Chapter 179

At the beginning of 2006, the Golden Globe Awards, announced their nominations. Capet Pictures' No Country For Old Men, Walk the Line, and Little Miss Sunshine were nominated for Best Drama and Best Musical or Comedy.

In West Hollywood, at the Sunset Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, a Golden Globe pre-party sponsored by Dior was in full swing.

Every year, a week before the Golden Globe Awards ceremony, fashion magazines or big brands would host tailored pre-parties for the Golden Globes.

There were the Vanity Fair fashion party, magazine pre-parties, the BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party, Audi Golden Week celebrations, and many more.

Dior, as one of the most important fashion brands under LV, and given that Charles was a shareholder in LV, he naturally attended to support the event.

Hollywood stars, singers, fashion models, as well as media magazine editors and journalists, all made for a grand affair.

"Charlize, I heard you got injured while shooting AEon Flux?" At the party, Charles encountered Charlize Theron, who, as the current face of Dior's J'adore perfume, perfectly matched the brand's theme with her sexy South African charm.

Last year, Charlize Theron had garnered a lot of attention from her Dior J'adore perfume commercial.

Dressed in a sexy, low-cut, backless black evening gown, Charlize Theron's sexy figure and elegance were on full display.

"Ah, I was hurt for about two and a half months, but after recovering, I continued with the remaining shooting," Charlize Theron said. In 2005, she only had two films released: the sci-fi action film AEon Flux and the crime biopic North Country based on real events.

"AEon Flux was originally slated for a summer release last year, but because of my injury, shooting was delayed, and Paramount shifted the release date to December!" This was Charlize Theron's transition project after winning the Oscar for Best Actress, but unfortunately, it failed outright.

With a production budget of $62 million, AEon Flux only grossed $25 million at the North American box office; its total, including overseas earnings, barely reached $53 million.

Charles nodded and smiled, "You performed well in North Country, many critics praised your acting!"

Charlize Theron smiled helplessly, "Even Evelyn Capet is a bit worried about me now, because the failure of AEon Flux has greatly reduced my competitiveness in commercial films."

Originally, Charlize Theron gained fame through her intense performance in the indie film Monster, which had a small budget and was unlikely to achieve high box office sales.

AEon Flux fetched Charlize Theron her highest paycheck of $10 million, yet the film's failure in both reviews and box office was a heavy blow to someone with little commercial appeal.

Now part of Evelyn Capet's network, Charlize Theron understood her concerns were valid.

Charles nodded, "I also think you should appear more in commercial films. Hollywood mainly values an actor's box office draw."

Art films aim for awards, but what are awards for anyway? If not to land high-paying roles in commercial films and increase notoriety.

Charlize Theron smiled again, appearing to be caught in the same Oscar curse as Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman.

After winning the Oscar for Best Actress, they directly encountered failures in subsequent big films. Halle Berry's DC adaptation Catwoman earned her a career-high payday of $14 million; however, the film's failure is well-known.

As for the globally renowned Nicole Kidman, her situation was even worse. Every movie she made in the past two years failed after winning the Oscar for Best Actress.

Of course, Nicole Kidman was so famous that she could still demand a $15 million paycheck despite these circumstances.

Charlize Theron and Halle Berry couldn't match Nicole Kidman's capabilities, and neither could expect ten-plus-million-dollar paychecks right now.

"So, what projects are you working on this year?" Charles inquired.

"There is one project I'm involved in for now, Paul Haggis' anti-war movie In the Valley of Elah, I think I'll be working with Tommy Lee Jones," Charlize Theron said without hiding anything.

"Paul Haggis, huh? He adapted the script for Million Dollar Baby and then wrote and directed the crime drama about racism, Crash. He's also involved in the script adaptation for the current Casino Royale," Charles said, fully aware that this film is one of Capet Pictures' main competitors for the Best Picture Oscar with No Country For Old Men this year.

"You think highly of him, don't you?" Charlize Theron asked with a smile.

"He's talented. Crash is one of this year's top contenders for Best Picture at the Oscars!"

Charlize Theron shrugged, "Capet Pictures' No Country For Old Men and Little Miss Sunshine also have very high critical acclaim."

"No Country For Old Men is nominated for Best Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes. Crash doesn't even have a Best Drama nomination."

Charles shook his head, "The Golden Globes' jury comprises members of the foreign press association, you know that. The Oscar Academy's jury is different!"

To be honest, Charles didn't care much for the Golden Globes and was usually too lazy to even bother with the PR.

"No wonder Evelyn Capet told me you've become more diligent, attending more events lately. Must be trying to win Oscar votes," Charlize Theron remarked with a smile. Previously, Charles Capet was even too lazy to attend film premieres.

Charles spread his hands, "It's unavoidable. Too many film industry professionals are obsessed with the Oscars."

"Producers, directors, actors, agents, critics, and even media personnel, everyone keeps their eyes on the annual Oscar ceremony."

"Because the Oscars are the ultimate stage for filmmakers to prove themselves. Everyone entering this industry is used to living under the spotlight," Charlize Theron said insightfully. Getting into the entertainment industry wasn't just for the glamour and money, but also to satisfy the personal desire to be adored and become the center of attention.

Charles smiled, "You tell it like it is!"

After all, it's like many actors say they hope to be remembered for their acting skills, not their looks. But deep down, they also hope their appearance is praised.

*****

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