Chapter 14: Golden Horse

Lin Nan felt very awkward, standing there like an idiot, having to say every now and then, "I'm in the Directing Department now."

The new freshmen were very enthusiastic; *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* had only been out of theaters for three months, and the buzz was still there.

Not many days into his sophomore year, good news arrived.

Li Yang notified him that Lin Nan had been nominated for Best New Performer.

Shanghai Film Group called to say *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* had been nominated for Best Original Screenplay.

The school teachers were very happy, and Lin Nan was excited too; Best Original Screenplay was fine, but this year belonged to *Infernal Affairs*.

After the news came out, the public finally realized that the director and lead actor of *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind*, Lin Nan, had also acted in *Blind Shaft*.

For the *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* crew, things were different; many who had originally decided not to attend now regretted it. Having a nomination versus not having one was a completely different story.

Unfortunately, the list had already been finalized with Shanghai Film Group: Lin Nan, Zhu Yawen, Zhou Yang, and Jiang Yiyan.

As for the screenwriter, director, lead actor, and even the producer, they were all Lin Nan alone.

Within two days, the congratulatory calls never stopped, and the messages on QQ didn't either; many were from people he had only met when visiting the neighboring school.

"Lin Dao, wishing the film success in winning... Tang."

Shanghai Film Group started promoting again, bragging about their "keen eye for talent" for months. Lin Nan was almost embarrassed by it; his thick skin hadn't been honed to the level of a master director yet.

The *Lotus Lantern* crew tried to ride the coattails of his success, but they had checked with Lin Nan beforehand.

The first *Infernal Affairs* film was released; after being shelved for a year, it was finally let in.

This series would also be the final glory of Hong Kong cinema.

Those with a keen sense of smell had already started actively embracing the mainland; *The Proud Twins* had already been filed, and it was rumored that *The Handsome Siblings* was also preparing for project filing.

One had to admit that *Infernal Affairs* was a classic; coming out of the cinema, everyone said so.

The film critics' reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and it was indeed good, but this bunch was truly too treacherous. They always felt the moon was rounder abroad, and along the way, they stepped on a large number of mainland films, including Lin Nan's.

In fact, everyone had already seen the disc for this film; its release now was just a distribution attempt by China Film Group. Lin Nan and some classmates still came to show their support.

"Heard the investment exceeded 20 million; they're really daring."

"The remake rights have already been sold; that alone sold for nearly 2 million USD, what do you think?" someone explained.

"Making it was a miracle, and making a profit is an even bigger miracle."

Sure enough, *Warriors of Heaven and Earth* and *Me and My Father* couldn't compare to the momentum of *Infernal Affairs* at all.

The Golden Horse Awards announced the nomination list, and the two items related to Lin Nan were still there. Now, the people around him were even more excited.

A nomination represents possibility, and being shortlisted means entering the finals.

Not many days after the shortlist was announced, with a month left until the awards ceremony, the teachers started asking him when he would take leave, saying that just giving them a heads-up would be enough.

In the past, most students winning awards happened at the neighboring school, and the school felt the pressure.

*Cell Phone* started large-scale promotion; another masterpiece by Director Feng, reflecting on social reality, and it involved powerful, skilled actors.

*Cell Phone* held a promotion at the Film Academy, and Lin Nan was there too. Fan Bingbing wasn't "Master Fan" yet, but she was very beautiful—the type mature men liked.

Director Feng could be considered the ace of Huayi and was also a person full of inspirational stories. If it weren't for his looks, he would be a perfect novel protagonist.

Watching Director Feng talking and laughing on stage, Lin Nan suddenly thought of a line: It doesn't matter if a man is old and ugly; the most important thing is having talent...

That made a lot of sense.

The release date for *Cell Phone* was set for December 18th, and Lin Nan definitely wouldn't be in the mainland by then.

As time drew closer, Shanghai Film Group started asking, and Lin Nan had to prepare.

Zhu Yawen was already packing his luggage and still asking about the suit.

"We don't need to worry about that; Shanghai Film Group has prepared it. Tell the two of them that the evening gowns are the same."

Lin Nan told Zhu Yawen.

On December 1st, the four of them left the school dragging their suitcases, accompanied by a staff member from Shanghai Film Group.

"Lin Dao, the leaders will meet up with us over there."

Lin Nan nodded; they were flying from the school, and Shanghai Film Group was departing from their side.

After landing, they saw the people from Shanghai Film Group there to pick them up.

"Lin Dao, Ren Zong has come too," someone said to Lin Nan.

At this year's Golden Horse, besides the four of them, there were almost no mainland artists, and certainly no major awards.

But many mainland companies had come; after all, the Golden Horse was still the benchmark for the Chinese-language film circle.

The red carpet was on December 13th, and the awards ceremony was on that same day.

The hotel where they were staying was with the Shanghai Film Group people, and Lin Nan went to see Ren Zong.

The two met at the second-floor café; the other party even brought a secretary, a man.

"Ren Zong, hello," Lin Nan took the initiative to greet him. The other was a big shot, and he was a junior; he had to be polite.

"Lin Dao, so young, the younger generation is to be feared. Being able to come and compete this time is also your credit; among the several major film studios, only our Shanghai Film Group has works competing," Ren Zong said happily, not being subtle at all.

Nowadays, policy leans towards commercial films—films that can sell tickets.

Director Zhang has Zhang Weiping, and foreign film companies favor him. China Film Group belongs to the leader, located in the Beijing circle; Feng Xiaogang and Chen Kaige are both close, and Huayi is also the core of the Beijing circle.

There aren't many directors who can sell films, and almost all have fixed partners.

"Lin Dao, do you have any plans for a new film?" Ren Zong asked, taking a sip of coffee.

Many thoughts flashed through Lin Nan's mind instantly. "Planning to prepare a new film in the first half of next year."

"Oh, you have a plan? What genre?" Ren Zong asked, the smile on his face giving a refreshing feeling.

"There's no script yet, but it should still be a commercial film." That was all Lin Nan could say; the person in front of him was, after all, his financier.

"Good, commercial films are good; what the higher-ups encourage are commercial films. When the budget is out, let me know; however much is missing, I'll make it up for you."

Ren Zong was very generous, patting his chest and taking full responsibility.

Tropical fruits here were very cheap, and these past few days, Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen had really been eating them in various ways.

On the 13th at noon, Lin Nan had already changed into a black suit provided by Shanghai Film Group. Zhu Yawen chose a blue one, very flashy.

The two ladies were in standard evening gowns. In a few hours, the red carpet would begin.

As the representative of the producer, Shanghai Film Group, Ren Zong was dressed very meticulously in a Zhongshan suit.

At three o'clock, Lin Nan and Ren Zong were in one car, and Zhu Yawen and the others were behind.

At the Municipal Art Center, both sides were already a sea of people. Getting out of the car, Lin Nan saw Li Yang walking over.

"Director Li," Lin Nan took the initiative to hug him.

The latter continued to greet Ren Zong.

Besides fans, there were many reporters with long guns and short cannons on both sides, both Chinese and foreign.

Lin Nan needed to walk the red carpet twice. In order, *Blind Shaft* was after *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* because it had the Silver Bear endorsement.

More and more vehicles arrived later, and quite a few drove away.

Lin Nan saw those people from Hong Kong. The two, Liu and Liang, were contenders for Best Actor tonight; Infernal Affairs was too strong, and Ren Dahua and Wu Yanzu couldn't beat them.

The major awards were all touched by *Infernal Affairs*.

"Walking over now is the *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* crew..."

Lin Nan didn't hear clearly what was said, mixed with some accents.

He followed Ren Zong's footsteps, with Zhu Yawen, Zhou Yang, and Jiang Yiyan at his side.

The two women were very excited because people around them were shouting their names from the film.

"Lin Dao, heard you're still studying, yet you're already a film director and lead actor, and the box office is so good. Do you have any thoughts?"

Questions on this kind of occasion were always so straightforward.

"It's alright. People like me are a dime a dozen at school." Lin Nan didn't say much, just brushing it off; he didn't know what to say either. Mostly, it was Ren Zong holding court; he was worthy of being a leader.

Entering the venue, they were led to a seat in the middle-back. Lin Nan was thinking, if not for Ren Zong, would they have been sitting in some corner in the back?

Lin Nan went back; Director Li Yang was still waiting for him.

When he walked onto the red carpet again with Li Yang, even the host was stunned for a moment.

"I'm still one of the leads in this film."

Lin Nan said, and Li Yang added, "Also one of the investors."

A Silver Bear director is different; even this bunch of people who fawn over the powerful and trample the weak spoke nicely.

The host of the awards ceremony was half a man and a woman, the woman from Hong Kong.

This Golden Horse could be said to be contracted by Hong Kong films.

Best Feature Film, *Blind Shaft* lost to *Infernal Affairs*; Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, and Best Supporting Actor all came from Hong Kong films.

*Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* won Best Original Screenplay; nomination, shortlist, award—no break in the chain.

Lin Nan didn't have a hard time going up to receive the award; he finished the standard acceptance speech and came down.

Ren Zong took the trophy handed over by Lin Nan, looked at it, and returned it to Lin Nan. "Keep up the good work in the future."

Several people took turns, and Lin Nan sat down next to Li Yang.

"Best Adapted Screenplay Award, Li Yang."

Li Yang stood up happily, hugged Lin Nan, and went up; the spotlight flashed over.

"Best New Performer Award, *Blind Shaft*, Lin Nan."

At this moment, Lin Nan only had one sentence in his heart: "It's here."

"Harvesting two awards in your first film festival, Lin Dao, do you have any acceptance speech?"

"Thank you, Brother Li Yang, for giving me this role and bringing me formally into the industry. Thank you, Ren Zong, for investing in me to film *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind*. I will keep up the good work. Thank you."

Although they weren't the most important awards, Lin Nan was very satisfied—there were two of them.

"Good lad, praising me so much," Li Yang punched Lin Nan; he could tell that Lin Nan's speech just now was from the heart.

"It's a pity, I can't film in the mainland for five years."

Lin Nan nodded without speaking.

Over here, the competition for the most intense awards began. Best Feature Film and Best Director were both given to *Infernal Affairs*. The battle for Best Actor was also an internal struggle within *Infernal Affairs*; Liu Dehua lost to Liang Chaowei by one vote.

Time will prove whether a person's butt is crooked or not.

"The news in the mainland right now is probably drafting headlines," Ren Zong said. *Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind* won an award; no matter which award it was, it was to his credit for Shanghai Film Group.

He was right; the emerging portal websites had already hung up big headlines.

"Lin Nan wins Best New Performer Award and Best Original Screenplay Award."

"Film Academy Class of '02 Directing Department, Lin Dao Nan at the 40th Golden Horse..."

After the awards ceremony ended, Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen slipped a few positions, rushed to the Heavenly King Liu, asked for an autograph, and even had the Shanghai Film Group people help take a group photo.

"Little Lin Dao, remember to find me for cooperation if there's a chance; the salary can be discussed." Although the Heavenly King Liu had a hooked nose, his character was impeccable.

"You're too kind." ===== CHAPTER 15 =====