Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 511 The Strongest in History

The subtitles on the big screen froze on the words "From China, 1939," and the host's voice was loud and passionate, with a slight tremor.

In an instant, the edges of the red carpet in front of the Berlin Film Palace lit up with flashes of light, like fireworks exploding all at once.
The night wind was biting, but it couldn't quell the restlessness of the crowd.

In the audience area, shouts in German, English and Chinese rose and fell.

At the end of the red carpet, the cast and crew of "1939" slowly appeared.

Wu Chen walked at the front, wearing a long, dark coat with a clean cut.

Behind him stood Zhang Yi and Li Gan, both dressed in well-tailored suits, looking slightly reserved but trying their best to maintain a smile.
The host's tone rose again, his voice almost drowning out the shouts from the audience:

Director Wu Chen has won countless accolades at Berlin, Cannes, and the Oscars for his films such as Buried, Get Out, and Black Peony.

His connection with Berlin dates back to his second film – Buried, which was completed in fifteen days and made its international debut in Berlin.
Today, he presents a powerful long-take war film, *1939*, which will be the closing film of this year's Berlin International Film Festival!

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire audience erupted in a commotion almost simultaneously.

Wu Chen, Zhang Yi, Li Gan, and the others waved to both sides.

It must be said that Berlin will definitely be mentioned; any famous directors who have had connections with Berlin will be given special attention.

Just like when Zhang Yimou entered the venue, he specifically emphasized that "Red Sorghum" won the Golden Bear.

The media area instantly erupted in excitement.

The reporters shouted questions, and one after another followed:

"Wu, welcome to Berlin! Why did you choose a war film instead of your forte, the thriller genre?"

"With '1939' being the closing film and also nominated for the main competition, this is unprecedented in recent decades. Are you confident that you will win the Golden Bear?"

"Wu, what story does '1939' actually tell?"

"Director Wu, keep it up!"

The camera shutters clicked rapidly like a torrential downpour, while the spotlight remained firmly fixed on Wu Chen and his team.

Most of the domestic media outlets have already interviewed him, so now there's more encouragement and cheering.

In contrast, the overseas media's lenses conveyed a much stronger sense of inquiry.

Wu Chen's gaze swept over the group of media:
"I chose the war theme because some history should not be forgotten. Film is one way to record and remember it."

As for whether we can win the Golden Bear, I believe every team that comes here is confident, and we are no exception. Being featured as the closing ceremony film is an honor in itself.

As for whether or not they will win an award…

He paused, a smile playing at the corners of his eyes, "It won't prevent me from attending the closing ceremony, right? Otherwise, how would you all be able to see my film that day?"

The media in the audience burst into laughter.

The closing ceremony is usually for winning films, but in reality, teams from the main competition can all participate. However, many film crews choose to withdraw after learning they are unlikely to win an award.
At the end of the red carpet, Wu Chen and his group were not led away by staff as usual.

Instead, the staff members around them gave a slight nod, asking them to stop temporarily in the designated area.

Wu Chen looked up and saw that Zhang Yimou and the crew of "A Simple Noodle Story" were indeed still there.

Looking further back, Wang Quan'an led the "Reunion" team slowly in, accompanied by several lead actors and the screenwriter.

As a former Golden Bear winner, he also caused quite a stir.

Zhang Yi smiled, observing the scene before her, and whispered to Wu Chen, "The rest is up to you two."

"I wonder what the judges' tastes are like this year."

While Wu Chen and Zhang Yi were talking, the crew of "Reunion" arrived.

At the end of the red carpet, the three film crews finally reunited briefly.

The directors and main actors stood side by side, with the huge Berlin Bear logo hanging high behind them.
Domestic media outlets were snapping photos like crazy.

Reporters crowded to the front, afraid of missing a single moment, their whispered conversations brimming with barely suppressed excitement:
"Berlin really knows how to organize things this time."

"Of course! Three Chinese films were nominated for this year's Berlin Film Festival, far more than any other country!"

"It's mainly about the people who came. Two film crews from Japan also came, but they didn't get this kind of treatment." "."

Meanwhile, the German television commentator, speaking solemnly on camera, remarked:

"The 60th anniversary of Berlin Film Festival welcomed the strongest Chinese lineup in its history. From Zhang Yimou's 'Red Sorghum' to Wu Chen's '1939,' Chinese filmmakers are writing a new chapter."

The press release was also generated quickly in the background.

While Berlin was still in the midst of the opening ceremony, domestic portal websites were updating their homepages one after another, with headlines flooding the screen:

[Berlin Film Festival Opening Ceremony – The Strongest Lineup in Chinese Film History Makes an Appearance!]

Directors Zhang Yimou, Wu Chen, and Wang Quan'an appeared together in Berlin, creating a red carpet sensation.

[Red carpet focus on Wu Chen, "1939" generates buzz even before release, global media questioning the core of the story]

[The 60th Anniversary Berlin Film Festival: A Historic Moment for Chinese Cinema]

【.】

At this crucial juncture in China as the new year approaches, the Berlin Film Festival is even more impressive than the news of Avatar surpassing 10 billion yuan.

Chen Kaige felt a little jealous watching his old friend Zhang Yimou enjoying great success in Berlin.

It seems like he hasn't won any awards at the three major awards in a long time, but the good news is that it seems like Zhang Yimou won't be able to win any either.

He was well aware of the quality of "A Simple Noodle Story".

"1939".

Chen Kai muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He was quite curious about what this film, which broke with decades of Berlin's tradition, was about.

If it were Cannes, he would definitely fly there to find out, but unfortunately, he doesn't have a deep connection with Berlin.
At that moment, Chen Hong glanced at the picture as she passed by and saw that it was from the Berlin Film Festival, and immediately understood.

Chen Kaige has been competing with Zhang Yimou for most of his life, so she knows this very well.

It's not that the two have any conflicts, but both the media and school teachers like to compare them.

With this back and forth, it was inevitable that something strange would develop in both of their hearts.
The next morning, "A Simple Noodle Story" was screened, and Wu Chen and his friends came to support it.

The theater was packed, with media reporters and audience members alike filled with intense curiosity.

After all, Zhang Yimou's name itself is a source of traffic and hype.

After the film ended, the applause was sparse and did not last long.

Several overseas media outlets quickly gave their scores: out of a possible 4 points, they only scored 1.8 points.

While not particularly tragic, it was far from spectacular either.

A reporter from the event's program bluntly stated: "The attempt at over-commercialization is too crude, and the comedic elements are too rough."

However, Dieter Kosslick is very good at talking.

"Whether Zhang Yimou makes art films or comedies, we don't care. Now that he has chosen commercialization, it's actually better."

Because Chinese filmmakers also understand that making profitable art films is more beneficial for Chinese films to go global than blindly adhering to pure art.

These were well-chosen words, neither offending the commentators present nor failing to save face for Zhang Yimou.

"As expected, those who can serve as film festival chairpersons are all shrewd people," Wu Chen couldn't help but remark.

These beautiful words moved Zhang Yi, who shook hands with them repeatedly.

After the premiere, Zhang Yi specifically asked Wu Chen about it.

When will the judges watch "1939"?

Because "1939" was the closing ceremony film, but since it was still part of the main competition, the judges couldn't wait until the closing ceremony to watch it; otherwise, the awards wouldn't be possible. Therefore, they had to watch it beforehand.
"It's scheduled for next week; there's a special session open only to the judges and a few program publications."

(End of this chapter)