Huayu: Enjoy Yourself

Chapter 9 Short Film: The Golden Lion is still a Golden Lion!

Chen An, completely unaware of everything and unable to understand film reviews, sensed that the venue where his short films were recently screened had changed. 💙☝ ➅❾ˢh𝓤x.ς𝕆ᵐ ☆♝

The number of people started to increase, including quite a few Chinese journalists.

These reporters were also quite frustrated, as no Chinese-language films were nominated this time.

They didn't pay much attention to this short film at first.

Although Tony Leung was present, he was acting in a Vietnamese film.

Chen An also watched that film, called "The Tricycle Driver".

Directed by Vietnamese director Tran Anh Hung and starring Leung Chiu-wai, this film also depicts the lives of ordinary people.

Don't let Leung Chiu-wai's past life as a Cannes Film Festival Best Actor fool you; he's actually been to Venice quite often too.

In 1989, together with Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien, they won the first Golden Lion Award for Chinese-language films with "A City of Sadness".

This collaboration with a Vietnamese director, "Cyclo," is a strong showing, and many film critics consider it a top contender for the Golden Lion at the 52nd Venice Film Festival.

Although he had never seen "Cyclo" in his previous life, he had heard of "A City of Sadness" and had even seen the movie. He was quite impressive.

Leung Chiu-wai is very famous throughout Southeast Asia, and also quite well-known in Europe, and will become even more famous in a few years.

However, none of this affected Chen An.

I only had one short film, and it didn't even make it into the main competition category.

However, with more and more people coming to watch the movie, Chen An was quite happy.

Although the ticket money goes to the film festival, I was still happy because I made the film myself.

Chen An stopped running around and stayed in the screening room to interact with the audience, which he enjoyed immensely.

He suddenly really liked this feeling.

September 8th.

The last day of the movie screening.

Chen An had just finished watching the film and returned to his accommodation.

I received a message from a staff member of Beijing Film Studio while staying at the hotel.

I received a call from the film festival's closing ceremony staff, informing me to attend tomorrow's closing ceremony and awards presentation.

Chen An's anxiety finally subsided.

According to the staff, if someone calls you to attend the closing ceremony, you are guaranteed at least one award.

Chen An told Lin Dajiang about this and asked him to attend the awards ceremony together the next day.

Lin Dajiang generously took Chen An to rent a suit.

the next day.

Wearing a rented suit, Chen An and the others waited on the side.

It's not their turn to walk the red carpet yet.

Watching the main competition unit crews walk past in front of me.

Tony Leung walked on the red carpet, waving continuously, with countless flashes of light and reporters from all over the world calling out to them, hoping to stop and take pictures.

It would be a lie for Chen An to say he wasn't envious, but one day, he would walk on that path too!

After they all left, it was Chen An and the others' turn.

Without much hesitation, everyone quickly walked over.

With the help of the staff, everyone found their seats and waited for the awards ceremony to begin.

Sitting next to Chen An, Brother Zhao asked, "Was that Liang Chaowei just now? Can we ask for his autograph later?"

"Brother Zhao, you're a fan of celebrities too?"

"No, I'm wondering if I can sell it for some money if I take it back."

"And then come here to find foreign beauties?"

"."

Zhao Xiong was speechless after Chen An's retort, and stared straight at Chen An.

"Okay, I was just kidding. It's probably unlikely. They're such big shots, they might not even acknowledge us if we go up to them."

"Forget it then, there's no need to rush in and get ignored."

Upon hearing Chen An's answer, Brother Zhao did not press the matter further.

"But do you want mine? Who knows, maybe I'll become a big star someday, and your autograph will be worth some money."

Chen An asked with a smile.

Looking at Chen An's smiling face, Zhao Xiong thought for a moment and nodded:

"Alright, I have high hopes for you, bro. Just sign one for me when you get back to the hotel, I'll keep it."

"Brother Zhao, you have such good taste! One signature isn't enough. If the foreigners next to us see this, they'll think I can't afford to sign anything."

"Ten copies! Not one less."

While the two were chatting, the awards ceremony began.

The main competition unit is left at the end, while the other units are at the beginning.

The ceremony was quite grand, especially when the Lifetime Achievement Gold Lion Award was presented.

Eight people were appointed at once, all of whom were from the older generation.

Chen An knew one person: Martin Scorsese.

Chen An has seen both of his films, "Taxi Driver" and "Infernal Affairs".

Despite his high opinion of the film, he still felt that "Infernal Affairs" was not as good as the Hong Kong version.

He is a world-renowned director.

Chen An only started to get nervous when a host came on stage.

Because it's almost time for his reporting segment.

As each award was presented, Chen An's nervousness grew.

After all, if Chen An can win an award, he's 80% sure that Lin Dajiang will invest in his next feature film.

Finally, a female host stepped forward, holding an envelope in her hand, and began to announce:

The winner of the Golden Lion for Best Short Film in the Horizons section at the 52nd Venice International Film Festival is...

Halfway through the speech, the host suddenly turned his head and smiled, saying:

"This is a very young director who expressed all of fatherly love in just seven minutes. He is the director of 'Father' from China!"

Congratulations, An~chen!

Hearing what sounded like someone calling his name, Chen An couldn't understand what they were saying.

But guessing he had won an award, he immediately turned to the translator Lin Dajiang had brought and said to himself:

"Short Film Golden Lion Award, hurry up and go up there, they're waiting for you."

Chen An immediately nodded, stood up, and walked towards the stage.

As Chen An stepped onto the stage, the female host approached him and gave him a hug.

Then Chen An took the trophy from her hand, walked to the microphone, and said:

"Sorry, I only speak Chinese."

"Thank you to the judges for giving me this award. I am only 19 years old and still in school, majoring in photography. This is my first film."

"I also want to thank Boss Lin for his trust in me, Principal Liu, Director Gan, Teacher Mu, and several senior students from the Beijing Film Academy for their help, and all the staff of the Beijing Film Studio. Thank you!"

Finally, thank you for your support.

Feeling a bit tipsy, Chen An raised the trophy again and said happily:

"By the way, Director Jiang Wen, I won Best Short Film!"

Finally, Chen An nodded slightly to the people in front of him, concluding his remarks.

Then, with a nod from the female host, he left the stage.

Chen An, who had returned to his seat, received congratulations from everyone.

Chen An replied happily, "Brother Jiang, I'm the one who should congratulate you. You won the award, you'll make a lot of money now."

"Congratulations to you too, after all, you won the award." Lin Dajiang also laughed heartily.

Zhao Xiong, who was standing nearby, immediately chimed in, "Ten autographs, don't forget!"

"Go back to the hotel, we'll sign it for you right away. You won't be shortchanged. Save it for a few years, sell it, and then you can go find that foreign guy!"

Chen An, of course, didn't back down and continued chatting with him with a smile.

The atmosphere relaxed considerably afterward, and the awards ceremony continued.

Soon it was time for the main competition segment, although it had nothing to do with Chen An.

But this is the main course of the film festival.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The Best Director award went to Kenneth Branagh of the UK, while the Best Actor award went to Joachim Leung of Germany, not Joachim Gorz.

Chen An didn't recognize either of them; he'd never even heard of their names.

The film that ultimately won the highest honor, the Golden Lion, was "Cyclo," which was already highly anticipated. It was directed by Vietnamese director Tran Anh Hung and starred Leung Chiu-wai.

Standing on the stage, Tran Anh Hung was delighted to thank everyone and received the Golden Lion Award.

Chen An was also very happy because he also won the Golden Lion Award, although it was for a short film.

But the Golden Lion Award for Short Film is still a Golden Lion Award!

Anyway, that's what Chen An thinks. Otherwise, you could just rename the film festival.

After the Golden Lion Awards were presented, the awards ceremony came to an end.

Lin Dajiang was very happy tonight and treated everyone to a good meal.

After that, various film companies came to us, seeking to buy the short films.

However, this was none of Chen An's business. When he arrived at the hotel, he signed autographs for Zhao Xiong and also signed autographs for other people he wanted.

Chen An was so happy that he felt like he was floating on air.

The Chinese journalists who remained in Venice were not idle either; after editing the news, they immediately sent it back to China!

Seeking everything

(End of this chapter)