This director loves making friends.

Although the Camera d'Or is a permanent award at the Cannes Film Festival, it is separate from the awards in the main competition.

In most cases, films selected for the main competition rarely win the Camera d'Or, because very few directors have their first film selected for the main competition.

Therefore, the Camera d'Or awards, even the jury prizes which are considered the least prestigious and are often referred to as consolation prizes, are generally more significant than the Camera d'Or awards in the main competition.

However, this is just the usual case.

It would be different if the film that won the Camera d'Or was from the main competition.

This proves that the director "skipped a level," instead of progressing step by step from lower-level sections like the Un Certain Regard section, he went directly into the main competition section.

When it comes to a new director like this, everyone's first reaction is that he has talent, wit, ability, and luck all at once.

Such a new director will obviously catch the eye of the Cannes management and become a key figure in their development. If he continues to maintain his talent, winning the Palme d'Or will be only a matter of time.

Therefore, many directors at the scene were very envious of Qin Keqing winning this award; they even thought that Qin Keqing had already touched the Palme d'Or.

Is the Palme d'Or so easy to win?

surely not.

If an ordinary director has talent but lacks luck, it may be difficult to win the Palme d'Or in their entire career, something many directors are well aware of.

Chen Kaige watched Qin Keqing take the stage with an envious look.

Although he received hints that "Farewell My Concubine" might win an award, and also learned from other sources that "Farewell My Concubine" had become one of the two films vying for the top prize, all of this was uncertain.

Qin Keqing truly won the Golden Camera award, and even touched the Golden Palm with one hand.

How could Chen Kai not be envious?

"Is this gold camera important?"

Zhang Guorong turned his head, covered his mouth with his hand, and whispered into Gong Li's ear.

He sensed that the atmosphere on set was a little different. It seemed that many directors were staring intently at Qin Keqing, including Director Chen Kaige. Something wasn't right.

The Golden Camera Award, when translated, is simply a Best New Director award, isn't it?

Which director isn't capable and qualified to direct a film selected for the main competition? Why envy the Best New Director award?

Of course, it can't be said that Cheung Kwok-wing lacks knowledge; after all, Hong Kong hasn't had any films in the Cannes main competition for many years, and the media wouldn't focus on these things.

"This award shows that Director Qin has entered Cannes's key watch list. If there are no surprises, he will most likely win the Palme d'Or in the future."

Gong Li didn't turn her head, but stared at Qin Keqing, who was receiving the trophy from the award presenter, and replied softly.

How much she wished Zhang Yimou would be on the Cannes watchlist!

Her boyfriend, Zhang Yimou, is now only one European Grand Slam title away from winning: the Cannes Palme d'Or.

Given Zhang Yimou's current momentum and confidence, he will definitely come to Cannes next year to give it a try. Cannes also hopes that Zhang Yimou can come as soon as possible.

This is a mutually beneficial relationship.

Of course, the Palme d'Or is not so easy to obtain.

"Huh? You touched the golden palm?"

Zhang Guorong was stunned. Wasn't this just a half-step Golden Palm?

Is Director Qin really that amazing?

"How long will it take?"

Zhang Guorong asked with some curiosity.

"It's hard to say."

Gong Li thought for a moment, "Three to five years, even eight to ten years are possible. As long as Director Qin's film quality is guaranteed, Cannes will definitely give it to him. Otherwise, who would want to be his protégé?"

Zhang Guorong nodded knowingly, meaning that the Palme d'Or would come; it just depended on when luck would bring it.

At this point, Qin Keqing began to give his acceptance speech.

"Good evening. Standing here, holding this Golden Camera trophy that symbolizes honor and responsibility, my heart is filled with indescribable excitement."

For a director, a debut film is not only the starting point of creation, but also a long journey of courage and perseverance. Today, this recognition from Cannes is the warmest affirmation of this journey.

There are so many people I want to thank for being able to stand here: Teacher Xie Fei, Stephen Chow, Director Chen Jiashang, and all the actors and staff of the crew, and of course, my beautiful producer, Ms. Zhang Min.

Without you and all of you, this film would just be a collection of static footage; it is you who gave it a heartbeat and everything we have tonight.

Qin Keqing raised the trophy and said again, "Finally, thank you to the Cannes Film Festival, thank you."

He did not thank the jury; the Camera d'Or was not decided by a jury, but by the Cannes Film Festival officials.

That's why winning this award is basically equivalent to declaring oneself a "protégé" of Cannes.

"Splash splash splash..."

Applause erupted.

"Director Qin is so handsome."

Zhu Yin looked at Qin Keqing, who was coming down from the stage, and thought about how he had spoken so eloquently and confidently in such an international setting. He was truly charming.

He couldn't help but compare Zhou Xingxing and Qin Keqing in his mind.

While clapping, Hou Xiaoxian whispered to Li Tianlu, the male lead of "The Puppetmaster" next to him, "This Qin Keqing is not simple. The artistic director of the Cannes Film Festival, Gilles, and Pierre both think highly of him. He will avoid a lot of detours."

Li Tianlu is 83 years old this year. Born into a family of Taiwanese puppet shows, he plays himself in the autobiographical film "The Puppet Show".

"Really? I didn't expect that Hong Kong, with its environment, could produce another art-house film director. That's really something."

"Grandpa, you're wrong. Director Qin Keqing isn't a Hong Kong director; he's a director from mainland China."

Hou Xiaoxian originally wanted to explain that "A Bittersweet Life" wasn't a purely art film, but then she remembered that because of Pierre, she had endorsed "A Bittersweet Life" and even "strongly proved" its artistic merit at the press conference...

Forget it!

"A Bittersweet Life" is an art film with profound metaphors, an experimental film wrapped in a commercial narrative!

"Sigh, this is what it means to owe favors!"

There was no way he could refuse Pierre Lissent, who was his mentor and had shown him great favor.

Moreover, "The Puppetmaster" is also competing for awards in the main competition section.

"Mainlanders? That makes sense. I was wondering how Hong Kong, with its superficial and restless environment, could produce art film directors?"

"Uh-huh."

Hou Xiaoxian gave a perfunctory reply, but in his heart he was wondering what awards "The Puppetmaster" could win.

He also received a hint from the Cannes Film Festival services department.

"...The Jury Prize in the main competition section of the 46th Cannes International Film Festival went to... The Puppetmaster."

Hou Xiaoxian was startled. He had been lost in thought and seemed to have heard "The Dream of Life"?

Congratulations, we've won!

Li Tianlu seemed very excited. This was the Cannes Film Festival, and "The Puppetmaster" was a biographical film about him. If he could win an award, he would be satisfied with his life.

"Ha, congratulations, grandpa."

Hou Xiaoxian congratulated Li Tianlu, but felt a little disappointed.

It's a jury prize, not a jury grand prize. The difference of just one word makes a huge difference.

The Grand Jury Prize is awarded to films that make it to the "finals" and perhaps lose to the Palme d'Or by just one vote; in other words, it's the film that comes in second in the main competition.

What about the Jury Prize?

While ostensibly recognizing outstanding works with distinctive styles, it's essentially a consolation prize for well-known directors.

However, this is Cannes. No matter how disappointed you feel inside, you have to smile on your face and thank Cannes and the jury.

Upon seeing "The Puppetmaster" win an award, Chen Kaige clapped while secretly harboring some doubts.

Three Chinese-language films were selected for the main competition at this year's film festival, and two of them have already won awards. Cannes doesn't usually award many films, so can "Farewell My Concubine" still win an award?

At the same time, Qin Keqing was also thinking that at this year's Cannes Film Festival, "Farewell My Concubine" won the Palme d'Or and "The Puppetmaster" won the Jury Prize, meaning that two Chinese-language films had already won awards.

Even if the Camera d'Or for "A Bittersweet Life" is not included in the main competition awards, the "Special Award" that "A Bittersweet Life" aims for is an award in the main competition.

In this context, would Cannes still have the courage to award a "Special Prize" to a Chinese-language film?

That's a bit risky.