Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 517 Revealed
The big screen began playing a retrospective short film, from the opening ceremony to the screenings of each section, and then to glimpses of the red carpet, with scene after scene interwoven.

Familiar shots flash by: Scorsese's profile, Polanski's name, and the figures of Wu Chen, Zhang Yimou, and others on the opening ceremony's red carpet.

The hall lights flickered, and the golden curtain on the stage shimmered under the spotlights. As the host returned to the stage, the awards ceremony officially began.

It's already past midnight in China, but many domestic media outlets are still waiting for news from overseas.

"With such lively discussions during the day, I hope all the major film crews achieve great success in Berlin."

"I heard that all three film crews went to the closing ceremony."

"They went, but apparently only the 'Reunion' crew received a hint; the 'Three Guns' crew didn't. Wu Chen's '1939' happened to be the closing ceremony film, and they were supposed to participate, so they didn't receive a hint either."

"Awkward, let's wait, I'm a little sleepy."

"."

While some editorial offices of mainland portal websites were still discussing the matter, the Crystal Bear Award for the Generation section in Berlin had already been awarded, with the Hong Kong film "Echoes of the Rainbow" winning the Crystal Bear for Best Film.

Following that are short film awards, honorary awards, lifetime achievement awards, outstanding artistic achievement awards, and so on.

People on stage kept getting up to express their gratitude, and the atmosphere of the ceremony gradually intensified.

In the media area below the stage, reporters' pens flew across their papers as they whispered among themselves:

"The highlight is coming."

"Berlin is really stingy with awards this year. For its 60th anniversary, the main competition only gave out six awards."

Meanwhile, domestic reporters exchanged glances, a hint of excitement in their eyes.

Compared to other countries, the probability of winning the award in China this time is higher than that in other countries, in terms of the number of winners.

"It depends on Wu Chen and Wang Quan'an."

"Wang Quan'an's situation is settled, but Wu Chen's is still uncertain."

"."

"Director, what should I do? I'm a little nervous." Zhang Yi's legs were shaking slightly.

This guy was shaking so badly that Li Gan was dragged along with him, and both of them were extremely nervous.

Yu Nan had already stood on the awards stage, ready to announce the winning film for the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay.

"It's not our turn yet, what's the rush?"

Wu Chen said calmly, and the two of them were stunned for a moment.

"Director, how did you know?"

"You can tell by looking at the people presenting the awards."

Wu Chen narrowed his eyes; it was too obvious that Yu Nan was the one who presented the award.

Zhang Yi seemed to have guessed as well, and couldn't help but look at Wang Quan'an, whose expression was half happy and half helpless.

After all, who would want to win a small prize when they have the chance?

As Wu Chen and Zhang Yimou had expected, Yu Nan read out Wang Quan'an's name and the song "Reunion".
Domestic media outlets began taking photos and recording the events, while also whispering amongst themselves:
"I never expected him to win Best Screenplay!"

"Given Berlin's track record, 'Reunion' might have a slim chance of winning other awards, and its performances aren't particularly outstanding either."

"."

Next up was the Silver Bear for Best Actress, which had nothing to do with "1939" and was ultimately given to Shinobu Terajima for "The Caterpillar".

The actress was not present; the director went on stage to accept the award.

However, the Silver Bear for Best Actor came right after that, and Zhang Yi and Li Gan became nervous again.

Wu Chen did not speak this time.

Because it's definitely worth being a little nervous.

Both of them have a chance.

"to whom?"

"Theoretically, only three films can compete for this award: How to End This Summer, 1939, and A Family."

Media outlets from both home and abroad waited anxiously in the media section.

Hollywood actress Renée Zellweger opened the envelope, glanced at the card, and a knowing smile appeared on her lips. Her voice echoed through the hall:
"Silver Bear for Best Actor – Gregory Dobiazin, How to End This Summer."

For a moment, there was a slight gasp in the room.

Some media reporters have even raised their cameras and pointed them at Wu Chen's crew.

Just now, many media outlets focused on one of the three production crews.

Zhang Yi sat down, his expression shifting from tense to relieved, and he let out a long breath.
Wu Chen remained calm as he comforted the two, whispering, "It's alright, there will be other opportunities in the future!"

Whispering discussions arose in the domestic journalists' area:
"If they had given it to '1939,' it would have been a double win."

Yes, what a pity.

On stage, the award-winning actor bowed slightly with excitement, and after giving his acceptance speech, the lights gradually dimmed and focused on the host.

"Next, the Silver Bear for Best Director will be announced."

This one sentence instantly raised the mood of the entire audience.

The camera panned across the faces of the nominated directors: some had stern expressions, while others clenched their fists tightly.
Best Director is undoubtedly a significant award for directors, especially at the three major film festivals, and even Wu Chen, who has already won Best Director once, is no exception.
"Keep it up." Liu Yifei gripped Wu Chen's knuckles tightly, as if silently offering support.

"Director, keep it up!"

Zhang Yi and Li Gan also sent their congratulations.

"Director Wu should have a chance at this award, right?"

Sun Honglei was quietly asking Zhang Yi a question when Yan Ni looked over.

“There is a chance. The program reviews aren’t bad, but the competitors are also strong. It all depends on how the judges choose.” Zhang Yi took a deep breath.

Meanwhile, the crew of "Reunion" also looked to Wang Quan'an.

"Our chances of winning this award are slim."

Wang Quan'an was well aware that the directing skills of several production teams, including "The Bee," "The Ghostwriter," and "1939," were superior in this award.

In the media section below the stage, many reporters had already half-raised their cameras.

Award presenter Francesca Comancini, a female director, held up the envelope, deliberately slowing her movements.

At that moment, the entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

The light shone on the white card, reflecting a golden sheen.

Finally, the sound came through the microphone clearly:

Silver Bear for Best Director
"1939," China, Wu Chen!

A thunderous applause shook the entire hall. Some cheered, some sighed, and many more gazed intently at the young figure.

Liu Yifei hugged Wu Chen with a radiant smile.

Zhang Yi and Li Gan jumped up almost simultaneously.
"This is a double celebration in China, with two guaranteed prizes."

"If I win Best Director, it will be difficult to win the next two awards. Sometimes the judges will distribute the awards and not focus all their bets on one film."

Domestic reporters applauded and discussed the matter.

It is rare for multiple awards to be given to the same film at the three major film festivals.

The camera focused on Wu Chen, who was receiving the Silver Bear trophy from Francesca Comancini.

The sound of camera shutters clicking rapidly from the audience was like a torrential downpour.

Wu Chen's gaze slowly swept across the entire theater. The applause gradually subsided, and his voice, though not loud, was enough to penetrate every corner:
"Thank you to the jury, thank you Berlin. It is the greatest honor for me and my companions to be able to share our film here."

He paused, his voice low and slow:
"This film tells a true story that happened on our land seventy years ago."

On that land, some have fallen, but there will always be people running for it.

Huang Xiaoshan was only sixteen years old. His running towards the morning sun shone not just on a child, but on the unextinguished hope of our nation in its darkest hour.

The audience held their breath; even the shutter clicked a beat late.

"As a director, I simply rekindled this memory and let everyone see it. War is not abstract; it is countless young faces, the desolation of homelands, and the bloodstains dripping in the snow. Suffering is suffering, and to forget it is to betray history."

I believe that the significance of film lies not only in art, but also in carrying memories and beliefs. May this film be a faint but real light, shining into the hearts of the audience. Thank you all.”

After he finished speaking, he bowed to the entire audience.

Applause erupted like a tidal wave.

The stage lights shone on Wu Chen's shoulders, and the reflection of the Silver Bear trophy was reflected into every corner of the venue.

Many European media outlets and directors turned their attention to Japanese director Koji Wakamatsu, whose face showed a subtle stiffness.
“Suffering is suffering.” Zhang Yi murmured these words, as if he was still “chewing” them.

The applause lasted for several minutes inside the stadium.

The judges did not immediately announce the next award, as if leaving a blank space for this speech.

Then came the Grand Jury Prize, the Silver Bear.

Liu Yifei had already taken the trophy from Wu Chen, looked at it, and was a little disappointed. She then handed it to Zhang Yi and the other person, and couldn't help but mutter to Wu Chen:
"Apart from the 60th anniversary engraving, it doesn't seem any different. I thought there would be a special edition."

"Why don't you add something to it? That would make it special."

"No, that would ruin it. It's fine as it is, it looks good," Liu Yifei grinned, but at this moment all the attention in the room was on the award presenter.

"The Jury Grand Prix Silver Bear – Whistle and Honey."

"A double-yolk egg?"

"A double-yolk egg?"

"."

The audience was a little surprised, and then a burst of camera shutters went off.

This situation is not particularly rare, but it is quite unusual.

"It seems the 60th Berlin International Film Festival still has some humanity; otherwise, six awards would be far too few, not enough to go around."

"Sure, sure, has the news of Director Wu winning Best Director spread yet?"

"It's been circulating for a while now, probably even on the news. But it's already 2 a.m. in China, so I don't know how many people are reading it. It'll probably take until tomorrow morning for it to really take off."

"."

Back in China, the editors waiting for news were already prepared, and the homepages of portal websites were quickly updated with new headlines.

[Berlin's 60th Anniversary: ​​Wu Chen Wins Silver Bear for Best Director!]

Wu Chen won the Best Director award at the Berlin International Film Festival for his film "1939," becoming the first Chinese director to win two Silver Bear awards for Best Director at the festival.

"Best director Wu Chen delivered his acceptance speech, stating that forgetting suffering is betraying history!"

【.】

"What a pity, it would have been great if we could have gotten two."

Seeing that the two award-winning directors had already given their acceptance speeches on stage, Liu Yifei felt somewhat discouraged.

Even after the jury's grand prize was awarded, the applause continued to echo throughout the hall.

The host stood in the center of the stage, his gaze sweeping over the audience, and smiled as he spoke in alternating German and English:

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now present the last award of the evening—the Golden Bear at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival."

The hall fell silent, and the lights focused on the stage.

The atmosphere seemed to be tightened by an invisible hand, and even breathing became heavy.

"Please welcome Mr. Herzog, the chairman of this year's jury, to the stage."

The camera panned across almost all the directors of the main competition section present, including Zhang Yimou.

Zhang Yi frowned, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knee. He knew in his heart that the final suspense did not belong to him, but he still couldn't help but hold his breath.

"Director, do we still have a chance?"

Zhang Yi and Li Gan couldn't help but ask again.

"Yes, but the levels are relatively low."

Wu Chen also had to admit that the probability of winning two awards at a film festival like Berlin is low, and the occurrence is relatively rare.

The atmosphere had reached its peak.

Herzog didn't even look at the list before he started speaking: "For sixty years, the Berlin Film Festival has witnessed countless intersections of images and history."

This year's Golden Bear will be awarded to a film that uses a unique cinematic language.

The reporters below the stage immediately raised their pens, held their breath, and then couldn't help but look at the few directors who were alone.

"This film uses continuous long takes to take the audience into the most brutal historical moment. It is not only an innovation in technique, but also a cry for national spirit."

A ripple seemed to spread through the venue.

Some people's eyes flickered, and the media cameras were already focused on Wu Chen's location.

Liu Yifei covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes instantly welling up with tears; the meaning of the award citation was self-evident.

Zhang Yi and Li Gan stood up almost simultaneously, frozen in place, and even Wu Chen was slightly taken aback.

Herzog's gaze finally fell on Wu Chen:
"That's right, the Golden Bear-winning film, '1939,' is from China!"

(End of this chapter)