The Best Director-Chapter 464 - - The Young Legend!

Chapter 464 -464: The Young Legend!

“And the Oscar goes to…”

All eyes were watching, the whole world was watching! Now and in the future, more than a billion people would see the five nominees with various expressions and Tom Hanks on stage. After a glance at the envelope, he looked up and read out a name, “Wang Yang, ‘Firefly’.”

“Ahhhh—” “Wowwww—” The room erupted into complete frenzy! The rousing battle music of ‘Firefly’ hadn’t even started playing, and “Young-Wang” had not been completely pronounced when the entire Kodak Theatre was already filled with thunderous applause and continuous cheers and shouts, plunging into utter madness!

On television screens in millions of households, the moment they heard YOUNG, Ang Lee smiled broadly, he and James Schamus and others around him stood up to applaud; although disappointed, they were happy for Wang Yang; Bennett Miller leaned back, shouting something that sounded like his usual “SHIT!” or “Damn it!” as he calmly applauded, apparently not very pleased; Clooney clapped with an even wider smile, showing neither much disappointment nor much endorsement; Spielberg leaned back in surprise, looking around while applauding.

Wang Yang had already embraced Jessica tightly, giving her a long kiss!

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“Young-Wang, Firefly.” This sentence made countless ladies in the audience shriek excitedly, quickly rising from their seats to applaud. The amazing Yang won the award! Three years later, the second Oscar for Best Director! At age 26 and just over one month!

The second youngest Oscar winner for Best Director in history! The prodigious Yang Wang at 26 years and just over one month (1980-2-5) once again completely surpassed the previous record holder Norman Taurog, who clinched the award in 1931 for ‘Skippy’ at the age of 32 (1899-2-23), pushing the record forward by six years! He rewrote history that had lasted just three years; who knows how long Taurog will remain the third youngest on the list? No one knows!

“Yang—” Natalie shouted with all her might, her heart beating very fast. In such a moment, should one hide their emotions?! “Yang—” Rachel was also shouting, her eyes curved into crescents, her smile so radiant, amazing! “Wow—” And there were the delighted Scarlett, Hathaway, Theron, and others, as well as Ledger, Smith, Downey, and more. When they heard YOUNG, Jessica’s eyes instantly welled up, overwhelmed by a rush of warm tears. She cried out tremblingly, “Yang, it’s you! Oh my God, it’s you!” Then she was tightly embraced by him.

The deafening applause, the emotional shouts, the clear whistle blasts, the congratulations from all directions drowned out the brightest person in the room.

When he heard YOUNG, Wang Yang’s muscles and nerves tensed, he clenched his fists and then relaxed, reaching out to embrace the beauty beside him, YES! This was no upset, no miracle, yet his emotions were even more intense than when ‘District 9’ surprisingly won an award because ‘Firefly’s run at the awards season had garnered even more investment and expectations from him and others—he didn’t want to disappoint himself or others! Now, it was a time for laughter!

After kissing her, Wang Yang stood up and hugged Joss Whedon, hearing his excited words, “This is fantastic, you’re a legend!” Yes, it was amazing! Kai Cole and Susan Levin kept smiling, exclaiming, “Congratulations, wow!” Wang Yang then hugged Downey, hearing him laugh heartily, “Hahaha, I’m glad to meet you, Best Director!!” Wang Yang patted his shoulder and headed for the stage with the applause and congratulatory voices gradually fading behind him.

At this point, the live camera quickly panned to others. Caught on camera were Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Dustin Hoffman, and others, all with smiles on their faces; Ang Lee’s smile remained shy and refined, while Spielberg turned to his wife, Kate Capshaw, saying something.

“This is Wang Yang’s second time to win the Best Director award, his second nomination, and he is a four-time Oscar winner. As a director, he’s like the dawn in the sky, his style is ever-changing, but always admired.” Accompanied by the intense battle music of ‘Firefly’, the scene’s narration briefly introduced this year’s Best Director.

“This young man is extraordinary,” Spielberg said to Capshaw, echoing the narrator, and even though his expression was calm and not quite admiring, he was quite moved inside.

I first met Wang Yang at a charity dinner. At that time, he was just a 19-year-old kid. Before realizing it, he had already received two Best Director awards and four Oscars. His movies’ box office earnings were getting closer and closer to surpassing his own company’s success which was growing, his connections in Hollywood were expanding, and his circle of friends was increasing. Not only were his films excellent, but he also excelled in the competitive work of the awards season, Spielberg knew at 26 or 36 he couldn’t have achieved this step.

It was really incredible! You have to understand that before the incredible Yang, the youngest Oscar Best Director nominee was only “merely” 24 years old, also a USC alum. John Singleton, born on January 6, 1968, was nominated in 1992 for the 64th Oscars, for his debut film “Boyz n the Hood.” This was also the only Best Director nomination for a black person. That year, he lost to Jonathan Demme for “Silence of the Lambs.”

In the long history of the Oscars, five Asian (non-white) directors have received nominations. Wang Yang, twice nominated (of Chinese descent, for the 75th Oscars in 2003 with “District 9,” and the 78th with “Firefly”), and Ang Lee from Taiwan, China (73rd Oscars in 2001 for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”; the 78th for “Brokeback Mountain”), plus Hiroshi Teshigahara from Japan (38th Oscars in 1966 for “Woman in the Dunes”), Akira Kurosawa from Japan (58th Oscars in 1986 for “Ran”), and M. Night Shyamalan of Indian descent (72nd Oscars in 2000 for “The Sixth Sense”).

Now, Wang Yang, at 23 and 26 years old, clinched two golden statuettes, making history by storming into the hall of fame of multiple Oscar-winning directors!

This hall of fame previously only had 18 people. The most was John Ford (4/5 Oscars, February 1, 1894, to August 31, 1973), followed by William Wyler (3/12 Oscars, July 1, 1902, to July 27, 1981), and Frank Capra (3/6 Oscars, May 18, 1897, to September 3, 1991). Then Billy Wilder, David Lean, Spielberg, Eastwood, and 15 others all have two trophies; now there are 19, with YW as the youngest member!

The Directors Guild Award and the Oscar once again diverged because of the incredible Yang. As the fog cleared, many questions found their answers. The “USC Avengers” lost the guild award by a slim margin, the praise from critics and the many key indicator awards were not in vain, the efforts in promotion, campaigning, and lobbying weren’t wasted, the stunning impact of “Firefly” was not ignored! Ultimately, most people chose the sci-fi film, chose the miraculous young man, Wang Yang!

No one knows when Wang Yang will receive his next nomination or award after this trophy, or if the “too young” obstacle will still be there by then. For now, it’s all about jubilation!

“Incredible Yang, incredible Yang, incredible Yang, incredible Yang—!” The TV viewers who are fans of Yang were boiling over, it was unbelievable! Evelyn’s screams made her mother, brother, and other family members cover their ears; Clair and Adam were excitedly hugging and jumping; Alice, Kayla, Amy… everyone was screaming! All Asian Americans were going crazy, completely nuts! How lucky were this generation to have the incredible Yang, an icon of their ethnicity!

Many Asian girls almost started resenting Latina girls—they had stolen their great hero!! Why hadn’t an Asian girl conquered the incredible Yang’s heart first?!

Those who disliked Yang felt tightness in their chests, frustrated: “SHIT!” “Damn it!” “FUCK!” With a bang! Paris Hilton grabbed a cup and smashed it, leaving the other partygoers stunned…

“Incredible Yang, incredible Yang, incredible Yang—!” Wang’s friends in the audience were even happier, with Annie Darren, Michael Pitt, and others all smiling; as were the members of the Firefly film team… “YES! YES! YES! Hahaha—” The living room was filled with laughter, Joshua’s exuberant laughter drowned out the room. Hearing these laughs and looking at his twisted face with joy, Keke’s eyes curved into smiles, she too started laughing: “Oh oh oh haha!!” She quickly let out a chirp, glancing around, as she heard a dear voice.

On the TV screen, amid the applause, Wang Yang walked up the steps to the stage and took the shiny Oscar trophy from Tom Hanks.

“Thank you, thank you.” Wang Yang gripped the little golden man firmly, the weight felt the same as the Best Editing trophy and the two previous ones, yet it seemed a bit heavier this time. He approached the microphone and, seeing the over three thousand guests seated below, lifted the corners of his mouth.

Tonight, the 10th trophy was secured (10/13)! The applause at the Kodak Theatre gradually subsided, and the last ones to stop clapping were the team from “Firefly,” winners of Best Cinematography Váre Fest, Best Original Score Kiefer Sutherland and Jimo, Best Editing Margaret and Lee Smith, Best Makeup Greg Cannom, Best Visual Effects… as well as Heath Ledger who missed out, and the un-nominated Downey, all looking joyfully at the director on stage.

Would he have something exciting to say? Along with media reporters and television viewers, countless people were eagerly anticipating; backstage, Jon Stewart grew nervous as the incredible Yang took the stage alone… A guest host?!

“If it had been someone else’s name just now.” It was like history repeating itself three years ago, Wang Yang turned to glance at the award presenter not far beside him, then faced the crowd and said solemnly, “I might have shouted, ‘Run Forrest, RUN! RUN!'”

“Hahaha——” Laughter erupted in the Kodak Theatre, and many women couldn’t contain their amusement. There were also whistles and applause; this was probably the most lively moment of the night. Indeed, the most humorously unpredictable Best Director had arrived! As the live camera panned, Tom Hanks, the subject of the tease, revealed a signature smile. Ang Lee couldn’t help but grin, and even the previously composed Spielberg was smiling.

Wang Yang feigned a cough as a joke and continued, “But now, I’m feeling very, very happy.” He is a great actor; they are four great directors.” A wave of applause sounded, and everyone quietened down again to listen to him speak. Wang Yang shrugged and said, “I’m not saying I’m any greater, only that they belong to the present, and I belong to the future, which fills me with exotic flair.”

“Haha!” “Wahoo!” “Wow—!” Another round of laughter swept through the audience, especially the women, who were delightfully entertained. Natalie burst into laughter, yes, you’re full of exotic flair, almost intoxicatingly so! Jessica smiled sweetly, her gaze intoxicated, you think it’s only exotic flair, huh?!…

“And,” Wang Yang tilted his head and looked down, continuing, “I also didn’t say that George Clooney’s performance was bad.” Before he even finished, the entire place was already laughing: “Hahaha!” Many young women couldn’t help but burst into applause.

The camera cut to the mentioned Clooney, who bowed his head laughing, his expression mimicking the earlier portrayal by Wang Yang onstage, prompting an even greater wave of laughter in the venue! The camera switched again, to see a smiling Heath Ledger turning his head, with Michelle Williams beaming beside him.

“Life is like a box of chocolates, who would have thought I would really come back after three years?” Wang Yang raised an eyebrow in feigned confusion as laughter once again swept across the audience. Everyone grasped that he was referring to the three-year promise between the prawn-like alien Wikus and Christopher in “District 9.” Robert Downey Jr. was bending forward and backward in laughter, and many women couldn’t stop laughing either; fans watching “District 9” at home while drinking water ended up spewing it out. They then heard him say, “To ascend this stage a second time with a science fiction movie is great, I’ve fulfilled my promise, and moreover…” he said loudly, “I won’t repeat that again.”

“Hahahaha!” The crowd burst into laughter once more, their roar nearly toppling the Kodak Theatre. Some journalists, amidst their laughter, felt a bit disappointed, thinking that the magical Wang Yang would promise another grand ambition.

“I just meant about making promises because it’s just too unbelievable!” Wang Yang seemed to get serious, “I don’t even know how I got up here, or how to articulate my feelings right now, hence the rambling.” The audience responded with a light laughter. Looking at all the familiar smiling faces, Wang Yang laughed, “Oh, I know now! I just need to thank that part of the world, thank you to the audiences in France and Germany; you still supported me, thank you!”

Those who knew the reason behind his remark burst out laughing. And who wouldn’t be aware of it? Hence, the atmosphere in the Kodak Theatre continued to boil, laughter thundering to new heights; even the television audience erupted into gusty laughters, making guest host Jon Stewart seem drab by comparison!

At this moment, the timing light as a cue for the end of the speech lit up. The award ceremony had already overrun its schedule; earlier, Jon Stewart’s jokes were too lengthy and, to the chagrin of many, had little effect. If it weren’t for the amazing Wang Yang on stage, producer Gil Cates would have lit the signal much earlier, but if they abruptly cut off Wang Yang’s impromptu performance, the audience would definitely be displeased. Now the light was only a reminder for him to watch the time.

“Every time I get chased off by the timing light, how annoying must that be!” Wang Yang said, shaking his head with a chuckle. The laughter continued, would they find MY annoying? Kayla Knightley, Charlize Theron, and others answered NO; Natalie’s answer was YES! He was, to her, the most annoying person she despised the most!

Wang Yang then seriously moved to the thanking phase: “Thank you to my family, to mom and dad, you are the best! And my angels, big and small, Jessica, Keke, you have taught me what happiness is, I love you!” Amid the applause, the camera caught Jessica, her charming face brimming with visible joy and her eyes misting as she silently said to him, “You’ve also taught me what happiness is, I love you.”

The volume on the living room TV had already been turned up very loud. Keke cooed curiously, and on the television screen, Wang Yang made no funny faces. He continued, “Thank you to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, thank you to my fans around the world who have supported me, to my colleagues at Firefly Films, my friends, many of whom are here today… and to everyone from the crew of ‘Firefly,’ you’ve all been outstanding. How should I thank you? I don’t know!”

Jessica, Downey, Ledger, Vince, Kiefer Sutherland and everyone looked at him, faces full of smiles, thumbs up all around. Watching everyone, Wang Yang’s heart surged with scenes from “Firefly,” stirring his emotions!

“I Am Legend!” As thousands of guests and tens of millions of American viewers watched, Wang Yang held the trophy high, his eyes fiercely bright. Without waiting for the applause to erupt, he continued, “And you are the legends who make it; I am but a moth, and you are the fireflies guiding me through the darkness, thank you!”

“Wow, wow—” “Whoo!!” The Kodak Theatre boiled over once again! Applause thundered, and cheers resounded continuously! One guest stood up, then two, three… ten, one hundred, a thousand… Fassbender, Downey, Ossana, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez… Everyone cheered for the spirited young man on stage!

Tonight, he is the most dazzling person, destined to be the most dazzling legend ever after!

Watching that soaring figure, Jessica’s heartbeat quickened to near suffocation; she longed to sigh deeply, the exhilarating feeling never changed—she was one of the legend creators too! She is the Archangel, the mother of the little angel, and also a firefly! Isn’t she the greatest woman of all!?

It wasn’t just one stunning lady with a racing heartbeat— “And it’s also like a moth to a flame, so romantic!” “A moth to the flame? Seeking its own doom? Are you talking about my movie? Oh, I’m hurt; I’ve just been wounded by the leading lady of my movie…” Despite the surrounding applause and cheers, some chatty voices could still be faintly heard. Rachel exhaled deeply, almost forgetting to clap; when she first met that moth drawn to flame in ’98, she knew he was just her type.

“Phew!” Natalie clapped while sighing, how exasperating! Why did he have to be so handsome and so cool! This guy’s charm was already maxed out, yet suddenly it spiked to IMAX! Cuter than her Charlie, and making her long for an embrace… But then, Natalie felt a bit frustrated again, what a pity it wasn’t her autumn… Could it become winter is coming instead? Forget it! She is not a Stark.

The thundering applause continued, not just the “Firefly” legion, the many Yang fans and friends, the whole audience congratulated Wang Yang as he headed backstage, with Tom Hanks and staff following him.

This is a legend! Numerous male Yang fans exclaimed in awe, while female Yang fans had eyes full of hearts, excitedly screaming, “Ah ah—” “I want to have Yang’s babies!!” “It’s unbelievable!!” The Yang critics were half dead with irritation, yet the kids supporting Uncle Yang were overjoyed, with the Smiths, the Whedons, the Fassbenders… Big kids, little kids all hopping around, including Jaden and many others shouting crazily: “I am Legend! I am Legend!”

“Hehe, yi ya yi ya! Oh oh hehe—” Keke’s laughter made the living room even more joyful. Her flawless little face bore the purest smile. Joshua teased her a bit, and she smacked her lips a few times, suddenly laughing even more happily: “Um ah ah, oh oh—”

In fact, Wang Yang did not enter the press room but took a side passage back to his seat because he was also nominated for Best Picture.

“12 nominations, three-time Oscar winner, please welcome Jack Nicholson.” As Wang Yang and others hadn’t yet stepped backstage, the voiceover spoke up directly, and the applause gradually subsided. Due to the show running over time, host Jon Stewart did not need to appear. So the audience’s excitement hasn’t quite settled, without having properly savored Wang Yang’s words, when they saw Nicholson wearing glasses, dressed in a black suit and bowtie, walking out from backstage.

Nicholson tucked his right hand in his pocket while waving the result envelope with his left. Approaching the microphone, he then unfolded his arms and bowed several times, a modest gentleman’s gesture, to immediate applause and cheers from the audience: “Whoo—”

“This year’s Best Picture nominees are these five marvelous films… The nominees are…”

Time was up, the old man’s speech was concise, soothing music played, and a new scene appeared on television screens in thousands of homes. On the left of the screen was Nicholson, on the right were the nominees seated, with the film’s title in the middle, and clips from the nominated films below, “Brokeback Mountain, produced by Diana Ossana and James Schamus;” Brokeback Mountain, Jack watched Ennis come towards him with fishing gear from the car, followed by a wave of enthusiastic applause; “Capote, produced by William Vince and Michael Ohoven;”… (