Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 516 Who Are You Underestimating?
After the interview session ended, the noise gradually subsided.

Wu Chen was about to leave with his team when a voice called out from behind:
"Wu!"

Dieter Kosslick, the director of the Berlin Film Festival, strode over, holding an invitation letter with a light gold embossed seal.

His expression was more solemn than usual.

"The staff said they haven't found Crystal yet."

He smiled slightly and handed the invitation to Wu Chen, saying, "On behalf of the organizing committee, I sincerely invite her to attend the closing ceremony red carpet and awards ceremony of the 60th Berlin International Film Festival."

Wu Chen paused for a moment, then reached out and took it.

He hadn't expected the Berlin Film Festival to act so quickly, even earlier than he anticipated.

"Thank you." Wu Chen nodded. "She went back to the hotel earlier."

"The movie was great."

Koslick's eyes showed satisfaction, and his voice carried a hint of certainty.

He was clearly very satisfied with this closing ceremony: it generated a lot of discussion, featured innovative techniques, had a profound theme, and held significant commemorative value for the 60th Berlin International Film Festival.

The cold wind in Berlin carried snow powder.

When Wu Chen returned to the hotel and pushed open the door to his room, Liu Yifei was sprawled on the sofa, leaning back lazily like a little salted fish, and even yawned.

"Is the interview over?" she asked lazily.

Wu Chen didn't answer, but handed over the invitation.

"What is this?" She took it casually, her eyes falling on the gold lettering, and she instantly sat up straight.

"An invitation to the Berlin closing ceremony."

"Huh? You went to get it?" Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment, and then panicked a little.

"No." Wu Chen smiled, her tone teasing. "It was from the organizing committee. Are you stupid? You're a Cannes Best Actress winner, how could they not send you an invitation? They're not stupid; you can't refuse free publicity like this."

"But I didn't bring any formal dresses, just two simple outfits," Liu Yifei muttered, her brows furrowed.

"What's wrong with that? In this cold weather, that long trench coat in your suitcase is enough, it's fine. What, are you trying to compete with them?"

Before Liu Yifei could retort, Wu Chen interrupted, his tone calm yet resolute:

"No need to compare, you're more attractive."

She froze for a moment, a bright smile spreading across her face, and the words that were stuck in her throat were swallowed back down.

"Then if I embarrass you, don't blame me," she said softly, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Who dares to say that? I'll smash their camera."

Liu Yifei chuckled, "Don't be so irritable!"

The atmosphere on the closing ceremony's red carpet has gradually intensified over time.

The lights gradually came on.

The red carpet was rolled out again, stretching from the street corner all the way to the main entrance of the cinema, with flashes of light on both sides as dense as daytime.

Reporters had already secured the best camera positions, while spectators outside the cordon were shouting names in various languages.

When the jury members of this year's Berlin Film Festival walked the red carpet, cameras all over the world were already focused on them.

Wu Chen's crew was the last to appear, just like the closing ceremony film.

"Director, among our three mainland film crews, do you know which one received a hint?" Zhang Yi couldn't help but ask as he watched Zhang Yi lead his crew onto the red carpet first.

""reunion"."

Wu Chen responded in a low voice.

"A Simple Noodle Story" and "1939" received no hints; of course, the former is definitely out of the running for an award, but it's still uncertain about the latter. As the crews of films like "Whistle" and "Honey" walked the red carpet, staff members came to guide Wu Chen and his group.

The host's voice was loud, with German, English, and French rising and falling in a chorus, carried throughout the venue through the loudspeaker:
"Now we welcome the most anticipated production team of this year's closing ceremony—from China, '1939'!"

In an instant, the flashes of light illuminated the night sky like exploding fireworks.

The applause and cheers from the audience reached a climax.

Wu Chen walked at the front, with Liu Yifei beside him. Liu Yifei wore a light camel-colored trench coat that draped over her shoulders, its wide silhouette outlining an unadorned elegance.

Her trench coat swayed slightly with her steps, and her clean-cut face was highlighted by the camera's flash, making her stand out among the many elaborate gowns.

Zhang Yi and Li Gan followed closely behind.

"Wu, look here."

"Crystal, here!"

International media outlets frantically raised their cameras, and shouts rose and fell.

The host's voice rang out again, deliberately slowing down his speech:
"Director Wu Chen, who won Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival, now brings us a war epic film shot in one continuous shot."

At the end of the red carpet, reporters rushed to ask questions:

"Wu, how would you describe your feelings tonight?"

How can I tell you how I feel right now? It's very special.

"Crystal, your trench coat is so beautiful. Why did you specifically choose a trench coat? It's so cool!"

Liu Yifei pursed her lips and smiled faintly: "Because this is Berlin in February, trench coats are more honest than formal dresses."

The crowd erupted in uproar, reporters quickly jotted down the words, and the audience burst into laughter and applause.

Wu Chen raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Smart."

"Who are you underestimating?"

Liu Yifei held her head high with great pride.

As the last people entered the hall, the applause and flashing lights of the red carpet were gradually shut out.

The huge glass doors slowly closed as the staff pushed them shut, instantly shutting out the outside noise as if it were in another world.

The film crew walked along the corridor into the main hall of Berlin Palace. Crystal chandeliers hung down, their light illuminating the neatly arranged benches.

The seating area was already full of guests, with directors, actors, judges, and film distributors sitting interspersed among them, their hushed conversations blending into a steady hum.

Wu Chen and the others took their seats in the front row, facing the stage.

Zhang Yi was somewhat better off, while Li Gan was clearly both reserved and excited, constantly adjusting his cuffs.

In another row, Zhang Yimou and the crew of "A Simple Noodle Story" were already seated; Wang Quan'an and his team from "Reunion" were also there, forming a group of three Chinese teams alongside them.

The air at the scene was filled with a festive clamor, yet also subtly shrouded in a tense anticipation.

At the center of the stage, a large screen in the background played clips of the Golden Bear winners from the past sixty years in Berlin.

From black and white to color, from "Wings of Desire" to "Perfume," every scene elicited applause and cheers from the audience.

The lights gradually dimmed, and a spotlight shone in the center of the stage.

The host, dressed in a silver gown, stood under the spotlight, her tone solemn yet passionate:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the closing ceremony of the 60th Berlin International Film Festival."

Over the past ten days, films from all over the world have met, collided, and intertwined here. We have witnessed the diversity of cinema and once again witnessed its power to transcend national borders.

The audience burst into applause.

"Tonight, we will announce the Golden Bear, Silver Bear, and various individual awards. Yes, all the answers will be revealed tonight."

(End of this chapter)