Chapter 35: Awards Ceremony and Rights

From about ten meters away, Gu Gu Changwei and Lin Nan exchanged a nod of acknowledgment.

Zhang Zhang Jingchu seemed to have completely forgotten how she had once belittled Return to the Dust before the media, and even took the initiative to come over and shake hands with Lin Nan.

Jiang Teacher Wenli was still taking photos in the distance and hadn't come over, otherwise Zhang Nushi wouldn't have dared to openly come chat with Lin Nan.

After exchanging a few perfunctory words, Zhang Nushi realized she wasn't welcome and returned to the Kong Que crew.

The red carpet continued, and Lin Nan was notified that the Return to the Dust crew would be up next.

Li Li Baotian and Jiang Teacher Wenli arrived at the exit with Lin Nan; the crew ahead of them was the German film Hope and Resistance.

The red carpet host began the introduction: "Now walking onto the red carpet is the crew from Huaxia, Return to the Dust — director Nanlin, male lead Baotianli, and female lead Wenlijiang.

This is their first time in Berlin, which reminds us of Zhang Yimou, who came to Berlin for the first time back then and took home the Golden Bear…"

Lin Nan worked hard to keep smiling; beyond the red carpet, cameras from all the media outlets were flashing wildly, almost dazzling to the eye.

Lin Nan, sharp-eyed, spotted the Sixth Princess and the Sohu crew, and waved with a smile toward the cameras over there.

Women are born masters of the red carpet — unlike Lin Nan and Li Li Baotian, Jiang Teacher Wenli appeared poised and graceful, every movement so composed.

Two and a half minutes was the time the red carpet allotted to Return to the Dust; the host also briefly interviewed Lin Nan for a moment.

Continuing forward, they heard the host begin to introduce the Kong Que crew…

The tiered venue, which held over a thousand people, slowly began to fill up.

The Return to the Dust crew was seated in the middle, slightly toward the back; to their left was a French crew, to their right a German crew, and the Kong Que crew was in the row directly in front of Lin Nan and the others.

Gu Gu Changwei could have turned his head and chatted with Lin Nan for a bit, but he absolutely wouldn't do that — because next to Lin Nan was Jiang Teacher Wenli, and next to him was Zhang Zhang Jingchu.

Lin Nan could feel the tense, murderous atmosphere; looking at Li Li Baotian again, the old man was squinting his eyes and resting, perfectly at ease.

Outside, the sky was gradually darkening, but the lights blazed brilliantly. Inside the venue, the host announced that the closing ceremony and awards gala of the 55th Berlin International Film Festival had officially begun.

The most thrilling moment was about to arrive.

All the guests in the hall were staring at the big screen on the awards stage.

First came the non-competition section — the two awards in the youth forum module were both taken by domestic directors.

The Panorama section's Best Film and Best Short Film went respectively to two films from France and Switzerland.

One after another, the children's section and the various critics' awards for each section were handed out.

As the jury president took the stage, everyone finally welcomed the main event of the evening.

"It is a great pleasure to gather with filmmakers from around the world here at the Berlin Film Festival, contributing to the development of film art.

Over the past few months, we have selected a large number of outstanding films from around the world, and after ten days of voting and deliberation, the works receiving awards tonight will now meet all of you."

From this moment on, Lin Nan began holding his breath, because the name Return to the Dust could appear at any time.

The first award was Best European Film — a prize reserved for local entries — taken by a Dutch director.

Next, the Best Film Music award was taken by a French director.

When it came to the Alfred Bauer Silver Bear, a hint of restlessness began to appear among the crowd — in 2003, Hero had taken this very award.

The winner was A Cloud at the Edge of the Sky.

At this point, Lin Nan was thoroughly thrilled, because the remaining awards were all major ones for him.

Li Li Baotian's squinted eyes were gleaming — who says the old veteran takes things easy?

"The winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actress is: Julia Jentsch, Hope and Resistance. Congratulations."

Hearing this announcement, Jiang Teacher Wenli's taut body instantly relaxed.

"Sister Teacher Wenli, it's okay — we'll come back next time," Lin Nan said comfortingly.

"Being able to make it this far, I'm already very satisfied," Jiang Teacher Wenli said, consoling herself.

Gu Gu Changwei turned his head and glanced at his wife as well. "Director Lin is right — we'll come back next time." What he got in return was Jiang Teacher Wenli's cold, silent glare.

Zhang Zhang Jingchu up ahead also looked a bit lost; perhaps from the very start she had taken things too much for granted.

The Best Actress went up to receive her award and delivered her acceptance speech; afterward, the jury members continued presenting awards.

Several films flashed by, including Return to the Dust — "The winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actor is Lou Taylor Pucci, Thumbsucker. Congratulations."

Li Li Baotian let out a long breath. "Sigh, I was too restless — my cultivation of composure still needs more practice."

"Teacher Li, you're being too hard on yourself. Your strength over all these years — the audience has seen it all," Lin Nan said very earnestly.

"Haha, let's keep watching — we might just be in the running for a big one." Li Li Baotian understood the awards process well, and Lin Nan felt a bit embarrassed by what he said.

Gu Gu Changwei was likewise staring tensely at the awards stage; the Best Actor was delivering his acceptance speech, and three of the most important awards remained.

The individual Best Director award, and the overall Jin Xiong and Grand Jury Prize for the film as a whole.

"The winner of the Silver Bear for Best Director is: Nanlin, Return to the Dust. Congratulations."

As if a bolt of Lei Ting had struck the crown of his head, in that instant Lin Nan was somewhat dazed, as if none of it were real.

Li Li Baotian and Jiang Teacher Wenli were the first to applaud; in the distance, the China Film contingent also stood up, looking at Lin Nan with delighted congratulations.

Gu Gu Changwei turned his head to offer congratulations. Lin Nan stood up, hugged Jiang Teacher Wenli and Li Li Baotian briefly, then walked out of his seat and headed toward the awards stage.

The jury member was still introducing Lin Nan and the film: "A film like a vast sandstorm, displaying poetry and power, radiant with light, filled with extraordinary restraint and compassion…"

Lin Nan walked up to the awards stage and received the Silver Bear trophy with both hands — this was the first major trophy belonging to Lin Nan; the Golden Horse Best Newcomer didn't count.

"Thank you," Lin Nan said gratefully.

The presenter stepped back, yielding the speaking podium to Lin Nan.

Facing the thousand-plus people in the venue, Lin Nan was a little nervous, but he forced himself to gather his courage and said in clumsy English, "I am Lin Nan, from Huaxia. I came here once before, two years ago, as a new actor.

This is my first time bringing my own work to compete, and I am deeply honored to receive the jury's affection and recognition. I will keep working hard.

I would also like to thank Teacher Li Li Baotian and Teacher Jiang Teacher Wenli for their support — they are the male and female leads of my film. Thank you to my school's Film Academy for nurturing and teaching me. Thank you again to the Berlin Film Festival for the recognition. Thank you."

Applause thundered like a storm; Lin Nan felt as if he were walking on cotton as he returned to his seat.

Clutching the Silver Bear trophy, Lin Nan was deeply satisfied.

On stage, the announcement of the Grand Jury Prize — second only to the Jin Xiong — had already begun.

"The winner of the Jury Grand Prix, the Silver Bear, is: Chang Weigu for 'Kong Que.' Congratulations."

Gu Gu Changwei, who had long been unable to contain himself, stood up in one bound. Although it wasn't the Jin Xiong, he was already very satisfied — this was his first time directing, and there would still be chances later.

Lin Nan offered his congratulations, and amid the applause, Gu Gu Changwei walked up to the stage.

His acceptance speech included his passion for the film industry and his gratitude to family and friends, and at the end he specially mentioned that his wife was the female lead of 'Return to Dust,' which made Lin Nan exclaim at his skill.

The Golden Lion for Best Film was taken by South African director's 'Karmen of Kayalisha,' and the film festival came to a complete close.

At this moment in China, it was already three in the morning, and many media workers were forced to get up and work overtime.

First-hand news from the Berlin Film Festival began to grab the headlines of major news pages.

And Lin Nan prepared to meet with a group of distributors the next day.

When Lin Nan sank into dreams, the domestic morning news began reporting on the award-winning situations of 'Kong Que' and 'Return to Dust' in Berlin.

Li Li Baotian and Jiang Teacher Wenli both left Berlin on the twenty-first, and Lin Nan specially saw them off at the airport to thank the two for this Berlin trip; regarding the nomination without winning an award, everyone could only take it as fate.

Watching the two of them and their assistants board the plane, Lin Nan returned to the hotel — he still had appointments with quite a few distributors today.

He had previously had a question: why those older-generation directors, who lost money on every film they made, still kept making them with such enthusiasm. Now he finally knew the reason.

They were simply aiming for film festivals; as long as they could win an award, the rights could be sold for at least several times the cost, with no marketing expenses or theater cuts — pure profit, not caring at all whether the domestic box office could recoup the cost.

Han Zong specifically asked Lin Nan if he needed help; regarding film rights trading, China Film was professional, and they also needed to hurry up and finalize the import of some films in the next two days.

Lin Nan gladly accepted, and at a little past ten in the morning met with several well-known distributors along with the China Film people.

The European distributors still offered the highest prices.

Lin Nan had decided from the very beginning to sell the rights outright and not get involved in subsequent matters.

Several distributors divided up the rights for regions outside the mainland equally; the European side alone accounted for half the price, rising from just over two million to four million — all because of a Silver Bear trophy.

After a day of negotiation, buyers were confirmed for all regions outside the mainland, for a total of 8.3 million US dollars.

Two years ago, 'Blind Shaft' won the Alfred Bauer Silver Bear and only sold for just over three million US dollars — sure enough, awards also have their hierarchy.

Lin Nan believed 'Kong Que' would absolutely not sell for less either; it was just that it couldn't compare with 'Return to Dust,' whose full rights belonged solely to Lin Nan.

That evening, Lin Nan made a point of meeting with Han Han Sanping to thank China Film for their help.

"I really should have invested in this film back then — it's truly enviable." Han Han Sanping didn't conceal the fire in his eyes at all.

An investment of less than four hundred thousand US dollars, sold for 8.3 million — a net profit of just over twenty times, plus a Best Director trophy.

"Han Zong, you jest. Back then, no one dared imagine it could help me win Best Director; I was just hoping for an encouragement award."

Lin Nan said with a smile. Back then, investing alone, he had indeed held a tentative mindset, but in the end, he had won his gamble.

"Let's start handling the theatrical release permit when we get back. You won an award, which will help with that matter. Have you heard about 'Kong Que's' box office?"

Lin Nan nodded. He had read the news — 'Kong Que's' domestic box office could be called dismal; released on the eighteenth, with a first-day box office of less than five hundred thousand, and similar figures on the second and third days.

Even after the news of the Jury Grand Prix win was sent back, it couldn't save the box office; at most it rose to seven or eight hundred thousand per day, but the domestic box office no longer mattered.

The rights for 'Kong Que' had already been negotiated; its cost was only three times that of 'Return to Dust,' and earning five or six times the cost through rights sales was no problem at all.

Han Zong's intention was for Lin Nan to learn from the experience and lessons of 'Kong Que' — at the very least, the domestic box office shouldn't be so dismal. But a film costing three million, even limited by its subject matter, as long as it could be released, shouldn't lose money.