Chapter 76: The Golden Statue Awards (Part 2)

After the award for Best Supporting Actress came the ceremony for Best Supporting Actor. Compared to the fierce competition among the actresses, the contest for Best Supporting Actor was a gathering of luminaries: renowned director Chu Yuan, famous supporting actor Tai Bao, Zhang Zhentu’s father Zhang Guozhu, one of the Five Tigers of the band Winners, Chan Yau, and, of course, the newcomer Shen Wei.

The outcome for Best Supporting Actor surprised everyone. No one expected it to go to Shen Wei—not even Shen Wei himself. Whatever achievements he might attain in the future, being the first male recipient of the Golden Statue Award for Best Supporting Actor would forever etch his name into history.

After Best Supporting Actor, the awards shifted focus to some behind-the-scenes contributors. Best Cinematography went to Li Cuiming for Waiting for Dawn, Best Editing was awarded to Zhang Yaozong for Provincial-Hong Kong Rangers, and Best Art Direction went to Zhang Shuping for Flowing Years Like Water.

As the most decorated recipient in the history of the Golden Statue Awards, Zhang Shuping, owing to certain political circumstances, did not use his real name this year but instead adopted the alias Zhang Shuping. After two nominations in the second Golden Statue Awards and one in the third, he finally secured the award this time, though he could not use his own name.

Following the awards for cinematography, editing, and art direction, it was finally time for another major category: Best Screenplay.

“Last year was another glorious year for Hong Kong cinema. With a multitude of films spanning every genre, citizens enjoyed a dazzling visual feast. Sam’s action comedies continued to lead the pack, while the kung fu films of Hung Jinbao and Chan Lung also performed admirably. There were the comedy films from Shaw Brothers and Cinema City, as well as numerous romance, art, and horror films. Among them, we must mention Rainy Night Butcher and Provincial-Hong Kong Rangers, both adapted from real-life cases. Their innovative styles were eye-opening, especially Director Yan Xu’s Rainy Night Butcher, which pioneered the genre of documentary-style detective films.”

This was the first award directly related to Yan Xu, and according to media predictions before the ceremony, his chances of winning were high. To say he was not nervous would be a lie; when Yu Zheng read out his name, Yan Xu instinctively sat up straight.

“With so many excellent films and creative ideas emerging, the contribution of screenwriters cannot be overlooked. To perfect a script, they often devote years of effort. This next award is dedicated to those screenwriters who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Let’s look at the list of nominees.”

As the nominees were announced, Yan Xu nervously grasped Zhou Huimin’s small hand. Though he claimed that simply being nominated was an achievement, holding the trophy would be even better; recognition from the Golden Statue Awards carried immense honor.

Six films were nominated: Flowing Years Like Water, Teppanyaki, Waiting for Dawn, Love That Never Stops, Provincial-Hong Kong Rangers, and Yan Xu’s Taxi Judge. Among the six screenwriters—Xu Guanwen, Chen Xinjian, Wen Jun—Yan Xu was well acquainted with them.

Not to mention the deadpan comedian Xu Guanwen and the future president of the Golden Statue Awards Wen Jun, there was also Chen Xinjian, famed for playing police officers in films and known as Hong Kong’s quintessential police performer.

He was quite an extraordinary figure. Before entering the industry, his real profession was as a police superintendent in the Criminal Investigation Division—a high-ranking position in the force. Later, he became vice president of the Hong Kong Film Society, vice chairman of the Golden Statue Awards, and its first master of ceremonies.

Watching Yu Zheng unfold the envelope with the winner’s name, Yan Xu felt an urge to leap from his seat. His eyes were fixed on the envelope, as if trying to see through it, his heart pounding in his throat.

He was not the only one tense; Zhou Huimin beside him was just as nervous—not merely because she participated in the film, but for the man beside her.

“All right, the Best Screenplay goes to…” At the crucial moment, Yu Zheng deliberately built suspense. Though Yan Xu was nervous, he maintained a gentle smile, careful not to reveal his feelings. He knew the Golden Statue Awards were broadcast live, and the camera was trained on people like him.

“Flowing Years Like Water… Kong Liang!”

As a screenwriter for the Zhuhai Film Studio, Kong Liang was unable to attend the ceremony. His win shocked many—not for any other reason than his identity.

Flowing Years Like Water was a collaborative exchange with mainland filmmakers. Mainland cinema was still in its revival stage, and many of its filming techniques and ideas seemed downright naïve to Hong Kong filmmakers. No one expected that the fiercely contested Best Screenplay would go to a mainland screenwriter, making him the first mainlander to win a Golden Statue Award.

Listening to the discussions around him, Yan Xu felt somewhat disappointed but not particularly dejected. History followed its course, and he knew even greater shocks for the Hong Kong film industry were yet to come, for even the crown of Best Actress would not remain in Hong Kong.

“You’re the best.” Seeing Yan Xu silent, Zhou Huimin thought he was saddened by not winning the award. She gripped his hand tightly, leaned her head towards him, and whispered softly.

“It’s all right. I have many more chances ahead.” Though a little disappointed, he was not heartbroken. Yan Xu’s greatest asset was his youth and familiarity with the future; he was only twenty-three, and to be nominated at twenty-three was already remarkably young.

Of the seven awards announced so far, Flowing Years Like Water and Provincial-Hong Kong Rangers were neck and neck, each with two awards, while the other three went to different films. In terms of production, Golden Harvest and its subsidiaries, as well as the newly established D&B Films, were emerging as prominent players; Project A, Provincial-Hong Kong Rangers, and Waiting for Dawn were all associated with them to varying degrees.

“That’s right, Xu is still so young—this is only his first year. There are plenty more opportunities ahead. With Xu’s talent, winning awards in the future will be a matter of course.” Wu Mengda chimed in from the side.

He had recently experienced a resurgence, signing with Dragon Clan Management, and under Yan Xu’s direction, had acted in two consecutive films. Though only supporting roles, Yan Xu selected films he was familiar with, and the box office results were decent, further solidifying his reputation.

Besides those two films, he was currently filming the sequel to TVB’s hit series The New Police Cadet. Though no longer a TVB actor, his fame was a boost for Shaw Brothers’ production, and more importantly, his pay had not increased significantly, remaining within TVB’s budget.

Wu Mengda also knew that, though he was nominated for the Golden Statue Award, his chances of winning were slim; his acting had not yet reached award-winning caliber. Therefore, he was relaxed and in good spirits, simply enjoying the festivities.