Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 1 Berlin

February 16, 2003, Berlin Film Palace.

On stage, Atom Ighyan, the chairman of this year's jury, is introducing the competition section in heavily accented English.

"...These works demonstrate the courage and insight of cinematic art in the face of global changes..."

Fu Yibai turned his head slightly and looked at the somewhat nervous woman beside him.

Zeng Li wore a simple black dress today, with her long hair styled in an elegant updo, revealing her slender neck.

Her back was ramrod straight, like a poplar tree standing tall in the cold winter.

Gently patting the slightly trembling hand that was tightly gripping him, Fu Yibai lowered his voice and said.

"take it easy."

Fu Yibai verbally comforted Zeng Li, but he was actually more nervous than she was.

A year ago, he was a director who had made several bad films and failed miserably.

A car accident, a blink of an eye, and he was back in the spring of 2002, back to his student days.

After the initial shock, the voice that called itself the "Artistic Influence System" rang in my mind.

At the same time, the system issued a beginner's task, which required him to independently complete a film that could win a major award at the Berlin Film Festival.

As a director of mediocre skill, in order to complete the novice task, he could only "borrow" from the classic movies from his previous life.

Foreign films were the first thing Fu Yibai excluded, after all, the cultural differences were too great, and it would be difficult for him to perfectly localize them.

Therefore, he can only choose from those award-winning works in China.

What impressed him most, and what was also the easiest to plagiarize, was the film "Black Coal, Thin Ice".

So he got start-up capital from his father, then assembled a production team and spent more than half a year completing the work.

Now, he and his team are finally sitting in the Berlin Film Palace, awaiting their honor.

As the chairman of the judging panel's speech on stage drew to a close, Fu Yibai could clearly feel the grip on his hand tightening.

Because the next award to be presented is for Best Actress.

Liao Fan just missed out on the Best Actor award; I wonder if Zeng Li will have the same luck.

To ensure the completion of the novice mission, Fu Yibai has spent over a million US dollars on public relations for awards these days. Although Best Actor and Best Actress are not his main goals, winning these awards would undoubtedly bring greater attention to the film.

Perhaps it was the public relations efforts that worked, or perhaps Zeng Li was just lucky.

The cast and crew of "Black Coal, Thin Ice" finally heard their award speech from the audience.

"Best Actress... Zeng Li, Black Coal, Thin Ice."

With an extremely restrained yet powerful performance, she created a complex female character wavering between ice and fire, leaving a lasting impression.

Zeng Li stood up in utter shock, and the spotlight instantly engulfed her.

She subconsciously looked at Fu Yibai, and applause surged from all directions, like waves crashing against the embankment.

The black dress made a soft rustling sound as it dragged on the polished floor, and the rhythm of her high heels tapping the ground was somewhat disordered.

Zeng Li didn't know how she got onto the stage. When she received the heavy Silver Bear trophy, her fingertips were still trembling slightly.

"Thank you to the Berlin Film Festival... thank you to the jury."

She turned to the audience, her gaze searching in the darkness.

"Most importantly, I want to thank Director Fu Yibai."

It was his strict demands on me…”

After Zeng Li finished her acceptance speech, the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Fu Yibai looked at the dazzling Zeng Li on the stage, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

At that moment, he seemed to see the gears of fate slowly turning.

Suddenly, a system notification sounded in his mind.

[Congratulations, host, on completing the beginner's task.]

Rewards received:

Director skills are improved to the level of proficiency (beginner, master, proficient, master, superb).

Choose one film from the film library.

Fu Yibai had no time to think about the system's rewards, because Zeng Li's acceptance speech on stage had ended and she was gracefully walking down the steps.

Her eyes were slightly red, yet she couldn't hide her joy, and under the spotlight, she resembled an elegant black swan.

Fu Yibai stood up to greet him, and Zeng Li suddenly hugged him tightly, whispering in his ear.

"Thank you, Director Fu."

Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today.

A faint scent of perfume wafted into Fu Yibai's nostrils, making him momentarily dazed.

When Zeng Li returned, her companions applauded enthusiastically for her.

After the two sat down, Fu Yibai's nervousness subsided slightly.

But the Best Director award that followed made him nervous again.

Although the rookie mission has been completed, the Best Actress award ultimately belongs to Zeng Li, and she would like to win an award that truly belongs to her.

However, to Fu Yibai's disappointment, the jury ultimately awarded the Best Director award to Patrice for "Dead Poems".

Fu Yibai let out a soft breath. Although he was somewhat disappointed, he still maintained a polite smile on his face.

Mentor and producer Zhang Jiandong offered words of comfort.

Don't be discouraged, there's still the Jury Prize and Best Picture to come.

You can definitely do it.

Fu Yibai smiled and nodded to Zhang Jiandong. His companions were surprised by Fu Yibai's composure.

After two smaller awards, we finally arrived at the Jury Grand Prize.

This jury prize, second only to the Golden Bear for Best Picture, left everyone in the room holding their breath.

"Next, we will present... the Jury Grand Prize."

Fu Yibai's back tensed instantly.

In the original timeline, this film won the Golden Bear, the highest honor, at the Berlin Film Festival.

He doesn't aspire to beat everyone and win the Golden Bear; he would be content with receiving this jury prize, which is second only to the Golden Bear.

The chairman of the judging panel opened the envelope, glanced down at it, and a cryptic smile appeared on his face. His gaze seemed to sweep across a certain area of ​​the audience, intentionally or unintentionally.

"...The jury unanimously agreed that this film, with its detached yet poetic cinematography, delves into the hidden desires and sins deep within human nature. The director's control of atmosphere and pacing demonstrates a maturity and astonishing talent beyond his years. The Silver Bear - Grand Jury Prize goes to—"

The brief pause was like a dull knife cutting through the air.

"—'Black Coal, Thin Ice,' directed by Fu Yibai. Congratulations!"

boom--

The sound crashed into my eardrums with an unreal roar.

Zeng Li, standing beside her, suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes instantly filling with tears. Before she could react, the sudden burst of applause and the intense gazes cast upon her, a mixture of surprise, congratulations, and inquiry, filled the air.

Fu Yibai's mind went blank for a moment, then he was overwhelmed by a surge of ecstasy and a complex feeling of "I knew it."

He stood up, first giving Zeng Li, who was trembling slightly with excitement, a tight hug, then straightening his sharp suit before stepping onto the brightly lit stage.

The ground felt soft and yielding, as if I were walking on clouds.

He accepted the heavy silver bear trophy; its icy touch brought him completely back to his senses.

Speaking into the microphone, he first spoke in Chinese, clearly but with a slight tremor:

"Thank you Berlin Film Festival, thank you jury."

This award belongs to the entire team behind "Black Coal, Thin Ice".

... "