Chapter 591: Closing Ceremony: A Successful Start

After the premiere of *Nomadland*, three small-scale screenings were held the next day, and a large number of reviews regarding the film were reported.

"Nomadland—the most romantic film at this year's festival!"

"Is home just a name, or is it something you always keep in the bottom of your heart?"

"White clouds and grey dogs, life is but a dream; in the end, one reconciles with the past, with failure, and with oneself on the road."

"In the end, perhaps one day, we will meet again with the beloved of this life whom we cannot forget. But for now, we must always remain on the road."

"."

After a day of socializing, Liu Yifei returned to the hotel and flipped through the media reviews, appearing very excited.

"Brother, do we have a very good chance of winning an award?"

"Mm, it should be quite high."

By this point, all the shortlisted films had already premiered, and Wei Jin basically had a good idea of where things stood.

In particular, the ratings for the 20 shortlisted films from the four major Venice trade publications had all been released.

*Nomadland* had a trade publication rating as high as 3.4, ranking first.

In this situation, while one wouldn't dare say the Golden Lion was guaranteed, the probability of winning an award was definitely very high.

It is worth mentioning that the rating for *The Distinguished Citizen* was also quite good, reaching 3.2 and ranking in the top three.

Perhaps there was truly a chance this time for mentor Tian Zhuangzhuang to fulfill his long-cherished wish.

There was no helping it; having been banned from directing for ten years, Tian Zhuangzhuang had already fallen a bit behind the times, and art-house films were his final habitat.

If he couldn't win an award this time, Wei Jin didn't know if there would be another chance in the future.

Because not every script could perfectly fit one's personal style.

As it happened, right at this moment, Wei Jin's phone rang, and Liu Yifei immediately held her breath.

"Brother, hurry and answer the phone."

"Hello, this is me..."

"Hello, Director Wei Jin. I am calling from the Venice Film Festival Organizing Committee. Please ensure that you and your film crew attend the closing ceremony red carpet, award ceremony, and banquet of this year's Venice International Film Festival on time tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh, okay, thank you."

Calmly hanging up the phone, Wei Jin tossed it aside and cupped the girl's pretty face.

"Yifei, shall we celebrate?"

Looking at the heat in the man's eyes, Liu Yifei bit her red lips and nodded.

"Mm~~ okay~~"

That night, the sea breeze in Venice was so boisterous; waking up the next day, Wei Jin discovered it was already around ten in the morning—one could only say last night was truly a bit crazy.

There were also quite a few new messages on his phone, all from close friends, acquaintances, and industry insiders back home sending their congratulations.

It seemed the invitation to the Venice closing ceremony had already spread.

In addition, Wei Jin also noticed a message from his mentor Tian Zhuangzhuang, who indicated that *The Distinguished Citizen* and *Stray Dogs* had also received invitations to the closing ceremony.

In this way, counting Wei Jin, the gold content of Chinese filmmakers at this year's Venice Film Festival could be considered quite high.

Teacher Jiang from the school also sent a message; banners for all the major awards had already been prepared, even including one for the Grand Slam.

Putting down the phone, Wei Jin turned his head to look at Liu Yifei, who was still in a deep, beautiful sleep, and patted the girl's pretty face.

"Yifei, wake up, the makeup artists will be here in a while."

"Mm~~~"

Liu Yifei was lost in thought for a good while before opening her eyes.

Seeing Wei Jin come into view, she finally remembered what they were doing today and consciously began to wash up.

At noon, Wei Jin and Liu Yifei ate lunch in their room.

Meanwhile, the team of stylists and makeup artists also seized the time in the hotel to fill their stomachs.

Because the next two or three hours would be a busy time, standing there to apply makeup and style Liu Yifei.

More than three hours later, Wei Jin saw Liu Yifei's new look for the day.

Perhaps to pray for the good luck of a successful start, Liu Yifei had communicated with the brand early on and wore a qipao for the first time.

The blue, gold-embroidered, cloud-patterned sleeveless qipao clung tightly to Liu Yifei's body, making her look even fairer and more delicate.

The light, natural-style makeup, paired with a bun coiled at the back of her head and pearl earrings, made her look elegant and refined, with a sense of purity and grandeur shining through her sharp features.

Her temperament, appearance, figure, height, and skin tone—all these numerous advantages—were perfectly displayed at this moment.

"Brother, how is it? Does it look good?"

"Of course it looks good."

Wei Jin did not hesitate in the slightest, and he was incomparably sincere.

He truly hadn't expected that Liu Yifei would look so stunning in a qipao; it seemed the young girl still had a lot of potential to be tapped.

"Yifei, I think you can wear qipaos more often in the future; it really suits your temperament. Also, I think this set should be kept as a keepsake."

"Bad person~~"

Being affirmed by her beloved with the most primitive and direct praise, Liu Yifei was naturally happy; she then met his gaze and gave him a coquettish glare.

Having been together for so many years, how could she not know what Wei Jin's gaze was conveying? Wei Jin remained calm and composed, his expression steady as he performed a gentleman's bow, "Alright, Yifei, it's time for us to go."

Liu Yifei slowly placed her fair little hand on Wei Jin's, smiling beautifully.

"Mm, let's go."

The climax of Venice would be tonight, when all the major awards would be revealed one by one.

Compared to the opening ceremony, the red carpet for the closing ceremony appeared even more important; whether it was filmmakers or the media, everyone was paying attention.

Coupled with the fact that two Chinese films were invited to the closing ceremony this year, along with the hype surrounding Wei Jin's second attempt at a Grand Slam, all the major news websites and official media in China were broadcasting it live.

At this moment, the area in front of the Film Festival Palace was already surrounded by tourists, movie buffs, fans, and media from all over the world.

When they saw Wei Jin appear with Liu Yifei and the film crew, the media reporters were already unfazed; after all, for a long time now, the media had long been accustomed to this scoundrel's philandering.

Yet, Wei Jin and his party were, at this moment, invited by the staff to the red carpet waiting area.

Here, he saw his mentor Tian Zhuangzhuang, Chen Daoming, and others, as well as the *Stray Dogs* film crew.

"Wei Jin."

"Director Wei, Yifei."

"Director Wei, Yifei."

"."

Greetings rang out one after another, and Wei Jin responded with a smile to each.

Time passed minute by minute, and the people in the waiting area kept walking onto the red carpet, becoming fewer and fewer.

Liu Yifei leaned against Wei Jin, feeling a bit sleepy.

"Brother, it's been over an hour, hasn't it?"

"Mm, it's almost eight o'clock, it should be soon."

"Boss, it's our turn," Chen Xi reminded him.

Following the staff, the entire *Nomadland* film crew walked onto the Venice red carpet for the first time this year.

"Director Wei, Yifei, good luck, we're counting on you!"

"Liu Yifei, so beautiful..."

"Director Wei, good luck!" Familiar, pleasant Chinese always lifted one's spirits; Wei Jin and Liu Yifei kept smiling and waving continuously.

"Walking toward the red carpet now is the *Nomadland* film crew, with an incredibly luxurious lineup.

They are the winners of the 68th Venice Jury Grand Prix Silver Lion, director Wei Jin; the former Best Actor Silver Lion winner, David Strathairn, and Frances McDormand."

It must be said, the red carpet host's introduction was quite smooth; only things related to Venice were mentioned.

However, as a film shortlisted for the Main Competition Section, Wei Jin and his team were definitely required to accept interviews on the red carpet.

"Wei, welcome back to Venice. Competing for the Golden Lion Award for the second time, how much confidence do you have?"

The red carpet host asked with a smile; having had films showcased here for three consecutive years, Wei Jin could be considered an old friend of Venice.

"Confidence? We Huaxia people have an old saying: 'At thirty, one stands firm.' I am thirty years old this year, and I feel it is time to pluck the crown of the Grand Slam.

Of course, this is just my expectation. As for the final result, it must be left to the members of the Pingshutuan, but I believe luck will favor me today."

Wei Jin's words directly caused the host to freeze; you want a Grand Slam at thirty, what are you going to do later? She didn't even dare to imagine.

However, professional quality still made a smile appear on the red carpet host's face.

"Mm, then I wish you success, old friend of Venice."

"Thank you."

After a polite response, Wei Jin and Liu Yifei locked fingers and walked step by step toward the end of the red carpet.

Wei Jin did not expect that the position the organizing committee had arranged for the crew would actually be right next to the *Stray Dogs* crew.

Isn't this just purely trying to annoy me? But there was no help for it now; the crew had come in almost last, and there were no other seats.

Fortunately, the *The Distinguished Citizen* crew was also behind them, so everyone could chat a bit.

After waving and greeting Tian Zhuangzhuang, Chen Daoming, and the others, Wei Jin took Liu Yifei and the others to sit in the middle of the venue.

However, Wei Jin was cautious; he sat with Liu Yifei on the left side, leaving the seats on the right, closer to the *Stray Dogs* crew, to Chen Xi, Frances McDormand, and David.

"Hee hee, Brother, you are too cautious."

After sitting down, Liu Yifei covered her mouth and teased him in a low voice in Wei Jin's ear.

"A boy out and about must protect himself well."

Wei Jin rolled his eyes and then teased back: "Yifei, do you know how sought-after I am now?"

"Ugh, ugh, ugh~~~"

Hearing this, Liu Yifei couldn't stop laughing out loud, which left Chen Xi, Frances McDormand, and the others on the side feeling a bit confused.

About a few minutes later, Jiang Wen and the Pingshutuan members walked onto the stage, meaning today's awards ceremony was about to officially begin.

At this moment, everyone in the venue was focused.

Wei Jin and Liu Yifei held each other's hands, looking forward to good luck.

In any awards ceremony, the main event is always at the end.

But perhaps because the star power was a bit dim, this year's Venice broke with tradition; the first awards presented were actually honorary ones.

"Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion, the winner is William Friedkin, congratulations!"

Everyone in the venue stood up and applauded; for a film industry worker, the Lifetime Achievement Award is undoubtedly the highest accolade.

Especially this North American filmmaker who is already over 70 years old; his professional experience is quite rich, as he serves as a director, screenwriter, Producer, actor, and a series of other roles.

Having entered the industry for nearly half a century, he has filmed over thirty movies and won numerous international honors.

Among them are heavyweight awards such as the Oscar Best Director and Best Picture.

When Wei Jin attended Venice the year before last, this man had been shortlisted for the Main Competition Section with *Killer Joe*, but unfortunately lost.

"Brother, should I also develop toward being a multi-hyphenate in the future?"

Watching the old man on stage accepting the crowd's applause and giving an impassioned speech, Liu Yifei asked thoughtfully.

Because this year's Oscar Lifetime Achievement Award also went to a multi-hyphenate.

"How should I put it? An artist's acting career is limited. If you love the film and television industry, you can choose to develop comprehensively, but it also depends on whether you are interested yourself."

"Is that so?"

Liu Yifei didn't say anything more; she decided to go back and think carefully about what she wanted to do in the future.

The awards on stage continued.

From the Non-Competition Screening Section to the International Film Critics' Week, Venice Days, and the Horizon Unit, the awards were presented one by one, from smallest to largest.

Very quickly, the awards ceremony entered the Main Competition Section.

"The Marcello Mastroianni Best Newcomer Award, the winner is Tye Sheridan, 'Joe', congratulations!"

This award can also be considered a commendation-type award, aimed at encouraging young directors.

Next, the main event arrived; the newly established Jury Grand Prize was about to be announced.

Wei Jin noticed that while the award presenter was opening the envelope, everyone's gaze was focused there.

"Jury Special Award, the winner is Tian Zhuangzhuang, 'The Distinguished Citizen', congratulations!"

In an instant, Wei Jin turned his head sharply and saw the look of relief on his mentor Tian Zhuangzhuang's aged face.

Wei Jin smiled immediately, "Teacher, congratulations!"

"Teacher Tian, congratulations."

"Director Tian, congratulations."

Because the Huaxia film crews were all sitting together, after realizing what had happened, sounds of congratulations rose one after another.

But Wei Jin noticed that the expression on Chen Daoming's face was somewhat complex; Tian Zhuangzhuang winning the award meant that the probability of him lifting the Best Actor trophy had decreased by at least half.

"Thank you, thank you."

Tian Zhuangzhuang's tone was very excited; after taking a deep breath and hugging everyone in the film crew one by one, he looked at Wei Jin, who had turned his head from directly in front, and suddenly hugged the latter tightly.

Without too many words, he just gently patted Wei Jin's back with his hand, then strode toward the stage.

"... Thank you, thank you to my student Wei Jin. This is the second trophy he has given me, and it is also the most important trophy of my life..."

Tian Zhuangzhuang's somewhat aged voice, after being translated, was transmitted to the venue, and almost all the filmmakers cast their gazes toward Wei Jin.

This director from Huaxia not only could win awards himself, but the scripts he provided had also helped others win important international awards more than once; it was truly too terrifying.

Wei Jin did not know what these people were thinking; he was only happy for his teacher, as the old man had finally achieved his wish.

Moreover, what he had to do next would be even easier... As Tian Zhuangzhuang's acceptance speech ended and he returned to his seat holding the trophy and certificate, the awards on stage reached the more intensely competitive acting categories.

Theoretically speaking, all the film crews at the venue had a hope of competing.

Wei Jin clearly felt that Frances McDormand, sitting on his right, had become nervous.

"Francis, don't be nervous, even I'm not nervous," David joked with a smile.

"You have already won the Volpi Cup, of course you aren't nervous."

Frances McDormand retorted irritably, but no sooner had she finished speaking than she heard the award presenter on stage open the envelope.

"The winner of the Volpi Cup for Best Actress is: Elena Cotta, 'Palermo Shooting', congratulations!"

In an instant, Frances McDormand's expression froze.

Wei Jin and Liu Yifei exchanged a glance, feeling some regret. David also fell silent at this moment.

On the contrary, Frances McDormand, worthy of being a member of the optimist club, took a deep breath to calm her mood and immediately began to make fun of herself.

"It seems that this is meant to save all the good luck for the Oscar..."

(End of this chapter)