Huayu02 started by making films.

He stood up and looked at Han Yi, who also stood up, and the director and actor embraced tightly.

Jiang Wu went on stage to accept the award, leaving François bewildered in his seat.

The award presenter was Jiang Wen himself. He reluctantly handed the trophy to Muzafi and gave him a hug; but when it came to his own brother, he gave him a firm embrace, handed him the trophy, and whispered with a hint of jealousy:

"I should have played Jiang Danggui."

Jiang Wu chuckled sheepishly and whispered, "Then I can't become a Cannes judge either."

After Muzafi finished his speech, Jiang Wu took the microphone and immediately expressed his gratitude:

"First, I want to thank my parents and my brother... second, I want to thank director Han Yi... and finally..."

Listening to these platitudes, Han Yi chuckled inwardly: Jiang Wu, didn't you once write an essay called "My Director Brother"?

Next, there are only three main courses: Best Director, the Jury Prize, and finally, the Palme d'Or.

First to appear was the award presenter, Steven Spielberg. He slowly walked onto the stage as Monica introduced him, and the audience responded with respectful applause.

Director Pi held the card tightly, his voice trembling slightly:

The winner of this year's Cannes Best Director Award is Han Yi, for *The Intouchables*!

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!!!"

"Slap slap slap—!!!"

All eyes were on Han Yi, the director who was only nineteen years old. He was so young, so composed, so compelling, as if he had effortlessly won the honor that others pursued their whole lives.

Within the small circle of the "Untouchables" crew, Zhang Min was the first to jump up, shouting and yelling, excitedly shaking Han Yi's arm.

Han Shanping clapped calmly, thinking to himself: winning Best Actor and Best Director, two million dollars is well worth it.

Shay, with her pregnant belly, offered her congratulations, and Jiang Wu, François, and Robert also gathered around.

Han Yi stood up, hugged everyone, straightened his clothes, and strode to the center of the stage.

He accepted the trophy from Spielberg and began his speech into the microphone:

"At this time last year, I held up my first newcomer award here, overwhelmed with emotions... Today, a year later, I return here with 'The Intouchables'."

Cannes is so kind to me, awarding me the Best Director award; I'm truly at a loss for words. Actually, Cannes is like my second home…

Finally, I would like to thank my parents, the mentors who guided me on my path of growth, the "Cowboy" project, the recognition from Cannes, and my alma mater, the Beijing Film Academy, even though I am currently a banned director.

Han Yi accidentally uttered a slip of the tongue, so he quickly finished and hurriedly left the stage.

Fortunately, it wasn't broadcast live, otherwise the Film Bureau might have given him a hard time later.

After Han Yi stepped down, the awards ceremony continued.

Without saying a word, jury member Karin Via pulled out an envelope: "The Jury Grand Prize is awarded to—Gus, *The Elephant*!"

"Clap clap clap!"

Director Gus grinned and stood up, embracing his team in celebration, unable to contain his excitement.

He would probably be even more agitated if he knew that he had lost both the Best Director and Palme d'Or awards.

Besides, how many shootings are there in the US? We can't make a movie about every shooting and then win awards for it.

Sitting behind Han Yi, Xie Yi whispered, "Look at how cocky he is now. Once he gets back to America, the BBC will be knocking on his door."

"Hehehe..."

After Gus finished his acceptance speech in fluent English and stepped off the stage, the chairman of the jury, Patrice Schauer, slowly walked onto the stage and pulled out an envelope.

The Palme d'Or at the 56th Cannes Film Festival has been awarded to "The Intouchables"! Congratulations!

There was a pause on set, as if everyone was waiting for director Pat to say the next name.

Unfortunately, there were no double-yolk eggs.

"Whoa—"

"Forehead--"

The entire audience gasped.

What a huge upset!

Before the timeline was corrected, this year's Cannes Film Festival saw "Elephant" sweep both the Best Director and Palme d'Or awards; now, "The Intouchables" has taken both.

However, it also broke the unspoken rule of Cannes that a film usually does not win two top-level awards at the same time.

Han Yi was also taken aback. He had been mentally prepared for the Palme d'Or to be a tie, after all, "Farewell My Concubine" was a precedent.

Unexpectedly, Pat's efforts, coupled with Shea's PR and Jiang Wen's final push, caused "Elephant," which was originally expected to win two awards, to only get second place.

I need to thank Pat properly later; I can't let the fans of Little Mustache down.

Han Shanping was the first to stand up. His lean body burst forth with tremendous energy as he hugged Han Yi and jumped around, leaving Zhang Min, who was about to reach out, looking embarrassed.

"Han Yi! I knew you could do it! Now our old Han has won the Palme d'Or too! You're even more of a spendthrift than Zhang Yimou!"

Han Yi gave an awkward smile, unsure how to respond.

Xie Yi also stood up from the back row. Everyone surrounded Han Yi, hugging and jumping around.

After a moment, Han Shanping calmed down and smiled at Han Yi, saying:

"While you're in a good mood, I have some more good news for you: China Film Group has already invested in Brother Kai's film, *The Promise*!"

"What?!?!"

Han Yi was taken aback. His expression at that moment was captured precisely by the camera, but there was no time to talk. He straightened his clothes and walked back towards the stage.

Han Yi received the Palme d'Or trophy and certificate from Old Pat and weighed them in his palm; they were very light.

Eighteen pure gold leaves are encased in glass and crystal, shimmering under the stage lights.

Just as Xiang Yu lifted a tripod with one hand in ancient times, Han Yi lifts a trophy with one hand today.

Pat's eyes were full of satisfaction. Of the six French films nominated this year, the other five were of mediocre quality, only this Sino-French co-production was worth mentioning. As a local filmmaker, if he didn't support his own work, he would likely be criticized behind his back.

Han Yi first embraced Pat tightly, and then the host Monica also stepped forward with a smile, her eyes full of anticipation.

Han Yi hugged her back, then, holding the trophy in one hand and the certificate in the other, he spoke clearly into the microphone, his voice carrying throughout the entire venue:

"This is my second feature film. To be honest, I was very surprised to win the Palme d'Or."

Thank you Cannes, a city with such warmth, and thank you to the Cannes Film Festival.

Thank you to lead actors Jiang Wu and François for their superb performances; you are the best actors.

Thank you to my parents, and thank you to my alma mater, Beijing Film Academy...Department of Literature.

Thank you to my producers: Han Shanping, Shea, and Luc Besson. Thank you to my team: Robert, Zhang Min...

Finally, I would like to thank the Cannes Film Festival once again for its kindness, the jury president Pat, jury members Jiang Wen and Spielberg, and all members for their recognition.

Here, I found the feeling of coming home.

Thanks!"

Pat stood on the left side of the stage, clapping along with Monica, his face glowing.

Zhang Min, sitting in the audience, had tears in her eyes. She remembered that morning last National Day when an eighteen-year-old boy knocked on the door of her beauty salon...

Han Shanping hugged Jiang Wu and laughed heartily, as if he himself were the one speaking on the stage.

After Han Yi finished his acceptance speech, he stepped off the stage, handed the certificate to Han Shanping, and then handed the gleaming Palme d'Or trophy to Zhang Min.

Zhang Min carefully accepted the trophy, imprinted a red lipstick mark on the cup, then took Han Yi's arm and leaned her head on his shoulder.

At this moment, I feel completely at peace.

After the grand prize was awarded, the closing ceremony began with a digitally remastered version of Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times".

After the movie ended and everyone left, it was almost 9 p.m.

Han Yi began to deal with the colleagues who came up to congratulate him: actors, directors, screenwriters, producers, film distributors... Before long, his pockets were stuffed full of business cards.