This director loves making friends.

After the Best Screenplay award was presented, the presenters on stage were to present the Best Actress award for the evening at Cannes.

The female lead in "A Bittersweet Life" is only nominally in the role, so Zhu Yin has no interest in winning the award.

As a biographical film, "The Puppetmaster" had no ambition for this award.

Gong Li's role in "Farewell My Concubine" is significantly smaller than that of the two male leads. However, although she appears in the middle of the film and does not participate in the first half of the childhood and coming-of-age narrative, her role is core and her acting is extremely powerful.

Despite having limited screen time, she is the leading female character and a key figure in driving the conflict in the love triangle and elevating the tragic theme. Without her, the plot would collapse.

If judged by "duration," his role is not large; but if judged by "narrative necessity" and "artistic weight," it is extremely important.

Gong Li plays Juxian, delivering a performance full of tension and nuance. She successfully portrays a feisty, courageous, affectionate, resilient, and tragic female character, and her acting skills are on par with Zhang Guorong, who is obsessed with life in the play.

The program booklet's review of Gong Li's role generally praised her performance as "perfect," noting that she shone brightly in the ensemble cast without overshadowing the main characters, and was a key element in the film's emotional conflicts.

Therefore, she has a chance to win the Best Actress award at Cannes; it all depends on the jury's preference.

Gong Li definitely wants this Cannes Best Actress award.

Last year, she won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for "The Story of Qiu Ju". If she could win the Best Actress award at Cannes this year... Just thinking about that possibility made her breath quicken and her legs unconsciously tighten.

"The winner of Best Actress at the 46th Cannes Film Festival is... Holly Hunter, for *The Piano*."

"Splash splash splash..."

Applause erupted.

Gong Li believes her acting skills are already excellent and she can control her facial expressions freely, but upon hearing this name, she almost lost her composure and just mechanically clapped along.

She knew Holly Hunter.

Five years ago, she had envied Holly Hunter once.

In 1988, at the 38th Berlin International Film Festival, Zhang Yimou won the Golden Bear for "Red Sorghum," and Gong Li accepted the award alongside him.

It was also at this film festival that Gong Li witnessed Holly Hunter win the Best Actress award at the Berlin International Film Festival for her role in "Broadcast News".

She was extremely envious at the time.

No matter how good the Golden Bear award is, Zhang Yimou will benefit the most.

The Best Actress award is the pinnacle of an individual's career.

Five years later, she herself has won the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award, making her no less accomplished than Holly Hunter, and thought she could stop envying any actress.

But who would have thought that the winner would be Holly Hunter!

In this situation, who can remain calm?

"Oh shit!"

Gong Li clapped along with the machine while cursing.

"What?"

Zhang Guorong turned his head towards Gong Li, thinking that Gong Li was talking to him.

"What did you say? I didn't hear you."

Gong Li took a deep breath, adjusted her facial expression, and tried to smile as naturally as possible. "I said the next award is Best Actor, so don't be nervous."

"Huh? Is the next actor going to be the Best Actor?"

Zhang Guorong, who had been calm just moments before, suddenly became nervous; he also wanted to be the Best Actor.

"Thank you for reminding me, I'm nervous now."

Not only was Zhang Guorong nervous, but Chen Kaige also became nervous again; he had been nervous once earlier when the Best Actress award was presented.

He couldn't explain why he was nervous, but... he didn't really want "Farewell My Concubine" to win Best Actress or Best Actor.

He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't stop the thoughts in his heart.

When the award presenter opened the envelope, the name he said was not Zhang Guorong, nor was it "and".

Zhang Guorong was nervous for nothing.

He lost to the unassuming British actor David Thewlis and did not win the Best Actor award.

Gong Li patted Zhang Guorong's hand without saying a word; sometimes, silent comfort is more persuasive than words.

Zhang Guorong sighed silently. Having lost this opportunity, he didn't know if he would have another chance. Such an opportunity was too rare.

Hong Kong... only last year did Kwan Kam-pang help Maggie Cheung win the Berlin Film Festival's Best Actress award for "Center Stage"; as for other directors, Cheung Kwok-wing doesn't know who else has that ability.

Hong Kong's superficiality leaves no fertile ground for art films.

Ugh……

Is there a next time?

The next presenter will come on stage to present the Best Director award for the evening.

Qin Keqing's heart skipped a beat. They'd already awarded the Best Director prize, so there was probably no chance of the "Special Award," which wasn't given out regularly.

It seems Pierre Lissent ultimately failed to secure Inna Chulikova's signature. Why didn't he say so earlier? I was saving 10 points to cover for her!

It's too late to say anything now.

"The winner of the Best Director award at the 46th Cannes International Film Festival is…"

The award presenters began to open the envelopes.

Hou Xiaoxian had no desires or wants, and her heart was at peace.

His film "The Puppetmaster" has already won the Jury Prize, so there is absolutely no chance that he will win Best Director again.

Chen Kaige started to get nervous again, and this time it wasn't just nervousness, but also anticipation.

Compared to the Palme d'Or, which requires a lot of luck, winning the Best Director award at Cannes is also excellent, as this award greatly enhances a director's personal reputation.

He stared longingly at the award presenter.

Of course, apart from Lao Chen, every director present who had a chance to win Best Director was eagerly watching the award presenters.

"Mike Lee, Naked, congratulations."

"Splash splash splash..."

Applause erupted.

Despite his disappointment, Chen Kaige was suddenly invigorated.

Now only the Grand Jury Prize and the Palme d'Or remain. Since it's been hinted at, then at the very least, it should be the Grand Jury Prize, right?

Besides, who knows, maybe my luck will be on my side this year?

"In this noisy era, some voices are faint yet firm, and some stories are small yet grand. This film, with its unique perspective, touches the depths of our shared humanity."

It did not offer simple answers, but instead raised thought-provoking questions; it did not deliberately evoke emotions, but instead left each viewer with something to reflect upon in silence.

The jury unanimously decided to award it the Special Prize, because it shows us that even in the most difficult times, the light of humanity can still shine through the darkness.

This is a story about love and loss, and a precious record of our time. It is…

The award presenter looked up at the guests in the audience.

Chen Kaige's heart started pounding wildly.

"Please don't let it be me, please don't let it be 'Farewell My Concubine'..."

Historically, the "Special Jury Prize" existed as a second prize, but after the Cannes reforms in recent years, this prize is no longer a permanent award, and its status as a second prize has been replaced by the Grand Jury Prize.

In fact, the special award is not a consolation prize. The selection process for this award is quite rigorous, and it can only be added on the spot if all members of the jury agree.

However, Chen Kaige didn't want an award that wasn't a regular one, not even a consolation prize.

It's the final moment, he's definitely eyeing... the Palme d'Or!

At this point, no one would want the grand prize, let alone the special prize!

Congratulations to Qin Keqing on "A Sweet Life"!

"Splash splash splash..."

As Chen Kaige breathed a sigh of relief, he couldn't help but look at Qin Keqing with some envy. He hadn't expected that the jury would unanimously agree to add a special award for him.

This is his first movie!

Could there be a better start?