Chapter 53: The Golden Lion is Hard to Get

Why did Cao Yang invite people from Sony Classics and MK2 to watch the film? Both companies must know the score, otherwise Sony Classics wouldn't have invited Mikhalkov.

Two people from Sony Classics came; besides Mikhalkov, there was also one of the heads of the marketing department, Bellman.

At this moment, Bellman and Mikhalkov were in a small conference room, discussing this film by Cao Yang.

"Director Mikhalkov, if you were a judge at Venice, standing from an impartial position, what is your evaluation of this film by Cao?"

After Bellman finished speaking, he emphasized, "Setting aside any biased positions, we need an objective judgment as a reference."

Mikhalkov spread his arms and shrugged his shoulders, saying with the unique humor of a Slav: "My dear Bellman, it's just the two of us here, no need to be so serious."

"You should listen to my suggestion: find an authentic Slavic restaurant, order a bottle of vodka, pair it with some kielbasa and cold smoked fish, and it would be best to have some caviar and pickles; it’s much more interesting to discuss this topic while eating."

"Mr. Mikhalkov..."

"Fine, fine, Mr. Bellman, you really have no sense of humor at all."

Mikhalkov whispered in Russian, "Annoying German, what an idiot."

"Mikhalkov, I am fluent in German, Russian, English, Italian, French, and Chinese; I can understand what you are saying," Bellman said in Russian with a blank expression.

"Ha..."

Mikhalkov touched his large nose in embarrassment, then gave a hollow laugh to ease the atmosphere and said, "My dear Bellman, you really are a learned man."

Afterward, he tried smiling and saying two words in broken Chinese, "Sha bi!"

Seeing Bellman looking over in confusion, Mikhalkov hurriedly said, "Alright buddy, let's talk about the film."

Mikhalkov knew that although Bellman was very capable, he was not a director after all, so he tried his best to use words he could understand to evaluate the film.

"Cao's film uses a large amount of metaphor, and the male and female leads barely speak throughout the entire film; it relies entirely on their performances to drive the plot, which is not easy."

"But what's unexpected is that the acting of both leads is truly brilliant; even without lines, they keep you completely immersed, and you can rise and fall with their emotions."

Pausing for a moment, Mikhalkov said earnestly: "If I were a judge, first of all, the director of this film put a lot of effort into the lens language, which is worth affirming; there would certainly be no objection to nominating him for Best Director."

"Then there is the performance of the male and female leads, which can be described as extremely outstanding. I would nominate them for Best Actor and Actress, especially the male lead; his scenes run through the entire film, driving the plot, and precisely because there are no lines, his acting foundation is highlighted even more."

"If I were sitting on the jury, I would argue strongly for his Best Actor award!"

Bellman fell into deep thought; he really hadn't expected Mikhalkov to have such a high evaluation of this film. The opinion of a Venice Golden Lion winner was certainly worth his attention.

"Suppose, and I mean suppose, we also take some external factors into account? Of course, I mean, assuming Sony Classics doesn't participate," Bellman asked again.

Mikhalkov smiled and pointed upward.

"Bellman, don't underestimate this academy; their influence in Europe is not much worse than Sony Classics. Furthermore, haven't you noticed that this film was shot from a female perspective? You should understand what I mean."

Bellman nodded; he had noticed a bit of that before, and of course, he knew that films with a female perspective were more likely to win awards at the three major European festivals.

Mikhalkov sneered, silently cursing the stupid German, and then said: "Looking at your expression, perhaps you only noticed the film's female perspective, but you still haven't truly understood it. Do you know why the male lead became invisible?" Bellman had indeed noticed; with such a bizarre plot, it was hard not to.

"Is the director using an invisibility that is impossible in reality to prove that the male lead is actually a fantasy of the female lead, and not a real person?"

"Haha, I knew it."

Mikhalkov laughed heartily and said in broken Chinese again, "Sha bi."

"Hm? Shaobing?"

"Ha, that's local slang, it means to praise you for being smart."

Mikhalkov hurriedly explained.

"My dear Bellman, what you can think of is only the surface. You probably haven't delved deep into Buddhist culture, and I happen to know a little bit. Many of the male lead's movements, as well as the eye he draws on his hand, all involve a deity."

Bellman's eyes lit up; this time he was truly surprised—female perspective, women's dignity, domestic violence, resistance, love, religion...

Just based on these, if someone pushed a little from behind, as long as there were no mavericks on the jury, which judge would dare to openly oppose it?

Even with the most common excuse—saying the film's quality wasn't up to par—as long as their eyes weren't blind, even if they went against their conscience, they would be embarrassed to say the quality of this film was poor.

!

A not-so-mature idea suddenly popped into Bellman's mind, making his heart beat faster. He suppressed his excitement and asked Mikhalkov in as calm a tone as possible.

"Director Mikhalkov, do you think that with the help of this academy, plus our company's backing, is it possible, even a little bit, to touch the Venice Golden Lion?"

If he could help win another Golden Lion, it would have extraordinary benefits for the company, and for him personally—though, of course, mainly for him personally.

Mikhalkov fell silent. For the Golden Lion, Golden Bear, and Golden Palm of the three major European festivals, once the film quality is sufficient, a large part of the factors considered is no longer whose quality is better, but more external factors.

For example, why was Mikhalkov's film *Urga* able to win the Venice Golden Lion in 1991?

The backdrop was that the Northern Giant Bear was already failing, various republics were declaring independence one after another, and the dissolution was only waiting for the final official announcement.

Against this background, throughout *Urga*, the audience did not see the traditional horse racing, wrestling, or dancing they might have imagined, but were instead constantly shrouded in a helpless and sorrowful atmosphere.

The implication was self-evident.

Such a film winning a major award was the greatest political correctness of that year.

An elegy for an empire.

In any other year, it might have won an award, but the possibility of the top prize would have been very low.

"There is a possibility, but it's not very high."

Mikhalkov shook his head, then smiled and said: "Perhaps it's worth a try. Even if it fails in the end, it can show that young director the strength of your company."

"Of course, the premise is to see his sincerity first."

Thank you to the brothers for the monthly tickets and recommendation support, and thanks to "Shiguang 1979" and "Beiji Wulei^yz" for the tips. I originally wanted to post the list of brothers who cast monthly tickets and recommendations to show my gratitude, but looking at it, good heavens, 88 brothers cast monthly tickets and 768 brothers cast recommendations. Well, I can only keep the brothers in my heart. Thank you, I bow in gratitude, I am deeply grateful!

(End of chapter)