Chapter 226: Best Leading Actress

Chapter 226: Best Leading Actress

The character of He Baobao is incredibly challenging to portray. Her emotional journey is one of rejection and misunderstanding, a path that the average person finds it difficult to empathize with, given her innate detachment and criminal nature.

However, the actress delivered a remarkable performance. Unlike others who typically probe into a criminal's psyche with an ordinary person's logic, she inadvertently leads the audience along that path. As a result, there are moments in the film when the criminal is apprehended, and some viewers can't help but feel a sense of loss.

Despite numerous accolades within the industry for such performances, where the portrayal of criminal acts elicits sympathy.

Yet, I believe it misses the mark, for the film's intent is certainly not to evoke sympathy for criminals, but to serve as a stark warning! It prompts reflection on how one should intervene when faced with such situations, either in others or oneself, and how to make composed choices that prevent impulsive acts of crime.

He Baobao's portrayal in this role is highly unconventional. She consistently depicts a criminal's ruthless, irrational, and stubborn nature, committed to cold-blooded crime without remorse or change. There's no attempt at melodrama; instead, she genuinely conveys the chilling aspect of He Baobao's character.

"Tang Fei has often been criticized for her acting since the beginning of her career, but from her current performance, it's evident that her interpretation of the character aligns perfectly with the theme of the film, even elevating it to new heights."

"The character of He Baobao instills a sense of dread, as if a venomous snake is constantly watching you. It's rumored that there's some overlap between the character's backstory and Tang Fei's own experiences. This might explain why her portrayal is so vividly haunting."

Across various reviews and critiques, Tang Fei's performance in "Sinful Mind" has been praised. "Mercury City" offers both strong cinematic appeal and box office success, while "Sinful Mind" packs an emotional punch, exposing the dark thoughts of a certain type of individual, defying conventional understanding.

Though "Sinful Mind" has earned a commendable 2.3 billion yuan at the box office, few who have seen it once are willing to watch again, hindering its chances of sustained high earnings. The portrayal of He Baobao evokes a chilling horror, and the frustration towards the unwillingness to resist ultimately leads to a tragic demise. Only the storyline of shedding past burdens brings a slight sense of relief.

It was a remarkable film, but for those who sought mere entertainment in cinema, such films might be avoided after a single viewing.

Of course, this was a testament to the film's excellence, the actors' performances, and its impact on the psychology of the audience.

In 2023, the 29th Red Blossom Awards unfolded amidst a flurry of reviews. Tang Fei made a grand entrance, her figure adorned in an exquisite, flowing white gown that stood out vividly against the red carpet. Tang Fei's tall stature, elegant aura, and fair complexion accentuated the simplicity and sophistication of the specially tailored dress.

As she walked along the red carpet, fans gathered at the edges cheered frantically, holding up light boards with her name. Tang Fei waved at them and blew a kiss, her fans' excited voices drowning out all other sounds.

It seemed as if Tang Fei was the undisputed star of the night's red carpet event.

There were barely any female stars in the running for the movie who could compete with Tang Fei. Most of the nominated roles fell short of the standard set by Mercury City, let alone the captivating He Baobao.

The oscillation between He Baobao's madness and hypocrisy, the seamless switch from sanity to frenzy, could sometimes occur in less than a second. The chilling transformation of expressions, the interplay of coldness and ferocity, virtue and malevolence.

More acting is required than for an actor.

In the grand theater of life, He Baobao undoubtedly played a masterful role.

Before her true nature was revealed, she was mostly perceived as aloof, introverted, inarticulate, and disinclined to socialize.

As night fell, the Red Blossom Awards stage showcased clips of the nominees. In Tang Fei's Mercury City, her character slept peacefully on the water's surface under the moon, then went through stages of revelation, confusion, seeking solutions, and finally, with raised arms, exclaimed her vision of a waterborne city, an earthbound city, emulating the ancient ancestor Jing Wei who filled the sea!

In the end, inspired by a battle against nature, she created land on a planet devoid of it.

Each phase of Tang Fei's transformation echoed the heroine's growth trajectory and her interactions with the male lead, from admiration to shared ideals, culminating in forsaking their uninitiated love for their dreams.

The audience burst into applause.

The excerpt from Sinful Heart was a stark contrast to Mercury City. As one of the three leading ladies, Tang Fei's breathtaking transition from icy detachment to madness earned accolades. A moviegoer commented that after watching Sinful Heart, they dared not close doors anymore.

In the film, He Baobao's transformation was marked by shutting doors; when alone, her inner darkness could no longer be concealed, and her expression twisted into a chilling ferocity. Tang Fei, however, subtly altered her micro-expressions and shifted her gaze, leaving viewers yearning to cling to their partners or parents while watching.

Some parents regretted taking their children to see the movie without prior knowledge, as both child and parent were fans of Tang Fei. The kids were frightened, avoiding Tang Fei's shows for a week. Eventually, they recovered after watching more of Tang Fei's diverse roles and understanding the distinction between actors and their characters in films.

Sinful Heart chilled the atmosphere at the Red Blossom Awards ceremony. Directed by a promising filmmaker nurtured by Nine Points Studio, the cinematography, shot transitions, color grading, and actors' performances synergistically escalated the ambiance and immersive experience, creating a captivating blend of visuals and sound.

Sinful Heart was nominated for Best Leading Actress, Best New Director, Best Music, Best Screenplay, Best Film, and Best Cinematography.

Mercury City has been nominated for Best Director, Best Visual Effects, Best Music, Best Leading Actress, Best Leading Actor, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Picture.

Both Mercury City and Sinful Hearts are rivals in the categories of Best Music and Best Picture.

Best Picture is the ultimate accolade for a film, and both Chen Ye and rookie director Du Qi from Nine Points are on high alert. Whoever Tang Fei wins the award for Best Leading Actress with, their film's chances for Best Picture become more solid.

Though Sinful Hearts has garnered more buzz, the fan votes for both films are relatively close. It ultimately depends on the judges' preferences.

Chen Ye is a favorite among the jury, but Sinful Hearts clearly has an edge in terms of film genre, introducing an element of unpredictability as to which film will ultimately clinch the title of Best Picture.

As the presenter stepped onto the stage, those in the audience who were privy to the inside story suddenly broke into an uproar!

For it was Zhou Weichuan, the very CEO of Nine O'Clock Publishing House, who was presenting the award to Tang Fei! This was a historic moment for those in the know about their relationship.

With a serious demeanor, Zhou Weichuan stood on stage. He mysteriously unfolded the list of winners, and his eyes then shifted toward Tang Fei in the audience. His gaze shimmered with emotion, as if it was surrounded by a gentle glow. "The winner for Best Leading Actress is..."

Spotlights swept across the stage, eventually focusing on Tang Fei's face. Over a dozen beams illuminated her, and she offered Zhou Weichuan a slight smile, inwardly teasing him for his mischievousness – he hadn't even informed her that he would be presenting an award.

Such a surprise it was; if not for my composed demeanor, I might have covered my face in sheer excitement.

The presenter, Zhou Weichuan, paused slightly before announcing with great enthusiasm, "Best Leading Actress! Tang Fei! He Baobao!"