Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 507 A Rare Combination in History

The atmosphere inside the Berlin Film Festival organizing committee building suddenly froze.

Everyone looked at the proposer in disbelief.

This approach is extremely rare in the history of the Berlin Film Festival, and it only appeared when the award system was not yet perfected.
"Isn't this too risky?"

A senior committee member leaned forward slightly, placed his fingers clasped together on the table, and raised a question.

"Is this rule written into the charter?"

"Since it's not written into the charter, we can make this choice."

Someone spoke slowly, their gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"Personally, I don't think it's risky. It's a normal exchange, and we have good reasons for it."

The media will also be happy to see this happen—they need buzz, and regardless of whether this film wins awards, its technological innovation represents a peak in recent decades. We have every reason to believe it will be well-received by audiences and the media.

“Yes,” another young committee member couldn’t help but interject, his voice still tinged with shock, “Delivering messages on the battlefield in one continuous shot—this idea is simply perfect. Who would have thought that it could be done to this extent in a war film?”

This is absolutely a brilliant idea.

After a brief silence, the leader closed his notebook and changed the subject:
"Then I won't say any more. Let's vote by raising our hands. If it's rejected, we'll stick to the original plan and use Yoji Yamada's 'Younger Brother'."

The people around the conference table looked at each other, their expressions varied, and each made their own choice.

The next morning, the sky over Berlin was still leaden gray, with fine snow swirling in the crisp air.

Outside the cinema, the media area was already packed with people, with camera tripods lined up and lights flashing on the podium in front of the stage.

The Berlin Film Festival's 60th anniversary needs no introduction in terms of its appeal; the audience included not only European media but also foreign correspondents from several major Chinese portals.

Near the middle row, several domestic reporters were chatting in hushed tones.

"Well, actually there's not much suspense today. '1939' was sent to the organizing committee yesterday."

"Yes, I've already written the text message, and I'm just waiting for him to finish before I press send."

"Haha, great minds think alike."

"This saves us the trouble of writing articles."

The group exchanged smiles, their expressions relaxed.

As the stage lights dimmed slightly, Berlin Film Festival President Dieter Kosslick walked onto the stage, dressed in a dark suit and beaming with smiles.

He first gave a brief overview of the overall arrangements for this year's Berlin Film Festival, alternating between German and English—the main competition, the screenings, and various forums—each segment carrying the solemnity unique to a ceremony.

Finally, he paused slightly, adopting a more ceremonial tone:
"On this year's 60th anniversary, we have received many excellent films. Now, I would like to announce the surprise film for this year's Berlin Film Festival:"
"1939" is a film directed by Chinese director Wu Chen.

The domestic reporters in the audience almost simultaneously lowered their heads and pressed the send button on their phones, their faces showing a confident "I knew it" attitude.

But before they could put their phones away, Dieter's next words followed:

"Furthermore, '1939' will be screened as the closing film of this year's Berlin Film Festival."

The short sentence, like a heavy stone thrown into the water, instantly created ripples.

"No, did I hear that right?"

"The closing ceremony film?!"

Did he say "closing ceremony" instead of "opening ceremony"?

Not only were domestic media members astonished, but many European and American journalists also looked at each other in bewilderment, their pens hovering in mid-air.

Dieter himself seemed quite pleased with the commotion below the stage, smiling and gesturing with his hand:

"Yes, you heard right, '1939' will be the closing film. This is the result of many discussions, and we hope everyone can enjoy a unique cinematic journey in Berlin."

All of them were experts at handling such topics, so Dieter Kosslick offered no further explanation and simply turned and left, leaving the media staring at each other, trying to process the news.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Oh no, I just sent the message back!"

"Call them quickly! Tell them not to rush to postpone the manuscript; there's more to come."

The foreign correspondents from several domestic media outlets immediately took out their mobile phones, dialed numbers, and walked out, their expressions shifting from astonishment to impatience.

At this moment, in the editorial department of NetEase Entertainment in Beijing, several editors on the early shift had just woken up from their afternoon nap and were yawning repeatedly.

"We've received news from Berlin that '1939' is a surprise film."

"Oh, no surprises here. Everyone already knows. Just release the report." "Okay, I declare that this surprise video contains no surprises whatsoever."

The editor typed the last word, clicked "send," and said in a slightly teasing tone, which immediately made everyone laugh.

The next second, his phone rang.

Seeing that it was a call from a colleague in Berlin, I couldn't help but mutter, "Wasn't everything resolved? What other trouble could there be?"
"Huh? Are you kidding me?"

The person who answered the phone listened for a moment and immediately expressed disbelief. After all, so many years had passed, and such a situation was extremely rare. Who would believe such a sudden piece of news?

My colleague on the other end of the phone was so anxious his voice rose eight octaves: "It's true, the closing ceremony! It's being broadcast by media all over the world. If they put on this for Berlin's 60th anniversary, you have to change it right away!"

"If you don't believe me, who can prove it?"

Those in Berlin fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, and their anger flared up.

"I'll prove it to your ass. If you don't believe me, go check the Berlin Film Festival website yourself. Don't blame me if the news is late."

After being hung up on, the people at NetEase exchanged bewildered glances, but still chose to believe them and quickly returned to their seats to edit the message.

"By the way, what other examples are there of this combination?"

A silence fell over everyone.

"Never mind, I'll post it first since I didn't think of that. I'll add more information later when I find it."

Media reports were still pushing out announcements: the 60th Berlin International Film Festival had announced a surprise film, with "1939" among the nominees.
The news coverage was quite enthusiastic, with a lot of discussion below.

"I guessed it, but I didn't expect it to still happen in the end."

"Hehe, does that mean three domestic films will be nominated for the main competition this year?"

"Over the years, it has been difficult for films to win awards at the opening ceremony, and it has been particularly difficult for Wang Quan'an."

As for Zhang Yimou's "A Simple Noodle Story," I suspect Berlin took money. I'd be horrified if it won an award. I reckon in the end, we'll have to rely on Wu Chen's "1939."

"."

Han Sanping also saw the news that "1939" had been nominated and breathed a sigh of relief. The film had finally made it in time, and as a war film, it was very meaningful to be promoted overseas. Whether it won an award or not was secondary.
At this moment, the online discussion was still escalating, and in the editorial department of the portal website, telephones and instant messaging windows were flashing simultaneously.

In less than ten minutes, the new article was featured on the homepage.

This time, an accompanying image was added: the Berlin Film Festival logo and a still from the film: two figures hurrying through a snow-covered forest, their backs swallowed by the snow mist.
[Stunning! "1939" Qualifies for Berlin Closing Ceremony and Main Competition]

[A grand gift for Berlin's 60th anniversary: ​​"1939" has been officially announced as the closing film and will also be competing for the Golden Bear.]

[A rare moment at Berlin's 60th anniversary celebrations: "1939" selected for the main competition and to be the closing film]

[The film "1939" achieved a surprising victory, marking the first time a Chinese director's work was featured at the Berlin Film Festival closing ceremony.]

【.】

The news sparked polarized reactions from both the audience and industry insiders. While the audience cheered "Awesome!", industry insiders looked on in disbelief.

"Did the media make a mistake?"

"Is the editor drunk? Is it fake alcohol?"

"Hahaha?"

Industry insiders are full of questions right now, but after seeing the reports and several media outlets publishing them, it means that this matter is likely true.

Just then, inside the China Film Group building, Han Sanping was looking down at documents when a soft knock came at the door.

The secretary peeked in, holding a printed copy in her hand.

"Mr. Han, Director Wu's '1939' has been shortlisted for the Berlin Film Festival."

Han Sanping looked up, smiled, and said calmly, "I understand."

The secretary did not leave, but continued, "However, Director Wu's film was also shortlisted for the closing ceremony film."

"what?"

Han Sanping, who had been leaning back in his chair, suddenly straightened up and stood up, his eyes filled with undisguised shock.

The cold wind outside the window swept past the flags on the rooftop, making them flutter loudly.
Wu Chen was also shocked when he heard the news.

If he remembered correctly, this rare and historic combination of the main competition and the closing ceremony film was the first time in decades that it had appeared in Berlin.

It should be the classic work "A Separation" that Iran will be competing in next year.
(End of this chapter)