After its international premiere at the Sommet International Film Festival, “Strong Yet Broken” received mostly favourable reviews from the world’s leading film critics. They praised it for its rawness and realistic depiction of the issues surrounding the topics of disability, depression, and suicide. The film didn’t sugarcoat or romanticize these subjects, except perhaps for the love of Guan Jintao’s mother for her husband and son.
All of these reviews were published in different languages which gave everyone involved in the film a dream-like feeling of amazed disbelief. The fact that their film, “Strong Yet Broken”, made its international debut at what was considered by many as the world’s most prestigious film festival hadn’t completely hit home to them yet.
Never did they expect that the indie film they created and acted in would garner such unprecedented success and recognition, not only in China but also abroad. All of them would never forget the wonderful experiences they had with this film. Of course, Iris Long also felt the same way.
There were also some critics who wrote negative reviews. A handful of them were even extremely scathing. It dampened the cast and crew’s high spirits somewhat before they decided to shrug their shoulders. Nobody could please everyone. They would just focus on the positive reviews and praises, instead of brooding on the harsh criticisms.
Finally, after more than a week of nonstop screenings and various events, the last day of the Sommet International Film Festival arrived. All of the shortlisted films had already been screened and watched by the thousands of film enthusiasts who travelled to the French Riviera just to attend the festival.
Unlike the (boring) opening ceremony, almost everyone was excited for the awards night. They didn’t care if the host, speakers or the performances would be dull. It was the anticipation of who would win the awards among the selected nominees that everyone cared about the most.
Of course, the nominees also couldn’t contain their excitement and anxiety, even to the few of themwho were already considered veterans. These people had experienced participating in the film festival more than once in the past. A handful of them even won awards before. Despite this, they still couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. This was the prestigious Sommet International Film Festival Awards after all.
As for the other participants, the majority of them were complete newcomers. So it wasn’t surprising that they were almost beyond themselves in their nervous excitement. This was a dream come true for most of them.
The only Chinese entry, “Strong Yet Broken”, received a total of four nominations.
First was for the Best Debut Film Award. The winner would be chosen among the films with cast and crew who were total newcomers to the Sommet International Film Festival. Every single person involved in the film must never have participated in the film festival in any way in the past.
Second was for the Best Soundtrack Award. Iris Long was nominated for her work in “Strong Yet Broken” as the composer of the film score. If she won, she would be the youngest recipient of this particular award in the film festival’s history. She was 21 years old this year. The youngest winner recorded was a 27-year old man who won the award five years ago.
Third was for the Best Actress Award. The actress playing Guan Jintao’s mother was nominated for her outstanding performance. Win or lose, China’s acting industry was already celebrating her achievements for her work in “Strong Yet Broken”. She was now being lauded and respected as one of the most phenomenal actresses in China.
Last but not the least, the film was also nominated for the main prize, the Soleil d’Or or the Golden Sun Award. This was the highest honour among all the prizes given out at the Sommet International Film Festival. Receiving this award was a dream come true for all serious filmmakers.
The Sommet International Film Festival was also considered as the opening to the long awards season. Winning the Soleil d’Or would give the film and everyone involved in it a higher likelihood of winning other prestigious awards in other countries, including the famous long-running Institute Awards in the US, also officially and popularly known as the Owens, which was broadcast to more than a hundred countries all around the world.
But for now, everyone was focused in the Sommet International Film Festival.
The awards night was even more fabulous than the opening ceremony. It was the final night, after all. The next Sommet International Film Festival wouldn’t happen until next year.
Everyone dressed their best. The spectators, media, and VIP guests were almost triple the number compared to the opening night. The event was filled with glitz and glamour. Of course, the spectators’ screams and shrieks sounded all throughout the event.
Like the opening night, after the regular members of the audience quickly walked the red carpet, the VIP guests started arriving with much pomp and circumstance. It was another parade of fashion and star power.
Enrique Valdez.
Maestro Ludovico De Luca and his wife, Madame De Luca.
Vizcondesa Lan of Castillo de Estrellas of España with her large entourage of bodyguards.
Jiang Ying Yue didn’t accompany Wei Lan this time. She decided to stay with her son at the villa estate instead. To her, it was much more fun to spend the night with Little Jun than trying to make herself look comfortable in front of all those people and media. Although she didn’t attend, she and Little Jun still wanted to support Iris by watching the awards ceremony on TV.
“Ampa Lu! Anko Hao! Amma Weiyan!” Little Jun exclaimed in excitement whenever he saw his Great-Grandpa Lu, Uncle Lu Zihao, and Grandma Wei Lan on TV.
Jiang Ying Yue chuckled at her son.
“No Mama? No Papa?” Little Jun asked with an adorable expression while pointing his little index finger at the TV.
“Not yet. Your Mama Xiulan and Papa Liwei haven’t arrived yet. They’re going to appear later,” she explained to the toddler.
“Oh!”
Little Jun’s eyes widened a bit, looking as if he understood his mommy’s words.
The mother and son sat on the carpet in front of the TV at the living area. Some of the villa’s French household staff were also watching the awards night with them.
