The literary era since 1979

When he learned that Xie Jin was a judge at the Venice Film Festival, even Fang Yan, who was used to such scenes, was shocked.

But when he heard that it was Marco Muller who took the initiative to recommend Xie Jin to be a judge, Fangyan came to his senses and smiled playfully.

"Do not misunderstand."

Marco Mueller explained that although he had some selfish motives in doing so, it was mainly out of public interest, because in addition to "In the Mood for Love" being shortlisted for the main competition unit of this Venice Film Festival, there is also a Taiwanese film called "A City of Sadness" that also has the potential to compete for the final award.

Therefore, we need a director who understands both movies and Chinese history and culture to take on this important task and help other judges on the jury to not only judge the movies from aesthetic and technical perspectives such as composition and photography, but also to understand the stories and connotations contained in the two Chinese movies.

"You guys have thought it through very carefully."

The dialect was quite admiring.

Gong Xing was curious whether Xie Jin had already arrived at the Venice Lido Hotel like them.

Fang Yan added, "Before my wife became a director, she was an actress at the Shanghai Film Studio. She can be considered Director Xie's junior and colleague."

Marco Muller was surprised and delighted. He didn't expect that there was such a relationship between Gong Xing and Xie Jin.

Maybe he could rely on his relationship with Xie Jin to secretly bring Gong Xing, a Cannes native, to the Venice Film Festival camp.

When he thought of this, his smile became brighter. "That's really a pity. Director Xie may not be able to arrive at the hotel until tomorrow."

Gong Xing said with some regret: "Is that so..."

"How about this, when Director Xie comes tomorrow, I'll take you to meet him, and we can also meet the other judges at the same time."

Marco Muller's face is full of enthusiasm.

Good guy!
Fangyan was originally thinking about how to do public relations for "In the Mood for Love", but now it's good that the organizer personally took him to build relationships.

Even though it sounded like cheating, how could he miss such a rare opportunity, so he readily agreed.

The three of them chatted for a while before Fangyan separated from Marco Mueller and walked straight towards the restaurant area of ​​the hotel.

I saw Zhang Guorong, Zhu Lin, Wang Jiawei and others had already ordered their meals and were chatting and laughing.

As soon as Gong Xing sat down, he excitedly recounted in detail what he had just talked about with Marco Mueller.

For example, "In the Mood for Love" will be screened as the opening film of the Venice Film Festival, just like "Farewell My Concubine" was treated in Cannes!
Everyone was stunned at first, but soon fell into joy. The regret of missing the Cannes Film Festival disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"In the Mood for Love" participated in the Venice Film Festival, and it seems like it was the right choice to participate!
They have the right time, place and people!
Zhang Guorong still looked incredulous and patted his face lightly:
"This, this, we can encounter this, aren't we too lucky?"

"Yes."

Gong Xing also had to sigh that there had never been such a wonderful start.

Fang Yan looked at Zhu Lu on the left and Zhang Guorong on the right, and couldn't help but teasing:
"So have you decided whether you want to win the Best Actor or Best Actress award, or do you want the movie to win the Golden Lion?"

"emmm..."

This problem made Zhang Guorong feel conflicted.

One is a film award, the other is a personal award. The former is the Golden Lion, which is definitely more important than the latter, the Silver Lion.

If he had not starred in the film, he would have chosen the Golden Lion, allowing Chinese films to win the first Venice Film Festival award in history.

But to say no to the Best Actor award would be hypocritical, especially since he has already been nominated for Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival, the Golden Globe Awards and the Oscars for Farewell My Concubine. If he really wins the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival, I'm afraid there will be no one in the entire Hong Kong film industry who can achieve a greater achievement than him.

As for wanting both, that's wishful thinking.

At the European Film Festival, whether it's Cannes or Venice, they only give one dollar per film, and they won't give more than one dollar. "I'll just forget it."

Zhu Lin was considerate and took the initiative to give in, using his resources on public relations and promotion for the Golden Lion Award and Best Actor.

"How about this, let's try PR for all three of them. Who can guarantee whether they can win the prize?"

Gong Xing thought that even if he couldn't help Zhu Lin win the title at the Venice Film Festival, he should at least compete for the Best New Actor Award.

"Then do as you say!"

Fang Yan gave Zhu Lin a gentle look mixed with a bit of encouragement.

………………

The next day, more and more people checked into the Venice Lido Hotel, including the judges of the Venice Film Festival.

Led by Marco Mueller, Fang Yan and his group met the judges one by one, especially Xie Jin, with whom they had a deep friendship.

"Iwako! Xiaoxiang!"

Xie Jin was not surprised by Marco Muller's arrival, but he did not expect Fang Yan, Gong Xing and others to show up together.

"Xie Director, we met again so soon after we parted in Shanghai."

Fang Yan gave him a tight hug, and then introduced Zhang Guorong, Wang Jiawei and others to him.

"Haha, that's right!"

Xie Jin asked everyone to sit down. "When I heard you say that your and Xiaoxiang's movie was going to the Venice Film Festival, I thought it was a pity that I couldn't see your movie first. I didn't expect that there would be a silver lining. This time, it's all thanks to Marco. If it weren't for his recommendation, I'm afraid I wouldn't have the opportunity to participate in an international event like the Venice Film Festival."

"Thank you, Mr. Xie, don't say that."

Marco Mueller always treated Xie Jin as a disciple. "With your reputation in Chinese and even world cinema, you were originally on the list of judges for the Venice Film Festival, so we are very grateful that you are willing to accept the invitation of the judges."

"We have to accept it! How can we not accept it for the movies of Yanzi, Xiaoxiang and others?"

Xie Jin looked at Zhu Lin, Zhang Guorong and others with a smile.

"Marco, I have something to ask you."

Fangyan was eager to know whether the Venice Film Festival allowed a film to win multiple awards.

"Of course it is possible in theory, but it is very difficult."

Marco Mueller said that the Venice Film Festival jury is composed of nine members, and all of them must approve unanimously to award the Golden Lion Award. In addition, if a film wants to win additional awards such as Best Actor or Best Actress after winning the Golden Lion Award, it needs to conquer all members of the jury.

Zhang Guorong, Zhu Lin, and Gong Xing's eyes all lit up, and a strange desire arose in their hearts.

Xie Jin looked at Fangyan meaningfully, but the topic was not "In the Mood for Love", but "A City of Sadness".

"The reason why I agreed to be a judge so readily is, firstly, for your film, and secondly, for this film from Taiwan."

"Director Xie knows Hou Hsiao-hsien, who directed this film?"

Gong Xing was very surprised.

"I don't know him, but after all, he is participating in the competition under the name of China Treasure Island."

Xie Jin said: "When the movie is released, we must go and show our support, and treat it as a film exchange between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait." (End of this chapter)