Chapter 87

That day, Wu Yuchen entrusted the staff to help him make a new poster. He wanted to print the words he said before on the poster. Anyway, since he had already used them, he might as well use them to the end.

Generally speaking, the foot traffic on the second day of a film festival is definitely not as much as the first day. Wu Yuchen originally thought it would be good if the average attendance rate the next day could reach 70%, but he didn't expect that the morning session of "You and Me" on the second day could reach 60%, and by the afternoon, it was directly full.

The bursting of the economic bubble in 1991 brought all-around influence to the whole of Japan. The whole society stopped from the previous impetuousness and fast pace. While losing money and the future, everyone began to reflect and began to pay more attention to the present and the things around them.

The warm and sincere emotion conveyed by "You and Me" is exactly what many Japanese people are craving at the moment. At the same time, "You and Me" also reflects a problem that Japan attaches great importance to at present, which is empty-nest elderly.

Japan is the country with the highest proportion of empty-nest elderly in the world, and it is also the country with the most serious symptoms of "lonely death." In "You and Me," there was still a girl who cared about the old lady before she died, but many empty-nest elderly in Japan died silently in loneliness without anyone caring at all!

Therefore, contrary to Wu Yuchen's expectations, but also within reason, through word of mouth, the reputation of "You and Me" exploded!

This situation naturally also attracted the attention of the film festival organizers, who not only added staff to the "You and Me" exhibition hall to maintain order, but also had local media come to conduct interviews on the third day.

A few days later, in Mitaka City, on the outskirts of Tokyo, Studio Ghibli.

Hayao Miyazaki, with gray hair and a big beard, rubbed his sore right hand. It had been two years since he started creating "Princess Mononoke" in 1994, and his right hand had also developed an ailment. It started to hurt again these past few days, so he had to stop and rest temporarily.

He picked up the latest copy of the "Asahi Shimbun," flipped through it for a while, and saw a report about the Tokyo International Film Festival.

"..."

"At the Tokyo International Film Festival currently being held, a movie from China has caused a sensation. The audience after watching the movie was all moved. We were fortunate to interview Director Wu Yuchen."

"Wu Sang, how do you evaluate your own movie?"

"One scene, two people, four seasons, a Chinese expression within the truth of a square inch."

"Why do you say it's a Chinese expression?"

"The national is the world's, but how does the national connect with the world? I think the most ordinary human nature may be the most important. Being able to touch one's own heart and the audience's heart is the key."

"..."

"'The national is the world's... the most ordinary human nature...'"

Hayao Miyazaki murmured a sentence. This was very consistent with some of his ideas, which made him feel a whim, thinking that perhaps he could take advantage of these two days of rest to go and watch this movie.

The next day, Hayao Miyazaki drove to Roppongi and stood in front of the "You and Me" exhibition hall, staring blankly at a poster:

"Life is a train heading to the grave. There will be many stops along the way, and it is difficult for anyone to accompany you from beginning to end. When the person accompanying you wants to get off the train, even if you are reluctant, you should be grateful and then wave goodbye."

After seeing these words, Hayao Miyazaki felt deeply touched in his heart, and thoughts flew in his mind. He stood in front of the poster for a long while until the movie was about to start before turning and walking into the theater.

Inside the theater, when the movie came to an end, many people were sobbing in low voices. Japanese people are quite particular in this regard; even if they cry, they restrain themselves so as not to disturb others.

Hayao Miyazaki is a person who has experienced great storms and waves. Although he was deeply touched by the sincere affection in the movie, he wouldn't go so far as to cry out.

But at this moment, he triggered his inspiration again, silently muttering:

"An ordinary and cute girl, and a 'bad grandma' who is fierce and shrewd on the surface but soft inside?"

At this very moment, Hayao Miyazaki felt a desire to create gushing in his mind. He immediately took out a notebook and pen from his bosom and recorded all the fragmented thoughts he had. This was an old habit he had developed for many years.

After Hayao Miyazaki stopped the pen in his hand and put away the notebook, he looked up and found that a long queue had already formed in the theater, and the audience all wanted to shake hands with the director and the lead actress.

Hayao Miyazaki also became very interested in this director, so he stepped to the end of the queue.

"Mr. Director, this is truly an excellent movie. This beautiful emotion from being strangers to keeping each other company really moved me very much! I will bring my mother and grandmother to enjoy this movie again!"

This was a boy, and after he finished speaking, he bowed to Wu Yuchen. And the words of a girl behind him were even more interesting:

"When I watched it at first, my soul was on the girl, and later it gradually shifted to the grandma. I am in my twenties now, and I hope that after I have a granddaughter in the future, I can watch this movie with her."

Of course, after finishing speaking, the girl also couldn't help but bow—it's the traditional culture of the locals.

After this girl left, Wu Yuchen saw that there was only one uncle with gray hair and a mask left, so he took the initiative to smile and reach out his hand to him.

The other party first took off his mask, then reached out his hand to shake hands with Wu Yuchen, and said with a smile:

"Mr. Director, thank you very much for letting me watch such an excellent movie. It really moved me!"

Wu Yuchen looked at the other party and felt a bit familiar, but before he could react, he heard the translator beside him cover his mouth and exclaim, showing a very surprised expression on his face, bowing to the other party, and then saying to Wu Yuchen:

"This is the respected Director Hayao Miyazaki!"

Wu Yuchen heard the translator's words and then reacted. No wonder he looked familiar just now! Isn't the person in front of him Hayao Miyazaki, who is called the God of Animation by the Japanese people!

"Director Miyazaki, thank you for your support of the movie. I also like your works very much. I am really happy to be able to see you here!"

Since he was reborn, he has already met many celebrities, so he won't be excited anymore; he has slowly gotten used to it.

Hayao Miyazaki laughed and then said: "I have gained a lot by coming here today. Your movie has given me new inspiration and enlightenment. If it is born in the future, I will definitely invite you to attend the premiere!"

Wu Yuchen was stunned for a moment. Although he didn't quite understand what inspiration he had given Hayao Miyazaki, he still smiled generously and said: "Thank you for your invitation. This is my honor!"

After Hayao Miyazaki left, the translator beside Wu Yuchen was still very excited and thrilled, and kept saying "Sugoi" to Wu Yuchen, which shows the status of this old man in the hearts of the Japanese people.

The news about Hayao Miyazaki coming to watch "You and Me" and his conversation with Wu Yuchen was quickly spread, adding another layer of heat to the movie that was being screened. In the next few days, people coming to watch "You and Me" were endless, and even the morning session, which was a cold time, could be full.

Without any surprise, local Japanese film distributors had already come to the door wanting to discuss the film copyright, but naturally, they were all pushed by Wu Yuchen to be discussed after the awards ceremony.

Zhou Xun had been very happy these past few days. Coming to such a prosperous international metropolis like Tokyo, and it happened to be in a busy area like Roppongi, she had a great time shopping around with the translator.

Of course, what made her even happier was the treatment she received here. Previously in China, she was just a small actress. When the movies she starred in were released, she went to the cinema to watch them herself, and the audience in the theater didn't even bother with her.

But this time, following "You and Me" to Japan, she received the treatment of an international big star, even much better than the lead actresses of the crews she had been in before, making her feel for the first time that the character she played was loved by so many people, and she was respected so much because of her performance. This was a sense of achievement of being recognized from the heart!

And on the day before the closing ceremony of the film festival, Zhou Xun received a piece of news that made her even more excited:

"Brother Xun, you have been shortlisted for the Best Actress nomination~"

Zhou Xun widened her eyes upon hearing this, and then sprinted to Wu Yuchen, holding his hand:

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, go ask Translator Matsumoto."

Zhou Xun screamed, and then jumped up, but she didn't let go of Wu Yuchen's hand, jumping and bouncing, making Wu Yuchen's arm sway like a wave.

"Brother Xun, if you don't let go, my arm is going to break!"

Zhou Xun let go of her hand with a giggle. She was very familiar with Wu Yuchen now and knew he wouldn't mind. However, Zhou Xun immediately asked: "What about Grandma Jin?"

Wu Yuchen tapped her on the head: "Not bad, you can still remember Grandma Jin. She also got in. Both of you have nominations!"

Zhou Xun breathed a sigh of relief. She felt that Grandma Jin acted so well, if she got in and Grandma didn't, she would be a little embarrassed to face Grandma Jin.

Then she rolled her eyes and asked: "Director Wu, what about you?"

Wu Yuchen chuckled: "If you can get in, of course I have one too!"

"..."

The next day, at the closing ceremony red carpet, when Wu Yuchen led Zhou Xun onto the red carpet, the cheers on both sides were obviously louder than the crews in front.

"'You and Me'!"

"Wu Sang! Miss Zhou! Come on!"

"You will definitely win the big prize!"

Wu Yuchen could understand some of the cheers, but not others, but he still waved to the fans with Zhou Xun.

This time, "You and Me" was shortlisted for quite a few awards. In addition to Zhou Xun and Grandma Jin Yaqin both being shortlisted for Best Actress, he, the director, was also shortlisted for Best Director, and the movie was also shortlisted for the film festival's grand prize, which is the Best Film of this film festival, known as the Golden Kirin or Sakura Award.

These three nominations are all major awards in the main competition section, and Wu Yuchen felt that there was a good hope of winning at least one, because among the five judges this time, one was a Chinese judge, who was Tian Zhuangzhuang from their Beijing Film Academy.

This is his own senior; no matter what, he would strive for a major award for him!

The performances and a series of speeches after entering the venue were all established procedures. After this series was finished, the official awards ceremony began.

The first to be awarded was the Youth Film Section. There were three awards: the Youth Film Sakura Gold Award, Silver Award, and Bronze Award. Among them, the Silver Award was won by the Taiwanese movie "Super Citizen Ko."

Then it was some other section awards. When these were about the same, it began to enter the main competition section.

First was the Best Artistic Contribution, which was not very important. It was a double yolk, a Japanese movie "Ryokan" and an Iranian movie.

Then it was the Best Screenplay Award, which was given to the Czech movie "Kolya."

Wu Yuchen looked at this movie with a slightly solemn face. This movie was also a hit this year. In his past life, it not only won the Golden Kirin Grand Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival but also won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film the following year.

Then it was the turn of the Best Actress award, which made Zhou Xun extremely nervous. When her shot was played on the screen, Zhou Xun couldn't help but nervously squeeze Wu Yuchen's hand, and she completely lost her previous chattering appearance.

In addition to her and Grandma Jin Yaqin being selected, there were also the two lead actresses of the Norwegian film "Sunday's Best" and a Polish film lead actress.

The award presenter was the famous Japanese actor Takeshi Kitano. He was a comedian by origin and made some jokes when he went on stage, but even with a translator, he didn't quite understand the Japanese jokes.

Soon Takeshi Kitano tore open the envelope, took out a slip of paper from it, and read aloud:

"The Best Actress is... 'You and Me'!"

Hearing the movie name popping out of Takeshi Kitano's mouth, Wu Yuchen and Zhou Xun were both happy, but "You and Me" had two people selected, and he hadn't said who it was yet!

Takeshi Kitano paused before saying: "Jin Yaqin!"

Wu Yuchen's mood didn't change much. Anyway, whoever the award was given to between the two, it was their movie. In his past life, it was the old lady who won this award anyway. However, he knew that Zhou Xun must be inevitably a little disappointed in her heart. After all, who wouldn't want to win an award after being shortlisted?

Wu Yuchen patted Zhou Xun to show comfort, and Zhou Xun shook her head with a smile to show that it was okay.

But just at this moment, Takeshi Kitano didn't put down the slip of paper in his hand. After a pause, he continued to read aloud with a smile: "... and Zhou Xun!"

As his voice fell, the image was finally shown on the big screen, which was exactly the warm picture of Zhou Xun hugging Grandma Jin Yaqin!

Zhou Xun hadn't reacted yet and was a bit confused about hearing her name read again, but Wu Yuchen understood immediately—it was a double yolk!

He immediately shouted happily to Zhou Xun: "Brother Xun, you also won an award! You and Grandma Jin won the Best Actress together!"

Zhou Xun understood what had happened upon hearing this, screamed excitedly in an instant, and then hugged Wu Yuchen.

At this time, the whole audience also understood. Takeshi Kitano was deliberately teasing everyone just now. Japanese artists who were familiar with him knew that this guy had such a naughty personality, and then the whole audience applauded.

Wu Yu patted Zhou Xun, who was still hugging him and hadn't let go: "If you don't go up, they won't give it to you."

Zhou Xun then let go of her hand. Wu Yuchen found that Zhou Xun was already crying at this moment. He didn't say anything and led Zhou Xun up. Grandma Jin Yaqin didn't come, so naturally, he had to accept this award on her behalf.