1979: The child's mother is a celestial being.

Chapter 88 Mr. Chen at the Awards Ceremony (Please Subscribe!)

pat~
In a small screening room in Cannes, as the lights went out, an advertising video began to play.

The first shot is taken in a room, where the morning sunlight streams in through the window. A young girl (played by Gong Xue) takes a plain Baleno T-shirt from the closet, her fingertips tracing the cotton fabric, and the camera zooms in on the texture of the fabric.

The accompanying voiceover, also in Gong Xue's voice, says: "A new day begins with comfort!"

The camera cuts to a second shot:
A man (played by Chen Fusheng) wearing Baleno jeans runs on a basketball court, and a close-up shot shows his pants stretching out as he jumps to shoot. A woman (played by Karina) wearing a matching shirt is reading a book on a park bench, and the wind blows the hem of her shirt, revealing a smile.

In the third scene, Miao Jinfeng, playing the mother, is preparing breakfast in the kitchen while wearing a Baleno knit sweater. Han Sanping, playing the father, is sending his child to school while wearing a striped shirt. The child, wearing a bright-colored sweatshirt, is waving goodbye at the school gate.

Voiceover: "Whether you're going to work, school, taking a walk, exercising, or playing, Baleno is perfect for you at every moment."

……

The final shot: The Baleno logo appears on the screen, with the caption below: Baleno – Wear it freely, live it to the fullest!
(Voiceover: Baleno is with you!)

-

pat~
An advertisement that lasted exactly one minute quickly finished playing, and Chen Fusheng walked to the door and turned the lights back on.

Sitting below were Han Sanping, Ling Zi, Gong Xue, Miao Jinfeng... Owen Rosseven, and several employees that Owen had brought from the company.

Before Chen Fusheng could even ask for his opinion, Irving took the lead in applauding the advertisement.

Although this action is the best answer.

But Chen Fusheng still asked, "Mr. Owen, are you satisfied with this advertisement?"

"That's amazing, Chen! You're a genius! No, you really are a genius!"

"Hehe, as long as you're satisfied."

Chen Fusheng then turned to the actors who made guest appearances, including Han Sanping, and asked, "What do you think?"

"It's amazing, and I really didn't expect the final result to be like this when we were filming it."

"Me too! So this is what advertising is?!"

"I remember when we were filming 'The Tuner,' some people in the crew privately called Fusheng a genius director. Now it seems that there are no wrong nicknames, only wrong names."

"..."

Seeing that everyone was quite satisfied, Chen Fusheng looked at Owen again and said, "Since Mr. Owen has no objections, then we will use this advertisement as a segment of the movie advertisement."

"Sure, and could you please make a copy for me, Chen?"

"It has been prepared for a long time."

Irving took the copy and readily agreed that he would settle the remaining payment once he returned to Hong Kong.

Since the film festival's closing ceremony was tomorrow, Chen Fusheng and his group were still waiting for a call from the organizing committee. So, after finishing their business, they said goodbye to Owen and his group and went straight back to their hotel.

"Director Shi, have you received a call from the organizing committee?"

As mentioned earlier, according to the unwritten rules of film festivals, if a film crew receives an invitation call one or two days before the closing ceremony, it means that there will be at least one award at the awards ceremony.

But what if you don't receive an invitation call...

Tonight, Chen Fusheng and his team should consider selling the North American rights, the rights in several major European countries, and the Japanese rights to "The Tuner" on the copyright trading market.

The reason Deputy Director Shi didn't go out with them earlier was because he was specifically waiting for this phone call.

Seeing the expectant looks on everyone's faces, Deputy Director Shi didn't keep them in suspense. He stood up and solemnly announced, "As expected, just an hour before you came in, I received a call from the organizing committee inviting us to attend tomorrow's closing ceremony. So, congratulations everyone."

"Yeah, that's great!"

"Yes, these days of waiting have not been in vain."

"See? I predicted long ago that your movie 'Floating Life' would definitely win an award."

"Haha, thank you for your wise words, Sister Ling."

"Is that a nice thing to say? Get out of here."

Applause rang out in the room.

Now that they've received this phone call, they don't need to rush into action tonight.

Back in his room, Han Sanping looked at the numerous Baleno brand clothes that Irving had his employees bring from Hong Kong in his wardrobe, then turned to Chen Fusheng and asked:

"Should we return these clothes to Irving and the others after we wear them on the closing ceremony red carpet tomorrow?"

"No need to return it, these clothes were originally sponsored."

Chen Fusheng also went over. Since he was an advertising director, Owen had his staff bring clothes from Hong Kong for shooting commercials and sponsoring their participation in events, which were all in their room, including a lot of women's clothes.

At this moment, Chen Fusheng, based on his wife's figure, roughly picked out one of each type of women's clothing, and then, to Han Sanping's utter astonishment, openly packed them into his own suitcase.

"What are you looking at? If you're buying some for your wife, take some for yourself too. Just don't take them all; leave some for them as well."

Han Sanping suddenly realized what was going on and quickly followed Chen Fusheng's example, picking out a few clothes and stuffing them into his backpack.

Only after it was finished did I belatedly ask, "Is this okay?"

"If you don't like it, then don't take it."

Chen Fusheng retorted speechlessly.

Han Sanping looked down at his actions, chuckled, and zipped up the zipper.

……

The next day.

The closing ceremony red carpet event started at 5 p.m.

However, Chen Fusheng and the others came over to get their makeup done after having a little lunch.

"Chen, your crew will be the second to walk the red carpet later." Karina learned the latest news from the organizing committee and then came over to tell Chen Fusheng and the others.

"The second one, right? Okay, no problem."

I remember on the opening day, after other film crews walked the red carpet, they were all surrounded by reporters who came up to interview them, but after they walked the red carpet, no one paid any attention to them.

However, because of the outstanding performance of "Andhadhun" during this Cannes Film Festival, a bunch of reporters surrounded them as soon as they appeared on the red carpet before the closing ceremony today.

Therefore, the rules of the entertainment industry have never changed.

You only have value when you become famous.

Even puppies won't become famous...

Ahem, sorry, if you're not famous, even paparazzi won't bother with you.

"Chen, have you received an invitation call from the organizing committee?"

"some."

"Congratulations! What are your expectations for tonight's awards?"

"Of course I hope our film can win the grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival," Chen Fusheng said frankly, without any modesty.

As for whether he would be labeled arrogant by these foreign media outlets, he didn't care at all. Because by then he had already returned to China.

After the interview, they went to the waiting area and waited for a while. Since they were the second film crew to walk the red carpet, it was their turn soon.

Why do so many celebrities strike numerous poses on the red carpet?
On the one hand, it was to cooperate with the reporters taking photos; on the other hand, it was also a requirement of the brand ambassadors.

At this moment, when Chen Fusheng and his group walked the closing ceremony red carpet, they didn't move with the same gusto as when they walked the opening ceremony red carpet last time. Instead, they struck several poses to promote their outfits.

Of course, all of this was rehearsed in advance.

Upon entering the venue, the hostesses led them to their seats. Since they were going to go on stage to receive an award, the organizers naturally arranged for them to sit at the very front.

"Mr. Chen, do you really think we can win the Palme d'Or tonight?" Miao Jinfeng asked, trying to make conversation after sitting down.

"You still have to have dreams, what if they come true?" Chen Fusheng said with a smile.

He certainly knew that the chances of "Andhadhun" winning the Palme d'Or were slim, but what if it was?
Next, as each film crew entered the venue, the time for the awards ceremony drew ever closer.

At six o'clock, the host took the stage, followed by performances by several French singers and dancers.

The awards ceremony did not officially begin until 7 o'clock.

At this moment, the jury president, Jacques Drey, is standing on the stage reading his carefully prepared opening remarks.

"Distinguished guests, dear friends from the film industry, good evening."

"At this moment, the sea breeze in Cannes still carries the warmth of the film reels, and the lights of the Palais des Festivals linger for every work that has ever graced this stage. Over the past ten days, we have encountered films from all over the world—some like sharp scalpels, dissecting the texture of reality; some like gentle moonlight, illuminating the wrinkles of humanity; some deconstruct the ordinary with absurdity; and some wrap power in poetry."

"As a member of this year's jury, we are fortunate to be among the first audiences of these stories. We have always maintained awe in the ebb and flow of light and shadow, awe of the courage of the creators, awe of the truth captured by the camera, and even more awe of the magic of film as an art form that transcends language and national borders."

"Next, the moment of honor is about to begin, but please allow us to say that every nominated film has left an indelible mark on this summer. Because the significance of film is not just the weight of the trophy, but also the reflection and emotion it plants in our hearts."

"Now, let's prepare to applaud those names that ignite the silver screen with their passion—the 34th Cannes Film Festival Awards Ceremony is officially beginning!"

Applause resounded throughout the venue until the chairman of the judging panel raised the microphone again and announced the name of the first award.

"The first award is called the Youth Film Award, which will be used to kick off the awards ceremony tonight."

From this Youth Film Award to the subsequent Palme d'Or for Short Films, these were all relatively minor awards that weren't highly regarded tonight. Some of these awards were even special awards that might not exist next year.

The main competition begins with the technical awards.

When Yelena Solove's name from "Zero Combat Team" was announced in the Best Supporting Actress category, it meant that Miao Jinfeng from their side was out of the running.

When the Best Actress award was announced for Lisabelle Adjani in "Quartet" and "Possessed," it meant that Gong Xue was out of the running.

However, on stage, Isabelle Adjani, who is only 26 years old this year, is indeed a beautiful sight as the most popular and beautiful actress in France at the time.

"She's so beautiful!"

Hearing the sentiments around him, Chen Fusheng couldn't help but nod in agreement: "Indeed."

Then he turned around and realized that the person who had just uttered that exclamation was actually Gong Xue.

"Next up should be the Best Actor award, and I think Fusheng, you have a chance."

After Isabelle Adjani finished her acceptance speech and stepped down from the stage, Han Sanping looked away. To cover up his earlier lapse in composure, he brought up this topic.

At this moment, Chen Fusheng didn't say anything insincere or polite, and said with a hint of expectation, "I hope so."

"Tonight's Best Actor award goes to—congratulations to Hugo Tognegi for 'The Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man'."

Hearing that it wasn't his name, Chen Fusheng felt a little disappointed, but the light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Because the further along the path, the bigger the prize.

They weren't the best screenwriters either.

That leaves only two prizes tonight.

"Wow, could we really be the Palme d'Or winner?"

Chen Fusheng's heart rate also soared to over 120 at that moment.

After the other prizes were announced, the grand prize was also revealed at the same time.

So at this moment, the atmosphere in the entire venue became tense.

"Next, we will present the second-to-last award of this film festival, the Jury Grand Prize... The winner of this award is—let's give a warm round of applause to the film 'Andhadhun' from China. Please welcome the representative of 'Andhadhun' to the stage to accept the award and give a speech."

Hearing their names called, Chen Fusheng was happy, but also disappointed.

Having come this far, who wouldn't want to win the Palme d'Or?

"Let's go, let's go up on stage together to receive the award." Chen Fusheng quickly composed himself, then patted Han Sanping, who was still in a daze, on the shoulder and pulled him up.

"Why don't you go? I won't go..."

Chen Fusheng and Han Sanping shared a room, so of course Chen knew that Han Sanping had also prepared an acceptance speech. Moreover, since they were co-directors of the film, how could Chen Fusheng claim all the credit for himself?

So, they dragged him onto the stage.

They accepted the trophy together, and when it came time to give their acceptance speeches, he let Han Sanping speak first so as not to put pressure on him.

After he finished speaking, Chen Fusheng took the microphone.

"Good evening, everyone. I am Chen Fusheng. A little over ten days ago, when we came here with this film about 'seeing' and 'concealing,' we were worried about whether the lies and truths flowing from the fingertips of a blind pianist could be understood by eyes that speak different languages. But the applause and flowers our film has received these days tell me that people's hearts are connected. Just as music can transcend national boundaries, the struggle between lies and conscience is just as intense in any land."

"Thank you to the jury, you made our story resonate in Cannes. Thank you to the crew and every actor."

"Finally, I would like to dedicate this honor to all those who 'open their eyes' but choose not to see, and also to those who 'close their eyes' but see everything clearly. Film is like a mirror, sometimes reflecting others, sometimes reflecting ourselves. Thank you Cannes for allowing this mirror from China to reflect light here."

"Mr. Chen!"

Chen Fusheng had barely finished his acceptance speech when some foreigner in the audience shouted something.

That's not the main point. The main point is that his shout actually caused a chain reaction in the venue.

"Mr. Chen!"

"Mr. Chen!"

"..."

If before this, many foreigners in the venue only remembered Chen Fusheng's face, after tonight, they also remembered that he was called Mr. Chen.

This is not just because "Andhadhun" won the Jury Prize, nor is it solely because of his profound acceptance speech tonight.

This is also inseparable from the impression he left on everyone during the film festival.

"Thank you, thank you everyone for your kindness."

Chen Fusheng himself did not expect that in just over ten days, he would have such 'charisma' among these foreigners.

To be honest, it was quite a pleasant surprise.

As for tonight's Palme d'Or, it was awarded to the legendary "Iron Man".

(End of this chapter)