"Shakespeare's Love History, Judy Dench!" When the name of the winner was read out, there was a round of applause. The crew of "Shakespeare's Love History" was even more jubilant. Although Judy Dench stood up reservedly, the excitement in her eyes was still very obvious. As a veteran actress who had been nominated for Oscars several times, she finally got what she wanted. Even if she lost her composure, no one would say anything.
In the background music of "Shakespeare's Love History," the crew members congratulated her one by one, including Adriaan and Gwyneth. Soon, she came to the stage. After receiving the little golden figurine, she calmed down and then began her speech.
At this time, Adriaan glanced at "Good Will Hunting." When the winner was announced, when the big screen was completely occupied by Judy Dench's image, there was an obvious flash of disappointment on Natalie's face. Although it was fleeting, Adriaan, who was paying attention to her, saw it very clearly.
As if sensing his gaze, Natalie, who was not far away, turned her head. When she saw clearly who it was, she smiled and gave Adriaan a look that told him not to worry. However, no matter how he looked at it, it seemed that she was relieved. What was going on?
Before he could figure out the problem, Gwyneth's voice rang in his ear. "What are you looking at?"
Although it was very low, the jealousy in her tone was quite obvious. Adriaan only smiled and turned around. "Nothing."
"Really?" Gwyneth looked at the place where he was looking at suspiciously, but she saw nothing.
"Well, Judy is coming down. Let's continue to congratulate her." Adriaan laughed and changed the topic. After Dench's speech, he took the lead to applaud. After the veteran actress came down, he stood up again to congratulate her.
After that, he did not sit down but walked straight out. Immediately, Gwyneth realized something, but she could only take a look at Blanchett, who was as steady as a mountain, and continue to sit in her seat angrily. About half an hour later, Adriaan came back. Although he looked almost the same as when he left, Gwyneth could guess what he was doing from the slightly tilted corners of his mouth. If she went closer, she would definitely be able to smell another woman's perfume.
He was like this last year, and this year, too. Damn it! Gwenis thought hatefully. That woman must have given him a good time. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been looking around like he was concerned about her.
She had to admit that she was wrong, but that was exactly what Adrian wanted her to think. But Gwenis was right. He did have a good time in the bathroom, but it wasn't the fairy from last year — Kirsten didn't attend this year's Oscars — but Zeta-Jones. This woman still wanted to fight for more benefits, so naturally, she would not refuse Adrian's request.
The award ceremony was still going on. After a few technical awards were given, the Original Screenplay Award went to "Good Will Hunting". This kind of mainstream inspirational film had always been the favorite of the Oscars. Even if it didn't win the Best Film Award, it would still win two or three important awards. However, Jeaquin's Best Actor Award would probably be missed.
As the awards were handed out one by one, the award ceremony quickly reached its climax amidst the singing and dancing of Goldberg, who was constantly changing into her outlandish clothes.
"Oh, it's finally time —" Goldberg sighed on the stage. Just when everyone thought she would complain about not winning the Best Actress Award, she suddenly changed the topic and waved to the back. "Now it's your turn, Jack. Of course, don't take the axe."
There was a burst of laughter. Nicholson, who was dressed in a suit, walked out from the back. He waved the envelope in his hand and said slowly, "You'll be disappointed, Ubie. There's only the envelope, not the axe."
There was another burst of laughter. Goldberg shrugged and said, "Okay, okay, I got it. You better get started. Don't let everyone wait too long, or else you won't be the one holding the axe."
Nicholson then raised his hands amidst the laughter. "Let's get down to business. We're going to present one of the most important awards. Who will get it? That's the question. "
As he spoke, he flashed his trademark smirk. It was a little sinister, a little cunning, and a little comical at the same time. Many people could not help but laugh.
"Okay, let's take a look at the nominees first." Nicholson waved his hand, and the big screen next to him began to show the nominees' faces. Streep, Gwyneth, Blanchett, and so on appeared one by one. At the same time, it was also showing the scenes of their roles in the movie. The scene immediately became quiet. Adriaan could almost distinguish between Gwyneth in front and Blanchett in the back, whose breathing was heavier.
"Any one of them is an outstanding actress. It's a pity that only one of them can get the honor …" Nicholson began to sigh again. However, everyone's attention was obviously not on this, so he quickly stopped talking and opened the envelope in his hand. "Then let me see who will be the best actress today."
In an instant, the two women in front and behind held their breath. About three seconds later, Nicholson's voice rang out, "'Elizabeth', Kate Blanchett!"
The orchestra immediately began to play the soundtrack of 'Elizabeth'. Blanchett immediately covered her mouth with a look of disbelief. Gwyneth, on the other hand, forced a smile and clapped with everyone after recovering from the shock. At the same time, she pursed her lips. Adriaan maintained his smile. Although it would not be a problem for either of them to get the best actress, he hoped that it would be Blanchett because it would be more beneficial to him.
"Thank you, thank you all." Blanchett stood up excitedly to accept the congratulations from the crew of 'Elizabeth'. Not knowing whether she was too excited or something else, she suddenly reached out and hugged Adriaan tightly after she came to him.
Adriaan was a little surprised at first, but then he smiled and kissed her cheek, which immediately caused a few low screams. At this time, the camera was pointed at Blanchett. The audience watching the Oscars in the United States would not miss this scene. The reporters in front of the TV were extremely excited. Now they would have something to write about. However, sitting diagonally in front of Adriaan, Gwyneth, who tilted her head, looked slightly gloomy.
Therefore, after sitting down, Adriaan immediately pressed her shoulder, while Gwyneth gave him a somewhat reluctant look that said "don't worry."
"I … I'm very excited …" After receiving the golden statuette representing the best actress from Nicholson, Blanchett faced the audience and took a deep breath. "I love acting, I love movies, and I have more than once dreamed of standing on this stage and waving to everyone, but when I really stand here, I don't know what to say …"
Kind laughter rang out.
"Thank my parents, they raised me, thank my teachers, they cultivated me, thank my friends, they have always encouraged and supported me …" Then came the lines that everyone was familiar with and would say when standing on the stage, but in the end, it became a little different. "Finally, I want to thank Eide, you brought me here, you let me see more things, there is no one more outstanding than you, I love you, you are a great director!"
The speech, which was like a confession, immediately attracted more applause, although the people who applauded had different expressions. Adriaan also applauded gently. Blanchett's true feelings were definitely not fake.
"Sorry, I'm a little …" After coming down from the stage, when they hugged again, Blanchett was a little embarrassed and whispered in his ear.
"It's not a big deal." Adrian didn't seem to mind at all. He kissed her face again in front of everyone, causing another round of whispers.
Although the battle between the Miracle Girls had come to an end, some things had just begun. Just wait and see, tomorrow's media would be full of headlines like "Kate Blanchett Confesses Her Love in Public".
Although the following awards ceremony was still important, Adriaan had already lost interest, even though he had been nominated for Best Director three times and two films for Best Film.
"Life is Beautiful, Roberto Benigni!" This was the winner of the Best Actor Award. Although he was Italian, the other nominees had their own problems. For example, Jacquin was too young, Hanks had already won the Best Actor Award in a row, and the one who was most likely to beat him was "Gandalf" Ian McKellen. The film he was nominated for, "Gods and Demons", was also a good biographical film about Hollywood in the fifties. However, he was gay and British — sometimes being British was advantageous, but sometimes it was not.
In any case, this was a film about World War II, the Nazis, and the Jews in a different way, so Spielberg could not influence everyone. But this was good, because this way, he would have a better chance of winning next year.
After winning the Oscar for Best Actor, Bernini was quite excited. Together with the previous Best Foreign Language Film, he had won two Little Golden Statuettes. As an Italian, he could be proud of such an achievement. Fortunately, he didn't do anything crazy like he did in Cannes.
The next two awards were unexpected. The winner of Best Director was not Adrian Kewell, the most popular director, but Roberto Zemigis, who directed "Desert Island"!
When the name was announced, not only were the audience and the host surprised, but even Zemigis himself was very surprised. After all, Adriaan had a total of three nominations. Whether it was Sante or Zemigis, they had placed themselves in the position of spectators. They did not expect that in the end, the award would be given to him.
But Adriaan did not care at all. Instead, he was the first to applaud for Zemigis. It was not difficult to guess the Film School's plan. "Mulholland Drive" was nominated mainly because he had won Best Director in Cannes. Although "Elizabeth" had been revised by him and the story was much smoother, there were some problems that could not be solved easily, so the nomination for Best Director was somewhat difficult. Although "Shakespeare in Love" was very innovative, it was a romantic comedy. After Woody Allen's "Annie Hall," how many romantic comedy directors had won this award?
So it seemed that getting three nominations at once was very good, but in fact, the probability of winning the award was not much higher than usual. Moreover, the Film School could also use this opportunity to show that they were fair, and that they could only give awards because they were directors, not something else.
Of course, this had something to do with the fact that Adriaan did not spend a lot of effort on public relations. But now, it was just as well. Zemigis should have won Best Director with "The True Story of Argan." Now that he had changed it to "Desert Island," it was not bad. Anyway, as long as Adriaan wanted to, it was very easy to get a nomination for Best Director.
Since Best Director was awarded to Zemigis, Best Film was naturally awarded to "Desert Island." Most of the time, Best Director and Best Film would be awarded to the same film. Besides, "Desert Island" was also an excellent inspirational film, and two-thirds of Hanks's one-man show had left a deep impression on many people. Winning Best Film was something that deserved.
"Congratulations, Robert. Very good." Adriaan walked over and extended his hand to Zemigis.
"Thank you, Adriaan. You're actually very good too." Zemigis was a little embarrassed. After all, he had taken advantage of a loophole to snatch the Best Director award from Adriaan. He was not a fool. Perhaps he did not know as much as Adriaan, but he was Spielberg's good friend, so he could more or less guess the problem.
"You don't have to be like this, Robert. 'Desert Island' is indeed very well made. You are fully qualified to win this award." Adriaan laughed and then looked at Hanks and Spielberg, who had been chatting with him before. "Am I right?"
"Of course." Spielberg also laughed. "I think Eide is probably regretting it now. You know, I really wanted him to direct."
"Fortunately, you didn't do that, Steven." Hanks then said seriously, "Although Eide is known for his efficiency, it is definitely a disaster for actors."
"You two guys, is this how you talk about me in front of others?" Adriaan immediately shouted, and they immediately laughed.
After a few witty remarks, the atmosphere became more and more harmonious. They began to chat, just like everyone else in the hall. This was Vanity Fair's "Oscar Night" party. It had been held for six years so far and had been completely built into a brand. What kind of big name would attend the Oscars but not be able to attend Vanity Fair's party?
After Zemigis and Hanks left, Spielberg said to Adriaan, "To be honest, I am a little regretful tonight. You could have won another Best Director award."
"It doesn't matter. You are not in a hurry to win a second award. Why should I snatch it before you?" Adriaan shrugged.
"Is this flattery?" Spielberg laughed.
"Of course. After all, you are the producer of Band of Brothers. We haven't even finished one episode yet. I have to please you, in case you suddenly quit." Adriaan shrugged again.
Spielberg laughed even louder. He was obviously in a good mood. Although Life is Beautiful won Best Actor and Best Foreign Film, it was fine as long as it did not win Best Movie.
"Speaking of which, I am preparing to make a movie, A.I. Maybe you would like to direct it?" he suddenly asked.
"A.I?" Adriaan thought for a moment. "The one you plan to …"
"Yes, that's right." Spielberg nodded to confirm.
"Oh, forget it. Directing a Kubrick movie is enough. I don't want to do it again. You know how it feels …" Adriaan immediately shook his head and refused.
"Really?" Spielberg looked at him with a half-smile. As one of the three giants of DreamWorks, he knew a little about the entanglement between him and the two leading actors.
However, Spielberg did not continue the topic. Instead, he changed the subject. "Okay, but if something like today happens again, don't regret it, Eide."
"It's okay. He is totally qualified to win Best Director." Adriaan said sincerely. "Speaking of this, maybe you can recommend me a director?"
"Oh?" Spielberg raised his eyebrows.
"Well … you know, I got a script in 1997. Although the leading actors were basically confirmed, I couldn't find a suitable director." Adriaan explained. "Although I can direct it, and the script is good, you know I will be very busy this year …"
"Lord of the Rings, right?" Spielberg suddenly asked.
Adriaan could not help but be a little surprised. Then he pointed not far away and said, "I heard it from there."
He turned around and saw the old man, McKellen, talking and laughing loudly with a few people.
"I knew it." Adriaan could not help but sigh.
"Well, Ian didn't say anything. I just guessed it." Spielberg comforted him.
"Well, let's not talk about this. I just wanted to ask, maybe you can recommend a few suitable candidates?" Adriaan said.
"Let me think … wait, 1997? It can't be that script, right? "Spielberg stared at him.
"That's right, that's the one," Adrian admitted generously.
"Oh." Spielberg laughed. "DreamWorks Animation was about to be sold to MGM, but you suddenly appeared out of nowhere and bought it at double the price. Now you want me to recommend a suitable director? Don't you think it's a little too much, Eide?"
"To be honest," Adriaan seriously thought about it, "I don't think so."
"I knew it." Spielberg looked at him with a smile. "Well, I will think about it carefully."
"Then I'll leave it to you." Adriaan patted his arm and then left.
The reason why he came to the party to find Spielberg and the others was to find a suitable director for the script. Adriaan had considered many people, even David Lynch, but none of them were suitable. In addition, he had to spend most of his energy on the production of "Lord of the Rings," so he had no time to carefully select a suitable director. So, he could only think of a way from Spielberg. He remembered that the original director had a good relationship with him, and the original director had been recommended by him.
But now was not the time to think about this. Since he had received Spielberg's promise, it was time to go and see the winner and loser of the night.
