Although the West Berlin Film Festival is also one of the famous Category A film festivals in Europe, its actual influence is smaller than that of Cannes and Venice. This Category A does not mean that it is more influential than Category B film festivals, but
The classification code of an international organization, indicating that this kind of film festival does not limit film genres, and all types of films can be openly entered. There will also be an open jury to evaluate the awards.
Category B is a film festival with a limited theme, such as a horror, science fiction, and fantasy film festival. Only films of this type can participate in the competition. Category C is a film festival that has no awards and is only for everyone to show.
West Berlin is a showcase city for the West, showcasing the superiority of the West. So to a certain extent, the West Berlin Film Festival is exactly what Godard complained about, a cultural event supported by West Germany's most powerful ally, America.
.
In addition to showing some films about Western life, this film festival also prefers films that reflect daily life in the East. Especially after General Secretary-General Mikhail took office, he relaxed his attitude towards the culture of the Alliance and Eastern European countries, and more films were produced.
They were sent out to participate in the competition. Even the team leader, who Ronald often saw in films submitted for review by the alliance, was nowhere to be seen this time.
"I think the Golden Bear will be awarded to films from the Alliance, East Germany, or Poland." Michelle Cannold signed a lot of distribution contracts. When he was happy, he and Ronald had a drink in the room and started to guess.
The final winner of the Golden Bear Award.”
His idea is simple, since it is a showcase to show off his own good stuff, it is better to show off the dark side of his opponent.
"Haha, no." Ronald had seen several participating films. "Although the team leader didn't come, the political commissar did." He pointed to the film about the Alliance and another Polish film among the participating films, and said:
Cannold said, "You don't understand the East. These two films are old, but they are still unwilling to accept them."
It was Ronald who explained to him that the Polish film was shot in 1982 and was immediately banned in Poland. General Secretary Mikhail’s open-door policy allowed the Poles, who were already ready to take action, to take the film away.
Come out to present the exhibition, test the direction of the wind and express your protest.
Although the alliance does not have the air of bossing over satellite countries in the past, and there is no leader to follow, their supervisory committee clearly expressed the atmosphere and made a film filmed in 1967 called "Comrade Political Commissar" about the war during the civil war.
A film about a female Red Army political commissar was sent to the exhibition.
However, what is interesting is that the film itself was banned at the time, but recently it has been regarded as a praise film, revised by the original director, and released to the public, and it also participated in the Moscow Film Festival.
"So, for a movie that is inconsistent in itself, I think maybe the jury will give it a Silver Bear." Ronald is more familiar with Eastern thinking than Cannold.
"Then who do you think will win the prize? Does Moonlight have a chance?" Cannold asked.
"It seems impossible, we are evil colonialists after all... Hahaha" Ronald laughed and quoted Godard's attack on him. The West Berlin Film Festival still prefers to award awards to films from Eastern countries.
It is more consistent with the original intention of establishing the film festival.
"I have a hunch that maybe this Chinese film will win the award." Ronald said about an unpopular film.
"Why? Is there anything special about this movie? It's actually hard for me to understand the story." Michelle Cannold went to see Red Sorghum. He originally wanted to introduce America and distribute it through Daydream.
of.
Ronald discussed with them the positioning of Daydream, which can be said to be an upgraded version of Roger Corman's New World Company. On the one hand, it produces and distributes its own small-production genre films, and on the other hand, it introduces some foreign art films.
This achieves a balance between word-of-mouth and box office.
"First, you don't need to understand the story of this movie. In fact, you can roughly understand the content of the movie just by watching the performances without reading the subtitles. The director's editing skills are very good. Second, have you noticed the change of chairman of the jury?
?”
Ronald is talking about the chairman of the jury for this year's Golden Bear Award, which was originally held by one of the few male stars in the country, Gert Frob. The villain in the 007 movie Goldfinger is one of the few famous West Germans in the English-speaking world.
voice actor.
However, after Gert Fröb was ill and resigned as chairman, the organizing committee had no choice but to find the famous Italian film critic Guglielmo Biraghi. This Italian film critic was also the organizer of last year's Venice Film Festival.
people.
In addition to his commercial ability, Biraghi is also a well-known left-wing figure in Italy who sympathizes with and supports any minority. He often gives opportunities to films made by Italian left-wing directors, and made films with the famous left-wing director Bertolucci to satirize the church.
Befriended actor Roberto Benigni and others.
This time Ronald came to West Berlin to compete, and his old friend Bernini called him and said that he spoke well of him in front of Biraghi. Ronald remembered this Martin Scorsese, and Iraq.
Friend of Sabella Rossellini.
Bernini loudly spoke English with a heavy accent, and kept saying that he had a good relationship with Biraghi. Ronald didn't understand what he wanted to do until the end. Later, the agent called him a telegram, and then he did it.
I understood that the over-enthusiastic Roberto Bernini just wanted to introduce them to each other.
However, in West Berlin, Biraghi, who served as the chairman of the jury, needed to avoid suspicion and could not be as casual as in Italy. Ronald found him and chatted for a few words in public, but the other party only welcomed him for sending the film to the competition.
However, when talking about "Red Sorghum", Ronald found that the other party was very interested in the story of director Yimou who won the Best Actor Award at the Tokyo Film Festival last year. He asked Ronald a few questions and asked his secretary to find information.
look.
Thinking of the good cooperative relationship between the Italian left and Chinese films, and Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor", China, as the producer, was also honored. Ronald guessed in his heart that this famous Italian businessman would do it for
In the future, we will cooperate with the Chinese Film Market to pay more attention to Chinese films participating in the exhibition.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! Of course, "Red Sorghum" is also a masterpiece. The interesting thing about this movie is that a foreigner who can't understand the story and dialogue can still be shot by the director.
With the techniques and editing, you can feel the overwhelming hormones filling the character's heart.
This is exactly the opposite of the outside world's stereotypes of Chinese Americans, and will arouse greater interest from the judges. Ronald knows that film critics always like this innovative method of expression.
"I don't want to make a bet with a famous director..." Michelle Cannold didn't want to refute the boss's idea, so she found an excuse not to discuss it with Ronald.
…
"The Silver Bear for Best Actress goes to Holly Hunter, 'Newscast.'" At the awards show, Ronald began applauding.
Unlike the Venice Film Festival, where domestic films have become popular and there are a large number of stars, unlike the Cannes Film Festival, the German film market has been shrinking for a long time. The few stars in the country are also working hard in Hollywood and Britain.
Therefore, the awards night at the West Berlin Film Festival was dim, and the media did not come as much as the previous two film festivals. In addition to the Golden Bear Award for the best film, other acting, directing, special jury awards, etc. were all called Silver Awards.
Bear Award.
This time, it was different from the domestic Oscars, the Guild Awards, and the Film Critics Awards. In the end, Holly Hunter defeated Cher to win. However, the protagonist did not come to accept the award, but the producer received it on the stage.
Michelle Cannold sat next to Ronald and touched Ronald's arm, "Moonlight Sultry" seems to be something!"
"It depends on luck. I told you to stop stabbing me, which made me so nervous." Ronald became nervous in a rare moment. He looked at himself and saw that he was not wearing a custom-made evening dress, just an ordinary Armani custom-made suit.
If I had known earlier, I would have brought the dress prepared for the Oscars.
It is the practice of the West Berlin Film Festival to try not to award two awards to the same film. Since the Silver Bear Award for Best Actress was given to "Broadcast News", then "Moonlight" won the best director and even the best film.
The likelihood of a golden bear is much higher.
This is because two controversial oriental films, the Polish one, won the Golden Bear for Outstanding Single Achievement, and the Commissar of the League won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution.
If you think about the West Berlin Film Festival, which strives to balance Eastern and Western awards, the only ones left are Ronald's "Moonlight" and China's "Red Sorghum."
No matter what award you win, it will be very helpful to the movie's box office and Oscar-winning prospects.
"The Silver Bear Award for Best Director goes to Ronald Lee from America!"
"Huh..." Ronald let out a long breath. It was still the Silver Bear Award. But fortunately it was the Best Director Award. For Ronald, it was more consolation than the second place in the Golden Bear Competition and the Special Jury Award.
Even better.
Now I can put the words "West Berlin Silver Bear Award-winning director" on the poster of "Moonlight" when I go back.
Ronald and Michelle Cannold hugged Michael Gray, who was in charge of the announcement, and took the stage to accept the ever-cute Bear trophy.
"Thank you to the West Berlin Film Festival for your love and recognition of Moonlight, thank you to the jury chairman Mr. Biraghi and all the judges, thank you to the audience who love Moonlight. Thank you to all the creators of the Moonlight crew.
, especially Cher, Olympia Dukakis, and Nic Cage, without whom this movie wouldn’t be possible.”
After thanking those who should be thanked, Ronald glanced around and found Godard in the audience. "This award shows that movies that are loved by the audience will also be loved by the judges. Good movies should not be either/or."
of."
The audience below were a little confused and applauded politely. Some of them knew what Godard was criticizing and would look back at him.
Ronald, who returned to his seat, celebrated with hugs from both sides. The Silver Bear was shaped like a bear, and except for the material and color, it was the same as the Golden Bear.
“Special Jury Prize, Union of Soviet Union, ‘Comrade Comrade’”
The penultimate award was awarded to the movie that was released twenty years later. Both Cannold and Gray looked at Ronald. Could his prediction really be successful? This was a huge upset that no one expected.
.
Looking through the list of other participating films, I found that the films selected by Mexico, Yugoslavia and other countries did not receive very good reviews from film critics. Moreover, these films were not mentioned in the grapevine.
Sure enough, there were some whispers in the award hall, and some viewers began to look around for who would be the winner of the grand prize.
"The winner is Red Sorghum, Zhang Yimou!" A female presenter announced the winner of the Golden Bear Award on the stage.
Ronald looked back and saw that there were not many crew members. Yimou was placed in a seat at the back near the aisle. He heard his name being called and was a little confused because of the German pronunciation.
The translator next to him stood up quickly and whispered in his ear that he had won the Golden Bear. Yimou jumped up suddenly, put his hands in the posture of a bodybuilding champion, and his inner joy was beyond words.
Ronald took the lead in applauding, and soon the surrounding audience also applauded under his leadership. Yimou ran forward from behind, and when he passed Ronald, he smiled at him. Ronald looked at this long
The director, who didn't quite look like a director, nodded to him.
Yimou was wearing an obviously ill-fitting suit and a white shirt carefully tied with a red tie, which was his main color among red sorghum. He stepped onto the rostrum and took the golden bear from the hands of the chairman of the jury. At this time, everyone applauded
The voice sounded again.
However, it was similar to when the winner was announced just now. The audience's applause was not so much congratulations to Yimou, but more out of curiosity, "Who is this?"
Director Yimou obviously doesn't speak English or German, so he gave an acceptance speech on stage in Chinese.
"I am very grateful that you gave this award to our film. This award means to me and our young friends that it is possible for us to make better Chinese films."
"What did he say?" Michelle Cannold looked at the commotion on the stage and the translator was not in place, so she had to ask Ronald.
"He said that after winning the award, he would be able to get investment from producers and make more films."
Ronald told Cannold Yimou's acceptance speech in a language that Hollywood understands.
"I think we should invest in him..." Michelle Cannold was obviously very happy. Ronald's favorite director should be good.
"Haha, no, their film production is not open to us. Maybe in twenty years we will be able to invest in his films." Ronald happily clapped his hands in congratulations.
Michelle Cannold, who was not willing to give in, approached Yimou again during the dinner, "We would like to cooperate with you and shoot a movie. We daydream that we have the ability to distribute nationwide in America."
"Daydream? Is your boss's surname Luo?" Yimou smiled honestly, "I heard our factory director, Director Wu, talk about him."
After listening to the translator, Cannold was stunned. Does the boss have connections in China?
"It's me, Director Wu. Is he okay? We haven't called him for a long time." Ronald went up and smiled at Yimou in Chinese.
"Ah, you are Director Luo. Nice to meet you."
"If you need anything, you can tell me. Director Wu and I are good friends."
Yimou couldn't communicate without a translator, and only Ronald had a pleasant chat with him in Chinese. The two also talked about their understanding of Akira Kurosawa's films and the shooting method of "Red Sorghum", which is like gushing hormones.
"This is mainly due to our screenwriter. His novel is very good. My photographer and several leading actors also played a big role. This award belongs to our collective." Yimou said in Chinese style,
I don't take all the credit to myself.
"You can't lie to me, Yimou. Your photography and editing were all arranged. The shot of the red cloth being lifted in the sedan chair at the beginning must have been your intention to edit and then shoot it, right? Director
There is no need for verbal communication, as long as I see your pictures, I will know what you want to express."
"Hahaha..." Yimou felt sympathy for Director Luo, who had led Director Wu to praise him highly, and the two had a very good chat. Unlike others who just came to congratulate him and talk about nonsensical things about loving Chinese culture,
Director Luo really understands Chinese culture. He even knows that the bride wears a red scarf when getting married. The protagonist 'my grandma' taking off her scarf on the sedan chair is a symbol of subversion of tradition."
"Aren't you full? I prepared a Chinese restaurant and asked them to prepare Chinese food." During the dinner, Ronald and Yimou were busy socializing with many buyers and producers and did not eat anything. After the dinner, Ronald
I whispered a few words to Yimou quietly.
"Oh, Director Luo, thank you very much. Once you go abroad for a long time, you won't get used to eating foreign food."
"These are the dishes from the restaurant run by the old overseas Chinese. They are sent to the hotel to reward you. I said that the Chinese won the Golden Bear Award. They are very happy. If you take some photos with them, it will be an advertisement for them."
After taking a photo with the restaurant owner and chef, Ronald and Yimou started eating with chopsticks. Yimou felt very relaxed. Director Luo could speak some Chinese, so communication was not difficult, and he was also very proficient in using chopsticks. It seemed that he was eating with chopsticks.
It's like having a meal at home with friends.
After having had enough wine and food, Ronald took his own silver bear and took a group photo with Yimou alone with his golden bear. Then he took out a package from under the table, put it on the table, and handed it to the other side, "Here are two
A bottle of Italian brandy, one for you and one for Director Wu to try."