Chapter 140: The Powerhouses of the World

May 22nd was the exciting award ceremony. On this day, there were truly many stars, and Xiao Ran and his group almost completely lost attention amidst the large number of European and American celebrities. Fortunately, the attention from Chinese and some European journalists helped restore a bit of face for them.

Here, Xiao Ran finally experienced America’s disregard for Chinese films—actually, it went beyond disregard; it was outright ignorance of their existence. Thinking about how great masters like Wu Yushen had to go through countless hardships to finally get a chance to direct in Hollywood, it became clear just how difficult it was.

Recalling his initial plan to submit his script to Hollywood when he first arrived in this era, Xiao Ran couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Now he understood it was just a fantasy. First, unless you already had connections in Hollywood, no one would even look at a script written by a Chinese screenwriter. Second, in Hollywood, every screenwriter or director had an agent. Without an agent, no matter how good your script was, Hollywood wouldn’t give it a second glance—such was the rule. Any script needed an agent to promote it; no matter how highly it was praised, as long as you had an excellent agent, even a poor script could still get filmed.

The group of Chinese people sat aside, while sturdy figures like Wang Jiawei grew nervous as the awards ceremony finally began. If Hollywood was considered the holy land of cinema for filmmakers around the world, then Cannes was undoubtedly the palace of art cinema—no wonder Wang Jiawei was nervous.

Xiao Ran was also nervous. Winning the Palme d’Or would surely draw more attention from Europe and America to Chinese-language films. This would make it easier to expand globally, affecting not only his own honor but also the pace of building his film empire—how could he not be nervous?

Xiao Ran wasn’t aware of the winners of the 41st Cannes Film Festival. As for the Asian distribution rights for those films, that was handled by Ge Wenqiu. The usual awards at Cannes included only the Palme d’Or, the Grand Prix, and the Caméra d’Or for debutants. Beyond that, there were awards for best actor, best actress, and best director.

However, there was no Best Screenwriter award yet. Otherwise, Xiao Ran would have really wanted to win one to prove that his reputation wasn’t just hype. This year, an additional award was introduced: the Education Contribution Award. When Xiao Ran heard the guest on stage announce in a stiff tone, “Chen Kaige, ‘King of Kids’,” he was completely stunned.

He had no idea Chen Kaige was competing in this year’s Cannes until that moment. Looking around, he saw Chen Kaige walking onto the stage with a smile, accepting the award. After that, Chen Kaige glanced in Xiao Ran’s direction, and their eyes met—both were taken aback.

Chen Kaige was equally interested in this group from Hong Kong, especially in Xiao Ran, his boss. What followed was simple and uneventful until the Caméra d’Or was awarded, when Wang Jiawei and Xiao Ran finally grew nervous again.

Regrettably, it wasn’t Wang Jiawei who won this award, but Mira Nair, the director of “Mumbai, Hello.” The next award presented was the Jury Prize, which is awarded when several jurors particularly favor a film with unique qualities—there is usually such an award. At this point, aside from Xiao Ran’s “Dark Flowers” still having a chance, Yang Chaoqun and Wang Jiawei had no hope left, both looking quite disheartened. Xiao Ran glanced at their expressions and couldn’t help but smirk inwardly, thinking that perhaps Wang Jiawei had decided to make a living by winning awards from now on.

“The winner of the 41st Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize is…” The guests on stage always liked to keep the audience in suspense at this moment, as if it had become a routine: “It’s ‘Krotki Film o Zabijanju’ (the author doesn’t know English—just make do), directed by Krzystof Kieslowski!”

Xiao Ran’s heart, which had been held in suspense, plummeted to its lowest point. Could it really be that they wouldn’t bring home a single award from this trip? Xiao Ran didn’t want to believe it, but he had no choice. It was well known in the international film world that there was little respect for Chinese-language films; otherwise, their presence here wouldn’t have caused such a stir.

Although he didn’t know much about Cannes, he understood that “Dark Flowers” had absolutely no chance of winning the Palme d’Or. In the history of Chinese-language films, only “Farewell My Concubine” had ever won it once, uniquely. As for the other major awards—Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director—it was unlikely that Chinese-language films would win them. Forget the Palme d’Or; there was even less hope for the Jury Prize, which usually required a certain social significance. As a gangster film, “Dark Flowers” had no such social significance at all! The chances of winning an award were minuscule. As for the last newly added award, the Artistic Contribution Award, Xiao Ran didn’t think “Dark Flowers” could make any artistic contribution!

So, his only hope was to win over some of the jurors and secure the Jury Prize. But this time, he failed, and it seemed like total defeat…

Lin Qingxia didn’t understand why she felt so bitter and helpless. In her eyes, it wasn’t over yet. But she knew she could comfort Xiao Ran, so she gently took his hand, trying to pass on her warmth to him.

How could Xiao Ran not feel Lin Qingxia’s love? He gave her a look and shook his head slightly to show he was fine. Fa Ge also noticed something was wrong with Xiao Ran and leaned over to ask, “A Ran, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just a bit headache!” Xiao Ran came up with an utterly mediocre excuse to cover it up. Suddenly, he remembered that Fa Ge also had a good chance of winning Best Actor. Winning that award might not be enough, but it could at least serve as some compensation.

Su Renyao definitely won’t get this award, but Fa Ge has a slight chance. However, Xiao Ran was quickly disappointed because he suddenly realized that although Fa Ge’s performance was better than Leung Chao-wai’s version, Su Renyao’s performance was inferior to Liu Qingyun’s in the original version. With one rising and the other falling, it was hard to find a more appropriate comparison for Fa Ge’s masterful acting skills.

The next awards to be presented were the Artistic Contribution Award and the Outstanding Technical Achievement Award, and indeed neither went to Xiao Ran. Finally, it came to the big prizes, which Xiao Ran thought were unlikely to go to him. After the Best Actress award was given, it was time for the Best Actor award.

On stage to present the Best Actor award were John Goldstone, winner of the 36th Cannes Film Festival’s Best Director award, and Meryl Streep. The two told humorous jokes on stage. After a few words, John couldn’t help but laugh and say, “There are so many candidates for Best Actor this time—people from all over the world, even from the mysterious East.”

“You’re absolutely right. That Easterner is incredibly handsome!” Meryl’s exaggerated tone wasn’t taken seriously by many. The interpreter on stage translated for Fa Ge, while Xiao Ran secretly translated for Lin Qingxia. Both of them stared at Fa Ge and smiled.

“Let’s see who will win this year’s Best Actor award!” Meryl opened the list and was stunned for two full seconds—the name on it must have surprised her greatly.

“I think today’s award will result in something unprecedented. It might even become historic…” John leaned in to take a look and was also stunned for a moment before saying with a smile, “From what we know, this winner already has countless acting titles. I’ve seen his performance, and it’s only natural for him to win this award!”

Xiao Ran tightly held Lin Qingxia’s soft hand. From those words, he sensed something unusual. No Chinese actor had ever won the Best Actor award before. If he won this time, it would indeed be unprecedented and historic!

“The winner of the 41st Cannes Film Festival’s Best Actor award is…” Meryl’s shock still lingered in her eyes. Her beautiful eyes scanned the audience before finally settling on Zhou Runfa. She pronounced his name in awkward Pinyin: “Zhou Runfa, ‘Dark Flowers’!”

“The words ‘Zhou Runfa, ‘Dark Flowers’’ echoed throughout the large venue. Xiao Ran’s heart almost leaped out of his chest. Hearing those words, he almost jumped up immediately. Zhou Runfa was slightly stunned by the Pinyin but immediately felt overwhelming joy, almost freezing in place.

Fortunately, Xiao Ran reacted quickly and gave him a gentle push. Only then did Fa Ge regain his usual gentlemanly smile and stand up to walk onto the stage. Don’t blame Fa Ge for being so excited—after all, this was Cannes, not the Golden Horse Awards. Winning this award was just as difficult and rewarding as winning an Oscar.

Tall and imposing, yet exuding great gentlemanly manners, Fa Ge stepped onto the stage, shook hands with the two of them, and took the trophy before scanning the audience, his gaze stopping on Xiao Ran’s face. After showing his usual warm smile, he stared at Xiao Ran, the smile growing deeper.

Having made it this far, he truly regarded Xiao Ran as his best friend in life. Without Xiao Ran’s scripts and recommendations, he wouldn’t have been able to star in “True Heroes” or continue his career as a moderately successful actor.

Without Xiao Ran, he wouldn’t have become the legendary Fa Ge sought after by film producers everywhere, nor would he have become Hong Kong’s top male star in just one year. Now, Xiao Ran had even helped him reach this prestigious award stage.

Standing at the pinnacle of this industry, he could only sincerely say in Chinese to Xiao Ran below, “A Ran, thank you. Without you, I would never have achieved what I have today. Thank you to the organizers, thank you to the judges!” The last two sentences were spoken in English, which he had practiced beforehand, and sounded quite fluent.

This sentence in Chinese clearly left everyone in the audience confused, but Xiao Ran understood Fa Ge’s meaning and was deeply moved. Fa Ge was a man of loyalty; ever since his contract with New Art City ended, he had only taken on films produced by Shadow Pictures—something Xiao Ran was well aware of.

It was definitely Xiao Ran’s willingness that had brought Fa Ge to this position. He didn’t want to see this acting god remain unrecognized in the West. Thinking about everything that had happened, his eyes slightly moistened. When Fa Ge came down from the stage and approached him, Xiao Ran raised his right hand to clasp Fa Ge’s, flashing a knowing smile. Needless to say, their friendship grew even stronger from then on.

At first, he thought it was insufficient that only Fa Ge was receiving an award. But after hearing Fa Ge’s heartfelt words on stage, Xiao Ran’s mind changed. He felt it was all worth it if it meant helping Fa Ge reach the position of Cannes Best Actor.

Only two awards remained: Best Director and the Palme d’Or. Xiao Ran’s mood had completely changed. At this point, he no longer cared whether he won an award or not. Besides, his chances of winning were slim.

The next award was for Best Director, the only one Xiao Ran still had a chance at. Seeing Xiao Ran’s indifferent attitude, which contrasted sharply with his earlier concern, Fa Ge thought Xiao Ran had been nervous for him and was deeply touched.

Xiao Ran turned to ask An Yuxuan, who had been with him the whole time, “Yuxuan, have we booked the flight?” Only after seeing An Yuxuan nod did he feel relieved.

“Why are you in such a hurry to go back so early? You came so early—why rush?” Lin Qingxia didn’t understand why Xiao Ran wanted to leave so soon. She stared at him in confusion and asked, “We can stay in Paris for a few days before going back!”

Xiao Ran sighed and patiently explained, “I didn’t even want to come to Cannes this time because the crew was extremely busy. I decided early on to return the day after to continue shooting.”

“The most crucial thing is that time waits for no one. A film like ‘Spy Change’ is a strong contender for this summer’s release season. I need this film to defeat the alliance of those four companies and break up their coalition!” Xiao Ran shrugged helplessly and said, “It must be released by August at the latest. That means we only have two months left, and we’ve only finished half of the shooting so far.”
As they were talking, the award presenters came out—none other than jury chairman Coppola and Murray. This clearly surprised all the guests present. It wasn’t unheard of for the jury chairman to present awards in person, but it had never happened for the Best Director award.
“I imagine everyone is wondering why I’m here to present the Best Director award personally…” Coppola was more trying to set the mood than explain anything. “As you all know, among all the films in this competition, my personal favorite is ‘Dark Flower’.”
“I agree with you. ‘Dark Flower’ may not be the best film in this competition, but it’s definitely the most engaging one,” Murray nodded seriously, his expression so serious that no one could doubt he wasn’t joking. “Its seamless narrative style, along with its concise yet direct and effective approach, makes the film even more charming!”
“Because I like and admire this young man, Xiao Ran, I specifically asked to present this award!” At this point, Coppola smiled. “In fact, I did vote for him, but I don’t know the exact result. So, I just hope to personally present this award to this talented young man.”