Chapter 223: The biggest winner of the night

"I rely on, is this a desperate counterattack? I was wrong; I doubted Cao Yang before and thought *District 9* was going to lose to *The Aviator* and *Million Dollar Baby*... I didn't expect Cao Yang to turn around and slap me."

"In terms of major awards, you can always believe in Cao Yang... I was wrong; I also thought *District 9* might lose its bottom line before. I didn't expect that in a direct confrontation, Depp killed Li Zi and Director Dong Mu."

"Depp is awesome now; winning Best Actor at the Oscars for two consecutive years, the last one was Tang Mu Hanks who was already deified... I was wrong; I also had doubts about Cao Yang's *District 9* before."

"New force in the circle" was incomparably angry, especially since almost every follow-up post had "I was wrong...", which made him particularly indignant.

"Are you all sick? Depp winning Best Actor at the Oscars again only proves that his acting skills are good; what does it have to do with Cao Yang? Depp is a famous literary coffee in Hollywood, and his acting skills have always been highly praised; it is very normal for him to win the award."

After sending these words, "New force in the circle" still had a breath in his heart that couldn't come out; there was envy, but more was jealousy, so he started posting again.

"Don't understand what you are excited about; one by one is forced to tout. You open your eyes and look, *The Aviator* has already won five major awards, *District 9* has only won two awards; what is there to tout?"

After finishing, he was still indignant; he really wanted to take the keyboard and shoot all those people to death.

Grass, it's really dog shit luck, letting Depp win Best Actor again; the stars in Hollywood who want to win awards must be crazy!

Why isn't the person who let Depp win Best Actor me?!

"Haha, little black, you don't even know how to change a name when you use a small account. I remember you blacked Cao Yang on the Tianya forum; no, it's not black, it's envy, jealousy, and hatred, right?

You said Depp is a literary coffee, I don't object, but before he collaborated with Cao Yang, what awards with weight did he win? It seems he only won a second-level Golden Globe nomination; in terms of the three major European festivals and the Oscars, there wasn't even a nomination.

Ever since collaborating with Cao Yang, not only did he win the Golden Globe Best Actor, but he also won two Oscar Best Actor awards in a row. Everyone in the world knows that Cao Yang is good at training actors; you say this has nothing to do with Cao Yang?"

"Little black, you also open your eyes and look, what awards did Cao Yang's *District 9* win? One Best Actor, one Best Adapted Screenplay.

What about *The Aviator*? It hasn't won a major award with weight yet; there are still the two major awards of Best Director and Best Picture with the most weight. Wait until *The Aviator* wins, then come and satirize *District 9* and Cao Yang."

"New force in the circle" was about to be pissed off, his eyes red.

Okay, I'll wait for *The Aviator* to win Best Director and Best Picture; when the time comes, see if I don't scold you little bastards to death!

Martin, you are a great artist who has won the Cannes Palme d'Or and Best Director, Venice Best Director, and Golden Globe Best Director; I don't believe you will lose to this young man Cao Yang.

Rise up! Rise up!

Depp stood on the Oscar podium, hugged Theron for a moment, and in Theron's blessing voice, took the Oscar handed over by Theron, looked at it, couldn't help but shake it hard, and laughed honestly and shyly.

Immediately, it ushered in overwhelming applause and cheering from the guests under the stage; almost all the guests in the first few rows stood up, including Li Zi.

Li Zi applauded enthusiastically, looking like he was laughing very sincerely, seeming to be sincerely congratulating Depp.

He easily used too much force in the film; if he could have this acting skill like now, and operate it slightly, it is estimated that he could have won the Oscar for Best Actor early.

The Oscars at this time also had regulations, formulating different speaking times for each award; you could be less, but absolutely not exceed.

Undoubtedly, Best Actor belongs to one of the biggest and most important awards, and the speech time is much more generous than other awards.

Depp just stood on the stage like this, looking at the cheering and applause below, waiting until the guests' enthusiasm passed and everyone sat down, before he took a deep breath and took out a piece of paper from his pocket, shaking it.

Oscar award presentation, many award-winning guests will "read the manuscript," which is not strange.

"This is the speech written in advance by my agent; it is very comprehensive, and almost thanked everyone, but I don't want to follow these superficial things."

After speaking, he directly tore the paper into two halves and put it into his pocket again.

This unusual performance made the guests under the stage cheer and applaud again; many people's first thought was that this is very "Depp," and the title of weirdo is not called in vain.

"This is the second consecutive year I have won the Oscar for Best Actor, and I don't want to thank anyone, including myself, because these two films were simply too easy for me to shoot; you know what I want to express.

I have never had this feeling of acting like myself; that kind of feeling that you haven't experienced, but acting it out as if you have experienced it thousands of times, is very wonderful.

You have to believe me; if you were in my position, or anyone else, you could do these things; perhaps you could all win this award; I was just lucky enough to be selected by Cao Dao Yang, that's all.

Thank you for my luck, thank you to the Academy."

Clatter clatter clatter...

The guests were applauding desperately; the difference was that most people would intentionally or unintentionally look at Cao Yang's position.

However, this was not abrupt; Depp sat in front of Cao Yang, and people who didn't know the truth just thought everyone was looking at Depp who was walking back to his position.

Li Zi's eyes were round, and he could no longer do smooth expression management; he also looked at Depp... behind Cao Yang.

He couldn't help but have a series of questions, the most core question being, is what Depp said true?

Subsequently, he confirmed Depp's statement in his heart.

Even if there were exaggerated components, most of them should be true.

Cao Yang's ability to train actors is a well-known thing; he has promoted so many Best Actresses at the three major European festivals since his debut, and used two films to let Depp win the Oscar for Best Actor twice in a row; this is an iron fact.

Li Zi had seen *District 9*; this film has connotation, and the performance technique is also very unique. The most critical thing is that Depp's performance in it is really "smooth," simply like a real documentary.

Not only that.

The other several actors, including the Chinese person who received the Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, including Ian McKellen and others, almost had no traces of performance, really acting as if it were a realistic documentary.

Even including that alien leader, Li Zi was surprised when he watched it; he actually saw a "living" alien!

Really fucking annoying.

Li Zi even felt that the actor who played the alien owed him an Oscar.

Perhaps decades or hundreds of years later, people who don't know the truth will watch this film and really think that aliens once came to Earth and were abused by humans; this fucking is a documentary that "accidentally" flowed out!

Collaborate!

Li Zi suddenly had this thought in his heart, and it became more and more intense.

Even if he paid some price, he would find a way to collaborate once, to see if it was really like what Depp said.

At this moment, not only Li Zi had this thought; the actors on the scene, whether male or female, including most famous Hollywood actors watching the Oscar live broadcast, all had similar thoughts.

Amidst everyone's different thoughts, Julia Roberts, who had won the Oscar for Best Actress, went on stage; as the presenter for Best Director, she was going to reveal the Best Director of the night.

She first glanced at Cao Yang's direction without a trace, and then said: "I am very honored to present the Best Director award; every nominee is extremely excellent. The nominees for Best Director are..."

"Martin Scorsese *The Aviator*, Cao Yang *District 9*, Clint Eastwood *Million Dollar Baby*, Taylor Hackford *Ray*, Alexander Payne *Sideways*."

This time it was the direct confrontation between Martin Scorsese, Cao Yang, and Clint Eastwood; they were also the biggest favorites for Best Director of this Oscar.

"Undoubtedly, it must be Martin Scorsese; his *The Aviator* is definitely the biggest winner tonight."

"New force in the circle" couldn't help but post.

However, no one paid attention to him.

Everyone was waiting for the result, wanting to see if Martin Scorsese's *The Aviator* would win a big victory, or if Director Dong Mu's *Million Dollar Baby* would catch up, or if it would be Cao Yang's stable performance.

Now only Best Picture and Best Director were left; it was temporarily impossible to see which film was the biggest winner of the night.

Although *The Aviator* received five awards, none of them were heavyweight; it didn't win Best Actor, nor did it win Best Actress. It just depends on whether it can have a breakthrough in Best Picture and Best Director.

*Million Dollar Baby* and *District 9* both only won two awards, but the former had a Best Actress, and the latter had a Best Actor; both had major awards in hand. As long as they could win another major award, even if they won fewer awards, they would be big winners.

"The winner is..."

Julia Roberts opened the envelope, took a look, and had a moment of surprise, which she covered up very well.

Dong Xuan grabbed Cao Yang's hand, looking at Julia Roberts on the stage with eager eyes, chanting softly in her mouth: "Cao Yang, Cao Yang, Cao Yang, Cao Yang..." Julia Roberts smiled and said to the microphone: "Cao Yang, *District 9*."

"Yeah!"

Dong Xuan seemed even more excited than Cao Yang, ignoring her image and roaring, turning around and hugging Cao Yang.

"It's you, it's you, I knew it was you! It's really you; you are the Oscar Best Director..."

After finishing incoherently, Dong Xuan kissed Cao Yang on the face several times excitedly; this scene was just presented on the big screen on the stage.

"Bitch!"

International Chapter, sitting in the back row, couldn't help but scold. At this moment, she was both envious and jealous, wishing she could take his place and become the focus of the world.

Depp turned around and said very happily: "I knew it, I knew it; you are a great director, and winning this award is well-deserved."

Han Zong behind him also gently hugged Cao Yang who stood up, his mouth almost grinning to his ears; *District 9* is a co-production, and being able to win a major award at the Oscar level, his achievements are great.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother; you are the first Oscar Best Director among us Chinese, and everything is worth it."

!

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Looking at Cao Yang walking toward the stage, Han Zong couldn't help but sigh. Oscar Best Director, although everyone was aiming for this at the beginning, operation is one thing, and whether you can win the award is another.

It's not easy.

Subsequently, he thought of those directors in the country again, for the sake of an Oscar Best Foreign Language Film recommendation quota, wishing they could beat out dog brains; they are really fucking useless.

Look at Cao Yang; he has always looked down on that quota. Why? Because he looks down on it!

If you really have the ability, why don't you also do other nominations for the Oscars like Cao Yang?

Not to mention major awards like Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress; it would be fine if you could get a few side-dish nominations!

Gu Changwei and Jiang Wenli in the back row of Han Zong were also sighing because Cao Yang won Best Director.

"Won the Oscar for Best Picture last year, and won the Oscar for Best Director this year, plus two Best Screenplays; Cao Dao has also filled the Oscars."

Jiang Wenli looked at Cao Yang who had already walked on stage, and said in a low voice with glowing eyes.

She didn't have any ideas about Cao Yang, but her family was considered to have a deep relationship with Cao Yang; this is a big backer in the future.

Of course, if Cao Yang was willing, she wouldn't mind some things.

A director who can win awards and has box office, and is also so young and handsome, is a rare species in this world; which female actor is not interested?

"Cao Dao is indeed powerful, especially in training actors.

You haven't seen that scene; it's simply like a miracle. Even for actors with no acting skills at all, Cao Dao has a way to train them; this is the place I admire most."

"Is that so?"

Jiang Wenli was clearly aroused with curiosity; if there was a chance, she also wanted to try; who doesn't have a dream of being Best Actress?

In the "Cao Yang Bar," in the hottest post, a uniform "Cao Dao is awesome!" started to brush up.

No one paid attention to "New force in the circle," neither mocking nor refuting, which made him even more uncomfortable.

Martin Scorsese is really fucking useless, and Director Dong Mu is too!

If it were me who won the Oscar for Best Director, I would wake up laughing in my dreams.

Why isn't it me?

Those dog-day Hollywood companies really have no vision; I can do it too, where is my "Bo Le"?

Julia Roberts hugged Cao Yang; she wasn't familiar with Cao Yang, but still smiled and said:

"Congratulations, Mr. Director; you will become the greatest director on this planet; very, very much looking forward to collaborating with you."

"Thank you, there will be a chance."

Cao Yang was polite, took the Oscar, walked to the microphone, looked at the guests who almost all stood up and applauded, and said: "Thank you, thank you all, thank you."

After the applause stopped slightly, Cao Yang continued: "It is a great honor to win this award; this is very difficult. Thank you again to everyone who worked hard for this award.

Thank you to the Academy, thank you to the film's producers Mr. Han and Mr. Tang Mu, thank you to my teacher Mr. Situ, thank you to my alma mater Beidian, and finally thank you to my parents; you saw it, I won the award."

After speaking, Cao Yang raised the Oscar in his hand, and the applause sounded again.

Han Zong was laughing very happily below; this Junior Brother is still very knowledgeable about human relationships and worldly wisdom. He thanked himself on stage, and all the running and paying were worth it.

Han Zong thought so because he knew that Cao Yang winning the Oscar for Best Director was not a small matter; to say something a bit arrogant, this is a matter that can improve national self-esteem and self-confidence.

Jingcheng is going to host the Olympic Games; at this time, everything that can improve international influence is a big deal.

Han Zong could almost be sure that not only would CCTV broadcast the Oscar ceremony on the Movie Channel, but even in the news that started at seven o'clock, there was a high possibility of intercepting some clips to broadcast.

Which clip will be intercepted?

The biggest possibility is to intercept a clip of Cao Yang's acceptance speech; as long as he is lucky, Cao Yang's words thanking "Mr. Han" might appear in that 30-minute news.

After Cao Yang sat down, Dong Xuan happily took over the Best Director Oscar, holding one in each hand, and even weighed it with her hand, whispering: "Seems like there's no difference."

Subsequently, she gently touched Cao Yang with her elbow and asked with great expectation in a low voice: "Is it possible for Best Picture to be given to us? If we win Best Picture again, *District 9* will be the biggest winner of the night."

"You think too much."

Cao Yang said with a smile while the broadcast camera didn't sweep over: "It's impossible; it will likely be given to *Million Dollar Baby*."

Tang Mu Luo Binsi had said before that Warner put the focus on *Million Dollar Baby*; as long as big companies are willing to spend manpower and material resources, they are at least much more reliable than other film companies.

Just like Columbia's move, they helped Cao Yang win Best Director.

Last year, Columbia united with Miramax to compete and compromise with Warner, reaching a consensus.

*The Milk of Sorrow* won five major awards including Best Picture and Oscar Best Actor; *The Lord of the Rings 3* won ten awards including Best Director.

This year, it was Columbia, Miramax, and Warner competing and compromising with each other, dividing most of the Oscar awards.

*The Aviator* is a film controlled by Miramax; Harvey Weinstein is still very capable in the operation of Oscar awards.

Finally, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand went on stage; as presenters, they presented the last major award, and also one of the most important awards, Best Picture.

Sure enough, as Cao Yang expected, the winner was *Million Dollar Baby*.

Thus, the 77th Academy Awards ceremony ended.

*The Aviator* won the most awards, winning a total of five awards; unfortunately, there were almost no heavyweight ones.

*Million Dollar Baby* won three awards, including major awards such as Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.

*District 9* also won three awards, almost all of which were major awards: Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Undoubtedly, the biggest winner of the night was not *The Aviator*, but *District 9* and *Million Dollar Baby*.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 224 =====