Chapter 80 New Line's Olive Branch
Chapter 80 New Line's Olive Branch
The moment the words fell, thunderous applause rang out, and Zhang Chen felt a sense of unreality.
The big screen on the rostrum scanned the crews of "28 Days Later", "Underworld" and "Final Destination" one by one.
Some people's expressions showed disappointment, some were surprised, and some were smiling calmly.
Zhang Chen was a little suspicious whether he had heard it wrong, but the spotlight shining on him reminded him that all this was true.
The others around him shook hands with him to congratulate him, and Zhang Chen then stood up.
At this moment, he became the focus of the audience and the spotlight surrounded him.
Under the spotlight, Zhang Chen walked quickly to the podium, took the heavy trophy from the presenter, and stood in front of the microphone. He suddenly didn't know what to say.
The audience gradually quieted down, and everyone stared at this unfamiliar oriental face.
Zhang Chen on the stage was organizing his words, and the corners of his mouth were almost stretched to his ears.
"Sorry, I just can't control myself, I just want to laugh~"
Hahaha~
Zhang Chen's first sentence made the audience laugh. They like humorous people.
Grabbing the Saturn-shaped trophy and feeling the reality, Zhang Chen closed his eyes and took a deep breath, only then did he calm his excited emotions a little.
The first thing he said after opening his eyes was, "The host said I only have 45 seconds, but I have a lot to say. Oh my God, there are only 30 seconds left. I have to hurry up."
No one expected that Zhang Chen’s second sentence would be this, and the audience burst into laughter again.
The camera turned to the host, who tilted his head with an expression that said 'you got it, kid', and the people watching the live broadcast couldn't help but smile.
"Now I want to get down to business. I would like to thank the Saturn Awards Committee for giving me this award. The Dark Invasion is the first film I directed, and I feel deeply honored to be recognized by the Saturn Awards."
After a pause, Zhang Chen continued: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my parents, school leaders, Teacher Fu, and Enlight Pictures. It is with their support that this film was made possible.
At the same time, this is also the first film in Chinese history to receive this honor, and I am proud of myself.”
Having said this, Zhang Chen paused, and applause came from the audience one after another.
Compared to those experienced people, the acceptance speeches of newcomers like Zhang Chen are more sincere. Especially those who have already succeeded, when they see Zhang Chen, they can recall themselves at a certain period of time, who were also the same, immature, but full of enthusiasm.
“I have seen all the other nominated films, including 28 Days Later, Underworld, Freddy vs. Jason, and Final Destination 2. They are all excellent horror films. I feel deeply honored to compete with these excellent films.
Oh, there are only 10 seconds left. Time flies. I will continue to make more and better movies to give back to the audience. In addition, I would like to advertise that "Dark Invasion" will be released in American theaters soon. I hope that the audience can support it. Finally, I would like to apologize to the production team. I shouldn't advertise, but I am too excited. "
Zhang Chen’s bold move once again caused a burst of laughter, and when the camera swept over, it was found that even the host was amused by him.
After giving his acceptance speech, Zhang Chen walked down the stage with the trophy and posed for photos nearby.
We still have no experience this time. We were shortlisted for the Saturn Award, but not a single domestic media outlet made any arrangements for us.
If there is a next time, Zhang Chen will definitely not make such a mistake again.
When he returned to his seat with the trophy, Lao Li actually stood up and high-fived him. It seemed that he learned this from the previous crews.
"congratulations."
"Congratulations, I didn't expect that I would actually win the award."
The award for Best Animated Film was already being presented on the podium.
Zhang Chen was very excited, and Lao Li was even more excited than him. After taking the trophy from Zhang Chen, he kept touching it.
Actually, there is nothing special about it. The Saturn Award is not like the Oscar. The trophy is made of pure gold. It is just a lump of metal.
But even so, Lao Li was very excited.
Keep taking pictures with the trophy.
Soon after the Best Animated Film award was presented, the Best Director award came up, for which "The Darkness" was also nominated.
Zhang Chen became nervous again.
The Best Horror Film is a film award, but the Best Director is a personal award, the highest praise for a director. There is no director who doesn't want to win this award.
"The nominees for Best Director are: Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,
Danny Boyle, 28 Days Later
Quentin Tarantino Kill Bill
Chen Zhang: Dark Invasion
Gore Verbinski, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Bryan Singer, "X-Men 2."
As the shortlist was announced, highlights from the five films flashed on the big screen and the spotlight began to switch between the five crews.
Infected by the atmosphere, Zhang Chen became nervous again, and so did Old Li next to him.
Zhang Chen’s nervous look appeared on the big screen and some people laughed.
In fact, Zhang Chen had thought that his film "The Dark Invasion" would be lucky to win the Best Horror Film award at most, but it was unlikely to win the Best Director award.
Peter Jackson and Quentin Tarantino are both amazing.
One is a popular director of hit films, and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was tailor-made for Peter Jackson.
The other is a world-renowned genius director with extraordinary talent.
Zhang Chen didn't think he could win the Best Director award from these two people.
But being nominated means that all five films have a chance. Even though Zhang Chen knows it is impossible, he still looks forward to it.
“Who will win the Saturn Award for Best Director this year?”
The award presenter played tricks on people again, and the background music was changed to rhythmic drums, like a countdown, beating people's hearts one by one. The camera showed close-ups of the five people's faces. Zhang Chen was full of expectations, Peter Jackson looked yearning, Quentin Tarantino was calm, Gore Verbinski was confident, and Danny Boyle responded with a smile.
The organizer was a good at playing tricks. The drum beats of the background music became faster and faster, and the camera switching of several people became faster and faster, indicating that the result would be revealed soon.
Any director would be very clear about these camera languages, but now they have become the protagonists.
At this time, the award presenter finally slowly opened the envelope and took out the correct answer.
He took a look, deliberately made a surprised expression, and then looked at the audience with a smile.
"I declare that the winner of the 30th Saturn Award for Best Director is..."
The presenter stopped here again, and then announced solemnly: "Darkness Invasion, Zhang Chen~"
At this moment, Zhang Chen was completely confused. Old Li next to him was even more excited than him, waving his hands non-stop: "Zhang Chen, you won another award, you won another award..."
At this time, the camera gave him a close-up, and the guests were all amused by the expression on Zhang Chen's face.
This is also a regular feature of every award ceremony. They love to see the new directors being shocked.
Zhang Chen woke up as if from a dream and hugged Lao Li. Along the way, other crew members also extended their hands to congratulate him in a friendly manner. After shaking hands with them one by one, Zhang Chen walked quickly towards the podium.
It was not until he reached the podium that he remembered that he was holding another trophy.
The host saw him like this and joked, "Are you here to show off to them?"
Zhang Chen scratched his head, embarrassed: "No, I was just too excited and forgot. I thought that after that advertisement, the organizer would not let me go on stage again."
Hahaha~
Zhang Chen's little humor immediately made the atmosphere at the scene relaxed again, and many people laughed out loud.
The host also smiled and handed the initiative back to the award presenter.
"Congratulations, young best director."
The award presenter handed over the trophy, Zhang Chen took it and expressed his gratitude.
Then it was time for him to give his acceptance speech.
The audience gradually quieted down as they waited for Zhang Chen to speak.
Zhang Chen waited for a moment before speaking in broken English: "Damn it, I never thought I would win two awards, so I only prepared one speech."
Hahaha~
There was good-natured laughter from the audience. The young man did not disappoint them. They liked this kind of speech the most.
"As I said before, I have watched all the nominated films, and they are all excellent. The Saturn Awards Organizing Committee gave me the Best Director Award. I think it is more of an affirmation of the younger generation and a support for young directors. I thank the organizing committee and the predecessors who walked before me."
Before going on stage, Zhang Chen had already thought about what to say. As a foreigner and this was his first time attending the Saturn Awards, taking away two trophies would definitely upset people.
So I must show weakness, be low-key, and present the image of a rabbit to the outside world: I am harmless.
"In addition, since the organizing committee has given me a second chance, I will advertise again. My new film, The Shallows, was just completed this month. It is as exciting as The Darkness. It currently has no overseas distributor. I hope that interested companies can contact me."
After finishing his acceptance speech, Zhang Chen stepped down from the stage, took photos, and then returned to his seat, receiving countless envious glances along the way.
The best screenwriter award was already being announced on the podium, but he heard nothing and was still immersed in joy.
With two nominations, Zhang Chen originally thought that he could only take home one trophy, but he didn't expect it to be a Grand Slam.
After the award ceremony, Zhang Chen was interviewed by reporters.
"Mr. Director, you have won two Saturn Awards in a row. What do you think?"
Tonight, Zhang Chen is undoubtedly the biggest winner.
Best Horror Film and Best Director, both very important awards, all went to him.
"Yes, I am very excited, and I also thank the Saturn Awards Committee for their recognition of me. What I want to say is that finally a Chinese horror film can win an award abroad. I am proud of myself and my country."
Zhang Chen spoke the second half of the sentence in Chinese, very loudly.
Unfortunately, the Saturn Awards have little influence in China and were not broadcast live, otherwise people in China would have known this exciting news by now.
As the biggest winner of the night, reporters asked a lot of questions and Zhang Chen talked freely.
If it's the Oscars, there's a dinner after the ceremony, but there's not one for the Saturn Awards.
However, each crew usually holds its own party.
Originally, Zhang Chen thought that as a foreigner, he didn't know anyone and would not be able to attend the party, but he didn't expect that a foreigner would come to him in the blink of an eye.
"Hello, Zhang. I don't know if I addressed you correctly. I remember that Asians put their last names first, such as Jack Chen..."
Zhang Chen had seen this guy before. He was sitting in the New Line Cinema square during the award ceremony. He should be a member of New Line.
"Hello, you are right, you can call me Zhang or Chen."
At this time, cousin Zhang Hongwei appeared again. He did not have an invitation to the previous award ceremony, so he had been waiting outside.
I just saw Zhang Chen being interviewed by a reporter and rushed over immediately.
"Oh, there is a translator, that's great."
"I'm Pete Crawford from New Line Cinema. If Director Zhang has nothing to do tonight, I'd like to invite you to a party organized by New Line Cinema. I hope you can come."
After Zhang Hongwei finished translating, Zhang Chen's eyes immediately lit up.
The people from New Line contacted him, most likely about the copyright of "The Shallows". It seems that the advertisements at the award ceremony are still very effective.
……
Sorry, the update is late, here are three chapters, please give me a monthly ticket
Also, let me count the updates. Normally, if I have some drafts saved, they are always in the early morning. But recently, I haven’t saved any drafts, so the current code will be a little later. It’s not fixed. I will try to get back to normal in the next two days.
(End of this chapter)