Berlin Bound, Part 3
At 2:00 PM the following afternoon, inside the offices of the Los Angeles Times—one of the big four newspapers in the United States—entertainment reporters gathered, waiting anxiously. Suddenly, the fax machine whirred to life. Ring, ring, ring. After a spirited mechanical screech, it let out a long beep and spat out a sheet of paper. It was a clipping of a newspaper article sent all the way from Germany.
"Finally..."
"It was worth the wait."
"Incredible. This is actually the headline of a Berlin newspaper?"
The photo was slightly blurry and degraded from the rushed transmission, but Sion Lee's profile, kissing the hand of a female fan, looked like a professional pictorial. The focus was deliberately locked onto Sion, softly blurring out the fans, reporters, and other actors in the background. It looked exactly like a scene straight out of a movie.
"Whoa..."
"Insane. This guy is a born star. How does a press photo look this good?"
"Is the reception for Echos of a Family good over there? That movie is a masterpiece."
"It was so frustrating how the Golden Globes went out of their way to ignore it."
"...It's a massive hit," the editor-in-chief, who had been reading the article first, muttered.
Right as he spoke, several more faxes began to pour in. Numerous European newspapers had splashed Sion Lee's photo across their front pages. It was clear proof of how deeply the Berlin International Film Festival had been shaken by the presence of 'Hollywood's Broken Prince.'
Passing the glowing articles around, the staff of the Los Angeles Times couldn't help but feel an odd sense of pride.
"How do you like that, Europe? Taste the spicy flavor of Hollywood capital!"
"They must be in absolute shock. Sion Lee's dopamine attack is no joke."
As everyone chuckled, the editor-in-chief brought them back to business. "We need to run this. What tone are we going for?"
"How about we just put up the photo with the headline 'The Invasion of Berlin'... No, wait, that's a bit much, right?"
"It brings up World War II. Absolutely not."
"Then how about this?" someone suggested, pointing to the photo of Sion kissing the fan's hand. "The Man Who Stole Miss Berlin's Heart."
"...I'd prefer it if it matched the tone of the movie a bit more."
"Then how about we drop 'Miss' and just go with 'Berlin'?"
"That's much cleaner."
The entry of Echos of a Family into the Berlin International Film Festival was a massive sensation in its own right. Consequently, it ignited a fierce public backlash against the Golden Globe Awards, which were already facing quiet criticism for their questionable selection of winners this year. Numerous industry insiders poured out articles questioning how it was possible for Echos of a Family to not win a single category, leaving Harvey Weinstein's campaign team reeling under the pressure.
In public relations warfare, having a 'justification' is everything. Needing to tighten his grip on the narrative, Harvey quickly dispatched instructions to the journalists in his pocket.
"Run the articles we prepared. Downplay the prestige of the Berlin Film Festival in the US."
But his efforts were like trying to plug a bursting dam with his bare hands. If Echos of a Family actually walked away with a major award in Berlin... the upcoming Academy Awards, whose results were already practically locked in, would face the same immense backlash as the Golden Globes.
I need to draw up a contingency plan for the Oscars as well...
His usual arrogant, kingmaker persona was nowhere to be found. Harvey paced anxiously, his mind racing.
Berlin fell completely head over heels for Sion Lee. He possessed a face unlike anything the traditional European film industry had ever seen. He was breathtakingly handsome, tall, well-built, incredibly generous with his fans, and possessed a silver tongue. The fact that the European press laughed at every lighthearted joke he cracked was a clear sign that the entire continent was falling under his spell.
Three days after the screening of Echos of a Family, the official press conference was held. The five-member delegation from America—producer Tom Cruise, director Robert Benton, lead actor Sion Lee, and supporting actors Jack Nicholson and Kate Winslet—faced a crowd of dozens of reporters.
[Jack, what does this project mean to you?]
"Both as an actor and as a man looking toward his twilight years, I wanted to leave something behind for the world."
Jack gave his usual characteristic answer about 'legacy' and turned to flash a grin at Sion.
[Kate, did you have any reservations about taking on a smaller role for this film?]
"None at all. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire shoot, and it was a deeply meaningful project for me."
Since Titanic, Kate had been deliberately choosing diverse roles to avoid being typecast, so she handled the reporter's slightly rude question with grace.
[Sion, how does it feel to star in a genre so different from your previous works?]
"It's certainly a bit different from playing a world-saving hero or a sociopathic villain," Sion began with a light joke before adopting a more serious tone.
"But at its core, I don't think it's all that different. I believe both Dan and Bob are heroes. They are heroes in the sense that they are doing whatever it takes to live their lives. And the same goes for Donny, Mina, and Nancy. We accomplished something truly grand in this film."
Every human being writes their own heroic epic throughout their life. In that sense, Sion was saying that his performance in Echos of a Family was fundamentally no different from his previous roles. The reporters were deeply impressed by his words, which perfectly captured the weight and essence of the film.
...And so, they began to misunderstand, assuming that Sion Lee's playful exterior was merely a mask for a profound, intellectual soul.
Incredible. I had no idea he was this kind of actor.
He truly understands the depth of this film. Yes, that is exactly what life is.
Enduring the pain of existence... is indeed a heroic act.
Sion watched the visibly moved expressions of the journalists and thought, I don't even know what to say.
Perhaps it was because the movie itself was so powerful. He could feel their entire attitude toward him shift after just a few words.
The most talked-about film at the 1999 Berlin International Film Festival was, without a doubt, Echos of a Family. Part of it was due to the star power of Jack Nicholson, Sion Lee, and Kate Winslet, who were household names even in Europe. However, those who entered the theater merely to catch a glimpse of the stars walked out drenched in profound emotion. And the jury members were no exception.
We have no choice but to give it to them.
This is easily the best film of the year.
Out of the 207 films screened at the festival that year, 25 were selected for the main competition. Over the course of ten days, the jury members blended in with the general audience to watch every single entry. After marking their scorecards, they submitted their final decisions with virtually no disagreement.
Finally, the judging was complete, and the closing day of the festival arrived. The awards ceremony and closing gala were held once again at the Berlinale Palast. Dressed in their finest tuxedos and gowns, the cast and crew of Echos of a Family had received a special request for every single one of them to attend. Feeling the adrenaline begin to course through his veins, Sion felt as if he could already see the Golden Bear shimmering before his eyes.
"You alright, kid?" Jack Nicholson asked, noticing Sion's slightly restless energy.
"If we win the Golden Bear, can I give you a piggyback ride, Jack?"
"...No. Absolutely not," Jack grumbled, trying to suppress his own expectations. Yet, unable to calm his nerves, he repeatedly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
Tom Cruise, sitting right next to them, was in a similar state.
"I—I don't know why I'm so nervous."
"Whew, stay calm. Just breathe."
This was their chance to deliver a massive blow to Harvey Weinstein, who held immense sway over the Academy and the Golden Globes. The three key figures behind the film were as tense as rookies attending their very first awards show.
The ceremony began. The President of the Jury, Angela Molina, took the stage and delivered her opening remarks.
[First, we will announce this year's recipient of the Golden Bear.]
Drumroll...
And finally, the announcement was made.
[Echos of a Family!]
[Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggghhhhh-!!]
Confetti exploded, cheers erupted, and the orchestra swelled. A cameraman rushed over, capturing the stunned faces of the trio. Being the youngest, Sion was the first to snap out of it. Jumping to his feet, unable to contain his sheer excitement, he roared directly into the camera.
[Did you see that, you bastards?! Daddy's going home with the Golden Bear! Bwahahaha!]
It was... a slightly inappropriate comment for broadcast television.
In the United States, the news of Echos of a Family winning the Golden Bear was broadcast as a special news clip.
Following the anchor's report, the edited footage from the German broadcast played.
["Did you see that, you [BEEP]s?! Daddy's going home with the Golden Bear! Bwahahaha!"]
["...Ah, please excuse the heavy censorship, which was necessary for broadcast standards."]
After the brief, chaotic clip, the screen transitioned to Sion standing on stage, holding the microphone to deliver his acceptance speech.
Unlike his usual witty, fast-talking remarks, Sion delivered a sincere, heavy message about the award. The rest of his speech was equally striking.
["This award is for every family in the world struggling to get by! You can do it! Tell the person next to you that you love them right now! And even if you can't, as long as you live your life feeling the love inside you...! That is more than enough!"]
Sion hoisted the Golden Bear high above his head. A thunderous standing ovation washed over him.
"……."
Harvey Weinstein let out a quiet sigh and clicked off the television. His wife, Eve Weinstein, who had been watching with him, turned to look at him expectantly.
"...What?"
"You're supposed to tell me you love me."
Even his own wife had been completely charmed by the speech.
Dammit...
A cocky Hollywood superstar wins a major European award and creates a heartwarming, family-like atmosphere with the legendary Jack Nicholson. Afterward, overcome with emotion, he even gave Jack a piggyback ride on stage, running around like a madman—and the public absolutely ate it up. Watching the clips of the heartwarming ceremony, Harvey was seized by a dark premonition that no matter what Sion Lee did from now on, the public would adore him.
On top of that, his positioning has shifted.
Previously, Sion had maintained the aura of an aloof 'Prince.' But through this film, he had pivoted to a down-to-earth, relatable figure. Hearing him say "This is a story about us" during his acceptance speech, Harvey felt certain that this shift was entirely calculated.
"Honey? Aren't you going to say it?"
"...I'm thinking about work right now. Go somewhere else."
"Hmph."
His wife pouted and walked away. Left alone, Harvey ran through various scenarios in his head, desperately trying to reassure himself that everything was still under control.
Echos of a Family wasn't even nominated for this year's Academy Awards. In response to the snub, Harvey Weinstein's campaign team had meticulously spun the narrative in the press, claiming that the Academy had 'focused on selecting works of historical and epochal significance.' Since this year's nominees indeed leaned heavily toward period dramas like Shakespeare in Love, Life Is Beautiful, and Saving Private Ryan, they had managed to quiet the initial outrage to some extent.
Ultimately, the only wildcard was the Golden Bear win—an event completely outside his sphere of influence. Because of this, his campaign wouldn't escape criticism entirely.
At least that's the only award they could win.
The Berlin International Film Festival operated under a rule where the film that won the Golden Bear was excluded from winning any Silver Bears. Thinking that Sion Lee might have swept Best Actor, a lifetime achievement award, and everything else if not for that rule, Harvey felt a sudden chill run down his spine.
Yes, so for now, we're fine.
Right at that moment, his cell phone rang loudly.
"...Hello."
[Did you see the news?]
"I saw it. Let's not overthink it. We can suppress the noise."
[Everyone is asking for a concrete plan.]
"Time is the best medicine. It's not like that was the only good movie last year. We just need to drown it out with news about Shakespeare in Love and Life Is Beautiful. We're already doing that anyway."
He would simply overwhelm them with sheer volume. Saying it out loud gave him a boost of confidence, and Harvey finally relaxed his tense shoulders. But the caller's next words shattered his composure.
[Do you know what Sion Lee is doing right now?]
"What is he doing?"
[He just shot a commercial.]
"For what?"
[Gummy bears.]
".........?"
[They're releasing a special event gummy bear with golden glitter.]
It was a brilliant, aggressive marketing campaign perfectly suited to American capitalism. Faced with a move that guaranteed the film would never quietly fade from the public's mind, Harvey felt as if a sniper rifle was being aimed at him from afar. Hearing of a countermove he hadn't anticipated in his wildest dreams, Harvey felt his vision go completely dark.