Chapter 32

Xie Xiaojing appreciated the short film 'Car 44', but he didn't think too much of it; after all, a short film is just a short film, and it couldn't be released in theaters.

Xie Xiaojing looked at Wu Yuchen, wanting to hear what he had to say.

"I want to send 'Car 44' to the Berlin Film Festival to compete for the short film award." Wu Yuchen didn't beat around the bush and stated it directly.

"Berlin..." Xie Xiaojing was slightly dazed.

They had all truly overlooked the short film competition; it was really because, in the past, there hadn't been much emphasis on the development of short films in the country, treating them merely as a tool for training students.

At the same time, Xie Xiaojing was searching his mind: had Chinese films ever won a short film award abroad before?

He thought for a while and seemed to have found such a record in his mind.

In 1982, at what was then called the West Berlin International Film Festival, China's 'Three Monks' won the Silver Bear for Best Short Film.

But this 'Three Monks' was an animated film!

It was created by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio and had absolutely nothing to do with their group of filmmakers, so no one in the circle mentioned it.

In the more than ten years since then, Chinese films hadn't sent any short films to participate in evaluations, to the point where he had truly ignored the short film award.

"Short film competition..."

Xie Xiaojing muttered to himself, then sighed.

"This might not work."

Shooting a short film in the country doesn't require reporting for approval, but if you want to send it abroad to participate in award evaluations, it's different; it has to pass the authorities' review.

But Xie Xiaojing thought about the content of the short film 'Car 44' and felt it might not pass.

Wu Yuchen nodded; in fact, he had anticipated this.

It is 1995 now; the review system hasn't been fully established, and many areas are very vague.

You could say it's strict, but it's much looser than it would be ten or twenty years later; you could see many large-scale films in the 90s, with both dialogue and content far exceeding what later generations would imagine.

But if you say it's very loose, that's not true either; as long as it touches on international image issues, even if it's just a possibility, they would be very meticulous.

And 'Car 44', at this time, would very likely be labeled as smearing the image of the Chinese people.

In his past life, this short film won many international awards in 2001, but it was banned domestically; however, it was released ten years later because the social situation had changed too much. More than a decade later, even "acting bravely for a just cause" wasn't being advocated anymore, so banning this was meaningless.

But now Wu Yuchen would face this problem. He wasn't in a hurry and still said calmly:

"Teacher, this is what I'm thinking. I won't go through the official submission channels; I'll send it privately in my own name."

Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaojing's brows immediately furrowed, and his voice rose:

"How can you do that? Don't you know you might be punished for doing this?

If it's serious, even...

Even your future could be ruined!"

Wu Yuchen certainly knew there were risks, but this concerned the funding for his next film, so taking some risks was worth it.

And although there were risks, they weren't that big.

Wu Yuchen asked Xie Xiaojing:

"Teacher, I know you are concerned about me.

Let me ask you a question first: which has more influence, a short film or a feature film?"

"That's obviously a feature film!" Xie Xiaojing blurted out.

Everyone knows this question; short films can't be released in theaters at all!

Wu Yuchen smiled and analyzed further:

"Last year, 'To Live' won so many awards internationally and had such great influence; after returning to the country, the film was banned, but wasn't Senior Zhang Yimou still fine? He came back and continued to shoot 'Shanghai Triad'."

"I know I can't compare to Senior Zhang, but I only have a short film, and it won't even be released in theaters; its influence and reach are not in the same league as 'To Live' at all."

"If I don't win an award, then there's nothing to talk about; the authorities won't care about me at all."

"In the unlikely event that I do win an award, if I'm questioned by the authorities after returning, I'll just obediently admit my mistake and say I just enrolled and didn't know."

"If the school is willing to put in a good word for me, then I think, for the sake of the school, the authorities will at most criticize and educate me a few times."

Xie Xiaojing opened his mouth upon hearing this; this, this seemed to make sense!

The influence of a short film is too small; it can't be released in theaters, and it won't be released on discs, so it has never been taken seriously domestically.

When the time comes, the Tao Jingying Academy can take Wu Yuchen to admit his mistake, saying the child just enrolled and didn't know any better; at most, he'll write a self-criticism and be educated, and the matter will basically be over.

Xie Xiaojing suddenly realized, looking at the student sitting opposite him with astonishment—this kid had planned it all from the beginning?!

He couldn't help but curse inwardly: is this really a freshman? This is too shrewd!

Xie Xiaojing couldn't help but point at Wu Yuchen and laughingly scold:

"Good, I was wondering why you took the initiative to call us teachers to watch your film; it turns out you were asking us to cover for you!"

Wu Yuchen gave a naive smile:

"Teacher, how could that be!"

"I just felt that I am a student of the Tao Jingying Academy, and our academy is such a united and friendly big family; surely you wouldn't just leave me to fend for myself!"

Xie Xiaojing shook his head gently and sighed: "I really regret calling you over today!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen immediately picked up his teacup and said respectfully: "Thank you, Teacher! Thank you, School!"

How could Wu Yuchen not understand? Xie Xiaojing didn't express opposition, so that naturally meant tacit approval.

"Wu Yuchen, from now on, you stay in school and behave yourself; don't stir up any more trouble!"

"How could I? Teacher, look at how active I am in class!"

After Wu Yuchen left, Xie Xiaojing felt a bit tired. This freshman was talented, but he also had too many ideas; he estimated that there would be more trouble in the coming years at the Tao Jingying Academy.

He thought again of 'Car 44'; it was just a short film, with no rebellious content, so their Tao Jingying Academy could still handle it.

However, he still needed to notify Dean Hou about this matter.

After Wu Yuchen left Xie Xiaojing's house, he felt refreshed, and the sky seemed much bluer.

Coming here this time, he had basically gotten all the benefits he could ask for!

This is the benefit of having an organization behind you; otherwise, where would these resources come from? Who would endorse you and help you plead your case?

Wu Yuchen had understood this matter very clearly from the beginning; those banned underground directors all shot feature films, and not one was banned because of a short film.

And as for his short film, there was absolutely no reactionary content.

If you want to talk about realism, it couldn't compare to 'To Live'!

As for why Senior Zhang Yimou was fine after winning an award for 'To Live', while Jiang Wen was banned for 5 years after winning an award for 'Devils on the Doorstep' later on, there hasn't been an accurate answer even decades later. Although the final interpretation rights belong to them, they have never bothered to explain!

Anyway, his 'Car 44' had absolutely nothing to do with politics.

Therefore, the risk was not high, and this risk was worth taking.

New author, new book, seeking support; everyone, please flip to the next page and contribute a follow-up read~~

(End of chapter)