Chapter 664

Charles didn't go to Orlando to watch the NBA playoffs' first round, especially considering he didn't even attend the Champions League quarterfinals where Arsenal played.

At the end of the month, Arsenal was going to face Real Madrid in the semifinals, and Manchester United would go up against Barcelona. Two teams from both the English Premier League and La Liga were set to battle each other!

It was also the time of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, so Charles decided to check it out.

He ran into one of the founders of the festival, Robert De Niro, a veteran actor in Hollywood.

"Charles, the Tribeca Film Festival focuses on the market for art and independent films. If possible, please support us," Robert said.

"Many young directors make films but don't have the chance to get them into theaters," he added.

Charles smiled, saying, "Don't worry, doesn't Focus Features have a partnership with Tribeca? We will help distribute some quality films!"

Robert De Niro smiled, "It's great to hear that from you. The market for art films is getting smaller."

He sighed, "People's interest in art films is also decreasing, support now is not as it used to be!"

Charles took a sip of his drink and said, "Actually, it all depends on the quality of the films. Low-budget films can still achieve high box office earnings. The market usually dictates the direction, and we have to ensure it doesn't lose money first!"

"By the way, there's a new independent film company in Hollywood called Annapurna Pictures," Charles mentioned, thinking of Megan Ellison, "The boss is Larry Ellison's daughter. She loves independent art films. Maybe Tribeca could also cooperate with her. Robert, you know, these second-generation wealth types are often willing to pay for their dreams!"

...

After chatting with Robert De Niro, Charles went back to his Hudson River villa with Eva Green, who was promoting her film Perfect Sense.

"Actually, Tribeca has quite a few excellent works," Charles said, leaning on the sofa and chatting with Eva Green.

"Yeah, Adrien Brody's Detachment is really good," Eva Green, who was currently filming Dark Shadows with Warner Bros., stated.

"Hey, Adrien Brody's performance in The Experiment last year was impressive, and this year he's given us Detachment, a thought-provoking film," Charles said, expressing his anticipation for Adrien Brody.

Eva Green laughed, wrapping her arms around Charles' neck, "But it seems you don't pay much attention to art films anymore, right?"

"Last year's Black Swan, 127 Hours, Cracks, and The Hunt were all art films, weren't they?" Charles laughed, pulling Eva into his lap.

"I'm talking about films like Juno and Brokeback Mountain, the ones you personally follow. Among these films, you only paid attention to The Hunt," Eva Green said before leaning in to kiss Charles.

Soon, Charles had Eva Green pinned on the sofa, holding her chest, "In Dark Shadows, aren't you supposed to have blond hair and blue eyes?"

"Yeah, the blond look. I wash out the color when I attend events and will recolor it when I return to the set," Eva Green said as she cooperatively removed her blouse. "Do you like it? Next time I'll show you."

"Alright," Charles said, pulling off her bra and beginning to kiss her...

...

In the evening, at Manhattan Club Hotel, Charles encountered James Dolan.

"Charles, congratulations, the Nets will be moving to New York," James Dolan said, raising a glass to Charles.

"But only the Knicks are considered New York's team, right?" Charles replied, swirling his glass.

"Manhattanites don't consider Brooklynites as New Yorkers!" James Dolan laughed.

"So, even if the Nets move to Brooklyn, it won't impact the Knicks," Dolan continued.

"But the Nets played better than the Knicks this year. The Knicks barely made it to the playoffs," Charles responded with a smile.

"Do you think New Yorkers will abandon the Knicks to watch the Nets?" Dolan remained as arrogant as ever.

Charles was momentarily stunned, "James, you sure are confident!"

For James Dolan, the Knicks indeed had grounds for their arrogance, based in Manhattan, the wealthiest region in the United States, and possessing the "Mecca of Basketball," Madison Square Garden.

Manhattan's old New Yorkers were loyal Knicks fans, and showing up at Madison Square Garden was a status symbol!

"Charles, New York will only ever have one NBA team, and that's the Knicks..."

'This old guy,' Charles thought, watching James Dolan leave, 'The Knicks are really something, high market value despite poor performance!'

"Charles, good evening."

Charles turned around to see Jon Feltheimer, the CEO of Lionsgate Entertainment, "Jon, good evening!"

"Lionsgate's The Expendables had a good performance last year. You're developing a sequel now, right?" Charles asked with a smile.

Jon Feltheimer nodded, "Stallone and his team are already preparing for filming. But no matter how well The Expendables performs, it can't compare to Capet Universal's movies."

Lionsgate's film performance over the past few years wasn't great, and The Expendables was their highest-grossing film.

"By the way, doesn't the Punisher from Marvel Comics expire soon?"

"Charles, the rights to the Punisher don't expire until 2013..."

Lionsgate currently held the adaptation rights for Punisher and Man-Thing from Marvel Comics. Charles was determined to get them back!

"Let's head back," Charles said to Eva Green, feeling uninterested and ready to leave.

"Feeling annoyed by too many people trying to strike up a conversation?" Eva Green asked, sitting beside Charles in the car, amused by the number of people eager to chat with him at the event.

Charles laughed, "At events like these, there will always be many people trying to talk to me, no matter where I am." He then picked up the car phone and called his chief bodyguard.

"Larisse, find a bar and let's go have a drink before heading home!"

"Boss, should we go to the bar you used to frequent on Greenwich Street in Lower Manhattan?"

"Sure, but find a quiet one!" Charles said, putting down the phone.

Reaching over to caress Eva's thigh, Charles started thinking about the upcoming Capet Universal investment meeting, akin to a promotional roadshow.

"Eva, Capet Universal is going public. When it does, I'll give each of you the right to subscribe to 1 million shares at an internal price. There's money to be made," Charles reminded.

"I know," Eva Green said, wrapping her arms around Charles' neck and giving him a kiss.

*****

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