Chapter 254

After a song and dance performance, the Oscars gradually entered the climax stage.

At this time, Wu Yuchen, Harvey, and Peter Jackson were all focusing on the next award:

"Best Adapted Screenplay..."

"A Beautiful Mind," "Chicago," and "The Lord of the Rings" were all adapted films, and all were nominated for this award. Peter Jackson was particularly concerned; this should be the most valuable award "The Lord of the Rings" could compete for tonight, and after this, there would basically be nothing left for their crew.

Harvey was staring even more intently at the presenter. It didn't matter that he hadn't won any of the previous ones, but from here on out, the awards were becoming more important one after another, and each one had to be fought for!

The presenter this time was the beautiful Nicole Kidman. After pulling out the slip of paper, she immediately announced:

"The Best Adapted Screenplay is... 'A Beautiful Mind,' Wu Yuchen!"

"Fuck!" Harvey watched the screen change to Wu Yuchen alone, revealing an elegant smile and accepting congratulations from everyone around him; he was truly burning with anger.

Peter Jackson also sighed in disappointment, but immediately followed with applause. "The Lord of the Rings" would be like this this year; the real harvest season would have to wait until the third installment.

This wasn't Wu Yuchen's first time winning an Oscar, so he appeared very composed. After taking the trophy from Nicole Kidman, he said humorously into the microphone: "Receiving a trophy from a beautiful woman, even if I can't go to heaven, I'm not far from it~"

Laughter immediately erupted below, and Nicole Kidman on the side also raised her right hand to gently cover the pearly teeth revealed by her smile.

Wu Yuchen glanced at Nicole Kidman. This big sister should understand what's going on by now, right? Even if you act well this year, you won't have a chance. How can actors compete with those playing politics!

In an instant, all the Black people in the audience stood up and applauded; this was their historic moment.

At this time, all the Black people in the audience were boiling over. Halle Berry also appeared pleasantly surprised, her face full of disbelief. By the time she walked onto the stage, she was already wearing little pearls (tears).

Wu Yuchen didn't care about this award, but several related actresses were nervous. Although there were rumors that this year might lean toward Black people, it wasn't necessarily so. And looking at the nominations, Halle Berry was the only Black person among the Best Actress nominees, while Denzel Washington and Will Smith were among the Best Actor nominees. If the Best Actor was likely Black, then they still had hope for Best Actress!

Wu Yuchen watched the film clips playing one after another on the big screen. To be honest, among the five candidates, "Monster's Ball" was the weakest film. This weakness didn't mean the film's cast was weak, but that the quality of the film itself couldn't compare to the others, and Halle Berry's acting and performance weren't as good as Nicole Kidman's in "Moulin Rouge." But what could you do, she had other forces assisting her this year!

Wu Yuchen's expression turned serious: "To be able to win this award, I want to thank John Nash. Without his legendary experience, there would be no 'A Beautiful Mind'! Thanks to the original author of the novel, Sylvia Nasar; her original work was excellent and provided a lot of help for my screenplay adaptation."

Well, it was just such a coincidence: Best Actor, Best Actress, and the Lifetime Achievement Award were all concentrated together, and the camera also recorded the scene of the three of them standing up and raising their glasses at the same time. Not to mention the insiders present, even the discerning viewers watching could vaguely perceive that there were PY (backdoor) deals behind this year's Oscars.

For this double happiness of Best Actor and Best Actress, a group of Black people were simply going crazy with joy. Standing on the stage, Denzel Washington pointed at Halle Berry and then at Sidney Poitier, who was the first Black person to win Best Actor 40 years ago. At the same time, he had also come to the scene today to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Oscars.

At this time, even Wu Yuchen had to stand up and applaud. No way, he was a person of color, so he had to support it at such a time. At the same time, watching the Black Pearl's emotional performance on stage, he thought to himself that the lines were definitely designed and rehearsed. This girl's acting was much better now than in the film; this was the acting level of a Best Actress showing off with the statuette on site!

The subsequent Best Actor award didn't have any surprises either, and was won by Black actor Denzel Washington; he was the second Black Best Actor in Oscar history.

It could be seen that she was very excited at this moment; after all, she was the first Black Oscar Best Actress in history. A moment later, she managed to say: "I'm sorry, I really can't control it..."

After a segment commemorating deceased filmmakers and presenting the Oscar Honorary Award to Robert Redford, Wu Yuchen saw Russell Crowe take the stage. He was presenting the award for this year's Best Actress as last year's Best Actor.

The subsequent Best Original Screenplay went to "Gosford Park," and after that was the Best Foreign Language Film award. Among the Best Foreign Language Films, there was also a widely circulated film, "Amélie." The film was quite good, but unfortunately, due to the actions of the Americans in Afghanistan over the past few months, the Oscars had now begun to express anti-war sentiments, and this award was given to the Bosnian anti-war film "No Man's Land." It wasn't considered an upset; many people had anticipated this result.

By the time Denzel Washington walked off the stage, this wave of Black performances could be considered over. The whole audience focused their attention on the next award, because it was the pivotal Best Director award!

Sure enough, as Wu Yuchen expected: "Best Actress... 'Monster's Ball,' Halle Berry!"

The Black Pearl kept blurting out the names of several Black actresses, then clenched her fists and said: "Black women have waited 74 years!"

After Wu Yuchen finished speaking, he walked off the stage with the trophy amidst applause. Being able to win this Best Adapted Screenplay award this time could be considered an unexpected joy; after all, the competition for this award was indeed quite fierce.

Wu Yuchen thought to himself that this year's Oscars could be said to have given Black people enough face, allowing them to stand up at the Oscars. Of course, this year's recruitment would require the Black brothers to step up more.

This wasn't over yet; she continued to point to the audience and said: "And all the nameless women of color, tonight, the door of opportunity has been opened!"

Halle Berry kept repeating "My god!" while crying and choking with sobs.

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "I have had the honor of winning Best Original Screenplay once before. This time, being able to win Best Adapted Screenplay again, I think I have achieved a Grand Slam in Oscar screenplays! Thank you to the Academy for your recognition, thank you!"

The Black people below kept clapping to encourage her and give her support. She continued: "This moment does not belong to me alone; this moment belongs to Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll..."

The presenter was Mel Gibson, and he started with a joke:

"Who are directors? They are the most influential force in the world, driven by vision and passion to create, and whipped by truck drivers every day~"

The whole audience laughed, the atmosphere relaxed, and then Mel Gibson immediately said: "The nominees for Best Director this time are..."

Then films and candidates appeared on the big screen:

"Black Hawk Down," Ridley Scott;

"Mulholland Drive," David Lynch;

"A Beautiful Mind," Wu Yuchen;

"Chicago," Rob Marshall;

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," Peter Jackson;

Harvey couldn't help but cross his hands, his heart also rising. Now only Best Director and Best Picture remained. These two awards were what he had concentrated his efforts on winning during this Oscar period, and they were also where he had invested the most resources. This time, Disney and he had spent so much money; he didn't believe those judges had really taken his benefits for nothing and done nothing!

Wu Yuchen was also watching the screen. To be honest, because of Harvey's intrusion with "Chicago," these next two awards had become confusing. Although he didn't like Harvey, that fat guy's PR was truly skillful. Even judging by the attitude of "Chicago" losing all 11 awards earlier, the Academy intended to leave Harvey out in the cold, but one couldn't guarantee they wouldn't give him a big one.

Among these five nominations, Wu Yuchen first ruled out "The Lord of the Rings" and Peter Jackson; this year wasn't his stage. Then he deleted David Lynch; "Mulholland Drive" was artistic enough, but one nomination for this film was enough, and its taste wouldn't win the award. The three real hot favorites were "Chicago," "A Beautiful Mind," and "Black Hawk Down."

Among them, Ridley Scott of "Black Hawk Down" had a not-insignificant compensation score. As a famous director in Hollywood, Ridley Scott had already received a nomination for "Thelma & Louise" in '92, and last year he received another nomination for "Gladiator," but unfortunately lost to the double-nominated Soderbergh.

Facing an old senior like Ridley Scott who was fighting for Best Director for the third time, and the PR king Harvey, Wu Yuchen indeed didn't dare to say he had much of a chance of winning, and was also nervously waiting for the result to be announced.

Under the gaze of everyone, Mel Gibson opened the envelope: "Best Director is... Ridley Scott!"

In an instant, the applause of the whole audience went to Ridley Scott. This famous director, who was of the same era as Spielberg, finally won Best Director today.

Wu Yuchen let out a breath, a faint disappointment flashing across his face, but he quickly restrained it. Jennifer Connelly and Grazer beside him were comforting him in low voices, and Wu Yuchen shook his head gently to indicate he was fine.

Having had the experience of the previous two years, he was mentally prepared. However, in his heart, he was also thinking about the reasons.

In his past life, "A Beautiful Mind" won both Best Picture and Best Director. Was it because he was too young, and by comparison, the old senior Ridley Scott had more seniority? Or was it because of the intrusion of that fat guy Harvey Weinstein, which caused the voting situation to change?

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen clapped gently while looking at Harvey. That fat guy's pair of fat hands were also clapping, and it looked like he was clapping very heavily and loudly, as if venting the frustration in his heart.

Harvey was of course extremely uncomfortable at this time. A few hours ago, he was full of confidence. With 13 nominations, his goal was to win half of the awards. But now, out of the 12 nominations already presented, he hadn't hit a single one!

What does this mean? Do they want him to follow the old path of "The Shawshank Redemption"?

Damn it, he is Harvey Weinstein! If "The Shawshank Redemption" had fallen into his hands back then, how could it have not won a single award!

But now...

Harvey shook his head, then looked at the stage with a somewhat ferocious expression. There was still one last big award; as long as Best Picture could be bagged!

After Ridley Scott stepped down, Big Tang Mu—Tang Mu Hanks—took the stage. He was the presenter for the final big award of the night, Best Picture.

"Wow, it's an honor to be a presenter. These five films are all super great films, and every one of them made me want to participate in them after watching!"

A group of people in the audience revealed smiles upon hearing this, because in Hollywood, no crew could refuse Tang Mu Hanks; he was the dual guarantee of film box office and reputation, and his words were also a compliment to the films.

"Let's take a look at this year's Best Picture nominations..."

The Best Picture nominations were different from the Best Director just now:

"'A Beautiful Mind'; 'Chicago'; 'The Lord of the Rings'; 'Moulin Rouge'; 'In the Bedroom'."

At this moment, Wu Yuchen and Harvey looked at each other simultaneously. They both clearly knew at this moment that there would be no other opponents this time; it was just each other!

Then both of them looked at Big Tang Mu on stage. The whole audience was already holding their breath, waiting for the result. They saw him unhurriedly open the envelope, but then he quickly read out:

"This year's Oscar Best Picture is..."

Big Tang Mu raised his head and shouted: "'A Beautiful Mind,' Brian Grazer, Wu Yuchen!"

Harvey couldn't hold it anymore at this time. He didn't even clap, and kicked the seat in front of him. His remaining reason told him he couldn't mess around in front of the camera. He lowered his head, his face gloomy, and kept cursing: "Fuck! A bunch of bitches, sons of bitches!"

It wasn't just Harvey; the entire "Chicago" crew was very depressed. Catherine, Richard Gere, and others were even more disappointed. Originally, they had spent a lot of energy on "Chicago" this time, just for Harvey, hoping to win an Oscar. As a result, they didn't win a single one out of 13 nominations. Does this count as setting a record!

On the other side, Wu Yuchen had already hugged Grazer. Being able to win Best Picture meant being the big winner of this year's Oscars!

Jennifer Connelly and Russell Crowe beside them were also constantly hugging and congratulating the two, extremely happy. Although the two of them didn't win Best Actor and Best Actress, as the male and female leads, they could naturally bask in a lot of the glory since "A Beautiful Mind" won Best Picture this time!

Wu Yuchen and Grazer walked onto the stage with joyful expressions. The Oscar for Best Picture is awarded to the producers. Wu Yuchen wasn't just the director; he also served as a producer, so naturally, they went on stage together to enjoy the glory of this moment.

Wu Yuchen took the trophy from Big Tang Mu, and the other party took the initiative to hug him: "Director Wu, I hope to have the opportunity to cooperate with you in the future!"

Wu Yuchen revealed a brilliant smile: "I couldn't ask for more!"