I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

The awards ceremony continued.

After the Best Actor award, there was the Jury Special Award, which was awarded to Mahamat.

Upon hearing the director's name, Cheng Sheng racked his brains but still couldn't recall any of the director's works.

It seems this director will either leave the entertainment industry or all his works will flop in the future, otherwise he wouldn't be unable to recall any of them.

Cheng Sheng had seen the award-winning film "Dry Season" in theaters before, and it was a very classic drama film.

The film tells the story of ATIM searching for and getting close to Nassara, a war criminal who killed his father, and developing a complex and peculiar relationship with him by becoming his baker apprentice.

Despite his deep hatred for his enemies, Atim seems to find a trace of paternal love in Nassara.

At the same time, Nassara gradually came to regard Atim as a possible adopted son.

"Dry Season" employs a simple storytelling approach, with each segment building upon the previous one, gradually increasing in emotional intensity. Through the hardships of two ordinary people, the film takes the audience into Chad, a country in north-central Africa after the war, and focuses on the injustices of the present and the desperate revenge from a deeper perspective.

After watching the entire film, Cheng Sheng discovered that it touched on a series of complex themes: father-son relationships, redemption, exemption from punishment, injustice, and especially noteworthy—the trauma caused by war.

Although the director's narrative sometimes gives the impression of being 'stuttering', and he sometimes gets lost on unintentional detours, the director's purpose is always very clear, possessing a power that is both calm and turbulent.

The movie tells a good story, but ordinary people would probably find it hard to watch because the director almost never leaves the two main characters in the shot; they are always in the frame, often in close-up shots.

Such films are monotonous; ordinary viewers don't come to watch two people talking to themselves.

Such footage is probably only watchable by highly professional people.

In addition, the characters' actions are sometimes abrupt, driven by hatred and the desire for revenge, and sometimes hesitant, out of fear of making an irreparable mistake.

Such movements are realistic, but there's nothing particularly interesting about them.

Despite its simple approach, this melancholic and painful film stands out for its honesty and the powerful performances of the two actors.

clap clap clap!
Cheng Sheng gave the "Dry Season" crew a warm round of applause, expressing his appreciation for the film.

The next award to be presented was originally the Best Director Award, but this year is different. The organizers have added a New Discovery Award.

However, this award is not the Silver Lion Award, but an independent award.

The award was given to Emmanuel Clares for his novel, *The Golden Gate*.

This Italian director is a regular at the three major European film festivals, especially the Venice Film Festival, where he wins a major award every time he participates.

Cheng Sheng also admires this director. His use of camera language in the film is particularly brilliant. His skillful and subtle camera movements, angles, lighting, and content are always just right, allowing the visual narrative to reach the sensitive depths of the audience's hearts.

Cheng Sheng also learned a lot of knowledge from his movies that he couldn't find in books.

Next up is Best Director, which is also the Silver Lion Award.

In an instant, all the selected directors took a deep breath.

Ning Hao clenched her fists nervously. "Crazy Stone" received two nominations: Best Screenplay and Best Director.

The Best Screenplay award went to Peter Morgan, and if they don't win Best Director, then their trip to Venice will have been fruitless.

"Boss, you'd better give me the award! I really hope that woman will give it to me." Ning Hao prayed silently.

Although betraying Cheng Sheng is shameless, and even if he wins the award, it's not a glorious victory, the Best Director award is really appealing. Even if the methods are dishonest, he still wants to win this award.

"Director Ning, it's okay. Winning an award also depends on luck. Even if you don't win this time, with your ability, you will definitely win next time."

Noticing Ning Hao's nervousness, Wang Zhi, the film's leading actress, whispered something.

Ning Hao forced a smile and said, "Yes! Winning an award also depends on luck."

But he didn't see it that way. What luck!
It's said that having connections in the central government makes things easier.

If I don't win this time, my chances next time will be even slimmer.

"The winner is 'Crazy Stone,' let's congratulate the director!" the presenter shouted excitedly.

Crazy Stone is the English translation of the movie.

Upon hearing this word, Wang Zhi, who was best at English, reacted the fastest and excitedly nudged Ning Hao.

"Director Ning, you've won an award!"

"Congratulations on winning the Best Director award at Venice."

"Director Ning, congratulations, you truly deserve it."

The crew of "Crazy Stone" quickly stood up to congratulate Ning Hao, and Huang Bo was the first to hug her.

"Huh!" Ning Hao stared blankly at everyone, still unable to process what he had just heard: "You really won an award?"

"Yes."

Liu Hua nodded.

"Yes, we did win an award."

Huang Bo patted him on the shoulder and said.

"Haha, that's wonderful!" Ning Hao exclaimed excitedly, her hands clenching and unclenching repeatedly in her excitement.

"Boss, I won a prize."

After a while, Ning Hao, having calmed down, called out to Cheng Sheng, who was sitting in the first two rows.

Although he wrote the script for "Crazy Stone" from the beginning, Cheng Sheng gave him a lot of advice on the script, so it is no exaggeration to say that both of them wrote the script.

Cheng Sheng smiled slightly and made a congratulatory gesture.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean.

Victory Film & Television Company.

Xing Aina was also listening to the Venice Film Festival on the radio.

She wasn't particularly affected when she heard that Zeng Li had won the Best Actress award.

As the company's general manager, she knew the relationship between Zeng Li and Cheng Sheng better than anyone else.

Zeng Li's award was entirely due to her boss's support. It can be said that Cheng Shenghua put a lot of effort into promoting his girlfriend.

Therefore, whether Zeng Li wins an award or not actually has little to do with her.

But Ning Hao is different.

Ning Hao is her husband.

When he won Best Director, Xing Aina was genuinely happy for Ning Hao, even proud.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Xing Aina repeatedly slammed her hand on the table, demonstrating the extent of her emotional turmoil.

"Congratulations, Sister Aina."

Jiangsu Ying said with a smile.

"What are you congratulating me for? I'm not the one who won the award," Xing Aina said calmly.

"Hehe, you and Director Ning are still keeping to yourselves!" Jiangsu Film Studio said with a sly smile.

"Cough cough."

Xing Aina coughed twice, then changed the subject, saying, "By the way, the company is filming a new drama, and there's a supporting actress who would be perfect for you. Would you like to do a cameo role?" (End of Chapter)