America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 404, Lesson 1: The True Meaning of Photography

Looking back, Cate Blanchett also had a feeling that ever since Heath Ledger's "drug driving" scandal, she has always encountered some inexplicable troubles, and even her career has become unsuccessful.

Now, stimulated by one upsetting event after another, and deliberately misled by others, I did the most foolish thing in a fit of rage.

The reason for this was that Blanchett had a completely different idea at this time. Like Bale, she not only stood by Heath Ledger's side, but also used her own status and influence to put pressure on Martin, who was obviously lower in status than them at the time.

The president elected by the Americans has a famous saying: "If you're not on my side, you're on my side."

She has always stood against Martin.

American……

Blanchett was exasperated, thinking about the two countries and realizing that Australia was just a dog of the Americans.

Quirley added, "Since we can't win, there's nothing shameful about taking the initiative to make peace."

Blanchett asked, "Isn't CAA going to try to find a solution for me?"

"That's exactly what I wanted to say. The phone call I received when you went in was from Brian Lord," Quirley stated bluntly. "Martin's contract with WMA is about to expire, and Brian is in contact with Martin's agent, Thomas Lane, trying to poach them from CAA."

Blanchett understood how Aniston felt that day: "So, for the sake of the newcomers, I, a somewhat past-my-life old man, have to take the initiative to give way."

She suddenly laughed: "Back then, we used similar methods to put pressure on Aniston, and CAA has never changed."

Quirley was very clear-headed: "Our current situation is far worse than Aniston's. Your commercial appeal is too weak. If you don't pursue art awards, there's no room for development."

When Blanchett arrived, he had already accepted reality, saying, "I've already publicly bowed to Nicholson, so bowing to Martin Davis isn't unacceptable."

Once you give in the first step, the second step, the third step, and so on, everything becomes acceptable.

As the film crew wrapped up and people came out, Blanchett spotted Martin among them. After he separated from the girl, she went to find him.

"Can we talk in private?"

"Wait a minute." Martin pointed to his face. "I need to remove my makeup first. It's too uncomfortable wearing these on."

Blanchett nodded slightly and stepped aside to wait patiently.

When the crew was almost all gone, the trailer door opened, and Bruce got out first, making several phone calls in a row.

Then, Martin came out, waved to Blanchett, and climbed onto the roof of the trailer.

He wouldn't be alone with Blanchett in a confined space; instead, he would give her a chance to see how far she could go.

Blanchett followed.

Standing on high ground, gazing at the western horizon, the sun, about to sink below the horizon, dyed a large expanse of clouds red.

Blanchett, disregarding Martin's interpretation, stated directly, "Our entire feud began that afternoon in New York when Heath Ledger, under the influence of drugs, nearly ran into you and Aniston. Out of friendship and consideration for the Australian entertainment industry, I sided with Heath Ledger, putting pressure on you, Aniston, and the agency..."

Martin didn't reply, but simply took a few steps forward, getting slightly closer to the edge of the trailer.

Blanchett stepped forward, recounted some past events, and then emphasized, "There are many rumors in Hollywood about the 'Triad of Assassins,' all saying that Nicholson spearheaded and formed it. That's not actually true, is it? And your conflict with Nicholson about the Joker was also fake, wasn't it?"

Martin neither admitted nor denied it: "You've been thinking a lot lately."

"Yes, I've thought about a lot of things, and I've figured out a lot of things." Blanchett appeared very sincere, and the personal pain seemed to have brought her to her senses: "This was never a problem between you and me, and it was both foolish and unnecessary for me to get involved."

Once she got to the point, it became much easier to continue: "What I pursued was the art of film performance, and I wanted to become an artist, not a tool for the industry and conflicts of interest. There was no personal conflict between us, nor was there any conflict over our acting styles. It was just that due to an accidental event, we were on opposing sides, which led me to make a series of mistakes and caused you a lot of trouble."

Martin was somewhat surprised, but quickly came to terms with it, because the Nicholson scandal involving an old white man had truly caused Blanchett immense pain.

Blanchett turned to face Martin, bowed deeply, her head almost touching Martin's waist: "I am very sorry for this, and I do not ask for your forgiveness, but from this moment on, I will no longer stand against you."

Martin looked at Blanchett. Unlike Leonardo DiCaprio, who could discern whether someone was acting from subtle details like frowning or glaring eyes, Blanchett was not.

He glanced down at the trailer and said casually, "I also hope we're just ordinary colleagues."

"I believe it will." Blanchett didn't make any move. After apologizing, he turned around, got off the tow truck, glanced at Bruce who had his arms crossed, and left.

After everyone had walked away, Saoirse Ronan emerged from behind another car with her camera and said, "What's the use of these? Can we sell them to the media for money?"

Bruce took the camera, removed the memory card, and put it away: "I'll buy you a new one later."

He held leverage over Saoirse and could manipulate the young girl, saying, "If there hadn't been a rush, I wouldn't have called you here."

Saoirse was completely baffled.

Martin got off the trailer, took out a recorder and handed it to Bruce, then said to Saoirse, "Remember this lesson: if a good person wants to establish themselves, they must first learn how to protect themselves."

The filming had satisfied Saoirse's voyeuristic desires, while Martin's words had aroused her thirst for knowledge.

Saoirse thought for a moment and said, "Aren't you worried that she might use her femininity to slander you or something, since you didn't talk to her in the trailer?"

Martin just looked at her.

Saoirse continued, "Old Brooks asked me to come over for filming again. Normally, this isn't necessary... wait, why did you choose to be on top of the trailer? Was it to see the Michoud equipment factory?"

"Do you think everyone is like you, with a screw loose?" Martin adopted a teacher's tone and began by scolding him.

Saoirse shrank back. "I just don't understand."

Martin said, "I wanted to create an opportunity for her, and also to see her courage and bottom line." He pointed to the top of the trailer: "There are only two people up there. If she's low-brow enough, brave enough, and ruthless enough to herself, she can jump down and say I pushed her down."

Saoirse looked at the camera in her hand, its memory card now removed: "So, you're going to film everything?"

Bruce's words sound nice, but Saoirse wasn't the only one actually filmed.

Saoirse understood: "She slandered us, so we'll release the video amidst the media frenzy and deliver a fatal blow."

Martin didn't answer, but went to the trailer to get his bag and phone: "Let's go, back to the hotel."

Saoirse quickly followed, glancing at Martin and then Bruce, thinking to herself how lucky she was to have listened to Leonardo's threats and kept her mouth shut, otherwise...

Who are these teachers and Old Bu?!

If Cate Blanchett really tries anything funny, she'll definitely get destroyed by her teacher!

Saoirse suddenly realized that her teacher had said the first thing to teach her was the true essence of photography. Was this the true essence of photography? She used to just randomly take pictures with a camera, like a voyeuristic fool!

Upon arriving at the film set's parking lot, Saoirse got into her mother's car, waved goodbye, and left the studio first.

Bruce got into the car and started the engine. After Martin got into the passenger seat, he asked, "Aren't you afraid of corrupting people by teaching them like this?"

"This is teaching that idiot how to protect herself." Martin fastened his seatbelt. "Old Brooks, don't you think being a teacher and instructing students is a very interesting thing?"

Bruce drove out of the studio gates: "I thought your greatest pleasure was stealing other people's girlfriends or wives."

"Don't follow Leonardo DiCaprio's example and slander people indiscriminately," Martin emphasized. "The joy of teaching is different from anything else."

Bruce didn't want to discuss these things anymore, lest he be influenced and become even more twisted, so he asked, "Blancett made peace with you?"

Martin said, "She apologized to me and expressed that she would no longer be on the opposite side of us. I told her that from now on we would just be ordinary colleagues."

Bruce understood Martin perfectly and immediately grasped his meaning: "If Blanchett is truly just an ordinary colleague, as she claims, or conversely, just an ordinary colleague with whom we have fierce competition?"

Martin gave a thumbs up: "Old Brooks, your reading comprehension deserves full marks!"

Upon arriving at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where the film crew was staying, Martin saw people sitting in the lounge area as soon as he entered the lobby.

Leonardo and Nicholson arrived unannounced and were chatting with Tilda Swinton.

Elizabeth Olsen, wearing a beige sweater and sky-blue jeans, strode over, hugged Martin, and gave him a passionate kiss.

Martin, without hesitation, embraced her and kissed her passionately.

He was already well-known in this regard.

Martin asked, "Why did you suddenly come here?"

Elizabeth looked at Bar Refaeli, who was also sitting in the lounge: "I heard from Bar that they were coming to visit the set, so I came along on Leo's private jet."

Just as the two were about to walk over, Saoirse Ronan came up from behind and asked, "Teacher, is the Cola Saintess your girlfriend?"

"Cola Saintess? Me?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

"You don't know," Saoirse said, trying to put away the camera that had been used to take the photos, "After you and Martin took those photos, a lot of people on the internet started calling you the 'Cola Saintess.'"

Thinking that Martin was the leader of the Cola Cult, Elizabeth smiled sweeter than a can of cola: "I like that nickname."

She then remembered: "Who are you?"

"Saoirse Ronan, Martin's student." Beneath Saoirse's humble demeanor lay a strong desire to pry.

Elizabeth knew who it was: "I am Elizabeth Olsen."

Martin noticed Saoirse's eagerness and decided to show the new students some teacherly affection, calling out to the two of them, "They're waiting for us."

Elizabeth had a good impression of Saoirse, and since they were close in age, she said, "Let me introduce you to a few friends."

Saoirse saw Leonardo and Nicholson and thought to herself, "I know them even without your introduction."

But she couldn't refuse, so she had no choice but to go along.

After exchanging greetings, Tilda Swinton left first.

Leonardo, that bastard, of course hadn't forgotten Saoirse. He grinned and asked, "Little one, you've kept your mouth shut. We don't need to kill you for now!"

I went out for lavish meals countless times, spending thousands of yuan on gifts, and then I got hepatitis B – what bad luck! Lately, many people around here have hepatitis B, and it's really unpleasant. Not only is there a fever, but my hemorrhoids hurt like they're being cut with a knife, my arm that I broke as a child feels like severe rheumatism, my head feels like it's splitting open, and it's like all the uncoordinated parts of my body have suddenly been activated. My fever has subsided, and my other symptoms are lessening. My wife caught it from me and is experiencing something similar, and my daughter has started coughing – damn it!

(End of this chapter)