The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

"The Golden Bear for Best Film goes to NINGGU's 'Sigh! This Life Like Mud'! Congratulations!"

Gu Ning stood up amidst the applause, smiled, and nodded to thank those who were clapping.

Because the short films and feature films were not listed together, Gu Ning was surrounded by foreigners, except for the translator.

Hearing their congratulations, Gu Ning could only reply with a few words in broken English.

Then he walked towards the stage.

"Although this short film is only seven minutes long, the story reveals that true freedom is not about adapting to the environment, but about using one's own 'flaws' to reconstruct the environment..."

Gu Ning stepped onto the stage and accepted the Golden Bear trophy amidst the introductions of the judges.

Although there is a significant difference in treatment between short films and feature films, the organizers treat them equally in terms of trophies.

There are only two types of trophies at the Berlin Film Festival: the Golden Bear and the Silver Bear. The only difference is the award itself; the trophies may look slightly different.

"Your work is fantastic!"

"Thanks!"

The judges handed the trophy to Gu Ning, hugged him, and then handed the stage over to him.

Holding the microphone and facing the audience, Gu Ning said, "I am Gu Ning, a new director from China. This short film is my first work, and I feel very honored to have it recognized by the Berlin Film Festival..."

Regardless of whether the foreigners understood her or not, Gu Ning delivered her prepared acceptance speech in one go.

After Gu Ning finished speaking, the audience burst into applause again.

The awards ceremony continued, but Gu Ning paid no attention to anything else, fiddling with the trophy in her hand.

At the awards banquet, Gu Ning was surrounded by film distributors from various countries.

…………

Capital

"Sweetie, how long until you join the crew?"

Hao Hao came out of the kitchen carrying a bag of washed strawberries.

"We'll have to wait until the weather gets warmer, probably another two months," Jing Tian replied without looking up from her phone.

Hao Hao placed the plate of strawberries on the coffee table, sat down next to Jing Tian, ​​took a bite of one, and said, "I'll visit you on set later."

"what?"

Jing Tian looked up and asked, "What did you say?"

"Is something wrong? Why do you seem so distracted?" Hao Hao asked curiously.

Jing Tian hesitated for a moment and said, "Hao Hao, today is the Berlin Film Festival awards ceremony. Judging by the time, the ceremony should be over by now. Could you ask Senior Brother Liu if Senior Brother Gu has won an award yet?"

"Sweet."

Hao Hao looked at Jing Tian seriously and asked, "Tell me the truth, do you like Senior Brother Gu?"

"No...nothing like that, don't talk nonsense."

Jing Tian blushed slightly and looked away, saying, "I was just curious."

"..."

Hao Hao couldn't help but facepalm. "You don't look like you don't have any."

"Then why aren't you curious whether director Chen Kaige can win an award?"

"I...I..."

Jing Tian was speechless for a moment, but then she had a sudden inspiration and came up with an explanation.

"The company is preparing to tailor-make a movie script for me, and I'd like to invite Senior Brother Gu to direct it. The company doesn't agree, but if Senior Brother Gu wins an award, I can..."

Hao Hao's expression, as if to say "Keep making this up, let's see if I believe you," made her voice grow softer and softer.

"Sweetie, although Senior Brother Gu is handsome and talented, he's not right for you," Hao Hao said.

Jing Tian, ​​disregarding her shyness, asked, "Why?"

"It is said that it is easy for a man to pursue a woman, but easy for a woman to pursue a man."

Hao Hao said, "You've made it so obvious, Senior Brother Gu..."

"Was my behavior very obvious?" Jing Tian asked blankly.

"..."

Hao Hao said speechlessly, "Is that the point? With you being so proactive, Senior Brother Gu couldn't possibly not sense it."

If you were ugly, that would be one thing. But you're so beautiful, and you've taken the initiative to pursue him, yet Senior Brother Gu hasn't given you any positive response. Do you know what that means?

"Does this mean that Senior Brother Gu isn't the kind of superficial person who only cares about looks?"

Jing Tian asked doubtfully, "Doesn't this further prove that Senior Brother Gu is different from others?"

"You're hopeless." Hao Hao said, speechless.

Jing Tian blinked, puzzled, and asked, "Am I wrong?"

"You're right."

Hao Hao felt a little tired, and feelings are a very private matter. She had said everything she needed to say, and continuing to say anything would only make Jing Tian feel disgusted.

"Hao Hao, please ask for me." Jing Tian hugged her arm and swayed coquettishly.

"Tell me first, what exactly do you like about Senior Brother Gu?"

Hao Hao asked, "Is it because he's handsome, or because of his talent?"

"Neither."

Jing Tian shook her head, somewhat shyly saying, "I've seen plenty of handsome and talented men, but what attracts me to Senior Brother Gu is his maturity."

"Mature?"

Hao Hao asked in surprise, "You like older women?"

"..."

Jing Tian glared at Hao Hao, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed.

"I'll ask for you right away."

Hao Hao quickly picked up his phone and sent a text message to Liu Sanxi.

Not long after, Liu Sanxi called directly. After Hao Hao answered, Jing Tian leaned over to listen.

When I heard that Gu Ning had won the Golden Bear for Best Short Film, I almost screamed and quickly covered my mouth.

Seeing Hao Hao hang up the phone, she released her grip and exclaimed with delight, "That's wonderful! Senior Brother Gu actually won the Golden Bear Award!"

"Are you satisfied now?" Hao Hao said.

Jing Tian smiled and said, "Thank you, Hao Hao, you're so kind. We'll sleep together tonight."

"Who wants to sleep with you? You're never still when you're sleeping."

Hao Hao said disdainfully, "Don't think you can just dismiss me with a few words."

"I'll help you get a role in the company's next movie," Jing Tian said.

Hao Hao said somewhat embarrassedly, "No, just treat me to a meal."

"I need to eat, and I need a role too."

Jing Tian said, "Why don't you just sign with me and join the same company? That would save us from all this gossip behind our backs."

When she started her freshman year, she arrived at school about a month late because of the release of her EP.

This matter was discussed quite a bit by the classmates.

Later, it was learned that she had signed with a company, and it was then discovered that the company had only signed her as a sole employee.

There were even more rumors and discussions, though she didn't really care.

"Isn't this just like trying to hide something obvious?" Hao Hao said speechlessly.

"Who cares? You're signing with our company. I can't guarantee anything else, but I'll definitely avoid all that messy stuff."

Jing Tian patted her chest proudly and said, "I've got your back."

Hao Hao was somewhat tempted by what she heard. Although she was only a newcomer who hadn't fully entered the industry, she had some understanding of some things in it.

"Oh, don't think about it anymore. It's settled then. Come to the company with me to sign the contract tomorrow," Jing Tian said.

…………

The following day, the Berlin Film Festival's closing ceremony was met with a lukewarm reception, with all Hollywood stars absent.

The awards ceremony is over, and the US only won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay. They're not going to give the organizers any face.

However, this had nothing to do with Gu Ning; he was busy communicating with the film distributors who had come to his door at the banquet last night about selling their films.

Although it's just a short film, it has attracted a lot of interest from distributors because of its Golden Bear award for Best Short Film.

After some haggling, the copyrights in various countries around the world were sold for a total of US$85.

Based on the current exchange rate, it's roughly around 6.8 million.

This gave Gu Ning the urge to simply keep making short films and participate in major film festivals.

Invest tens of thousands of yuan and get a return of more than two hundred times.

It's rare to find such a return on investment in filmmaking.

However, he only thought about it; there's a limit to how much a short film can achieve.

One dollar multiplied a hundredfold is still one hundred dollars, but one hundred million multiplied by one hundred million is one hundred million dollars; they are completely different concepts.

After selling the film, Gu Ning embarked on her journey back to China.