Chapter 927: There are great scholars to debate the scriptures for me!

The Tokyo International Film Festival, which had been bustling for more than half a month in Tokyo, was finally about to welcome the most important awards ceremony~

Because there were banquets and parties after the awards ceremony, the committee chose the InterContinental Hotel in Roppongi as the address for the awards ceremony, and the red carpet for the closing ceremony naturally took place here as well.

The light near dusk was slightly dim, but the high-power floodlights made the red carpet area as bright as day.

"It always feels a bit strange~" Naoki Nagayama said to Otomo Yoshimura beside him. "Generally speaking, shouldn't the opening ceremony red carpet be more explosive? Why does the closing ceremony red carpet feel like there are more people now?"

He and Otomo Yoshimura stood at the entrance, looking at the long guns and short cannons in the media area and sighing. The clicking sound never stopped, and the flashes connected into a piece, almost catching up to the high-power floodlights.

"Because of the continuous promotion during this period, the influence of the Tokyo International Film Festival is already much greater than when it first started!"

Otomo Yoshimura explained that since the opening ceremony, the foreign media and global filmmakers who came here had brought the bustling scene of the Tokyo International Film Festival back to their own countries, making many people who didn't know about Japan pay attention.

Music and movies have always been important channels for national influence radiation. This grand international film festival made many people see the prosperity of Tokyo and the rapid progress of Japanese movies, just like the Olympic Games.

Under the influence of such continuous fermentation, the domestic media in Japan and the foreign media who came for the name all gathered in the media area of the closing ceremony.

"This..." Naoki Nagayama looked at an idol with a very youthful face on the red carpet. "That... seems to have debuted this year, right?"

"Yes!" Otomo Yoshimura recognized who it was after one glance. "It's Minako Honda, from Toshiba... She is very popular among young people~"

"..." "Alright~"

Naoki Nagayama could only silently sigh in his heart. Idols now were really coming out one after another! For the seniors, what kind of pressure must this be...

"By the way, how is Shizuka Kudo doing lately?"

"Shizuka-chan's progress is very smooth. 'I Want to Shout Out I Love You' is still very hot. There is a high hope of winning at the end-of-year Record Awards!" Otomo Yoshimura was full of joy.

"..."

It seems I created a strong competitor for Akina... What should I do... Waiting online~

Thinking that his fiancée was still preparing for the performance backstage, Naoki Nagayama shook his head, looked at the stars who were constantly walking onto the red carpet, and said to Otomo Yoshimura:

"Otomo-san, I'll leave this to you. I'll go see if the work backstage is going smoothly."

"Backstage? What's there to see backstage... Isn't there someone in charge of coordination..."

He was still talking, but the person was already gone... Otomo Yoshimura looked at Naoki Nagayama's departing back, also thought of someone preparing backstage, and couldn't help but complain, "This guy went to see his girlfriend secretly, right... It's only been half a day since they separated..."

"It's been two years, aren't you tired of it yet?!" He shook his head, turned around, and continued to go and make friends with celebrities in the entertainment industry~

As a middle-aged and elderly person, Otomo Yoshimura had almost no interest in the opposite sex. At this time, fame and fortune were his pursuits~

Naoki Nagayama had no time to listen to an old man's nagging, and walked lightly toward the lounge.

In the small room specially partitioned off, Akina Nakamori had her hair combed together into a mature bun. She had already changed into the black lace-trimmed dress she was to wear tonight, and had also put on black gauze sleeves on her arms. The whole thing was dotted with silver sequins, and when she moved, it was like stars in the dark night~

"Naoki-san?!" Akina Nakamori was originally applying lipstick in front of the mirror and was very surprised to see Naoki Nagayama come in. "Aren't you welcoming guests in the front?"

"Otomo-san is there~" Naoki Nagayama said with a smile. "I'm here to inspect the entire event!"

"..." "I don't quite believe it~"

Akina Nakamori didn't expose her fiancé's lie either, but put on silver chain earrings, tilted her head, and asked Naoki Nagayama:

"Naoki-san, do I look like a songstress in a cabaret?"

"How can a songstress be as good-looking as my Akina~" Naoki Nagayama's cheesy words blurted out without thinking. He held Akina's shoulders and admired her in the mirror. "Singing a new song today, are you nervous? Did you drink any Long Island Iced Tea?"

"No, I only drank a cup of oolong tea today!" Akina Nakamori said.

"Oh? Is it the kind of oolong tea that will catch fire?"

Naoki Nagayama teased. He knew Akina's habit of drinking a little strong alcohol before going on stage like the back of his hand. Mixing 90% vodka and 10% whiskey would get a cup of oolong tea that could be ignited!

"It's just ordinary oolong tea!"

Akina insisted stubbornly. The fact that an idol drinks alcohol before going on stage is something that must never be admitted!

"Hahaha, but today happens to be in Roppongi... The atmosphere of singing this song is also very fitting..." Naoki Nagayama joked with Akina. "If I could, I really want to move the awards ceremony to a cabaret..."

"That wouldn't be serious at all!"

"Why be so serious..."

Even while the two were talking, Maki Ueda ran in hurriedly, and before she could see clearly, she said:

"Akina-chan, how is the preparation... Ah, Naoki-san!"

The little girl looked like she had caught them in an affair. For a moment, she wanted to exit the lounge but felt it wasn't appropriate to retreat...

"Naoki-san, why are you here too..."

"I'm here to inspect the preparations backstage!" Naoki Nagayama gently patted Akina's shoulder. "Currently, it seems there is no problem with the performance preparations..."

"Pfft~"

Akina Nakamori couldn't help laughing and gave Naoki Nagayama a nice eye-roll.

"Cough cough~ Anyway..." Naoki Nagayama walked toward the door, saying as he walked, "Keep ganbatte!"

"Yes..."

Maki Ueda relaxed after seeing Naoki Nagayama walk out, and hurriedly walked to her artist's side.

"Akina-chan, why did Naoki-san suddenly come over..."

"Didn't I say, inspecting the preparations backstage~" Akina Nakamori blinked at her little assistant with a very serious expression~

"..."

Maki Ueda was speechless. You two, don't treat me as part of some play, okay!

Since he had come backstage, Naoki Nagayama naturally couldn't just stroll around without doing anything. He still found the people in charge of several modules and seriously asked about the progress of the work.

However, the event support companies found this time were used to large ceremonies, and every item of work was proceeding step-by-step. Naoki Nagayama just asked as a routine~

As time progressed, there were more and more people in the banquet hall, and the closing ceremony officially began!

The banquet hall full of audience members was originally buzzing with discussion, but as the lights dimmed and the main stage was illuminated by spotlights, everyone knew that today's opening performance was about to begin~

Clang clang clang clang...

The strong opening of the drum kit, followed by the free and easy, sultry saxophone...

As the curtain opened, Akina Nakamori, dressed in grand attire, appeared in the center of the stage.

"

You've broken my heart

Highway in the rain

Driving out of the parking lot...

"

Swaying her body, the sequins on her body flickered on and off, and Akina Nakamori shone brightly under the spotlight.

Her low voice was slightly hoarse, but at this time, it appeared mature and full of style.

"

Who are you?

Roppongi for the lost

Filling the gaps in the heart with tears

"

The jazz style, rich in rhythm, made people unable to help but clap their hands to the beat, wishing they could dance gracefully on the dance floor to this melody.

Akina at this time was like the incarnation of Roppongi, extending an invitation to everyone who came to Roppongi to seek pleasure on the streets full of lights and wine~

At this time, the fans in front of the TV were both shocked and confused as they looked at the idol on the stage.

"When did Akina-chan have this song?" As a senior fan of Akina Nakamori, Yoshiaki Kosaka could be said to be very familiar with her songs.

"It seems she said on 'The Best Ten' before that it's the next song~" The companion beside him explained slightly. "Trying a dance music style..."

"Oh? I didn't watch that episode..."

"But this song has a great feeling!"

"Yeah~"

Yoshiaki Kosaka nodded along with the melody while listening, looking at the stage outfit that was a completely different style from before, and a feeling suddenly arose in his heart:

"Akina-chan, it seems she is no longer the young, simple girl idol she used to be..."

Not just her appearance, but in terms of stage outfits and dance music, everything had become mature. She was no longer the young girl who used flashy clothes and dances to attract attention.

Akina now had grown into a powerful singer who could attract all the audience by relying on her highly expressive voice, mature and stable singing skills, and stage presence.

"Akina now is already a songstress!" Yoshiaki Kosaka muttered.

As the song ended, warm applause erupted at the scene. The atmosphere of the entire venue seemed to be ignited. Everyone was cheering for Akina Nakamori's performance, and some even shouted encore when Akina Nakamori went off stage...

Then Masataka Komori and his partner Keiko Matsuzaka walked up.

"Minasan, welcome to the awards ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival~"

"Tonight, we are going to select the most creative and inspiring youth movies from thousands of movies..."

Masataka Komori on stage was glowing, and Keiko Matsuzaka was also full of excitement. Hosting such a large awards ceremony was a great improvement for both of their qualifications.

"Thanks to the Ministry of Education for their strong support for this event... Next, I invite the representative of the Ministry of Education, Section Chief Yasuko Ikenobo, to give the closing speech..."

Yasuko Ikenobo, wearing a dignified women's suit, walked onto the stage and gave a speech with a gentle smile:

"The first Tokyo International Film Festival lets the world see Japan's film culture. This is what the Ministry of Education has been looking forward to..."

"The entire entertainment industry is working together..."

"This film festival could not have been held successfully without everyone's support... First of all, we want to thank the initiator of this Tokyo International Film Festival—Mr. Naoki Nagayama..."

The spotlight shone on Naoki Nagayama in the audience. Suddenly being cued, he had to stand up, turn around, and bow to the camera and the audience... Today's awards ceremony was also being broadcast live on TV!

"Also want to thank Mr. Haruki Kadokawa of Kadokawa..."

"Toho's... " "Toei's..."

Thanking them one by one, Naoki Nagayama and Otomo Yoshimura even thought that Yasuko Ikenobo's speech draft referred to Naoki Nagayama's previous acceptance speeches...

But fortunately, Yasuko Ikenobo's speech was not too long. After thanking all parties in the entertainment industry for their cooperation and expressing her expectations for the Tokyo International Film Festival, it ended.

The awards ceremony continued~

"Roppongi tonight is truly full of stars..." Masataka Komori said to Keiko Matsuzaka.

The bright Keiko Matsuzaka immediately replied: "Yeah... Movie stars from all over the world have come here! Everyone is looking forward to this awards ceremony..."

"However, before the awards ceremony, let's first get to know the important figures of this awards ceremony—Mr. Shohei Imamura, and the jury led by him. Without them, today's awards could not be announced no matter what!"

"Yes, please welcome the judges!"

Shohei Imamura, wearing formal attire, led more than a dozen judges up, bowed to everyone, and sat in the judges' exclusive seats.

"Next, please welcome today's award presenter, Director Shuichi Ido, to present the first major award of the Tokyo International Film Festival... the Best Screenplay Award!"

Naoki Nagayama and Otomo Yoshimura looked at each other. He said why he didn't see Shuichi-san today, so he was here... He wanted to present the award to me that much?!

This guy must have changed the order of award presenters in private!

Shuichi Ido walked to the podium with vigorous steps, picked up the microphone, and said with a smile:

"Minasan... truly lucky, the first major award of the main competition unit of the Tokyo International Film Festival, I will present it..."

"The candidate movies for this award are..."

The big screen showed clips of each nominated movie, and a group of films rotated in ten seconds like a revolving lantern.

"The winner of this year's Best Screenplay Award—Naoki Nagayama, 'One Cut of the Dead'!!!" Shuichi Ido's eyes flashed with teasing, and he opened the envelope and shouted in feigned surprise.

The spotlight instantly focused on Naoki Nagayama's position, forcing him to stand up again and walk toward the stage.

"Shuichi-san, what are you doing?" Naoki Nagayama whispered while bowing and shaking hands with Shuichi Ido.

"Nothing... take the first award of the Tokyo Film Festival from my hands!!! This will go down in history!"

"..."

Shuichi Ido took the Best Screenplay Award trophy from the waiter, held it over his head for the whole audience to see, and then smiled and handed it to Naoki Nagayama: "Naoki-san, congratulations on winning the award!"

"Arigato!"

Naoki Nagayama didn't have time to argue, and after taking the trophy, he prepared to start his acceptance speech.

"Very honored to receive this award. At this moment, thousands of words are in my heart... all condensed into one sentence..."

He took a deep breath, stared at the camera broadcasting live, raised his index finger like the line in the movie, and said fiercely:

"One Cut of the Dead!!!"

"The movie must keep shooting!!!"

The audience quieted down instantly, and everyone didn't react for a while.

Masaki Kobayashi was originally a bit listless. He had experienced many awards ceremonies like this. If it weren't for Naoki Nagayama going on stage, he would probably still be chatting with his companions.

At this time, suddenly hearing Naoki Nagayama say this, he suddenly laughed, immediately applauded, and said to the person beside him:

"Hahaha, as expected of Naoki-san! As expected of a young man... it should be this interesting..."

Following a few scattered applause, the applause quickly connected into a piece. After the audience at the scene reacted, they also excitedly applauded!

The applause wave after wave, everyone was amazed at Naoki Nagayama's surprising acceptance speech... In such a serious occasion as an international film festival, it could actually be so relaxed and funny...

This should be the breaking-the-norm vitality that a young director should have!

Is this the capacity of the number one young director?!

Naoki Nagayama waved his hand and walked off the stage after saying this. He didn't expect that his simple joke to avoid a long speech would actually make others think so much~

It can only be said that when your level reaches a certain degree, your every word, every action, and even every expression will cause others' imagination and speculation.

Therefore, ancient emperors had to keep their faces motionless in front of outsiders, high-ranking officials and big shots had to keep their expressions stable in public, and even traffic stars had to manage their expressions well... for fear of causing unnecessary imagination in others.

However, reaching this level also has certain benefits, that is, even if it is an out-of-bounds behavior, others will find a suitable reason for you...

How did that saying go?

There are great scholars to debate the scriptures for me! ===== CHAPTER 928 =====