Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Near Cannes,

The domestic media coverage has become increasingly extensive, even surpassing the scale of Zhuang Huai'an's participation in the Berlin Film Festival.

It must be said that although people love to read stories of young and accomplished individuals, they still pay close attention to demigods who are still climbing the mountain.

Since the official announcement by the Organizing Committee, Zhang Yimou has been showered with almost all the positive influences. Moreover, the Chinese people of this era are eager to gain attention and recognition from the outside world, especially now that a young talent like Zhuang Huai'an has emerged.

The higher the hype, the more low-key Zhang Yimou and Zhuang Huai'an become. It's better to keep things like achieving a Grand Slam through back channels a secret.

In the office, Zhuang Huai'an was typing on the keyboard.

"Mr. Kirk, it's been a long time. How are you?"

I heard that the sequel to "Saw" directed by James Wan is still receiving a warm reception. Congratulations to MGM for recruiting talent, which also proves that your $3 million investment was not wasted.

Getting back to the point, you may have heard about Cannes recently. Since you can open a betting pool for the Berlin Film Festival, why not give Cannes a try?

By the way, I am the chairman of this year's Cannes jury and have veto power. The list of jury members is attached below. I look forward to your reply.

Your most steadfast ally, An.

Click "send," and Zhuang Huai'an lit a cigarette, his face full of amusement.

This email was an insurance policy he had for Zhang Yimou. He believed Kirk wouldn't let this opportunity slip by. Being a bookmaker might not be good, but no one would refuse a bookmaker who could guarantee a win.

Kirk replied shortly afterward.

"Oh, An, you've really given me a big surprise this time. I'm naturally interested in this matter. The Chinese director, is his name Zhang?"

I've looked into his background; he's a director who's won two Golden Horse Awards multiple times—he's fantastic. I think it's time for Cannes to award him the Palme d'Or. So, how about we set the odds based on the tournament program?"

Zhuang Huai'an's lips curled up; this time, it was a sure thing.

The world is just a giant makeshift operation. He saw this clearly two years ago in Berlin. Since that's the case, let's just rely on our own strength.

If older white men have the ability to get the same director to win all three major awards within a year, then I'll accept it!

Anyway, that's all there is to it. Of course, I say this because Zhuang Huai'an has already completed the Grand Slam.

So at this moment, someone might ask:

Director Zhuang, won't you cut off the future of Chinese directors by doing this?

Don't make your brother Zhuang laugh.

Anyone with even a basic understanding of the three unspoken rules knows how much personal agenda has been smuggled into Chinese-language films that won awards after the millennium.

Not to mention Chinese directors, a famous British director made a documentary about Hong Kong and wanted to submit it to the three major film festivals, but it was rejected outright.

The reason given was: This movie is too pro-China.

However, the truth is that the film did not show any pro-China storylines at all; it was merely neutral.

But the Berlin, Venice, and San Sebastián film festivals bluntly stated: if you don't show any opposition, then you're a supporter.

They just said it so openly and honestly.

In fact, a closer look at Zhuang Huai'an's award-winning process over the past few years reveals that it is a combination of luck, favorable circumstances, strength, and inspiration, with luck and favorable circumstances playing a significant role.

In short: Heavenly Mother favors him too much!

For example, a few months later in Venice, Jia Zhangke won the Golden Lion Award for "Still Life".

This movie…

Never mind, I won't comment.

You can film suffering, but you can't just focus on suffering.

How many years have we had enough to eat? How many years have we gone from nothing to something? Let's give young mothers more time; they are great.

...

December 15th,

The young couple landed in Paris, but instead of meeting each other's parents, they transferred to Cannes.

The festival's artistic director, Thierry Fremo, personally came to pick them up at the airport, demonstrating his sincere hospitality.

"An, Crystal, welcome to Cannes."

Fremo was very tactful and only shook hands without hugging.

"Director Fremo, it's been a long time. Thank you for the invitation. It's an honor to serve as the chairman of this year's jury."

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries before getting into the car and heading to the hotel. After checking in, Fremo followed the two into the suite.

"An, I have been entrusted by Chairman Jacob to convey his instructions to you."

"Please go ahead." Zhuang Huai'an placed a cup of coffee in front of him and listened with a smile.

"Chairman Jacob said he hopes you will uphold the principles of fairness, impartiality and transparency in this review."

A hint of helplessness flashed in Fremo's eyes. "Actually, inviting you to be the jury president was a result of my overruling of objections. I love your films so much, but I never expected that Zhang would also have a film nominated for the main competition."

Actually, we all know about what happened to you in Berlin, so...we hope you can be more objective.

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and replied, "If that's the case, then why didn't the organizing committee select Zhang's film?"

"Because of the film's excellence, the organizing committee cannot ignore it."

Frémo was quite troubled. "Zhang is very well-known internationally, and many people will pay attention to his movies. We don't want... well, in Chinese, it's called 'giving people something to talk about'? Is that what it means?"

"Absolutely right, your pronunciation is perfect."

"So we are in a dilemma. If such an excellent film can't even get into the main competition, Cannes' reputation will also suffer."

Actually, both Frémaux and Jacob are people who prefer Chinese-language films. Zhang Yimou's "Amour" really touched the hearts of the French, but they didn't dare to.

They dared not break the established rules, nor did they dare allow two Chinese directors to achieve that damn Grand Slam in the same year!

"Since that's the case, why not leave it to fate?"

Zhuang Huai'an said meaningfully, "After all, Cannes awarded me the Palme d'Or. I'm willing to give you and Chairman Jacob some face. I can even guarantee that I will not interfere with the Palme d'Or selection process and will only cast my own vote. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Fremo felt a chill run down his spine and instantly understood Zhuang Huai'an's unspoken meaning.

It's not that he didn't intervene; rather, he followed the unspoken rules of the film festival and relied on his own public relations skills!

But Zhuang Huai'an is not just a director; he is also a capitalist. The jury members also have their own agendas. To put it bluntly, this position is about building connections and acquiring resources.

Who can guarantee that the jury members won't use their votes to gain personal benefits?

After a long silence, Fremo still couldn't figure out how to start the conversation. After all, Zhuang Huai'an had already made it clear that he wouldn't interfere, and the organizers couldn't just say directly: "I don't want Zhang to win the Palme d'Or!"

In that case, Cannes is doomed; its century-old reputation will be ruined in an instant.

This statement is not an exaggeration at all. Rules are rules because everyone follows them, and unspoken rules are unspoken rules because they cannot be openly discussed.

Both of these are available at Cannes, and at all film festivals.

Zhuang Huai'an is now playing his cards right: I will abide by all your rules, and I hope you will abide by the rules you set, or don't blame me for flipping the table.

Now, Frémo was truly in a dilemma. He suddenly regretted inviting Zhuang Huai'an to serve as the chairman of the jury. Of course, he also did not expect that Zhang Yimou could make such a good movie so quickly.

All of these are coincidences, but when they come together, they become an accident.

Fremo sighed silently.

Since that's the case, then let's rely on our own abilities.