Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Chapter 55 Remarks! May you get rich!

Best director!

Silver Bear Award!

At this moment, it was as if a thunderbolt had struck Zhao Yanxi's head. Despite having long harbored fantasies, it still gave her an unreal feeling.

"Director, it's time to go up and accept the award—"

'

Ryan Reynolds shouted excitedly.

Although he didn't win the award, as it was the only film he starred in, the director winning the award could still significantly boost his market value!

Although Zhao Yanxi was still dizzy, she got up and hugged Ryan Reynolds before steadily walking towards the podium.

After receiving the Silver Bear trophy with both hands, the cold texture brought Zhao Yanxi back to his senses. This was his first trophy!

Whether it's this life or the previous one.

"Thanks."

The presenter stepped back and gave the podium to Zhao Yanxi.

Looking at the venue, which could hold 1500 people but was still packed, Zhao Yanxi felt a little nervous. After taking a deep breath, she said in a slightly trembling voice, "Hello everyone, I am Zhao Yanxi, from China."

"As a new director, this is my first art film, and also my first time competing with my own work. I am very honored to have received the jury's appreciation and recognition. Thank you!"

"Here, I also want to thank Ryan Reynolds. Although he didn't win the Best Actor award, in my heart, he is the Best Actor. It is because of his brilliant performance that he received this Silver Bear trophy!"

"I am grateful to my school's film academy for its nurturing and guidance."

19

"Finally," Zhao Yanxi smiled, raising the trophy high above her head, and said, "I promised someone I would bring this trophy back as a gift for her, and I did it!"

Snap snap snap.... Snap snap snap... Snap snap snap....

Thunderous applause erupted from the seats, and Zhao Yanxi returned to her seat as if walking on clouds, her spirits soaring.

The awards ceremony continued, but Zhao Yanxi was no longer interested.

Now all I'm thinking about is how much money this trophy can bring to the film!

In China, it was already past 3 a.m., and many media professionals were already forced to get up and work overtime.

Fortunately, the manuscripts were all written in advance, so no matter what awards "Buried Alive" or "Isabella" won, we could find the corresponding manuscripts to send out.

First-hand news from the Berlin Film Festival began to dominate headlines across major news outlets.

"They actually won an award!"

"Wow, this must be the youngest Silver Bear ever!"

"Zhao Yanxi is terrifyingly powerful..."

'

There are only so many night owls who stay up late, but what's even more exciting is inside the Berlin venue, where the film companies are already unable to contain their spending and are waving their US dollars to continue bidding!

Paul seemed to have come prepared, having already rented an office outside the venue specifically to receive these film distributors.

Zhao Yanxi didn't interrupt; this wasn't his forte, so he left it all to Paul and Yang Siwei.

The price quoted in Europe is already the highest—it has risen directly from the initial three million to more than seven million.

Zhao Yanxi had already stated that this copyright transaction would encompass all copyrights.

Whether it's film release, remake rights, adaptation rights, or streaming DVDs, he doesn't have a large enough professional team to handle all the subsequent issues. The best approach is to make a one-off deal.

Therefore, these film companies will offer correspondingly higher prices.

After a day of negotiations, buyers were confirmed in all regions except mainland China.

The highest price was in Europe, at $8.2 million; followed by North America, other parts of Asia, and some smaller locations, with a total price of $22 million!

Although this price is somewhat high compared to some other art films;

But do other art films have the storytelling and entertainment value of "Buried"?

Other art films are usually bought and sold to art cinemas with only a few dozen screens, or made into DVDs and sold to so-called art connoisseurs, with box office revenue that is almost negligible.

But Buried can be viewed as a suspense thriller. Just look at Paranormal Activity to see how much money horror movies can make!

Moreover, since it was a "horror film" that won the Silver Bear, it naturally saved tens of millions of dollars in publicity costs.

If this still can't fetch a high price, then there's really no point in making art films!

Zhao Yanxi was also delighted, as she pocketed another 2200 million US dollars!

Although Germany has a withholding tax, this tax can be deducted from corporate income tax when it is brought back to Germany; at the same time, in terms of value-added tax, the transaction of copyrights for cultural and entertainment works can be taxed at zero rate or exempted.

As for why the tax was deducted domestically, it's because Yanxi Film Company had already bought the rights to "Buried Alive" from Crystal Pictures at a high price.

Compared to the inhumane tax rates in North America, Zhao Yanxi prefers the supportive tax rates for entertainment industry professionals in China.

Furthermore, since taxes have to be paid anyway, why prioritize paying them to one's own country?

As for whether the US tax authorities will investigate this, it's all fair and just, and it's the most common way those Hollywood giants do their accounting—it's an open and aboveboard method, so why would they investigate?!

Han Sanping has already explained the remaining copyright transactions in mainland China. They will be discussed in person when Zhao Yanxi returns, so there's no rush.

By the time Zhao Yanxi and Yang Siwei finished signing contracts or memorandums with these international film companies, it was already late at night.

"Paul, thanks to your help this time, you're definitely entitled to your share of the commission!"

"Hehe, thanks, boss!"

Paul smiled broadly; he had fully appreciated the generosity of this Chinese boss!

Berlin was quiet, but back home, things were in complete uproar!

Discussions about Zhao Yanxi winning the Silver Bear for Best Director are everywhere, both online and offline.

"Finished in 15 days, Best Director (Silver Bear)!"

"I'm curious, who is the person Zhao Yanxi mentioned in his acceptance speech? Liu Yifei? Or Zhou Yang? I think Zhou Yang acted in two of his company's productions, and even played the female lead in one of them!"

"Is there even a need to guess? It's obviously Liu Yifei!"

"A twenty-two... no, a twenty-one-year-old Best Director at Berlin? That's incredible!"

Although some people were concerned about the rumors, most people's attention was focused on Zhao Yanxi and the Silver Bear Trophy.

Zhao Yanxi is so young! She won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival with her first art film. What about her second and third films?

More importantly, he is not only an art-house film director, but also a major commercial film director!

This is something that directors like Jia Zhangke, Lou Hua, and Wang Xiaoshuai, who only make art films, among the sixth generation of directors, cannot compare to!

"The gift from Berlin is ready!"

Liu Yifei got up very early, and as soon as she got out of bed, she lay on the sofa and giggled foolishly.

Liu Xiaoli couldn't bear to look at him. "Hurry up and wash up! We need to see Director Zhang and the others later!"

"Mom, did you see that? I told you he'd win the award, and look, he did!"

"Yes, yes, yes, Miss Liu has excellent judgment!"

Hehe~~

Liu Xiaoli was also deeply moved, never expecting that Zhao Yanxi would win the Best Director award at the Berlin Film Festival.

The success of "You Are the Apple of My Eye" can be attributed to the support of its fans, but the success of "Buried Alive" is entirely due to its own merits.

With this trophy in hand, no one can underestimate Zhao Yanxi anymore.

Even though Zhao Yanxi revealed a hint of a rumor about her daughter on the awards stage, Liu Xiaoli suddenly didn't feel it mattered much...

In the film and television industry, resources and works ultimately matter.

With a renowned director like Zhao Yanxi around, how could my daughter possibly lack resources or projects?!

However... a daughter can't rely solely on a man; she still needs to work hard herself. "Liu Qianqian, hurry up and eat. After you finish eating, practice dancing for an hour before going out!"