novellhall Chapter 13: Watching a Movie
Chapter 13: Watching a Movie
Since the film "The Dilemma" was submitted to European film festivals, it was naturally dubbed in a foreign language, and simple English was sufficient.
Furthermore, an animated intro was added after the studio was established.
Spark Studio, named after a single spark that can start a prairie fire.
The film was distributed by China Film Group and screened publicly a week before the official opening of the film festival.
Berlin in February is characterized by low temperatures, frequent cloudy and rainy weather, and short hours of sunshine, only about ten hours a day.
The film festival is held at the Berlin Film Palace, and major cinemas also screen the participating films for free.
The film festival opening ceremony was a week ago, and Gu Qing and the others weren't really interested in walking the red carpet, so they didn't attend.
None of them need that much exposure, and there's no applause, so walking around would just be asking for trouble.
"This weather is really not suitable for traveling."
The next morning, Gu Qing, Ning Hao, and Xing Aina got up to have breakfast. Ning Hao rubbed his hands together and said speechlessly.
Ning Hao and Sister Ai were planning to go out for fun that night, but it was pitch black and they were in a foreign country, so it wasn't very interesting.
None of the three spoke German very well, but they managed to communicate in English without much trouble.
"Let alone cities, there aren't many seasons like this either."
Gu Qing said with a smile.
"Indeed, after the film festival, we'll go to Hollywood. I've heard it's nice there, with a spring-like climate all year round."
Xing Aina, with her arm around Ning Hao's, also got breakfast and sat down at the restaurant.
Germany is a sausage-producing country with over a thousand varieties of sausages, so sausages are naturally a popular breakfast choice.
Although Gu Qing wasn't used to the food, it wasn't that she couldn't eat it.
The three chatted and laughed, preparing to go see a movie later. They didn't need to buy luxury goods, nor did they have the money to. After thinking it over, they decided to watch a foreign movie.
Many banned films that cannot be shown in China are shown here uncut, especially those classified as 18+.
"Come, come, let me introduce you. These are Gu Qing and Ning Hao, who have been shortlisted for the short film competition."
As the group was having breakfast, Chen Zhou, the head of China Film Group, arrived with his entourage and greeted them.
"Sorry to disturb your meal."
"No, we're jet-lagged, we just overslept."
Having said that, Gu Qing naturally couldn't remain seated, so he greeted the group of people in front of him.
Goodness, it's the entire cast and crew of "Tuya's Marriage" and "Apple".
Gu Qing looked up and saw an all-star lineup in front of her: Wang Quan'an, Li Yu, Yu Nan, Tong Dawei, and Fan Binbin.
"Hello, I heard you're also from the Beijing Film Academy?"
"Director Wang, you're too kind. Actually, I'm from the photography academy."
"Haha, I'm a performance major, who says only directing majors can make movies?"
Wang Quan'an laughed heartily and shook hands warmly with Gu Qing.
Both of them started out in their careers later in life, so they naturally got along very well.
Gu Qing chuckled, not expecting the other person to be so outgoing.
This person doesn't have a good reputation, but as the saying goes, there aren't many directors who are morally upright.
The woman next to him is Yu Nan, his girlfriend, and the female lead in the movie "Wolf Warrior," which grossed 500 million yuan.
"Director Gu looks really young, he's not even as old as me."
"Ambition knows no age, Ms. Fan, hello."
"If Director Gu has any suitable roles, you can contact me. The salary is negotiable."
"I'll definitely do it next time."
After shaking hands with the other person, Gu Qing was taken aback when she felt the other person seemingly hook their palm with their little finger.
I'm just a short film director, do I really deserve their attention?
They're making short films now, but who knows what will happen in a few years.
Fan Binbin is famous enough on the small screen, but actors always want to star in movies to elevate their status, otherwise she wouldn't have taken on an art film like "Apple".
She doesn't care about box office numbers; what matters is the awards.
Indeed, this was the case; although she did not win an award at Berlin, she did win Best Actress at other A-list film festivals.
Unfortunately, the film was banned in mainland China after it was completed.
"Director Gu, what's the schedule for today?"
"Let's watch a movie for a while and cooperate with the short film promotion."
"Haha, indeed, your short film is really well made. With some promotion, the chances of it winning an award are extremely high."
After seeing off the two groups of people, Chen Zhou pulled Gu Qing aside to discuss publicity matters, as having this kind of thing was very important.
In the field of short films, there are very few domestic award winners. Mainland directors either lack the ability or look down on them. If China Film Group can make a move, it would be a significant achievement.
Fortunately, there was plenty of time, so Gu Qing went to see a series of films in the main competition.
Tuya's Marriage tells the story of finding a husband and raising a child. With a single narrative, it vividly portrays the reflections and humanistic concerns under the social environment at that time, making it a good film.
As for "Apple," well, it's not bad either, and it's the uncut version. You can only say that the actors really went all out.
……
At the Potsdam Cinema, in the short film exhibition hall, quite a few people are already watching films.
"Oh shit, can someone tell me why there are so many of the same people appearing!"
"Time loops can be filmed like this? My God!"
"The brilliant montage, with each element seamlessly connected, actually manages to clearly explain the entire plot!"
"God, has anyone counted how many times he's appeared in total?"
"This is the best sci-fi thriller short film I've seen this year!"
In a short film of about twenty minutes, they actually saw a complete and coherent science fiction story.
The foreigners in the audience were all amazed by this science fiction short film from China.
Isn't it said that they only have art films and movies about suffering?
Is this really not a science fiction story? No, this is a science fiction movie!
Especially the way the beginning and the end of the story are seamlessly connected is a stroke of genius!
Indeed, after submitting the short film to China Film Group, Gu Qing added this segment to the opening sequence, creating a true Möbius strip.
This also led to the creation of such a classic.
"Director Gu, your short film seems to be quite popular. Aren't you going to come out and say hello to the fans?"
"Ms. Fan, you're exaggerating. But now is not the time."
Looking at Fan Binbin's adoring gaze, even the well-traveled Gu Qing couldn't help but feel overwhelmed and immediately shifted his position, moving a little further away.
Fan Binbin has been famous and infamous throughout his life, but he has never been ugly.
The two had met at another cinema earlier, and Fan Binbin invited Gu Qing to join him. Gu Qing did not refuse.
Watching a movie alone always feels a bit strange.
"Don't rush, the film has just been released, and it hasn't gained much traction yet. Let's see how it goes in a couple of days."
"Oh? Director Gu is also an expert in this kind of publicity stunt?"
Fan Binbin was surprised. She hadn’t expected that the director who made such a delicate sci-fi short film would be so, so real.
"Ms. Fan, don't forget, I used to be a planning director at GG, so I know a thing or two about these things."
Listening to the discussions of the other moviegoers around her, Gu Qing felt wonderful.
He finds a greater sense of accomplishment in working behind the scenes rather than being a star in the spotlight.
"Director Gu, there's no need to call me Miss Fan, it's too formal. Just call me Binbin."
"hehe."