I'm Clarifying This Here

The awards ceremony for this year's Cannes Film Festival was held in the Lumière Grand Theatre at the Palais des Festivals, a venue for screening films in the festival's main competition section, including the premiere of "Spring No War".

The Lumière Grand Theatre was built in memory of the Lumière Brothers, who held the first public screening of a film a century ago. The film shown was of a train arriving at a station, and its realistic depiction caused a stir among the audience.

Now, the Lumière Grand Theatre is filled with film industry professionals from all over the world. These are not idols who have become famous by relying on popularity or hype, but real filmmakers who bring people a variety of realistic and surreal works.

The spotlight moved around as the awards ceremony progressed, but many people's eyes were drawn to one spot: Lu Ban, who was standing at the front of the aisle.

He himself was nothing special, but there was an empty seat next to him.

Based on Lu Ban's performance, this was a seat "reserved" for Amber.

At this moment, many reporters were no longer focused on the awards given to the short films and emerging directors; they were only concerned with one thing: the Palme d'Or and the Best Actress award in the main competition.

Initially, it was thought that Lu Ban's behavior on the red carpet was just a show, but media people and those filmmakers who were close to him discovered that Lu Ban seemed to be genuinely talking to the "people" around him the whole time.

Is there some hidden meaning?

When someone acts too matter-of-factly, it can cause onlookers to doubt themselves.

Moreover, this is Lu Ban, a big-name movie star.

People of this caliber, even if they point to a deer and say it's a horse, would likely have many people agree.

Everyone trusts Lu Ban; Director Lu must have his reasons for doing this.

The cameras in Cannes would occasionally pan across Lu Ban, and each time they passed by, many viewers watching the live stream would carefully observe Lu Ban's surroundings, trying to find something amiss.

However, the place was indeed empty.

If there really was no one in that spot, then Lu Ban's acting was far too realistic; he acted as if a lady were actually sitting there, being extremely polite.

But Lu Ban's acting skills are really lacking compared to his directing abilities. Can he really act that well?

Some viewers began to think that Lu Ban had probably informed the organizing committee in advance, so that when the awards were presented, Amber would rise from the center of the stage to surprise everyone!

The awards were announced one by one, and soon it was time for the main competition.

According to certain established conventions, each film award's sub-awards are given to different works. After all, the circle of art films is not large, and the production team of each film will always have some overlap. If there were a grand slam, it would be too embarrassing for the other films to be runners-up.

Therefore, people generally believe that Lu Ban will win the Palme d'Or this year, but awards such as Best Screenplay and Best Director should be given to others.

Unexpectedly, the first script to be selected was "Spring No War".

Lu Ban went on stage and accepted the trophy.

"Director Lu Ban, your works are indeed impressive. Could you talk about the motivation behind this script?"

Rather than asking him to give an acceptance speech, it was more like the host was taking the opportunity to interview Lu Ban. Moreover, the way the host spoke made it seem like Lu Ban would be on stage more than once, which is why the host only mentioned the script.

With the help of a translation device, their conversation was transmitted to everyone present in French.

Lu Ban took the microphone.

"I am honored to receive this award. A friend just asked me why I arranged the plot like this, why I couldn't save everyone, and felt that I was deliberately hurting everyone. I would like to clarify this here."

He speaks his mind.

"I've tried so hard to make that world a better place, but that's just how it is. I couldn't save Amber, and I can't change what has already happened."

"I can't do anything."

Lu Ban's words triggered PTSD in the guests present, and a mysterious, healing smile began to spread among the audience. The guests who were originally confused, surprised, and silent in thought suddenly laughed as if they understood everything.

Outside the Lumière Hall, viewers watching the television and online broadcasts were puzzled.

What does this mean? It feels like he really went through all of these things.

Is Lu Ban really too immersed in the role and has become obsessed?

What is he saying? I can't understand a word. Is this some kind of code or coded language?

[I understand now. Director Lu is talking about creation. When a creation resonates deeply with people, the character comes alive; it gains its own life and will, and its future is no longer something the creator can control!]

I've also heard that Flaubert cried for days after killing off one of his characters while writing his book. Lu Ban might have fallen into a similar state while creating his work.

[No, what are you all talking about? Who died?]

[Optimist, Pessimist, Me. JPG]

The guests at the scene whispered among themselves, and many believed that Lu Ban meant that he was so immersed in the story that he couldn't extricate himself while creating it, and that Amber was given life and soul by Lu Ban during the creation process, possessing its own will.

Amber's death is the inevitable ending of the story, which cannot be changed by Lu Ban's personal will, and it is the final end of her character.

They believe that Lu Ban must have been heartbroken while writing this script, and had to endure his own Affliction to present these scenes to the audience in the most perfect form.

Thinking about it this way, it turns out that the one who Affliction the most is Lu Ban!

A somber atmosphere filled the scene, mourning the lost Amber and respecting Lu Ban's pursuit of art.

After receiving the award, Lu Ban returned to his seat. He had only been sitting down for a short while when he heard his name called again.

Best Director Award.

Immediately afterwards, Lu Ban was also seen in the Best Actor category.

Seeing this, many people began to have doubts.

Is Lu Ban really going to sweep all the Palme d'Or awards and achieve a grand slam?

This is unprecedented in history, no, it's even the only one of its kind.

Amidst everyone's doubts and anticipation, the films nominated for Best Actress began to be played.

Naturally, Amber is among them.

The host invited a veteran actress from the film industry, who had won the Palme d'Or for Best Actress, to the stage to present the award.

She glanced at the contents of the envelope, and then a healing yet mysterious smile appeared on her face.

"The winner of this year's Palme d'Or for Best Actress is Amber."

The entire room fell silent.

The spotlight shone on Lu Ban.

That seat was empty.

Thank you to "Gouyu" for the generous donation of 10,000 coins!

Thanks to "It's a Cat" for the 5,000-coin reward, thanks to ""Yuzhongyu"" for the 500-coin reward, and thanks to "Cang Xing" and "Handsome Deskmate" for the 100-coin reward!