Chapter 281: A Glorious Coronation – It seemed as if fate itself was at play…
Such a "rebirth"-like turn of events is undoubtedly deeply moving.
Watching the heroine walk step by step towards the sunlight, the free breeze blowing through her long hair, the interplay of light and shadow falling into her eyes and brows, it was as if gradually smoothing away the years of deception and repression that had filled her past, revealing a unique radiance of rebirth.
From walking slowly and aimlessly to running with a smile on his face as if he were about to chase the wind, the emotional shift was portrayed to its fullest extent in this moment.
In the sunlight and gentle breeze of this moment, the running heroine seems to radiate a brilliance that surpasses even the bright sunshine around her.
Such brilliance possessed an unprecedented dazzling beauty, making it impossible for viewers to look away or look away. In the end, they could only stare intently at the scene on the big screen, feeling the emotional impact that struck their hearts.
Hearing the faint cheers coming from all directions, Li Sishi felt a slight sense of relief. She couldn't help but cast a complex look at Rong Juezhang, who was holding her hand comfortingly beside her: the audience at the Cannes Film Festival has always been picky and realistic when watching films. If they see a film they don't like, they will often boo without hesitation to express their dissatisfaction.
Sometimes, if a movie is poorly made or the plot is too obscure, viewers may even walk out halfway through...
They were relatively lucky because "Beauty on the High Platform" probably benefited from being the first film to be screened. Although the "smoke and mirrors" plot in the beginning caused a slight discussion in the theater, all the viewers patiently "endured" it.
Then, the cruel and cold truth is gradually revealed, attracting those viewers who were initially indifferent. Then, this magical realism technique is used to firmly hold everyone's attention, leading their thoughts step by step to follow the development of the film's plot, to act, to change, and to rise and fall...
As for Li Sishi's many solo performances in this film, they are also extremely infectious—from the anticipation and longing of entering a fairy tale ending, to the confusion, unease, panic and despair when being "disciplined" by her husband, layer upon layer of emotions accumulate until the final rebirth and full explosion. Such an unusually realistic performance, combined with her overly young and innocent face, actually achieves a strange harmony in the midst of endless contradictions.
It's an unforgettable moment when those eyes transformed from weary and worn to sparkling with starlight.
And most importantly, this movie is in the play
Besides being novel and captivating in terms of plot, the actors' performances and the beauty of the visuals are also perfectly matched. The colors and lighting, in a subtle way, combine to create a soft and warm texture, laying the foundation for the film's layers and depth.
As for the countless beautiful costumes worn by the female lead, each one exudes a unique oriental charm while also being full of fashion sense and aesthetic appeal that is recognized by the international public. Moreover, the coordination between each costume and the plot is indescribable, as if one can recall the female lead's beautiful posture at each stage of the story with just a little recollection.
But what is most amazing is that the heroine's beauty is not just a superficial beauty in appearance, but a deep beauty in thought and spirit, born from exhaustion and embarrassment but never giving up, and finally achieving awakening and growth.
Whether they like it or not, this is an extremely brilliant film depicting female awakening and growth.
Furthermore, this film, which clearly has the potential to become a classic, stars Li Sishi, a beauty who, at only twenty years old, is already a legend in the Chinese and even the world of beauty pageants. Recalling Li Sishi's performance in the Miss Universe finals and her past contributions to women's rights only adds to the film's "legendary" quality.
And "groundbreaking".
In the final scene of the movie, the female protagonist, who has been reborn, stands on a small platform at a fashion show that is much lower but also much wider than the previous display stand. Her confident, self-respecting, and radiant demeanor, as if she is in control of her own life, reaches its peak the moment she slowly steps down from the small platform.
Looking at the films submitted by China to various film festivals to compete for awards, apart from "When You're Forty," which depicts a woman's midlife crisis and was submitted to the Taipei International Film Festival last year, the themes of the films submitted by China, whether from the mainland, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, either focus on portraying the historical oppression and helpless decline of modern times, or are keen on depicting the emotional tragedies of life's suffering.
Only "Beauty on the High Platform" uses a unique fashion sense and delicate emotions to depict the story of a young girl's journey from the surprise of sudden fame to the confusion of extravagance and finally to the awakening of rebirth. It perfectly transcends the barriers of regional and cultural backgrounds, cleverly combining the intersection of reality and fantasy, and ultimately creating a female-themed film that is no longer limited by language and thought.
The female lead in the play is receiving a grand celebration, while the "female lead" off-screen is navigating life with mixed feelings of laughter and tears.
She felt the enthusiastic applause and the praise for her performance coming from all directions amidst a crowd of people standing up and applauding.
The feeling of finally gaining recognition from many people after a lot of hard work is so wonderful that it is irresistible from beginning to end.
And this is also the reason and purpose for her to choose the form of "movie" to recreate her past life, to empathize with her former self, and to connect with many girls like her in this world, so as to ultimately achieve a holistic growth that lets go of the past and looks forward to the future.
After the film's successful opening, the seemingly endless discussions and exclamations of praise from the audience continued even after the applause had subsided.
With mixed feelings, Li Sishi lowered her head slightly and let Rong Juezhang act as her "guide" as she moved forward with the main creative team of the production crew.
A barrage of flashing lights, as dazzling as the sunlight when she photographed the heroine pushing open the heavy door, seemed to echo her growth and the boundless brilliance of her future—
But somehow, even in such a grand setting, surrounded by various accents from all over the world, she felt so calm and warm, completely lacking the anxiety, panic, and confusion that a "newcomer" should have when attending such a grand film event for the first time.
However, she knew who was guiding and protecting her, which was the source of this peaceful and warm state of mind.
So Li Sishi subconsciously glanced at Rong Juezhang, who was walking in front of her like an older brother, holding her hand as they walked forward—just then, he also seemed to sense something and turned to look at her.
The unspoken understanding that existed between the two of them as their eyes met melted into a warmth that filled their hearts.
When he asked her if she was afraid, it was from the bottom of his heart, and her answer, "With you by my side, I'm not afraid of anything," was even more sincere and heartfelt.
And all the past events finally intertwined into eternal tenderness and emotion in that instant when the two looked at each other with perfect understanding.
"Beauty on the High Platform" will be screened in several screening rooms at the film festival, and before those scheduled screening times arrive, Li Sishi and her group have a little "private time".
Of course, such "private time" can hardly be considered private. After all, for people who bring their films here, in addition to competing for awards, it is also extremely important to take advantage of the film festival to sell their films to more regions and make more money.
Fortunately, these require cooperation with various parts of the world.
Dealing with film producers is something that a young and "naive" leading actress like Li Sishi doesn't need to worry about. Moreover, because of Zhuang Menghua and Lu Yiting's "confidence" and "ambition" this time, Lu Yiting arranged interviews with various media outlets for her, but she didn't want her to accept any of the commercial activities that came her way, for fear that she would be too tired and that some unpleasant images might be leaked in the cameras from all over the world.
Of course, the offers that have come to invite her to act are still being carefully reviewed and selected. Although the Hong Kong film industry has longed to break into the international film circle for many years, they only have Li Sishi as a tender seedling that has just grown up and can hold her own. Therefore, they absolutely adhere to the principle of "better to have none than to have bad ones".
Given these complex reasons, Li Sishi's task during her week in Cannes was basically to give various interviews and go to the corresponding film screenings with the crew to promote the films, gradually building up her popularity and fame, and moving towards the awards ceremony on the last day.
At 5 p.m. on May 20, 1996, the final results of the voting for the various awards at this year's Cannes Film Festival were officially reached after multiple discussions and debates among the jury members.
At this point, a full 11 days had passed since Li Sishi and her group arrived in Kangcheng.
At this grand and lively awards ceremony, Li Sishi, whose outfits have been highly praised by fashionistas every time she has appeared recently, finally unveiled the most gorgeous and precious gown of her trip.
The countless tiny diamonds, each one hand-placed on her, transformed into countless stars, forming all the marks and traces of her past and present lives.
At this moment, all these marks and traces are gathered together, becoming a silent prelude to her stunning appearance.
When Rong Juezhang, who was her male companion, helped her out of the car, she stood up gracefully, and the large skirt that had been hidden by the folds cascaded down like flowing water.
The fabric of this long gown is extremely soft and smooth, and the deep blue is adorned with large, tiny rhinestones. At first glance, it looks like starlight from the sky has fallen into the gentle land of earth, creating a dreamlike, shimmering effect.
The appearance of this perfect couple on the red carpet instantly captivated countless photographers. It wasn't until their figures gradually disappeared into the distance that those who were stunned by their unparalleled elegance slowly came to their senses.
Throughout the journey, even with numerous stars shining brightly at the scene, it seemed unable to diminish the beauty and glory of these two stunning figures.
Until the moment the presenter announced the winner of this year's Cannes Film Festival Best Actress award with a look of surprise—
"The Best Actress award at the 49th Cannes Film Festival goes to May Lee for 'Beauty on the High Platform'!"
The close-up shot came at the perfect moment when the name was announced, faithfully recording the entire process of her expression changing from surprise to excitement. Her beautiful, shimmering eyes, illuminated by the lights, seemed to surpass even the most magnificent starry night.
The first Chinese Cannes Film Festival Best Actress winner, at such a youthful age, with such stunning and captivating beauty!
Regardless of whether the audience's reaction to hearing her name was genuine or feigned, the thunderous cheers and applause from those who liked her or the film, and those who came to support her, were as impeccable as a dragon gradually awakening in the distant East. With overwhelming power, they crushed all the turbulent undercurrents and finally ushered in a glorious coronation on the distant horizon.
Compared to the excitement of those around him upon hearing the winners' names and their subsequent bursts of congratulations, Rong Juezhang, who should have maintained his composure and dignity as a senior, was the most excessively excited among them. Fortunately, the camera was currently filming a close-up of Li Sishi; otherwise, his unrestrained, childlike clapping and cheering would surely have offended many who admired his "gentle and refined" demeanor.
Superficial fans immediately unfollowed him...
As Li Sishi slowly walked onto the stage and accepted the gold leaf that was actually made of gold, she looked back down at the scene below, where countless shimmering lights converged to create an endless spectacle of prosperity.
In a daze, they also, to some extent, formed a unique galaxy on earth.
Therefore, in reviewing this year's Cannes Film Festival, some people described it this way: When Li Sishi, wearing a starry dress, faced the "galaxy" below the stage, it seemed as if she was destined to have a unique and brilliant legendary life in the galaxy of humankind.
What leaves one wanting more is the rumored intimate whisper between Li Sishi and Rong Juezhang, who had devoted countless efforts to supporting her and helping her win the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress award, on a "520" day when no one knew its special meaning at the time. This was captured by a photographer at the after-party following the awards ceremony.
The young Cannes Film Festival Best Actress, newly crowned with glory, smiled broadly; the legendary superstar, whose brilliance had lasted a lifetime, listened with a gentle smile and a lowered head. This natural, warm intimacy seemed to soften the turbulent, competitive years of the past, leaving an unforgettable impression even years later. Please remember: Lily, mobile website, Lily free, fastest updates, no anti-theft measures.
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