Chapter 61: Challenge Accepted

Seeing Cao Yang take the stage, the applause that had just died down erupted once again.

"I am here to call upon all sectors of society to pay more attention to women, to safeguard and respect their rights and dignity, to protect female groups who face unfair treatment and harm, and to reduce harassment and violence directed at women.

Please, my friends from the media, bear witness for me. I will donate all box office earnings from the film festival period entirely to women's protection organizations. Thank you all."

"Clap, clap, clap..."

The applause sounded once more.

Today is the 5th, and the film festival concludes on the 8th. Counting every single day, it can only be screened for four days. With about six screenings a day, even if every single show is completely sold out, how much money could that possibly amount to?

A generous gesture that costs virtually nothing.

Following the premiere, Jury President Nanni Moretti and the jury members were all extremely enthusiastic.

Several female judges even specifically hugged Cao Yang, encouraging him in front of the cameras to direct more films centered around female themes and urging everyone to respect women's rights and dignity.

Cao Yang nodded solemnly in front of the camera without saying a word.

No matter what one says, it is easy for people to interpret it in various ways later on. It is far better to say nothing at all.

Just before leaving, Xun-ge said to Cao Yang, "Director Cao, this film is shot so brilliantly. We must definitely collaborate if the opportunity arises."

Then, she turned with a smile to Yu Feihong and said, "Sister Feihong, your acting is truly wonderful, both in the movie and in real life."

Yu Feihong felt those words were slightly awkward, but upon second thought, it must have been a compliment to her acting skills.

So she politely replied, "Not at all. I just managed to perform beyond my usual level because Cao Yang was yelling at me. I still can't compare to you."

Acting, still acting. Oh, please!

Before leaving, Fruit Chan walked straight over to Liu Ye, praised his acting prowess, and expressed a desire to work with him given the chance.

Marco Müller came over as well, specifically patted Cao Yang on the shoulder, and said, "You did very well today. I will have more media outlets report on today's events."

"Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Müller."

"Don't stand on ceremony with me. Just call me Old Ma, the same way Old Tian does."

Prior to this, Cao Yang had always addressed Old Ma as Mr. Müller, and Marco Müller had never corrected him. Was this a sign that their relationship had advanced a step further?

Over the next few days, the major trade publications at the Venice Film Festival reviewed *3-Iron* in succession, all giving it relatively high scores.

Although none of them gave it the absolute highest score, it remained firmly within the top three, ranking either second or third.

According to past experience, the film ranked number one in major trade publications rarely wins the grand prizes, and sometimes fails to win any award in the main competition unit at all.

Who knows if this is the so-called curse of being the heavy favorite.

Then, whether orchestrated by Sony Classics or Old Ma, several Italian actresses stepped forward to call for the protection of women, a boycott of violence, and for society to grant women greater rights and dignity...

This sparked even wider discussions, with various women's organizations jumping into the fray. It quite successfully manufactured a sense of presence, making things wonderfully lively.

At present, the domestic internet public discussion space consisted of portal websites and BBS forums.

The main portal websites were Sina, NetEase, and Sohu, while the largest and most active BBS forums were Xici Hutong and Tianya Community.

Those active on Xici Hutong mostly possessed academic backgrounds and professional expertise, and many were idealistic critics.

Well, they were essentially the earliest public intellectuals.

Public intellectuals back then were still a term of praise. Although their discussions were not necessarily always correct, the very act of expression held value.

Those active on Tianya Community were far more diverse and miscellaneous, leaning more toward the common folk. Most of the early wave of internet surfers lurked on Tianya.

Earlier this year, after Li Xiaoran won the Best Actress award at the Berlin International Film Festival, Tianya Community had engaged in a heated discussion for a while. It was around that time that a particular thread attracted a massive number of replies:

"Who will be the next Best Actress at the major three European film festivals?"

At that time, the ones most favored by the majority were International Zhang and Xun-ge.

As for the other two of the Four Dan Actresses, Little Swallow and Xu Jinglei, they were not heavily favored—not even as much as those who chose Maggie Cheung and Gong Li to win again.

Recently, this thread had been heated up all over again.

The reason was that *Hollywood Hong Kong*, starring Xun-ge, had been selected for the main competition unit at Venice.

One reply in particular was the most representative:

"Who is Fruit Chan? He is the Best Director at the Taiwan Golden Horse Awards, the Best Director at the Hong Kong Film Awards, and the Best Director at the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards.

His film was selected for the main competition unit of the Venice Film Festival last year, and it has been selected for the main competition unit again this year. By all rights, it is his turn to win an award.

Given Xun-ge's acting skills, combined with Fruit Chan's directorial prowess, the probability of Xun-ge winning the Venice Best Actress award this year is infinitely high.

I'll put my words right here: the next Best Actress of the major three European festivals will definitely be Xun-ge!

Argue with me if you dare!

September 8th will let you witness a miracle."

Although *3-Iron*, starring Yu Feihong, was also selected for the main competition unit of the Venice Film Festival, virtually no one favored her to win the Best Actress award in Venice.

Yes, truly almost no one.

The reason, as everyone well knew, was that Sister Feihong was not particularly renowned for her acting skills...

Didn't you see how Xun-ge had previously complimented Sister Feihong by praising her beauty and aura to death?

On September 7th, the crew officially received notification to attend the closing ceremony. Liu Ye could not help shouting with joy, and Yu Feihong smiled from ear to ear.

Her smile didn't even close up by nighttime.

Cao Yang experienced a completely different kind of charm from Sister Feihong.

As the news spread back home, traditional media outlets could not report in real-time, leaving only online portal websites to update news promptly.

"Renowned Director Cao Yang's *3-Iron* Invited to Attend Closing Ceremony"

This time, Sina Entertainment specifically added the word "Renowned."

"Director Cao Yang's *3-Iron* Expected to Win Major Venice Award"

"Following Two Silver Bears in Berlin Half a Year Ago, Cao Yang Set to Win Another Major Venice Award"

...

Since they did not yet know which specific award would be won, the media could only guess. Some felt he might win Best Director, while others thought he might once again win the Grand Jury Prize.

A few even guessed it might land Liu Ye the Best Newcomer Actor award.

No media outlet dared to dream of the Golden Lion.

Nor did any media outlet suggest that Yu Feihong could win the Venice Best Actress award, because everyone was well aware of Yu Feihong's acting abilities.

When the news reached the Beijing Film Academy, it similarly sparked massive discussion.

Remaining behind to attend the closing ceremony meant that an award was guaranteed.

That was Venice, after all! Why was it so easy?

Dong Xuan also learned the news, and for a moment, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.

She clearly had the opportunity to attend Venice, to walk the opening ceremony red carpet, and to attend the closing ceremony that drew even more attention—so how had she let it slip away?

She heard later that Cao Yang had only brought Liu Ye and Yu Feihong, while Che Xiao and Wen Zhengrong hadn't made the trip either.

That thought brought at least some balance to her mind. If he had taken one of them to Venice instead, she wouldn't even dare to imagine what her own mood would have been like.