Chapter 102: Emergency Brake

Wish granted.

This was Cao Yang's true thought.

This time, it wasn't aimed at the Palme d'Or. To win the Palme d'Or, not only must the film selection be clever, but one must also come early to operate.

If you can't get the strong support of powerful people in the official side, wanting to win the highest award of the three major festivals is simply a delusion. Where is there so much fairness and justice?

Just think about it. Whether it's Berlin, Venice, or Cannes, they invite seven to nine people to be judges every year. Their identities are actors, directors, producers, etc. How could their tastes be the same?

Different tastes is just an excuse on the surface.

In the dark, various interest relationships are mixed, and the official side also has to ensure that "their own people" win awards. Therefore, when awarding awards every year, there are only a few awards. These jury members must be able to ensure the interests of those related to them through "quarreling".

Cao Yang walked to the stage with a full face of smiles, first shaking hands with the award presenter. The other party spoke English, and the accent was not heavy. Cao Yang could understand.

Since he wants to go to Hollywood to brush up on his class, he must learn English.

The award presenter was quite enthusiastic, constantly praising the wonderfulness of "Secret Sunshine" and congratulating him on winning the award. Cao Yang listened with a smile and said thank you.

The award presenter also presented the award to the other American director of the double-yolk egg, Paul Thomas Anderson.

This award presenter seemed to not like Americans very much, only saying congratulations, and then gave the trophy and certificate to the other party, without too much smile on his face.

Paul Thomas Anderson took the initiative to come over and shake hands with Cao Dao, and said: "I like your film 'The Isle' very much. The use of lens language in it is simply art."

Cao Yang was a little embarrassed and didn't remember who this American director was for a while. If it were a slightly famous art film director in Europe, he would mostly know them, as they were all met in Berlin and Venice.

American directors, he didn't know many. They weren't in the same circle.

But politeness definitely couldn't be lost, so he smiled and said: "Your film is also very wonderful, especially the performance of the male lead. I think it's very great. I didn't expect him to be able to perform this effect."

Except for Cao Yang's own "Secret Sunshine", there was no "big" heroine in the winning films this time, so praising his film and the male lead definitely wouldn't be a problem.

Paul Thomas Anderson was very happy. Although the other party was young, he was a big director who had won the Golden Lion. Praising his film was a kind of recognition of him.

"Yes, I also think Adam Sandler has a breakthrough performance."

Then, he reached out and made a gesture of invitation, signaling Cao Yang to speak first.

Cao Yang declined, then walked to the microphone.

"It is a great honor to win Best Director. Thank you to the Cannes Film Festival, thank the jury for their recognition, thank our male lead Wu Qihua for his wonderful performance, thank Cannes Best Actress Ms. Gao Yuanyuan for her wonderful performance, you are the best.

Thank all the staff and actors of 'Secret Sunshine', especially thank my alma mater, the Beijing Film Academy, for their support and cultivation, thank my teacher Mr. Situ, thank my parents, thank you all."

Don't look at Cannes as the most famous film festival among the three major European film festivals, seemingly the most authoritative, but in fact, in recent years, Cannes likes to award multiple awards to one film.

Let's not talk about others, just talk about the highest awards.

Whether it's Berlin or Venice, they are very cautious when awarding the Golden Bear and Golden Lion. There are cases where they win other awards after winning the highest award, but it's not as frequent as Cannes.

Just talk about the last ten years or so.

In 1991, "Barton Fink" won the Cannes Palme d'Or and Best Actor.

In 1992, "The Best Intentions" won the Cannes Palme d'Or and Best Actress.

In 1993, "The Piano" won the Cannes Palme d'Or and Best Actress.

In 1996, "Secrets & Lies" won the Cannes Palme d'Or and Best Actress.

In 1999, "Rosetta" won the Cannes Palme d'Or and Best Actress.

In 2000, "Dancer in the Dark" won the Cannes Palme d'Or and Best Actress. In 2001, it gave the Jury Prize, Best Actress, and Best Actor to "The Piano Teacher" all at once.

How many permanent awards are there in Cannes? Six permanent awards.

It's just that Cannes' promotion is the best, which is why it has more fame and seems more "authoritative".

Of course, the reason why the three major European film festivals have stood firm over the years and been recognized by the world is that they all still retain a bottom line—awards can be operated, but your quality must at least pass.

The film selection committee of each film festival can at least play a certain filtering role.

This year's Cannes didn't have many upsets. Before the closing ceremony, many people knew that the Palme d'Or had been reserved after watching "The Pianist".

A World War II film, reflecting the cruelty of the Nazis. This is France. Knowing this is enough.

Sure enough, the Palme d'Or was given to "The Pianist" without any surprise.

It's just that many people predicted that the male lead of "The Pianist", Adrien Brody, could win Cannes Best Actor, but he didn't.

Cao Yang also felt it was a pity. The plot of "The Pianist" is actually not very excellent. It can be said that Adrien Brody alone supported the whole story.

!

He truly entered that history, switching freely between elegance and down-and-out, without any discord.

He is a good actor. It is said that for this film, he practiced the piano for several hours every day, and to better fit the refugee image, he also lost 30 kilograms of weight.

After the award ceremony ended, there was a short interview.

Cao Yang's "Secret Sunshine" won Best Director and Best Actress, which can be considered one of the big winners of this film festival.

Routine interviews couldn't ask for any new ideas, such as:

"Cao Dao, attending the Cannes Film Festival for the first time, you won two major awards in one fell swoop. Can you talk about your feelings now?"

Feelings? What feelings can there be? Of course, it's happy.

"Cao Dao, didn't win the Palme d'Or this time, is it a pity?"

Pity my ass, I wasn't aiming for the Palme d'Or, don't talk nonsense.

"Cao Dao, will you come to attend the Cannes Film Festival next year?"

How would I know? It definitely depends on the progress of the film and whether it is suitable for Cannes.

Of course, these psychological activities are just thought about in the heart, and dare not be declared to the public.

After finishing a series of things, when returning to the hotel, it was already past 11:00 PM.

Gao Yuanyuan had hardly eaten anything since lunch, and hadn't drunk much water, because the clothes on her body were not only difficult to wear but also difficult to take off. In order to reduce unnecessary trouble, almost all female stars chose to endure hunger and thirst and not drink water.

So female stars are not easy either. Of course, seeing their income, you will immediately feel that this little difficulty is nothing!

Cao Yang felt a little tired, but Gao Yuanyuan was obviously very excited and insisted on dragging Cao Yang to discuss acting.

There were a few postures that hadn't been discussed usually... it was discussing acting postures, all of which were discussed with Cao Yang once.

When the two were about to reach an agreement in the discussion, Gao Yuanyuan came to a sentence in a daze, "Honey, let's have a daughter, I miss her so much..."

For Cao Yang, it was like a train moving at high speed, with a "click", suddenly an emergency brake, and he almost didn't flash his waist.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 103 =====