Chapter 57: Everyone's Expectations Differ

Marco Müller came by once again to treat everyone to a meal, and then the action began.

Cao Yang and his group stayed at the hotel with nothing particular to do for the time being. It was still the probing stage, and there was no need for him to step forward yet. Only when voices arose from within would he, the director, go to pay visits to those supporting him.

For several days in a row, there was no news.

They waited and waited, all the way until late July. Even Lao Tian was starting to grow restless. Although he contacted Marco Müller almost every day, Old Ma always told him not to rush and to wait a little longer.

Finally, three days before the official announcement of the films selected for the Main Competition section, Marco Müller took the initiative to call.

Lao Tian beamed with joy and dragged Cao Yang along as he set off.

A ripple stirred in Cao Yang's heart, and he couldn't help asking, "Is there any breakthrough?"

"Old Ma said that although Barbara is still sticking to his guns, he hinted that compensation could be provided in other areas."

Cao Yang sighed. Still no good?

Without the Golden Lion, what use is compensation?

Seeing Cao Yang's expression, Lao Tian guessed what he was thinking and said with a smile, "You kid, usually you act like you don't care about anything. Old Situ said you possess the poise and composure of an elder statesman despite your youth, unfazed by honor or disgrace. What's this? Has your composure cracked?"

What poise and composure? The stakes simply weren't high enough before.

Opportunities like winning one of the top three major European film festival awards didn't come around every day. Besides, in another decade or two, these awards wouldn't hold nearly as much value.

During these years, the supporting effect of these accolades was at its peak.

And then there was the Oscars; that too needed to be scheduled. In recent years, the "sanctity" of the Oscars was still intact, so he should find an opportunity and try to crack it.

"Senior Brother, I'm just a bit unwilling to let go. This opportunity is simply too rare."

"I understand. If I had an opportunity like this, I'd definitely care even more than you do."

As soon as Lao Tian finished speaking, he smilingly executed a sharp pivot.

"Don't be discouraged. There are some things you don't understand. Since Barbara has the idea of offering compensation, it proves he is under immense pressure. Venice isn't his private property; how could he possibly cover the sky with one hand?"

Cao Yang nodded thoughtfully, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Does Senior Brother mean that Barbara might compromise?"

"Not necessarily; it all depends on how he chooses. Anyway, this is his final year. If he stubbornly digs his heels in and insists on his own way, nobody can do a thing to him. It just depends on whether he wants to trade interests or make a final display of authority."

Lao Tian explained as they walked, "In short, the combined strength of our various parties is already enough for Barbara to take seriously. Actually, this whole thing is an art of compromise. Very few people choose to be mavericks."

They were almost out of the hotel when Cao Yang remembered to ask, "Senior Brother, where are we heading?"

"Cocktail parties, banquets, and gatherings will be the theme for the next few days. Old Ma will push you forward and introduce you to many, many people."

True to Lao Tian's words, the days that followed were filled with one reception or gathering after another.

Cao Yang met many officials from the Venice administration, as well as unofficial figures capable of influencing the administration, alongside quite a few producers and distributors.

There was even one gathering consisting entirely of directors and producers, with the common thread that all of them had previously won awards at the three major European film festivals—presumably the prerequisite for attending.

At these gatherings almost every day, Cao Yang hardly saw any commercial film directors. It seemed that chains of contempt existed everywhere.

At every reception, numerous actresses and models participated, either voluntarily or otherwise. Most of the models came from Eastern Europe—young, beautiful, and possessing figures that went without saying.

Cao Yang even spotted several models who would go on to achieve massive success in later years, the globally renowned kind.

On the surface, everyone was well-dressed, elegant, and charming.

Yet whenever a gathering ended, there were always quite a few actresses and models who either got into someone's car and left or headed straight to rooms booked upstairs.

Perhaps this was simply high society.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do; Cao Yang couldn't very well stand out as a misfit, so he tagged along to experience the sordid side of high society firsthand.

During this period, the 58th Venice International Film Festival announced the lineup of films for the Main Competition section, and *3-Iron* was prominently featured.

When the news reached home, it sparked heated discussions.

Even Director Feng Xiaogang, who was working on the post-production for *Sorry, Baby*, couldn't help asking those around him when he heard the news, "Did something go wrong? Are you sure it's that kid from Beijing Film Academy?"

After confirming the accuracy of the news, Feng Xiaogang silently smoked three cigarettes in a row. He lost all mood to work, his mind racing with wild thoughts. Finally, he threw his cigarette down, crushed it fiercely with his foot, and gave it a few extra twists for good measure.

"Damn it, when did the palace of art film turn into his fucking backyard? Is it really that easy to get in now? I'll be damned if I don't go make one and try my luck!"

The two brothers of Huayi Brothers muttered amongst themselves in their office as well.

Big Wang: "You should have known about that kid making a film quite a long time ago. Why didn't you try to invest in it?"

Little Wang: "Invest? Those folks at Beijing Film Academy guarded him like a precious treasure; you couldn't even catch a glimpse of the guy. Where were we supposed to talk about investing?"

Big Wang: "When there's a chance, find a few actresses to win him over and see what happens."

Little Wang: "Good idea. He's so young; that method should work. I'll have Wang Jinghua sign a few more young and pretty ones."

Big Wang thought for a moment and suggested, "Don't limit it just to young ones. A strapping young fellow like him might prefer a more mature, charming type. We can try different styles and mix it up."

Little Wang: "Alright, let's do it."

When the news reached Beijing Film Academy, it caused an equally massive sensation.

It had only been a few months since he won an award in Berlin; how could he just casually shoot a film and get selected for the Venice Main Competition section again?

Many people at the academy couldn't help developing a misconception: were the top three European film festivals really this easy to enter?

The Main Competition section only had around twenty slots, and at least a third of those ended up winning awards; that probability wasn't low at all.

Regardless of whether they could win an award or not, for any director, simply having a film selected for the Main Competition section was a tremendous success.

And since it was a success, the temptation was naturally immense.

The three female students from Beijing Film Academy who acted in the film—two current undergraduates and one recent graduate—were all extremely excited.

They all thought, seemingly in sync, about how they could get Director Cao to take them along to Venice.

Going to the Venice Film Festival meant it was impossible to bring every single cast member along; the male and female leads would definitely go, but the three of them as supporting actresses would likely result in at most one being brought along.

That was the Venice International Film Festival! Just walking the red carpet to show one's face and sending a press release back home would bring rapid fame—at the very least, they wouldn't remain nobodies.

If they were lucky enough to attend the closing ceremony, pick up an award with the crew, and take a picture holding the Silver Lion at the subsequent press conference, it would save them years of struggling.

As long as the film won an award, even a minor supporting role would serve as a crucial qualification for them.

Dong Xuan, Che Xiao, and Wen Zhengrong all headed to the Directorial Department, hoping to catch up with Cao Yang and casually hint about whether he could bring them along.

However, they were met with disappointment. They searched the entire Directorial Department and couldn't find Cao Yang anywhere.

When they asked around, nobody knew where he had gone.

Where on earth had Cao Yang gone?