Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 408 Berlin Film Festival Best Actress, I'll personally crown you (Bonus chapter for Jing Tiankong Alliance Leader)

Liu Yifei was putting on makeup, while Lu Kuan, who had stayed up all night handling official business, closed his eyes to rest on the sofa and soon began to snore softly.

"Crystal..."

"Shh!"

Xiao Liu suddenly interrupted the makeup artist's conversation with her, pointed at her boyfriend on the sofa, and gestured for her to stop her work.

She then tiptoed to the sofa with a blanket. The afternoon sun shone through the half-drawn curtains, turning the dust into a golden mist that dappled the ground between Lu Kuan's furrowed brows.

The girl gently covered herself with the blanket, watching his stubble, which seemed to have sprouted again overnight, ferment into a sign of exhaustion amidst the hum of the warm air conditioner.

When will it be possible to retire at forty, as he said? Unfortunately, he has too many things to do, and I can only share a small part of it.

Xiao Liu continued applying makeup, and the room suddenly became quiet.

The makeup team members were also careful not to make any extra noise.

But Boss Lu was still woken up by the ringing of the phone.

"Director Zhang?"

"Xiao Lu, isn't it time to give out the awards?"

Lu Kuan rubbed his eyes, got up, and glanced at the time: "Yes, there's still a little over an hour left."

"Okay, it's nothing. We just finished discussing things before heading back to the dorm. The online comments..."

Boss Lu laughed and said, "It's alright, ignore them. These old traitors always manage to stick their noses out."

"You guys should also take care of yourselves and get some rest. It's almost midnight in Beiping, you'll have to work hard. I estimate it will be another half month before I can go back to China."

Zhang Yimou had just settled into his dormitory at the Olympic Building in Beiping: "What's so hard about it? You've always been there for me every time."

"By the way, I just saw that Director Xie Jin was interviewed by Xinmin Evening News and voiced his support for you online, so I wanted to let you know."

Xinmin Evening News has a long history and is the newspaper with the largest circulation and greatest influence in Shanghai. Xie Jin and his wife are older and definitely not good at using the internet.

Lu Kuan hung up the phone and turned on his computer. The official blog of Xinmin Evening News had an interview with Xie Jin and an authorized post—

Whose nerves were pricked by "The Sky of History"? — On the spinelessness and historical amnesia of some "anti-China" individuals.

This article is a transcript of an interview with director Xie Jin this afternoon. At Mr. Xie's request, it must be published before the "Sky of History" crew receives their award, as a small token of my support.

Interview Transcript with Xie Jin:
I've seen some opinions that have angered me. Times have changed, and it's really inappropriate to still use such vulgar labels to slap on other people's heads.

Your claim that director Lu Kuan "peddles patriotism" is a fallacy.

Patriotism is something you can have or you can not have; it's not something you can buy or sell.

I think it's some people who are peddling historical nihilism.

Iris Chang dedicated her life to restoring the truth of the Nanjing Massacre, and international friends such as John Rabe and Minnie Vautrin risked their lives to protect Chinese civilians. Aren't these epic tales of justice that humanity will remember together?
Some people, however, casually dismiss it as "politically correct," as if only "reflection" from a Western perspective is profound, and that Chinese people telling their own history is "sentimental."

This double standard precisely exposes their spiritual subservience.

As for the topic of the film's artistic merit, I haven't seen it, so I won't comment.

But the film critics haven't even watched it, so how can they have the nerve to come out and criticize?
I believe that the setbacks that Chinese cinema faced back then due to issues of labels and political direction are something that could never happen again today. But your so-called "New Wave" ideology, which you hold as gospel, is truly laughable.

I am a cowardly director. After experiencing a turning point in my life, I haven't had any good works to share with the audience for a long time, and I am ashamed of that.

But Director Lu Kuan is a strong fighter. My support today is actually insignificant. It is just to express my own feelings and thoughts. I hope to see the future of Chinese cinema that he has depicted.

I think "The Sky of History" was never a film that tried to please anyone.

It is a mirror, reflecting the courage of the righteous and the faces of the cowards.

Those who are quick to predict the downfall should first ask themselves: What are you really afraid of? Are you afraid that history will be remembered, or are you afraid that the Chinese people will finally learn to tell their own stories?

Those who carry firewood for the masses should not be left to freeze to death in the wind and snow. If everyone remains silent, those who truly do the work will be disheartened.

When "The Sky of History" is released in Shanghai, I will go and watch it carefully to support director Lu Kuan.

Mr. Lu smiled knowingly upon seeing this.

The lineup of those on the side in the great debate was also very strong, starting with directors and professors from the Beijing Film Academy such as Tian Zhuangzhuang and Zhang Yimou, to celebrities in the entertainment industry and opinion leaders from all walks of life.

However, Xie Jin is hailed as "the conscience of Chinese cinema." He is a milestone in Chinese cinema and a master of his generation, representing an era. His status in the cultural world and among ordinary viewers is extraordinary, so his words carry a different weight.

He thought for a moment, then took out his phone, hesitating whether or not to call Xie Jin.

Xie Jin was an alcoholic and smoker throughout his life. He was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago and suffered greatly because his two sons died one after another a few years ago.

In November 2008, Xie Jin passed away due to illness, indicating that his days were numbered.

"What's wrong?" Liu Yifei noticed the unusual look on his face through the makeup mirror.

"It's nothing, I'll just make a call." Lu Kuan dialed the number with a normal expression, but it was too late in China, and he was afraid it would disturb his rest.

"Hello? Director Lu Kuan, this is Xu Dawen."

"Ms. Xu, I have read the interview published in Xinmin Evening News. Please thank Mr. Xie for me. I will visit him again when I return to China for the roadshow in Shanghai."

Xu Dawen clutched his phone. He and his wife were hospitalized at Huadong Hospital for health care, one of the oldest designated hospitals for cadre health care in Shanghai.

"Give me the phone." Xie Jin had just finished his injection and was still in relatively good spirits: "Director Xiao Lu, don't mention thanking me, you did a great job."

"Don't pay any attention to the nonsense spouted by people like Zhu Dake. Times have changed. Back then, we had no choice but to protect ourselves, but you are different."

"The great business you've built can protect you and others who are doing the same thing. That's wonderful!"

Xie Jin became somewhat agitated as he spoke, recalling the massive crowds that filled the entrance of the Shanghai Grand Cinema when "Woman Basketball Player No. 5" premiered in 1957.

He recalled the warmth he felt in his palm when the leader held his hand and said, "This is the people's art," after "The Red Detachment of Women" was screened at the Great Hall of the People in 1962;

He recalled the day in 1979 when filming began for "Ah! Cradle." The sandstorms of the Loess Plateau stung his eyes, but they couldn't dim the light dancing in the eyes of every young person in the crew.

The old man's withered fingers gripped the corner of the blanket tightly, and those yellowed film memories flowed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.

He suddenly started coughing violently, which startled Xu Dawen, who quickly patted his back.

Xie Jin then extended an invitation to him: "Comrade Xiao Lu, if you ever come to Shanghai, please come to my home again so we can sit down and chat."

"Yes, certainly."

Lu Kuan hung up the phone, feeling deeply moved.

He always felt a sense of closeness to this veteran director, perhaps stemming from the similar treatment Zeng Wenxiu and Xie Jin had received back then—

After Zhu Dake and others launched their attacks in the 80s, the literary and art circles also began a rectification campaign against capitalism and self-interest, and Xie Jin goes without saying.

His adoptive mother, Zeng Wenxiu, was also sent to the film processing workshop because she insisted on using Impressionist-style sets in the film "Yuhuatai" during this period.

This led to the tragedy that followed.

A grain of sand in the era falls on ordinary people, and no one is spared, whether you are a famous director or a young talent in a film studio.

This is also why Xie Jin admires Lu Kuan; he himself is just a director, a director who has no physical strength.

But he knew that Lu Kuan was someone who was capable enough to protect himself, and that even if it infringed on the vested interests of the academic clique and other film companies, he could still overcome all obstacles and be invincible.

Only those with ideals and the means can succeed.

At this moment, at Huadong Hospital in Shanghai, Xu Dawen sighed to her husband: "You still didn't mention Bingbing in the end."

"This has nothing to do with her." Xie Jin suddenly remembered something, his cloudy eyes widening: "And you, if she begged you, would you have agreed?"

Xu Dawen smiled wryly: "You don't know, this girl was crying her eyes out, she was practically begging me to kneel down."

"She said she doesn't have many opportunities to contact Lu Kuan now, so the only way is through you inviting him to Shanghai as a guest, and then..."

Xie Jin waved his hand: "Let's not mention this matter again. I invited him over simply to see him and talk about movies."

"You are not allowed to inform her when the time comes, and you should not tell her about what happened today."

The old director glanced at his wife's face, which was contorted like a bitter gourd, and couldn't help but sigh: "Bingbing is a very caring person. She has shown us a lot of concern and care over the years. I know that."

"But Lao Xu, remember this: calling Fan Bingbing here isn't doing her any favors, it's harming her!"

Xu Dawen looked at Xie Jin on the hospital bed in surprise: "How did it happen that he harmed her?"

Xie Jin pondered for a few seconds, then patiently advised, "Think about it carefully. If Bingbing could easily see Lu Kuan, would he need you to take a secret route?"

"Don't forget how Xiaoqing stumbled back then. Bingbing is just like her; she's not a pure actress, and her ambitions are even greater than Xiaoqing's!"

"If you indulge her now, it's no different from pushing her into the abyss."

Xu Dawen asked anxiously, "What do you mean by that?"

"Hey."

Xie Jin closed his eyes, looking somewhat exhausted: "Lu Kuan is a typical tyrant. Such people have an extremely strong desire for control and dislike others disrupting their plans."

"You insist on helping Bingbing by suddenly appearing out of nowhere. Do you know what she might do?"

“She did something wrong, but you don’t have to take responsibility. The blame should fall on her. With such great ambition, can she control herself?”

"Besides, Lu Kuan's girlfriend is not that simple."

Xu Dawen put down the knitted sweater in her hand, pondering the deeper meaning in her husband's words.

When a person is about to die, his words are also good.

Xie Jin, the 53rd generation descendant of Xie An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, was exceptionally intelligent from a young age. Having lived half his life, he now sees the men and women of this mortal world with perfect clarity.
-
On the evening of February 16, 2008, the closing ceremony of the 58th Berlin International Film Festival officially began.

Compared to the star-studded opening ceremony red carpet, with the impressive appearances of Martin Scorsese and the Rolling Stones, Madonna brought her directorial debut to the festival, along with other big names from Europe and America in attendance—

The red carpet at the closing ceremony was rather unremarkable.

One reason is that celebrities who didn't expect to win awards had already returned home after participating in commercial activities;

Secondly, with the Oscars just a week away, those with connections and those needing publicity are rushing to this world-class arena of fame and fortune.

The stars had very busy schedules. Even a Western star like Hanks, who was attending the closing ceremony, flew back to North America during the week-long film festival.

Even though neither he nor Moore had much hope of winning an award, the entire cast and crew of "Sky of History" made it to the closing ceremony red carpet thanks to Koslick's intervention.

At 12:30 a.m. Beijing time, the screens of domestic websites such as Wenjie Video, Sina Entertainment, and Sohu Video, which had obtained the broadcasting rights, were crowded with people.

Video websites have been developing in China for two or three years now, and leading websites such as Wenjie, Sohu, LeTV, Tudou, and Youku have all announced that their registered users have exceeded 100 million.

In the third quarter of 2008, a white paper published by the government stated that the total number of users of domestic video websites was approximately 1.91 million.
Websites are telling their own stories, some true and some false, but with relevant departments not yet "de-watering" so-called online data, ordinary netizens have no way to distinguish the truth from the falsehood.

However, for the leading websites, Tudou had about 40 million users in 2008, and Youku had 100 million daily views. It is estimated that the number of users for the second-tier websites hovered around 50 million.

But what about the videos at the top of the list?
This figure of 100 million is real and has been verified by several venture capital firms.

That's right. Following the financing of Wenjie Mall and its path to listing, another cash-burning company under Wenjie Holdings is looking for a major investor. The next one that may be the return of the blog series of internet websites is likely to follow.

The timing is brilliant; the first round of financing will occur after the upcoming copyright war launched in conjunction with Zhang Chaoyang of Sohu, and after the Olympic Games drive traffic.

The closing ceremony live stream on Wenjie Video was flooded with comments, and the long comments section kept refreshing at a rate of seven or eight per second, demonstrating an activity level far exceeding that of other video websites.

The reason is simple: in the past two days, "The Sky of History" has been criticized in China, with anti-CCP and pro-CCP factions attacking each other, coupled with Liu Cixin's formidable fan base, leading to various chaotic battles.

"The road dog is buying prizes again. Let's wait and see."

"The person upstairs is just asking for a few cents, so let's all make money together? The evidence of them being paid trolls is obvious, why are you still showing off your intelligence?"

"That's terrifying. So there really are online trolls? I thought they were just joking before."

"Otherwise, why do you think so many people criticize Lu Kuan? It's just because he's too glamorous and makes too much money."

"It's wrong to hire online trolls to spread rumors, but I think what Nanfang and Professor Zhu said also makes sense. He is indeed profiting from other people's suffering."

"Following the logic upstairs, Iris Chang is also profiting from tragedy, right? Why would a Chinese-American like you, who could have lived a comfortable life as a wealthy young lady, get involved in this mess?"

"Well, to be honest, I used to be a hater of washing machines, but this time I've become a fan. I'd rather he eat these human blood buns every day, as long as the Japanese can't refute it."

"It would be even better if he lost money, preferably went bankrupt, so that Sisi would leave him and I would have a chance! Hehehe!"

"What these people said is disheartening. If patriotism is reduced to being ridiculed, then this country is truly beyond saving."

"What's there to argue about? The merits and demerits of Lu Kuan will be judged by future generations. Do you make 2000 or 3000 a month? You're worrying about the richest man's affairs. You're just wasting your time."

Zhang Ruoyun, who was watching on screen, was a seasoned critic. She was about to join the fray, but after seeing the last comment, she felt a little disappointed.

We should be like Boss Lu, who never cares about these chaotic online opinions.

It's really not very interesting. In the past two years, there have been more and more anti-China and anti-China people on the internet, which has forced him to go to Tiexue (a Chinese online forum) from time to time to recharge and then go back to argue with the idiots in the forum.

I don't know when this trend started.

On the screen, Liu Yifei is walking the red carpet and being interviewed by reporters.

The Chinese actress wore a white one-shoulder dress today, adorned with silver lines resembling star trails, and the high slit design added a touch of ethereal charm.

Coupled with her graceful and upright figure, she stands tall and elegant like a swan, exuding a gentle and beautiful temperament.

The high slit design, combined with the fabric with excellent drape, exudes a graceful charm with every step, making Xiao Liu's figure appear taller and more slender.

It perfectly embodies the fusion of elegance and sexiness, highlighting the unique charm of female celebrities to the fullest.

What's on screen is an astonishing display of sycophantic behavior, especially considering this is Liu Yifei, who is only twenty years old!
"Ctystal, do you think you deserve the Best Actress award today? You will replace Zhang Manyu as the youngest Best Actress in Berlin's history!" (Note 1)

Liu Yifei didn't put on any overly humble act, but smiled brightly and generously at the camera: "Our seats today are in the 'diamond zone,' so judging from the location, the result should be good."

"I'm just as nervous as everyone else right now, but who knows what the outcome will be? I hope we can achieve something!"

The seating arrangement for guests at the closing ceremony and awards presentations of major film festivals is naturally carefully considered.

Generally speaking, the three rows directly in front are referred to by reporters as the "diamond zone," which is where award-winning film crews are most likely to appear.

Or, when film crews walk the red carpet at the closing ceremony, they are often asked by official reporters of the event to take photos together.

For example, in 2019, the film "Parasite" was asked to return to the Lumière Hall an hour before the Cannes awards ceremony to take additional photos on the red carpet, which was a clear signal that it had won an award.

Some veteran journalists even go to great lengths to book celebration banquets in order to get firsthand news.

Other small signals include hotel late check-out and even upgrading rooms for film crews.

Several Chinese media outlets stopped the young director and discussed the recent heated debate: "Director Lu, how do you respond to the criticism from the domestic media regarding the film's poor performance in North America?"

How should we respond to the pessimistic views and criticisms of the film "Nanfang" and Professor Zhu Dake, among others?

"Director Lu..."

Several questions were posed in an instant, and Lu Kuan, who once single-handedly supported half of the entertainment reporters in mainland China, has clearly become the focus of attention once again.

The young director smiled calmly: "Don't rush, let the dust settle."

Let the bullets fly for a while?

Several domestic journalists exchanged glances, finding the humorous,江湖-style metaphor quite amusing, and thus came up with a headline for their short news report back home.

Ju Wenpei from "China Movie Report" asked the last question: "Director Lu, Director Xie Jin posted a message in support late at night. What are your thoughts?"

Lu Kuan solemnly said, "Mr. Xie is a banner of Chinese cinema. Our generation of directors is actually standing on the shoulders of giants. I am very grateful for his support."

“We just spoke on the phone. The 'Sky of History' is on a promotional tour in Shanghai. I will visit Director Xie to exchange ideas and learn from him.”

The brief interview provided a wealth of information for movie fans and celebrities who were silently observing and watching on screen.

For example, Jiang Wen, who was busy revising her next work after the huge flop of "The Sun Also Rises," looked at the manuscript of "The Thief of the Official" in her hand and suddenly felt that the four words "Let the Bullets Fly" were extremely apt and quite consistent with the core of her film.

He rubbed his chin, wondering if he could find this tycoon to ask for some money, since the investment for this movie was still uncertain.

Bingbing was also watching the live broadcast at her courtyard home in Beiping. She looked at Liu Yifei, who was holding Lu Kuan's arm, with complicated emotions.

The leading actress hadn't even had time to remove her makeup after the event; the cold light from the screen illuminated her meticulously drawn eyebrows and eyes.

The dark blue eyeliner outlined a cat-like curve, and the lip gloss was this spring's hottest berry color, but it made her complexion look even paler.

Thinking of the visit to Xie Jin that Boss Lu had just mentioned, Bingbing knew she had to seize the opportunity and tilted her head back to drink the glass of red wine in one gulp.

Perhaps he drank too quickly, for the scarlet liquid slid down his lips, leaving dark stains on the front of his silk nightgown, like a rotten rose.

Inside the Berlin Film Palace, more than 1600 deep red velvet seats extend in a fan shape toward the stage, and under the Baroque-style gilded dome, crystal chandeliers cast a warm yellow glow onto the aisles covered with dark-patterned carpets.

Lu Kuan and the cast of "The Sky of History" sat in the "diamond zone" in the center of the third row. To his left was Liu Yifei, who was wearing a white one-shoulder dress. The silver star trail embroidery flowed with tiny sparkles as she flipped through the program.

Tom Hanks on the right was discussing something in hushed tones with Moore, whose dark blue satin fishtail dress shimmered between the seats.

The cinema palace retains its original appearance from the 1930s, with mirrored columns on both sides reflecting the shadows of the crowds.

In the front row, jury president Koslik's signature silver-white curls occasionally flashed, while in the back row, photographers' telephoto lenses were already pointed at the popular film crew.

As the host began his opening remarks, the noise in the room immediately subsided. After a brief thank you speech by Koslick, the ceremony proceeded directly to the presentation of the Best First Feature Award.

These are three of the major characteristics of Europe—

There was no excessive small talk or song and dance performances, quite unlike the big-show award ceremonies of Hollywood.

Especially for the traditionally serious Germans, their Berlin Film Festival is characterized by its orderly pace and lack of flashy elements.

The Best First Feature Award went to Japanese director Izuru Kumasaka for "Park and Love Hotel." He quickly went on stage, accepted the heavy trophy, and bowed slightly.

He then gave a brief thank you in English: "Thank you to the Berlin Film Festival, and thank you to my team."

The applause from the audience wasn't particularly enthusiastic; it's unclear whether "The Sky of History" served as a form of reverse propaganda against the Japanese.

Next comes the Alfred Bauer Award, which aims to recognize those who "open up new perspectives in film," and this award was almost tailor-made for The Standard.

The latter is a documentary about the abuse of prisoners by the US military, very similar in type to Fahrenheit 9/11, but more realistic, with extremely bloody scenes.

This is also the first time in the history of the Berlin Film Festival that a documentary has entered the main competition and won an award.

American documentary master Maurice took the stage solemnly and delivered a brief but powerful acceptance speech: "The truth needs to be seen, no matter how difficult it may be."

Mr. Lu couldn't remember which movies he had made or which second-tier awards he had won in his previous life. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his girlfriend beside him unconsciously rubbing her hands together, clearly a little nervous.

It seems that although they say they'll let things take their course, they still secretly harbor hopes.

It's only human nature, especially after five or six years in the industry, and through persistent efforts, this is the first time I've had the opportunity to reach such a height.

Mr. Lu wanted to help her relieve stress, so he turned his head and whispered in his girlfriend's ear:

Have you prepared your acceptance speech?

The girl rolled her eyes at him: "No, what if I decide I can't get it? Wouldn't I be very disappointed?"

"What if you take it and then go up there and stammer? Wouldn't that be incredibly embarrassing?"

Liu Yifei laughed and said, "If I really get it, so what if I'm embarrassed? You'll help me out of that situation."

“Sure, just tell them to invite me up to share this moment with you, and then I’ll go on stage, hug you, and kiss you, giving these foreigners a taste of Eastern romance.”

Liu Yifei covered her mouth and laughed: "What romantic shock? It's more like a shock of a lecher. We've embarrassed ourselves internationally."

"It's not shameful. These white people do a lot of outrageous things."

The washing machine counted on its fingers: "In 2000, Björk won the Best Actress award at Cannes by kneeling on the ground and imitating the bird calls in the movie. She also tackled the jury president, Lou Besson, and kissed him on the cheek."

"In 2003, Sean Penn won the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival. He kissed his wife passionately for two minutes and even taunted reporters by giving them the middle finger."

"And last year's Emmy Awards, Sally and host Kayla Sedgwick shared a passionate kiss that lasted for more than ten seconds."

The washing machine gently stroked his girlfriend's soft, white hand: "They can kiss two women, so what's wrong with us being a legally married couple?"

Xiao Liu gently slapped his arm: "Stop talking nonsense. I'll be satisfied as long as the film wins the Golden Bear."

Boss Lu smiled but didn't say anything, understanding what she meant.

Winning the Golden Bear would give the box office a strong boost and also add to the hype for the Oscars a week later.

Most importantly, it can give a resounding slap in the face to those who are pessimistic and make sarcastic remarks, shutting them up and stopping their noise.

She's overthinking it. Haters will always find a way to criticize, especially paid public intellectuals.

The Berlin Film Festival awards ceremony proceeded smoothly, with many interesting little incidents occurring on site.

For example, the award presenter, German film star Daniel Brühl, deliberately mispronounced the title of the winning film, "West of the Lake," as "East of the Lake," making a joke about the history of East and West Germany.
During the Best Screenplay award ceremony, there was a problem with the lighting. South Korean actress Lee Young-ae had a brilliant idea and called on everyone to turn on their phones to light up the venue.

Soon, it was Boss Lu's turn to take the stage.

It wasn't about receiving an award, it was about presenting one. Liu Yifei sat in the audience, looking gently at her boyfriend holding the gold-embossed envelope: "Thank you, Chairman Koslick, and thank you to the organizing committee for giving me this honor of being a presenter of the Berlin Film Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award."

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we will witness the coronation of a legend, who redefined cinematic epics with The Godfather trilogy, tore apart the absurdity of war with Apocalypse Now, and peered into the abyss of humanity with The Conversation."

"Mr. Francis Ford Coppola proved that film can be the perfect balance between art and commerce, an eternal battle between courage and madness. Please allow me to pay tribute by quoting a line from *The Godfather*—"

Boss Lu surveyed the room and said in a deep voice, "I will give him a proposal he cannot refuse."

Applause, laughter, and whistles filled the air, paying tribute to the master of the classic "Godfather" series and also to the humorous and witty Eastern director.

Lu Kuan was also deeply influenced by Coppola. As he just mentioned, the balance between art and commerce in The Godfather series is a pinnacle in film history and an achievement that very few directors can reach.

At 74, Coppola's hair is as white as snow, and his eyes remain as sharp as ever behind his signature round-framed glasses.

He walked unhurriedly onto the stage in a dark gray three-piece suit, accepted the trophy from Lu Kuan, and gave a casual and humorous speech:
"I knew I made the right choice."

“I told Koslik, ‘Hey, let that Asian kid who made ‘The Sky of History’ and ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ present me with the award!’”

Coppola shrugged: "Maybe in a few years I'll be able to say that the next Akira Kurosawa in Asia once presented me with an award."

Mr. Lu smiled and hugged him. The two hadn't had much interaction before, but during the film festival, thanks to Martin Scorsese's introduction, they got along quite well.

The Godfather series was released overseas in the 70s. After it was introduced to China, countless old videotapes and pirated discs were sold, and it was a regular feature in video arcades.

The barrage comments on the video reached their first small peak of the day. Apart from those who were cursing the washing machine for whispering intimately with the fairy, most of them were proud of it.

Whether it's "Nanfang" or Zhu Dake and others, you like to distort and sophistry, but the washing machine really is prestigious wherever it goes, and even a great director like Coppola doesn't hold back his praise.

Who's blind here?
As Wang Xiaoshuai's film "Left Right" won Best Screenplay and Lewis's film "There Will Be Blood" won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Contribution, Liu Yifei, sitting in the audience, began to get increasingly nervous.

Following the order of the awards, the next categories are Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Jury Prize, and the Golden Bear.

The first award presented was for Best Actor.

Unsurprisingly, the first unexpected event of the day occurred.

With a score of 3.4 in the festival's program, second only to "History of the Sky" with 3.8, "There Will Be Blood" is a film with a high score of 3.4. Surprisingly, Lewis, who played the villainous oil tyrant, did not win the Best Actor award.

The biggest upset of this year's Berlin Film Festival has occurred, and it is currently the biggest upset of all time.

Not only was there an uproar in the audience, but the barrage comments in front of the domestic Wenjie video were also flying, with various science popularizers expressing their opinions.

Reporters quickly aimed their cameras at Lewis and Najib, a veteran actor from Iran, who excitedly took the stage.

Sitting in the audience, Xiao Liu knew that the coldness stemmed from this Iranian nationality.

Just as Lu Kuan and she analyzed last night, in 2007-2008, the UN Security Council passed Resolutions 1737 and 1747 for two consecutive years, imposing sanctions on Iran.

The Iraq War has been at a stalemate for the past two years, the United States is mired in the war on terror, and European society is extremely sensitive to Middle Eastern issues.

The film "The Song of the Sparrow," starring Iranian actors, tells the story of farmers from the lower classes in the Middle East.

Given that the film's quality wasn't particularly outstanding, it's clear that the Berlin government's decision to award the Best Actor award to a Middle Eastern actor aligns with Berlin's traditional "left-wing liberal" stance.

There is no love or hate without a reason in this world; everything has a traceable cause.

Liu Yifei was about to turn her head to say something to Lu Kuan when she reached out and found nothing! She then realized that he hadn't returned to his seat after presenting the award to Coppola!
Suddenly, a void appeared in the girl's heart!
A certain possibility naturally came to mind, and her fingertips on the armrest of the seat suddenly trembled, as if she had been struck by an electric current and pulled back.

Then, subconsciously, she lightly bit the edge of her red lips with her pearly teeth, like a ripe cherry whose skin had been pecked open by a bird.

"No way..."

The girl muttered to herself, her eyelashes fluttering like startled butterfly wings. Her hands unconsciously clasped on her knees, her knuckles turning white from the force, crumpling the gold-embossed program booklet into tiny wrinkles.

She looked at Lu Kuan, who was now serious and serious, and exchanged a glance with her elderly mother in the audience. The latter clearly realized something and kept gesturing with her finger to her eldest daughter to look at the stage.

"Calm down, Liu Yifei..."

Xiao Liu tried to reassure himself, but couldn't help thinking about the possibility of something going wrong...

If it really is me, how should I give my acceptance speech?

The usually poised and quick-witted girl suddenly felt like she'd been ripped out of her mind, staring blankly at her boyfriend on stage as he adjusted the microphone.

"Leonardo once told me that he most enjoys being the presenter for the Best Actress award at film festivals."

"Because the actresses who win awards are always very excited, they usually give the presenter a cheek kiss, which he enjoys."

"So I've come again."

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience, followed by a few rascally whistles. Everyone looked at this humorous and witty Eastern director on the international stage and marveled at how he truly was a global citizen.

There was none of the restraint typical of traditional East Asian directors.

Boss Lu stood on the stage with a calm smile. His black peak lapel suit outlined his tall and imposing figure under the spotlight, and his gaze seemed to casually sweep over the seats occupied by the "Sky" crew.

Liu Yifei was extremely sensitive to his gaze!

She mentally encouraged herself, reminding herself to stay calm, her fingertips unconsciously twirling the ends of her hair that hung over her shoulders.

Strands of hair twirled between my fingers and then loosened, much like the fluttering of a deer in my chest at that moment—

Boom, boom, boom.

Each sound made my temples tingle.

"Best Actress at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival".

Lu Kuan paused slightly, then a hint of ecstasy appeared on his face: "The Sky of History, Crystal, Liu Yi Fei!"

His ecstasy was obviously an act; he had already seen the contents of the envelope backstage.

Many people knew that the presenter and the winner were a couple, and the audience immediately burst into enthusiastic applause.

The History of the Sky program ranked Liu Yifei first at this year's Berlin Film Festival, and her performance is undeniable.

Even Cahiers du Cinéma, known for its scathing reviews, praised the film, calling it one of its "few highlights."

Liu Xiaoli clapped her hands while crying, looking at Liu Yifei, who was still staring blankly at her with wide eyes a few rows away. She was quite angry at her daughter's lack of ambition and wished she could run over and give her eldest daughter a flick on the forehead.

But even if it collapses now, it might not make a difference.

Liu Yifei's brain was instantly emptied into a vacuum, and her ears were ringing like the buzzing of a swarm of bees.

Her wide-open almond-shaped eyes reflected Lu Kuan's smiling figure on the stage, but her pupils were unfocused, like two clear springs suddenly freezing.

The girl felt a sharp dryness in her throat, and her fingertips unconsciously gripped the silver embroidery on the hem of her skirt.

Seemingly afraid of wrinkling the dress and making it look bad on stage, the satin was pinched to create tiny wrinkles, then released as if electrocuted.

Moore gently patted her forearm. Liu Yifei took a deep breath, stood up, and hugged Moore, Hanks, Zhao Fei, and others. Then, as if waking from a dream, her cheeks suddenly flushed, and she walked gracefully onto the stage.

Just as Boss Lu finished saying her English name and then added "Liu Yi Fei" in Chinese, the barrage of comments on Wenjie Video was like a locust plague, overwhelming and threatening to devour the computer screen!

The fans were extremely agitated, and the comments section went from rational remarks to frantic praise.

In particular, before going on stage, Xiao Liu pursed her lips in a charming and cute way, gently biting her lip with her pearly teeth, and two blushes instantly appeared on her cheeks, captivating countless viewers in front of the screen!
"My mom asked me why I was kneeling and licking the screen..."

"China's youngest Best Actress! The first post-80s actress to win an international Best Actress award! Who else can compare!"

"I'm dead! I'm dead!"

"Don't sleep too soundly tonight, you bastard, or I'll kill you!"

"So beautiful it's unfair! My HP is completely depleted!"

"The Empress has been crowned!"

"Lu Gou is still laughing on stage, I feel like I could reach through the internet and kill him!"

"Don't hit my face upstairs, I want to be transported to the washing machine tonight, he's so handsome."

Inside the cinema, Liu Yifei's fingertips lightly brushed against the shimmering light spots on her skirt, and the halo of light from the crystal chandelier shattered into tiny, star-like sparkles on her white fishtail dress.

She walked faster and faster, as if there were magnets hidden under the deep red carpet, and the wide path on the stage was the only anchor point that could bring her weightless heartbeat back to its original position.

Each step of the stairs felt like walking on clouds, yet its outline grew clearer and clearer—

He stood there, a smile hotter than the spotlight on his lips, the Silver Bear trophy in his hands reflecting a cold light, yet melting into spring water with his gaze.

It was as if bullet time had entered Liu Yifei's mind; at that moment, all the noise subsided.

Looking at his girlfriend, who seemed to have just come to her senses, Lu Kuan solemnly handed her the Silver Bear trophy, as if holding a pool of moonlight.

Liu Yifei suddenly grabbed his collar, her fingertips brushing against his Adam's apple as she felt his rapidly pounding pulse, and kissed him amidst the gasps that erupted throughout the room!
His lips were cool with the chill of a Berlin winter night, yet his breath was so hot it made her eyelashes tremble. Liu Yifei's tears finally fell, sliding between their intertwined lips.

The applause that erupted from the audience was like a tidal wave, mixed with whistles and Coppola's hoarse "Bravo!", even causing the live broadcast camera to shake.

Watching the Berlin Film Festival Best Actor and the newly crowned Best Actress kiss, the comments on the screen, "I'm dead, I'm dead," instantly turned into "Kill him, kill him."

Fans of the game "Audition Online" were practically smashing their keyboards with their fingers, and many internet cafe owners, seeing customers who were even more frenzied than "Audition Online" players, were hesitant to approach and dissuade them.

Fearing being attacked by angry fans, they could only reluctantly add a comment in the live chat: "Kill the road dogs, steal Sisi," to express their stance.

Alas, the keyboards in internet cafes didn't die at the hands of Audition Online players, but rather at the hands of random passersby—

If it weren't for him, would these fans be so hysterical?
Geez!
Those street thugs deserve to die!
Boss Lu found the kiss incredibly salty, as Xiao Liu's tears kept falling into their mouths, showing no sign of stopping.

To give her time to calm down, Washing Machine first picked up the microphone and launched into a long, rambling speech:
"Mr. Francisco just gave me a great honor and asked the conference to appoint me to present him with the award."

"But this time, I volunteered to present the Best Actress award before I came to the film festival. I have some personal reasons for doing so."

"The Sky of History has been supported by countless supporters. As the director, I am very grateful to every member of the crew, Ms. Iris Chang, and peace-loving people at home and abroad."

"But my leading lady, who is also my girlfriend, Ms. Liu Yifei, made a huge sacrifice for the film, so I wanted to present this award to her in person."

"If she gains everyone's recognition and is fortunate enough to win an award, I can celebrate with her immediately."

"If I don't win the Best Actress award this time, I think it would be easier for her to accept if I said it myself."

"We can calmly congratulate the other actresses who have received this honor and give them a warm round of applause."

He suddenly turned to Xiao Liu, who seemed to have calmed down: "Even the best host in the world can only stall for this long, you should be ready by now, right?"

"Hahaha!"

The audience erupted in laughter and applause once again; it seemed like the usually serious Berlin Film Festival hadn't had such a romantic and alluring atmosphere in decades.

Liu Yifei was amused by him and wondered if her makeup had been ruined. In a moment of quick thinking, she grabbed the certificate and held it in front of her face, revealing only her wet almond-shaped eyes.

However, the cameras on site were sharp enough to see everything. More than 1600 audience members and people around the world watching the live broadcast saw the upturned corners of her mouth hidden behind the certificate, as well as the cute curve of her nose.

Despite the tears still glistening on her fluttering eyelashes, she took the microphone, her dimples sinking deep into the light, like small wine cups filled with honey.

"Thank you to the Berlin Film Festival for this honor, and thank you to the jury for their recognition. This is an unexpected surprise."

"I want to thank my parents, especially my mother, Ms. Liu Xiaoli, for raising me with your meticulous love, allowing me to grow up healthily in a single-parent family."

"I want to thank my alma mater, Beijing Film Academy, and also my country, for giving me the opportunity to stand on the world stage and tell our story."

"Besides that, I would like to give special thanks to two people."

"One is Sister Iris Chang. It was your perseverance that illuminated the forgotten darkness. Your noble character will always be a role model for me to learn from."

Liu Yifei paused, then suddenly turned to the man beside her: "And the other one is Director Lu Kuan, who presented me with the award."

The girl tilted her head slightly, her eyes shimmering like autumn water, reflecting a delicate halo under the spotlight. Her long eyelashes trembled gently, and a faint smile played on her lips, as if hiding a secret only they understood.

Her gaze lingered on Lu Kuan's face, from his handsome brow bone to his smiling lips, as if she wanted to trace that familiar outline a thousand times with her eyes.

Xiao Liu's voice was so gentle it seemed to drip with water:
"Seven years ago, you taught me my first lesson: 'In this world, there is no more harmful evaluation than 'not bad.' So I worked hard to master the basics and tried to learn from all the excellent actors around me."

"In these seven years, you have always been a part of my work and life. All the joys and sorrows have paved the way for my journey."

Liu Yifei held up the Silver Bear Best Actress trophy in her hand: "Look, I've followed this path and come this far."

"Director Lu Kuan, this trophy has your name on it, just like my life."

Two lines of clear tears lingered on the girl's pretty cheeks, bearing witness to her gratitude and confession, and the noisy crowd in the hall seemed to fade away at that moment.

The whole world was filled only with his gentle gaze and the heart pounding in his chest.

The couple, who are used to expressing their love on the world stage, kissed again and embraced on stage before returning to their seats together.

Liu Xiaoli and Zhang Chunru hugged each other in the audience, but it was a pity that they were sitting in the audience and could not celebrate with them.

The entire audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers, the sound waves sweeping across the Baroque-style cinema dome, causing the crystal chandeliers to tremble slightly.

The applause was mixed with whistles, and some photographers in the back row even stood on their seats to frantically capture the moment the couple embraced with their telephoto lenses.

Koslik, sitting in the front row, grinned so wide his mouth almost reached his ears, once again feeling proud and elated by his brilliant decision.

It's a masterpiece worthy of being recorded in history, it sparked a lot of discussion, and it also invested in this genius director who has been recognized as "Asia's next Akira Kurosawa".

Bergman said so, Martin Scorsese said so, Godard seems to have said so too, and Coppola today.

Moore, Hanks, and others in the audience congratulated Liu Yifei once again. The young girl then blew kisses to Liu Xiaoli and Zhang Chunru before taking her seat with the Silver Bear trophy.

"Am I right? If you don't know what to say, just kiss me first."

"Kissing is the ladder of human progress."

Liu Yifei's eyes were slightly red, her nose wrinkled slightly, and she raised her hand to slap him as if she were both angry and shy. The force was as light as a feather brushing against him, but it carried a hint of spoiled arrogance.

"You're so heartless, and I'm the only one crying on stage. It's so embarrassing." She muttered softly, her voice gentle and slightly nasal, like a spoiled kitten.

Lu Kuan took the opportunity to grab her wrist, his fingertips gently caressing her delicate skin, causing her ear tips to burn slightly.

Liu Yifei tried to pull her hand away, but he held it even tighter, so she could only pretend to glare at him fiercely.

But in the blink of an eye, there was no intimidation whatsoever; it was clearly an undeniable sweetness.

The camera briefly captured this scene; the foreigners in the cinema were used to such fervent emotions, while the netizens watching on screen were utterly exasperated.

After a pleasant surprise, the cast and crew of "The Sky of History" came to their senses and continued to look forward to a final victory.

German legendary director Wim Wenders appeared, his silver hair meticulously combed, to present the Best Director award.

All the popular film crews present, such as Brazil's "Elite Force" and "Sky of History," as well as "There Will Be Blood," which is also a competitor of the latter at the Oscars, were very nervous.

The other two films have yet to win any major awards, but the Best Director award is exactly what Sky of History doesn't want.

Mr. Lu doesn't care about the Best Director title, because Liu Yifei has already won Best Actress. In the previous 57 editions of the Berlin Film Festival, no film crew has ever won Best Actor/Actress, Best Director, and the Golden Bear.

Even if this is permitted within the rules.

Unless it's an overwhelming victory, if "The Sky of History" wins Best Director, it will likely miss out on the Golden Bear.

This is not the result that Lu Kuan, who was hoping to boost box office revenue and generate buzz for the Oscars, wanted to see.

Xiao Liu seemed to have just emerged from the euphoria of winning the award, only to inevitably fall into the next emotional trap.

Her small hands were tightly clasped with her boyfriend's, her sweaty palms and unwavering gaze conveying the same feelings.

Wim Wenders on stage opened the envelope, paused for a moment, and announced: "The winner is Paul Thomas Anderson, for 'There Will Be Blood'."

Cheers erupted from the seats of the "There Will Be Blood" crew. Who could still hope to win all three awards: Best Director, Jury Prize, and Golden Bear?
Let's count them, even if there are only one!

Moreover, this year's "Sky of History" is truly formidable, with its film quality and promotional campaign being unmatched.

Then a ridiculous situation arose: the crews of the neighboring dramas "Blood Will Come" and "The Sky of History" hugged each other, making unsuspecting people think they were family.

Anderson calmly took the stage, shook hands with Wenders, and whispered his thanks. His remarks were as concise as a movie quote: "Thank you Daniel and the whole team. We were just trying to capture the abyss of humanity."

If the Golden Bear's chances of winning reached 70% at this moment, then when Berlin Film Festival President Koslich took the stage and announced the Grand Jury Prize winner, *Elite Force*, without any suspense—

Lu Kuan and Liu Yifei, sitting in the audience, both breathed a sigh of relief, as if they could already see the Golden Bear beckoning.

"Hey, have you thought about your acceptance speech yet?"

Xiao Liu looked at him mischievously: "Maybe a guy will be presenting you with the award on stage. You're not going to bite him, are you?"

Mr. Lu felt a chill run down his spine and glanced at his girlfriend with disdain. "What, you have a bit of a yaoi fangirl tendency?"
"This thing isn't something you can just come up with on the spot; there's no need to prepare anything."

Liu Yifei rolled her eyes habitually. What a pretentious act!
The director of the Brazilian film "Elite Force" left the stage satisfied, and for a moment the entire audience fell into an eerie silence as everyone awaited the announcement of the grand prize.

In the more than 1600 deep red velvet seats, the audience held their breath in unison. The silence at this moment was more unsettling than the previous applause, like the suppressed rumble of thunder before a storm.

The on-site director's camera playfully panned across the "diamond zone" where the "Sky of History" crew was located:
Liu Yifei unconsciously gripped the Silver Bear trophy, her knuckles turning white in the cold metallic light, her almond-shaped eyes, which had just been full of smiles, now stared unblinkingly at the stage.

Lu Kuan crossed his legs seemingly casually, but a few subtle wrinkles on the fabric of his suit trousers betrayed the tension in his fingertips.

The rest of the crews from "There Will Be Blood," "Standard Procedure," and "Elite Force" all looked solemn; no one would give up until the very last moment.

It seems that "The Sky of History" has the highest probability of winning the award, but what if it loses to an Iranian actor like Lewis did before?

Coppola, who had just received the Berlin Film Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award, reappeared on stage.

Coppola's silver sideburns gleamed under the spotlight, and a sly smile lurked behind his signature round-framed glasses.

The old man slowly took out a gold-embossed envelope from his pocket, then suddenly clicked his tongue into the microphone:
"Honestly, the Berlin organizing committee should give me double the appearance fee, after all, I just received a lifetime achievement award and now I have to be an award presenter."

The audience burst into good-natured laughter, and even Anderson, the director of "There Will Be Blood," who had been keeping a straight face, loosened his tie.

The winner of the Golden Bear at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival is—

The veteran director glanced at Lu Kuan, whose eyes were burning with anticipation in the audience. It seemed that the newly crowned Best Actress beside him was much more nervous than the director himself.
"Young Chinese director, I want to return the lines from 'The Godfather' that you just gave me, verbatim."

"The great Lord Corleone always said, 'I will give you an offer you cannot refuse,' Lu, congratulations on 'The Sky of History' winning the Golden Bear!"

The audience members had different thoughts, but after a moment of silence, thunderous applause and cheers erupted. Liu Yifei screamed and jumped up from her seat. There was no more beautiful fairy tale than today.

She won the Silver Bear for Best Actress, the film won the Golden Bear, and the box office and the Oscars were all going well – everything was on the right track.

As for those sycophants and anti-China elements who scurry back and forth in the sewers, the time for reckoning is coming soon!
"Congratulations, director." Hanks hugged him with a touch of emotion. "I hope you'll consider me for the next leading role."

"no problem!"

The same words have already been said to Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, and others; just agree first and we'll see.

Even though he hasn't stood on the world's top film stage for a year or two to receive an award, the young director's steps remain steady as he strides onto the stage with his unique and dashing demeanor.

As he raised the trophy on stage, the glow of the crystal chandelier shimmered on the golden bear, making his silhouette appear as deep and sculpted as an ancient Greek sculpture.

"Thank you to the Berlin Film Festival, thank you to my motherland, thank you to the Beijing Film Academy, and thank you to all my comrades who contributed to this film."

"Ms. Iris Chang, Hanks, Moore, Liu Yifei, Andy Lau, Gong Li, Professor Feng Yuanzheng, Professor Li Xuejian..."

"Whether you are here today or not, this honor belongs to you."

Perhaps because he had already expressed his feelings when presenting the award to Liu Yifei, Lu Kuan's mood and tone were rather calm.

Because whether this film succeeds or fails, he has given his best effort, just as he would have given to the national tragedy of May.

This is not just good, it's impossible to do any better.

"The creation of this film stems from the courage and perseverance of countless people."

"From Iris Chang's efforts to defend the historical truth, to the fearless journey of kind and upright people like John Rabe and Minnie Vautrin in the darkness, and to the survivors who still speak out for justice today, this trophy belongs to them, and also to all those who refuse to forget."

"The day before yesterday, our entire crew went to Mr. Rabe's tombstone at the Emperor William Memorial Church to pay our highest respects to this international friend on a traditional Chinese festival."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the audience below the stage.

"What struck me was that, compared to when we came to pay our respects at Mr. Rabe's grave a year ago, there was now almost no room left to place the flowers in front of his tombstone."

“I saw people from different countries, people of different skin colors, and people speaking different languages ​​spontaneously come to mourn, pay tribute, and remember this noble soul.”

“Those layers upon layers of daisies, white roses, and carnations, some still glistening with morning dew, some with cards written in Chinese, German, and English tucked inside. An elderly German man told me that he learned about Rabe's story for the first time after watching the movie.”

"Several Chinese students said they came all the way from Paris because the line 'Nanjing is immortal' from the movie, spoken by Ms. Minnie Vautrin, kept them up all night."

"I think that's the meaning of film—"

"Use light and shadow to awaken memories, and use stories to connect souls separated by life and death."

Lu Kuan let out a long sigh of relief, raised the trophy in his hand to accept the gaze of the entire audience and the salute of the long camera, and his tone suddenly became impassioned!
"This golden bear is not only a tribute to the film, but also a commitment to history!"

"We bear witness with our cameras! When flowers overwhelm tombstones, when eulogies in different languages ​​intertwine in the wind, this is the most magnificent victory ceremony for human conscience!"

"The Chinese people are a peace-loving nation, but those sophistry that attempts to erase atrocities with the 'past tense,' and those lies that use 'artistic neutrality' to whitewash evil, will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame by millions of bouquets of flowers!"

"Thank you everyone! Long live peace!" The young director on stage bowed deeply.
"Nanjing, may you live forever!"

(End of this chapter)