I am a director, but I have the skills of an actor

Chapter 143 Dae Jang Geum, selection and voting

On February 2th, with light snow falling, the 9th Berlin Film Festival kicked off with the opening ceremony!

"Mountain!" "Fengluo!",,,,

On the red carpet, Wan Qingshan, who was in a straight suit, heard cheers from both sides. He followed the sound and waved to a group of young people!

"Mr. Wan, you still have so many movie fans in Berlin, a foreign country." Li Aiying, who was holding Wan Qingshan's arm and wearing a white tube top dress, whispered enviously.

Wan Qingshan put down his hand and said with a smile, "Miss Li, you also have many fans in my country. Many people like your performance in "Dae Jang Geum"!"

Li Aiying curled her lips. What she wanted were movie fans who could cheer for her at European film festivals, not those TV fans.

Wan Qingshan noticed Li Aiying's disdain.

He rolled his eyes, faced the reporters taking photos on both sides of the red carpet with a smile on his face, and whispered, "By the way, Miss Li Aiying, this is your first time attending an international film festival!"

Li Aiying's eyes suddenly changed, full of anger, and she gritted her teeth and whispered, "Mr. Wan, although I am not as famous as you in the international film industry, I also participated in the Spanish International Film Festival last year and won the Best Actress!"

"Best Actress at the Spanish International Film Festival, international movie queen! No wonder Ms. Li was invited to serve as a judge at the Berlin Film Festival!"

Wan Qingshan's artificial exclamation tone was completely mocking.This made Li Aiying a little nervous, and the smile on her face disappeared.

After the two walked across the red carpet and entered the auditorium, Li Aiying immediately let go of her hands and walked quickly towards her seat on her high heels.

After Wan Qingshan sat down in his seat, Chen Chen glanced at the dark-faced Li Aiying not far away and asked in a low voice, "Director Wan, what did you just say to her on the red carpet? She suddenly became serious. .”

Although Chen Chen walked in on the red carpet with Wan Qingshan and Li Aiying, she was just a translator.

Therefore, she was Li Aiying's assistant and followed Wan Qingshan and Li Aiying a few meters behind.I didn't hear what Wan Qingshan and Li Aiying said, but when I saw Wan Qingshan moving his lips, Li Aiying put on a straight face.

“I commend her for being invited to be a jury member at the Berlin Film Festival!”

"Pfft!"

Chen Chen lowered his laughter and said, "Haha, Director Wan, she must hate you to death!"

"In this film festival, I don't have to help Chinese films win awards. She can hate it if she hates it." Wan Qingshan said calmly.

Immediately, he felt someone watching him from the side. He followed the feeling and saw Li Aiying looking at him with wide eyes.

Wan Qingshan waved his hand with a smile. Seeing Li Aiying immediately turn his head, he sighed in his heart, "Fan Bayi will serve as a judge at the Cannes Film Festival in the future, and people in China say she is not qualified. If Fan Bayi is not qualified, then this It would be a magical event for Dae Jang Geum to take over the Berlin Film Festival!”

Reviewing movies these days, Wan Qingshan discovered that Charlotte Rampling and others had a somewhat contemptuous attitude toward Li Aiying.

Out of curiosity, he asked Chen Chen to call China and check Li Aiying's acting information.

Then, Wan Qingshan was shocked by Li Aiying's acting information.

Li Aiying is quite important in TV dramas. The TV series she starred in - "Dae Jang Geum" became popular in Asia.

But in movies, she has little influence. In South Korea, there is only one Blue Dragon Award for Best Actress that has any weight.

Internationally, she has only one, winning the Best Actress Award at the Spanish International Film Festival last year.

At that time, Wan Qingshan had a question in his mind - how did Li Aiying become a judge at the Berlin Film Festival?

Otherwise, even for the sake of political struggle, the Berlin Film Festival could invite an important Korean actor or director instead of Dae Jang Geum!
"Wan Dao!"

The sudden voice made Wan Qingshan turn his attention from Li Aiying to the sudden arrival - Hong Kong director Pang Haoxiang.

"Hello, Director Peng!"

"Hello, Director Wan!" Du Wenze, who was following Peng Haoxiang, greeted him respectfully.

Liang Luoshi, who came together, had a flash of surprise in his eyes.She knew Du Wenze's character, how could he be so respectful to others!
After Liang Luoshi came to his senses, he leaned over and stretched out his hand, "Hello, Director Wan, my name is Liang Luoshi!"

"Hello, Miss Liang!" Wan Qingshan touched Liang Luoshi's hand and quickly retracted it.

At this time, Peng Haoxiang whispered respectfully, "Director Wan, I'm sorry to trouble you this time."

People may not understand Peng Haoxiang's confusing words, but Wan Qingshan understands that Peng Haoxiang wants him to help win the award for the movie "Irabesha".

"Haha, all I can say is do your best!"

Peng Haoxiang looked overjoyed. As long as Wan Qingshan helped tear up the prize, he would win.

The other judges may not give face to the grand prize, but if it is just a small prize, the other judges will give Wan Qingshan face.After winning a small prize, the copyright of "Irabesha" will be easier to sell.

Peng Haoxiang grabbed Wan Qingshan's hand and said repeatedly, "Director Wan, thank you, thank you, I don't have high expectations, it's okay."

Wan Qingshan retracted his hand and said, "Director Peng, I can only say that I will do my best, but I can't guarantee anything."

"I know, I know, Director Wan, I would be very grateful if you could help me. I don't dare to expect anything else."

Because people were coming in one after another, Peng Haoxiang couldn't stay here any longer. He thanked Wan Qingshan again and turned back to his seat on the set of "Irabesha".

Not long after, when the auditorium was basically full, the opening ceremony began.

At the beginning, two lifetime honorary awards were awarded, and then the opening film "Snow Passerby" was played.

Wan Qingshan had watched "Passengers in the Snow Season" during the previous review, but after watching it again, I was still moved by the movie!

Wan Qingshan doesn't understand English, but through the pictures, he can still understand the plot of "Snow Passenger". It tells the story of a man who has a psychological shadow due to manslaughter and an autistic woman who redeem each other.

After the movie was shown, Wan Qingshan couldn't help feeling a little emotional. Foreign literary and artistic films are still diverse, including such bland and heart-warming films.

In comparison, the themes of domestic literary and artistic films are much more limited. They basically expose and judge, and describe suffering.

The movie is over and the opening ceremony is over.

The next day, Wan Qingshan went to the screening hall to watch movies at the invitation of directors for several days in a row.

three days later.

"Director Wan, thank you for coming to support me."

Wan Qingshan looked at this person, Zhang Yuan, a sixth-generation director who graduated from Nortel, with a round face and a natural curl.

"Director Zhang, you are my senior and my old senior, so of course I have to watch your movie."

"Haha, Director Wan, the film industry is not a place based on seniority."

Zhang Yuan's words made Wan Qingshan's eyes light up, and then he felt pity.

It's a pity that Zhang Yuan will be arrested for that in two years. Otherwise, just by Zhang Yuan's words, he really wanted to have a good chat with Zhang Yuan.

Wan Qingshan and Zhang Yuan chatted for a few words and then entered the screening room.

Zhang Yuan became famous very early. He made the first independent film in China. He won the Best Director Award at the Venice Film Festival eight years ago and is also a frequent guest at European film festivals.

Although his movie "Looks Beautiful" was not shortlisted for the main competition, the director Zhang Yuan's name also attracted many people.

Many of them were fans of Wan Qingshan. As soon as Wan Qingshan entered the screening room, he was surrounded by some of his fans.

After Wan Qingshan took a few photos with some fans, the movie was about to start and the fans returned to their seats.

Wan Qingshan had never heard of "Looks Beautiful" in his original life, so he originally came here with the mentality of supporting Chinese-language movies.

But after only a few minutes of the movie, Wan Qingshan's mentality changed. He sat up straight and looked closely at the screen.

After the movie ended, Wan Qingshan sighed in his heart, feeling sorry for the movie "Looks Beautiful" and its director Zhang Yuan.

"This movie shouldn't go to the top three major European film festivals. It should go to the Tokyo Film Festival!"

"Looking Beautiful" exposes pathological education from the perspective and psychology of a kindergarten child, thus reflecting the pathologies of the entire society.

From the perspective of kindergarten children, exposing pathological education has regional limitations.

The education methods in Europe and Asia are completely different. Europeans cannot understand the pathological education in Asia.

But at the Tokyo Film Festival in the island country, "Looking Beautiful" will definitely win the award!
"Director Zhang, you've come to the wrong place for this movie!" Wan Qingshan sighed towards Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan hesitated for a moment, and sighed helplessly, "Oh, Director Wan, I can't help it. I have been preparing for this movie for a long time, and I owe a lot of debt for this movie. Now the creditors are coming to find me, I can only choose to come to the nearest Berlin Film Festival and sell the film rights as soon as possible so that I can pay back the money."

Wan Qingshan was stunned for a moment and sighed for "Looking Beautiful" and Zhang Yuan.Immediately, he spoke to Zhang Yuan and left.

As soon as he left the screening room, Wan Qingshan was blocked by domestic reporters.

"Director Wan, it's your first time as a judge at the Berlin Film Festival. What do you think?"

"Director Wan, what do you think of Director Zhang's movie?"

"Director Wan, I heard that you previously rejected a film by a senior student from Nortel's directing department to be nominated for the Berlin Film Festival. Is this true?"

,,,,,

Because of the previous conversation with Tang Jianli, Wan Qingshan did not push the reporter away this time, but said with a smile on his face,
"Everyone, everyone, I have plenty of time. You can ask questions slowly one by one. I will answer everyone's questions if I can."

Wan Qingshan's completely opposite attitude towards reporters in the past surprised many reporters.

Then, they immediately lined up to ask questions, fearing that Wan Qingshan would change his story.

"Director Wan, how do you feel about being a judge for the first time?"

"I have a lot of feelings. Being able to communicate with filmmakers from different countries has given me an in-depth understanding of the film and television industries in different countries."

"Director Wan, there was a rumor from Nortel that you refused the film of a senior student from Nortel's directing department to enter the Berlin Film Festival. Is this true? If it is true, how did you consider rejecting your junior student's film? The film entered the Berlin Film Festival.”

"You said it was a rumor, how could it be true! The Berlin Film Festival has always been known for its openness and fairness. How could it not allow good films to be shortlisted just because I rejected a certain film?

Also, I am just a judge, responsible for discussing with several judges which movie is more outstanding in which aspects.What right do I have to refuse a film that can be shortlisted? "

Wan Qingshan's official words stunned many reporters. They couldn't believe that these words came from Wan Qingshan's mouth.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes and only heard about it, they would have thought that it was said by some government official.

Then they hurried on to ask questions.At this Berlin Film Festival, except for "Looking Good" and "Isabella," there are no other Chinese-language films.

The directors and starring actors of these two movies are not well-known in the outside world and have nothing to report.

At this Berlin Film Festival, only Wan Qingshan serves as a judge, and his news is worth reporting.

If they don't ask more questions now, if Wanqingshan doesn't answer questions anymore, then their visit to this Berlin Film Festival will be in vain. "Director Wan, do you think "Isabella" can win the award?"

,,,,,,,,,

These reporters seemed to want to ask all the questions at once. After asking about the news about the Berlin Film Festival, they then asked about Wan Qingshan's participation in "The Promise" at the Oscars next month, the establishment of a studio with Li Bailian a few days ago, and Chen Kun and Feite Zhao's views on establishing a company as a partnership.

Even with Tang Jiancheng's warning, "Have a good relationship with the media, it will be better for your image in the hearts of the people," Wan Qingshan did not answer the question.

If he continues to answer these questions, the reporter will definitely ask other questions, and then there will be no end.

Wan Qingshan stopped answering, and the reporters gradually dispersed.Today's harvest is enough, there is no need for them to surround Wanqingshan all the time and force Wanqingshan to answer.

As soon as the reporter left, Wan Qingshan took a long breath and his expression became relaxed.

He had been learning to answer in Mandarin for so long just now, and he was a little nervous, for fear that he would say the wrong thing.

,,,,
The next day, Wan Qingshan went to see "Irabesha" at the invitation of Peng Haoxiang.

Wan Qingshan had already watched "Irabesha" during the previous review.

If the movie is shortlisted, the quality is not bad.

But maybe Peng Haoxiang himself didn't know what "Irabesha" was going to express before filming, which made the plot somewhat empty.Especially in contrast to the beautiful images and the ubiquitous melancholy music, the plot seems even more hollow.

After the movie ended, Wan Qingshan, who was a little distracted after watching it once, came to his senses, got up and walked towards Peng Haoxiang.

As soon as he came over, before Wan Qingshan said anything, Peng Haoxiang said very respectfully, "Director Wan, I'm sorry to trouble you."

Wan Qingshan was a little queasy when he showed respect to Peng Haoxiang again, but he knew that Peng Haoxiang was two-faced.

Peng Haoxiang respected him very much on the surface, but maybe he was still scolding him in his heart.

"Director Peng, I can only say that I will try my best, but I can't guarantee anything."

"Director Wan, I'm very happy if you can help me. No matter what the outcome is, I'm mentally prepared."

Peng Haoxiang has a sincere face, and outsiders would definitely think that this is what he is thinking.

But Wan Qingshan wouldn't think so. If Peng Haoxiang really thought so, he wouldn't remind him repeatedly and put him on a high pedestal as soon as he saw him.

If someone puts you on too high a level, the person who was put on the line will feel very sorry if things don't get done.

"Director Peng, then be mentally prepared!"

These words made Peng Haoxiang confused. Looking at Wan Qingshan's leaving back, he opened his mouth and wanted to call Wan Qingshan to stop him. What did he mean by that?
After watching "Irabesha", the staff of the Berlin Film Festival notified Wanqingshan the next day to start voting for the awards.

Since then, Wan Qingshan has entered a period of silence and cannot disclose anything about the award to the outside world.

Eight people from Charlotte Rampling gathered at the Berlin Film Festival office to vote on the film awards.

Right off the bat, it’s time to vote for the Golden Bear!
Jury President Charlotte Rampling highly recommends "Gbavitsa"!
"Gbavica"!Wan Qingshan was surprised!

Currently, "The Road to Guantanamo" has the highest score in the Berlin show. In addition to the political theme, not only the outside media and movie fans believe that "The Road to Guantanamo" will win the Golden Bear Award this year. Even Wan Qingshan thinks so.

The political theme, coupled with the fact that Michael Winterbottom, one of the two directors, has a great influence on the international film scene.

Although "Grbavica" has a political theme, the director's influence is far worse than that of Michael Winterbottom!
When Charlotte Rampling recommended "Grbavitsa" to win the Golden Bear, everyone else objected, especially Li Aiying.

While she objected, she also recommended "The Road to Guan Tanama" to everyone!
And then - he was opposed by the rest of the group!

At this time, Wan Qingshan finally understood. Charlotte Rampling took the profit to recommend "Gbavitsa", and Li Aiying took the profit to recommend "The Road to Guantanamo".

The rest of the judges are the same as him, no one has come to offer benefits yet.So they all opposed it, but they didn’t recommend the movie.

They are just like Wan Qingshan, waiting for someone to give them benefits before they decide which movie to vote for.

After "The Road to Guantanamo" was opposed by everyone, Li Aiying immediately looked to her side. Wan Qingshan did not express any objection or support for the two movies.

"Director Wan, you are also a judge, so you can't help but express your opinion!"

While listening to Li Aiying's words, Wan Qingshan felt his calves and smiled,

"I just reacted a little slowly. When I reacted, everyone objected. This was the same attitude as mine, so there was no need for me to express my position."

Li Aiying's face turned cold and she immediately put her feet back under the table.

After Chen Chen translated Wan Qingshan's words, everyone except Charlotte Rampling and Li Aiying had smiles on their faces.

Charlotte Rampling would vote against all awards before she knew that the people in Wanqingshan had not received any benefits.

Therefore, she announced that voting would be suspended and that voting would be held in the afternoon.

After Wan Qingshan and Chen Chen returned to the hotel, Wan Qingshan stopped Chen Chen who was about to go back to his room.

"Come to my room, someone will come to the door soon, and you will be needed to translate!"

I had never followed Wan Qingshan to the Venice Film Festival. The Berlin Film Festival was all run by people from China Film Festival, so Chen Chen, who had no idea about the transactions behind the European Film Festival, followed Wan Qingshan into the room with confusion.

After waiting for a while, no one came. Chen Chen couldn't help but ask, "Director Wan, who are you waiting for?"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a 'dong dong' from the door.

As soon as the door opened, Wan Qingshan saw an acquaintance - Kore Vadang!
Koreva stepped forward with a smile on his face, gently hugged Wanqingshan, and said something at the same time.

"Director Wan, he is saying hello to you." Chen Chen translated.

"You say hello to him for me, and then ask him directly who he wants me to support?"

Wan Qingshan's words made Chen Chen guess the gameplay behind the European Film Festival. Her eyes widened and she was stunned for a moment before she translated Wan Qingshan's words to Koreva.

Koreva laughed after hearing this. He liked to deal with cheerful people like Wanqingshan the most.

Then, he mumbled something.

"Director Wan, he hopes you will support "Grbavitsa" at the Golden Bear Award." Chen Chen translated.

Wan Qingshan nodded slightly, took out a piece of paper from his luggage and handed it to Chen Chen.

"You tell him I need the rights to adapt these movies."

Chen Chen took a look at the movies written on the paper and then handed them over to Korevadang.

When Koreva heard what Chen Chen translated, he looked at a few movies on the paper, and the smile on his face became wider.

On paper, these movies are all a bit old, and with MK2’s connections, they can get the adaptation rights without even spending any money.

"Director Wan, he said it's no problem. After the Berlin Film Festival, he will sign a contract with you for the adaptation rights of these films."

As soon as Chen Chen finished speaking, Korevadan said something else.

"Director Wan, he said that Sophie Marceau has carefully prepared a movie, is going to direct and star in it, and wants to invite you to star in it."

A flash of surprise flashed in Wan Qingshan's eyes, French Rose actually asked him to star in the movie!
Although he was surprised that Sophie Marceau invited him to film, Wan Qingshan refused without considering it.

"Chen Chen, help me reject him. Just say thank you Sophie Marceau for inviting me, but I don't understand the language and it's not convenient for me to act together. Also, my work plan for the past two years has been arranged!"

After Chen Chen translated, Korevadan, who was just helping to spread the message, did not try to persuade him.

After Koreva left, Chen Chen said with a pity look on his face, "Director Wan, why didn't you agree just now, Sophie Marceau! She is so beautiful, even I, a woman, think she is beautiful."

Seeing Chen Chen talking about Sophie Marceau like a star-chasing little girl, Wan Qingshan smiled, "She is forty now, and she is on the level of your aunt!"

"That's beautiful too!" Chen Chen replied firmly.

"Okay, it's beautiful as long as it's beautiful. Go back to your room quickly and don't disturb my nap. I have to vote in the afternoon."

Chen Chen pouted and turned back to his room.

In the afternoon, when we voted again for the Golden Bear Award, in the first round, "Grbavitsa" ranked first with four votes, "Road to Guantanamo" only had two votes, and the other two votes were given to two other films. !

Then, Li Aiying and Matthew Barney, who also voted for "The Road to Guantanamo", began to lobby everyone, hoping that everyone would agree to let "The Road to Guantanamo" and "Gbavita" tie for the Golden Bear Award!

Wan Qingshan has no objection to the tie for the Golden Bear Award. Anyway, he has already done what he promised to Koreva.

But except for Wanqingshan, the other three who voted for "Gbavitsa" disagreed.

But the two judges who voted for other films had no objections to this.

Then, "The Road to Guantánamo" and "Gbavitsa" tied for the Golden Bear, with five votes.

But don’t wait until Li Aiying and Matthew Barney are happy.
Charlotte exchanged a few words with the two judges in a low voice, and after not knowing what kind of benefits they were promised, they immediately changed their tune and did not support sharing the Golden Bear Award!

Just like that, after another round of voting, "Gbavitsa" received six votes!
In the dismay of Lee Ai-young and Matthew Barney, it was confirmed that "Grbavitsa" won the Golden Bear!

Next, we voted for the second most important award - the Jury Prize, and then everyone had different opinions.

Charlotte Rampling could only suspend the meeting again to give the shortlisted crew time to use their interests to win over the judges in Wanqingshan.

Similarly, not long after Wan Qingshan and Chen Chen returned to the hotel, someone else came to their door, hoping that Wan Qingshan could vote "offside" in the jury award.

Wan Qingshan agreed and sold the Spanish copyright of "The True Meaning of Love" to this man.

In the following days, Wan Qingshan relied on his investment to sell the copyright of "The True Meaning of Love" or directly collect money, earning millions of euros.

Until one day, when voting for the Best Film Music Award, Wan Qingshan, who always followed their recommendations, recommended "Isabella" first.

This is an insignificant award in the main competition unit, and no crew wants to win over the judges for this award.

The benefits of winning over the five judges are much greater than the benefits of winning this award. No crew would do such a loss-making business!

Because Charlotte Rampling and the others received no interest from other crews in this award, and the score in "Isabella" itself was also outstanding.

So, except for Li Aiying who hated Wan Qingshan, Charlotte Rampling and others all gave Wan Qingshan face and voted for "Irabesha"!
Seeing that "Isabella" won the Best Film Music Award with seven votes, Wan Qingshan felt no joy in his heart, because the original "Isabella" also won the Best Film Music Award.

The small award of Best Film Music Award has been selected, the selection voting has basically come to an end, and the work of Wanqingshan judges is also coming to an end.

The closing ceremony is about to begin!

(End of this chapter)