Chapter 118: He Is a Promising Actor

Chapter 118: He Is a Promising Actor

During the post-production of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Zhang Le approached the process with the same meticulous dedication as he did during filming. This film carried his ambition, his hunger for various awards. With the original version as a reference and the immense effort invested during shooting, the post-production phase was comparatively smoother.

Not long after returning from his hometown, the completed film was ready.

As the film wrapped up, the nomination list for this year’s Golden Dragon Awards was announced.

It came as no surprise to Zhang Le that "Flirting Scholar" received no nominations whatsoever. However, Zhang Le himself secured a nomination, and it was highly anticipated.

He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for "No Way Out." Besides this nomination, "No Way Out" was also up for Best Action Design and Best Screenplay. Among these, Zhang Le’s nomination for Best Supporting Actor carried the most weight.

“If you win this award, wouldn’t you find it a bit ironic?” Yang Xin’er asked with a smile.

“Why do you say that?” Zhang Le replied, puzzled.

“You’ve already won two Golden Dragon statuettes, both for Best Original Film Song. Those are music awards, not really film awards per se. You’re a director, and ‘Crazy Stone’ was nominated for several major categories but came away empty-handed. Yet, the first film award you might win is Best Supporting Actor. Don’t you find that ironic? Even winning a technical award would feel better than an acting one!” Yang Xin’er chuckled.

“Now that you mention it, it does seem that way,” Zhang Le said after a moment’s thought.

Indeed, after hearing Yang Xin’er’s words, he found himself somewhat reluctant to take the award.

To expect not to win this award might make Zhang Le the first filmmaker to shy away from the Golden Dragon Award. After all, it is the highest honor in Chinese-language cinema.

“Heh, cameos don’t count. This is your first time acting in a film role. If you win Best Supporting Actor, won’t the media write just like everyone else: ‘He is a promising actor’?” Yang Xin’er teased with a smile.

“A promising actor?” Zhang Le grinned. “When the film was released, didn’t some media outlets say I might become the next kung fu superstar? But I feel like you’re secretly enjoying this.”

“No way! I’m genuinely happy for you. Getting a Golden Dragon nomination is a dream for many actors,” Yang Xin’er said sincerely.

“Young man, win Best Supporting Actor and you’ll earn the right to act alongside this actress queen,” she said, patting Zhang Le on the shoulder in a mock-serious tone.

“Tell me, if I get nominated again for ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,’ or even win Best Supporting Actor, do you think anyone will invite me to act in their films?” Zhang Le shook his head with a smile.

“Oh!” Yang Xin’er paused, then laughed. “Who else but this lady here is worthy of the great Director Zhang’s collaboration? But if you really win Best Supporting Actor two years in a row, many actors might accuse you of stealing their jobs.”

Yang Xin’er understood Zhang Le’s nature well. He took the role in "No Way Out" partly as a favor to Zhou Run and largely to learn from Director Chen.

Now, having completed "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Zhang Le’s directorial skills had reached a new level. There was no longer a need to learn in the same way as before. Not that Zhang Le didn’t need to keep learning—it was just that the method had changed. Continuing to observe other directors might no longer be beneficial.

No great director lacks a distinctive style.

Besides, after finishing "No Way Out," Zhang Le had declared he would no longer take acting roles unless he was directing himself.

As a director by trade, working as an actor under another director often felt awkward. And for any director, such awkwardness was unpleasant.

Directors possess an innate desire to control their films. When collaborating with another director and having to follow their vision for acting and filming, the experience can be frustrating.

“Before your next film, are you still planning to shoot ‘Kung Fu,’ or the script you gave me recently?” Yang Xin’er suddenly asked.

“I’ve submitted this film to the Cannes Film Festival. I plan to premiere ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ there,” Zhang Le said. “If the international response is good, ‘Kung Fu’ will take a backseat. We’ll start with the film I gave you earlier.”

“So you’re really going for an international path?” Yang Xin’er smiled. “Have you forgotten what you said before?”

“What did I say?” Zhang Le asked, puzzled.

“Taking too big a step risks screwing things up!” Yang Xin’er laughed, then playfully teased him.

Zhang Le’s face darkened immediately.

“Alright, no more jokes. I believe in you! Besides, we’re still young and not afraid of failure,” Yang Xin’er said earnestly.

“You’re right. We’re young, and failure can always be tried again,” Zhang Le nodded.

Yang Xin’er was confident, but Zhang Le was not entirely so. Though he didn’t think his "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was inferior to the original—indeed, it was more polished in detail, with no continuity errors—the world had changed, and timing was different. Who could guarantee he wouldn’t face even better works favored by the jury?

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was undoubtedly a remarkable film. Though many didn’t like it, it was unquestionably a significant work in film history.

Zhang Le had no intention of making such a film again—it was too exhausting, too torturous. He even doubted he could create a film better than it.

Of course, surpassing its box office would not be difficult. But films were often not measured by box office alone.

In early March, the Golden Dragon Awards arrived as scheduled. Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er attended together.

“Director Zhang, how do you feel about your Best Supporting Actor nomination? Confident you’ll win? Many say you’re the next kung fu superstar. Are you planning to shoot any kung fu or action films?”

“Director Zhang, when will your new film be released? What’s the expected box office?”

“Director Zhang, when will you release new songs? Any plans to produce an album for Miss Yang Xin’er? Will you two hold concerts this year?”

“Director Zhang...”

As Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er walked the red carpet, the media swarmed with questions. Without barricades, they would have been mobbed.

Zhang Le had been focused on producing "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," rarely appearing in the media. His Spring Festival Gala performance of "Where Has the Time Gone?" was still popular, and now with the Best Supporting Actor nomination, the media’s interest soared. Many wanted interviews but couldn’t get them.

Zhang Le smiled and waved, letting the questions fly by unanswered. It wasn’t that there were too many or he didn’t know which to answer; stopping to respond on the red carpet simply wasn’t appropriate. This wasn’t a press conference.

“Ah Le, over here!” As they entered the venue, Chen Ke called out, beckoning Zhang Le over. “I heard your new film’s post-production is done. When will it be released? Any plans for a premiere?”

“Scheduled for this summer’s box office season. As for a premiere, nothing planned yet,” Zhang Le smiled. “Hopefully, it won’t clash with your new film’s release.”