Chapter 32
Even if Qiao Yiqiao was a man with good psychological quality, he couldn't help but feel nervous at this moment.
My heart was pounding and the air around me was already thin.
Fortunately, the first award to be presented was the "Bright Future" unit award.
The Bright Futures unit only accepts a director's first two feature films, and the competition has always been fierce. This time, Qiao Yiqiao heard that many films in the Chinese industry applied for the award but were not shortlisted.
This year, the award for the Bright Futures section was given to a film from Cameroon.
Qiao Yiqiao has seen that movie. Although the technique is crude, the story it tells is very vivid and expresses the plight of contemporary Cameroonian youth. It is indeed very good.
The Rotterdam Film Festival can be said to be the best stage for Second World films. In fact, if it weren’t for this film festival, Qiao Yiqiao might never have seen a film from Cameroon in his life.
A filmmaker from Cameroon burst into tears, talking about how difficult it was for him to make the film. The young filmmakers from the second world in the audience all felt the same way.
Even though Qiao Yiqiao did not encounter such great difficulties during the filming process, he couldn't help but feel moved when listening to it at this moment.
He suddenly thought that if the girl Sabri was here, she would probably feel the same way.
Next is the big screen competition unit.
The grand prize was given to a movie from Argentina. Qiao Yiqiao liked the movie very much as it was full of South American style.
The whole audience was applauding enthusiastically, but Qiao Yiqiao heard a boy next to him suddenly burst into tears and sobbed.
After watching the director from Argentina go on stage to receive the award, the boy next to him couldn't help but said, "That could be me."
Qiao Yi Qiao then realized that they were competing for the same award.
The people standing under the spotlight shed tears of excitement as they accepted the honor from an international A-class film festival, while those who did not win any awards in the audience could only end their journey with regret and sorrow.
But he was also clapping enthusiastically.
After all, they are all people who love movies.
After that, the awards were announced one by one. Some people expressed their gratitude, some shed tears, some were proud, and some were disappointed.
But every winner will receive blessings from all the filmmakers in the audience.
Qiao Yi Qiao inevitably became nervous.
He began to imagine what it would be like if he had won the award, or if he had not won the award.
In the end he thought, let it be.
The copyrights have been sold and the investment has been recovered. The results of his debut work have exceeded expectations.
As time went by, he gradually calmed down.
Forget the results, just enjoy it.
He has gained so much along the way.
Finally, it’s time to announce the “Best Picture” award.
Originally, there would be two films winning the Golden Tiger Award at the Rotterdam Film Festival, but in recent years, it has been changed to only one film, and the competition has become increasingly fierce.
The host invited a European-renowned actor to the stage.
He first greeted all the audiences in the stadium and the live broadcast, then gently opened the envelope, leaned close to the microphone, and read out a passage: "The Tiger Awards goes to..."
The Rotterdam Film Festival's top honours are about to be announced.
All the audience waited with bated breath.
"ChaosCampus! FromChina, Congratulations!"
Qiao Yi Qiao woke up instantly.
Oh my god!
He just found it unbelievable!
He actually won the award!
This year, the Rotterdam Film Festival laid off almost all members of the film selection team from China. Everyone thought that Chinese films might not win awards again. Even the number of nominated works was pitifully small, and there was even only one work by Qiao Yiqiao in the main competition.
But, it was him.
Won the Golden Tiger Award.
Qiao Yi Qiao looked at the envious and blessing eyes around him and felt a little dazed.
He didn't even know how he walked up to the podium and took the little golden tiger from the presenter.
The spotlight was far more dazzling than Qiao Yiqiao had imagined.
This was his first time in the spotlight - in every sense of the word.
The audience was looking at him with expectation.
This is the most important award at the Rotterdam Film Festival.
Qiao Yi Qiao knew that they were all expecting him to say something.
But his mind went blank...
After all, he had never prepared a thank-you speech for winning the Golden Tiger Award. He always felt that it was unlucky, and now he regretted it very much.
But suddenly, he saw Su Lang.
Then came Xiao He, then Ming Ziqin, and Tu Yu and Sister Wu.
.
These are all his compatriots.
Even closer than compatriots, like comrades-in-arms.
Without any of them, Qiao Yiqiao would never have been able to reach his current position.
The five of them began to applaud again, and then the entire audience burst into thunderous applause.
Qiao Yiqiao gradually calmed down amidst the noise; he knew what he was going to say.
"Thank you IFFR for giving me this award. I will regard this award as encouragement for my future work as a director and keep moving forward," Qiao Yiqiao said with a smile. "At the same time, I want to thank my partners. China's film and television market is changing with each passing day and developing rapidly. It is your presence that gave me the courage to shoot such an outrageous movie."
The whole audience laughed.
Indeed, from various angles, "Chaotic School" is a very outrageous film.
"I am a filmmaker from China. There are many film lovers in China who also want to join this industry. I am just one of the luckier ones. Although I am not a professional, I have met so many good friends and received support from the Film Bureau," Qiao Yiqiao looked at the camera. "I hope the Film Bureau will encourage more filmmakers like me to devote themselves to creation and bring different colors to the Chinese film industry and even the film industry around the world."
"China is conservative, traditional, and humble, but at the same time, it is also progressive, enthusiastic, and innovative," Qiao Yiqiao said, looking at the audience. "Please look forward to more Chinese films going global. We will work together to make progress and make the film world more colorful."
"In short, thank you Rotterdam, thank you friends, thank you Film Bureau, and hope we will see you again!"
The whole audience applauded, Qiao Yi Qiao also smiled and saluted, then he took the trophy and walked off the stage amid cheers.
Even until he stepped off the stage, he still couldn't quite believe that he had won such an award.
He didn't mean to speak so positively when accepting the award, but perhaps because he was a semi-public official before, he unconsciously got used to speaking like this.
Thank you friends, thank you country, thank you...
Qiao Yi Qiao suddenly remembered that the award speech just now forgot to thank him.
So, after sitting down, he quietly clenched his fists to cheer himself up.
Qiao Yiqiao, you did a great job, and I hope you will keep up the good work in the future!
…
The award ceremony ended quickly.
The crowds are constantly mixed with various
Amidst the congratulations and interviews from many media reporters, Qiao Yiqiao and his team walked for more than an hour before they truly walked out of the hotel.
"I booked a bar run by a Chinese in advance, thinking that if we didn't win the prize, we would go there to have a big drink, and if we did win the prize, we would also go there to have a big drink," Tu Yu put one arm around Qiao Yiqiao and Sister Wu, and the other around Ming Ziqin, Xiao He and Su Lang, and shouted, "Let's go drink together! We won't go home until we're drunk today!"
Everyone smiled and said, "Okay!"
A group of people walked to the bar in a mighty manner.
This place is not far from the hotel, right on the beach. There are many Asians sitting inside. They booked seats further inside, which provide good privacy.
"Let's have some hamburgers and fries first," Xiao He rubbed his stomach, "I haven't eaten all night, I'm starving."
"Okay, okay," Tu Yu waved and ordered food for about ten people, as well as two bottles of whiskey. "I'm really, really happy!"
Sister Wu's eyes were still red: "I really didn't expect to win the Golden Tiger Award... It's not easy, it's really not easy. How come our cost is so low? How come it's so amazing?"
"Big brother is really awesome," Su Lang smiled, "He's really good at everything he does. Director Qiao, I toast to you with this."
Everyone raised their glasses together: "Cheers to Director Qiao!"
A group of people drank half a glass of whiskey in one gulp.
"It's all thanks to everyone," Qiao Yiqiao filled everyone's glasses one by one, "I couldn't have done it without any of you. Thank you for pushing me with such a low budget. I really appreciate it."
Everyone laughed again: "Drink, drink!"
"I still remember the first day of filming. I really didn't know what our film would look like," Ming Ziqin couldn't help but recall. "At that time, I only had one thought: I wanted to make a name for myself. But after this film and the various actor workshops over the past half month, I really want to become a great actor now."
"I love my brother, and I love movies!" Su Lang said succinctly, "I'll drink this cup, you guys can do whatever you want!"
Everyone started drinking again, one cup after another. Except for Ming Ziqin, no one present had a poor alcohol tolerance, and everyone was having a great time.
After two rounds of drinks, Qiao Yi Qiao's cell phone suddenly rang.
It was a video call. He answered it.
"Brother/Ada! We saw the news that you won the grand prize!"
It’s a call from the gang.
Qiao Yiqiao looked at the familiar faces, Ah Mo, Li Wei, Yang Yang, Yue Yue...
They also
They all looked excited.
Qiao Yi Qiao was suddenly touched.
He could not have come this far without the help and support of this group of people.
They are by no means a burden or a nuisance to oneself, but rather one's inseparable friends...even family members.
Qiao Yiqiao also smiled at them and said, "Drink as much as you want today. I will pay for it myself."
"Okay!" Ah Mo smiled brightly, with two obvious dimples, "I hope Ah Da will come back soon."
"But, Boss," Yang Yang said with a smile, "Now that the news about you has come out, the gang can no longer hide it. Come back and explain it to everyone. Anyway, everyone knows almost everything. The only ones left are those difficult brothers who haven't been told yet."
"Okay," Qiao Yiqiao thought for a moment after hearing this, "We will be in Heng City the day after tomorrow. Don't let them watch the news yet. I'd better tell them in person."
If those people knew about this, they would probably fly directly to Rotterdam tonight.
Qiao Yi Qiao was still a little scared.
But I should have told them a long time ago.
"I know, we're all waiting for you to come back," Yangyang also smiled, "Let's go drink, you guys enjoy it too~"
"good."
After hanging up the phone, Qiao Yi Qiao and the others were just about to start drinking when they saw a familiar person walking over.
“QYQ, you are here indeed,” Williams smiled, “Congratulations on your film winning the Golden Tiger Award!”
Everyone looked at Williams, all a little surprised. Xiao He asked, "How did you know we were here?"
Williams replied: "No matter if Chinese filmmakers have won an award or not, they will come to this bar to celebrate. You guys are no exception. Can we talk about copyright?"
"How do we talk?"
"I have discussed this with my boss and I am willing to purchase the global copyright of 'Chaotic School' for $3 million, and you don't have to reshoot any scenes..."
"Excuse me, Mr. Williams," Qiao Yiqiao interrupted him, "our global rights have been sold."
“Oh…I see.” Williams’ expression darkened instantly. “Can I ask which company you sold it to in the end?”
Qiao Yiqiao smiled and replied: "Netflix."
"Netflix...it's Netflix..." Williams' eyes showed reluctance, but he quickly calmed down. "I am short-sighted and I am a step late. I wish you good luck.
score. "
"Thank you," Qiao Yiqiao stood up and stretched out his hand, "I hope we can have a chance to work together again."
"No problem. As long as you are still active in the film industry, I believe there will be this opportunity," Williams shook Qiao Yiqiao's hand, "I hope you enjoy this night. This is your glorious moment."
Everyone said goodbye to Williams with a smile.
"Two million..." Xiao He was shocked, "Our film is worth two million!"
"There will be many more that cost two million," Tu Yu said confidently, "Our film hasn't even been released in China yet!"
"That's right!" Xiao He was instantly full of fighting spirit, "I wonder what the results will be when it's released!"
Everyone started to look forward to it.
As Qiao Yiqiao and the others were chatting, suddenly two bottles of wine appeared on the table.
"Waiter, we didn't order any wine." Tu Yu asked.
Because the waiter looked Chinese, Tu Yu also spoke in Chinese.
"This bottle is a gift from our boss," the waiter replied in authentic Chinese, "and the other two bottles are from the guests at the next table. They want to thank you for winning another world-class honor for Chinese films. I hope you will be happy and continue to create."
Everyone looked at the other two tables and saw that there were also Chinese people at those tables, all dressed in suits and looking like office workers in Rotterdam.
People at several tables shook their glasses and toasted each other, and everything was said without words.
It was a spirited night.
A group of people drank until four in the morning. They drank so many glasses that they walked out of the bar drunk together.
Tu Yu held the little golden tiger in his arms, stood by the sea, and suddenly shouted toward the dark sea: "Look at the clanging of iron hooves!"
Xiao He immediately followed up: "Travel all over the mountains and rivers!"
Sister Wu cupped her hands to her mouth: "I stand at the forefront of the storm and hold it tightly, spinning day and night!"
Su Lang also opened his shirt and howled, "May the world of fireworks be peaceful and happy!"
Qiao Yiqiao couldn't help laughing, but he still shouted: "I really want to live another 500 years!"
Everyone said together: "The passion remains unchanged! Year after year! Life has its ups and downs! Good and evil are separated! All for the dream of tomorrow!"
"I really want to live another 500 years!"
"I really want to live another five, hundred, years!!!"
The Port of Rotterdam is still busy late at night, with ships coming in and out.
Dai Yue, completing his work.
Only the fish in the sea heard the noise and swam away hurriedly to the place where the starry sky and the sea meet. They themselves could not tell whether they were in the sea or among the stars. It was like a dream.
In this corner of the world, there is a group of Chinese people who very much want to live another 500 years.
There are still many miracles they want to create.
…
A group of people got drunk and slept in the hotel for a whole day.
It was not until the check-out time the next day that they reluctantly left and started their journey home.
There are no direct flights from Rotterdam back to China, so they can only take a bus to Amsterdam, then take a plane to Istanbul, and then fly back to China.
Their journey was smooth all the way to Istanbul.
After arriving at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, the group had to stay there for six hours, waiting for their connecting flight.
They didn't have a visa for Türkiye and were too lazy to get a visa on arrival, so they just waited at the airport.
After dinner, Qiao Yi Qiao suddenly received a call.
It is a domestic number, but no name is shown.
"Hello?" Qiao Yiqiao asked, "Who are you?"
"Hello, are you Director Qiao Yiqiao?"
The owner of the voice on the other side sounded like a very serious middle-aged man.
"Yes," Qiao Yiqiao replied, "May I ask what can I do for you?"
"Hello, this is the Film and Television Center of the Ministry of Public Security. Your film "Chaotic Campus" won the Golden Tiger Award at the Rotterdam Film Festival, right?"
"Yes."
Qiao Yiqiao didn't know the other party's intention.
The other party asked again: "Okay, when will you return home?"
"We will arrive at Yanjing International Airport at this time tomorrow," Qiao Yiqiao couldn't help but ask, "What can I do for you?"
"Please contact me as soon as you return to China tomorrow. We, together with the Ministry of Justice, would like to arrange a meeting with you." The other party's tone was calm. "We will discuss the specific content of the meeting when you return."
"Okay." Qiao Yiqiao asked again, "Am I the only one going, or do my colleagues have to go too?"
"Only you." The other party said succinctly.
Qiao Yi Qiao really couldn't figure out what the call meant, but before he could ask further questions, the other party had already hung up the phone.
Qiaoyi Bridge
I checked the time in China and it was already past two in the morning.
I asked him to have a meeting after he returned home at around 2 a.m.
Even though Qiao Yi Qiao was not a person who liked to think too much, he couldn't help but worry at this moment.
"What's wrong, brother?" Xiao He saw Qiao Yiqiao frowning, "What happened?"
Qiao Yiqiao said truthfully: "The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Public Security want to invite me to a meeting tomorrow."
"Ministry of Justice?"
After hearing this, the group of people fell silent.
Their film has gone through special review by the Ministry of Public Security, but the Ministry of Justice has had nothing to do with it.
Why is the Ministry of Justice holding a meeting?
Qiao Yi Qiao was thinking rapidly in his mind what exactly was going on.
Could it be that something in the film accidentally offended the Ministry of Justice?
But I heard that the Ministry of Justice is easily offended...
This phone call undoubtedly cast a shadow over everyone's heart.
There are many movies that pass the review first, then enter the competition, and then fail the review again.
Could it be that they themselves would be like this?
Qiao Yiqiao didn't want to think about it.
Although the investment has been recovered now and it has some influence.
But it would be a shame if the film could not be released in the country.
And...how much less money will be earned!
The high spirits among the group were wiped out.
Everyone kept their heads down.
The air pressure is extremely low.
Although Qiao Yi Qiao was not in a good mood, his sleep quality was good. He fell asleep very quickly and dozed off again.
The person next to him listened to his soft snoring: "..."
What a big heart!
But unexpectedly, just when Qiao Yi Qiao was sleeping soundly, he suddenly felt slightly dizzy.
He was very sensitive to this feeling and woke up immediately.
Then, suddenly, an alarm sounded throughout the airport.
"Dip-eighteen...dip-sixteen...dip-fourteen..."
"Oh my god!" Xiao He was the first to react, "It's an earthquake!"
The scene suddenly became chaotic, and everyone stood up and ran out with their luggage.
"Don't take the luggage!" Qiao Yiqiao shouted, "Run!"
After hearing what Qiao Yi Qiao said, the people around them put down their bags and ran out.
The alarms were getting louder and louder.
The airport is so big, it’s not easy to escape, not to mention that they are not familiar with the road.
I was only halfway to the airport when the earthquake alarm reached "Five".
After the female voice said "One", loud sirens sounded throughout the airport.
Everyone quickly got under the chairs.
After a moment, the ground began to shake violently.
There were loud banging sounds everywhere in the airport. Goods on the shelves of the duty-free shops fell to the ground, and the green plants in the airport also fell over.
It was not until more than ten seconds later that the earth returned to calm.
Everyone hid under the chair for a few minutes, making sure everything was alright before climbing out again.
"I was so scared..." Sister Wu covered her chest, "This is the first time I've ever experienced an earthquake since I was a child."
“Me too…” Tu Yu was still in shock, “This is too scary. When it was shaking, I really thought the ground was going to crack…”
Soon, the airport service staff came out and took everyone back to the waiting area.
It doesn't seem to have much impact.
Istanbul is located on the North Anatolian Fault, where earthquakes are very frequent.
The airport was obviously prepared, so the staff were not too panicked and quickly directed the crowd.
But in the midst of the busy crowd, Qiao Yi Qiao saw a familiar figure.
"Sabri!" Qiao Yiqiao shouted, "Why are you..."
It was a very happy thing to meet a friend again - even if it was a friend you had only met a few times - but Qiao Yiqiao felt something was wrong. He clearly saw fear and shrinking on Sabri's face.
When Sabri saw Qiao Yiqiao, he really wanted to answer, but he was afraid of something.
Upon seeing this, Qiao Yi Qiao quickly gave Xiao He a look, and the latter immediately started chatting with the staff who were looking after their team.
Only then did Sabri dare to secretly run to Qiao Yiqiao.
"QYQ, it's great to meet you," Sabry said with tears in his eyes. "By the way, congratulations to you, congratulations on winning the Golden Tiger Award. That was my dream, and you fulfilled it for me. It's great..."
The two walked to the waiting lounge and sat on the floor.
"Why are you here?" Qiao Yiqiao asked, "And you look very unwell."
"Yes, QYQ, I really...really don't know what to do," Sabri covered her face and cried, "You don't know what I encountered when I returned to China.
What's up……"
Sabri cried for a long time before she gradually calmed down. Qiao Yiqiao asked her to speak slowly and not to be in a hurry.
Sabri's family was very poor and they lived in a very remote village. She returned home urgently thinking that something happened at home, but unexpectedly it was because her family were dissatisfied with her going abroad to compete after filming her work, and they hoped that she would return home quickly and get married.
They locked Sabri up, hoping she would surrender, but Sabri bravely escaped and used her last savings to board the first flight to Istanbul.
She didn't know what to do now.
Qiao Yiqiao looked at the Asian girl with heartache.
He still remembered how high-spirited and free-spirited she was when he first met her, but now she looked extremely haggard, and was trembling with fear for every inch of her body.
"QYQ, I really envy you," Sabri said, "Your work is so...free. I read your thank-you speech and saw so many people helping you. It's not like me...I have nothing. I don't even know if I can make a movie again in the future. In fact, I don't even know where to go next. I don't have any friends in Istanbul, and I don't have any money..."
Qiao Yiqiao's heart ached.
There are still such filmmakers in this world who can no longer move forward due to various reasons in reality.
But he suddenly thought of something.
Qiao Yiqiao looked at Sabri and said seriously, "Do you want to come to China to make a movie with me? I have a film and television company that can issue you an invitation letter and allow you to apply for a work visa and come to China to live permanently."
Sabri's eyes suddenly lit up. "Really, QYQ? I have nothing else to ask for!"
"Yes, and I'm still lacking a good executive director."
On the way back, Qiao Yiqiao kept thinking that if he were to shoot his next work, he must do it seriously and step by step.
In his company, whether it is photography, art or lighting, there are already people learning it, but there seems to be no one in the director team.
"I am willing!" Sabri agreed immediately, "I will learn Chinese, and I will learn how to be a director. As long as there is a way to make a living, I will work hard and I will never give up!"
Qiao Yiqiao was also moved by the other party's seriousness and promised: "I will definitely help you."
Then, he called the embassy and explained the situation in detail. The embassy staff explained to him very seriously and responsibly that if he wanted to apply for Sabri to come,
What are the procedures for a work visa in China?
After hanging up the phone, he turned to Xiao He and said, "Xiao He, accompany Sabri back to Pakistan, help her get a visa, and then come back together. It will only take about ten days. I think you should be fine."
Xiao He was also deeply moved after hearing Sabri's story, and said indignantly: "No problem, I will definitely protect her safety."
Sabri didn't know what to say, he just couldn't help crying and kept repeating: "Thank you..."
After helping Xiao He to complete the formalities, Qiao Yi Qiao sat back on the bench in the waiting area, only to suddenly realize that he would be "interviewed" again.
It is still unknown whether I will be able to make movies again after I return.
Can he really help Sabri?
Qiao Yiqiao boarded the flight back home with such a nervous mood.
After landing, he obediently called the guy from the Ministry of Public Security’s Film and Television Center, and the two made an appointment to meet the next day.
…
Ministry of Justice Film and Television Center.
At the appointed time, Qiao Yiqiao entered the meeting room with great trepidation.
Should they criticize him? Ban him? Or order him not to make films for the next few years?
Many possibilities flashed through Qiao Yi Qiao's mind.
But... I never thought of the situation in front of me.
As soon as he entered the door, he was held by the hand by a fat middle-aged man.
"You must be Qiao Yiqiao!" the uncle smiled. "I'm the director of the Film and Television Center of the Ministry of Justice. Congratulations on winning the Golden Tiger Award! I came to you this time to ask if you are interested in writing a composition. We have a movie we've always wanted to shoot, but we can't find a good director!"
After saying that, Qiao Yi Qiao looked into the conference room.
There were countless leaders and young staff sitting there, all looking at him with sharp eyes and full of expectation.
Qiao Yiqiao: “…”
It turns out to be a good thing...
Then can you please not be so scary when inviting me? !
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