Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1532 - 1531: The Earth Shakes and the Mountains Tremble
What, who?
It wasn’t just the press room; the entire film palace was in an uproar. A stone stirred up a thousand waves, and ripples of shock spread continuously.
The journalists, the audience, and even the crew members were all stunned upon hearing the news, unable to process it and not knowing how to react.
Someone had just finished watching a film and left the screening room, only to see a gathering crowd. They thought there was some major news from the festival and hurriedly took a few quick steps forward, trying to find out what was happening.
The result—
"Who?"
A face full of question marks, completely puzzled.
"Li Wei, the football star! You know the Super Bowl, right?"
"The Super Bowl, of course, I know. There’s also a halftime show every year. This year it’s Shakira."
"Yes, that Super Bowl. Li Wei has been the Super Bowl MVP for three consecutive years."
Seeing the continued blank expression, someone finally kindly explained.
"Equivalent to Tennis’ Federer, Football’s C Luo."
Gasp!
A sharp intake of breath, and instantly a buzz. The first question that popped up in their minds was, "What is the Football C Luo doing in Berlin?"
"Exactly, that’s why we’re gathered here trying to figure out what’s going on. What is Li Wei doing at the Berlin Film Festival?"
Finally, the realization dawned—
Imagine if C Luo suddenly appeared at a film festival, whether to watch a movie or support a friend, this dimension-breaking act would easily drive everyone crazy. Even those who don’t care about sports would have uncontrollable curiosity at this moment.
Precisely because there was no connection before, now seeing such a figure at the Berlin Film Festival without warning, the shock is tenfold, even hundredfold.
In front of us, Li Wei has this very effect.
Moreover, this is Berlin, not the star-studded, celebrity-filled Cannes Film Festival, nor the Venice Film Festival, which becomes Hollywood’s playground due to its proximity to Oscar season, but Berlin, which stands proudly embracing wind and snow in the freezing winter, never bothering to invite world-class stars to showcase their arrogance as artists in Berlin.
But, Li Wei appeared.
Rustling, uncontrollably, a hurricane swept across.
Among Europe’s three major film festivals, the Berlin Film Festival always lacked buzz and often faced cold receptions. Even on social networks, discussions are somewhat sparse.
Tonight, however, Berlin fully enjoyed the limelight, with enthusiasm and curiosity stirring throughout the city. Once the news hit online, it spread rapidly like a wildfire, waves mounting in crescendo.
Such a grand scene was simply unheard of.
When the artistic director of the Berlin Film Festival, Carlo Chatrian, heard the news, he was busy with the scheduling task of the marketing department.
The festival’s screenings for the media and audience differ slightly as they also host special screenings for global film distribution companies, showcasing all works from different units and sections, in hopes of finding distributors for them to venture into cinemas in different markets.
This task is equally important as everyone’s focus on the "main competition unit."
Because of this, Chatrian was slightly irritable when interrupted from his work. He needed to add screenings for two films, forcefully fitting them into the crowded schedule without undermining other films’ exposure, hence his stern look towards the staff, speaking curtly.
"What about it." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"It’d better be important, and really important."
The staff member who rushed into the office swallowed, "... C Luo is here."
Chatrian almost fell under the table, "What?"
That staff immediately realized they misspoke, "No, no, no, not Football’s C Luo, but Football’s C Luo."
Chatrian, "Ha?"
Slightly puzzled, but Chatrian quickly caught on, "Li Wei?"
The staff member nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, it’s him."
Chatrian took a deep breath, his heart momentarily ceased beating—
From a market impact perspective, Football remains an insurmountable barrier. C Luo and Messi’s status remains revered globally; yet, speaking of future market prospects, Li Wei stands alone. Last year, Li Wei surpassed numerous competitors to top the Forbes list was just a beginning.
As an Asian player, not only has he shown dominance on the football field, but he continues to rise, becoming a flagship figure of the sport.
Like Beckham in those days.
Maybe not all fans appreciated Beckham, but the reality was, Football before and after Beckham was entirely different: One aspect was Football’s commercialization process, the other was attracting amateur fans. Beckham undoubtedly played the role of a watershed and turning point.
Before Beckham, Football was already the world’s number one sport; but after Beckham, the ability of Football to create economic value was incomparable.
Now, Li Wei is the same.
From Michael Jordan in basketball to Michael Schumacher in racing, Tiger Woods in golf, and lastly to Tennis’ Roger Federer, their greatness is not only reflected on the field but also in expanding their sport’s influence forcefully, that’s the charm of superstars.
The football world was always missing such a role until Li Wei’s arrival.
So, Li Wei represents the future and also the present.
Therefore, Chatrian is just as puzzled about why Li Wei shows up in Berlin? It’s unquestionably an opportunity for the Berlin Film Festival.
While pondering, Chatrian was already standing up, grabbing his coat, "Where is he now?"
"In the press room." The staff quickly followed, "Director, do you know him?"
Chatrian, "Of course." Pausing a moment, since football is still too unfamiliar in Berlin, "The most prominent global ambassador for Mercedes-Benz."
One sentence carries enough weight.
Chatrian looked confused, "But why did he come? Mercedes-Benz didn’t mention his coming either."
If Li Wei attended the festival as the ambassador for Mercedes-Benz, he could have easily walked the red carpet as a VIP, causing a stir.
The staff member, "He came to watch a movie."
Chatrian, "Ha?"
The staff, "As a journalist. Seems like a special correspondent for the ’Los Angeles Times.’"
Chatrian, "Ha?"
Question marks popped up one after another, leaving him bewildered as he looked at the staff.
The young man helplessly spread his hands, "That’s what people are saying, but he’s still in the press room, and nobody has spoken with him yet."
Chatrian, "Why not invite him personally? He’s a guest we should treat with special attention, we must not neglect this matter..."
The staff tried to explain, but Chatrian didn’t give much opportunity, and the situation was complex; he also didn’t know how to explain properly.
Just as the elevator door opened, appearing on the ground floor of the film palace. The staff member told Chatrian, "Perhaps you should see for yourself."
