America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 498 Preparing to Cause Trouble

The following morning, in accordance with PR manager Melanie's need to increase exposure, Martin left the hotel after breakfast and took a walk along the waterfront promenade leading to the Palace of Film Festivals.

With the Cannes Film Festival just around the corner, the area around the Palais des Festivals has been newly decorated, and film fans, tourists, and media reporters have gathered on the promenade.

Martin was surrounded by reporters taking photos, and occasionally fans would come up to ask for autographs or photos, which he obliged.

Fortunately, this is Europe, not Los Angeles, so Martin's influence isn't that great.

In addition, there are quite a few movie stars and directors along the seaside promenade.

Martin glanced around and spotted Ang Lee, Johnnie To, and Quentin Tarantino.

The crowd and media reporters suddenly erupted in excitement, with many people rushing towards one place.

Menez jumped up to take a look, then came down and said, "Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci came out together."

Martin had just reviewed all the details of this year's film festival yesterday, and in the special screenings section, there is "Don't Look Back," starring Sophie Marceau and Monica Bellucci.

Menez said, "Sophie Marceau is also my artistic muse."

Bruce couldn't help but say, "You have so many artistic goddesses."

"European actresses over 40 who are also beautiful," Menez declared confidently. "They're all my goddesses."

Martin said, "Spend more time on the red carpet at the film festival opening ceremony tomorrow afternoon. Sophie Marceau's signature move is showing her nipples on the Cannes red carpet."

Menez quickly took out his phone, opened the camera, and took a picture of the sea: "Not clear enough."

Bruce said, "I'll get a professional SLR camera then."

"Great idea!" Menez laughed. "I'll bring my camera on the opening red carpet."

The three arrived near the beach, where a reporter called out to Martin. Martin turned around, smiled at the camera, and posed for photos.

The reporter's camera quickly shifted to the other side, where the beautiful woman seemed to be more attractive.

Martin also went over: "Jennifer, over here."

Jennifer Lawrence also saw Martin and quickly walked over to greet him, saying, "I was planning to visit you at your hotel yesterday, but your crew was in a meeting, so I didn't want to disturb you."

She had her eye on Nicholson since she was under 16, and she was quite quick-witted: "If there's anything I can do to help in Cannes, just let me know."

Martin didn't need her help at all, and casually replied, "Just do your job well on set."

Jennifer Lawrence's co-star from the same film came over and said, "I didn't expect to run into you here."

Martin glanced at Charlize Theron, whose height and long legs made her look like a clothes hanger, and replied with a smile, "Sally, the place where you are is like the Earth's core, always generating endless attraction."

Charlize replied politely, "I'm not as good as you. Last year you were the number one sexiest male star in Hollywood."

Feeling ignored, Jennifer Lawrence quickly interjected, "You two know each other?"

Martin said, "Sally and I are good neighbors."

A reporter across the street called out, "Martin, Charlize, can I take a picture of you two together?"

Martin did not answer.

Charlize came over automatically and looked at Martin: "Is it okay?"

Martin smiled at her and said, "It's my pleasure."

Reporters had already seized the opportunity to take photos. From their angle, Martin and Charlize were gazing into each other's eyes, their gazes conveying affection...

Martin and Charlize turned around, with their backs to the sea, and took a photo together.

Jennifer Lawrence was completely ignored.

She was a girl who couldn't stand being alone, so she moved closer to Martin on the other side.

After posing for photos with the reporters, Charlize turned to look at the sea and asked Martin, "Are you aiming for Best Actor?"

Martin said, "Having this idea is one thing, but whether it can be realized is another, given the many competitors."

Charlize lowered her voice: "I heard from Kim Basinger, who's also in the same production, that Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds has listed Best Actor as its top target."

"Thank you for reminding me." Martin saw the name "Inglourious Basterds" in the list of films in the competition section.

Brad Pitt's character has passed away, and he declined Harvey's invitation. The male lead in this film is Josh Brolin, who was once famous as Thanos.

Charlize had no contact with Harvey, but didn't mind currying favor with her neighbor Martin, adding, "The actor they applied for is the German Christoph Waltz."

Martin immediately thought of that German officer; in his previous life, he had seen Waltz's performance in "Inglourious Basterds," which was considered superb.

But the role that left the deepest impression on him was the dentist and bounty hunter in Django Unchained.

Martin nodded and said, "When you go back to Los Angeles sometime, come over to my place for a get-together."

Charlize smiled slightly and said, "No problem."

Not far away, Menez and Bruce were whispering to each other.

Menez asked, "When will I meet my artistic goddess?"

Bruce had already inquired: "Huppert will be attending the film festival opening ceremony tomorrow, and the production team has also invited her to the world premiere."

"I watched 'The Piano Teacher' and 'Mother, the Limit of Love' last night." Mennet lowered his voice: "It is said that you can see the actor's personality from the role. According to the female lead in these two films, Isabelle Huppert should be interested in people younger than her."

Bruce gave a thumbs up: "As expected of you, Menez."

Menez, head held high and chest puffed out, exuded a hint of pride: "Old Bu, you don't understand Menez at all! Do you think I just go and fawn over any suitable target? I always study them carefully first, then act cautiously, only making sure someone gives me the chance to fawn over them."

"I understand!" Bruce said admiringly. "With your silver tongue, once they've been swayed by you, they'll never forget you."

Menezes already had a plan: "Tomorrow I'll make a good impression on her, then I'll make my move again at the premiere!"

Bruce patted him on the shoulder: "Brother, you'll be the next Morgan Freeman."

Martin chatted with Charlize for a while, then went shopping to make his presence known, waving to the two of them and saying, "Let's go."

Menez and Bruce followed.

"Are you friends with Martin?" Charlize asked Lawrence as she watched Martin walk away. "I've never heard you mention him."

Lawrence could tell that Charlize wasn't as cold towards her as before after meeting Martin, but she didn't dare to say anything: "My boyfriend and Martin have a very good relationship."

Charlize casually asked, "Leonardo?"

Lawrence thought for a moment, then deliberately leaned close to Charlize's ear and whispered, "Jack."

Perhaps it was the shared secret that brought the two closer, and Charlize added, "When you have good resources, seize them; they can save you a lot of trouble."

Lawrence was a smart girl. Seeing that Charlize wasn't as cold as before, she quickly stepped forward and walked with her, saying, "I have many questions I'd like to ask you."

Charlize did not look down on Lawrence's path, because she had gone through the same thing, and it was even more difficult for her.

A girl from South Africa, who was forced to become an actress after a ballet injury that led her to become a model, has no connections in Los Angeles and is very beautiful. What is her real asset that can impress Hollywood bigwigs?

The Hollywood ecosystem today is far better than it was when Charlize Theron first entered the acting world.

Midway through, Jennifer Lawrence encountered Harvey Weinstein. Because of Nicholson's connection with the trio of scoundrels, she disliked the fat man and, like Charlize, automatically kept her distance.

Harvey, seeing Martin being followed and filmed by numerous reporters from a distance, immediately quickened his pace.

He is quite famous in France, and the reporters automatically made way for him.

"Hi, Martin," Harvey greeted him.

Martin turned around and shook hands with him, both smiling broadly as if they were close friends who could talk about anything: "Harvey, I was thinking of visiting you this afternoon, but I didn't expect to run into you here."

Harvey seemed to be complimenting: "I've seen the Benjamin trailer. You played the role from childhood to old age, which is admirable."

He deliberately raised his voice: "Martin, you're the frontrunner for Best Actor at Cannes this year!"

Reporters around them snapped photos of Martin and Harvey together, and some even used their voice recorders to record Harvey's words.

Martin, however, was very modest: "Being able to participate in the Cannes Film Festival is already a great honor."

Harvey invited him, "You'll definitely come to the premiere of Inglourious Basterds when you have time."

Martin responded with a reply.

Harvey left on his own initiative to meet Quentin at the beach, and asked his waiting deputy, "Has Isabelle sent a message?"

The deputy said, "The message has been sent, but there's been no response yet."

Unlike other production teams, Harvey was particularly confident in his ability to win awards, and instead of hiring anyone from France, he took charge of everything himself.

He likes the feeling of having everything under control.

Harvey said, "No one can give you a definite answer to this. Invite her to the premiere. Her arch-rival is Isabelle Adjani. You need to prepare some arguments for me."

Quentin Tarantino is similar to David Fincher; he doesn't personally get involved in these things and just stands by without saying a word.

In his eyes, Harvey could handle all this mess.

…………

Meanwhile, Martin received a call from the crew's assistant, went to the Palace of Film Festivals, and sat down at a table.

Based on the information available so far, the Inglourious Basterds production team is also eyeing the Best Actor award.

After all, Isabelle Huppert's relationship with Michael Haneke is public knowledge, making it difficult for her to compete for the Palme d'Or.

After considering the information he had just received on the phone, Martin asked Bruce for a moment, "Which hotel is Harvey staying at?"

Bruce replied, "The Grand Provence Hotel."

Martin continued, "Are the best hotels in Cannes the Five Oceans and Provence?"

"Yes, one is a five-star hotel and the other is a four-star hotel." Bruce realized that Martin was about to cause trouble, so he explained carefully, "The rest are three-star hotels. Celebrities and film crews with a certain status usually don't go there. They only go because these two hotels are full."

Martin pondered for a moment and said, "Melanie received news that Adjani was coming to the film festival, and the organizing committee decided on the spur of the moment to have Adjani present the Palme d'Or."

Bruce said, "The French are something else! Will the two Isabelles start fighting at the closing ceremony?"

Martin, speaking from his own experience, said, "Perhaps that's the effect the film festival wants, after all, that's what makes it interesting."

He got back to the point: "Find someone to book the rooms in Wuyang and Provence that haven't been reserved yet, and keep an eye on Isabelle Adjani's situation. The organizing committee invited her on a whim, so she probably hasn't booked a room."

(End of this chapter)