Shadow of Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 251 Winning the Prize
At the awards ceremony, the lights were dazzling, illuminating the entire venue as if it were daytime.

All 1,600 seats were filled, and the audience members, in various postures, could not hide their excitement.

Some people leaned forward, stretched their necks out, and stared intently at the stage, afraid of missing any moment, their eyes shining with anticipation.

Others gathered in small groups, whispering and excitedly discussing who would win the various awards.

Some people had excited blushes on their faces, and their words were full of support and optimism for their favorite works and actors, filling the entire venue with this enthusiastic atmosphere.

Hu Xiaobei, An Xiaoqian, and Liu Xiaoli sat together.

The room was filled with directors, actors, and producers from various countries, some talking in hushed tones, others smiling and gesturing.

Hu Xiaobei leaned forward slightly and politely greeted the person next to him.

An Xiaoqian sat quietly to the side, her eyes revealing a hint of nervousness and anticipation.

Because Hu Xiaobei told her that she would win at least one award tonight.

If "Sissi's Dog" had won a music award first, she would have had a much higher chance of winning the Best Actress award at the Berlin Film Festival than the film itself would have won the Golden Bear.

Hu Xiaobei disliked showing off in front of others, so he reminded her early on: "Qianqian, have you thought about your acceptance speech yet?"

If I actually win an award tonight, I can't panic and be unable to say anything!

Although An Xiaoqian also hoped to win the Best Actress award, she thought that if she won the award, "Sissi's Dog" would most likely miss out on the Golden Bear award.

I couldn't help but feel conflicted. I hoped I could win an award, but I also hoped that "Sissi's Dog" would win the Golden Bear.

After all, the Golden Bear represents a shared honor, while the Best Actress award represents more of her own achievement.

In fact, the jury members were still arguing yesterday, trying to decide who would win the Best Actress award.

Let's rewind to one day ago.

The atmosphere in the jury meeting room was both solemn and enthusiastic.

The members of the judging panel sat around a long table, with piles of documents and materials in front of them. The light from the wall illuminated their faces, which were either deep in thought or serious.

The chair of the jury, Charlotte Rampling, a British actress, gently tapped the table, breaking the brief silence.

"Let's discuss who deserves the Best Actress award. The remaining actresses all gave outstanding performances, making it a very difficult choice."

American avant-garde artist and director Matthew Barney leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest, and spoke first: "I think Sandra Wheeler's performance in Requiem is very good."

Her deep understanding of the character, from body language to micro-expressions, she handled every detail perfectly.

Especially the scene where she cries alone in the dark; it was incredibly moving and left a deep impression on me.

Dutch director Marlene Gris pushed up her glasses and nodded: "Sandra's performance was indeed impeccable, but Emily Watson's performance in 'Snowy Passerby' was equally stunning."

She portrayed the character's psychological transformation from confusion to determination with distinct layers.

Especially the scene where she confronts her father, the emotional outburst was incredibly powerful, showcasing her exceptional acting skills.

German actor Armin Miller-Stahl nodded slightly and said in a steady voice, "Sandra is the pride of our German film industry. Her performance in Requiem is delicate and nuanced, and she is completely immersed in the role."

She portrayed the character's inner struggles so vividly; those emotionally charged scenes were textbook examples. I'm in awe of her.

At this point, Polish photographer Janusz Kaminski put down his pen and slowly began to speak: "From a cinematic perspective, Emily's performance in 'The Passerby in the Snow' is even more outstanding. Her interaction with the camera is very natural, and every glance seems to tell the story of the character."

Her portrayal of complex emotions was stunning, and many film critics consider it the pinnacle of her acting career.

Indian producer and director Ash Shopula and South Korean actress Lee Young-ae exchanged a glance. Lee Young-ae gently shook her head and remained silent.

Yash Shopula, with a faint smile, said, "While their performance was excellent, we'll reserve our opinion."

Everyone understood what they meant and didn't ask any further questions.

Hollywood producer Fred Ruth had been listening quietly, but he finally spoke up: "This is really a tough decision. Both actresses have their own strengths, and we need to think about it carefully."

Actress Charlotte Rampling, the chair of the jury, listened attentively to everyone's remarks, her gaze sweeping across their faces thoughtfully.

"Everyone has a point. This is indeed an award that needs careful consideration. Let's review their highlights again and then make the final vote."

The meeting room fell into a flurry of activity once again as members reopened their documents, preparing for the final weighing of options.

After several hours of intense discussion and deliberation, the jury finally made a decision, which will be officially announced at the awards ceremony the following day.

Let's rewind to the awards ceremony. The venue was brightly lit and packed to capacity.

After awarding some minor, less important prizes, it was finally time for the Silver Bear for Best Original Film Score.

The nameless, background host, with a professional, radiant smile and a loud, infectious voice, took control of the entire event, announcing: "Next, we will announce the highly anticipated Silver Bear for Best Film Score."

Film music is the soul of a film, infusing the story with emotional power.

The winning entry, with its unique melody and profound emotional expression, moved every one of the judges.

Now, I am incredibly honored to announce that the Silver Bear for Best Original Score goes to—Sissi's Dog!

Upon hearing this news, Hu Xiaobei gently patted An Xiaoqian's shoulder and said, "Qianqian, it's your turn to go up on stage to receive your award."

An Xiaoqian felt both happy and disappointed. She nodded slightly, took a deep breath, tried to calm herself down, and got up to walk onto the podium.

Amidst the attention of the crowd, she accepted the trophy with an excited smile on her face, and delivered her thanks in both Chinese and English.

"It is a great honor to stand here, and I thank the Berlin Film Festival for giving me such a high honor."

Special thanks to Mr. Hu Xiaobei; his musical talent shines like a brilliant star, illuminating the work "Sissi's Dog," allowing me the privilege of resonating with it and humming such excellent music.

Amidst enthusiastic applause from the audience, An Xiaoqian slowly walked off the stage, quietly returned to her seat, and handed the trophy to Hu Xiaobei for him to see.

Hu Xiaobei glanced at the trophy casually for a few moments before handing it to Liu Xiaoli to admire.

Next up was the Best Actress award.

The host paused briefly, scanning the audience to create a tense atmosphere, before announcing in a melodious tone: "Next up is the much-anticipated Best Actress award."

This year's Berlin Film Festival features many outstanding actresses, all shining stars in the film industry, who have created unforgettable characters with their superb acting skills.

For example, Sandra Wheeler's *Requiem*, Emily Watson's *The Snow Visitor*, Angie Chiu's *Sissi's Dog*, Mickey Rourke's *The Femme Fatale*, Lucrecia Ibarra's *Gbaveca*, and so on—their performances are all unique and breathtaking!

(End of this chapter)