I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 386 - 386 385. Im here to clarify _1

Chapter 386: 385. I’m here to clarify _1 Chapter 386: 385. I’m here to clarify _1 The award ceremony of this Cannes Film Festival took place at the Lumiere Theater in the Palais des Festivals, which is the venue for the screenings of the main competition entries. The premiere of “Days of Spring Without War” was here.

The Lumiere Theater was named to commemorate the Lumiere brothers, who held the first public film screening for an audience a hundred years ago. The movie that was shown was of a train pulling into a station, which caused a commotion among the audience with its realistic imagery.

Now, the Lumiere Theater was filled with film industry professionals from all over the world. These were not celebrities who rose to fame through social media influence or flattery but actual filmmakers who brought a variety of realistic and surreal works to the public.

The spotlight continuously shifted with the progress of the award ceremony, yet many eyes were fixed on one place, the seat of Lu Ban, close to the aisle at the front.

There was nothing particularly special about him, but next to him, there was still an empty seat.

According to Lu Ban’s behavior, it was a seat “reserved” for Amber.

At this moment, many journalists had already lost interest in the awards being given to 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.

Originally, people thought Lu Ban’s behavior on the red carpet was just for show, but the media and those in the film industry who were close enough discovered that Lu Ban seemed to be genuinely conversing with a “person” beside him.

Could there be… some secret?

When somebody behaves too naturally, it makes the onlookers doubt themselves.

And this was Lu Ban, a big name in the film industry.

A person of his stature could point to a deer and call it a horse, and still, quite a few people might agree with him.

Everyone felt confident about Lu Ban. Director Lu must have his reasons for doing this.

The cameras at Cannes occasionally swept past Lu Ban, and each time, many viewers of the live broadcast observed closely the spot next to Lu Ban, trying to spot anything amiss.

However, it was indeed empty.

If it were true that there was nobody in that seat, then Lu Ban’s acting was too realistic; he acted as if there really was a lady sitting there, very polite and proper.

But as a person, Lu Ban’s acting skills were quite unconvincing compared to his directing ability. Could he really act this well?

Some viewers began to suspect that Lu Ban must have prearranged something with the organizing committee, perhaps planning for Amber to rise up from the center of the stage during the award announcement, surprising everyone!

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

By unspoken convention, each sub-category of the film awards was usually given to different works. The artistic film circle wasn’t large, and there were always some overlaps among the production teams of each film. If one film won everything, it would be rather awkward for the others just running alongside.

Therefore, people generally believed that Lu Ban might receive the Palme d’Or, but awards like Best Screenplay and Best Director would probably go to others.

Unexpectedly, the Best Screenplay award announcement began, and the name of “Peaceful Days in Spring” was heard.

Lu Ban went on stage and accepted the trophy.

“Director Lu Ban, your work has indeed made an impression. Could you talk about the inspiration behind the screenplay?”

Rather than giving him a chance to deliver an acceptance speech, it seemed more like the host took the opportunity to interview Lu Ban. The way she spoke suggested that Lu Ban might take the stage more than once, hence only mentioning the screenplay aspect.

With the help of a translator, the conversation between the two was relayed to everyone present in French.

Lu Ban took the microphone.

“I am honored to receive this award. Just now, a friend asked me why I chose to write the plot this way, why I couldn’t save everyone, feeling that I deliberately hurt everyone. I want to clarify this here.”

He spoke bluntly.

“I’ve tried very hard to make that world a better place, but reality is as 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 among the guests at the event, and a mysterious healing smile began to spread among the audience; those who had been puzzled and astonished, thoughtful and silent, now started smiling as if they understood everything.

Outside the Lumiere Theater, viewers watching the live television and Internet broadcast were bewildered.

[What does this mean, why does it feel like he really went through these things?]

[Did Lu Ban really get too deep into the role and lose his mind?]

[What is he talking about? Why can’t I understand at all, is this some sort of code or slang?]

[I get it, Director Lu is talking about creation, when creation reaches deep into people’s hearts, the character comes to life, it gains its own life and will, and the future is no longer something the creator can control!]

[I heard that Flaubert cried for several days because he killed a character in his book, perhaps Lu Ban fell into the same state during creation.]]

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

[Optimists, pessimists, me.JPG]

The guests at the event whispered among themselves, and many believed that Lu Ban meant that he had become so immersed in his creation that he couldn’t extricate himself, and Amber was a character who was given life and soul by Lu Ban, possessing her own will.

The death of Amber was an inevitable conclusion to the story, beyond the personal will of Lu Ban, the terminal point of her character.

They believed that while writing the script, Lu Ban must also have been heart-wrenchingly completing this part of the story, enduring his own pain, to present these images to the audience in the most perfect form.

With this thought, the one who suffered the most was Lu Ban!

An atmosphere of sadness pervaded the event, mourning for the departed Amber and respecting Lu Ban who pursued art.

Having received the award, Lu Ban returned to his seat, and it wasn’t long before he heard his name again.

The Best Director award.

And following that, the Best Actor award also saw Lu Ban’s figure.

Seeing this scene, many started to wonder.

Was Lu Ban really going to sweep all the major awards at the Cannes Film Festival, achieving a grand slam?

This was historically rare, no, in fact, it was unprecedented.

Amid everyone’s doubts and anticipation, the nominees for Best Actress began to be announced.

Naturally, Amber was among them.

The host invited a veteran of the film circle who had won the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress award to present the award.

She glanced at the content in the envelope and then, her face revealed the same healing, mysterious smile.

“The winner of the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress award is, Amber.”

The entire place fell silent.

The spotlight moved to Lu Ban’s side.

That seat, empty and devoid.