Chapter 88: Jury Insider

Zhou Xun was naturally crying tears of joy. She had followed Dou Peng to Beijing for the sake of love. In her few years as a "Beijing drifter," she had slept in basements, crashed at other people's places, and sung in bars. When she refused to accompany guests for drinks, she would be grabbed by the hair and slapped. Who else but her could know how many grievances she had suffered during all that?

But now, to actually be able to win Best Actress at the Tokyo International Film Festival—all the grievances and regrets she had suppressed over these years surged into her heart, and her tears flowed incessantly.

After Wu Yuchen led Zhou Xun onto the stage, he saw the somewhat fierce-looking Takeshi Kitano smiling kindly at them. He didn't hold a grudge over the joke Kitano had made earlier; after all, winning the award was the happiest thing, and he found Kitano extremely agreeable now.

This time, Kitano didn't tease them again and very nimbly handed the two trophies to them respectively.

The moment Zhou Xun gripped the trophy, she revealed a brilliant smile through her tears. At this moment, she felt that all her previous experiences had been worth it!

Wu Yuchen handed the microphone to Zhou Xun first, but Zhou Xun, experiencing this kind of scene for the first time, was too excited to know what to say: "I... thank you! Thank you, Director Wu, thank you, Grandma Jin, thank you everyone!"

However, everyone present understood her feelings and responded with kind applause.

Wu Yuchen, on the other hand, already had the experience of Berlin and Sydney. Although happy, his state of mind remained very steady. After picking up the microphone, he said with a smile:

"Grandma Jin Yaqin couldn't come due to her health. Before coming, I joked with Grandma Jin, asking if she would thank me if I could bring her a trophy this time. Grandma Jin said she would make dumplings for me when I got back. It seems I'm in for a treat!"

Most people on the Japanese side also knew what dumplings were, and they were all amused by Wu Yuchen's words. The atmosphere in the venue instantly relaxed.

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen said seriously:

"Grandma Jin Yaqin is truly a very outstanding actress. She has spent more than half her life on the front lines of the performing arts. Although they were all small roles or supporting parts, she never had a single complaint. I think the Tokyo International Film Festival awarding her Best Actress this time is the best gift for Grandma Jin! Thank you!"

After hearing Wu Yuchen's statement, the audience below burst into applause. After all, everyone present, whoever they were, had to sincerely admire an elderly person in her 70s who had dedicated most of her life to acting.

Amidst the applause, Wu Yuchen led Zhou Xun off the stage. Back in her seat, Zhou Xun kept touching the trophy and even kissed it several times.

Wu Yuchen smiled, then turned his head to continue watching the awards ceremony.

After Best Actress, it was naturally time for Best Actor. This award had nothing to do with *You and Me*, but Wu Yuchen was still quite concerned because the veteran actor Zhu Xu, the lead of *The King of Masks*, was nominated. In his past life, it was he who took home the Best Actor award.

And this time, there were no surprises; the veteran Zhu Xu, relying on his brilliant performance, successfully took home the Best Actor trophy as hoped.

After the Best Actor award, the next one was the Best Director award, which concerned Wu Yuchen.

Besides him, the nominees for Best Director this time included Wu Tianming for *The King of Masks*, Jan Svěrák for *Kolya*, Krzysztof Zanussi for *The Silent Touch*, and Vicente Aranda for *Libertarias*.

The presenter was a little Japanese old man who gave a long speech, praised every director, and only then slowly tore open the envelope.

"The Best Director is, *The King of Masks*, Wu Tianming!"

Upon hearing the result, Wu Yuchen's heart, which had been hanging, settled down. There was certainly some disappointment, but he could control his emotions well now. He then quickly applauded for Director Wu Tianming; they were both Chinese, so naturally, he should be happy for him too.

Come to think of it, *The King of Masks* could really be considered the big winner of this year, taking home two major awards: Best Actor and Best Director. If only the domestic internet hadn't just been born, otherwise, he could have become famous overnight back home.

The last two major awards were the Jury Grand Prix and the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix. Both awards were also produced from the 5 films, including *You and Me* and *The King of Masks*, but it was estimated that *The King of Masks*, having already won two awards, had no chance.

Wu Yuchen's heart rose again. Although he had already won Best Actress, who wouldn't want a more significant award? And after winning the award, the copyright price could also increase!

After the presenter came up, they followed the usual practice of showing the highlights of the five films first. To be honest, the people from the five crews were feeling a bit subtle at this time. Because the Jury Grand Prix was actually the runner-up to Best Film; winning the Jury Grand Prix meant it was destined not to win the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix.

Everyone wanted to win the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix but didn't want to end up empty-handed, so their mentality toward the Jury Grand Prix was a bit complicated.

"The Jury Grand Prix of this film festival is..."

The presenter said, scanning the crowd below, and finally fixed his gaze on Wu Yuchen: "*You and Me*!"

The name spat out by the guest made Wu Yuchen breathe a sigh of relief, and then a brilliant smile instantly appeared on his face. Zhou Xun next to him was overjoyed, taking the initiative to hug Wu Yuchen again and kept saying things like congratulations.

After Wu Yuchen let go of Zhou Xun, he quickly shook hands with Wu Tianming and Huang Jianxin who reached out, and then walked onto the stage with his head held high.

Wu Yuchen accepted the trophy gracefully, then smiled at the microphone and said:

"*You and Me* is a small production with a cost of less than 50,000 US dollars, and it is also my first personal feature film. But the reason it can receive the love and affirmation of so many people, I think, is because it conveys the most simple and pure emotions between people.

Thank you to the Movie Channel for the investment and support for *You and Me*, thank you to Grandma Jin Yaqin, Zhou Xun, and all the crew members for their dedication, thank you to the audience for their love for *You and Me*, and thank you to the organizing committee for their affirmation of the film and myself. Thank you all!"

After returning to his seat, Zhou Xun leaned over with a smile and gave a thumbs up: "Director, you spoke really well!"

However, seeing her eyes constantly darting toward the trophy, how could Wu Yuchen not understand her thoughts? He handed the trophy directly to her, making Zhou Xun smile with her eyes curved again.

Actually, Wu Yuchen had a glimmer of fantasy about the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix before the award, but now that it had landed, he felt relieved and was left with only joy. After all, being able to take home the Best Actress and Jury Grand Prix awards was already a bumper harvest!

Finally, amidst the tense atmosphere of the other crews and under the attention of the whole audience, the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix was indeed awarded to the hot favorite, the Czech film *Kolya*.

On the evening the awards ceremony ended, the Chinese delegation gathered together to hold a celebration banquet. Tian Zhuangzhuang, who had finished his jury mission, also came.

Huang Jianxin raised a glass of wine and said excitedly:

"This time *You and Me* and *The King of Masks* won 4 major awards in a row. It's really a bumper harvest, a trip well worth it! Come, let's toast together!"

Huang Jianxin didn't care at all that his *Red Light Stop, Green Light Go* had no harvest. In fact, he had expected it before because it was a comedy film. Being able to find an opportunity to sell the copyright after being shortlisted for the film festival was already achieving his goal.

At the dinner table, everyone was full of joy. The Chinese films this year could be said to be the biggest winners, and they all talked about their various experiences after coming to Tokyo.

When the conversation reached a lively point, Tian Zhuangzhuang also talked about some things during their jury selection, and then said to Wu Yuchen: "Little Wu, come to think of it, your *You and Me* is still a bit of a pity."

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this. Is it a pity even after winning major awards?

Wu Yuchen couldn't help but look at Tian Zhuangzhuang. Tian Zhuangzhuang took a sip of tea and then explained in detail:

"That Czech film *Kolya* is of unquestionable quality, it's indeed good. But if you want to talk about the film that received the most attention and caused the biggest repercussions at this film festival, it really is *You and Me*. It resonated with the Japanese people!"

Everyone thought about it and agreed. Whether it was the emotions expressed or the problem of empty-nest elderly, *You and Me* hit the soft spot of the Japanese people at the moment.

Tian Zhuangzhuang continued:

"Among the five jury members, there is a Japanese man named Yoshinobu Nishioka who strongly advocated awarding the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix to *You and Me*, and I also cast a vote. But the chairman was the Pole Zygmunt Silbermann, who said that if the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix were also awarded to *You and Me*, then this Tokyo International Film Festival would become a one-man show for Chinese films, and it couldn't be played like that, so in the end, they awarded *You and Me* the Jury Grand Prix."

Everyone suddenly realized upon hearing this, so that's how it was!

Wu Yuchen understood after hearing it, but he didn't have much of a reaction emotionally, just said with a smile: "This Pole's courage is not as good as Senior Zhang Yimou!"

Everyone was stunned at first, then burst into laughter: "Indeed not as good, far from it!"

At the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival in 1993, as the jury chairman, the old "Mouzi" stubbornly insisted on making the Berlin Jin Xiong award a double-yolk, awarding it simultaneously to Xie Fei's *Woman Sesame Oil Maker* and Ang Lee's *The Wedding Banquet*.

That's right, two Chinese films won the Jin Xiong at the same time!

To be fair, what the old "Mouzi" did was really something one could count on!

Wu Yuchen made a joke, then said again:

"But to be honest, it's quite good as it is now. If the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix had really been given to *You and Me*, then perhaps *You and Me*'s Best Actress award would have been gone. I traded one Tokyo Sakura Grand Prix for two Best Actress awards plus one Jury Grand Prix. I earned it!"

In fact, this kind of film festival award involves the problem of dividing the cake. It is impossible for one film to occupy all the awards. Most of them are everyone sitting in rows and eating fruit, unless it can really crush all other films.

Seeing Wu Yuchen speak so sincerely, Tian Zhuangzhuang admired his open-mindedness. For many directors, they would rather give up all other awards in exchange for a Best Film award.

Subsequently, Tian Zhuangzhuang thought of something and said to Wu Yuchen: "Little Wu, I heard that your film is a TV movie invested by the Movie Channel. You go back and discuss with them, at least find a cinema to screen it, and then you can participate in the Golden Rooster Award selection next year."

"I'll remember it, thank you Teacher Tian for the reminder!" Wu Yuchen picked up his wine and toasted him another glass.

Subsequently, including Zhou Xun, Wu Tianming, and Zhu Xu, they all followed up to toast Tian Zhuangzhuang to thank him. After all, their ability to win awards had a part of Tian Zhuangzhuang, the jury member, in it.

After the awards ceremony ended, the Chinese delegation also parted ways. Huang Jianxin left with his crew first, while *You and Me* and *The King of Masks* had to stay behind to discuss copyright matters separately.

In a Japanese teahouse, Wu Yuchen met the old acquaintance from yesterday's awards ceremony, who was none other than Takeshi Kitano, who presented the Best Actress award to *You and Me*!

Takeshi Kitano might have the common problem of comedians; he rarely smiles in private. Coupled with that somewhat fierce face of his, he really looked like someone from the underworld.

"Wu-san, please be sure to sell the film copyright of *You and Me* to me, please!"

Looking at Takeshi Kitano, Wu Yuchen also remembered his connection with Jia Zhangke. After Jia's *Xiao Wu* won an award at the Berlin International Film Festival, it attracted Kitano's attention. He sympathized with Jia Zhangke, who was accustomed to using long takes and focusing on small characters at the bottom of society. Later, Kitano's studio invested in most of Jia's films and established a long-term cooperation.

"Mr. Kitano, if you can offer a suitable condition, I am very willing to entrust *You and Me* to you." Wu Yuchen said with a smile.

"Wu-san, I will first arrange for *You and Me* to be screened at the Iwanami Hall, and then expand it to art cinemas throughout Japan. It will definitely ensure that *You and Me* is seen by as many people as possible."

In the Japanese literary and art circles, there has always been a saying: "Japan looks at Tokyo, and Tokyo looks at Iwanami." Films that can be screened here have a great chance of being favored by art cinemas throughout Japan.

Wu Yuchen nodded and said lightly: "Mr. Kitano, in fact, Iwanami Hall has already contacted me. They are very willing to arrange for *You and Me* to be screened as soon as possible."

Takeshi Kitano was silent for a moment. He originally thought that this young director Wu Yuchen would be easier to fool, paint a picture, and then cut the price, but he didn't expect it wouldn't work.

He thought for a while and said: "Wu-san, Kitano's studio is willing to buy the copyright of *You and Me* at a high price of 300,000 US dollars."

"Mr. Kitano, it seems your sincerity is insufficient. I can reveal to you privately that yesterday, after *You and Me* won the award, Mr. Kazuo Fukasawa contacted me by phone, hoping to buy the Asian copyright of *You and Me* at a price of 500,000 US dollars."

After speaking, Wu Yuchen picked up the teacup and sipped it, not saying anything more.

Takeshi Kitano's eyelids twitched. He knew Kazuo Fukasawa; he was the general manager of Toho-Towa, specializing in importing overseas films for distribution in Japan, and he was very interested in Chinese culture.

Takeshi Kitano didn't want to grind it out bit by bit, so he simply asked directly: "Wu-san, may I ask what price you want?"

"1 million US dollars."

"That's impossible!" Takeshi Kitano refused flatly.

The current US dollar to Japanese yen exchange rate is 1 to 110, so 1 million US dollars is 110 million yen. If he spent so much money to buy it, then the box office of *You and Me* would have to reach nearly 300 million yen to recover the cost.

This risk is too great! ===== CHAPTER 89 =====