The Greatest Showman #844: Important Step

Emotions of excitement and joy still run rampant in my mind, my thoughts feel scattered. It seems there's so much to say, yet I can't quite organize them. I take a deep breath and try to pull out an important message from the chaos. "Just now, Rachel Mahwazin from Congo received an award. I want to express my respect for her, Director Kim Noguy, and the children who are still facing difficulties."

Before I could continue, the audience erupted into warm applause. I looked over at Rachel, smiling, and spoke in French, "Rachel, you are a girl full of courage. I hope you can continue on your path without wavering." The little girl, still not understanding what had just happened, flashed a shy smile, her eyes shining brightly.

That smile was enough to light up the entire world.

I couldn't help but chuckle softly. "The movie 'Transcendence' tells a story about children, about education, and about life. But the most important message it conveys is that when you save one person, you save a world. We're not that great, but we're not that small either."

With that, I raised the Silver Bear in my hand, gesturing to signal that my acceptance speech was over.

The applause swelled once again, more powerful than the first. The energy in the room surged as the audience spontaneously rose to their feet. The applause was deafening, like a tsunami of sound, shaking the very air.

Tony stirred his hands with emotion, his tears evident, but a wide, proud smile bloomed on his face.

Tony was lucky to have chosen me for Transcendence. This young man wasn't just an excellent actor; he was an outstanding artist. Through my interpretation, the creative concept and core meaning of the work had been brought to life. For Tony, this was the happiest moment of his career.

After finishing my speech, I took a step back, ready to leave the stage, only to find myself stunned by the grandeur of the second standing ovation. The excitement was overwhelming and completely unexpected. I stood there, caught off guard, unsure of what to do next.

Blinking in surprise, I snapped back to reality and looked around, feeling lost. Should I leave the stage from the side, or head down the steps back to my seat?

Jack, who had been standing nearby, hadn't expected this reaction either. He should have stepped forward to guide me, but in his daze, he hesitated. After a moment, he rushed over to lead me down the side stairs, indicating that I could return directly to my seat without going backstage.

The lighthearted moment caused the audience to chuckle, breaking the tension and lightening the atmosphere.

With the Best Actor and Best Actress awards presented, the ceremony was about to reach its grand climax: the announcement of the Golden Bear.

The chairman of the jury for this year's Berlin Film Festival, Mike Lee, stepped onto the stage. Known for his nuanced storytelling, whether humorous, bitter, or sweet, Mike was no different today. "I was expecting Jack to stay on stage with me for this moment, but it seems that Renly needs him even more."

A ripple of laughter spread through the room, and Mike smoothly transitioned into the final announcement of the evening: "Caesar Must Die," directed by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, won the Golden Bear at the 62nd Berlin Film Festival.

Interestingly, the Taviani brothers had received the Venice Film Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986, and now, twenty-six years later, their film earned them the first Golden Bear of their directorial careers.

With that, the 62nd Berlin Film Festival came to a close. Unlike last year's overwhelming dominance of one family of filmmakers, this year's festival had a quieter, more subdued tone, though still impactful.

"Caesar Must Die" stood as a testament to the Berlin Film Festival's commitment to art and the boundary-pushing nature of film. The blending of documentary and pseudo-documentary styles in films like Battlefield, The Witcher, and Transcendence highlighted this artistic dedication—art emerges from life, surpasses life, and returns to it.

This year's awards were marked by unexpected wins for young actors in both the Best Actor and Best Actress categories, further signaling Berlin's forward-thinking approach to artistic innovation. Berlin remained at the forefront of this movement, setting a clear example for the future.

In contrast to Cannes, which tends to prioritize commercial success, and Venice, which struggles with balancing history and innovation, Berlin's focus on art has kept it steady. While the competition for attention and popularity has intensified, the festival's unwavering dedication to artistic integrity remains a hallmark of its identity.

For me, the Silver Bear wasn't just an award; it symbolized a turning point in my career. My portrayal in Transcendence sparked meaningful conversations at the Berlin Film Festival, and my persistence and dedication as an actor were finally being recognized. This was just the beginning of a new chapter.

Unlike the Oscars, which are often criticized for their regional bias, the major European film festivals remain open to actors from all over the world. Actors from Asia, Africa, South America, and other regions have long been celebrated, outnumbering their English-speaking counterparts in the awards race.

This global perspective highlights the distinct cultural and artistic approaches between North America and Europe. In Europe, it's incredibly difficult for any actor to make a lasting impact, given the fierce competition and high standards of critics and audiences alike.

For me, Transcendence marked my first major foray into Europe—or rather, my return to it—and the Silver Bear was an acknowledgment of my work's significance in the global film landscape.

Having participated in projects like Buried Alive, Crazy in Love, and Anti-Cancer Me, Transcendence represented a transformation in my career. It became the defining turning point that solidified my place in the international film community.

And this was only the beginning. Much like Rachel Mahwazin or Lou Taylor Pucci, many actors have surprised the world at the major European festivals. The question remains: can they continue to build on this success?

At the very least, the recognition of Transcendence and my journey as an actor have given me a significant advantage over my peers. Compared to established stars like Natalie Portman, I now find myself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the industry.

Natalie may have led the way for the Y-generation with her breakthrough in Europe and her acclaimed role in Black Swan, but she hasn't managed to secure the same kind of success at the major European festivals, as evidenced by the Venice jury's award to Mila Kunis instead.

Now, with my recent achievements, it's clear that the Y-generation actors are rising to prominence. There's a collective momentum that can no longer be ignored. The media has taken notice and is now embracing the new wave of talent.

There's a real chance for me to continue making strides in the industry. While the Berlin Film Festival's influence on the Oscars may be limited, the recognition from Berlin has nonetheless elevated my profile. With the Silver Bear in hand, my name is now in the spotlight, and the attention surrounding me is only growing.

In the midst of all the industry noise, the most compelling proof of my talent lies in the work itself. While others were caught up in the frenzy of Academy PR, I was focused on the craft, and that dedication has paid off.

As the awards season heats up, my name is now on the radar, and the potential for future success has never been clearer.