Reshaping the landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry

Amidst the commotion and a constant stream of comments and criticisms from the outside world.

The debate inside the jury meeting room seemed much more peaceful than the public opinion outside.

After all, once the films nominated for the main competition premiered, various interests and forces began to pull and collude.

Although Gong Li is the nominal chairperson of the judging panel, she doesn't have much influence or vested interests behind her, making her the kind of chairperson that all parties would prefer.

This kind of non-powerful jury chairperson can demonstrate their humanistic concern, promote democracy, and attract more Eastern films to join them. Why not?

If it weren't for He Yi'an's intrusion, Gong Li from the original timeline would probably have just done a favor.

but now……

Various documents, coffee cups, and half-eaten croissants were scattered on the long conference table.

Seven judges sat around the table, each with a different expression.

Gong Li sat in the chairman's seat, twirling a pen in her hand, her gaze sweeping over everyone present before she stared blankly at the documents on the table.

What lay before her was a preliminary award distribution plan.

This allocation plan completely disregarded her wishes.

Meanwhile, the judges representing the major factions continued to relay their deliberations.

Jacques Audiard was the first to speak: "I think the Golden Lion should go to 'Madeleine Fallen Girl,' it's the best film of the year, bar none."

Although it was said in absolute terms, these judges considered it to be the truth.

At least within the Catholic narrative, this film is absolutely correct.

The judges, who were aware of this, did not argue about it.

Ulrich Felsberg nodded in agreement: "I agree with you. 'The Man on the Train' is also very powerful, but 'Madeleine Fallen Girl' is more complete."

Seeing that the two representatives of the old European art school were about to forcefully secure the Golden Lion, Francesca Nellie, who was in the same camp, wanted to further expand her gains.

"The Mental Hospital is also very strong; Andrei Konchalovsky's directing skills are beyond doubt."

Such behavior immediately drew the ire of Hollywood representative Laszlo Kovacs.

As a representative of Hollywood, seeing the European art scene about to monopolize the major awards, he couldn't stand it any longer and directly voiced his dissenting opinion:

"I don't think so. On the contrary, I think the technical aspects of 'Far From Heaven' are impeccable. The cinematography, art direction, and acting are all top-notch. It should at least be awarded a technical award."

The group immediately started arguing about the issue again.

Yesm Usdaog glanced at Gong Li, whose face was growing increasingly pale, and softly chimed in, "Don't forget Asia either. The emotional power of 'Oasis' is very strong, and Lee Chang-dong's directing style is also very mature."

"I think the Silver Lion for Best Director should be considered."

The group chatted amongst themselves, and besides Gong Li, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, representing only the Osas filmmakers, also chimed in: "Both 'The Mental Hospital' and 'The Former Leader' deserve awards; Osas films shouldn't go back empty-handed."

This is what is known as award allocation.

There's no real artistic merit involved; in fact, as long as something makes the cut, it's considered to be on the same level. Ultimately, it all comes down to the exchange of interests and the power struggles behind the scenes.

They quickly divided up most of the awards.

Most people agree that the Golden Lion should be awarded to "Madeleine Fallen Girl".

The jury's grand prize will be awarded to either "Mental Hospital" or "Man on the Train," and the decision can be made by Gong Li.

Best Director goes to Lee Chang-dong, Best Actor to Stefano Arcos, Best Actress to Julianne Moore, and Best Newcomer to Moon So-ri.

The jury will award a special prize to either Madeleine or Oasis.

Best photography goes to "Far From Heaven".

As for the other smaller prizes, especially those in the reverse category, almost no one contested them; they were automatically awarded to Asia.

After a round of discussions, all the awards were decided.

The name "Fireworks in the Human World" never came out of anyone's mouth.

It's as if this movie doesn't exist.

It was as if the screening that day and the 3.0 rating in the program were just an illusion.

……

Gong Li listened to their discussion without saying a word.

Only after Jacques Audiard finished distributing the last award and leaned back in his chair with satisfaction did he turn to look at Gong Li.

A perfectly timed smile played on his lips: "Gong, as the chairman, what are your opinions? We've already set the framework; it's up to you to make the final decision."

The tone was polite, and the posture was respectful, but the underlying message was undisguised arrogance!

What does it mean to be the last to make the decision?

The subtext is: the cake has been cut, all you need to do is sign.

Gong Li chuckled softly, her smile faint and even somewhat nonchalant.

But with just this small expression and gesture, she demonstrated her acting skills as an award-winning actress. Just this slight change in expression made the people watching her immediately stop smiling.

Because they could clearly sense that even though Gong Li was smiling, she was very unhappy!

Ignoring the changes in the expressions of these people, Gong Li put down the documents in her hand, raised her head, and looked at everyone present.

"I do have a few points to make. As the chair of the judging panel, shouldn't I also have the authority to recommend and designate awards?" Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resounding.

Upon hearing this, the representatives' expressions immediately changed, and they instantly guessed what she was going to do.

However, as the chair of the judging panel, she couldn't ignore her opinions, otherwise the selection process simply couldn't proceed.

Ultimately, the final decision rests with Gong Li.

"Gong, do you really want to?"

Gong Li glanced at them and didn't play any games with these white people, no amount of English politeness.

"First, 'Fireworks in the Human World' should at least win an award."

Jacques Audiard frowned. "What award?"

"The Golden Lion, Best Director," Gong Li said. "Or the Jury Prize, or Best Actor, Best Actress—I need at least one or three of these awards."

"impossible!!!"

"NO!!! Gong, even if you are the head of the judging panel, you can't say that!"

"You've already swept all the major awards, that's against the rules! What about the other films?"

Gong Li's speech essentially shattered the previously divided cake, so how could anyone be satisfied?

Several European judges spoke almost simultaneously, each one louder than the last.

But now that Gong Li has made her decision, why should she be afraid of them?

Do you really think I'm made of clay, that I can just sit back and let you divide the cake without saying a word?

As a girl from Northeast China, she personally took to the field and faced off against several people, and surprisingly, she single-handedly defeated them all.

Laszlo Kovac didn't shout along; he leaned back in his chair, looking at Gong Li thoughtfully.

As a seasoned Hollywood veteran, he knew all too well that this wasn't a request, it was an offer.

Asking for exorbitant prices, then haggling on the spot.

Basic negotiation procedures.

If you don't even dare to ask for a price, what else can you do?

But Jacques Audiard clearly doesn't think so.

His face darkened, and his voice turned cold: "Chairwoman Gong Li, the program booklet for 'Fireworks in the World' only scored 3.0 points. Even within our judging panel, there aren't many voices supporting it. What makes you think you can demand three awards?"

"And they're all big prizes?"

"We're discussing it right now, and it's all just discussion. I didn't demand that all three be major awards," Gong Li said, her tone growing calmer. "I said 'at least one,' and..."

"The festival program ratings don't tell the whole story. You've all seen this movie; you know what makes it good—its cinematic language, its emotional control, its use of negative space, its restraint..."

"That's your Eastern aesthetic," Ulrich Felsberg interrupted her, his tone tinged with impatience. "In Europe, we value..."

"What do you value more?" Gong Li was not afraid of him. She retorted directly.

"Are you trying to say that you value 'political correctness' more? You value 'exposing the darkness' more? You value 'conforming to your imagination' more?"

Having already decided to fight for the award, Gong Li was not prepared to give up halfway and continued to deliver.

"Whether a film is good or not should be judged by the standards of the film itself, not by its nationality, its subject matter, or its political stance."

"The film 'Fireworks in the Human World' tells the story of laid-off workers. It does not shy away from suffering, nor does it exploit suffering. It shows how people survive in the face of suffering... This kind of film deserves to be seen in any country or era."

Do you really think that sincerity and good qualities are not worthy of praise?

After a continuous stream of output, Gong Li felt refreshed and invigorated.

The atmosphere in the meeting room plummeted to freezing point.

Ulrich's face darkened after being repeatedly confronted, but he had no choice but to apologize: "Gong, I didn't mean that."

"That's good. I believe everyone would agree with that." After saying that, Gong Li pushed the list to the center of the table.

"I disagree with this allocation plan. I want to resubmit."

Jacques Audiard's expression darkened further: "Gong, do you know what a revote means? It took us three days to reach this consensus."

"Then let's spend another three days," Gong Li said, looking at him. "I'm not in a hurry."

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