Chapter 1045: Fulfilling the Promise, Harvest!

"Producer Liu didn't seem to enter the venue to take her seat after walking the red carpet?" Scanning the large venue with over two thousand people, Dong Ping muttered to the people beside him with implication.

"This is a good thing." Ren Zhonglun watched the ballet performance on the awards stage, as if talking to himself.

"Isn't it a good thing? I heard Yifei went back to change clothes after walking the red carpet. After all, as an award presenter, wearing a gown on stage always carries the suspicion of stealing the spotlight, doesn't it?"

Wang Changtian's gaze looked toward the direction of the *She Kills* crew, especially Zhou Xun, who was trying hard to suppress her emotions, and guessed boldly.

"Really, envious." Xu Zheng smiled bitterly; he was truly envious.

While the few were whispering, the performance on stage had ended. Under the host's fluent transition, Paul walked up with big strides, holding a conspicuous envelope card and a smile on his face.

All the crews competing tonight, without exception, immediately perked up and straightened their backs.

"What was the first award again?" On the *The Father* crew side, Han Jia asked suspiciously.

"I don't know, but it definitely won't be a big award." Ning Hao stared at the stage without blinking, saying very affirmatively.

"Film is an art, and art always needs countless fresh blood to promote development.

The winner of the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Talent at this Venice Film Festival is: Bakary Gnabry, *Nightingale*, congratulations."

Amidst the applause, a young black man stood up and hugged his partners from the crew.

"Venice also has to pay attention to political correctness!" Qin Hao muttered and nodded.

"Fortunately, it's just the smallest award in the main competition section. It's just a pity that our two crews don't have any newcomers, otherwise, this award might not have fallen to someone else. This resume is quite dazzling." Qin Hailu murmured.

Ten minutes passed, and the award presenter who walked onto the stage again was James Wan, who had considerable weight in the international film scene. The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became much more enthusiastic.

"An excellent film cannot be separated from the joint efforts of all the main creators of the crew. Therefore, the next award I will present is the first group award of the night.

The winner of the Special Jury Prize at this Venice Film Festival is: *Nightingale*, congratulations."

As the entire crew excitedly walked to the awards stage one by one, many guests at the scene also began to discuss.

"Tsk tsk, the only 'Bronze Lion' in the main competition section of the Venice Film Festival?"

"Winning two awards in a row, this film will likely stop here tonight."

"We have to thank this film because it helped everyone eliminate the two smallest awards."

Following Tan Chao's joke, Cao Baoping and Zhou Xun beside him couldn't help but reveal a smile and raised the corners of their mouths.

Because everyone knew very well that every subsequent award was an important one. The later a crew receives its first award, the greater its harvest will be!

The acceptance speech of the *Nightingale* crew could be heard clearly in the backstage; the director's voice was even a bit hoarse.

Lin Nan just smiled faintly and then looked at Tian Zhuangzhuang, "Teacher, it's your turn."

"Well, it's appropriate for me to present this award. But I estimate that the moment he sees me, his heart might feel a bit uncomfortable."

Tian Zhuangzhuang revealed a helpless expression, and this sentence also made Gong Li laugh. The others didn't understand, because it was spoken in Mandarin, and the context of the Chinese language is not easy for foreigners to figure out.

Sure enough, five minutes later, the moment Tian Zhuangzhuang stepped onto the awards stage, many Chinese filmmakers couldn't help but glance at Cao Baoping; both were senior professors at the Beijing Film Academy.

The *The Father* crew also subconsciously became serious, especially Ning Hao, who tried his best to minimize his presence.

Looking at the *She Kills* crew again, Cao Baoping's face was already a bit pale, and Zhou Xun and others were all sitting upright, not knowing what to say.

Because if the jury didn't deliberately disrupt the order of the awards, this award should be the Screenplay Award. With Director Tian presenting the award, it was highly likely to be Cao Dao.

But according to the unwritten rules of A-list film festivals, it is difficult for a filmmaker to win two individual awards at the same time. In other words, Cao Dao is very likely... to miss out on the Best Director Award.

And can *She Kills* win another major group award? It's difficult, very difficult! Because its comprehensive strength is indeed not strong enough, especially the Golden Lion, it's impossible.

And once there is a comprehensive major award, even if it is the second-place Grand Jury Prize, then *She Kills* is also highly unlikely to have any more individual awards, for example—Best Actress.

Because this year, two Chinese films are going to win awards, not one; and *She Kills* is indeed not as strong as *The Father*. If the former wins 3 awards, then what about the latter? What, are you Chinese films planning to sweep the awards of this Venice main competition section?

"The winner of the Best Screenplay Award at this Venice International Film Festival is: *She Kills*, Cao Baoping, congratulations."

The applause was like thunder.

"Cao Dao, congratulations."

"Congratulations, Cao Dao."

Zhou Xun and the others also stood up to congratulate Cao Baoping.

The latter revealed a smile and shook his head gently. His voice was not loud, obviously his mindset had been adjusted, knowing that contentment brings happiness:

"It can be considered satisfying, after all, I won a major individual award on my first visit. And screenwriting was originally my old profession; it's an award that the Literature Department should win, hahaha."

On the awards stage, Cao Baoping was giving his acceptance speech. Thanking the main creators of the crew, thanking the Venice Film Festival, thanking the jury members of the main competition section...

Lin Nan and the others heard it clearly backstage and continued to prepare for the presentation of the next major award. From this item on, two judges would go on stage together.

"See you later, everyone."

Jessica took the envelope card and waved to the few, with her award-presenting partner Naomi Watts beside her. The two walked straight to the entrance leading from the backstage to the awards stage.

Inside the venue, many people were tense.

"Down to the last 5 awards." Ren Zhonglun couldn't help but glance at the direction of the two Chinese film crews.

"I'm a bit nervous too." Wang Changtian took over the conversation.

"It's coming." Xu Zheng reminded subconsciously. Zhang Yimou and his daughter were also staring without blinking, somewhat expectant.

At this moment, almost everyone was staring at the stage with bright eyes; Ning Hao was even swallowing his saliva.

And the actors of the two Chinese film crews were already being subtly sized up by many domestic filmmakers in the venue.

"The lead actor is always the core character driving the development of the main line in a film, the soul and focus, and also the first medium of artistic expression." Jessica finished her opening remarks.

"The winner of the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at this Venice International Film Festival is: *The Father*, Li Baotian, congratulations."

In just an instant, Li Baotian's drooping eyelids opened, revealing a pair of eyes that didn't look like they belonged to someone over seventy years old at all; although cloudy, they were cunning, wise, and full of vitality.

"Li Laoshi, congratulations on getting what you wished for." Ning Hao stood up first to congratulate him; at this moment, he was truly happy.

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"Li Laoshi, you truly deserve it. You've been to the three major film festivals four times, right? Finally, you hit the mark, haha." Qin Hailu joked carelessly.

The joy and blessings of the crew were completely drowned out by the enthusiastic applause at the scene.

Li Baotian walked toward the awards stage with a bright smile on his face, waving to the people around him from time to time, occasionally putting his hands together and bowing halfway...

"I am already 72 years old this year. At the age when I should have won a lifetime achievement award, I won my first Venice Film Festival Best Actor award. It's truly shameful."

Li Baotian's acceptance speech had a style of an old urchin, making many people in the audience laugh.

"... I am very grateful to the Venice International Film Festival for giving me this recognition, and I am grateful to the jury for giving me this award. Thank you, Director Ning Hao, and especially thank you to the friend of my age who recommended me to participate in *The Father*..."

"Lin Nan, Li Laoshi is thanking you in front." Backstage, Liu Yifei winked at the big director Lin.

Lin Nan just smiled and didn't speak.

Recalling more than a decade ago, he had joked with Li Baotian, saying that if there was a chance in the future, they would definitely cooperate again, and that the latter would definitely be able to win an award at the three major festivals. Now, can it be considered a different kind of fulfilling the promise?

Jessica Chastain and Naomi Watts returned, and the host was making a transition.

"Yifei, let's go." Gong Li stood up, took the envelope on the table, and greeted Liu Yifei.

Under the host's invitation on stage, the two strolled onto the awards stage.

Off stage, in the *She Kills* crew, someone felt that they were almost unable to breathe at this moment.

"Two Venice Best Actresses as award presenters, and both are Chinese actors..." Qin Hailu looked at the *She Kills* crew with a complicated tone.

She knew very well that although they were both lead actresses, the weight of her role and Zhou Xun's role in the two films could not be mentioned in the same breath.

"The winner of the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at this Venice International Film Festival is: *She Kills*, Zhou Xun, congratulations."

Gong Li and Liu Yifei read the information on the card in the envelope at the same time, and then their eyes locked on Zhou Xun.

Hearing the sound, the latter stood up in the ocean of applause. There was a smile on her face, and her eyes were a bit red.

Lin Nan and the others were already used to the fact that actresses would cry when giving acceptance speeches. At this moment, he was backstage checking the script with Nolan.

"It's already past nine o'clock in the evening, and I'm really a bit hungry. Let's hurry up; the sooner we finish, the sooner we can start the banquet." Paul said with a laugh.

"Soon, only three awards left." James Wan crossed his legs and took over the conversation.

Not long after, Liu Yifei and Gong Li returned. Seeing this, Lin Nan and Nolan also stood up and walked toward the entrance.

The simultaneous appearance of the two big directors brought the atmosphere at the scene to a climax in an instant. Those who didn't know might have thought it was for the Best Film Golden Lion Award.

Well, the Golden Lion Award would be presented by the jury president, not Lin Nan, the jury president.

"Director Ning?"

"Ning Hao?" Zhang Yimou couldn't help but raise his head and look at the *The Father* crew.

"Damn..."

Chinese filmmakers were all excited; everything had signs.

"For the quality of a film, the director is always the person primarily responsible. Therefore, the award to be presented next is indeed the Best Director Award." After Lin Nan finished speaking with a smile, he handed the card to Nolan.

The latter didn't push it away and opened the award directly: "The winner of the Silver Lion for Best Director at this Venice Film Festival is: *The Father*, Ning Hao, congratulations."

Although they were in an ocean of applause, everyone, including Lin Nan and Nolan on stage, seemed to be able to hear the heavy breathing the moment Ning Hao stood up...

His action of standing up was too urgent and too fierce, so much so that the big gold chain on his neck shook;

Under the focus of the main camera, that gold chain was displayed nakedly on the big screen of the awards stage, yellow and shiny, truly festive...

Damn, I don't know if it was a manifestation of excitement or shame after seeing the camera on the big screen, anyway, amidst a sudden burst of laughter, Ning Hao's face instantly flushed red;

Although he was wearing a suit, he looked more like a bandit at this moment... I'm afraid he could scare children to tears?!

After hugging everyone in the crew, Ning Hao couldn't wait to walk toward the stage, with a rather vigorous momentum.

"Director Ning, congratulations." Lin Nan handed the Silver Lion trophy to Ning Hao with a straight face, and Nolan presented the certificate, which had been rolled up and tied with a ribbon.

Ning Hao bowed slightly, took the two things with both hands one after another, and bright light flashed in his eyes:

"Thank you, Director Lin, thank you, Director Nolan."

"The next time belongs to you." Lin Nan smiled and reached out, making a gesture of invitation. Then, together with Nolan, he retreated to the side.

Ning Hao stood in front of the microphone and held the award high with both hands; for a moment, he was very heroic.

And off stage, the applause of support rang out again. Especially Xing Aina, it was obvious that her eyes were already filled with tears and her eye sockets were very red.

"Please allow me to thank my wife before thanking the organizing committee, the jury, and the crew.

She is a screenwriter, and *The Father* was adapted by her single-handedly.

For the script of this film, she stayed up all night for more than twenty consecutive days, slept very little, and lost a lot of hair during those days..."

Damn it, Lin Nan was a bit dumbfounded at this moment. This dog thing Ning Hao is worthy of being a dog thing; he really knows how to choose the time to curry favor, exactly the same as his big director Lin!

And looking at the *The Father* crew off stage, Xing Aina was already sobbing, while Qin Hailu and Yuan Quan were handing her tissues nearby, constantly saying something with smiles on their faces to comfort her.

"Thank you to my wife. In the ten-plus years of our marriage, it is precisely because she has been with me all the way that I have become who I am... and this award naturally belongs to her, even more than it belongs to me..."

Ning Hao was still revealing his true feelings there, moving many foreigners.

Off stage, Dong Ping was already excited beyond measure. The founding shareholder of Happy Mahua won the Best Director Award at the three major European film festivals; this wave of the group made a bloody profit!

Only Xu Zheng beside him felt very sour in his heart; although he was equally happy for Ning Hao, there was more envy and sourness. The only thing he could count on next was the Golden Horse.

"Director Ning is usually so unreliable, but he's quite reliable at this moment." Backstage, Liu Yifei joked with Gong Li and Tian Zhuangzhuang. Hearing this, the two also had a good laugh.

"Tonight, Chinese films can be considered a harvest." Ren Zhonglun nodded with a smile.

Old La went back early, so he, Chairman Ren, was naturally the leader of the group of Chinese filmmakers and crews at the Venice International Film Festival!

(End of this chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1046 =====