thefictionvixens Chapter 31, Second Batch of Nominees
Chapter 31, Second Batch of Nominees
After the "Peacock" fiasco was completely resolved, the media's focus returned to Gu Changwei, with a flood of forward-looking reports and award predictions.
In late January, the Berlin Film Festival organizing committee finally announced the second and final batch of entries for the main competition.
It was late at night in Beijing.
Lin Ruiyang didn't go to an internet cafe outside the school, but stayed in Liu Yibing's office, guarding that somewhat old desktop computer.
In this era, webpages refresh so slowly it's frustrating, making it difficult for those who have experienced the future to adapt.
Liu Yibing sat on the sofa, the cigarette in his hand flickering, the smell of tobacco filling the small room.
"Did it spawn?" The old man's voice was hoarse, revealing a rare hint of tension.
"Not yet...! The main competition roster has been updated!"
Lin Ruiyang suddenly straightened up.
On the screen, amidst a string of complex German and English names, he accurately pinpointed the spelling combination:
A Separation, Directed by Ryan Lam.
Lin Ruiyang stared at that name for a full ten seconds, until his vision became a little blurry.
Having struggled on the fringes of the film industry for half his previous life, that humble feeling of longing to be seen by the world was completely shattered at this moment.
"Teacher, it's done," Lin Ruiyang said softly.
Liu Yibing stood up, walked to the screen, and carefully checked it three times.
He turned his head, looked at the student in front of him who was not yet twenty years old, and after a long while, patted Lin Ruiyang's shoulder heavily and let out a long sigh:
From today onwards, no one can say you were just lucky.
The next morning, the news was like a bombshell, instantly shaking the Chinese film industry.
If the nomination of "Peacock" was expected and well-deserved, then Lin Ruiyang's nomination was like a meteor hitting the earth without warning.
Sina Entertainment's homepage has displayed the complete list of nominees for this year's competition.
Sohu followed suit with a short and direct headline: "Three Chinese films shortlisted for the Berlin Film Festival, competition lineup announced."
European films comprised half of this year's Berlin Film Festival, totaling 12. In addition to the three Chinese films selected, Japan's *The Hidden Blade* was also included from the Asian side.
As for South Korean films, they were all wiped out, leaving a large gap in the film list.
Meanwhile, reports about Lin Ruiyang emerged unexpectedly, occupying half of the entire entertainment news coverage.
Words like "genius," "emerging out of nowhere," and "leader of the new generation" filled the entire screen.
Lin Ruiyang, a sophomore at Beijing Film Academy, has entered the main competition in Berlin with his film "A Farewell".
Some media outlets took a different approach, focusing on his background as someone without formal training in acting:
"Unveiling the secrets of a 19-year-old genius director: He was a screenwriting prodigy from the literature department, but he stole the jobs from the directing department."
Lin Ruiyang's lips twitched after reading the title, though he didn't know who came up with it. The fat man next to him laughed so hard he slapped the table.
Some reports even grouped him with Gu Changwei: "The Berlin meeting of two generations of filmmakers: the collision between the transformation of veteran cinematographers and the new generation of geniuses."
On one hand, there's the first work of a fifth-generation photographer who has been working on his career for many years; on the other hand, there's the second work written and directed by a 19-year-old college student.
Lin Ruiyang's phone kept ringing from that morning onwards, the first call coming from Han Sanping.
He answered the phone, and before he could even speak, Han Sanping's loud voice came through the receiver.
"Ruiyang, I saw the list. You're a good kid, you really lived up to expectations!"
The support program has been running since the beginning of last year, and with hundreds of applicants, you are the first to actually break into the three major film festivals.
This level of prestige is evident to everyone in the industry; those young people who are dissatisfied finally have a benchmark to follow.
"Regardless of whether or not you win the championship in the end, China Film Group recognizes your talent for this Berlin nomination."
"For the next film, as long as the subject matter is suitable and it passes censorship, the budget will at least double. I, Han Sanping, mean what I say!"
"Thank you, Mr. Han. I will do my best."
"It's dead!"
Later, Lin Ruiyang received congratulatory calls from the cast and crew, as well as from Jin Kai and Li Li.
As for Fatty, he was already on his way to prepare his costume. As one of the future producers of Pioneer Films, he had to go along with him.
The school reacted quickly, with the literature and photography departments hanging up the banners together. The acting department also helped, since the male lead, Lin Ruiyang, is a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy.
The afternoon after the list was announced, Zhang Huijun convened a brief project briefing. At the meeting, he emphasized one point: to compile materials on the process of "A Farewell" from its initial support by the school to its shortlisting for the Berlin Film Festival, and include it all in the year-end summary.
As for other lectures and experience sharing sessions, Liu Yibing declined them at the meeting, citing the fact that the Berlin event had not yet started.
But the barely suppressed smile on his face betrayed his true thoughts as he spoke.
A few days before their departure, Tian Zhuangzhuang hosted a farewell dinner for the main creators of "Peacock" and "A Farewell".
A round table, with two sets of bowls and chopsticks spaced apart, came together from two directions in the capital.
During the meal, they talked about their preparations. Gu Changwei said that he was bringing eighteen people with him this time, and his words carried the composure of an old-fashioned film crew.
As Lin Ruiyang listened, he thought of the gossip reports he had seen in his previous life, and his gaze inadvertently swept over Jiang Wenli sitting next to Gu Changwei.
During the filming of "Peacock", media reported that Gu Changwei and the female lead Zhang Jingchu were getting close.
Jiang Wenli, the wife, rushed to the Anyang film set with her one-year-old son in her arms and slapped Zhang Jingchu in front of the crew.
Later, when walking the red carpet in Berlin, she stole the spotlight from Zhang Jingchu.
At this moment, Gu Changwei, sitting across the round table, had no idea that Lin Ruiyang was having so many messy gossips about his past life going through his mind.
He only saw his nineteen-year-old junior brother stare blankly for two seconds while holding his wine glass before quickly looking away and raising his glass to him.
"Senior, if there's anything I don't understand when I get there, I'll have to ask you for guidance."
"Let's look after each other." Gu Changwei smiled and raised her glass to clink with his.
Lin Ruiyang then turned to Jiang Wenli: "Sister Wenli, if you need any help when you get to Berlin, even though there are only a few of us going, we can run errands and do odd jobs without any problem."
Jiang Wenli glanced at him and said with a smile, "Okay, if Changwei gets so nervous on the red carpet that he forgets to walk, you'll have to give him a push from behind."
Everyone at the table laughed, and Lin Ruiyang smiled along with them.
But a thought flickered in her mind: Zhang Jingchu, who hadn't come, might have heard what was being said at the banquet and thrown a tantrum, then confided in Gu Changwei.
The meal didn't end until after nine o'clock.
Tian Zhuangzhuang paid the bill and walked at the back, patting Lin Ruiyang on the shoulder: "Go back and pack well. It's cold in Berlin. Your teacher and I are waiting for your good news."