Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years-Chapter 436 - 426: A Movie Is Just a Movie!

On stage, Spielberg continues his speech:

"Many people consider me a conservative person. Some say I might be prejudiced against the same-sex themes of 'Adele's Life,' or skeptical of the age of the director of 'Shoplifters.' But in fact, I like both films very much…"

This is a necessary procedure, otherwise people might say it's a shady operation, or even suspect that Qi Hao bought the Palme d'Or.

However, if you put aside political correctness, the same-sex themed 'Adele's Life' is at least a notch below 'Shoplifters.'

Spielberg cast the decisive vote for Qi Hao to win the Palme d'Or.

He is a world-class super director; he has the capital to be willful, so he can reject homosexuality, reject women, reject races... reject anything he believes shouldn't belong in films.

A film is just a film!

Having interacted with Qi Hao a few times, Spielberg's biggest impression wasn't Qi Hao's talent or wealth.

What impressed him most was Qi Hao's purity towards cinema.

Qi Hao might not be old, but he has been in the film industry for more than a decade. Yet in his words and gaze, there is still a full love and yearning for cinema.

This is a person born for cinema.

Twenty-five billion US dollars might just be an accident.

With Spielberg's support, Qi Hao instantly gained the support of almost the entire jury.

After all, even the two female judges supported Qi Hao rather than the lesbian film. What else is there to say for the others?

Qi Hao made his way through greeting old friends one by one, and finally reached the stage.

He hugged every jury member one by one.

In a very grateful manner.

Then, holding the very significant Palme d'Or trophy, he began his acceptance speech.

Actually, the Palme d'Or trophy has a base made of 1 kg of crystal, on which a gold olive branch stands 13.5 cm high and 9 cm wide with 19 leaves, made of 24K gold, weighing 118 grams in total.

It's not very heavy, but what it represents carries significant weight.

Qi Hao was indeed out for a mission.

But when he received the Palme d'Or, he really felt an excitement that made his nose tingle, wanting to shed a tear.

"When I was young, I disliked school. I spent a lot of time watching movies. I fought guerrilla wars with my parents like a soldier. They were the best teachers, yet they taught a fool like me who couldn't even pass high school.

At the age of fifteen or sixteen, I left school and home, becoming an extra without a face or lines. The roles I took most often were playing dead bodies lying on the floor.

I lived like that for three whole years, which accumulated a wealth of experience for my film career, teaching me I am not a genius, making me forever respect cinema...

'Shoplifters' is a project I have prepared for many years, containing my thoughts on good and evil, family, cinema, and other topics...

Thanks to Cannes, thanks to the jury, thanks to my partners, thanks to the cast and crew behind the scenes, thanks to my friends... thanks to my parents, wife, and children.

This honor doesn't reward talent; it's a prize for those who strive!"

Qi Hao passionately delivers his acceptance speech.

Although he has a system as an aid, he truly worked hard, arguably harder than anyone else in the entertainment industry.

Since his debut, he has never slackened.

While others worked, he worked; when others didn't work, he still worked.

Especially after the system provided training functionalities.

He worked at least eight extra hours on four days a week compared to others.

A chair might relieve his physical and mental fatigue, but not the spiritual exhaustion he endured solely by strong willpower.

Of course, besides his effort, he should thank Tongzi.

Thank Hirokazu Koreeda.

Thank Jiang Wen, Zhou Xingxing, and everyone in the training space who helped him.

The audience responded with warm applause.

Actually, most people felt awarding 'Shoplifters' was a good decision, more deserving than 'Adele's Life'.

Why can't films return to being films themselves?

The big three in Europe are now filled with films forced into correctness to win awards.

No matter their quality, correctness itself means added points.

One even fears publicly expressing dissatisfaction with them.

The feeling of being hijacked in this way is very unpleasant.

Many internally praised Spielberg.

Moreover, a thirty-two-year-old from Huaxia winning the Palme d'Or surely accompanies substantial controversy.

The world is a massive puppet troupe; even a noble cinematic feast like Cannes can't escape such scrutiny.

A former Cannes Film Festival jury member once said, "When I walked out from the jury bubble, I realized no one agreed with our award list."

Qi Hao wasn't the youngest Palme d'Or winner at Cannes.

Historically, at the Cannes International Film Festival, born in 1963, Steven Soderbergh in his 26th year arrived at Cannes' main competition unit with his film 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape,' defeating renowned directors like Kusturica, David Lean, Tornatore, Shohei Imamura, and won the Palme d'Or, regarded as a genius in film history, also the youngest Palme d'Or winner in Cannes history.

In comparison, the thirty-two-year-old Qi Hao is already too old.

However, domestic sentiment doesn't reflect this.

Qi Hao was eager to return home and arrived back in the capital the next day.

He was greeted by layers of encirclement at the airport; no matter how secretive the itinerary or top-notch security, they couldn't withstand the media's enthusiasm.

Twenty years!

Twenty years!

In 1993, director Chen Kaige's 'Farewell My Concubine' won the Cannes International Film Festival's Palme d'Or, marking the first time a Chinese film won the award.

Now, twenty years later, a Huaxia person won the Palme d'Or again.

Actually, Qi Hao had nothing much to say to the media.

The matter is as simple as it is, report truthfully and there's nothing more.

Seeing the good egg, they insisted on interviewing the old hen.

"Yes, I'm incredibly excited. I didn't expect to win the Palme d'Or, it feels like a dream."

Qi Hao briefly expressed his attitude in response to inquiries.

Without this process, it could easily be interpreted that he felt deserving of the award, or even expected it, touching upon issues of award corruption.

Though Qi Hao won the Palme d'Or shining a light on Chinese cinema, the media wouldn't necessarily take pride in it.

They always aim to report something extraordinary.

"During your acceptance speech, you didn't specifically thank An Feng, and An Feng didn't appear in 'Shoplifters.' Has anything changed in your relationship?"

No corruption? Then let's discuss marital changes.

This time, a huge media presence came, nearly covering every domestic media, but major media like Sina, Penguin, or official media aren't in a hurry as they can schedule exclusive interviews with Qi Hao.

The truly anxious ones are mid-small media, among whom some are not afraid of anything.

However, Qi Hao really can't do much to them, only patiently responding:

"Due to pregnancy, An Feng couldn't participate in this film. I also deeply regret. Our relationship is better than before. I spent the entire first half of the year at home accompanying her, so media friends hoping for some relationship crisis may be disappointed.

I've been twelve days without seeing her, now missing her dearly, hoping everyone could understand my feelings.

I'll host a press conference the day after tomorrow where you can ask anything you want.

This is the airport; let's not hinder travelers' journeys."

Qi Hao knew if he doesn't promise something today, it might indeed be difficult to leave.

No matter how many bodyguards, they can't pave a bloody path out.

If handled poorly, a stampede incident might occur.

Finally reaching home, Qi Hao saw a heartwarming scene, An Feng was surprisingly standing at the door with their child waiting for him.

"The weather's not great, why come out?"

Qi Hao got directly out of the car, had the driver park it in the garage, and went to embrace his wife and child.

"Why did you come back so late? Baby had just fallen asleep, probably knew you were coming, suddenly opened his eyes, looks like he wants you too."

An Feng handed over the heavy Xu to Qi Hao.

The little guy has gained quite some weight and is better tempered than when he was born, smiling widely when he sees Qi Hao.

It wasn't like this when he was born.

Back then, his cries kept neighbors awake.

Let's just say the metaphysical baby carriage did its job.

"A gift for you…"

Qi Hao took out the trophy and handed it to An Feng. Upon receiving this award, he had completed the mission, although awaiting settlement after the upcoming Hong Kong Golden Image Award and Shen City International Film Festival.

"Tsk tsk, heard you're getting along very well with the female judges~"

Clearly, some rumors had reached An Feng's ears.