Chapter 53: Big awards are hard to win

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

Two people came from Sony Classics. Besides Mikhalkov, there was also Behrman, one of the heads of the marketing department.

At this time, Behrman and Mikhalkov were in a small conference room, discussing Cao Yang's film.

"Director Mikhalkov, if you were a judge in Venice, standing from a fair standpoint, what is your evaluation of Cao's film?"

After Behrman finished speaking, he emphasized again, "Put aside any biased stance. We need an objective judgment as a reference."

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

You should listen to my advice, find an authentic Slavic restaurant, get a bottle of vodka, pair it with red sausage and cold smoked fish, and it's best to have some caviar and pickled cucumbers. It's more interesting to talk about this topic while eating."

"Mr. Mikhalkov..."

"Okay, okay, Mr. Behrman, you really have no sense of humor."

Mikhalkov said in Russian in a low voice, "Annoying German, simply an idiot."

"Mikhalkov, I am proficient in German, Russian, English, Italian, French, and Chinese. I can understand what you are saying," Behrman said expressionlessly in Russian.

"Ha..."

Mikhalkov touched his big nose awkwardly, then laughed to ease the atmosphere, saying: "My dear Behrman, you are really a learned person."

Subsequently, he tried to say two words in broken Chinese with a smile, "Shabi!" (Stupid cunt!)

Seeing Behrman look over in confusion, Mikhalkov quickly said: "Okay, buddy, let's talk about the film."

Mikhalkov knew that although Behrman was excellent, he was not a director after all, so he tried to use words he could understand to evaluate the film.

"Cao's film uses a lot of metaphors, and the male and female leads don't really speak throughout the film, relying entirely on their performances to drive the plot. This is not easy.

But unexpectedly, the acting of the male and female leads is very wonderful. Even without lines, it can make you completely immersed, and you can fluctuate with their emotions."

Pausing for a moment, Mikhalkov said seriously: "If I were a judge, first of all, the director of this film has put a lot of effort into lens language, which is worth affirming. Nominating for Best Director would definitely have no objections.

And the performance of the male and female leads can be described as extremely outstanding. I would nominate them for Best Actor and Best Actress, especially the male lead, whose role runs through the whole film and drives the plot development. Precisely because there are no lines, it highlights the acting foundation even more.

If I were sitting on the judge's seat, I would fight for his Best Actor!"

Behrman fell into deep thought. He really didn't expect Mikhalkov to have such a high evaluation of this film. The opinion of a Venice Golden Lion winner is definitely worth his attention.

"Suppose, I mean suppose, what if some external factors are also taken into account? Of course, I mean, in the case that Sony Classics does not participate." Behrman asked again.

Mikhalkov laughed and pointed upward.

"Behrman, don't underestimate this academy. Their energy in Europe is no less than Sony Classics. Moreover, haven't you noticed that this film is shot from a female standpoint? You should understand what I mean."

Behrman nodded. He had seen some of it before, and of course, he also knew that films from a female standpoint were easier to win awards at the European Big Three.

Mikhalkov sneered, secretly cursing the stupid German, and then said: "Looking at your expression, maybe you only noticed the female standpoint of the film, but you still didn't really understand. Do you know why the male lead became invisible?" Behrman really noticed it. With such a strange plot, it's hard not to notice.

"Is the director using an invisibility that cannot appear in reality to prove that the male lead is actually imagined by the female lead and is not a real person?"

"Haha, I knew it."

Mikhalkov laughed loudly and said in broken Chinese, "Shabi."

"Um? Shaobing (Sesame seed cake)?"

"Ha, this is local slang, meaning to praise you for being smart."

Mikhalkov quickly explained.

"My dear Behrman, what you can think of is only the appearance. You probably don't have deep research on Buddhist culture, and I happen to know a little bit. Many of the male lead's actions, as well as the eyes he draws on his hands, all involve a deity."

Behrman's eyes lit up. This time he was really surprised. Female standpoint, female dignity, domestic violence, resistance, love, religion...

Just based on these, if someone pushes a little behind the scenes, as long as there are no maverick weirdos in the jury, which judge would dare to openly oppose it?

Even if the most common excuse is used—saying the film quality is not good—as long as the eyes are not blind, even if it is against the conscience, it is embarrassing to say that the film quality is not good.

!

An immature idea suddenly popped into Behrman's heart, making his heart beat faster. He endured the excitement and asked Mikhalkov in as calm a tone as possible.

"Director Mikhalkov, you say, with the help of this academy, plus the push behind our company, is it possible, even a little bit, to touch the Golden Lion of Venice?"

If he could win another Golden Lion, it would have extraordinary benefits for the company, for him personally, and of course, most importantly, for him personally.

Mikhalkov was silent. For the Golden Lion, Golden Bear, and Palme d'Or of the European Big Three, the winners, in the case of passing film quality, a large part of the factors considered is no longer whose quality is better, but more external factors.

For example, Mikhalkov's film "Urga," why could it win the Venice Golden Lion in 1991?

The big background was that the Northern Giant Bear was already failing, and the member states declared independence one after another, with the dissolution only one official announcement away.

Against this background, from beginning to end, the audience did not see the traditional horse racing, wrestling, dancing, etc., that they imagined, but was always shrouded in a helpless and desolate atmosphere.

Its implication is self-evident.

Winning a big award for this kind of film was the greatest political correctness of that year.

The elegy of the empire.

In any other year, it might be able to win an award, but the possibility of the highest award would be very low.

"The possibility is a little, but not very big."

Mikhalkov shook his head, and then smiled and said: "Maybe you can also try. Even if you fail in the end, you can show the young director the strength of your company.

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

Thank you brothers for your monthly tickets and recommendation support, and thank you to "Time 1979" and "Arctic No Tears ^yz" for the tips. I originally wanted to post the list of brothers who voted for monthly tickets and recommendations to show my gratitude, but looking at it, good guy, 88 brothers voted for monthly tickets, 768 brothers voted for recommendations. Well, I can only keep the brothers in my heart. Thank you, thank you, I am grateful!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 54 =====