The literary era since 1979

"Farewell My Concubine tells the story of love and affection under a culture of confinement through the tragic fate of a famous Peking Opera actor who has seen through the centuries. The film touches on multiple dimensions, including the fate of the times, traditional culture, human nature, and living conditions. It is a magnificent and compassionate song of the century."

Just as Ettore Scola was giving the award speech, Fang Yan and Gong Xing walked onto the stage hand in hand, enjoying the applause and congratulations from the people around them.

"You tell me."

"You are the director, so of course you should come."

The two of them declined, and Fangyan gave the opportunity to become famous to Gong Xing.

Gong Xing tried his best to control the tears in his eyes. Holding the Palme d'Or trophy, he was so excited that he was speechless for a moment.

"I'm sorry everyone, she didn't expect she would win the Palme d'Or."

Fangyan then made a joke, "So I only prepared one acceptance speech."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience burst into laughter, applause, and even whistles to encourage and support Gong Xing.

The atmosphere heated up again and became lively and active with this joke.

Ettore Scola and other jury members were very understanding, after all, "Farewell My Concubine" created a miracle at the Cannes Film Festival.

"Farewell My Concubine" is the first movie to achieve a high score of 3.8 in the program guide!

It is the first film to win the Palme d'Or as a director's debut!
It is also the first Chinese-language film to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival!
Countless "firsts" made all the media present hold up their cameras and video cameras and point them at Gong Xing and Fang Yan.

Among them was Jacqueline Dubois, a female reporter from French TV.

"thanks, thanks."

Gong Xing calmed down his excitement and began to give an impassioned speech.

Zhang Guorong, Jiang Wen, Gong Li and others had different expressions, some were excited, some were proud, some were relieved, and some were happy.

Of course, Chen Kai and Zhang Yimou had more envy on their faces, but their envy was different.

Zhang Yimou's eyes were shining as he fantasized that one day he would be able to make a movie like "Farewell My Concubine", attend the Cannes Film Festival, and win the Palme d'Or. As he was thinking this in his mind, he couldn't help but have an idea.

A great director should be like this!
But Chen Kai was different. He had a strange feeling in his heart, thinking that it would be great if he could be the director of Farewell My Concubine...

He can take his place!
This magnificent and historic Cannes palace carries countless glories and dreams, as well as various ambitions.

…………

The announcement of the Palme d'Or results heralds the end of this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Reporters swarmed into the backstage passage, jockeying for advantageous positions in the interview area, fearing that they would fall behind their competitors.

As soon as Gong Xing, Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, Zhang Guorong and others appeared, they were surrounded by a group of reporters and bombarded with all kinds of questions.

Fangyan was no exception. He answered various questions about "Farewell My Concubine" with a smile until he got tired of being asked.

When it was Claire Dubois's turn, he finally frowned:

"If you're still asking about Farewell My Concubine, I think I've already answered enough questions. Sorry."

"No, I actually want to ask about something else, something about Chinese literature."

Claire Dubois introduced herself as being more of an editor in the literature and art department than an entertainment reporter.

"Please speak." Fang Yan raised his eyebrows.

Clina Dubois said seriously, "You are a famous writer in the Chinese literary world. I wonder if you know about the discussion meeting on 'The Awakening of Chinese Literature' held in Paris not long ago?"

Fangyan shook his head and found out after asking that the discussion meeting would be held in September and that the participants would be literary delegations from both sides.

However, during the happy gathering, some people in the literature delegation had a fierce argument and debate with the people present at the meeting on historical and current issues. Basically, they were reflecting on the fixed rhetoric of the country, how could the people be wronged, I was lost in thought, and I had to ask myself…

"They don't seem to be here to discuss literature, but rather politics."

Claire Dubois said: “I was disappointed with the level and cognition of these writers, so I gave up interviewing them at that time.”

"You did the right thing."

Fangyan smiled.

"It's a pity that their words and actions were still reported by other media, causing a very bad impact on all sides."

Clina Dubois said seriously, "So what I want to ask you is, what do you think of the whole thing?"

"Writers are considered to be intellectuals, and some of them are inevitably childish."

In dialect, he said, "It is very appropriate to describe them in one sentence: 'The reeds on the wall are top-heavy and shallow-rooted; the bamboo shoots in the mountains are sharp-mouthed, thick-skinned and hollow-bellied.' They always think they are well-read, but when you look into it, they are actually empty-headed. They are only half-baked in Chinese culture, Chinese history, world culture, world history, economics, politics, military affairs, philosophy, and economics..."

"For example, after the victory of the American War of Independence, why didn't the country be established immediately? Instead, why did it take seven years to establish a constitution and elect a president?"

“For example, why did the Industrial Revolution first take place in Britain? Apart from Watt and the constitutional monarchy, what other important reasons were there?”

"When you ask them to answer, they usually know nothing because they don't know their country's history and culture deeply enough! Not thoroughly enough! Not comprehensively enough! So their comments will only become a laughing stock for others in the end, that's all."

"So, can you tell me the difference between French literature and Chinese literature?"

Claire Dubois asks a question.

"The biggest difference is that French writers write in French, while Chinese writers write in Chinese."

Dialect is spoken in a joking tone.

"Pfft."

Claire Dubois smiled and said, "If I continue to ask you this question, how will you answer?"

Fang Yan shrugged and said, "Then I can only say that one is French literature and the other is Chinese literature."

"Haha."

Claire Dubois's smile became even brighter, and she did not ask any further questions, but instead turned the conversation to her feelings about French literature and history.

Fangyan narrowed his eyes into slits, thinking that since he had won the Palme d'Or in Cannes, he would not insult France.

And we must also find ways to dilute and resolve the negative impact caused by the "awakening of Chinese literature", so I blurted out:
“Since the 15th century, with the great geographical discoveries, countries around the world have begun to know, understand and compete with each other.”

"In modern times, nine countries have appeared in different periods and have had a significant impact on the world situation. They are: Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Russia and the United States..."

As soon as these words came out, Clina Dubois felt a heavy and majestic sense of history rushing towards her. (End of this chapter)