"This is Mr. Hardy from the Berlin Film Festival Organizing Committee, Mr. Hardy, and this is director Qin Xiaobao."
"Hello."
"Hello."
The two shook hands and greeted each other after Xiaoming's introduction.
"Can Mr. Hardy speak Chinese?" Qin Xiaobao was very surprised.
"Of course, because my wife is from China." Mr. Hardy's Chinese is not plasticky at all, and his words are correct: "We have been married for twenty-five years."
"I understand, Mr. Hardy, please sit down."
The other staff had already given up their positions. Although they all wanted to know what was going on, it was definitely inconvenient to have so many people. Only Mr. Huang and Xiaoming were left to help.
"I brought some tea from China. Is Mr. Hardy used to drinking it?" Although he was anxious, he still received the courtesy.
"Of course! I like your tea very much."
Xiaoming heard this and started to boil water.
We already knew before that Hardy is an American, the editor-in-chief of a well-known film magazine, and one of the members of the jury this time. Qin Xiaobao did not talk about things like Chinese people do, saying a few polite words and getting straight to the point.
"Is it bad?"
"Yes, it's very bad." Hardy didn't hide it: "I'm sorry for not notifying you in advance, because after learning about this incident, the organizing committee took it very seriously and planned to try to solve it first.
I contacted relevant people and organizations and repeatedly explained that movies are just movies, just an art, and no excessive interpretation is needed.
Including me, several members are coordinating and negotiating, but..."
"The effect is not good, right?"
"That's right." Mr. Hardy spread his hands: "We didn't expect this kind of thing to happen at all. This is unimaginable in the United States. Including myself, I am also an extreme religious person. But for this movie, I only like it, not
disgust."
"How does the organizing committee plan to deal with it?" That's not what Qin Xiaobao wants to hear.
Just when Xiaoming brought the tea cup over, Mr. Hardy said thank you and blew hot air gently. It was obvious that he was hesitant and embarrassed.
Qin Xiaobao did not urge him.
"Good tea!" Mr. Hardy took a sip and nodded in praise: "You may not know it well, but there are two situations that are particularly bad in Europe or the United States. The first is race, and the second is religion.
Mr. Qin, it is undeniable that your work is very excellent and has been praised by many judges. Moreover, Leslie G (Leslie Cheung) has appeared on the international stage again and contributed very excellent acting skills.
As a first-time director of a feature film, it inherits the characteristics of "The Tuner", is reversal and unexpected, and is quite exciting."
The more Mr. Hardy said this, the more uneasy the three of them became.
If the organizer has a good strategy? Or a good solution? There is no need to keep talking about it, just announce it directly.
Sure enough, the next words made several people look quite ugly.
"But, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee? Mr. Brad..." Hardy looked at Qin Xiaobao: "He is a German, a Christian, and a white man!
I'll just say it directly.
As an organizing committee, your mission is also to maintain stability. If only a small number of people find your film inappropriate, then you can ignore it, or the director will be taken care of.
However, so far, several churches in Berlin have officially lodged protests with us.
The local newspapers and magazines are discussing it, but the public opinion is also one-sided? I don’t think highly of you.
The same goes for Twitter and Facebook.
Through the fermentation of the Internet, it is no longer a situation that can be appeased and ended."
"Isn't there any good news?" Qin Xiaobao rubbed his temples with one hand.
"Famous, now the rumors have gone out. Directors, screenwriters, actors who participated in the film festival, including many people around the world, know about this movie."
"What about the organizer's opinion?"
"Although it has not been officially determined," Mr. Hardy paused: "As a Chinese proverb says, people's words are terrible. If the current movie continues to be released and participates in the film festival, the organizer will fall into the center of public opinion.
Very passive.
Before I set off, all relevant personnel put aside what they were doing and were discussing solutions, but..."
"I understand what you mean." Qin Xiaobao nodded lightly.
He had already thought of this outcome, it was the worst one. Hardy didn't say it explicitly, but he could see it.
I am just a young director from the East. Even if I am shortlisted for three awards, in the eyes of the organizing committee, I am still a small role and can be sacrificed at any time.
Even the so-called meeting and research mentioned by Mr. Hardy was just an excuse, not to comfort him, but to do superficial work.
It is impossible for them to do the thing of losing the car and protecting the soldiers.
If Qin Xiaobao were from the perspective of a third party, he might be able to understand it, but as a party involved, he was worried.
If the movie is really meant to be offensive, if it is really disrespectful to religion and has racial undertones as they say, then forget it.
Remember that on Earth, "This Man is from Earth" did not cause any so-called disputes. Why would it be different?
"Mr. Hardy, in your opinion, is there any room for maneuver?" Mr. Huang asked cautiously from the side.
"We are working hard." Hardy did not answer directly: "But please still be mentally prepared."
"Haha!" Qin Xiaobao smiled: "Be prepared, that is, be prepared to accept the notice from the organizing committee that the film will withdraw from the film festival for some reasons, right?"
"Well, that's probably it."
"I have a question. You know more than I do. Is there any precedent in the history of major film festivals where participating films voluntarily withdraw from the festival?"
"It was more common in the early days. For example, in the early days of the Berlin Film Festival, the international situation was relatively chaotic and normal. It rarely appeared in the past ten years. If it did, it was because of technical problems." Mr. Hardy told the truth.
"It seems that I have set a precedent." Qin Xiaobao supported his chin with one hand: "It will probably make me famous internationally, even though it is notorious."
"You can't say that. In fact, there are many people who are on your side, such as me." Hardy shook his head: "We all think that they are over-interpreting it. Movies are just movies, and there is no need to think too much.
There is nothing wrong with Easterners interpreting religious culture from their own perspective. If the film is rejected because of this, it will not only hurt you, Mr. Qin Xiaobao, but other directors will also have opinions."
"I'm very happy that there are still people who understand." Qin Xiaobao refilled some hot water for him, grabbed his own tea cup and held it in his hand: "I actually don't quite understand, haven't European countries always advertised freedom and democracy?
Why does a movie make them react so violently, as if they have been stepped on? Remember when you attack others on the Internet, or in other countries, when others protest, they will smile and say that they have a weak heart and think too much?
"
"This..." Mr. Hardy was a little embarrassed.
"Needless to say, thank you Mr. Hardy!" Qin Xiaobao stood up and stretched out his right hand. Hardy didn't know why, but still cooperated with him.
"As the director and investor of "The Man from Earth," I am now announcing that the film has been unfairly treated here. I am quite disappointed and have decided to withdraw from this Berlin Film Festival."
Before the three of them could react, he continued.
"Also, I personally declare that my future works will never participate in the Berlin International Film Festival."
(Thanks to Dongdong and Youyouyou for their tips!)