The 2012 awards season was one of the most fiercely competitive in recent memory. Several heavyweight directors have released their latest films this year—legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese with Hugo, Steven Spielberg with War Horse, and French director Michel Hazanavicius with the much-hyped The Artist.
The Best Actor category was no less challenging.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael Fassbender had both delivered what many considered the finest performances of their careers.
George Clooney and Brad Pitt were also strong contenders, each with solid work that made them serious threats.
To win an award in this kind of lineup required not just talent, but luck.
On January 15, the Golden Globe nominations were officially announced.
As widely predicted, the French silent film The Artist, which had already swept multiple pre-award season accolades, led with six nominations, making it the most spotlighted film of the year.
Following closely were The Help and George Clooney's The Descendants, each with five nominations.
Laila's Silence came in just behind with four nominations.
Meanwhile, her record-smashing blockbuster The Avengers also scored her a Best Director nomination—though clearly, this one was more of a symbolic nod than a serious contender.
Laila herself didn't put much stock in it.
The Golden Globe judges had likely only included her in the Best Director category because The Avengers had shattered box office records.
But no one was really expecting a commercial superhero film to win, especially with Silence standing in the lineup. If she were to win anything, it would surely be for the latter.
One other notable nomination came in the Best Foreign Language Film category:
Zhang Yimou's The Flowers of War.
It was his fifth time being nominated, and it drew significant attention back home.
The film had caused major controversy when it premiered domestically—some praised it as a masterpiece, others dismissed it as disappointing. Public opinion was deeply divided.
Whether it would win came down to the judges' preferences—and luck.
The next day, the Golden Globe Awards ceremony was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
Laila and Roy were among the first celebrities to arrive on the red carpet.
Fans and reporters alike were stunned to see such high-profile stars show up this early.
It wasn't until the crowd erupted in screams that the still-relaxing photographers frantically grabbed their gear and rushed to work.
For fans, catching a glimpse of their favorite stars this early was a treat.
Many had been waiting in the cold since early morning to snag the best spots. Even with heavy coats, several hours of standing in January weather still left people chilled.
But the moment they saw Laila Moran and Roy Seasonstar, arguably the most talked-about couple of the year, stepping onto the red carpet, they lost it.
Screaming their names, jumping, waving—desperate to catch their attention.
Just one look, one photo—that was all they wanted.
Laila had intentionally arrived early. There were several people at this year's ceremony she particularly wanted to see and chat with beforehand.
As for the fans' enthusiasm? She was more than happy to reciprocate.
Pulling Roy along, she walked over to greet the crowd, even posing for selfies at the edge of the barricade. Judging by the eardrum-shattering screams, the fans were ecstatic.
As always, red carpet hosts swooped in with microphones in hand.
"Two of your films are nominated this year—do you have a favorite?"
"Oh, I couldn't possibly say," Laila replied smoothly, flashing a smile.
After years of interviews, she wasn't about to fall for such a basic trap.
She was, after all, someone who had dug deep pits for moviegoers around the globe—how could she fall into someone else's?
Ask her to pick one? She'd pick neither.
But the host wasn't giving up so easily.
"There's been a lot of debate around Silence recently. Director Moran, if it were you, what choice would you have made?"
"Everyone has their own answer," Laila replied with a serene smile.
"Why must we judge our choices by right or wrong?"
"But that's different! Like, red is red, and blue is blue. Everyone sees the same thing. Everyone's answer should be the same."
"Not necessarily," Laila said with a mischievous glint.
"Someone who's colorblind might not see a difference at all."
Just nonsense banter? She could hold her own with the best of them.
The host gave up with a chuckle and turned to Roy.
"Having such a sharp-tongued wife—don't you find it exhausting?"
Roy laughed heartily.
"Once you've had a wife like mine, you'll know what it's like to live in paradise every single day."
"Alright, I surrender!" the host threw up his hands.
"May I be lucky enough to find someone just as wonderful. You two are disgustingly sweet!"
Amid laughter all around them, Laila and Roy finally entered the awards hall.
Since they had arrived early, there were only a few crew members inside. Most of the celebrity crowd had yet to appear.
Fortunately, it didn't take long before the person Laila most wanted to see walked in.
"Director Moran, Mr. Seasonstar—long time no see."
The man had clearly spotted them first and made his way over with a warm smile.
"Director Zhang, it's been a while," Laila stood to shake his hand.
Roy greeted him cheerfully as well.
Zhang Yimou chuckled,
"I was hoping I'd get a chance to talk to you both before things got busy. Good thing I came early."
"No rush—we've got plenty of time," Laila gestured for him to sit beside her.
Of course, the seat was only temporary. Once more guests arrived, everyone would return to their assigned seats.
Only the most popular stars and heavily spotlighted film crews got the prime seats—close to the stage, often caught on camera.
As for those seated farther away? Well, they weren't going to complain—being invited at all was already a stroke of luck.
Zhang Yimou was candid in his admiration.
"Silence is a phenomenal film. Not just the story—the cinematography and directing are also outstanding.
The moment I saw the nomination list, I knew you'd be going home with at least a few statues tonight."
He was being sincere—and a little envious.
Who wouldn't be?
Just look at him—nearing the latter half of his life—and look at Laila Moran. Still so young, yet already a global force in cinema.
Not to mention, she hadn't even come from a formal film background.
It was talent alone that had brought her this far.