Chapter 157: Awards Ceremony

In the hotel suite, the air seemed to have solidified.

Xiang Fei sat on the sofa, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest. Leslie Cheung stood by the window, gazing at the Venetian night, a cigarette burning slowly between his fingers. Gong Li and Chen Kaige spoke in low tones, glancing occasionally at the telephone on the coffee table. Han Shanping sat in the single armchair, holding a glass of whiskey, his expression calm.

Suddenly—

"Ding-ling-ling—"

The telephone ring cut through the silence; everyone snapped their heads up.

Han Shanping set down his glass, reached out, and answered: "Hello?"

Fluent English came from the other end: "This is the Venice Film Festival Organizing Committee. We formally notify the crew of The Undertaker to attend tomorrow night's awards gala..."

Han Shanping's expression gradually relaxed, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly: "Very well, thank you very much."

He hung up the phone, looked around at everyone: "Tomorrow night's awards gala; we have been invited to attend."

The room instantly erupted.

"Really?!" Gong Li covered her mouth, her eyes lighting up.

Leslie Cheung's cigarette ash fell onto the carpet, but he was utterly unaware: "Does this mean... we've been nominated?"

Xiang Fei finally smiled: "Not just nominated; the committee called to say we have an award."

Chen Kaige slapped his thigh: "Awesome!"

Han Shanping raised his glass: "Let's celebrate first."

Everyone clinked glasses, laughter echoing through the room.

The next evening, outside the main venue of the Venice Film Festival, reporters and film fans crowded both sides of the red carpet.

Xiang Fei, in a black custom-tailored suit, walked at the very front. Leslie Cheung followed closely behind, a deep blue velvet gown making him look exceptionally elegant. Gong Li wore a white long dress, her temperament outstanding; Chen Kaige wore a Chinese-style stand-collar suit, possessing quite an Eastern charm.

Flashbulbs poured down like a rainstorm as reporters shouted their names.

"Aiven! Look over here!"

"Leslie! Are you confident about winning the award?"

Xiang Fei waved calmly to the media, speaking softly to Leslie Cheung: "Brother, relax; you're too tense."

Leslie Cheung forced a smile: "More nervous than filming."

Gong Li took Chen Kaige's arm and asked in a low voice: "Kaige, do you think we have a chance?"

Chen Kaige patted her hand: "Do your best, leave the rest to fate."

The banquet hall was resplendent with gold and splendor; filmmakers from all nations gathered together.

The crew of The Undertaker was seated at a round table near the stage. Waiters poured champagne for them; Xiang Fei raised his glass: "Regardless of the outcome, simply reaching this step is already a victory."

Everyone clinked glasses, but the expectation and anxiety in their eyes could not be concealed.

The host took the stage; the awards ceremony officially began.

One award after another was announced, none related to The Undertaker.

"Next is the Best Actor award." The host's voice echoed through the hall.

The camera swept over several nominees; Leslie Cheung's profile appeared on the big screen; he unconsciously straightened his back.

Xiang Fei glanced at him, offered no comfort, merely gently tapped his glass.

"The winner is..." The host opened the envelope, paused for a moment, "The Undertaker, Lng!"

Thunderous applause.

Leslie Cheung stood frozen, seemingly unable to react.

"Brother!" Xiang Fei pushed him, "Go on stage!"

Leslie Cheung finally snapped out of his daze; as he stood up, he nearly tripped over the chair. He walked onto the stage, accepted the heavy trophy, his hands trembling slightly.

"Thank you to the jury..." His voice was somewhat choked, "Thank you to Director Xiang Fei; without your trust, I could not have completed this role. Thank you to all crew members; this award belongs to each and every one of us."

In the audience, Xiang Fei led the applause, his eyes full of gratification.

"Best Actress award..." The host returned to the stage.

Gong Li clenched her napkin, her knuckles turning white.

Xiang Fei looked at her, sighing inwardly. He knew Gong Li's performance, though excellent, still fell short of the effect he desired.

"The winner is... Blue, Juliette Binoche!"

Gong Li's expression instantly collapsed, but she quickly adjusted, smiling and applauding.

Chen Kaige leaned close to her ear: "It's alright; try again next time."

Gong Li forced a smile: "I'm fine."

But her fingernails had dug deeply into her palm.

"Best Supporting Actor award..." The host opened the envelope, suddenly revealing a surprised expression, "The Undertaker, Chen Kaige!"

The entire hall erupted in shock.

Chen Kaige's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief: "Me?"

Leslie Cheung poked his side: "Go up quickly!"

Chen Kaige walked onto the stage in a daze; as he accepted the trophy, he was still stunned: "To be honest, I never expected this at all... Thank you to the jury, thank you to Director Xiang Fei for giving me this opportunity, although I originally came here as a producer..."

A wave of good-natured laughter burst from the audience.

Xiang Fei shook his head and smiled: "Director Chen..."

"Best Director award..." The host announced, "Before the Rain, Milcho Manchevski!"

Xiang Fei sighed lightly; still, he didn't get it, but he quickly adjusted his expression and applauded for the winner.

Han Shanping patted his shoulder: "Don't rush; there will be chances later."

"Best Screenplay award... The Undertaker, Aiven!"

Xiang Fei straightened his suit and walked calmly onto the stage.

"Thank you to the jury for this recognition." He raised the trophy. "This story was inspired by my wife when she was pregnant—it made me reflect on life and death. Thank you to everyone who helped bring it to life."

The grand finale award had finally arrived.

"The 50th Venice Film Festival Golden Lion Award..." The host deliberately drew out the words, building suspense, "Departures!"

The entire crew erupted in an instant!

Zhang Guorong grabbed Xiang Fei in a hug: "We did it!"

Gong Li wept with joy, her earlier disappointment swept clean away.

Chen Kaige raised both arms high: "Awesome! Absolutely awesome!"

Xiang Fei was swarmed by the crowd as he went up on stage and accepted the Golden Lion trophy.

"This is the glory of the entire team." His gaze swept over every face below the stage. "Thank you to everyone who believed in this story. The power of cinema lies in letting us face the most profound questions of life."

The applause went on and on without end.

Late at night, the crew booked out a riverside restaurant to celebrate.

Bottle after bottle of champagne was popped, laughter and cheer never ceasing.

Zhang Guorong was already a little tipsy, arm around Xiang Fei's shoulder: "A-Fei, you've conquered the three major European film festivals—what's your next film? Going for the little golden man? I'm booking the lead role!"

Xiang Fei laughed: "Thanks, Brother, but you should rest for a while first. You just won Best Actor and you're already thinking about the next one?"

Gong Li walked over with a wine glass, no trace of disappointment on her face: "Director Xiang, let me toast you. Next time I'll definitely perform even better."

Xiang Fei clinked glasses with her: "You've always been the best."

Han Shanping sat in a corner, watching this group of young people, his eyes full of gratification.

Chen Kaige came over: "Factory Director Han, won't you have a drink?"

Han Shanping raised his teacup: "Tea in place of wine." Xiang Fei walked over and solemnly poured Han Shanping a glass of wine: "Uncle Han, you must drink this one. Without you, there would be no Departures today."

Han Shanping took the glass and downed it in one gulp: "Good! A toast to Chinese-language cinema!"

"Cheers!"

Amid the laughter and cheer, Venice's moonlight spilled across the water, shimmering like the radiant future that lay before them.