Chapter 131

The reporters waiting in the press area outside the venue didn't know who shouted, "It's Cao! Chinese director Cao Yang has won the Palme d'Or."

In an instant, the hundreds of reporters waiting there were in an uproar, and voices kept emerging.

"Is it true?"

"It should be. His 'Milk' is also a hot favorite for the Palme d'Or."

"I didn't expect Cannes to still give the award to an American film."

"This film is quite good; it ruthlessly exposes the ugly faces of American politicians. Giving it to such a film isn't considered an upset."

"Is this Cao's second 'Three Gold' major award? I think he won the Venice Golden Lion last year."

"Look, the organizing committee people are here. Let's ask if it's true."

Upon learning that the Palme d'Or had indeed been won by Cao Yang, many reporters began either making phone calls or rushing toward the interview area.

Many reporters had come from the domestic front, including some from official media and special correspondents from the three major web portals.

"I didn't expect this. I interviewed Cao Dao Yang when he won the Golden Lion last year, and now that I've just been stationed in France this year, he's won the Palme d'Or again."

Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Yanghui waited in the interview area and sighed to the reporters beside him.

"You were the one who interviewed Cao Dao when he won the Golden Lion last year? Then you're truly lucky to have caught him winning the Palme d'Or this year too."

"Ha, I guess so. I think so too. The only regret is that this film is an American production; Cao Dao didn't win the Palme d'Or with a Chinese-language film." Xu Yanghui shook his head, feeling slightly regretful.

"That is indeed a flaw in an otherwise perfect thing. By the way, have you seen this film?"

"I have. Just like 'Secret Sunshine', it was rumored to be a sweet romance film, but it ended up making many people cry their eyes out. This biographical film was rumored to be a gay film, but it turned out to be a political satire mocking American politicians."

"Who's to say it isn't? But this film really dares to shoot; it mocks every politician inside, including the American police."

"It's fine. That's no big deal in Hollywood; they even dare to film satires of the President directly... Here they come!"

Following Xu Yanghui's shout, the various winners of the main competition section filed out, accepting brief interviews at different locations.

Several domestic reporters quickly prepared themselves and squeezed toward the place with the most people; Cao Yang was right there.

The three major domestic web portals updated the news of Cao Yang winning the Palme d'Or at the first opportunity.

"Our country's famous director Cao Yang bravely wins the Palme d'Or at the 56th Cannes International Film Festival."

"Cao Dao Yang wins the Palme d'Or at the 56th Cannes Film Festival with 'Milk', becoming the second director from our country to win the Palme d'Or."

"Following his Venice Golden Lion win last year for '3-Iron', Cao Dao Yang wins the Cannes Palme d'Or again with 'Milk'."

"Cao Dao Yang's second Gold: At the 56th Cannes International Film Festival, the highest award, the Palme d'Or, was finally won by Cao Dao Yang. This is the second highest authoritative major award he has received since winning the Golden Lion last year."

Domestic sentiment had been quite stifled during this period, and Cao Yang's winning of the Palme d'Or, although achieved with a foreign film, could still be considered a great joyous event for China.

Consequently, the media tacitly increased their reporting efforts.

People's Daily: At the 56th Cannes International Film Festival that concluded yesterday, our country's famous director Cao Yang won the highest award, the Palme d'Or, in one fell swoop. This is the second time a Chinese person has plucked the laurel since Chen Kaige.

This is not the first time Cao Dao Yang has won an international major award; last year, he won the Venice Golden Lion for '3-Iron'.

Cao Dao Yang once...

People's Daily used half a page to publish this matter and recounted all the achievements Cao Yang has made since his debut. Through this, it reviewed the past, how generations of Chinese filmmakers have worked hard and passed the torch, and looked forward to the future, where Chinese cinema will surely usher in prosperity.

Since People's Daily had personally entered the fray, other official media followed suit. For a time, they all reported on Cao Yang's deeds and achievements.

The fact that these official media outlets entered the fray actually had a benefit: if Cao Yang turned to film commercial movies, what depth could commercial movies have? Under normal circumstances, major film critics and local media would definitely criticize him, but for Cao Yang, local media could basically shut up for two years.

As for film critics, they would also have to weigh things carefully before opening their mouths to criticize.

Just like Old Mouzi's second commercial film, 'House of Flying Daggers', when it was first released, the criticism was overwhelming. Every film critic and local media outlet was basically criticizing it, calling the plot nonsensical and the visuals too exaggerated...

In short, they criticized the film as having no redeeming qualities and criticized Old Mouzi for willingly degenerating.

Old Mouzi was simply criticized miserably during that period.

Beijing Film Academy, early this morning, as usual, banners began to be hung everywhere.

"Warmly congratulate our school's Directing Department student, Cao Dao Yang, for winning the highest award, the Palme d'Or, at the 56th Cannes International Film Festival."

Among them, the two words "student" in the banner were something the school leadership had repeatedly urged must be added.

This time it was the same; they were hung everywhere in the school where they could be, and the school's students could see them at any time on campus.

Huang Lei walked into the office with a smile; the office was also very lively today, all hotly discussing Cao Yang's Palme d'Or.

He joined in very naturally and occasionally chatted with Wang Jinsong, thinking to himself, "Show off, go ahead and show off. This is a Palme d'Or Cao Yang won by filming a movie in Hollywood; it has nothing to do with you, haha..."

Xiao Gangpao asked Xu Fan to bring today's newspaper to see if there was any big news.

Xu Fan glanced at the newspaper and couldn't help but shout: "Oh my, he actually won the Palme d'Or; it's truly remarkable."

Xiao Gangpao didn't pay much attention, feeling that such things were far away from him, but his curiosity was piqued, and he said: "Who? Which country's film won the Palme d'Or this time?"

"An American film."

Xu Fan was still surprised, handed the newspaper to Xiao Gangpao, and sighed incessantly: "I really didn't expect it; he really won the Palme d'Or." "An American film, that's not common."

Xiao Gangpao took the newspaper and said: "Cannes is famous enough as a film festival, but it just compromises with the Americans from time to time... compromises... Holy shit!"

With a swoosh, Xiao Gangpao jumped up from the sofa, as if he still couldn't believe his eyes, and stared hard again to read it one more time.

"I'm fucking..."

"This is impossible!"

"How is this possible?"

"How did it become the Palme d'Or?"

"How could he possibly have won the Palme d'Or?"

Xiao Gangpao waved the newspaper and questioned Xu Fan loudly.

Xu Fan rolled her eyes and pushed Xiao Gangpao: "Are you crazy? Why are you yelling at me? What a character!"

No longer paying attention to the crazed Xiao Gangpao, Xu Fan turned and walked outside.

!

Xu Fan could understand Xiao Gangpao's crazy behavior; she knew Xiao Gangpao had always wanted to be recognized by international major awards, but the few films he sent in never entered the main competition section.

It was probably because he felt it was so easy for others to win awards that his heart became unbalanced.

Xiao Gangpao stared wide-eyed, flipping through the newspaper over and over again. That's right, it was this sharp-tongued kid, this little bastard who won the Palme d'Or.

'Milk', that was the name of the award-winning film.

Xiao Gangpao still remembered that when he attended a meeting before, he had mocked him for being too green, deserving to be played by that Hollywood crowd, deserving to be exposed by the chosen lead actor...

He didn't expect that the script he rewrote and filmed would actually win the Palme d'Or!

Is there no justice?

Why the fuck is it that for others, going to Europe to win awards is as simple as eating and drinking, while he tries his best to get a nomination and can't get it for the life of him!

Casually tearing the newspaper to shreds and throwing it into the trash can, Xiao Gangpao took a deep breath and began to reflect.

Finally, he hesitated and muttered to himself: "Should I fucking go to Beijing Film Academy and get an undergraduate degree too?"

Similar to Xiao Gangpao's situation, the great poet Chen Kaige remained silent for a long time after seeing the content in the newspaper; he didn't react as strongly as Xiao Gangpao.

At least on the surface, that was the case.

"Your little junior brother is truly amazing; I didn't expect him to win the Palme d'Or too." Chen Hong sighed in wonder from the side.

"Hmm."

Chen Kaige closed his eyes, and it took a long time for a single word to pop out of his mouth.

"I remember Cao Yang won the Golden Lion last year; I didn't expect that in just one year, he would win the Palme d'Or. Do you think he'll win the Golden Bear next year?" Chen Hong gently pushed the great poet and asked curiously.

"Hmm."

Chen Kaige still kept his eyes closed, and a single word popped out of his mouth.

"Hey, I'm asking you a question. Do you think your little junior brother has a chance at the 'Three Gold' Grand Slam?" Chen Hong pouted coquettishly and asked, holding the great poet's hand.

The great poet helplessly opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and patted Chen Hong's hand: "I have a bit of a headache; can you let me have some peace and quiet?"

"Hmph, what a character!"

Chen Hong pulled her hand away and walked off, swaying her hips.

"Sigh..."

Chen Kaige sighed, truly feeling a headache coming on for a moment.

On the set of 'Jasmine Women', Liu Ye happily held up the newspaper early in the morning and asked International Zhang: "Ziyi, guess what this is? Haha, you definitely won't be able to guess."

International Zhang's heart skipped a beat. Yesterday was the Cannes awards ceremony; for Liu Ye, this guy, to be so happy, it could only be that Cao Yang had won a major award.

Sometimes she really couldn't understand why Liu Ye, this heartless guy, was so full of praise for Cao Yang. Wasn't it just that he got him a Venice Best Newcomer Silver Lion...

Sigh, a Venice Best Newcomer Silver Lion was still more authoritative than a Hundred Flowers Best Actress. Thinking of this, International Zhang had a headache.

"Did Cao Dao Yang win a major award?"

Liu Ye's smile didn't fade, and he laughed as he said: "Yes, you absolutely won't be able to guess what he won."

International Zhang thought for a moment. This major award must be extraordinary, so she guessed: "Cao Dao didn't win the Cannes Best Director again, did he? He won Cannes Best Director last year."

"Haha, I told you you wouldn't be able to guess. You're thinking too small; your perspective is too small. Guess bigger."

International Zhang's eyes went round all of a sudden. What could be bigger than Best Director? The Jury Prize is actually only a little better than Best Director, and it's very limited. So, what could be bigger than Best Director was already obvious.

"No way? Cao Yang didn't win the Palme d'Or, did he?"

"Haha, that's right!"

International Zhang snatched the newspaper from Liu Ye's hand. The more she read, the more shocked she became, and the more she regretted it.

"I shouldn't have been hesitant and indecisive, and I shouldn't have worried about Liu Ye, this classmate, being by my side, and not... I shouldn't have had these concerns!"

(End of chapter)