Chapter 257: Attribution of the Golden Lion

It wasn't until the moment he took the Silver Lion from the award-presenting guest that Ang Lee felt he seemed to have "come alive," so his award speech seemed a bit revealing of his true feelings.

"I want to thank Annie Proulx for writing such a moving and great love. Shooting this film was a great experience for each of us, and I am very happy that it was welcomed here and achieved success.

For well-known reasons, I encountered some difficulties, so it was difficult to raise enough funding support, so I had to shoot the whole process in Canada, especially thanks to the Canadian government's policy support.

I am a person with single ability, unlike our Chinese pride Cao Dao Yang, who is a magical director, can write, can direct, can win awards, can lift people, and has super box office. This is the ability that makes me particularly envious."

The director's camera gave Cao Yang in real time.

Cao Yang was a little strange for a while. He didn't know him very well, and didn't know what he meant by "cueing" himself.

However, facing the director's camera, Cao Yang certainly smiled and cooperated.

"Congratulations to Cao Dao Yang, who once again let the film's female lead win the Venice Best Actress award. This is a very remarkable achievement.

However, I am not bad either, Venice Best Director, sounds very good."

The audience gave face and burst into a burst of laughter, and then began to applaud.

"I have always believed that the Venice Film Festival is the film festival that can best accommodate unique styles. I never thought I would participate in the Venice Film Festival before, and I cannot express how proud I am to be able to participate in the Venice Film Festival.

This is the most correct choice in my life, thank you Venice Film Festival."

Cao Yang can understand Ang Lee's mood a little. The failure of *Hulk* must have hit Ang Lee's self-confidence hard, and at the same time, it made him face the predicament of having no plays to film in Hollywood.

Even after returning to art films, he didn't get enough funding support and could only go to Canada, which has much lower labor costs and tax rebate policies, to shoot American films.

It is estimated that after he finished shooting the film, he was also in a state of anxiety. After all, if this somewhat clever art film failed again, his Hollywood road would be almost over.

Now, he has received the affirmation of Venice and won Best Director.

Even if Hollywood mainstream doesn't take the three major European film festivals too seriously, in the independent film circle and art film circle of the US, the three major European film festivals are still relatively recognized.

More importantly, with the Venice award, the film's production company, Focus Features, can also increase confidence to rush a wave of Oscars.

For Ang Lee, this is the biggest opportunity.

So, this Venice Best Director came too timely.

However, I can understand you, but you can't borrow my name to raise your status! We are not good friends, and we are not familiar to that extent.

Next, the Jury Grand Prize was awarded. This award was given to *Mary* directed by Abel Ferrara. It is worth mentioning that this is another Hollywood film.

It seems that Old Ma really compromised with Hollywood this time.

Seven fixed major awards, currently the Jury Grand Prize, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, all four major awards were given to Hollywood films.

This is unimaginable in the Venice Film Festival in the past.

Most of the time, no matter what slogan the Venice Film Festival shouts, it will occasionally give Hollywood films an award, give them some sweetness, and hook them.

It reached the point where Hollywood knew what kind of character Venice had, and those big names simply stopped coming.

After the Jury Grand Prize was awarded, almost everyone thought only the final Golden Lion remained, and it seemed the Golden Lion had lost its suspense.

Dong Xuan, Lv Yi, and Huang Xiaoming all thought the same.

One of this year's biggest favorites, "Gabrielle," hadn't received anything yet; everyone was clear on this point.

And now that only the final Golden Lion remained to be awarded, wouldn't that belong to "Gabrielle"?

The reason everyone thought this way was simple: before the Venice awards ceremony, almost everyone believed "Gabrielle" would definitely win an award.

It wasn't that Venice wouldn't treat the great French art-house director Patrice Chéreau with cold indifference despite his fruitful results in Cannes and Berlin; the important reason was that "Gabrielle" had been shut out by the Cannes Film Festival this year.

Venice, the City of Water, with its long history but relatively sluggish commercial operations, had always been at odds with the fiery personality of the Palme d'Or.

Last year's Venice Golden Lion winner, "Vera Drake," had once been "politely declined entry" by Cannes.

Pushing further back, Zhang Yimou's "Not One Less" had also withdrawn from Cannes and then won the Golden Lion in Venice.

In terms of slapping the Cannes Film Festival in the face, Venice had always been very proactive, and it was a repeat offender.

This was also the reason why that special guest film critic from China had sworn that "Gabrielle" would be able to win the Golden Lion.

Han Zong sat not far from Cao Yang, and the sense of disappointment on his face was obvious.

What others could think of, he could certainly think of too.

Could it be that this trip to Venice was for nothing?

Han Zong really didn't want to return empty-handed, and he couldn't help but pray silently in his heart: double yolk, double yolk, double yolk...

It was night now, and Dong Xuan was in her pure and naive personality, but very rarely, she took the initiative to grab Cao Yang's hand, saying nothing, just looking at the stage with a serious expression.

Cao Yang glanced at Dong Xuan's profile; if her ears weren't slightly red, he would have thought she had recovered.

Is this comforting me?

Cao Yang didn't believe Old Ma would mess up; even if an accident occurred, he would have definitely notified him long ago. The current situation made Cao Yang somewhat suspicious: could it be that Venice was doing a double yolk again this year?

The award presenter took the stage, glanced at the audience, and said: "The award I am about to present is a bit special, so it is called the Special Golden Lion Award."

During the pause by the presenter, everyone thought he was joking and cooperated by laughing.

The presenter, however, did not laugh, and continued:

"She is the Best Actress of the 31st and 54th Cannes Film Festivals, she is the winner of the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at the 52nd Berlin Film Festival, and she is also the Best Actress of the 45th and 52nd Venice Film Festivals..."

Immediately, Old Tian's temper flared; I'm the head of the Directing Department now, who dares to hit the back of my head?

Consequently, Old Tian glared at the person who had attacked him.

"What are you glaring at? Not convinced? I'm asking you a question, and you haven't made a sound for a long time. Have your wings hardened just because you're the head of this lousy department, and you won't even answer me?"

After Old Situ finished speaking, he slapped Old Tian on the head again.

In any other setting, Old Situ certainly wouldn't have used his hands; Old Tian was already of a certain age and was a department head, so he would definitely have given Old Tian some face.

However, here, except for a few foreigners, everyone knew each other well, and if he hit his unruly disciple, they would only gloat.

As for the few foreigners, they were all revolving around his beloved little disciple, and no one would notice this.

This flashy maneuver was truly unparalleled.

!

Next, the presenter who took the stage was Hayao Miyazaki from Japan.

Together with Italian actress Stefania Sandrelli, he had received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival just a few days ago.

At the same time, Cao Yang felt his hand being gripped much tighter. Was Dong Xuan nervous?

Cao Yang gently patted Dong Xuan's hand, signaling her not to be nervous.

Dong Xuan stared at the stage, her expression unreadable, but she did not loosen her grip on Cao Yang's hand.

Hayao Miyazaki didn't waste words and said directly: "The organizing committee has decided that I should reveal the recipient of tonight's Golden Lion Award. I am very honored. So, the winner of the Best Film at the 62nd Venice International Film Festival is..."

He looked at the audience, and finally, Hayao Miyazaki's gaze fixed in Cao Yang's direction, and he said with a smile: "Cao Yang, 'Black Swan'!"

The scene was silent for a moment, then erupted into exceptionally enthusiastic applause. Starting from the front row, many guests stood up unconsciously, clapping while facing Cao Yang's direction.

More and more people stood up.

"Congratulations, you've won the Golden Lion once again!"

Dong Xuan also stood up and hugged Cao Yang, her face full of excitement, seemingly more moved than when she won Best Actress.

"Cao Dao, congratulations," said Huang Xiaoming.

"Congratulations to Cao Dao for winning the top prize," Lv Yi also followed up.

"Junior brother, congratulations on your second win."

Han Zong hugged Cao Yang sideways and patted Cao Yang on the back.

He was grinning from ear to ear; the transition from the disappointment of a moment ago to the surprise now felt like a roller coaster—the highs and lows were too stimulating.

"Senior brother, congratulations on winning the Golden Lion."

Cao Yang also joked, then said: "Let's go, senior brother, let's go on stage to accept the award."

Han Zong was beaming with joy, his face wrinkled with smiles, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart again: recognizing this junior brother was truly worth it!

Cao Yang, my forever good junior brother, from now on, he is my own brother!

Whoever the hell dares to prick Cao Yang, they are the hell going against me!

After Cao Yang took the stage, he first shook hands with Hayao Miyazaki. Hayao Miyazaki said: "Cao Dao Yang, congratulations. You are the pride of Asia. I hope we have the chance to discuss film together."

"Thank you, you are also the pride of Asia."

Cao Yang replied with a smile.

Hayao Miyazaki himself had publicly criticized Japan's militaristic history many times, advocating that Japan should face its war crimes in the invasion of China and apologize.

This attitude sparked dissatisfaction among the Japanese right-wing, leading to him being labeled a "traitor" and "anti-Japanese element" by some in Japan.

A very anti-war director.

Cao Yang handed the Golden Lion in his hand to Han Zong, letting him hold it so that Han Zong could get more exposure and more photos holding the Golden Lion.

It was fine for Han Zong to go on stage to accept the award, but the acceptance speech was not his turn.

"Thanks to all the crew members. Your efforts were not in vain; we have won the highest honor in Venice."

Cao Yang pointed to Han Zong and said: "This is the producer of 'Black Swan,' Han Zong. Without him, there would be no such film."

He lifted Han Zong up slightly, causing Han Zong to excitedly wave the Golden Lion in his hand.

The audience began to applaud. When the applause stopped, Cao Yang continued:

"Thanks to the film festival, thanks to China Film Group, thanks to the Youth Film Studio, and thanks to my alma mater, the Beijing Film Academy. Special thanks to my teacher, Mr. Situ, and thanks to my parents.

Director Ang Lee said he envied me, but the Best Director he won is not bad either. Director Ang Lee, now that I have a Golden Lion, compared to Best Director, I think the Golden Lion is also quite alright."

Clatter, clatter, clatter—the applause rang out again.

Ang Lee looked at Cao Yang with complex emotions, only able to maintain a smile on the surface. He had originally wanted to raise his own status, but he didn't expect to be suppressed again so quickly.

(End of chapter)