Chapter 99: Award Ceremony

The premiere of "Secret Sunshine" was very lively, with many well-known directors and producers attending, most of whom Cao Yang had met during those months in Venice last year.

Jury President David Lynch also came, bringing several jury members.

Michelle Yeoh was among them.

She was very enthusiastic, constantly praising Cao Yang's film, saying she liked "The Isle" very much and hoped to have a chance to collaborate once.

Before taking her seat, she said softly, as if casually: "'Secret Sunshine' is a film with great depth. I especially like it; it's as wonderful as Director Lynch's 'Mulholland Drive' from last year."

Cao Yang's heart stirred, and he smiled and said, "Thank you!"

Then he personally led Michelle Yeoh and the others to their seats.

At last year's Cannes Film Festival, David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive" won Best Director, shared with the Coen brothers' "The Man Who Wasn't There."

Last year's Cannes Best Director was a double-yolk egg.

At the Cannes Film Festival, awarding a double-yolk egg was a common occurrence, nothing strange.

Marin Karmitz, the founder of mk2, also came, bringing three people.

After introductions, the oldest was Luc Godard, a senior member of the Cannes Film Festival organizing committee, who was responsible for matters related to the film festival during its hosting period every year, and was considered one of the people with the most say under the festival president.

The other two were also members of the organizing committee.

Cao Yang shook hands and thanked them. They said themselves that they were attending the premiere in a private capacity and did not represent the official side.

Well, if you say you don't represent them, then you don't. As long as you are happy.

Jia Zhangke brought Zhao Tao to attend the premiere of "Secret Sunshine."

In the gap while sitting in their seats waiting for the film to screen, Zhao Tao watched waves of famous directors or actors from all over the world come to show their support, and said to Jia Zhangke with envy: "This turnout is really big, with the Palais des Festivals, the red carpet, and big stars."

Jia Zhangke was also envious, but he couldn't show it, and said with a faint smile: "Cao Dao is the youngest Golden Lion director, and he has successively produced two Best Actresses. The Cannes officials definitely have to treat him as the most important guest."

This was certain.

Film festivals and famous directors actually achieve success together.

For example, if a very famous director in the world often takes films to the Venice and Berlin film festivals but never comes to Cannes, what would others think?

Is the influence of the Cannes Film Festival failing, or are there too many dark secrets in Cannes?

Even if it doesn't cause substantial influence on the film festival, what about the president of the film festival? Isn't this handing a ready-made handle to competitors?

Zhao Tao's gaze couldn't help but look toward Cao Yang's side. Three major Best Actress awards; this is the dream of how many actresses. For this, she believed most actresses could pay any price.

"Do you think it's possible for Gao Yuanyuan to win Best Actress at Cannes?"

Zhao Tao asked softly, as if sleep-talking.

Jia Zhangke considered for a long time, combining his experience as a director over the years, before slowly shaking his head: "It's difficult. I know Gao Yuanyuan; she is not a professional actress, famous for shooting commercials, her talent is average, and she previously acted in Xiaoshuai's film. Her acting... is hard to describe."

Then he explained to Zhao Tao: "Although everyone says Cao Dao is good at coaching actors, coaching an actor's acting skills can't be done overnight. It's difficult. Cao Dao isn't a god; how could he make someone reborn in such a short time."

Zhao Tao thought about it, and it was the same logic. Unless one is particularly talented, otherwise it can only be left to time, slowly learning, slowly pondering, and slowly honing.

Then she thought of Li Xiaoran and Yu Feihong. Zhao Tao's thoughts wavered. She didn't know Li Xiaoran, but Yu Feihong's acting skills were just so-so, right?

How did it suddenly become so good?

Perhaps it was because she had been a teacher at the Beijing Film Academy, with a solid foundation and accumulated knowledge?

After the film started, Zhao Tao stopped thinking about these things and watched seriously.

At first, she also thought it was a romance film, until the heroine's child was kidnapped and killed.

Zhao Tao began to doubt. Whose romance film is this miserable? Shouldn't the hero show his power, fight wits and courage in an emergency, and save the child?

After the film ended, Zhao Tao no longer had messy thoughts. She now only felt that the heroine was too pitiful. How could fate be so cruel to her?

Especially the crying scene in the church, which made Zhao Tao's eyes red, and the tears just wouldn't stop.

"Cao Dao's heart is too cruel, too cruel to the heroine. Why not give people a little hope..."

Zhao Tao said while wiping her tears.

Who the hell said this was a romance film? Which media is so unreliable!

Jia Zhangke fell into deep thought and remained silent for a long time.

He didn't pay attention to Zhao Tao, but kept questioning himself in his heart.

"Does being a director also require very high talent? Why could Cao Dao coach a person's acting skills to such a level in a short time? Am I... not suitable to be a director?"

When leaving, Jia Zhangke shook Cao Yang's hand and said: "Congratulations, Cao Dao. This is a film with great thought and depth.

Human nature has always been complex. When there is no retreat, some people will go with the flow, some will give up on themselves, and some will rise up to resist... The film is great, and the actress is also great."

Then he added: "It was said before that Cao Dao is good at coaching actors, and this time I believe it. After returning to the country, if there is time, I want to ask you about this issue. I hope Cao Dao will not hesitate to teach me."

"Oh, what are you saying? Let's discuss and learn from each other. Director Jia, let's make progress together."

Zhao Tao watched with a smile on the side. After Jia Zhangke and Cao Yang finished their pleasantries, she said: "Congratulations, Cao Dao. You have made another amazing film. I am very envious of Yuanyuan now." After finishing, she turned and grabbed Gao Yuanyuan's hand, saying: "Yuanyuan, your performance in the film is too amazing. You definitely have hope of competing for Best Actress."

Gao Yuanyuan smiled and replied: "Sister Tao, you are praising me too much. Your acting is much better than mine."

"Oh, Yuanyuan, let's not be polite to each other. Let's get together after returning to the country."

"Okay, it's a deal."

Every year during the Cannes Film Festival, many media outlets frequently mention a term: the daily trade paper.

The official Cannes partner magazine, Screen Daily, invites a group of well-known media outlets and film critics from all over the world during the film festival.

In this official publication of the film festival, there is all the information, behind-the-scenes, reviews, and advertisements about the film festival.

And most importantly, the scoring of the main competition films in the daily trade paper.

On the surface, this thing seems to represent "public opinion" in a sense, but looking at the award results every year, the tastes of film critics and the jury are hard to align.

Actually, the reasons are multifaceted. The easiest reason to understand is that film critics are more easily influenced by certain factors, thus scoring non-objectively, such as the power of money.

!

So, the scoring of the daily trade paper is just for reference; it's not necessary to use it as a wind vane for awards.

The evaluation of "Secret Sunshine" in the daily trade paper was a bit polarized. Some Western film critics didn't quite understand why the heroine still had to negotiate conditions while believing in God?

So some film critics criticized the plot, feeling it was a bit unreasonable. They felt that faith should be pure and cannot have interests involved, but they expressed appreciation for Gao Yuanyuan's performance.

However, there were also Western film critics who felt that this was God's test and trial for shallow believers, and the film was shot very realistically. Didn't Job doubt God back then?

Only those who have firm faith and pass the trials can receive God's blessing and return to God's embrace.

Isn't this film trying to tell the world through the heroine's story that faith must be pious?

I am not, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!

Although Cao Yang repeatedly appealed in the media that his film was not a religious film, but just an exploration and reflection on human nature, it was useless—what does a director know about film? Interpretation still requires film critics. We are the professionals.

Cao Yang could intuitively feel the influence brought by fame. If he were just a small, transparent director, film critics wouldn't have nothing better to do than discuss his film.

On May 26th, the closing red carpet and award ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival were held.

"Secret Sunshine" was notified to stay for the closing ceremony. Jia Zhangke unfortunately didn't receive an invitation.

Cao Yang called him, and he was open-minded, saying that entering the main competition section was a victory, and hoped Cao Yang could bring back a significant award.

After Gao Yuanyuan confirmed this news, her excitement was beyond words. Since language couldn't express it clearly, she took practical action.

She asked Cao Yang for advice on acting, and the discussion was unusually intense, even "slapping" and moving hands, and there were even screams.

Faintly, there were also pleas from Gao Yuanyuan, asking Cao Dao not to discuss so intensely, and that it would be better to discuss slowly and carefully together.

The award procedures for the three major European film festivals are all about the same: first walking the red carpet, signing, reporters taking photos, accepting short interviews, and then finding their seats to wait for the start.

The first awards presented are also for other sections, with the main competition section left for last.

What makes Cannes different from Venice and Berlin is that there is a permanent Best Screenplay award, and they also often award a Jury Prize. This is not the Grand Prix, but an award of a consolatory nature.

But the Best Screenplay award is not of a consolatory nature. As a permanent award, it is one of the important major awards.

Except for the highest award, the Palme d'Or, everything else in Cannes is given a certificate; there is no such thing as a Silver Palm.

After the various non-competition section awards were presented, it was obvious that the atmosphere at the scene was different. The main event was next.

This year, Cannes had a 55th Anniversary Special Award in the main competition section. The award presenter looked down at the stage, and it was estimated that all the directors at the scene were saying in their hearts, please don't let it be me...

Since they were notified to stay, no one wanted to win a consolatory award.

"'Bowling for Columbine', Michael Moore."

As the award presenter read the name, most breathed a sigh of relief, except for Michael Moore.

The same situation applied to the Jury Prize. If they had a choice, no one wanted to win this award.

After the two consolatory awards were presented, the remaining people unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. The remaining awards were all significant; winning any of them was a victory.

"Next should be the Best Actress award."

Wu Qihua looked at Gao Yuanyuan and reminded her softly.

Although he was the male lead, he wasn't the main focus, his screen time was relatively short, and he lacked explosive power. He knew it was difficult for him to win Best Actor.

The easiest award for this film to win was Best Actress.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 100 =====