Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 257 The Ownership of the Golden Lion

It was not until the moment he received the Silver Lion from the award presenter that Li An felt as if he had "come back to life", so his award speech seemed to be somewhat heartfelt.

"I want to thank Annie Proulx for writing such a moving and great love story. Making this film was a great experience for each of us and I am delighted that it has been so well received and successful here.

As is known to all, I encountered some difficulties and it was difficult to raise enough financial support, so I had to shoot the whole process in Canada. I am especially grateful to the Canadian government for its policy support.

I am a person with only one ability, unlike Director Cao Yang, who is the pride of us Chinese. He is a magical director who can write, direct, win awards, promote people, and has super box office. This is an ability that I envy. "

The director's camera was directed to Cao Yang in real time.

Cao Yang felt a little strange for a moment. He was not very familiar with him and didn't know what he meant by "cueing" him.

However, facing the director's camera, Cao Yang definitely smiled and cooperated.

“Congratulations to Director Cao Yang for once again having the heroine of a film win the Venice Film Festival Best Actress Award. This is a very remarkable achievement.

But I'm not bad either, Best Director in Venice, that sounds pretty good."

The audience burst into laughter and then began to applaud.

“I have always thought that the Venice Film Festival is the most accommodating festival for unique styles of film. I never thought I would attend the Venice Film Festival before, and I can’t express how proud I am to be able to attend the Venice Film Festival.

This is the best choice I have ever made in my life. Thank you Venice Film Festival."

Cao Yang could somewhat understand Li An's feelings. The failure of "The Incredible Hulk" must have dealt a heavy blow to Li An's self-confidence, and it also left him facing the dilemma of having no films to shoot in Hollywood.

Even after returning to art films, they could not get enough financial support and could only go to Canada, where labor costs were relatively much lower and there was a tax rebate policy, to shoot American films.

It is estimated that he has been in a state of anxiety after filming the movie. After all, if this somewhat pleasing art film fails again, his Hollywood journey will be almost over.

Now, he has been recognized by Venice and won the Best Director award.

Even though mainstream Hollywood does not pay much attention to the Big Three European films, in the American independent film circle and the art film circle, the Big Three European films are still relatively recognized.

More importantly, with the Venice award, Focus Features, the production company of Brokeback Mountain, can also gain confidence and strive for an Oscar.

This is the biggest opportunity for Li An.

So, this Best Director award in Venice came at the perfect time.

But I understand you. You can't use my name to elevate yourself, right? We are not good friends. We are not that close.

Next, the Grand Jury Prize was presented, which was given to "Mary" directed by Abel Ferrara. It is worth mentioning that this is another Hollywood movie.

It seems that Ma has indeed compromised with Hollywood this time.

There are seven fixed awards, including the Grand Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay, and four of them are given to Hollywood movies.

This would have been unthinkable at previous Venice Film Festivals.

Most of the time, no matter what slogans the Venice Film Festival shouts, it will occasionally give Hollywood movies an award, give them some sweet treats, and lure them in.

Even Hollywood knows what Venice is like, and those big names just don't come anymore.

After the Jury Grand Prix was awarded, almost everyone thought that only the final grand prize, the Golden Lion, was left, and it seemed that the Golden Lion had lost its suspense.

Dong Xuan, Lu Yi and Huang Xiaoming also think so.

One of the biggest hits of the year, Gabriel, hadn’t gotten anywhere yet, and everyone knew it.

And now there is only one big prize lion left to be awarded, isn't that for "Gabriel"?

The reason why everyone thought so was very simple. Before the Venice awards ceremony, almost everyone believed that "Gabriel" would definitely win the award.

It doesn't mean that just because the great French literary director Patrice Chéreau has achieved great success in Cannes and Berlin, Venice will not give him the cold shoulder. The main reason is that "Gabriel" was rejected by the Cannes Film Festival this year.

Venice, a water city with a long history but relatively sluggish business operations, has always been at odds with the fiery character of the Palme d'Or.

Last year's Venice Golden Lion winner, "Vera Drake," was "deprived of admission" by Cannes.

Going back further, Zhang Yimou's "Not One Less" was also withdrawn from the Cannes competition, but then won the Golden Lion in Venice.

When it comes to slapping the Cannes Film Festival in the face, Venice has always been very active and a repeat offender.

This is also the reason why the specially invited film critic from China vowed that "Gabriel" could win the Golden Lion.

President Han was sitting not far from Cao Yang, and the sense of loss was obvious on his face.

What others can think of, he can definitely think of as well.

Was this trip to Venice in vain?

Mr. Han really didn't want to return empty-handed, so he couldn't help but pray in his heart, double yolk eggs, double yolk eggs, double yolk eggs...

It is now evening, Dong Xuan has a simple and immature personality, but very rarely, Dong Xuan took the initiative to grab Cao Yang's hand, said nothing, just looked at the stage seriously.

Cao Yang glanced at Dong Xuan's profile. If her ears hadn't been a little red, he would have thought she had recovered.

Is this to comfort me?

Cao Yang didn't believe that Lao Ma would mess up. Even if there was an accident, he would have informed him long ago. The current situation made Cao Yang a little suspicious. Could it be that the Golden Lion would have a double yolk again this year?
The award presenter came on stage, glanced at the audience, and said, "The award I'm going to present is a little special, so it's called the Special Golden Lion Award."

During the pause when the award presenter was speaking, everyone thought he was joking and laughed along.

The award presenter did not laugh, he continued:
“她是第31届和54届戛纳电影节的最佳女演员，她是第52届柏林电影节杰出艺术贡献银熊奖的获得者，她还是第45届和52届威尼斯电影节最佳女演员……”

The guests in the audience all realized that something was wrong, and it seemed that the award presenter was not joking.

"Her courage and inner struggle in Gabrielle made the whole character come alive...

For such an intellectual queen of the screen, even if she is awarded the Silver Lion title of Venice Film Festival Best Actress, it cannot highlight her outstanding contribution to art.

Therefore, the organizing committee and the jury unanimously decided to award Isabelle Huppert the Special Golden Lion Award! "

At this time, the guests in the audience had already reacted and quickly cheered and applauded, giving Isabelle Huppert enough respect.

Sure enough, Venice still likes to go against Cannes and gave the Golden Lion Award to the films that Cannes rejected.

But this time, the Golden Lion Award was not given to the movie "Gabriel", but to the actor!
This is an unprecedented operation.

Next, the guest to present the awards was Hayao Miyazaki from Little Days.

He, along with Italian actress Stefania Sandrelli, received the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival just a few days ago.

At the same time, Cao Yang felt his hand being held much tighter. Is Dong Xuan nervous?
Cao Yang gently patted Dong Xuan's hand, signaling her not to be nervous.

Dong Xuan stared at the stage with no visible expression, but he held Cao Yang's hand tightly.

Miyazaki said without further ado, "The organizing committee decided that I would be the one to announce the winner of the Golden Lion Award tonight. I am honored. So, the winner of the Best Film at the 62nd Venice International Film Festival is..."

After looking at the audience, Miyazaki fixed his gaze on Cao Yang and said with a smile, "Cao Yang, Black Swan!"

The scene was quiet at first, and then broke into unusually warm applause. Starting from the front row, many guests stood up unconsciously, clapping while facing the direction of Cao Yang.

More and more people are standing up.

"Congratulations, you've won the Golden Lion again!"

Dong Xuan also stood up and hugged Cao Yang, her face full of excitement, seeming to be even more excited than when she won the Best Actress award.

"Director Cao, congratulations." Huang Xiaoming said.

"Congratulations to Director Cao for winning the highest award." Lu Yi also said.

"Junior brother, congratulations on scoring twice."

President Han leaned sideways to hug Cao Yang and patted him on the back.

He was grinning so hard that his mouth reached his ears. From the loss not long ago to the surprise now, it felt like a roller coaster, with so many ups and downs, it was so exciting.

"Brother, congratulations on winning the Golden Lion."

Cao Yang also joked, and then said: "Come on, senior brother, go up on stage and receive the award."

President Han smiled so much that his face was covered with wrinkles, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart again, it was really worth it to recognize this junior brother!
Cao Yang, you will always be my good junior brother and my real brother from now on!

Whoever dares to stab Cao Yang is going against me!
After Cao Yang came on stage, he shook hands with Hayao Miyazaki first. Miyazaki said, "Congratulations, Director Cao Yang. You are the pride of Asia. I hope we can have a chance to discuss movies together."

"Thank you, you are also the pride of Asia."

Cao Yang replied with a smile.

Miyazaki himself has publicly criticized Japan's militarist history on many occasions, arguing that Japan should face up to its war crimes against China and apologize.

This attitude aroused dissatisfaction among the right wing, leading to him being denounced as a "traitor" and "anti-Japanese element" by some of the right wing.

A very anti-war director.

Cao Yang handed the golden lion in his hand to President Han and asked him to hold it. This would allow President Han to get more exposure and have more photos of him holding the golden lion.

It’s fine for President Han to go up on stage to receive the award, but it won’t be his turn to give a speech.

"Thanks to all the crew members, your efforts have not been in vain. We have won the highest honor in Venice."

Cao Yang pointed at Mr. Han and said, "This is Mr. Han, the producer of Black Swan. Without him, there would be no such movie."

He lifted President Han slightly, causing him to wave the golden lion in his hand excitedly.

The audience began to applaud, and when the applause stopped, Cao Yang continued:
“Thank you to the film festival, China Film Group, Qingdao Film Studio, and my alma mater Beijing Film Academy. I especially want to thank my teacher Mr. Situ and my parents.

Director Li An said he envied me, but the Best Director award he got was not bad either. Director Li An, now I have the Golden Lion. Compared to the Best Director award, I think the Golden Lion is also good. "

Wow, wow, wow, the applause rang out again.

Li An looked at Cao Yang with mixed feelings and could only keep smiling on the surface. He originally wanted to raise his own status, but he didn't expect to be suppressed so quickly.

(End of this chapter)