Chapter 775

Berlin has always been one of the most historic cities in the European continent. Not only has it experienced the change of political power in Prussian Kingdom, German Empire, Weimar Republic and * * Germany, but its buildings and streets still have distinctive traces of different histories and cultures; Also because it has experienced the baptism of war and the wind and frost, the demolished Berlin Wall still divides the city into two distinct areas from the spiritual consciousness, value orientation, ideological level and other aspects.

This is a city full of countless possibilities. Some people will criticize its boredom and rigidity, but others will think that it is the most free and unrestrained land in the world; Some people will complain about the dullness and depression here, while others will think that life here is full of surprises and sparks. The same city, different eyes, different ideas, can dig out different colors here.

Maybe Munich is the economic center of Germany, prosperous and noisy; Perhaps Cologne is a gathering place of German art, full of countless possibilities. But none of them is Berlin. It is this weather beaten city that defines contemporary Germany; It is also the city that gave birth to the Berlin Film Festival.

In 1951, the Berlin Film Festival was founded in the United States or in a broader sense under the initiative of the three Western allies. In the early days of its establishment, the film festival became a stage for European New Wave directors to show their strength and gradually gained a firm foothold on the international stage. However, the Berlin Wall still existed at that time. The so-called Berlin Film Festival, or rather the "West Berlin Film Festival", lasted until 1974, when the first Soviet film appeared at the festival. A year later, East German films also joined in. The political climate has changed.

West and East Germany signed a treaty and reached an agreement on cooperation. Since then, the Berlin Film Festival has positioned itself as a mirror of the international film market, playing a more important cultural and political role in the convergence and mediation between the East and the West. To some extent, it has been a bridge between capitalism and communism for nearly two decades, especially during the cold war, Berlin Film Festival is the best platform for official cultural exchange. All of these make the film festival special.

After half a century of development, Berlin Film Festival, Cannes and Venice have been called the three major European film festivals. Berlin has always maintained its own characteristics, paying attention to the cultural, political, social and international environment, and adhering to the film art creation itself, which gradually leads to a road different from Cannes and Venice.

Although this road is full of thorns and has a vast future; However, with the official support of the German government, the Berlin Film Festival still has incomparable advantages compared with Cannes and Venice.

Langley has visited Berlin many times. He always thinks that Berlin is one of the most dynamic cities in Europe to some extent. It's a unique choice. When it comes to vitality, people will choose Barcelona, or Amsterdam, or Paris, but few people will associate Berlin with vitality. But Langley insisted on his idea.

He likes to walk in the streets of the city, peep at the graffiti hidden in the corners of the streets, showing the unique personality of the artist; Listen to the melody flowing wantonly on the abandoned playground and outline the soul of the singer; Looking for the secrets hidden in the corners of ancient buildings may be the handwriting left by a child during the war, or the prank of a young man.

Or sitting at the door of a bar, appreciating the flow of people or rigid or trendy or restrained or bold costumes, without the delicacy of Milan, the glitz of Paris, the loftiness of London, growing like weeds, but with unique charm.

"I'm starting to wonder if we left London at the wrong time?" Through the tall and transparent glass windows of the airport, you can clearly see the rice and snow outside, which is spreading all over the sky. When I left, the light rain in London finally stopped; When it arrived, the light snow in Berlin seemed to have reached its climax.

"Berlin in February, is there a difference?" Roy make complaints about the truth.

"At least there's no gale here." Nathan's voice hasn't fallen yet. The door of the airport exit is open, and a sharp cold wind is sweeping in. It makes the heating in the room a mess. Without time to close his mouth, he suddenly takes a breath of cool air, and then he can't help rubbing his arms - even through his thick coat, which is a kind of psychological comfort.

In the next second, the click of the shutter will come, and the flashing lights will be in a row. All the sceneries in the line of sight will be covered with a layer of fuzzy silver in an instant, and only the shapes and outlines that are constantly shaking will be left. The hustle and bustle will rush in from all directions like the tide.

Subconsciously, Langley's steps stopped. The last time Kennedy Airport was crowded, and the accident of Lincoln Center was still deeply imprinted in the memory. Subconsciously, Langley still didn't want to enter the crowd again.

"Lan Li?" Nathan sensitively noticed the pause of lanli and turned his head to cast a suspicious sight; And then Roy stopped.

Lan Li gently breathed out a breath, and his heart was slightly calmed. He knows that facing the audience, surrounding and fanaticism is part of the actor's work, and also comes from the audience's affirmation of the actor's work. So do paparazzi and journalists. He can't enjoy the satisfaction of this job, but he refuses to accept the negative effect of this job, which is wrong.

Everything has two sides. Even dreams are no exception.

Looking up, lanli smiles, nods to Nathan and Roy to indicate that he is OK. Then he steps forward and stops at the exit of the arrival hall. He graciously greets the reporters' cameras and accepts the baptism of the photo frenzy.

The flash lasted only a short time, about 15 seconds. It gradually calmed down, and the vision became clear again. You can see that there were about a dozen reporters standing in front of you, each with long guns and short guns on his back, and his briefcase, with an excited expression; Outside the circle of reporters, there were 40 or 50 spectators, who were scattered around in an orderly manner, waving and laughing.

The scene is very lively and boisterous, but there is no imagined crowding and containment. To be exact, the reporters and the audience are slowly retreating, leaving enough space and keeping enough distance. The orderly welcome lineup is lively but warm.

"Welcome to Berlin, Langley!" I don't know who yelled, but the others also yelled, "Welcome!"“ Young master, you are so charming! " A few shouts made other people laugh, and the atmosphere seemed more lively. However, the distance was still not close, and the space of politeness was always maintained.

Lan Li was a little surprised, and then his smile rose. He nodded politely to the reporters and the audience. Seeing that they didn't plan to ask questions, he stepped forward. As he moved forward, the reporters and the audience moved with him, but the road ahead of him gave way ahead of time. It was clear that a passage went straight to the black van parked on the side of the road.

Without any hindrance, he came to the side of the car. Lan Li hesitated for a moment, stopped, looked back and yelled to the reporters and the audience, "thank you!" With a wave of his hand, he turned and sat in the back seat of the van. After Nathan and Roy got on the bus one after another, the van slowly left the parking space and left.

For the first time, Langley felt the difference of the city. It's not London, it's not New York, it's not Los Angeles, it's not Toronto, it's Berlin. Even during the Berlin Film Festival, the city also shows the unique German temperament and welcomes filmmakers from all over the world with a unique attitude.

In just 20 minutes' drive, you can see high-rise buildings, busy traffic and modern scenes. The van is entering the most dynamic and vital area on the west side of Berlin, with restaurants, theatres, shopping corridors, cinemas, office buildings, shopping malls, casinos and other modern buildings; At the same time, above Potsdam square, there is a broken Berlin Wall, reminding tourists and citizens of the history of this area——

After the demolition of the Berlin Wall, the new city center began to design buildings in 1993. At that time, it was the largest construction site in Europe, and now it has become one of the most colorful areas in Berlin. Every year's Berlin Film Festival is held here; Meanwhile, Sony's European headquarters are also set up here.

The car slowly stops at the gate of Grand Hyatt Hotel, the news center of the annual Berlin Film Festival, as well as the official hotel for actors and directors. The main venue of the festival is just two blocks behind the hotel, within walking distance. For film lovers, this area is a place of pilgrimage every year.

From a distance, you can catch a large number of fans wandering in front of the hotel. It's not clear that there are two or three hundred people, or maybe more than one thousand people. They are scattered in every corner of the street around the hotel. Even the falling rice and snow can't dampen their enthusiasm.

When they noticed the official shuttle bus sent by the Berlin Film Festival, all the people swarmed up, cheering and shouting, while curiously stretching their necks, trying to get a glimpse of the real names in the car ahead of time. The noise, the call and the cry are all around us. Before entering the Berlin Film Festival, we have already felt the fans' enthusiasm from here.