Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Chapter 54 Award Ceremony! Award Ceremony! (Please subscribe!)

"It's said that 'Buried Alive' is a hit!"

"Many film companies are paying attention to us and want to discuss prices with us!"

Paul was thrilled. He knew all too well the cost of "Buried"—just over a million dollars.

The total price quoted by film distributors from various countries has now exceeded $500 million.

This is pure profit, $500 million that doesn't need to be shared with theaters!

"What's the rush?" Zhao Yanxi said with a faint smile, "Let's talk about it after the awards ceremony."

"Even if I don't win the award, could it get any lower than it is now?"

"Haha, that seems so!"

Paul slapped his forehead: "Then I'll keep at it with them!"

"Um."

Zhao Yanxi wasn't worried about these film companies objecting. Films in the main competition section had always been the objects of observation and gambles for major film companies.

Movies are not ordinary commodities; they won't become cheaper just because they didn't win an award.

The price will only increase because they won an award and have the added prestige of it!

As for some films, in order to compete for the Golden Bear, they choose to sell their rights to powerful multinational film companies in advance. These powerful film companies then use their influence to influence the judging panel and increase their chances of winning the award.

Such things can't be said to be nonexistent, after all, "human relationships" are the underlying code of human society.

As long as there are three or more people, there will be "personal relationships" that can be used for public relations.

The fairness and impartiality of the three major European awards are only relative to the Oscars and the three major domestic awards.

But Zhao Yanxi knew that multinational film companies wouldn't go to great lengths to lobby the jury for a film like "Buried Alive".

I wasn't that lucky, and the other party wasn't that blind either. I wasn't aiming for the Golden Bear when I made "Buried." At best, I'd get the Jury Prize or Best Director.

As for Best Actor, that's something Ryan Reynolds should consider.

With the release of "Buried", the film has become more widely known in China.

"Holy crap, they really lie in a coffin for fifteen days? The actors would go crazy!"

"Only fifteen days...it can't be that bad, can it?"

"You wouldn't believe it if you've never lain in a coffin! I felt like I was going crazy after lying in a haunted house for half a day."

"I have to say, Director Zhao really knows how to have fun!"

Qingcui Garden in the capital.

Liu Yifei smiled broadly as she looked at the latest news online.

"Mom, I feel like Yanxi is really going to bring home an award this time!"

"You really dare to dream."

Liu Xiaoli rolled her eyes, straightened her clothes, and said, "The three major European awards aren't easy to win. Out of so many directors in China, how many have actually won them?"

"There are so many directors in China, but very few of their films have grossed over 100 million yuan!" Liu Yifei argued. "Anyway, I think Yan Xi has a very good chance."

"It shouldn't be dark there yet, right? I'll give him a call."

"That heartless brat, he doesn't even know how to help his old lady tidy up..." Liu Xiaoli muttered to herself.

"She only has men in her heart!"

After the premiere of "Buried Alive", Zhao Yanxi was not idle.

He also received invitations from the other twenty-odd films that were shortlisted for the main competition.

In addition to other films by renowned directors, he will be attending nearly thirty to forty film premieres from the 9th to the 18th, averaging two to three per day.

Although attending the premiere was tiring for Zhao Yanxi, he enjoyed it immensely.

Many of these films were ones he had seen in his previous life, but in his previous life he had never actually directed a film crew as a director.

Now, watching the film as a true director means not only appreciating its plot and themes, but also putting yourself in the director's shoes—how would you make this film if you were the director?

Reading break rolls, getting a God.

Practice in your mind a few times, and it will be easier when you actually do it.

After all, the film he was about to direct, "Painted Skin," was not a small production like "You Are the Apple of My Eye" or "Shutter," but a large-scale fantasy production with a crew of several hundred people!

Besides self-learning, attending these premieres has another important purpose: networking.

Those who made it into the main competition are all well-known figures.

Big-name directors, big names, international superstars...

When they have their own movies that need to be promoted at film festivals in the future, these people will be the source of the premiere's buzz!

The Berlin organizing committee did indeed give Chen Kaige, the Palme d'Or winner, face by hosting the premiere of "The Promise" at the main venue.

Unfortunately, only Zhang Dongjian from the main cast attended; even Chen Hong, who is usually inseparable from him, was absent.

Zhao Yanxi didn't go either.

After "The Promise" was returned by The Weinstein Company and then bought by Warner Bros. Independent Films, the film was edited again, resulting in a 19-minute shorter version than the one available in China.

The Berlin Film Festival was designed to address this weakness, and changes were made to the opening and closing credits, as well as many parts that were considered "laughable" by domestic audiences.

For example, Wu Huan gives a thumbs up, and says, "I am moved."

The original version was already a torment to watch, let alone make Zhao Yanxi watch the flawed version again... Even if he wanted to support Chinese-language films, he just didn't have the patience for it!

Two days before the closing ceremony, Zhao Yanxi started paying attention to her phone.

As is customary, films that are eligible for awards will be invited separately to attend the awards ceremony.

This is already an open secret; that phone call informing you that you've won a prize is commonly known as a "hidden rule call."

And so we waited until the morning of the 19th, the day of the closing ceremony.

Early in the morning, Paul, Ryan Reynolds, and Yang Siwei arrived at Zhao Yanxi's suite, waiting for the phone call.

Zhao Yanxi was also a little uneasy. She had already made a boast, and she had said it again on the phone a few days ago, that she would bring back a bear for Xiao Liu as a gift.

Don't go home empty-handed...

"Buzz...buzz..."

The phone vibrated, and everyone's nerves instantly tensed up.

Zhao Yanxi was somewhat disappointed when she discovered that the phone wasn't hers.

The next moment, Paul answered the phone: "Feed..."

"Yes...okay...okay, okay!"

"Haha, Yan, the organizing committee has notified us that you must be there when they invite you to the awards ceremony!"

Paul's words instantly transported the people in the room from hell to heaven.

"Alright everyone, get ready for the closing ceremony this afternoon!"

There's not much to say about the red carpet event at the closing ceremony; Zhao Yanxi led Ryan Reynolds into the main venue.

Inside the venue, he also met several other formidable opponents.

For example, there's "Gbavecha," which won the Golden Bear in a previous life, as well as "Soap," "Offside," and so on.

"Zhao, I look forward to your visit to Cannes. It's a paradise for art films!" a French filmmaker warmly invited.

"Thank you, I will!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries with them, Zhao Yanxi took her seat in the spot designated for "Buried Alive".

The awards ceremony officially began, and the huge auditorium was packed to capacity.

Teddy Award, Crystal Bear Award, International Film Critics Award...

The most tense and exciting part is always the final main competition section. The Hong Kong film "Isabella" won the Best Original Film Score first. I don't know whether to be happy or sad.

Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution, Silver Bear for Best First Feature Film, Silver Bear for Best Actress in a Film.

When Sandra Wheeler went on stage to accept the Best Actress award, Zhao Yanxi could clearly sense Ryan's nervousness.

No one is not nervous at this moment, unless they know they have absolutely no hope!

"The winner of the Silver Bear for Best Actor is..."

Ryan Reynolds tensed up instantly.

"Moritz Bledow, *Elementary Particles*!"

Ryan Reynolds instantly deflated and became completely dejected.

"Ruian, there will be other opportunities in the future," Zhao Yanxi comforted him softly.

"I understand, director," Ryan Reynolds said with a wry smile. "Actually, I expected this a long time ago. The essence of this film lies in your technique, not my acting..."

Zhao Yanxi remained silent. A new jury member had already taken to the stage, and she was about to present the third major award of the film festival: the Silver Bear for Best Director.

"Zhao Yanxi, *Buried Alive*!"