Chapter 63: Moment of Glory
The guests and Li Chen applauded the winners.
Li Chen hugged Li Xuejian and sincerely said, “Congratulations, Xue Jian.”
“Thank you.”
With those simple words, Li Xuejian turned and walked steadily onto the awards stage.
He received the Golden Branch gift box and certificate from Penelope Cruz.
When delivering his acceptance speech, Li Xuejian appeared exceptionally calm.
“Thank you, Director, and thank you to the jury for your recognition.”
“I hope that more and more Chinese actors will come to Cannes in the future.”
“Thank you.”
With that, Li Xuejian slowly walked off the awards stage.
Wan Qian whispered in Mei Ting’s ear, “Sister Ting, do you think there are any more awards coming?”
Mei Ting didn’t turn her head, muttering, “Can’t say for sure.”
Not only Mei Ting couldn't say for sure, but even the Dardenne Brothers beside her couldn't.
Until the very last moment, the recipient of the Golden Palm Award was still anyone's guess.
However, since shoplifters had already won Best Actor, the chances of it winning the Golden Palm Award were reduced.
The Best Actress award went to Israeli actress Anamaria Marinca.
Mei Ting and Lu Zhong had a premonition after Li Xuejian won his award.
Immediately following, Zhang Ziyi and the jury president, Émile, went on stage as presenters for Best Screenplay.
The moment Zhang Ziyi stepped onto the stage, Li Chen had a feeling it wouldn’t be him.
Sure enough, Best Screenplay went to The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.
Best Director went to the Dardenne Brothers, and Li Chen felt a sense of relief, his mind a jumble of thoughts.
It was time for the two most anticipated major awards.
Of the three highest-rated films, both he and the Dardenne Brothers had already won something.
Could these two major awards be shared equally? Would broken flowers definitely win one?
The Jury Grand Prize was presented first, and Li Chen unconsciously glanced at Jarmusch and the Dardenne Brothers.
All three were intently staring at the awards stage.
At this moment, Li Chen no longer cared what the presenters looked like.
His eyes were fixed on the mouth of the presenter.
The English words that were read out instantly drained a large part of Li Chen’s spirit.
broken flowers, Jarmusch.
The venue erupted in applause, and Li Chen joined in.
The Dardenne Brothers, while applauding, simultaneously glanced at Li Chen.
Their actions were identical to Li Chen’s just moments before.
It was time for the most exciting Golden Palm Award.
Two Oscar-winning actors, a male and a female, took the stage as presenters.
All the guests at the venue turned their gaze towards the Dardenne Brothers.
A few, however, looked towards Li Chen.
Jarmusch had won the Jury Grand Prize, so he was certainly out of the running for the Golden Palm.
But Li Chen still had a chance.
At this moment, Li Chen’s feeling was like a player with cheats encountering a top professional player.
Who would win or lose could only be left to the outcome.
Li Chen didn't hear a word of the chatter from Oscar-winning actress Hillary and actor Morgan Freeman.
Until they got to the main topic.
All the members of shoplifters held their breath.
The winner of this year's Golden Palm Award is...
“shoplifters.”
Han Sanping, Wu Yusen, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Zhang Ziyi, Wang Xiaoshuai, and Gao Yuanyuan all stood up one after another to applaud shoplifters.
“I won?”
Li Chen appeared relatively calm on the surface.
But how fast his heart was beating, only he, the person involved, truly knew.
At this moment, it was as if everything around him had disappeared, a vast expanse of white.
It was an excited Han Sanping who gave Li Chen a big hug, pulling him back to reality.
Han Sanping patted Li Chen’s back vigorously: “Good job, kid, you really did it!”
Han Sanping truly hadn’t expected Li Chen to actually reach the top and win gold, shining at Cannes.
Even at over fifty years old, he couldn’t help but be incredibly excited.
He had put in a lot of effort to get shoplifters approved back then.
These were solid achievements to be noted in the record, and there was only one year left until the leadership change.
Li Chen’s win here was a strong push for him.
The members of shoplifters were ecstatic.
They all hugged and greeted each other.
All the guests present gave their warmest applause to this most special family.
The director was in his early twenties, and the actors ranged from 65 to 10 years old.
Everyone delivered a brilliant performance.
“Don’t just stand there, hurry up and go on stage to accept the award,” Han Sanping said with a smile.
Li Chen nodded, tugged at his clothes, and stepped onto the awards stage.
The two presenters hugged Li Chen one after another.
When the brilliantly fair Hillary leaned in for a cheek kiss, she said in English,
“Congratulations, mysterious director from the East.”
Li Chen hadn’t even said “thank you” yet.
When Hillary kissed him on the cheek.
Li Chen was a bit slow to react to her surprise attack.
Hillary smiled brightly: “Congratulations again, talented young director from the mysterious East.”
“He’s too young, too charming, please forgive my spontaneous act.”
Hillary’s kiss brought the atmosphere to a climax.
A Sina reporter excitedly said, “This material is going to explode.”
They would write an article with the title “Oscar-winning Actress Can’t Help but Kiss Director Li.”
It was Li Chen’s turn to give his acceptance speech.
Li Chen had thought beforehand about what to say if he won, so he wasn’t flustered.
Holding the certificate and the gift box containing the Golden Palm, he bowed slightly and said,
“Thank you to every member of shoplifters, thank you for making shoplifters possible.”
“Without your wonderful performances, there would be no shoplifters, thank you.”
“I also want to thank Han Sanping, the producer of shoplifters, for his strong support, and my teacher Tian Zhuangzhuang for his efforts behind the scenes.”
“Thank you!”
An awards ceremony made Li Chen’s name resound throughout Cannes and the world film industry.
Li Chen became the youngest Golden Palm Award winner.
Agence France-Presse and Xinhua Daily reported the news of Li Chen’s win at Cannes immediately.
Upon returning to the hotel, the members of shoplifters were still immersed in celebration.
Even Lu Zhong and Li Xuejian were infected.
Han Sanping was holding a grand celebration banquet in Cannes tomorrow; this was the pride of Chinese cinema.
China Film Group Corporation, where Han Sanping worked, was also one of only two production companies.
Given Han Sanping’s personality, he would have loved to hold the celebration banquet on the Eiffel Tower.
Han Sanping had been on the phone constantly, and just hung up.
Han Sanping then said with a smile, “Li Chen, guess who just called me.”
Li Chen chuckled, “Han Dong, I can’t guess that.”
Han Sanping burst into laughter: “It was the editor-in-chief of Time Magazine, asking for your contact information.”
Just as he was speaking, Li Chen’s phone rang.
After hanging up, everyone stared at Li Chen.
Han Sanping said, “What did they say?”
Li Chen was a bit indecisive.
He hesitated, “Time Magazine wants to use my photo for the cover of their next Asian edition.”
“They also want to interview me.”
Everyone in the room was happy for Li Chen, and Yang Siwei smiled, “Boss, this is a huge deal.”
“Why do you seem a bit reluctant?”
Li Xuejian had spent nearly half a year with Li Chen, so he probably understood Li Chen’s thoughts.
“Li Chen probably doesn’t want to be too much in the limelight.”
Li Chen gave a wry smile, “Xue Jian truly understands.”
Han Sanping said with annoyance, “How can this be called being in the limelight?”
“This is an honor, there’s nothing to hesitate about; I’ll make the decision for you.”
“I’ll call him right now.”
Han Sanping decisively made the decision for Li Chen.
Five minutes later, Han Sanping returned and said, “It’s settled. The interview will be at tomorrow’s celebration banquet.”
“Don’t you think this is a small matter, kid.”
“I’ll just say one thing: last year, the person who appeared on the cover of Time Magazine as a cover story was Liu Xiang!”
“You weigh that yourself.”