2001 Media Godfather

Chapter 78 Broad-mindedness
Some honors are simply there, waiting to be climbed.

Once someone reaches the top, the mystery is gone.

This is the reason why they achieved a grand slam at the three major European film festivals.

Even in 2025, in another timeline, only two white actresses achieved the grand slam of the three major European film festivals.

They are Julian Moore and Juliette Binoche.

And without exception, all of these events occurred after 2010, a period of Hollywood's greatest glory and the complete decline of European cinema.

In contrast, around 2002, although the European film and even the global art film market had begun to shrink and was no longer what it used to be, the pride of old Europe remained.

Cannes, Berlin, and Venice remain the world's most prestigious film awards, second only to the Golden Globes and the Oscars.

They would not allow the existence of a woman who unified the three great continents of Europe.

Chu An had asked for the list of Best Actress winners from all over the years in this timeline to see if anyone had unlocked this achievement. The answer was the same as he expected: not a single one!

Moreover, there are only two people who have achieved the feat of winning two titles so far.

One is Su Manqing, a Berlin Film Festival Best Actress and a Venice Film Festival Best Actress. While she lacks a Cannes Best Actress award, she did serve as president of the Cannes jury once, which is some consolation.

Another notable figure is French actress Isabelle Huppert, a Cannes and Venice Film Festival Best Actress winner, though she lacks the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress award, she did receive two Special Jury Prizes. This is certainly a consolation.

It's easy to see from this that the three major European film festivals in both eras follow similar patterns, and they won't easily allow any actress to achieve a grand slam.

I would rather have other honors instead.

Moreover, don't assume that the obstacles are just the judges' interference.

In fact, even without the aforementioned "unspoken rules," there are still technical obstacles.

First, the three major European awards have completely different biases in their judging criteria.

Cannes favors auteurism, meaning it appreciates the originality and expressiveness of the stories themselves.

Berlin is politically minded, with a tendency towards political themes and social critique.

Venice is a haven for experimental films, where new technologies and ideas are highly sought after.

And an actor.
Even with exceptional acting skills.

But to have one or two roles that fit perfectly in one's lifetime and deliver an award-winning performance is already very fortunate, let alone a work that wins the favor of all three major film festivals.

Secondly!
Winning Best Actress isn't just about having a good performance, nor is it about being able to act well in any type of film. Filmmaking is a collective art.

If any one of the script, director, or creative team falls short, no matter how well an individual performs, it won't be a good movie.

If it can't even get into the competition sections of the three major film festivals, how can it possibly win any awards?

Therefore, Su Manqing still needs to find a good director and a good script of sufficient caliber.

On the other hand, Su Manqing has already achieved the feat of winning two titles. Has she never thought about winning another one at Cannes?

Of course I've thought about it, but it's too difficult, and I haven't had the chance.

It might be easier for her to break into Hollywood than to actually do that.

Therefore, in conclusion, Chu An proposed an impossible task in order to complete one task.

Unless she can produce an impeccable masterpiece right now, so good that Cannes would be embarrassed not to award it, then there is hope! Note! It's hope, not 100%.

Looking at Chu An sprawled on the sofa, Su Manqing felt a little absurd: "Teacher Chu, I kind of regret coming to see you!"

Chu An smiled dismissively, "You're regretting it a little too soon."

Looking at the ceiling, I know what you're thinking. Do you think getting into Hollywood is easier than winning Cannes?

Su Manqing did not answer, which was obviously an admission. Chu An continued, "Then you are wrong."

Su Manqing protested, "What's wrong with that?"

Chu An, "You were wrong." Suddenly looking at Su Manqing, a smile crept onto his lips, "You underestimated me!"

Meeting Su Manqing's puzzled gaze, he said, "I told you before, it's easy for you to act in Hollywood. I don't need a 200 million fee. Just because of Sister Meng's reputation, I can do it for you without taking any money. At least for the next ten years, you can easily get a few minor roles in Hollywood."

Su Manqing, “.”

Chu An: "Don't believe me? Let me tell you why. China has just entered the WTO, the opening of the film market is just around the corner, and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Culture are also working hard to promote the reform of the cinema chain."

"It is foreseeable that the domestic film market will gradually prosper in the future."

"This is a film market with 13 billion people! It's also the only uncharted territory that Hollywood hasn't yet conquered. To benefit from this market, they will increase the frequency of appearances by domestic actors."

"As one of the most famous actresses in the country, as long as you are willing to lower your standards, you will definitely have roles to play."

To be honest, Su Manqing was stunned.

I never imagined that Chu An could have such strategic vision.

He asked tentatively, "I suddenly feel that you don't seem to want me to work in Hollywood with this kind of identity."

Chu An smiled and said, "I don't want any domestic actor to have to live a humble life in Hollywood with such a status."

Su Manqing, “.”

Chu An said, "I'm not some pushover with excessive sympathy. On the contrary, I'm quite extreme in this regard."

"I just think that once our film market opens up, Hollywood blockbusters will definitely come in, and Western ideas and culture will also flood in. Under the impact of cultural hegemony, there should be some of our own people and our own voices in it."

Su Manqing suddenly felt that Chu An's demeanor had changed. It was profound, more profound than many middle-aged male actors. "You mean, spreading our culture and ideas?"

"No, no, no!" Chu An quickly shook his head in denial. He leaned back relaxedly. "Don't misunderstand, I don't want you to go to Hollywood and shout to everyone you meet, 'Look at me, look at me,' and then preach about how great our 5,000 years of culture is."

Chu An gestured wildly, making Su Manqing giggle. "So what are you going to do?"

Chu An pursed his lips, gestured, then silently withdrew his hand. After a long while, he said, "You don't need to do anything, right? Just stand there and let the West see the confidence of our people, and see that our filmmakers are no less than anyone else."

"It also lets our audience see that Hollywood is nothing special, and our goddess Su can easily conquer it, right?"

Smiling at Su Manqing, he said, "I think that's enough!"

"The world has misunderstood us too much. We need some people to stand there, just to make those who slander us slap themselves in the face."

There was silence.

Su Manqing suddenly realized that she was insignificant in front of Chu An.

It might sound a bit sentimental, but in my nearly thirty years of life, I've never had such a broad mind, nor have I ever thought about things from such a high perspective.

At this moment, she was leaning at the other end of the sofa, forming a symmetrical and harmonious picture with Chu An.

The morning sunlight slanted in, illuminating her profile, making Su Manqing feel a little dazed. Suddenly, she leaned forward closer to Chu An and asked, "Has anyone ever said you're very charming?"

"Hey!" Chu An replied smugly, "That's what everyone says, I'm used to it."

"Get lost!" Su Manqing laughed, her cheeks slightly flushed, and changed the subject, saying, "So, you're not asking me to get rid of being a niche character actor, nor just to enter the mainstream creative circle, and it's not just about gaining a foothold."

His breathing became rapid. "I have to make a name for myself!"

Su Manqing was initially unsure, but then she saw Chu An nod with a smile, "Wrong!! You're not just buying these services from me for two million!"

"At least let you gain a foothold and strive to make a name for yourself. The best outcome would be to become a Hollywood superstar!"

Su Manqing, “.”

"Hollywood superstar? That's something I never even thought about, it's so far away."

Chu An said optimistically, "It's not impossible. How will we know if we don't try?"

For a time traveler, achieving something that no one in either timeline could do is the dopamine-stimulating stimulant.

Chu An never wanted to repeat his past success; he enjoyed challenges and realizing his self-worth in the unknown.

Ok!

Only at this moment did Su Manqing completely trust Chu An, and inexplicably believe that this young man could keep his word.

Why, she didn't know either.

"So, let's talk about your plan. What do you need me to do?"

Hearing Su Manqing say this, Chu An perked up.

"First, you need to contact a domestic interviewee and ensure that the report is reprinted by European media."

Su Manqing hesitated for a moment, "An interview is not a problem. Several magazines and TV stations have been asking me to come, and I'm about to decline."

Chu An said, "Then don't refuse, accept all comers."

Su Manqing said, “But it will be difficult to get it reprinted by European media.” She shrugged apologetically, “You know, although I have some fame in Europe, I don’t have many connections, especially in the media.”

That's true. Europe, as the global hub of art-house films and the birthplace of the three major film festivals, makes the Best Actress award highly prestigious. But as for connections, forget about it; she's not good at socializing.

Chu An smiled and said, "That's not difficult. As long as the content of the interview is something they are interested in, the media will definitely reprint it."

Su Manqing subconsciously realized that what Chu An said was probably not something she liked.

And as expected.

Chu An, "I just told reporters that I turned down a Hollywood blockbuster, a big production!! Because your next goal is only one thing—to win the Cannes Best Actress award."

Su Manqing, “.”

I thought to myself, "Just as I expected."

My cheeks are getting hot again. Isn't this way too blatant? Are they openly saying they want to win Cannes? If they fail, it will be so embarrassing.

"Does it have to be said like this? It's too ostentatious."

As a result, Chu An didn't give him any face at all, saying, "You've come this far, why are you still being so reserved?"

Explain to her why you should do this: "In the eyes of European media and audiences, they don't care that you're going to win the Cannes Best Actress award, they care that you're giving up Hollywood! Do you understand?"

This touches on the global cinematic landscape.

For a considerable period of time, Hollywood's business model and Europe's dominant artistic pursuits were at odds, even developing into a debate over the two major directions of film art.

In fact, domestic films have been engaged in a long-term psychological struggle between pursuing art (learning from Europe) and making a living (learning from Hong Kong and Hollywood).

As the bastion of upholding the artistic integrity of cinema, European filmmakers and media professionals naturally harbor resentment towards Hollywood.

Now, the Eastern Best Actress they selected has publicly stated that she is giving up Hollywood and embracing Cannes. What exciting news this is!

Don't doubt it, people all over the world are the same; who doesn't enjoy entertaining themselves?
.

(End of this chapter)