Chapter 54: Venice Film Festival (Part 2)

  "Ladies and gentlemen, dear guests, thank you very much for coming to Italy, to the City of Water, Venice. It is our pleasure to welcome you all here. As we all know, the Venice International Film Festival, as one of the world's top five national film festivals, has an undeniable influence. From the large number of stars, directors, journalists and people from all walks of life who come to the festival every year, we can confidently say that up to now, the Venice International Film Festival has already gained a position in the international film industry that is not inferior to the Oscars. This is the pride of the entire Italian people and the result of the common efforts of people in the global entertainment industry. Today, the awards of the 49th Venice International Film Festival are about to be announced. The Golden Lion Award for Best Film, the Best Actor and Actress Awards... who will they go to? But no matter who it is, history will remember this moment."

  As the host spoke fluently in English with a humorous tone, he successfully drew the attention of all the guests at the Sala Grande Theater. With his words, the atmosphere in the theater reached a climax.

  Although it was Song Tang's first time attending such an international event, he couldn't help but feel a little excited. Although Song Tang had attended several press conferences before, this one was different, and today he might even win the "Best Film Golden Lion Award", an international award. However, as someone who has been through two lifetimes, Song Tang had long since cultivated a calm demeanor in the face of unexpected events. At this moment, although he felt some excitement, he could still remain composed, with a confident smile on his face.

  However, Jessica and Angelina beside Song Tang were completely different. Although the two followed Song Tang to attend this international entertainment event, their attention was focused on Song Tang. As Song Tang's women, they both hoped that their man could get this award at this time, because it could prove their man's excellence. Of course, Angelina's relationship with Song Tang has not been known by Jessica yet, but from the tense expression on Angelina's face, it can be seen that she is also nervous for Song Tang at this time, just not as straightforward as Jessica.

  Song Tang saw the tense expressions of the two, and his heart warmed up. He thought that even if he didn't get this award, it was still worth coming here for. Thinking so, Song Tang secretly stretched out his hands and held Jessica's and Angelina's small hands separately, letting them relax a bit, although Song Tang couldn't completely let go of their tense emotions by doing so.

  After comforting Jessica, Song Tang turned his head to see John beside him also looking tense. Song Tang couldn't help but shake his head and smile, then patted John's shoulder and comforted him: "John, don't be nervous, it's just an award, if we get it, we're lucky, if not, that's fate."

  John turned around and saw Song Tang's comforting gaze, his tense mood suddenly relaxed, a smile reappeared on his face, and he laughed: "You're right, Song. I really don't need to be nervous. What belongs to me will come to me, what doesn't belong to me, no matter how hard I try, it's useless, just like back then..."

  John was lost in thought, but just then a burst of applause erupted from the Grand Theatre, bringing John back to reality. It turned out that at this moment, the Best Actress award of the 49th Venice Film Festival had been announced, and the winner was Gong Li, who had arrived with Zhang Yimou.

  As the Best Actress award was announced, Song Tang could clearly see that Gong Li was extremely excited, her eyes were slightly red. At 27 years old, Gong Li was at the peak of a woman's maturity, and at this moment, she exuded an aura of maturity from head to toe. Tonight, Gong Li did not wear a Western-style evening gown, but instead wore a Chinese cheongsam dress. The black tight-fitting cheongsam accentuated her mature and sexy body, with the slit in the skirt revealing her white legs as she moved. Although Gong Li's face was not particularly beautiful, at this moment, she attracted everyone's attention, including Song Tang, who couldn't help but be dazzled by Gong Li's sensual and mature physique. However, soon after, Song Tang felt a sharp pain in his waist.

  Song Tang couldn't help but smile at Jessica and Angelina, but soon he saw the envy in their eyes for Gong Li. Seeing their gaze, Song Tang's heart moved, and he comforted them, "Sweetheart, Angelina, are you two envious? Don't worry, later you will also be on such a stage."

  Although Jessica and the other person did not answer Song Tang's question, Song Tang was still able to see delight in their eyes. Seeing this, Song Tang couldn't help but feel a little pleased.

  At this moment, Gong Li had already stepped onto the stage to receive the Best Actress award. After a warm hug with the host, she wiped away tears of joy from her eyes and said excitedly: "I would like to thank all the judges and hosts for giving me this opportunity. Here, I want to say that without my director Zhang Yimou, I wouldn't be standing here today..."

  The most exciting words, the camera slowly turned to Zhang Yimou, the director of "Qiu Ju Goes to Court", who was also very happy at this moment. The excitement on his face could be seen from the camera. Song and Tang immediately congratulated him.

  As the camera panned, it suddenly stopped in front of Song Tang, and the scene erupted into another round of enthusiastic applause. The commentator began to speak at just the right moment: "Oh my god! Look who's standing next to Zhang! It's truly astonishing that Song is with him, both are strong contenders for Best Picture Award, yet they're walking together. But in the end, will it be Zhang who takes home the Golden Lion Award or will Song break the record for the youngest winner? We'll just have to wait and see. I think it won't disappoint us later on. Everyone is looking forward to an intense showdown."

  If Song Tang could hear the live commentator's commentary at this time, he would definitely be speechless immediately. However, at this time, Gong Li obviously wouldn't hear these "thrilling" words immediately, because by then, she had already walked down from the stage amidst the cheers of the crowd and was standing beside them.

  After Gong Li arrived beside everyone, she first gave a warm hug to Zhang Yimou and Yang Lihua, then warmly shook hands with Song Dang and others. As for this, Song Dang and others did not blame Gong Li for her differential treatment, because after all, they had just met and were not familiar yet. However, Song Dang and others still offered congratulatory words, and then Xinhua News Agency's beautiful reporter Yang Lihua began to interview Gong Li about her feelings on winning the Best Actress award in real-time.

  At this time, the host's voice sounded again: "Just now we saw the sexy and beautiful Chinese Gong Li, who is completely worthy of tonight's best actress. Next, we have invited last year's Venice Film Festival Best Actor winner Joaquin Phoenix to announce this year's Best Actor winner."

  As the host finished speaking, Riven Phoenix, dressed in a black tuxedo, stepped onto the stage. As soon as he appeared, the audience below erupted into cheers and applause. At just 22 years old, Riven has a handsome appearance and had won the Best Actor award at the 48th Venice International Film Festival last year for his role in "Unbridled Sky".

  After Riva stepped onto the stage, he simply greeted the crowd at the Sala Grande theater and began to open the envelope in his hand with a smile, starting to read: "The winner of the Best Actor award at the 49th Venice Film Festival is..."

  As Riven began to announce the Best Actor award, Song Tang could clearly feel John becoming tense beside him, while Jessica and Angelina on either side of Song Tang were also anxiously waiting for Riven to reveal the final answer. Although Song Tang was a bit nervous at this time, he didn't show it, so he patted John's shoulder, and John smiled slightly at Song Tang, indicating that he was fine.

  "Jack Lemmon in 'The Fortune Cookie'!"

  When Riven opened the award for Best Actor, John was no longer nervous because this award did not belong to him. So when Riven opened the award for Best Actor, John still maintained his signature smile. Song Tang didn't see any disappointment on John's face, which put Song Tang at ease. Although his directed film "Vulgarity" didn't win the award for Best Actor, Song Tang couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. However, he treated it with an ordinary heart because Jack Lemmon's performance in the movie "The Fortune" was excellent.

  Although John's performance in "Vulgarity" was not bad, compared to acting skills, there is still a gap between John and Jack. After understanding this, Song Tang and John both silently sent their blessings to the best actor who is almost seventy years old this year.

  "Hehe, the most exciting moment of tonight has arrived. Next, let's take a look at tonight's Golden Lion Award, who will be the winner?" With Jack's exit, the host continued his "unparalleled" performance...