Chapter 153: So Sad Not To Win The Award
The awards hall of the Louvain International Film Festival is not spacious, and can even be called somewhat ordinary.
The velvet curtain is slightly worn, and the stage lights are not dazzling. Compared to the diversity and vitality of Brussels, the “European crossroads” city, the atmosphere here leans more toward a focused, even somewhat scholarly quiet.
But for short film creators from all over the world, the gold content of the awards at this film festival dedicated to short films is not to be underestimated.
Yu Wei and his group are sitting in the front row on the far right, which is actually a very good position according to the organizer’s arrangement.
Many industry big shots, international stars, and renowned directors are gathered together. This is the first time they are attending such an event.
“Causing trouble again?”
Qi Luo An looked at Yu Wei with eyes full of helplessness. She had heard that this guy could attract onlookers just by practicing piano at a piano store…
Could it be the legendary “wherever gold goes, it shines,” or simply the conspicuous person attribute awakening?
“I didn’t. Just practicing piano.”
Yu Wei is also puzzled. You know, for a web novel author, how hurtful it is to turn around while writing and find yourself surrounded by a crowd?
And it was a group of people with different skin colors. It scared Yu Wei quite a bit at the time. He had never been watched like that when writing novels back home.
Writing a novel in front of everyone—wouldn’t that be creating history in public?
“They can’t read Chinese characters anyway, what’s there to be embarrassed about?”
“This is called mental streaking.” Yu Wei pointed to the crowded awards hall. “Would you be willing to sit here with a computer writing a novel?”
“It does seem a bit…”
Even if they can’t understand it, the act itself carries an embarrassing attribute. If a web novel author can create in public without fearing others’ gazes, they would succeed at anything.
The two of them still had the leisure to chat idly, but Lu Zhou and the others nearby had already held their breath and adjusted their mindset. Whether they win an award is crucial for them.
Before the awards ceremony began, the photographer started the live broadcast. Based on feedback from the opening ceremony audience, the organizing committee specially installed a translation plugin in the live stream room.
The sentence translation isn’t entirely accurate, as long as it lets the audience roughly understand the situation here.
Because they knew tonight was the awards ceremony, even though it was already 1 a.m. back home, there were still over ten thousand people in the live stream room.
Looks like there really are a lot of night owls…
“Front row front row, witnessing history.”
“Yu Wei looks really handsome today, didn’t embarrass us.”
“Just the average appearance of netizens.”
“I’m Yu Hei. If no award, prepare to be settled!”
At this moment, Yu Wei and the others naturally had no time to check bullet comments. The event was about to start, and several host-like figures had already taken the stage.
“The new plot you wrote this afternoon—is it a piano piece?”
“Yes.”
Thanks to the piano store boss dispersing the onlookers, Yu Wei was able to write the new plot. The exchange data for the piece wasn’t high, and after redeeming it, he simply practiced it a bit.
Qi Luo An was just about to ask for details on the piece when the awards ceremony officially began, and the host gave the customary opening remarks.
“Won’t you translate?”
Yu Wei gave her a meaningful look without speaking. He would like to translate, but he doesn’t understand. Malice doesn’t have many words, and the included sentences are quite limited.
The first award presented is “Best Cinematography.” Their Sound Mixer didn’t even get nominated, so they naturally didn’t pay special attention.
The awards guest deliberately dragged out the tone to build suspense: “The Best Cinematography goes to… City Symphony.”
Yu Wei knows this short film. Unlike Sound Mixer, which uses music elements as supplementary, City Symphony is threaded throughout by a piano piece, with a very strong artistic atmosphere.
The main reason he remembers it clearly is that this film is the biggest roadblock for Best Music Award.
The animation short film award that followed had even less to do with them, but the bald uncle who won was very excited, and his acceptance speech lasted over three minutes.
“The Best Director nominees are…”
The awards guest read out five names one by one. Each name elicited applause from the audience below, until hearing Lu Zhou’s name, Yu Wei wondered if he had misheard.
Half a year ago, a failed director who was still shooting MVs actually got nominated for the Luwen Award Best Director?
The nomination itself is an honor, enough for him to brag wildly back home.
But Lu Zhou clearly has greater ambition. When the camera focused on him, he held his breath, motionless, fully awaiting the miracle.
However, the miracle didn’t happen. The Best Director Award went to a more senior European female director.
Lu Zhou was visibly deflated, but Yu Wei wasn’t surprised. Honestly, if Lu Zhou actually won, he would question the gold content of the Luwen Award.
This nomination was forcibly carried by Sound Mixer. No need to harbor expectations for something that doesn’t belong to you.
For the live stream audience, this is a good start. If Lu Zhou can get nominated, then Yu Wei, who single-handedly carried the whole team, undoubtedly has the possibility of winning.
As if responding to everyone’s expectations, the next award, Best Screenplay, happened to have Yu Wei’s nomination.
“This has to be Yu Wei’s, right? Sound Mixer has a great concept.”
“A singer winning Best Screenplay? How could I dream that?”
“I’m Yu Hei. If no Best Screenplay, time to settle accounts.”
Everyone in the team unconsciously clenched their hands, hearts nearly jumping out of their throats. However, in the end, the winner was another plot short film—the micro-horror psychological one that premiered on opening ceremony day.
Spotlights and everyone’s gazes turned to the excited winner, drowned in enthusiastic applause.
Yu Wei wasn’t too disappointed. Sound Mixer winning an award was in 2012. That film satirized voyeurism with shadows of many social events at the time.
Over a decade later, it’s normal for this theme not to fit the era. Now there might even be those proud of prying into others’ secrets…
“Too bad, no screenplay win, no hope for the others.”
“I was waiting for Yu Wei to dazzle the crowd with a French acceptance speech. Damn it!”
“I was wrong, I’m not Yu Hei anymore. Please give him an award.”
The next awards were Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress. Qi Luo An had limited screen time and didn’t make the cut, but Yu Wei did.
He is, after all, the national server blind person. His protagonist portrayal was lifelike, and the performance of desperately playing piano while pretending to be blind at the end was full of tension.
The big screen quickly flashed highlights from each film. When the close-up of Yu Wei’s blind eyes full of fear and struggle appeared, a slight gasp came from the site.
“The winner is…” The venue was pin-drop silent. “City Symphony! Hamilton, congratulations!”
A huge sense of loss instantly enveloped the Sound Mixer team. Though their faces maintained polite smiles, the sparkle in their eyes clearly dimmed.
Not getting screenplay could be chalked up to the plot not fitting the era, but Yu Wei’s acting in Sound Mixer was truly impeccable.
If such a performance doesn’t win, it’s hard to expect any gains today.
Qi Luo An bit her lip, wanting to say something, but finally sighed. She tentatively and carefully held Yu Wei’s hand, wanting to give him some silent comfort.
Yu Wei was momentarily stunned, then subconsciously felt the clear sensation on the back of his hand. Her fingers were slender and smooth, carrying a reassuring softness.
Actually, he wasn’t that disappointed, but this comfort came at just the right time. He felt an indescribable warmth and intimacy.
Might as well pretend to be upset then.
No award, so heartbroken…
Qi Luo An actually had this premeditated. She had said before that Yu Wei’s hands were good-looking, and today she finally got to play with them.
Feels nice to touch. Who knows how many trash novels he wrote with them.
The next few awards had little to do with them. Qi Luo An held on too long, her palms starting to sweat.
Just as she thought of stealthily switching hands to continue holding, the Best Short Film Music Award that Yu Wei cared most about arrived.
Qi Luo An instinctively gripped tighter. If they missed even this award, the Luwen Award trip might really be for nothing.
Among the nominated films, only Sound Mixer and City Symphony are directly tied to music.
The latter is mainly about two pianists, with a stunning dual piano performance segment.
Most on-site audience still thought City Symphony would win, because its musicality is stronger, and the performance more gorgeous and complete.
“Congratulations! Sound Mixer!”
At this moment, the City Symphony team showed the same expression as Yu Wei’s group earlier. This could be snatched away?
They are actually a music short film. Compared to Best Lead Actor, the music award is undoubtedly more important, and Yu Wei’s acting deserves a Best Lead Actor.
So who robbed whom?
In an instant, time seemed to freeze.
Although he had thought about winning, when he truly heard the film’s name, Yu Wei still found it hard to believe.
Only when the cheers and applause surged like tides around him did he realize what happened.
Yu Wei adjusted his mood and stood up to go on stage, but directly pulled Qi Luo An’s arm up. Their hands tightly clasped, successfully drawing odd looks from those who noticed.
In public, this isn’t good…
Qi Luo An quickly withdrew her hand. She was too excited earlier and forgot she was still holding something. Now it’s awkward.
But then she thought, the award went to Yu Wei. Doesn’t this mean she won the bet?
Yu Wei gained honor, she got joy—win-win!
Qi Luo An subconsciously rubbed her palm. Looks like next time she might touch something else…
The live stream crowd was immersed in the joy of a compatriot winning, not paying much attention to the awards ceremony scene.
By the time they refocused on the live stream, Yu Wei was already on stage.
“Really won an award. Good good good good.”
“Forget writing scripts and acting in movies. Music is Yu Wei’s specialty, right?”
“Isn’t it writing novels?”
“I’ve actually been a Yu Wei fan for a long time. This guy’s strength is unbelievable. Yu Hei, speak up.”
The awards guest smiled and handed the trophy to Yu Wei: “Congratulations. Your adaptation of Poet of Lovers is very creative. Compared to the brilliant performance, this idea of classic reconstruction is more deserving of the award.”
The Luwen Award has little attention domestically, but in Europe, the film festival has high attention.
Especially for Leuven locals, this is their cultural feast…
A few who saw Yu Wei playing piano at the piano store during the day recognized him at a glance. Chinese people are rare here, and a Chinese person playing with a computer in a piano room is even rarer.
This kid is actually a musician?
A musician who plays piano with a computer, huh.
The most shocked was the sound engineer, who had helped Yu Wei record four Chinese songs a few days ago and naturally had a deep impression of him.
Those songs’ melodies were simpler one after another. He was almost forming a stereotype that Chinese composers lack ability.
And in just two days, this kid won the Best Music Award for short film…
Did the judges’ taste downgrade, or did Yu Wei secretly bribe them?
Before he could react, Yu Wei at the awards ceremony was already giving the acceptance speech in Chinese on behalf of the team.
Yes, in Chinese. This has nothing to do with knowing or not knowing other languages. Even if he could cobble together a French acceptance speech, on the international stage, he should use his own language.
More than self-expression, cultural confidence is needed.
Yu Wei’s acceptance speech was very formulaic: thanking the film festival organizing committee, the team, and everyone behind the scenes.
But at the end, he didn’t forget to thank his readers and fans…
“Congratulations again to Yu Wei. Worth mentioning is that at tomorrow’s farewell performance, we will have the honor of enjoying a special performance by Mr. Yu Wei. Then everyone will see the musical talent hidden behind an excellent actor.”
The host didn’t forget to advertise at the end, urging everyone to pay attention to the film festival’s cultural performances and closing ceremony.
At these words, not only were the other short film teams below surprised, but the European viewers in front of screens and the live stream crowd were also taken aback.
Yu Wei is actually performing at the Louvain International Film Festival’s farewell performance?
This preview caused a wave of surprised whispers on site. They also wanted to see the strength of this Best Music Award winner for short film.
Many audience members began looking forward to the next evening, wondering what musical performance this young Best Music Award winner would bring.
