Of course, for the other big names in this field, such an award might be optional, but for Zheng Lixiang, it is a form of recognition and affirmation.
She has just started her career as a director and desperately needs an award for affirmation. The Venice Film Festival is such a platform. If she could take home an international award, even a consolation prize, it would cause quite a stir back home.
This is the charm of the Venice Film Festival. In China, there are countless awards like the Golden Horse and Golden Eagle awards, but their prestige is somewhat lacking. Once it elevates to an international level, it's like being gilded, and the domestic audience is more willing to buy it.
Zheng Lixiang regarded this as a bottleneck or a hurdle. Crossing it would mean a breakthrough, entering a new world, and by then her level would be different, so she places great importance on this award.
