China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 944 A sudden turn of events
After the opening ceremony, the film festival schedule operated like a finely wound-up instrument, running precisely and at high speed amidst the alternation of sunlight, waves, and spotlights.

Sun Yi no longer needs to simply submit his own work for the competition as before; he only needs to focus on himself and at most pay attention to a few other popular films from the same period.

But this time, as a judge, he wasn't so free.

The organizers required that all shortlisted films be screened with a judge present. Although not all judges were required, it wouldn't look good if only one judge showed up.

Therefore, each shortlisted film screening requires at least two judges to attend.

The seven judges, including Sun Yi, were chosen based on their mood and preferences, which basically achieved full coverage.

The Lumière Hall at the Palais des Festivals, the premiere of "Blue Is the Warmest Color".

In the darkness, the intense emotions and bold performances on the screen captivated every viewer.

Sun Yi sat in the back row of the theater, right next to the main creators. To his left was Steven Spielberg, wearing black-rimmed glasses and looking focused, while to his right was Luc Besson, who was relaxed but had a sharp look in his eyes.

Three directors from different generations and cultural backgrounds are now immersed in the same world of light and shadow.

As the film ended and the lights came on, applause surged like a tidal wave. Spielberg slowly removed his glasses, meticulously wiping the lenses, as if trying to erase the overly intense emotional imprint left by the images. He turned to Sun Yi and remarked with emotion:

"The performances of these two young actors, with their raw and abundant emotional power, reminded me of Ellen Page in 'Juno.' They are truly a force to be reckoned with."

Sun Yi nodded in agreement, admitting that European and American actors, especially young ones, were generally more expressive than their domestic counterparts.

This is related to the overall cultural environment in the West.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Western actors are better than domestic ones; it's just a matter of fact that personal growth and hard work are more crucial.

Take Liu Yifei for example. Her acting skills are a typical example of something that comes from hard work, or to put it more simply, she gained them through experience.

The premise is that there was a director like Sun Yi, who was so good at feeding her, that he literally fed her so much that she became a Venice Film Festival Best Actress.

Liu Yifei didn't attend today's screening, and Sun Yi, as a judge, needs to avoid any appearance of impropriety at the film festival. But after all, they are all Chinese, and the proper etiquette should still be observed.

Therefore, the value of "wife politics" was demonstrated at this moment.

Tonight is also the screening ceremony for Johnnie To's film "Blind Detective". The young couple, one on each side, form an all-American duo, which can be said to represent their family.

In addition to the intensive film screening schedule, every three to four days, the seven judges would gather together under Spielberg's organization for closed-door screenings and discussions of the shortlisted films.

Typically at meetings, Spielberg merely offers preliminary remarks, never making subjective comments, effectively playing the role of arbitrator.

Luc Besson has a distinct personality and is never shy about expressing his opinions; he either likes what he likes or dislikes what he dislikes. He also sticks to his own views and never panders to the opinions of other judges.

Sun Yi even felt that this guy was quite to his liking, like a genuine and kind-hearted older brother from Northeast China.

Nicole Kidman, a top beauty in the industry, was extremely professional. She only commented on the actors' performances and rarely commented on the film as a whole. Moreover, her attitude showed that she was in the same camp as Spielberg, and she always appeared relaxed.

Lynn Ramsay has a fiery temper and is extremely self-centered in her choices. Sun Yi believes that if she really encounters a film she likes, she might still try to protect it even if the jury chairman Spielberg doesn't like it.

Naomi Kawase, also from Asia, is one of only two Asian faces on this year's jury. She was very polite to Sun Yi and unequivocally supported local films, perhaps even praising "A Touch of Sin" in an attempt to win him over. Finally, Christian Mungiu and Christophe Waltz, both from Europe, represent the quintessential local force at Cannes, emphasizing realism, focusing on ordinary people, and prioritizing the emotional flow of the films and performances.

Sun Yi mostly acts as a calm listener and observer, occasionally speaking up but always hitting the nail on the head. He combines the creative perspective of a director with the understanding of different cultures as a Chinese filmmaker, and his views are often unique and constructive.

Sometimes, amidst the heated debates among the other judges, he can step outside the box and offer his evaluation from a completely new perspective, finding the most effective way to express himself.

After a while, Sun Yi's standing in the judges' eyes rose sharply.

This can be seen from the fact that Spielberg habitually asked Sun Yi for his opinion before making his concluding remarks at the two most recent discussions.

As time went by, all the films nominated for the main competition section had been screened, and the media and film fans gradually became clear about the most anticipated films of this year's competition.

"Blue Is the Warmest Color," a film about teenage love, instantly garnered acclaim and won over a large number of moviegoers and media with its extreme realism, bold performances, and emotional power.

French film magazine Cahiers du Cinéma gave "Blue Is the Warmest Color" a perfect score, making the film an instant favorite for the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, and Adele's name also topped various prediction lists.

There's no way around it; this kind of pure, innocent love between young girls is exactly what these Europeans love. It's practically tailor-made for the awards.

Following that was the Coen brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis," a film that captivated many moviegoers with its exquisitely crafted nostalgic atmosphere and unique dark humor, and was also highly anticipated to win awards.

In comparison, while the other nominated films also received varying degrees of attention, none of them could compare to these two.

For example, Nebraska, Like Father, Like Son, and A Touch of Sin.

Domestic film fans certainly pay attention to local films, but although A Touch of Sin has gained some recognition and respect, its narrative, which is rooted in the specific social realities of China, has created a certain gap in understanding for many European audiences and critics. It is as if the heavy story, which took place in the far East and has nothing to do with them, has failed to evoke the widest empathy.

The reviews were polarized, with some praising its courage and its power to critique reality, while others criticized its loose narrative, overly cold style, and even "cruelty."

The latest rankings, which combine ratings from major media outlets and odds from betting companies, no longer feature Chinese films in the top three.

The situation has taken a turn for the worse!

On major domestic film forums and social media, movie fans who were basking in the glory of the red carpet just a few days ago suddenly felt their spirits plummet.

"Ah, it still doesn't work?"

"A Touch of Sin is too 'hard'; foreigners may not understand it or like this kind of style."

"Since Director Sun Yi won the Palme d'Or that year, we've gone several years without a single player winning. Last year, we didn't even have a single player nominated."

"Oh no, I'm going to be a runner-up again this year?"

"Can Director Sun turn the tide as a judge?"

"That's hard to say. Sun Yi isn't the chairman of the judging panel; he only has one vote and can't decide anything."

Anxiety, disappointment, and resentment began to spread, even mixed with a hint of doubt about whether Sun Yi could perform well as a judge.

(End of this chapter)