1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

The night deepened amidst the bustling activity of the Loess Plateau and the clamor of Yanjing City!

However, the ripples caused by this night belonging to Cheng Xuemin and "Redemption" have only just begun to spread!
The next day, early morning!
As the first rays of sunlight pierce the thin mist and illuminate the wide Chang'an Avenue in Yanjing, the crisp shouts of the postman echo through the streets and alleys.

"Look at the newspaper! The People's Daily has it on the front page! 'The Redemption' wins the Palme d'Or at Cannes, generating $50 million in foreign exchange! A historic breakthrough!"

"Read the newspaper! Chinese films are making waves overseas! Young director Cheng Xuemin has brought glory to the country!"

"Breaking News! Front Page of the People's Daily!"

The fresh scent of ink mingled with the cool morning air, quickly spreading throughout the air.

Commuters in a hurry stopped in their tracks, an elderly man taking a stroll adjusted his reading glasses, and customers at the roadside breakfast stalls turned their heads to look.

The People's Daily, featuring a prominent front-page headline and a large photo of Cheng Xuemin on the Cannes podium, was quickly snapped up.

Front-page headline, full-width title, and photo report!
This is no longer just a cultural honor, but a landmark event recognized at the national level.

The article, written with great passion, details how "Redemption" won the Cannes Film Festival award.

The article highlights its artistic value in showcasing the indomitable spirit and human brilliance of the Chinese people, as well as its economic and diplomatic significance in successfully penetrating the mainstream international market and achieving remarkable foreign exchange earnings!
The article repeatedly mentions terms such as pioneer of reform and opening up, pioneer of foreign exchange earnings, and role model of youth.

The achievements of Cheng Xuemin and the film "Redemption" are closely embedded in the strategic narrative of the country's reform and opening up and the promotion of culture abroad.

This high-level affirmation is like throwing a boulder into the nationwide discussion that was sparked by last night's news broadcast, creating waves that instantly swept across the country.

From government offices to factory workshops, from school classrooms to street corners, Cheng Xuemin, "Redemption," the Palme d'Or, and fifty million US dollars have become the most popular terms.

Envy, admiration, pride, curiosity, and even a hint of bitterness and scrutiny—various emotions ferment and intertwine in every corner of society!
At this moment, Cheng Xuemin, who was at the center of this storm, had no time to appreciate the overwhelming glory and attention that was coming his way.

He was sitting in a car heading to China Film Group Corporation, his brows slightly furrowed, flipping through a copy of today's freshly printed People's Daily.

The street scene outside the car window rushed past, and sunlight streamed through the glass, casting interplay of light and shadow on his calm profile.

Liu Xiaoli, the secretary in the front passenger seat, would occasionally peek at Cheng Xuemin's expression through the rearview mirror.

She noticed that Teacher Cheng's face didn't show much joy; instead, it was shrouded in a faint, almost somber, contemplation.

This created a subtle contrast with the jubilant atmosphere inside the factory and outside!

"Brother Cheng, with today's newspaper article, you're now a household name." The driver was bald-headed Ji Chunhua!

Although Xiao Ji hasn't taken a driving test yet, he can already drive the car like a rocket!
In those days, the requirements for driver's licenses were not very high, so Cheng Xuemin recruited him as a conscript.

When we have time later, we'll arrange for him to take the exam!
At that moment, Ji Chunhua was driving with one hand on the wheel while laughing, "I just bought a newspaper, and wow, there was such a long line! Everyone's eager to read your news!"

Cheng Xuemin looked up from the newspaper and pointed at the kid, saying, "Drive properly, and don't do it with one hand!"

"Uh! I'm already a pretty good driver, okay!" Ji Chunhua muttered, but still obediently gripped the steering wheel with both hands.

Cheng Xuemin smiled, his gaze returning to the eye-catching headline and his own name on the front page of the newspaper, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on his knee.

Is it a household name?

This means that the attention focused on him will be more intense and complex than ever before!

Behind every honor lies a more rigorous scrutiny and the quiet emergence of certain emotions!
Today's screening was organized by China Film Group Corporation, inviting experts and leaders from the film industry, art criticism circles, and relevant ministries to watch and discuss "Redemption" internally!
It's called a seminar!

In reality...

Cheng Xuemin knew in his heart that this was both a procedure and a hurdle!
While the film has indeed received the highest international honors, it has yet to undergo the most rigorous scrutiny from its own people in China.

Especially after it has borne such great honor and expectations, some details that might have been overlooked may be magnified;

Some differing artistic views may escalate into issues of principle.

The tallest tree in the forest will surely be felled by the wind!
This old saying is sometimes especially true in the arts and culture world, under certain specific circumstances!
He could almost foresee that today's screening would not be filled with peaceful congratulations.

Those scrutinizing, critical, and even fault-finding impulses hidden beneath the applause may be quietly released under the guise of academic discussion and artistic debate.

The car came to a smooth stop in front of the China Film Group building!
Cheng Xuemin put away the newspaper and straightened his Zhongshan suit.

As soon as you step into the building, a subtle atmosphere hits you!

The China Film Group staff he encountered in the corridor all stared at him.

There was curiosity, admiration, and a hint of scrutiny in his gaze.

The greeting was exceptionally warm, but Cheng Xuemin could sense a distance behind that warmth!

"Professor Cheng, you've arrived! This way, please. The screening will be held in screening room number three!"

A deputy director of China Film Group's office personally came out to greet us, all smiles and with a respectful attitude, but his eyes were darting around!

"Thank you!" Cheng Xuemin nodded, his expression unchanged.

A crowd had already gathered at the entrance of screening room number three.

Most of them were middle-aged or elderly men with gray hair or balding, wearing dark Zhongshan suits or Lenin suits, with briefcases or notebooks under their arms, chatting in twos and threes.

They are the experts, scholars, senior film critics, and leaders from relevant organizations who were invited today.

The air was filled with the scents of tobacco, old books, and a peculiar auditorium smell.

Cheng Xuemin's appearance brought a brief moment of silence to the doorway.

All eyes instantly focused on them, like searchlights.

Those gazes were complex and difficult to decipher:

There was appreciation, scrutiny, curiosity, indifference, and also undisguised inquiry, and even...

A faint, suppressed sour feeling.

"The students are here!"

"Comrade Xuemin, congratulations!"

"Winning glory for the country is truly remarkable!"

After a brief silence, greetings rang out!

Several kind-looking senior figures stepped forward to shake hands, their smiles sincere, genuinely happy that the film industry had produced such a talent.

But most people just stood there, wearing a perfunctory smile, nodding in greeting, their eyes lingering on Cheng Xuemin.

"Thank you, teachers, senior leaders!" Cheng Xuemin bowed slightly, his attitude humble, and greeted everyone one by one, neither servile nor arrogant.

He could sense several particularly sharp gazes, scrutinizing him, lingering on him for an unusually long time. These were from several veteran commentators known in the industry for their unique insights, incisive remarks, and even their tendency to take things too seriously.

One of them, surnamed Zheng, had his hair neatly combed and wore gold-rimmed glasses.

He was whispering something to someone next to him, and when his gaze swept over Cheng Xuemin, the corner of his mouth seemed to turn down slightly.

The other one, surnamed Hu, was thin with piercing eyes. He habitually raised his chin slightly when looking at people, exuding an academic sense of superiority.

He walked straight over and extended his hand: "Comrade Cheng Xuemin, congratulations on your international achievements!"

"However, art knows no borders, but artists have a homeland. It's a good thing for a film to win awards, but it also needs to withstand the scrutiny of its comrades and the people in the country."

"We must learn a lot from today's film screening!"

He emphasized the word "study" in particular.

Cheng Xuemin grasped his hand and felt that it was dry and strong, with a certain force in his grip!

"Mr. Hu is right! Movies are made for the people, and ultimately they must be judged by domestic audiences."

Today is a good day to ask all the teachers and senior colleagues for their valuable feedback to help us improve.

His answer was impeccable, and his smile was gentle.

Old Hu seemed slightly surprised by Cheng Xuemin's humble attitude. He gave him a deep look, let go of his hand, said nothing more, and turned to walk to his seat.

Guided by staff, Cheng Xuemin walked to the reserved seat in the front row.

A few seats away to his side sat the head of the working group.

He attended today as an observer and did not sit in the main seat, appearing very low-key.

But Cheng Xuemin could sense that the other person's gaze seemed to sweep over him unintentionally.

The lights in the screening room dimmed, leaving only a faint green glow from the emergency exit.

The screen lights up, revealing the familiar dragon logo, followed by the logos of Yanjing Film Studio and Oriental Film Studio.

The movie "Redemption" has started showing!
Although Cheng Xuemin knew every shot and every line of the movie by heart.

Although he had seen it countless times, at this moment, in such a special environment, watching it with such a special group of viewers, he still found it difficult to remain completely calm.

He could hear the occasional whispers around him, and feel the gazes projected on the screen, yet also seemingly penetrating it, falling on his back.

The film opens in silence and oppression...

With a runtime of over two hours, it's not short for an art film.

The screening room was quiet for most of the time, with only the sound of the film itself echoing.

But Cheng Xuemin's senses were exceptionally sharp; he could detect those subtle reactions.

The film slowly came to a close in its final long take, and the lights in the theater came back on, somewhat glaringly.

A brief silence!
Immediately, applause erupted!
It started off a bit sparse, but quickly became enthusiastic!
The leaders in the front row led the applause, their faces beaming with smiles.

Most of the experts and scholars also joined in the applause, whether out of genuine feeling or out of politeness.

The applause lasted for about a minute before gradually subsiding.
The host, a deputy general manager of China Film Group, walked to the small podium at the front of the stage with a broad smile: "Thank you for your presence, leaders, experts and teachers!"

"Just now, we watched together the film 'Redemption,' directed by Comrade Cheng Xuemin, which just won the Palme d'Or, the highest award at the Cannes International Film Festival in France."

The achievements of this film are evident to all; it is a source of pride for Chinese cinema!

He paused, then changed the subject, his tone becoming earnest:

"Of course, an excellent work also needs our industry peers and experts to offer valuable opinions and suggestions from a professional perspective, so as to help us better summarize our experience and further improve the level of Chinese film creation."

"Now, we will move on to the discussion session. All experts and teachers are welcome to speak freely. Comrade Xuemin, as well as the film's creators, are also present; please feel free to exchange ideas!"

The atmosphere subtly shifted as the host finished speaking.

The lingering warmth of the applause that had just been somewhat enthusiastic quickly cooled, and a subtle silence, carrying a sense of scrutiny and anticipation of confrontation, permeated the screening room.

Cheng Xuemin sat upright in his seat, his gaze calmly fixed ahead, waiting.

The first speaker was a respected, elderly director with gray hair.

He affirmed the film's artistic achievements and humanistic value, believing that the film's award was well-deserved, and also expressed his expectations for the future of Chinese cinema.

The speech was pertinent and encouraging, and Cheng Xuemin nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

The experts who spoke next were largely the same, mainly offering praise and occasionally mentioning some lukewarm hopes.

The atmosphere seemed harmonious!
However, when the commentator surnamed Zheng, who wore gold-rimmed glasses, was called upon to speak, the temperature in the air seemed to drop a few degrees.

Commentator Zheng cleared his throat, adjusted his glasses, and scanned the entire room before finally fixing his gaze on Cheng Xuemin. He then slowly began to speak:
"First of all, I would like to congratulate Comrade Cheng Xuemin and the crew of 'Redemption' for bringing glory and recognition to Chinese filmmakers on the world stage. This is beyond doubt!"

“But!” He abruptly changed the subject, his voice rising slightly, carrying the undeniable sharpness characteristic of academic discussion, “However, shouldn’t we also consider whether there are any debatable aspects to the film’s ideological content? For example…”

He spoke eloquently, quoting extensively from classical texts.

Cheng Xuemin listened quietly, his face expressionless, only his hands resting on his knees flicking slightly at the knuckles!

He could feel the gazes directed at him from the sides and behind him becoming more complex.

Some nodded, their expressions showing deep agreement; some frowned, seemingly disagreeing; and many more remained expressionless, observing the situation calmly.

After commentator Zheng finished speaking, he slightly raised his head, awaiting a response.

Immediately afterwards, the scholar surnamed Hu also took over the conversation.

His perspective was more 'academic,' but his criticism was equally sharp.

Finally, he concluded: "Winning an international award is certainly a good thing."

"But we must also be wary of a tendency to create for the sake of winning awards and to cater to the tastes of international film festivals, thus deviating from our fundamental direction of serving the people through literature and art."

Comrade Cheng Xuemin is still very young, and has a long road ahead of him; therefore, he needs to be even more careful in determining the direction of his creative work.

Their remarks were like two pebbles thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

……

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