Chapter 337: Different Choices

Wang Quanan led Yu Nan as they walked outside.

Yu Nan kept her head down, her pace somewhat stiff. Wang Quanan called her name twice before she reacted, offering a stiff smile.

Wang Quanan looked back at Cao Yang, awkwardly rubbing his bald head.

Cao Yang sighed inwardly.

Human nature, at times, truly cannot withstand the test.

He guessed that Wang Quanan would likely still choose to make a run for the Jin Xiong; the Western Film Studio's connections in Berlin were still very extensive—one could even say the Western Film Studio was one of Berlin's direct lineages.

Cao Yang had hoped Wang Quanan would choose the Berlin Silver Bear for Best Actress, but Wang Quanan seemed to have a massive appetite, and perhaps the Western Film Studio behind him was already maneuvering.

Only when seeing hope would a clever person like Wang Quanan hesitate.

For the sake of the Jin Xiong, Wang Quanan would likely abandon the Berlin Best Actress award that was within easy reach.

However, Yu Nan was his girlfriend after all, and she had been with him since before she graduated from university; he would likely take two or three days to slowly persuade her.

Eight years of affection was not just empty talk.

Cao Yang believed that for Wang Quanan's sake, Yu Nan would likely compromise.

With a Jin Xiong, Wang Quanan's status would be different.

Cao Yang was still speculating when the door to the private room was pushed open once more.

"It must be Li Yu."

Cao Yang looked up, but instead of Li Yu, he saw Wang Quanan, who had returned.

This time he was alone; Yu Nan had not followed him in.

Cao Yang was momentarily puzzled. Could it be that Wang Quanan wanted to surprise Yu Nan and had decided to go for the Berlin Best Actress award?

If that were the case, Cao Yang would truly look at him with new respect.

Although this man had done some unpleasant things for the sake of awards, didn't most Fifth and Sixth Generation directors film the domestic "Scar" series for the sake of awards?

Should he try to secure the Jin Xiong for him?

A person who could think of his girlfriend and secretly give her a surprise—even if he had some utilitarian motives, how bad could he be?

"Cao Dao, do you think my chances of winning the Jin Xiong are high?"

Wang Quanan said this, rubbed his bald head, and then followed up with a soft explanation: "You know, the Western Film Studio has some connections in Berlin; it should have some effect."

Cao Yang assumed Wang Quanan just wanted to know if he should make a final "struggle."

He thought for a moment and said, "There are many factors influencing the Jin Xiong; it's hard to be certain until the very last moment."

Cao Yang was not brushing Wang Quanan off. In his previous life, Wang Quanan was able to win the Jin Xiong with this film; this time, with Cao Yang as the Jury President, it seemed even more favorable.

However, Berlin Film Festival President Dieter Kosslick might think that with Cao Yang as Jury President, two other Chinese jurors, and Jia Zhangke invited to be the principal of the "Talent Campus"...

Were there too many Chinese elements at this year's Berlin Film Festival?

If they gave the Jin Xiong to *Tuya's Marriage* as well, wouldn't there be even more Chinese elements?

Was this the Berlin Film Festival, or the Berlin branch of the Chinese Film Festival?

Therefore, Wang Quanan's *Tuya's Marriage* might not necessarily win the Jin Xiong this time.

Cao Yang glanced at Wang Quanan and said nonchalantly:

"However, your advantage is quite significant. Being able to combine a grand background like environmental protection with the film's content shows you have a rather thorough understanding of the Western mindset. For Westerners, this is a very politically correct film."

Wang Quanan rubbed his bald head again, a somewhat smug smile appearing on his face. He didn't catch Cao Yang's subtle sarcasm, thinking instead that Cao Yang was praising his cleverness.

"Cao Dao, what if we add you to the mix?"

Wang Quanan looked at Cao Yang expectantly, then added:

"You are the leader of our Beijing Film Academy faction, the face and the pillar. You are also the Jury President of this festival. If our Beijing Film Academy produces another Jin Xiong film, everyone will surely feel that under your leadership, the academy will only get better and better."

Flattering me?

Cao Yang already sensed that something was wrong. Was Wang Quanan not trying to surprise Yu Nan, but rather fighting for himself?

That was the girlfriend who had been with you since before she graduated from university!

That was eight years of the most beautiful youth!

You couldn't be that heartless, could you? At the very least, you should go back and coax her for two days, letting your girlfriend "willingly" support your run for the Jin Xiong?

Cao Yang decided to try and save the situation; he didn't believe anyone could be that heartless—not even willing to go back and coax her for two days?

"Director Wang, let me tell you the truth: I have an agreement with Berlin Film Festival President Dieter Kosslick. The jury cannot directly decide the Jin Xiong; as for other awards, I... the jury can decide internally."

Cao Yang's meaning was clear: I cannot decide your Jin Xiong, but if you want to surprise your girlfriend, I can decide the recipient of the Berlin Best Actress award.

Hearing Cao Yang's words, Wang Quanan froze, an expression of envy appearing on his face.

Aside from not being able to truly decide the Jin Xiong, all other awards could be decided by themselves!

What immense power!

It was likely only Cao Yang; if it were anyone else, who could obtain such a "privilege"?

Wang Quanan had some understanding of the "Big Three" European festivals. Those who didn't know might think the power to award the main competition section rested entirely with the invited jury.

In fact, that was not the case.

Let alone the highest award like the Jin Xiong, it would be good if the jury could truly decide two or three awards without being influenced by the festival officials.

This was, after all, a game of "slicing the cake."

Wang Quanan knew that Cao Yang possessed immense influence not only domestically but also internationally. He had never had a very accurate concept of this before, but through this incident, he finally saw one aspect of Cao Yang's influence.

"Cao Dao, what if we add you to the mix?"

Wang Quanan asked again.

This time he appeared even more respectful, his attitude couldn't have been better.

"Are you sure you want to... want to make a run for the Jin Xiong?"

Cao Yang sighed. He had been slapped in the face. Eight years of time—was it not worth even one night of consideration?

Wang Quanan nodded, looking at Cao Yang expectantly.

Cao Yang was silent for a long while, then composed his emotions, looked seriously at Wang Quanan, and said, "I will represent the jury and fill in only your name for the Jin Xiong selection."

Wang Quanan was ecstatic for a moment, babbling incoherently: "Thank you, Cao Dao, thank you, Cao Dao. You are the only spiritual leader of the Beijing Film Academy. From now on, I will follow your lead, I..."

Cao Yang waved his hand to interrupt him, reminding him again as he left, "The Jin Xiong has too much uncertainty. Even if I only submit your film, it might not be useful. Don't hold too much hope."

"I know, I know. Regardless of the result, I am especially grateful to you."

Watching Wang Quanan leave, Cao Yang gave a self-deprecating laugh. He hadn't expected there to be such a person.

This was your own choice.

There is a saying that the clever are often victims of their own cleverness. I explained it so clearly, yet you still don't understand.

Fine, if you aren't the person involved, you might truly never understand.

I will represent the jury and write only your name as a candidate for the Jin Xiong. Whether it is for the authority of the Berlin Film Festival or for his own authority, Berlin Film Festival President Dieter Kosslick will absolutely not adopt it.

In other words, whoever I write on the candidate list for the Jin Xiong will have a 100% chance of missing out on the Jin Xiong!

After another while, Li Yu pushed the door open and entered.

Cao Yang didn't waste words with her; he took out four envelopes and signaled for Li Yu to take a look.

These four envelopes were the ones Cao Yang had asked the jury members to give him earlier—the four that actually had the film titles written on them.

Li Yu was a bit puzzled at first, but after she finished reading the four envelopes, she knew what they were.

At this moment, her complexion was very poor; she couldn't control her emotions well.

"Do you know why no one chose your *Lost in Beijing*?"

Cao Yang asked.

Li Yu shook her head, saying somewhat dazed, "I, I don't know."

"You are too greedy."

Cao Yang said, "In a film that is only a little over a hundred minutes long, you wanted to express too much, to the point where you couldn't distinguish between primary and secondary, and instead, none of them met expectations."

"I, I just felt that those things were all elements that could win awards, so I wanted to synthesize them..."

Li Yu muttered to herself in a low voice, her expression very dejected.

Cao Yang was silent for a moment, then said directly, "There is one thing about your film that I particularly dislike, and that is the title."

"The title?"

Li Yu was surprised and puzzled; this was something she hadn't expected.

"*Lost in Beijing*. I don't know if you did it on purpose or if you truly felt the film's content was suitable for this title."

"But after watching the film, I even feel that Wang Xiaoshuai's *Beijing Bicycle* is more suitable for this title than your film."

Cao Yang glanced at Li Yu and continued:

"Let me say something off-topic. Do you know what year next year is? The Beijing Olympics. For the past few years, the country has been trying its best to promote Beijing, yet you came up with *Lost in Beijing*."

Do you know? If it were three or four years earlier, your film having this title might have catered to the West; perhaps just because of this title, it could have won a European award.

But now?

Domestically, a consensus has long been reached with Europe and the US. The West no longer cares about your lukewarm title; instead, it will make the higher-ups... you understand what I mean."

"This is also the reason why, among so many jurors in Berlin, not one was willing to fight for an award for you."

To put it bluntly, this is like being too late to even catch the fresh scraps.

Li Yu looked somewhat decadent, sighed, and said, "I understand, Cao Dao. Thank you for explaining so much to me."

Cao Yang also had a headache. Damn it, of the two Chinese films that entered the main competition, neither was worry-free.

I can't be the Jury President and have both Chinese films walk away with nothing, right?

Cao Yang felt a bit powerless. He held up two fingers and said to Li Yu:

"I'll give you two choices. I can fight for a Jury Prize for you, or a Best Newcomer Actor award. You can go back and consider it, give me an answer as soon as possible, don't drag it out too long."

An expression of surprise appeared on Li Yu's face.

The Jury Prize—not the Grand Jury Prize. Although it is a consolation-type award, it still comes with a Silver Bear.

The Best Newcomer Actor award is also considered a consolation-type award, meant to recognize new actors, and it also comes with a Silver Bear.

Li Yu considered it slightly, then smiled and said:

"Since Cao Dao doesn't like my film's title, I won't take the Jury Prize. Give Jiang Yiyan the Best Newcomer Actress award. Her image and acting are both quite good, and she is also from the Beijing Film Academy. I think highly of her."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 338 =====