Chapter 39: Awarded
Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
It was the same host like last year. He was humorous and witty with his words. The host managed to regulate the atmosphere without breaking a sweat.
The award ceremony was quickly underway in an orderly fashion. The awards in the early segments had nothing to do with “University Dream.” Their film didn’t appear in the segment at all.
It wasn’t until the nomination for the best filmography in the most prestigious segment did their film appear. A clip was played on the big screen.
Yun Xiangxiang couldn’t help but palpitate when she saw the clip that was played. It wasn’t because she took part in it. Rather, the shooting of the film was extremely gorgeous if she watched it with a third person point of view.
The shot that was taken from high up in the sky actually made the mountain shrouded with poverty looked like an artwork.
The scene spanned from midsummer until early spring. The scenes of the four seasons; the blizzards; the forests in the mountains and its precipice; the idyllic countryside; they were all exceptionally magnificent. The viewers couldn’t help but feel fascinated themselves.
“The award for best filmography goes to Xie Jinyue – “University Dream”!” The awarding guest announced “University Dream”‘s first award. The cameraman stood up excitedly. He shared a handshake with Han Jing before going onto the stage.
Next up was the award for best screenwriter. “University Dream” was not nominated for it. The award for best male actor in a leading role came up next. That award was remotely impossible to be related to their film. It didn’t even have a male protagonist in it.
The award for best actress in a leading role would be announced next. The guest presenters grasped the tempo and atmosphere and chatted a bit before announcing the nominees. The first three nominated films included a Hong Kong film and two foreign films. Lastly, “University Dream” was nominated again.
Yun Xiangxiang watched the clips of the other three films carefully. She didn’t have much confidence in getting the award since she felt that the competition was fierce.
The clip that was played for “University Dream” showed the scene where Xia Hong nearly fell when she slipped during her climb up the cliff in winter. In her despair, she grabbed hold of a rope that saved her.
Everyone felt a knot in their stomach when they saw the delicate girl getting frozen until her lips turned purple. The blood that dripped from her forehead sank into the snow before unfurling into a striking crimson.
The blood was real. So was the snow. The film originally didn’t have this scene. It happened because an accident occurred. The less scripted it was, the more authentic the horror would be. When the scene was complemented by the precariousness of the venue, the audience couldn’t help but worry for her.
“The award for best actress in a leading role is…” The announcing guest drawled. Lights kept swimming back and forth on the four nominees before disappearing. The guest then raised his voice and announced, “Nina – “Jungle Survival”!”
In the end, the award for best actress in a leading role was snatched away by a friend from a foreign country. A beam of light shot down on the sexy blonde with blue eyes. She clasped her hands over her mouth and hugged the director before slowly walking towards the stage.
Han Jing stretched out her hand to pat Yun Xiangxiang as a sign of consolation.
Yun Xiangxiang turned her head aside and smiled at her. She didn’t expect to get the award for best actress in a leading role that fast. Yun Xiangxiang didn’t feel disappointed even if she didn’t get the award in both nominations.
She thought that it was acknowledgement enough that she got nominated as best actress in a leading role for both the films she took part in.
The award for best director would be up next. This was Han Jing’s first piece. There was an award for best director in an earlier segment. However, Han Jing was not nominated.
“…Han Jing- “University Dream”!” It was quite unexpected that she would be nominated in this most prestigious segment.
Han Jing showed an expression that was full of . She did not think that she would be nominated. Yun Xiangxiang started feeling nervous all of a sudden. She was even more eager than Han Jing. There was a feeling of urgency in her heart. She hoped that Han Jing would get the award.
“I hereby declare that the winner for the award of best director is Milles- “Release the Soul”!”
Yun Xiangxiang was stupefied. She actually missed the announcement of Milles’ nomination. She glanced in his direction involuntarily. The young man who came from France stood up delightedly and strolled to the stage.
Yun Xiangxiang took a leaf out of Han Jing’s book. She gently patted the back of Han Jing’s hand as consolation. Han Jing glared at her with a smile.
Time passed by. Soon it was the climactic close. The award that was coming up would be the second most prestigious one – Judges’ Award.
Among the nominated films, three were foreign films. One of them was Milles'”Release Your Soul”. The last nominee was Han Jing’s “University Dream” once more.
It was a shame that Han Jing lost out to Milles once again. His “Release the Soul” got two awards in one fell swoop. It became the focus of the award ceremony immediately.
Yun Xiangxiang regretted the fact that “University Dream” did not get the award. However, she was happy for Milles.
“Next up will be the most exciting moment of the night. I’ll have to thank the organisers for letting me announce the winner for this big award.” The guest presenter was an old artist from China. He was still boisterous even when he was over sixty years old. His voice was firm and powerful. “This old man here will try not to annoy you. Now, the nominees are “Abyss of Sins”.
The lights fell upon the main creators of “Abyss of Sins”. They were pleasantly surprised.
“”Lantern of Detainment”…”
It was a nostalgic film set in the early years of modern day China. It was said that it broke box office records for its genre earlier in the year. Yun Xiangxiang went out of her way to watch it when she regained her body. It was shot well. The atmosphere and feeling were in there.
“”Release the Soul”…”
Yun Xiangxiang did not expect Milles’ film to be nominated again. Seems like he had a good harvest tonight. Until now, no movie had taken the Judges’ Award and the award for best film at the same time. Would Milles create a miracle?
“”University Dream”!”
Yun Xiangxiang and Han Jing looked at each other. Both of them did not expect the film to be a nominee for the most prestigious award. They would have been nominated three times and three times they met Milles.
Yun Xiangxiang only missed Milles'”Release the Soul” out of these films as it wasn’t shown in China. “Abyss of Sins” and “Lantern of Detainment” were both great pieces of work.
“University Dream” was Han Jing’s maiden piece after all. Even though she did have impressive knowledge in theory, it was a different story when it came to execution. Both of them were prepared to be foil since they didn’t have enough experience.
“The award for the best film goes to…” The awarding guest raised his voice, “”University Dream”! Congratulations!”
Han Jing and Yun Xiangxiang were both dumbstruck. They looked at each other incredulously. It wasn’t before the lights focusing on them did Han Jing pulled Yun Xiangxiang up and walked up to the stage.
The award for best film wasn’t given to a single person. It was usually given to the director and the lead or the director and the producer. It was the most prestigious acknowledgement, even if it wasn’t the kind of glory for a single person. Yun Xiangxiang and Han Jing both got a trophy respectively.
[Ah…! My muse’s award-winning film! Please appear in theatres soon, “University Dream”!]
[I watched the clips and I declare myself to be shook]
[Seems like it will start showing from Eighth of July. That is still half a month away {😞}]
[It’s a shame I can’t admire my muse’s beauty in this film {😭}]