On September 9, 2000, the 57th Venice Film Festival concluded at the Palazzo del Cinema on Lido Island.
The closing ceremony, with its implicit theme of "exploring humanity from diverse perspectives," maintained Venice's characteristic artistic solemnity while also becoming a classic in film history due to several highlight moments.
Han Zhiyan once again walked the red carpet to the Palazzo del Cinema. This time, there were many more reporters lining the red carpet than at the opening ceremony, and they didn't hesitate to use their film when they saw Han Zhiyan, who had recently risen to fame at the film festival.
After sitting in his seat, he saw Director Jia not far away and knew that he had also won an award, though he recalled it wasn't a major one.
As the judges entered, the host warmed up the atmosphere with a few jokes, and after the jury president finished speaking, the awards ceremony began.
Judge Sarah Stone took the stage to present the first award of the day—the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement.
"Thank him for a series of excellent works such as 'A Perfect World,' 'The Bridges of Madison County,' and 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.' Congratulations to Clint Eastwood!"
"We are honored that Clint Eastwood is in Venice this year. He is one of Hollywood's greatest icons and an all-around filmmaker. He is not only a popular star, but also a successful actor, renowned worldwide, and an original director whose talent in this area has been underestimated in the past," said the festival's organizing committee chairman, Alberto.
Following the first major award, a series of awards for other sections were presented.
"Congratulations to the director from China, 'Platform' won the NETPAC Award!"
Although Director Jia was nominated for the main competition, he clearly had no hope of winning a major award, receiving what was considered a consolation prize. Nevertheless, he was very happy to go on stage to accept it, as winning an award made the film easier to sell.
The sixth generation of banned directors primarily relied on film festivals to sell their films and copyrights to earn money, as their films were generally unable to pass domestic censorship and thus could not be screened in China.
As the awards were presented one by one, Han Zhiyan couldn't help but feel nervous.
Next, Rose Byrne from Hong Kong director Clara Law's 'The Goddess of 1967' won the Volpi Cup (Best Actress).
Italian screenwriters Claudio Fava, Marco Tullio Giordana, and Monica Zappelli won the Best Screenplay Award for 'The Hundred Steps.'
"Next is the Silver Lion for Best Director." Judge Jennifer Jason Leigh slowly opened the envelope in her hand.
"In the dust and sweat of a small Indian town, using violence as a prism, it reflects the tearing and redemption of human nature. Buddhadeb Dasgupta uses poetic cinematic language to elevate a wrestling match into a metaphor for class oppression—when young people from the bottom class fight against the shackles of fate with their flesh and blood in the ring, every wound is carved with a craving for dignity."
"Congratulations to 'The Wrestlers,' congratulations to Buddhadeb Dasgupta!"
"And there's another film!" Jennifer exclaimed loudly as the audience applauded.
"Through a life-saving conversation that was almost not saved, it teaches us that sometimes, listening itself is the greatest salvation. It reminds us that in the cold digital age, emotional connections between people will always be the ultimate answer to combating nihilism."
"Congratulations to 'suicide hotline,' congratulations to Daxier Han! Let's congratulate this seventeen-year-old youth!"
Han Zhiyan heard his name and was momentarily stunned with excitement. It was Mia next to him who shook him, making him react.
He stood up and hugged Mia, then walked onto the stage with Buddhadeb.
After politely deferring to each other, Han Zhiyan let Buddhadeb deliver his acceptance speech first. Then, holding a trophy with a Silver Lion with wings on a black base, Han Zhiyan thanked everyone.
"Thank the judges for seeing the glimmer in this short film."
"While making 'suicide hotline,' I always wondered what those people who picked up the phone late at night truly needed. Later, I realized the answer was hidden in Gwyneth Paltrow's tear-filled eyes, hidden in the faint breathing on the other end of the line—it was the desire to be heard, the 'you are not alone' that lasts even for just a second."
Han Zhiyan thought of the difficulties of his previous life, and his eyes gradually reddened.
"Thank all the operators; you are the true heroes. And I want to say to those who might be struggling: don't hang up, someone is always waiting for your voice."
"Finally, thank my team. It is you who gave weight to every sigh in those sixty-one minutes. Thank my mother, Mia, who helped me a lot in the film's preparation and production."
"This award belongs to all those gentle souls willing to pause for strangers."
The audience erupted in warm applause. Most of them had seen 'suicide hotline' and thought it was very well made, considering Han Zhiyan a very promising newcomer.
Back in his seat, Han Zhiyan thoughtfully gave the trophy to Mia. Although it was a shared Silver Lion, it was still a Silver Lion, and he could now add it to his resume.
Following the Silver Lion for Best Director were two major awards.
American director Julian Schnabel won the Silver Lion for the Special Jury Prize for 'Before Night Falls.'
Iranian director Jafar Panahi won the Golden Lion Award (Best Film) for 'The Circle.'
Director Panahi said excitedly on the podium: "Obviously, we encountered some troubles during the making of this film. It came from hard and long labor, and I can't even imagine making a similar film. But I am happy about its birth. I come from Iran, a country with a long history... Its people love life, and they inspired me to make this film."
Han Zhiyan looked at Panahi on stage, holding the Golden Lion and giving an impassioned speech, and suddenly felt that his Silver Lion wasn't as appealing. He thought to himself that he would have to win it next time.
After the awards ceremony, Han Zhiyan humbly completed a simple interview at the exit.
"Xixi, I won the Silver Lion Award. I'll be back the day after tomorrow. You'll have to prepare to join the crew then," Han Zhiyan said to Xiao Fei Bao on the phone after attending the dinner that evening.
"Wow, Big Brother, you're amazing! Remember what you promised me before, that you'd make a movie for me," Liu Yifei said happily, laughing on the other end.
"I remember, I remember. I'll make it for you when you're a bit older. I've even prepared the script for you."
"What kind of script? Let me see it when you get back."
"That won't do. I still need to go back and discuss it with Aunt Liu."
After chatting with Xiao Fei Bao for a while and promising to secretly take her to eat delicious food when he returned, he hung up the phone and prepared for bed.
The next day, with Mia's help, he contacted several copyright holders and sold the adaptation rights to a British production company for 500,000 US dollars.
"At the 57th Venice International Film Festival, which concluded yesterday, Director Jia's 'Platform' won the NETPAC Award, Hong Kong director Clara Law's 'The Goddess of 1967' won the Volpi Cup (Best Actress), and Chinese-American director Han Zhiyan's 'suicide hotline' won the Silver Lion for Best Director." — 'Film Times' 'China TV News'
As time passed, the news spread to the other side of the Eurasian continent, and Han Zhiyan's name gradually became known within the film and television circles across the Greater China region.