Chapter 62: Shining at Cannes
On the way back to the hotel, Han Sanping was still talking non-stop with Li Chen.
He had clearly drunk a bit too much today, and Li Chen’s few words had clearly hit a nerve.
“You are right.”
“Just now, Wu Yusen told me that shoplifters has a very high chance of winning an award.”
Han Sanping looked at Li Chen with bright eyes and said.
“That’s like saying nothing at all,” Li Chen said, amused.
“Without receiving official notification from the organizers, no one can be sure!” Li Chen chuckled and murmured again.
“Han Dong, we can start trading these two days!” Li Chen’s smile faded.
“What?” Han Sanping thought he had misheard.
“I said, we can start trading these two days, no need to wait until the awards ceremony,” Li Chen repeated.
Han Sanping was half sober, staring at Li Chen with confusion.
“You don’t have to look at me like that, Han Dong.”
“What I said to the media that day wasn’t just pleasantries; it was what I truly felt.”
“But shoplifters has already received recognition from all sides, so there’s no need to wait for the award results.”
“Sell high!” Li Chen smiled like a little fox.
Han Sanping understood.
Indeed, before the awards were announced, no one could guarantee a win.
Rather than that, it’s better to capitalize on the current favorable price, close the deal, and maximize profits.
If they held out until the end and didn’t win, so be it; at most, the profit would be a bit less.
But if they did win, some might maliciously speculate.
That Li Chen, a newcomer, had a secret deal with the Cannes organizers and that shoplifters was rigged to win.
Otherwise, why would he insist on waiting until after the awards ceremony to make the deal?
Han Sanping nodded and chuckled, “Now I’m starting to believe you’re an entrepreneur.”
Li Chen laughed heartily, “I am, but I’m also a filmmaker, and more importantly, a Chinese filmmaker.”
On the twentieth, the entire shoplifters crew, including Li Chen, spent a restless day.
A knock sounded, and when Li Chen opened the door, it was a beaming Yang Siwei.
“Boss, shoplifters is selling like crazy!”
Li Chen turned and sat back on the sofa, unenthusiastically saying, “How much did it sell for?”
“49 million US dollars, with a total of thirty-two countries for distribution and buyout.”
Li Chen nodded; this figure was about right.
It was probably still due to China Film Group Corporation being the producer, and the foundation laid by new world earlier.
“Han Dong asked me to inform you that this celebration banquet will be a grand affair!”
“I just asked Han Dong how it compares to the transaction price of The Promise.”
“Boss, guess what Han Dong said?” Yang Siwei said mysteriously.
Li Chen wasn’t interested in listening and perfunctorily said, “Not interested, don’t want to know.”
Yang Siwei felt like a cat scratching inside; she wanted to keep him in suspense, but her boss wasn’t cooperating.
“Han Dong glared at me and just said one thing: Chen Hong spoke too soon!” Yang Siwei couldn’t help but laugh, feeling quite pleased.
Li Chen shook his head and didn’t say much.
A few days ago, Chen Hong had claimed to domestic media.
That The Promise had set a record for the highest overseas sales price for a Chinese film.
As a result, that record didn’t last ten days before it was broken by shoplifters.
At this moment, Chen Kaige’s face was as green as a cucumber.
His wife had just called Han Sanping to ask about the transaction price of shoplifters.
He was right there, and Han Sanping’s laughter sounded particularly grating to him.
He had painstakingly prepared for three years.
The Promise, with an investment of 300 million, barely recouped its cost in transaction price.
A shoplifters, with an investment of 20 million and less than a year in pre-production, directly broke the record.
In every way, it felt like a slap in his face.
“Alright, Old Chen. Didn’t you also say that Li Chen does have some real talent?”
“Besides, at the end of the year, painted skin and The Promise will both be in the New Year Film Season; the audience will give their answer then.”
Chen Hong gently comforted her husband, who was very concerned with appearances.
Yang Siwei had initially chattered on and on.
Eventually, she sensed her boss’s displeasure and fell silent.
Indeed, her boss wasn’t short on money; at this moment, what he was probably most eagerly anticipating was that Golden Palm.
It was already dark; could it be that they would go home empty-handed?
The room felt oppressively stifling; Yang Siwei couldn’t bear it and decided to go out for some fresh air.
The jarring ring of the phone sounded, and Li Chen’s expression brightened; he answered immediately.
“Li Chen, Wu Yusen just called me.”
“The organizers have notified you to attend tomorrow’s awards ceremony!”
Han Sanping’s voice was full of vigor and joy!
“So, that means there’s definitely an award?”
Li Chen’s mood lightened, and he suddenly felt like he had returned from hell to the human world.
“Nonsense! That’s an unwritten rule now!”
“Han Dong, these organizers are too unreliable! I was already planning to book a flight back home tomorrow!”
“Alright, you little rascal, don’t play innocent after getting a good deal!”
“Wu Yusen said that there are many excellent films in this year’s main competition, and the selection process was much longer!”
Li Chen suddenly understood; with Han Sanping’s explanation, he got it.
There were three films with the highest score of 3.2 points.
The Golden Palm would probably be decided between shoplifters, The Kid with a Bike, and broken flowers.
After hanging up the phone, Li Chen smiled and said, “Siwei, go tell Teacher Lu and the others.”
“Prepare to attend tomorrow’s closing ceremony and awards.”
“Alright! Finally, I don’t have to see the boss’s grim face!”
Yang Siwei agreed readily, smiling as she slipped out the door.
The other three Chinese films in competition, after not receiving notification past 8 PM, knew they were out of luck.
With shanghai dreams selling well, Wang Xiaoshuai was already very satisfied.
For Election, Johnnie To was very open-minded; this result was also expected.
Only Hou Hsiao-Hsien was in low spirits.
Yang Siwei informed all the shoplifters cast and crew of the news.
Everyone was beaming with joy, and Wan Qian was especially excited.
“Siwei, I, this is my first time attending a film festival awards ceremony.”
“Tomorrow, what should I wear tomorrow?”
Yang Siwei chuckled, “You ask me, who am I supposed to ask?”
After notifying everyone.
Yang Siwei also posted a sentiment on Sina Weibo.
“It’s not easy being a worker; after receiving notification from the organizers, the boss finally has a smile on his face.”
Then she attached a photo of the sunset glow on Cannes beach.
In less than five minutes, Yang Siwei’s phone started ringing non-stop.
At the same time, Li Chen had just finished a call with Miss Liu.
Miss Liu saw Yang Siwei’s blog online.
Tap, tap, tap, she replied with a few words: So pitiful, Director Li is really impatient.
The next day, all members of shoplifters arrived at the closing ceremony red carpet in a motorhome arranged by the organizers.
Sina reporters were sharp-eyed.
“Look quickly, it’s Director Li and his team.”
“So, shoplifters definitely won an award?”
“It seems Director Yang’s blog was true.”
“Quick, take pictures, what are you talking about?”
“Director Li, look this way.”
Li Chen and the main actors smiled and turned their heads, cooperating with the photos.
“Director Li, I wish you victory for the Golden Palm.”
“Thank you.”
After the closing ceremony, the awards ceremony would be held in the Lumière Theater of the Cinema Palace.
The awards for the main competition unit were at the end; Li Chen saw the Dardenne Brothers and Jim Jarmusch.
They nodded in greeting and took their seats.
The awards for the other sections were uneventful, and Li Chen didn’t pay much attention.
Finally, it was time for the most anticipated main competition awards ceremony.
Li Chen tried to slow his breathing, but he still felt incredibly nervous.
The first award to be presented was for Best Actor.
Presented by Spanish actress, Penélope Cruz.
Li Chen glanced at Li Xuejian beside him; although there was nothing unusual.
Li Chen clearly felt that his breathing had become a bit rapid.
Li Chen whispered, “Teacher Xue Jian, relax a bit.”
Li Xuejian let out a soft breath and self-deprecatingly said.
“I thought I had already become indifferent to fame and fortune, but I didn’t expect to still be attached to it.”
Li Chen also felt something: “Don’t say that, Teacher Xue Jian.”
“This is Cannes; no filmmaker can sit under the awards stage with a calm heart.”
Lu Zhong also said, “Xue Jian, we are all mortals; don’t put pressure on yourself.”
On the awards stage, Penélope Cruz, in a red and white deep V dress, gave a simple English opening speech.
Then she directly announced the suspense, and Li Chen unconsciously clenched his fists.
The winner of Best Actor is…
shoplifters
Li… Xue… Jian
Li Chen’s hands relaxed, all the tension leaving his body, and he was the first to stand up and applaud Li Xuejian.
With Best Actor, the Golden Palm was most likely out of his reach.
Li Chen couldn’t describe his feelings at that moment.