novellhall Chapter 227 Oscar Voting
Chapter 227 Oscar Voting
Chapter 227 Oscar Voting
"Tired?"
Chen Xun asked in a low voice.
"A little!"
Christine didn't open her eyes: "The energy expenditure in that kind of setting is greater than filming a whole day. Everyone is like they're on the lowest performance mode, and even smiling has to be done by calculating the angle."
Chen Xun laughed, the vibrations from his chest reaching her cheek: "Jennifer wasn't calculating; she was genuinely hungry when she ate the hamburger."
Thinking of Jennifer puffing out her cheeks while trying to maintain her elegance, Christine smiled and said, "She's always like that, but it makes the atmosphere a bit more relaxed when she's around."
The car drove into Beverly Hills and stopped in front of that familiar house.
No one has lived here for several months, but it is cleaned regularly, and everything is as before.
As I opened the door, a faint scent of cleaning agents and sunshine wafted out, much more reassuring than the fragrances in a hotel.
Christine kicked off her high heels, stepping barefoot onto the cool floor, and sighed contentedly, "Home is the best."
She went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and looked inside: "It was completely empty, except for a few bottles of water and some expired yogurt. I knew it would be like this."
"I remember there were frozen dumplings in the freezer last time. I bought them in Chinatown last time, so they shouldn't be expired yet."
Chen Xun suddenly remembered that he had asked Luo Bo to buy a lot of frozen dumplings when he went home last time.
Christine rummaged through the freezer and found two packages.
She leaned closer to the packaging to check the expiration date.
"These dumplings aren't expired, are they?"
"Freezing is like a time capsule; theoretically, it never expires."
Chen Xun had already gotten up and started boiling water.
"I'm so hungry I could eat a whole cow. The little golden man chocolates and other random food at the luncheon wouldn't even be enough to fill my teeth."
Looking back now, Jennifer really did have experience.
Once we arrived, we ate like crazy.
Christine smiled and got up to help.
The kitchen was small, and the two of them squeezed in front of the stove, their arms occasionally touching.
The bubbling sound of boiling water and the rustling sound of unpacking brought a sense of warmth and life to the empty house.
The two of them hadn't spent time together like this in a long time.
These past few years, it's always been either you or me who's busy; when we're filming, it can take months at a time.
In addition, the global tour schedule didn't match up.
Sometimes it's difficult to even make a phone call, let alone meet in person.
The dumplings floated to the surface quickly.
Chen Xun added cold water twice more, and then, after the water boiled, he opened the lid and boiled it again.
Christine watched Chen Xun's actions with interest: "Is this some kind of Eastern philosophy?"
"Cook the dough uncovered, cook the filling covered!"
Chen Xun said it in Chinese once, and then watched Christine stammer as she repeated it.
He then explained it again in English with a smile.
"magic!"
Christine gave a thumbs-up in admiration.
Christine scooped them into a bowl with a slotted spoon, the steam rising onto her face.
The two of them sat down on the living room carpet with their bowls of dumplings, leaning back against the sofa.
The TV wasn't on; only a floor lamp cast a warm yellow light.
Chen Xun blew on the piping hot dumplings and began to tell his story during filming: "The training was even tougher than filming 'Fast & Furious.' The sergeant was a devil, but the most magical thing was the set. We had a mechanical raccoon puppet called Little Rocket No. 1, which was operated by three puppeteers. It could blink and turn its head."
"I had to act opposite it, and it was incredibly awkward at first. It was always a beat slow to react, like an expensive toy."
"And then?"
Christine stared longingly at Chen Xun and the dumplings on his chopsticks.
Chen Xun smiled and stuffed the cooled dumplings into Christine's mouth.
Christine opened her mouth wide, her cheeks bulging, and tried her best to eat the whole dumpling.
"Later I told the puppeteer to forget about the storyboard, just move it when the feeling comes, treat it like the most difficult pet on set, and the result was actually better."
Chen Xun picked up another dumpling and stuffed it into his mouth before it had cooled down. It was so hot that he gasped, "————It's so hot————"
Chrisjiang quickly leaned over and blew on it.
"The former wrestler Dave, who plays Drax, is a really goofy guy, but he's incredibly strong. He almost knocked Zoe away once, and I pulled him out of the way—"
"Zoe?"
Christine raised an eyebrow: "That green-skinned female assassin?"
"Yes, he was covered in green glue, spent five or six hours on makeup and makeup removal every day, and did all his own action scenes. He's a tough guy."
Chen Xun swallowed the dumpling and continued, "Director Gu En has a really vivid imagination. The sets are so realistic. During the prison disinfection scene, when the red water was spraying down, my only thought was, 'This water is so cold!'"
Christine looked at him, then suddenly reached out and touched his cheek; her fingers were a little cold. "You must have been in a lot of pain back then!"
'
"It's alright, just for a little while."
Chen Xun took her hand.
As night deepened, the city lights outside the window became sparse. They cleared away the dishes and squeezed together on the sofa to watch a mindless old comedy.
The film is from the 1990s, so the jokes are a bit outdated, but the atmosphere is lighthearted.
Christine nestled in Chen Xun's arms, resting her head on his shoulder, and suddenly whispered, "Sometimes, when I'm exhausted on set, or when something really stupid happens, I wonder what you would do if you were there."
"You'll probably just give me that 'it's no big deal' look and then come up with some weird way to solve it."
"I don't have that many crooked tricks." Chen Xun lowered his head and rubbed his chin against her short hair.
The shampoo smells familiar.
"You do have it."
Christine affirmed, "You have an ability to simplify complex things and always find the most crucial point."
The characters in the movie fall dramatically on screen, emitting canned laughter.
The living room was quiet; you could hear each other breathing.
The night was deeper.
As the movie neared its end, the end credits song began to play softly.
They remained still, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
The day after the dumpling night.
All the Oscar voting news, as well as the actors and films involved in the Oscars, are all being promoted in preparation for the Games.
The nominees' luncheon was like a final, relaxed get-together before the battle, while the next two weeks would be a war without gunfire.
Voting for the 85th Academy Awards is now officially open to all members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Nearly six thousand paper ballots were sent around the world, which will ultimately determine the winners of those Oscars.
Robert arrived immediately with a stack of documents.
He looked both excited and nervous, like a counselor preparing for a major exam.
"Listen, Chen,"
Rob spread the documents on the coffee table: "From now until the voting deadline, all of Hollywood will be in a frenzy, with countless luncheons, screenings, phone calls, and—you know what I mean."
He pulled out a printed summary of an internal newsletter: "Rumors are circulating within the Academy that there is a great deal of disagreement about the Best Supporting Actor award."
Chen Xun poured himself a glass of water and sat down on the sofa.
Christine hadn't gotten up yet.
"How so?"
"Your advantages are obvious."
Rob pointed to the documents: "The global impact of The Hunger Games, the huge resonance of the character Peeta with teenagers and young audiences, and your recent series of career changes have brought you extraordinary attention."
"Many young members who have recently joined the academy, especially those in the acting branch, are more receptive to examples of diverse performances combined with commercial success, and they have a very good impression of you."
"There are rumors circulating internally that many young members in the actor branch have privately expressed their support for you."
Chen Xun nodded.
This aligns with part of the atmosphere he experienced during the luncheon.
Those new faces and relatively young actors looked at him with more curiosity and approval.
"But there is also a lot of resistance."
Rob changed his tone, tapping his fingers on the coffee table: "The Academy's large number of long-time members, especially those in their sixties and seventies who established their positions during the Golden Age or New Hollywood, have a more traditional aesthetic."
He turned to another page, which contained several names: "Your main rivals, Christopher Waltz, Philip Seymour Hoffman."
"Waltz's performance is typical of European theater—gorgeous, precise, and full of dramatic tension, which is very much to the liking of old-school members."
"Hoffman is a representative of the method school; he can play any role convincingly, and the Academy has always been very fond of his style."
"Moreover, their films, one a Quentin Tarantino Western and the other a religious psychological drama by Paul Thomas Anderson, are considered to be of greater artistic merit than adaptations of young adult novels like The Hunger Games."
Robert paused, glancing at Chen Xun's expression: "Some long-time members have more than just a preference for certain film genres. They have doubts about the fact that a Chinese actor received an Oscar nomination for acting in a blockbuster film."
"This isn't directed at you personally, Chen; it's just a habit!"
"They're used to the Oscars being a playground for white actors, and your appearance has disrupted a certain order they've come to take for granted."
"So even if they acknowledge that you acted well, they might still vote for the more traditional Waltz or Hoffman in the final vote."
Chen Xun listened quietly, drinking his water.
He wasn't surprised by what Rob said.
The way those white male actors looked at the luncheon said a lot.
The Oscars are not only an arena for artistic competition, but also a concentrated reflection of Hollywood's power structure and cultural mentality.
Is it possible to win over centrists?
Chen asked.
He won an Oscar on his first nomination.
Chen Xun still had some expectations for this.
This is also a good summary of his film career over the past few years.
"This is what we're going to do next, even though we can't campaign for votes."
"The Academy rules allow us to arrange some screenings for members for nominees. We have already arranged a few small-scale screenings of The Hunger Games, inviting some neutral or potentially undecided members to attend. After the screening, you can have a brief Q&A session to answer some questions about the character development."
"Keep a low profile. The key is to demonstrate your professional understanding and dedication to the performance, not to beg for tickets."
"clear!"
Chen Xun nodded.
He knew what to do.
at the same time.
In Beverly Hills, Malibu, New York, London —
The college members gradually received that famous white envelope.
Open the envelope, take out the long ballot, check the boxes under each award category, sign it, seal it, and mail it back.
In an apartment in Santa Monica with an ocean view, a woman in her early thirties who has just earned her Actors Membership through an independent film is filling out a ballot.
She flipped to the Best Supporting Actor category and, almost without hesitation, ticked the box next to "Chen Xun in The Hunger Games".
"Pita reminds me of my brother."
She said to her partner, "That silent protector was portrayed very subtly, and it's time to see some different faces."
In an old apartment building on New York's Upper East Side, a retired veteran movie star, nearing seventy, wears reading glasses and carefully examines a menu.
When he saw Chen Xun's name, he frowned and picked up the Hollywood Reporter next to him, which had a feature on the box office of "The Hunger Games" and teen culture.
He shook his head and muttered to himself, "Film is an art, not a popularity contest."
Then he carefully ticked the box next to "Christopher Waltz's Django Unchained".
He appreciates the old-fashioned, theatrical style of performance.
A small weekend luncheon is taking place at the home of a veteran filmmaker in Los Angeles.
Several members from the same producer branch chatted while eating.
"It's tough to choose the best supporting actor this year."
One producer said, "Waltz is definitely the favorite, but that Chinese kid is on a roll."
"Chen Xun?"
Another person took a sip of their drink: "My daughter is a fan of his, and her room is covered with his posters. From a commercial point of view, he is indeed a phenomenon, but the Oscars—we choose the best performance, not the best commercial value."
"I've seen his early films; he was quite interesting in 'Green Lantern'."
The third person said that he was one of the few who had seen more of Chen Xun's works: "He's not just good at popcorn movies, but compared to the level of dedication Hoffman showed in 'The Master,' his performance lacks depth."
"I heard there's a lot of arguing in the actors' section."
The first producer lowered his voice: "Many of the younger generation support Chen Xun, feeling that he represents new possibilities, while the older guys—you know what I mean."
The group exchanged a knowing glance.
Ultimately, most of them will vote for a name that better aligns with the aesthetics and perceptions of their generation.
A few might check Chen Xun out of curiosity or subtle support for change.
Similar scenes are happening in every corner.
Voting is more than just watching a movie and making a decision; it's a vote of personal taste, industry relationships, upholding or challenging traditions, and deciding the future direction of Hollywood.
Rob receives feedback every day.
It comes from his vast network of contacts.
"An old friend from the photography department said he might vote for you; he liked the look in your eyes during those close-up shots in 'The Hunger Games'."
"There's some controversy on the screenwriting side. Some people feel that Peeta's character isn't as deep as the others. That's a problem with the script, not with you."
"It's hard to say about the director's perspective. People in Nolan's circle might have some mixed feelings about Interstellar, but not all of them."
Chen Xun listened to these reports calmly.
He attended two small members-only screenings arranged by Rob.
The members who came ranged in age and asked all sorts of questions.
How do you interpret Peeta's silent love for Katniss?
How do you maintain a sense of conviction while performing in front of a large amount of green screen?
Chen Xun's answer was sincere and professional.
Neither overly flamboyant nor self-deprecating, the focus is on the roles and the creative process.
He could sense that at least some members who had only heard of him before now had a more respectful look in their eyes after their conversations, based on professional dialogue.
[Academy Member Communication and Affinity Skills +6]
[Composure in handling specialized inquiries +5]
The voting deadline is drawing ever closer.
There are also more and more predictive and analytical articles in the media.
Kenneth Turan, a well-known film critic for the Los Angeles Times, wrote in his column: "Chen Xun's nomination is a victory in itself, marking the slow change in the structure of the Academy membership and the penetration of global box office influence into the Hollywood awards system."
"But ultimately he will have to confront Waltz's unforgettable, sinister charm, and Hoffman's deeply ingrained charisma."
"Possessed by lust."
"This is a contest between a new wave and old traditions, and the outcome is unpredictable."
Online, Chen Xun's fans spontaneously organized an event to educate him about the Oscars, compiling clips of his performances and industry reviews, politely recommending him to potential viewers.
They called for judging heroes solely by their acting skills.
Of course, there were also dissenting voices.
"Political correctness hijacks art"
"Using traffic to win awards"
However, fans refuted these claims methodically with more specific performance analyses and box office and reputation data.
Chen Xun himself wasn't too anxious.
The vote was in someone else's hands; he had done all he could.
What he's more concerned about now is another piece of news that Rob brought.
I'll be returning to London next week to continue filming "Guardians of the Galaxy".
-
Following the prison scenes, the main event will be the team's first collaboration and escape from prison, requiring more interaction with Rocket and Groot.
That evening, while he was having dinner with Chris Jiang, he received a phone call from Jennifer.
The background noise on the other end of the phone was a bit loud, as if it were from a party.
Hey! Voting's almost over, are you nervous?
Jennifer's voice sounded as energetic as ever.
"It's alright, I'll leave it to fate."
Chen Xun spoke the truth.
"Let me tell you, I ran into an old relic today."
Jennifer lowered her voice, mimicking a certain arrogant tone: "Oh, Ms. Lawrence, I was very happy for you when you won the award last year, but this year's Best Supporting Actor—shouldn't we focus more on the purity of the performance?"
I replied directly, "Sir, I don't think the purity of an performance has anything to do with the actor's skin color, but rather with how well they do the job." The old guy's face turned green, haha!
Chen Xun laughed on the other end of the phone.
Jennifer's frankness can sometimes be a weapon.
Thanks!
"Don't thank me, I'm just stating the facts."
Jennifer said, "Anyway, I think you acted well. Regardless of what those old guys think, times are changing. Okay, that's all for now, it's too noisy here. See you in London!"
After hanging up the phone, Christine looked at him: "Jennifer?"
"Yeah, she's arguing with people again."
Chen Xun repeated Jennifer's words.
However, instead of saying whether the work was good or bad, they used a different way of putting it.
Although Christine can vaguely sense that Chen Xun and Jennifer's relationship is unusual, she cannot confirm what kind of relationship it is.
After all, Chen Xun has made more and more friends in Hollywood, and almost anyone who has worked with him on a movie can become his good friend.
Christine laughed too: "She really is—but she's right."
She held Chen Xun's hand: "No matter the outcome, you've already changed a lot by getting this far."
"Many people have seen you, and many rules have had to be re-examined because of you. This is perhaps more meaningful than a trophy!"