Chapter 604: Red Carpet, Do Something Big

In the morning, news from back home put Jackie Chan, who was in Berlin, on the cusp of the storm again.

Just because in the early hours of last night, which was the early morning in the country, the "Dragon Prince" was released.

But the vehicle picking him up, in order to avoid the siege of a large number of media waiting in ambush, ran nearly ten red lights in the capital, speeding all the way, with a thrilling scene comparable to a car chase blockbuster.

The final result was that the Dragon Prince had been out for less than three or four hours before he was back on the entertainment headlines of major portal websites, dropping onto the hot search list.

Besides that, he was also named by the official Weibo of the capital traffic police department, and many official media followed suit, also reporting and criticizing.

With the events stacked together, the public opinion online was not pleasant.

So much so that Jackie Chan, far away in Berlin, was once again made the target of "public criticism."

Because "if a son is not taught, it is the father's fault," and this "extremely arrogant" driver was definitely his employee.

Lin Nan could imagine how miserable Jackie Chan must be feeling right now; after all, "Dragon Blade" was about to be released, and there were so many activities to attend every day.

Big Brother was bound to be unable to avoid the media lenses; he could only bite the bullet and appear, accepting interviews. Relevant questions would definitely be mentioned!

"I heard from Fan Bingbing and the others that 'Gone with the Bullets' has been asked to stop screening?"

When Liu Yifei returned from attending an event outside, she asked Lin Nan about this matter with some surprise.

"Hmm, that's right. 'Manchester by the Sea' was only scheduled for seven screenings, so naturally, it wouldn't be exhibited anymore after the seven screenings were over.

But 'Gone with the Bullets'? Speaking of which, it's indeed quite miserable; no one is watching, so wasn't it pulled?

The Berlin International Film Festival organizing committee does not allow the waste of venue resources; after all, there are many films that can't even get a screening slot."

Lin Nan explained with a smile; he had also only found out not long ago.

And it didn't stop there; it was said that "Gone with the Bullets" was...

Because it was Jiang Wen's film, many foreign filmmakers came for his reputation.

But when the film was only halfway through, nearly 50% of the audience had already left; in the end, less than 30% finished watching "Gone with the Bullets" in its entirety.

Those 70% plus of filmmakers and media people who watched it couldn't persist and left halfway through, because they really couldn't understand it, having no clue at all.

These days, "Gone with the Bullets" had been like this, with fewer and fewer viewers, until there were only one or two people or an empty hall, and then... there was no then.

"This, this must be quite a blow to Director Jiang?"

Liu Yifei laughed with a sigh, a trace of sympathy on her face.

"It's fine, his ability to withstand blows is very strong; at most, he'll just curse and swear for a while by himself, haha..."

Lin Nan threw the film buyer list sent by Tang Mu to the side, stretched, and stood up from the sofa.

"Finally waited for you to come back, accompany me out for a stroll? Oh right, Leon's flight will arrive in the afternoon, we have to prepare for the closing ceremony red carpet and awards ceremony the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, wait for me to change into casual shoes. Besides, I've already prepared everything for the closing ceremony red carpet."

Liu Yifei responded with a smile, then stepped in high heels toward the shoe rack.

She hadn't been idle these past few days, with various brand activities becoming more and more intensive, and there were many female stars in the same venue, but she was the one being surrounded.

The Berlin International Film Festival had entered its final stages, but it was also the most tense, exciting, and exhilarating time, because of the red carpet and the awards ceremony.

On the film festival catalog, detailed information for all films entering the main competition unit was listed, and "Manchester by the Sea" was on the first page.

A large number of media and film critics even made "predictions" for these films; undoubtedly, Lin Nan and "Manchester by the Sea" were the favorites to win.

After 3:00 PM, Leonardo rushed to Berlin again from the "The Revenant" crew, and the few of them finally...

"It's only been a month, you seem to have lost a lot of weight? And you look a bit weathered..."

When Lin Nan saw Leonardo, he couldn't help but exclaim. Liu Yifei also kept nodding on the side, sighing with admiration: "Really, the change is huge."

Ma Te and Jessica had already been surprised more than a week ago, and now they were watching the shocked expressions of Lin Nan and the other on the side, laughing constantly.

"Lin, Crystal, you have no idea how, how 'painful' this 'The Revenant' is. This is the most torturous film I've ever shot, bar none. A lot of outdoor scenes, my body can't really take it."

Leonardo smiled helplessly, then said with an implication:

"But it's also good, isn't that what those people at the Academy want me to be like? This time, I'll satisfy them. I played a 'homeless' hunter who is sloppy to the extreme and tortured to the point of going crazy, hehe..."

"Leon has completely ruined his image this time."

Ma Te Damon teased; both he and Leonardo debuted as "idols," which in the eyes of the Academy is the biggest disadvantage, always being treated differently!

"Perhaps, I can rely on this 'The Revenant' to win the Oscar for Best Actor... oh no, it's to win the Oscar for Best Actor again! What do you say, Lin?"

Leonardo rarely joked about the "little golden man."

This showed that he was full of confidence in both "Manchester by the Sea" and "The Revenant," even more so than his previous works!

"In nine days, won't we know the results of the Oscars?"

Lin Nan didn't dare to guarantee it, so he'd better keep an expectant mindset.

The closer it got to the end, the faster time passed.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The films brought from the country to Berlin for copyright trading had more or less found some buyers and completed transactions.

As for the selling price, it was kept more confidential than the last, low-key to the extreme.

Early on the morning of the 15th, the entire Berlin International Film Festival entered a state of boiling excitement.

A large number of media, filmmakers, crews, actors, stars, and celebrities from all over the world were all waiting for the closing ceremony red carpet in the afternoon.

Before the red carpet, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were not prepared to step half a step out of the hotel gate, because there were reporters everywhere outside.

For the film crew that was a hot favorite to win, the media were camping out today!

In the room, Liu Yifei was video chatting with Shu Chang on her tablet, laughing and giggling, while also waiting for the stylist and makeup artist team.

Besides, the gowns, jewelry, and accessories would also be delivered before noon, with special personnel escorting them!

And Lin Nan was on the phone with La Peikang on the side.

"This trip, everyone isn't very optimistic. I heard from the people below that only the copyright for 'Dragon Blade' seems to have sold well, reaching eight figures, in US dollars. Ren Zhonglun must be very happy right now."

"Jiang Wen's stubborn temper has flared up again, publicly cursing reporters; the copyright for 'Gone with the Bullets' also seems a bit unsatisfactory..."

Lin Nan was stunned; what else had happened that he didn't know about?

"What's wrong with Director Jiang's side?" Lin Nan asked curiously.

"You don't know? Yesterday afternoon, he took the crew and accepted an interview with domestic media, holding a roundtable meeting."

"The reporters asked all about 'Gone with the Bullets' being left halfway through by filmmakers and being looked down upon by film buyers during the film festival. His mentality might be a bit unbalanced, and his tone was very rude."

"When asked about the debate between Feng Xiaogang and the others regarding variety films, he started cursing directly, saying he didn't care about such messy, broken things, and saying both sides were actually just for money."

"He cursed the reporters for having bad intentions and sinister motives, not being good people, using such deep-water questions to drag him into the water, making him offend the Film Association or the other side... In the end, he seemed to have forcibly terminated the interview and left directly. Right now, the media's pens are like knives, all stabbing at him."

After hearing La Peikang's words, Lin Nan really didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Looking at it this way, Jiang Wen's mentality had indeed collapsed a bit.

"He, sigh, forget it."

Lin Nan stopped mid-sentence, sympathizing with Jiang Wen!

"Reminding you, when you return to the country, you probably won't be able to avoid the 'variety film' debate either. The entire mainland film circle is fighting right now."

La Peikang said kindly, also unable to help but laugh.

"Thanks to Director La, I know."

"Right now, it should only be your film copyright that hasn't been sold yet, right?"

"I'm waiting for tonight's results."

One question and one answer, La Peikang understood the meaning in Lin Nan's words—there's an award!

"Good! We will all attend the awards ceremony; when the time comes, it's up to you!"

"Don't hold too high expectations, I'm afraid of getting slapped in the face, haha..."

The Berlin International Film Festival red carpet could not be seen in the country.

Because when the closing ceremony red carpet started at 4:00 PM, it was already around 12:00 AM in the country.

But after waking up, one could see the awards results directly!

At noon, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei had lunch in the room. Jessica and the others would come over to visit from time to time.

And the stylist and makeup artist team were also racing against time to fill their stomachs in the hotel. Because the next two or three hours would be busy, standing there to apply makeup and style Liu Yifei.

"Crystal's gown is so beautiful. Hmm, she is clearly a person of yellow race, yet she is so fair... and her skin is so good..."

Jessica leaned against the door frame, sighing with admiration.

"Hey, Lin's skin is also much better than mine when I was 30. This is the advantage of the race, it's just that the two of them are even more outstanding."

Ma Te Damon had already put on the suit prepared for attending the red carpet and awards ceremony this afternoon, interjecting on the side.

"You two, you're very free, aren't you? Do you want to eat some more? The awards ceremony won't end until 10:00 PM; you'll be hungry if you wait until the banquet."

Lin Nan pointed to the dumplings on the table and invited them. He had already prepared chocolate for himself and Miss Liu in advance.

Liu Yifei smiled and picked up the last one, putting it in her mouth. She only ate five dumplings; she couldn't eat more. Today's gown was very form-fitting.

"Don't worry, I've prepared chocolate fruit for everyone."

At this time, Leonardo also ran over. As expected of an old hand at awards ceremonies, he was also very experienced!

Near 1:00 PM, Liu Yifei sat in front of the vanity mirror, and the makeup artist and stylist began to get busy.

What was certain was that all the female stars were doing the same thing right now, which was two or three hours of makeup and styling.

And in the country, the film and television circle, the entertainment circle, and online were also paying attention to the news from Berlin besides the Spring Festival Gala, with headlines and hot searches constantly refreshing.

"Distance..."

"China Film Group issued an announcement: During this Berlin International Film Festival, China Film Group has confirmed the introduction of Disney's live-action princess series film 'Cinderella', Warner's sci-fi action blockbuster 'Jupiter Ascending', 'Furious 7', 'Avengers: Age of Ultron', 'Jurassic World', and many other Hollywood blockbusters."

"Lin Dao Nan, bringing 'Manchester by the Sea', will compete for the Jin Xiong Award with Director Jiang Wen's 'Gone with the Bullets'; both sides are enemies and friends."

"Can the Chinese-language film circle give birth to..."

"Distance from Lin Dao Nan..."

"It's already been 10 years? That's really interesting."

Han Sanping looked at the evening news and couldn't help but exclaim.

"What's 10 years?"

Wearing home clothes and flip-flops, the "Eldest Princess" Han Jia walked slowly from the kitchen to the living room with a fruit platter.

Looking at his own daughter who had no ladylike appearance at all, Han San frowned, but helplessly, this was his only "little padded jacket."

"10 years ago, Lin Nan relied on a 'Blind Shaft' to win..."

"But it was also that year that he and Gu Changwei, who won the Jury Prize together, were played by the Golden Rooster. One was empty-handed, and the other only had a Best Supporting Actress award..."

Han Sanping reminisced and explained.

Han Jia put the fruit platter on the coffee table in front of her father, and the latter nodded with satisfaction.

"So Senior Brother Lin and Director Gu didn't even attend the banquet that day and left halfway through; the film and television circle and the media exploded.

It's just that Director Gu is older and can bend and stretch, so he endured it in the end, and then used 'And the Spring Comes' to win a Golden Rooster Best Actress for his wife. Only Senior Brother Lin never paid attention to the Golden Rooster again?"

Han Jia had also heard about these things over the years and felt quite angry for Lin Nan.

"Hmm. That's why I said it's interesting. 10 years have passed, he..."

Han Sanping smiled, and Han Jia nodded decisively, saying: "Senior Brother Lin is better off not going to the Golden Rooster; it'll drive that bunch of old things crazy..."

Good fellow, Han San, who was just satisfied with his daughter's filial piety, immediately darkened his face after hearing this.

"Tell me, it's the New Year, why are you running around blindly? A girl, and you've been gone for several days, New Year's Eve is the day after tomorrow!"

Han Sanping said with a cold face, starting to find fault.

If this daughter wasn't managed, she would turn the world upside down sooner or later... He seemed to have forgotten that he had never managed to control her!

Hearing her father change to a stern tone, Han Jia was not panicked at all.

She sat on the sofa, crossed her legs carelessly, and said mysteriously and excitedly:

"I heard some very... hmm, meaningful, contradictory, and conflicting news a few days ago, and I've been looking for material these past few days. After the New Year, I have to go inquire again, look for it properly...

Believe me, Old Han, I'm definitely going to do something big!"

Han Jia patted her father's shoulder and said confidently. At this moment, her self-confidence was exploding.

Han Sanping pressed his temples, speechless to the extreme; how did he give birth to this thing?

"You? Still do something big? Why don't you go be a bandit?"

"Aren't you Mountain Eagle? Aren't I..."

Han Jia's voice got lower and lower, because her father seemed to be really angry. "Okay, okay, I won't say it."

After sighing, Han Sanping looked at Han Jia and suggested: "Later, I'll find Lin Nan and let you sign with his company to be a director?"

"Not doing it!"

The pink hollow-patterned gown clung to Liu Yifei's body, making her look even fairer, more delicate, beautiful, and charming.

The bright, thick makeup and red lips, paired with a high bun and white gold diamond earrings, made her look conservative yet alluring, with purity and sweetness showing through the coldness.

Temperament, appearance, figure, height, and many other advantages were perfectly displayed at this moment.

The long eyelashes fluttered gently, and those pitch-black eyes were also incomparably lively and tender, as if, no, they could definitely talk!

"Alright, alright, don't show off anymore; I know you're beautiful and good-looking. If you look at me two more times, I won't be able to hold back, haha..."

Lin Nan teased himself, but his eyes didn't move away from Liu Yifei for a second.

The makeup artist, stylist, and assistants, although they had long known that Lin Nan and Liu Yifei loved to feed dog food, still couldn't help but laugh at this moment, feeling it was very sweet.

"Lin Nan, I haven't changed my shoes yet."

Liu Yifei's voice was soft and sweet, carrying a bit of playfulness, and she stretched her feet out from under the skirt; they were white slippers.

"Got it, understood, I'll do it."

Lin Nan smiled and took out a pair of crystal high heels from the box next to him; good fellow, they were also inlaid with small diamonds.

He walked up to Liu Yifei, slowly squatted down, and the latter cooperated by stretching out her fair, small feet.

Lin Nan had touched them countless times, but still felt it wasn't enough; they felt very smooth and comfortable.

Two minutes later, Liu Yifei, who had changed into high heels, was half a head taller. She looked even more cold and independent.

"Wow, Lin, you are simply the most perfect boyfriend and husband! You actually put on shoes for Crystal yourself, just like a prince in a fairy tale."

Jessica, in a gold off-the-shoulder gown, stood at the door like a "fool" who had discovered a new continent.

"Jessica, I give your acting full marks! Besides, this flattery sounds so cheesy to me." Lin Nan teased with a smile.

Liu Yifei was different; she held Lin Nan's arm with one hand and laughed brightly, "That's right, he is the best Lin Nan, belonging only to me!"

"Just walked to the door and heard such a 'deep' confession; Leon and I couldn't take it. Who is this? Oh, it's Crystal!"

Ma Te Damon teased with a smile, and on the side was Leonardo. Hmm, behind was still the round Tang Mu!

"Lin, Crystal, the organizing committee notified us that we can set off; it's almost 4:00 PM."

"Then let's go, everyone."

Lin Nan said, taking Liu Yifei's hand.

"Let's go, there are several bears waiting for us!"

This Berlin International Film Festival, it wasn't just the "Manchester by the Sea" crew staying at the Tagore Berlin Victory Palace Hotel.

When the five of them came downstairs surrounded by assistants and bodyguards, there were other crews preparing to set off nearby.

After both sides simply nodded and greeted each other, they each got into their cars.

This time was different from the previous Golden Globe Awards.

Lin Nan, Liu Yifei, and Jessica shared one car, while Leonardo and Ma Te Damon shared another.

Only these two cars could stop in front of the red carpet.

Who made the Berlin International Film Festival red carpet scale so large! In order to plan the time and reduce the number of unnecessary vehicles, it was a very good method.

The flow of cars converged from all directions of Berlin toward the venue of the film festival awards ceremony.

Around the tens of meters of red carpet, it was already covered with security personnel and countless media reporters.

But looking at it, the sea of fans and tourists and fans from all over the world were the main force.

The shouting was deafening. Support signs, star posters, etc., could not be seen to the end.

Although the closing ceremony red carpet started at 4:30 PM, Lin Nan and the others didn't arrive until after 6:00 PM.

But it didn't matter, it wasn't late at all; who made "Manchester by the Sea" a film entering the main competition unit, so the appearance order was naturally very late.

At this time, the sky had already darkened. Outside the red carpet, it was brightly lit, like daylight.

One crew after another, filmmakers, actors, stars... walked onto the red carpet in the sound of the surging crowd.

The two cars stopped in front of the red carpet, Lin Nan stepped out first, then helped Liu Yifei and Jessica out of the car.

Leonardo and Ma Te Damon also walked over.

The popularity of the five people was obviously very explosive!

Lin Nan could clearly hear the names of the five of them being shouted; he was also an old hand in Berlin!

"Lin, please come with me to the waiting area."

"Hmm. Sisi, let's go."

"Hmm, okay."

Lin Nan held Liu Yifei's hand tightly, and the latter had a sweet smile on her face.

In the waiting area, there were quite a few domestic filmmakers. Although they weren't competing, they were also guests attending the ceremony.

... Looking over, it was easy to find familiar faces and figures.

La Peikang, Ren Zhonglun, Jiang Wen, Zhou Yun, Ge You... Wang Zhonglei, Yu Dong, Zhang Zhao... Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi, Xu Jinglei, Li Bingbing, Fan Bingbing, Chen Kun, Feng Shaofeng...

"Lin Nan."

"Lin Dao, Yifei."

"Lin Dao, Yifei."

Many people greeted from afar, and it wasn't convenient to get close, because Lin Nan's side was in the form of a crew.

Time passed second by second, and the people in the waiting area kept walking onto the red carpet, getting fewer and fewer.

Liu Yifei leaned against Lin Nan, feeling a bit sleepy.

"It's almost 8:00 PM, Lin Nan."

"Hmm, it should be soon."

"Lin, it's time." Leonardo reminded.

Following the staff, the "Manchester by the Sea" crew officially walked onto the closing ceremony red carpet of this year's Berlin Film Festival.

"Lin Dao, Yifei, come on, it's up to you!"

"Liu Yifei..."

"Lin Dao, be awesome!"

Familiar, pleasant Chinese always makes people feel energized.

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei kept smiling and waving constantly.

"... Walking onto the red carpet is the 'Manchester by the Sea' crew, the lineup is incomparably luxurious.

They are the two-time Best Director Silver Bear winner, Director Linnan; the former Best Actor Silver Bear winner, Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as Ma Te Damon, Jessica Chastain..."

As a film entering the main competition unit, Lin Nan and the others were bound to be interviewed on the red carpet.

"Lin, welcome back to Berlin. In 10 years,..."

The red carpet host asked with a smile; Lin Nan was an old friend of Berlin.

"Confidence? This time, I brought my fiancée. This is my importance to returning to Berlin, and also my ambition for the Jin Xiong. I hope the girl beside me can see me receive the Jin Xiong.

Of course, this is my expectation. As for the final result, I think it shouldn't be too bad."

The host was stunned, then nodded seriously:

"Very sincere, very romantic... I wish you success, friend of the Berlin Film Festival."

"Thank you."

Liu Yifei felt very sweet in her heart, happily following Lin Nan, the two of them with fingers tightly interlaced, walking step by step toward the end of the red carpet.

Sitting with the "Gone with the Bullets" crew, this was something Lin Nan hadn't expected; wasn't this purely stimulating Director Jiang Wen?

After waving and greeting La Peikang, Jackie Chan, and the others in the distance, Lin Nan took Liu Yifei and the others to sit in the middle of the venue.

On Lin Nan's left were Liu Yifei, Jessica, and the others, and on his right were Jiang Wen, Zhou Yun, Hong Huang, and others.

"Don't look at me with that look, I won't be jealous of you!"

Jiang Wen said without a trace of emotion in his tone, a bit cold.

"Director Jiang, didn't you notice that your choice of words exposed your mentality?"

"Hmm?"

"If it were before, you would say: 'Don't look at me with that look, brother I won't be jealous of you', missing two words, isn't this just being in a bad mood? Haha..."

Jiang Wen was exposed, his face cold.

Liu Yifei and Zhou Yun on the side couldn't stop laughing again.

"Lin Dao, don't stimulate our Director Jiang anymore."

"Okay, listening to Sister Zhou."

Lin Nan decisively changed the topic, chatting about Jiang Wen's interview, and was met with another cold look.

Until near 9:00 PM, the performance on stage finally ended.

"Entering the main topic, Lin Nan. I'll see tonight, what exactly you can get." Jiang Wen looked at the stage and said seriously.

At this time, everyone in the venue was focused.

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei held each other's hands, looking forward to good luck.

"Outstanding Artistic Contribution Silver Bear Award winner: Sturla Brandth Grøvlen, 'Victoria'"

Lin Nan followed everyone and applauded.

He whispered in Liu Yifei's ear, "Back then, Brother Li Yang and I..."

"Hmm hmm, I know. Director Li Yang even helped you go to Shanghai Film to pull investment." Liu Yifei nodded lightly; she knew all about Lin Nan's past.

"Yeah, he is my guide. Without him, I don't know how many detours I would have taken."

"Alfred Bauer Silver Bear Award winner: Jayro Bustamante, 'Ixcanul', congratulations!"

"Best First Feature Film Award winner: Gabriel Ripstein, '600 Miles', congratulations!"

Awards were announced and presented one by one, from small to large.

After a long time, it finally reached the core awards, which were also one of the awards "Manchester by the Sea" was striving for.

"Jessica, don't be nervous, I'm not even nervous." Ma Te Damon joked.

"The Berlin International Film Festival doesn't have a Best Supporting Actor award; supporting actors and leading actors all compete for the Best Actor award. You couldn't possibly compete with Leon for Best Actor, so you're definitely not nervous!"

Jessica Chastain retorted angrily.

As soon as she finished speaking, she heard the Best Actress award announced on stage:

"Best Actress Silver Bear Award winner: Charlotte Rampling, '45 Years', congratulations!"

In an instant, Jessica Chastain was struck by lightning, frozen there.

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei looked at each other, unable to help but feel regret. Leonardo and Ma Te were also both silent.

Then, everyone comforted Jessica: "Don't be discouraged, there's still the Oscars later..."

... ===== CHAPTER 605 =====