Chapter 137: The Focus of World Attention

Li Yang's words silenced everyone present.

Xia Yehe's eye sockets were slightly red, and Wen Yushan hugged her, her eyes full of a soaring pride as she looked at Chen Nuo.

Fan Fan Binbing's expression changed, her gaze blank, not knowing what she was thinking.

Qi Yuntian suddenly smiled and said: "I suddenly remembered a sentence my mother once said. She said, it doesn't matter if an actor wins an award or not; what matters is that someone cheers for your performance."

Chen Nuo glared at him irritably and said: "Don't come to join in the fun. Director Li, thank you for what you just said; I am really moved. But I am actually just a child who has just started, still knowing nothing. Please give me more advice in the future, you seniors."

Li Yang patted his shoulder heavily and said: "Not to mention anything else, if you need any help in the future, just say it. For example, if you invest in a movie one day and lack an assistant director, I will definitely come to help you run errands. I, Li Yang, say what I mean."

For a director who has been shortlisted for the Golden Horse Award for Best Picture and won the Berlin Silver Bear Award to say this, Chen Nuo truly couldn't bear it.

After a while, the reporter from *Today's Film* came.

A young man in his 30s, he looked a bit reluctant when he entered the hall, but walked with a bit of a brisk pace once he got closer.

Afterward, there was no need for Li Yang to say much; the person knew what it meant for the hottest male actor in Cannes these two days to appear here.

Six or seven questions were asked, some of which had nothing to do with the film *Blind Mountain*.

When Chen Nuo raised an objection, the person didn't explain, only saying it was all for film promotion and please trust his professionalism.

Fine, then believe it.

When Chen Nuo had answered everything he could, as the young reporter was leaving, he shook hands with Li Yang and said with a smile a French proverb: "Mr. Li, you found the cherry on the cake this time."

It sounded inexplicable to several people.

It was Li Yang who had culture, thinking this should mean "icing on the cake."

However, according to the Chinese habit, it should be called "sending charcoal in snowy weather."

The next day, Li Yang called Chen Nuo, very excited, because *Today's Film* moved his 2,000 Euro layout to the third page, and that layout was worth 20,000 Euros.

In half a day, he received more than a dozen calls from film distributors saying they wanted to see the film. Five or six of them were really not for Chen Nuo, but for this movie.

Li Yang's original words were: "This made him see the scattered sunlight from the pitch-black abyss."

May 20, 2006.

Chen Nuo and Wen Yushan went to watch a Korean movie, *Secret Sunshine*, directed by Li Cangdong, starring Jeon Do-yeon and Song Kanghao.

Because Xia Yehe couldn't understand the English subtitles, she didn't follow along.

After watching and coming out, Chen Nuo felt that these two people acted really damn well.

The further you go on the road of acting, the more you will find that many people are actually walking in front of you, it's just that you were too far away before and couldn't see it.

He felt that Emma Stone's acting skills, which were already perfect, still lacked a bit of ease compared to Jeon Do-yeon's.

And there were truly many places on Song Kanghao worth learning from.

After filming *The Dark Knight*, it was really time to go back to school to study hard.

Chen Nuo and Wen Yushan were walking on the streets of Cannes. At this time, the sky was dark, but Cannes at the end of May was still a bit hot.

Chen Nuo was wearing short sleeves and slippers, just like he had just come back from a stroll at the vegetable market, but he was wearing a hat on his head, covering half of his face.

Wen Yushan held his arm and walked slowly, suddenly asking: "Darling, can you teach me acting?"

Chen Nuo found it a bit funny. "Why did you suddenly think of acting? Were you stimulated just now?"

Wen Yushan shook her head and said: "Not just now, this time coming to Cannes, I feel my world has suddenly become much bigger."

She gestured with the knuckle of her little finger. "Before in Hong Kong, my world was only this big."

Then, she spread her arms, as if embracing the entire starry night sky. "But now, my world is this big!"

"I wanted to act before because I wanted to be famous and make money, but now, I also want to act in good plays."

Chen Nuo laughed: "Don't want to make money anymore?"

Wen Yushan giggled: "I want to too. Do you agree or not?"

"OK, I agree."

Suddenly, Wen Yushan saw a machine in a shop on the street and immediately said: "Darling, wait for me here for a while."

Chen Nuo saw her run into the shop and fiddle for a while in that machine that was very popular all over the world today.

Afterward, Wen Yushan came out, put the sticker she had just taken into Chen Nuo's hand, and smiled a bit shyly.

That moment was truly like a water lotus flower unable to bear the cool breeze.

Afterward, she didn't dare to face Chen Nuo's eyes, walked forward quickly, and left him with a back view.

Chen Nuo was a bit confused and looked down at the sticker in his hand.

Oh, it turned out to be a three-shot of her gesturing with a number.

"Wow, you, a Hong Konger, actually know 520?"

"Hmph, don't underestimate me. My Mandarin is very good now, didn't you hear?"

"No, isn't it still the same? Read after me. Z, C."

"Zh... Annoying!"

Chen Nuo, this Sichuanese, could only bully Wen Yushan's Mandarin.

The last day of Cannes was the closing ceremony and the awards ceremony.

For the filmmakers participating in the competition, this is the most important day in the entire Cannes Film Festival.

The closing ceremony also has a red carpet, but it won't be as serious and grand as the opening ceremony.

It's like a banquet coming to an end, a time for friends to chat and connect.

The superstars who came to join in the fun had all left one after another. Besides the members of the jury, those attending the closing ceremony were the various crews that entered the main competition unit and the award presenters.

Before getting into the car, Chen Nuo secretly asked Wong Kar-wai who he voted for, if *My Blueberry Nights* had a chance to win an award this time, and how many awards could it win?

Wong Kar-wai said that the jury voting was anonymous throughout, and only he knew who the nine jurors voted for.

All he could say was that his vote was not cast for *My Blueberry Nights*.

Chen Nuo was half-believing and half-doubting about this.

It's fine for you, Wong Kar-wai, to act cool when filming, but you act this cool in reality too? Do you really think you've got it in the bag?

The *My Blueberry Nights* crew didn't have special treatment this time, and their seating position was in the middle-back.

Three people, Wong Kar-wai led the way. Emma Stone's dress this time wasn't as exaggerated as the opening ceremony—a black fishtail skirt—but the girl was young, and wearing it still looked graceful and noble.

*My Blueberry Nights* was undoubtedly the most popular crew at the closing ceremony. None of them.

They were not only welcomed by the media, but also by those ordinary movie fans.

After one premiere and one re-screening, there were quite a few people who specifically came to see the Blueberry crew.

When Chen Nuo and Emma Stone passed the fan signature area, those foreign fans were quite crazy. They were no less than the star-chasing fans in China.

"Chen! Can I shake your hand!"

"Emma! Give me an autograph."

"Chen, Chen!"

Emma Stone seemed to really want to stop to sign autographs for those fans who were stretching their arms and shouting.

However, Chen Nuo's pace didn't stop; instead, it accelerated by three points compared to usual. It could be said that he rushed onto the red carpet with lightning speed.

Emma Stone had an expression of being both angry and amused, saying: "Chen, they are all your fans, you shouldn't treat them like that."

Chen Nuo indicated that you can go back and sign slowly by yourself, but I definitely won't accompany you.

When they reached the media area, Chen Nuo finally slowed his pace.

Although there were other crews on the red carpet at this time, the lenses aimed at him and Emma Stone were undoubtedly the most numerous.

Although Chen Nuo really wanted to go, Emma Stone didn't. The dysmenorrhea at the opening ceremony made her miss the second half of the premiere. In a sense, it was a heavy loss. This time was her only chance to make up for the loss.

Chen Nuo had no choice but to accompany her to linger on the red carpet, letting the media take enough photos, and was greeted by people everywhere.

Afterward, Gilles Jacob received the *My Blueberry Nights* crew on the steps of the Palais des Festivals.

This old guy had served as the General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival since 1978 until he became the President of the Film Festival in 2001. It could be said that he pushed Cannes to its current glory single-handedly.

There was no need for Wong Kar-wai to introduce him at all. Gilles Jacob seemed very familiar with Chen Nuo; at least his pronunciation when saying "Chen" was very clear, not as sticky as ordinary foreigners.

But Gilles Jacob didn't say much to Chen Nuo either. After a simple greeting, several people stood at the entrance of the Palais des Festivals to take photos together.

This was the unique honor of films that entered the competition unit.

The noise of the red carpet and the flashbulbs of the media all faded away at this moment, and the Cannes Film Festival revealed its base color at this time.

That is, only truly good films can leave their images in front of this exquisite and gorgeous film palace with the masters here, for future generations to admire.

Entering the awards ceremony area, the seats arranged by the organizing committee for the *My Blueberry Nights* crew were in the first row, middle-left. Coincidentally, next to them was the *Secret Sunshine* crew from South Korea.

Several Koreans were quite polite. Seeing the Blueberry crew coming over, they all stood up, bowing and shaking hands.

Among them, Jeon Do-yeon, who had the best English, said a whole string of flattering words to the three of them; you couldn't tell at all that she had any competitive relationship with Emma Stone.

In comparison, Emma Stone was much more immature. Besides saying thank you constantly, her expression was quite unnatural.

After sitting down, she specifically chose a seat furthest away from Jeon Do-yeon, letting Chen Nuo sit next to Jeon Do-yeon.

The 30-something Jeon Do-yeon was wearing a white dress, and the mature charm of a young woman was quite alluring. The key was that Chen Nuo felt that this woman seemed to be interested in him.

But unfortunately, before Wen Yushan and Xia Yehe left last night, they had truly squeezed him dry. When Fan Fan Binbing left this morning, it was about the same. It could be said that he was now in a state of absolute "sage time."

Moreover, no matter how Chen Nuo appreciated her acting skills, this woman was now Emma Stone's biggest competitor, so he didn't turn his head toward that side after sitting down.

Jeon Do-yeon's face was slightly stiff, and she also turned her head to talk to Li Cangdong, no longer facing this side.

At 8:00 in the evening, the awards ceremony finally opened its curtain.

According to convention, Gilles Jacob gave a speech first. Then a quite handsome male host came on stage, conducting an opening talk show in a relaxed and humorous way, occasionally causing roars of laughter.

Chen Nuo clapped while laughing, noticing that whether it was Wong Kar-wai, Emma, or Jeon Do-yeon and Li Cangdong, they were all the same as him.

Clapping with a smiling face.

It seemed that everyone present had instantly become proficient in French. After the torment of the French talk show, it finally reached the awards session. The first award was the Caméra d'Or, an award specifically for rewarding a newcomer director's debut work.

Two bearded men in their 30s won the award, jumping up and down on the stage with several people, giving a passionate speech into the microphone.

Fortunately, this time it was in English, which finally gave people a relief.

The second award was the Jury Prize. This time, it was actually won by two films together, and the awards stage was lively again. The two crews even yielded to each other for a while about the order of speaking.

Finally, the director of the second film cried his eyes out, not knowing if it was out of sadness or happiness.

Although this is the second-largest award of the Cannes Film Festival, winning this award means missing out on the Palme d'Or.

Then, it reached the third award, Best Actor.

Wong Kar-wai had given countless preventive shots before, but this was Chen Nuo's first time personally attending an awards ceremony.

When he sat in the audience and saw the award presenter walk out of the curtain, his heart rate still accelerated.

Did he have a chance?

Although the screen time in the movie was a bit less, the word-of-mouth was quite good.

And there were Wong Kar-wai and Zhang Ziyi, his own people, in the jury, and even Bellucci was very likely to stand on his side.

Would there still be a little chance?

Just as Chen Nuo was floating in his thoughts, Wong Kar-wai suddenly patted his hand.

At this moment, Chen Nuo's heart went half-cold.

Because the comforting meaning of Wong Kar-wai's action was simply too obvious. His vote, I'm afraid, was truly not cast for him.

Sure enough, the next moment, the name spoken by Angelina Jolie, who was presenting the award for Best Actor, was very long and very awkward.

It wasn't him.

Although, however...

Fine, not preparing an acceptance speech was indeed the right thing to do.

The entire audience also let out a low gasp of surprise, and even a few people in the back row stood up, standing on tiptoe to look toward the Blueberry crew.

Wong Kar-wai, you really act cool, I count you as capable. No wonder you didn't get anything in your past life; it turns out you were playing this "Kong Rong yielding the pears" game.

Chen Nuo still kept a smile on his face, clapping with great demeanor, and even turned his head, his lips moving slightly, as if saying something to Wong Kar-wai.

Actually, he didn't say anything, just performing an action.

He had to do this.

The on-site photographer's lens was almost shoved into his face at this time.

Although he was a little angry, demeanor was also a must.

The bearded man who won the award was clearly not the male lead in the film, and he was simply terrified when he walked onto the stage.

Because Andrey Zvyagintsev truly didn't expect that his film could snatch the Best Actor award from *My Blueberry Nights*!

Even the male lead of his film, Konstantin Lavronenko, flew back to Russia the day after watching the premiere of *My Blueberry Nights*.

According to him, staying behind was also a waste of time.

Who could have expected such a super-large surprise gift package at the end.

Andrey Zvyagintsev was still calculating whether his Best Director award had a chance a minute ago, but the next minute he walked onto the podium, holding the Best Actor trophy.

The eyes of everyone in the audience looked at him like looking at a goblin, as if he had just stolen a large pocket of gold coins from the Cannes treasury.

Andrey Zvyagintsev truly couldn't hold it, hurriedly said a few words, and went down the stage.

The camera in front of Chen Nuo finally left, and Wong Kar-wai asked in a low voice: "Are you okay, Nuo-zai?"

Chen Nuo's mood also recovered at this time, sighing, "I'm fine."

Wong Kar-wai said: "Next time it will definitely be yours."

After the next award, Best Director, Chen Nuo returned this sentence to him.

"Director, it's fine, next time definitely."

The expression on Wong Kar-wai's face behind the sunglasses couldn't be seen, but the corners of his mouth were as stiff as a thousand-year-old mummy.

Chen Nuo didn't know if Wong Kar-wai was regretting it in his heart at this time.

If he really didn't vote for *My Blueberry Nights* at all just to act cool, resulting in the Blueberry crew getting nothing in the end, the price of this coolness was too high.

Maybe, it really was just missing that one vote, or maybe, the previous two awards were voted by him!

Chen Nuo couldn't ask anymore, because missing major awards one after another caused the on-site cameramen to start camping next to them, ready to capture some shots that could increase ratings at any time.

Afterward, the Best Screenplay award was presented, and the winner was Fatih Akin for the work *The Edge of Heaven*.

Chen Nuo had actually gone to watch this film with Wen Yushan when he was free these few days, deeply feeling that the script written by others was truly a script. What was *My Blueberry Nights*? It was like a low-profile version of a Haruki Murakami novel.

After presenting the Best Screenplay, it reached another highlight, Best Actress.

Chen Nuo noticed with his peripheral vision that Jeon Do-yeon beside him had her hands tightly clasped together. Even if she still kept a smile on her face, her entire body was actually stiff.

Emma Stone was even more nervous, her eyes staring straight, muttering to herself.

"The 60th Cannes Film Festival, Best Actress award, the winner is, the film *My Blueberry Nights*, Emma Stone."

When Mo Nika Bellucci read this sentence on stage, Chen Nuo and Wong Kar-wai both jumped up.

Chen Nuo was very excited, Wong Kar-wai was very excited, while Emma Stone sat in the chair, dumbfounded for a moment.

When she covered her mouth, crying, and finally stood up, she first hugged Wong Kar-wai.

When it was Chen Nuo's turn, this girl first hugged him normally.

After separating for a moment, she suddenly hugged his head and gave him a kiss.

This was a big deal.

If it were in China, this kiss from Emma Stone would definitely have shocked the whole audience, not knowing how to react. If it were in America, this kiss would cause applause but not be particularly enthusiastic.

But this was in France, the country known as the most romantic in the world.

Moreover, there is a term called "French kiss," which shows how much the people of this country love to kiss, or watch people kiss.

The applause in the awards hall instantly went up several levels, and the whistling, cheering, and screaming were endless. The explosive sound wave in the whole hall was simply like a level-nine hurricane, almost lifting the ceiling of the Palais des Festivals.

In the subsequent ratings statistics, the appearance of this scene raised the instantaneous ratings of the Cannes awards ceremony by more than 10 percentage points.

I don't know how many viewers were scrambling to change channels after getting the news.

For many fans at the scene who had seen *My Blueberry Nights*, this scene was even more like a dream.

This was the third kiss of Elizabeth and Jeremy.

This kiss shone from the movie into reality, sweet and dreamy, making every fan intoxicated.

They clapped enthusiastically while excitedly whispering to each other.

"My God, I bet this scene will be repeatedly mentioned in Cannes for the next 10, 20 years."

"Oh, Elizabeth and Jeremy, they really kissed in reality, I simply can't believe it."

"Maybe this is God's compensation for Chen, letting him lose a Best Actor trophy, but harvesting an immortal scene that will be forever remembered in Cannes film history."

"I think every actor would rather make such an exchange. Best Actor is produced every year, but such a scene, maybe only one in 100 years."

Emma Stone kissed Chen Nuo for about five seconds.

These five seconds were also the five seconds the whole audience stood up.

Afterward, she walked onto the podium with tears on her face, hugged Mo Nika Bellucci affectionately, and took the Best Actress trophy.

At this time, you could see her hands trembling in the lens.

The applause in the hall, stimulated by that romantic scene just now, took a full 10 seconds to slowly subside, and the audience slowly sat down again.

Emma Stone began to speak: "Thank you, thank you Cannes jury, thank you director, thank you everyone in the crew..."

After a series of incoherent thanks in the opening, she said affectionately: "Participating in the audition for *My Blueberry Nights* was the wisest decision I made in my life. Being chosen by Wong to participate is the luckiest thing in my life."

"Finally, I want to specifically thank one person, he is the male lead in the movie, Chen Nuo."

At this time, the Cannes official photographer started shoving the lens at Chen Nuo's face again.

But Chen Nuo was no longer paying attention to this.

When Emma Stone called his name in standard Mandarin, he put all his attention on her.

Chen Nuo could imagine that she must have practiced calling his name in Chinese very seriously, practicing for a long time, before she could reach the level of Mandarin Grade 3 as she was now.

He looked at Emma Stone on the stage, feeling a lot of emotion in his heart.

If it weren't for him, Emma Stone would have been silent for many years before slowly showing her head, and finally winning the Oscar for Best Actress with *La La Land*, thus soaring into the sky.

But now, she was only 18 years old and won the Cannes Best Actress. What would her future be like?

Emma Stone also looked over at this time.

She and him, on stage and off stage, looked at each other.

In Emma Stone's dreamy blue eyes, there was a watery light like seawater.

She said: "Chen, I still remember now, on the day you finished filming, you told me that you hoped I could win the Cannes Best Actress."

"Chen, do you see it?"

Emma Stone held up the trophy in her hand, smiling at him like a pear blossom in the rain.

"I really got it."

"This was brought to me by you, and I will remember it for the rest of my life. Thank you, Chen, thank you for your teaching and dedication to me, and thank you for your comfort and encouragement."

"In my life, except for my parents, I have never received so many gifts from anyone. I don't even know how to express my gratitude to you in words."

"Chen, I just want to tell you, you will always be my closest friend, my family."

"No matter how much time passes, no matter where you are, I hope you remember that there is an American girl who will always think that you are her Best Actor."

"No matter when, no matter where, no matter what happens, as long as you need me, I will definitely come to you."

"Thank you, thank you everyone!"

When Emma Stone picked up the Best Actress trophy to thank everyone again, lifted her skirt, turned around, and walked off the stage hand-in-hand with Mo Nika Bellucci, the thousands of audience members in the entire awards hall stood up again, and the applause was thunderous.

The ratings of the Cannes awards ceremony hit a new high here!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 138 =====