Chapter 302: Leading Hollywood

Chapter 302: Chapter 302: Leading Hollywood

On February 11, 2003, at 5:30 AM Pacific Standard Time, Irene Coppola’s villa was still bathed in pre-dawn light, but the living room television was already on, its screen casting flickering light against the marble walls.

Britney, wearing pink plush pajamas, sat cross-legged on the carpet with her hands gripping Irene’s wrist. Her whole body was like a wound-up toy, swaying gently to the background noise coming from the television. "Irene! Wake up! It’s about to start! How can you still be so calm!"

Her voice was kept extremely low, yet it couldn’t hide the excitement surging in her chest, and the end of her sentence trembled.

Vivian, sitting on the other side of the sofa, was no better. She clutched a cushion to her chest, her knuckles white. Her legs were together, her back straight, and her eyes stared unblinkingly at the television screen. Her breathing was so light she seemed as nervous as if she were waiting for her own verdict.

In contrast, Irene—the person at the center of it all—wore loose gray loungewear, her hair casually tied back, her face still heavy with sleep.

She let out a long yawn, a trace of tears welling in the corners of her eyes. She reached for the softest cushion on the sofa, placed it behind her neck, and sank half-lying, half-leaning into the sofa. Glancing at the television with sleepy eyes, she said, "Please, do we really need to get up this early to watch the results? We were up chatting until 1 AM last night. Wouldn’t it be better to sleep in this morning? The results won’t change while we’re asleep. Except for filming early morning scenes, I’ve never woken up this early in my life."

As soon as she finished speaking, she couldn’t help but yawn again.

"Doing this shows sincerity!" Britney retorted loudly.

Fine. Irene really couldn’t understand how getting up at 5 AM would earn her two more nominations.

On the television screen, the studio lights gradually brightened. Frank Pierson, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, dressed in a crisp black suit, walked onto the stage with a gentle smile. He was followed closely by Oscar Best Supporting Actress winner Marisa Tomei, whose silver gown made her look elegant.

The two stood before the microphone, exchanged brief pleasantries, and then officially began the nomination announcements.

"First, we will announce the nominations for Best Picture." Frank Pierson’s voice came through the television speakers, clear and steady, instantly making the air in the apartment feel a bit frozen.

Britney’s hands tightened sharply. Irene could even feel the coldness and trembling of her fingertips. Vivian held her breath. The cushion was deformed by her grip, and her shoulders were slightly hunched.

Irene also lifted her eyelids slightly. Her gaze fell on the screen, and her sleepiness faded a little.

"The nominees for Best Picture at the 75th Oscars are—*Chicago*, Gangs of New York, The Hours, The Pianist, and... Million Dollar Baby!"

"Ah——!!"

As soon as Frank finished speaking, the screams of Britney and Vivian shattered the villa’s tranquility.

Britney jumped up from the carpet and grabbed Irene, who was beside her, with such force that she almost knocked her off the sofa, yelling incoherently, "Nominated! Best Picture nomination! Irene! Did you hear that!"

Vivian also stood up excitedly, her eyes instantly turning red. She slapped the sofa armrest hard, her voice choked with sobs. "That’s great! That’s really great!"

The sudden screaming completely woke Irene from her last bit of drowsiness. She helplessly patted Britney’s back. "I know, I know. Let go a bit. I can’t breathe."

But the two girls couldn’t stop at all. Britney released Irene and then hugged Vivian, jumping and screaming together. The living room was filled with their jubilant figures.

On the television, the nomination announcements continued.

"Next is the Best Director nomination." Marisa Tomei took the microphone, her eyes scanning the list in her hand. "The nominees are—Martin Scorsese for Gangs of New York, Stephen Daldry for The Hours, Roman Polanski for The Pianist, Irene Coppola for Million Dollar Baby, Rob Marshall for Chicago!"

"Best Director nomination too!!" Vivian screamed and threw herself back onto the sofa, staring intently at the Million Dollar Baby poster appearing on the screen. "Irene! You are amazing!"

A faint smile curled at the corners of Irene’s mouth, and she breathed a sigh of relief. The two nominations she valued most were already in hand. The rest would be up to fate.

Immediately after, the Best Actor nomination was announced, and Robert De Niro, who played Frankie in Million Dollar Baby, successfully made the list. When Hilary Swank, who played Maggie, was named for Best Actress, Britney was once again incredibly excited.

For Best Supporting Actor, Morgan Freeman, who played Eddie in the film, was also successfully selected. Subsequently, in the nomination lists for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing, the name Million Dollar Baby appeared time and time again. Like a string of firecrackers, it caused the atmosphere in the room to boil even more.

When Frank Pierson announced the final nomination, the screen clearly listed the seven nominations for Million Dollar Baby: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Leading the 75th Oscar nomination list with an absolute advantage, it became the biggest winner of the year. The screams of Britney and Vivian reached their peak.

Although Chicago received more nominations—13 in total—half of them were technical awards, which did not carry the same weight as those for Million Dollar Baby.

Fortunately, there were no other residents near Irene’s home. Otherwise, this high-decibel noise at five in the morning would likely have drawn complaints from neighbors.

Irene sat up, picked up the water glass on the table, and took a sip. The cold water slid down her throat, making her completely wide awake.

Seven nominations. This was the greatest affirmation for the entire Million Dollar Baby team and an important recognition of her directorial career.

On the television, the media had already begun broadcasting real-time commentary on the nomination results. Million Dollar Baby became the focus of heated discussion, and Irene’s name was mentioned repeatedly.

The screams and sobs of Britney and Vivian still echoed in her ears. Irene leaned back on the sofa, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the texture of the cushion’s fabric.

Sleepiness had long since vanished, replaced by an indescribable excitement. This realist film had sparked great discussion in her previous life, becoming the Oscar Best Picture, and the original director, Clint Eastwood, had also won Best Director.

Although she had replicated it one-to-one based on the original film in her mind, it was impossible to make it exactly the same as the original. Not to mention that compared to director Clint Eastwood, she was lacking in more than just a little bit. Yet to receive such great recognition at the Oscar nomination stage now, with seven nominations leading the field—this was almost the most direct affirmation of her directorial career to date.