Chapter 400: Night Raid

The Grand Slam of Best Director at the three major European film festivals is certainly not as prestigious as the Grand Slam of the three major festivals themselves—that is, the Golden Bear, Golden Lion, and Palme d'Or.

However, while three people have achieved the Grand Slam of the three major festivals to date, no one in the world has yet achieved the Grand Slam of Best Director.

The Grand Slam of Best Director at the three major European film festivals is a rare achievement.

In later generations, only one person would complete this feat: director Paul Thomas Anderson.

He accomplished this milestone after winning Best Director at the Venice Film Festival in 2012.

Interestingly, however, his Best Director award at the Berlin Film Festival was won in this very year, and even more interestingly, Paul Thomas Anderson was sitting in the audience at this moment.

The film he directed, *There Will Be Blood*, won tonight's Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution, specifically for its music.

This Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution is considered a technical award and has become one of the permanent awards of the Berlin Film Festival.

It is used to recognize creators who have made outstanding contributions in artistic fields such as cinematography, editing, music, and costume design; each time it is presented, the specific aspect for which the film won is highlighted.

For instance, *There Will Be Blood* won this award specifically for its music.

If Cao Yang had not appeared, *There Will Be Blood* would have brought Paul Thomas Anderson the Silver Bear for Best Director tonight, but as it stands now, that is impossible.

Since the Berlin Film Festival chairman, Dieter Kosslick, chose such a grand presentation—even placing the Best Director award after the Golden Bear—he certainly could not, under such fanfare, allow the first director in history to win the Grand Slam of Best Director at the three major European festivals to share the Best Director award with someone else.

That would not be a "coronation," but a deliberate insult.

Dieter Kosslick would never do something that would so obviously offend people.

Since he chose to facilitate this achievement rather than giving the Jury Grand Prix, which is slightly heavier than Best Director, he certainly had to make the event as perfect as possible.

"...I think everyone has already guessed who I am talking about?"

Dieter Kosslick looked at the audience with a smile.

"Who is it?"

Da Mimi whispered to Da Tiantian: "Do you know who it is? A director who has won Best Director at all three major European film festivals—this director is truly amazing. If only I had the chance to act in one of his films."

One cannot blame Da Mimi for her ignorance.

For example, if you were to ask an average minor actor which awards Old Mou has won at the three major European festivals.

It is likely that few could name them all; some might know he won the Berlin Golden Bear and the Venice Golden Lion, but not many would know what other awards he has received.

Just like Da Mimi, if asked what major awards Cao Dao has won, she might know he has received the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director, as well as the Venice Golden Lion and the Cannes Palme d'Or.

Of course, as an ambitious actress, she would certainly know by heart which Best Actors and Best Actresses Cao Yang has cultivated.

But as for which awards Cao Dao has won at the three major European festivals besides the Palme d'Or and the Golden Bear, Da Mimi was unclear.

Regarding Da Mimi's question, for Da Tiantian, who has frequently frequented the "Cao Yang Bar" over the past six months, she was the right person to ask.

However, Da Tiantian was a bit annoyed that Da Mimi actually didn't know Cao Dao's "great achievements," so she simply replied, "Guess?"

Guess my foot.

Da Mimi rolled her eyes secretly; if I knew, would I need to ask you?

Then, she heard the Berlin Film Festival chairman, Dieter Kosslick, heap praise upon the director who was about to win, making it sound as if the other party were the best director on the entire planet.

But thinking about it, being able to win the Grand Slam of Best Director at the three major European festivals is indeed very impressive.

Thinking of how Cao Dao has two Venice Golden Lions and one Cannes Palme d'Or, she wondered who was more impressive when compared to this Grand Slam director.

Da Mimi was a bit conflicted; although Cao Dao has three top awards, this director about to win the Best Director Grand Slam is the first in history to receive this honor—this is a person who can go down in film history.

As long as it is the first, whether it is the first person or the first time, there is always some special sentimental bonus.

Then, Da Mimi heard the words "Cao Yang."

She blinked, looked up in confusion, and was immediately startled.

She saw the entire audience stand up and begin to applaud; Da Tiantian beside her had already stood up, clapping while looking at Cao Dao, her big eyes seemingly able to speak, filled with obvious admiration.

No matter how slow Da Mimi was, she realized what had happened.

Cao Dao!

That person is Cao Dao!

The first person in history to win Best Director at all three major European film festivals is actually Cao Dao!

The first person in history!

Even if it isn't the Grand Slam of the three major festivals themselves, being the first person in history is extremely prestigious, okay!

Little stars began to appear in Da Mimi's eyes as she looked at Cao Yang.

She couldn't help but think that she seemed to have blabbered in her heart that if Da Tiantian could win the Best Newcomer award, she would go knock on Cao Dao's door tonight.

Da Mimi clapped while letting her mind wander; she couldn't go back on her word.

Cao Yang rose from his seat and walked all the way to the stage, the guests' applause never ceasing.

Dieter Kosslick took the initiative to hug Cao Yang and whispered:

"Congratulations, you are now the first person in history to achieve the Best Director Grand Slam, and with your Hollywood Golden Globe for Best Director and Oscar for Best Director, I believe that tomorrow... no, tonight, you will become the most watched person in the entire world."

Dieter Kosslick paused and added: "Cao, we are friends, the best of friends. I wonder if you are satisfied with the gift I gave you tonight?"

Cao Yang smiled, took the Silver Lion for Best Director from Dieter Kosslick's hand, and said with a smile: "Dieter, you know, what I care about most is still the Grand Slam of the three major festivals."

Afterward, he looked at Dieter Kosslick and said softly: "However, winning the Best Director Grand Slam first is also fine. I see your sincerity, Dieter, and I believe our friendship will continue."

"I am very happy to receive this award. For me, being able to express my thoughts in the form of light and shadow is already enough to make me happy; being able to receive everyone's recognition makes me even happier."

Cao Yang shook the Silver Lion in his hand and said into the microphone with a smile: "As for winning the Grand Slam of Best Director at the three major European film festivals, that is a question I never thought about, but being able to become the first person in history, I am still very happy."

"Thank you to the Berlin Film Festival, thank you to Mr. Dieter, and thank you to all the members of the jury."

"Finally, thank you to all the members of the crew, thank you to my alma mater, the Beijing Film Academy, thank you to my teacher, Mr. Situ, and thank you to my parents."

Cao Yang raised his head and said with a smile: "Additionally, this year is an Olympic year, and everyone knows that this year's Olympics will be held in my motherland. If you have time to come to Jingcheng, I will host a banquet for you in Jingcheng. Thank you."

"Clap, clap, clap..."

The applause rang out enthusiastically once again.

The guests stood up once more, watching Cao Yang walk back to his seat.

Actually, sometimes awards and fame have a certain relationship.

The significance of Cao Yang winning the Best Director Grand Slam is absolutely different from Paul Thomas Anderson winning the Best Director Grand Slam.

For example, when Paul Thomas Anderson later received this honor, there was no such grand spectacle as Cao Yang's, nor did the film festival chairman personally step down to present the Best Director award last.

Placing the Best Director award after the Golden Bear signifies that tonight's Best Director award is more important than the Golden Bear.

This counts as the Berlin Film Festival personally endorsing the Best Director Grand Slam; it is also a form of full support and recognition, which invisibly raises the prestige of this honor to a new level.

No matter how you look at it, the biggest winner tonight was not *Elite Squad* and its director José Padilha, who won the Golden Bear; the limelight of the Golden Bear was completely overshadowed by Cao Yang.

With this, the 58th Berlin Film Festival officially came to an end.

But the related news was spreading rapidly.