America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 497 The Key to Cannes (Bonus Chapter 2 for Alliance Leader)

Since Cannes doesn't have an airport, film crews attending the festival have to fly from Nice and then travel by car to Cannes.

Martin came out of the airport and got into the same car as Menez and Bruce. Before the car had even left the parking lot, he received a call from Nicholson in Los Angeles.

"You've arrived in France, right? There's something I need you to look after for me." Nicholson made the call, calculating the flight schedule: "The Burning Plain will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Jennifer Lawrence went to Cannes, and I told her to contact you if she runs into any trouble."

Martin, true to his word, replied, "No problem, I'll take care of your girlfriend."

That was a bit ambiguous, so Nicholson specifically said, "I asked you to help look after them, you bastard, don't you dare take them to bed!"

Martin was furious: "You old bastard, do you think I'm that kind of person?" He retorted, "Go ask around Los Angeles and Atlanta, everyone knows that Martin Davis and his brothers put brotherhood first!"

Nicholson laughed: "I was just saying hello, nothing's wrong with that."

Martin hung up the phone.

Menez frowned in thought: "The movie 'The Burning Plain' sounds familiar."

Martin hadn't heard of it: "It's like an art film."

Bruce, however, knew something: "Our neighbor, Charlize Theron, is the female lead in this film."

Martin nodded: "She's a victim of the Oscar curse. She won Best Actress, took on a big commercial production, and wanted to become a star like Julia Roberts who could carry a film at the box office. But it was a box office flop, so she went back to art films."

Menez asked, "Boss, the Oscar curse only works on Oscar-winning actresses, right?"

"Pretty much," Martin said casually without thinking too much. "Most male stars who win an Oscar for Best Actor experience a significant career boost afterward. There might be some unlucky ones, but the proportion is much smaller than that of Best Actress winners."

The film crew arrived in Cannes and checked into the five-star Wuyang Hotel.

This hotel is only 100 meters from both the Palace of Film Festivals and the beachfront promenade, and it is always fully booked during the film festival.

Because neither Warner Bros. nor Paramount Pictures had any intention of vying for Best Actress, Cate Blanchett would only arrive from the UK on the day of the film's premiere, instead of coming in advance like Martin Scorsese and David Fincher did.

The three major European film festivals also have similar rules to the Oscars.

The power of the jury chairperson in each year's awards selection is terrifyingly large.

When Isabelle Adjani, the queen of dramatic actresses, served as the jury president, she not only turned against all the members of the jury in order to win awards for the directors and films she admired, but also acted like the characters she played, causing a huge scene with the Cannes Film Festival organizing committee, ultimately resulting in a tie for the Palme d'Or.

Similar situations are not uncommon at the three major European film festivals, such as Quentin Tarantino's strong support for his ex-girlfriend Coppola at the Venice Film Festival.

It can only be said that wherever there are people, there will be conflicts and disputes.

After checking into the hotel, Martin, David Fincher, and producer Catherine Kennedy rested briefly before meeting up with the film crew's French production manager, Henri, and together they went into the conference room they had booked.

Melanie, the Cannes public relations manager hired by the production team, was already waiting here.

She shook hands with Martin and the other three, had her assistant turn on the projection screen, and came to the front of the conference table, saying, "Gentlemen, the situation has changed somewhat."

Martin looked at the projection screen, which displayed the list of this year's judging panel members.

Melanie said, "Due to internal issues within the film festival organizing committee, the announcement of this year's jury was delayed by a week compared to previous years. The jury president remains Isabelle Huppert, and other nominees include Shu Qi, Lee Chang-dong, James Gray, Elsa Argento, John Travolta..."

Kathleen Kennedy said, "Both are from Hollywood. James Gray has worked with DreamWorks before. I can handle it."

Martin raised his hand: "Lee Chang-dong is Korean, I have a way."

David Fincher frankly stated, "I'm in the film industry; networking isn't my forte, and I don't know any of them well."

Melanie glanced at Finch, turned on her laser pointer, and the red dot landed on Isabelle Huppert's name. She said directly, "The jury president's opinion is the most important. If we can get Isabelle on board, our chances of winning will increase significantly."

Everyone here knows this.

If Isabelle Huppert favors the film, and it receives support from two or three other judges, it will certainly win a major award.

The award selection process at Europe's three major film festivals, which involves dividing up the prizes, is even more blatantly similar to that of the Oscars.

Melanie, a professional in Cannes public relations, had already done her research and said, "Irene Huppert may seem gentle and easy to get along with, but in reality, she is extremely stubborn, even tough. She has a nickname among actresses in the French film industry. Once she makes a decision, she rarely changes it and will definitely push it through. This is similar to her arch-rival Isabelle Adjani."

She emphasized: "She is not easy to deal with. She has been fighting with Isabelle Adjani for 30 years. In the 1980s and early 1990s, she was so suppressed that France only had one Isabelle. You can imagine how shrewd she is."

The two Isabelles are at the very top of the French film actress circle. Compared to actresses like Sophie Marceau, they are not even in the same league in terms of status, acting skills, and awards.

Martin understood Melanie's unspoken message, but said nothing.

Catherine Kennedy asked, "The film festival hasn't even started yet, and Huppert already has a suitable Palme d'Or candidate?"

Melanie stated directly, "Among the films participating in the competition is 'The White Ribbon,' directed by Michael Haneke."

David Fincher then understood: "The director of Isabelle Huppert's masterpiece, 'The Piano Teacher'."

Melanie said, "Huppert claims to be a student of Michael Haneke, and she is both his teacher and friend. As long as 'The White Ribbon' is of good quality, the Palme d'Or is a sure thing."

This wasn't the first time such a situation had occurred, and both Catherine Kennedy and David Fincher were able to accept it.

Martin simply thought to himself that the Cannes Film Festival hadn't even started yet, and four-fifths of the Palme d'Or had already been awarded to a certain film.

Melanie, the outsourced public relations manager, first and foremost had to ensure the production team won a major award, so that she and her team could continue to build their reputation and make big money the following year.

Of course, all of this is based on reality.

She added, "In my opinion, the top choice for the award to strive for is Best Actor, with the Palme d'Or as a second option."

Catherine Kennedy looked at David Fincher; even at her level, she still had to consider Fincher's thoughts.

David Fincher said, "Our priority is to ensure the production team wins a major award."

Melanie said, "Martin is very well-known in France, and my people have access to Isabelle and will recommend Martin to her."

Catherine Kennedy stated directly, "For the film's premiere, you invited Isabelle Huppert and several other jury members."

According to the festival's rules, once the festival begins, except for premieres, jury members are not allowed to have any contact with any members of the film crews participating in the competition.

Melanie assured, "I will invite Isabelle Huppert and at least three judges to participate."

Catherine Kennedy, recalling Martin's earlier words, asked him, "You handled the Koreans?"

Martin nodded. "I'll make the call right now." He gestured to the projection screen and asked, "Is John Travolta a member of Scientology?"

David Fincher, whose abilities lie in filmmaking, felt he had no room to showcase his talents at the film festival from the start of the meeting. Finally hearing a question he could answer, he immediately said, "John Travolta and Tom Cruise are two of the most famous members of Scientology in Hollywood."

Martin said, "I'm trying to get John Travolta's support."

Kathleen Kennedy has a sense of relief. If every actor were as proactive and resourceful as Martin, how much less trouble would the production team and investors have?

Martin left the conference room and returned to his room. He first called Jessica and asked her to handle the communication with the South Korean side. He quickly received a positive response.

He then found Tom Cruise's private phone number and called him.

Martin hadn't expected that he would need to use Tom Cruise's favor so soon.

However, such favors become less effective over time.

Now is the time.

The call connected quickly: "Hi, Martin."

Martin smiled and said, "Tom, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with..."

…………

With the Cannes Film Festival just around the corner, film crews aiming to compete for major awards have arrived in Cannes well in advance.

Inglourious Basterds was one of the films participating in the competition.

Harvey, a master of award management, had long been aware of the relationship between Isabelle Huppert, Michael Haneke, and "The White Ribbon." Knowing that competing for the Palme d'Or would be too difficult, he turned his attention to the Jury Prize and Best Actor.

On a quiet night, Harvey and Quentin knocked on a door together.

John Travolta opened the door, let the two in, then quickly closed it, saying, "You shouldn't have come."

Harvey smiled. "The film festival hasn't started yet."

Having collaborated on "Pulp Fiction" before, they were practically acquaintances. After a casual attempt to strike up a conversation, Quentin said directly, "We're old friends, so you'll have to support me this time."

John replied, "I personally support you!" He spread his hands, "You understand the film festival's judging mechanism. I'm just an ordinary judge. My personal support can't guarantee you'll win. Isabelle Huppert is the key."

Harvey was confident: "I will handle Isabelle."

He felt that Oscar would be attractive to Pell.

John nodded: "I have no more questions."

Harvey and Quentin didn't stay long and quickly said goodbye and left.

John drove them back, and his phone rang. It was the cult leader calling. He answered for a few words, then hung up and remained silent for a moment.

This time, he has to apologize to Harvey and Quentin.

John, of course, wouldn't say it aloud; if they asked, he would give vague answers.

(End of this chapter)