuke from Li Xiaoran: "Go away, I'm exhausted, I want to sleep!"

"Alright, alright, I'll just hold you; I said I'd help you with your jet lag, I'll coax you to sleep first~"

Wu Yuchen said this as he gently pulled her into his arms, kissed her on the face, and then made no further moves. The two chatted idly, and a moment later, Li Xiaoran drifted off to sleep.

……

With the arrival of the others, even though Wu Yuchen was spending the Spring Festival in America, he didn't feel lonely at all, and his mood improved significantly. Aside from a few necessary banquets, he spent the rest of his time accompanying them around Los Angeles.

By February 7th, the day the Oscar nomination voting ended, he simply gave himself a week off to travel to other places with his parents and Li Xiaoran's family of three. In any case, the voting phase was over, and everything would wait until the official Oscar nomination list was announced.

Putting the people around him first, and incidentally being able to adjust his own state—refueling in the middle of a long-distance race is also very important.

On February 15th, Wu Yuchen sent them to the airport; after half a month of playing, it was about time, as the elders all had to go back to work and didn't have that much free time. Li Xiaoran naturally had to go back with them, and before leaving, she shared a long, lingering moment of affection with Wu Yuchen.

When Wu Yuchen returned from the airport humming a little tune, he saw Richard excitedly waving a document in his hand and shouting: "Wu, come quickly, look, the big list is out!"

Hearing this, Wu Yuchen ran over immediately and took the list from Richard's hand:

"The Sixth Sense": Best Picture, Best Director (Wu Yuchen), Best Original Screenplay (Wu Yuchen), Best Editing (Wu Yuchen), Best Supporting Actor (Haley Joel Osment), Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Connelly).

"Love": Best Director (Wu Yuchen), Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Screenplay (Wu Yuchen).