Chapter 273: Best Foreign Language Film

"Inception" is a super-production. To lower the probability of failure, Columbia really racked its brains; the staffing of every department is top-tier.

Not to mention the cinematographer is Gu Changwei; he is considered a regular on Cao Yang's team, having won an Oscar for Best Cinematography alongside Cao Yang.

The visual effects supervisor is Ben Snow. Perhaps everyone is unfamiliar with this person, but if you mention the works he has done for visual effects, you shouldn't be unfamiliar with him.

His works in recent years include "Pearl Harbor," "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones," and "Van Helsing." He has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Visual Effects and is considered very famous in Hollywood.

The art director is Cheryl Carasik, who is also a very formidable person.

In 1996, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction for "A Little Princess."

In 1997, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction for "The Birdcage."

In 1998, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction for "Men in Black."

In 2005, she once again received an Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction for "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events."

It is a pity that she did not win the Oscar for Best Art Direction in any of her four nominations.

The music was scored by Hans Zimmer. He is a top Hollywood film score master who has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Score seven times to date and has won an Oscar for Best Original Score once.

The editing is still done by Yang Qian from the Youth Film Studio. He is also considered Cao Yang's old partner; Cao Yang uses him mainly because he is very easy to work with.

To put it bluntly, whatever Cao Yang instructs, he does; whatever he is told to cut, he cuts.

Of course, this does not mean Yang Qian lacks ability. When Cao Yang puts forward his own ideas, he can quickly understand them, and the cuts he makes can still conform to Cao Yang's wishes; this is his greatest ability.

Cao Yang held several meetings with these people, and post-production cannot do without their opinions.

If it were a low-budget art film with few scenes and simple content, Cao Yang could handle it alone, but for a film like "Inception," every department must fully cooperate.

In post-production, there are simply too many things involved; only by working together can everyone avoid omissions.

Relatively speaking, for the post-production of a major production like "Inception," although Cao Yang has many things to worry about, it feels easier compared to his previous art films.

In his previous art films, he had to do many things himself; now, as long as he gives instructions, things can be executed very well, and he mainly just needs to make decisions and supervise.

While doing the post-production for "Inception," Cao Yang appeared on several programs and accepted several exclusive interviews according to the arrangements of Fox Searchlight.

Furthermore, Cao Yang also became the cover person for the latest issue of the American "People Weekly," which is also considered one of the mainstream magazines in the U. S.

It was mainly to promote the film.

Just like this, amidst Cao Yang's busyness, mid-January arrived.

These past few days, he has to run to the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, because the 63rd Golden Globe Awards for film and television are about to be held here.

Due to some unspeakable cooperation, he is to serve as a presenter for the Golden Globe Awards, presenting the Best Director award, and he has to rehearse for the next few days.

Yes, whether it is the Oscars or the Golden Globes, or other large-scale awards ceremonies in other countries, rehearsals are required, and not just once.

Rehearsals are to optimize the process and coordinate cooperation. During the rehearsal period, technical equipment such as lighting, sound, and large-screen playback can be tested to ensure that the audiovisual effects are consistent with expectations during the official event.

Hosts, presenters, etc., need to be familiar with their positions and routes, as well as the award speeches, etc., to avoid chaos on site or interruptions in the process. Rehearsals can test the time control and fluency of each segment.

The more famous the awards ceremony, the more attention is paid to these things. If a mistake occurs, it would truly be a disgrace abroad and would also affect the outside world's perception.

After all, if you cause chaos even during the awards presentation, it is hard not to make people doubt the authority of the awards and the organizational coordination ability of the organizing committee.

Before participating in the Golden Globes, "Zhu Nuo" had already won quite a few awards at the Satellite Awards, the Detroit Film Critics Society Awards, the Critics Choice Awards, the St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards, and so on.

The nominations for this Golden Globe Awards are not many, only three: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and Best Screenplay, but they are all considered important major awards.

After the rehearsal today, Cao Yang did not go back to continue working, but chatted with Leonardo, who was also a presenter, and had a cup of coffee together. When the time was about right, he drove to Los Angeles International Airport.

Leonardo is indeed impressive. He just broke up with Gisele Bündchen a while ago. How long has it been? Hmm, the media says that before he broke up with his fiancée Gisele Bündchen, he had already hooked up with Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli.

The two are currently at the peak of their freshness; it would not be an exaggeration to say they are inseparable, so even for the rehearsal, Bar Refaeli came along with Leonardo.

Hmm, Leonardo is still that Leonardo, and Bar Refaeli just turned twenty this year, which is Leonardo's favorite age.

What Leonardo likes most are supermodels over 18 and under 25.

At Los Angeles International Airport, Cao Yang picked up Chen Kaige and his wife, Hong.

"The Promise" represents the mainland, competing for this year's Golden Globe and Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

There is also Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu" from Hong Kong, which also participated in the competition for this year's Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

Cao Yang really doesn't know when Stephen Chow is coming to the U. S.; he is not familiar with Stephen Chow, and they even have some conflicts.

When "District 9" was released, Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu" was forced to change its release date. It was originally intended to be released during the Lunar New Year slot, but in the end, it was delayed by almost half a year.

However, "Kung Fu" has investment from Columbia's Asia region, so compared to here, Columbia should receive him.

There are quite a few Chinese filmmakers nominated for the Golden Globe Awards this year.

Besides the two of them, there is Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain," "Memoirs of a Geisha" starring Zhang Ziyi, and "Zhu Nuo," for which Cao Yang serves as producer, executive producer, and screenwriter.

In fact, placed in Hollywood, looking at the series of titles Cao Yang holds for "Zhu Nuo," this film is entirely Cao Yang's film; the director is just a staff member belonging to the crew.

Hollywood is a producer-centered system, and one can see clues from this film—even if the director is filming, it must be done under the supervision of Cheng Jianye, who was appointed by Cao Yang; it cannot deviate from the script at all, and there is no editing power whatsoever.

In addition, the promotional plan formulated by Fox Searchlight has always focused on promoting this as Cao Yang's film; the director's presence is extremely low.

At the airport, picking up the Chen couple, Chen shook hands with Cao Yang, and Hong still hugged Cao Yang lightly.

Getting into Cao Yang's car, Chen looked a bit serious; he has always maintained the posture of an older brother in front of Cao Yang, while Hong was very enthusiastic.

"Originally, Chen didn't want to come over. It's currently a hit in the country, and the box office is quite good. However, some people are really too much, editing randomly on the internet, causing quite a big stir."

"I persuaded Chen, it just so happens that little junior brother is in Los Angeles, and 'The Promise' is to participate in the competition for the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. It's good to come over to promote the film, just consider it relaxing..."

Hong glanced at Chen and explained to Cao Yang with a smile.

Chen sighed and said to Hong with some impatience: "Why are you telling Cao Yang about these annoying things? We've already gone abroad, let's not talk about these anymore."

"You... what can't be said? Cao Yang is not an outsider. A while ago, you even publicly called on the media to boycott plagiarism and not give any chance to those directors who steal other people's labor results."

Hong defended softly.

Cao Yang had heard about Chen publicly calling for a boycott of plagiarism, but when he attended the premiere of "The Promise" last time, Chen did not mention this matter.

Logically speaking, as long as Old Situ does not deny it, Lu Chuan can also be considered Chen's junior brother. Chen being able to publicly express his opinion can represent many things.

Chen has always regarded Cao Yang as his little junior brother; he has always considered himself an older brother, and there is also a hint of comparison.

Now it's fine; although the box office of "The Promise" is good, it has been scolded miserably in the country, especially at the end of last month, after a film called "The Blood Case Caused by a Steamed Bun" appeared on the internet, it was mocked by the whole internet.

How could the always arrogant Chen endure this? He certainly wouldn't want Cao Yang to know; he still has to maintain the dignity of an older brother.

"Cao Yang, is the matter of 'The Promise' for Best Foreign Language Film very pessimistic?"

"I asked some people I know in the Foreign Press Association, and he said it's a bit difficult this year; there is a film that is very much in line with the mainstream views of Europe and America, and it might win this award."

Chen changed the subject and asked Cao Yang about the awards.

As a heavyweight presenter, Cao Yang really knows some inside information.

The Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film is truly a chicken rib. If it were the Oscars, it would be worth operating on. As for the Golden Globes, let them judge however they want; few crews and the film companies behind them operate for this.

Therefore, to a certain extent, as long as you don't encounter a film company operating for this award, the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film is considered fairer.

As far as Cao Yang knows, no one is operating for this chicken rib award this year.

Therefore, the Foreign Press Association is more inclined to give this award to the Palestinian film "Paradise Now."

This film tells the story of two Palestinian youths who are friends and together joined a radical organization, and then were chosen as fighters to fight for "Jihad."

Specifically, it is about the fate and psychological journey they face after strapping bombs to their bodies and acting as human bombs.

Among them, the most critical thing is that this is not a film that praises; on the contrary, the director did not film the two people's actions as heroes, but there are many metaphors that reject this behavior...

Such a film is very clever in Europe and America.

Under normal circumstances, it should be able to win the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

"There is indeed such a film called 'Paradise Now.' If there are no accidents, the Best Foreign Language Film will be none other than it."

Cao Yang did not hide it.

Chen frowned, feeling a bit disappointed.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 274 =====