1RomanceEB Chapter 37 Celebrating Victory
Chapter 37 Celebrating Victory
The awards ceremony was drawing to a close, but before that, another highlight moment for Chinese-language films also stunned the audience.
After the Best Director award was given to Mark Rothman for "Sophie Scoule: Hope and Rebellion," the envelope for the Jury Prize was slowly opened.
The remaining crew members remained completely silent in their seats. Gu Changwei's usually reserved expression was now extremely tense. Although the award was not bad, it was still a pity that they had fallen short before the Golden Bear.
"The winner is—Peacock!"
As the award presenter's clear voice faded, thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall. Gu Changwei abruptly stood up and embraced Jiang Wenli warmly.
When this director, who came from a photography background, walked onto the stage to accept the award, he seemed a little awkward in front of the camera, but the determination in his eyes when he accepted the trophy moved everyone.
"Film is a grand dream within ordinary life. I am grateful to my team, my family, and the era that kept me going."
Lin Ruiyang, sitting in the audience, led the applause. He knew very well that "Peacock" deserved to win the Jury Prize.
If "A Separation" won half of the acting awards with its explosive performance, then "Peacock" conquered the discerning European judges with its sentimentality, like the subtle cracks in everyday life.
Two Chinese-language films, released at the same Berlin Film Festival, one after the other, completed a sweep of the world film scene.
After the Grand Jury Prize, the winner of the Golden Bear for Best Film was almost a foregone conclusion, with the South African film "Carmen of Kayalisa" emerging as the biggest winner.
As the lights came on after the show, the three members of the Chinese-language film crew were surrounded by reporters at the exit, their faces gleaming white from the flashes of light.
Guo Xiaodong escorted Hao Lei and Yan Bingyan out, carrying the silver bear in one hand and using the other to shield them from the crowd.
A reporter caught up with him, handed him a recording pen, and asked him how he felt.
Guo Xiaodong smiled and said, "My feeling is that I have to treat the director to drinks when I get back tonight."
Hao Lei and Yan Bingyan chimed in agreement.
When a reporter asked Yen Ping-yen how it felt to win Best Actress at her first film festival, she thought for a moment and said, "It's like a dream, I haven't woken up yet."
The reporter chuckled, and she chuckled along with him. Then, she subconsciously looked down at the silver bear in her arms, as if to confirm that it was still there and that this was not a dream.
The Hyatt Hotel lounge after the closing ceremony has become a hunting ground for global copyright buyers, producers, and agents.
As soon as Lin Ruiyang stepped into the lounge, he was surrounded by countless wine glasses and business cards.
"Lin, I'm the producer from MK2 France. We're very interested in distributing 'A Separation' in Europe..."
Lin Ruiyang responded politely, but his eyes searched through the crowd.
Finally, he saw Roger Sutherland at a round table in the corner, and sitting opposite Roger was a middle-aged woman with a cold expression, Elizabeth Gabler, the current head of Fox.
Lin Ruiyang pushed through the crowd and walked over.
"Lin, your performance tonight reminded me of Quentin in 1994." Roger stood up and hugged him, whispering in his ear, "Elizabeth postponed her private plane back to Los Angeles to see you."
Elizabeth raised her head, her eyes, accustomed to the scrutiny of countless people in Hollywood, sharply examining Lin Ruiyang:
"Director Lin, I've read your diagnosis. You positioned 'The Devil Wears Prada' as an awakening of professionalism, rather than a career girl's revenge."
This is a bold and interesting approach.
"Because in this world, besides love, only professional ethics transcends national boundaries." Lin Ruiyang sat down calmly.
"If you want a popcorn movie that only sells for two months, then stick to the original script's theme."
If you want a classic that working women will still consider a bible ten years from now, you have to listen to me.
Elizabeth, sitting opposite him, stared at Lin Ruiyang for a full ten seconds. This young man, not even twenty years old, did not seem like a junior who had just made his mark on the international film scene.
"See you in Los Angeles in two weeks. I hope your full script will be on my desk by then."
Wang Hai organized a celebration banquet in his hotel room. Calling it a celebration banquet was a bit of a stretch; he basically just gathered the entire film crew into one room, ordered a few bottles of wine and some German cold cuts.
The first thing Guo Xiaodong did upon entering the room was not to pour wine, but to place the silver bear on the table.
Hao Lei and Yan Bingyan then came in. They looked at each other and simultaneously placed the silver bears on the table. The three silver bears stood in a row under the warm yellow light.
"Take a picture." The fat man squatted in front of the table with his camera and pressed the shutter button several times.
"Once I get them developed back in China, I'm going to frame them and put them in the school history museum. I've even thought of a name: 'The Three Bears of Berlin!'"
The room erupted in laughter, but no one objected, which meant they agreed.
Wang Hai took out his notebook from his bag, opened a page filled with dense numbers, and read out the offering prices for several major European markets to his phone as he looked at it.
The contract for the French region was secured before the awards ceremony, while the German partner proactively increased the guaranteed minimum by 20% after the awards were announced.
"As for North America, the bidding is still ongoing, and Focus Features wants to meet with us tomorrow morning. They saw the results on-site, and their tone on the phone just now was much more urgent than before."
Lin Ruiyang took the notebook and glanced at it; the numbers were much better than he had expected.
With a production cost of two million RMB, and pre-orders from several major European countries already exceeding one and a half million euros, if negotiations with North America are successful, the total global revenue will undoubtedly surpass three million euros.
This achievement would be considered a resounding success in both commercial and artistic aspects for any film competing in the Berlin Film Festival.
He handed the notebook back to Wang Hai: "What time is the appointment with Focus?"
"10:00 AM, Westin Lobby."
Meanwhile, it was 4 a.m. Beijing time.
Wang Jinsong stared at the group photo on the screen, showing "One Family, Three Films" and "Peacock" winning the championship, completely unaware that cigarette ash had fallen on his pants.
"They've gone mad...they've all gone mad." Several teachers from the Literature and Performing Arts departments who stayed on campus huddled together. Due to the time difference, they had stayed up all night, but they felt no signs of fatigue.
"The directing department has been calling us nonstop." A teacher couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Now things are great. The two production teams have swept some of the most important trophies in Berlin, three of which were trained by students from our literature department."
Wang Jinsong stubbed out his cigarette, his eyes gleaming with an almost fanatical light: "Tell Liu Yibing that after the crew returns to China, the Department of Literature will host a seminar, with our Department of Performing Arts as the co-organizer."
On the internet, the entertainment sections of major portal websites have been completely paralyzed.
Chinese-language films dominate Berlin! "Peacock" wins Silver, "A Separation" sweeps three awards!
"The strongest literature student in history! Lin Ruiyang shows you what an all-around director really is!"
"Hao Lei, Yan Bingyan, Guo Xiaodong—Who exactly is this 20-year-old director behind 'A Separation'?"