Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 247 as the grand finale? The official statement from Cannes.
The reporters were stunned. They had expected to hear a sigh of "regret" or "total defeat," but instead, Chen Kaige used an unfamiliar term:
"A surprise video."

Before the interview transcript was even finished, the media quickly released the headlines that afternoon:

[Chen Kaige responds to Cannes's "no Chinese-language films": It's too early to say, there may be surprise films]

[“The grand finale?” Chen Kaige hints that Cannes may not have announced the full main competition lineup]

What is a 'surprise video'? Chen Kaige's interview sparks attention.

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

The entire Chinese-language film industry was instantly in an uproar. The hope that had been extinguished by the phrase "total annihilation" was rekindled by these four unexpected words.

But then, new doubts swept across the internet.

What is a surprise video?

"Is there a second round of nominations for Cannes? Wasn't it already officially announced?"

"Is this an excuse for not being shortlisted? Is Chen Kai trying to smooth things over?"

The online world in 2007 was not yet as turbulent and developed as it would be a decade later, but the comment sections of portal websites, film forums, Douban film fan groups, and Tieba film review sections were already buzzing with discussion.
"I really don't understand. Wasn't the list just released a few days ago? Jiang Wen and Wu Chen weren't on it, and now they're saying there's more to it?"

"I don't quite understand. What do you mean? Is there still hope?"

"So, there's a possibility that Jiang Wen and Wu Chen are getting together?!"

"."

Finally, the reporter contacted an acquaintance in the industry who came forward to explain:
"Surprise films haven't appeared for many years, but both Cannes and Venice believe that there are always exceptions, and there are always surprises in film."

These slots are reserved for a very small number of works that are not yet fully edited but are of great significance.

These films are usually either by internationally renowned directors or are important international collaborative projects. Although they have exceeded the initial official deadline, the organizing committee will give them a final window and suddenly add them to the shortlist a few days before the official opening of the film festival.

However, a 'surprise film' isn't offered every year; it depends on whether the organizing committee reserves it for this year. We'll have to wait for news from Cannes.

If this kind of film is successful, it has a particularly high chance of winning awards.

Not many people actually know about this mechanism. At the Beijing Film Academy, many young professors looked at Mu Deyuan and others.

Even some older professors don't know much about it.

"Old Mourinho, do they have this in Cannes?"

"Actually, there is such a mechanism, but in recent years the three major film festivals have rarely said that the nominees were selected just before the opening ceremony. However, this year is the 60th anniversary of Cannes, so it is normal for it to be a little special, but you never know."

"Then Wu Chen and Jiang Wen still have a chance, right?"

"Hey guys, stop worrying about this all the time. Even Principal Zhang doesn't worry as much as you guys," Mu Deyuan complained. Suddenly, the phone on the table rang. It was Zhang Huijun calling.

"Old Mu, it's Principal Zhang on the phone."

Mu Deyuan pursed his lips, got up, and went outside to answer the call.

Just as public opinion was tilting towards "there is still hope," the Cannes Film Festival organizing committee finally released an official statement in the evening local time in France:
We will release a supplementary list before the opening, including one or more works from the main competition that were unable to be announced at the time of the initial announcement due to incomplete post-production.

We call them: the film festival's "surprises".

These two short sentences, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, have created ripples.

The media, with their keenest sense of smell, released reports immediately:

[Official Confirmation: More "surprise films" will be announced in the Cannes main competition!]

[Cannes Responds to Total Failure? "Second Batch" of Winners Coming Soon!]

[Is the real climax coming soon? Surprise films from the Cannes Film Festival are about to be revealed!]

At this moment, the already depressed atmosphere in the Chinese film industry finally erupted with its first sign of restlessness.

"What a surprise video! Wow, I thought Chen Kaige and his crew just made it up!"

Why is there a second round of nominees?

"Are Jiang Wen, Wang Xiaoshuai, and Wu Chen still around?" On forums, Tieba, and Douban movie fan groups, the previously cursing replies were instantly covered by a new wave of "explanatory posts".

The comments section exploded instantly:

"No wonder Wu Chen and Jiang Wen didn't say a word!"

"I thought they weren't in good form, but it turns out they were the grand finale! It really was the grand finale!!"

"Black Peony!!! Please come quickly!"

Just as everyone was still discussing the possibility of it being the "grand finale," Yinghuang also released a timely clarification.

Jiang Wen, who was previously rumored to be "not in good condition and refusing to appear in public," spoke out through Yinghuang Agency, leaving only one sentence: "Man proposes, God disposes; everything has its destiny, and I firmly believe that the sun will rise as usual."

The double entendre not only refuted the rumors but also brought the suppressed emotions of the entire event to a climax.

Meanwhile, Huairou.

In the editing room.

Wu Chen leaned back in his chair, his fingertips sliding off the keyboard, and the image in front of him finally froze on the last frame.

The lights dimmed, and the screen displayed the final scene of "Black Peony." The stage went dark, the echoes lingered, and it became difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.

"finished."

He let out a soft breath, leaned back in his chair, and looked at the girl who had been watching over him for several days.

Liu Yifei was resting her chin on her hand, staring at herself on the screen as the last scene played, her eyes filled with undisguised amazement and pride: "It's really beautiful. So this is what I look like in the movie."

Her tone was full of surprise at seeing "myself on screen," which is the most precious self-gaze for an actor.

"You're just bragging," Wu Chen chuckled softly, took out his phone, and dialed an international long-distance number he had saved long ago.

"If you're going to brag, then brag. It's just that it looks good." Liu Yifei pouted and glared at Wu Chen.

Thierry Frémaux's voice came quickly, sounding somewhat surprised but also relaxed: "Wu, I thought you would be a few days later."

“I also wanted to be the grand finale,” Wu Chen smiled, “but there’s no need for that. The film is already finished, and I’ll contact China Film Group to send it over directly.”

"I look forward to seeing you at the film festival," Thierry said sincerely.

As soon as the call ended, Wu Chen dialed Han Sanping's number again.

Han Sanping almost slammed his fist on the table on the other end of the phone: "I was worried the movie wouldn't make it in time. As long as it does, I'll send someone over right away."

Han Sanping was very excited. He knew that among Chinese-language films, only Wu Chen's film was truly not rejected.

Wang Xiaoshuai's "Left Right" and Jiang Wen's "The Sun Also Rises" were actually submitted as rough cuts. Although they were not fully completed, they were not adopted by Cannes. Of course, there is still this last chance to be completed.

However, before Han Sanping could even rejoice for three seconds, Gao Chengsheng knocked on the office door and came in to report:
"Chairman Han, this is bad news. There's been another accident on the 'Red Cliff' set."

"Chow Yun-fat withdrew at the last minute, and director Wu Yusen said he would replace him..."

"."

Han Sanping's face fell immediately, his lips twitched slightly, and he felt a pain in his liver.

If this were just a movie costing tens of millions, it wouldn't be so bad, but this is a blockbuster costing 7000 million US dollars!

"Isn't this film supposed to start shooting in a few days?!"

Director Wu Yusen said he has already urgently contacted Tony Leung.

"Damn it!" Han Sanping cursed under his breath.

"Forget about 'Red Cliff' for now! 'Black Peony' is finished, get someone to send it to me immediately, don't waste a second."

"it is good!"

(End of this chapter)