Chapter 709

In the final two days, the Asian Newcomer Award and the Film Channel Media Awards concluded one after another, and the atmosphere of the Shanghai International Film Festival surged once again to its peak.

Waking up, less than 10 hours remained until the closing ceremony and red carpet of the main competition unit.

All film crews, filmmakers, and actors began to stand ready with weapons at the ready for the evening "Red Carpet Gala."

"I was laughing so hard last night! 'Farewell My Concubine' has been released for 23 years, yet it still managed to win an award! Hahaha..."

"Just imagine how excited Director Chen Chen Kaige was back then; his eyes were red when he held the trophy and spoke, weren't they?"

"The big director was reminiscing about the past the whole time; his spirits were a bit too high."

Zhou Xun leaned against the doorframe, chattering away while Han Jia'nv cracked melon seeds; Shu Chang stood nearby, delighted to join the fun.

Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei looked at each other, utterly speechless at the scene.

That's right, Director Chen won an award last night—the Special Honor Award from the Film Channel Media Awards—for "Farewell My Concubine"!

After receiving the award, Chen Chen Kaige spoke on stage for over half an hour, regretting his ignorance back then.

When "Farewell My Concubine" originally submitted for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, all production companies and key crew members were so ignorant that they failed to send film reels to the judges; they didn't know the "public relations" process, leading the Academy judges to mistakenly believe the "Farewell My Concubine" crew looked down on the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film...

Well, anyway, that's what Director Chen said; he claimed it was precisely for this reason that his magnum opus missed out on the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Afterwards, many Academy members expressed regret to him, saying they had missed a truly great film.

The time was too distant for Lin Nan to verify the truth, but since Chen Chen Kaige could speak of it openly, the credibility was indeed somewhat high.

However, his appearance of "cherishing" past glory truly made many big directors in the industry laugh at him.

After all, over these 23 years, he had truly been on a downward spiral, having won only one Best Director award from a Category A festival, and that was granted by the San Sebastian International Film Festival, which is particularly friendly to Chinese-language films, in 2002!

"Hmm? Old Han's phone call?"

Han Jia'nv's phone rang; Han San Ye was urging his little cotton-padded jacket to return home.

"Alright, I'm coming back right now. Hmm, he's nearby. Okay."

After hanging up, Han Jia'nv asked Lin Nan, who was looking listless, "Senior Brother Lin, Old Han called me back and asked me to bring you along too, saying your phone was turned off."

"What does he want with me now? My phone is in airplane mode; there are too many calls, all harassment calls regarding the financing for Tudou. The quotation deadline is only one week away."

"It seems to be about the Huabiao Awards."

Hearing this, the most excited ones were not Lin Nan, but Liu Liu Yifei and Shu Chang!

"Shall I go around and ask?" Director Lin Da asked Liu Liu Yifei and Shu Chang with a smile; the latter two immediately nodded, "Ask Han Dong if there is any inside information."

"There probably is." Zhou Xun interjected with a smile; after all, it was the Huabiao Awards, and by now some news should be coming out, though limited to among the leaders.

"Little Han classmate, let's go then; I'll drive you back." Lin Nan picked up the sunglasses on the table and sat up.

Guessing that in a little while, the brand sponsors of Liu Liu Yifei, Shu Chang, and Zhou Xun would send their respective gowns and jewelry, along with the makeup and styling team, Lin Nan would not get to see their makeup and styling process.

Just as Lin Nan and Han Jia'nv were about to set off, Han Han Sanping had just returned to the room from Tong Gang.

Just as Zhou Xun had said, with only 5 days left until the Huabiao Awards ceremony, some information that the Film Bureau wanted to inquire about could indeed be found out.

Similar to the "unwritten rules" phase that occurs in the latter half of the timeline after the opening of an International Category A film festival, rumors were spreading.

Around 11 a. m., Lin Nan, accompanied by his assistant and driver, drove Han Jia'nv back to the hotel where the China Film Group team and Film Bureau leaders were staying.

Seeing Han Jia'nv burst through the door in a rush, Han Han Sanping, who was watching the news, immediately lost his temper.

"Gentle lady, gentle lady! I've told you countless times, can't you act like a girl?"

"I've said it many times too! I was raised like a son since childhood; who told you not to have a second child back then?"

Han Jia'nv's words almost choked Han Han Sanping to death. Did he not want to? He was a factory director in a leadership position at age 30, but the policy at the time had been written into national strategy; he couldn't have a second child or try for a son!

"Han Dong, don't get angry. You only have this one daughter, and you're counting on her to support you in your old age and see you off... um, nothing."

Seeing the look on Han Han Sanping's face as if he wanted to eat someone, Lin Nan's joking voice stopped abruptly; if he continued, he would definitely be scolded.

"Han Dong, let's talk about business. The red carpet is this afternoon; Liu Yifei and the others are probably already doing their makeup and styling at the hotel by now. You wouldn't have called me over without a reason, right? What's the business?"

"Nothing. Get out." Han Han Sanping glared at Lin Nan, his eyes showing undisguised disdain.

"Don't be like that. Your daughter has been eating my food, drinking my drinks, and freeloading off me lately. Just for designer bags, Liu Qianqian and Shu Chang each gave her one, not counting what Zhou Xun gave..."

"Stop, stop, stop! Are you here to ask me for reimbursement?"

Han Han Sanping first interrupted Lin Nan in a bad mood, then glared fiercely at his own leaky cotton-padded jacket; the latter tilted her head, completely ignoring him.

"Sit down. The propaganda department is too tight-lipped; Director Tong asked several times before getting some news, but it's not complete." Han Han Sanping's tone softened considerably; perhaps he felt that since his daughter had taken his hand, she owed him?

Did Han Han Sanping even need to say it? Lin Nan had already sat beside Han Jia'nv. He poured himself a cup of tea, which Han San Ye must have just brewed not long ago.

"Just tell me; I need to have a sense of it. On the night of the 24th, I won't have to get blindly excited over every award."

"You? Excited? You, who are used to seeing big awards, would get excited? Last time, the Special Excellent Director Contribution Award was even collected by me on your behalf."

Han Han Sanping rolled his eyes at Lin Nan, his tone filled with contempt.

"Hurry up and say it. What riddles are you playing? I'm getting anxious listening." Han Jia'nv muttered a complaint.

Sure enough, one thing conquers another! Han Han Sanping picked up the thread and continued:

"For the Excellent Feature Film Award, a total of 18 films were nominated, and half will win. Your 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy' will win an award. Additionally, at least one other film from your company will win this award, but we are not sure which one specifically."

After saying this, Han Han Sanping looked into Lin Nan's eyes.

Under the gaze of confusion from Director Lin Da, Han San Ye let out a long breath, a slightly relaxed smile appearing on his face:

"For the Excellent Director Award, although eight people were nominated, but... congratulations to you."