"Beautiful Girl" is a comedy directed by Billy Wilder and starring James Cagney. It tells the story of a Coca-Cola general manager in West Berlin who discovers that his boss's daughter was dating a young man from East Berlin during a trip to East Berlin.
Falling in love. Let her live in his home in order to get a promotion.
He wanted to stop this inappropriate marriage and framed the young man as a reactionary balloon. At this time, the Berlin Wall began to be built. But suddenly news came that his boss's daughter was pregnant. He had to turn around and break through the wall that had just been repaired.
The Berlin Wall (it was still the Brandenburg Checkpoint at that time), went to East Berlin to rescue the young man.
Then he found a nobleman from the old empire to identify his family tree, and became a descendant of the nobleman, taking over the position of general manager. The general manager failed to get promoted, and finally returned to Atlanta with his wife and children to return to family life.
This movie is full of appropriate elements, such as the establishment of the Berlin Wall, Coca-Cola, the resentment of officials in the east, and the helplessness of employees in large companies in the west... This movie from decades ago was re-released in Germany and achieved huge box office success.
success.
Cinemas in East and West Berlin kept up with current events and screened this film, shot at the beginning of the Berlin Wall's isolation, at the end of the Berlin Wall's division of the city.
"Hahaha, that ending is so interesting. A bottle of Pepsi fell out of the Coca-Cola vending machine..."
After watching the movie, Ronald and Helen Slater were still talking about the interesting ending of the movie. At that time, the fourth husband of the Hollywood actress Joan Crawford was the president of Pepsi-Cola. After her husband died, she
Inherited the directorship of Pepsi-Cola. During the filming of "The Story of a Beautiful Girl", she heard that the plot was full of Coca-Cola and personally called the film studio to put pressure on the film.
In the end, director Billy Wilder had to adapt the ending and add this small episode. It also showed Pepsi's face. At that time, there was no such thing as product placement, and the film studio also emphasized brand neutrality.
However, Billy Wilder's skill is so great that this ending is not blunt at all, but rather interesting.
It was just that current events at the time were confusing. When the filming of the movie started, you could still go in and out of East Berlin. By the time filming was completed, the checkpoint at the Brandenburg Gate had been built.
Because the European people at that time were very disappointed with their future and were afraid of another war, this satirical film reflecting current events was met with lukewarm success in Europe and did not achieve box office success in America.
James Cagney, a generational actor who was generally regarded as one of the top five leading actors in the golden age of Hollywood, also died in despair. It was not until the early 1980s, a few years before his death, that he began to make guest appearances in some TV series.
"Oh, there are people selling Berlin Walls here..." The two of them walked near the Brandenburg Gate that appeared in the movie. There were many people setting up stalls on the ground, selling various stones. In front of them
Berlin Wall fragments written in English.
Ronald squatted down and looked through it. There were graffiti on many of the stones. It was the performance art performed by the residents of West Berlin on the Berlin Wall. It didn't look like fake, so Ronald paid for it.
I bought several pieces and kept them as souvenirs.
"There are some T-shirts here, do you want them?" The stall owner looked at his generosity and began to sell a few more T-shirts. They were all real and representative graffiti on the Berlin Wall back then.
"Wrap these all for me..." Ronald immediately bought a dozen pieces. This kind of souvenir is quite interesting.
"Here are some photos of the Berlin Wall, do you want them?" The stall owner still wanted to sell, but Ronald was pulled aside by Helen.
"My crew has all of these. If you want it, I'll just ask them to give you a copy..."
"Okay..." Ronald smiled. He now buys things just for fun. Helen still retains some of the shrewdness of a New York girl who likes to bargain.
Helen has really come to work these two days. Her father's TV station, PBS, funded a producer called "Nova" to shoot documentaries around the world and introduce customs around the world to American audiences.
cultural.
Their latest documentary is about the history of the Berlin Wall. Helen also served as the narration dubbing in this documentary. Not to mention, although her acting skills are average, Helen’s voice is good and she is a beauty. To do this kind of narration and dubbing is really
It's quite appropriate.
…
The film festival is screening this year's twenty films in the main competition at the rate of several films a day. The oldest heroine, Jessica Tandy of "Driving Miss Daisy" was born on the Fourth of July.
"" director Oliver Stone, star Tom Cruise, and "War of the Roses" supporting actor Danny DeVito all came to the screening to interact with fans and accept interviews from the media.
This year, there are a total of five Hollywood films participating in the competition, which is a rare year. Generally speaking, most of the American films at European film festivals are independently produced literary films. But this year is different. The above three films were promoted by celebrities.
It is a mainstream commercial film.
There is Ronald's factor in this. His previous film "Moonlight" entered the film festival and seemed to have a great boosting effect on the domestic box office. Major studios also want to follow suit.
What's more important is this year's Berlin Wall incident. The organizing committee and the German people generally have a favorable impression of America. Britain and Germany actually do not approve of the merger of the two Germanys. America did not interfere at the critical moment.
, now there is preliminary contact between East and West Germany.
Public opinion is so, and the organizers have hinted in many ways that there is a chance for a Hollywood film to win a Golden Bear Award. Producers who smelled it came over, resulting in a grand occasion that a quarter of the participating films were produced by Hollywood.
However, among the eleven judges, major divisions also emerged. Many Eastern European judges hope that this very commemorative Golden Bear Award will be awarded to films from Eastern European countries. These countries have long been satellite countries of the alliance.
, the Berlin Wall and Poland gave them great encouragement.
Exactly four judges are from Eastern Europe and the Union, four are from Western Europe and America, and only the comedian Bernini, and Ronald (who is not the kind of artist favored by European film festivals, just because of Dirty Dancing and Breakdancing)
Invited for his contribution to current affairs), it is a case of mutual help.
None of them are ideal candidates for ordinary film festival judges, and they are dissatisfied with the standards of the other judges, so they sit aside and just talk about Italian food.
Except for the chairman Michael Ballhaus who remained neutral and Ronald and Bernini who gave up treatment, the other eight judges took a clear stance and got into a quarrel.
The four Eastern European judges (East Germany, the Union, Hungary, and Brazil) all unanimously recommended the Hungarian film "The Lost Winged Sparrow". Their reasons are laughable, not because of the artistic value of the film itself, but because of the atmosphere in Prague at that time.
What happened was that the film was banned.
The film's misfortunes outweighed the film itself and became the only reason why they wanted to give the Golden Bear to this film made twenty years ago.
The judges in Western Europe (China, America, Britain, and West Germany) neither wanted the Hungarian film to win the award, nor did they want the golden smell of Hollywood to infect the Golden Bear. They unanimously recommended another American film.
Liga movie "Music Box".
This movie stars Jessica Lange. It tells the story of the heroine Anne, because her father (a Hungarian immigrant) was accused of murdering a large number of people as a member of the "Arrow Cross" before the end of World War II.
Jews.
As a daughter, she went to Hungary to collect evidence and found that several witnesses accused different people. She cleared her father's charges. However, during her trip to Hungary, a relative of the victim gave him a wallet and asked her to pay for it.
Wan wants to redeem a music box that was pawned by his father's accomplice.
The heroine Annie, who ransacked the music box, found that it contained photos of the Jews who were murdered during the Soviet siege of Budapest by the "Arrow Cross" where her father was...
During the period when the Berlin Wall fell, these Western European judges tried every means to award the Golden Bear to this film, and their psychological state was also intriguing.
"These people are all for politics, not for art. West Berlin has fallen, the Golden Bear has fallen..." Roberto Bernini, accompanied by his wife, had dinner with Ronald and Helen, not
Complaining constantly.
"This is a very subtle emotion. Roberto, you are Italian and a comedian. You don't quite understand..."
Ronald also had this doubt, but he had already asked Richard. As a Jewish person and a well-informed agent in Hollywood, he collected some information for Ronald and helped Ronald understand this.
It's the kind of thing that's not convenient to say to people.
Those judges in Eastern Europe are simply putting themselves in the position of victims. We are all victims of the Soviet Union and the Cold War between the East and the West. Our films were banned for twenty years because of what happened in Prague.
, now that East and West Berlin are reconnected, we want the world to know that we are the victims!
The Western European reviewers are also very cunning, and they came up with another Eastern European-themed movie to object. You are the victims on the surface, but in fact you were the perpetrators back then! You are also the accomplices! You have done many bad things, don’t think that the Berlin Wall is now
If you fall down, you can pretend to be very innocent back then...
"This is really boring. What are we here for? Is the film festival for art or for politics?" Roberto Benigni has always been a left-winger, sympathetic to the people, and dismissive of sanctimonious right-wing politicians.
This kind of politics over art made him very dissatisfied and complained constantly.
"No one mentions artistically innovative films like Ben Ming Nian... Movies like Driving Miss Daisy are ignored just because they are commercial movies..."
Ronald put down his knife and fork and ordered a cup of coffee. Looking at Bernini's wife, several people smiled bitterly. Roberto was like this. When he made a movie that satirized the Pope, he was almost blocked.
It sounds a bit childish and naive.
"I have an idea..." Ronald took advantage of the opportunity to sell his idea to the other party.
"Is this okay?" Roberto felt that Ronald's proposal was actually quite good. If you want to fight, let's just fight. It's serious to fight for something that a movie like "Ben Ming Nian" deserves.
"Of course, that's what the Silver Bear Award in West Berlin is for. They give it out differently every year."
…
"If you ask me, you might as well tie for first place..." Roberto Benigni put forward an idea only a comedian would put forward in a closed-door discussion the next day.
"This..." The judges from the two camps looked left and right, and this was a solution. No one on either side was willing to give in. If Roberto and Ronald did not vote, the votes would not reach the standard and they would have to continue.
If the discussion continues, it will be a joke if we can't reach an agreement when the time comes to award the awards.
"I think this proposal is good. This year happens to be the 40th session, and it is also the time of reconciliation between East and West Berlin. Two movies are juxtaposed, and they come from two countries..."
Jury chairman Ballhaus immediately followed, "Are you two supporting a movie?"
"Actually, I prefer Ben Ming Nian from China. I think that movie deserves recognition..."
To achieve the achievement of the double-yolked egg, it would be best if Roberto Benigni and Ronald had one vote each, and under 5 to 5, Chairman Ballhaus would come out with another bowl of water.
At the critical moment, Ronald picked up his accent and began to count his praise for "Ben Ming Nian". "The director depicts a taxi driver in China in a new era. The actor's performance is also rare and can be judged from a performance without lines."
Showing inner loneliness..."
"I don't agree. This is a film produced by a state-owned studio. This is exactly what we want to oppose..." The Eastern European judges began to oppose Ronald again, and they became a quarrel.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! The West Berlin Film Festival is the latest of the three major film festivals to be established, and its original intention included the idea of displaying West Berlin, the showcase of the Western camp.
Therefore, it was not the first time in the history of West Berlin that political factors became the main factor in award evaluation. The judges in Eastern Europe began to strongly oppose Ronald.
Ronald ignored them and insisted on awarding a Silver Bear Award to "Ben Ming Nian". If he didn't agree, he would vote for the music box, disappointing the expectations of Eastern Europe.
Fortunately, the artistic level of these judges is limited, but they are very skilled in political operations, as expected of the Eastern European countries...
Under the mediation of Chairman Ballhaus, an agreement was finally reached, and the two films tied for the Golden Bear Award. Two Silver Bear Awards were independently set up to be awarded to the key minority, two films that Ronald and Roberto liked.
.
In the end, Ronald's favorite "Ben Ming Nian" was also liked by the judges. Director Xie received a "Silver Bear Award for Outstanding Single Achievement". Even Ronald could not tell the difference between this award and the Silver Bear Award for Best Director.
.
And for "Driving Miss Daisy," which Roberto Benigni admired, Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman won the "Silver Bear Award for Best Co-Performance." Of course, he couldn't tell clearly.
What is the difference between this Silver Bear and the "Silver Bear Award for Best Actor"?
"You guys stay here and book your flight tickets after the awards show." Ronald called Wen Jiang and told him the good news.
"Oh, thank you so much. Director Luo is really an old friend and a great benefactor in our Chinese film industry." Wen Jiang did not expect that the film would win the award. Although it was not the highest honor, the Golden Bear, but with this, after returning home, he would win the award.
The domestic status is achieved!
"What does this Silver Bear Award for Outstanding Single Achievement mean? How is it different from Best Director?" After all, Director Xie has experience. When he heard the name of the award, he felt something was wrong.
"How do we know this? I don't understand, and I don't dare to ask. People say that a big Hollywood director, who is also a judge, would be a low-key friend if he associates with us..."
"What a mess, come on, we can live here in peace."
…
"So there are no awards for those born on the Fourth of July?" Tom Cruise also received a call from Ronald, and he wasn't too happy.
"Tom, what about the theme of the Vietnam War? If it were Field Platoon a few years ago... Director Stone would definitely be highly respected, but this year's theme of West Berlin is not that. I think I'd rather look forward to the Golden Globes and Oscars...
"
"I understand, thank you."
"Why do I feel that the organizing committee has no rules and regulations. If a movie is good, it will set up an award temporarily and award it to him..." Helen looked at this year's list of winners, shook her head and commented.
At the same time, two directors won the Silver Bear Award, one for Best Director and the other for Outstanding Single Achievement. Could it be that Director Xie won the award not for his directorship, but for some other single achievement?
There is a Silver Bear Award for Best Actor and a Silver Bear Award for Best Co-starring (the male and female actors win together), so who is the Best Actor?
"Hey, it's just a grassroots team..." Ronald threw the list aside.
Fortunately, this year's Golden Bear Award with a double yolk egg will definitely attract the energy of the media, and Ballhaus will definitely be tortured. In this way, no one will pay attention to this very unusual award setting in the year of life.
"Okay, are you leaving?" Helen will stay in West Berlin for a while to cooperate with the filming, but Ronald is already going back.
"Well, by the way, will you participate in documentary shooting in the future?" Ronald felt that this job was actually quite suitable for Helen.
"I don't want it, I came here to see you..."
"Well..." Ronald was moved and hugged the beauty in his arms.
"Then what is the subject of their next film?" Ronald asked, stroking Helen's hair.
"The last one was about how Japan won the industrial competition. This one was about the construction of the Berlin Wall. The next one was about filming China..."
"Want to shoot a documentary about China?" Ronald didn't expect that at this time, there would be people wanting to shoot a documentary about China.
"Yes, the name is China's genius tradition - Will the Dragon Rise Again?, starting from the Song Dynasty a thousand years ago, when China's civilization was leading the world." Helen was actually invited to be the next one.
She continued to dub a documentary, but she was reluctant and found it troublesome.
"Why do you want to make this film?" Ronald knew that PBS is a government-funded public television station with affiliated networks all over the country. Isn't it a bit awkward to make a movie with this theme at this time?
"I don't know, there are four episodes in total, and it is the same series as the previous industrial competition in Japan..." Helen said, "But when they filmed Japan, they had a lot of corporate sponsors, and there was no corporate sponsorship for the Chinese film. They are still looking for investors.
There is no income from documentaries, except selling them to broadcasting organizations like my dad..."
"Huh? Let me ask, maybe... Coca-Cola is interested in sponsoring?" Ronald picked up the phone and called accountant Lawrence, "Hey, is Mr. Buffy in Omaha or Washington now? Can you help me make an appointment with him?