Chapter 117: First meeting in Berlin

Berlin International Film Festival, one of the three major art film festivals in the world.

You can tell where it is just by the name.

The Soviet Union invaded Berlin.

It was also the first time that Chinese-language films went global and the beginning of Zhang Yimou's fame.

In February 1987, it won the first of the three most prestigious awards for Chinese-language films, the Golden Bear Award.

It can be said to be the place where he made his fortune.

After breaking up with Cannes, Zhang Yimou brought one of the two films that were originally sent to Cannes to this year's Berlinale.

That is the movie "My Father and Mother".

The other one was sent to Venice last year, where he won his second Golden Lion Award for "Not One Less".

I have to say that he was really tough at that time, and everyone who saw him had nothing to say.

The Cannes Film Festival believed that there was a segment in "No One Less" that was propaganda for the government, and asked him to change the film or cut the segment.

No one knew what Zhang Yimou was thinking at the time, and the final result was that he withdrew both of his films from the Cannes Film Festival.

The original honeymoon period turned into a slap in the face.

"No One Less", which was sent to Venice, also won the Golden Lion Award at the right time.

The Cannes Film Festival was founded in response to criticism of the Venice Film Festival for being politically swayed, and now it has finally begun to create this event because of politics.

History is a circle that goes on and on.

Stay at the booked hotel.

The cold weather completely made Chen An have no intention of going out for a walk.

Although it is not Northern Europe, it is far north compared to Cannes and Venice, especially in February.

There was still some snow on the roadside, and the air was filled with white mist.

Mr. Ge hasn’t arrived yet, and the film festival will still take a few days to open.

There are a total of three Chinese-language films shortlisted this time. In addition to Chen An and Zhang Yimou, there is also the film "Sometimes Dancing" brought by Guan Jinpeng from Hong Kong Island.

He produced "Lan Yu" and "Ruan Lingyu", which helped Zhang Manyu win the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress award.

He is also a director who specializes in art films in Hong Kong Island, where entertainment is the norm.

"Senior Brother Zhang, long time no see. Congratulations on winning the Golden Lion Award again last year." Since they were staying in the same hotel, Chen An naturally wanted to meet his senior brother.

Zhang Yimou was chatting with his partners in the room. When he saw Chen An coming over, he smiled and said:

"Good luck, it's all good luck. I haven't even congratulated you on your Oscar nomination this year."

He arrived earlier than Chen An, arriving a few days ago.

As for Chen An's Oscar nomination, the nomination was announced a few days after the Golden Globe Awards.

A total of three awards were nominated, one less than originally expected. Little Emma was no longer nominated, leaving only Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.

There is really no way. Apart from being scared by Chen An, there is really no outstanding performance. The gap is quite large compared to the original.

"I am just a nominee, but I can't compare to you who have already won the grand prize. And your chances are slim. And I really admire your actions."

"No, the motherland is above everything else and there is no room for negotiation."

Zhang Yimou naturally knew that Chen An was talking about Cannes, and he didn't say much about it.

Chen An found an empty chair in the room and sat down. "Uncle Ge hasn't come yet, otherwise he would have asked me to come and see you, Senior Brother."

"He is still taking the train. He can't change it after all these years. Hahaha." Hearing him say this, Zhang Yimou couldn't help but think of Ge You's old habit.

It was really tiring to travel a long distance by train to attend the film festival.

"Director Chen, it's rare for us to meet. How about our two crews have dinner together tonight?" Zhang Weiping, who had been watching the two people chatting silently, suddenly spoke up.

Thinking of getting closer to this young director who is currently in the limelight.

Chen An glanced at his senior's partner and thought for a while before saying, "Then let's have a good chat tonight, what do you think, Senior Zhang?" "Okay, we can get together tonight, but Ge You is still on the train."

"Who told him not to come? We won't bring him along for our small event."

The restaurant was found by Senior Brother Zhang, who was quite familiar with the place, while Chen An was a newcomer.

Everyone in the crew was called over. It was such a cold day and they were all stuck in the hotel, so they might as well come out and have a party together.

When Chen An and the crew arrived, the other party had already arrived.

As soon as Chen An entered the venue, he saw people from the other crew, including several actors and some people he didn't recognize.

Zhang Ziyi, Zheng Hao and Sun Honglei were all there.

The only actor brought by Chen An is Zhou Xun. Ge Da Ge is still on his way, hoping to arrive before the opening ceremony.

"Hong Lei, where are you from? Why are you hiding here from Senior Brother Zhang?" Chen An said with a smile as he looked at Sun Honglei, one of the actors sitting together in their crew.

Sun Honglei blinked his inconspicuous little eyes and then said, "It's all the same. I came here earlier with Director Zhang so that I could see the world."

The two of them joked around a bit, and both crews had the other's cast.

But the similarity is that they are both supporting roles.

"Director Chen, long time no see. The last time we saw each other was during an interview." At this moment, Zhang Ziyi, who was sitting in the crowd, stood up and said with a smile.

Chen An also smiled and said, "That's right, I remember your name is Zhang Ziyi, right? You are Zeng Li's classmate. Congratulations on starring in Senior Brother Zhang's movie. It seems you have a promising future."

Overall, Chen An admires the other party because he does have the ability to move up and the courage to seize every opportunity to move up.

She has seized every opportunity since her debut and can be said to have made rapid progress. In just a few years, she has accomplished what many female stars would have taken more than ten years to complete.

It took her two years to go from a student at the Central Academy of Drama to break into Hollywood.

Of course, this has nothing to do with Chen An, since he is not one of his own.

"Thank you Director Chen for the compliment. I often hear Li Zi mention you."

"What else does she have to do besides complaining about me every day? She has to run around everywhere every day during class."

Chen An shook his head, not wanting to talk about this topic with her. He turned to look at Senior Brother Zhang who looked miserable, "Senior Brother, what's wrong with your miserable face? Is it possible?"

He didn't finish his words, but Zhang Yimou knew what he meant by looking at Chen An's expression.

Zhang Yimou didn't say anything but nodded. Chen An knew that Gong Li would be here soon.

This situation is difficult to end with Zhang Ziyi and Zhang Weiping here.

She is not worse than Zhang Ziyi, but after all, they are two generations of "Mou girls".

As for Zhang Weiping, it was like a meeting between two enemies.

Basically, they are incompatible.

If I had known earlier, I would not have come here, and there wouldn’t be all these troubles, Chen An thought with a headache.

Everyone in the crew was chatting while waiting for the food to be served in the restaurant. Chen An and Zhang Yimou sat together without saying a word.

Only Zhang Weiping sat next to the two of them and chattered non-stop.

Only Zhou Xun looked at Chen An's face and asked secretly, "Director, what's wrong with you? Why are you like this all of a sudden?"

"You'll know soon." Chen An also leaned over and said quietly.

But just as he finished speaking, Gong Li arrived. She was alone, but attracted everyone's attention as she entered the restaurant.

Wearing a pair of high heels, she walked towards the crowd.

Seeing Chen An and Zhang Yimou sitting there, he smiled and said, "Long time no see, Chen An, and Yimou, why didn't you invite me to the dinner?"

Chen An immediately smiled and said, "Sister Li, I just got here and don't know much about this place. My senior brother invited me to dinner so I came here."

I would rather die than have a friend die. Brother, you can deal with your own debts yourself. I will get out of this world first.

(End of this chapter)