Chapter 20: Awards, Copyrights, and Returning Home

The Berlin International Film Festival has permanent awards: the "Best Film" Golden Bear Award; and Silver Bear awards such as the "Jury Grand Prize," "Best Director," "Best Actor," and "Best Actress."

In addition, depending on the quality of the films in each edition, certain awards are added, such as the Alfred Bauer Prize, the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award, and so on.

The award Wei Jin received this time was the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award, primarily to recognize films that have achieved outstanding artistic accomplishments in screenwriting, cinematography, soundtrack, or directing, but fall short of the Best Film and Jury Grand Prize films.

Since the founding of the Berlin International Film Festival over twenty years ago, this award has not been presented every year.

Therefore, regarding the film's artistry in screenwriting, cinematography, and technique, many people predicted before the ceremony that the jury would award it to *Buried*.

And as Wei Jin was the screenwriter and director, he was more suitable to receive this award than just the cinematographer; one can only say that Ning Hao was a bit regretful.

Wei Jin walked onto the stage, took the small Silver Bear, and walked to the podium:

"Wow, she is really heavy!"

Wei Jin lifted the small Silver Bear, then let out a long breath and said, "I'm a bit nervous, please allow me to calm myself down."

Hearing this, everyone let out good-natured laughter, and applause rang out once again.

Standing on the stage, Wei Jin looked at the sea of people below; having lived two lives, he didn't expect to still be a bit nervous when the moment finally came.

Calming down slightly, he began his acceptance speech:

"Thank you. First of all, I am very grateful to Mr. Howard; it was he who brought this film to Berlin and brought it before everyone. Thank you."

"I am very grateful to the jury for presenting this award to me. I am very happy; this is an affirmation of me, and I will continue to work hard. Thank you."

"I thank all the members of the film crew, especially the Producer—my teacher Jiang Wei. Perhaps you all don't know yet, but I am a university student, a sophomore this year."

Hearing this, a gasp of surprise broke out from the audience; there was no other reason, he was simply too young, still just a university student.

"My teacher gave me a lot of help during the preparation and filming process of the crew. Of course, my alma mater, Beijing Film Academy, also gave me tremendous support."

"Thank you to the cinematographer, Senior Brother Ning Hao; this trophy has a share of your work. Thank you to the excellent actor Qin Hao; your performance was truly great."

"Finally, thank you again to the jury, and thank you, Berlin."

Welcomed by the applause of the crowd, Wei Jin returned to his seat, feeling that his body had broken out in quite a bit of sweat; he was still a bit nervous.

After letting everyone handle the small Silver Bear for a while, he sat down properly, and the awards ceremony continued.

In the end, the Best Actor Award slipped through Qin Hao's fingers, which was slightly regrettable; the *Buried* crew was unable to secure any other awards.

After the awards ceremony ended, there was an official celebratory cocktail party and some simple interviews, which served as a perfect conclusion to this film festival.

The next day, the news that a sophomore from the Beijing Film Academy's Director Department had won a Silver Bear award was already flying all over the country.

A large group of reporters swarmed the entrance of Wei Jin Fengliu Studio. The receptionist, Zhang Wen, looked helpless because neither the boss nor the general manager had returned yet.

Beijing Film Academy also took the opportunity to carry on its tradition by hanging up a banner: "Warmly congratulate our school's 2002-class Director Department excellent student Wei Jin on winning the Silver Bear award at the 54th Berlin International Film Festival."

For a time, Wei Jin became a prominent figure at the school.

"Young Director Wei Jin Makes a Name in Berlin, Wins Silver Bear" — *Beijing Youth Daily*

"Chinese Film Returns Triumphant from Berlin Campaign" — *Beijing Entertainment News*

"Digging into the 21-year-old Silver Bear Director, Who is Wei Jin?" — *China Film News*

"The Untold Story of the Young Director and the Kissing Girl" — *Entertainment Gossip News*

For several consecutive days, Wei Jin appeared on the front pages and headlines of major entertainment newspapers. The media was eager to dig up his ancestors back eight generations; even his teachers and classmates at Beijing Film Academy were scrambled to be interviewed.

Photos of Wei Jin and Gao Yuanyuan walking the red carpet together were also exposed, and even the landlord-tenant relationship between the two was revealed by some unknown agent, leading many readers to automatically fill in tens of thousands of words of their own imagination.

It was already February 18th. Wei Jin ignored the chaos back home. In the past few days, his phone had been blown up—by media, by school teachers and classmates, and by family and friends.

Of course, there was also Ceng Li. On the phone, Li Jie said nothing but congratulations and concern. But Wei Jin could still sense Li Jie's mood; after all, the scandal had spread from Berlin back to the country, and the key was that it was a scandal with Gao Yuanyuan. He estimated that he would have to face an interrogation upon returning.

At this moment, Wei Jin was busy with Chen Zhiming handling the copyright transactions. On the night the awards ceremony ended, a large group of film distributors swarmed in.

There were those who had already expressed interest in purchasing before, and those who hadn't taken a fancy to it before. In short, once the film won an award, it immediately became a hot commodity.

After two days of negotiations, the overseas copyrights for *Buried* had all been sold.

Finally, after converting the currency, it totaled 6.54 million US dollars, which was over 54 million RMB. Everyone was a bit stunned.

Overseas copyrights were actually this valuable. No wonder Jia Kezhang was banned domestically but still had people scrambling to invest in his films; after winning awards overseas, copyrights were just easy to sell.

The overseas copyrights sold best in North America, Japan, South Korea, and several major European countries.

In reality, it is very difficult for art films to recoup their costs through box office in any country; they are only easy to distribute after participating in film festivals and winning awards. Of course, films that can win awards are generally in the minority.

The total investment for *Buried* was less than 1 million, and including various overseas expenses this time, it was still less than 2 million. It hadn't even been released domestically yet, and it had already made a net profit of over 52 million. It was indeed a windfall.

Wei Jin was not stingy; he immediately decided to take out 2 million to reward the film crew members, and at the same time decided not to expose the copyright transaction price for the time being, as wealth should not be flaunted.

The day after the copyright transaction was completed, the group of 6 flew back to the country. It was already February 20th.

Just after getting off the plane, Wei Jin and his group were surrounded by the media. Having no choice, the group had to accept interviews.

"Director Wei Jin, may I ask what your relationship is with Ms. Gao Yuanyuan? Are you dating?"

"Director Wei Jin, may I ask how you came up with the script for *Buried*?"

"Director Wei Jin, may I ask if the film will be released domestically? I heard it's a thriller."

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The media's microphones were almost shoved into Wei Jin's mouth. This formation also left the others feeling lingering fear. Chen Zhiming temporarily took on the job of an assistant and blocked the crazy reporters.

"One by one, please, don't crowd."

Airport security personnel also came to maintain order. Only then did Wei Jin begin to answer:

"We have just been on a plane for over ten hours and are really tired. Today we will only answer three questions. Everyone, please don't crowd, one by one."

"Ms. Gao and I are just friends. We met by chance in Berlin, and I invited her to be my female companion to attend the awards ceremony."

"Regarding the script, you might not know, but I once had a car accident. During the process of being in a coma, my consciousness felt as if it were imprisoned in a small box, which is why I had the creative idea for *Buried*."

"As for the release, it will be arranged later; it depends on the schedule. Thank you."

"Excuse me, please make way, please make way."

After finally breaking free from the media's encirclement, the group quickly left the airport, each heading to their own destinations.

Wei Jin sat in the company's business car, somewhat silent:

"Lao Chen, help me hire an Assistant. I expect there will be quite a lot to do from now on. Also, find a time to go to China Film Group and check on the arrangements for the movie's release."

"Very well, President Wei."

Chen Zhiming also felt that he was a bit too busy to handle everything alone; it seemed the Studio's framework needed to be set up.

As a newbie author writing a book for the first time, I humbly beg for collections, follows, reading updates, and recommendations. Thank you all. As a newbie author writing a book for the first time, I humbly beg for collections, follows, reading updates, and recommendations. Thank you all.

I don't like odd numbers, three chapters today.

(End of this chapter)