Chapter 109: Which Great Director Has Never Been Banned?

With the announcement of the award, the audience couldn't help but make a "wow" sound, and then warm applause broke out.

As a hot film, most of the people present had seen "Run Luo La Run", and even more had learned through reports that Wu Yuchen, the director, was only 19 years old this year, which was simply excessively young.

No need to doubt, this must be the youngest Best Director in the history of the three major festivals; a record was set!

That's why it caused exclamations, but those who had seen "Run Luo La Run" also admired the talent of this young director, and then followed with applause. Being able to snatch the Best Director from a group of excellent directors like Miloš Forman, Anthony Minghella, and Éric Heumann, his gold content this time was truly full!

Wu Yuchen felt a shiver all over when he heard "Wu", and when "Run Luo La Run" was read out, after confirming it in his heart, he stood up directly, waved his arm fiercely, and shouted a "YES!"

"You won the award! You are the Best Director! Berlin Best Director!"

And Li Xiaoran next to him didn't care anymore, directly hugging him and cheering, her face flushed with excitement.

Wu Yuchen was also excited at this time. Although he won the Berlin Short Film Jin Xiong last year, the influence of short films and feature films is worlds apart. Before, "Together" won an award at the Tokyo International Film Festival, but the influence of the Tokyo International Film Festival is far from that of the three major festivals, and Europe and America might not necessarily look at it squarely.

Therefore, this Berlin Best Director can be said to be the heaviest international award he has won so far. From now on, Wu Yuchen can be said to be a person with a name in the international film scene.

Everyone looked at the excitement of Wu Yuchen and Li Xiaoran at this moment with kind smiles. After all, young people can always get tolerance.

After Wu Yuchen's emotions calmed down slightly, he stepped towards the podium. Along the way, when he met compatriots like Huang Jianxin and Derek Yee, he either shook hands or hugged them. Leslie Cheung also hugged him lightly and congratulated him:

"Wu Dao, congratulations!"

"Thank you, Young Master Rong~"

After Wu Yuchen thanked him simply, he walked towards the stage. Along the way, the applause never stopped.

He walked to the podium, hugged Brecht slightly, took the Silver Bear trophy from her hand, and looked at the audience.

"It's hard to describe the mood at this moment. I'm very happy, and it feels like a dream! On the way to the stage just now, I could clearly hear my fast-beating heart, and I said to myself, if this is a dream, don't let me wake up!"

People in the audience smiled upon hearing this, and at the same time could understand the excitement of a 19-year-old boy winning an award suddenly.

"Really thank the jury for their recognition of me! There are really many excellent films and directors this year. Being able to get this trophy, God must have kissed my forehead today!"

"Thank Li Xiaoran, Fu Dalong, and other actors for their wonderful performances, thank the crew for their efforts, thank..."

Finally, after a series of thanks, Wu Yuchen walked off the podium amidst applause.

After Wu Yuchen returned to his seat, seeing Li Xiaoran staring at the trophy in his hand, he handed it to her so she could play with it well, and at the same time, he relaxed in his heart.

Before, he still had some hope in his heart to see if he could fight for the Jin Xiong, but now that he had this Best Director award, he didn't think so much anymore. Anyway, this trip to Berlin was not in vain. The Best Director award was also an important affirmation for him as a director.

He cast his eyes on the stage again. The next award to be presented was the Jury Grand Prix.

The conversation with Harris from Pathé was still in his mind. At that time, he said it was a choice between Best Director and Jury Grand Prix. Now that the other party had fulfilled his promise, it was not bad.

At this time, the award presenter who stepped onto the stage was Maggie Cheung. She was wearing a black dress, and her hair was a very individual, somewhat fluffy and explosive trendy style.

Maggie Cheung upheld the pragmatic style of the Berlin Film Festival and didn't talk nonsense:

"The winner of tonight's Jury Grand Prix is, 'Port of Call'!"

After Éric Heumann heard the name of his film, he sighed. At 77, he was a regular visitor to the three major festivals. He didn't care much about the jury anymore. This time, he hoped to win the Jin Xiong, but failed to achieve his goal.

And several directors who also aimed at the Jin Xiong, such as "The People vs. Larry Flynt" and "The English Patient", all breathed a sigh of relief.

At this time, the first thought that popped into Wu Yuchen's mind after hearing it was that the judges this year were really good at dividing the cake. Best Actor went to "Romeo + Juliet", Best Actress went to "The English Patient", Best Director went to "Run Luo La Run", and this jury was given to France's "Port of Call".

This is very normal. President Lang himself is a French filmmaker, so it is impossible for his own country's film to get nothing.

Just when Wu Yuchen was about to applaud, he heard Maggie Cheung continue: "... and 'Run Luo La Run'!"

There was an uproar in the hall. Unexpectedly, the Jury Grand Prix this year was a double-yolk!

The Jury Grand Prix is actually the second place among all films, which means the runner-up. As a result, you chose two runners-up!

Actually, it's not that there is no precedent for the Jury Grand Prix double-yolk. Cannes has already produced double-yolks several times.

At the 42nd Cannes, Giuseppe Tornatore's "Cinema Paradiso" and "Too Beautiful to Be True" tied for the Jury Grand Prix. The Palme d'Or that year was "Sex, Lies, and Videotape".

In 1990, at the 43rd Cannes, "Law" and "Death of a Sting" tied for the jury.

At the 47th Cannes in 1994, Zhang Yimou's "To Live" and "Burnt by the Sun" both won the jury, and the Palme d'Or that year was Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction".

Berlin's jury double-yolk is very rare, but there have been Jin Xiong double-yolks, so this jury double-yolk is not too surprising.

The most surprising thing is actually Wu Yuchen himself. Unexpectedly, there is still one!

He is really surprised and happy in his heart now. The thought is that Pathé is really powerful, and President Lang, this jury president, is really someone you can deal with!

This not only gave him a Best Director, but also an extra Jury Grand Prix. Although the double-yolk might lower its quality by one point, this is a surprise completely beyond expectations. What else is there to negotiate?

Wu Yuchen, who had just stepped off the stage, stepped onto the podium again, and then gave a big hug to Maggie Cheung, who was smiling, and said in her ear: "Thank you, Sister Maggie!"

Wu Yuchen knew that "Run Luo La Run" being able to win two awards at the same time this time must be inseparable from Maggie Cheung's help.

"Deserved, the film is really great!" Maggie Cheung said with a smile, and then handed the trophy to Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen held the trophy and stood side by side with Éric Heumann, who also won the award. First was Éric Heumann's speech of thanks. After all, he was an old senior. After his polite and brief speech, he gave the microphone to Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen smiled, then looked at the audience and raised his hand:

"First of all, I would like to ask my male and female leads, Li Xiaoran and Fu Dalong, as well as several members of the crew, to stand up and thank everyone!"

Saying let them thank everyone, but actually it was letting them accept the applause and cheers of the whole audience. Everyone understood, so they cooperated very well and applauded and cheered.

Li Xiaoran, Fu Dalong, and others stood up and smiled very happily, waving to the people in all directions, and then bowed to thank them.

After the applause stopped, Wu Yuchen said:

"This award belongs to our entire crew and those who have helped us. Thank them for accompanying me to complete the shooting of this film with hard work. Without your support, there would be no 'Run Luo La Run' today!"

After Wu Yuchen finished speaking, he raised the trophy in his hand and walked off the stage amidst applause.

This time Wu Yuchen was completely relaxed and relieved in his heart, because there could be no more surprises later. If he won the jury, there would be no Jin Xiong.

After returning to his seat, he handed the trophy to Fu Dalong and others, letting them take turns holding it to satisfy their addiction, and then he looked at the stage again.

Finally, only the Jin Xiong Grand Prize was left. Wu Yuchen guessed it was "The People vs. Larry Flynt". Several of them already had awards, and only "The People vs. Larry Flynt" was left. This film was so in line with Berlin's taste, it was impossible to get nothing.

As expected: "The Jin Xiong Award for Best Film this year, congratulations to 'The People vs. Larry Flynt'!"

Wu Yuchen smiled and clapped his hands. The traces of the jury dividing the cake this time were still very obvious, but his "Run Luo La Run" got an extra piece, which could be considered the biggest winner after "The People vs. Larry Flynt". He was also thanking Maggie Cheung again in his heart. Dealing with Pathé is a transaction, but Maggie Cheung helping him is a favor, not a duty.

After the award ceremony, there was also a party, mainly for everyone to celebrate and communicate. Wu Yuchen held a wine glass and specifically went to express his gratitude to President Lang and the female judge who supported him, and then returned to the Chinese-language filmmakers.

At this time, Leslie Cheung said to Wu Yuchen: "Wu Dao, just heard Maggie say that 'Run Luo La Run' is a pity, it was almost a Jin Xiong."

"Oh?" Wu Yuchen also looked at Maggie Cheung curiously.

Maggie Cheung said: "The Jin Xiong Award was actually discussed several times. President Lang supported 'Run Luo La Run', but it was still 1 vote behind 'The People vs. Larry Flynt'. Until the last time, Lang said that such a good new wave film must be encouraged, and even if it is not given a Jin Xiong, it must be compensated in other aspects. Other judges agreed and finally produced a double-yolk."

Wu Yuchen understood after hearing this. If "Run Luo La Run" won the Jin Xiong, then I guess the Best Director would not be himself. Maybe it would be swapped with "The People vs. Larry Flynt" and "Run Luo La Run".

Then he smiled and toasted Maggie Cheung: "Thank you, Sister Maggie, I am already very satisfied with the two major awards. Without you, maybe I wouldn't have won even one!"

"Haha, your film is very much to our women's taste!" Maggie Cheung said with a smile.

Wu Yuchen was also lucky in his heart at this time. Fortunately, he met Maggie Cheung, who was willing to fight for Chinese-language films this time. If it were someone else, it might not necessarily help him.

Everyone understands the principle of judging by deeds rather than intentions. In the past, netizens opened a summary post, which is the ranking of the contribution of Chinese judges to the awards of Chinese-language films in the three major European film festivals, that is, simply judging by the contribution made to the awards of Chinese-language films during their tenure as judges.

The recognized number one, the super-god-level figure, is Zhang Yimou. Every time he serves as a judge, he must give heavy awards to Chinese-language films, and most of them are Golden Bears and Golden Lions. Then tied for second are Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung.

Even John Woo, who is sprayed by many people, won the Jury Prize for the film "Shanghai Dreams" at Cannes in 2005. This is not a joke. The judge of that year, Benoît Jacquot, broke the news of the inside story of the award 15 years later, saying that John Woo had been silent before, but when it came to discussing "Shanghai Dreams", he stood up and spoke solemnly:

"I cannot take a stand on any of the films you have discussed before, but I am about to return to my motherland to shoot a historical war film. If 'Shanghai Dreams' returns empty-handed, I, as a Chinese filmmaker, cannot explain it to the country. I need the support of the people of the whole country!"

Since people have said it so directly, other judges are embarrassed to reject his face, so "Shanghai Dreams" won the Jury Prize. Wang Xiaoshuai really has to thank John Woo.

By comparison, when it was the turn of Chen Kaige and Johnnie To, who served as judges three times, Chinese-language films basically returned empty-handed. Their performance in the jury can only be evaluated as trash. However, there are people who are worse than trash, that is, Yang Fan, who is scolded as a piece of shit.

Through this selection, Wu Yuchen also had a deeper understanding of the influence of judges. In the future, if he wants to participate in the three major film festivals, he should still aim at these judges who can be dealt with. It is best for Zhang Yimou to be a judge. That is really helping his own people!

"What? Best Director? And Jury!"

At this time, it was not even 6 o'clock in the morning in Beijing. The sky was gray. Han Sanping, who was only wearing long johns and a coat, didn't care about the cold. After hearing Wu Yuchen's words on the phone, he woke up, and his whole body was surging with blood.

"Run Luo La Run" is hung with the brand of their Beijing Film Studio and co-produced with Yinhu. At first, it was just to help, but I didn't expect to be able to mix two major awards!

This made Han Sanping very happy. It is equivalent to an honor obtained for nothing!

"Little Wu, no, I have to call you Wu Dao from now on!"

"Hahaha, you can win an award every time you make a move. Isn't this a skill? Young people don't need to be too modest!"

"I will prepare a commendation meeting for you. It will be arranged when you come back!"

"Hmm, okay, I will go to inquire about this matter personally when I go to work later."

Han Sanping was full of joy after hanging up the phone, but thinking about Wu Yuchen asking if it could be released just now, he couldn't decide this and had to ask. Although it could be shot at the beginning, that was because the shooting location was not in the mainland. Letting it be shot is one thing, and letting it be released in the mainland is another. After all, the protagonist's behavior is not very consistent with the core values.

Three days later, Wu Yuchen flew back to Beijing with a group of people. This time, returning with a full load made everyone happy.

At the airport entrance, in addition to a car opened by Miracle Pictures, people from the Beijing Film Studio also came to pick up the plane. It was exactly the small section chief Yu Dong.

As soon as he saw Wu Yuchen, he ran over, held Wu Yuchen's hand with both hands with an excited smile on his face, and said excitedly:

"Returning in triumph! Wu Dao, you are really amazing! Berlin Best Director! I really admire you to the ground!"

"I took the initiative to ask Factory Manager Han to pick you up this time. I couldn't solve the joy in my heart if I didn't see you at the first time!"

"Senior, you are polite. Actually, our company has a car, so you don't have to be so troublesome." Seeing Yu Dong's enthusiasm, even though he knew his character, Wu Yuchen couldn't help but feel good. He is really a master of public relations.

"Factory Manager Han gave me an explanation. You are a hero of our Chinese-language films. It is so hard to win a trophy back from Berlin, so you can't let you be tired on the road!"

Wu Yuchen smiled and asked: "Senior Yu, I am not tired. Why don't you take me to see Factory Manager Han first!"

"Okay, I'll call him now. Factory Manager Han has specifically made an appointment with reporters to interview you."

Wu Yuchen's heart stirred. This looks like it can be used for publicity. If so, will there be a chance for release?

With expectation, Wu Yuchen and his party first arrived at the Beijing Film Studio.

In the office, Han Sanping looked at the trophy and said to Wu Yuchen with a smile:

"My meaning is, actually, you should rest for two days first. I didn't expect you to be so anxious. Those reporters haven't arrived yet!"

"Haha, Factory Manager Han, I am in good spirits now that I have won the award. If I wait for two days and my excitement passes, I won't want to go out again." Wu Yuchen also joked.

He actually wanted to finish these trivial matters at once, so that everyone could have a good rest after returning.

Then he asked: "Factory Manager Han, I don't know what to say about the release?"

When Han Sanping heard this question, his smile converged a little, and he shook his head: "I ran over to ask personally, it's still not easy to release."

Wu Yuchen sighed upon hearing this. In fact, he expected such a result when he was shooting at the beginning, but he just had some ideas when he heard about the interview earlier.

"But it's just that it can't be released in theaters. The award-winning matter can be publicized. As for the discs, you can handle it yourself."

Wu Yuchen's heart stirred and asked: "Same as 'To Live'?"

Han Sanping nodded with a smile.

Now Wu Yuchen understood. That is to say, except for theater screening, everything else is tacitly approved. "To Live" is also like this. It was not released, but the Sixth Princess (CCTV-6) has played it many times. The Sixth Princess even played "From Beijing with Love", and the police image in it is not very good. This can be played, so "Run Luo La Run" can definitely be played.

Wu Yuchen smiled now. In fact, he didn't look down on this box office in China. What he regretted just now was that it was not allowed to be played, and he couldn't spread his name.

But now it seems that this disc and the Sixth Princess can be played. That doesn't seem to be a bad thing. This time, I also won the name of a banned film.

If you haven't been banned, what kind of avant-garde art director are you?

Look at Zhang Yimou and Jiang Wen, which one hasn't been banned?

The domestic art circle is like this. The more it is banned, the more classic it is felt, and the more it can trigger the desire of fans to explore. After carrying the name of a banned film, the status of many films is raised by three points out of thin air.

Being able to carry the name of a banned film and being able to publicize the news of Wu Yuchen and "Run Luo La Run" winning awards on a large scale, this wave seems not to be a loss! ===== CHAPTER 110 =====