Chapter 220: Human relationships and worldly wisdom

On the day before the award ceremony, Depp specifically came over and invited everyone to have a meal together.

He also specifically explained to Cao Yang that he should have come over when Cao Yang first arrived in Los Angeles, but unfortunately, he was really too busy during this period; in many places in the US, he was either attending cocktail parties or participating in programs, and simply had no time.

Cao Yang expressed understanding; he knew that what Depp said was not an excuse, but that he was truly busy.

Ever since *District 9* was released and exploded, Depp had been in a critical stage.

His external salary quote had now increased to 20 million US dollars, but he was still one step away from truly entering Hollywood's 20-million-dollar club and gaining widespread recognition from film companies.

This step could be another film he starred in achieving good results, even if it was just a small explosion, to prove his box office appeal.

Of course, a better way was to win the Oscar for Best Actor again this time; this was also the most prestigious way to enter the 20-million-dollar club.

Therefore, Depp and his agency had been operating, socializing, and participating in various programs to increase exposure during this period.

In fact, the agency and Depp both understood that wanting to win Best Actor at the Oscars again was really very, very difficult; the Academy certainly wouldn't be too willing to have someone win Best Actor for two consecutive years.

But even if there was a slight chance, they would try their best to strive for it.

Depp's agency was the United Talent Agency, or UTA, which was still quite powerful.

Besides, it wasn't as if there hadn't been actors in Oscar history who won Best Actor for two consecutive years, and there was more than one.

Far back, there was Spencer Tracy, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for two consecutive years in 1937 and 1938.

Spencer Tracy won the 10th Oscar for Best Actor for the film *Captains Courageous*, and subsequently won the 11th Oscar for Best Actor again in 1938 for *Boys Town*.

Recently, there was Tang Mu Hanks, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for two consecutive years in 1993 and 1994.

Tang Mu Hanks' outstanding performance in the film *Philadelphia* won him the 66th Oscar for Best Actor, and subsequently, he won the 67th Oscar for Best Actor again in 1994 for *Forrest Gump*.

It was precisely because of these two examples that UTA and Depp were so hardworking.

If they succeeded, it would be a major event worthy of being recorded in Oscar history, and Depp would become the third person to win Best Actor at the Oscars.

UTA's reputation would also be raised a lot.

US time February 27, 5:00 PM, the 77th Academy Awards ceremony grandly opened at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

This year, the Oscars again continued the 500-meter red carpet; the red carpet extended from the guest arrival area to the theater entrance, and also paved from the entrance of the Kodak Theatre to the theater auditorium.

Different from last year, this Oscar invited four red carpet hosts; while guests were waiting to enter, the red carpet hosts randomly interviewed some guests.

Hmm, seemingly random; that was just for the audience in front of the TV to see.

If they really randomly interviewed some small stars or the family members of stars, it was estimated that the audience in front of the TV wouldn't want to watch either.

Let's look at the people the four hosts "randomly" interviewed.

Hilary Swank, who was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress; she had already won an Oscar for Best Actress five years ago.

Annette Bening, who had just killed it at the Golden Globe Awards by virtue of *Being Julia* and won the Golden Globe for Best Actress.

She also, by virtue of this film, was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress again; this was her second nomination for the Oscar for Best Actress, and the buzz for this time was very high; she was the biggest favorite for this award.

They also interviewed Jamie Foxx; this guy was nominated for Best Actor by virtue of *Ray*. Additionally, interestingly, he was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor by virtue of *Collateral*, and for a time, he was in the limelight.

Li Zi, by virtue of *The Aviator* directed by Martin Scorsese, received a nomination for Best Actor; as one of the focuses, the interview definitely had him. This was his first nomination for Best Actor, and from then on, he started his long road to chasing awards.

Of course, even if it was a "random" interview, it definitely couldn't lack Depp.

As last year's Oscar Best Actor, he had received a nomination for Best Actor again this year, and the buzz was also very high; the heat on Depp was not inferior to Li Zi's.

The host definitely had to interview him.

Interviewing Depp was one of the four red carpet hosts, Shaun Luo Binxun; this was a Black female actor. The Oscars had a convention of letting actors serve as hosts.

"He is called the sexiest boy on this planet; last year he won the Oscar for Best Actor with *The Milk of Sorrow*, and tonight he is back again. He is Johnny Depp."

After Shaun Luo Binxun said these words facing the camera, the camera turned and aimed at Depp.

"Welcome to the Oscars, Johnny, are you okay?"

"Thank you, I'm fine."

Depp said a sentence, then looked at the camera and said:

"I hold awe in my heart, and my heart is full of gratitude. Coming here, thank you to the Academy for giving me this opportunity, and also thank you to Cao Dao Yang for giving me the opportunity to star in *District 9*."

Shaun Luo Binxun clearly paused for a moment. Is it a bit early to thank the director now? According to general logic, you have to wait until I ask a relevant question before you can thank the director.

You make me very passive like this, okay? How can I say that interview script I prepared behind? How can the process proceed?

"*District 9* is a wonderful film, and your performance and contrast in it are impressive, and it also makes people start to sympathize with the alien refugees in it; *District 9* is really a rare good film.

*The Milk of Sorrow* achieved very great success last year, and also let you win the Oscar for Best Actor; this seems to be an obstacle.

However, under the guidance of Cao Dao Yang, you seem to have broken through this obstacle and had a very wonderful performance. You have successfully collaborated twice; what kind of person do you think he is?"

"He knows films like the back of his hand and has his own unique insights into actors' performances. When we look back, these unique insights of Cao Dao Yang are all correct; this is also the greatness of Cao Dao Yang.

As everyone knows, Cao Dao Yang is very good at training actors; I am one of the biggest beneficiaries. I am very, very grateful to Cao Dao Yang; he will surely leave the most gorgeous chapter in film history..."

Looking at Depp, who was talking endlessly when talking about this, the host was a bit helpless; these interviews all had time limits, and I still had several questions I hadn't asked, and you used up the time.

While Depp was catching his breath, the host hurriedly interrupted and asked the last question.

"OK, Depp, thank you. The last question: if, I mean if, you could only choose one between Best Director and Best Actor, how would you choose?"

The host finished speaking in one breath and couldn't help but look at Depp with some trepidation.

This was a controversial topic; of course, only controversial topics could have more buzz and more viewership.

Depp was a famous weirdo in Hollywood, with a very strange temper; it wouldn't be strange if he did anything, and the host was really afraid of being hit.

In fact, if it were a normal person, this question would be very simple to answer.

You could directly spread your hands and shrug your shoulders, saying: "Why can't I win both?"

That would be fine, and the interview would end here. Those who were humble, or intimidated by the director's authority, could directly answer, "XX winning Best Director is well-deserved; I choose Best Director."

Don't say that all foreigners are very direct and don't understand humility; that is truly a misunderstanding of them.

Facing authoritative figures, such as big directors who are good at promoting people like Cameron, Spielberg, and Cao Yang, almost no actor would not understand humility.

However, the reason Depp is a weirdo is that his thoughts are unpredictable.

Depp faced the camera and thought for a full thirty seconds; it could be seen that he was really thinking about this matter seriously, so much so that the director, who felt he might have messed up, also seriously considered it for more than ten seconds.

Finally, gritting his teeth, risking the danger of a broadcast "accident," and strongly suppressing the thought of switching the camera, he kept the camera fixed on the thinking Depp and didn't switch the camera elsewhere.

"If the director were someone else, including my guide Director Tim Burton, I would choose Best Actor.

Whether it was *The Milk of Sorrow* or *District 9*, I felt really handy when acting, and felt smooth and happy from the bottom of my heart. In front of the camera, there was a feeling that I was the male lead, and I was inseparable from the male lead...

Since entering the industry, these two films have been the easiest for me, and I have performed the best; I even think they are the peak of my acting skills in this life.

I consider myself worthy of an Oscar for Best Actor for such a performance.

!

However, I know very clearly how my relaxed performance and the state of being one with the role came about. So, if you ask me to make a choice between Best Director and Best Actor.

After careful consideration—of course, I must explain first, this carefulness is not directed at Cao Dao Yang, but at other directors I have collaborated with, such as Mr. Tim Burton.

If it were Cao Dao Yang, I would blurt out and choose Best Director.

If it were other directors, sorry Tim, I choose Best Actor."

Host Shaun Luo Binxun was stunned; he finally saw what a weirdo was.

However, how should I respond? Should I say, according to the prepared script, "Okay, thank you Depp, I wish you get your wish?"

This answer is very strange, okay? Get your wish for what? Best Actor becoming Best Director?

Finally, Shaun Luo Binxun could only barely say, "Okay, thank you Depp."

And didn't say the blessing words according to convention.

People watching the Oscar live broadcast, at this moment, didn't feel that this was a live broadcast "accident," but instead felt that Depp was truly a man of temperament and not pretentious at all.

Everyone could see that this was absolutely not rehearsed in advance, nor was it a scripted performance, but his most real side.

Additionally, almost everyone who saw Depp's interview became interested in Cao Yang.

What kind of director could make Oscar Best Actor Depp, this famous weird kid, promote him so hard and admire him from the bottom of his heart?

Cao Yang didn't know all this; there were so many people on the scene, and he didn't walk the red carpet with Depp. This kind of interview could only be seen by the audience watching the live broadcast at the first time.

Cao Yang walked the red carpet with Dong Xuan; this time he bumped into the CCTV camera crew again and even accepted a short interview, which would be broadcast on CCTV's Movie Channel.

On this section of the red carpet from the theater entrance to the theater auditorium, Cao Yang coincidentally bumped into an acquaintance again.

International Chapter was standing on this section of the red carpet, constantly greeting famous producers, directors, and actors passing by, and chatting a few words from time to time.

Staying here seemed very skillful; those who finished walking the red carpet would pass by here.

It wasn't just International Chapter here; there were quite a few actors with the same idea, not in a hurry to enter the theater auditorium, just mixing for a familiar face here, or trying their luck.

This was also part of "socializing."

Ever since Cao Yang stepped in here, people kept greeting him.

"Cao Dao, long time no see. I thought that you would definitely pass by after walking the red carpet, so I specifically waited here, wanting to greet you."

International Chapter first glanced at Dong Xuan, who was holding Cao Yang's arm; the thought of wanting to hug could not be implemented, so she could only reach out and shake hands with Cao Yang.

Dong Xuan looked at International Chapter with some vigilance; this woman is not a good thing. How can you deliberately scratch the back of someone's hand with your little finger when shaking hands?

Stinky woman, shameless, don't think I didn't see it.

*House of Flying Daggers* received a Best Cinematography nomination, which had nothing to do with International Chapter; Cao Yang was a bit strange about why International Chapter appeared here.

The Oscars are different from other film festivals; you need an invitation card to get in, and you can't just "randomly crash."

Could it be that she came as a guest?

"Long time no see. I didn't expect to see you here."

International Chapter reached out and combed her hair, laughed, and her expression was quite a bit arrogant.

"I originally didn't want to come; I was still filming a movie. As a result, I received a call from the organizing committee, insisting that I serve as a presenter to present Best Visual Effects. No way, I could only put down what was in my hands and rush over."

Cao Yang hadn't said anything yet, but Dong Xuan took over the conversation from the side.

"Oh my, then you are really hard-working, Zhang Ziyi. No way, we small actors, once invited, can only passively accept, just fearing offending these film festivals.

Unlike Cao Dao Yang, the Oscar organizing committee called him seven or eight times, wanting him to give a speech, and he pushed it without hesitation.

The organizing committee then settled for second best, wanting him to be a presenter to present Best Actress, and he pushed it again.

He, he is just like this; the three major film festivals of Berlin, Venice, and Cannes have wanted to invite him to be the jury president more than once, and he has pushed them away without mercy.

Sigh, we actors have no choice; when can we have the confidence like Cao Dao?"

The arrogance on International Chapter's face was already gone, and her smile became a bit stiff; she didn't expect how to respond for a moment.

Cao Yang didn't let International Chapter be embarrassed for too long and said: "Let's go, the award ceremony is about to start; let's go in."

Dong Xuan showed a brilliant smile to the stiff-faced International Chapter, deliberately tightened the arm holding Cao Yang's arm, and said gently:

"Let's go in, Zhang Ziyi. The people staying here all look so humble, having to show a smiling face to everyone they see. I really don't understand what they are thinking, wanting to be popular until they are crazy."

International Chapter smiled even more stiffly, and her pace also became stiff.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 221 =====