novelnext Chapters 1529 and 1538: I'm just an ordinary person, nothing special!
Chapters 1529 and 1538: I'm just an ordinary person, nothing special!
Chapters 1529 and 1538: I'm just an ordinary person, nothing special!
After more than two weeks of excitement, the Tokyo International Film Festival has finally reached its most important day – the closing ceremony and awards ceremony.
The closing ceremony's red carpet likely generated slightly less buzz than the opening ceremony, but it was still a star-studded affair, with virtually all of Japan's movie stars in attendance.
As the chairman of the judging panel, Naoki Nagayama did not bring Akina with him this time.
"Naoki-san, why didn't you come with Akina-san?"
After walking the red carpet, Yoshimura Daitomo asked Nagayama Naoki a question.
Are you feeling unwell?
"No. Akina wants to watch the live stream at home with Hana and the others."
Naoki Nagayama explained,
"Besides, the closing ceremony isn't very interesting. She already knows who the awards went to anyway."
"Ah, that's true."
I'm here today just to go through the motions. In fact, the big names in the Japanese entertainment industry and the international entertainment circle already know who the award winners are.
Although each member of the judging panel has an obligation to maintain confidentiality, there are always those who will secretly leak information.
"And today's awards ceremony."
"It's alright. The artists who win awards are all talented, and they certainly won't let things get out of hand."
Even if everyone knows it's all an act, the moment the winners are actually announced, everyone is guaranteed to be overjoyed and tearful.
After chatting for a while, Naoki Nagayama saw that an acquaintance had arrived, so he went over to greet him.
Young Gong Li and Jiang Wen are walking the red carpet together with young Zhang Yimou. The film "Red Sorghum" won the Golden Bear Award at the beginning of the year, marking the first time a Chinese film has won an award at one of the three major international film competitions.
I'm here again to participate in the Tokyo International Film Festival's selection process, but this time I don't have the confidence to win an award.
Because "Red Sorghum" depicts the Japanese invasion of China, even with the prevailing anti-war sentiment, they never considered that a Japanese film award could be given to "Red Sorghum." Bringing the film crew was merely to participate in more international events and to make the leaders of the Xi'an Film Studio look good.
"Even the closing ceremony was very lively!"
Jiang Wen, dressed in a suit and tie, and the young Zhang Yimou stood on either side of Gong Li. The young Gong Li's face was full of collagen, and she did not yet have the domineering look she would later have. At this moment, she was also curiously looking around the venue.
"So many celebrities, especially foreign celebrities, and Hong Kong celebrities too!"
"Oh right, isn't that Jackie Chan? He seems to be having a great time chatting with the organizers. It's like he has friends everywhere."
Gong Li, who had just debuted, did not know Jackie Chan yet.
"Of course, big brother!"
Jiang Wen said with a smile,
"Kung Fu movies are very famous in the United States!"
The mainland film industry is still in its early stages, and it needs to learn a lot from Hong Kong and European and American films, so it is very familiar with the big names in the film industry.
"The person next to him."
The young Zhang Yimou narrowed his eyes slightly, recognizing the other person.
"It's Naoki Nagayama, Japan's youngest and most famous film director right now! He's won both the Palme d'Or and an Oscar!"
"Oh?!" X2
The other two immediately looked at them with admiration and surprise.
Speaking of Zhang Yimou, he was a cinematic genius in his youth. He only entered the film industry in 84, and rose to fame in 86 with his starring role in "Old Well." In 87, he became a director, and his directorial debut, "Red Sorghum," won the Berlin Golden Bear, one of the world's three most prestigious film awards.
He's simply a genius among geniuses!!
But the guy not far away made even the young Zhang Yimou feel a little desperate. (The films mentioned include: Paranormal Activity, Gas Station Robbery, Hachiko, A Scene at the Sea, Love Letter, Kikujiro's Summer, Ghost, and Jurassic Park.)
Naoki Nagayama, with an astonishing frequency of 1-2 films per year, has progressed from the creativity and wonder of his early work, *Paranormal Activity*, to the ingenious narrative of *Gas Station*, and then to the continuous improvement in emotion and filmmaking in films such as *Hachiko*, *A Scene at the Sea*, and *Love Letter*, culminating in his masterpiece, *Kikujiro's Summer*.
Then came the innovative explorations of "Ghost" and "Jurassic Park".
His entire creative career was like a dream come true. He constantly improved his filmmaking skills, winning awards from the Japanese Academy Awards all the way to the Oscars, and even organized world-class film events like the Tokyo International Film Festival!
When ordinary people hear about his deeds, they will probably just applaud and admire him, saying things like "the chosen one" or "the protagonist of the story," and at most they will make fun of him with their friends over tea.
However, as a filmmaker of the same generation, the young Zhang Yimou vividly demonstrated what it means to say, "If you don't make films, seeing me is like a frog in a well looking at the moon in the sky. If you do make films, seeing me is like an ant seeing the blue sky."
"This guy is a monster!"
Seeing Naoki Nagayama chatting happily with Jackie Chan, the young Zhang Yimou couldn't help but feel the urge to step forward and introduce himself.
Naoki Nagayama, oblivious to the gazes behind him, continued chatting with Jackie Chan.
"Did Jackie Chan actually take the time to come over?"
"Of course, such an important event, and we get to see so many international stars."
Jackie Chan said with a smile that he is a person who really enjoys lively occasions.
"There are also some events in Japan."
Jackie Chan's career is currently still primarily in Asia, with plans including Japan, the hottest region in the entertainment industry, where many of his films will be shown. He also has a close female friend in Japan.
Haha, let's go sing karaoke together sometime!
Just as the two were chatting happily, Jackie Chan's eyes swept across the distance, and he suddenly laughed:
"Mr. Naoki, there's a beautiful woman looking at you!"
"Haha, they must be looking at you, Jackie Chan."
It's worth noting that Jackie Chan has more media exposure than Naoki Nagayama. However, after hearing this, Naoki Nagayama still turned his head away.
"Those are Gong Li, Jiang Wen, and Zhang Yimou."
After looking them over, Naoki Nagayama accurately called out the names of these people in Chinese.
"Oh? Is he someone Naoki knows?"
"No, they are key members of the creative team behind the TV series 'Red Sorghum'."
Naoki Nagayama was somewhat surprised.
"Don't Jackie Chan recognize them?"
"I don't recognize him, but I think I've heard of him before. I think I saw a photo of him at some event."
Naoki Nagayama nodded knowingly. It seemed that at this time, Jackie Chan and the mainland film industry were not very familiar with each other. It was probably the butterfly effect of the Tokyo International Film Festival that allowed the two sides to meet earlier.
"Haha, that's perfect. We're all Chinese, it's a good opportunity to get to know each other!"
This made Jackie Chan pause for a moment, then he laughed:
"Naoki, the way you're talking makes it sound like you're Chinese."
"Haha, maybe it was in a past life!"
Without offering any further explanation, Naoki Nagayama led Jackie Chan directly to Gong Li and the other two:
Hello!
"The three members of the 'Red Sorghum' crew have wanted to meet for a long time!"
"Forehead"
Gong Li, Jiang Wen, and the young Zhang Yimou were all stunned. Wasn't this a Japanese director? How come his Mandarin sounded more standard than theirs?!
"Director Nagayama?"
The young strategist asked.
"Do you speak Chinese?"
"Yes, I can also speak Cantonese and a little Wenzhou dialect!"
Naoki Nagayama laughed, sizing up these three future bigwigs of the mainland film industry; right now, they could only be considered young men.
"Your film 'Red Sorghum' was very profound and left a deep impression on the judging panel."
"."
Oh right, this guy is the chairman of the jury, Gong Li couldn't help but think. Did he mean that "Red Sorghum" would win an award?!
"Oh, by the way, this is Jackie Chan. You should all know him!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Naoki Nagayama vacated the space to show Jackie Chan.
"These three are the main creators of 'Red Sorghum,' and they are all young talents in the film industry!"
"Ha! Naoki's praising you guys to the skies! I'm Jackie Chan!"
Jackie Chan was very outgoing and warmly shook hands with the three of them.
"We are all Chinese, living abroad together. What's that saying again? When fellow countrymen meet, their eyes well up with tears."
"Haha, yes, yes. They're all Chinese. Chinese."
Jiang Wen also shook hands with Jackie Chan in a very generous manner, and they quickly became acquainted.
For some reason, the phrase "Chinese people don't lie to Chinese people" suddenly popped into Naoki Nagayama's head. He's really been badly affected by the internet!
However, Gong Li looked at the group of people who seemed completely at ease with each other, and her gaze toward Naoki Nagayama became increasingly strange. How did this guy manage to blend in so seamlessly without seeming out of place at all?
"Ms. Gong Li."
Naoki Nagayama noticed she was staring at him, which he found odd. He looked himself up and down.
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong?"
No, no, it's not.
The young Gong Li was somewhat flustered, after all, the person in front of her was supposed to be a big shot in the film industry.
"I was just a little curious."
"Haha~"
Jackie Chan joked,
"That's only natural, Naoki is so handsome! He's always going to attract attention."
Although these four men are all celebrities in the entertainment industry, there is no doubt that Naoki Nagayama is the most handsome one.
"Hahaha~"
Naoki Nagayama, however, wasn't embarrassed and smiled, trying to smooth things over.
"Jackie Chan can't just say things like that, or it'll become a scandal!"
"."
Upon hearing this, Gong Li blushed with embarrassment and anger.
"No, no. I was just thinking, Director Nagayama is so young, yet he's already made so many famous films. He's like a genius! Ah, no, he doesn't seem like a young person like us at all."
"Yes, she is indeed somewhat different from ordinary people."
Jackie Chan also looked Naoki Nagayama up and down, then shook his head.
"I was reported by major media outlets from the moment I was born, and I'm fine even after suffering so many injuries as an adult. Everyone calls me 'Double-Bone Dragon'."
"The media is exaggerating! Naoki is just an ordinary person!"
"Haha, that's absolutely right!"
Naoki Nagayama looked at Gong Li and the others.
"I'm just an ordinary director (a wealthy man, a famous writer), I've only made a few movies, nothing special!"
"."
Now it wasn't just Gong Li who felt this way; even Jiang Wen and the young Zhang Yimou felt that the person in front of them was too good at pretending!
You should know that people who say this about themselves are usually being sarcastic!
"Alright, let's hurry inside the venue. The awards ceremony is about to begin!"
"Haha, okay~"
Jackie Chan smiled and agreed, then said to the three of them,
"Let's have tea sometime later."
"Okay, okay~"
"."
"The closing ceremony and awards ceremony of the 3rd Tokyo International Film Festival are now officially beginning!"
The film festival awards ceremony began with the host's enthusiastic and powerful voice.
This time, Naoki Nagayama was not able to chat with his friends at the banquet table. Instead, he sat in the jury seat on the side and had to stay there until all the awards were given out. He also had to be careful of the cameras at all times, which was quite boring!
"Oshima-san"
After holding back for a while, Naoki Nagayama turned his head and whispered to Nagisa Oshima,
"Did you rest well after getting off the yacht?"
"Haha, even with the duct tape, my body is still in great shape!"
Nagisa Oshima said with a smile,
"I heard that Ichikawa has been lying at home for several days."
"It was my fault."
Naoki Nagayama looked apologetically at Kon Ichikawa, who was a few seats away.
"Looks like we can't do that kind of thing on the yacht anymore."
"Haha, it's a novel experience! It's just not suitable for older people."
Nagisa Oshima nodded.
"But Naoki-kun, you've done a great job, even getting Matsuo-kun, your junior, to visit you so many times."
"???"
Upon hearing this, Naoki Nagayama was taken aback. When had he allowed Muneo Matsuo to visit him?!
"What a great junior! And he has his own ideas about film."
Nagisa Oshima was lavish in his praise of Muneo Matsuo.
"The next generation of directors has been found in the tree-loving family!"
"."
Aha! This Matsuo Muneo guy, actually using his own name, or rather, the name of a fellow tree enthusiast, to curry favor with these veteran directors?!
The little chicken feet are showing!
Although I had this idea when I asked him to deliver Ichikawa Kon before, I didn't expect that Matsuo Muneo would do such a good job without even realizing it. He really knows how to take advantage of people's opportunities!
However, on the surface, Naoki Nagayama still echoed:
"Yes, yes, Matsuo-kun is still pretty good!"
"Haha, not bad, lad!"
"."
Just then, the host presented the next important award.
"Best Actress Award: Gong Li, from 'Red Sorghum'!!"
Upon hearing the familiar name, Naoki Nagayama looked up and saw Gong Li stand up with a look of surprise on her face, and then walk to the podium. She really didn't know that she would win an award!
"Oh, it's her!"
Nagisa Oshima nodded.
"She portrayed the resilience and wildness of women in 'Red Sorghum,' and indeed, her first performance was the most captivating. I hope she will continue to work hard in the future."
In fact, given the predominantly Japanese jury, it would have been quite an achievement for "Red Sorghum" to win a Best Actress award.
Watching Gong Li excitedly deliver her acceptance speech in English, Naoki Nagayama shook his head, even though he had suggested this film for the Best Director award.
"Best Actor Award: John Lone, The Last Emperor."
Without Naoki Nagayama's competition this time, "The Last Emperor" finally earned the recognition it deserved in the international film competition!
The film's award-winning fervor continued until 89, during which time it almost swept all the major awards, except for the Oscar, which was snatched away by Naoki Nagayama.
"Special Jury Prize: Dunhuang!!"
This is the only neon-themed movie.
"Best Director: Bernardo Bertolucci, *The Last Emperor*!!"
"Winner of the Golden Cherry Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival."
Finally, the host announced loudly,
"The Last Emperor!!!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the hall, and amidst enthusiastic cheers, the cast and crew of "The Last Emperor" once again stepped onto the awards stage.
He received the grand prize from Minister of Education Hatsune Narita!
The 3rd International Film Festival has now come to a complete success!