Chapter 222: The third person in Oscar history

Due to the time difference, the ongoing Oscar ceremony was in the morning in the country, and coincidentally, today was Monday.

However, even so, the "Cao Yang Bar" was still very lively.

Especially under a post that was live-texting the Oscar ceremony, the heat was very high, the popularity was very sufficient, the discussion was very heated, and the follow-up frequency was also very high.

"Really don't understand what CCTV is thinking. It would be great to broadcast the Oscar ceremony live; why do they have to delay it for 12 hours and wait until the evening to broadcast it?"

"I guess it's for the ratings?"

"According to CCTV's statement, when the Oscars start, the country is at 9:00 AM, and most of the audience is working or studying. Live broadcast is not conducive to the audience watching the Oscar ceremony in a timely, accurate, and comprehensive manner..."

"This set of rhetoric is really official enough. Just say it's for the ratings; it seems too interest-oriented. Originally, it was the same meaning, but changing the train of thought and saying it's for the sake of the audience who are working or studying makes it high-end."

"Exactly. If they really cared about the audience, they could broadcast live in the morning and rebroadcast in the evening."

"CCTV's person in charge said there is another reason, which is language. Live broadcast cannot solve the subtitle problem."

"That's not simple; broadcast the original Oscar in the morning, and rebroadcast with subtitles in the evening."

"Discussing these is useless; CCTV won't listen to us. Let's talk about the Oscars; what has it progressed to now?"

"They have already presented Best Art Direction, Best Supporting Actor, Best Animated Feature, Best Makeup, Best Costume Design, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Documentary. Now they are presenting Best Film Editing."

"Best Film Editing is out; *The Aviator* once again defeated *Million Dollar Baby* and won the Best Film Editing award."

"I rely on, Old Ma and Li Zi teaming up is really awesome.

*The Aviator* is in the rhythm of sweeping; of all the awards presented, it has won four out of five nominations. Except for Best Supporting Actor, which lost to *Million Dollar Baby*, it won everything else."

"Martin Scorsese is indeed awesome; maybe he really is going to sweep."

"Ha, I carefully sorted it out; *The Aviator* has already won four major awards, and *Million Dollar Baby* has also won one Best Supporting Actor. What about *District 9*, which was touted as one of the three big favorites?

Zero eggs!

It's really fucking shameful; the shame has been thrown abroad. Touted as the biggest favorite, and not afraid of the tongue flashing because of the wind.

Is he worthy of comparing with Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood? I'll put my words here; he's not even worthy of carrying their shoes."

After these words were sent out, the post, which was just noisy, instantly became quiet.

"New force in the circle? Small account?"

"I took a look; this 'New force in the circle' is not a member of the bar, but a visitor status, a level-one newbie. This is the first time speaking in the bar."

"So that's how it is."

Those who understand, understand, and then stopped paying attention to this person.

But there were still some who didn't understand, and started to explain.

"You said this too extremely. So far, of all the awards presented, *District 9* only had one nomination for Duan Yihong's Best Supporting Actor; *District 9* had no nominations for other awards."

"Brother, don't explain so much; if you explain, you lose..."

"Didn't even get a nomination, what do you use to compare with Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood?"

"New force in the circle" spoke again.

"Look, I said there's no need to explain; just treat him as if he doesn't exist. The forest is big, and there are all kinds of birds."

"Adam Sandler went up; he is going to present Best Adapted Screenplay. This time *District 9* is going to compete directly with *Million Dollar Baby*; both films received nominations."

"I know the result without looking. Cao Yang is okay mixing in the European literary circle, but in Hollywood, in the Oscars, his set simply doesn't work. How can he compare with the old artist Director Dong Mu (the nickname for Eastwood in the country)?"

"New force in the circle" directly brought the words to the table. Freedom of speech, I didn't violate the rules, nor did I scold anyone. What can you do to me? The administrator can't ban me for no reason, right?

The "Cao Yang Bar" is still good; there are many people, high traffic, and the rules formulated in the bar are relatively many, but precisely because of this, the more rules there are, the more you can speak unscrupulously within the rules, as long as you speak within the rules.

On the contrary, those with few rules, the administrator bans and deletes without discussion if they don't agree.

Doing things within the rules, "New force in the circle" felt he was familiar with it; he was best at drilling loopholes within the rules.

"Haha, dog-day 'New force in the circle', roll out and get beaten. *District 9* defeated *Million Dollar Baby*, Cao Yang won Best Adapted Screenplay; how the fuck do you say..."

"New force in the circle" was a bit unhappy. The dog-day Oscars are also not powerful; what kind of broken thing, Director Dong Mu actually lost. Don't you have any bias and protection for your own people?

Unhappy is unhappy, "New force in the circle" didn't delay doing work; he turned around and made a report, sending the bastard who was shouting and insulting him into the small black room.

Hey, don't say, having many rules is just this good. Are you still shouting? Haha...

"I rely on, isn't this International Chapter? She actually mixed into a presenter, presenting the Best Visual Effects award with Gyllenhaal; awesome."

"*District 9* also received a nomination for Best Visual Effects. Is this indicating something? If International Chapter personally handed this award to Cao Yang, it would also be a beautiful story."

"Kid upstairs, look at your little knowledge; if you don't understand, shut your mouth, lest you lose face. Is Best Visual Effects something Cao Yang can receive? That is to commend visual effects staff; it has a hair relationship with Cao Yang."

"New force in the circle" satirized, but didn't dare to say that *District 9* couldn't win this award.

After all, he had seen this film, and the special effects were done very well; every detail of the alien shrimp was not bad. Put it in the country... well, in the country, except for the kid surnamed Cao, no director had filmed a sci-fi blockbuster.

At this moment, "New force in the circle" made a decision: wait until later, he must film a big-production sci-fi film.

The award was announced; *Spider-Man 2* defeated *District 9* and *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* and put the Best Visual Effects award into its pocket.

Many people in the bar thought "New force in the circle" would take this opportunity to satirize Cao Yang and *District 9* for not winning this award.

But unexpectedly, this guy didn't say anything.

This is what everyone doesn't understand about "New force in the circle."

In the eyes of "New force in the circle," although *District 9* is a bit fast in rhythm and is a mockumentary, it still has a little bit of artistry.

Of course, it's just a little bit.

Compared with *Spider-Man 2* and *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, the theme and connotation of the film are still a bit there; using aliens to talk about racial discrimination and racial segregation, that's just this little bit, and it didn't dig deep, garbage.

As for things like *Spider-Man 2* and *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, what kind of thing is that? Pure commercial film, only worthy of being despised, with no artistry at all.

Therefore, the few lines of spraying the kid surnamed Cao that were originally typed were considered for a moment, and "New force in the circle" silently deleted them again and didn't send them out.

He considered himself a literary director with connotation, an artist; praising a commercial film was still a bit embarrassing.

Let's spray at the next award.

At the Oscar scene, they also continuously presented a series of music score awards, as well as animation and documentary awards; maybe it was because they were afraid that everyone would be bored, so they interspersed some song performances in the middle.

Dong Xuan no longer had the mood to look at the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar in her hand, and she also had the same idea as most people. Last year, Cao Yang's *The Milk of Sorrow* snatched the major awards of Best Picture and Best Actor from *The Lord of the Rings 3*, which could be considered one of the biggest winners. Is it still possible this year? As one of the three hottest films this year, so far, *Million Dollar Baby* has only won one Best Supporting Actor, and *District 9* has only won one Best Adapted Screenplay. It feels like both films lost a bit ugly. Dong Xuan saw Depp in the front row go to the backstage; he was going to serve as a presenter to present the Best Actress of the night. This is a major award, but there is no share for *District 9*. Instead, Hilary Swank of *Million Dollar Baby* has a nomination, and the possibility of winning is the greatest. Sure enough, Best Actress was won by Hilary Swank of *Million Dollar Baby*. In this way, Director Eastwood's *Million Dollar Baby* had two major awards. Even if *The Aviator* swept the Oscars tonight, *Million Dollar Baby* had an Oscar Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor, so it wouldn't be a failure. Only *District 9*... Gently grabbing Cao Yang's hand, Dong Xuan said softly:

"The box office of *District 9* is so high, and it can receive seven Oscar nominations, which is already a very difficult thing. No matter how many awards it can win in the end, it is already the biggest victory."

"Hmm?"

Cao Yang turned his head and glanced at Dong Xuan. There are still a few awards with the highest gold content that haven't been presented yet. You think I "can't do it" so quickly?

Go back tonight, I have to see who can't do it first!

They also presented Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay. Next, Charlize Theron walked gracefully from the backstage; as the Oscar Best Actress of the previous year, she was going to present Best Actor.

She didn't talk nonsense and directly said: "Their acting skills have reached the peak; the following are the candidates for Best Actor."

Five films each intercepted some clips about the male lead, and five candidates appeared on the big screen.

This time, it looked like a real confrontation on the surface; there was *The Aviator*'s male lead Li Zi, *Million Dollar Baby*'s male lead Clint Eastwood, and *District 9*'s male lead Depp.

The remaining two nominated candidates were two Black actors, namely *Hotel Rwanda*'s Don Cheadle and *Ray*'s Jamie Foxx.

The outside world might think that the three white actors above had the greatest possibility, and the two Black actors were just companions.

But Cao Yang knew that Depp's biggest competitor was *Ray*'s Jamie Foxx.

One of the themes of this Oscar was anti-racial discrimination; a Black actor winning the Oscar for Best Actor, this is political correctness.

However, if Depp wins the award, there is no problem. *District 9* is about racial discrimination; the male lead played by Depp initially discriminated against "others," and later was discriminated against by others.

An anti-racial discrimination film, in this Oscar with anti-racial discrimination as the theme, winning the Oscar for Best Actor, isn't that also the biggest political correctness?

"The winner is..."

Theron opened the envelope, and a smile appeared on her face unconsciously, not a professional fake smile, but a very sincere one.

"Got it!"

Cao Yang saw Theron's expression, and his heart moved; suddenly he had this idea.

Theron guest-starred as the wife of the male lead in *District 9* and had several very pleasant exchanges with Cao Yang; in her heart, she would definitely favor *District 9* winning the award.

"Johnny Depp, *District 9*!"

Depp excitedly clenched his fists, and it could be seen that he was trying his best to suppress his excited mood.

He stood up suddenly, turned around, and hugged Cao Yang, saying: "Thank you, thank you, believe me, I am sincerely willing to exchange Best Actor for Best Director."

Cao Yang was stunned for a moment, then patted Depp's back and said with a smile:

"Congratulations, Depp; I believe you... Don't think so much; you should be happy now; you are the third person in Oscar history to win Best Actor for two consecutive years!"

Watching Depp walk to the stage, Cao Yang only had one feeling in his heart: 15 million US dollars were not spent in vain!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 223 =====

Dong Xuan was no longer in the mood to look closely at the golden statuette in her hand; she, too, had developed the same thought as most people.

Last year, Cao Yang's "District 9" snatched the Best Picture and Best Actor awards from "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," making it one of the biggest winners; was that still possible this year?

As the three most popular films this year, so far, "Million Dollar Baby" had only won one Best Supporting Actor, and "District 9" had only won one Best Adapted Screenplay.

It felt like both films were losing a bit too embarrassingly.

Dong Xuan saw Depp in the front row already heading backstage; he was to present tonight's Best Actress award as a presenter.

This was a major award, but "District 9" was not in the running; instead, "Million Dollar Baby's" Hilary Swank had a nomination and the highest probability of winning.

Sure enough, Best Actress was taken by "Million Dollar Baby's" Hilary Swank; with this, Director Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" now had two major awards.

Even if "The Aviator" swept tonight's Oscars, "Million Dollar Baby" would not be considered a failure with an Oscar Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor.

Only "District 9"...

Gently grabbing Cao Yang's hand, Dong Xuan said softly:

"'District 9' has such high box office and was able to get seven Oscar nominations; that is already a very difficult feat. No matter how many awards it ends up winning, it is already the greatest victory."

"Hmm?"

Cao Yang turned his head to look at Dong Xuan; the few awards with the most gold content hadn't been presented yet, and you already think I'm "no good"?

When we go back tonight, I'll have to see who is "no good" first!

After presenting Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay, Charlize Theron strolled up from backstage; as the previous Oscar Best Actress, she was to present Best Actor.

She didn't waste words and said directly: "Their acting skills have reached the pinnacle; here are the candidates for Best Actor."

Five films each had clips of their leading men shown, and the five candidates appeared on the big screen.

This time, on the surface, it looked like a real showdown, with "The Aviator's" lead Li Zi, "Million Dollar Baby's" lead Clint Eastwood, and "District 9's" lead Depp.

The remaining two nominees were two Black actors, Don Cheadle for "Hotel Rwanda" and Jamie Foxx for "Ray."

The outside world might think the three white actors above had the best chances, and the two Black actors were just there to make up the numbers.

But Cao Yang knew that Depp's biggest competitor was Jamie Foxx from "Ray."

One of the themes of this year's Oscars was anti-racial discrimination; a Black actor winning Best Actor was political correctness.

However, it would also be fine if Depp won; "District 9" was about racial discrimination, and the protagonist played by Depp discriminated against "others" at first, only to be discriminated against by them later.

Wouldn't an anti-racial discrimination film winning Best Actor at an Oscars themed around anti-racial discrimination also be the greatest political correctness?

"The winner is..."

Theron opened the envelope, a smile appearing on her face involuntarily; it wasn't a professional fake smile, but a very sincere one.

"Got it!"

Cao Yang saw Theron's expression, his heart stirred, and suddenly he had this thought.

Theron had a cameo as the wife of the protagonist in "District 9" and had had several very pleasant exchanges with Cao Yang, so she would definitely be biased toward "District 9" winning.

"Johnny Depp, 'District 9'!"

Depp clenched his fists in excitement; one could see him trying hard to suppress his agitated emotions.

He stood up abruptly, turned around, and hugged Cao Yang, saying: "Thank you, thank you, believe me, I am sincerely willing to trade Best Actor for Best Director."

Cao Yang was stunned for a moment, then patted Depp on the back and said with a smile:

"Congratulations, Depp, I believe you... don't think so much, you should be happy now; you are the third person in Oscar history to win back-to-back Best Actor awards!"

Watching Depp walk toward the stage, Cao Yang had only one feeling: the 15 million dollars were well spent!

(End of chapter)