Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 333 Tacit understanding
On January 28th, filming for "Pirates of the Caribbean" was not yet complete, but Depp's scenes had already been filmed, and Cao Yang sent him to Berlin first.

Charlize Theron also called to ask when Cao Yang was going to Berlin and whether she wanted to wait for him to go with her.

Cao Yang told Theron to go to Berlin first and not to wait for him.

Before agreeing to become the president of the Berlin Film Festival jury, Cao Yang had already told the festival's president, Dieter Kosslick, that he might go to Berlin in early February because of the film.

Dieter Koslick didn't mind this minor issue and readily agreed.

However, out of courtesy, Cao Yang still called Dieter Koslick after the main competition lineup was announced.

In addition, he called several judges and asked them to go through the selection process and choose the awards they thought were the best.

The number of awards in the main competition section of the Berlin Film Festival is not fixed, but there are a few major awards that are always included: Best Film, Grand Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

These five categories are the fixed awards every year. There are also a few other awards that are not fixed and are "specially created" based on the films selected for the main competition each year.

Cao Yang asked each member of the judging panel to select these five fixed awards based on their personal preferences. The remaining "special" awards, and how many special awards to create, would be decided after Cao Yang went to Berlin.

In fact, Cao Yang was quite "democratic" in this matter.

However, Cao Yang does not intend to make the list of judges chosen based on their personal preferences public. Once he collects the list, as long as it is not made public, it will be as if no selection was made, and the decision-making power will still be in Cao Yang's hands.

He said that if a movie has supporters, even if no one actually supports it, then because no one knows everyone's choices, the movie "truly" has "supporters".

This is actually a kind of "democracy." Cao Yang fully respects everyone's right to choose and gives the judges face, making them feel valued and respected. However, the decision-making power is always in Cao Yang's hands.

In the early hours of February 3, Cao Yang was picked up by the film festival organizing committee at Berlin Tegel Airport and taken to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Berlin.

This is a five-star hotel that opened in 04. Because it is just steps away from Potsdamer Platz, the venue for the film festival, and very close to the Berlin Film Palace, several judges were arranged to stay here.

The next day, after Cao Yang woke up, he had a simple breakfast at the hotel. Just as he finished eating, Dieter Koslick arrived.

It seems he has quite a few informants at the hotel, otherwise he wouldn't have timed his visit to Cao Yang so precisely.

"Cao, welcome. It's been six years since we last met. You still look so young and handsome."

Dieter Koslick hugged Cao Yang, acting very familiar, as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other for years.

To be honest, Cao Yang's memory of Dieter Kosslick's appearance was a bit hazy. He first met Dieter Kosslick in 01 when he brought "On the Beach at Night Alone" to Berlin and won the Jury Prize.

Since then, although Cao Yang has frequently come to Europe to attend film festivals, it has been limited to Venice and Cannes. He has not come to Berlin again and has not had the opportunity to meet Dieter Koslick.

“You are also Dieter. It’s just as heartwarming to see you again. I have a special feeling for Berlin. Coming here again fills me with excitement and anxiety.”

Cao Yang said with a smile that he would also say polite things.

"Haha, I believe this is your true feeling. Berlin is where you made your name, and it will be your place of glory."

Dieter Kosslick's words were ambiguous, and he then moved on from that topic, asking with concern:
"You've been on a plane for over ten hours and only arrived in Berlin in the early hours of the morning. You've only had a few hours of rest. Why don't you rest for another day and then get back to work tomorrow?"

The body is the foundation of everything; getting enough rest is essential for maintaining physical and mental health, which is crucial for creating more classic films.

"No need, I'm still young, a few hours of rest is enough. Besides, I've been late for several days already, I should get back to work as soon as possible."

Cao Yang shook his head and declined Dieter Koslick's offer.

Actually, the jury doesn't have to work as hard as people imagine. There are only 22 films shortlisted for the main competition, and they only need to select about 8 from these 22.

In fact, this is a very subjective choice. Only those movies that leave a lasting impression and are memorable will become the focus of the judges' debate, while those that don't have many memorable moments are unlikely to win an award.

Unless other factors are involved.

"Haha, I admire your serious and dedicated work attitude. Being able to invite you is the best decision I've made since taking office."

Dieter Koslick first offered another compliment before asking, "Cao, what are your thoughts on this year's Golden Bear?"

Cao Yang almost laughed.

I haven't even seen any of this year's nominated films yet, and you're already testing me. Is this a reminder that the Golden Bear is your bottom line?

That's how it looks.

Each year, the films shortlisted for the main competition are selected from thousands of entries, with the exception of a few films directed by renowned directors or those who have won the three major European awards, which bypass the initial selection process. At least in terms of quality, there is a certain level of assurance.

Therefore, it is not surprising for the film festival that any of the films that entered the main competition will win an award—except for the Golden Bear.

The top prizes at each of the three major European film festivals are always held by the festival president or artistic director. This is the embodiment of their power and also the bottom line and guarantee of the film festivals.

Dieter Koslick still seemed a little uneasy. Cao Yang's influence was too great, and he certainly didn't want any accidents to happen.

"I haven't seen the movie yet. After I've watched all the nominated movies, I'll choose the one I think is suitable."

As Cao Yang finished speaking, he saw Dieter Koslick's expression change and smiled inwardly, thinking, "I thought you would always be so cheerful and composed."

"Of course, I will only give you the right to make suggestions regarding the final decision on the Golden Bear Award; the final decision rests with you."

Cao Yang stopped panting and said with a smile.

Dieter Kosslick visibly relaxed, then laughed again and corrected him:
"Cao, that's not right. What do you mean by 'the decision is in my hands'? It's not in my hands. The Berlin Film Festival's awarding of the Golden Bear is the result of a very complicated voting process."

The votes come from the jury, the organizing committee, and also from the festival's program score; this reflects the festival's credibility.

Okay, say whatever you want. Anyway, you're still the chairman of the organizing committee, the president of the film festival, and the artistic director... In short, you're the "embodiment" of the Berlin Film Festival's credibility.

"Come on, I'll take you to meet the other members of the judging panel."

After saying that, Dieter Koslick added softly, "The selection of the Golden Bear is a bit complicated, but the other awards are much simpler; the judging panel can make the decisions completely."

Cao Yang could tell that this was a kind of "exchange" with him.

The two of them reaffirmed their previous consensus.

Dieter Koslick actually delegated a lot of power to Cao Yang so that he could become the chairman of the jury.

In previous years, apart from the Golden Bear, one or two of the other regular awards would be controlled by the film festival. This time, it seems that, apart from the Golden Bear, he has delegated the power of the rest to Cao Yang.

Through Dieter Koslick's introduction, Cao Yang met the other members of the judging panel.

Excluding Cao Yang, the chairman of the jury, he knew Depp, Charlize Theron, Ning Ying, and Shi Nansheng among the other eight jury members.

The remaining four are Palestinian actress Siam Abbas, German actor Mario Adoff, Danish filmmaker Molly Marin Stansgaard, and Iranian actress Reza Naki.

The judges applauded Cao Yang's arrival warmly, and seemed unperturbed by his lateness.

"Cao, the rest of the time is yours. You have important things to do, so I won't cause any more trouble here."

Dieter Koslick waved to everyone and left the jury's office.

After Dieter Koslick left, Cao Yang didn't say much, nor did he immediately go back to work to watch the film. Instead, he smiled and asked:

"You should have seen all 22 movies by now, right? Write down the movies you think have the potential to win awards and give them to me. I need to take your opinions into account."

From the announcement of the nomination list on the 28th to today, the 4th, almost a week has passed. I believe they all have a general understanding of it by now.

After hearing Cao Yang's words, no one moved first. It wasn't until Depp handed an envelope to Cao Yang, followed by Theron and Ning Ying, that the others handed over the prepared list to Cao Yang.

Eight lists—this was prepared long ago.

Cao Yang took the list and went to his office.

He opened the envelope Depp had given him, and then smiled. Just as he expected, the envelope was empty. Depp was showing that he would fully support him.

Next, Cao Yang picked out Theron's envelope. The contents were once again beyond his expectations. Instead of the movie title or the actor's name, it contained a room number and a room key.

Furthermore, it also mentions that she and her boyfriend, Irish actor Stuart Townsend, have reconciled.

What the hell do you mean by that?
Do you need to explain to me that you and your boyfriend have broken up and gotten back together so many times?

What kind of person do you take me for?
Cao Yang made up his mind and returned the room key to Theron that night.

Of course, Charlize Theron's decision not to provide the list is similar to Depp's thinking, both indicating their full support for Cao Yang.

(End of this chapter)